Ussher, Percy Arland
Ussher, Percy Arland (1899–1980), essayist and translator, was born 9 September 1899 at Battersea, London, son of Beverly Ussher, inspector of schools, and Emily Ussher (née Jebb). Educated at Abbotsholme School, Derbyshire, he had radical journals posted to him from Ireland, and so…...
Vard, Cecil
This is a co-subject for the entry on Vard, John (‘Jack’, ‘Jackie’). View the original entry....
Vard, John (‘Jack’, ‘Jackie’)
Vard, John (‘Jack’, ‘Jackie’) (1926–98), sportsman and businessman, was born 29 May 1926 in 4 Rosedale Terrace, Dublin, one of six sons and two daughters of Alfred (‘Taylor’) Vard, of Dublin, originally a cobbler by profession, and his London-born first wife, Daisy May Vard (née…...
Vard, Julian (Julie)
This is a co-subject for the entry on Vard, John (‘Jack’, ‘Jackie’). View the original entry....
Wagner, Heinrich Hans
Wagner, Heinrich Hans (1923–88), linguistic scholar, was born 16 January 1923 in Zurich, Switzerland, elder of two sons of Heinrich Wagner, businessman, and his wife Eliza (née Siegfried), both of Zurich. His mother, the daughter of a restaurateur, spoke German (her native tongue),…...
Walker, Samuel B. (‘Sammy’)
Walker, Samuel B. (‘Sammy’) (1912–72), rugby footballer, was born 21 April 1912 at 174 Cupar Street, Belfast; the son of Samuel Walker, grocer, and Mary Isabella Walker (née Craig). Educated at the RBAI, he played his club…...
Walsh (Bhailís, Wallis, Uailis), Francis (Proinsias)
Walsh (Bhailís, Wallis, Uailis), Francis (Proinsias) (1654–1724), lexicographer and Franciscan priest, was born in the Fingal area of north Co. Dublin. Nothing is known of his family or early education. He entered the Franciscan order and was ordained (1677) in the Irish Franciscan…...
Walsh, Cornelius (‘Con’)
Walsh, Cornelius (‘Con’) (1881–1961), Olympic hammer thrower, was born 24 April 1881 in Carriganima (Carriganimmy), Clondrohid, near Macroom, Co. Cork, eldest of at least nine children of Edmond Walsh, farmer, from Carriganima, and Hannah Walsh (née Kelleher), originally from…...
Walsh, Edward
Walsh, Edward (1805–50), translator, poet, and schoolteacher, was born in Derry city, where his father, an evicted small farmer who became a sergeant in the north Cork militia was posted during the Napolelonic period; his mother was from a more genteel background. After the battle of…...
Walsh, Edward J. (‘Ned’)
Walsh, Edward J. (‘Ned’) (c.1865–1939), athlete and rugby international, was born c.1865. Some sources give 1868 or later as his birth year, but his death certificate suggests 1865 as more likely, and this date tallies better with his subsequent sporting career.…...
Walsh, John (‘Johnny’)
Walsh, John (‘Johnny’) (1911–98), Gaelic footballer, was born 11 February 1911 in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, second child among three sons and two daughters of David Walsh, local creamery manager and publican, originally from Clonakilty, Co. Cork, and Mary Walsh (née O'Brien), both…...
Walsh, Oliver (‘Ollie’)
Walsh, Oliver (‘Ollie’) , (1937–96), hurler, was born 13 July 1937 at Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, one of four children of Michael Walsh and Johanna Walsh (née Kennedy) of Mill St., Thomastown. Educated at Thomastown national school and Kilkenny vocational school, Ollie Walsh first…...
Walsh, Richard (‘Droog’)
Walsh, Richard (‘Droog’) (1877–1958), hurler, was born December 1877 at Rathkieran, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, second son among seven children of William Walsh of Rathkieran and Anastasia Walsh (née Quinn) of Ballygorey, Mooncoin, both of farming stock. He was educated at Carrigeen…...
