James Keating (cleric)

James Keating (cleric) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest executed in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, on May 18, 1702. He is considered a martyr by some, though not formally beatified by the Catholic Church.

Keating's execution stemmed from the Penal Laws enacted in Ireland, which severely restricted the rights of Catholics, including the practice of their religion. At the time, priests were actively hunted and faced significant persecution. Keating was accused of celebrating Mass, which was prohibited under the Penal Laws.

The details surrounding Keating's arrest and trial are limited and primarily based on accounts passed down through oral tradition and historical records compiled later. It is generally accepted that he refused to renounce his faith and continued to minister to his parishioners in secret. He was eventually captured and brought before the authorities in Clonmel.

Keating's execution was a public spectacle intended to deter other Catholic priests and laity from practicing their religion. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered, a particularly brutal form of execution reserved for treason and other serious crimes.

The exact location of his burial is uncertain, though local tradition suggests it is somewhere in the vicinity of Clonmel. Keating is remembered in Irish Catholic tradition as a symbol of resistance against religious persecution during the Penal Laws era. He is often referred to as "Blessed James Keating" in some circles, although, as noted, he has not been officially recognized as a saint or blessed by the Vatican. His story continues to be told and commemorated in County Tipperary.