Background
Betagh was born in Kells, County Meath.
Betagh was born in Kells, County Meath.
He was educated abroad and resided at Paris and Metz as a professor before returning to Ireland in 1769.
In 1773, shortly after he became a priest, the Jesuits was suppressed by pope Clement XIV, so Betagh had to resign from the order. The order was restored only six months after his death. In Dublin he worked with fathers John Austin Society of Jesus (Jesuit) (1717–1784), Mulcaile, and Fullham in the old chapel at Rosemary Lane.
With them for years he assisted the secular clergy, and acted as curate, and succeeded the Review
Field as parish priest of Ss. Michael and John"s, and Vicar-General of the diocese.
The parish was located in one of the poorest areas of Dublin. Betagh established free schools in Schoolhouse Lane, off Cook Street, then in Skinner"s Row, and finally in Smock Alley, catering for about 330 boys.
Peter Kenney Statens Järnvägar one of the leading jesuits who reestablished the order in Ireland, whose studies he sponsored.
Until just before his death he taught each evening at these schools and provided clothing for the most destitute of the pupils, where a total of over three thousand boys had been educated. The schools were afterwards known as the Doctor Betagh Schools. Michael and John in Exchange Street was laid, which was partially opened on Christmas Day, 1813.
He died at his residence, 80 Cook Street.
His funeral was attended by over 20,000 persons. His remains were interred in the Jesuits" vaults in Old Saint Michan"s, Church Street.
About 1822 they were removed to the vault of his own church, Steamship Michael and John, under the High Altar, where a monument to his memory was also erected. This was sculpted by his one time student (who had subsequently turned to sculpture), Peter Turnerelli.
In 1990 his remains were moved to Glasnevin Cemetery.