Patrick Donnelly (bishop) explained

Patrick Donnelly (1650–1716) was an Irish Catholic Bishop^[1] who was also known as The Bard of Armagh. He was born in Desertcreaght, Cookstown, County Tyrone in 1650 and died in 1716. His family was closely linked to the O'Neill dynasty.^[2] Donnelly ministered in the days of the Penal Laws while living as a fugitive.^[3]

He was descended from one of the celebrated Gaelic Clans of the previous era, the Clann Uí Dhonnghaile, who by the time of Bishop Donnelly’s great grandfather, Donall Gruama Ó Donnghaile, in the late 16th century, were closely linked to the ruling dynasty of the O’ Neills, with whom they claimed kinship.

Dr Donnellys brother, Terence Donnelly also educated in Paris, served as Bishop of Derry.

• Dr Patrick Donnelly ministered in South Armagh,
• He assumed the title of Phelim Brady, the Bard of Armagh^[4]
• Educated by the Jesuits at their hedge-school in Drogheda.
• Studied at the Irish College in Paris sometime between 1673 and 1679, gaining a Doctorate in Law
• Bishop of Dromore, appointed 22 July 1697; served until 1716^[5]

Eoghan Ó Donnghaile, author of Comhairle Mhic Clámha and Mo choin do theacht Fheidhlime.., may have written the latter as a salutation to Donnelly, who was his kinsman.

References

• Culture of Northern Ireland
• Newry Journal Bio

Notes and References

1. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bodony.html Catholic Hierarchy
2. Web site: Ireland. Culture Northern. 2005-12-22. Dr Patrick Donnelly - The Bard of Armagh (1). 2020-12-03. Culture Northern Ireland. en.
3. Web site: Tyrone reclaims historic Bard of Armagh priest. 2020-12-03. www.midulstermail.co.uk. en.
4. 'Life and Times of Doctor Patrick O'Donnelly, 1649-1716': "The Bard of Armagh" Michael McRory Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society Vol. 5, No. 1 (1969), pp. 3-33 (35 pages) Published By: Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha/Armagh Diocesan Historical Society
5. Book: Fryde, E. B. . Greenway, D. E. . Porter, S. . Roy, I. . Handbook of British Chronology . 3rd . Cambridge University Press . Cambridge . 1986 . 0-521-56350-X . 348–350.