John Martin Hayes (1887–1957) was an Irish Catholic priest and the founder of Muintir na Tíre, a national rural community development organisation. Hayes was born in a Land League hut at Murroe, Co Limerick. Five of his brothers and sisters died of malnutrition and disease before he reached seven years of age. He was educated by the Jesuits at Crescent College, Limerick and thereafter studied for the priesthood in St. Patrick's College, Thurles. In 1907 he went to the Irish College in Paris where he was ordained in 1913. From 1915 to 1924 he worked in Liverpool before returning to Ireland to serve as curate in Castleiney and later in Tipperary Town.