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Embodiment of Irish network

Florence Conry was a Franciscan friar and later Archbishop of Tuam. He was a leading figure in the Irish Catholic church and adviser to the Spanish on Irish affairs. He founded St Anthony's College in Louvain, in the Spanish Netherlands in 1607. What he began will be celebrated at The Irish in Europe - 400 years, a summer school to mark the anniversary in Louvain, May 21st-25th, 2007.

Florence Conry from a painting in St Isidore's (Franciscan) College, in Rome. Image courtesy of the college.

Conry was the embodiment of the Irish Franciscan network that extended throughout Europe in the 17th century. He was an eminent prelate, diplomat, translator and theologian. He was born into the learned family of Uí Mhaoil Chonaire in Co Roscommon and joined the Franciscans in Salamanca in Spain. He later became the leader of the order in Ireland.

He was appointed Papal Legate to Ireland and was at the battle of Kinsale in December 1601 where Hugh O'Neill and Red Hugh O'Donnell were defeated. He returned to Spain with O'Donnell and was with him at his death in 1602. Four years later he got permission from Philip III of Spain to establish St Anthony's College in Louvain. He took up residence there in May 1607. He was appointed Archbishop of Tuam by Pope Paul V in 1609 but never returned to Ireland.

Conry's reputation as a diplomat is matched by his significance as an author of religious texts aimed at instructing the Catholic population in Ireland. He translated a short Catechism from Spanish into Irish in 1593. In an adaptation of another Spanish text, published as Desiderius in 1616, he encouraged Irish Catholics to persevere with their faith. He died in Madrid in 1629.

Details of the Louvain summer school from: www.louvain400.eu