Joyce, Patrick Weston
Joyce, Patrick Weston (1827–1914), educationalist, historian, linguist, translator and collector of folk music, was born in Ballyorgan, Co. Limerick, one of the eight sons of Garrett Joyce, a shoemaker known locally as ‘Garrett the Scholar’ for his knowledge of poetry and religion, and…...
Kane, Sir Robert John
Kane, Sir Robert John (1809–90), chemist and scientist, was born 24 September 1809 at 48 Henry St., Dublin, younger son of John Kean, chemist, and Eleanor Kean (née Troy), sister of Archbishop John Thomas Troy (qv). John Kean had…...
Kavanagh, James Blake
Kavanagh, James Blake (1822–86), priest, nationalist, and philosophical and scientific writer, was born in Kilballyowen, in the parish of Killaveny, Co. Wicklow, son of Thomas Kavanagh and Mary Kavanagh (née McDonald). He received his early education at St Peter's College, Wexford…...
Keane, John
Keane, John (1899–1971), chemist, was born 30 November 1899 in Dublin, the son of John Keane, of Gowerhass, Co. Clare, a customs and excise officer, and Ellen Keane (née McKenna). The eldest of three children, he had one brother (Conor) and one sister (Anne). He graduated from…...
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…...
Keane, Rita
Keane, Rita (1923–2009), traditional singer and musician, was born on 31 December 1923 in the townland of Carragh, Caherlistrane, Co. Galway, one of eight children (four daughters and four sons) of Matt Keane and his wife May (née Costello; d. 1978), who were farmers. Rita attended…...
Kearney, Peadar
Kearney, Peadar (1883–1942), revolutionary and song-writer, was born 12 December 1883 in Dorset St., Dublin, eldest of three sons and three daughters of John Kearney, grocer and businessman, and Katie Kearney (née McGuinness). Christened Peter Paul Kearney, he was educated at the…...
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, Deirdre
Kelly, Deirdre (1938–2000), environmental and community campaigner, was born 15 May 1938 at Holles St. maternity hospital, Dublin, eldest daughter among three daughters and a son of Thomas McMahon , bus driver, and Mary (‘Molly’) McMahon (née Kenna), of 5 Sussex Road, adjoining…...
Kelly, Jimmy (Spider)
This is a co-subject for the entry on Kelly, Billy ('Spider'). View the original entry....
Kelly, Margaret ('Miss Bluebell')
Kelly, Margaret ('Miss Bluebell') (1910–2004), show dancer, choreographer, and impresario, was born 24 June 1910 in the Rotunda hospital, Dublin, daughter (according to the birth certificate) of James Kelly, a tram conductor, of 14 Marlborough Street, and Margaret Kelly (née Ryan…...
Kelly, Thomas Christopher (‘T. C.’)
Kelly, Thomas Christopher (‘T. C.’) (1917–85), composer and music teacher, was born in December 1917 in Wexford town, the fifth of six children of James Kelly, baker, and Margaret Kelly (née Redmond). His schooling took place at the local …...
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…...
King, Kathleen
King, Kathleen (1893–1978), botanist and bryologist, was born Anastasia Lelia Catherine 5 July 1893 in Dublin, daughter of Lawrence Murphy , of a farming family from Ballycarnew, Co. Wexford, and Bridget Murphy (née Monaghan) from Co. Longford. The family lived in Upper Merrion St…...
Kirwan, Richard
Kirwan, Richard (1733–1812), chemist, mineralogist, geologist, and meteorologist, was born 1 August 1733 at Cloughballymore, Co. Galway, second son among four sons of Martin Kirwan and Mary Kirwan (neé French). He was educated first in Ireland and later at Poitiers, France, and…...
Lánczos, Cornelius
Lánczos, Cornelius (Kornél) (1893–1974), theoretical physicist, was born 2 February 1893 in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, eldest of five children of Carolus Löwy, lawyer, and Adél Hahn. During the early 1900s the family changed their name to Lánczos, a Hungarian form of the Jewish name Löwy…...
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…...
Lawlor, Edward (‘Eddie’) Lazerian
Lawlor, Edward (‘Eddie’) Lazerian (1938–99), property developer and philanthropist, was born 15 February 1938 in Tullow, Co. Carlow, second son among five sons and seven daughters of Edward Lawlor (b. 1906), of Tullow, Co. Carlow, truck driver and later regional supervisor for…...