Introduction

Biography

Son of John Plunk­et, Will­iam was the 4th Bar­on Plunk­et.

He gra­du­at­ed from Chel­ten­ham Col­lege and Tri­ni­ty Col­lege, Dub­lin (1853).

He took Ho­ly Or­ders in 1857, and was ap­point­ed chap­lain and pri­vate sec­re­ta­ry to his un­cle, the Bi­shop of Tu­am, a post he held for se­ven years

In 1858, he be­came rec­tor of Kil­moy­an and Cum­mer in Coun­ty Gal­way. In 1864, he re­turned to Dub­lin as trea­sur­er of St. Pat­rick’s Ca­thed­ral, Dub­lin.

He went on to serve as pre­cent­or at St. Pat­rick’s Ca­thed­ral (1869–76), Bi­shop of Meath (1876–84), and Arch­bi­shop of Dub­lin (1884).