
Lady Louisa Tighe talk in Thomastown Library
Lady Louisa Tighe of the Woodstock Estate
These talks by John Kirwan, historian, genealogist, author and consultant archivist will transport the audience and give an insight into the life of Lady Louisa who married William Frederick Fownes Tighe 200 years ago in 1825. Her legacy and will provide an enthralling backdrop for a historical narrative based on original research and primary sources. John has had many articles and essays published on Kilkenny history, places and families. He is currently working on a book about Lady Louisa.
Lady Louisa Lennox and Woodstock Estate owner William Frederick Fownes Tighe married in April 1825, and this year marks the 200th anniversary of her marriage and subsequent life on the Woodstock Estate in Inistioge in Kilkenny.
One of fourteen children born to Colonel Charles Lennox, later fourth Duke of Richmond. Louisa was no stranger to Ireland when she arrived; her father had been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1807 until 1813.
Lady Louisa was keenly interested in local welfare, and to give employment to women in Inistioge. She instituted here on of the first examples of lace industry in Ireland, bringing back from Brussels the necessary tools of this trade, and a Fleming woman as instructor. She had only one child, a girl, Charlotte who died in 1838 when only a few months old, being smothered or neglected one night by her two nurses. Her husband, William Tighe died in 1878, while Lady Louisa survived him by twenty-two years and died in March 1900.
Further Information
Kilkenny County Council Library Services