Domingo Patricio Meagher

Domingo Patricio Meagher (1703–1772), known as the Father Meagher (Aita Meagher in Basque) was a Spanish Jesuit priest, university professor and writer of Irish descent. He was born in San Sebastian, Spain on 17 March 1703 and died in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany on 21 September 1772. His father was an Irish merchant, who had settled in the Basque city.

Biography At 14, he and his brother Daniel joined the Society of Jesus. In 1736 he went on to profess the Society's vows in San Sebastian. He became a professor of philosophy at the University of Santiago and professor of theology at the universities of Salamanca and Valladolid. He eventually returned to the Jesuit community in his hometown. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 he went into exile along with his companions, dying a few years later, on 21 September 1772 in Florence, at 69 years of age. In his hometown, San Sebastian, a square, the Father Meagher/Aita Meagher Plaza was dedicated to his memory in 1994.

Works

Literary works Besides teaching, Father Meagher also produced prose and poetry. There is evidence that he produced various writings but most of them were lost following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 which involved the loss of many of the company's writings. Among his works the following are cited: Poems about the canonization of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga and Saint Stanislaus Kostka in 1726. Satirical verses on Friar Gerund of Campazas, fictional character created by Father Isla in 1758. A funeral elegy of Barbara de Braganza, queen consort of King Ferdinand VI of Spain, who died in 1758. Writings in defense against several defamatory books against the Jesuits, published in France between 1760 and 1761. Briefs on various issues which occurred in the 17th century.

One of Meagher's verses Gizon bat ardo gabe Dago erdi hila Marmar dabiltzak tripak Ardoaren bila Baina edan ezkero Ardoa txit ongi Gizonik txatarrenak Balio ditu bi

Translation A man without wine is half dead the guts go growling looking for wine But once drank wine is very good the man most useless sorry for the two