Cathal O'Byrne
Encyclopedia
Cathal O'Byrne was an Irish
singer, poet and writer.
, the son of parents from County Wicklow
. He was employed at a grocery on Beersbridge Rd. in Ballymacarret where he would befriend Joseph Devlin
.
in Belfast
and became a popular singer and storyteller. He was a stage manager of the Ulster Theater and would even become involved with the IRA
, likely a member of military council. In 1921 O'Byrne traveled to America
as a freelance journalist and opened a bookstore. He would return to Ireland after raising $100,000 for victims of the Belfast riots through White Cross
. He was a devout Catholic, and even interviewed the Pope
. Known for his dandified dress style, Cathal remained a bachelor his entire life. O'Byrne suffered from a stroke one month before his death on August 1, 1957. He is remembered as an important figure in the Celtic revival in the North of Ireland.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer, poet and writer.
Early life
O'Byrne was born and raised at Balmoral County DownCounty Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, the son of parents from County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He was employed at a grocery on Beersbridge Rd. in Ballymacarret where he would befriend Joseph Devlin
Joseph Devlin
Joseph Devlin, also known as Joe Devlin, was an Irish journalist and influential nationalist politician...
.
Career
He joined the Gaelic LeagueConradh na Gaeilge
Conradh na Gaeilge is a non-governmental organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. The motto of the League is Sinn Féin, Sinn Féin amháin .-Origins:...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and became a popular singer and storyteller. He was a stage manager of the Ulster Theater and would even become involved with the IRA
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
, likely a member of military council. In 1921 O'Byrne traveled to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a freelance journalist and opened a bookstore. He would return to Ireland after raising $100,000 for victims of the Belfast riots through White Cross
White Cross (organization)
The Irish White Cross was established on the 1st of February 1921, as a mechanism for distributing funds raised by the American Committee for Relief in Ireland. It was managed by the Quaker businessman, and later Irish Free State senator, James Douglas. The White Cross continued to operate until...
. He was a devout Catholic, and even interviewed the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
. Known for his dandified dress style, Cathal remained a bachelor his entire life. O'Byrne suffered from a stroke one month before his death on August 1, 1957. He is remembered as an important figure in the Celtic revival in the North of Ireland.