James Mahony or Mahoney (1810–1879) was a leading nineteenth century Irish artist and engraver.
He seems to have studied painting and drawing in Rome, travelling in Italy and France until aged 32 when he returned to Cork.
[2] His famine sketches, drawn on the spot in Skibbereen and Clonakilty in West Cork, commissioned by and published in the Illustrated London News, roused public opinion to persuade the British government to take action to alleviate the famine.
In 1856, he was made an associate of the Royal Hibernian Academy (ARHA), where he exhibited until he moved to London.
He prepared illustrations, too, for other journals, newspapers and books including an edition of the works of Charles Dickens.