Pathetic Facts

Irish music stars died at age 59

Here are 11 famous musicians from Republic of Ireland died at 59:

Joe Kendrick

Joe Kendrick (June 26, 1905 Republic of Ireland-April 5, 1965) also known as Joe Kendrick was an Irish personality.

He was a successful businessman and politician who served as a member of the Irish parliament from 1948 to 1951. He was born in the town of Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland and was one of six children. He started his career as a farmer before moving into business and establishing several successful enterprises in the retail and entertainment industries.

Kendrick was also a passionate philanthropist, and donated a significant portion of his wealth to various charities and causes throughout his life. He was particularly interested in supporting education initiatives, and set up a number of scholarship programs for underprivileged students.

In addition to his business and political pursuits, Kendrick was also an accomplished musician and composer. He wrote a number of popular songs in the traditional Irish style, and was a well-known performer in the local music scene.

Despite his many achievements, Kendrick never lost touch with his roots, and remained deeply committed to his hometown and the people of Ireland throughout his life. He passed away in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of success, generosity, and passion for his country and its people.

Kendrick was widely recognized for his exceptional leadership skills and his dedication to public service. He was a member of several prominent organizations, including the Irish Red Cross and the Irish Chamber of Commerce. Kendrick's keen business sense helped him build a considerable fortune, which he used to invest in various business ventures, including the development of Ireland's film industry. He also established a chain of cinemas throughout the country, which helped to bring entertainment to rural areas.

In addition to his philanthropic and business endeavors, Kendrick was also a devoted family man. He married his wife, Bridget, in 1930, and they had three children together. Despite his busy schedule, Kendrick always made time for his family and was known for his kind and supportive nature.

Today, Kendrick is remembered as one of Ireland's most influential businessmen and politicians. His legacy continues to inspire young entrepreneurs and leaders, and his contributions to education and charity are still celebrated throughout the country.

Read more about Joe Kendrick on Wikipedia »

Harry Baird

Harry Baird (August 17, 1913 Belfast-May 27, 1973) was an Irish personality.

Harry Baird was an Irish actor, singer, and television personality. He grew up in Belfast and made his way to London in the 1940s to pursue a career in entertainment. Baird appeared in several notable films throughout the 1950s and 1960s such as "Sapphire" and "The Italian Job". He was also a popular television personality, hosting his own show "Spotlight on Harry Baird". Baird was a pioneer for black actors in British television and film, but unfortunately faced discrimination due to the color of his skin. Despite this, he continued to work in the industry and was well-respected for his talents. Baird passed away in 1973 at the age of 59.

In addition to his acting and singing career, Baird was also an accomplished dancer, having performed in a number of West End musicals in the 1950s. He was known for his charming and suave demeanor on stage and screen, and often played the role of the dashing leading man. Baird was also a talented athlete, having been a boxer in his youth, and he continued to remain physically active throughout his life. He was married to actress Carol White from 1960-1965, and they had one son together. Baird's pioneering work as a black actor in the UK has been recognized posthumously, and his contributions to the industry have inspired many who have followed in his footsteps.

Read more about Harry Baird on Wikipedia »

John Egan

John Egan (June 13, 1952 Sneem-April 7, 2012) was an Irish personality. He had one child, John Egan.

John Egan was best known for his career as a professional footballer. He played as a defender for several clubs including Sunderland, Birmingham City, and Sheffield United. Egan made over 500 appearances in his career, scoring a total of 29 goals. He also represented the Republic of Ireland national team, earning 20 caps. After retiring from football, Egan worked as a pundit and commentator for various media outlets. He was also a keen golfer and played in several celebrity tournaments. Egan passed away in 2012 at the age of 59.

Egan was born in Sneem, County Kerry, Ireland in 1952. He began his football career with his local club, Sneem Santos before moving to England to join Crystal Palace in 1971. Egan made 186 appearances for Crystal Palace and helped them win promotion to the First Division in 1979. He then signed for Sunderland, where he made over 100 appearances before being sold to Birmingham City in 1983. Egan played for Birmingham City for six seasons and was their Player of the Year in 1986-87. He then moved on to Sheffield United, where he finished his playing career in 1993.

