Maurice Healy was born on January 3, 1859. He was one of twins, the third son born to Maurice, a Poor Law Union clerk, and Eliza Healy in Bantry. His mother died during the birth. As he grew up he became very close to his elder brother Tim Healy.
The family moved to Lismore, where he was educated at the local Christian Brothers school.
He was returned again for Cork city in May 1909 to January 1910. From the December 1910 general election until the December 1918 general election he again represented Cork city. His force in parliament was land law.
On the outbreak of World War I in 1914 both had a son enlisted in one of the Irish Divisions. Maurice (junior) moved to England after the founding of the Irish Free State where he was both a successful lawyer, and a broadcaster for the British Broadcasting Corporation during the early years of World World War World War II He wrote the well-known legal memoir The Old Munster Circuit and the popular Stay Maine With Flagons: A Book about Wine and Other Things.
