Neligan, David
Neligan, David (1899–1983), intelligence agent, police detective and superintendent, was born 14 October 1899 in Templeglantine, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, youngest among four sons and four daughters of David Neligan, a Co. Kerry native, and Eliza Neligan (née Mullane), a native of…...
Nicholson, Asenath
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…...
Nixon, John William
Nixon, John William (1877–1949), policeman and politician, was born 1 June 1877 in Graddum, Co. Cavan, into a methodist family; other family details are unknown. He joined the RIC in 1899, served in Belfast, Donegal, Antrim, Mayo,…...
Noble, Margaret Elizabeth (Sister Nivedita)
Noble, Margaret Elizabeth (Sister Nivedita) (1867–1911), educator, writer, and political activist in India, was born at 23 Scotch Street, Dungannon, on 28 October 1867, the eldest daughter and first child of Samuel Richmond Noble and Mary Isabel Hamilton. Both male grandparents are said…...
O Brien, Conor
O Brien, Conor (1880–1952), sailor and author, was born Edward Conor Marshall O'Brien on 3 November 1880 in Cahirmoyle, Co. Limerick, the son of Edward William O'Brien, JP, and Julia O'Brien (née Marshall). A grandson of…...
O'Donnell, Charles James O'Cahan
O'Donnell, Charles James O'Cahan (1850–1934), civil servant, politician, and controversialist, was probably born 28 May 1850 at Port Louis, Mauritius, youngest son of Capt. Bernard MacDonald of the Northumberland Fusiliers, from Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, and Mary MacDonald (née…...
O'Duffy, Eoin
O'Duffy, Eoin (1890–1944), soldier, policeman, and politician, was born 28 January 1890 on the family farm at Carrickaduff (Cargaghdoo), near Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, youngest among five sons and two daughters of Eugene (‘Owen’) Duffy and Brigid Duffy (née Fealy) of the nearby…...
O'Dwyer, William (‘Bill-O’)
O'Dwyer, William (‘Bill-O’) (1890–1964), policeman, lawyer, judge, and politician in the USA, was born 7 July 1890 in Lismirrane (Lismiraun), Bohola, Swinford, Co. Mayo, eldest of eleven children (of whom six sons and four daughters survived infancy) of Patrick O'Dwyer, native of…...
O'Ferrall, John Lewis More
O'Ferrall, John Lewis More (1800–81), barrister and commissioner of the DMP (1836–71), was born 9 June 1800, second son of Ambrose O'Ferrall of Ballyna, Co. Kildare, formerly a major in the Sardinian service, and his wife Anne (d. 1810), daughter of John Bagot of Castle Bagot, Co…...
O'Malley, Gráinne (Grace) (‘Granuaile’)
O'Malley, Gráinne (Grace) (‘Granuaile’) (c.1530–1603?), noblewoman and sea captain, was the daughter of Eoghan O'Malley (usually known as Dubhdarra O'Malley), lord of Umhall (now the barony of Murrisk, Co. Mayo), and Margaret, daughter of Conchobhar O'Malley. Gráinne (or…...
O'Neill, Francis
O'Neill, Francis (1848–1936), policeman, traditional musician, and music collector, was born 28 August 1848 in Tralibane, Bantry, Co. Cork, youngest among five sons and two daughters of John O'Neill (c.1801–67), a prosperous and educated farmer, and Catherine (‘Kit’) O'Neill (…...
O'Reilly, John Roberts
O'Reilly, John Roberts (1794–1873), Royal Navy and coastguard officer, was born 9 April 1794 at Baltrasna, Co. Meath, third son of Thomas O'Reilly, gentleman, and his wife Margaret, daughter of the Hon. Justice Robert Sibthorpe of Duncanny, Co. Louth. His brother, Anthony Alexander…...
O'Sullivan, John L.
