John O'Hanlon

John Canon O'Hanlon MRIA (30 April 1821 – 15 May 1905) was an Irish Catholic priest, scholar and writer who also published poetry and illustrations, and involved himself in Irish politics. He is best known as a folklorist and a hagiographer, and in particular for his comprehensive Lives of the Irish Saints.

Life O'Hanlon was born in Stradbally, Laois. His parents were Edward and Honor Hanlon. Before he completed his studies, however, he emigrated in 1842 with members of his family, initially to Quebec, The family settled in Millwood in northeast Missouri. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. The collected works of Lageniensis centre on a long poem in Spenserian stanza, "The Land of Leix" and a series of lays recounting stories from Irish mythology. Characteristically, the poems are annotated with extremely copious local and historical information.

O'Hanlon was always an eager traveller, frequently journeying to Europe to research the Lives,

After the failures of Parnell's party, as well as the final resignation of their key ally Gladstone, in 1894, O'Hanlon seems to have given up hope for Home Rule. and probably the main driver overcoming many setbacks during the difficult 20-year period it took to erect a monument to O'Connell in Dublin's Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street).

List of works Abridgment of the History of Ireland from its Final Subjection to the Present Time (Boston, 1849) The Irish Emigrant's Guide to the United States (Boston, 1851; new edition, Dublin, 1890) The Life of St. Laurence O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin (Dublin, 1857) The Life of St. Malachy O'Morgair, Bishop of Down and Connor, Archbishop of Armagh (Dublin, 1859) The Life of St. Dympna, Virgin Martyr (Dublin, 1863) Catechism of Irish History from the Earliest Events to the Death of O'Connell (Dublin, 1864) Catechism of Greek Grammar (Dublin, 1865) Devotions for Confession and Holy Communion (Dublin, 1866) The Life and Works of St. Oengus the Culdee, Bishop and Abbot (Dublin, 1868) The Life of St. David, Archbishop of Menevia, Chief Patron of Wales (Dublin, 1869) Legend Lays of Ireland (verse, under the pseudonym "Lageniensis") (Dublin, 1870) Irish Folk-Lore, Traditions and Superstitions of the Country; with Humorous Tales (Lageniensis) (Glasgow, 1870) Lives of the Irish Saints: with special festivals, and the commemorations of holy persons, compiled from calendars, martyrologies, and various sources, relating to the ancient church history of Ireland (Dublin, 9 volumes published from 1875, with a 10th partially completed in 1905) The Buried Lady, a Legend of Kilronan (Lageniensis) (Dublin, 1877) The Life of St. Grellan, Patron of the O'Kellys (Dublin, 1881) Report of the O'Connell Monument Committee (Dublin, 1888) Life and Scenery in Missouri (Dublin, 1890) The Poetical Works of Lageniensis (Dublin, 1893) Irish-American History of the United States (Dublin, 1902) History of the Queen's County (completed by Rev. E. O'Leary) (Dublin, 1907) Editor, Henry Joseph Monck Mason Essay on the Antiquity and Constitution of Parhaments of Ireland (1891) Editor, William Molyneux The Case of Ireland's Being Bound by Acts of Parliament in England Stated (1893) Editor, Legends and Stories of John Keegan (with a memoir of Keegan by David James O'Donoghue) (Dublin, 1908)