Irealnd’s first railway pinoeer. Worked under Telford in England and built the first Irish line, from Dublin to Dun Laoghaire, in 1831. Sponsored the Dublin Exhibition of 1853, following which the Irish National Gallery was built in his honour. Declined a knighthood from Queen Victoria. Business difficulties made him virtually bankrupt at the time he died. (bio by: David Conway) Cause of death: from injuries after falling from a horse