Shanahan, Jim

Ahern (Aherne), Thomas (‘Bud’) (1919–99), soccer player, was born 26 January 1919 in New Road, Thomondgate, Limerick city, son of Patrick Ahern, sawyer, and Kate Ahern (née Gleeson) of New Road, Thomondgate. He initially made his mark as a hurler. As a member of the Irish army…

Alexander, Robert (‘Bob’) (1910–43), rugby player and cricketer, was born 24 September 1910 in 57 Distillery St., Belfast, youngest child among two sons and three daughters of David Alexander, shipyard engine fitter, originally from Co. Armagh, and Mary Jane Alexander (née Clark),…

Arigho, John Edward (‘Jack’) (1907–99), rugby player, was born 10 July 1907 in 21 Victoria St., Dublin, second son of George Arigho and Mary Arigho (née Greene). Arigho's grandfather had emigrated to Ireland from Switzerland in the mid nineteenth century and had founded a printing…

Armstrong, Harold Reginald (‘Reg’) (1928?–1979), motorcycle champion and businessman, was born, probably in September 1928, in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, the only son of Irish parents, Frederick W. Armstrong and Margery Armstrong (née Wilson). The family returned to Ireland to…

Barrett, Edmond (‘Edward’) (1877–1932), Olympic athlete, wrestler, and hurler, was born 3 November 1877 in Rahela (also known as Rahealy or Rathella), Ballyduff, Co. Kerry, one of twelve surviving children of Thomas Barrett, farmer, and Bridget Barrett (née Whelan). He was educated…

Barry, John Joseph (1924–94), ‘the Ballincurry Hare’, middle-distance athlete, was born 5 October 1924 in Joliet (near Chicago), Illinois, USA, eldest among four sons and a daughter of Michael Barry, gardener, from Knockview, Co. Roscommon, and Mary Jo Barry (née Cashin), from The…

Beckett, James C[rothers?] (‘Jim’) (1884–1971), water-polo international, national swimming champion, all-round sportsman, and administrator, was born 17 October 1884 in Prince William Terrace, Dublin, one of four sons and one daughter of William Francis Beckett, a successful…

Bennett, William Thomas (‘Bill’) (1877–1967), champion athlete and road bowler, was born 7 September 1877 at Killeady, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, one of two sons and three daughters of William Bennett, farmer, from Killeady, and Eliza Bennett (née Hobbs), who was from a well known…

Bradshaw, Harry (1913–90), professional golfer, was born 9 October 1913 in Killincarrig, Co. Wicklow, eldest among four sons and two daughters of Edward ‘Ned’ Bradshaw, golf caddie and later golf professional, and Elizabeth Bradshaw (née Walsh) of Killincarrig. He was educated locally.…

Brennan, Seamus Anthony (‘Shay’) (1937–2000), soccer player, was born 6 May 1937 in Manchester, England, one of four sons and three daughters of Jim Brennan and Mary Brennan (née Whelan), both originally from Co. Carlow. Educated locally, Brennan joined Manchester United as an…

Burke, John (‘Sean’) (1899–1974), champion amateur golfer, was born 26 April 1899 in Moybeg, Ennistimon, Co. Clare, second among eight sons and a daughter of Patrick Burke, farmer, originally from Liscannor, Co. Clare, and Mary Burke (née Hayes) of Moybeg. He was educated at Moy…

Carroll, Noel (1941–98), athlete and public relations officer, was born 7 December 1941 in Annagassan, Co. Louth, second among four children of Paddy Carroll, farm labourer and fisherman, and Bridget Carroll (née Carroll) of Annagassan. He was educated locally at St Finian's…

Casey, Steve (‘Crusher’) (1908–87), wrestler and rower, was born 4 December 1908 in Loughane, near Sneem, Co. Kerry, eldest among seven sons and three daughters of Michael Casey, stonemason, and Bridget Casey (née Sullivan) of Ballaugh, Sneem, Co. Kerry. His father, who had returned to…

Courtney, Alfred Campbell (c.1854–p.1899?), athlete, was born in Glasnevin, Dublin, son of William Courtney, engineer and later merchant, living in Malahide, Co. Dublin, and his wife Mary (b. 1854). He was educated at Highgate School in…

Cussen, Denis John (1901–80), rugby international and athlete, was born 19 July 1901 at North Quay, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, second son of Robert ‘Bob’ Cussen, solicitor, and Mary Cussen (née Moylan) of Newcastle West. Both his parents were members of prominent local sporting…

Daly, John James (John Joseph) (1880–1969), Olympic athlete, was born 22 February 1880 in Dowriss, Kilmoylan, Co. Galway, one of ten surviving children of Patrick Daly, farmer, originally from Co. Clare, and Sabina Daly (née King). A member of Galway Harriers AC, Daly displayed his…

Dawson, Michael John (1865–1926), jockey, horse breeder, and trainer, was born 10 September 1865 in Kildare town, son of Andrew Dawson, jarvey (cab driver), and Eliza Dawson (née White) from Kildare. He was initially apprenticed as a jockey to Pat Connolly, a friend of his father,…

Day, Beauchamp (Bert) Rochford (1881–1972), professional runner, was born 25 December 1881 at 14 Clarinda Park North, Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire), Co. Dublin, son of Beauchamp John Day, gentleman, and Geraldine Isabella Day (née Rochfort). He was educated locally at Corrig School, where…

Doonan, William (‘Willie’; ‘Bill’) (1920–76), Gaelic footballer, was born 16 April 1920 in Cavan town, one of thirteen children of John Doonan, a UDC employee from Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, and Mary Anne Doonan (née Dempsey) from Templeport, Co…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Doyle, Richard (‘Dick’). View the original entry.

This is a co-subject for the entry on Doyle, Richard (‘Dick’). View the original entry.

Doyle, Richard (‘Dick’) (1886–1959), hurler, was born 4 February 1886 in Dournane, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, third among nine surviving children of William Doyle, farmer, originally from Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, and Ellen Doyle (née Dunphy) from Dournane. He was educated at Mooncoin…

Duffy, Patrick Joseph (‘Paddy’) (1921–87), Olympian and fencing master (maitre d'armes), was born 15 April 1921 at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, one of a large family born to James Duffy, labourer, and Kathleen (‘Kate’) Duffy (née McCarney), of 5 Commons St., Dublin. Duffy…

Duke, Philip James (‘P. J.’) (1925–50), Gaelic footballer, was born 22 April 1925 in Stradone, Co. Cavan, one of four sons and two daughters of Andrew Duke, farmer and shopkeeper, and Rose Anne Duke (née Donoghue). He was educated at Laragh national school, St Patrick's College,…

Dunne, James (‘Fairy’) (c.1841–1927), horse-racing trainer, was son of James Dunne, farmer (details of his mother are not known), and was initially apprenticed as a jockey to Peter Davis of Hawthorn Lodge, and subsequently to …