Philanthropy and Community Work

Hackett, Sir John Winthrop (1848–1916), newspaper owner and editor, politician, and philanthropist, was born 4 February 1848 in Crinken, Co. Dublin, twin of Jane Georgina and third eldest among eight children of the Rev. John Winthrop Hackett, perpetual curate of Crinken, and his…

Hall, Anna Maria (1800–81), writer, editor, and philanthropist, was born 6 January 1800 in Anne Street, Dublin, the daughter of Sarah Elizabeth Fielding (d. 1856), a widow of Huguenot extraction. Her father, who died in Anna Maria's infancy, came from Co. Wexford. She spent her…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Hall, Anna Maria. View the original entry.

Hamilton, Kathleen (1905–90), duchess of Abercorn , public figure, was born Mary Kathleen Crichton on 8 July 1905 in London. Her parents were both members of prominent landed families well connected to British high society, especially to Queen Mary (1867–1953), who was asked to be…

Hancock, John (‘John Hancock II’) (1762–1823), quaker linen manufacturer, merchant, and philanthropist, was born in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, son of John Hancock, one of the Society of Friends, who had inherited a family business near Lisburn, and his second wife, Betty (née Hunter). John…

Hannan, Edward Joseph (1836–1891), catholic priest, was born 21 June 1836 on the family farm in Ballygrennan, near Ballingarry, Co. Limerick, the second son of eleven children of John Hannan, tenant farmer, and his wife Johanna (née Sheehy). A dairy farmer with ninety acres, John Hannan…

Hannelly, Dympna (1922–2014), missionary nun, was born Eitne Hannelly on 4 December 1922 to Patrick Hannelly and Annie Hannelly (née Egan) of Tarmon, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. Known as ‘Enna’ to her family, she had a twin brother Padraig, two other brothers and two sisters. Padraig…

Hardiman, Áine (1926–2013) Dominican nun, community activist and anti-apartheid campaigner, was born Anne Hardiman on 23 April 1926 at 71 Connaught Street, Phibsborough, Dublin, the home of her parents Patrick Hardiman, a railway engine driver, and his wife Christina (née Monahan). The…

Hart, Alice (1848–1931), philanthropist, artist, and businesswoman, was born Alice Maria Rowland , daughter of Alex William Rowland (d. 1869), a merchant with a family fortune derived from the Rowland Macassar oil company, and his wife Henrietta Maria Margeretta (née Ditges; d. 1851…

Haughery, Margaret (1813–82), philanthropist, was born on 25 December 1813 in Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim, fifth of six children to William Gaffney, tenant farmer, and his wife Margaret (née O’Rourke). In 1818 the Gaffneys moved with their three younger children to America, leaving the…

Haughton, James (1795–1873), social reformer and philanthropist, was born 5 May 1795 in Carlow town, eldest son of Samuel Pearson Haughton (1748–1828), corn merchant, and his wife Mary (née Pim) of Ruskin, Queen's Co. (Laois). Although both parents left the Society of Friends…

Heeney, Cornelius (1754–1848), businessman and philanthropist, was born in King's Co. (Offaly) to catholic parents. Virtually nothing is known of his early life except that a relative gave him a start in business in Dublin, so that when he followed his father to America in 1784 he…

Herlihy, Nora (1910–88), founder of the Irish credit union movement, was born 27 February 1910 at Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, the third of twelve children of Denis Herlihy, a teacher, and Nora Herlihy (née Mulcahy). Having taught firstly in Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Nora's father was appointed…

Holmes, Elizabeth (d. 1877), philanthropist, was probably a daughter of Richard Holmes (d. 1820) of Oakfield, Co. Sligo, and Anne Holmes (née Erskine). She had at least two brothers: one was Joseph (fl. 1845–68), a JP,…

Horan, James (1911–86), priest, community activist, and airport developer, was born 5 May 1911 at Tooreen, Partry, Co. Mayo, eldest of three sons and four daughters of Bartley Horan, farmer and builder, of Partry, and Catherine Horan (née Casey) of Kilkieran, Co. Mayo. After education…

Jaffé, Sir Otto (1846–1929), businessman and philanthropist, was born 13 August 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, third son among four sons and five daughters of Daniel Joseph Jaffé (1809–74) and his wife Frederiké. Daniel Joseph Jaffé was a merchant in the Hamburg firm of Jaffé Brothers, who…

Johnstone, Thomas McGimpsey (1876–1961), presbyterian minister, temperance campaigner and author, was born on 11 June 1876 in Newtownards, Co. Down, son of Joseph Hamilton Johnstone, a builder, and his wife Rosena (née McGimpsey). The family was staunchly presbyterian (with covenanter…

Johnston, William (1818–94), presbyterian minister and philanthropist, was born 2 January 1818 at his maternal grandfather's home, Crieve House, near Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, the eldest child of the Rev. John Johnston (qv) (d. 1862) of…

Joy, Robert (1722–85), printer, manufacturer, and philanthropist, was born probably in Belfast, second son of Francis Joy (qv), attorney, paper manufacturer, and printer, and Margaret Joy (née Martin). He was named for his maternal…

Keating, May (1895–1965), socialist, feminist and human rights campaigner, was born Mary Josephine Walsh on 6 October 1895, in Eadestown, Rathmore, Co. Kildare, to John Walsh, who farmed 70 acres there (28.3 hectares), and his wife Martha (née Cullen), a national school teacher. Her…

Kelly, Deirdre (1938–2000), environmental and community campaigner, was born 15 May 1938 at Holles St. maternity hospital, Dublin, eldest daughter among three daughters and a son of Thomas McMahon , bus driver, and Mary (‘Molly’) McMahon (née Kenna), of 5 Sussex Road, adjoining…

Lawlor, Edward (‘Eddie’) Lazerian (1938–99), property developer and philanthropist, was born 15 February 1938 in Tullow, Co. Carlow, second son among five sons and seven daughters of Edward Lawlor (b. 1906), of Tullow, Co. Carlow, truck driver and later regional supervisor for…

Lawlor, Patricia (‘Patsy’) (1933–97), politician and ICA president, was born Patricia Broughal , in March 1933 in Kill, Co. Kildare, daughter of a local businessman and his wife. Educated locally and at St Mary's secondary school in Naas, she trained as a nurse. She was deeply…

Lett, Anita Georgina Edith (1872–1940), rural activist, was born in 1872 at Waldeton Court, a large manor house near Brixham, South Devon, the daughter of Henry Studdy , a clergyman who had served as a commander in the Royal Navy, and Amelia Margaret Studdy (née Crapper) of…

Lipton, Sir Thomas Johnstone (c.1850–1931), grocer, yachtsman, and philanthropist, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, second (and only surviving) son of Thomas Lipton (1805–89) of Shannock Green Mills, and Frances Lipton (née Johnston(e); 1803–89) of Kilridd, both in Co.…