O'Higgins family of Lota
Thomas Francis Higgins married Anne Josephine Sullivan
born circa 1860 11 Aug 1887 born 23 Jun 1864
Westmeath Dublin Richmond, Dublin City
died 11 Feb 1923 died 18 Aug 1953
Co Laois Dublin
Thomas Francis Higgins born circa 1860 son of John Higgins and Anne Waters. He was a
Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Coroner for Queen's County and a Licentiate
of Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. He married Anne Josephine Sullivan on 11 Oct 1887
at St Andrews, Westland Row. Anne was the daughter of Timothy Daniel Sullivan, a member
of Dublin Corporation/Lord Mayor and Catherine Healy. He was medical officer at the
Clonaslee Dispensary District in the early 1880s before moving to Stradbally. They were living
at Timogue in 1911 and thirteen of their sixteen children had survived. He was interned in
the Curragh in 1921 for a number of weeks without charge. Thomas was shot in the head in
an Irish Republican Army raid on his home in Timogue on 11 Feb 1923. He is buried at Oakvale
cemetery. In 1925 Annie put Woodland up for sale and she and the younger members of the
family moved to Dysart, 99 Marlborough Road in Donnybrook. She died 18 Aug 1953 at
Marlborough Road, Donnybrook.
1 John Timothy Donal Sullivan (Jack) Higgins born 12 Sep 1888 at 47 Mountjoy Square,
Dublin baptised at the Pro Cathedral. He was living with his maternal grandfather,
Timothy Sullivan in 1901. He was a student of medicine living with his parents in 1911.
He joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon in 1914 and saw service during WW1. He married
Mary (May) Eveline Bergin on 24 Sep 1917 at the University Church, Stephen’s Green.
Mary was the daughter of Francis Bergin of Beechgrove, Kildare. May died in 1943 and
Jack died 18 Mar 1943 at Wigginton. No issue found.
2 Thomas Francis (Tom) Higgins born 20 Nov 1889 at Stradbally living with his parents in
1901 and a medical student boarding in Cork in 1911. He was a doctor living in Co Kildare
and married Agnes McCarthy on 17 Oct 1915 SS Peters and Paul, Cork. Agnes was the
daughter of James McCarthy. He joined the Irish army and attained the rank of Colonel,
Army Medical Services. In 1948 he joined the government of John A Costello as Minister
for Defence. He served as Minister for Industry and Commerce from a short period in
1951. He died on 1 Nov 1953 at Woodbine Road, Stillorgan and is buried in Glasnevin.
3 Michael Aloysius Higgins born 3 Oct 1890 at Stradbally educated at Clongowes. He was
working at the Munster and Leinster Bank, joined the British Army and was with the
Leinster Regiment in 1915. He was killed in action on 31 Mar 1917. He is remembered on
Ireland’s Memorial role and at Aix Noulette Communal Cemetery.
4 Kevin Christopher Higgins born 7 Jun 1892 at Stradbally. He served as a TD from 1918 to
1927. He married Bridget Mary (Birdie) Cole at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
in Whitefriar Street on 27 Oct 1921. Bridget was a secondary school teacher living in
Dundrum and was the daughter of the late Andrew Cole, a wine and spirit merchant and
Jane Agnes Cogan, of Mayfield, Dundrum. He graduated the National University, served
his apprenticeship as a solicitor and was called to the bar in 1925 without being admitted
Kings Inns. After having a role in the Irish War of Independence, he went on to defend the
nascent Irish Free State, as part of the pro-treaty side in the Irish Civil War. He was a
leading supporter of the treaty and wanted evolution rather that revolution. He was
minister for economic affairs in 1922 and minister of home affairs in 1923. When the Irish
Civil War broke out in June 1922, he brought in severe measures to crack down on the IRA,
including the introduction of the death penalty. Kevin confirmed the death sentences of 77
captured Republicans, including that of Rory O'Connor, who had been the best man at his
wedding and Erskine Childers, author of ‘The Riddle of the Sands’ and Howth gunrunner.
He established the Garda Síochána in 1922. They moved to Lota in 1923. He introduced
the "Holy Hour" law in the 1924, which mandated a mandatory pub closing period from
2:30pm to 3:30pm. He was involved in the 1925 Boundary Commission agreement. He
was assassinated on the 10 Jun 1927 while walking from Lota to Mass in Booterstown. He
was survived by his wife and their two daughters and is buried in Glasnevin.
