Famous people from Limerick, artists, actors, writers.
Timothy Collopy, a Painter, was born in Limerick. He began his working life as a baker’s apprentice, and after his talent for art was discovered by Father Walsh, an Augustinian, he was sent to Rome to study art. His fare and board was raised by subscription from the wealthy Roman Catholic merchants in Limerick. While…
Very little is known of Limerick man Henry James Curtin (James Henry) or who left his mark in the Temple of Philae. Curtin travelled as a man servant with The Great Belzoni (Giovanni Battista Belzoni)on his famed Egyptian expeditions. What is known is that Curtin was with Giovanni and his wife Sarah Belzoni when they sailed…
World-famous Shakespearean actress, Ada C. Rehan, born Bidelia Crehan in 1857 (though on many records she was shown as being born in 1860) in Shannon Street, Limerick. Her parents were Thomas Crehan (born in 1820), a ship carpenter and Harriet Crehan nee Ryan (born in 1822). She was baptised in St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church,…
Liam Redmond was born in Limerick on July 27, 1913, the youngest child of Thomas Redmond and Ellen McAlister. His father Thomas Redmond was a Sligo born carpenter who also taught woodwork and technical graphics, his wife Ellen was born in Louth. The couple married in Armagh in 1902 and lived in Dublin for a…
Strikingly attractive, but troubled Irish actress, Constance Smith, was born in 46 Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick on 7 February 1929. The eldest of 11 children (many of whom passed away in infancy), her father Sylvester Smith, a native of Dublin, was a foot soldier in the Irish Army. Constance believed that her father also worked…
Andrew Cherry was born the eldest son of John Cherry, a printer and bookseller, on 11 January 1762. He was born on the site of the former post office on Bridge Street and was raised a member of the Society of Friends (A.K.A Quaker). He received a good education in Limerick, as his parents wished…
Hundreds of people cross the small pedestrian bridge over the Abbey River monthly, some having left their cars in the Potato Market, others after visiting City Hall or St. Mary’s Cathedral, while more still use it to escape the hustle and pollution on Mathew Bridge. Standing on this footbridge and turning towards the Shannon, they…