Walton, Simon Francis (‘Sim’)
Walton, Simon Francis (‘Sim’) (1880–1966), hurler, was born 4 September 1880 in Reimeen, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, one of four children (three girls and a boy) of John Walton, farmer, and Johanna Walton (née Bannon) of Reimeen. His father had been a pioneer of hurling in Kilkenny in the…...
Watts, George
Watts, George (1772–1858), veterinary surgeon and horse breeder, was born in England, possibly in Devon or in Yorkshire; nothing certain is known of his family background, though there is a possibility that he was related to Richard Watt (1751–98) of Bishop Burton, near Beverley…...
Weir, Isaac O'Neill (‘Ike’)
Weir, Isaac O'Neill (‘Ike’) (1867–1908), bareknuckle boxer, was born 17 January 1867 in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, son of Jacob Weir, weaver, and Catherine Weir (née Neil). As a young man he showed an aptitude for many different sports and activities, being described as an excellent jockey…...
West, Trevor
West, Trevor (1938–2012), mathematician, politician and sportsman, was born on 8 May 1938 in Cork, the eldest of four sons of Timothy Roberts West, headmaster of Midleton College, Co. Cork, and Dorothy Trevor West (née McNeill), of Charleston, Ballinacurra, Co. Cork, who was CEO of…...
Whelan, William Augustine (‘Billy’; ‘Liam’)
Whelan, William Augustine (‘Billy’; ‘Liam’) (1935–58), soccer player, was born 1 April 1935 in 28 St Attracta's Road, Cabra, Dublin, fourth among seven children of John Whelan, labourer, and Elizabeth Whelan (née McGuirk). He was educated at St Peter's national school in nearby…...
White, Rosetta Phoebe Blair-
White, Rosetta Phoebe Blair- (1895–1991), tennis player, was born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, daughter of R. J. Newell , DL and JP, of Hillside, Omagh. She developed her tennis skills by playing every day…...
Wickham, Joseph Ignatius ('Joe')
Wickham, Joseph Ignatius ('Joe') (1890–1968), football administrator, was born Ignatius Joseph Wickham on 5 February 1890 in Phibsborough, Dublin, one of eleven children (seven girls and four boys) of John Wickham, a railway engine driver, and his wife Mary Anne (née Kelly). He was…...
Wilson, Charles Henry
Wilson, Charles Henry (c.1755–1808), writer and linguist, was born in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan, son of an anglican clergyman; no other details are known of his family. He received a classical school education and attended TCD before…...
Wilson, John Patrick
Wilson, John Patrick (1923–2007), government minister and Gaelic footballer, was born on 8 July 1923 at Callanagh, Kilcogy, Co. Cavan, the son of John Wilson, farmer, and his wife Brigid (née Comaskey). His grandfather James Wilson was a Fenian, his father a Fianna Fáil and GAA activist…...
Winder, Frank (Francis Gerard Augustine)
Winder, Frank (Francis Gerard Augustine) (1928–2007), biochemist, naturalist and mountaineer, was born 14 April 1928 in Dublin, one of four sons of Percy Winder (d. 1950), secretary of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society and a freeman of the city of Dublin, and his second…...
Windisch, Wilhelm Oscar Ernst
Windisch, Wilhelm Oscar Ernst (1844–1918), Sanskrit and Pali scholar and celticist, was born 4 September 1844 in Dresden, Germany, son of a teacher, was educated at the Kreuzschule in Leipzig, and went on to Leipzig University (1863), where he studied classical and comparative philology…...
Wing, Mornington Albert (‘Morny’)
Wing, Mornington Albert (‘Morny’) (c.1897–1965), champion jockey and trainer, was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, son of Walter Wing, professional jockey, horse dealer, and mail coach driver, of 6 Mail Coach Yard, Doncaster, and Ada Wing (maiden name unknown) of Castleford,…...