Mark Rainsford

Political career Rainsford was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1700 to 1701. During his term as Lord Mayor, the King William III equestrian statue in College Green, Dublin was unveiled on 1 July 1701. He had previously served as High Sheriff of Dublin City in 1689 and 1690.

Business career

Rainsford was the owner of what would later become the Guinness Brewery in St. James's Gate, Dublin. His business manufactured 'Beer and Fine Ales' and he was succeeded by his son - also named Mark Rainsford.

Personal life Rainsford was married twice; His first wife was Jane Mee, the daughter of Giles Mee. He had three sons and several daughters. He acquired land in Portarlington in Queen's County (later County Laois) as well as plantations in County Kildare and County Kilkenny.

In 1691, upon the death of his father-in-law, Giles Mee, Rainsford inherited water rights in the district around St. James's Gate and leveraged these rights to undertake his brewing business. He died in November 1709, and Rainsford Street (which stands at the junction of Crane Street and the entrance to Guinness Brewery) was named in his honour.

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