George Noble Plunkett

George Noble Plunkett (1851–1948) was an Irish nationalist and father of Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916.

Born in Dublin, Plunkett spent much time abroad, notably studying in Nice, France, and throughout Italy. In 1877 he was created a Papal Count by Pope Leo XIII for his work for the Papacy. From 1907 to 1916 he was curator of the National Museum. His interest in politics likely came mostly through his son Joseph, and his other sons George and John (it is likely that Joseph swore him into the Irish Republican Brotherhood sometime before his death), though it was following the execution of Joseph that he became radicalized. He was expelled from the Royal Dublin Society for his son's role in the Rising.

In 1917 he was elected to Parliament representing Roscommon but refused to take his seat and joined the First Dáil. Following the Anglo–Irish War he joined the anti-treaty side, and continued to support Sinn Fein after the split with Fianna Fáil.

In a 1936 by-election in the Galway constituency, he ran as a joint Cumann Poblachta na hÉireann/Sinn Féin candidate. Losing his deposit, he polled 2,696 votes (a 2.12 percent share of the vote).

He died at the extremely advanced age of 97 in Éire.