Pathetic Facts

Irish music stars died at age 54

Here are 16 famous musicians from Republic of Ireland died at 54:

John Paul Getty III

John Paul Getty III (November 4, 1956 Minneapolis-February 5, 2011 Wormsley Park) also known as Paul Getty, Jean Paul Getty III, Paul Getty Jr., Jean Paul Getty, J. Paul Getty III or Paul Guetty jnr was an Irish actor. He had one child, Balthazar Getty.

However, Getty III was primarily known for being the grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, who was considered one of the wealthiest people in the world during his time. Getty III gained notoriety in 1973 when he was kidnapped in Rome at the age of 16 by a group of criminals who demanded a ransom of $17 million ($100 million today) from his grandfather. Despite the elder Getty's immense wealth, he initially refused to pay the ransom, which resulted in Getty III being held captive for several months during which his captors mutilated him. Eventually, Getty III was released after his grandfather paid a reduced ransom of $2.2 million. The incident inspired the 2017 film "All the Money in the World". Getty III struggled with drug addiction and health issues for much of his life and was left partially paralyzed and blind after a stroke in the 1980s. He lived the remainder of his life in seclusion and died in 2011 at the age of 54.

Read more about John Paul Getty III on Wikipedia »

John Field

John Field (July 26, 1782 Dublin-January 23, 1837 Moscow) otherwise known as Field, John was an Irish composer and pianist.

His discography includes: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 (Northern Sinfonia feat. conductor: David Haslam, piano: Benjamin Frith), Piano Concertos nos. 5 and 6, Piano Music, Volume 1, Piano Music, Volume 2 (piano: Benjamin Frith), Piano Concerto no. 7 in C / Music for Piano & Strings, Piano Concertos nos. 2 and 4, Complete Piano Music, Volume 3: Rondos & Variations (Pietro Spada), Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 (Concerto Köln, feat. fortepiano: Andreas Staier), Nocturnes of John Field and Piano Concertos No. 3" E Flat Major, No. 5 in C Major (Micael O'Rourke, London Mozart Players Cond: Matthias Bamert).

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Brian O'Nolan

Brian O'Nolan (October 5, 1911 Strabane-April 1, 1966 Dublin) a.k.a. Brian Nolan was an Irish journalist and novelist.

Brian O'Nolan, also known by his pen name Flann O'Brien, was a prominent Irish writer, known for his satirical and humorous style of writing. Born in Strabane, Northern Ireland, O'Nolan grew up in Dublin, where he attended University College Dublin. After completing his education, he began working as a civil servant, but his real passion was writing. He wrote several novels and short stories, including "At Swim-Two-Birds" and "The Third Policeman", which are considered to be among the most important works of Irish literature. O'Nolan was a celebrated writer in his time, and his witty and irreverent style won him many admirers. He passed away in 1966, at the age of 54, due to cancer.

He died caused by cancer.

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Thomas Hovenden

Thomas Hovenden (December 28, 1840 Dunmanway-August 14, 1895 Plymouth Meeting) was an Irish artist and visual artist.

He studied at the Royal Academy in London before emigrating to the United States in 1863. Hovenden settled in Philadelphia and established himself as a successful portrait painter. He also became well known for his historical paintings, which often depicted events from the Civil War. Some of his most famous works include "Breaking Home Ties," "The Last Moments of John Brown," and "The Two Foes." Hovenden was also a teacher and helped found the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He tragically died in a train accident in 1895.

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Billy Scott

Billy Scott (May 17, 1882 Belfast-August 15, 1936 Walton, Liverpool) was an Irish personality.

Billy Scott was an Irish personality who gained fame as a comedian and entertainer in the early 20th century. Born on May 17, 1882, in Belfast, he began his career as a youth performing in traveling shows and eventually moved to Liverpool, England. He was known for his comedic ability and appeared in various music halls and theaters across the United Kingdom.

Scott's popularity increased after he starred in several British silent films in the 1910s and '20s, such as "The Lure of Crooning Water" and "Tilly of Bloomsbury." He was also known for his stage work in productions like "The Buttercup Girl" and "The Girl From Kay's." Billy Scott's career spanned over two decades, and he was a well-recognized entertainer during his time.