O'Sullivan, John L. (1901–90), soldier, policeman, and politician, was born 8 June 1901 on his family's farm at Carrigroe, Rathbarry, near Clonakilty, Co. Cork, youngest son of James Sullivan, farmer, and Mary Anne Sullivan (née Collins). It is uncertain when the ‘O’ prefix was…...
Otway, Caesar
Otway, Caesar (1780–1842), protestant clergyman, travel writer, and antiquary, was the elder son in the family of two sons and two daughters of Loftus Otway (1755–89), a merchant at Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, and his wife Sarah, daughter of William Woodward of Cloughprior. Born in Co.…...
Palliser, John
Palliser, John (1817–87), explorer, was born 29 January 1817 in Dublin, eldest son of Wray Palliser (1788–1863) of Derryluskan, Co. Tipperary, and Comeragh, Co. Waterford, JP and lieutenant-colonel of the Waterford Artillery Militia, and…...
Parke, Thomas Heazle
Parke, Thomas Heazle (1857–93), army surgeon and African traveller, was born 27 November 1857 at Clogher House, Kilmore, Co. Roscommon, second son among ten children of William Parke, a well-to-do farmer, and Henrietta Parke (née Holmes). His ancestors were of Kentish stock. Educated…...
Patten, James
Patten, James (d. p.1780), naval surgeon, was born in Ulster, son of the Rev. William Patten. Appointed as a Royal Navy surgeon, he sailed with Capt. James Cook on board HMS Resolution during Cook's second voyage of…...
Perceval, Robert
Perceval, Robert (1756–1839), physician, chemist, traveller, and founding member of the RIA, was born 30 September 1756 in Dublin, third and youngest son of William Perceval, barrister, and his second wife, Elizabeth Perceval (née Ward; d.…...
Phillips, Molesworth
Phillips, Molesworth (1755–1832), marine officer and adventurer, was born 15 August 1755 in Swords, Co. Dublin, son of John Phillips (d. 1779), surgeon and illegitimate son of Robert Molesworth (qv), 1st Viscount Molesworth of Swords…...
Pim, Sir Richard Pike
Pim, Sir Richard Pike (1900–87), inspector-general of RUC, was born 10 July 1900 in Dunmurry, outside Belfast, second son of Cecil Pim (1870–1942), managing director of the Greenmount Spinning Co., and his wife, Marie Pike of Keady, Co. Armagh. Both parents came from renowned quaker…...
Pococke, Richard
Pococke, Richard (1704–65), Church of Ireland clergyman, traveller, and antiquary, was born in Southampton, England, on 19 November 1704, son of Richard Pococke, rector of Colmer, Hampshire, and his wife Elizabeth, the only daughter of another clergyman, Isaac Milles (1639?–1720).…...
Ponsonby, Charles William Talbot-
Ponsonby, Charles William Talbot- (1843–1927), navalofficer, landowner, and JP, was born 29 May 1843 at Langrish House, Petersfield, Hampshire, the son of Admiral Sir Charles Talbot, KCB…...
Pounder, Cuthbert Coulson
Pounder, Cuthbert Coulson (1891–1982), marine engineer, was born 12 May 1891 in Hartlepool, Co. Durham, youngest son of a family of six. His father was a blacksmith owning his own business. When he was 6 his mother died, and he was brought up by his stepmother, a Lowland Scot. On…...
Power, Marguerite Agnes
Power, Marguerite Agnes (1815?–1867), writer and traveller, was born in Ireland, daughter of a Col. Power. Her aunt was Marguerite Gardiner (née Power) (qv), countess of Blessington, and she later lived with her aunt at…...
Praeger, Robert Lloyd
Praeger, Robert Lloyd (1865–1953), naturalist, author, and librarian, was born 25 August 1865 at the Crescent, Holywood, Co. Down, second son among five sons and one daughter of Willem Emilius Praeger (1835–81), linen merchant, and Maria Praeger (d. 1930; née Patterson). His father, a…...