O'Donnell, Jeremiah

Jeremiah O'Donnell (1814-1891), Catholic priest, was born in Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1814, the son of Mary and Thomas O'Donnell. He died at Conception Harbour on 27 February 1891.

O'Donnell was ordained a priest in Ireland in 1840 and arrived in the Vicariate of Newfoundland in 1844, at the invitation of Michael Anthony Fleming, Vicar Apostolic. His first appointment was curate in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Parish, St. John's (1844-1858). He was then selected as a professor in St. Bonaventure's College, St. John's (1858-1860). Rev. O'Donnell was reappointed as a curate on staff in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Parish, St. John's. On 13 May 1861, during the opening of the House of Assembly in St. John's, a bitter sectarian demonstration occurred. The troops were ordered from their barracks to control of the crowds. In their role as Catholic leaders, Judge Joseph Ignatius Little and Rev. O'Donnell intervened and persuaded many of the men to disperse.

In 1868 Rev. O'Donnell was appointed as parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Harbour Main, where he served until 1882 . During the construction of the railroad along the south shore of Conception Bay in 1881, when rumours exaggerated the negative impact of the new technology, Rev. O'Donnell's counsel prevented open opposition by the the people of Holyrood and Harbour Mainto the line.

Following his retirement, Rev. Jeremiah O'Donnell resided with his brother Patrick at Conception Harbour.

Created - May 15, 2013

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