Martin Haverty : Short Biography

Martin Haverty 

1809-1887

Martin Haverty was born in 1809 in Strand, Rahoon, Co Galway. His parents were Francis Haverty and Margaret McDonagh. We know very little about his early life. As was common of the eldest boy of a family, Martin went to the Irish college in Paris to study for the priesthood. We have digital records of him being there 1832-1835 but as these are the only records digitized, it may not tell the full picture.

In 1836 he joined the staff of the Freeman's Journal, a paper he worked for as a foreign correspondent for many years. He also worked on many other publications over the years.

In 1853 he bought a small estate in West Limerick where he designed and built a lovely house and small oratory, which is still lived in and in very good condition. While here he wrote the 'History of Ireland', which was used in schools and colleges for many years after. 

He had a younger brother, James, of whom we have very little information, except that he followed his brother into journalism. He died at the young age of 35.

He had an older half brother called Joseph P Haverty, born 1794, who was a renowned artist of his time. Among his most famous paintings are 'The Blind Piper' and numerous paintings of Daniel O' Connell.

Martin died in 1887 at his residence in Dublin and is buried with his brother and two of his daughters, in Glasnevin cemetery.