Rev. Paul O'Brien (1763–1820) was an Irish language scholar and Catholic priest. He was the first Professor of Irish at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, serving from 1802 until his death. Born in 1763, from Cormeen, Co. Meath, O'Brien was a great grand nephew of

Turlough O'Carolan Turlough O'Carolan ( ga, Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin ; 167025 March 1738) was a blind Celtic harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition. Although not a composer in the classical sense, ...

. In 1807 O'Brien was instrumental in establishing ''The

Gaelic Society of Dublin The Gaelic Society of Dublin was an effort to save and support the Irish language. The society first met on January 19, 1807. Theophilus O'Flanagan AB, acted as its first secretary. Involved in the setting up of the society were Dr. John Lanigan, ...

'' along with Dr. John Lanigan, Edward O'Reilly, William Halliday, and

Theophilus O'Flanagan Theophilus O’Flanagan ( ga, Tadgh ó'Flanagáin) (c. 1762 – 1814) was an Irish school teacher, translator, and Irish language scholar. Born circa 1762 in Tulla, County Clare, son of a hedge schoolteacher of Irish, he was educated at Trinity C ...

.Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Dublin
/ref> Professor O'Brien was also involved in Iberno-Celtic Society another initiative to promote the Irish Language.Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic Society for 1820. Vol. I.— Part I.
/ref>

Publications

* ''A Practical Grammar of the Irish Language'' by Paul O'Brien (1809).

References

1763 births 1820 deaths 18th-century Irish historians 19th-century Irish historians 18th-century Irish Roman Catholic priests Irish writers 19th-century Irish Roman Catholic priests People from County Meath {{Ireland-RC-clergy-stub