Blessed William Ireland

Eldest son of William Ireland of Crofton Hall, Yorkshire, England and Barbara Eure of Washingborough, Lincolnshire, England. Studied at English College, Saint Omer, France. Joined the Jesuits at Watten, Belgium in 1655; made his profession and was ordained in 1673. Confessor to a Poor Clare convent at Gravelines, France. Sent to England in 1677 where he used the name William Ironmonger and ministered to covert Catholics. Jesuit procurator of the province. Arrested on 28 September 1678 and falsley accused of complicity in the Titus Oates Plot. Martyr.