Sir William Fownes was a prominent figure in 18th-century Dublin, serving as the Lord Mayor of Dublin between 1708 and 1709. He was also a wealthy tea importer and blender, and a member of parliament for Wicklow Borough. Fownes Street in Dublin was named in his honor, as he owned a medieval mansion on the street, and the name first appears on maps from 1708. Additionally, Sir William Fownes, 2nd Baronet, inherited a large estate near Inistioge in County Kilkenny from his maternal grandfather in 1725, further cementing his influence and the connection to the street that bears his name. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on Fownes Street or explore the Fownes/Tighe Manuscripts.