James Macmahon

Who was James Macmahon?

James Macmahon PC was an Irish civil servant and businessman.

Macmahon was born in Belfast. He was educated at St Patrick's College, Armagh and Blackrock College, Dublin. He joined the Irish Post Office, being promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1913 and Secretary in 1916. In 1918 he became Under-Secretary for Ireland.

There was a need to decode the coded messages sent to the Dublin Castle administration from London. Macmahon appointed GPO worker Mabel McConnell on account of her dedication and her lack of interest in politics. However McConnell was a cousin of Joe McGrath and each day between 2:30 and 3:30 she would pass any information acquired to either McGrath, Liam Tobin or Desmond FitzGerald.

Macmahon was appointed to the Privy Council of Ireland in the 1920 New Year Honours, entitling him to the style "The Right Honourable". He remained Under-Secretary until his retirement on the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922. He then went into business in Dublin. In 1928, he was elected president of the Royal Irish Society.