Lavelle, Patrick (1858–1886)

Irish Catholic priest, who was closely associated with the National Brotherhood of St Patrick, a front organization for the Fenians. Following papal censure Lavelle became parish priest of Cong, County Mayo, and although for the most part contented himself with pastoral work from then on, he was involved with the Land League before his death.

Lavelle was born in Mullagh, County Mayo. He entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth, in 1844 and was ordained in 1854. An intelligent, but by no means brilliant student, he was appointed to teach theology at the Irish College in Paris, France. He was as turbulent in Paris as he had been at Maynooth and returned to his diocese, Tuam, in 1858 when the Parisian college was given over to the administration of the Vincentian Order. Back in Ireland he immersed himself in social and political agitation.