Patrick D'Arcy

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Patrick D'Arcy (1598 – 1668) was an Irish Roman Catholic nationalist who wrote the constitution of Confederate Ireland.

[edit] Background

Born in County Galway, Ireland, Darcy was the youngest son of James Riabhach Darcy by his second marriage to Elizabeth Martyn. James Riabhach was formerly Vice-President of Connacht, and Mayor of Galway upon his death in June 1603. By his first marriage he fathered Nicholas, Martin, James, Anthony and Anastace. With Elizabeth he had Andrew and Patrick. Elizabeth Martyn was a granddaughter of William Óge Martyn, and an aunt of Richard Martyn, who would later become Patrick's brother-in-law and law partner.

Darcy's ancestor, Walter Riabhac Ó Dorchaidhe (fl. c. 1488), was a member of a lowly family who were descendants of the Partraige of Lough Carra, in what is now County Mayo. The Partgaige are not featured in any extant Irish annal or chronicle, and the only record of them in Gaelic sources is a brief note stating that the Uí Dorchaidhe was chieftain of the Partriage, while their king was the Ó Goirmiallaigh. Adrian James Martyn believes that Walter Riabhach would have settled in Galway sometime in the mid-15th century. Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh states that this Walter Riabhach was "the first man of the Uí Dorchaidhe who came to Galway, according to the Galweigians themselves.

D'Arcy would pursue a political career as a lawyer. He was MP for Navan, and became supreme council of Confederate Ireland in 1641. D'Arcy was a delegate to the treaty with Ormonde in 1646. He may be best known for composing the constitution of Confederate Ireland. He is quoted arguing to William Molyneux that "no parliament but an Irish one can properly legislate for Ireland".^[1]

[edit] References

• Patrick Darcy, Galway Lawyer and Politician, 1598-1668, Nollaig Ó Muraíle, in Galway:Town and Gown 1484-1984, ed. Diarmaid O Cearbhaill, Dublin, 1984.