Patrick Houlihan

Patrick Houlihan (25 March 1889 – 4 May 1963) was an Irish revolutionary and Fianna Fáil politician.

Revolutionary period Houlihan was active with the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the Irish Volunteers prior to the 1916 Easter Rising. During the Irish War of Independence, he took part in Irish Republican Army (IRA) operations and attacks in Feakle, Curraghkyle, Broadford, Caher and Dalystown. He played a key role in the ambush at Ballyturin, County Galway when Royal Irish Constabulary District Inspector Cecil Blake, his wife Eliza Blake and two British Army officers (Capt F.W.M. Cornwallis and Lt William McCreery of the 17th Lancers) were killed (15 May 1921).

Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War, Houlihan was Brigade Vice Commandant of East Clare Brigade, 1 Western Division, IRA and Column Commander of IRA Active service unit and was active until his capture by National forces in September 1922. He was interned until July 1924. Houlihan later was awarded a service pension by the Irish government under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 for his service with the Irish Volunteers and the IRA between 1917 and 1923. He was re-elected at the September 1927 general election but lost his seat at the 1932 general election. He was elected again at the 1933 general election, but lost his seat at the 1937 general election.

He died on 5 May 1963, at the age of 73.