A pair of George III Irish silver Old English pattern potato forks by Michael Keating, Dublin 1776, engraved with the Conolly family Crest, 30cm (11 3/4in) long, 247g (7.9 oz) CONOLLY family of Ireland were the holders of the estate at Castletown co. Kildare. In 1722 William Conolly built the vast Palladian stately home Castletown House, and it is probable that the potato forks originate from the estate. Condition Report: Crest Blazon: A dexter arm couped between the wrist and elbow vested azure, cuffed argent the hand proper grasping a chaplet charged with three cinquefoils. William CONOLLY (1662-1729) the son of an innkeeper, was speaker of the House of Commons in Ireland, who amassed a considerable estate and was considered to be the richest man in Ireland. In 1694 had married Katherine CONNYNGHAM (died 1752). They had no issue. His estates were inherited by William James CONOLLY, son of his younger brother Patrick CONOLLY, of Leixlip Castle who in 1734 had married Lady Anne WENTWORTH daughter of Thomas WENTWORTH (1672-1739) 1st Earl of Stafford by Anne JOHNSON daughter of Sir Henry JOHNSON MP for Aldeburgh. Their son and heir Thomas CONOLLY (1743-1821), MP for Malmesbury and later Chichester, was also elected to the Parliament of Ireland for Ballyshannon and co. Londonderry and from 1759 until his death was of Castletown co. Kildare, he married Lady Louisa Augusta LENNOX (1743-1821) third daughter of Charles LENNOX 2nd Duke of Richmond by Lady Sarah CADOGAN daughter of the 1st Earl Cadogan. They had no issue and their estates were dissolved laterally. Condition Report Disclaimer