Daniel William Cahill facts for kids

Daniel William Cahill (born November 28, 1796 – died October 28, 1864) was an important Roman Catholic priest. He was also a popular speaker, writer, and teacher. He lived and worked in both Ireland and the United States.

Who Was Daniel William Cahill?

Daniel William Cahill was born on November 28, 1796. His birthplace was Ashfield, in Queens County, Ireland. He was the third son of Daniel Cahill, who was a civil engineer, and Catherine Brett.

His Education and Early Career

Young Daniel first went to Carlow College as a student. In 1816, he entered Maynooth. There, he became very good at subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. He also learned many languages.

After his studies, he became a priest. In 1825, he started teaching at Carlow College. He was a professor of natural philosophy. This subject included mathematics, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. He taught there for several years.

Later, from 1835 to 1841, he opened his own school. This school was located in Seapoint, Williamstown.

A Powerful Speaker and Writer

While teaching, Daniel Cahill also wrote a lot for newspapers. For a time, he even edited a newspaper called the Dublin Telegraph. He became a very well-known preacher and lecturer. He was famous for speaking strongly about important issues of his time.

In December 1859, he traveled to the United States. He also visited cities in Canada. There, he gave lectures on astronomy and other science topics. He also preached in many churches. He often gave his services for religious and charity causes. Because of his efforts, large amounts of money were raised for Catholic projects.

His Appearance and Legacy

Daniel Cahill was a very tall man, standing six feet five inches (196 cm) tall. He was also considered handsome.

He was first buried in Boston. However, in 1885, his body was moved back to Ireland. He was reburied in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. A statue of him stands on his grave.

His writings are mostly collections of his lectures and speeches. He also wrote letters to important people. His works were first published in New York in 1854. Later editions were published in Boston and by D. & J. Sadlier.

Family Connections

Daniel William Cahill had two notable nephews. One was Patrick Cahill, who was a nationalist and newspaper publisher. He also studied in Carlow. The other nephew was Thomas Cahill, S.J., who became the president of a Jesuit College in Melbourne, Australia.