Houlihan, Con
Houlihan, Con (1925–2012), sportswriter, was born on 6 December 1925 in Reineen, near Castleisland, Co. Kerry, the middle child among two boys and a girl of Michael Houlihan and his wife Ellen ('Nell') (née Cronin). His parents farmed a small holding (about five acres of arable land),…...
Humphreys, Richard (‘Dick’)
Humphreys, Richard (‘Dick’) (1896–1968), revolutionary and motoring enthusiast, was born 23 April 1896 (not 19 April, as incorrectly stated on his birth certificate) in Limerick city, eldest among three children of Dr David Humphreys, physician and surgeon, of Glenstal, Co.…...
Jones, Thomas (‘Tom’)
Jones, Thomas (‘Tom’) (1868–1950), priest and handball player, was born 19 December 1868, in Rock Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry, the son of Michael Jones, shopkeeper and publican, and Mary Jones (née Stack). He was educated at the Christian Brothers' School in Tralee, St Brendan's seminary…...
Keane, John
Keane, John (1916–75), hurler, was born at 80 Barrack Street, near Walsh Park in Waterford city, the youngest son of Thomas Keane, labourer. His education at Mount Sion CBS, famed for nurturing hurling talent in Waterford, as well as a…...
Keane, Maurice Ignatius ('Moss')
Keane, Maurice Ignatius ('Moss') (1948–2010), rugby and Gaelic footballer, was born on 27 July 1948 in Currow, near Castleisland, Co. Kerry, the eldest of three sons of Willie Keane and his wife Cassie (née O'Mahony), who were farmers. He was educated in Currow national school before…...
Keeffe (O'Keeffe), Robert (‘Bob’)
Keeffe (O'Keeffe), Robert (‘Bob’) (1880–1949), hurler and GAA administrator, was born 16 August 1880 in Glengrant, near Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, one of at least three sons and two daughters of Peter Keeffe, farmer, from Glengrant, and Honora (‘Norah’, ‘Nano’) Keeffe (née Nolan).…...
Keenan, Donal
Keenan, Donal (1919–90), Gaelic footballer and sports administrator, was born 10 March 1919 at Elphin, Co. Roscommon, son of John Keenan, bookmaker, and Hannah Keenan (née O'Reardon). After attending the local national school, Keenan briefly studied at Summerhill College, Sligo,…...
Kelly, Billy ('Spider')
Kelly, Billy ('Spider') (1932–2010), boxer, was born on 21 April 1932 at his parents' home on Long Tower Street, Derry city, the eldest of ten children of Jimmy Kelly, boxer and taxi driver, and his wife Kathleen (née Bradley), both Derry natives. Jimmy ('Spider') Kelly (1912–88),…...
Kelly, Jimmy (Spider)
This is a co-subject for the entry on Kelly, Billy ('Spider'). View the original entry....
Kenny, Henry Francis
Kenny, Henry Francis (1913–75), Gaelic footballer and politician, was born 7 September 1913 in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, youngest child among three sons and one daughter of Anthony Kenny, publican, and Bridget Kenny (née McHale) of Rush St., Castlebar. He was educated at St Patrick's…...
Keohane, Joseph Nicholas (‘Joe’)
Keohane, Joseph Nicholas (‘Joe’) (1918–88), Gaelic footballer, army officer, and republican, was born 18 August 1918 in Boherbee, Co. Kerry, son of John Keohane, sergeant in the Munster Fusiliers, and Babs Keohane (née Doocey). Educated at Tralee…...
Keon, Miles
Keon, Miles (1738?–p.1805), catholic gentleman, was born in or before 1738, a son of Gerald or Garret or George Keon (the records differ) and his wife Ellinor (née Dermott or MacDermott). The Keons were numerous in Co. Leitrim. A member of a protestant line, Robert Keon,…...
Kyan, Esmond
Kyan, Esmond (c.1750–1798), United Irish commander and landowner, was born probably in Co. Wexford, fourth son of Howard Kyan (d. 1804) of Mount Howard, near Ferns, Co. Wexford, and of Ballymurtagh and Mount Pleasant, Co. Wicklow. His father, a catholic landowner, was…...
