Francis Cahill

Frank Cahill
Personal details
Born	1882 Dublin, Ireland
Died	19th October 1957 Dublin, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Cumann na nGaedheal (1923–24)
Other political affiliations	Sinn Féin, National Party (1924)
Spouse(s)	Hannah Barry Cahill
Profession	Teacher

Francis (Frank) Cahill (Irish: Proinsias Ó Cathail; c.1882 – 19 October 1957) was an Irish nationalist, teacher and politician. Prominently associated with the Gaelic League, The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the Irish-Ireland movement. A teacher by profession Frank taught for 50 years in St Laurence O'Toole C.B.S Seville place,Dublin.^[1]

A close friend of Arthur Griffith and Seán O'Casey as well as the leaders of the Easter rising Tom Clarke and Seán Mac Diarmada Frank was dedicated to the cause of Irish freedom and Gaelic revival.

In 1901 he founded the St. Laurence O'Toole Gaelic Athletic Club and would go on in 1910 to form the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band and drama group with Seán O'Casey.^[1][2]

In 1928 he led the way in setting up Primary Schools' League GAA (Cumann na mBunscol) to promote Gaelic culture^[3]

Having been an Aldermann (Sinn Féin) for the Dublin corporation for several years he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Cumann na nGaedheal Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin North constituency at the 1923 general election.^[4] He resigned his seat on 30 October 1924 along with several other members of the Dáil to form the National Party.In 1925 he was nominated for the Seanad.

After retirement from teaching an inter-county senior football testimonial match between Meath and Louth was held In Croke park to recognise Frank's life of service to the national game.

Upon his death in 1957 the Frank Cahill memorial committee was formed to recognize his contributions to the GAA and Parish. A GAA cup(Frank Cahill Cup) at primary level was named after Frank and a plaque and statue of our lady of Lourdes was erected in the grounds of St. Laurence O'Toole's church Seville Place.

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