Edward Synge

Edward Synge (Bridgnorth -1678) of Shropshire origins was appointed at the Restoration bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe (1661) and was subsequently translated becoming bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (1663). An older brother, George Synge (1594–1653) had been bishop of Cloyne (1638–1652) before ejection in the Civil War.

His second son, Edward Synge (Bridgnorth 1659- 1741), a Hanoverian protégé, was appointed bishop of Raphoe in 1714 and served from 1716 until his death as archbishop of Tuam in Connacht. A renowned preacher, his works were frequently published and included an exhortation to frequent communion translated into Welsh. Amongst other achievements he established a dynasty of prominent ecclesiastics and literary figures closely integrated into the Protestant squirearchy in the west of Ireland.

His eldest son, Edward Synge (Cork 1691-1762), after service as Provost of Tuam, and Chancellor of St. Patrick's, Dublin, was appointed in succession bishop of Clonfert (1730), bishop of Cloyne (1732), bishop of Ferns and Leighlin (1734), and bishop of Elphin (1740 until his death). He served on numerous Dublin bodies and is particularly well known for his letters to his only surviving daughter, Alicia. In these he makes incidental allusions to the rural economy but they are principally taken up with paedagogically apt and interesting remarks concerning evolving English style and expression. Religious preoccupations and classical references are absent, as are references to traditional Irish culture (apart from a reference to a popular song addressed to the wren), but there is a very limited awareness of contemporary French literature.

A brother, Nicholas Synge (1693–1771), after various preferments including the precentorship of Elphin and archdeaconry of Dublin, was instituted as bishop of Killaloe where he remained until his death. His son, Edward Synge (c1725-1792) became archdeacon of Killala, inheriting under the will of Samuel Synge, dean of Kildare. Nicholas Synge was the grandfather of the poet and playwright, John Millington Synge.

References

Further reading

•  "Synge, Edward". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.  The main topic is the son.
• The Synge Letters: Bishop Edward Synge to his Daughter Alicia: Roscommon to Dublin, ed. Marie-Louise Legg, The Lilliput Press in association with The Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin 1996.