John Horgan

Who was John Horgan?

John J. Horgan was an Irish Cork born active nationalist politician, solicitor and author. He supported and was closely associated with the Irish Parliamentary Party as well as the Irish Volunteers movement. Was a member of the Cork Harbour Commission for many decades and for a time chairman of the Cork Opera House.

The son of a Cork solicitor, he was educated at Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare, before becoming a solicitor in 1902. Through his father, who was Coroner for Cork City and County, he came to know Charles Stewart Parnell after his father nominated Parnell for Cork city in the 1880 general election and acted as his agent until his death. Horgan supported the Irish Parliamentary Party founded by Parnell, later fostering an allegiance with its leaders, John Redmond and John Dillon. He took a close interest in matters relating to the Conradh na Gaeilge. Also keen on the arts, he was for many years chairman of the Cork Opera House. John Horgan was encouraged in his literary interests by Canon Sheehan of Doneraile.