W. G. Wood-Martin

Colonel William Gregory Wood-Martin (16 July 1847 – 16 November 1917) was an author and antiquarian, best known for his work as an archaeologist in Ireland.

Early life

William Gregory Wood-Martin was born in County Sligo in Ireland on 16 July 1847 in the midst of the Great Famine. His parents, James Wood and Anne Martin, were also both natives of County Sligo and, as their only child, he was the heir to both the Woodville and Cleveragh estates. Wood-Martin received his early education at home, and completed his academic training first in Switzerland, and then in Belgium.

Military career

Upon the completion of his education, in 1866 he joined the British Army and studied at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, after which he was commissioned into the 24th Regiment of Foot. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the 8th Brigade, North Irish Division, and spent the remainder of his career attached to the Sligo Artillery and the Sligo Rifles, where he was lieutenant colonel in command between April 1883 and November 1902. He received medals for his service as an Aide-de-Camp (militia) from three successive British Monarchs; Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and King George V.

Marriage and return to Sligo

In 1873, Wood-Martin married Frances Dorothea Dodwell-Robinson, another Sligo native, who joined him first in Brighton and then in Dublin, following the demands of his career. In 1877 Wood-Martin returned to Cleveragh House, his mothers' family home in east Sligo town, to care for his ailing father.

Upon his return, Wood-Martin was appointed as High Sheriff of Sligo, and served in this role in 1877. The income from his estates likely served as the bulk of his financial support at the end of this term, however he was active in his community and served as a justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant of the county.