Askeaton/Ballysteen Biographical Dictionary

 

Askeaton – Ballysteen Biographical Dictionary

 

 

 

 

 

Books by the same author

Education:

Pastoral Care for Schools, 3 vols. (Folens, 1994) Edmund Rice Anniversary Yearbook (1995) Education and the Family (Veritas, 1995)

A Time of Grace (Veritas, 1996)

From Ideal to Action (Veritas, 1998)

Beyond the Race for Points (Veritas, 1999)

Gentlemen of the Presentation (Veritas, 1999)

Catholic Education in Trinidad in the 19th Century (2001)

 

 

Local and Family History:

The Ranahans of Iverus (Iverus, 1987)

The O’Shaughnessys of Munster (Iverus, 1996) Ballysteen: The People and the Place (Iverus, 1998) The Naughtons of Ballycanana (Iverus, 2006)

 

Askeaton/Ballysteen 

Biographical Dictionary

  

 

John M Feheney

 

2007

First published by Iverus Publications

Mardyke House,

Mardyke,

Cork,

Ireland

 

 

 

Copyright John M Feheney 2007 ISBN

 

 

 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in anyform or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage or rerieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Photograph: John J O’Connor 

Typesetting: Bill Murphy

Printing: Lee Press, Cork

Abbreviations

A/B PR                         Askeaton/ Ballysteen Parish Records.

BA                                Bachelor of Arts

Bart.                              Baronet

BCL                              Bachelor of Civil Law

BD                                Bachelor of Divinity

BIFR                             Burke’s Irish Family Records

Burke                            Landed Gentry of Ireland

Co.                                County

C.o.I. Archives              Church of Ireland Archives (at RCB library) Con. Jrnl   Connacht Journal

Crofton                         Crofton Memoirs, 1911

DEP                              Dublin Evening Post

Jour. RSAI                   Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland LC              Limerick Chronicle

LCC                              Limerick County Council

LDA                             Limerick (RC) Diocesan Archives

LGA                             Limerick General Advertiser or Gazette

LLD                              Doctor of Laws and Literature

MP                                Member of Parliament

MRCSI                         Member of Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland

MRCSI                         Member of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

MA                               Master of Arts

NS                                National School

OSL                              O’Donovan, John, ‘Ordinance Survey Letters’, 1840.

ODNB                          Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

qv                                  Quod vide (see in this volume)

RCB Lib.                      Representative Church Body Library

Rev.                              Reverend

TD                                Teacthta Dála (Member of Dáil Éireann)

TCD                              Trinity College, Dublin

UCC                             University College, Cork

UCD                             University College, Dublin

UCG                             University College, Galway

UHF                             Ulster Historical Foundation

 

 

i                                                                                              

Introduction

 

The first question to be decided in compiling a volume such as the present Biographical Dictionary is, who is to be included? Obviously, space does not permit everyone connected with Askeaton/ Ballysteen to be included. Moreover, if one is to be objective and balanced, one needs to set forth for public scrutiny the criteria for inclusion in such a volume. These are:

1.     The person must be deceased (no living people included).

2.     2. There must be a public dimension to the life or career of the person. Thus, for instance, Joseph Bridgeman, is included because he represented Askeaton as a member of the Limerick County Council. His brother, William Bridgeman, on the other hand, is not included, because, though no doubt an estimable man, he did not serve the public in a similar way. Neither did he receive a degree of noteworthiness, either by social status or personal achievements, at, say, county or national level, to warrant his inclusion.

3.     3. All members of the clergy and religious Orders/ Congregations, either native to the parish or serving in it, are included.

4.     Members of the local gentry are included.

5. 5. Public representatives, including Members of Parliament for Askeaton, members of the Irish Oireachtas, local representatives of the Limerick County Council, are included.

6.  6. Members (where known) of the Askeaton Hellfire Club (who were almost exclusively members of the gentry and aristocracy) are included.

7.     Medical Officers native to the parish or working in the parish are included.

8.     All teachers working in the parish are included.

 

Confines of the Parish

The townlands currently listed for Askeaton in the diocesan website, limerickdiocese.org have been adopted as defining the parish of Askeaton/ Ballysteen. Altogether, there is a total of 38 of these townlands (including the town of Askeaton) and they are as follows:

Aghalacka; Altavilla; Askeaton town; Ballinacourty; Ballinvoher; Ballyaglish; Ballycanana; Ballyellinan;  Ballyengland Upper; Ballyengland Lower; Ballyhomin; Ballynacahera; Ballynash; Ballynort; Ballysteen; Ballyvaddock; Bawnreagh; Beigh; 

Clonreask; Conigar; Coolrahnee; Courtbrowne; Cragmore; Creeves; 

Drominoona; Druminycullane;

Galway; Issane; Liffane; Lismakeery (including Ballycullen and Ballyclogh); Milltown (Iverus); Milltown Askeaton; Mitchelstown; Moig North; Moig South; Shannonview; Toomdeely North; Toomdeely South;

Alphabetical Arrangement

 Names have been arranged alphabetically.

 

Acknowledgements

I am very grateful to the large number of people who helped me in compiling this volume. Rather than mention them all here by name, I have chosen to acknowledge the source of my information under each entry. Whenever I have taken information from written sources, I have also tried to acknowledge this. A full list of these sources will be found in the reference pages at the end of the volume. I also wish to thank John O’Connor who prepared the cover, Bill Murphy who did the typesetting and Lee Press, Cork, my printers. It is both courteous and wise to apologise in advance for any errors or omissions. However, if this volume ever reaches a second edition, there will then be opportunities for both amendments and expansion. Meantime, may God bless all my readers.

 

John M Feheney

Cork, 1 October, 2007.

Abbot, Rev. Thomas F. (1870-1946), Clergyman.

Thomas Frank Abbot, son of Rev. Kingsmill Abbot, was born about 1870. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1891, BD 1896), where he proved himself an outstanding scholar, winning prizes in Near-Eastern languages, especially, Hebrew, Chaldaic and Syriac. He was elected a Fellow of Trinity College. He passed his Divinity Test in 1894, being placed in the First Division. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1895 and Priest in 1896. One of his first appointments was as Curate and Vicar at St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick (1895-1900), after which he was Rector in Kilkeady (1900-08). He was then appointed Succentor in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick (1908-15), before his appointment as Rector of the Church of Ireland, Askeaton, from 1915 onwards. During this period, he also served as Prebendary of Ardcanny and Treasurer of the Diocese of Limerick (1919). On 25 July, 1900, he married Isabel Steuart, second daughter of Dr H. White, Edenville, Castle Conyers. He had a daughter, Phoebe. He retired in 1940 and died on 8 May, 1946. His widow, who lived in Limerick after his death, died on 11 May, 1960 (Leslie 1936).

 

Alexander, Henry (1763-1818), M.P.

Henry Alexander, son of Robert Alexander and Anne McCullagh, was born at Boom Hall, Co. Londonderry in 1763. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1783), Emmanuel College, Cambridge (1779) and Lincoln’s Inn (1779). He was called to the Irish Bar in 1785. He was Recorder of Londonderry (1791-2) and an active barrister, as well as a banker. In 1806, he accepted a post as Secretary to his cousin, Hon. Du Pre Alexander, who was appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Though entering Parliament for Newtownards (1788-90), he swapped this for an Askeaton seat (1790-97) when his uncle, James Alexander, who made a fortune in India before becoming 1st Earl of Caledon, purchased the Askeaton seat from the Earl of Carrick. Henry then switched to a seat in his native Londonderry (1797-1800) and the Earl of Carrick sold the Askeaton seat to Sir Vere Hunt. Henry was a strong supporter of the British Government, and a zealous sup- porter of, and contact man during discussions preceding, the Act of Union. He was said to be so pro-Union that he enrolled his two infant nephews and the embryo his sister was then carrying as unionists. In recognition of his political support, it was arranged that he continue his membership of parliament in Westminster from 1801 to 1806, when he sat for Old Sarum (Salisbury). He distin- guished himself as an advocate of coercion during the 1798 rebellion and the subsequent political unrest in Ireland. He praised the ruthless suppression of Robert Emmet’s rebellion of 1803, opposed Catholic Relief and voted against exemption of the Irish Linen Industry from duties (1804). On 8 February, 1815, he is on record as advocating the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland. Henry Alexander died at the Cape of Good Hope on 6 May, 1818. (UHF).

 

Ambrose, Rev. Robert (1851-1926), Clergyman.

Robert Ambrose was born in Dunganville, Ardagh, Co. Limerick, in 1851. Together with his older brother, Stephen, he was involved in the attack on the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks in Ardagh during the Fenian Rising on 6 March, 1867. Stephen was wounded in the attack and it was left to his younger brother, Robert, to get him to safety. Travelling by night, they finally reached the safe- ty of Ballysteen, where Robert’s aunt, Mary Ambrose, was married to the Principal of Ballysteen National School, James Moran. Robert was eventually arrested and brought before the local magis- trate, Rev. John T Waller, who dismissed the charge against him of being a Fenian. Rev. Waller is also said to have given him a gift of five shillings.

Subsequently, Robert Ambrose went to college and entered St Patrick’s seminary

Maynooth, where he matriculated on 28 August, 1872. He was ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 22 August, 1880. He was appointed curate at Manister (1880-81), Ballyagran (1881- 83), St Patrick’s, St John’s (1883-86), Ardagh-Carrickerry (1886-91), Knockaderry (1891-96),

Athea (1896-98), Bruff (1898-1900), Abbeyfeale (1900-04), Glenroe (1904-06). His appointment to Ardagh-Carrickerry brought him to national prominence, when he followed Fr William Casey’s example in Abbeyfeale and used the Land League to organise the tenants of Glensharrold to protest about the ‘rack rents’ being charged by the local landlord, John Christopher Delmege. In 1906, he was appointed Parish Priest of Glenroe, where he remained until shortly before his death at St John’s Hospital, Limerick, following an accident, on 8 April, 1926. He is buried in the Glenroe church grounds (Feheney, 1998, 130-32; Tobin, 2004, 2).

 

Axtell, Daniel (1622-60), Soldier

Daniel Axtell was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, in 1622. A convinced Methodist, he was apprenticed to a grocer, but turned his back on this trade and joined Cromwell’s New Model Army, where he quickly rose from the ranks to become an officer. He was captain of the Parliamentary Guard at the trial of King Charles I at Westminster Hall in 1649. He came to Ireland with Cromwell and, after distinguishing himself as a commander, was made Governor of Kilkenny. In 1652 he dismantled the Desmond Castle in Askeaton. In August 1655, he compiled a report which includes a description of Askeaton. On the Restoration of King Charles II, Axtell was tried for regi- cide and was condemned to death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on 19 October, 1660. (Thompson, A., ODNB; Westropp, ‘Notes’, 171)

 

Balfour, Rev. Willoughby WT (1801-88), Clergyman.

Willoughby William Townley Balfour, second son of Blayney Townley Balfour, Townley Hall, Drogheda, Co. Louth, was born at Townley Hall in 1801. He was educated at Harrow School and entered Trinity College, Dublin, in November, 1819. He obtained his BA in 1823 and was ordained a Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1829 and a priest in 1832. He was appointed resident Vicar of Askeaton in May 1833 and held this post until 1837, when he became Vicar of Ston Flanville, Leicester, where he remained until 1878. On his retirement, he settled in Rostrevor, Co. Down, where he died on 29 June, 1888. (Leslie, 1936).

 

Barnwell, Margaret (1889-1935), Religious Sister.

Margaret Barnwell, daughter of John Barnwell and Johanna Downey, was born in Ballyvaddock, Askeaton, on 6 November, 1889, and baptised in St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, the following day. She attended Ballysteen National school before going to Drishane Convent Boarding School, Millstreet, Co. Cork. She entered the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, Drishane, receiving the habit on 15 August, 1913, and taking as her religious name, Sister St Paul. She made her first profession in Drishane on 15 August, 1915, and her final profession five years later on 25 September, 1920. In 1920 she was sent to Madrid, from where she was transferred to the Far East mission in Penang, Malayasia, in 1921. Subsequently, she served in Malacca, Malaysia, where she died on 26 May, 1935. She is buried in Malacca. (IC Archives)

 

Berkeley, Sir Edward (c.1540-89), Soldier.

Edward Berkeley, the eldest of three sons of Maurice Berkeley and Katherine Blount, was born in Bruton, Somerset. He took over command of Askeaton Castle after it was abandoned by Geraldine

forces on 3 April, 1580. He was duly knighted and remained in command of the Castle until he sur- rendered command to his brother, Francis, before his death in 1589. By edict of Queen Elizabeth, the castle and seignory of Askeaton was bestowed on Sir Edward and his brother, Francis, after him. Seignories normally consisted of 12,000 acres, not including bog, mountain or heath. (Westropp, 1902, 125; Crofton 1911, 92-3)

 

Berkeley, Sir Francis (1543-1615), Soldier.

Francis Berkeley, second son of Sir Maurice Berkeley and Katherine Blount, daughter of Lord Mountjoy, was born around 1543 in Bruton, Somerset. He was a brother of Sir Edward Berkeley, who died in 1589 (q.v). Francis took over command of Askeaton Castle and seignory after his brother’s death and defended it valiantly, especially against the attacks of the Sugán Earl, when the latter unsuccessfully besieged the Castle in 1599 for 246 days. Francis was knighted for his bravery by Lord Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, on 2 June, 1599. Though the Castle and some forty acres were assigned to Sir Anthony St Leger on 17 October, 1599, this edict was revoked by King James I in 1610 and the Castle reverted to Sir Francis. The seignory or manor of Askeaton originally con- sisted of 7,000 acres, but this was increased to 12,000 acres by Queen Elizabeth, who is said to have been attracted by Francis’ ‘comely face and florid oratory’ (Crofton, 92). In 1580, Francis was Provost Marshall and Sheriff of Connaught and, in August, 1600, he checked O’Donnell tem- porarily, when the latter was on his way to Kinsale. Sir Francis followed O’Neill and O’Donnell to Kinsale and took part in the famous battle. In January, 1610, Sir Francis offered to build a wall around Askeaton. On 20 October, 1612, he also managed to have Askeaton incorporated as a Borough, with a right to send two members to Parliament. In addition to the Provost (Head of Borough), the town had twelve burgesses, including Sir Francis, himself.

