William Anthony Holmes facts for kids

William Anthony Holmes (born in 1782, died in 1843) was an important church leader in Ireland. He was a priest in the Church of Ireland, which is a Christian church. He held important positions like Chancellor of Cashel and rector of Templemore.

His Life and Work

William Anthony Holmes was born in a town called Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland. He went to Trinity College, Dublin, which is a famous university. He started there in 1799 and became a scholar in 1801, which means he was a very good student. He earned his first degree in 1803 and later earned higher degrees in 1834.

After finishing his studies, Holmes became a priest. In 1810, he started working in Holywood, County Down. While he was there, he helped start the Mendicity Institution of Belfast. This was an organization that helped people who were poor and homeless.

Later, in 1818, he moved to Ballyroan, County Laois. He also worked as a preacher at Cashel Cathedral for several years. In 1822, he became the rector of Hore Abbey. A rector is like a main priest in charge of a church area.

In 1832, William Anthony Holmes became the Chancellor of Cashel. This was a very important role in the church. In 1837, he also became the rector of Templemore. A person named Henry Cotton, who was also a church leader, said that Holmes was a "great speaker" and a "very active and smart person" who loved to read and write.

William Anthony Holmes passed away in Templemore on December 30, 1843. He was buried in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist's church in Cashel.

His Writings

Besides giving sermons and writing for magazines, William Anthony Holmes also wrote several books. Here are some of them:

• A Plan for a Mendicity Institution, written around 1818. This book was about how to set up places to help people in need.
• Hints to the Proprietors of Loan Funds, also around 1818. This gave advice on how to manage money-lending organizations that helped people.
• Statistical Account of the Parish of Holywood, from 1819. This was a detailed report about the area where he worked as a priest.
• The Time of the End, published in 1833. This book was a series of talks about religious predictions.
• The Heavy Blow and Great Discouragement of Protestantism, from 1838. This book discussed important religious topics of his time.
• The Queen's Declaration against Popery, and the Coronation Oath discussed, published in 1843. This book talked about the Queen's promises and the oath she took when she became queen.

His Family

William Anthony Holmes was married twice and had several children. His second wife was Elizabeth Brownrigg.

Some of his children included:

• Margaret Sophia, who married Charles Cureton in 1852.
• Caroline Louise, his youngest daughter, who passed away in 1857. She was married to John Powys.
• Colonel Edmund Holmes, who was born in 1821 and served in the Indian Army.
• Matilda Martha Holmes, born in 1820, who married Colonel Robert Henry Sale.
• James Carmac Holmes, who was a Major in the army and married Alexandrina Sale.
• Rev. Joseph Holmes, who also became a priest and held important positions in the church.