As we are probably all now aware, the Brabazon Clan is not homogenous but rather a mosaic of smaller genetic groupings, sometimes explicable by descent via a Brabazon female line, sometimes due to the adoption of the Brabazon name for various known or unknown reasons. By casting the discussion network as wide as possible perhaps we can begin to shed more light on each of the sub-lineages of the Clan - worldwide brainstorming, so to speak!

The Earl and Countess of Meath remain the standard bearers of the Brabazon name, and I think we would all agree that we have an excellent family at the very heart of the Brabazon Clan. Across the spectrum of our Family we are a good microcosm of Irishness in all its cultural forms and our cohesiveness in diversity is perhaps the best testimony to the greatness of our ancestors. So start blogging and let's see where it goes!

Friday, December 26, 2014

The Brabazons and Catholic Emancipation

Daniel O’Connell, “The Great Liberator” 1775-1847
Irish Parliamentarian and leader of the Catholic emancipation movement


Two leading Brabazons - both Church of Ireland - of the time played significant parts in O’Connell’s movement: the 10th Earl of Meath, John Brabazon, and the 2nd Baronet of Brabazon Park, Swinford, William John Brabazon.

The Earl very courageously permitted a Catholic mass to take place at Killruddery in 1798, the year of the great rebellion.  He was a champion of Emancipation and in 1831 Daniel O’Connell commented he was “deeply convinced that Lords Meath and Cloncurry have it in their power to put themselves at the head of the popular party in Ireland, and to do more good to the country, and prevent more evil, than any two persons ever had before”.

Baronet Brabazon was elected in the 1830s as an MP for Mayo, serving then at Westminster until his demise in 1840 of a heart problem.  His support of the local community in Swinford was well recognized and his election victory was assured when he won the backing of the nationalist Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, John McHale.  In his acceptance speech, Sir William made reference to his ancestor Capt William Brabazon who had fought bravely for King James II at the Battle of Aughrim.

at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)