Labour and Trades Unions

McElligott, Thomas J. (1888–1961), police man, union activist, and republican, was born 2 April 1888 at Duagh, Listowel,Co. Kerry, second eldest of sixteen children of a small farmer named McElligott and his wife Julia (née McCarthy). He received a local national school education…

McGhee, Richard (1851–1930), trade unionist and politician, was baptised on 12 February 1851 in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, the eldest of three sons of Richard McGhee, a tenant farmer and later a shopkeeper, and his wife Alice. He claimed that at age 14, in protest against 'the bigotry and…

McHugh, Edward (1853–1915), political activist and trade unionist, was born on 21 August 1853 in Co. Tyrone (probably in the parish of Termonamongan in the far west of the county), the son of Matthew McHugh, smallholder and labourer, and his wife Margaret (née McCrory); he had one…

McMullen, William (1888–1982), trade unionist and politician, was born in Lilliput Street, Belfast, son of Joseph McMullen, shop owner, of County Monaghan; his mother was a native of County Cavan. When he was two years old, his family moved to a bigger shop on Shore Road, Belfast…

Merrigan, Matthew Paul (‘Matt’) (1921–2000), trade unionist and socialist, was born 25 June 1921 in a two-room cottage at 5 Thomas Place, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin, eighth of nine children of Matthew Merrigan (c.1884–1928), builder's labourer, and Anne (‘Nanny’) Merrigan (née…

Midgley, Henry Cassidy (‘Harry’) (1892–1957), trade unionist and politician, was born 8 September 1892 at 59 Seaview St., Belfast, third child and eldest son among two daughters and three sons of Alexander Midgley (1860–99), shipyard labourer, originally of Lurgan, Co. Armagh,…

Moloney, Katherine (Kathleen) (1896–1969), republican and trade unionist, was born Catherine Agnes Barry on 19 October 1896 in the family home at 8 Fleet Street, Dublin, eldest child among five daughters and two sons of Thomas Barry (d. 1908), prosperous dairyman, and Mary Barry (…

Molony, Helena (1883–1967), actress, republican, trade unionist, and feminist, was born 15 January 1883 at 8 Coles Lane, off Henry St., Dublin, the younger of one daughter and one son of Michael Moloney, grocer, of that address, and Catherine Moloney (née McGrath). Orphaned at an early…

Morrissey, Daniel (1895–1981), trade unionist, politician, and businessman, was born 28 November 1895 in Silver St., Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, one of three sons and one daughter of William Morrissey, carter-contractor, and Bridget Morrissey (née Gleeson). Educated at Nenagh…

Mortished, Ronald James Patrick (1891–1957), socialist and first chairman of the Labour Court, was born 14 June 1891 in London, son of James Mortished, a printer from Limerick, and his wife (née Thompson) from Sligo. Ronald began his education in London council schools and through…

Mullen, Michael (1919–82), trade unionist, republican, and politician, was born 1 February 1919 at 10 New St., Church St., Dublin, son of John Mullen, glassblower, and Martha Mullen (née Smith). Educated at St Michan's, Halston St., Dublin, he was forced to leave school at 14 to…

Mullen, Patrick (1883–1972), labourer, trade unionist, and writer, was born 17 April 1883 in Kilronan, Inishmore, Aran Islands, Co. Galway, fourth among ten or eleven children of Johnny Mullen, smallholder, and Mary Mullen (née Costelloe). His father, self-styled ‘king of the island…

Murphy, John ('Jack') (1920–84), trade unionist, republican, and activist for the unemployed, was born near Synge Street in Dublin, third son among four sons and five daughters of Denis Murphy, a carpenter; his mother's forename was probably Mary. His father, a founding member in…

Murray, James Andrew (1840–1921), businessman, was born in 1840 in Co. Clare, the eldest of five sons and one daughter of Michael Murray and his wife Ann (née MacNamara), of whom little is known. The family emigrated to Canada about 1845, and in 1858 at age eighteen, James left for the…

Nannetti, Joseph Patrick (‘J. P.’) (1851–1915), trade unionist and politician, was born 19 March 1851 in Dublin, son of Giacomo Nannetti, sculptor and modeller, of 6 Great Brunswick St. Educated at Baggot St. convent schools and CBS…

Nevin, Donal (1924–2012), trade unionist and historian, was born on 20 January 1924 at 8 Cornmarket Row, Limerick, the home of his parents, Thomas Nevin, a cabinet maker, and his wife Alice. He was the second youngest of eight children (three girls and five boys). Nevin won a local…

Norton, William Joseph (‘Bill’) (1900–63), trade unionist and politician, was born 2 November 1900 at 21 Bath Avenue, Dublin, eldest of eight children of Patrick Norton, a tramcar conductor, and Bridget Norton (née Malone). He attended Rathmines national school, leaving aged…

O'Brien, Nora Connolly (1892–1981), republican and socialist activist, was born on 14 November 1892 at 6 Lothian Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, second among six daughters and one son of James Connolly (qv), of Edinburgh, the socialist…

O'Brien, William (1881–1968), labour leader and trade union official, was born 23 January 1881 at Ballygurteen, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, third son and youngest among four children of Daniel O'Brien of Co. Tipperary, member of the RIC, and…

O'Callaghan, Michael (1887–1962), trade unionist, revolutionary nationalist, and civil servant, was born 25 January 1887 in Henry Street, Tipperary town, son of Denis Callahan, draper, of farming stock from Ballyhone, Emly, Co. Tipperary, and Bridget Callahan (née Hayes), of…

O'Carroll, Richard (1876–1916), trade unionist and revolutionary nationalist, was probably the ‘Richard Carroll’ born 29 February 1876 at 6 Hanover Sq., near the north quays, Dublin, son of Richard Carroll, labourer, of that address, and Mary Carroll (née Keogh). A bricklayer by trade,…

O'Connell, Thomas Joseph (‘T. J.’) (1882–1969), teacher, trade unionist, and politician, was born 28 November 1882 at Spotfield, Bekan, Co. Mayo, second son of Thomas Connell, farmer, and Maria Connell (née Biesty). Educated at Bekan national school, where from July 1895 he served…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Ó Laoghaire, Colm. View the original entry.

O'Leary, Michael (1936–2006), government minister and district judge, was born 8 May 1936 in Cork, son of John O'Leary, psychiatric nurse and publican, and his wife Margaret (née McCarthy). He was educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork, at…

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…