Dr. Simon Digby, D.D., Lord Bishop of Elphin

By Frank Meehan
Extracted from "Laois Yearbook" 1989

The Most Rev. Dr. Simon Digby, D.D. was the son of the Most Rev. Dr. Essex Digby, D.D., Lord Bishop of Dromore by his wife Thomashine Gilbert, daughter of Sir William Gilbert, Governor of Queen's County and member of Parliament and for a time Burgomaster of Maryborough. Dr. Simon was born in Kilminchy Castle, Maryborough. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Oxford. He was ordained in 1667 and became rector of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.

On the 22nd February, 1670, he was appointed Prebendery of Geashill, Rector of Ballycommon [both Co. Offaly] and Incumbent of the Parish of St Michan, Dublin, and Dean of Kildare. In March 1678, he was made Lord Bishop of the United Dioceses of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe. He was later transferred as Lord Bishop of Elphin.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Warner Westenra of Dublin (aunt of Warner Westenra of Heath House, Maryborough; who in 1728 to 1760, was M.P. for Maryborough and also Burgomaster of Maryborough). Dr Digby was a newphew of Simon Digby who for some time was M.P. for Philipstown, King's County.

The Bishop was a Jacobite and saw King James II at dawn after the Battle of the Boyne riding south, his head slouched for concealment. He later visited the King in exile at the Palace of St Germaine, outside Paris and the King thanked him for his loyalty to him and his country.

Four of the Bishop's daughters married Church of Ireland clergymen. His eldest son John became M.P. for Kildare in the Irish House of Commons, and John's eldest son was Simon Digby and he was the father of Mother Digby who founded the Convents of the Sacred Heart in Mount Anville, Dublin and Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

His second son, the Rev William Digby, Rector of Geashill and Dean of Clonfert, who was the father of Kenelm Digby, the Author of The Broadstone of Honour and he in turn was the father of Kenelm Digby, M.P. for Queen's County and one of the first M.P's to declare for Home Rule. He had been elected as a Liberal M.P. in 1867. He died suddenly in Oxford. in 1839.

Dr Digby died on the 7th April, 1720 at his house in Lackan, Co Roscommon. His wife died eight days later and they were both buried together in the Church at Tasraragh, Co Roscommon.

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