He was born at Doonaha, near Carrigaholt, County Clare, the son of Eoghan Ó Comhraí, a farmer, and his wife Cáit.

Eoghan had spent some time as a travelling pedlar and had developed an interest in Irish folklore and traditional music.

[1] O'Curry was a supporter of Catholic Emancipation and in 1828 wrote a poem congratulating Daniel O'Connell on his election as an MP.

[citation needed] His lectures were published by the university in 1860, and give a better knowledge of Irish medieval literature than can be obtained from any other source.

His voluminous transcripts, notably eight huge volumes of ancient Irish law, testify to his unremitting industry.