Patrick McCarvill

Patrick MacCarvill (23 May 1893 – 16 March 1955) was an Irish politician and medical doctor.

MacCarvill studied at University College Dublin (UCD) and was a medical doctor, as was his son. Prior to being fully qualified MacCarvill helped in training of members of Cumann na mBan after the 1916 Easter Rising, and during the Irish War of Independence in first aid in Harcourt Street, along with Kathleen Lynn and Dr Geraghty. During his time in UCD he played Gaelic football winning the Sigerson Cup medals in 1917 and 1918. He also played soccer which caused him difficulties with the GAA in the College.

His selection as candidate for the 1922 general election was controversial since the anti-Treaty side selected MacCarvill instead of outgoing TD Seán MacEntee. The pro-Treaty side claimed this breached the electoral pact which would have resulted in two pro-Treaty and one anti-Treaty candidates being elected without a contest. As a result of the selection of MacCarvill, the pro-Treaty side stood an independent candidate Thomas McHugh which forced an election. MacCarvill was elected.

He was re-elected at the 1923 general election and once again did not take his seat. He was elected as a Fianna Fáil TD at the June 1927 general election and took his seat on 12 August 1927 along with the other Fianna Fáil TDs. He did not contest the September 1927 general election, being succeeded as Fianna Fáil TD by Conn Ward.

Conn Ward controversy MacCarvill became a central figure in the political controversy that led to the resignation of Dr Conn Ward from government in 1946. The dispute began after Ward, managing director and majority shareholder of the Monaghan Curing Company, dismissed MacCarvill's brother, John MacCarvill, from his position as manager. Ward maintained that the dismissal was in the interests of the company's shareholders and was intended to allow Ward's own son to assume the role.

Personal life In 1925 MacCarvill married Eileen McGrane, with whom he had five children.

Eileen McGrane was an Irish academic and republican activist who studied at University College Dublin, where she became involved in the nationalist movement and served as Captain of the university branch of Cumann na mBan, later also holding senior organisational roles. During the War of Independence, she worked closely with Michael Collins in intelligence and administrative duties, acting as a courier, carrying funds and assisting with confidential communications. Her flat on Dawson Street became a covert centre for IRA intelligence activities and the storage of sensitive documents. Following a British raid on the premises in December 1920, McGrane was arrested, interrogated, charged with high treason and later imprisoned in Mountjoy Prison and Waltham Prison in Liverpool. While imprisoned, she served as Officer in Command of the women political prisoners and remained active in organising and representing them.

Following her release after the Anglo-Irish Treaty, McGrane sided with the anti-Treaty movement during the Irish Civil War, undertaking courier, intelligence and publicity work before being imprisoned again in 1923, when she was once more appointed Officer in Command of women prisoners. After the conflict she returned to academic life, became an author and supported Irish artists including Jack B. Yeats, Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone. According to contemporary obituaries, she remained committed to Irish cultural and political causes throughout her life while also becoming known for her hospitality and for maintaining friendships across political and religious divides. She died in 1984.