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Biography
John Stanislaus Joyce (4 July 1849 – 29 December 1931) was the father of writer James Joyce. The son of James and Ellen (née O'Connell) Joyce, John Joyce grew up in Cork, though the Joyce family can trace their lineage back to Joyce Country in the western part of Ireland. His mother was a descendent of Daniel O'Connell, a powerful man that was known as "The Liberator" for his success regarding the Catholic Emancipation. John was educated at St. Colman's College, starting in 1859, however, records disagree over whether his time there lasted until 1860 or 1862. John suffered from both rheumatic and typhoid fever while at school. . After his father died in 1866, John enrolled in 1867 in what used to be known as The Queen's College, in Cork, now known today as University College Cork, until 1870.

After his 21st birthday, John was able to collect a portion of his inheritance and soon became an accountant in Cork, where he worked until hired for a distillery based in Chapelizod, Dublin. He worked there for several years until one of the other investors, Henry Alleyn, left with a payout that eventually led to the liquidation and closing of the distillery; Joyce subsequently lost his job and his initial investment of £500. He again took up as an accountant at Westland Row in 1878, where he worked until joining the United Liberal Club in Dublin.

During this period of time in John's early life, he developed a proclivity for singing and performing. Back in his time at The Queen's College, John was quick to join the newly re-established Dramatic Society, where he performed throughout his time at school. John was reported to be "exceedingly funny and intensely popular" when performing on stage After his move to Dublin, John continued performing and was a frequent patron of concerts in the city. Several noteworthy performers of the time, including Joseph Maas, Sims Reeves, and Barton McGuckin were some of his favorites, and a few of them had heard John sing.