James McCormack

James McCormack (1877–1916) was an Irish activist & revolutionary who, as part of the Irish Citizen Army, fought and died in the Easter Rising of 1916. Early life and family (1877–1906) James McCormack was born 24 November 1877. His parents were Michael and Mary (née Sinnott), they were married 20 January 1877. Michael died at age 37 (about 1887). Mary, born 22 May 1858, to Hugh Synnott [sic] and Margaret Doyle, was 29-years-old when her husband died. James grew up with his younger brothers Hugh, John and Michael and sister Margaret in a place known as 'The Spot’ in Lisdornan near Julianstown, Stamullen and Bellewstown, in County Meath, Ireland. He resided there until the close of 1900 when his family moved to a second home, also in Lisdornan, and where he continued to live until his departure for Dublin. In 1904 he moved to Baldoyle, County Dublin, to begin employment at the Metropolitan Baldoyle Race Company Limited. There, he worked as a Senior Groundskeeper and Steward of the Turf Club, skilled in the construction and maintenance of 'the turf' and grounds, as well as creation of a new five-furlong gallop which would become renowned as one of the best in north-west Europe. He had previously been employed in the same endeavours at The Bellewstown Racecourse, the oldest racecourse in Europe..