Thomas O'Beirne
Quick Facts
Biography
The Right Reverend Thomas Lewis O'Beirne (1749 – 17 February 1823), was an Anglican bishop, Bishop of Ossory from 1795 to 1798 when he was translated to Meath.
Life
Born in 1749, the eldest son of a Roman Catholic farmer, he was educated at the Catholic College of St Omer before converting to Anglicanism. Ordained a priest in 1773, he was entered on the books of Trinity College, Cambridge as a ten-year man the same year.
His ecclesiastical career began with a college living at Grendon, Northamptonshire 1774-1776, following which he was a naval chaplain under Admiral Howe in 1776. In 1776 he preached in St. Paul's Church in New York City. Later he was Vicar of West Deeping 1779-1783 and chaplain and private secretary to the Duke of Portland 1782-1783.
Returning to his native Ireland he became the incumbent at Templemichael, from which post he ascended to the episcopate: He became Anglican bishop of Ossory in 1795, and in 1798 was transferred to the see of Meath.
He died on 17 February 1823.