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06 Sept 2025

Laois town to mark the death of well-known historian

Durrow will hold a centenary event to mark the death of Canon William Carrigan

Laois town to mark the death of well-known historian

Photo: The Church Of The Holy Trinity, Durrow. Photo source: Durrow.ie Newsletter

Reporter:

Hannah Cahill

07 Dec 2024 1:53 PM

Email:

hannah.cahill@leinsterexpress.ie

On Sunday December 15, Durrow will host an event to mark the life and legacy of Cannon William Carrigan on the centenary of his death.
Bishop Niall Coll will preside at a special liturgy in Durrow's Church of the Holy Trinity during the 11.15 Mass, to be followed by a visit to the Canon's grave in the adjoining cemetery.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Canon William Carrigan, an Ossory priest who produced a four-volume account of the history and antiquities of Ossory in 1905. 
Canon Carrigan died on December 12, 1924, and will have his passing marked by events in Durrow and Kilkenny.
The Canon compiled his work while living in Durrow, where he was a parish priest for almost thirty years. He had also served as curate in Ballyragget, Conahy, Templemore and Rathdowney.
 
Pictured: Canon William Carrigan
A conference will be held at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December, beginning with a keynote address at 7 p.m. on Friday evening by Professor Thomas O'Connor of Maynooth University's Institute for Humanities.
Speaking under the chairmanship of Bishop Niall Coll, he will look at Canon Carrigan's undertaking of archival research after a period of religious controversy.
On Saturday, attendees will hear from local scholar Dr. Richard Hyland on Kilkenny influences on the Canon's development.
There will also be a conversation with Trinity College's Dr Brian Gurrin on how Canon Carrigan's detailed transcriptions helped reconstruct Kilkenny census records lost in the Four Courts fire.
These events will be chaired by Maynooth University history professor Marian Lyons.
In the afternoon, Professor O'Connor will chair as writer and editor. Denis Bergin speaks on 'Learning from the Canon', a survey of how the places with which he was associated as a native, student and pastor have reflected his scholarly determination.
Windgap parish priest and leading Carrigan authority An tAthair Fearghus Ó Fearghail gives his assessment of the historian's achievement and impact one hundred years on.
Registration for the conference, which includes refreshments and a light lunch, is free and can be made by email to the conference organiser, Dr. Dermot Ryan, via email at president@stkieranscollege.ie or admin@stkieranscollege.ie
On Sunday, attention will turn to Durrow when Bishop Niall Coll will preside at a special liturgy during the 11.15 Mass, to be followed by a visit to the Canon's grave in the adjoining cemetery.
At 2.30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon Denis Bergin, a native of the area, will give a version of his conference presentation with the emphasis on the Durrow connection, in Bob's Bar Theatre at the Erkina Bridge. This will be followed by light refreshments. 

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