Sir Richard Hansard 1550-1619 was an English soldier who served and settled in Ireland. During the rebellion of Hugh O’Neill and Red Hugh O’Donnell Hansard fought for the King and crown. He was commander of the Fort at Ballyshannon for some time. It was during the latter years of the Nine Years War and later during Sir Cahir O’Doherty’s rebellion that Hansard was appointed Governor of Lifford. For his loyalty to the King he was granted the lands of Lifford and its surroundings, as his plantation settlement. In order to comply with the conditions of the plantation, Hansard had to build a fortification, stores, a school, a church and dwellings for his subjects.
The church of St Lugadius at the Rowan in Lifford was not finished until after his death. The name Hansard is better known and remembered for his association with the Westminster Parliamentary record keeping. A statue to Richard Hansard and his wife, Dame Anne has pride of place in the church.
Strabane History Society presents the topic of the church of St Lugadius on Thursday 12th December 2024 at 7.00p.m. in the Strabane Brass Band Rooms at John Wesley Street, off Railway Road. The guest speaker will be Averil Meehan from Lifford who has recently completed a significant study of the history of the church. Please join us on Thursday to find out the many interesting aspects of the story of Richard Hansard, Lifford and St Lugadius Church.