Michael Creagh (politician) facts for kids

Sir Michael Creagh (died 1738) was an important Irish politician and soldier. He lived during a time of big changes in Ireland. He is remembered for supporting King James II.

Sir Michael Creagh: A Life in Changing Times

Sir Michael Creagh was an interesting person because he was a Protestant but supported King James II, who was Catholic. King James II was trying to get his throne back. People who supported him were called Jacobites.

Supporting King James II

Sir Michael Creagh was a strong supporter of King James II. He played a key role when King James II came to Ireland.

Lord Mayor of Dublin

From 1688 to 1689, Sir Michael Creagh was the Lord Mayor of Dublin. This was a very important job, like being the head of the city. He was the one who welcomed King James II when he arrived in Dublin in March 1689. Sir Michael also became a Member of Parliament for Dublin City in 1689. This Parliament was known as the Patriot Parliament.

Serving in the Army

Sir Michael Creagh also showed his support by becoming a soldier. He paid for his own group of soldiers, called an infantry regiment. This group joined the Irish Army. They fought during a conflict known as the War of the Two Kings (1689–1691). His soldiers were even present at a very famous battle called the Battle of the Boyne.

After the War

After the war, things changed a lot for Sir Michael Creagh. The side he supported, the Jacobites, lost the war in Ireland.

Life in Exile

Because he supported the losing side, Sir Michael Creagh lost his rights and property. He had to leave Ireland. First, he went to France, and then he moved to the Netherlands. This was a difficult time for him.

Returning to Ireland

By the mid-1720s, Sir Michael Creagh was able to return to Ireland. His main goal was to get back the properties that had been taken from him. To help with this, he changed his religion from Roman Catholicism to the Church of Ireland. He also started publishing broadsheets, which were like early newspapers or pamphlets.

Later Years

Even with all his efforts, Sir Michael Creagh was not able to get his properties back. He faced financial difficulties. In 1732, 1733, and 1734, he had to receive money from public funds to help him. Sir Michael Creagh died in 1738. He passed away without leaving a will.