THE REV. FATHER RICHARD EVERARD
Born at Tullyallen, near Drogheda, in or about 1800, very little is known of his early education, which was probably local. He entered Maynooth Seminary in 1822 and was ordained in 1828 to the Diocese of Armagh.
After his ordination. Richard Everard, was appointed curate to the parish of Togher, County Louth, where he ministered until 1853, when he was appointed parish priest of Clogherhead and Walshestown where he remained for the next ten years.
He built the new church of St.Michael's at Hackett's Cross and gave himself wholeheartedly to the parish. Judging by press reports at the time of his death, Father Everard, was a man who appeared to have endeared himself to his parishioners.
His death occurred on the evening of the 6th January, 1863, whilst returning to Clogherhead after an evening spent at Walshestown House with the then owner, Mr. Nicholas Markey and other guests.
The accident, which happened at about nine o'clock, was caused by his car overturning into a roadside drain, pinning him under the wheel and he drowned in eighteen inches of water. His body was found a short while later by Mr. Patrick Murphy, who was returning from the fair at Dunleer.
An inquest into Father Everard's death was held on the 7th January, 1863, at Crusetown R.I.C. station, and, in evidence, Mr. Murphy, said he had found Father Everard lying under his car. He had immediately sought the help of Mr.Michael Gargan and Michael Kelly off Garvilla, who were in the nearby Murray's Cross public house.
In evidence, Mr. Nicholas Markey, said that "when he had dined with Father Everard the previous evening, he appeared to be in good spirits" and that "his habits were regular and steady".
Mr. Owen Markey of Carrickbaggot, was foreman of the jury, and ironically, another guest who had dined in the company of Father Everard on the fateful evening.
An account of his funeral was carried in the Dundalk Democrat on the 9th January, 1863, when 'amid the tears of his heartbroken parishioners he was laid to rest, following high mass, in front of the high altar of his beloved church at Hackett's Cross.'
A tragic end to one who had worked so tirelessly for the church and its parishioners during his ten years at Clogherhead.
ar dheis de go raibh an anam
Liam Mac Ragnaill
30th June, 2003
Born at Tullyallen, near Drogheda, in or about 1800, very little is known of his early education, which was probably local. He entered Maynooth Seminary in 1822 and was ordained in 1828 to the Diocese of Armagh.
After his ordination. Richard Everard, was appointed curate to the parish of Togher, County Louth, where he ministered until 1853, when he was appointed parish priest of Clogherhead and Walshestown where he remained for the next ten years.
He built the new church of St.Michael's at Hackett's Cross and gave himself wholeheartedly to the parish. Judging by press reports at the time of his death, Father Everard, was a man who appeared to have endeared himself to his parishioners.
His death occurred on the evening of the 6th January, 1863, whilst returning to Clogherhead after an evening spent at Walshestown House with the then owner, Mr. Nicholas Markey and other guests.
The accident, which happened at about nine o'clock, was caused by his car overturning into a roadside drain, pinning him under the wheel and he drowned in eighteen inches of water. His body was found a short while later by Mr. Patrick Murphy, who was returning from the fair at Dunleer.
An inquest into Father Everard's death was held on the 7th January, 1863, at Crusetown R.I.C. station, and, in evidence, Mr. Murphy, said he had found Father Everard lying under his car. He had immediately sought the help of Mr.Michael Gargan and Michael Kelly off Garvilla, who were in the nearby Murray's Cross public house.
In evidence, Mr. Nicholas Markey, said that "when he had dined with Father Everard the previous evening, he appeared to be in good spirits" and that "his habits were regular and steady".
Mr. Owen Markey of Carrickbaggot, was foreman of the jury, and ironically, another guest who had dined in the company of Father Everard on the fateful evening.
An account of his funeral was carried in the Dundalk Democrat on the 9th January, 1863, when 'amid the tears of his heartbroken parishioners he was laid to rest, following high mass, in front of the high altar of his beloved church at Hackett's Cross.'
A tragic end to one who had worked so tirelessly for the church and its parishioners during his ten years at Clogherhead.
ar dheis de go raibh an anam
Liam Mac Ragnaill
30th June, 2003
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Dundalk Domocrat
10th January 1863
Parish Priest Drowned
10th January 1863
Parish Priest Drowned
Dr. Callan of Dundalk held an inquest on the remains of Fr. Everard of Walshestown on Wednesday. James McQuillan proved that the deceased left Walshestown on the previous night: witness had put the horse in the car for him: the deceased sat on the off-side of the car: there was no one with him.
Patrick Murphy, a farmer, deposed that he was coming home from the fair at Dunleer on the previous night, walking; having arrived at Murray's Cross he observed the white cushion of a car lying on the face of the hedge: he went on and saw the legs of a man lying in the water in the ditch. The car was upset and the horse thrown down, but not plunging. The car was lying on the side, on the wheel which was next the road when it fell in: under the wheel lay a body completely covered with water, and with the whole weight of the car on it.
Witness ran to Murray's Cross where he met Michael Kelly and Michael Gargan; they all ran back and jumped into the grip at the back of the car, raised it and removed the body from under the wheel. He could not say if deceased lay on his face or back, nor on what particular part of him the wheel rest. On closer examination they found it was their parish priest, Father Everard: he was quite dead. Witness saw the track of the wheel along the brow of the grip before the car went in. After the body was removed, witness went back to Murray's Cross, asked what o'clock it was and was told it was about eight o'clock.
Owen Markey of Carrickbaggot said he had met the deceased on the previous day at dinner in his usual good health and spirits at the house of Mr. N. Markey. They left there roughly at the same time, a quarter to eight. Deceased went down the avenue alone immediately after witness, driving an outside car; they took different ways at the end of the avenue, he going to the right and witness to the left. Witness heard Fr. Everard's death at ten o'clock, and when he went to the place the body had been removed: deceased was about sixty five years of age: his habits were most regular and steady.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental drowning.
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Ancient descriptions of Clogherhead
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Parish Church of St.Michael's
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Rev. Fr. Richard Everard
- Ancient Prish of Clogher and Kilclogher
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Nicholas Sharkey
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Clogher Names
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Clogherhead song
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420 million years ago
