william downes, 1st baron downes pc (1751 – 3 march 1826) was one of the leading irish judges of his time, who held office as lord chief justice of ireland. he was born in donnybrook, co. dublin, the third and only surviving son of six children of robert downes of donnybrook castle, m.p. for the co. kildare, by elizabeth, daughter of thomas twigge of donnybrook. he was educated at trinity college, dublin, and was called to the irish ba…