The Greatest Dun-Laoghaire-ite of them all

[Gulliver]

Who was (is) the greatest Dun-Laoghaire-ite of them all???

Who made the greatest contribution to the community in terms of social, cultural, development or any other field of human endeavour?
There must be some element of the contribution which enhanced life in the Boro' or enhanced the reputation of the Boro'
The person must have lived or worked in the Boro' at some time in his/her life

(Before you suggest him, I think we've gotta eliminate Strum from the list of nominees)

Nominations should be accompanied by a brief summary of why this person should be considered

If we select a short list from the nominees, then maybe we should put it to a vote eventually

Lets have nominations........

[grammer]

I suppose the first person that would spring to mind is
John de Courcy Ireland .
Davy Stephens.

[Harjoe]

based on my knowledge of the sporting field there must be a place for Peter Farrell from Dalkey ex pupil of C B S Eblana Avenue ,Captain of Ireland and for ten years captain of Everton never forgot his roots and loved the "boro in later years returned to lived locally and was a very successful manager of T E K United .
Again a case could be made for Paul McGrath his time in the Boro was limited to his younger days many people never associated him with the "Boro although he was resident in the area until he was twenty.
Rev Father Frank McCabe founder of St Josephs Boys A F C which is a monument to his memory that has produced many Internationals at all levels.

[Micheál]

In terms of their individual efforts and the number of people positively impacted by their work -
John O'Shea (GOAL)
Fr Shay Cullen (Philipines)

[Gulliver]

If you go down to the Town Hall, you can see a large portrait of John Loftus Robinson (1848-1894).

Robinson was responsible for the design of 4 of the most prominent features of Dun Laoghaire - the Town Hall and Courthouse, the Peoples Park, St Michaels Hospital, and the Spire of St Michaels Church as well as many lesser developments in Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock.

Lived at various addresses through his short life including 3 Claughton Villas, Booterstown, 1869; 2 Claughton Villas, 1870-1872; 16 Booterstown Avenue, 1873-1877; 48 East Clarinda Park, Dun Laoghaire, 1879-1881; Rathruadh, Glenageary, 1882 until death. Died from Typhoid Fever aged 46. More details http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/4608/ ... OHN+LOFTUS

[Denis Cromie]

I'll stick with the Dun Laoghaireites that had an influence in my life and without a doubt Fr. Mc Cabe would be the one for me. His dedication to the youth of Dun Laoghaire and the amount of people that were given the opportunity, through soccer,to avoid been caught up in crime and its consequences cannot be understated.
I also had great admiration for Dr. John de Courcey Ireland.

[Enviro500]

Denis,
Another Fr Willie Doyle S.J Killed in France 1916 exemplary military record. And Dalkey born...Yes to John De Courcey Ireland whom I knew slightly when he taught at Kingstown Grammar...I lovely man too. very kind natured
There are a few others too..do I give them a mention ?
Enviro500

[keeper]

Dennis, I'm with you on those choices, Fr. McCabe was a great man and priest and cared for so many youngsters and look at his legacy now, a fine club and highly regarded in the football world.
I would add Fr.Shay Cullen to the my choices as well.
Is this restricted to only people born in the 'Boro or people who have made an outstanding contribution regardless of where they came from

[Strum]

Jordo!

[Micheál]

I suppose, to be fair, we should throw in Sir Bob

M.

[spudseamus]

yeah in the sea of the end of the pier !! :)

[Gulliver]

Jordo!

Need a detailed citation...... DOB, achievements, Dun L connections, etc.

[Gulliver]

Is this restricted to only people born in the 'Boro or people who have made an outstanding contribution regardless of where they came from

Not restricted!!!! Gotta make sure that I would not eliminate myself (born Athlone) from consideration

[Sinead]

How can we decide such a thing - we only have detailed knowledge of those we had contact with.
There has to be some criteria. What did they achieve? What did they contribute? What did they return
to the town? Do you have to be born in The Borough or do you use the 'new fangled' county? Without
some parameters it is a non starter.
Robinson was not a Dun Laoghaireite, he was a Kingstownite!
I would agree with Strum Jordo is a good candidate for his great contributions to this site. Fr. Doyle, Fr.
McCabe are ideal candidates. What of Parnell and Lemass, the list goes on.
That's my twopence worth.

Sinéad

[grammer]

After reading everyone elses posts ---------------------
I reckon
Frs MCabe and Cullen would be the ones -
so far..............................................

[Enviro500]

Gang,
I do not think that we should grat all this status to the Priesthood, perhaps one. not my decision which one, but the church have a lot to answer for and there are many other Dun Laoghaire folk, "not of the cloth" AS DESERVING....

I do not think there is JUST ONE outstanding Dun Laoghaireite....I can think of at least six.. and I do not live there !!!!

Enviro500

[Rocker]

Gulliver,

A complex question! So many souls have trod the streets of DunLaoghaire. Rich or poor they each contributed to the fabric of life at their time. How many times has the lifeboat faced out ino the wild, rough sea and rescued someone while we slept soundly? The mail boat workers went back and forth to Holyhead in all weathers so the postal service could go on. The merchant seamen risked life and limb keeping a supply line open during the wars. A maritime town! look at the 1911 census there were 128 boats in the Harbour that night. I nominate the unsung maritime hero of his day.

[Gulliver]

What about writers:-
Hugh Leonard
George Bernard Shaw
Maeve Binchy
Marion Keyes
Beckett, Joyce, Synge
All of them lived in the Borough (which was temporarily called Kingstown)

[Denis Cromie]

I didn't include Jordo because he is still living,but not posting,such a shame. I really miss his massive contribution and his wit. Including living people I would think a mistake, who knows what other deeds that might emerge before their departure of this world.

[Rocker]

Strum and Denis When you mentiion that man Jordo I have to admit that his postings drew me to DunLaoghairecounty. I was fruitlessly researching the WW1 records of my grandfather and granduncles. Was having little success down the years then one day a google led me to his postings on this site and I spent many months reading all his research. Such painstaking stuff. I hope he looks in from time to time and knows how much his research has benefitted so many. Indeed I hope he has donated a copy of it to the library in DunLaoghaire where it can be treasured. These are the amazing everyday heros who give so much of their time and effort who have to be considered under the Greatest Dun-Laoghaire-ite heading.

[Gulliver]

Oops! This thread has gone on a bit of a lurch to the left. Will it continue along this road? or will it curve again? The crowds wait with baited breath for the next instalment. Coming to a website near you real soon......

[grammer]

[Sinead]

Enviro - it is the man not the institution which would be honoured.

Denis, I agree with you about the honours.
Still no parameters so here is another few names

Samuel Beckett, Denis (Dinney) Miller (he who kept the sailor's rest on St. Michael's Wharf and in my opinion is the true origin of the Maritime Museum), Kevin Massey, Nurse Hammet who brought a large portion of The Boro into being, Terry Rogers who brought Texes Hold 'Em to Europe and taught the English how to run Betting Offices. Count John McCormack, Joseph Locke, several of the nuns from The Little Sisters. I think Lennox Robinson lived in the Boro, Sir John Lavery, The Killer (not Crummy). The list of those who lived in The Borough goes on and on.

Sinéad

[Enviro500]

Sinead,
Would they be honoured if they were not clerics.....Think of the sports people from the area in this case and so far not mentioned.!
Sadly in Ireland's case this Institution swallowed the names....
There are simply too many local dignitaries who did excellent service to the community and indeed the State, nd indeed still doinng the job..politicians excluded of course
Enviro

[Enviro500]

Strum,

I don't follow...should I speak to M.I.6 !

Enviro