List of Kilkenny people
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Kilkenny people including those who were born in County Kilkenny
, in Ireland
and have lived there for most of their lives. Also included on the list are people who were not born in County Kilkenny, but have lived there for most of their lives or are associated with County Kilkenny.
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
, in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and have lived there for most of their lives. Also included on the list are people who were not born in County Kilkenny, but have lived there for most of their lives or are associated with County Kilkenny.
Artists
- Gerard CaseyGerard CaseyGerard Casey , Irish artist, was born, lives and works in Kilkenny, Ireland. He studied in the Limerick, Cork and Ontario, Canada Colleges of Art...
(born c1960) - Edmund GarveyEdmund GarveyEdmund Garvey, RA was an Irish painter.-Life and career:Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, he first studied under Robert Carver and then in Rome. The bulk of his work was done in London from 1764 onwards, with a spell in Rome in 1798....
(1740–1813) - Mildred Anne ButlerMildred Anne ButlerMildred Anne Butler, R.A. R.W.S. was an Irish artist, who worked in watercolour and oil of landscape, genre and animal subjects...
(1858–1941)
Writing
- Brian Mac Giolla PhádraigBrian Mac Giolla PhádraigBrian Mac Giolla Phádraig was a scholar and poet of noble descent from Ossory. Only a handful of his poems are still extant. A cry of despair against the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, and its consequences for the world and class which he belonged to, his Faisean Chláir Éibhir bears a striking...
, (c. 1580 - c. 1652), scholar and poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. - Constantia GriersonConstantia GriersonConstantia Grierson [née Crawley] , was an editor, poet, and classical scholar from County Kilkenny, Ireland.- Life :...
, (1705 – 2 December 1732), editorEditorThe term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
, poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and classical scholar. - Richard Lalor SheilRichard Lalor SheilRichard Lalor Sheil , Irish politician, writer and orator, was born at Drumdowney, Slieverue, County Kilkenny, Ireland...
, (17 August 1791 – 23 May 1851), politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and orator. - John BanimJohn BanimJohn Banim , was an Irish novelist, short story writer, dramatist, poet and essayist, sometimes called the "Scott of Ireland." He also studied art, working as a painter of minatures and portraits, and as a drawing teacher, before dedicating himself to literature.-Early life:John Banim was born in...
, (April 3, 1798 - August 30, 1842), novelist. - James GravesJames Graves (antiquarian)Rev. James Graves , was an Irish clergyman, antiquary and archaeologist of the Victorian era.- Life :A native of Kilkenny, James's father the Revd. Richard Graves kept a school in the city, and James himself was born on St Canice's day, 11 October. He later regretted that he had not been named...
, (1815–1886), antiquarianAntiquarianAn antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
and authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. - Standish James O'GradyStandish James O'GradyStandish James O'Grady was an Irish author, journalist, and historian. His father was the Reverend Thomas O'Grady, the scholarly Church of Ireland minister of Castletown Berehaven, County Cork, and his mother Susanna Doe...
, (18 September 1846 – 18 May 1928), authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, and historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
. - John LockeJohn Locke (poet)John Locke was an Irish writer and Fenian activist, exiled to the United States, and most famous for writing "Dawn on the Irish Coast", also known as "The Exiles Return, or Morning on the Irish coast".-Early life:...
(1847–1889), poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and FenianFenianThe Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
. - Hubert ButlerHubert ButlerHubert Marshal Butler was an Irish essayist who wrote on a wide-range of topics, from local history and archaeology to the political and religious affairs of eastern Europe before and during World War II.-Early life:...
, (2 October 1900 – 5 January 1991), essayist. - Francis MacManusFrancis MacManusFrancis MacManus was an Irish novelist and broadcaster.Born in Kilkenny, MacManus was educated in the local Christian Brothers School and later at St. Patrick's College, Dublin and University College Dublin...
, (1909–1965), novelist. - Dónall Mac AmhlaighDónall Mac AmhlaighDónall Peadar Mac Amhlaigh was an Irish writer.He was born on the Cappagh Road between Galway and the nearby village of Bearna and in 1940 moved with his family to Kilkenny. He left school at 15 to go out to work in a woollen mill and later on farms and in hotels in the West of Ireland...
, (1926 – January 27, 1989), writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. - Thomas KilroyThomas KilroyThomas F. Kilroy is an Irish playwright and novelist.He was born in Green Street, Callan, County Kilkenny and studied at University College, Dublin. In his early career he was play editor at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin...
