New book on former Bishop of Ferns

A biography on one of the longest serving Bishops of Ferns of all time was launched at the Irish National Heritage Park in County Wexford this week. 

The book, which is co-written by Fr Bill Cosgrave and his brother Nick, both grandnephews of the late Bishop James Browne who presided over the Diocese of Ferns from 1884 until his death in 1917, was launched by the current Bishop of Ferns Dr Denis Brennan. 

It covers Bishop Browne’s life and career from his birth in Bigbarn, Ballycogley, to his service as a parish priest in Piercestown and his subsequent appointment as Bishop of Ferns. 

He presided over the diocese through the land agitation years, the fall of Parnell, the First World War, and 1916.  Before his death, he spoke out against the partition of the country.

One humorous tale in the book concerns a priest, Fr. Michael Murphy, a curate in Ferns who was caught with guns in Dublin in 1916.  A military commander contacted Bishop Browne asking that he be removed. 

The Bishop wrote to the parish priest of Ferns, saying it appeared that if he didn't do something about the curate, the entire British Empire would be shaken to its foundations. 

The curate in question was eventually transferred to Taghmon. 

Bishop Browne was the last bishop of Ferns to be buried inside St. Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy.  He was laid to rest in the eastern transept.

by Sean Ryan