Egan was known for his tough tackling and no-nonsense defending, which made him a fan favorite wherever he played. He was also known for his leadership skills and was often appointed captain of his teams. Egan's success on the pitch made him a legend in football circles, and he was widely respected by players, managers, and fans alike.

Egan's son, John Egan, also became a professional footballer and currently plays for Sheffield United, the same club where his father finished his career. The younger Egan has spoken about his father's influence on his career and how he has always looked up to him as a role model both on and off the pitch.

Egan's legacy continues to live on, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest defenders in the history of Irish football.

Read more about John Egan on Wikipedia »

Hugh Thomson

Hugh Thomson (June 1, 1860 Coleraine-May 7, 1920 Wandsworth Common) was an Irish illustrator.

He is best known for his illustrations of works by popular authors such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Thomson began his career as an apprentice to a local architect before moving to London to pursue a career in illustration. He quickly gained recognition for his unique style, characterized by its elegant figures and intricate details.

Thomson collaborated with many famous writers of his time, including George Eliot, J.M. Barrie, and Robert Louis Stevenson. He also provided illustrations for many popular magazines, including Punch and The Illustrated London News. Throughout his career, Thomson was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of a story through his illustrations.

Today, Thomson's illustrations are highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts. They continue to be celebrated for their beauty and the skill with which they capture the spirit of the time in which they were created. Despite his significant contributions to the world of illustration, Thomson remains a relatively obscure figure in the history of art and literature.

Thomson's most famous and enduring works are his illustrations for the novels of Jane Austen. He provided the illustrations for the first edition of Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" in 1896, and went on to provide illustrations for several of her other novels, including "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma". His delicate, detailed style perfectly captured the wit and romance of Austen's works, and helped to bring them to a wider audience.

Thomson was also a keen traveler, and produced several books of illustrations based on his journeys. These included "Through Spain", "Through Portugal" and "Through the Alps", all of which showcased his ability to capture the beauty and character of different landscapes.

Throughout his career, Thomson was a respected member of the artistic community, and was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1903. Despite his success, however, he remained modest and unassuming, and is said to have never sought public attention or acclaim for his work.

Read more about Hugh Thomson on Wikipedia »

Jack Higgins

Jack Higgins (April 5, 2015 Naas-October 23, 1955) was an Irish athlete and football player.

Born John Gilbert "Jack" Higgins, he was primarily known for his outstanding skills in Gaelic football. He played for his home county, Kildare, and was part of the team that won the Leinster Senior Football Championship in 1926. In addition to Gaelic football, he was also a successful athlete, specializing in middle-distance running. He represented Ireland in the 1500 meters event at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he finished 10th in the final. After his sporting career, Higgins worked as a schoolteacher and later became a principal. He also served as a member of the Irish parliament, representing the Fianna Fáil party.

Higgins was born into a farming family and was the youngest of nine children. He began playing Gaelic football at a young age and showed great promise. He played his first game for Kildare in 1919 at the age of 17 and went on to become a key player for the team. In addition to his success in the Leinster Senior Football Championship, he also won several other championships with Kildare.

Outside of his sporting achievements, Higgins was highly regarded as a teacher and a community leader. He was known for his dedication to his students and to the people of his hometown of Naas. He was a strong advocate for education and worked to improve the school system in Ireland.

Higgins passed away in 1955 at the age of 55. He is remembered as one of the greatest Gaelic football players of his time and as a respected leader in his community. His legacy lives on in the many people he inspired and the positive impact he had on the world around him.

Read more about Jack Higgins on Wikipedia »

C. Y. O'Connor

C. Y. O'Connor (January 11, 1843 County Meath-March 10, 1902 City of Kwinana) was an Irish engineer. He had one child, Kathleen O'Connor.

C.Y. O'Connor was born in County Meath, Ireland and was educated at the Queen's College in Galway. After graduation, he worked as an engineer in England and later moved to New Zealand. In 1891, he moved to Western Australia and was appointed as the chief engineer of the state's public works department.

