Sir John Blackwood

Mr. Deasy tells Stephen that he has "rebel blood in me too," from his mother's side of the family, but he proudly claims descent "from sir John Blackwood who voted for the union": "He voted for it and put on his topboots to ride to Dublin from the Ards of Down to do so." The reference is to an actual 18th century member of the Irish House of Commons, Sir John Blackwood, and his determination to ride to Dublin could be considered inspiring, given his age at the time. But once again Deasy is peddling a mangled account of history: Sir John intended to vote against the legislation.

John Hunt 2018

The Ards peninsula in County Down. Source: freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com.