James GERAHTY Barrister of Dublin [12906]

  General Notes:

James Gerahty, was a Dublin city councillor and barrister, and author of several influential pamphlets published during the crisis leading up to the Act of Union 1800, which created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , including The Present State of Ireland, and the Only Means of Preserving Her to the Empire, in a letter to the Marquis Cornwallis. James Gerahty's law offices were located at 31 Holles Street in Dublin.
Ref: http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1381653A/James_Gerahty

1843 Belfast / Ulster Street Directory
Barristers
Gerahty, James, 31 Holles Street, Dublin. Michaelmas 1794


King's Inns Library
Henrietta Street Dublin 1
Tel (01) 8782119

Sharon Kiely,
4 Nadzab Street,
Roseneath, 4816,
Queensland, Australia.
7 April 1998,
Dear Ms Kiely,
Thank you for your letter received today, regarding James Gerahty. I am pleased that as a last resort we have some fruitful information for you. We have a record of a James Gerahty attending King's Inns. He is listed in his admission papers as the first son of Peter, Thomas Street, Dublin, merchant and Alice Barnwell. He was admitted to Gray's Inn, in England in Easter Term 1791 and was admitted to the Degree of Barrister in King's Inns, in 1794. Even though the dates are a little earlier than you expected I would imagine him to be the same man for two reasons. Firstly if your ancestor, James Gerahty did actually train as a Barrister, he would have attended King's Inns and this is the only record we have of a James Gerahty. Secondly if he had another son prior to Digby, as I think he may have had then the dates do not seem too early.
Further to this point, there are two men also listed in the admission papers as the sons of James Gerahty. They could possibly be the sons of the James Gerahty in your letter. Edward Gerahty is listed as the first son of James, Dublin, Barrister, and Frances Marsh. He was born on 19th March 1809 and was educated in Trinity College Dublin. He was admitted as a Student to King's Inns in Hilary Term 1829, to Gray's in Easter Term 1832 and admitted to the Degree of Barrister in Easter Term 1834. Francis Gerahty is listed as the third son of James, Dublin, Barrister and Frances Marsh. He was over sixteen at the time he was admitted to King's Inn in Trinity Term 1835. This usually, though not always means that he was sixteen on the year of entry. He was educated in Dublin and his affidavit was signed by his father.
I hope that the information provided has been of some use to you. If you would like copies of the memorials (as the admission papers are called) of these men, I can forward them to you on the remittance of a fee of L15 for one set and if you require the copies of the other two, L25. This is to cover the cost of search, copying and postage. Please contact me if there is anything further I can do to help and if you require copies of the memorials.
Best wishes in your research.
Yours sincerely,
Sinead O'Gorman.

Trinity College Historical Society
Debate 28 Feb 1798
. . . . . As Thomas Moore later recounted, a former member of the Historical Society was brought in, 'a man of advanced standing and reputation for oratory. . . . . expressly for the purpose of answering Emmet, to neutralise the impressions of his fervid eloquence'. This man was James Geraghty, a twenty-nine-year-old barrister, who had been a brilliant debater during his time in Trinity. . . . . The atmosphere at the debate was tense, as students jostled each other to watch Geraghty challenge the new 'chief champion' of the Historical Society. The barrister was joined by seven other speakers in opposing the motion, while Emmet had only one other student speaking on his side. After Geraghty's speech, there was a hush in the chamber as Emmet stood to make his second speech of the evening. And, for the first time in his life, he was beaten. Subjected to sustained heckling and interruption, he struggled to deliver his remarks but his confidence deserted him.
Ref: Trinity Monday Discourse 2003
http://www.tcd.ie/Secretary/FellowsScholars/discourses/discourses/2003_P%20Geoghegan%20on%20R%20Emmet.pdf
(Robert Emmet was an Irish nationalist and Republican, orator and rebel leader. He led an abortive rebellion in 1803 and was executed for high treason)

James married Frances MARSH [12907] [MRIN: 4339].