O'Connor's most significant project was the construction of a pipeline that brought water from Perth to the Eastern Goldfields. This project was essential to the growth of Western Australia's mining industry. He also oversaw the construction of Fremantle Harbour and the transcontinental railway connecting Perth to Adelaide.

Despite the success of his projects, O'Connor faced significant criticism and public ridicule, which took a toll on his mental health. On March 10, 1902, he rode his horse into the ocean near Fremantle and shot himself, becoming a symbol of the toll that depression and anxiety can take on even the most successful individuals.

Despite facing criticism and ridicule, C.Y. O'Connor was a resilient engineer who was dedicated to his work. He was known for his ambitious projects, such as the construction of the Mundaring Weir, which is still a vital source of water for Perth to this day. O'Connor was also an advocate for the rights of Indigenous Australians and supported their access to clean drinking water. In recognition of his contributions, there are several memorials to O'Connor across Western Australia, including the C.Y. O'Connor beach, and the O'Connor electorate. Moreover, O'Connor's legacy has transcended decades, inspiring generations of students to become engineers and work towards achieving their dreams.

He died caused by suicide.

Read more about C. Y. O'Connor on Wikipedia »

Andrew Kelly

Andrew Kelly (January 1, 1854 Dublin-September 3, 1913 Australia) was an Irish politician, sailor, publican and drayman.

He was also known for his involvement in the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret revolutionary society aimed at establishing an independent Irish Republic. In 1883, he was forced to flee Ireland due to his political activities and settled in Australia, where he became involved in the trade union movement and became a prominent figure in Sydney's Irish community. He continued to support Irish independence throughout his life and was known for raising funds for Irish political prisoners. In addition to his political activities, he was also a successful sailor, winning numerous races in Sydney Harbour. His legacy lives on through the Andrew Kelly Memorial Regatta, an annual sailing race held in Sydney to honor his contributions to the sport.

Kelly's involvement in the trade union movement led to his becoming the secretary of the Waterside Workers' Federation, a prominent union in Australia. In this capacity, he fought for better conditions and wages for workers, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Maritime Services Board, which regulated the shipping industry in New South Wales. Kelly was also a successful publican and owned several pubs in Sydney, including the Ship Inn and the Old Commodore, which were popular gathering places for the Irish community. He remained committed to the cause of Irish independence, and was a vocal supporter of the Easter Rising in 1916. Following his death in 1913, a large funeral procession was held in his honor, and he was recognized as a significant figure in both the Australian and Irish communities.

Read more about Andrew Kelly on Wikipedia »

Harry Rosenthal

Harry Rosenthal (May 15, 1893 Belfast-May 10, 1953 Beverly Hills) was an Irish actor, composer, pianist and bandleader.

He emigrated from Ireland to the United States in his early twenties and initially worked as a musician in New York City. He then began acting in theater and, later, in films. Rosenthal became particularly well-known for his music, as he composed and arranged music for numerous films in the 1930s and 1940s. He also enjoyed success as a pianist and bandleader, and was at one point the musical director for Paramount Pictures. Despite his many talents, Rosenthal's life was cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 59 in Beverly Hills.

Rosenthal was born to a Jewish family in Belfast, Ireland, and began playing the piano at a young age. He left for New York City in 1919 and initially struggled to make a living before finding success as a pianist and bandleader. He went on to write arrangements for some of the biggest stars of his time, including Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. Rosenthal also composed music for Broadway shows and was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Rosenthal also served in World War I as a member of the British Army. His contributions to the world of music and film continue to be remembered and celebrated today.

Read more about Harry Rosenthal on Wikipedia »

Edmond Roche, 1st Baron Fermoy

Edmond Roche, 1st Baron Fermoy (August 1, 1815-September 17, 1874) also known as Edmund Burke Roche, Edmond Burke Roche or Lord Fermoy was an Irish politician. He had one child, James Roche, 3rd Baron Fermoy.

