Irish Independent 22 May 1933
DEATH OF MR. W. A. BYRNE
LOSS TO GALWAY COLLEGE
Mr. William A. Byrne, M.A., Professor of English, University College, Galway died at the Eglington Hotel Galway aged about 59. He was educated at Knockbeg College, Carlow, and spent 7 years at Maynooth. While there, in 1895, he wrote the ode on the celebration of the centenary of Maynooth College. Amongst his class fellows were the late Most Rev. Dr. Healy, Most Rev. Dr. Mannix. and Very Rev. J Hynes. M.A., B.D., the present Registrar of U.C. College, Galway.
Finding he had no vocation for the priesthood, he left Maynooth. His health broke down, and he later spent some time in Switzerland. Later he studied in Dublin and graduated in London with first class honours in English and French. He wrote a little, but will be remembered by one volume of poems, “The Light on her Broom.” One of his brothers was a distinguished member of the Society of Jesus.
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