Standish Hayes O'Grady

Who was Standish Hayes O'Grady?

Standish Hayes O'Grady was an Irish antiquarian. He was born at Erinagh House, Castleconnell, County Limerick, the son of Admiral Hayes O'Grady. He was a cousin of the writer Standish James O'Grady, with whom he is sometimes confused. As a child, he learnt Irish from the native speakers of his locality. He was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College Dublin.

Although qualified as a civil engineer, he is best remembered for Silva Gadelica, a collection of tales from ancient Irish manuscripts. He was a friend of antiquaries John O'Donovan and Eugene O'Curry. In 1853 he became a founding member of the Ossianic Society. He would later become its president in 1855. In 1857 he moved to the United States of America where he remained for 30 years. In 1901 he contributed an essay on Anglo-Irish Aristocracy to a collection entitled Ideals in Ireland edited by Lady Augusta Gregory.

He died in England in 1915. His Catalogue of the Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum was unfinished on his death and was completed by Robin Flower.