1 Mary Bridget (Maev Bridget) O'Higgins born 1923 became a nun and joined the
Carmelite Monastery on Sweetman's Avenue, Blackrock and later at St Joseph’s, the
Carmelite Monastery in Stillorgan as Sr Mary Kevin.
2 Finbarr Gerald O'Higgins born and died 1924.
Brigid secondly married Arthur Cox on 5 Aug 1940 at Donnybrook Church. Arthur, a
solicitor was a solicitor, senator and the son of Michael Cox. Bridget died 14 Mar 1961 and
is buried in Glasnevin. Arthur retired after Brigid’s death, was ordained a Jesuit priest and
died in a motor accident Zambia in 1965.
5 Kate Mary Josephine Higgins born 17 Feb 1894 in Stradbally living with parents in 1911. She
joined the Loretto order. Mother Mary Philippa died at Simla India on 5 Feb 1939.
6 Fintan James Higgins born 20 Sep 1898 at Stradbally died 3 Oct 1899 at Stradbally.
7 Anne Irene (Irene Annie) Higgins born 24 Jul 1895 living with her parents in 1901. She was
attending Loretto in Rathfarnham in 1911. She never married.
8 Mary Teresa Higgins born 21 Apr 1897 at Stradbally. She was living at Killarney and married
Thadeus O'Sullivan on 12 Feb 1929 at Monkstown R C Church. Teddy was a solicitor and the
son of Gerald O’Sullivan, a merchant.
9 Eiden Josephine Higgins born 12 Jul 1903 at Timogue. Aiden Joseph Higgins born circa 1903
died 19 Aug 1905.
10 Christine Ellen Higgins born 25 Dec 1899 at Stradbally living with her parents in 1911. She
married Andrew Callanan at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook on 25 Jan 1933.
Andrew was the son of the late Michael Callanan of Ardbawn, Thurles.
11 Patricia Josephine Higgins 9 Mar 1901 at Stradbally living with her parents in 1911. She was
arrested and detailed in Mountjoy for seven days in 1921 for being out of doors without a
permit. She was in the house when her father was shot and cycled into Stradbally for help.
Patricia married Dr Anthony Kirby on 23 Apr 1930 at Donnybrook Church. Anthony was
from Kiltimagh and was the son of John Kirby a merchant. They moved to Mayo and had a
family. Anthony died in Mayo in 1953 and Patricia died on 23 Jul 1969 at a nursing home in
Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
12 Brian Philip Higgins born 1 May 1902 living with his parents in 1911. He was involved in the
Republican movement with his brothers Tom and Kevin. He was arrested and detailed at
Mountjoy Prison as a person of interest in 1921. He was living at Marlboro Road in
Donnybrook and emigrated as a labourer to Australia in 1926. Later he went to South
America. He was a store keeper in Canada and married Anna late in life. They returned to
Dublin circa 1960. Anna died on 5 Dec 1963 and is buried at Deansgrange. Brian died on
6 Sep 1964 at Rose Park, Kill Avenue and is buried with his wife. No issue found.
13 Rosaleen Angela Higgins born 27 Jul 1904 at Woodlands died 22 Dec 1909 at Woodlands.
14 Nial Bartholome Higgins born 24 Aug 1905 living with his parents in 1911. He was a doctor
living at Marlboro Road in Donnybrook and married Joan O’Shea on 29 Sep 1936 at Christ
the King Church in Cork. Joan was living at Valentia Road Cork and was the daughter of
James O’Shea, a merchant. Niall was chief psychiatrist of the Mid Western Health Board and
died in 1974.
15 Ita Higgins born 17 Dec 1906 living with her parents in 1911. She worked in a bank and was
living at Marlboro Road, Dublin when she married Edward McCoy on 18 Jun 1935 at
Donnybrook Church. Edward was a banker and the son of William McCoy, a post office
official. Ita was secretary to various politicians including Garret Fitzgerald when he became
Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1973.
16 Isobel Ethnea Higgins born 26 Jun 1909 at Woodland Timogue living with her parents in 1911.
She was educated at Loretto, Rathfarnham and later became a bank clerk. She was living at
Marlboro Road when she married Patrick Joseph Lynott on 21 Oct 1940 at Donnybrook.
