John McCann (Irish politician)

John McCann
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1948 – May 1954
ConstituencyDublin South-Central
In office
June 1939 – February 1948
ConstituencyDublin South
Lord Mayor of Dublin
In office
1964–1965
Preceded bySeán Moore
Succeeded byEugene Timmons
In office
1946–1947
Preceded byPeadar Doyle
Succeeded byPatrick Cahill
Personal details
Born(1905-06-17)17 June 1905
Dublin, Ireland
Died23 February 1980(1980-02-23) (aged 74)
Dublin, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
SpouseMargaret Berney
Children2, including Donal
EducationSynge Street CBS
Alma materCollege of Technology, Bolton Street

John McCann (17 June 1905 – 23 February 1980) was an Irish politician, author and journalist.

McCann was born 17 June 1905 at 28 Raymond Street, Dublin, son of Francis McCann, a painter, and Margaret McCann (née Mernagh). He was educated at Synge Street CBS, and Kevin St. and Bolton St. Colleges, he helped organise a Fianna Éireann company in the latter institutions.[1]

A founder member of Fianna Fáil in 1926, he became increasingly involved in politics and was elected to the party's national executive.[1] McCann stood unsuccessfully for election at the 1937 and 1938 general elections. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) at the Dublin South by-election held on 6 June 1939.[2]

The by-election was caused by the death of James Beckett of Fine Gael. McCann was re-elected at each general election until he lost his seat at the 1954 general election.[3] He served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1947 to 1948 and 1964 to 1965.[4]

He was the father of actor Donal McCann.[5]

Three of McCann's plays were published: Twenty years a-wooing (1954); Early and often (c.1956); I know where I'm going (c.1965).[1]

  1. ^ a b c White, Lawrence William. "McCann, John". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ "John McCann". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  3. ^ "John McCann". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  4. ^ "Lord Mayors of Dublin 1665–2020" (PDF). Dublin City Council. June 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  5. ^ Dixon, Stephen. Obituary: Donal McCann, The Guardian, 20 July 1999.