Nary, Cornelius
NARY, CORNELIUS
Priest, controversialist, translator; b. near Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland, c. 1660; d. Dublin, March 3, 1738. After being educated locally, he was ordained in Kilkenny in 1684, went to Irish College, Paris, graduated doctor of laws from the University of Paris, and became tutor in London to the Earl of Antrim. He was appointed parish priest of St. Michan's, Dublin, c. 1700, and composed a catechism for the use of his parish (1705), to which he introduced the Dominican and Poor Clare nuns. In 1717 he translated the New Testament with practical liturgical intent. He wrote a "powerful memorial" (Lecky) on the subject of the oath of abjuration, called The Case of the Catholics of Ireland (1724). Nary's literary activity included an ambitious New History of the World (Dublin 1720); translations from the French; writings on unigenitus; and, among others, replies to one George Synge, Charitable Address to All Who Are of the Communion of Rome (1728). An active member of the diocesan chapter, he figured in domestic controversies.
Bibliography: j. ware, Works, ed. and tr. w. harris, 3 v. (Dublin 1739–64) 2:299. n. donnelly, History of Dublin Parishes (Dublin n.d.) 3:50–55. w. e. h. lecky, History of Ireland in the 18th Century, 5 v. (London 1893).
[j. j. meagher]