 His father, a protege of Thomas Cromwell, was a key figure in the Irish administration between 1535 and 1542.Patrick initially opposed the Dissolution of the Monasteries, but changed his mind in time to profit handsomely from the Dissolution, acquiring Grace Dieu Abbey in Dublin and Knocktopher in Kilkenny.Christopher himself built Turvey House near the ruins of Grace Dieu, reputedly using the Abbey's stones as the building material.