Biographies A-Z

Carroll, Noel (1941–98), athlete and public relations officer, was born 7 December 1941 in Annagassan, Co. Louth, second among four children of Paddy Carroll, farm labourer and fisherman, and Bridget Carroll (née Carroll) of Annagassan. He was educated locally at St Finian's…

Carroll, Patrick James (1803–79), tobacco manufacturer, was born 23 December 1803 in Dundalk, Co. Louth, only son of James Carroll, farmer, and his second wife, Anne, daughter of Nicholas Marmion, a merchant in Dundalk, and Elizabeth Marmion (née Boylan). He received a basic…

Carroll, Patrick Joseph (1903–75), Garda commissioner, was born 15 September 1903 in Ballyrider, Stradbally, Co. Laois, third among six children of Michael Carroll (d. c.1920) and Julia Carroll (née Buggy) (d. c.1939), farmers. Educated at the…

Carroll, Paul Vincent (1899–1968), playwright, was born in Blackrock, Dundalk, Co. Louth, on 10 July 1899 (though the year was long thought to be 1900), the second son of Michael Carroll and his wife, Kitty (née Sandys) who had eleven children. He was educated in Dundalk and qualified…

Carroll, Sir James (d. 1639), landowner and state official, was eldest son of Thomas Carroll, a Dublin merchant (probably descended from the O'Carrolls of Ely), and his first wife Alice Mountfield. James is first recorded on his appointment as chief chamberlain of the exchequer on 26…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Carroll, Patrick James. View the original entry.

Carroll, William (1835–1926), nationalist and physician, was born 24 February 1835 in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal, first of eight children of Thomas Carroll, weaver, shoemaker, and small farmer, and Eliza Carroll (née McClure), also from Rathmullan. In 1838 the family emigrated to…

Carroll, William (‘Willie’) (c.1880–c.1930), boxer, gymnast, rope-climber, and co-founder of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, was born in Moore St., Dublin, but there are no details of his background or family life. A strong, highly talented athlete, Carroll…

Carron (Caron), Raymond (Redmond) (c.1605–1666), Franciscan visitor apostolic and theologian, was born in Co. Westmeath near Athlone around 1605. He joined the Franciscans, probably at Athlone, before studying at the friary at Drogheda and then at Salzburg and Louvain. He…

Carron, John (1908–98), MP, was born 28 January 1908 in Tiravally, parish of Kinawley, Co. Fermanagh, second son of John Carron (1863–1935), farmer and carter, and Brigid Carron (née McGovern) of Ballinamore. After a local national school education he was apprenticed to a spirit…

Carr, Thomas James (‘Tom’) (1909–99), landscape and figure painter, was born 21 September 1909 in Belfast, second son among three sons and a daughter of Thomas James Carr, stockbroker, and Mary Carr (née Workman), whose family also had stockbroking connections. An early interest…

Carson, Alexander (1776–1844), nonconformist minister, was born c.September 1776 at Annahone, near Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone, eldest son of William Carson. His mother's name and his father's occupation are unknown. Intended for the ministry at an early age, he was…

Carson, Edward Henry (1854–1935), Baron Carson of Duncairn, lawyer and politician, was born 9 February 1854 at 4 Harcourt Street, Dublin, second son among six children of Edward Henry Carson, architect and civil engineer, and Isabella Carson (née Lambert). He was educated at Arlington…

Carson, Frank (1926–2012), comedian, was born Hugh Francis Carson on 6 November 1926 in the 'Little Italy' area of Belfast, around Great Patrick Street, one of six children of John Carson, a binman and messenger, and his wife, Josie (née Agusta), originally from Dublin, whose family…

Cartan, Joseph (1811–91), newspaper proprietor, journalist, and writer, was born in January 1811 of a farming family in Tullyallen, Co. Louth. He showed an interest in politics from an early age, being inspired by the catholic emancipation movement and in particular the election in…

Carte, Alexander (1805–81), natural historian, was born 11 August 1805 at Newcastle, Co. Limerick, one of two sons of Edward Carte, JP, agent for the Devon estates in Co. Limerick, and Margaret Carte (née Elliot), of Killocrin, Co. Kerry. After…

Carter, Charles Thomas (1735?–1804), musician and composer, was born in Dublin, elder son of Timothy Carter, chorister and music teacher; nothing is known of his mother. A member of the choir of Christ Church cathedral in his youth, Charles wrote two anthems for the cathedral's…

Carter, Cornelius (d. 1734), printer, was admitted to the Dublin printers’ guild in 1696 but was never sworn and, though listed until 1716, paid no quarterage. His press was housed at different addresses in Fishamble Street (1696–1727). He began his career as a pamphleteer and…

Carteret, John (1690–1763), 2nd Baron Carteret , lord lieutenant of Ireland (1724–30), was born 22 April 1690 at Hawnes, near Bedford, England, eldest of two sons of George, 1st Baron Carteret, and Lady Grace Granville, youngest daughter of John, 1st earl of Bath. He became 2nd…

Carter, Thomas (c.1650–1726), lawyer and MP, was the son of William Carter and his wife, Margaret Thorpe, of Dinton, Buckinghamshire, England. His father was a brother of Col. Sir John Carter, MP, and a descendant of Thomas Carter, armiger of Bedfordshire, born in the reign of…

Carter, Thomas (1690–1763), politician, was born at Hollybrook, Co. Dublin (and baptised at St Bride's, Dublin, 31 March 1692), only surviving son of Thomas Carter (qv), MP, and Margaret Carter (née Houghton). Educated at Mr Wall's school…

Carte, Thomas (1686–1754), biographer, was born in April 1686 in Warwickshire, son of Samuel Carte, clergyman and antiquary. He graduated BA (1702) from University College, Oxford, and MA (1706) from King's…

Carthach (Mochuta) (d. 637), monastic founder, was a son of Fínall and member of the Ciarraige Luachra group (Co. Kerry). He became abbot of the monastery of Rahan in Uí Néill territory (Co. Offaly), whence he was expelled in 636 (AU; Ann. Inisf. 638) and went south to Déisi…

Carty, Francis (1899–1972), revolutionary, journalist, and author, was born 29 March 1899 in Wexford town, eldest child of Francis Carty, shopkeeper, and Margaret Carty (née Storey). Educated at CBS, Wexford, he contributed stories…

Carty, Francis Joseph (‘Frank’) (1897–1942), revolutionary and politician, was born 3 April 1897 in Clooncunny, Co. Sligo, the only son of John Carty, farmer, of Clooncunny, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, and Ellen Carty (née Rice). Educated locally, he became commandant of the Tubbercurry…