William O'Grady (cleric) facts for kids
William O'Grady (1801–1859) was an important church leader in Ireland during the 1800s. He was an Anglican Archdeacon, which is a senior role in the church. He is remembered for helping people during a very difficult time in Irish history.
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Who Was William O'Grady?
William O'Grady was born in 1801. He was the ninth child in his family. His father was Standish O'Grady, 1st Viscount Guillamore. His father was a very important judge in Ireland.
His Education and Early Career
William went to school at Eton College, a famous school in England. He then studied at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. After his studies, he became a Rector in Killinane, County Galway. A Rector is a priest in charge of a local church area.
Later, in 1857, he became the Archdeacon of Kilmacduagh. He held this important church position until he passed away on July 21, 1859.
His Family Life
William O'Grady married Isabella Sabina Hewitt. She was from Cork. They did not have any children. Isabella passed away in 1852 when she was 36 years old. William put up a memorial in Loughrea Church to remember his wife.
Helping During the Great Famine
One of the most important things William O'Grady did was help people during the Great Irish Famine. This terrible famine happened between 1845 and 1852. Many people in Ireland suffered from hunger and disease.
William O'Grady was the Secretary of the local Relief Committee. This group worked to help people in need. He spoke out strongly for the Irish people who were suffering. He helped both Protestant and Catholic people.
He worked very hard to tell the government how serious the problem was. He wrote many letters to newspapers to share what was happening. He wanted to make sure everyone knew about the huge crisis.
The Killinane Volume
William O'Grady kept a special book called the Killinane Volume. This book was a register for the six church areas he looked after. It recorded important information about the local people and events.
After William O'Grady, other Rectors of Killinane continued to add to this book. Today, the Killinane Volume is a very valuable source. It helps historians learn about the local history of the area.