Unfortunately, Scott's life ended tragically, as he died at the age of 54 on August 15, 1936, in Walton, Liverpool. However, his legacy as a performer continued to live on, and he is remembered as one of the significant comedians in the history of British entertainment.

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Mervyn A. Ellison

Mervyn A. Ellison (May 5, 1909-September 12, 1963) a.k.a. Mervyn Ellison was an Irish astronomer.

He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and educated at Trinity College Dublin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1930, followed by a Master of Science degree in 1933. Ellison went on to work as an assistant in the Dunsink Observatory in Dublin from 1933 to 1937, before moving to the University of Manchester to work under the renowned astrophysicist, Sir Arthur Eddington. There, Ellison studied planetary nebulae and cosmic rays.

In 1945, he was appointed the director of the newly built Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, where he made significant contributions to the development of radio astronomy. Ellison was also a strong advocate for the establishment of a national observatory in Ireland and was appointed the first chairman of the government-funded National Science Council in 1952.

Ellison's research accomplishments include the discovery of the Crab Nebula's optical pulsar, a type of neutron star that emits regular pulses of electromagnetic radiation. He also made significant contributions to the study of solar physics, including the discovery of a new class of solar flares.

Ellison was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to astronomy, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1956. He passed away in 1963 at the age of 54.

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Charles Kickham

Charles Kickham (May 9, 1828 Mullinahone-August 22, 1882 Dublin) was an Irish novelist.

He was born into a farming family and received little formal education. Despite this, he became a successful journalist and author. Kickham is known for his nationalist beliefs and was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. His novel "Knocknagow" is considered a classic of Irish literature and provides a realistic portrayal of rural life in Ireland during the 19th century. Kickham's writing also focused on the struggles and injustices faced by the Irish people under British rule. In addition to his literary accomplishments, he was also a successful businessman and philanthropist. Despite suffering from poor health his entire life, Kickham remained an influential figure in Irish literature and politics until his death.

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Lafcadio Hearn

Lafcadio Hearn (June 27, 1850 Lefkada-September 26, 1904 Tokyo) otherwise known as Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, Yakumo Koizumi, Patricio Lafcadio Tessima Carlos Hearn or Koizumi Yakumo was an Irish writer. He had four children, Kazuo Koizumi, Iwao Inagaki, Kiyoshi Koizumi and Suzuko Koizumi.

Hearn is best known for his writings about Japan, where he lived for the last 14 years of his life. He had a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and was particularly interested in the folklore and ghost stories of the country. Hearn's most famous works include "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things", "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan", and "Out of the East: Reveries and Studies in New Japan". He is considered to have been instrumental in introducing Japan to the Western world. Hearn's writing style was unique and poetic, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of Japanese culture to the West. He also wrote extensively about the city of New Orleans, where he spent a significant part of his early life. Despite facing numerous personal and financial struggles throughout his life, Hearn's legacy continues to inspire writers and cultural enthusiasts around the world.

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James Cavanah Murphy

James Cavanah Murphy (April 5, 1760 Blackrock, Dublin-September 12, 1814) also known as James Cavanagh Murphy was an Irish author and architect.

Murphy studied architecture in London and later moved to the United States where he became a distinguished architect. He is best known for designing a number of important buildings in Georgetown, Washington D.C., including the City Tavern and the Whitehaven. Murphy was also a prolific writer, publishing numerous works on architecture and other subjects. His most famous work is "A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Architecture," which was published in 1795 and became one of the most important architecture books of its time. In addition to his work in architecture and writing, Murphy was also involved in politics, serving as a member of the Irish Parliament and later as an aide to President James Madison. Murphy died in 1814 at his home in Washington D.C.

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Mícheál Ó Domhnaill

Mícheál Ó Domhnaill (October 7, 1951 Kells, County Meath-July 7, 2006 Dundrum, Dublin) a.k.a. Micheal O Domhnaill, Micheál Ó Domhnaill, Michael O'Domhnaill or Ó Domhnaill, Micheál was an Irish musician and composer.

His discography includes: Celtic Folkweave, Portland, Promenade, Reprise - Athchuairt and Nightnoise. Genres he performed: Folk music, Jazz, Folk music of Ireland and Celtic music.

