Andrew Beirne

Beirne was born in Dangan, County Roscommon, Ireland, to Andrew Beirne, Dangan's Hereditary Chieftain, and Mary Plunkett Beirne, daughter of Edward Plunkett, 12th Baron Dunsany. He received a classical education and was graduated from Trinity University, Dublin, Ireland. Beirne immigrated to the United States in 1793 and settled in Union, Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. Beirne was a member of the State house of delegates in 1807 and 1808. During the War of 1812 he served as captain of a rifle company and as colonel of the Monroe County Militia.

Beirne was delegate to the Virginia Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830 and member of the State senate 1831-1836. He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1841). Beirne was not a candidate for reelection in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress and resumed his former business activities.

Beirne died while on a visit in Gainesville, Sumter County, Alabama, March 16, 1845, with interment in the family burying ground at Union, Monroe County, Virginia.

His home at Union, known as "Walnut Grove," was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.[1]

His son, Oliver Beirne, inherited The Houmas plantation and another 9 plantations from John Burnside, a man that Andrew Beirne had helped became a successful businessman and that was considered part of the family (a legend said he was found as an infant by Andrew Beirne who raised him as a son) so that he is buried with the Beirnes at Green Hill Cemetery, Union.[2]

1. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
2. White, Edward T. "Andrew and Oliver Beirne of Monroe County." West Virginia History 20 (October 1958): 16-23.