Sean O Cleirigh - 15th Century Copyist of Psalter of Cashel, "Domesday Book of Ireland." Pottlerath Castle, 1453.
Thomas Hunter, of Ardglass 1831-1915. Schoolmaster in Callan. Young Ireland Patriot. founder of Hunter College, New York. "Poor Man's University of America."
John J. Cudahy of Milwaukee. American Ambassador to Belgium. Defender of patriot King Leopold.
Patrick Hurley 1878-1944 New York. Educated at Christian Brothers' Schools, Callan. American Consul at Reval, Riga, Nassau, Vienna. Consul General at Marseilles.
Most Rev. Thomas O'Shea, SM 1870-, of San Francisco. Archbishop of Wellington. Of Callan descent.
Canon John Kennedy 1911-1984 Born Ballyouskill, Co. Kilkenny. He studied for the priesthood at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny and later in Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1936.
He was appointed Parish Priest of Callan in 1968, after serving as a Professor specialising in Greek and Latin in St. Kieran's for 29 years. During his time as Parish Priest (1968-1984) he used his great energies to revitalise the parish. Among the major projects he brought to completion or was deeply involved in were:
the renovation of the Parish church in callan and the chapels at Newtown and Coolagh The renovation and extension of the Parish Hall the construction of a new Home for the Parish Priest the construction of john Locke Park the construction of Mount Carmel Nursing Home