Fagan, Patrick

Dermott, Anthony (1708?–1784), merchant and catholic activist, was born probably in the parish of St Michan, Dublin, son of Christopher Dermott, merchant, and his wife Mary. No information on his education has been discovered. With the death of his father (1727), Dermott had at an…

Lloyd, Sylvester (1680?–1747), catholic bishop and Jacobite, was born probably in Co. Tipperary, although Kilkenny has also been claimed as his birthplace. His father was a twice-married anglican clergyman with a dubious reputation, probably the Edward Lloyd who married…

Lysaght, Edward (1763–1810), lawyer, wit, and versifier, was the only son of John Lysaght, landed gentleman of Brickhill, Co. Clare, and Jane Eyre Dalton, daughter of Edward Dalton of Deerpark, Co. Clare, and first cousin of Lord Eyre of Eyrecourt, Co. Galway. Edward obtained his…

Nary, Cornelius (1658–1738), catholic controversialist and activist, is believed to have been born at Tipper, near Naas, Co. Kildare. The names of his parents have not been discovered; however, it is probable that his father was a substantial tenant farmer. Two brothers and three…

Nugent, Thomas (1668?–1752), 4th earl of Westmeath , soldier, and catholic activist, was second son of Christopher Nugent, of Delvin, Co. Westmeath and his wife Mary, daughter of Richard Butler of Kilcash. She was a niece of James Butler…

Parnell, Thomas (1679–1718), anglican clergyman and poet, was born in Dublin. His grandfather was a Cheshire man who had supported Cromwell and thought it as well, following the restoration, to go to ground in Ireland where he bought a large estate. His father, also named Thomas,…

Pilkington, Matthew (1700/01–1774), anglican clergyman and poet, was born in Ballyboy, between Tullamore and Birr, King's Co. (Offaly), son of William Pilkington, watchmaker. The family subsequently transferred to the Lazar's Hill (Hawkins St.) area of Dublin. Matthew was tutored…

Poekrich, Richard (1697?–1759), inventor of musical glasses, hailed from Aghnamallagh near the town of Monaghan. His father, also named Richard, was a landed gentleman and briefly a member of the Irish house of commons. No information has been uncovered as to Richard jr's education…

Shepherd, Samuel (1701/2–1785), Church of Ireland minister and poet, was born in Limerick, son of John Shepherd, archdeacon of the diocese. Having obtained his early education from Mr Cashin of Limerick, Samuel entered TCD (April 1720…

Weeks, James Eyre (1718/19–1775), cleric, poet, and miscellaneous writer, was born in Cork city, son of James Eyre Weeks, described as a gentleman. He was educated at Dr Mulloy's school in Cork, entered TCD as a sizar (June 1735), and…

Whyte, Laurence (1685?–1752/3), poet and teacher of mathematics, was probably son of Christopher White, a substantial catholic tenant farmer from Ballymore, Co. Westmeath, and his wife Anne Dalton. The family had been transplanted to Connacht under the Cromwellian acts of settlement…

Winstanley, John (1677–1747), poet, was born in July 1677 on the north side of Dublin, probably in the vicinity of Inns Quay, eldest child of Richard Winstanley, lawyer, and his wife Dorothy Amas. He had two sisters who lived to maturity and several other siblings who died in…