John Lynch of Galway (C.1599-1677): His Career, Exile and Writing

During the Cromwellian era in Irish history (1649-60), hundreds of Catholic priests and religious along with numerous bishops were forced into exile on the Continent, with many seeking refuge in France, Spain and the Spanish Low Countries during the early years of the Puritan repression. For some, refuge was temporary, while awaiting political developments and toleration in the home country. For others however it was permanent; one such was John Lynch, archdeacon of Tuam, church historian, antiquary and polemicist. Lynch ended his days on the northern coast of Brittany, where so many Irish exiles had landed in the course of the seventeenth century. Many Irish priests also chose the province as their adoptive homeland. Several bishops exiled after the Cromwellian victory were particularly generously treated by Brittany's provincial and religious authorities: Andrew Lynch (1596-1681) of Kilfenora, Francis Kirwan (1589-1661) of Killala, John De Burgo (1590-1667) of Tuam, Robert Barry (1587-1662) of Cloyne and Patrick Comerford (1586-1652) of Waterford, Patrick Plunkett of Ardagh (1602-79) and Nicholas French of Ferns (1604-78). All received financial support m France and most worked as suffragan bishops in various dioceses; Kirwan, Barry and Comerford died in exile..