Co. Limerick

Henderson, John (1757–88), eccentric scholar, was born 27 March 1757 in Co. Limerick (sources say at Ballygarran or Ballegarance, which may be the townland of Ballycarrane), the only son of Richard Henderson, Wesleyan lay preacher, and his first or second wife, whose name may have been…

Herlihy, John Newman (1863?–1941), journalist, was born in Killeedy, near Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick, probably in 1863 (his obituaries give his age at death as 77). His younger brother, William, became chief reporter on the Cork Examiner. At an early age John joined the…

Hickey, Maurice Desmond (1915–2005), surgeon, was born in Cork city on 11 June 1915, the fifth of nine children of Maurice Hickey, merchant, and his wife Hannah Joan (née Hickey), who lived on the Western Road, Cork. Educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork, and Rochestown…

Hiffernan, Joanna (‘Jo’) (1839–86), artist’s model, was born in Limerick city, where she was baptised 8 July 1839 in the Roman catholic church of St Michael, third child among six daughters and one son of John Christopher Hiffernan (1819–66?) and Catherine Hiffernan (née Hannan; c…

Higgins, Francis (1669–1728), clerical controversialist, was born in Limerick, the son of Robert Higgins, an apothecary. He appears to have had at least two brothers and a sister, and his mother may have been employed in the household of Lady Southwell of Rathkeale. He entered…

Hobson, (John) Bulmer (1883–1969), nationalist, was born 14 January 1883 at 5 Magdala Street, Belfast, the son of Benjamin Hobson, a grocer who was from a quaker family established in Ireland since the time of Cromwell, and his wife, Mary Ann Bulmer, a Yorkshire radical. Family…

Hogan, Jim (1933–2015), athlete, was born James Joseph Cregan on 28 May 1933 in Croom hospital, Co. Limerick, the second eldest of nine children (seven girls and two boys) of Michael and Margaret Cregan of Coolboy, Athlacca, Co. Limerick, who owned a small farm. Educated locally, he…

Hogan, Michael (1832–99), poet, popularly known as the ‘Bard of Thomond’, was born 1 November 1832 at Thomond Gate, Limerick, the son of Arthur Hogan, a wheelwright, cabinetmaker, and carpenter. Educated locally, as a young man he briefly worked as a wheelwright, but abandoned the…

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.…

Humphreys, Sighle (Mary Ellen; Sighle Bean Uí Dhonnchadha) (1899–1994), republican activist, was born 26 February 1899 in Limerick city, only daughter of David Humphreys, medical doctor, and his wife, Nell (Mary Ellen; née Rahilly), sister of…

Hunt, John (1957–2004), arts administrator, was born 15 April 1957 in Co. Limerick, and in infancy was adopted by John Durell Hunt (qv), art dealer and collector, medievalist and archaeologist, and his wife Gertrud ('Putzel') Franziska…

Johnstone (Johnston), Charles (c.1719–c.1800), writer, was born at Carrigogunnell, Co. Limerick, son of Thomas Johnstone (or Johnston) and his wife, née Sharpe. Educated at the local diocesan school, he entered TCD but…

Joyce, Michael (1851–1941), sailor, Shannon pilot and MP, was born 4 September 1851 at Merchant's Quay, Limerick, the son of Richard Joyce, a Shannon pilot, and his wife Bridget (née Tubbs). His grandfather, John Joyce, had also been a Shannon pilot. Educated at the Christian Brothers'…

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…

Joyce, Robert Dwyer (1830–83), doctor and poet, was born at Glenosheen, Co. Limerick, son of Garrett Joyce, a shoemaker, and his wife Elizabeth Joyce (née O'Dwyer) of Keale, Co. Limerick. Educated locally, he entered the service of the commissioners of national education and trained as…

Joynt, William Lane (1824–95), barrister, politician and government official, was born on 26 December 1824 in Limerick city, the first son of William Persse Joynt, a merchant of Limerick city, and his wife Arabella (née Lane), the daughter of a doctor of Limerick city. Through his…

Keane, J. J. (1870–1956), athlete, Gaelic footballer, and sports administrator, was born in Anglesboro, Co. Limerick. Having moved to Dublin by the 1890s, he won two all-Ireland senior football finals with Dublin teams, represented by his club, Geraldines (1898, 1899). Also an…

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…

Keating, Seán (1889–1977), painter, was born in Limerick city 28 September 1889, one of three sons and three daughters of Joseph Keating, an accounts manager with a bakery firm and Anne Keating (née Hannan). He was educated initially at St Munchin's College, where he was a poor…

Kemmy, James Joseph Oliver Mary (‘Jim’) (1936–97), trade unionist, Labour politician, and local historian, was born 14 September 1936 in O'Curry St., Limerick, eldest of three sons and two daughters of Michael Kemmy and Elizabeth Kemmy (née Pilkington). His mother came from farming…

Kenney, James (1780–1849), playwright, was born in Co. Limerick, son of James Kenney, later proprietor and manager of Boodle's Club in London, and his wife. Around 1800 the family moved to London, where the young James was apprenticed to the banking house of Herries, Farquhar, & Co…

Kenyon, John (1812–69), catholic priest and Young Irelander, was born at Thomond Gate, Limerick city, eldest son among three sons and three daughters of Patrick Kenyon, grocery and hardware merchant, and Mary Kenyon (née McMahon). One of five siblings to take religious vows, he…

K'Eogh (Keogh), John (c.1650–c.1725), clergyman and scholar, was born at Cloonclieve (subsequently renamed Rivers), Co. Limerick, into an old Irish family, originally called Mac Eochaidh (Mac Eochodh), which lost its estates during the Cromwellian wars. The…

Keyes, Michael John (1886–1959), Labour politician and trade unionist, was born 21 March 1886 at 41 Blackboy Pike, Limerick city, the second son of Michael Keyes, caretaker, and his wife Hannah (née White). After being educated by the Christian Brothers at Sexton Street, Limerick…

Kiggell, Sir Launcelot Edward (1862–1954), British army general, was born 2 October 1862 at Wilton House, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick, son of Launcelot John Kiggell of Cahara, Glin, Co. Limerick, JP and major in the South Cork Light Infantry…