Oldham, Alice
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…...
O'Mahoney, Katharine Aloysia O'Keeffe
O'Mahoney, Katharine Aloysia O'Keeffe (1851–1908), editor, educator, and writer, was born in Co. Kilkenny, daughter of Patrick O'Keeffe (b. 1803) and his wife Rose (b. 1824; maiden name unknown). The O'Keeffes emigrated to Methuen, Massachusetts, USA, c.1851 when she was ten…...
O'Malley, Pamela (Kathleen Mary)
O'Malley, Pamela (Kathleen Mary) (1929–2006), bohemian, radical and educationalist, was born in Dublin on 12 July 1929, daughter of Patrick O'Malley, Limerick tea, wine and spirit importer, and his wife Kathleen (née Bonass). Donough O'Malley…...
Owens, Evelyn
Owens, Evelyn (1931–2010), trade unionist and women's rights advocate, was born on 22 January 1931 at 23 Vernon Gardens, Clontarf, Dublin, the fourth of six children of William Owens, a civil servant of Clontarf, originally from Co. Roscommon, and his wife Ellen (née Monaghan), from…...
Phelan, Anastasia (Mary Gerard)
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…...
Philbin, Eva Maria
Philbin, Eva Maria (1914–2005), chemist and university professor, was born 3 January 1914 in Ballina, Co. Mayo, the elder of two daughters of George Ryder , a postman and later a publican, and his wife Kate (née Donegan). Eva attended the Convent of Mercy in Ballina, and then went…...
Preston, Katherine Mary
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
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…...
Randles, Eileen
Randles, Eileen (1937–2015), teacher, education leader and nun, was born 26 April 1937 in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, the youngest of three daughters born to Tom Randles and his wife Nora (‘Dolly’) May (née Healy). The family lived on the premises of the garage Tom ran on Shelbourne Street in…...
Redmond, Mary
Redmond, Mary (1950–2015), solicitor and founder of the Irish Hospice Foundation, was born on 25 August 1950, third in a family of six girls and a boy, to Dr John Redmond, civil servant, and his wife Mary (Máire) (née Lannin). She described her childhood in the family home on Mount Eden…...
Russell, Mary Baptist (Katherine, Kate)
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, Agnes
This is a co-subject for the entry on Ryan, Mary Kate ('Kit', 'Cáit'). View the original entry....
Ryan, Elizabeth (Mary Eucharia)
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
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 (…...
Ryan, Mary Josephine (Min)
This is a co-subject for the entry on Ryan, Mary Kate ('Kit', 'Cáit'). View the original entry....
Ryan, Mary Kate ('Kit', 'Cáit')
Ryan, Mary Kate ('Kit', 'Cáit') (1878–1934), academic and political activist, was born at Tomcoole, Taghmon, Co. Wexford, second of twelve children (four sons and eight daughters) of John Ryan, strong farmer, and his wife Elizabeth (née Sutton). The family was notable for its…...
Ryan, Veronica
This is a co-subject for the entry on Ryan, John Archibald. View the original entry....
Sandford, Irene
Sandford, Irene (1937–2005), singer, was born in east Belfast on 11 January 1937, eldest child of Francis Sandford, who owned a hairdressing salon, and his wife Meta (née Nesbitt). She had two younger sisters and a younger brother. She attended Belmont and Strandtown primary schools…...
Shackleton, Lydia
Shackleton, Lydia (1828–1914), botanical artist, teacher, and poet, was born 22 November 1828, at Griesemount, Ballitore, Co. Kildare, the third eldest of thirteen children of George Shackleton, a miller, and Hannah Shackleton (née Fisher). Her forebear…...
Simpson, Martha Margaret Mildred
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…...
Sinclair, Everina Mary Caroline
Sinclair, Everina Mary Caroline (1870–1966), craftswoman and teacher, was born 21 May 1870 in a private maternity home at 111 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, second child among one son and two daughters of James Montgomery Sinclair (1841–99), gentleman landowner, of Bonnyglen, Inver, Co…...
Skinnider, Margaret (Ní SCINEADÓRA, Máighréad)
Skinnider, Margaret (Ní SCINEADÓRA, Máighréad) (1893–1971), republican, teacher, and trade unionist, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to immigrant parents from Co. Monaghan. Qualifying as a teacher at Craiglockhart, she taught mathematics in Glasgow's Hillhead district. Active in the…...
Sugrue, Elizabeth (‘Lady Betty’)
Sugrue, Elizabeth (‘Lady Betty’) (1740/50–1807), executioner, is thought to have been born in Co. Kerry into a tenant farming family between 1740 and 1750. The location of her birth and names of her parents are not known, and available details of her life are largely anecdotal or…...
Tinney, Sheila Christina (née Power)
Tinney, Sheila Christina (née Power) (1918–2010), mathematical physicist, was born on 15 January 1918 in Galway city, fourth daughter of Michael Power (1885–1974), professor of mathematics in UCG (1912–55), and Christina Power (née…...
Tweedy, (Muriel) Hilda
Tweedy, (Muriel) Hilda (1911–2005), activist for women's rights and in consumer affairs, was born 26 August 1911, in Clones, Co. Monaghan, in her mother's family home. Her father was a Church of Ireland clergyman, James Ferguson Anderson , at the time rector of Florencecourt, Co.…...