Patrick MacCarvill facts for kids

Patrick MacCarvill (born May 23, 1893 – died March 16, 1955) was an important Irish person. He was both a medical doctor and a politician. He was born in a place called Raw, in County Monaghan, Ireland. His parents, John McCarvill and Susan Moyna, were farmers.

Patrick MacCarvill: Doctor and Politician

Early Life and Education

Patrick MacCarvill studied at University College Dublin (UCD). He became a medical doctor, just like his son would later. Before he was fully qualified, he helped train women from a group called Cumann na mBan. This was after the 1916 Easter Rising. During the Irish War of Independence, he also helped with first aid. He worked with other important people like Kathleen Lynn.

While at UCD, he was a talented Gaelic football player. He won two Sigerson Cup medals in 1917 and 1918. He also played soccer, which sometimes caused issues with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) rules at the college.

Starting His Political Journey

In 1922, Patrick MacCarvill was chosen to be a candidate for the 1922 Irish general election. He represented Sinn Féin, a political party that was against the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This treaty was an agreement that created the Irish Free State.

His selection was a bit surprising. Another politician, Seán MacEntee, was expected to be chosen. Because MacCarvill was selected, it led to a contested election. Despite this, MacCarvill was elected as a Teachta Dála (TD). A TD is a member of the Irish Parliament, called Dáil Éireann.

A Career in the Dáil

Even though he was elected in 1922, Patrick MacCarvill did not take his seat in the Dáil. This was because Sinn Féin had a policy called "abstentionism." This meant their elected members refused to attend parliament.

He was re-elected in the 1923 Irish general election and again did not take his seat. Later, he joined a new political party called Fianna Fáil. He was elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in the June 1927 Irish general election. This time, he and other Fianna Fáil TDs decided to take their seats in the Dáil. He began serving on August 12, 1927.

MacCarvill did not run in the next election in September 1927. Another Fianna Fáil politician, Conn Ward, took his place. Years later, in the 1948 Irish general election, MacCarvill tried to get elected again. He ran in Monaghan for a party called Clann na Poblachta, but he was not successful.