HARRY WARREN recalls how Huguenot refugees seeking solace in Ireland brought major economic and cultural benefits to Dublin and other parts of the country
Dublin’s rich history is interwoven with diverse cultural influences, and one poignant reminder of this is the Merrion Row Huguenot Cemetery. Nestled discreetly in the heart of the city, this small graveyard serves as a significant testament to the French Protestant refugees who sought solace in Dublin during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Established in 1693, not long after their arrival, the cemetery stands as a touching reminder of the Huguenots’ arduous journey to escape religious persecution following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Its tombstones and memorials bear witness to the names, stories, and contributions of those who sought refuge and made Dublin their home.
This cemetery symbolises human resilience, urging us to embrace diversity and oppose persecution.
The names of the 239 Huguenots buried here are listed on a large plaque to the left of the gates of the cemetery entrance, names that will be familiar to Dubliners. For example, D’Olier Street was named after Jeremiah D’Olier, Dublin High Sherriff in 1788, while Mercer Street and French Street also show Huguenot influence.
In addition, La Touche Bridge (Portobello) is named after William Digges La Touche (1747–1803), a director of the Grand Canal Company
The Huguenots were French Protestants who faced grave persecution under the reign of Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’. Prior to his ascent to power, the Huguenots had enjoyed a measure of tolerance under the Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598 by Henry IV, a former Protestant himself. However, when Louis XIV came to the throne, the ‘Sun King’ sought to eradicate religious diversity and enforce Catholicism as the sole faith in France.
Louis XIV’s revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 shattered the Huguenots lives. Overnight, their religious rights were stripped away, and they faced a stark choice: either convert to Catholicism or face imprisonment, torture, or death. This decree unleashed a wave of religious persecution that prompted thousands of Huguenots to flee their homeland, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and beyond.
They were encouraged to come to Ireland by many prominent people in Irish society including James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, who had spent twelve years in exile in France, after the Irish and Royalist forces were defeated by those of Oliver Cromwell.
One of the most prominent Irish supporters of the Huguenots was William Molyneux, a philosopher, scientist and politician, who was born in Dublin in 1656. He was a friend and correspondent of John Locke, the famous English philosopher, who advocated for religious tolerance and natural rights.
Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own