Sir Francis married Katherine Jane Loftus (daughter of Dr Adam Loftus Archbishop of Armagh and, later, Dublin, and Chancellor of Ireland). Sir Francis left two sons, Maurice and Henry, and four daughters. As we shall see, both sons died young and the extensive estate was divided between Elizabeth and Gertrude, two of the four sisters. Elizabeth married George Crofton of Ballymurray, Co. Sligo; Katherine married George Courtenay; Gertrude married John Taylor of Ballynort. Frances married, firstly, Thomas Blayney of Tregonan (Denbigh, Wales), and, secondly, James Purcell of Croagh. Sir Francis died at Askeaton Castle on 20 December, 1615. His influence on Askeaton continued for some 200 years after his death. (Westropp, 1902, 118-32; Crofton, 1911, 92-93).

 

Berkeley, Maurice (1598-1622), Soldier.

Maurice Berkeley, son of Sir Francis Berkeley, was born in Askeaton Castle about 1598. By Royal Letter of 25 April, 1611, he was granted the Constableship of Limerick for the duration of his life. This, however, proved shorter than anticipated, Maurice dying on 8 September, 1622, at the early age of 24. His younger brother, Henry, also died young at the age of 20, and, eventually, Sir Francis’ two daughters, Gertrude (Taylor) and Elizabeth (Crofton), became his heirs (Westropp, 1902, 130-31).

 

Blackwell, Sister Ellen J (1859-1937), Religious Sister.

Ellen Blackwell, daughter of Henry Blackwell and Mary Sheehy, was born in Greenish Island and baptised at St Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 8 February, 1859. She attended the National School, Askeaton, before entering the Convent of Mercy, Abbeyfeale, on 7 September, 1888. She received

the habit on 4 March, 1889, taking the name of Sister Josephine. She was professed on 19 March, 1891. She held the posts of bursar (1899-1920) and sacristan (1920-37) in the convent. She died on 16 March, 1937 and is buried in the convent grounds, Abbeyfeale. (Mercy Archives, Ireland).

 

Blackwell, James (1922-99), Sportsman

James Blackwell, son of Thomas Blackwell and Mary Canty, was born in Toomdeely, Askeaton, in 1922. He attended Askeaton National School, before going to college, where he trained as a radio operator. During his teen years, he began to distinguish himself at hurling and was chosen to play for Limerick in the minor hurling championship of 1940. He had the unique distinction of being the only hurler from Askeaton ever to win an All-Ireland hurling medal when he was a member of the victorious Limerick minor team to win the All-Ireland in Croke Park in 1940. James spent most

of his life, including World War II years, in the British navy, working as a radio operator. He settled in England, thereby cutting short his hurling career. He died on 10 August, 1999, and is buried in England. (Ryan, MJ, 2007)

 

Blakiston, Sir Matthew (1783-1862), Seignory Owner.

Though the Blakistons came from Blakiston village, Durham, the social and economic rise of the family began with George Blakiston (b.1675), who came south to London. His son, Matthew (1702-74), a prominent London grocer, became Lord Mayor of London (1760-61), was knighted and raised to the baronetcy (1763). Sir Matthew Blakiston’s son (1761-1806), of the same name, together with Robert and Thomas Maunsell, was one of the founders of Maunsell’s Bank, Limerick, in 1789. Sir Matthew was owner of the seignory of Askeaton. His family seat was estab- lished at Sandy Brook Hall, near Ashbourn, Derbyshire. The seignory of Askeaton continued in the possession of the third Baronet, Sir Matthew Blakiston (1783-1862) and the fourth, another Sir Matthew Blakiston (1811-83). Apart from the town of Askeaton, Blakiston property, totalling some several thousand acres, included the townlands of Aghalacka, Ballyengland (Upper and Lower), Cloonreask, Coolrahnee, Cragmore, Askeaton Glebe No.1, etc. etc. (O’Donovan, 1840, OSL; White’s Almanak, 1857; www.thePeerage.com; Griffith’s Valuation, 1850).

 

Blennerhassett, Arthur (1687-1758), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Arthur Blennerhassett, son of Gerald Blennerhassett of Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, and Christiana Bayly, Loughgur, Co. Limerick, was born in Riddlestown Park in 1687. Gerald was the ancestor of the Riddlestown branch of the family, the first member of which came to Ireland in Elizabethan times and settled near Tralee, County Kerry, in lands formerly owned by the Earl of Desmond. Originally, they were closely connected to Sir Edward Denny, who brought them to Ireland from Flimby, Cumberland, in 1589. The Riddlestown Park estate, formerly belonging to Edward Rice, was inherited by the Blennerhassets through marriage. This family was prominent in the social and political life of County Kerry for several generations. Arthur married Margaret (Celinda) Hayes of Cahir Guillamore, Bruff, and had two sons (Hayes and Gerald) and one daugh- ter (Ellen). He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and is pictured next to his wife, Celinda, in Worsdale’s portrait (c.1736) of the members. (Bourke, 1899, 36; BIFR, 1976, 136)

 

Blennerhassett, Margaret (Celinda) (d. 1775), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Margaret Blennerhassett, wife of Arthur Blennerhassett of Ridlestown Park, Rathkeale, was born Margaret Hayes of Cahir Guillamore, Bruff. She bore two sons, Hayes and Gerald, and a daughter,

Ellen. Margaret was familiarly known as ‘Celinda’ and is remembered as the only woman ever to be admitted as a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club in Askeaton. The story goes that curiosity moved her to try to discover what the men did during their meetings at the club. She, accordingly, hid herself in the meeting room in advance and, when discovered, was formally inducted as a member to ensure her silence. She is featured in James Worsdale’s painting (c.1736) of members of the club. There is also a painting of her by James Latham in the Drawing Room, Glin Castle.

Celinda was drowned in a boating accident in Killarney, October, 1775. (Bourke, 1899, 36; BIFR, 1976, 136))

 

Bluett, Rev. James (1902-74), Clergyman.

James Bluett, son of John Bluett and Helena Carroll, was born in Effin in 1902. He was educated at St Munchin’s College and the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained on 12 June, 1927. His first appointment was as curate in Kilmeedy (1927), after which he served in Kileedy (1929) and Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1930-33). On 26 May, 1933, he was transferred from Askeaton to Patrickswell in the same capacity. Subsequently, he was Parish Priest in Kilcornan (1953-62) and, later, he was transferred to Feenagh/Kilmeedy in the same capacity. He was made a Canon of the Limerick Cathedral Chapter in November, 1974. He died in an accident in his home in Kilmeedy on 30 December, 1974, and is buried in the church grounds, Kilmeedy. He had two brothers who were also priests: Fr. John Bluett in the archdiocese of Southwark and Fr. Patrick Bluett in the dio- cese of Middlesborough. He was also an uncle of Frs. Garrett and James Bluett of the Limerick diocese (LDA).

 

Bourke, John (c.1625-1702), M.P.

John Bourke was born in Limerick to a wealthy Catholic family around 1625. Though members of his family were involved in the Rebellion of 1641, they managed to preserve their wealth and John became a wealthy merchant. Following the Cromwellian settlement, he rented Cahirmoyle estate, which belonged to Catherine, daughter of Earl Gerald Fitzgerald and wife of Sir Daniel O’Brien of Carrigaholt, Co. Clare. Though this estate was part of the Geraldine possessions, it escaped forfeit to the Crown, unlike all other possessions of Gerald, 15th Earl of Desmond. John Bourke was elected to represent the Borough of Askeaton at the parliament of King James II in 1689. Though the parliament passed legislation on a) full freedom of worship for all Catholics b) complete leg- islative independence for Ireland and c) full cancellation of the Cromwellian land settlement, these laws were all declared null and void six years later, when James and his army had departed Ireland. John Bourke married Ann Hurley of Knocklong and had at least three children (Nicholas, his heir; Grace and Eleanor). He died in Cahirmoyle in 1702 and is buried in the Bourke vault in Ardagh. (Aherne, PT, 1988, 38)

 

Bourke, Rev. Joseph (1840-92), Clergyman.

Joseph Bourke, a native of St Mary’s parish, Limerick City, was born about 1840. He matriculated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 25 August, 1858, after which he entered the rhetoric class. On completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained for the Limerick diocese in June (or December), 1864. He became an important figure in the educational life of Limerick, founding Crescent College and Mungret College, both of which he owned and administered. These colleges, at the time, also catered for young men preparing for the priesthood. Both colleges were subse- quently acquired by the Jesuits. He spent time as curate in Bruff (1865-67), Rathkeale (1867) and

then as Administrator in the parish of Cratloe (1886-90), before his appointment as Parish Priest of Askeaton on 2 October, 1886. On 25 March, 1890, he was transferred to Limerick as Parish Priest of St Patrick’s parish, where he died on 25 May, 1892. He is buried in St Patrick’s, Limerick. (Spellissey, 1998, 142-44; Hammell, 35; Tobin, 2004, 4).

 

Bowen, Margaret (1833-1937), Centanarian

Margaret Bown was the mother-in-law of Gerald Moran, long-time teacher in Askeaton National School. Gerald was married to Julia Bowen, daughter of Maragaret. In her later years, Margaret came to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Margaret’s husband, James Bown, was a shopkeeper in High Street, Askeaton. Margaret died in Askeaton on 10 May, 1938. Her death certificate lists her as being 105 years at the time of death. She is buried in the Moran burial plot, in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton, where her year of death seems to be incorrectly listed as 1937, rather than 1938.

 

Boyle, Lord Richard, 1st Earl of Cork (1566-1643), Politician, Landowner.

Richard Boyle was one of the most talented and shrewd English men, ever to colonise Ireland. He was also unusually lucky, though he had many enemies, nearly all of whom envied him his social, political and financial success. His friends called him ‘The Great Earl of Cork’, while to his ene- mies he was ‘the Upstart Earl’. Educated at The King’s School, Canterbury, and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Boyle studied law at the Middle Temple, London, but left for Ireland before completing his course. It is said that he arrived in Dublin on 23 June, 1588, with only £23 in his pocket. At the end of his life, he was the first millionaire in Ireland and he and his children had many titles. Through advantageous marriages to heiresses, the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I, and political appointments, such as the posts of Lord High Treasurer and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, he became the richest man in the country. One part of his estate was the 42,000 acres, which he purchased from Sir Walter Raleigh for a mere £1,500. He built the town of Bandon, and also helped to develop the towns of Clonakilty, Midleton, Castlemartyr, Charleville and Doneraile. In several of his estates, he also developed industries and employed up to 4,000 people.

Both he and his sons, together with armies partly made up of their own employees, helped defeat the Irish Confederate forces during the Nine Years War, including the battle of Liscarroll (1641), in which one of Boyle’s sons was killed. Some of his children were unusually gifted, especially Sir Robert, founder of the Royal Society and discoverer of Boyle’s Law, and Sir Roger, Earl of Orrery, who was one of the most gifted of the Parliamentary Commanders.

Cromwell is reported to have said that if there were an Earl of Cork in every province, it would have been impossible for the Irish to raise a rebellion.

The Earl of Cork built up an enormous estate in Ireland. It started when he was appointed deputy escheator to Sir Geoffrey Fenton. Part of Boyle’s duty was to allocate confiscated and ‘con- cealed’ land, much of which he either purchased for small sums or allocated to himself. His Limerick holdings came initially from his marriage to Joan Apsley, co-heir to a large landowner in Limerick. He continued to secure more and more land during the Cromwellian confiscations, including hundreds of acres in and around Askeaton. Even a cursory reading of O’Donovan’s Ordinance Survey Letters of 1840, will reveal frequent references to his ownership of properties in the barony of Connello. Boyle’s second wife was Catherine, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Fenton, whom he married 25 July, 1603, and by whom he had seven sons and eight daughters. His descen- dants are connected with several British aristocratic families, as well as with Queen Elizabeth II.

Richard Boyle died at Youghal on 15 September, 1643, and is buried in the Boyle Family Tomb, St Mary’s Abbey, Youghal, Co. Cork. (Barnard, T., ODNB)

 

Boyle, Roger, Lord Broghill & Earl of Orrery (1621-79), Soldier.

Roger Boyle, son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, was born in Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford, on 25 April, 1621. His mother, the Earl’s second wife, was Catherine Fenton. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he was created Baron Broghill on 27 February, 1627, when only six years of age, thanks to the fact that his father, Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, was the largest landowner and rich- est man in Ireland. Sir Roger first came to prominence as a playwright. His special talent, however, was as a military commander and this was first demonstrated when he and his brothers fought and defeated the Irish Confederate forces at the battle of Liscarroll in 1642

Broghill was initially suspicious of Cromwell and began to associate with groups plan- ning the restoration of Charles II. In a private interview, however, Cromwell changed Broghill’s mind and offered him command as Master of Ordinance in Munster. Broghill accepted and proved to be a gifted commander. He was largely responsible for the triumph of Cromwellian forces in Ireland, defeating the south Munster rebels at Macroom and Lord Muskerry’s forces at Knocknaclashy in 1651. The latter were on their way to relieve the Irish under attack by General Ireton in Limerick. Finally, he aided Ireton in capturing Limerick. Cromwell heaped honours on him.

After the death of Cromwell, however, Boghill saw that the reign of the Parliamentarians was coming to an end, so he took control of the Irish army and pledged his support for the restora- tion of Charles II. As a reward, he was made 1st Earl of Orrery. He acquired a good deal of proper- ty, both in England and Ireland, including thousands of acres in Munster, not least through the Cromwellian confiscations. This property included the well-known estates at Blarney Castle, Ballymaloe and Charleville. Much of this estate, including several townlands in Askeaton (such as Courtbrowne and Lismakeery), remained in the possession of his family until the end of the nine- teenth century. In 1712, when one of his successors requested a grant of £500 to repair the Desmond castle, it was stated that the family owned three quarters of the 12,000 acre-seignory of Askeaton (Westropp, 1902, ‘Notes’, 172), Multi-talented himself, Roger Boyle also came from a very talented family, his brother, Robert Boyle, being the founder of the Royal Society and discov- erer of Boyle’s Law in physics. Roger Boyle married Lady Margaret Howard, daughter of the Earl of Suffolk, and had five daughters and two sons, the eldest, Roger (1646-81), succeeding him as 2nd Earl of Orrery. The first Earl died at his seat in Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, on 26 October, 1679. (Westropp, 1902, ‘Notes’, 172 ff; Barnard, T., ODNB)

 

Bridgeman, Joseph (1889-), Member L.C.C.

