Born: 11 August 1881, Skahard , Caherconlish, County Limerick
Entered: 07 September 1899, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Ordained: 26 July 1914, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final Vows: 02 February 1917, Sacred Jeart College SJ, Limerick
Died: 11 March 1967, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

by 1904 at Stonyhurst England (ANG) studying

Irish Province News 42nd Year No 3 1967

Rathfarnham Castle
Fr. P. G. Kennedy died here on the morning of 11th March. R.I.P. He returned from hospital late in January and had been in good form, though obviously failing. His memory for recent events was most uncertain but his accuracy in matters ornithological was as scientific as ever. He had been working in the grounds on the afternoon before his death. This work in the grounds, mainly burning tree-stumps had been a feature of his day in recent years. The National Museum was most anxious to acquire his notes and diaries on bird-lore and these are now being catalogued at the Museum. The remains were removed to Gardiner Street on Monday evening, 13th March, and after Office (Lauds), Solemn Requiem Mass was sung by Fr. Rector (Fr. F. McGrath). Milltown Park choir sang the Proper.

Obituary :
Fr PG Kennedy SJ (1881-1967)

Fr. Patrick Kennedy was a country man, born in 1881 at Skahard in Co. Limerick. He went to the local national school and to the Crescent for his early education. In 1889 he entered the Society at Tullabeg and did both his novitiate and juniorate there. He studied philosophy in Stonyhurst and taught for five years as a scholastic in the Crescent - Science, Latin, Greek and English. Theology and ordination were at Milltown Park and Tertianship at Tullabeg. For nine years after this he was Prefect of Studies in the Crescent. He then taught in Belvedere for another eight years, Thus ended what must have been, in a way, the vital period of his life-the period of developing and deepening interests, the making of personal contacts and friendships and performance of hard regular work, A person may become more noticeable after fifty; he often deteriorates; he seldom initiates any very valuable attitudes in himself, and he is fortunate if he holds his ground : holy, if he forges ahead.
In 1932 Fr. Kennedy was appointed Minister in Emo. This was probably a happy time for him. Possibly it was a relief to be free from the classroom routine for the first time in decades; surely it was a pleasure to be able to do the kind of field work in ornithology which he had no time for in the city. During these years he did a lot of observation of tree-creepers and especially their roosting habits. The soft outer bark of the Sequoia Wellingtonia - common around Emo - was very suitable for these birds. His observations were published in British Birds, Vol. 30, and made him, as one of his life long collaborators Major Ruttledge said “ornithological famous”. In this kind of work he was immensely painstaking, meticulously accurate and inflexibly persevering and full of lively
enthusiasm.
In 1936 Fr. Kennedy was appointed Rector of Rathfarnham Castle in succession to Fr. T. V. Nolan and he held this office until 1942. Only those who lived as juniors during these years are really capable of assessing the rights and wrongs of this regime. There is no good pretending that Fr. Kennedy was a success as a Rector. However, he never ambitioned authority and certainly did not consider himself a successful Rector of Rathfarnham Castle. The fact is that he seemed to be out of tune with the moods of youth and perhaps afraid of its manifestations. For the older members of the community he was a competent and kind administrator.
The positive side of Fr. Kennedy's qualities was always shown in his steady loyalty to his friends and co-operators. He was a tactful and unselfish visitor to the sick in hospital. Among birders he was very popular and had a number of staunch admirers. He was, in a quiet set kind of way an extremely pleasant community man, loved to tell a story with humorous twists to it and enjoy reminiscences of the past characters in the Province. He was in all this slow on the up-take, leisurely, conservative. Not receptive of new ideas, nor elastic, he was a man of static, stable values, resentful of change and horrified by “revolutionary ideas”.
He wrote a great deal about his favourite subject. His major work was The Birds of Ireland done in collaboration with Ruttledge and Scroope and A List of the Birds of Ireland - a Government publication. He also wrote a small book on Birds of the North Bull Island, which island he was largely instrumental in having declared a bird sanctuary. But I think his most attractive writing was in a series in Studies entitled “Birds of the Countryside”. In these articles he used his accurate scientific knowledge of the habitat, migration habits, etc., of the different species and also his feeling for their different characters, their charm, their "witness" in a witless world. He lectured frequently on birds and of course had fine slides. His normally rather dry delivery was warmed by his obvious love of and easy approach to this wonderful section of creation.
The present writer accompanied Fr. Kennedy on more than one visit to the Bull, sharing his interest in bird life: too serious with him to be styled a hobby it was real triumph to emit a croak and hear him immediately remark to his companion ahead “Ravens”, On these outings he strode along with great vigour and on every occasion recorded each species seen with unflagging interest in each one of them. Occasionally there would be the quite exceptional “catch” : e.g. of an arctic skua forcing a lesser gull to disgorge its prey, or snow-bunting playing on the salt marshes.
He was a man of settled type who lived apparently unshakably confident of the standards he had adopted : loyal, consistent, predictable. May the swifts welcome him with shrieks of delight as he whirls his way to the upper air.