Patrick was a bank inspector and the son of Thomas Lynott a civil servant. They later lived
in Athlone and had one son. When Patrick retired, they moved to Clontarf where Patrick
died on 8 Feb 1969.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2025
Return to Lota page
Thomas Francis Higgins married Anne Josephine Sullivan
born circa 1860 11 Aug 1887 born 23 Jun 1864
Westmeath Dublin Richmond, Dublin City
died 11 Feb 1923 died 18 Aug 1953
Co Laois Dublin
Thomas Francis Higgins born circa 1860 son of John Higgins and Anne Waters. He was a
Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Coroner for Queen's County and a Licentiate
of Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. He married Anne Josephine Sullivan on 11 Oct 1887
at St Andrews, Westland Row. Anne was the daughter of Timothy Daniel Sullivan, a member
of Dublin Corporation/Lord Mayor and Catherine Healy. He was medical officer at the
Clonaslee Dispensary District in the early 1880s before moving to Stradbally. They were living
at Timogue in 1911 and thirteen of their sixteen children had survived. He was interned in
the Curragh in 1921 for a number of weeks without charge. Thomas was shot in the head in
an Irish Republican Army raid on his home in Timogue on 11 Feb 1923. He is buried at Oakvale
cemetery. In 1925 Annie put Woodland up for sale and she and the younger members of the
family moved to Dysart, 99 Marlborough Road in Donnybrook. She died 18 Aug 1953 at
Marlborough Road, Donnybrook.
1 John Timothy Donal Sullivan (Jack) Higgins born 12 Sep 1888 at 47 Mountjoy Square,
Dublin baptised at the Pro Cathedral. He was living with his maternal grandfather,
Timothy Sullivan in 1901. He was a student of medicine living with his parents in 1911.
He joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon in 1914 and saw service during WW1. He married
Mary (May) Eveline Bergin on 24 Sep 1917 at the University Church, Stephen’s Green.
Mary was the daughter of Francis Bergin of Beechgrove, Kildare. May died in 1943 and
Jack died 18 Mar 1943 at Wigginton. No issue found.
2 Thomas Francis (Tom) Higgins born 20 Nov 1889 at Stradbally living with his parents in
1901 and a medical student boarding in Cork in 1911. He was a doctor living in Co Kildare
and married Agnes McCarthy on 17 Oct 1915 SS Peters and Paul, Cork. Agnes was the
daughter of James McCarthy. He joined the Irish army and attained the rank of Colonel,
Army Medical Services. In 1948 he joined the government of John A Costello as Minister
for Defence. He served as Minister for Industry and Commerce from a short period in
1951. He died on 1 Nov 1953 at Woodbine Road, Stillorgan and is buried in Glasnevin.
3 Michael Aloysius Higgins born 3 Oct 1890 at Stradbally educated at Clongowes. He was
working at the Munster and Leinster Bank, joined the British Army and was with the
Leinster Regiment in 1915. He was killed in action on 31 Mar 1917. He is remembered on
Ireland’s Memorial role and at Aix Noulette Communal Cemetery.
4 Kevin Christopher Higgins born 7 Jun 1892 at Stradbally. He served as a TD from 1918 to
1927. He married Bridget Mary (Birdie) Cole at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
in Whitefriar Street on 27 Oct 1921. Bridget was a secondary school teacher living in
Dundrum and was the daughter of the late Andrew Cole, a wine and spirit merchant and
Jane Agnes Cogan, of Mayfield, Dundrum. He graduated the National University, served
his apprenticeship as a solicitor and was called to the bar in 1925 without being admitted
Kings Inns. After having a role in the Irish War of Independence, he went on to defend the
nascent Irish Free State, as part of the pro-treaty side in the Irish Civil War. He was a
leading supporter of the treaty and wanted evolution rather that revolution. He was
minister for economic affairs in 1922 and minister of home affairs in 1923. When the Irish
Civil War broke out in June 1922, he brought in severe measures to crack down on the IRA,
including the introduction of the death penalty. Kevin confirmed the death sentences of 77
captured Republicans, including that of Rory O'Connor, who had been the best man at his
wedding and Erskine Childers, author of ‘The Riddle of the Sands’ and Howth gunrunner.
He established the Garda Síochána in 1922. They moved to Lota in 1923. He introduced
the "Holy Hour" law in the 1924, which mandated a mandatory pub closing period from
2:30pm to 3:30pm. He was involved in the 1925 Boundary Commission agreement. He
was assassinated on the 10 Jun 1927 while walking from Lota to Mass in Booterstown. He
was survived by his wife and their two daughters and is buried in Glasnevin.
