John McCann (Irish politician)

John McCann
Teachta Dála
In office February 1948 – May 1954
Constituency	Dublin South-Central
In office June 1939 – February 1948
Constituency	Dublin South
Lord Mayor of Dublin
In office 1964–1965
Preceded by	Seán Moore
Succeeded by	Eugene Timmons
In office 1946–1947
Preceded by	Peadar Doyle
Succeeded by	Patrick Cahill
Personal details
Born	(1905-06-17)17 June 1905 Dublin, Ireland
Died	23 February 1980(1980-02-23) (aged 74) Dublin, Ireland
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse	Margaret Berney
Children	2, including Donal
Education	Synge Street CBS
Alma mater	College of Technology, Bolton Street

John McCann (17 June 1905 – 23 February 1980) was an Irish politician, author and journalist.

McCann was born 17 June 1905 at 28 Raymond Street, Dublin, son of Francis McCann, a painter, and Margaret McCann (née Mernagh). He was educated at Synge Street CBS, and Kevin St. and Bolton St. Colleges, he helped organise a Fianna Éireann company in the latter institutions.^[1]

A founder member of Fianna Fáil in 1926, he became increasingly involved in politics and was elected to the party's national executive.^[1] McCann stood unsuccessfully for election at the 1937 and 1938 general elections. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) at the Dublin South by-election held on 6 June 1939.^[2]

The by-election was caused by the death of James Beckett of Fine Gael. McCann was re-elected at each general election until he lost his seat at the 1954 general election.^[3] He served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1947 to 1948 and 1964 to 1965.^[4]

He was the father of actor Donal McCann.^[5]

Three of McCann's plays were published: Twenty years a-wooing (1954); Early and often (c.1956); I know where I'm going (c.1965).^[1]

References

1. White, Lawrence William. "McCann, John". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
2. "John McCann". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
3. "John McCann". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
4. "Lord Mayors of Dublin 1665–2020" (PDF). Dublin City Council. June 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
5. Dixon, Stephen. Obituary: Donal McCann, The Guardian, 20 July 1999.

Civic offices
Preceded by Peadar Doyle	Lord Mayor of Dublin 1946–1947	Succeeded by Patrick Cahill
Preceded by Seán Moore	Lord Mayor of Dublin 1964–1965	Succeeded by Eugene Timmons