Joseph Bridgeman, son of Edward Bridgeman and Elizabeth Hewson, was born in Toomdeely and baptised in St Mary’s church, Askeaton, on 15 February, 1889. He attended Askeaton National School, after which he worked on the family farm. He had several brothers and sisters, though there are now no descendants of theirs in the area. He was a member of the Limerick County Council for the Rathkeale constituency during the period 1934-42. He died in the late 1950s and is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (Ferriter, 1998, 220)

Brien, Rev. Edward (1812-), Clergyman.

Edward Henry Brien, son of Edward Brien, surgeon, was born in Devon on 17 November, 1812. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1835) and ordained Deacon (1836) and priest of the Church of Ireland on 6 January, 1837. His first appointment (after ordination as a Deacon) was Askeaton, where he worked as a Curate from 1836 to 1837. Subsequent appointments included Curate in Powerscourt (1837-38), Curate in Midleton, Co. Cork (1839-46), Curate Waterford Cathedral (1846-50) and Vicar in Ballinakill, Waterford (1849-58). (Leslie 1936).

 

Browne, Vincent (c.1847), Landowner.

Vincent Browne was listed as contributing £3 to the Askeaton Famine Relief Fund in 1847 (ABC News, 1982, 26) His family gave their name to ‘Courtbrowne’. O’Donovan (OSL, Askeaton, 1840, 118) notes that only the west wall of the ruins of Courtbrowne Castle was standing in 1840. The ownership of the townland was then jointly held by Lord Guillamore and the Earl of Cork. In his description of Askeaton in 1837, Samuel Lewis lists J. Browne as living at ‘Shannonview’ (Courtbrowne). (Lewis, 1837; Donovan, 1840, OSL).

 

Burchs, Rev.. Richard (c1396), Clergyman.

Rev. Richard Burchs is listed as holding the ‘living’ of Askeaton. He was, however, not ordained, but, as a Norman Lord, collected some of the money intended for the upkeep of the Church. (Leslie 1936)

 

Bury, John (c.1650-1722), M.P.

John Bury, second son of Phineas Bury, High Sheriff of Cork in 1673, was born about 1650, at Summerville House, Pallaskenry, heir to the Bury estate. His father, Phineas, received a grant of lands in County Limerick on 14 November, 1666, and another grant in the barony of Barrymore, County Cork. John’s Will is dated 6 March, 1720, and was proved 13 October, 1722. John married Jane Palliser, only daughter (b.1684) of the Archbishop of Cashel, and remarried in 1704, following the death of his first wife. This John was Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1715 until his death in 1722. Though John began building the well-known Queen Anne house in Shannongrove, it was his son, William, who completed it. John had four sons and two daughters. Though the Bury estate was quite large, John’s grandson became a very wealthy man when he inherited, through marriage, the estate (20,000 acres) of Charles Moore, 1st Earl of Charleville, who died without an heir. This man’s son, Charles William Bury (1764-1835), also inherited the Earldom of Charleville and, henceforth, the Burys lived at Charleville Castle, Tullamore. John Bury died 14 September, 1722. (Howard Bury Papers; BIFR, 1976, 190; UHF).

 

Butler, Henry, Earl of Carrick (1746-1813), M.P.

The close connection of Askeaton with this distinguished family began with the marriage (on 15 April, 1774) of Sarah Taylor, Ballynort, to Henry Thomas Butler, born on 19 May, 1746. Henry succeeded to two titles on the death of his father, Somerset Hamilton Butler, on 15 April, 1774. Through the first title, he became Viscount Ikerrin and through the second, Earl of Carrick. Henry’s mother was Lady Juliana Boyle (c.1728-1804), daughter of Henry Boyle, Earl of Shannon, and Henrietta Boyle. Henry was a grandson of Roger Boyle, 1621-79, better known as Lord Broghill and 1st Earl of Orrery. It was Broghill who sent men to garrison Askeaton Castle during the Geraldine wars and who was rewarded with several townlands around Askeaton.

Henry Butler inherited half of the seignory of Askeaton on his marriage to Sarah Taylor. The other half went to her sister, Catherine, who married Hugh Massy (1733-90). This marriage (Henry to Sarah Taylor) was the mechanism through which several townlands in Ballysteen and Askeaton came to be listed as the property of the Earl of Carrick in Griffith’s Valuation of 1850. Henry Butler died on 20 July, 1813, and was succeeded by his son, Somerset Richard Butler. (UHF)

 

Campion, Rev. John R, (c.1895-1951), Clergyman.

John Robert Campion, son of John Alfred Campion and his wife, Mary, was born in Woodville, St Laurence Road, Clontarf, Dublin, around 1895. Educated at Mountjoy School, he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where he passed his BA examination and Divinity Test in 1915. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1916 and Priest in 1917. Initially, he served in the Archdiocese of Armagh (1916-19), before taking up posts as curate in Shanagolden (1919-21), during which he helped part-time in Askeaton, St John’s Cathedral (1921-22), Ballycastle (1922-25) and Rathkeale (1925-26). He was appointed Rector of Kilcolman (1926-32), and transferred later as Rector of Kilcooley (1932-34). From 1934 to 1951, he was rector in Kilmacow (Ossory). He married (4 October, 1922) Ethel Haddon of Leicester and they had one son, Brian Haddon (who was also ordained), and one daughter, Joyce Elaine Haddon. He died in 1951. (Crockford, 1950; Leslie 1940, 105; Leslie and Wallace, 2001, 460).

 

Carew, Sir George (1555-1629), Soldier, Researcher.

George Carew, son of Sir George Carew and Anne Harvey, was born on 29 May, 1555, and was educated at Broadgates Hall (later Pembroke College), Oxford. He began his military career in Ireland in 1574, serving under, among others, the great Sir Philip Sidney. He had a command as Master of Ordnance in Ireland during the years 1588-92. After further service in Europe (Cadiz, 1596, Azores, 1597), he was appointed Lord President of Munster in 1600. He helped his deputy, Lord Mountjoy, defeat Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and was rewarded with honours and riches, including the titles, Baron of Clopton (1605) and Earl of Totnes (1626). He was also a scholar and collected material used by his secretary, Thomas Stafford, in compiling the important book, Paccata Hibernia or A Historie of the Late Warres in Ireland (1633). This volume contains one the earliest drawings/ maps of Askeaton. He married Joyce Clopton in 1580 and had one son, Peter, who died young. In the Summer of 1600, Carew passed through Askeaton and brought much-needed men and supplies to Sir Francis Berkeley. Carew died in London on 27 March, 1629, and is buried in Stratford-on-Avon. (Connolly 1998, 70)

 

Carrig, Thomas (1942-2003), Sportsman

Thomas Carrig, son of Maurice Carrig and his wife, Mary Lynch, was born in Creaves on 12 March, 1941. He attended Nutgrove National School, after which he began work in Foynes. Subsequently, he took up employment at Southern Chemicals, Askeaton, where he remained for the remainder of his working life. Tommy was unusually gifted in sports and showed early promise, when, after playing for Askeaton/ Ballysteen minors, he was selected to represent Limerick in intercounty minor football in 1958. He then graduated to senior level and, again, represented Limerick in senior intercounty football continuously until 1968. He was a member of the great Askeaton/ Ballysteen teams of the 1960s and early 1970s and won a total of five county medals.

Tommy married Nora Geoghegan and they had a family of four girls (Mary, Joan, Helena and

Teresa). He also had two grandsons, Tony and Edward. Tommy died on 10 June, 2003, and is buried in Relig Mhuire cemetery, Askeaton. (Carrig, J, 2007).

 

Carmody, Matthew (c.1800-), Teacher

Michael Carmody had a private school in Askeaton in 1826, containing 121 children, of whom 90 were boys. All except eight pupils were Catholic. He described his total annual income from school fees as amounting to £15 a year. The school building was built of stone and, at the time, cost £20 to build. Though Matthew’s name does not occur in the Parish Register of the period, there were other members of that family in the parish at that time. [BPP 1826-27 (12)]

 

Carroll, Rev. John (c.1900-69), Clergyman.

John Carroll was born around 1900 and was educated for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 21 June, 1925. He served for a short time in the archdiocese of Southwark before being appointed curate in Ballyhahill (1926), Ardagh (1928) and Bruff (1936). He was appointed Parish Priest of Glenroe in 1949. He was transferred to Askeaton-Ballysteen as Parish Priest on 14 January, 1964, where he ministered until his sudden death on 10 September, 1969. He is buried in the church grounds, Askeaton. (LDA).

 

Casey, Sister Elizabeth (1890-1916), Religious Sister.

Elizabeth Casey, daughter of John Casey and Hana O’Shaughnessy, was born in Ballyvaddock, Askeaton, and baptised in St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen, on 7 November, 1890. She attended Ballysteen National School, later entering a Convent of Mercy in the USA. Her health declined, however, and she died from tuberculosis in 1916 at the early age of 26. She was buried in the cemetery in the convent grounds. (Casey, M., 2007)

 

Casey, Rev. Patrick (1876-46), Clergyman.

Patrick Casey was born in Ardpatrick in 1876 and was educated at St Munchin’s College, Limerick. He matriculated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 5 September, 1894, enrolling in the philosophy class. On completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained on 17 June, 1900. After an initial ministry in Liverpool, his first appointment in the diocese of Limerick was as curate in St Munchin’s (1906-08). After this he was curate in Ballingarry (1908-19), Bulgaden (1919-20), Askeaton (1920-21) and Mahoonagh (1921-28). In 1928 he was appointed Parish Priest in Loughill, where he remained until his transfer to Askeaton as Parish Priest on 1 June, 1940. He died in a tragic shooting incident at the presbytery, Askeaton, on Sunday 6 January, 1946. He is buried in the church grounds, Askeaton. (Hammell, 40; Tobin, 2004, 13).

 

Caulfield, Rev. (c.1840), Clergyman.

Mr Caulfield is listed as Church of Ireland curate in Askeaton in 1834 (and in 1840 (O’Donovan, OSL). O’Donovan lists him as then living in ‘Castleview’, now occupied by Mr Victor Gardiner and family. Caulfield was curate to Rev. George Maxwell, Church of Ireland Rector in Askeaton. Incidentally, this ‘living’ was then within the ‘patronage’ of the then owner of the ‘seignory’ of Askeaton, Sir Matthew Blakiston. There is no further information to hand on Rev. Caulfield. (O’Donovan 1840, OSL)

Champagne, Rev. Arthur (1789-1862), Clergyman.

Arthur Champagne, descended from French Hugenot stock, was born in Cloncagh, Co. Derry, around 1789. He was the grandson of Rev. Arthur Champagne, Dean of Clonmacnoise. Young Arthur was educated in Trinity College (MA) and ordained a minister of the Church of Ireland. His first appointment was as curate in Durrow. Subsequently, through the influence of his step-father, Rev. Gustavus Whybrands, he became Vicar of Castlelyons, Co. Cork, while Rev. Whybrands became vicar of Askeaton. In 1830, Arthur resigned his appointment in Castlelyons and retired to Miltown House, Pallaskenry, where he lived until his death on 3 November, 1862 (LC, 6.xi.1862). Meantime, Arthur had become a wealthy man, having inherited the estates of his deceased brother, George, and two uncles, George and Forbes. On the death of her second husband, Rev. Whybrands, on 24 March, 1824 (LC, 24.3.1824), Arthur’s mother, Mary, lived with her unmarried son in Milltown. She died there on 24 January, 1845 (Cork Examiner, 29.1.1845). Arthur Champagne is listed in Griffith’s Valuation of 1850 and in O’Dowd’s Round About County Limerick. Arthur died, unmarried, in Dublin on 2 November, 1862.

Mr Barney Sheehan (ABC News, 2006, 6-7) has pointed out a family connection between Rev. Arthur Champagne and the late Princess Diana Spencer, through Jane Champagne, sister of Arthur.

Mrs Mary Wybrants, mother of Rev. Arthur Champagne, is listed as the teacher at the Church of Ireland school in Milltown in 1825. She and her husband are buried in the family vault in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (BIFR 1976; BPP, 1837 (543-1, 543-II; Leslie, 1936; Brady 1864, II, 99)

 

Clarke, Rev. Frederick J (1815-), Clergyman.

Rev. Frederick James Clarke, son of Peter Clarke, was born in Antrim in 1815. He was educated at the Belfast Institute, before entering Trinity College, Dublin, on 15 June, 1834. He obtained his BA degree in 1841, was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland the same year and priest on 18 September, 1842, in Limerick. He came to Askeaton on 28 February, 1842, but did not remain for long. He resigned his curacy in December, 1842, returning to Northern Ireland, where he subse- quently worked in Derry. Later, he settled in England, where he became permanent curate in Reddal-hill, Staffordshire, where he resided in 1865.(Leslie, 1936; Crockford, 1865).

 

Clarke, Rev. Thomas (c.1884-1935), Clergyman.

Thomas Clarke was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, (BA 1906, Divinity Test 1907, MA 1916) and ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1906 and Priest in 1907. After ordination, he served as curate in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo (1906-08), before taking up a post as curate in Holy Trinity/ St Lawrence, Limerick, from 1908 to 1909. He served as Rector in Kilcornan (1909-22). In 1922, he was appointed Rector of the Church of Ireland in Tralee, but later moved to Askeaton. He died on 26 May, 1935. (Leslie, 1936)

 

Clifford, Rev. John (1820-80), Clergyman.

John Clifford was born in Bulgaden on 25 February, 1820, and ordained in 1845. His first appoint- ment as curate was to Askeaton/Ballysteen (1845-46), after which he served in the same capacity in Knockaderry (1846-47), Dromin/ Athlacca (1847-49), Manister (1849-50), Kilmallock (1850-58),

Shanagolden (1858-61), Rathkeale (1861-62) and Newcastle West (1862-63). In 1863, he was appointed Parish Priest of Stonehall (Kilcornan), but transferred in the same capacity to Monagea,

after less than a year. He remained in this post until his early death on 1 August, 1880, aged 59 years. He is buried in Monagea church grounds. (Tobin, 2004, 15).

 

Collins, Donie (1924-87), Musician.

Donie Collins was born in Askeaton in 1924 and attended Askeaton National School. From an early age, he displayed an unusual musical ability, moving from violin to piano and then to a vari- ety of instruments. He started playing for dances in his early teens. Initially, his venues were the library buildings in Askeaton and Ballysteen, and, subsequently, venues in Foynes and beyond.

