James Parkinson

James Joseph Parkinson (15 November 1869 – 16 September 1948) was an Irish politician. He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1922 to 1936 and from 1938 to 1947. A veterinary surgeon, racehorse trainer, bloodstock breeder and company director, he was first elected to the Free State Seanad as a Cumann na nGaedheal member in 1922. From 1938 onwards, he was elected by the Cultural and Educational Panel as a Fine Gael member.

"J.J." Parkinson was born at Tramore, County Waterford, and qualified as a veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) in London. From 1892 he briefly practised on the Curragh but soon moved into racing. After a short spell in the United States he settled at Maddenstown Lodge also on the Curragh which remained his home for forty-five years. Parkinson's total of race wins by a trainer was a record in Ireland until beaten by Dermot Weld in 2000, and he was champion trainer in Ireland by number of races won 23 times between 1904 and 1939.