Murphy, Angela

Breathnach, Cormac (Charlie Walsh) (1885–1956), politician and president of the Gaelic League, was born in Iveragh, Co. Kerry, son of Seán Breathnach, farmer, and Cáit Breathnach (née Chonchubhair). Educated at the national school in Ballinakilla, Co. Kerry (where he was a monitor), he…

Davin, William (1890–1956), trade unionist and politician, was born 19 February 1890 at Grogan, Rathdowney, Queen's Co. (Laois), son of Timothy Davin, farmer, and Ellen Davin (née Costigan). He was educated at Rathdowney national school, at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny, and later…

Devlin, Joseph Francis (‘Frank’) (1900–88), badminton player, was born 19 January 1900 at 11 Wellington Place, Dublin, to Joseph Edmund Devlin, government official, and Edith Devlin (née Jeneken). He was the only child in a mixed-denomination marriage and as a result there were…

Duffy, Luke J. (1890–1961), trade unionist, was born 26 March 1890 in Gurteen, Co. Sligo, into a farming family. Educated at Cloonanure national school, he began an apprenticeship in the drapery trade in Moon's in Galway. He immediately became involved in the trade union movement…

Farren, Thomas (1879–1955), trade unionist, was born 11 December 1879 in 39 Bride St., Dublin, one of at least two sons of James Farren, stone cutter, and Bridget Farren (née Thorpe). His brother John Farren also became a notable trade unionist and was an alderman in Dublin in 1910…

Ferguson, Henry George (‘Harry’) (1884–1960), engineer, was born 4 November 1884 in the townland of Growell, near Anahilt, between Hillsborough and Dromore, Co. Down, third son and fourth child among eight sons and three daughters of James Ferguson, a prosperous farmer, and Mary…

Foran, Thomas (1883–1951), trade unionist, was born 26 January 1883 at 24 Golden Lane, Dublin, son of Thomas Foran, labourer, and Johanna Foran (née Prett). Educated locally, he began working at a young age on the quays in Dublin. He took an immediate interest in trade unions, and…

Gill, William Joseph (1908–81), amateur golfer and businessman, was born 10 May 1908 at 61 Mountjoy Square, Dublin, first child of Richard A. Gill, publisher, and Alice Gill (née Scallan). His great-grandfather was Michael Henry Gill…

Greer, Sir (Joseph) Henry (1855–1934), horse breeder, was born 9 February 1855 at Grange, Moy, Co. Tyrone, eldest son of Lt.-gen. Henry Harpur Greer, CB, and Agnes Isabella Greer (née Knox). Educated at Wellington and the Royal…

Harty, Cyril Bold (1898–1970), show jumper, was born in July 1898 at Glebe House, Fedamore, Co. Limerick, sixth child of Michael Harty, former jockey, and Irene Henrietta Harty (née Hunt). Educated locally, he entered the Free State army in March 1923 as a lieutenant. He was by this…

Hayes, Seamus (1924–89), showjumper, was born 5 November 1924 in Cork, son of Maj.-gen. Liam Hayes and Kathleen Hayes (née Walsh). The family moved to Dublin in 1930 when his father became commanding officer of the equestrian school in McKee Barracks, Dublin; he later became…

Henderson, Noel Joseph (1928–97), rugby player, was born 10 August 1928 in Drumahoe, Co. Londonderry. Educated at Foyle College, Derry, he later attended QUB and graduated B.Sc. He began playing…

Kelly, Hugh Cunningham (1849–1944), sportsman and solicitor, was born in Belfast, son of Robert Kelly, JP and solicitor, of Greenisland. Educated at the RBAI, in 1873 he became a…

Kyle, Samuel (‘Sam’) (1884–1962), trade unionist, was born into a protestant family in Belfast; no other details of his family are known. Educated locally, he began working in a Belfast linen mill in 1899. His interest in trade unionism was sparked instantly, and within a few years…

McCarthy, Karl (1928–95), cyclist, was born in Cork and educated at North Monastery School, Cork, and UCC. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in biochemistry and chemistry and continued his studies, receiving two years later an…

Moran, Michael (‘Dyke’) (1886–1918), golfer, was born 6 May 1886 at North Bull, Clontarf, Dublin, son of Michael Moran, labourer, and Catherine Moran (née Curley). The Curley family were well known in the area, as his grandfather, Patrick Curley, was a local celebrity. The cottage…

O'Brien, John Joseph (Jack) (1910–83), businessman, was born 31 January 1910, second son of Henry Joseph O'Brien, hotel proprietor and house agent of Waterloo Rd, Dublin, and his wife Mary Josephine (née Byrne). Educated at Belvedere College, Dublin, he took a keen interest in…

O'Lehane, Michael (1873–1920), trade unionist, was born in Knockaviellig, Killinardish, Co. Cork, sixth son of Cornelius O'Lehane, teacher; no details are known of his mother. Educated at the local national school, he then went to North Monastery, Cork. He began an apprenticeship in…

Ó Maoláin, Micheál (Michael Mullins) (1881–1956), trade union and Gaelic League activist, was born 17 April 1881 in the Aran Islands, Co. Galway, one of at least three sons of Tomás Ó Maoláin and Brigid Ó Maoláin (née Murray). His mother, a teacher from Galway, moved to Inis Meáin (…

Parke, James Cecil (1881–1946), sportsman, was born 26 July 1881 in Clones, Co. Monaghan, son of William Parke, merchant, and Mary Parke (née Pringle). Educated at Lurgan College, he later studied law in TCD and became a solicitor. An all…

Redmond, Séamus (1925–96), trade unionist, was born 9 February 1925 in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, second son to James Redmond, company sergeant, and Mary Redmond (née McLoughlin). He was raised in the Curragh and Spike Island and later moved to Whitehall, Dublin. Educated at the…

Robbins, Francis (‘Frank’) (1895–1979), trade unionist, was born 5 July 1895 at 3 Upper Buckingham St., Dublin, fifth among nine children of William Robbins, sawyer, and Mary Robbins (née Whelan). Educated locally, he started work (1908) in Barrington's soap works in King's Inns St…

Sheldon, William Alexander Watson (1907–99), politician, was born 18 January 1907 in 45 Beechwood Avenue, Derry city, eldest child of Samuel James Sheldon, draper's assistant, and Jeane Sheldon (neé Watson). From a protestant background, he was educated at Foyle College, Derry,…

Shillington, David Graham (1872–1944), politician, was born 10 December 1872 at Tavanagh House, Portadown, Co. Armagh, son of Thomas Shillington, JP, and Mary Jane Shillington (née Graham). Educated at Rydalmount School, Colwyn Bay, he later…

Stoker, Norma Esmée (1905–62), sportswoman and chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, was born 26 March 1905 at 23 Westland Row, Dublin, daughter of Francis Owen Stoker (1867–1939), surgeon dentist, and Mayont Stoker (née Maunsell). She graduated from…