Paul Cullen (1803-1878) was the first Irish cardinal, who fundamentally shaped modern Irish Catholicism by bringing its church, its hierarchy, and its practices firmly in line with the Vatican's teachings.

Born on April 29, 1803, on the 76-acre farm called Prospect in the parish of Narraghmore, County Carlow, Ireland, Paul Cullen was one of 16 children (six were from his father's first marriage). During the late 18th century, the penal laws, which had long been imposed on Catholics in both Britain and Ireland, were beginning to be relaxed, if not removed. In the south of Ireland, Catholic families took advantage of this relaxation and began to buy land formerly reserved for Protestants. Hugh Cullen owned about 700 acres when his son Paul was born. This gave him the status of strong Catholic farmer, a class that greatly influenced 19th-century Irish society. They were fervent in their Catholicism and fearful of social unrest...