Cronin, Maurice

Clifford, Mary (‘Mai’) (née Hollingsworth ) (1913–86), trade union official and laundress, was born 25 September 1913 at Phoenix Park, Glasgow, Scotland, the elder of one daughter and one son of Joseph Hollingsworth, a blacksmith from Co. Kerry, and his wife Elizabeth, a Glasgow…

Coughlan, Stephen (1910–94), dáil deputy, bookmaker and publican, was born 26 December 1910 in Limerick, the third child of three sons and three daughters of Timothy Coughlan, accountant, and his wife, Annie Liddy, both of Limerick. He was educated at the Presentation Sisters’…

Cronin, Jeremiah (Jerry) (1925–90), public representative and MEP, was born 14 September 1925 at Currabeha, Fermoy, Co. Cork, second of three sons of John (Sean) Cronin, blacksmith, and his wife, Alice Mulcahy, both from Co. Cork. His father took part in the war of independence,…

Curtis, Maeve (1911–71), journalist and teacher, was born Alice Margaret, 7 August 1911, at West Teebane, Co. Tyrone, fifth child of four daughters and one son of John Curtis and his wife Alice Geown, both from Tyrone. Her father was a farmer-builder. Her mother died when she was…

Deasy, Rickard (1916–99), army officer and a founder of the National Farmers’ Association, was born 13 March 1916 in Leeson St., Dublin, the youngest of three children (one son and two daughters) of Major Henry Hugh Peter Deasy, car manufacturer, explorer and son of the Clonakilty…

Desmond, Daniel (1913–64), public representative, was born 3 October 1913 in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, the second child of two sons and four daughters of Michael Desmond, carpenter, and his wife, Hanora White, both from Co. Cork. He was educated at the local national school and the…

Devane, Richard (1876–1951), Jesuit priest, was born 6 July 1876 at 29 William Street, Limerick, the eldest of three sons and two daughters of Cornelius Devane, merchant, and his wife, Joanna McCormack. His two brothers, John Devane…

Dundon, John (1870–1952), MD, professor of materia medica, and UCC professor of surgery, was born 11 June 1870 at Araglin Mills, Fermoy, Co. Cork, youngest of six children (five sons and one daughter) of Edmond (Ned) Dundon,…

Ennis, Séamus (1919–82), musician, folklorist, singer, and broadcaster, was born 5 May 1919 in Jamestown Lodge, Finglas, Dublin, son of James Ennis, civil servant and warpiper from Dublin, and Mary Josephine Ennis (née McCabe) from Co. Monaghan. He had three sisters and two brothers.…

Feehan, John (Seán) (1916–91), publisher and writer, was born 8 September 1916 in Ballinree, Dualla, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, the elder of two sons of Thomas Feehan, teacher, Ballytarsna, and his wife, Catherine O'Connor, teacher, of Dualla. His brother Gerard died aged two, and his…

Fitzgerald, John (1825–1910), poet, painter, antiquary, and wood-carver, was born 18 June 1825 at Hanover Street, Cork, son of John Fitzgerald and Martha Mary Deacy. He was educated at Fr Mathew's (qv) school, Blackamoor Lane, and…

Fitzgerald, Séamus (1896–1972), politician and businessman, was born 3 September 1896 at East Hill, Queenstown (Cobh), the third child of five sons of James Fitzgerald, sailor, merchant navy, and his wife, Alice Archdeacon, both from Cobh. He was educated at the local Presentation…

Foley, Donal (1922–81), journalist and editor, was born 4 September 1922 in Ring, Co. Waterford, seventh among twelve children of Daniel Joseph Foley, headmaster in Ferrybank, Co. Waterford, and Catherine Foley (née Power). His childhood was idyllic, between the small village of…

Galvin, Edward (1882–1956), bishop and co-founder of the Columban fathers, was born 23 November 1882 at Clodagh, Newcestown, Co. Cork, the eldest of seven sons and two daughters of John Galvin, a farmer, and his wife, Mary Lorden. He was educated at Newcestown national school and…

Guinan, Joseph (1863–1932), writer and priest, was born at Millbrook House, Cloghan, Co. Offaly; his parents were comfortable tenant farmers. Educated at St. Mel's College, Longford, he entered Maynooth in 1881. After being ordained in 1888 by Bishop…

Hales, Seán (1880–1922), republican and TD, was born 30 March 1880 in Knocknacurra House, Ballinadee, Bandon, Co. Cork, eldest child of five sons and four daughters of Robert Hales, farmer, and his wife, Mary Fitzgerald, both from Bandon. He was educated at Ballinadee national…

Hales, Thomas (Tom) (1892–1966), republican and TD, was born 5 March 1892 in Knocknacurra House, Ballinadee, Bandon, Co. Cork, sixth of nine children (five sons and four daughters) of Robert Hales, farmer, and his wife, Mary Fitzgerald, both from Co. Cork. He was educated at…

Healy, Augustine (Gus) Anthony (1904–87), politician, drama and sports enthusiast, was born 20 May 1904 in Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork, the second of two sons of Timothy Healy, collector for the Cork Gas Company, from Cork, and his wife, Pauline Groegor from Germany. A fall from…

Hurley, Charles (Charlie) (1893–1921), Volunteer organiser and commandant west Cork brigade 1920, was born 20 March 1893 at Baurleigh, Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, fifth child of three sons and four daughters of John Hurley, farmer, from Baurleigh and his wife, Mary Fleming from Barryroe…

McGarry, James Gerard (1905–77), priest, was born 28 January 1905 in Claremorris, Co. Mayo, the youngest of three sons and one daughter of James McGarry, businessman, and his wife, Margaret Fallon, both from Mayo. His father, a small farmer's son, went into business, then into…

Murphy, Delia (1902–71), ballad singer, was born 16 February 1902 at Ardroe, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, second of eight daughters of John (‘Jack’) Patrick Murphy of Mayo and Anna Agnes Murphy (née Fanning) from Tipperary. Her father worked in the gold mines in Klondike, where he met and…

Murphy, Michael (1924–98), catholic bishop, was born 18 February 1924 in Anahala, Toames, Macroom, Co. Cork, the youngest of a family of four of Michael Murphy, farmer and his wife, Annie O'Mahony, both of Co. Cork. His father died a month before he was born; after the death of his…

O'Callaghan, Thomas Alphonsus (1839–1916), catholic bishop, was born 9 May 1839 in Sullivan's Quay, Cork, son of Michael O'Callaghan and Margaret Palmer, both from Cork. He was educated at North Monastery CBS, O'Connor's school,…

Ó Síocháin (Sheehan), Pádraig Augustine (1905–95), journalist, barrister, and Irish-language activist, was born 26 May 1905 in Kanturk, Co. Cork, sixth child and fourth son among five sons and five daughters of Daniel D. Sheehan…

Ryan, Thomas Joseph (1915–83), catholic bishop, was born 8 February 1915 at Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, the eldest child of five sons and two daughters of Patrick Ryan and his wife Alice, farmers, both originally from Mayo. He was educated at Kilcommon national school and Mount…