THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 233 



ings, Henrietta street, and he was responsible for designs for 

 many private residences. James Gandon died in 1 823, and 

 a memoir of him from the pen of Thomas J. Mulvany 

 appeared in 1846. 



7. Valentine Browne Lawless, second Baron Cloncurry, 

 was born in 1773, and when quite young became imbued 

 with Nationalist principles. He entered on the field of 

 politics with enthusiasm, and was sworn as a United Irish- 

 man in 1795. His Thoughts on the Projected Union appeared 

 in 1797, and several pamphlets on the same subject from 

 his pen subsequently appeared. Lawless was arrested on 

 suspicion in London in 1798, but was discharged on bail. 

 He was again arrested in 1799, and committed to the 

 Tower, appearing to have been an active agent in the 

 United Irish conspiracy. When released in 1801, he 

 travelled for a time on the continent, and, returning to his 

 native country four years later, he settled on his property 

 at Lyons, co. Kildare, taking a deep interest in agriculture 

 and improved systems of farming. Lord Cloncurry helped 

 in founding the Kildare Farming Society in 18 14, and 

 warmly advocated and supported the reclamation of bogs 

 and wastes. He was created an English peer in 183 1, and 

 in 1849 published his Recollections. 



8. Mr. Benjamin Lee Guinness was born in 1798, and 

 on his father's death became sole partner in the firm of 

 A. Guinness, Son & co. He possessed great powers of 

 organisation, and quickly developed a splendid export trade. 

 Mr. Guinness was elected first Lord Mayor of Dublin under 

 the reformed corporation, and nobly upheld the ancient 

 traditions of the Mansion House. He was elected member 

 of Parliament for the city of Dublin, and between the 

 years i860 and 1865 restored the venerable cathedral of 

 St. Patrick at a cost of about .£150,000. In 1867 Mr. 

 Guinness was created a baronet, and had a special grant of 

 supporters to his arms. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness died 

 in 1868, and a bronze statue by Foley, erected to his 

 memory, stands on the south side of the exterior of the 

 cathedral. 



