Cosgrave, Philip Bernard Joseph

Cosgrave, Philip Bernard Joseph (1884–1923), revolutionary and politician, was born 2 November 1884 in Dublin, one of three surviving children of Thomas Cosgrave, grocer and publican, of 174 James's St., Dublin, and Bridget Cosgrave (née Nixon). His elder brother was W. T. Cosgrave (qv), and he had a stepbrother and sister from his mother's second marriage to Thomas Burke of Seskin, Co. Tipperary. Educated at the CBS Francis St., he joined the family business on completing his education. In 1914 he joined the Irish Volunteers and took part in the 1916 rising, at the Marrowbone Lane distillery; he was captured, courtmartialled, and sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to five years’ penal servitude, which he served in Dartmoor and Lewes jails. Released in the general amnesty of 1917, he was appointed quartermaster of 4th Dublin Battalion IRA and evaded arrest during the war of independence. Sinn Féin MP for Dublin North West (1921–3), he resigned his commission in the national army and was elected a Cumann na nGaedheal TD for Dublin South in the 1923 general election; he never made a speech in the dáil. Nominally governor of Mountjoy jail (c.October 1922–August 1923), he left its running to his deputy, Paudeen O'Keefe (qv). Cosgrave, an unassuming, compassionate, and selfless man, became morose and began to drink heavily after the execution of Rory O'Connor (qv). He lived, unmarried, at 174 James's St., Dublin. He died suddenly in Dublin 22 October 1923, and was buried with full military honours, leaving estate valued at £167.