Martin Haverty





Historian / Journalist
This Mayo man was author of the interesting ‘History of Ireland’ plus his journalistic reports from his European travels.
Martin Haverty was born in Co. Mayo on 1st December 1809. Following initial education in Mayo he studied at The Irish College in Paris, France. [i] He was a brother of Joseph Patrick Haverty RHA who was a portrait painter in oils. [ii]
Journalism
During 1836 Haverty joined the staff of the ‘Freeman’s Journal’ until 1850 in Dublin. He travelled extensively through Europe in 1851, which he described in several series of contributions to newspapers. [iii]
Librarian
On his return from Europe Haverty was employed as Sub – Librarian at King’s Inns, Dublin. There he devoted himself principally to the preparation of a general index of all books in the library. [iv]
Publications
He produced ‘Wanderings in Spain in 1843’ during 1844, 2 volumes. His ‘The History of Ireland, Ancient & Modern, for the use of school & College etc’ was published during 1860. His most famous publication ‘The History of Ireland’ – with copious Topographical & general Notes’ 1860, Dublin. A second enlarged edition was published in 1885. (from Dictionary of National Biography, 1885 -1900, Volume 25 Haverty, Martin by William Arthur Jobson Archbold) [v] This publication ‘The History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern; derived from our native annals…and from all the resources of Irish history available’ by Haverty Martin 1867 Dublin James Duffy. [vi]
The demise occurred of Martin Haverty on 18th January 1887: he was interred in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. [vii]
Tribute
As can be seen Haverty is mentioned among these illustrious novelists etc at Mayo’s Carnegie Library at the Courthouse in Castlebar, who invited applications for the establishment of Branch Libraries in various districts during February 1928. The Libraries announced that recent acquisitions included: Knox’s ‘History of Mayo’; McFirbis; ‘Genealogies, Tribes & Customs’ of ‘Hy – Fiachrach’ which was a very rare book plus commonly called ‘O ‘Dowda’s Country’ which was edited by John O ‘Donovan with a translation from the Irish & Notes Irish Roots Café 1993) ; D. J. O ‘Donohue’s ‘Geographical Distribution of Irish Ability.’ Another very scarce book with a really admirable completion of Irish Biographies; one chapter has a celebration of the County Mayo. Other issues were received from; Archbishop McHale; Dr. P. Brennan the inventor of the Brennan Torpedo; John Blake Dillon, one of the founders of the ‘Nation’; Michael Davitt, founder of the Land League; Sir John Gray, who gave Dublin its magnificent water supply; J. F. Taylor who was one of the intellectual giants of that time plus author of a standard life of Owen Roe O ‘Neill; G. H. Moore; T. J. Flannery the notable Gaelic Scholar & Editor; Martin Haverty, author of the well -known ‘History of Ireland’; Matthew Archdeacon the popular novelist ; Eaneas M c Donnell a popular Lawyer & Politician of the O ‘Connellite period also P. G. Smyth author of ‘Wild Rose of Lough Gill.’ Extracts from ‘Travels Through Time’ 40 years ago. [viii]
Bibliography
[i] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Haverty,_Martin_(DNB00)) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[ii] Joseph Patrick Haverty (https://www.libraryireland.com/biography/JosephPatrickHaverty.php) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[iii] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Haverty) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[iv] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Haverty) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[v] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Haverty,_Martin_(DNB00)) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[vi] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Haverty) [assessed 25th Aug 2019]
[vii] Martin Haverty (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Haverty,_Martin_(DNB00)) [assessed 25th Aug 2019
[viii] Martin Haverty (Mayo News Feb 24th 1993) [assessed 12th September 2019]
Comments about this page
Just fyi, Martin Haverty bought land in West Limerick in 1853 through the encumbered estate act, becoming a small, very genial landlord. He designed and built Kilbehy House and oratory which are still in perfect condition and inhabited. He lived there while writing his very famous ‘History of Ireland’. It was still in the Haverty family name until early 1900’s when it was sold.
I would love to find out more about Haverty road being called after Martin Haverty. Are there any papers relating to same ?
My source is a transcript of his birth certificate from Roots.ie
Thank you for your comment Anita.
Would it be possible to provide your information source please on his birth place?
I am 99% certain, Martin Haverty was born in Rahoon, Co Galway , not in Mayo
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