Born Thomas Curtin 1884, youngest of 12 children of Patrick and Julia, at Ballyknockane, Mourneabbey, Co. Cork, 14 miles from Cork city; parents both fluent Irish speakers; moved to Cork city to continue his education at North Monastery, living with his sister Mary; developed deep interests in Irish history, language and music, playing violin in the Blackpool Orchestra; brought to a Gaelic League meeting by a friend and joined the Blackpool branch as a volunteer, becoming secretary in 1902; joined Sinn Féin and later the IRB; 1906 proposed to Elizabeth (Eilís) Walsh, married1907; worked as a clerk, later set up a clothing factory at 40 Thomas Davis St, where he also lived; 1911 joined Fianna Éireann, later Honorary Secretary of the Irish Volunteers; served prison terms following 1916 Rising as a result of political activities; 1920 elected Sinn Féin councillor, chosen as Lord Mayor by fellow councillors; shot in his home by members of the RIC in March 1920; remains lie in Republican plot at St Finbarr’s Cemetery, Cork city.
Reference: "Tomás MacCurtain", by Florence O'Donoghue, Kerryman, 1958.
The plaque is located at no. 40 Thomas Davis St, Blackpool.
A Place in Time - Episode 8: Tomás MacCurtain, Lord Mayor of Cork by Conor O'Toole on Mixcloud
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