Irish Province News 63rd Year No 1 1988

Father Kennedy memorial

Under the above headline the November 1987 issue of IWC News, the organ of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, carried the following item:

“In honour of Rev P G Kennedy SJ [1881-1899-1967], whose tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of the Bull Island Bird Sanctuary in 1931, plans are underway to erect a memorial plaque at the Bull Island Interpretive Centre”.
The writer went on to welcome donations from ‘anyone who has enjoyed this sanctuary and who appreciates its importance, but gave 1st December 1987 as the closing date for the reception of contributions.

◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1967

Obituary

Father Patrick G Kennedy SJ

Rev Patrick G Kennedy SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, who has died, was a noted ornithologist with an international reputation.

He was one of a group of enthusiasts whose work led to the establishment of this country's three bird sanctuaries, the most noteworthy of which is the Bull Island sanctuary, about which Fr Kennedy wrote a book, “An Irish Sanctuary”.

Fr Kennedy was closely associated with many bird-protection and wildlife preservation societies and his work ranks with that of another famous Irish botanist and naturalist, the late Dr R Lloyd Praeger of Belfast.

Among the places where he taught was Belvedere College.

The Irish Press, 13-4-1967

Born: 10 August 1886, Montroe, Cabra Road, Whitehall, Dublin
Entered 23 September 1903, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Died: 16 February 1909, Kilcoole, County Wicklow

Part of the St Stanislaus College community, Tullabeg, County Offaly at the time of death.

Uncle of John A Leonard - RIP 1992 and Paul Leonard - RIP 2001

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
One of his sisters was for a long time Prioress at the Carmelite Convent, Hampton, Malahide. His father died at a very advanced age in 1934.

Early education was at Belvedere.

He then made his Noviceship and Juniorate at Tullabeg
He was a Scholastic of great promise, holy, talented and agreeable, and his passing was deeply regretted by all.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Died at Juniorate stage

◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1909

Obituary

Patrick J Leonard SJ

It is with the deepest regret we record the death-of one of our Past whom the oldest of our Present can remember in Belvedere. Since June, 1908, Rev P J Leonard, or, as he was called in school, Paddy Leonard, had been at Kilcoole, under treatment for tuberculosis in Dr. Dunne's private sanatorium. Great hopes of his recovery were entertained till January of the present year, when it became evident that the patient was growing weaker. The end was not far off, and on February 16 he breathed his last. Father James Tomkin SJ, attended him at his last moments. His illness had been long, and he bore it with the greatest resignation. His death was a beautiful and consoling one.

Mr. Leonard was only twenty-two years young when he died. He came to Belvedere fourteen years before, and remained here - till September, 1903, when he joined the Jesuit Novitiate at Tullabeg. Paddy was no ordinary boy, as even a stranger could not fail to remark. In his countenance one could read gentleness of manner, modesty, and earnestness of purpose, and these three qualities were his in a unique degree. At his books Paddy showed great talent, especially in Greek and Latin. Afterwards in his University examinations he was particularly brilliant in these same subjects, although he invariably gained honours in every subject for which he presented himself. In his school-days he was an Exhibitioner, in 1900, 1902, 1903; gaining in 1903 the medal for Greek. Paddy's success was not confined to his books; he was elected Captain of the XV, and as early as 1900 played on school matches. In the gymnasium, too, he won many a medal and ribbon, and helped to bring home the Schools’ Shield at least three times. In 1900 he was made a member of the BVM Sodality, and at the first elections was chosen its prefect. Although Paddy was the most popular boy of his time yet his chief characteristic was a singular modesty and reserve, which would seem to militate against popularity, yet in reality brought him universal popularity. Every one who knew him loved him, and outside the circle of his friends, all the school held his name in respect.

The two years from September, 1903, to September, 1905, he spent in Tullabeg, in preparation for the oblation of himself to God, which he made in the latter year. Here again that same modesty and humility which distinguished him as a boy were very conspicuous. He remained in Tullabeg, after his vows in 1905, to continue his studies. His kind and ever-ready sympathy will not be forgotten by his fellow-students. He was an ardent student, a lover of Greece and Rome. Greek he loved above all, and his readings in its literature had brought him very far indeed. At the same time, he was enthusiastically devoted to the Revival of our National Language, and never ceased to take a keen interest in all Gaelic doings.

Consummatus in brevi implevit ternpora multa. It is sad to think that his life was so short yet he offered that life to God, and was completely resigned to the will of his heavenly Father. Even on his death-bed he was true to all his generous instincts. It was characteristic of him to thank, in that last-hour his faithful nurse. His life was short, but his influence amongst his friends will abide To them and to his sorrowing family we offer our sincerest condolence.