James Macmahon facts for kids

James Macmahon was an important Irish civil servant and businessman. He was born on April 20, 1865, and passed away on May 1, 1954. He held a very important government job in Ireland.

Who Was James Macmahon?

James Macmahon worked for the government for many years. A civil servant helps run the country. He also became a successful businessman later in his life. He was known for his dedication and hard work.

Early Life and Education

James Macmahon was born in Belfast, which is in Ireland. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family. For his education, he attended two different colleges. First, he went to St Patrick's College in Armagh. After that, he studied at Blackrock College in Dublin.

Working for the Government

After finishing his education, James Macmahon joined the Irish Post Office. This was a big government department at the time. He worked very hard and was promoted several times. In 1913, he became an Assistant Secretary. Just three years later, in 1916, he was promoted again to Secretary.

In 1918, James Macmahon took on an even bigger role. He became the Under-Secretary for Ireland. This was a very important position. It meant he was one of the top officials helping to manage Ireland.

A Special Task

During his time as Under-Secretary, there was a need to understand secret messages. These messages were sent from London to the government offices in Dublin Castle. James Macmahon chose a Post Office worker named Nancy O'Brien for a special job. He picked her because she was very dedicated. He also thought she wasn't interested in politics.

However, Nancy O'Brien had a secret connection. She was a distant cousin of Michael Collins. Michael Collins was a very important figure in Irish history. Every day, for about an hour, Nancy O'Brien would share important information she found. She would pass it to people like Joe McGrath or Liam Tobin.

Later Life and Achievements

In 1920, James Macmahon received a special honor. He was appointed to the Privy Council of Ireland. This honor meant he could use the title "The Right Honourable" before his name. He continued to serve as Under-Secretary until 1922.

In 1922, the Irish Free State was formed. This was a new government for Ireland. After this, James Macmahon decided to retire from his government role. He then started a new career as a businessman in Dublin. In 1928, he was chosen to be the president of the Royal Dublin Society. This is a well-known organization in Ireland. James Macmahon lived to be 89 years old. He passed away on May 1, 1954.