Michael Feeney (schoolteacher)

Michael Feeney (schoolteacher), lover of Nora Barnacle, July/August 1889 - February 1897.

Feeney was a native of William Street West, Galway, and a friend of Nora Barnacle since childhood. They began courting each other in 1896. However, Feeney became ill with Typhoid and Pneumonia in February 1897, and was removed to the Galway Workhouse Hospital, where he died seven days later. He was buried outside the city in Rahoon cemetery.

Nora was distraught at his death, and in later life told James Joyce about him. Joyce is believed to have fused Feeny, along with another of Nora's boyfriends, Michael Bodkin, to create the character of Michael Furey in his short story, "The Dead". His poem, "She Weeps Over Rahoon", may also have been inspired by her relationship with Feeney.

References

• Nora:A Biography of Nora Joyce, p. 25, 27, Brenda Maddox, London, 1988. ISBN 0 7493 9014 X

See also

• Elaine Feeney
• Henry Feeney
• Julie Feeney
• John Ford, alias John Martin Feeney

Persondata
Name	Feeney, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1889
Place of birth
Date of death	1897
Place of death