David de Offington

Sir David de Offington (died c.1312) was an English-born Crown official in late thirteenth-century Ireland. He was one of the earliest recorded holders of the office of High Sheriff of County Dublin and the first recorded Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). He first appears in Ireland as custodian of the Irish estates of George de Cantilupe, Lord of Abergavenny, who attained his majority that year, but died a few months later. David was Sheriff of County Dublin (one of the earliest named Sheriffs: Ralph Eure, who was probably the first, was appointed in 1258), and Constable of Newcastle, County Wicklow in 1282, and received a knighthood. He was also seneschal of Kilkenny and custodian for the Irish lands of Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester. He travelled to Connacht on unspecified "King's business". He acquired the manors of Ballykenna, County Kilkenny and Ballyteeogue, County Kildare, which were granted to him by Walter de Fulburn, Dean and later Bishop of Waterford, in about 1284 or 1285, and other lands in County Carlow. He seems to have lived mainly at Ballykenna, as evidenced by his last will. He was in England in 1294, and was given leave to return to Ireland. His son Thomas succeeded to his estates.