Conor O'Mahony (priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Conor O'Mahony
Conchobhar Ó Mathghamhna |
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Arms of the O'Mahony clan.
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| Born | 1594 Muskerry, Kingdom of Desmond
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| Died | 28 February 1656 (aged 62) |
| Education | Irish College in Seville University of Évora University of Lisbon |
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Notable work
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"An Argument Defending the Right of the Kingdom of Ireland for Irish Catholics against English Heretics" |
| Theological work | |
| Tradition or movement | Catholicism (Counter-Reformation) |
| Notable ideas | Restoration of High Kingship of Ireland & Irish Catholic independence |
Conor O'Mahony (in Irish: Conchobhar Ó Mathghamhna; 1594–1656) was an Irish Catholic priest, a scholar, and a writer. He was a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He studied in Spain and Portugal, spending most of his life in Portugal. O'Mahony is most famous for his 1645 book, Disputatio apologetica. This book argued strongly for Irish independence and for a Catholic ruler for Ireland. It was written during the Irish Confederate Wars, a time when Irish Catholics were fighting for more rights.
Contents
Biography
Early life and education
Conor O'Mahony was born in 1594 in Muskerry, which is now part of County Cork in Ireland. At that time, Ireland was going through big changes. The Tudor conquest of Ireland meant that England was taking more control. The native Irish Catholic people faced harsh treatment.
In 1614, O'Mahony traveled to Habsburg Spain to study. He went to the Irish College in Seville. There, he earned degrees in philosophy and theology. He decided to become a priest and was ordained in 1619. Later, he moved to Portugal, where many Irish people lived. In 1621, he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
O'Mahony became a professor. He taught Moral Theology in the Azores from 1626 to 1633. During this time, a big volcano erupted in 1630. O'Mahony helped with relief efforts. After that, he taught at the University of Évora from 1633 to 1635. Finally, he became a professor at the University of Lisbon from 1636 to 1641.
His book and Irish independence
While O'Mahony lived in Portugal, he saw the Portuguese fight to regain their independence from Spain. This inspired him. Back in Ireland, the Irish Rebellion of 1641 had begun. Irish Catholics were forming their own government. O'Mahony wanted to help them argue for their rights.
In 1645, he published his most important book in Lisbon. Its full title was Disputatio apologetica de iure regni Hiberniae pro catholicis Hibernis adversus haereticos Anglos. This means "An Argument Defending the Right of the Kingdom of Ireland for Irish Catholics against English Heretics." To hide his identity, he used the name "C.M. Hiberno" and pretended the book was published in "Frankfurt."
In his book, O'Mahony challenged England's right to rule Ireland. He said that England's claims were not fair or moral. He argued that the English invasion was not a "just war" because it harmed innocent people. He also said that any agreements where Irish kings submitted to England were made under pressure.
Most importantly, O'Mahony argued that England's claim to a "religious mission" in Ireland was no longer valid. This was because England had become Protestant, which the Catholic Church saw as a different religion. He believed that since England was no longer Catholic, its rule over Catholic Ireland was wrong.
O'Mahony's book ended with a strong message. He urged Irish Catholics to unite and choose an Irish Catholic king. He also suggested that Protestants in Ireland should either leave or face serious consequences.
However, the book was very controversial. Many Irish Catholic leaders wanted to make peace with the English king. They worried that O'Mahony's extreme ideas would make things worse. The book was officially banned and burned in Kilkenny. Even in Portugal, the book was condemned and banned.
Later life and death
Conor O'Mahony's book did not have a huge impact at the time. However, it was sometimes used by Protestants later to argue against Catholic rights.
After the Irish Catholics were defeated by Oliver Cromwell's forces, O'Mahony admitted that he had written the book. He told this to Patrick Plunkett, a bishop. Soon after, O'Mahony suddenly became ill and died in Lisbon on February 28, 1656. The exact reasons for his death are not fully known.
His book was finally translated into English in 2010.
Works
- Disputatio apologetica de iure regni Hiberniae pro catholicis Hibernis adversus haereticos Anglos — "An Argument Defending the Right of the Kingdom of Ireland for Irish Catholics against English Heretics" (1645)
See also
- Philip O'Sullivan Beare
- Anthony Bruodin
- Flaithrí Ó Maolchonaire
- John Cornelius (priest)
- Irish people in mainland Europe
- Edmund Spenser
