Reverend George Massy

Archdeacon George Massy. The first Baron Massy of Duntrileague had another brother, the Rev. George Massy, Archdeacon of Ardfert, of whom an amusing story has been passed down. In 1750 he made a journey from Limerick to Dublin in pursuit of a more favourable posting which had recently become vacant. At that time it took four days coach travel to make the journey. In the course of conversation with his fellow passengers during the journey the Rev. Massy ascertained that one of them was also a clergyman travelling to Dublin seeking the same post. On arrival in Dublin, George Massy made straight for Dublin Castle and succeeded in getting the relevant official to interview him there and then. He impressed the official, who granted him the post. On his way out of the Castle he passed the other applicant, who had gone to his hotel to wash and change into his best clothes, arriving for his interview. On meeting him the official said, “How unlucky you are, sir. Dirty Boots, whom you must have met on his way out, has just got the post.” Archdeacon Massy revelled in retelling the story, and became known for the rest of his life as, Dirty Boots. When he died at the ripe old age of eighty in 1782 he left his estate to his younger brother, Eyre, the 1st Baron Clarina.