Sir Thomas Esmonde, 11th Baronet
Quick Facts
Biography
Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde, 11th Baronet, KHS (21 September 1862 – 15 September 1935) was an Irish Home Rule nationalist politician and author.
Politics
Esmonde was elected Irish Parliamentary Party MP for the constituencies South Dublin 1885–1892, West Kerry 1892–1900 and North Wexford 1900–1918 in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
He also sat as an independent Senator from 1922 to 1934. He was one of the few people who served in both the House of Commons and in the Oireachtas.
Personal life
He was the son of Sir John Esmonde, 10th Baronet and his wife Louisa, daughter of Henry Grattan.
Louisa and Esmonde had five children:
- Alngelda Barbara Mary Grattan Esmonde
- Eithne Moira Grattan Esmonde; married her second cousin Sir Anthony Esmonde, 15th Baronet
- Patricia Alison Louisa Grattan Esmonde
- Sir Osmond Esmonde, 12th Baronet (1896–1936)
- John Henry Grattan Esmonde (1899–1916); killed in the Battle of Jutland
Esmonde's home, Ballynastragh House, located near Gorey, County Wexford, and dating from the 17th century, was burned down 9 March 1923 by members of the anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army. However, a new house, similar in style, was built on the site shortly afterwards and still exists today.
Esmonde was a frequent traveler and author of articles on Irish folklore and antiquities, as well as a memoir, Hunting Memories of Many Lands (1920). He died in Dublin, six days before his 73rd birthday.
Honours
Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre