of the Blessed Virgin in exchange for an earthly wife. The poet suggests that he deserved the name "Maol gan Mhuire" ("The Servant Without Mary") much better. Given the treachery through which he lived, and whatever one might say about his real allegiances, Magrath possessed a knack for survival. The forbearance shown by his most bitter critics at Court, even when they were certain that he was obstructing the persecution of Catholics, is an indication of his great power and influence. In any case, the freedom allowed to him and his great skill in manipulating both sides in the drive for Reformation shows how tricky the times were in Ireland. As for being a drunkard, perhaps his longevity gives the lie to that charge. Magrath married a Roman Catholic, Áine, daughter of John O'Meara of Lisany, in County Tipperary; and had issue, Turlough, Redmond, James, Brian, Marcus, Mary, Cicely, Anne, and Ellis. Upon his wife's death he married again. References Bibliography Richard Bagwell, Ireland under the Tudors 3 vols. (London, 1885–1890). John O'Donovan (ed.) Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters 7 vols. (1851). Dictionary of National Biography 22 vols. (London, 1921–1922). 'Archbishop Magrath: The Scoundrel of Cashel' – 1 Oct 1974 by Robert Wyse Jackson External links CERC Account of Miler Magrath by Philip O'Sullivan Beare Seamus J King's Talk given to Cashel Historical Society in 1986 on Miler McGrath Origins of the McGrath Family by Michael F. McGraw (incl. descent from Miler Magrath) 1520s births 1622 deaths People from County Fermanagh Irish Friars Minor Roman Catholic bishops of Down and Connor Anglican archbishops of Cashel Bishops of Waterford and Lismore (Church of Ireland) Converts to Anglicanism from Roman Catholicism Former members of Catholic religious institutes English Reformation 16th-century Irish Anglican priests 17th-century Irish Anglican priests People of Elizabethan Ireland Irish Anglican archbishops