Finns of Eden Park
Laurence Finn married Maria Deakin
born circa 1781 21 Aug 1802
St Nicholas, Dublin
Laurence Finn was a brewer of Kilcullen bridge on the Liffey in Co Kildare. A vintner he had premises
at 81 Great Britain Street and 20 Francis Street. He was living at Francis Street and took a concern in
Bishops Street from Alderman Alley’s son and fitted it up as a Brewery. He opened his brewery in
Bishop Street in 1824. The family lived at Eden, Stillorgan from 1835 to 1841. He was a member of the
Catholic Association (a Roman Catholic political organisation set up by Daniel O'Connell in 1823 to
campaign for Catholic emancipation and one of the first mass membership political movements in
Europe) and frequently chaired the meetings of the St Nicholas, St Peter & St Luke and Bishop & Dean’s
Liberties. He also acted as treasurer and arranged for the collection of Catholic rents. At first these
rents only amounted to £6 but as time went on the amount raised rose to about £60 per week. This
body not only devoted itself to repeal but also to the redress of municipal grievances. It also offered
legal advice free of charge. Laurence helped arrange the re-burial of Curran in Prospect (now
Glasnevin Cemetery) in December 1834. He was also treasurer to the Patrician Orphan Society and the
O’Connell Society. He was on the committee of the hospital of SS Mark, Andrew & Anne on Mark Street.
He chaired the meeting of the Repeal of the Union meetings in the 1830’s and also raised funds for the
Coombe Lying in Hospital. He joined the Zoological Society in 1838. In 1840 Michael Shea from Bray,
an agent of the Brewery, was thought to have murdered but later Laurence had a strong suspicion that
he had absconded as money was missing. The Kilcullen Brewery for put up for auction in 1843 as was
his brewery in Bishops Street which A B Darcy had up for sale. Laurence had given the sureties so that
his son could take on the role of City Treasurer. Laurence resigned as the treasurer of the Precursor
Association also. He died on 18 Aug 1844 at Churchtown aged 63.
1 Johanna Finn baptised 19 Jun 1803 at St Nicholas Without.
2 Maria Finn married Francis Codd of Townsend Street on 11 Sep 1837 at St Nicholas.
1 Francis Lawrence Codd baptised at Rathmines on 26 Oct 1838.
2 Francis Lawrence Codd baptised at Rathmines in December 1840.
3 Margaret Finn, second daughter died at 1 Lower Mount Pleasant avenue on 5 Dec 1850.
4 Bridget Finn baptised 10 Jan 1805 at St Nicholas Without.
5 James Finn only son born circa 1806 married Maria Nolan, eldest daughter of Simon Nolan of
Leinster Mills, County Kildare in February 1836. He was a brewer, dealer and chapman of
Bishop Street. In 1942 James, was appointed treasurer of Dublin Corporation in place of Sir
James Kingston James at a salary of £500pa. He absconded in 1843 to Liverpool and then on
to New York aboard the Great Western Steamer with five thousand pounds of the public
money and was later declared bankrupt. He was followed but was thought to have made it to
Texas. His doctor received a letter from his postmarked St Louis. A warrant for his arrest was
issued. His wife and a Mrs Reynolds were thought to have travelled with him.
6 Marianne Finn born circa 1820 died aged 78 at Harrington Street on 20 Nov 1898 and left £500
in personal estate.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – November 2021
Laurence Finn married Maria Deakin
born circa 1781 21 Aug 1802
St Nicholas, Dublin
Laurence Finn was a brewer of Kilcullen bridge on the Liffey in Co Kildare. A vintner he had premises
at 81 Great Britain Street and 20 Francis Street. He was living at Francis Street and took a concern in
Bishops Street from Alderman Alley’s son and fitted it up as a Brewery. He opened his brewery in
Bishop Street in 1824. The family lived at Eden, Stillorgan from 1835 to 1841. He was a member of the
Catholic Association (a Roman Catholic political organisation set up by Daniel O'Connell in 1823 to
campaign for Catholic emancipation and one of the first mass membership political movements in
Europe) and frequently chaired the meetings of the St Nicholas, St Peter & St Luke and Bishop & Dean’s
Liberties. He also acted as treasurer and arranged for the collection of Catholic rents. At first these
rents only amounted to £6 but as time went on the amount raised rose to about £60 per week. This
body not only devoted itself to repeal but also to the redress of municipal grievances. It also offered
legal advice free of charge. Laurence helped arrange the re-burial of Curran in Prospect (now
Glasnevin Cemetery) in December 1834. He was also treasurer to the Patrician Orphan Society and the
O’Connell Society. He was on the committee of the hospital of SS Mark, Andrew & Anne on Mark Street.
He chaired the meeting of the Repeal of the Union meetings in the 1830’s and also raised funds for the
Coombe Lying in Hospital. He joined the Zoological Society in 1838. In 1840 Michael Shea from Bray,
an agent of the Brewery, was thought to have murdered but later Laurence had a strong suspicion that
he had absconded as money was missing. The Kilcullen Brewery for put up for auction in 1843 as was
his brewery in Bishops Street which A B Darcy had up for sale. Laurence had given the sureties so that
his son could take on the role of City Treasurer. Laurence resigned as the treasurer of the Precursor
Association also. He died on 18 Aug 1844 at Churchtown aged 63.
1 Johanna Finn baptised 19 Jun 1803 at St Nicholas Without.
2 Maria Finn married Francis Codd of Townsend Street on 11 Sep 1837 at St Nicholas.
1 Francis Lawrence Codd baptised at Rathmines on 26 Oct 1838.
2 Francis Lawrence Codd baptised at Rathmines in December 1840.
3 Margaret Finn, second daughter died at 1 Lower Mount Pleasant avenue on 5 Dec 1850.
4 Bridget Finn baptised 10 Jan 1805 at St Nicholas Without.
5 James Finn only son born circa 1806 married Maria Nolan, eldest daughter of Simon Nolan of
Leinster Mills, County Kildare in February 1836. He was a brewer, dealer and chapman of
Bishop Street. In 1942 James, was appointed treasurer of Dublin Corporation in place of Sir
James Kingston James at a salary of £500pa. He absconded in 1843 to Liverpool and then on
to New York aboard the Great Western Steamer with five thousand pounds of the public
money and was later declared bankrupt. He was followed but was thought to have made it to
Texas. His doctor received a letter from his postmarked St Louis. A warrant for his arrest was
issued. His wife and a Mrs Reynolds were thought to have travelled with him.
6 Marianne Finn born circa 1820 died aged 78 at Harrington Street on 20 Nov 1898 and left £500
in personal estate.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – November 2021