John O'Hagan facts for kids

John O'Hagan (born on March 19, 1822, in Newry, County Down; died on November 10, 1890, in Howth, County Dublin) was an important Irish lawyer and writer. He was also an Irish Nationalist, meaning he believed in Ireland's independence. He was part of a group called the Younger Irelanders and helped start the first Irish meeting of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a charity group.

Early Life and Education

John O'Hagan grew up in Ireland. He went to school with the Jesuit Fathers in Dublin. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and finished his studies in 1842.

O'Hagan strongly believed that Catholic students should have good university options. He wrote an article for the Dublin Review in 1847. This article, titled "Trinity College No Place for Catholics," argued that Trinity College was not suitable for Catholic students. The Catholic Truth Society of Ireland later reprinted his article.

Legal Career

In 1842, John O'Hagan became a lawyer, which is called being "called to the Bar." He then worked on the Munster Circuit, which was a legal district.

He took on several important roles in his career. In 1861, he was named a Commissioner of National Education. This meant he helped oversee education in Ireland. In 1865, he became a Queen's Counsel (Q.C.), a special title for experienced lawyers. That same year, he married Frances, who was the daughter of the first Lord O'Hagan.

Meeting with Thomas Carlyle

In 1845, while in London, O'Hagan and two friends, John Edward Pigot and Charles Gavan Duffy, visited a famous writer named Thomas Carlyle. They went to defend Ireland and Irish Nationalism. Carlyle had written some things that were critical of Ireland.

Charles Gavan Duffy later wrote about this meeting in his book, Conversations with Carlyle. Carlyle's wife, Jane Carlyle, also wrote about it in her diary. She said she had never met "real hot and hot live Irishmen" like them before.

During their lively discussion, John O'Hagan's nose started to bleed a lot. Jane Carlyle wrote that he quietly let it bleed into his handkerchief. After that, he was more careful not to get too excited! Even though it was a serious discussion, it was a friendly one.

Judge and Land Commission

Later, a British Prime Minister named William Ewart Gladstone passed a new law for Ireland. This was the Land Law (Ireland) Act 1881. This law helped Irish farmers.

Gladstone chose John O'Hagan to be the very first head of the Irish Land Commission. This commission was set up to help put the new land law into action. To do this, O'Hagan was made a judge of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice.

John O'Hagan was also a good friend of John Kells Ingram. Ingram was an Irish economist, poet, and patriot.

Writings and Translations

John O'Hagan was a very religious Catholic, and this showed in many of his writings. One of his works was called "The Children's Ballad Rosary."

He also wrote poems like "Dear Land" and "Ourselves Alone." These poems were very popular and important in The Nation newspaper when it was first starting out.

In his later years, O'Hagan completed some important translations. He published the first English translation of La Chanson de Roland, which is a very old French epic poem. He also translated the "Adoro te devote," a famous Latin hymn.