Standish Hayes O'Grady

Standish Hayes O'Grady (Irish: Anéislis Aodh Ó Grádaigh; 19 May 1832 – 16 October 1915) was an Irish antiquarian. He was born at Erinagh House, Castleconnell, County Limerick, the son of Admiral Hayes O'Grady.^[1] He was a cousin of the writer Standish James O'Grady, with whom he is sometimes confused. As a child, he learnt Irish from the native speakers of his locality. He was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College Dublin.

Although qualified as a civil engineer, he is best remembered for Silva Gadelica (two vols, 1892), a collection of tales from ancient Irish manuscripts. He was a friend of antiquaries John O'Donovan and Eugene O'Curry. In 1853 he became a founding member of the Ossianic Society.^[1] He would later become its president in 1855. In 1857 he moved to the United States of America where he remained for 30 years.^[1] In 1901 he contributed an essay on Anglo-Irish Aristocracy to a collection entitled Ideals in Ireland edited by Lady Augusta Gregory.^[1]

He died in England in 1915. His Catalogue of the Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum was unfinished on his death and was completed by Robin Flower.^[1]

References