Bishop William O'Higgins Bronze Sculpture

A leading figure in Irish history and the Catholic Church, Bishop William O’Higgins was born in Barraghbeg in Drumlish in 1794. A statue of Bishop O'Higgins is situated outside the Drumlish Parish Church, sculpted by artist Dony McManus.

Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise from 1829 to 1853, O’Higgins was a key figure in a tumultuous time in Irish history, most notably during the Irish famine (1845-1849). 

Bishop O’Higgins conceived the idea for St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford Town. He laid the foundation stone in 1840 in front of a crowd of 40,000. This stone came from the ruins of St. Mel’s old Cathedral at Ardagh.

Bishop O’Higgins was a supporter of Irish nationalism and Catholic emancipation in Ireland. He Gaelicised his surname, adding the O in recognition of his friend Daniel O’Connell.