When the ‘big band’ era arrived, Donie’s band was in demand all over Munster. Though he spe- cialised in trumpet and clarinet, he was, in fact, in true musician style, proficient in about nine instruments. In later years, his favourite instrument was the alto saxophone. He died on 25 February, 1987, and is buried in Relig Mhuire cemetery, Askeaton. (ABC 1987, 57).

 

Collis, Rev. Henry (1707-86), Clergyman.

Rev. Henry Collis, son of William Collis, was born in County Kerry about 1707. He entered Trinity College, Dublin on 11 June, 1725, and obtained his MA in 1729. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1732 and Priest for the diocese of Limerick on 24 September, 1732. He was installed as Rector of the Church of Ireland, Askeaton (including Lismakeery and Toomdeely), on 28 August, 1734 and remained in this post until 1757. He subsequently moved to Nantenan, where he is listed as Rector in 1766. He was also Prebendary (a senior clerical post, usually with an attached income) of Effin. He died in 1786 and his Will is dated 5 April, 1786. He had three sons, William, Henry and John, and at least two daughters (Albina and Mary, who married Richard Taylor, Ballynort). His will shows that he was relatively wealthy, since each of his daughters received £420, and his grandson was scheduled to receive all his books, provided that he took Holy Orders in the Church of Ireland. (Leslie 1936)

 

Collis, Rev. Thomas (c.1694-1765), Clergyman.

Thomas Collis, son of William Collis, and Mary Cross, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Cross, Precentor of Cloyne, was born at Lisodoge, Co. Kerry, about 1694. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 28 April, 1712, and graduated with a BA degree in 1716 and an MA in 1719. He mar- ried Avis Blennerhasset of Tralee and had three daughters and a son, William, who also attended Trinity College, Dublin. He was Vicar of the Church of Ireland in Askeaton in 1731, and is listed Rector of Toomdeely in 1734. He was rector of Ballynacourty Union and Vicar of Kilflynn, 1747-

65. He died in Ventry in 1765 and his will was proved in 1766. (Leslie 1936 and 1940)

 

Conway, Daniel (c.1844-92), Teacher.

Daniel Conway was born in Tournafulla, Co. Limerick, around 1844. He became Principal of Askeaton National school and married Charlotte O’Connor (d.28 February, 1919), who was also a teacher in the Infant School. The marriage took place in St Mary’s RC Church, Askeaton, on 18 August, 1869. They had a large family of seven girls and four boys. He died on 3 August, 1892, and is buried in the Abbey, Askeaton. ‘A Directory of the British Isles, 1861' lists Daniel Conway as ‘Master’ in the National School and ‘Eliza McLoughlin’ as ‘Mistress’. Ms Mary Mulcahy was listed as Mistress in the Infant School. (A/B Par. Reg.; Directory of the British Isles, 1861; Limerick City and County Directory, 1884, 133)

Conway, Rev. John (c.1851-1929), Clergyman.

John Conway was ordained at Presentation Convent, Limerick, on 25 July, 1876. He spent the first year after ordination on loan to the diocese of Clogher (1876-77), after which, he was appointed curate, successively, at Templeglantine (1877-78); Tournafulla (1878-80): Manister (1880); Parteen (1880-81); Knockaderry (1881-84); Glenroe (1884-87); Croom (1887-92); Askeaton/ Ballysteen

(1892); Effin (1892-95); St Munchin’s Limerick (1895-03); Croagh (1903-08); Tournafulla (1908-

18); Bulgaden (1918-19) and Mahoonagh (1919-29). He died at Mahoonagh on 12 September, 1929, and is buried there in the church grounds. (Tobin 2004, 19-20).

 

Conway, Patrick (1872- 1947), Teacher.

Patrick Conway, son of Daniel Conway and Charlotte O’Connor, was born and baptised in Askeaton on 20 March, 1872. Both his parents were teachers in Askeaton National School and it was natural for Patrick to follow in their footsteps. After qualifying at St Patrick’s Training College, Drumcondra, he began teaching in Askeaton National School as an assistant teacher where his father, Daniel, had earlier been Principal. In due course, he, himself, became Principal. On his retirement in 1933, he had 43 years service in Askeaton. He married Mary Moynihan (d.8 December, 1923), who taught in the Askeaton Girls’ school. They had a family of two boys, Donal and Paidin, and two girls, Christine and Agnes. Patrick Conway died on 4 August, 1947, and is buried in the Abbey, Askeaton. (A/B Par. Reg.; O’Donnell, D., 2007)

 

Copley, John (c.1780-), Landowner.

John Copley, Ballyclough House, Askeaton, was a witness at the trial of three men, Patrick and James Minnane and John Green, for the murder of Major Richard Hare during the ‘Tithe War’ on 1 February, 1822. It will be recalled that, at this time, much of West Limerick was in a state of fer- ment owing to the activity of the ‘Rockites’. These men were raiding the houses of the gentry in an attempt to build up a supply of firearms. At the trial, Mr John Copley testified that five or six per- sons came to his house and purloined certain firearms, including ‘a blunderbuss, a short gun and two muskets’. On 18 February, 1822, a large group of about 200 men assembled in Mr Copley’s demesne to cut wood. When Mr Hunt (magistrate), accompanied by police and soldiers, tried to disperse them, an affray occurred, during which one man was killed and two others severely wounded. In 1809, John Copley is listed as being granted a gun license. In 1876 the Copley estate in Ballyclough was listed as consisting of 390 acres. John Copley married Dorothea Stack, Ballyconry, Lisselton, Co. Kerry, on 15 April, 1805. This John Copley was a relative of Sir John Singleton Copley, Lord Lyndhurst (1772-1863), distinguished jurist and British Lord Chancellor. (LC, 1809; BPP 1822 (423), 14; Con. Jrnl., 9 Aug, 1824; ODNB)

 

Corkery, Rev. Timothy (c.1811-91), Clergyman.

Timothy Corkery, born around 1811, was educated for the priesthood in the Irish College in Paris. Before coming to Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1853-59), he served as curate in Croom (1837-45), Croagh (1845-48), Croom (1848-50) and Glenroe (1850-53). In 1859, he was appointed Parish Priest of Tournafulla, where he remained until 1867, when he retired owing to ill-health. He died 28 December, 1891. He was a blood brother of Rev. Patrick Corkery, also in the diocese of Limerick, who died 13 April, 1890. (Tobin, 2005, 22).

Cornelius, Rev. John OFM (d.1579), Friar.

Father John Cornelius or Connolly was a Franciscan Friar of the Abbey in Askeaton. He was one of the Friars killed by Sir Nicholas Malby’s forces, when they attacked Askeaton in 1579 (Conlon, 21.03.07).

 

Cotter, Sir James (1714-70), M.P.

James Cotter, son of Sir James Cotter (d.1720), commander of the Jacobite forces of James II in Counties Cork, Kerry and Limerick, was born in Anngrove, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, in 1714. Following the defeat of James’ army in 1691, Sir James Cotter Snr was executed for treason by order of King William on 7 May, 1720. His son, James, changed his religion to Church of Ireland and became a staunch Williamite Loyalist. He was rewarded with a baronetcy in 1763 and was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1761 to 1768. In 1746, he married Rt Hon. Arabella Rogerson, daughter of a Lord Chief Justice, and had four sons. He died 9 June, 1770, at his resi- dence, Rockforrest, Mallow, Co. Cork. His wife, Lady Cotter, also died there on 22 March, 1793 (Anthologica Hibernica, 1793-94; UHF)

 

Courtenay, George (d.1642), Soldier.

Captain George Oughtred Courtenay, fifth son of Sir William Countenay (1553-1630), of Powderham Castle, Devon, and his wife, Elizabeth Manners, married Katherine Berkeley, daughter of Sr Francis Berkeley, Askeaton. They had three sons, Sir William Oughtred Courtenay, who died about 1651; Sir Francis Courtenay (1617-59); Morrisse Courtenay (b.1618), who died young.

Captain George Courtenay succeeded to the appointment of Constable of Limerick on the death of his brother-in-law, Maurice Berkeley, but this proved no sinechure. After their defeat at the battle of Liscarroll in 1641, a large body of Irish troops, under the command of Pierce Butler, Lord Muskerry and General Barry, attacked St John’s Castle, Limerick. Courtenay, though left with inad- equate troops and armaments, resolved to defend the castle. During a prolonged siege, the Irish excavated a tunnel under the wall of the Castle and, on exploding a charge on 21 June, 1642, a large hole was made in the outer wall. Though Courtenay was forced to surrender, he managed to arrange the escape by boat of some four hundred English, mostly women and children. The defeat, however, hastened his death, for he was already suffering from a ‘lingering illness’ and he died later in 1642. His Askeaton estate included Aughinish and Fawnamore. George Countenay’s father, Sir William, was an ‘undertaker’, who received a seignory of 12,000 acres in Newcastle West.

Descendants of his cousin, Sir William Courtenay, subsequently became Earls of Devon and increased their Newcastle West estate to 33,000 acres. (Crofton, 1911, 78, 93; Courtenay, 1993)

 

Creagh, Pierse Jnr (c.1710-), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Pierse Creagh (Jnr), son of Pierse Creagh (Snr) and Elizabeth, daughter of George Mathew, Thomastown, Co. Tipperary, half sister of James, 1st Marquess of Ormonde, and aunt of the 1st Lord Llandaff, was born at Dangan Castle, Tulla, Co. Clare. His father, from Adare, had been Mayor of Limerick (1651) and his grandfather, also Pierse, was a Member of Parliament for the City of Limerick (1639). Pierse (Jnr) was married three times, each time to a member of a promi- nent Irish family. His first wife (1739) was Catherine, daughter of Valentine Quin of Adare; the second (1755) was Gertrude Maglin of Brickhill, Co. Clare; his third wife (1759) was Lavinia, daughter of Richard Pennefather, and aunt of Lord Chief Justice Pennefather. This Pierse had a total of three sons and a daughter. He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and features in

the group portrait of the members, painted by James Worsdale around 1736. The family estate in Dangan comprised some 6,000 acres. (Burke, 1899, 91)

 

Creagh, Pierse Snr (c.1736), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Pierse Creagh, grandson of Pierce Creagh of Adare, who was a Member of Parliament for Limerick (1651), and Margaret McNamara of Cratloe Castle, was born at Dangan Castle, Co. Clare. His father was Simon Creagh and his mother was Mary McMahon. Pierse married Elizabeth, daughter of George Mathew (a relative of Father Theobald Mathew) of Thomastown Castle, Co. Tipperary, and had two children, a son and heir, Pierse (Jnr) and a daughter, Elizabeth, who married Mr Daveren of Lisdoonvarna. The family estate in Dangan comprised some 6,000 acres. Pierce (Snr) was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and is in the group of members painted by James Worsdale around 1736. (Burke, 1899, 91)

 

Crofton, George (c.1596-1643), M.P.

George Crofton, third son of Edward Crofton (d.19 January, 1627) and Elizabeth Mostyn, and grandson of John Crofton, Escheator General of Ireland for Elizabeth I (1576-97), was born in 1596 in Ballymurray, Co. Roscommon. He married (1625) Elizabeth Berkeley, daughter of Sir Francis Berkeley (of Askeaton) and Jane Loftus. They had three sons, the eldest of whom, Sir Edward Crofton (d.1675), became 1st Baronet of the Mote; the second son, John settled in lands in Kilbryan, North Roscommon; the third, Thomas, had property in Incherourke, Askeaton, and in Clondtaha, Co. Clare. This latter Thomas was left gifts of a scarf and a ring by his cousin, Robert Taylor (qv), Ballynort, Askeaton, in his will of 1693, provided that Thomas attended his funeral! Following his marriage to Elizabeth Berkeley, George Crofton (Snr) was nominated as a Member of Parliament for Askeaton in 1639. He is listed as being the builder of Mote Castle, Co.

Westmeath, between 1627 and 1632. He died in 1643. Westropp notes that the Crofton name sur- vived in Askeaton for more that a hundred years. Daniel Axtell (qv), reporting on Askeaton in 1652, noted that Mrs Crofton owned a mill there. This is confirmed in the Civil Survey of 1655, while a marriage settlement, dated 21 January, 1783, involving Richard Taylor, Ballynort, specifi- cally mentions ‘Crofton’s Brook’ as a boundary to property in Askeaton (Crofton 1911, 78; Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 171-3.).

 

Croker, Edward (c.1700-), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Edward Croker, eldest son of John Croker of Ballinagarde and Anne Richards, was born in Ballinagarde House, Bruff, Co. Limerick. He succeeded to the family estate on the death of his father in 1751. He married (1726) Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Prittie of Dunalley Castle, Co. Tipperary (qv), and had a family of three sons and one daughter. He was appointed High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1735. He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and is featured in James Worsdale’s (qv) 1736 painting of the members. Though not a Member of Parliament himself, his son and heir, John, was a member for Fethard from 1768-76. Edward’s estate included Ballinagarde, which he inherited from his father, John. The Crokers of Ballinagarde were a branch of the Crokers of Linehan, Devon, a very ancient family. The first member to take up residence in Ireland was Edward Gill Croker, who was given lands at Rawleighstown, Kilmallock, for services rendered to Cromwell. He was killed in the rebellion of 1641, but his son, John, lived to be 93. (Burke, 1899, 93)

Croker, John (1690-1751), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

John Bucknor Croker, son of Edward Croker of Rawleighstown, Kilmallock, and Mary, daughter of John Bucknor, The Grange, Bruff, Co. Limerick, was born around 1690. He married Anne, daugh- ter of Andrew Richards and had five sons (Edward, Richard, Abraham, Andrew and Dillon) and one daughter, Elizabeth. He was Sheriff of County Limerick in 1737. He was returned as a Member of Parliament for Kilmallock (1723-27). He was one of the Memorialists trying to revoke a clause in an Act passed during Queen Anne’s reign, seeking to naturalise foreign-born Protestants. This move was interpreted by the Establishment as likely to favour children of Catholics, who had sup- ported King James II. He acquired a large estate at Ballinagarde and was granted the right to hold fairs in Croom. He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and features in Worsley’s (qv) 1736 portrait of members. He died at Ballinagarde on 6 November, 1751.

