Michael McHugh was born in Caherlistrane, County Galway, in 1873. He began working for the Tuam Herald as a teenager. In circa 1900, McHugh began working for the Freeman’s Journal in Dublin. He was also a part-time Irish language teacher. He joined several nationalist organisations, which brought him into contact with some of the leading Republicans of the time. In 1913, McHugh joined the Irish Volunteers (‘C’ Company). He saw action during the 1916 Easter Rising. He was also a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). He worked for their intelligence network and was part of Michael Collins ‘Inner circle’. On 30 November 1920, as the War of Independence raged, McHugh was travelling on a tram through North Frederick Street when it was stopped by the Black and Tans. He was arrested and taken to the North Dublin Union, where he was imprisoned in harsh conditions. As a result, he contracted pleurisy and pneumonia. Although released after ten days, the damage to his health was serious. Michael McHugh never fully recovered and died of T.B. in 1924. McHugh Avenue in Mervue is named in his honour.
