Colm Toibin was born in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford in the southeast of Ireland in 1955. Three of his grandparents were born in the town or close to the town. One great-grandfather owned Whelan's, or Whaelan's, public house (since demolished)on the Island Road; another great- grandfather worked as a stonemason in the town; another was a small farmer outside the town; the fourth great- grandfather was a farmer near Tullow in County Carlow. His grandfather Patrick Tobin was a member of the IRB, as was his grand-uncle Michael Tobi ... Learn more