The famous ‘Doubt It,’ Croker story relates to a later incumbent of Ballinagarde, John Hare Croker. This John, when on his death bed, looked out of his bedroom window and saw his pack of fox hounds assembling for a hunt on his front lawn. His son, Rev. Robert Croker (1795- 1848), tried to console him by saying that he was soon going to a ‘better place’. A local ballad, records the conversation of clergyman son and dying father:

‘There’s a land that is fairer than this, you’ll regard’ ‘I doubt it’, says Croker of Ballinagarde.

The famous Tammany Hall (New York) Irish Politician, Richard Croker (1843-1922), was said to be in some way related to the Ballinagarde branch of this well-known family (Burke 1899, 93; BIFR, 1976).

 

Cronin, Rev. James (1914-80), Clergyman.

James Cronin was born on 4 February, 1914, son of Patrick and Annie Cronin, at the Quay, Askeaton. He attended Askeaton National School, after which, he completed his secondary education at Blackrock College, Dublin. He entered the Holy Ghost Congregation in 1932 in Kimmage Manor, going on to complete his philosophy course at Blackrock Castle. He was then assigned to St Mary’s College, Port of Spain, Trinidad (1935-37), where he spent two years of his prefecture teaching. In 1937, he was sent to study theology in Rome, where was ordained on 23 June, 1940. He then continued postgraduate studies in theology, taking a Doctorate in Divinity (DD) at the Gregorian University in 1942. The next year he joined the Holy Ghost mission in Nigeria, landing on a stretcher, and continuing to be a sick man during his entire stay in Nigeria. Nevertheless, he struggled to do his share of ministry. He taught theology at St Paul’s, the senior seminary, and contributed a weekly article to the Nigerian Catholic Herald.

In 1947, he returned to Ireland, following a serious illness and taught theology at the Holy Ghost Missionary College, Kimmage Manor, Dublin. He then moved to Rockwell College, Tipperary, where he taught mathematics and science. He completed a Higher Diploma in Education at UCD in 1958, after which he returned to teach in Rockwell.

In 1971, he began attending Cuan Mhuire Clinic, run by Sister Consilio Fitzgerald, in Athy Co. Kildare. He stayed on as chaplain to the clinic and began to promote Alcoholics Anonymous. In the 1970s, he was diagnosed as suffering from cancer and he died at St Luke’s hospital, Dublin, on 18 August, 1980. He is buried with members of his Spiritan Congregation in Dublin (www.irishspiritans.necrology; Cronin, 1995, 97).

Cronin, Rev. William (d.1818), Clergyman.

Rev. William Cronin was, according to Begley (III, 602), Parish Priest of Askeaton from 1814 to April, 1818. Previous to this time, he had been curate in Rathkeale. Begley also states that Cronin died of a ‘lingering illness... at Ann Street, Limerick’. There is no record of his burial place. (Begley, III, 602)

 

Crotty, Rev. Daniel (c.1847-), Clergyman.

Daniel Crotty was ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 6 October, 1872. After ordination he served as a curate in St Munchin’s (1872), Banogue (1872-73), Ballyagran (1873-74), Cratloe (1874-78), Feenagh (1878), Killeedy (1878-79), Glenroe (1879-81), Tournafulla (1881-83), Croagh

(1883-88), Askeaton (1888), Donaghmore (1888-89), Manister (1889-90), Donaghmore (1890-92), Ballyagran (1892-02), Donaghmore (1902-07). He retired in 1907. He was an active supporter of the Land League and voiced his support for Limerick priests, like Father Eugene Sheehy, who was imprisoned, under the terms of the Coercian Act, for his part in agrarian reform. (Tobin, 2004, 24).

 

Crowley, Rev. Edward (1922-2002), Clergyman.

Edward Crowley, son of John Crowley and Zita O’Connell, was born in West Square, Askeaton, on 11 January, 1922. He was educated at Askeaton National School and Rockwell College. He entered the Holy Ghost Congregation (like his older brother, Tim) in Kilshane and made his profession on 8 September, 1941. He then began his philosophical studies and was awarded a BA in Philosophy by UCD in 1944. He was assigned to Trinidad and taught at St Mary’s College, Port of Spain, from 1944 to 1947. From 1947 to 1951, he studied theology at the Holy Ghost scholasticate, Kimmage Manor, Dublin. He was ordained to the priesthood at Clonliffe College, Dublin, on 23 December, 1950.

His first overseas appointment was in the diocese of Owerri, Nigeria, where he taught in secondary schools and held the post of Principal. In 1963, he took up a post at the Teacher Training College, Mbulu Newa.

Owing to ill-health, Father Eddie returned to Ireland in 1965 and, subsequently, under- took ministry in the dioceses of Nottingham and Southwark England. In 1970, he went to the USA and had some thirty years of fruitful ministry in New Orleans, California, Arizona and Arkansas. In 2000 he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination. Around this time, his health began to fail and he returned to Ireland in September, 2002. He died at the Limerick Regional Hospital on 5 November, 2002. He is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (www.irishspiritans.necrology)

 

Crowley, Rev. Timothy (1912-2002), Clergyman.

Tim Crowley, son of John Crowley and Zita O’Connell, was born in Ballingarry, Co. Limerick, on 30 August, 1912. His family subsequently moved to Askeaton, where they have lived ever since. He was educated at Blackrock College, Dublin, and entered the Holy Ghost Congregation, making his profession on 8 September, 1932. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Kimmage Manor, Dublin, and was ordained to the priesthood on 25 June, 1939.

His first mission overseas was in Nigeria, where he worked in the diocese of Owerri. He remained in Nigeria until 1967, when, like many other missionaries, he had to leave because of the civil war. He then took up ministry in the USA, first in New Orleans and, subsequently, in Brooklyn. During his time in New York, he completed a Diploma in Counselling at St John’s University. He subsequently served in Sierra Leone. In 1988, he retired to the Kimmage

community. Due to ill-health, he spent his remaining years in Marian House, Kimmage Manor. He died there on 14 September, 2002, two months before his brother, Fr. Eddy Crowley. He is buried in Dardistown cemetery, Co. Dublin. (www.irishspiritans.necrology)

 

Culhane, Elizabeth (1863-1941), Teacher

Elizabeth Moran, daughter of James Moran and Mary Ambrose, was born in Ballysteen and bap- tised in St Patrick’s church, on 25 March, 1863. She was educated in Ballysteen National School, where she became a pupil teacher under the supervision of her father. She progressed through the different grades of pupil teacher by means of private study and examinations and qualified as a teacher under the National Board of Education. She taught all her life in the girls’ school, Ballysteen, where her father was Principal, retiring in 1938. Subsequently, boys and girls were amalgamated. She married, first, Henry O’Carroll, and they had one daughter, May. On the death of her first husband, she married Michael Culhane, but they had no children. She died in May, 1941, and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Ranahan, M., 2007).

 

Cussen, Rev. Edward (c.1800-60), Clergyman.

Edward Cussen is thought to have been born near Charleville, Co. Cork, in the diocese of Cloyne. This may explain why there is virtually no information about him in the Limerick diocesan archives. Before his arrival in Askeaton, he was curate in Croom. He came to Askeaton as curate in 1837 and became Parish Priest in 1839, in succession to Archdeacon Michael Fitzgerald. Father Cussen’s organisational skills came to the fore when the old parish church in Askeaton was acci- dentally burned down, following a fire at the corn mills of John Norris Russell, in 1847. Though still at the height of the Great Famine, he began collecting money and, in 1850, he completed the present St Mary’s church in Askeaton. He died in 1860 and is buried under the aisle of St Mary’s Church, Askeaton. He was succeeded by Father James Raleigh.

Some of Father Cussen’s relatives, including his brother and mother, also moved from Charleville and purchased a farm in Aughinish. From there, the family came to Askeaton, purchas- ing Rockabbey and the accompanying farm, where the family continued to live up to the 1950s. (www.limerickdiocese.com; Catholic Directory, 1836).

 

Daly, Rev. Thady OFM (d.1579), Friar.

Father Thady Daly was a Franciscan Friar of the Askeaton Abbey. In 1579, he left Askeaton to travel to the Franciscan Friary in Limerick. He was captured near Limerick and beheaded with a sword (Conlon, 2007).

 

Davenport, Thomas E. (c.1801-), Magistrate

Colonel Thomas Evans Davenport was born in Ballinacourty House, Askeaton, around 1801. He was the son of Thomas Davenport (will 1784) and Martha Evans, daughter of Tyrell Evans, a mid- dle man for part of the Bury estate in County Limerick. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA, 1825). Thomas Evans Davenport inherited part of the Evans estate and is listed as tithe proc- tor in Iverus in 1828 and 1829. He is also listed as owner of several properties in Askeaton and Ballysteen, in addition to his estate in Ballinacourty, in Griffith’s Valuation of 1850. It would appear that he became a middleman for properties, owned by the Earl of Charleville, in the Askeaton area. He is also mentioned by Dr John O’Donovan in his Ordinance Survey Letters of 1840. Davenport was a founder member of the Limerick Athanaeum in 1850 and he subscribed to

the fund to publish Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1835).

In addition to being a Magistrate and Justice of the Peace, Thomas Evans Davenport also had the military rank of Colonel and it was he who gave the order to the military to open fire at the fair of Askeaton in 1833, when other attempts to stop the combatants at a faction fight failed. There is a letter in the National Archives from Henry Watson, High Sheriff, Limerick City, written at the start of the Great Potatoe Famine, dated 6 December, 1845, stating that Mr Davenport of Ballinacourty had travelled County Limerick and had confirmed that there would be sufficient potatoes for both food and seed for the year 1846. How wrong he was! (Burtchaell and Sadlier, 1924, 212; Police Report by Major Thorpe, 1833; National Archives RLFC2/Z17220).

 

Davenport, Dixon (d.c.1875), Magistrate.

Captain Dixon Davenport, resident at Prospect Lodge, Tralee, inherited the property of Thomas E Davenport, Ballinacourty, Askeaton. He was deceased by 1876, though in that year his heirs had a good deal of property, including 269 acres in Ballinacourty and 663 acres in Co. Clare, in addition to some property in Tralee. On 11 September, 1862, his wife, then resident with her mother at Ballydonoughue House, Tarbert, presented him with a son (Cork Ex, 15.9.1862). On 23 July 1888, Mrs Fanny Davenport, widow of the late Captain Dixon Davenport, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs Emeline Price. Mrs Davenport was then aged 80 years and 7 months.(Cork Examiner, 15 Sept., 1862)

 

Davis, Rev. John (c.1702), Friar.

John Davis is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1701. Nothing further seems to be known about him. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170)

 

De Cardiff, Rev. Thomas (c.1237), Clergyman.

In 1237 Thomas de Cardiff, an English Canon, is listed as Parish Priest of Askeaton. (Leslie, 1936; Westropp 1903, 29)

 

Delany, Rev. Solomon (c.1654-1731), Clergyman.

Solomon Delany, son of John Delany, was born about 1654. An able student, he was relatively old

(24) when he entered Trinity College. This was probably due to the inability of his parents to send him to a suitable Preparatory School, since the College register (Trinity College, Dublin) describes his father’s occupation as ‘shepherd’ and notes that the boy was a ‘sizar’ (a student exempted from University fees). Nevertheless, young Delany proved himself an able student, obtaining a University scholarship in 1682, a BA in 1683 and an MA in 1686. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland on 5 August, 1683, and Priest on 6 November, 1687. Two of his sons, Solomon and Denis (who became a famous actor) also graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. Rev. Solomon Delany was installed as Rector of the Church of Ireland in Askeaton (including Lismakeery and Toomdeely) on 11 June, 1689. He also held the additional post of Vicar of Kildimo at the same time. He died in 1731 and probably held his substantive post until then. (Leslie, 1936).

 

Desmond, 1st Earl, Maurice Fitzgerald (1293-1355), Aristocrat.

Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald and Margaret de Berkeley, was born in 1293. His father died while he was still a child. He was married three times, firstly (5 August, 1312) to Lady Katherine de Burgh, daughter of Richard ‘The Red’ de Burgh, 2nd Earl of

Ulster, in Greencastle, Co Antrim, and their sons were Sir Maurice (2nd Earl) and Sir John. The 1st Earl was Lord Justice (Justiciar) of Ireland and he was created 1st Earl of Desmond by King Edward III on 22 August, 1329. In 1330, he introduced the practice of quartering soldiers in the homes of the people they were sent to protect. He married, secondly, Lady Aveline (or Eleanor) Fitzmaurice, the daughter of his brother, Nicholas Fitzmaurice, 3rd Lord of Kerry, and their children were Sir Gerald and Sir Nicholas (an embicile, who died c.1338). It has also been said that he married, thirdly, Lady Margaret O’Brien, daughter of Conor O’Brien of Thomond, but modern historians question the evidence of this. He died in Dublin Castle on January, 25, 1355.

Maurice was described as the most turbulent noble of his time. In 1332 Munster Juries accused him of conspiracies with Anglo-Irish and Gaelic lords to become king of Ireland. In 1346, he was indicted for treasonable correspondence with Scotland and France, and of offering to rule Ireland as Papal deputy. He was imprisoned in 1331-33 and was outlawed from 1345 to 1349. But he was restored to favour by Edward III and made Justiciar of Ireland in 1335. He fought for the Crown during the Bruce invasion and fought in Scotland in 1335. His main problems were con- nected with land. Royal ministers were upholding the land interests of absentee lease-holders with- in his domains, especially in county Cork (Frame, ODNB).

 

Notes:

1)      The inclusion of all the Earls of Desmond in an Askeaton/ Ballysteen Biographical Dictionary may, at first sight, seem arguable, since only some of them actually resided in Askeaton. On the other hand, the fact is that Askeaton was one of the main castles of the House of Desmond, and, from a strategic point of view, was in a very real sense the centre of the domain of the Earls of Desmond. This domain, it must be remembered was the largest in Ireland, including more than 574,000 acres and stretching from Castlemaine, Co. Kerry, in the west, to the Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary, in the east, and from the Shannon in the north to the sea at Youghal, Co. Cork, in the south. The town of Askeaton, therefore, belonged to the Earls of Desmond just as much as it later belonged to the Lord of the Seignory, Sir Francis Berkeley.

2)      It should be noted that there is a difference of opinion as to the total number of Earls of Desmond (first creation) and the method of numbering them. In this volume, we adopt the system used in Burke’s Peerage.

