The life and times of Justice Daniel Cohalan

On Wednesday 6 November at dlr LexIcon, Cork University Press launched a new publication by Dr Michael Doorley entitled Justice Daniel Cohalan 1865-1946: American patriot and Irish-American nationalist. The book was officially launched by Dr David McCullagh, author, journalist and RTÉ presenter with Judge Peter Fox Cohalan, grandnephew of Daniel Cohalan, who flew in from New York especially for the occasion.

Daniel Cohalan (1865-1946) played a crucial role in mobilising Irish-American support for Ireland’s struggle for independence between 1916-21. He is best remembered today for his bitter feud with Éamon de Valera during the latter’s mission to the United States in 1919-20. Cohalan, or ‘The Judge’ as he was often known, spent many summers with his family in Glandore in Cork where visitors included Pádraig Pearse and Douglas Hyde. Cohalan stayed in the Royal Marine Hotel in 1923 where he met and corresponded with Free State President of the Executive Council, William T. Cosgrave, Richard Mulcahy and Joe McGrath.

The accompanying exhibition was produced in partnership with St Joseph’s College, Long Island NY and the Gardiner Foundation and will be on display on Level 4 at dlr LexIcon until 4 January 2020.

A talk by Dr Michael Doorley, curator of the exhibition and author of Justice Daniel Cohalan 1865-1946: American patriot and Irish-American nationalist will be held on Mon 2 Dec at 7.00pm, Studio Theatre, Level 1. All welcome. Free event with booking on eventbrite.ie.

All photos by Peter Cavanagh