Co. Limerick

O'Brien, Kate (1897–1974), novelist, was born Kathleen Mary Louise O'Brien on 3 December 1897 in Limerick city, seventh among ten children of Thomas O'Brien, horse breeder, and Katherine O'Brien (née Thornhill) of Kilfinane, Co. Limerick. Her grandfather was an evicted tenant who…

O'Brien, Terence Albert (Muiris Ó Briain Aradh) (1601–51), catholic bishop of Emly and Dominican provincial, was born at Tuogh (Towerhill), in the parish of Cappamore (diocese of Emly), Co. Limerick, the son of Murchadh O'Brien Aradh. Both his parents were of the noble family of O…

O'Brien, William (1872–1941), civil servant, was born in Cappamore, Co. Limerick; no details of his family background are available. Educated at Mungret College, he joined the Post Office at the age of 19 as a clerk, and transferred in March 1896 to the inland revenue service, the…

O'Callaghan, Kate (Kathleen) (1885–1961), teacher and politician, was born 11 October 1885 in Crossmahon, Lissarda, Co. Cork, daughter of Cornelius Murphy , farmer. Educated at St Mary's Dominican College, Dublin, she obtained a BA from the…

O'Callaghan, Michael (1879–1921), nationalist and politician, was born 6 September 1879 in Eden Terrace, Limerick, son of Edward Hackett O'Callaghan, owner of the city tannery at Lower Gerald Griffin St., and Ellen O'Callaghan (née Smithwick), a member of the Kilkenny brewing family…

O'Carroll, Michael John (1911–2004), catholic priest and author, was born 11 June 1911 in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick, second of three sons of Michael Carroll, RIC officer, and his wife Hannah (née Dore), a former schoolteacher; his…

O Ceallacháin, Seán Óg (1923–2013), sports broadcaster and hurler, was born on 12 May 1923 in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, one of four children (three sons and a daughter) of John O’Callaghan (Seán O Ceallacháin), a commercial traveller of Newcastle West, originally from near…

O'Clery, (Patrick) Keyes (1845?–1913), soldier, barrister, politician, and author, was born, probably in May 1845, at Darragh house, Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick, the only son of John Walsh O'Clery (The O'Clery ) and Elisa O'Clery (née O'Donoghue Keyes); some sources record his birth…

Ó Conchubhair, Pádraig (1901–53), revolutionary and soldier, was born Patrick O'Connor on 14 March 1901 in Clare Street, Limerick, the first of five sons and two daughters of John Joseph ('Seana Sheán') O'Connor (1877–1927), trade unionist, Irish-language teacher and Fenian, from…

O'Connell, Mary (Sister Anthony ) (1814–97), Sister of Charity, was born 15 August 1814 in Limerick, daughter of William O’Connell and Catherine O’Connell (née Murphy). After the death of her mother (1825), the family emigrated to America; Mary was raised by an aunt in Maine, while her…

O'Connor, Daniel (1786–1867), Augustinian priest and bishop, was born 6 July 1786 in Limerick city; nothing is known of his family. He was educated in schools in Limerick city, and received religious instruction from an early age. In 1807 he entered the Augustinian noviciate in…

O'Connor, James Malachy (1886–1974), physiologist, was born in Limerick on 9 February 1886, the son of Michael Roderick O'Connor, visiting physician at Barrington's Hospital, and Kathleen O'Connor (née Bowler). He was educated at the Crescent College, Limerick, and then entered…

Ó Danachair, Caoimhín (Danaher, Kevin) (1913–2002), university lecturer and folklorist, was born 30 January 1913 in Athea (Áth an tSléibhe), Co. Limerick, the second eldest of four sons of William Danaher, a primary school principal, and his wife Margaret (née Ryan) of Martinstown,…

O'Donnell, John Francis (1837–74), poet, journalist, and nationalist, was born in Limerick city, son of a shopkeeper; no further details of his parents are known. Educated by the Christian Brothers, he began to write poetry in his fourteenth year, contributing to the Kilkenny…

O'Donnell, John Patrick (1920–2004), chemical engineer, was born 3 August 1920 in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, one of three children of John O'Donnell and his wife Kitty. His parents owned a newsagent's shop in the town. John was a pupil at Bruree national school (where…

O'Dwyer, John Gerard (‘Ged’) (1899–1996), Irish Volunteer, army officer, and showjumper, was born 12 April 1899 at Rahen, near Grange, Bruff, Co. Limerick, the second son of John O'Dwyer, farmer, and his wife Bridget, eldest daughter of John Hayes of Co. Limerick. Educated at…

O'Flanagan, Theophilus (c.1762–1814), classical and Irish scholar, was born in the parish of Tulla, Co. Clare, son of Mathghamhain Ó Flannagáin, scribe and hedge-schoolmaster. He was baptised Tadhg but later on entering TCD…

Ó Gadhra, Nollaig (1943–2008), journalist, historian and Irish-language activist, was born 16 December 1943 on the family farm at Kilmurry, Feenagh, Co. Limerick, the eldest son of David Geary of Feenagh and his wife Hannah (née Flynn) of Fieries, Co. Kerry. His parents met after…

O'Grady, Hubert (1841–99), actor and playwright, was born 9 November 1841 in Limerick. He served as an apprentice to an upholsterer for seven years (1857–64) before turning to a theatrical career. For two years (1866–8) he performed as one half of a double act of ‘Negro’ comedians,…

O'Grady, Standish Hayes (1832–1915), Celticist, was born 19 May 1832 in Erinagh House, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, son of Admiral Hayes O'Grady and his wife, Susan Finucane. His father was one of the chiefs of the Cinél Donnghaile, the collective name of the O'Gradys. He was a nephew…

O'Grady, Standish James (1766–1840), 1st Viscount Guillamore , attorney general and judge, was born 20 January 1766 at Limerick, eldest of seven surviving sons of Darby O'Grady, landowner, of Mount Prospect, Co. Limerick, and Mary O'Grady (née Smyth). Educated locally, he entered…

O'Halloran, Sylvester (1728–1807), surgeon and historian, was born 31 December 1728 at Caherdavin, Co. Clare, third son of Michael O'Halloran, a prosperous catholic farmer, and Mary O'Halloran (née McDonnell). His brothers were Joseph Ignatius, later a member of the Society of Jesus,…

O'Hartegan, Matthew (1600–66), Jesuit priest and confederate agent, was born in August 1600 in Limerick. Originally intending to pursue a lay career, he studied philosophy and jurisprudence, and was awarded an MA, but subsequently entered the…

O'Healy, Patrick (d. 1579), catholic bishop of Mayo and martyr, appears to have been born c.1543–6. He may have been a native of Co. Leitrim, and may have received his early education at the Franciscan friary at Creevelea, near Dromahair, Co. Leitrim. Having apparently…

O'Kelly, Michael Joseph (‘Brian’) (1915–82), archaeologist, was born 5 November 1915 in Springmount, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, son of Joseph O'Kelly, a national school teacher, and Elizabeth O'Kelly (née McAuliffe). After receiving secondary education at Rockwell college, Co.…