3)      Altogether, there have been four creations of the title Earl of Desmond. Only the first two, relating to the Fitzgerald family, are of concern here. In the first creation, we had the Fitzgerald Earls 1st (Sir Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald) to the 15th (Rebel Earl, Sir Gerald Fitzgerald, who was killed in 1583). The first creation was dissolved on the death of Sir Gerald, 15th Earl. The second creation was arranged specifically for Sir James Fitzgerald, only son of the 15th Earl, and was intended for the duration of his life only. In fact, it last- ed only one year (1600-01), because he died one year after being created Earl.

4)      Sir James Fitzgerald, popularly known as the “Sugan Earl,” was not recognised by the Irish Government of the time and, consequently, was not in the Fitzgerald Earls of Desmond line, though he was of their blood, being a nephew of the 15th Earl. James assumed this title himself and was ‘confirmed’ in it by Sir Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, Moreover, there is little doubt that this was done for political purposes, especially to rally a following of supporters to the cause of the Geraldine rebellion.

Desmond, 2nd Earl, Maurice Fitzgerald (1336-58), Aristocrat.

Maurice Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, son of Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, 1st Earl, and Lady Katherine de Burgh, succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Desmond in 1356. He was born in Newcastle West on 31 July, 1336 and baptized in the Catholic Church, Newcastle West, on 1 August, 1336. He married Lady Beatrice Stafford, daughter of Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford. He died by drowning, while crossing the Irish Sea, in 1358 or 1359. (Fitzgerald of Desmond)

Desmond, 3rd Earl, Gerald (The Poet) Fitzgerald (c.1338-98), Aristocrat.

Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, younger son of Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, 1st Earl, and Lady Aveline Fitzmaurice, was born about 1338. He succeeded as 3rd Earl of Desmond on the death, by drowning, of his elder brother, Sir Maurice. The title and lands were formally transferred to him by King Edward III in 1359 on condition that he marry Lady Eleanor Butler (daughter of James, 2nd Earl of Ormond, and his wife, Elizabeth Darey), and also that he would look after his embecile brother, Sir Nicholas, for life. He married Eleanor some time after 20 July, 1359, and she died in 1395. Gerald was charged with various governmental duties, culminating in his being appointed Justiciar of Ireland on 20 February, 1367. He held this office until 1369. He was again invited to become Justiciar in January, 1382, but he declined the offer. He was, however, the Munster repre- sentative of the King’s lieutenant in Ireland, as well as a justice in Kerry. He was also a cultivated man, being both a mathematician and a poet, one of his poems being, ‘Mairg adeir olc ris na mnaibh’ (‘In defense of Women’). Gerald, known in Irish as Garoid Iarla, is important in the history of the Gaelic inculturation of the Anglo-Irish. Some say that it was his cultural influence, through his Gaelic poetry, that led to the Anglo-Irish replacing French with Irish as their first language. Added to this was the local legend which grew up linking Garoid Iarla romantically with the Celtic Goddess Áine. This recalled a long-standing theme of love between a hero and an other- worldly maiden, which was traditional in the courtly poetry of Continental Europe. Garóid Iarla died, some say disappeared into the waters of Lough Gur, in 1398. According to fable, he can be seen riding his steed, shod with silver shoes, over the water every seven years when he comes to visit his castle, nearby. Children of Gerald and Eleanor Butler were: Sir James; Lady Catherine (married Sir John Fitzthomas); Sir John (4th Earl); Sir Maurice (disappeared in 1410); Lady Joan (married Sir Maurice Fitzjohn); Lady Elizabeth (married John Lord of Barry); Sir James (6th Earl). (Mac Niocaill, ODNB)

 

Desmond, 4th Earl, John Fitzgerald (d.1399), Artistocrat.

John Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, son of Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald (Garóid Iarla) and Eleanor Butler became the fourth Earl of Desmond in 1398. He married Joan Roche, a beautiful ‘peasant’ girl, and abandoned his Irish lands, settling in Rouen. He drowned at Béal-átha-an-Droiched, in the river Suir, on 4 March (some say on 11 October), 1399, and was buried in the South Friary, Youghal.

They had two children, a son, Sir Thomas, who succeeded him, and a daughter, Lady Joan. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

Desmond, 5th Earl, Thomas Fitzgerald (ca.1386-1420), Aristocrat.

Thomas Fitzjohn Fitzgerald, son of John Fitzgerald Fitzgerald and Joan Roche, was born about 1386. He acceded to the Earldom in 1400 but was deposed by James (‘the Usurper’) in 1411. He married Catherine McCormac and had one son, Sir Maurice (d.1452). Earl Thomas himself died in Paris in 1420. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

Desmond, 6th Earl, James Fitzgerald (ca.1385-1463), Aristocrat.

James ‘The Usurper’ Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, son of Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, 3rd Earl, and Eleanor Butler, was born around 1385. He earnd his nickname by expelling John Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, and was recognised 6th Earl of Desmond in 1422. He married Lady Mary Burke, daughter of William Fitzrichard Burke. James founded the Franciscan Friary in Askeaton. He died at Mocollop, Lismore, Co. Waterford, in 1463. He was buried in Youghal. His children included Sir Thomas (7th Earl); Lady Jane, Sir Garret Fitzgerald and Lady Hanora. Earl James was godfather to the Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward IV. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

 

Desmond, 7th Earl, Thomas Fitzgerald (c.1426-68), Aristocrat.

Thomas Fitzjames Fitzgerald, son of James Fitzgerald Fitzgerald (‘The Usurper’) and his wife, Mary, daughter of Ulick Burke, Lord of Clanricarde, succeeded his father in 1463. He married Eilís (Elizabeth) Barry, daughter of William Barry, 8th Lord Barrymore, on 22 August, 1455, and they had five sons and one daughter: Sir James, Sir Maurice Bacach, Sir Thomas, Sir John, Sir Garret Óg and Lady Ellen. One of the keys to understanding the significance of Earl Thomas in Irish history is the fact that he (and the House of Desmond) was a supporter of the House of York in the long contention for the Crown of England. Thomas’s role became pivotal when, in 1462, he defeat- ed the great traditional enemy of the House of Desmond, the Butlers of Ormond, at Pilltown, to crush a Lancastrian rebellion. The Yorkist Edward IV rewarded Thomas by appointing him to act as Lord Deputy of Ireland, in place of the Duke of Clarence, the King’s brother, from 1462-67. By conferring the governorship of the country on the most remote of the three Irish Earls, Edward has been seen as attempting to extend the influence of the Dublin administration far beyond the Pale. Thomas used his position to found Ireland’s first post-Norman University in Youghal, Co. Cork, in 1464. He made the mistake, however, of introducing Irish practices, including the detested “coyne and livery” into the Pale and the local gentry, especially those in Meath, resented this and fomented opposition to him. His successor, the Earl of Worchester, attainted him of treason, accusing him of siding with the Irish against the English and he was arrested and condemned to death. In addition to beheading the Earl in Drogheda on 15 February, 1468, Worchester also cruelly put to death the Earl’s two infant sons. Worchester, himself, was arrested in 1470 and executed at Tower Hill, London, during the Lancastrian restoration. Earl Thomas, known as Thomas of Drogheda, was ini- tially buried in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda, but, a century later, Sir Philip Sidney removed his tomb to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin (Connolly 1988, 143).

 

Desmond, 8th Earl, James Fitzgerald (c.1459-87), Aristocrat.

James Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzjames Fitzgerald, 7th Earl, and his wife, Eilís Barry, was born in 1459. He succeeded his father as Earl of Desmond on the latter’s execution in 1468. He received immunity for any act committed to avenge his father’s death. He is regarded as a man of singular prudence and he increased significantly the estate he had inherited. King Richard III tried to get James on his side and, to this end, sent him a gift of a collar of gold, weighing 20 ounces, with an emblem of a white boar, pendant from a circlet of roses and suns. The Earl, how- ever, strengthened and augmented his Irish alliances. James married Margaret O’Brien, daughter of Turlough O’Brien, King of Thomond, and they had one child, a daughter, Lady Joan, who, subse- quently, married Sir Maurice Roche, 2nd Lord Fermoy. Earl James was murdered at Courtmatrix, Rathkeale, on 7 December, 1487, at the age of 28. His brother, John Montagh Fitzgerald, was sus- pected of instigating the murder. He was buried in Youghal, Co. Cork. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

Desmond, 9th Earl, Maurice Fitzgerald (d.1520), Aristocrat.

Maurice ‘Bacach’ Fitzjames Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzgerald, 7th Earl, and Eilís Barry, his wife, became Earl of Desmond on the death of his brother, James, 8th Earl, in 1487. Being lame, he was usually carried on a litter, but he was also reported to be brave. He married Ellen Roche, daughter of Maurice Roche, 2nd Lord Fermoy, and had a family of two boys (Sir James and Sir Thomas) and two girls (Lady Ellen and Lady Joan). On the death of his first wife, he married Lady Honor Fitzgibbon, daughter of the White Knight. Though initially irritating the English King by siding with the Pretender, Perkin Warburgh, during the siege of Waterford, the King later forgave him and showed him favour by granting him, on 26 August, 1497, all the “customs, cockets, poundage and prize-wines of Limerick, Cork, Kinsale, Baltimore, and Youghal, with other privi- leges and advantages”. Maurice died in 1520 and was buried in the Dominican Church, Tralee. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

 

Desmond, 10th Earl, James Fitzgerald (1495-1529), Aristocrat.

James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, son of Maurice ‘Bacach’ Fitzgerald, 9th Earl, and his wife, Ellen Roche, succeeded his father, Maurice, as 10th Earl of Desmond in 1520, though he took responsi- bility for a good deal of administration from about 1510 onwards, while his father was still alive. Born about 1495, he married Amy O’Brien Ara, daughter of Toidealbhreach O’Brien, Bishop of Kildare, and, with her, had one daughter, Lady Joan. By another woman, he had two sons (James and James Elagh ‘McNamara’). He is best known for his contacts with foreign powers. When England went to war with France, James entertained French agents in Askeaton in 1523. He also agreed to support the Yorkist Pretender, Richard de la Pole, for the English throne. After the Ormond Butlers, his traditional enemies, defeated the Desmond client, Richard Power and estab- lished themselves in Dungarvan, James approached the Emperor Charles V, declaring himself will- ing, in 1520, to enter into a league against England. The Emperor commissioned his Chaplain to visit Ireland and report on the Earl and circumstances in Ireland. A summary of this report is given by Froude in his History of England: “The Earl, himself, is from thirty to forty years old, and is rather above middle height. He keeps better justice throughout his dominions than any other chief in Ireland. Robbers and homicides find no mercy, and are executed out of hand. His people are in high order and discipline. They are armed with short bows and swords. The Earl’s guard are in mail from neck to heel, and carry halberds. He has also a number of horse, some of whom know how to break a lance. They all ride admirably, without saddle or stirrup”. In respect of this latter report, it should also be mentioned that some feel Earl James gave an exaggerated account of his military prowess to the Chaplain and that at least some of the latter’s report to the Emporer was based on what the Chaplain heard from the Earl, rather than what he saw for himself. James died 18 June, 1529, and was buried in the Dominican Priory, Tralee. (Connolly 1988, 143)

 

Desmond, 11th Earl, Thomas Fitzgerald (1454-1534), Aristocrat.

Thomas Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzgerald, 7th Earl, and his wife, Eilís Barry, was born in 1454. He married Sheila McCarthy, daughter of Cormac Láidir McTeige McCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, with whom he had one son, Sir Maurice. Earl Thomas subsequently married Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter of Sir John Fitzgerald, Lord of the Decies, and known to historians as ‘the Old Countess’ of Desmond (qv). Thomas was aged about 75 when he succeeded to the Earldom and spent the greater part of his remaining life trying to ensure that his grandson, Sir James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, would succeed him. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

Desmond, 12th Earl, James Fitzgerald (d.1540), Aristocrat.

Sir James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, son of Sir Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, and Lady Joan Fitzgibbon, daughter of Sir John Fitzgibbon, 7th White Knight, was given as a hostage to King Henry VIII for his grandfather at the Royal Court, Windsor. When the Earldom became vacant on the death of Thomas, 11th Earl, in 1534, Henry VIII loaded James with honours and sent him to Ireland, with a bodyguard, to take up the Earldom. His title to the Earldom was, however, disputed by his grand-uncle, Sir John Fitzgerald, and a large Desmond faction. Sir James’ opponents had a valid case, for James was technically illegitimate, his parents, being first cousins, having married without a Papal dispensation. Many of the Geraldines, therefore, regarded him as illegitimate and not qualified to succeed as 12th Earl. Sir John Fitzgerald, however, died around Christmas, 1536. James, derisively nicknamed the ‘Court Page’, is said to have been a page boy to King Henry VIII. Earl James did not enjoy his honours for long, because he was murdered by his cousin, Maurice an Tioteán, son of his late opponent, Sir John Fitzgerald, near Youghal, Co. Cork (some say at Leacanscail, Co. Kerry), on 19 March, 1540. He was also buried in Youghal. Earl James married Mary McCarthy, daughter of his grand-uncle, Cormac Óg Láidir McCarthy, Lord of Muskerry.

They had one daughter, Lady Judith Fitzgerald. (McCormack, ODNB)

 

Desmond, 13th Earl, John Fitzgerald (d.1536), Aristocrat.

John Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzgerald, 7th Earl, and his wife, Eilís Barry, was the Sir John Fitzgerald, who opposed the 12th Earl, James, the ‘Page Boy’. Sir John was popular with his Gaelic followers, who regarded him as the valid and ‘de facto’ 13th Earl of Desmond. It will be noted, however, that he died before the 12th Earl and was 75 years of age when he assumed the Earldom, partly with a view to securing it for his son, Sir James. Sir John married Maud (Mór) O’Brien, daughter of Donough O’Brien of Carrigagunnell, Lord of Pubblebrien, and they had four sons (Thomas, James, Maurice an Toiteán and John Óg). He died around Christmas, 1536. (Fitzgerald of Desmond).

 

Desmond, 14th Earl, James Fitzgerald (d.1558), Aristocrat.

