O'Dowda, Brendan Joseph
O'Dowda, Brendan Joseph (1925–2002), singer, was born 1 October 1925 in Dundalk, Co. Louth, the youngest of a family of seven boys and three girls of Francis Joseph O'Dowda (d. 1955) from Cork, who worked in the engineering department of the post office, and his wife Josephine (née…...
Ó hAnnracháin, Fachtna
Ó hAnnracháin, Fachtna (1920–2010), broadcasting administrator and music director, was born on 2 September 1920 in Skibbereen, Co. Cork, eldest among four sons and two daughters of Peadar Ó hAnnracháin (1873–1965), small farmer, Irish-language activist, civil servant, journalist,…...
O'Leary, John ('Johnny') (Johnny Leary)
O'Leary, John ('Johnny') (Johnny Leary) (1923–2004), musician, better known as 'Johnny Leary', was born 6 June 1923 in Meall Uí Chíobháin (Maulykeavane), Co. Kerry, between Gníomh go Leith (Gneevguilla) and Killarney. He was brought up by his maternal grandparents, Paddy O'Leary…...
O'Neill, Arthur
O'Neill, Arthur (1734/6–1816), harper, was born at Drumnastrade, near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, of O'Neill stock on his mother's and father's sides going back several generations; nothing else is known of his parents. It was supposed in folk tradition that the children of such a union were…...
O'Reilly, Brendan
O'Reilly, Brendan (1929–2001), athlete, broadcaster, entertainer, and songwriter, was born 14 May 1929 in Granard, Co. Longford, one of six children of James P. O'Reilly, shopkeeper and musician, and Catherine O'Reilly (née Donegan). The family moved to Dublin when Brendan was…...
Ó Riada, Seán
Ó Riada, Seán (John Reidy) (1931–71), composer, was born John Reidy on 1 August 1931 in Cork city, the first child of Seán and Julia Reidy (née Creedon). A second child, Louise, was born in 1935. His father, from west Clare, was a member of the Garda Síochána, and was an amateur…...
O'Shea, William Henry
O'Shea, William Henry (1840–1905), politician and adventurer, was born in Dublin, son of Henry O'Shea (pronounced ‘O'Shee’), a catholic solicitor from an indebted Limerick gentry family, and his wife Catherine, a papal countess and daughter of Edward Craneach Quinlan of Rosana, Co…...
Ó Síocháin, Seán (John Sheehan)
Ó Síocháin, Seán (John Sheehan) (1914–97), singer and sports administrator, was born 24 March 1914 in Cahirdahy, Kilnamartry, Macroom, Co. Cork, one of two sons and four daughters of Daniel Sheehan, bootmaker, of Cahirdahy, and Kate Sheehan (née Lynch). Educated at Kilnamartry national…...
Palmer (Ambrose), Eleanor
Palmer (Ambrose), Eleanor (c.1720–1818), celebrated beauty, was born Eleanor Ambrose , daughter and heiress of Michael Ambrose, a wealthy Roman catholic brewer and merchant, and his wife, the daughter of Richard Archbold, a Dublin brewer; nothing is known of her mother.…...
Patterson, Frank
Patterson, Frank (1938–2000), singer, was born 5 October 1938 in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, eldest of three sons and one daughter of Sheamus Patterson, maintenance foreman in Kickham army barracks in the town, and Mary ‘May’ Patterson (née Slater). Educated locally at Saints Peter…...
Phillips, Michael
Phillips, Michael (d. 1796), Franciscan friar and government spy, was probably brought up in north-east Connacht, and in 1795 was described as ‘from French Park’ or from ‘Killfree, near Boyle’, Co. Roscommon. His parents cannot be identified, although it is possible that he was a…...
Rice, James Louis
Rice, James Louis (1730–p. 1793), soldier and duellist, was son of Thomas Rice, count of the Holy Roman Empire and merchant, of Baile Mhic an Daill, Dingle, Co. Kerry, and Alicia Rice (née Meade). Educated at the Irish College at Louvain, he was initially destined for the…...
Rowsome, (Martin) Leo
Rowsome, (Martin) Leo (1903–70), uilleann piper, was born 5 April 1903 at 18 Armstrong St., Harold's Cross, Dublin, third son among seven sons and one daughter of William Rowsome, carpenter (d. 1925), and (Bridget) Ann Rowsome (neé Murphy). William, a protestant from Ballintore,…...
Sheehy, Edmund
Sheehy, Edmund (1733–66), farmer executed for murder, of Lodge (parish of Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary), was the son of Ellin Fitzpatrick. He was otherwise known as ‘Buck’ Sheehy, a term indicative of semi-gentleman status, as he had an income of £300 or £400 a year, and was a person…...
Sheridan, Margaret (Burke) (‘Margherita’)
Sheridan, Margaret (Burke) (‘Margherita’) (1889–1958), soprano, was born 15 October 1889 in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, one of two daughters and three sons of John Burke Sheridan (1844–1901), the local postmaster, and Mary Ellen Sheridan (née Cooley; 1853–95). Baptised on 24 October by…...
Sherlock, Thomas
This is a co-subject for the entry on Sherlock, Lorcan George. View the original entry....
Solomon, Philip Raymond ('Phil')
Solomon, Philip Raymond ('Phil') (1924–2011), music promoter and businessman, was born on 27 April 1924 in Ashley Gardens, Lansdowne Road, Belfast, the younger son of Maurice Solomon (born in Belfast to Russian-Jewish parents) and his wife Evelyn (née Peres), a native of Leeds. In the…...
Troy, Dermot
Troy, Dermot (1927–62), tenor, was born 31 July 1927 in Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, son of Richard and Maureen Troy. Later his family moved to Dublin, where he attended school at Synge St. Leaving school at fourteen, he spent three years in the RAF…...
Tullio, Paolo Luigi Mario
Tullio, Paolo Luigi Mario (1949–2015), restaurant owner, writer and food critic, was born on 20 August 1949 in Falkirk, Scotland, the only child of Dionisio Tullio, a restaurant owner and his wife Irene (née Fusco). Although Tullio’s parents were Italian, his mother was raised between…...
Walsh, Thomas Joseph
Walsh, Thomas Joseph (1911–88), physician, founder and artistic director of the Wexford Opera Festival, and writer, was born on 20 November 1911 at 6 Upper George St., Wexford, eldest son of John Joseph Walsh, commercial traveller, and Margaret Walsh (née Hayden) of…...
Whelan, Mary Elizabeth Morosini-
Whelan, Mary Elizabeth Morosini- (1923–2011), dancing teacher, was born on 23 February 1923 in Dublin, the third of five children of Joseph Whelan, a dancing teacher, and his wife Violetta (née Morosini), who was born in Verona, Italy. Violetta Morosini had trained as a concert…...