Danny Fitzgerald

Danny Fitzgerald (April 5, 1961 Limerick-April 5, 2015) was an Irish personality.

He was best known for his career in radio broadcasting, having worked for numerous Irish radio stations throughout his lifetime. Fitzgerald began his career as a DJ at a local Limerick radio station before moving on to work at popular Irish radio stations such as RTE 2FM and Today FM. He was known for his quick wit and engaging personality, winning over listeners with his charm and sense of humor. In addition to his radio work, Fitzgerald was also an accomplished musician and songwriter, having released several albums throughout his career. Despite his success, Fitzgerald remained humble and dedicated to his craft, continuing to work in radio up until his passing in 2015 at the age of 54. His legacy lives on as a beloved figure in the Irish radio industry.

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Maureen Pryor

Maureen Pryor (May 23, 1922 Limerick-May 5, 1977 London) also known as Maureen Pook was an Irish actor. Her child is called Mark Pryor.

Maureen Pryor started her acting career at the young age of 16 with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. She went on to perform in numerous stage plays and radio dramas in Ireland and London during the 1940s and 1950s. Pryor also appeared in several films, including "Odd Man Out" (1947) and "The Small Back Room" (1949).

In addition to her acting work, Pryor was a well-known member of the Irish community in London and was actively involved in promoting Irish culture and heritage. She also served as a member of the London County Council in the 1960s.

Maureen Pryor passed away at the age of 54 in London. Her legacy as an accomplished actor and cultural advocate in both Ireland and the UK continues to be celebrated by many.

Read more about Maureen Pryor on Wikipedia »

Jack MacGowran

Jack MacGowran (October 13, 1918 Dublin-January 31, 1973 New York City) also known as John Joseph MacGowran, John Joseph "Jack" MacGowran, Jack MacGowan or Jack McGowran was an Irish actor. His child is called Tara MacGowran.

MacGowran was best known for his roles in several films directed by legendary filmmaker, Samuel Beckett, including "Endgame" and "Waiting for Godot." He also acted in films such as "Tom Jones," "The Exorcist," and "The Fearless Vampire Killers." MacGowran was highly regarded for his portrayal of eccentric and character roles, as well as for his work in the theater. He was also a close friend and collaborator with actor Peter O'Toole. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, MacGowran was an accomplished painter and writer.

He died caused by influenza.

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Paul Doyle

Paul Doyle (April 5, 1899 Suncroft-May 29, 1953) was an Irish football player.

During his career, Paul Doyle played as a defender for several clubs including Heart of Midlothian, Belfast Celtic, Glentoran, and Shamrock Rovers. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish footballers of his generation and was also a member of the Irish national team, earning a total of 17 caps between 1924 and 1930. In addition to his football career, Doyle was also a talented athlete and competed in the high jump at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 54 due to a heart attack.

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Edward Barrett

Edward Barrett (November 3, 1877 Ballyduff, County Kerry-March 19, 1932) otherwise known as Edward Edmond Barrett or Ned Barrett was an Irish track and field athlete and wrestler.

He was one of the most successful athletes in Ireland during the early 20th century. Barrett was a prolific runner, and his best performance came in the 1908 Summer Olympics held in London, where he won a bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles. In addition to his achievements in athletics, Barrett was also an accomplished wrestler, boxing coach, and founder of the Irish Athletic Club in New York City. Throughout his life, he maintained close ties with Ireland and continued to promote Irish athletics both at home and abroad.

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James Agar, 1st Viscount Clifden

James Agar, 1st Viscount Clifden (March 25, 1734-January 1, 1789) was an Irish politician.

Agar was born in Gowran, County Kilkenny, Ireland, as the son of Henry Agar and Anne Ellis. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and then entered the Middle Temple to study law. Agar was elected to the Irish House of Commons as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gowran in 1757, and held the seat until 1761. He then represented Carlow Borough from 1761 to 1768 and again from 1776 to 1783.

Agar became known for his support of government measures and his vocal opposition to the Irish Volunteer movement. In 1776, he was appointed to the Privy Council of Ireland, and was later made Viscount Clifden of Gowran in 1781. Clifden was also a noted horse breeder and on his death had over 120 riding horses. He died at his home in Timplestown, County Kildare in 1879, aged 54.