Redmond Gallagher

Redmond Gallagher (27 February 1914, Stranorlar – 31 October 2006, Sagra, Alicante)[1] was an Irish businessman and racing driver. He was chairman of Urney confectionery company, and a noted motorsport enthusiast.

Redmond Gallagher

Biography

Gallagher was born into a prominent Irish business dynasty with origins in County Donegal. His father was Henry Thomas Gallagher, founder of Urney chocolates and Fianna Fáil advocate.[2] His mother was Eileen Cullen, a businesswoman from County Wexford, and niece of Irish nationalist John Redmond.[3][4][5] He was the uncle of fellow motorsport businessman Paddy McNally.[6]

Redmond Gallagher was born on February 27, 1914, at Dunwiley House, Stranorlar, County Donegal. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Yorkshire and Belvedere College, Dublin, where he was rugby captain. He wanted to become an engineer, but at his father's request he joined the family business of Urney instead.[3]

In 1934, at the Leipzig industrial fair or Reichsmessestadt Leipzig (Imperial Trade Fair City Leipzig), Gallagher was introduced to Adolf Hitler as he was doing the rounds.[7] Gallagher later said of the German dictator that he was "almost comical".[3][8][9]

In the years following the Second World War, Gallagher began racing a self-built car "the Leprechaun". He briefly entered into the 1951 Formula One season in his 1000cc Leprechaun III for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but then failed to qualify for the grid. Gallagher then raced in a Gordini T15S for the 1953 World Sports Car Championship RAC Tourist Trophy, finishing a respectable ninth, and 1954 RAC Tourist Trophy, finishing eleventh.[1] Gallagher continued racing until 1956, when he decided to return to the family business.[10] He eventually became chairman of Urney in 1958, forcibly taking control from his father.[3] In 1963, Gallagher sold the family share in the company to W.R. Grace before retiring in 1966.[3]

Gallagher owned extensive lands in County Kildare and was active in cattle farming. He also owned several race horses, notably 'Fiery Diplomat' who won many races in England, France and Ireland.[3]

Gallagher emigrated to Spain in 1980 with his mistress Máirín McGrath, who was thirty-seven years his junior (having previously been married to Audrey Kewley). He died at his villa in Sagra in 2006.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Redmond Gallagher | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  2. "Urney Chocolates - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  3. Clavin, Terry. "Gallagher, Redmond | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  4. "An Irishman's Diary". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  5. Barry, Frank. "The Leading Manufacturing Firms in 1920s Dublin" (PDF). Trinity College Dublin.
  6. "Urney Time". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  7. "Stylish pioneer in postwar Ireland". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  8. "Ireland and the Nazis: a troubled history". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  9. Finn, Clodagh (2022-05-11). "Clodagh Finn: Sweet nostalgia with the return of favourite chocolate bar". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  10. "The Ex-Redmond Gallagher 1926 Bugatti" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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