[2] She was the daughter of DW Kirby of Carrigpeter, Bishopstown Park, Model Farm Road, Cork.

She went to University College Cork,[3] and played on Ashbourne Cup camogie teams, joined Sunday's Well swimming club (winning the ocean swim from Crosshaven to Ocean's Point in 1940), Muskerry golf club, and became captain of her local Reserve Defence Forces during The Emergency.

Members of Old Aloysians camogie club formed an archway of hurleys when she married David Crowley on 18 April 1941 in the Honan Chapel, University College Cork.

[5][11] Kirby was the first female chair of the Cork County Board, a position she held from the year 1938 to 1942.

[5] She became involved in the Irish Countrywoman's Association and continued to play whist after her husband died in 1975.