He was a member of the British parliament, serving as a Whig from 1857 to 1865 and a Liberal from 1865 to 1868. Roche was known for his advocacy of Irish causes, and was a vocal supporter of tenant farmers' rights. He was also a close friend and advisor to British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. In addition to his political career, Roche was a successful businessman and served as director of several companies. In 1856, he married Elizabeth Caroline Boothby, with whom he had his only child, James. Lord Fermoy's great-granddaughter is Diana, Princess of Wales, through his daughter's marriage to Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy, Diana's maternal grandfather.

Roche was born in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, to Edmund Roche and Eliza Caroline Shield. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and then entered the military, serving in the 32nd Regiment of Foot from 1835 to 1839. Roche then left the military and became involved in politics, serving as High Sheriff of County Cork in 1851. He was elected to Parliament for County Cork in 1857, a seat he held until 1868. During his time in Parliament, Roche was a vocal opponent of the British government's policies towards Ireland, particularly with regards to land reform. He also advocated for improving the conditions of Irish workers and supporting Irish nationalism. After leaving Parliament, Roche continued to be involved in public life, serving as a Deputy Lieutenant for County Cork and as a Justice of the Peace. He died in Brighton, England in 1874, and his title passed to his son James.

Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith was an Irish politician.

He was born on October 16, 1880, in County Westmeath, Ireland, and later became a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Smith was involved in the Easter Rising of 1916 and was subsequently imprisoned. After his release, he became an active member of Sinn Féin and served as a member of parliament for the party from 1918 to 1922.

During his time in parliament, Smith was a vocal opponent of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which he believed did not go far enough in securing Irish independence. He served as a minister in the Dáil Éireann government from 1919 to 1922 and was part of the delegation sent to London to negotiate a settlement with the British government.

In 1922, Smith was one of the leaders of the anti-treaty side in the Irish Civil War, but he was captured by pro-treaty forces and imprisoned. He was released in 1924 and continued to be active in politics, but he never held public office again.

Matthew Smith passed away on February 4, 1959, at the age of 78. He is remembered as a key figure in early 20th-century Irish politics and as a staunch advocate for Irish independence.

During his imprisonment, Matthew Smith was a frequent hunger striker and had to be forcibly fed. He was also involved in organizing a mass escape from the prison in 1918, which was ultimately unsuccessful. After his release from prison, Smith continued his involvement in the Irish Republican Army and was instrumental in the establishment of the Irish Volunteers in Westmeath. Smith's family had a long history of nationalist and Republican activism, and his son Sean also became involved in Irish politics and was a member of the IRA. Smith is remembered as a committed Republican and a fierce advocate for Irish independence, even in the face of imprisonment and persecution by the British government. His legacy continues to be celebrated in Ireland today.

Read more about Matthew Smith on Wikipedia »

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (September 1, 1789 Clonmel-June 4, 1849 Paris) a.k.a. Margaret Farmer, née Power or Marguerite Blessington was an Irish novelist and writer.

She was one of the most celebrated literary figures of her time, known for her beauty and wit as well as her writing. She spent most of her adult life in London, where she was known for holding salons that brought together writers, artists, and other intellectuals. She was married to a British earl, but the marriage was not a happy one, and she eventually separated from her husband. She wrote several novels, most notably "The Confessions of an Elderly Gentleman" and "Meredith," as well as numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. In her later years, she moved to Paris, where she continued to write and socialize with the leading figures of her day. She died in Paris in 1849, at the age of 59.

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington, was born into a wealthy family in Ireland and received an education that was considered unusual for a young woman of her time. She married Captain Maurice St. Leger Farmer in 1817, who she left in 1822, possibly due to his infidelities. She then met and fell in love with the Earl of Blessington, whom she married in 1818. The couple moved to London, where they became known for their extravagant parties and patronage of the arts. When the Earl died in 1829, Marguerite was left with substantial debts, and she turned to writing as a means of supporting herself. She became a successful author and established herself as one of the most prominent literary figures of her day. In 1849, she died of an apoplectic fit while in Paris, where she had moved to be with her lover, Count Alfred D'Orsay. Her memoirs, published posthumously, offer insight into the literary and social circles of the early 19th century.