Biographies A-Z

Byrne, Christopher Michael (‘Christy’, ‘C. M.’) (1886?–1958), politician, farmer, and auctioneer, was born in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, the only child of Walter Byrne of 13 Temple Road, Blackrock, and Ballykillavane, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow. Educated (1895–8) at Blackrock College, he…

Byrne, Denis (d. 1744), priest, may have been born in Dublin, although little or nothing is known of his birth, parentage, or early career. He came to prominence in the early 1720s as curate to the controversial Cornelius Nary (qv). As…

Byrne, Donn (1889–1928), writer, was born Brian Oswald Donn-Byrne 20 November 1889 in New York, the son of Thomas Fearghaill Donn-Byrne, an architect, and Jane D'Arcy (McParlane). Shortly after his birth, his parents returned to their home in Forkhill, Co. Armagh, where Donn and his…

Byrne, Edmund (c.1655/6–1723/4), alias ‘Edward Hamson’, archbishop of Dublin, was born in Ballybrack, Co. Carlow, of Wicklow parents. Meagher suggests that he was a first cousin of Arthur O'Brin (Ó Broinn/Byrne) (son of John O'Brin of Ballyknockan), a distinguished member…

Byrne, Edward (1739/40–1804), merchant and chairman of the Catholic Committee, was a son of John Byrne of Saggart, Co. Dublin, whose father, Garret Byrne (d. 1752), was a farmer there and, according to a descendant, ‘lived in the castle of Saggart and owned the estate belonging…

Byrne, Edward Joseph (1847–99), journalist and adviser to Parnell, was born in Tuam, Co. Galway, the youngest son of Edward Byrne. Educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam, he worked as a journalist on the Tuam Herald and Tuam News before becoming, at the age of…

Byrne, Edward Joseph (1872–1940), catholic archbishop of Dublin, was born 10 May 1872 at Longwood Ave., South Circular Rd, Dublin, son of Edward Byrne, farmer, and Ellen Byrne (née Maguire). Although living in Dublin, his father farmed at Killahurler, Co. Wicklow. He was educated…

Byrne, Frank (c.1849–1894), nationalist, was born in Ireland, the son of Francis Byrne, a clerk. His family appears to have moved to Lancashire England, during his childhood. Nothing is known of his early life until 1870, when he served in an Irish company in the French army…

Byrne, Frankie (Frances) (1921–93), broadcaster and public relations consultant, was born 27 December 1921 in a nursing home at 7 North Frederick Street, Dublin, third child and second daughter among three daughters and two sons of Michael P. (‘Sport’) Byrne, journalist, of 2…

Byrne, Garret (c.1762–c.1832), United Irishman, was born in Ballymanus, Co. Wicklow, eldest of five sons and two daughters of Garret Byrne, one of Wicklow's largest catholic landowners, and Christian Byrne (née Jans) of Dublin city. Educated in France, he took over…

Byrne, James (c.1875–1913), trade unionist, was born at 5 Clarence St., Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire), Co. Dublin, and lived at the address all his life. A large, strapping giant of a man, he worked locally on the docks, and eventually in Heiton's coal depot. About 1910 he…

Byrne, James Loughlin (‘Locky’) (1913–41), hurler, was born 28 April 1913 at 41 Morgan St., Waterford city, the only child of James Byrne, engine driver, and Johanna Byrne (née McGrath). He was educated locally at Mount Sion CBS. A…

Byrne, John (1919–2013), property developer and ballroom impresario, was born on 5 March 1919 in Upper Tullig, Kilflynn, near Tralee, Co. Kerry, the third child of seven sons and seven daughters of Michael Byrne, a farmer, and his wife Bridget (née Flaherty). After attending CBS…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Byrne, Patrick. View the original entry.

Byrne, John Francis (1880–1960), journalist, writer, and university friend of James Joyce (qv), was born 11 February 1880 at 25 East Essex Street, Dublin, youngest child of Mathew Byrne (d. 1883), a shopkeeper, and…

Byrne, Laurence Patrick (‘Andrew E. Malone’) (1888–1939), literary critic and journalist, was born in Dublin, one of at least six sons of Michael Byrne, a clerk at Guinness's brewery. Laurence himself began working there in the chemical department, after which he was employed by the…

Byrne, Mary (1850–1936), witness of the Knock apparition, was the eldest daughter among three children of Dominick Byrne of Co. Mayo and his wife Margaret Bourke, and grew to be a tall, thin woman, with black hair and a pleasant voice. The defining moment in her life occurred when…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Byrne, Frank. View the original entry.

Byrne, Michael (1923–89), painter and printmaker, was born 30 September 1923 in Dublin, one of ten children of Michael Byrne, baker, and Mary Byrne (née Sloane). He worked at first with a photographer, then as a dental technician, before studying at the National College of Art (and…

Byrne, Miles (1780–1862), United Irishman, French army officer, and author, was born 20 March 1780 at Ballylusk, Monaseed, Co. Wexford, the eldest son of Patrick Byrne, a middling catholic farmer, and Mary (née Graham). He joined the United Irishmen in the spring of 1797, and…

Byrne (O'Byrne), Patrick James (1759–1819), president of Maynooth College, was born in Eglish, Co. Tyrone, one of at least three children of Art O'Byrne (1710–92), farmer, and Martha O'Byrne (née Kempson). He studied at the Irish College of Nantes, France, where, after gaining a…

Byrne, Patrick (c.1784–1863), harper, was born in Farney, Co. Monaghan, and was possibly the nephew or younger brother of harper Christopher Byrne (c.1775–1808). Blind from infancy, he was taught the harp by itinerant harpers from 1794 and by…

Byrne, Patrick (c.1782–1864), architect, was possibly the son of John Byrne, architect; his mother's name is not known. He entered the Dublin Society's schools in 1796, studied under Henry Aaron Baker (qv), and won premiums…

Byrne, Patrick (d. 1812), United Irishman or Defender, was the first of three sons of Henry Byrne (d. 1785), a wealthy merchant of Seatown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, and his wife, Mary, daughter of John Begg, a merchant in Bridge St., Dublin. The Byrnes were for several generations a…

Byrne, Patrick (1740/41–1814), printer, bookseller, and United Irishman, had a flourishing business in Dublin, at 35 College Green (1779–85) and 108 Grafton Street (1785–99). Byrne's business was probably the largest of its kind in Ireland in the eighteenth century. One indication…