RENEHAN, V. Rev. L.F. Collections of Irish Church History, From the MSS of the Late V. Rev. Laurence F. Renehan, D.D., President of Maynooth College.

Edited by the Rev. D. McCarthy. Volume I. Irish Archbishops. All published. Dublin: C.M. Warren & Thomas Richardson, 1861. First edition. pp. xiii, 522. Contemporary full calf, covers framed by triple gilt fillets, badge of Maynooth College in gilt in centre. Spine divided into six panels by five gilt raised bands, title in gilt on contrasting black and dark purple morocco labels in the second and fourth, remainder elaborately decorated in gilt; board edges gilt; comb marbled endpapers. Ex libris Dalgan Park with neat stamps. Presentation inscription to the library from Fr. Denis Gildea, Achonry. All edges marbled. A very good copy.
Rev. Dr Laurence F. Renehan (1797-1857) was born at Longford Pass in the parish of Gurtnahoe, County Tipperary. In September 1819 he entered Maynooth College and was ordained priest in 1825. In 1845, on the resignation of the Very Rev. Michael Montague, Renehan became president of Maynooth, retaining the position until his death.
He commissioned the architect Augustus Pugin, a friend, to build the elaborate and beautiful buildings (“St. Mary’s Square”) that still dominate the South Campus at Maynooth. Among these is the Russell Library. A large meeting-room at Maynooth is named in Renehan’s honor.
Renehan was closely associated with the Irish historian and antiquarian John O’Donovan (1803-1861). His Collections on Irish Church History, was edited by his colleague Daniel McCarthy and published in 1861. This work remains a much-cited reference.
Fr. Denis Gildea served in several parishes of Achonry diocese including Ballaghaderreen, Swinford, Tubbercurry.

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