Mr. Thomas Prior

Mr. Thomas Prior (1680 - 1751)

Mr. Thomas Prior was born in Rathdowney in 1680 into a farming background. He decided to set up an organisation to promote agriculture and proper agrarian practices. This organisation later became the Royal Dublin Society. He died in 1751 and is buried in Rathdowney.

Mr. Thomas Prior (1680 - 1751)

Mr. Thomas Prior (1680 - 1751)

Mr. Thomas Prior was born in Rathdowney in 1680 into a farming background. He decided to set up an organisation to promote agriculture and proper agrarian practices. This organisation later became the Royal Dublin Society. He died in 1751 and is buried in Rathdowney.

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Mr. Thomas Prior was born in Rathdowney in 1680. He was educated locally and at Trinity College, Dublin. Being the son of a farmer he took a keen interest in agriculture. He decided to set up an organisation to promote agriculture and to advise farmers on good husbandry.



On the 25th June 1731 he held a meeting at Trinity College with Dr. Samuel Madden and eleven other gentlemen. After he put forth his views, it was decided that a society should be formed that would both help the farming community and promote agriculture, the arts and sciences.

 

It was duly incorporated. In 1749 it received a Parliamentary Grant of £500 per annum. In due time it became the Royal Dublin Society. He died on 21st October 1751 and is buried in Rathdowney. A monument was erected to his memory in Christchurch Cathedral. He wrote a number of books and pamphlets including "The Absentees of Ireland" and "The Virtues of Tar Water."