, (born 1934), playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and novelist. - Deborah AlcockDeborah AlcockDeborah Alcock is best known as the author of historical fiction on religious themes.She was born in Kilkenny, where her father, the Venerable John Alcock, became Archdeacon of Waterford. She lived with her father, writing a memoir of him on his death, and stayed umarried herself...
, (1825–1913), authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. - John O'DonovanJohn O'Donovan (scholar)John O'Donovan , from Atateemore, in the parish of Kilcolumb, County Kilkenny, and educated at Hunt's Academy, Waterford, was an Irish language scholar from Ireland.-Life:...
, 1806-1861, scholar
Military
- John Byrne (VC)John Byrne (VC)John Byrne VC DCM , born at Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Life:He was about 22 years old, and a private in the 68th...
(c 1834 - 10 July 1879)) - George Brown, 1906-1937 - Revolutionary
- Walter Richard Pollock Hamilton VC, 1856-1879
- Colonel Dan Bryan, 1900-1985 - Army Officer
Politicians
- Liam AylwardLiam AylwardLiam Aylward is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Member of the European Parliament for the East constituency. He was a Teachta Dála for Carlow–Kilkenny from 1977–2007....
(born September 1952) - Jim GibbonsJim Gibbons (Irish politician)James "Jim" Gibbons was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected in 1957 as a Teachta Dála for Carlow–Kilkenny. He held his seat until 1982...
, Irish politician (1924–1997) - Phil HoganPhil HoganPhil Hogan is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency since 1989, and is the current Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.-Early and private life:...
(born c1965) - Robert CaneRobert CaneDr. Robert Cane, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1807. He was a member of the Repeal Association and the Irish Confederation. He qualified as an M.D. in 1836, became a member of Kilkenny Corporation and was Mayor twice....
(1807 - August 17, 1858) - John McGuinnessJohn J. McGuinnessJohn J. McGuinness is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency since 1997...
(born 1955) - James Stephens (1825–1901) - Fenian
- James Butler, 1st Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 1st Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde PC was an Irish statesman and soldier. He was the second of the Kilcash branch of the family to inherit the earldom. He was the friend of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who appointeed him commander of the Cavalier forces in Ireland. From 1641 to 1647, he...
(October 19, 1610 – July 21, 1688) - James Butler, 2nd Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 2nd Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde KG KT was an Irish statesman and soldier. He was the third of the Kilcash branch of the family to inherit the earldom of Ormonde...
(April 29, 1665 - November 16, 1745) - Piers Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde (c1467 - August 26, 1539)
- Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory (July 9, 1634 - July 30, 1680)
Religious
- William CarriganWilliam CarriganWilliam Carrigan was an Irish canon of the diocese of Ossory and historian, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.- Early life :...
(1857–1924) - Michael Anthony FlemingMichael Anthony FlemingMichael Anthony Fleming was Catholic bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland. He was principally responsible for changing a small mission with several priests in four parishes into a large diocese with over 40,000 congregants and was the single most influential Irish immigrant to come to Newfoundland...
(c1792 – July 14, 1850) - Thomas Francis HendrickenThomas Francis HendrickenBishop Thomas Francis Hendricken was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He studied in St. Kiernan's College and Maynooth where he met Bishop Bernard O'Reilly who ordained him for Hartford in 1853....
(May 5, 1827 - June 11, 1886) - John IrelandJohn Ireland (archbishop)John Ireland was the third bishop and first archbishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota . He became both a religious as well as civic leader in Saint Paul during the turn of the century...
(September 11, 1838 - September 25, 1918)
Science, Education and Technology
- George BerkeleyGeorge BerkeleyGeorge Berkeley , also known as Bishop Berkeley , was an Irish philosopher whose primary achievement was the advancement of a theory he called "immaterialism"...
(March 12, 1685 – January 14, 1753) - Robert BarberRobert BarberRobert Barber was a quartermaster on HMS Adventure during Captain Cook's Second Voyage 1772-1775. On the 31 December 1772 he became an A.B. He was Master of HMS Mercury when he died.-References:...
(1749–1783) - Abraham CollesAbraham CollesAbraham Colles was professor of Anatomy, Surgery and Physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Descended from a Worcestershire family, some of whom had sat in Parliament, he was born to William Colles and Mary Anne Bates of Woodbroak, Co. Wexford...
(July 23, 1773–1843) - Peter Wyse JacksonPeter Wyse JacksonDr. Peter Sherlock Wyse Jackson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, with whose botanic gardens he is associated. In 2005 he was appointed Director of the Irish National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. His father was Robert Wyse Jackson, Bishop of...
