David Digues LaTouche

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

LaTouche, David Digues, founder of the Irish banking house of the name, was born on the family estate, near Blois, France, in 1671. When but fifteen he was obliged, in consequence of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, to fly to an uncle in Amsterdam, and the family estate was conferred upon his brother Paul, who conformed to the Catholic faith. David entered Caillemotte's Huguenot regiment, and served at the battle of the Boyne in 1690. At the conclusion of the war the regiment was disbanded in Dublin, and he established a silk, poplin, and cambric manufactory in High-street, and married a Dutch lady. A banking trade gradually sprang up; his ability, transparent probity, and unselfish generosity inspired confidence; and in 1735 the banking business had so much increased that it was removed to what were then considered handsome premises in Castle-street, where for generations afterwards it was carried on. David Digues LaTouche died while at prayers in the Castle Chapel, 17th October 1745, aged about 74. The family has become one of the wealthiest and most honoured in Ireland.

Sources

209. LaTouche, James D., Sketch of: Rev. William Urwick, D.D. Dublin, 1868.

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