Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/O'Loghlen, Colman Michael

1434160Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 42 — O'Loghlen, Colman Michael1895David James O'Donoghue

O'LOGHLEN, Sir COLMAN MICHAEL (1819–1877), lawyer and politician, eldest son of Sir Michael O'Loghlen, bart. [q. v.] and Bidelia, daughter of Daniel Kelly of Dublin, was born on 20 Sept. 1819, and was educated at private schools in England, afterwards graduating B.A. at Dublin University in 1840. In the same year he was called to the Irish bar, and went the Munster circuit; he took silk in 1862. From 1856 to 1859 he was chairman of Carlow quarter sessions, and from 1859 to 1861 held same position in Mayo. In 1863 he became M.P. for Clare, and in 1865 was made a third serjeant-at-law for Ireland, becoming second serjeant in the following year. He was appointed judge-advocate-general in Mr. Gladstone's ministry and a member of the privy council in December 1868; he held the former office till November 1870. He introduced and carried the bill enabling catholics to obtain the position of lord chancellor of Ireland. His unassuming manner and his good nature made him universally popular. He died suddenly, on 22 July 1877, on board the mail-boat while crossing from Holyhead to Kingstown. He was buried in the family vault in co. Clare. He was unmarried, and his brother Bryan succeeded to the title.

[Foster's Baronetage and Knightage; Times, 28 and 27 July 1877; Todd's Dublin Graduates; Ward's Men of the Reign; Haydn's Book of Dignities.]

D. J. O'D.