Thomas Meagher is the biography of the father of one of Ireland’s most famous patriots, Thomas Francis Meagher. Overshadowed by his son, he was a man of deeply held political and religious principles, who, through his philanthropic works and political career, helped shape the character of nineteenth-century Ireland and deserves to be remembered in his own right.
The book charts the complete story of Meagher, from his birth to Irish parents in Newfoundland, to his death in Bray in 1874. Most of his life was spent in Waterford city and it was there that he would establish himself as champion of political and religious equality, holding mayoral and parliamentary offices, while also working for the alleviation of suffering for the working classes, particularly during the Great Famine. A staunch follower of Daniel O’Connell, his career was strongly linked to the ongoing fight for repeal and Catholic rights. Broderick also looks at the fascinating and complex relationship Meagher had with his son, Thomas Francis, which mirrored the age-old conflict between constitutional and revolutionary nationalism in Ireland. Illuminating the history, not only of the man, but also the times in which he lived, this is a very human story set against the backdrop of great political turbulence.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
1 The Meaghers of Newfoundland, c. 1780-1819
2 Waterford: the Early Years, 1819-1825
3 Towards Catholic Emancipation, 1826-1829
4 Politics, Philanthropy and Public Office, 1830-1842
5 Mayor of Waterford, 1843, 1844
6 ‘Old Irelander’, 1845-1847
7 Famine, 1845-1848
8 A Father and his Son, 1823-1844: Common Purpose
9 A Father and his Son, 1845-1847: Political Divisions
10 Two Elections, 1847, 1848
11 A Rebel Son, 1848-1849
12 Member of Parliament, 1847-1852: Land and Religion
13 Member of Parliament, 1852-1857: Independent Opposition
14 Faith and Family, 1847-1874
Bibliography
About the Author :
Dr Eugene Broderick is a former secondary school principal, a modern history adviser to the Waterford Museum of Treasures and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has contributed to various journals and is the author of The Ideological Hijacking of Fine Gael, 1932–1938 (2010), The Boycott at Fethard-on-Sea, 1957: A Study in Catholic-Protestant Relations in Modern Ireland (2011), Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford (2016) and John Hearne: Architect of the 1937 Constitution of Ireland (2017).
