Early Life, Family and Training Sir John Lavery was born in inner North Belfast on 20 March 1856. He was the son of Henry Lavery and Margaret Lavery, née Donnelly. His childhood was marked by a sudden and heavy loss when his father, Henry, drowned in April 1859. The accident occurred during the sinking of the packet ship Pomona off the coast of Co. Wexford, Ireland, while the vessel was en route to New York. This tragedy left the youn…