Horan, Joan
Horan, Joan (1918–65), paralympian, was born 26 February 1918 at 7 Merrion Square, Dublin, the home of her father Dr Patrick Dempsey , an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Mater Hospital, and his wife Monica (née Plunkett); Joan was the second of their two children, both daughters.…...
Horan, Thomas ('Tom'; 'Tommy') Patrick
Horan, Thomas ('Tom'; 'Tommy') Patrick (1855–1916), cricketer and journalist, was born 8 March 1855 near Middleton, Co. Cork, the son of James Horan (d. 1895), a building contractor, and his wife Ellen (née Sheehan) (d. 1876). The family emigrated to Australia soon after Thomas's birth…...
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.…...
Hurley, Michael Anthony
Hurley, Michael Anthony (1923–2011), ecumenist and theologian, was born on 10 May 1923 in Ardmore, Co. Waterford, the eldest of four children (two boys and two girls) of Michael Hurley, a small businessman, and his wife Johanna (née Foley), who kept a guest house. He won a…...
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…...
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…...
Kavanagh, Peter Paul
Kavanagh, Peter Paul (1916–2006), writer and critic, was born 19 March 1916 in Mucker, Iniskeen, Co. Monaghan, youngest of ten children of James Kavanagh, shoemaker and small farmer, and his wife Bridget (née Quinn). His godfather was his elder brother, the poet…...
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…...
Kenny, Kevin John
Kenny, Kevin John (1881–1954), advertising pioneer, commercial manager and publisher, was born on 22 June 1881 at 12 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin, one of eight children of Michael C. Kenny, a lithographic printer and Fenian, and Catherine Kenny (née Fleming), a book-folder (cloth…...
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, Jeremiah
King, Jeremiah (1868–1927), historian, printer, and publisher, was born 11 February 1868 in Groin, in the parish of Aghadoe, Co. Kerry, elder of two sons of Laurence King, carpenter, of Currow, and Ellen King (née Counihan), farmer, of Madam's Height, Groin. Early in King's life…...
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…...
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…...
Logan, Michael J. (Ó Lócháin, Micheál)
Logan, Michael J. (Ó Lócháin, Micheál) (1836–99), editor, publisher, and ‘father of the Gaelic language movement’ in America (Ford, 1899), was born 29 September 1836 at Currach Doire (Curraghderry), Baile an Mhuilinn (Milltown), near Tuam, Co. Galway, son of Patrick Logan, a small…...