Co. Cork

Desmond, Daniel (1913–64), public representative, was born 3 October 1913 in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, the second child of two sons and four daughters of Michael Desmond, carpenter, and his wife, Hanora White, both from Co. Cork. He was educated at the local national school and the…

Desmond, Eileen (née Harrington) (1932–2005), politician and cabinet minister, was born 29 December 1932 at Kilcolman, Ballinspittle parish, near Old Head, Co. Cork, daughter of Michael Harrington, postman and part-time fisherman, and his wife Ellen. The family suffered hardship after…

Dillon, Brian (1830–72), Fenian, was born in Glanmire, on the outskirts of Cork city, one of seven children of Edward Dillon, publican, and his wife Margaret. Edward Dillon owned a public house on the Old Youghal Road, Cork, and it was here that Brian was raised. In his childhood he…

Dillon, Edward (1739?–1809), catholic archbishop of Tuam, was born into a well-to-do family at Carna, near Ballinasloe, Co. Galway; nothing further has been ascertained of his family. He was presumably educated in France at the Irish college, Douai, of which he later became…

Dolley, (Reginald Hugh) Michael (1925–83), numismatist and historian, was born 6 July 1925 in Oxford, England, the son of A. H. F. Dolley, a civil servant, and Margaret Dolley (née Horgan). His father had Co. Galway antecedents while his mother's were from west Co. Limerick. Michael…

Doran, Charles Guilfoyle (1835–1909), civil engineer, Fenian, and bibliophile, was born on 1 February 1835 at Knockanna, Co. Carlow (not as previously stated at Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow), the first of seven surviving children of John Doran and his wife Mary (née Guilfoyle). He was…

Dowdall, Jane (‘Jennie’) (1899–1974), philanthropist and politician, was born Jane Doggett at 28 Smithfield, Dublin, on 29 September 1899, the daughter of Michael Doggett , eating-house keeper, and Mary Ellen Doggett (née Andrews). After her schooling she worked as a nurse at St…

Dowdall, Thomas Patrick (1872–1942), businessman and politician, was born at Chatham Barracks, Gillingham, Kent, the son of Charles Dowdall, colour sergeant in the 48th foot, and Margaret Dowdall (née Cassidy; d. 1938) of Bandon, Co. Cork. He and his brother James (see below) were…

Dowden, John (1840–1910), Scottish Episcopal bishop of Edinburgh, was born 29 June 1840 in Cork city, elder of two sons of John Wheeler Dowden, a presbyterian linen merchant and brother of Richard Dowden (qv), and his wife Alicia, who…

Dowden, Richard (1794–1861), politician, philanthropist, and naturalist, was born 12 April 1794 at Bandon, Co. Cork, second among seven children of Richard Dowden and Anne Dowden (née Keys). He originally studied medicine but was asked by the Jennings family to manage their magnesia and…

Downing, Ellen Mary Patrick (1828–69), poet, was born 19 March 1828 in Cork, the daughter of J. B. Downing, resident medical officer at the Cork Fever Hospital, where her mother served as matron. After making her first communion in St Patrick's church, Cork, she added Patrick to…

Downing, Timothy McCarthy (1814–79), solicitor and politician, was born at Kenmare, Co. Kerry, on 11 May 1814, the second son in the family of Eugene Downing, a local merchant, and his wife, Helena, daughter of Timothy McCarthy of Kilfadamore, Co. Kerry. They had two other sons and…

Doyle, Jack (1913–78), boxer, actor, singer and playboy, was born Joseph Alphonsus Doyle, 31 August 1913 at 12 Queen Street, Queenstown, Co. Cork, eldest son among four sons and two daughters of Michael Doyle, sailor, of Queenstown, and Anastasia Doyle. His schooling, at St Joseph's…

Driscol, Denis (1762–1811), newspaper proprietor and radical, was born in Co. Cork. Little is known about his parentage and details of his early career are sparse, but he was born into a catholic family wealthy enough to provide him with an education on the continent. Having…

Drumm, Peter John (1898–1952), chemist, was born 24 October 1898 in Drumard, Co. Monaghan, son of John Drumm, RIC constable based in Dundrum, Co. Down, and Bridget Drumm (née Connolly). His elder brother was…

Duggan, Thomas Francis ('Tom') (1890–1961), priest and military chaplain, was born 7 May 1890 in the Half Way, a small village in the parish of Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, the eldest of four surviving children (three boys and a girl) of Thomas Duggan (d. 1909) and his wife Hannah (née…

Dundon, John (1870–1952), MD, professor of materia medica, and UCC professor of surgery, was born 11 June 1870 at Araglin Mills, Fermoy, Co. Cork, youngest of six children (five sons and one daughter) of Edmond (Ned) Dundon,…

Dunlop, Mary Edith (1912–2003), campaigner for the welfare of the blind, was born 25 November 1912 at 33 South Mall, Cork city, youngest child and only daughter among three surviving children (a fourth child died young) of Nathaniel Henry ‘Ted’ Hobart (b. 1867), general medical…

Dunne, Seán Christopher (1956–95), poet, editor, and journalist, was born 30 May 1956 at Belleville nursing home, Waterford, son of Richie Dunne, factory worker, and Maureen Dunne (née Walshe). His father and a housekeeper, Tessie Ryan, looked after the family after his mother…

Dunning, Gertrude Frances (née Hayes; other married name Talbot Power) (1856–1926), philanthropist, was born on 29 March 1856 in St Patrick’s parish in Cork city, the only child of Thomas Hayes (1820/21–12 Aug. 1905) and his wife Margaret (née Ryan) of Grenville House,…

This is a co-subject for the entry on Dwyer, William James. View the original entry.

Dwyer, William James (1887–1951), industrialist and dáil deputy, was born 9 May 1887 in Cork city, second son among three sons and two daughters of Walter Dwyer of Sundays Well, Cork, merchant and later director and managing director of Dwyer & Co., and Clare Dwyer (née…

Egan, Barry M. (1879–1954), businessman and politician, was born in Cork city into a prominent Cork merchant family, the son of Finbarr Egan and his wife Mary (née Noonan). His grandfather William Egan founded the firm of William Egan & Sons, jewellers, on Grand Parade, Cork, in…

Egan, John (1755–1810), politician and lawyer, was born at Charleville, Co. Cork, the second son of Dr Carbery Egan, a Church of Ireland clergyman, and his wife, Jane Egan (née Markham). He was educated at Newmarket, Co. Cork, and then at the Charleville Endowed School, which was…

Egan, John (1952–2012), Gaelic footballer, was born on 13 June 1952 in Tahilla, near Sneem, Co. Kerry, one of four sons and three daughters of Paddy Egan, a carpenter of Tahilla, and his wife Mary (née O'Shea), who ran a small shop there. He played Gaelic football constantly,…