Co. Galway

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…

Dillon, Eilís (1920–94), writer, was born 7 March 1920 in Galway city, third among five children of Thomas Dillon (qv), professor of chemistry at University College Galway (UCG), and his wife Geraldine (1891–1986), daughter of…

Dillon, Theobald (d. 1691), 7th Viscount Dillon , Jacobite officer, was born at Lough Glynn, Co. Roscommon, eldest son of Capt. Robert Dillon and his wife Rose, one of the Dillon family of Streamstown, Co. Galway. In 1682 he succeeded as 7th Viscount Dillon on the death without…

Dirrane, Bridget (née Gillan) (1894–2003), nurse, centenarian and memoirist, was born 15 November 1894 in Oatquarter in the townland of Kilmurvey on Inishmore, one of the Aran islands, Co. Galway, the youngest of four boys and four girls born to Joseph Gillan, who wove flannel cloth…

Donellan, Nehemias (Daniel, Nehemiah; Ó Domhnalláin, Fearganainm) (d. 1609), protestant archbishop of Tuam and Irish-language scholar, was born in Co. Galway, son of Maoileachlainn Ó Domhnalláin and his wife Sisile Ní Cheallaigh. The O'Donnellans were a well known and learned…

Donnellan, Michael (‘Mick’) (1900–64), politician and GAA footballer, was born in Dromore, Co. Galway, the eldest of four children (two boys and two girls) of a local farmer. After being educated at the local national school and St Jarlath's College, Tuam, Co. Galway, he worked…

Dowling, Richard (‘Dick’) William (1837–67), businessman and confederate army officer, was born in January 1837 at Knock, near Tuam, Co. Galway, and baptised on 14 January 1837 in the parish of Dunmore, second of eight children of Patrick Dowling, farmer, and Bridget Dowling (née…

Duggan, Patrick (1813–96), catholic bishop of Clonfert, was born 10 November 1813 at the house of his maternal grandparents at Tavanaghmore in the rural parish of Cummer, near Tuam, Co. Galway. He was the eldest of the four children of John Duggan, who farmed about 125 acres at…

Dunican, Laurence Kieran (‘L. Kieran’) (1935–98), microbiologist, was born 29 January 1935 at 92 Marlborough Road, Donnybrook, Dublin, eldest among three sons and two daughters of James Joseph Dunican, teacher and dairy farmer of Horseleap, Co. Westmeath, and Mary Lucy Dunican (…

Dunne, John (‘Tull’) (1911–90), Gaelic footballer, coach, and administrator, was born 26 December 1911 in Brackernagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, the son of William Dunne, carpenter, and his wife, Katie, née Donelan. He was educated in the local Christian Brothers’ school before…

Egan, Boetius (1580?–1650), catholic bishop, was the son of Teig Egan of Park in the parish of Clonbern, Co. Galway. His family had traditionally been brehons to a branch of the Clanricard Burkes. He studied philosophy at Douai and theology at Louvain where he was taught by…

Egan, Boetius (1734–98), catholic archbishop of Tuam and founding trustee of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, was born at Dunblaney, near Tuam, Co. Galway. He was sent abroad to study for the priesthood, leaving behind two brothers who were brought up in Tuam. Educated at the Irish…

Egan, Michael (1880–1954), handballer, was born 28 August 1880 at Ballyglass, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, the son of Thomas Egan, a small farmer, and Catherine Egan (née Haddican) of Ballyglass. When he was young, his family migrated to Pittsburgh, USA. In 1896 they moved again, to…

Fahy, Francis Arthur (1854–1935), songwriter and Irish-language activist, was born 27 September 1854 at Kinvara, Co. Galway, one of eight children of Thomas Fahy, shopkeeper, of Co. Clare, and Celia Fahy (née Marlborough) of Gort, Co. Galway. Educated at Kinvara national school, he…

Fahy, Francis Patrick (‘Frank’) (1879–1953), politician and Irish-language activist, was born 23 May 1879 at Glenatallan, Kilconickny, Loughrea, Co. Galway, eldest among five sons and two daughters of John Fahy, teacher, and Maria Fahy (née Jones). After receiving initial education at…

Fahy, John (1893–1969), priest, republican, and agrarian radical, was born 8 June 1893 in Burroge, Killeenadeema (Kilnadeema), Loughrea, Co. Galway, one of at least four sons of John Fahey, a small farmer who had been a fervent land leaguer, and his wife Honoria (née Davock).…

Fallon, Padraic (1905–74), poet and playwright, was born 3 January 1905 in Athenry, Co. Galway, first son and second child among seven children of John Fallon, cattle dealer, hotelier, and butcher, and Ellen Fallon (née Dilleen). He was educated at Mount St Joseph's College, Roscrea, Co…

Finerty, John Frederick (1846–1908), journalist and nationalist, was born 10 September 1846 in Galway city, son of M. J. Finerty, nationalist and editor of the Galway Vindicator, and Margaret Finerty (née Flynn). After his father's death (1848) he was reared by an uncle. He…

Fleming, Thomas (1593–1651), Franciscan, catholic archbishop of Dublin, was the third son of William Fleming (qv), 14th Baron Slane, and his wife and third cousin Elinor, youngest daughter of Thomas, 13th Baron Slane. Around 1610 he…

Ford, Patrick (1837–1913), journalist and land reformer, was born 12 April 1837 in Galway, the son of Edward Ford (1805–80) and his wife Anne (née Ford) (1815–1893). He emigrated with his parents to the US in 1845 and never revisited Ireland. Although he devoted his life to Irish…

French, Robert (1716–79), MP and landlord, was born 30 November 1716 in Co. Galway, eldest son of Patrick French (1681–1744) of Monivea, Galway, barrister and MP, and his wife Jane, youngest daughter of Simon Digby (qv), bishop of Elphin…

Freyer, Sir Peter Johnston (1851–1921), surgeon, was born 21 July 1851 at Selerna, Ballynahinch, Co. Galway, eldest son of Samuel Freyer, farmer, and Celia Freyer (née Burke). Educated at Erasmus Smith's grammar school, Galway, he entered QCG…

Gailey, Robert Alan (1935–2013), folklife scholar and museum director, was born on 4 October 1935 in Galway. Known by his middle name, Alan was the second child of Andrew J. Gailey (d. 1963), a presbyterian minister in Galway, and Mary Gailey (née Porter). He had two sisters. From…

Ganly, James Blandford (1904–76), cricket, rugby, and tennis international, was born 7 March 1904 in Balscadden, Howth, Co. Dublin, son of James Ganly, auctioneer, and Olive Ganly (née Blandford). Educated at St Columba's College, Rathfarnham, he had his first success at cricket;…

Gilmartin, Thomas Patrick (1861–1939), catholic archbishop of Tuam, was born on 18 May 1861 at Rhinshinna, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, son of Michael Gilmartin and his wife Mary (née McHale), who had a family of two sons and five daughters. With fosterage of children from large families then…