Ever wonder how neighborhoods got their names? The story of Usher’s B 1970 begins with a prominent Dublin family. This family influenced commerce and religion. We are standing at what was once part of their estate.
Let’s explore the history behind Usher’s B 1970. The Ushers believed they descended from Gilbert de Neville. He was an admiral in William the Conqueror’s fleet back in 1066. In the 14th century, John le Uscher became Constable of Dublin Castle. Edward I appointed him. Later, Edward II reappointed him.
Arland Ussher, a presumed grandson born around 1420, settled in Dublin. He became a leading merchant. In 1461, he was bailiff of Dublin. By 1469, he had risen to become mayor. Later Irish Usshers descended from two of his sons. They were John and Christopher Ussher.
In the late 16th century, John Ussher built Bridgefoot House. It was a fine residence for himself. Bridgefoot Street now stands where it once stood. The riverside gardens are now Usher’s Island and Usher’s Quay. The first book printed in Gaelic was produced on this property. It contained an alphabet and Christian catechism. The title page read that it was printed in Irish. The text further specifies that it was printed in the town of the Ford of the Hurdles. It was at the cost of Master John Ussher, alderman. It was printed at the head of the Bridge on the 20th day of June 1571.
Sir William Usher, John Usher’s son, funded the first New Testament printed in Irish. It appeared in 1602. The family strongly adhered to the Protestant faith. Unsurprisingly, they produced distinguished Anglican clerics. One such cleric was Henry Ussher. He lived from about 1550 to 1613. He co-founded Trinity College Dublin. From 1595, he was Archbishop of Armagh. James Ussher, one of his nephews, lived from 1581 to 1656. He later held the same position from 1625.
Archbishop James Ussher studied the Bible and early history. He wrote the Annales veteris testamenti. It was deduced from the first origins of the world. It first appeared in 1650. A continuation, Annalium pars posterior, was published four years later. His research famously calculated Earth’s creation. He determined it to be around 6 pm on 22 October 4004 BC.
Over time, the Usshers moved away from trade. They became increasingly gentrified. They acquired land and formed familial alliances. In 1695, William Ussher married Lettice Waddington. He was a grandson of Sir William Ussher of Dublin. She was the daughter and co-heiress of Sir Henry Waddington. As a result, the Ussher family gained part of the Waddington estates in County Galway.
Beverley Ussher, another of Sir William’s grandsons, moved south. He went to County Waterford. There, he married two heiresses. One was a daughter of Sir Percy Smyth. Smyth was from Ballynatray. The other was a daughter of Sir Richard Osborne. Osborne was from Ballintaylor. This led to a branch of the family settling in the southeast. They built up estates and properties.
The Usher name remains. Usher’s B 1970 marks a place shaped by this family’s long Dublin presence. Their story is woven into Dublin’s streets. Their legacy continues to echo through time.