Liam Pilkington

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Liam Pilkington
Born(1894-06-02)2 June 1894
Catholic priest

Liam Pilkington (2 June 1894 – 26 March 1977), also known as William Pilkington and Billy Pilkington, was a member of the

Catholic priest for the remainder of his life. He served as a priest in South Africa and Wales before retiring to Liverpool
, England, where he died.

Early life

Pilkington was born in Sligo on 2 June 1894. He received his education at the local Marist Brothers' convent school and the Day Trades Preparatory School. Later he was a student at the Department of Agriculture Forestry College in County Wicklow. When the Irish War of Independence began, the college was closed and Pilkington was forced to return to Sligo. He then gained employment with Wehrly Brothers Ltd. (a jewellery and watchmaking store) in Sligo.[2]

Military career

Several notable incidents occurred in Pilkington's military career. On 25 October 1920 at Moneygold, eight miles from Sligo (between

JJ "Ginger" O'Connell. A tense situation ensued but, at the last minute, Pilkington backed down and the meeting went ahead.[6] On 4 September 1922, an Anti-Treaty IRA unit under Pilkington took the Dromhaire barracks in County Sligo after the Free State
garrison surrendered.

Political career

On 27 August 1923, Pilkington ran unsuccessfully in the general election for the 4th Dáil as a Republican candidate, polling 2089 first preference votes.

Anti-Treaty IRA

Pilkington was a prominent member of the

Pro-Treaty Government on the basis that "The sovereignty of the Irish Nation and the integrity of its territory is inalienable". This was passed by nine votes to two.[7]

Catholic priest

Pilkington became a

Bishop Eton, Liverpool
, where he died in 1977.

Later life, death and legacy

In 1954 he was guest of honour at a dinner sponsored by Clan na Gael and the IRA Veterans of America in New York where he said he was returning to the mission fields of Africa, but he remained faithful to the All Ireland Republic.[9] He died on 26 March 1977 and was buried in Liverpool.

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Sammon, Willie. "The War of Independence and Civil War in Newport". Back the Road: Volume 2. Newport Historical Society. Retrieved 10 February 2011.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Farry (1992), p. 59.
  3. ISBN 0-7735-2840-7
    .
  4. ISBN 1-85635-314-1
    .
  5. ^ Farry, Michael (2000), The Aftermath of the Revolution Sligo 1921-1923,University College Dublin Press, Dublin, pg 38-39, ISBN 1-900621-39-8
  6. ^ Hopkinson (1988), p. 76.
  7. ^ Hopkinson (1988), p. 256.
  8. ^ "50 Years Ago". Saoirse Irish Freedom. June 1997. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  9. ^ The United Irishman November/December 1954
Sources
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