William Carrigan

William Carrigan MRIA (29 August 1860 – 12 December 1924) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest and historian, who was appointed canon of the Diocese of Ossory.

[1][2] He received his childhood education in the Ballyfoyle National School and then in Wellington Square in Kilkenny City.

Carrigan with his high interest in local history took these developments as reason to create his own writings.

Carrigan travelled around the diocese speaking at great length to older people, taking count of folklore traditions and oral history.

All of his holidays were spent in the Public Records Office, Dublin, collecting information that related to Ossory.

The first volume deals with the overall history of the diocese from Pre-Christianity Celtic times to the Christianisation and through the Past Bishops and Clergy.

Interwoven throughout his narrative in the first volume, is a history of the Kingdom of Ossory and the activity of its rulers, gentry and major clergy; complete with as many annalistic references and other primary sources as he could compile.

The firm chosen to print the work was Sealy, Bryer and Walker of Middle Abbey Street, Dublin.