James FitzJohn Fitzgerald, son of John Fitzgerald, 13th Earl, and his wife, Maud (Mór) O’Brien, of Carrigagunnell, assumed the Earldom on the death of his grandfather, the de-facto 13th Earl, in 1536. He married Joan Roche, daughter of Maurice Roche, Lord Fermoy and, with her, had three children, Sir Maurice Ruadh of Conna, Lady Joan (d.1596) and Lady Eleanor (d.1569). He mar- ried, secondly, More O’Carroll, daughter of Sir Maolrony McShane O’Carroll, Lord of Ely O’Carroll, and, with her, had six more children: Gerald (15th Earl), Sir John, Lady Margaret, Lady Joan, Lady Ailish and Lady Hanora. He married, thirdly (before February, 1549), Catherine Butler, daughter of Pierse, 8th Earl of Ormond, but did not have children with her. Finally, he married, for the fourth time, Evelyn Mór McCarthy, daughter of Donal McCarthy Mór, and, with her, had two children, Lady Eleanor and Sir James Fitzgerald (c.1580). He was very active in Irish political affairs, having cordial relations with both Henry VIII and his Irish Deputy, Sir Anthony St Leger. In March, 1547, James was appointed Lord Treasurer of Ireland, one of the highest offices in the land. The following year, he was appointed Admiral of the south coast of Ireland, between Waterford and Galway. He was also appointed to several government commissions, including one charged with the dissolution of religious houses in Ireland. He benefited enormously from the dis- solution of the monasteries, receiving thousands of acres of monastic land all over Ireland, including parcels in Kilmallock, Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and south Cork. He also received

some of the lands of Silken Thomas of the Kildare Fitzgeralds, which had been declared forfeit fol- lowing this young man’s revolt. These lands included the manors of Adare and Croom. Though, at a personal level, James was very successful and increased the Desmond holdings to 300,000 acres, he failed to tackle broader underlying issues, which surfaced after his death to plague his successor, Gerald, who had less foresight, political talent and shrewdness. Some of these problems ultimately led to the dissolution of the Desmond heritage a quarter of a century later. Earl James died at his castle in Askeaton on 27 October, 1558, but he was taken to the Dominican Friary in Tralee for burial on 1 November, 1558. (McCormack, ODNB)

 

Desmond, 15th Earl, Gerald Fitzgerald (c.1533-1583), Aristocrat.

Gerald Fitzgerald, son of James Fitzgerald, 14th Earl, and his wife, More O’Carroll, was born about 1533. He became known as the ‘Rebel Earl’. He married, firstly (c.1551), Joan Fitzgerald, and, by her, had one daughter, Margaret Fitzgerald. He married, secondly (1565), Eleanor Butler, and by her, had seven children: Sir James (the ‘Queen’s Earl’), Lady Catherine, Lady Jane, Lady Ellen, Lady Elizabeth, Lady Margaret and Lady Ailish. His second wife, Lady Eleanor Butler (qv), a sister of Gerald’s great enemy, ‘Black’ Tom Butler, Earl of Ormond, was a strong character and has had a sympathetic biographer in Anne Chambers (Dublin, 1986). However, it was Eleanor who betrayed the two Franciscan Friars, Father Con O’Rourke (qv) and Bishop Patrick O’Hely (qv), when they called to Askeaton Castle in 1579 on their journey from Smerwick Harbour to Limerick. As the Desmond Rebellion continued to falter, more and more of his allies deserted Gerald. His traditional enemy, the Earl of Ormond put a price on his head. After a period of great hardship and suffering, while on the run from his enemies, Gerald was killed by a member of the Moriarty Clan in Glenaginty Wood, near Tralee, on 11 November, 1583. The killing has traditionally been regard- ed as a great act of betrayal, especially since the Moriartys were also the Earl’s foster brothers.

Some historians have not hesitated to say that the Earl was killed for ‘head money’, since one of his executioners, Daniel O’Kelly, beheaded him and received a reward from Sir Walter Raleigh, who sent the head to London to Queen Elizabeth, as a “goodly gift”. This is why one of the Knights of Glin, when he had a few drinks, would walk into a hotel and ask in a loud voice, ‘Is there a Moriarty here?’ If there happened to be one, he would run the risk of a horse whipping. The title Earl of Desmond (first creation) was declared extinct by the Act of Attainder passed by the Irish Parliament in 1586. (McGurk, ODNB; Gaughan 1978)

Desmond, 1st Earl (Second Creation), James Fitzgerald (1571-1601), Aristocrat.

James Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, son of Lord Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl, and his second wife, Lady Eleanor Butler, was born in England on 6 June, 1571. He is known as the ‘Queen’s Earl’ and the ‘Tower Earl’. He spent much of his life imprisoned in the Tower of London and also suffered from chronic illhealth. Though James was initially heir to an immense estate, the Irish Parliament in 1586 declared his father’s property attainted and the Desmond Earldom extinct. Around 1600, how- ever, the Irish government grew alarmed at the anti-plantation violence in Munster, the initial success of the Sugan Earl and the growing military threat of Hugh O’Neill. This time there was also danger that Munster rebels would receive help from the Spanish, who were then at war with England. It was in this context that the British Monarch prepared a new patent, signed 1 October, 1600, for the creation of a new title of Earl of Desmond (second creation), but without restoration of the confiscated Desmond lands and restricting any inheritance of the title. A sum of £500 was, however, granted to the new Earl. He was sent to Ireland in the custody of two ‘protectors’, Captain Price and Miler McGrath, Archbishop of Cashel. He landed at Youghal, after being dread-

fully seasick, and journeyed to Kilmallock, where he was given lodgings by the English Commander, Sir George Thornton. The following Sunday, he made his way, some say ostentatious- ly, to the Protestant Church. His followers, however, were waiting at the Catholic chapel. They were bitterly disappointed in him and showed their derision by jeering him. Seeing the failure of the new Earl to win over a Desmond following, the Government discarded him and, in March, 1601, he returned to London, with a letter from Lord Carew recommending him for a land grant and a fixed income. His health continued to deteriorate, however, and he died (unmarried) in London early in November, 1601, but the Government did not announce his death until January, 1602. He is buried in London (McCormack, ODNB).

Desmond, Countess Eleanor (1545-1638), Aristocrat.

Eleanor Butler, daughter of Edmund Butler, 1st Baron Dunboyne, and Julia McCarhty, his wife, was born in 1545. In 1565, she became the second wife of Gerard, 15th Earl of Desmond. Eleanor was a sister of ‘Black Tom’ Butler, Earl of Ormond, a traditional enemy of the Desmonds. Tom was also a particular enemy of Earl Gerard. Eleanor bore Gerald seven children: James, (1st Earl, New Creation), Catherine, Jane, Ellen, Elizabeth, Margaret and Ailish. After her husband’s imprisonment in the Tower of London, she ran the estates, contained rivals and secured an audience with Queen Elizabeth, which led to the Earl’s release from prison and his subjection, instead, to house arrest.

On their return to Ireland, Eleanor worked for reconciliation. During the second Desmond Rebellion, she came out of hiding and tried, though in vain, to negotiate the Earl’s pardon. When he was murdered in 1583, she was left a widow without means of support, but she managed to secure another Royal audience and a pension. She married, secondly, O’Connor of Sligo. He died a loyal subject in 1609 and she lived comfortably for the rest of her life on income from his estate. She died in 1638. Though Countess Eleanor emerges as wiser, shrewder and more accommodating to the Government’s demands than her more mercurial husband, it is doubtful whether she shared the Gaelic and Catholic aspirations of her Desmond subjects. She seems to have had no hesitation in betraying the two Franciscan Friars, Father Con O’Rourke and Bishop Patrick O’Hely, when they visited her in Askeaton in 1579 on their way from Smerwick harbour to Limerick. Anne Chambers, however, draws a sympathetic picture of Eleanor in her book, As Wicked a Woman (Morgan, 1988, 142; Chambers, Dublin, 1986).

Desmond, Countess Joan (1509-1565), Aristocrat.

Joan Fitzgerald, daughter of James Fitzmaurice FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Desmond, and Amy O’Brien Ara, was born in 1509. Before December 21, 1532, she married, firstly, James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormonde, and they had seven children. These were Sir Thomas (‘Black Tom’), who became 10th Earl of Ormond (and an implacable enemy of Joan’s third husband); Sir Edmund, Sir James, Sir John, Sir Walter, Sir Edward and Sir Pierse Butler. Her husband, Lord James Butler, died of poison on 28 October, 1546, in London, along with his steward and sixteen of his servants. Before 28 August, 1548, she married, secondly, Sir Francis Bryan, Lord Justice of Ireland, who also died suddenly of mysterious causes. About 1551, she married, thirdly, Lord Gerald FitzJames FitzGerald, the 15th Earl of Desmond. They had one daughter, Lady Margaret. Partly because, in the course of her life, she was married to three of the most influential members of the aristocracy, she became a very influential woman in Ireland. Queen Elizabeth recognised Joan’s skill as a peacemaker and called upon her to keep ‘the quiet’ in Munster, when Earl Gerald was detained in England. She lived in the castle in Askeaton and died on 2 January, 1565. She was buried in the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton. (Holland, 1996)

Desmond, “Old” Countess Catherine (c.1510-1604), Aristocrat.

Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter of Sir John Fitzgerald, Second Lord of the Decies in Waterford, and Ellen Fitzgibbon, daughter of the White Knight, was born in Dromana, Co. Waterford, probably around 1510. In 1529, she married, as his second wife, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Desmond (1454- 1534), who was her first cousin, once removed. She was granted a life tenancy of Inchiquin Castle, near Youghal, by her late husband, with the remainder to pass to the line of the Earls of Desmond upon her death. By deed, dated 1575, she passed title to the castle and lands in trust to the incum- bent Earl, Gerald 15th Earl, who then passed it in trust to his servants. Following the Earl’s attain- der in 1582, his entire estate fell to the Crown, as one of the consequences of the Desmond Rebellion. Inchiquin Castle and its lands were granted to Sir Walter Raleigh, as part of his grant of 42,000 acres. In 1588-89, he granted certain leases of the lands, at the same time reserving the life interest of Lady Desmond, assuming that she would soon pass away of old age (she was then about 78 years of age). In 1602, Raleigh sold his entire estate (42,000 acres) to Sir Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, for £1,500, before his return to England. But Boyle was not as considerate as Raleigh and he immediately instigated legal proceedings to evict the Countess. In an attempt to save her inheritance, the old lady, now in her nineties, set out from Cork in 1604, sailing to Bristol, to lobby King James I to intercede and guarantee her a home until her death. She, herself, walked from Bristol to London, and pushed her infirm eighty-year old daughter in a little cart. In London, her petition was presented to King James I. The same year, she returned to Ireland and died. The Countess is reported to have been lively just before her death, walking every week 4-5 miles for her supplies. It is said that her death was caused by falling from a tree while picking fruit. Her thigh was injured in the fall and she caught fever and died. She is reported to be buried beside her husband in the Franciscan Friary, Youghal. Two influential writers make reference to her story and, mistakenly, state that she lived to be 140 years of age. These are Sir Walter Raleigh (History of the World, 1614, 3 vols, Vol.1, p60) and Fynes Morryson (Itinary, 1617), both of whom seem to have been misinformed. (McCormack, ODNB)

 

Denny, Edward (1676-1727), M.P.

Col. Edward Denny, only son of Edward Denny and Mary Boyle Maynard, was born in Tralee in 1676, and came from a very prominent family in that town. The first Denny, Sir Edward (1547-99), was sent to Ireland with Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth to put down the rebellion of the Earl of Desmond. The Dennys subsequently got possession of Tralee Castle and a large tract of the Geraldine estate. Edward became a resident Magistrate in County Kerry, was Provost of Tralee, and became High Sheriff of Co. Kerry in 1723. He was a Member of Parliament for County Kerry from 1702 to 1713 and for Askeaton from 1715 until his death in 1727. He married Lettice Coningsby, daughter of Rt Hon Thomas Coningsby, 1st Earl of Coningbsy, in 1699, and had seven sons (three of whom died young) and three daughters (two of whom died young). He purchased a commission as Colonel on 18 October, 1715. He had estates in County Kerry, with an annual estimated income in 1713 of £1,600. His father and son were also Members of Parliament (UHF).

 

Dillane, Rev. Thomas (d.1763), Clergyman.

Father Thomas Dillane was Parish Priest of Askeaton in 1737. He died in 1763 (Begley III, 601)

Doody, Rev. John (1849-84), Clergyman.

John Doody, born around 1849, was educated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and the Irish Ecclesiastical College, Paris. He was ordained to the priesthood at Presentation Convent, Limerick, on 25 July, 1874. He was then appointed curate in the following parishes: Banogue (1874-75); Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1875); St Patrick’s (end of 1875); Parteen (1876-80); St John’s Limerick (1880-84). While at St John’s, he was also chaplain to the Presentation Convent (1880-82) and to the Good Shepherd Convent (1882-84). He died on 27 March, 1884. (Tobin, 2004, 30).

 

Doupe, Rev. Stephen (1905-72) Clergyman.

Stephen Doupe, son of Thomas Doupe and Johanna Collins, was born in Askeaton in 1905. He attended Cappagh National School before entering Copsewood College, Pallaskenry. He completed his seminary training in England and was ordained priest in 1941 for the diocese of Northampton. He ministered in the parishes of Bedford, Luton, St Ives (Cambridge) and Hundington. He retired because of ill-health in 1970 and died suddenly in 1972. He is buried in the Roman Catholic section of the public cemetery in Hunstanton, Norfolk. (Mulcair, S., 2007).

 

Drew, Edmund (c.1590-), Provost.

Edmund Drew was the first Provost of the Borough of Askeaton. He was one of the English settlers introduced by Sir Francis Berkeley and Drew is on record as leasing Lismakeery from Sir Francis in 1612. Though the Drews have been in the Askeaton/ Kilcornan area for the past four hundred years, it is not possible at this stage to trace the present Drews of Kilcornan directly back to the first Provost of Askeaton. Members of the Drew family were also very prominent in Waterford, where they had a seat at Mocollop Castle, Ballyduff. Carol Baxter (NSW, Australia) has done extensive research on the Kilcornan branch of the family, members of which are to be found in Australia and USA. (Baxter, 1996; Westropp, 1902, 600)

 

Dundon, John (c.1570-), Landowner.

