William Smith O'Brien

The name is closely associated with Ardagh.William Smith O'Brien was born in 1803, he was educated in colleges in Ireland and England. He got involved in politics, he was later elected into parliament in 1828. He was a founder member of the Young Irelander's. He was known for the part he played in the rebellion. He was later sentenced to death and he died in South Wales. He got the ruling changed and he later died in the South of Wales in 1864 when visiting his sister. He was buried in Rathonan graveyard in Aragh.

Cahermoyle House

William Smith O'Brien inherited Cahermoyle estate from his mother. Cahermoyle house was built in 1870 . It replaced an earlier house that was there on the same site. After the O'Briens left Cahermoyle,the Oblate brothers bought the estate and lived there for many years. Local people can recall Oblate students living there. The Oblate fathers later added an extra twenty rooms to the house. It was with great regret that the local people heard the bad news that the Oblate fathers were leaving Cahermoyle house. The estate was then sold and divided into seperate lots and Cahermoyle house then became a nursing home. The Oblate fathers keepa little connection with their roots in Cahermoyle by returning each summer for celebration of mass with their many friends in Ardagh