Ixxxii 



in other hands might have been squandered unprofitably or cul- 

 pably, became in his the instrument of extending the boundaries 

 of knowledge, of adding to the means of human happiness, and of 

 exalting the scientific and literary character of the country which 

 gave him birth. Like Bacon, Boyle, and Lavoisier, on whom for- 

 tune and science lavished their treasures, he repaid their favours 

 by efforts earnest and successful; and while he enlarged the circle 

 of the sciences by his genius, he held up a bright example for 

 imitation in the purity of his life, the benevolence of his heart, 

 and the modest simplicity of his manners. 



The Kirwans are descended from an ancient and respectable 

 English family, who emigrated to this country in the reign of 

 Henry the Sixth. The herald, says Mr. Hardiman, tells us that 

 Maoldabhreac, son of Fiobhran, son of Finghin, descended from 

 Heremon, second son of Milesius, was father of Ciorrovan, or 

 Kirwan, from whom the Kirwans are descended. Clement Kir- 

 wan, in 1648, built the castle of Cregg, in the county of Galway, 

 which was the latest edifice of that description erected for the pur- 

 pose of defence in that part of Ireland. He was succeeeded in the 

 family estates by his son. Captain Patrick Kirwan, whose son was 

 Martin Kirwan, originally a Roman Catholic, like all the rest of 

 the family at that time, but who, for a considerable period of his 

 life, had conformed to the Established Church, although on his 

 death-bed (1741) he was attended by a Romish priest. Martin Kir- 

 wan had four sons, Patrick, Richard, Andrew, and Hyacinth. 



Richard, the subject of the following memoir, being the second.. 

 son of Martin, was not born to the fortune which he afterwards in- 

 herited ; he was, therefore, destined for a profession, and that of a 

 clergyman of the Church of Rome was selected for him. His fa- 

 mily, originally professing the Roman Catholic religion, are now 

 all Protestants. 



Martin Kirwan resided, for the most part, in Galway, but oc- 

 casionally at Cloughballymore, in the county, the seat of Patrick 

 French, Esq., his wife's father. In the latter place, in 1733, 

 Richard was born, but in a little lime after was removed to the 

 family residence in Galway, where he remained until the death of 



