Charles Guilfoyle Doran
Encyclopedia
Charles Guilfoyle Doran was a leading figure in the Irish Republican Brotherhood
(IRB) and the Fenian Brotherhood
in Ireland from the middle of the 19th century. He was also Clerk of Works on the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral
in Cobh
, County Cork
.
Doran was born in Dunlavin
, Co. Wicklow)
on 2 February 1835. While still a young boy Doran's family moved to Cobh (then known as Queenstown) where he grew up. After leaving school Doran trained as a civil engineer and in 1866 he was employed by the architects E.W. Pugin and George Ashlin
as Clerk of Works to oversee the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral in his adopted hometown. Completion of the cathedral was to continue throughout his lifetime.
Influenced by Irish republican historical figures, especially Wolfe Tone
, Doran was a founding member of the United Brethren of St. Patrick which organised the funeral of the nationalist and Fenian Terence Bellew McManus who had led the 1848 Irish rebellion. This led Doran into closer contact with militant separatists and into the Fenian Brotherhood and I.R.B. By the mid 1860s he had risen to being one of the leading figures in the movement. At the time of the 1867 rebellion Doran was second in command to General William Halpin. After the abortive rising Doran fled to France but returned to Ireland within a few months and resumed work at his beloved cathedral in Queenstown.
Doran became a prominent figure in the harbour town, becoming a member later chairman of the Town Commissioners
(the equivalent of mayor) and also chair of Cork Harbour Commissioners. As an engineer he was responsible for the installation of the Tibbotstown Reservoir and supplying fresh water to Haulbowline
and Spike
islands.
However Doran continued his involvement with the republicans and took part in the re-organisation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. In 1874 he turned down a nomination to stand for parliament representing the Home Rule Association
as candidate for Cork
. He would not stand for election himself but over the following decades was involved in elections working on behalf of John Mitchel
, Charles Stewart Parnell
and other nationalists.
Doran died in Cork city on 19 March 1909. He is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tory Top Road, Cork.
Irish Republican Brotherhood
The Irish Republican Brotherhood was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic republic" in Ireland during the second half of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century...
(IRB) and the Fenian Brotherhood
Fenian Brotherhood
The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish republican organization founded in the United States in 1858 by John O'Mahony and Michael Doheny. It was a precursor to Clan na Gael, a sister organization to the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Members were commonly known as "Fenians"...
in Ireland from the middle of the 19th century. He was also Clerk of Works on the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral
Cobh Cathedral
St. Colman’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Cobh, Ireland. It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Cloyne.-Schedule of Mass and other services:MassWeekdays: 8am & 10amSaturday: 6pmSunday: 8am, 10am, 12noon & 7pm...
in Cobh
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Doran was born in Dunlavin
Dunlavin
Dunlavin is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland, situated about thirty miles south west of Dublin. It is centred on the junction of the R412 and R756 regional roads...
, Co. Wicklow)
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
on 2 February 1835. While still a young boy Doran's family moved to Cobh (then known as Queenstown) where he grew up. After leaving school Doran trained as a civil engineer and in 1866 he was employed by the architects E.W. Pugin and George Ashlin
George Ashlin
George Coppinger Ashlin was an Irish architect, particularly noted for his work on churches and cathedrals. He had an early association with leading architect E.W. Pugin.-Work:*Adelaide Memorial Church, Myshall...
as Clerk of Works to oversee the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral in his adopted hometown. Completion of the cathedral was to continue throughout his lifetime.
Influenced by Irish republican historical figures, especially Wolfe Tone
Theobald Wolfe Tone
Theobald Wolfe Tone or Wolfe Tone , was a leading Irish revolutionary figure and one of the founding members of the United Irishmen and is regarded as the father of Irish Republicanism. He was captured by British forces at Lough Swilly in Donegal and taken prisoner...
, Doran was a founding member of the United Brethren of St. Patrick which organised the funeral of the nationalist and Fenian Terence Bellew McManus who had led the 1848 Irish rebellion. This led Doran into closer contact with militant separatists and into the Fenian Brotherhood and I.R.B. By the mid 1860s he had risen to being one of the leading figures in the movement. At the time of the 1867 rebellion Doran was second in command to General William Halpin. After the abortive rising Doran fled to France but returned to Ireland within a few months and resumed work at his beloved cathedral in Queenstown.
Doran became a prominent figure in the harbour town, becoming a member later chairman of the Town Commissioners
Town Commissioners
Town commissioners were elected local government bodies established in urban areas in Ireland in the nineteenth century. Larger towns with commissioners were converted to urban districts by the Local Government Act 1898, with the smaller commissions continuing to exist beyond partition in 1922.The...
(the equivalent of mayor) and also chair of Cork Harbour Commissioners. As an engineer he was responsible for the installation of the Tibbotstown Reservoir and supplying fresh water to Haulbowline
Haulbowline
Haulbowline is the name of an island in Cork Harbour off the coast of Ireland. It is the main naval base and headquarters for the Irish Naval Service.-Etymology:...
and Spike
Spike Island, County Cork
Spike Island is an island of 103 Acres in Cork Harbour, Ireland.It was significant in the French intervention following the Glorious Revolution, and was later purchased by the British government in 1779 – becoming the site of Fort Westmoreland...
islands.
However Doran continued his involvement with the republicans and took part in the re-organisation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. In 1874 he turned down a nomination to stand for parliament representing the Home Rule Association
Irish Home Rule Movement
The Irish Home Rule Movement articulated a longstanding Irish desire for the repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 by a demand for self-government within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The movement drew upon a legacy of patriotic thought that dated back at least to the late 17th...
as candidate for Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. He would not stand for election himself but over the following decades was involved in elections working on behalf of John Mitchel
John Mitchel
John Mitchel was an Irish nationalist activist, solicitor and political journalist. Born in Camnish, near Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland he became a leading member of both Young Ireland and the Irish Confederation...
, Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
and other nationalists.
Doran died in Cork city on 19 March 1909. He is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tory Top Road, Cork.