A Patricius Prendergast of the diocese of Tuam is noted as having graduated Bachelor in utroque jure from Paris in June 1783.
[citation needed] Prendergast was appointed parish priest of Cong in 1795, and was the last titular abbot of the Augustinian Abbey, holding that position until his death (the decision being made to not appoint a successor[2]).
[3] Sir William Wilde described him as "a very fine, courteous, white-haired old man".
[citation needed] Prendergast not only re-discovered the Cross of Cong, he appears to have been responsible for the return to Ireland of the Cathach of St. Columba from Belgium in the early 19th century.
[citation needed] Prendergast died in 1829 and was succeeded by Fr.