Edward Daly was born 28 February 1891 at 26 Frederick Street, Limerick city, the only son and youngest among ten children of Edward Daly and Catherine Daly (née O'Mara). The Daly family was closely connected to leading Irish Republican Brotherhood figures. He was educated by the Presentation nuns and the Christian Brothers before completing his studies at Leamy’s Commercial College in 1906.
After working as a clerk in Limerick and Dublin, he became deeply involved in the Irish Volunteers from their foundation in 1913, rising rapidly through the ranks. By 1915 he was Commandant of the 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade and was trusted with sensitive plans for the Easter Rising. During the Rising Daly commanded the Four Courts area. Following the general surrender, he was court-martialled and executed by firing squad on 4 May 1916 at Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, and buried in Arbour Hill.
Note there is no pension/dependants file in the MSPC for Edward Daly. His family were awarded a posthumous 1916 Medal. His sister Kathleen did contribute an audio recording to the Bureau of Military History.
