Denis George

Denis George (c.1751 – 1821) was an Irish barrister and judge who held office as Recorder of Dublin, and then as Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). He enjoyed a high reputation among his contemporaries for integrity and benevolence.

Personal life He was born in Dublin, third son of Denis George of St. Stephen's Green, whose country estate was at Clophook near Stradbally in County Laois, and his wife Sarah Young. His eldest brother Sir Rupert George became a post-captain, and was the first of the George baronets of Park Place and St. Stephen's Green.

Denis married Dorothea Moore, daughter of Edward Moore, Archdeacon of Emly and Ellen Dobson, of Mooresfort, County Tipperary in 1785, and they had five sons, including Richard (who died young in 1806) and two daughters, Ellen, who married into the prominent O'Grady family of Aghamarta Castle, County Cork, and the younger Dorothea, who married Richard Featherstonhaugh of Rockview, County Westmeath. Dorothea died in 1814 and was buried at St. Nahi's Church, Dundrum, beside her infant son Richard. Denis retired from the Bench in 1821 and died at his home, Coldblow House in Donnybrook, Dublin, later the same year. although he concluded optimistically that "the foul rebellion which disgraced our streets" had been defeated by firm Government action.

Reputation Even the harshest critics of the Irish judiciary at that time had nothing but praise for George: he was described as a man of stainless reputation and of "unrivalled humanity". There is an agreeable description of George and his wife wandering the grounds of Coldblow House each autumn to pick blackberries.