Murphy, James H.

Connolly, Peter Romauld (1927–87), catholic priest and literary critic, was born 25 February 1927 at Rathlagan, Drumconrath, Co. Meath, eldest of five children (three sons and two daughters) of Peter Paul Connolly, farmer, and Susan Connolly (née Slattery), schoolteacher. He was…

Dowley, Philip (1788–1864), catholic priest and pioneer of the nineteenth-century ‘devotional revolution’, was born into a Co. Waterford farming family; his surname was pronounced ‘Dooley’. He studied at Maynooth and was ordained priest for the diocese of Waterford and Lismore in…

Hand, John (1807–46), catholic priest and founder of All Hallows College, Dublin, was born 23 August 1807 at Bolies, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, eldest of six children of Luke Hand, farmer, and Margaret Hand (née Fox). He attended school at Oldcastle and then, intending to study for the…

MacNamara, Thomas (1808–92), catholic priest and pioneer of the nineteenth-century ‘devotional revolution’, was born near the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath, where his family had a long-established milling business. After schooling in Navan he entered Maynooth for the diocese of Meath in…

Mulholland, Rosa (Lady Gilbert) (1841–1921), novelist, was born in Belfast, daughter of Dr Joseph Stevenson Mulholland. She was educated privately and spent some time travelling in the west of Ireland, being subsequently credited in higher social circles with having an authentic…

O'Brien, Charlotte Grace (1845–1909), social reformer and writer, was born 23 November 1845 at Cahirmoyle, Co. Limerick, younger daughter of the Young Ireland leader, William Smith O’Brien (qv), and his wife Lucy Caroline, daughter of…

O'Brien, Richard Baptist (1809–85), catholic priest, social and political activist, and novelist, was born 30 September 1809 at Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. He was educated locally and began to study for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Carlow, in 1832 at the age of 23.…

O'Donovan, Gerald (Jeremiah) (1871–1942), novelist and sometime reforming catholic priest, was born 15 July 1871 in Co. Down, the youngest of six children of Jeremiah Donovan, a clerk in the Board of Works, and his wife Margaret. His father's occupation meant that the family travelled…

O'Duffy, Eimar (Ultan) (1893–1935), dramatist and novelist, was born 29 September 1893 in Dublin, son of Kevin O'Duffy, a prominent society dentist. He attended the Jesuit public school, Stonyhurst, in England and took a degree in dentistry at…

Ryan, William Patrick (1867–1942), journalist and Irish revivalist, was born 26 October 1867 in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, son of a farm labourer. He emigrated to London in 1886 and became a journalist. He was involved in the early stages of the Irish revival in London, through acting…