Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maguire, Thomas (1792-1847)
MAGUIRE, THOMAS, D.D. (1792–1847), Roman catholic controversialist, born in 1792 on the lands of Turagan in the parish of Kinnawly, about three miles from Swanlinbar, co. Cavan, was son of Thomas Maguire, a member of one of the highest families of the Knockninny Maguires; his mother, Judith Maguire, was sister to Dr. Patrick Maguire, coadjutor bishop of Kilmore. He entered the college at Maynooth in 1814, and was ordained priest in September 1816 in the parish church of Templeport. After acting as curate to his uncle, Dr. Maguire, he was parish priest of Drumreilly from July 1818 till September 1825, when he was promoted to the parish of Ennismagrath. In 1827 he engaged with the Rev. Richard T. P. Pope in the lecture-room of the Dublin Institution in a public discussion respecting the distinctive doctrines of the Roman church. As usual on such occasions both sides claimed the victory. He succeeded Hugh O'Reilly as parish priest of Ballinamore in August 1835, and he was also dean of Kilmore. In 1838 he engaged in another polemical discussion, of nine days' duration, at Dublin with the Rev. Tresham D. Gregg. He died at Ballinamore on 2 Dec. 1847.
‘He used to boast that he was the best shot, the best courser, the best quoit-player, the best breeder of greyhounds, pointers, and spaniels, and the best brewer of “scaltheen” in the whole county of Leitrim. He is supposed to have been poisoned by his housekeeper, together with his brother and sister-in-law’ (Gent. Mag. March 1848, p. 334).
‘Authenticated Reports’ of his platform discussions appeared at Dublin in 1827 and 1839 respectively. The accuracy of the earlier report is attested by both the disputants. The second was published by Gregg. Maguire published his ‘Lectures delivered in SS. Michael and John's Church, Lower Exchange Street, during the Lent of 1842,’ 2nd edit. Dublin, 1842, 12mo.
[Catholic Directory for Ireland, 1848, p. 343; Cat. of Libr. of Trin. Coll. Dublin.]