Canon William Carrigan will forever be synonymous with the Diocese of Ossory in which he served. On the 12th of December this year, we will see the 100th anniversary of his death and St Kieran’s College are hosting a conference to to mark the occasion.
In recognising the anniversary of Canon Carrigan’s death, we aim to honour not only the man himself but also the enduring relevance of his work for scholars today.
His meticulous attention to the intersection of Church , culture and history continues to resonate, offering a model for how local history contributes to our understanding of wider cultural and ecclesiastical dynamics.
In line with the conference title: ‘Carrigan: Church, Culture, Context’, this conference seeks to place Carrigan’s work within the ecclesiastical, cultural and historical framework of his time.
Papers will explore how Carrigan’s scholarship was influenced by the intellectual movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the growing interest in antiquities, archives, the importance of the Church’s role in preserving cultural heritage, and the significance of local history itself in shaping our national identity.
Canon Carrigan’s life and work represents a critical juncture between the past and present in Irish historical scholarship.
As a priest and historian, he occupied a unique position where his ecclesial duties intertwined with scholarly inquiry, enabling him to capture the spiritual and material fabric of the Diocese of Ossory with an unparalleled depth.
His work remains one of the most comprehensive accounts of a dioces in Ireland, notable for its careful attention to detail , reliance on primary sources, and engagement with the architectural cultural and religious artefacts of the region.
The conference is scheduled too take place in St Kieran’s College on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of December with a broad range of speakers already committed and more to follow.
It is hoped that the workings of this conference , and some associated papers will later be published.
