Bryan, Deirdre

McGroarty, Julia (Susan) (1827–1901), nun and educator, was born 13 February 1827 in Inver, Co. Donegal, second daughter and third among ten children of Neil McGroarty, farmer, and his wife, Catherine (née Bonner). In spring 1831 her family emigrated to the USA and settled in…

McShain, Mary (1907–98), landowner and benefactor, was born Mary Horstmann on 27 March 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fifth among six children of Ignatius J. Horstmann and his wife Pauline. She was educated at St Leonard's Academy, Philadelphia, and Rosemont College, Rosemont…

Mullen, Madeleine ffrench- (1880–1944), nationalist and social advocate, was born 30 December 1880 in Malta, eldest child among two daughters and one son of St Laurence ffrench-Mullen, a Royal Navy surgeon. While she was a child, her father moved the family back to Ireland and they…

Nicholson, Asenath (1792–1855), traveller and social reformer, was born 24 February 1792, youngest child and only daughter among three children of Michael Hatch (c.1747–1830), farmer, and his wife, Martha (maiden name unknown; 1745–1837), in Chelsea, Vermont, USA. Educated at…

O'Connell, Denis Joseph (1849–1927), bishop and rector of the Catholic University of America, was born on 28 January 1849 in Donoughmore, Co. Cork, son of Michael O'Connell, farmer and Bridget O'Connell (née O'Connell). When he was still an infant, his family emigrated to…

O'Connor, Michael (1810–72), first catholic bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and of Erie, Pennsylvania, was born 27 September 1810 in Queenstown (Cobh), Co. Cork, eldest son of Charles O'Connor and Ellen O'Connor (née Kirk). Educated locally, he was a bright student and fervent…

Oldham, Alice (1850–1907), lecturer at Alexandra College and pioneer of women's higher education, was born 24 June 1850 in Dublin, elder daughter among two sons and two daughters of Eldred Oldham, Dublin silk merchant, and Annie Oldham (née Alker). As a strong advocate of women's…

Pecherin (Petcherine), Vladimir (1807–85), Russian émigré, Redemptorist priest and orator, and first chaplain of the Mater Hospital, Dublin, was born in Dymerka, the Ukraine, on 27 June 1807, son of Sergei Panteleimonovich Pecherin, a high-ranking Russian army officer, and his…

Peyton, Patrick Joseph (1909–1992), Holy Cross priest and radio and television evangelist (‘the Rosary Priest’), was born 9 January 1909 in Carracastle, near Ballina, Co. Mayo, sixth of the nine children of John Peyton (1868–1934), county road repair worker, and Mary Gillard Peyton (…

Phelan, Anastasia (Mary Gerard) (1872–1960), religious superior and educator, was born 18 January 1872 in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, to John Phelan, farmer, and Mary Phelan (née Dallon). Baptised Anastasia, she was educated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Waterford…

Power, Thomas Joseph (1830–93), catholic bishop, was born 10 December 1830 in Rosbercon, New Ross, Co. Wexford, son of Martin Power, publican, and Catherine Power (neé Sutton). He was educated at the monastery school of St Patrick's, Tullow, Co. Carlow. In 1843 he entered Carlow…

Preston, Katherine Mary (1868–1951), educator and principal of Alexandra College, Dublin, was born Catherine [sic] Mary McEwen on 30 April 1868 in Garvock, Scotland, elder of two daughters of Thomas McEwen, parochial schoolmaster at Baldernock, and Eliza Gray McEwen (née…

Purcell, Mary (1906–91), teacher, religious biographer, and archivist, was born 28 May 1906 in Moonveen, Carrigeen, Co. Kilkenny, one of three children of Richard Purcell, of Moonveen, and Anastasia Purcell (née Doyle), both of whom were schoolteachers. After attending the St Louis…

Quigley, Hugh (1818/19–1883), missionary priest and author, was born in Affogh (Affick), near Tulla, Co. Clare, the oldest of five, or perhaps six, sons and three daughters of Hugh and Mary Quigley (née Lynch). While Johanna Swartz argues that he was born in 1819 (based on his February…

Quinn (O'Quinn), James (1819–81), educator and first catholic bishop of Queensland, Australia, was born 17 March 1819 in Rathbawn, Co. Kildare, son of Matthew Quinn and Mary Quinn (née Doyle). He was educated at Kelly's School, Dublin. On 24 August 1836 he entered the Irish…

Reeves, Alice (1874–1955), matron of Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin, was born in December 1874, daughter of the Rev. Charles Robert Reeves, clergyman, and Charlotte Reeves (née Haire). She was orphaned at age five or six and was raised by her aunt. When she was nineteen she began…

Reynolds, Christopher Augustine (1834–93), first catholic archbishop of Adelaide, Australia, was born 25 July 1834 in Dublin, son of Patrick Reynolds and Elizabeth Reynolds (née Bourke). He received his early education from the Carmelite brothers in Clondalkin. In 1852 he went to…

Russell, Mary Baptist (Katherine, Kate) (1829–98), nun, philanthropist, and educator, was born 18 April 1829 at Seafield, Ballybot, Newry, Co. Down, the third daughter and third child among the six children of Arthur Russell, ship's captain turned brewer, and his wife, Margaret (…

Ryan, Elizabeth (Mary Eucharia) (1860–1929), Loreto sister and pioneer of women's higher education, was baptised Elizabeth Ryan on 7 October 1860 at Templemain church, Co. Leitrim, daughter of Laurence Ryan and his wife Mary. Her parents, noted educationists, were originally from…

Ryan, Mary (1873–1961), professor of Romance languages, was born on 14 December 1873 in Cork, daughter of Edward Ryan, chairman of a soap manufacturing company, of Ronayn's Court, Rochestown, Co. Cork, and his wife Matilda. Two brothers, Sir Thomas Ryan (1879–1934) and Sir Andrew Ryan (…

Sandes, Elizabeth Anne (‘Elise’) (1851–1934), founder of Sandes Soldiers' Homes in Ireland, India, and Great Britain, was born 19 February 1851 in Tralee, Co. Kerry, third daughter among seven daughters and two sons of Stephen Sandes, British army officer, of Sallow Glen, Co. Kerry…

Shanahan, Joseph (1871–1943), missionary bishop, was born 4 June 1871 in Glankeen, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, third son among ten children of Daniel Shanahan, herdsman, and Margaret Shanahan (neé Walsh). He attended Templederry national school, Co. Tipperary, and Rockwell…

Shanley, John Patrick (1895–1996), paediatric surgeon and Dublin city coroner, was born 17 September 1895 in Dublin, eldest child among two sons and two daughters of Peter Shanley, commercial traveller and later draper, of 37 Goldsmith St., Dublin, and Mary Shanley (née Kelly) of…

Sherlock (Sherlog), Paul (1595–1646), Jesuit priest and theologian, was born in August 1595 at or near Waterford city, reputedly the son of Walter Sherlock and his wife Beatrice Leonard. He was a descendant of James Sherlock of Gracedieu who, in 1494, was granted extensive lands…

Simpson, Martha Margaret Mildred (1865–1948), Montessori kindergarten teacher and school inspector in Australia, was born 3 May 1865 in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, daughter of George Simpson (occupation unknown) and Mary Simpson (née Wilson). She emigrated (c.1886) to New South…