Canon Patrick Power

Canon Patrick Power (1862-1951) was a priest from Waterford. He was also an archaeologist and a scholar of Gaelic.  His interest in archaeology most likely first emerged when he worked in Australia, where he came into contact with Aboriginies.

On his return to Waterford, he worked in various posts, including that of Diocesan Inspector of Schools. His Manual of Religious Instruction was used widely in Ireland in the early twentieth century, and ran to thirty editions. 

Canon Power was very interested in the local history and archaeology of Waterford, and he published and lectured widely on the subject.  His studies led him to examine the Rian Bó Phádraig, and in 1905 he published an article tracing the history of the road.