The Watsons of Kilconnor, County Carlow, 1650 – present

Book excerpt: The book describes the history of a humble family that migrated from England to Ireland in the mid 17th c and put down roots at Kilconnor in County Carlow. By the end of the century many members of the family had joined the Society of Friends and concurrently the family had elevated its social and economic status as it enjoined with the landed gentry. During the late 17th c and 18th c family members left County Carlow and established themselves in other places in Ireland, including Counties Wexford, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Offaly and later again in England Australia and New Zealand. Diversification in occupation followed, members entering the legal, military, banking and medical professions. Others stayed with the land and were caught up with a fascination for horses, fox hunting, polo and racing in Ireland, England and Australia some members acquiring formidable reputations up to the present day. Family members have, for example, contributed to the growth of theatre and prison reform for juveniles in England, the early banking system in Ireland, the growth of the dairy farming in Victoria, Australia, the fostering of pride and interest in exotic gardens in Ireland, the invention of revolutionary instruments for detecting submarines and the invention of the “backhand stoke” in the sport of polo. To this day the family continues to produce exceptional people whose achievements are memorable. John Watson, now living at Ballybolger in County Carlow, is one such example having represented Ireland recently at Olympic equestrian events.