Thomas Eustace, 1st Viscount Baltinglass

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Thomas Eustace, 1st Viscount Baltinglass (c. 1480–1549) was an Anglo-Irish noble who built wealth and influence by staying loyal to the English Crown. He was born around 1480 at Caslemartin, County Kildare, the son of Richard Eustace, who was the younger son of Sir Edward FitzEustace, Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Anne, daughter of Robert Eustace of Ballyloughrane. He married Margaret Talbot, daughter of Sir Peter Talbot and Catherine FitzGerald. He died on 31 July 1549.

At about sixteen, on 14 December 1496, he inherited his uncle Rowland FitzEustace’s estates after the death of Portlester. During the Silken Thomas rebellion, the Eustace family was divided by its ties to the FitzGeralds, but Thomas remained loyal to King Henry VIII and was rewarded for his loyalty.

In September 1535 he was made Baron Kilcullen. He is said to have held large areas, including half of County Wicklow and lands in Kildare and Meath, and he benefited from the Dissolution of the Monasteries. He played a prominent role in the Irish Parliament of 1541–42, which passed the Crown of Ireland Act 1542, making Henry VIII King of Ireland.

As a reward for his continued support, he was created Viscount Baltinglass on 29 June 1541. His main residence was Harristown, near Naas, County Kildare, and he died at New Abbey, Kilcullen.