Activism
He took an active part in the social, political, and economic life of Ireland. A staunch activist for social justice, as Bishop of Raphoe, he was a member of the first Committee of the Irish Agricultural Organization Society, founded by Sir Horace Plunkett, and was referred to by Plunkett's close in-law cousin, Elizabeth, Countess of Fingall, in her memoirs in the following terms "Many people say that Dr. O’Donnell had the biggest brains of his Church, and even outside it, in Ireland". In 1918 when representing the nationalist's side at the Irish Convention, he opposed John Redmond's amendment intended to bring about unanimity on All-Ireland Home Rule.
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