(born c1955)
Sport
- DJ Carey (born November 1970)
- James MasonJames Mason (chess player)James Mason was a famous chess player and writer. He was born in Kilkenny in Ireland. His original name is unknown: he was adopted as a child and only took the name James Mason when he and his family moved to the United States in 1861...
, Irish-born chess player (November 19, 1849 – January 18, 1905) - Eddie KeherEddie KeherEdward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
(born November 11, 1941) - Maeve KyleMaeve KyleMaeve Esther Enid Kyle, OBE, née Shankey, , is an Irish Olympic athlete and hockey player. She competed in the 100m and 200m in the Melbourne Olympics and subsequently in the Rome Olympics and Tokyo Olympics...
(born October 6, 1928)
Notable Players
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Phil Larkin Phil 'Fan' Larkin is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling his local club James Stephens and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1979... Pat Henderson Pat Henderson is an Irish retired hurling manager and former player.Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Henderson enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Fenians and at inter-county level with Kilkenny... Ger Fennelly Ger Fennelly is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1989. Fennelly captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland title in 1979.-Biography:Ger Fennelly was born in Piltown, County... Noel Skehan Noel Skehan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Bennettsbridge club and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1963 and 1985. Skehan is regarded as one of the greatest hurling goalkeepers of all-time.Skehan's status as one of the all-time greats... Frank Cummins Frank Cummins is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Knocktopher in Kilkenny and Blackrock in Cork. Cummins was also a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from the 1968 until 1984... Joe Hennessy Joe Hennessy is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1988.-Early life:... Liam Fennelly Liam Fennelly is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1981 until 1992.-Biography:... Willie O'Connor Willie O’Connor is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glenmore and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1988 until 2001... Charlie Carter Charles "Charlie" Carter born 1970) is a former Irish sportsperson. He still plays his club hurling with his local Young Irelands GAA Club and played with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1990s and 2000s.-Club:... |
Peter Barry (hurler) Peter Barry is an Irish sportsman. He plays hurling with his local club James Stephens and is a former member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team.-Club:... Henry Shefflin Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999... Martin Comerford Martin Comerford is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club O'Loughlin Gaels and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 2002 until 2010.-References:-Teams:... Noel Hickey Noel Hickey is an Irish hurler who played currently plays as a full-back for the Kilkenny senior team.Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Hickey made his first appearance for the team during the 2000 championship and immediately became the first-choice full-back... Michael Kavanagh Michael Kavanagh is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club St. Lachtain's and has a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1998.-Biography:... Eddie Brennan Eddie Brennan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Graigue-Ballycallan and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 2000.-Biography:... Derek Lyng Derek Lyng is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club called Emeralds and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 2001 to 2010.-Club:... Tommy Walsh (hurler) Tommy Walsh is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a right wing-back for the Kilkenny senior team. He joined the team during the 2002 championship and became a regular member of the starting fifteen the following year.... |
Jackie Tyrrell Jackie Tyrrell is an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Kilkenny senior team.Tyrrell made his first appearance for the team during the 2005 championship and immediately became the first-choice left corner-back... Philly Larkin Philip "Philly" Larkin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club James Stephens and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1996 until 2003.-Biography:... Eoin Larkin Eoin Larkin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club James Stephens and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 2005... John Tennyson John Tennyson is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Carrickshock and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team.- Early life :... Michael Walsh (Kilkenny hurler) Michael Walsh is a former Irish sportsperson. He was the goalkeeper on the Kilkenny senior hurling team from 1991 until 1996.-Club:... James McGarry James McGarry is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Bennettsbridge and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1999 to 2008.-Club:... |
Notable Managers
- Fr. Tommy MaherTommy MaherMonsignor Tommy Maher is a retired Irish hurling coach and former player. He played hurling with his local club Thomastown and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1940s...
- Pat HendersonPat HendersonPat Henderson is an Irish retired hurling manager and former player.Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Henderson enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Fenians and at inter-county level with Kilkenny...
- Ollie WalshOllie WalshPatrick Oliver Walsh , better known as Ollie Walsh, was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1956 until 1972 and subsequently served as manager of the team from 1990 until 1995...
- Brian CodyBrian CodyBrian Cody is an Irish hurling manager and former player, currently managing the Kilkenny senior inter-county team, where he has been in charge since 1998...
