During research of Sinclair families in Ireland, a number appear in Dublin. Until now, little has been known about them. Most seem to have entered the records in the early eighteenth century, although there is a smaller number who were mentioned in the the seventeenth century. Beyond Dublin and Ulster there are intriguing references to individual Sinclairs who don’t seem to have connections with families elsewhere. Some were soldiers serving in Scottish forces, but others like James Sinclear in Waterford (1666) or James Sinkler in Navan (1670) will need much more research.

The Dublin families are difficult to disentangle because there were four listed in the 1738 Directory of Dublin. According to Betham’s Genealogical Abstract  of 1767-1782, William Sinclare was a jeweller. He lived in Great Cuffe Street 1761-1774 and 19 King Street 1775-1780. His was the most extensive Sinclair family that Betham recorded. In 1738 he was probably the William Sinclare living in Pill Lane, a well-populated street north of the river, now called Chancery Street.  His uncle was Alexander Sinclare, possibly of Dixon’s Court in 1738.

Another family recorded by Betham was that of Patrick Sinclair, a merchant, and his wife Rebecca Markham. Patrick’s brother was quite possibly William Sinclare of Skinner Row, a goldsmith, in 1738. If that was the case, their father was Alexander Sinclare, also a goldsmith. Skinner Row at that time was an important street in the City of Dublin, with many notable public functionaries living or working there, and home to four other goldsmiths. Fishamble Street, where a Mr Sinclare lived in 1738, joined Skinner Row, and was home to Christchurch Cathedral staff, attorneys, and the City Sword Bearer.

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