Landers, John Joe (‘Purty’)
Landers, John Joe (‘Purty’) (1907–2001), GAA footballer and IRA activist, was born 23 April 1907 at Dawson's Terrace, Tralee, Co. Kerry, son of Garret Landers, engine fitter and noted footballer, and Katherine Landers (née Roche) of Listowel. He was educated locally at the…...
Langton, Jimmy
Langton, Jimmy (1918–87), hurler, was born 18 January 1918 in Lavistown, Co. Kilkenny, one of seven children of James Langton, farmer, and Mary Langton (née Long). Educated at James’ St. CBS in Kilkenny city, he worked in Padmore…...
Lanigan, Paddy (‘Icey’)
Lanigan, Paddy (‘Icey’) (1880–1945), hurler, was born 24 March 1880 in Kilkenny city, son of Thomas Lanigan, clerk, and Catherine Lanigan (née Birch). A member of the now defunct Erin's Own hurling club in Kilkenny city, he won the first of his six all-Ireland senior hurling…...
Lavan, John Thomas (‘Sean’)
Lavan, John Thomas (‘Sean’) (1898–1973), athlete, footballer, and medical doctor, was born 22 September 1898 in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, eldest of four children of Michael Lavan, landholder, and Bridget Lavan (née O'Brien). Educated locally at Ballyglass national school, he won a king…...
Lawless, Sir Nicholas
Lawless, Sir Nicholas (1733–99), woollen draper, banker, MP, and 1st Baron Cloncurry , was born 30 October 1733, eldest son of Robert Lawless (d. 1775), woollen draper, of 2 High St., the Liberties, Dublin, and his wife Mary, daughter of Dominick Hadsor and widow of Robert…...
Leahy, Cornelius (‘Con’)
Leahy, Cornelius (‘Con’) (1876–1921), athlete, was born 27 April 1876 in Cregane, Charleville, Co. Cork, son of Thomas Leahy, farmer, and Mary Leahy (née McDonagh). In his international athletic career between 1899 and 1908, he won four successive British Amateur Athletic…...
Lipper, Michael (‘Mick’)
Lipper, Michael (‘Mick’) (1931–87), politician and footballer, was born 15 June 1931 in Garryowen, Co. Limerick, fifth of ten children of Dominic Lipper, locomotive driver, and Catherine Lipper (née McGann). Educated at CBS Sexton St…...
Loughnane, William (‘Bill’, ‘Willie’)
Loughnane, William (‘Bill’, ‘Willie’) (1915–82), hurler, musician, doctor, and politician, was born 5 August 1915 in Feakle, Co. Clare, son of Willie Loughnane, farmer and shopkeeper, and Kate Loughnane (née McInerney), and educated at Feakle national school, St Flannan's College…...
Lynch, John Mary (‘Jack’)
Lynch, John Mary (‘Jack’) (1917–99), sportsman and taoiseach, was born 15 August 1917 in a small family home beside St Anne's Church of Ireland church in Shandon, a working-class area of Cork city, youngest of five sons and fifth among seven children (one of whom died before he was born…...
MacCabe, Frederick Faber
MacCabe, Frederick Faber (1868–1954), racehorse trainer and journalist, was born in Glasnevin, Dublin. Educated at Terenure College, Downside School, and TCD, he qualified as a medical doctor in 1891. In his late teens and early twenties…...
MacCarthy, Callaghan
MacCarthy, Callaghan (d. 1676), 3rd earl of Clancarty , nobleman, was born in Ireland in the late 1630s, the son of Donough MacCarthy (qv) (1594–1665), 1st earl of Clancarty, of Macroom, Co. Cork, and Eleanor Butler, sister of…...
MacCarthy, Dermod Moyle (Diarmaid Maol)
MacCarthy, Dermod Moyle (Diarmaid Maol) (d. 1602), Gaelic chief, was the younger son of Donogh (Donnchadh) MacCarthy Reagh of Carbery, Co. Cork, and Johanna, daughter of Maurice fitz John Fitzgerald of Carrigaline Castle, sister of…...