celbridge abbey grounds

Celbridge Abbey was built in 1960 by Bartholomew Van Homrigh, Lord Mayor of Dublin 1697. Bartholomew Von Homrigh secured from King William III the great chain of office still worn by Lord Mayors today. His daughter Vanessa had romantic associations with the eminent author Dean Jonathan Swift. Swift visited Celbridge Abbey Grounds regularly with Vanessa, delighting in the beauty and seclusion of the natural walks and bowers. Their relationship did not come to fruition and Vanessa died at the early age of 35 having contacted tuberculosis from her sister Mary.
On the death of Vanessa, Celbridge Abbey came into the possession of Lord Chief Justice Thomas, Marly, grandfather of the eminent parliamentarian Henry Grattan. Grattan frequently visited Celbridge Abbey Grounds. It was while visiting his uncle here that he wrote some of his great speeches. Grattan himself claimed to be inspired by the spirit of Swift. It was in Vanessa’s Bower that he wrote his famous speech " The Declaration of Rights" culminating in the achievement of legislative independence of 1782. The Celbridge Abbey Grounds came into the possession of the Saint John of God Order in 1952.