1 Mary Bridget (Maev Bridget) O'Higgins born 1923 became a nun and joined the
Carmelite Monastery on Sweetman's Avenue, Blackrock and later at St Joseph’s, the
Carmelite Monastery in Stillorgan as Sr Mary Kevin.
2 Finbarr Gerald O'Higgins born and died 1924.
Brigid secondly married Arthur Cox on 5 Aug 1940 at Donnybrook Church. Arthur, a
solicitor was a solicitor, senator and the son of Michael Cox. Bridget died 14 Mar 1961 and
is buried in Glasnevin. Arthur retired after Brigid’s death, was ordained a Jesuit priest and
died in a motor accident Zambia in 1965.
5 Kate Mary Josephine Higgins born 17 Feb 1894 in Stradbally living with parents in 1911. She
joined the Loretto order. Mother Mary Philippa died at Simla India on 5 Feb 1939.
6 Fintan James Higgins born 20 Sep 1898 at Stradbally died 3 Oct 1899 at Stradbally.
7 Anne Irene (Irene Annie) Higgins born 24 Jul 1895 living with her parents in 1901. She was
attending Loretto in Rathfarnham in 1911. She never married.
8 Mary Teresa Higgins born 21 Apr 1897 at Stradbally. She was living at Killarney and married
Thadeus O'Sullivan on 12 Feb 1929 at Monkstown R C Church. Teddy was a solicitor and the
son of Gerald O’Sullivan, a merchant.
9 Eiden Josephine Higgins born 12 Jul 1903 at Timogue. Aiden Joseph Higgins born circa 1903
died 19 Aug 1905.
10 Christine Ellen Higgins born 25 Dec 1899 at Stradbally living with her parents in 1911. She
married Andrew Callanan at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook on 25 Jan 1933.
Andrew was the son of the late Michael Callanan of Ardbawn, Thurles.
11 Patricia Josephine Higgins 9 Mar 1901 at Stradbally living with her parents in 1911. She was
arrested and detailed in Mountjoy for seven days in 1921 for being out of doors without a
permit. She was in the house when her father was shot and cycled into Stradbally for help.
Patricia married Dr Anthony Kirby on 23 Apr 1930 at Donnybrook Church. Anthony was
from Kiltimagh and was the son of John Kirby a merchant. They moved to Mayo and had a
family. Anthony died in Mayo in 1953 and Patricia died on 23 Jul 1969 at a nursing home in
Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
12 Brian Philip Higgins born 1 May 1902 living with his parents in 1911. He was involved in the
Republican movement with his brothers Tom and Kevin. He was arrested and detailed at
Mountjoy Prison as a person of interest in 1921. He was living at Marlboro Road in
Donnybrook and emigrated as a labourer to Australia in 1926. Later he went to South
America. He was a store keeper in Canada and married Anna late in life. They returned to
Dublin circa 1960. Anna died on 5 Dec 1963 and is buried at Deansgrange. Brian died on
6 Sep 1964 at Rose Park, Kill Avenue and is buried with his wife. No issue found.
13 Rosaleen Angela Higgins born 27 Jul 1904 at Woodlands died 22 Dec 1909 at Woodlands.
14 Nial Bartholome Higgins born 24 Aug 1905 living with his parents in 1911. He was a doctor
living at Marlboro Road in Donnybrook and married Joan O’Shea on 29 Sep 1936 at Christ
the King Church in Cork. Joan was living at Valentia Road Cork and was the daughter of
James O’Shea, a merchant. Niall was chief psychiatrist of the Mid Western Health Board and
died in 1974.
15 Ita Higgins born 17 Dec 1906 living with her parents in 1911. She worked in a bank and was
living at Marlboro Road, Dublin when she married Edward McCoy on 18 Jun 1935 at
Donnybrook Church. Edward was a banker and the son of William McCoy, a post office
official. Ita was secretary to various politicians including Garret Fitzgerald when he became
Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1973.
16 Isobel Ethnea Higgins born 26 Jun 1909 at Woodland Timogue living with her parents in 1911.
She was educated at Loretto, Rathfarnham and later became a bank clerk. She was living at
Marlboro Road when she married Patrick Joseph Lynott on 21 Oct 1940 at Donnybrook.
Patrick was a bank inspector and the son of Thomas Lynott a civil servant. They later lived
in Athlone and had one son. When Patrick retired, they moved to Clontarf where Patrick
died on 8 Feb 1969.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2025
Return to Lota page