Women
- Lady Mary ButlerLady Mary ButlerLady Mary Butler was the second daughter of the 2nd Duke of Ormonde and a maternal granddaughter of the 1st Duke of Beaufort. She was born at Kilkenny Castle in Ireland. She married John, 1st Earl of Ashburnham on October 21, 1710, and died two years later in childbirth...
(1689 - January 2, 1713) - Dame Alice KytelerAlice KytelerDame Alice Kyteler , was a woman who was the earliest person accused and condemned for witchcraft in Ireland. She fled the country, but her servant Petronella de Meath was flogged and burned at the stake on November 3, 1324....
(1280-c1325)
People who lived or were educated in Kilkenny
- John ClynJohn ClynJohn Clyn of the Friars Minor, Kilkenny, was a 14th century Irish monk and chronicler who lived at the time of the Black Death.-Background:...
(14th century) - William Congreve (January 24, 1670 - January 19, 1729)
- Joseph FiennesJoseph FiennesJoseph Fiennes is an English film and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayals of William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love, Sir Robert Dudley in Elizabeth, Commisar Danilov in Enemy at the Gates, Martin Luther in Luther, Merlin in Camelot, and his portrayal of Mark Benford in the...
- Ralph FiennesRalph FiennesRalph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is an English actor and film director. He has appeared in such films as The English Patient, In Bruges, The Constant Gardener, Strange Days, The Duchess and Schindler's List....
- Oisín KellyOisín KellyOisín Kelly was an Irish sculptor.Kelly was born as Austin Kelly in Dublin, the son of William Kelly, principal of James's Street National School, and his wife Elizabeth . Until he became an artist in residence at the Kilkenny Design Centre in 1966, he worked as a school teacher...
(1915–1981) - Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence (November 29, 1338 – October 7, 1368)
- Michael ByrneMichael Byrne (sailor)Michael Byrne was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1761. He went to sea as an able seaman at the age of 19. He had served on five naval ships by 1787, when he was signed as an able seaman by Captain Bligh on the Bounty, primarily to play the fiddle...
(1761- ?) - Theobald MathewTheobald Mathew (temperance reformer)Theobald Mathew , an Irish teetotalist reformer, popularly known as Father Mathew was born at Thomastown, near Golden, County Tipperary, on October 10, 1790....
(1790–1856) - Séamus PattisonSéamus PattisonSéamus Pattison is a former Irish Labour Party politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency from 1961–2007 and was Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1997–2002....
(born April 19, 1936) - Edmund Ignatius RiceEdmund Ignatius RiceBlessed Edmund Ignatius Rice , was a Roman Catholic missionary and educationalist. Edmund was the founder of two orders of religious brothers: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers....
(1762–1844) - Eoin Ryan, Jr. (born February 24, 1953)
- Jonathan SwiftJonathan SwiftJonathan Swift was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer , poet and cleric who became Dean of St...
(November 30, 1667 - October 19, 1745)
People who died or are buried in Kilkenny
- Robert JohnstonRobert JohnstonRobert Johnston may refer to:*Robert Mackenzie Johnston , Scottish-Australian statistician*Robert Matteson Johnston , American historian*Robert Johnston , Irish rugby union player and soldier...
(February 12, 1901 - April 7, 1969) - John LaveryJohn LaverySir John Lavery was an Irish painter best known for his portraits.Belfast-born John Lavery attended the Haldane Academy, in Glasgow, in the 1870s and the Académie Julian in Paris in the early 1880s. He returned to Glasgow and was associated with the Glasgow School...
(March 20, 1856 - January 10, 1941)
Other people associated with Kilkenny
- Saint Kieran, (350-400)
- Saint Brendan, (460-577)
- Saint CaniceSaint CaniceSaint Cainnech of Aghaboe , also known as Saint Canice in Ireland, Saint Kenneth in Scotland, Saint Kenny and in Latin Saint Canicus, was a gaelic abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary during the early medieval period. Cainnech is one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and preached...
, (525-599) - Saint Fiachra, died 670
- Saint Finbarr, (c550-c620)
See also
- Viscount MountgarretViscount MountgarretViscount Mountgarret is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1550 for the Hon. Richard Butler, younger son of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormonde. His grandson, the third Viscount, was outlawed and excepted from pardon in 1652, one year after his death...
- List of Irish people
- The RiordansThe RiordansThe Riordans was the second Irish soap opera made by Raidio Telefís Éireann . It ran from 1965 to 1979 and was set in the fictional townland of Leestown in County Kilkenny...
- Lists of people by nationality