KILDARE: Local history group hosting talk on Rev Samuel George Cotton

Caragh Local History Group is hosting "A talk on the ‘Life and Times of the Rev Samuel George Cotton" in the Caragh Parish meeting room on Thursday, February 16 at 8pm.

The group said that everybody is welcome to attend the event. 

"The Rev. Cotton was the controversial Church of Ireland Rector of Caragh Parish from 1862 until 1895 and he is primarily remembered today for his notorious mismanagement of the Caragh Orphanage, culminating in his imprisonment in 1892.

"However, there are some other notable aspects of his life, including some recently unearthed new information which throws additional light on Cotton’s early mindset and which might partly explain the zealous nature he brought to his later ministry.

"Aspects of his turbulent relationship with his neighbouring parish of Clane will also be explored."

In 2019, Councillor Robert Power called on Kildare Co Council to commemorate Caragh Orphanage with a plaque "in honour of the children who suffered there."