John Dundon was born in Ballysteen and inherited his lands from his father, Andrew Dundon. John, in a deposition, dated 15 October, 1594, stated that his father held these lands ‘by hereditary descent from his ancestors beyond human memory’ (Feheney, 1988, 9). This evidence was given during an inquisition, over which two well-known Elizabethans presided, namely, Sir Francis Berkeley, owner of the Castle and manor of Askeaton, and George Thornton, Governor of Kilmallock. The purpose of the inquisition was to seize the Dundon lands following the Desmond Rebellion. It will be remembered that with the death of the 15th Earl of Desmond in 1583, all his lands were declared forfeit. The Dundons were really involved in a damage limitation exercise, try- ing to prove a) that their lands were neither part of the domains of the Earl of Desmond nor of the Knight of Glin (who had extensive lands in the area) and b) that the Dundons were not party to the exploits of the rebellious Desmonds. Earlier, in 1578, the Dundon lands had been granted to Sir William Drury, Lord President of Munster. Though Andrew Dundon, Ballysteen, Yoeman, was par- doned by Sir John Perrott, Lord Deputy, in 1584, and Richard and Peter Dundon were similarly pardoned in 1585, nevertheless, the Dundon castle and lands were granted to William Carter in 1591, though the Dundons were allowed to remain as tenants. Later, in 1629, these lands were given to Lord Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork. Following the Restoration of Charles II, the lands were confiscated by the Crown, and were eventually assigned to James, Duke of York (later James II). They were inherited by his daughter, Queen Anne, and were put up for sale by the Chichester

House Commissioners in 1703. Thomas Westropp of Mellon then purchased them on 12 June, 1703. The orginal Dundon lands included the townlands of Ballysteen, Ballycanana and Mitchelstown. The surname Dundon has been in the Askeaton/ Ballysteen parish for hundreds of years, but it has not (hitherto) been possible to establish a direct connection between the two branches of this family. (Feheney, 1998, 10)

 

Dunraven, 3rd Earl of (1812-71), Aristocrat, Landlord.

Edwin Richard Wyndham-Quinn, 3rd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, was born on 19 May, 1812, the son of Windham Henry Quinn and Caroline Wyndham from Dunraven Castle, Glamorganshire. He was educated at Eton and Oxford and succeeded to the title on the death of his father, the 2nd Earl, in 1850. He married Augusta Goold and had one son and two daughters. He added his mother’s maiden name to his father’s surname, thereby becoming Wyndham-Quinn. He was a distinguished archeologist and, following his involvement in the Oxford Movement, became a Roman Catholic. When coal was found on his mother’s Glamorganshire estate, he became a very wealthy man, even though he had inherited a vast estate from his father. He continued his father’s work in beautifying Adare Manor and village. The Earl’s forbears, especially the lawyer, Thady Quinn (1645-1725), and his son, Valentine Quinn (1692-1744), acquired a great deal of land all over county Limerick in the 17th and 18th centuries, including the townland of Ballinvoher, Askeaton. It was the 3rd Earl who donated the ground on which were built Ballysteen Church and Ballysteen National School in 1860-61. He died on 6 October, 1871. (Dunraven Papers).

 

Egan, John J ( 1917-85), Sportsman

John Joseph Egan, son of John Egan and Bridget Madigan, Moig North, Askeaton, was born on Easter Monday, 24 April, 1916. Since this was the morning of the Easter Rising, it has assumed special significance in Irish history. John Joe attended Askeaton National School, and is listed in the school register for 1922. After school, he went to work on the family farm. He showed early promise in hurling, and, after playing for Askeaton minors, he graduated to the junior hurling team. He won a county medal with Askeaton in 1935 and went on to play intercounty junior hurling with Limerick, winning a Munster medal with them. Subsequently, he won three West Limerick champi- onships with Ballysteen in junior football. He married Kitty Mullane and they had two children (John and Bernadette). John Joe died in 1985 and is buried in the cemetery attached to the Catholic church in Rathkeale. (Carroll, M., 2007; Downes, J., 2007).

 

England, Thomas (c.1586), Landowner.

In the 1586 Survey of Leaseholders on the Desmond Estates, Thomas England is listed as holding Ballyengland (Askeaton) with a castle and wood, called ‘Kyllmore’. This was situated on or near the present site of Castlehewson. In addition to Thomas England, mentioned above, there were several other members of his extended family in what is now known as Ballyengland and the sur- rounding townlands. The Englands are thought to have been in Ireland from the 13th and 14th cen- turies onwards. Some of the Englands settled in Lifford, Co. Clare, early in the seventeenth century. Here Richard England had three sons (Richard, David and Patrick) and one daughter, Alicia (b.1635), who married William Gabbett (1630-93) of Caherline, Co. Limerick. The issue of William and Alicia gave rise to a long line of Gabbetts, some of whom are still in County Limerick. (Wormald, AV; 1586: Peyton Survey)

Enright, Rev. James (c.1816-86), Clergyman.

James Enright was ordained around 1840, possibly in the diocesan College, Carlow. After ordina- tion, he served in the diocese of Glasgow (1840-43) before coming to Askeaton/ Ballysteen as curate (1843-44). He subsequently served as curate in Bulgaden (1844-46), Croom (1846-48) and a second term in Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1849-51). In 1851 he was appointed Parish Priest of Ballingarry (1851-74), after which he was transferred to Parteen (1874-78) in the same capacity. In 1878, he was transferred to Bruree as Parish Priest, where he remained until his death. During his final two years in Bruree, he is listed at Administrator, not Parish Priest (1884-86). He died on 7 October, 1886, and is buried in Bruree. (Tobin, 2004, 32).

 

Erson, Paul (c.1801-), Entrepreneur

Paul Erson was a flour mill owner in Askeaton in the first half of the nineteenth century. His mill was part of the old creamery complex in Askeaton and consisted of two mills, one built by Mr Studdert around 1795, and the other built by Mr Erson in 1832. Both mills were operated by water wheels, each around 14 feet in diameter. Mr Erson lived in a building near the site of the present ‘Tall Trees’, but then called ‘Rockview House’. This mill was taken over by the Limerick Corn Merchants and Millers, Messrs John Norris Russell, in the mid-1840s. They are listed as the ‘immediate lessors’ in Griffith’s Valuation of 1850 and were also listed as the owners, when the fire, which burned down the old Catholic Church, broke out at these mills in 1847 (O’Donovan, 1840, OSL).

 

Essex, 2nd Earl, Lord Robert Devereaux (1566-1601), Soldier.

Robert Devereux, son of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, and Lettie Knollys, was born on 19 November, 1566, at Netherwood, Hertfordshire. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became a favourite at Queen Elizabeth’s court. He was a brave, though possibly impetuous, soldier and was knighted on the field of battle at Zutphen by his mentor and father-in-law, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Devereaux led the land forces that stormed Cadiz in 1596. He was a bit- ter rival of Sir Walter Releigh for the favour of Queen Elizabeth. In 1599, at his own request, the Queen gave him command of an expedition to Ireland, which proved disastrous. He concluded an unauthorised truce with Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and, on his return to England, was impris- oned. Though later set free, he foolishly joined the Earl of Southampton in a conspiracy against the Crown and was arrested and sent to the Tower of London. He was beheaded on 25 February, 1601.

In his journeys through Munster in 1599, Essex came to the relief of Francis Berkeley (qv) and the English garrison defending Askeaton from attack by the forces of the Sugán Earl (qv). Though Essex knighted Berkeley (apparently deservedly) for his brave defense of Askeaton, he was reprimanded by Elizabeth for being too profligate in bestowing knighthoods during his Irish campaign. Essex is said to have slept in the Abbey ruins and unconfirmed reports say that, during the night, he saw the ghosts of slain monks. Next morning, he is said to have left hurriedly for Limerick. In 1583, Essex married Frances Walsingham, daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham, and widow of his friend, Sir Philip Sidney. (Hammer, ODNB)

 

Evans, Rt. Hon. George (1655-1720), M.P.

George Evans, eldest son of Col. George Evans and Anne Bowerman, was born in 1655 in Co. Cork. According to family sources (Feheney, 1998. 12-15), George’s father, who came to Ireland as a sergeant with Cromwell’s army, made a fortune after the Cromwellian land confiscations, by pur-

chasing debentures for small amounts of cash. Young George entered Trinity College, Oxford University, on 31 July, 1671, after which he qualified as a lawyer at Gray’s Inn and was called to the English Bar on 25 October, 1678. Like his father, he was a shrewd man and, in return for sup- porting King William, he was made a member of the Irish Privy Council. He obtained a commis- sion as Colonel in the Volunteers, and was appointed Deputy Governor of Limerick in 1699 and Custos Rotulorm (keeper of Court Records) for Limerick in 1703. He married Mary Eyre in 1679 and his children, in turn, married into the Irish gentry and aristocracy. Three of his sons were members of Parliament and one, George, became 1st Baron Carbery, with his family seat in Castlefreake, Co. Cork. Through judicious land purchases, especially from the Commissioners for Sale of Forfeited Estates, George built up a large estate and established his family seat in Bulgaden Hall, Co. Limerick. He also had land (3,127 acres) in the barony of Connello. George’s nephew, John Evans, built Ballinacourty House around 1750, becoming a ‘middle man’ for part of the Bury estate, later in the possession of the Earl of Charleville. In addition to being Member of Parliament for Askeaton (1695-99), Rt Hon. George Evans was also MP for Co. Limerick (1692-93) and for Charleville (1703-13, 1715-20). He died in May, 1720 (UHF, Feheney, 1998, 12-18)

 

Eves, Rev. Edmund L (c.1845-1930), Clergyman.

Edmund Lombard Eves was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1862, MA 1865). After pass- ing his Divinity test, he was ordained a Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1864 and priest in 1865. Appointed curate in Askeaton in 1864, he was later appointed Vicar (1870-74). He was appointed Rector of Maryborough (now Portlaoise) in 1874 and is also listed as Church of Ireland Prison Chaplain there. He married a daughter of Rev. George Maxwell, his predecessor as Rector of Askeaton. His three children (Anne Maxwell, George Maxwell and Catherine Margaret) all died of diphtheria in January, 1860. Rev. Eves, himself, died on 14 July, 1930. (Leslie, 1936).

 

Farrell, Rev. Walter OFM (d.1579), Friar.

Father Walter Farrell was a Franciscan Friar of the Abbey of Askeaton. During the attack on the town by Sir Nicholas Malby in 1579, he was seized by the soldiers and hanged with his own girdle from a nearby tree (Conlon, 2007).

 

Feheney, Sister Mary C. (1871-1945), Religious Sister.

Mary Feheney, third daughter of John Feheney (1830-78) and Mary Cahill (1840-81) was born in Aghalacka, Askeaton, and baptised on 7 March, 1871. After completing her primary schooling in Askeaton National School, she attended Presentation Convent Boarding school in Crosshaven, Co. Cork. She entered the Presentation Sisters in Crosshaven, taking the name, Sister Columba. In 1890, she joined a group of volunteer Sisters opening a new convent in Windsor, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Initially, she was involved in the formation of aspirants, but, subsequently, she was appointed Superior of the Windsor convent. At one of the Presentation General Chapters, she was elected Mother General of the Presentation Sisters in Victoria. She died on 7 April, 1945, and is buried in the cemetery attached to Presentation Convent, Windsor, Melbourne (Presentation Archives, Windsor, Melbourne).

 

Feheney, Michael (1860-1939), Member L.C.C.

Michael Feheney, eldest son of John Feheney (1830-78) and Mary Cahill (1840-81), was born in Aghalacka, Askeaton, and baptised on 7 November, 1860. He stood as a candidate for Askeaton in

the first Limerick County Council elections in 1899, but, because of a split in the Nationalist vote, was defeated by Lord Mounteagle, Unionist candidate. In the 1902 election, however, he won the Askeaton seat and held it until his retirement from the Council in 1911. He was a member of the anti-Parnellite faction of the Irish Party, led, at the time, by Justin McCarthy, and assisted by John Dillon and William O’Brien. He married Catherine O’Sullivan and had two sons and one daughter. He died 13 October, 1939, and is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton (Ferriter, 1998, 206-11).

Fitzgerald, Rev. David OFM (c.1689), Friar.

Fr David Fitzgerald is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1689-90. Westropp notes that, while he was Guardian, Lord Daniel O’Brien, Viscount Clare, left a legacy of £6 to the Friars in Askeaton. Though this O’Brien family at the time was nominally Church of Ireland, it was not unusual for them to include Catholic foundations in their donations. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170).

Fitzgerald, Rev. David (1884-1963), Clergyman.

David Fitzgerald, a native of Ballingarry, was baptised in his own parish church on 22 November, 1884. He attended St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 19 June, 1910. After ordination, he served in the Archdiocese of Liverpool (1910-14), before returning to Ireland to take up a post as curate in Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1914-18). He subsequently served as curate in Abbeyfeale (1918-22), Croom (1922-24), Knockaderry (1924-26) and Bruff (1926-36). On 14 March, 1936, he was appointed Parish Priest of Stonehall (Kilcornan), where he remained until his transfer to Coolcappa in the same capacity (1942-53). He was then transferred to Kildimo/ Pallaskenry, where he remained until his death on 7 December, 1963. He was made a Canon of the Limerick Cathedral Chapter on 13 April, 1956. He is buried in the church grounds in Kildimo. (Tobin, 2004, 35).

Fitzgerald, (“Sugan Earl”), James (d.1607), Soldier.

James Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, son of Sir Thomas Ruadh Fitzgerald of Conna, and his wife, Ailish de Poer, was a nephew of the ill-fated 15th Earl. In 1598, he proclaimed himself Earl of Desmond.

Since he was not recognised by the Irish Government as such, the Earldom having been declard extinct by the Irish Parliament in 1586, he was derisively termed the ‘Sugan Earl’. When Hugh O’Neill and his army invaded Munster, he ‘confirmed’ James’ position as rightful Earl of Desmond at a gathering at Inniscarra, Co. Cork, in February, 1600.

James married (1585) Margaret Power, daughter of Baron John B. Power of Curraghmore and Eleanor Fitzgerald. He married, secondly, Ellen Butler, daughter of Pierse Butler and widow of Maurice Fitzgibbon, brother of Edmund, the White Knight, who later betrayed him. In June, 1600, he was captured by Dermot O’Connor, who had agreed a fee of £1,000 with Lord Carew for deliv- ering him. James was imprisoned at Castlelishen, Kanturk, Co. Cork, but was rescued by a rebel force on the night of 25/26 June, 1600, before Carew could reach the castle. James then went into hiding and escaped at least twice more from pursuers before being finally captured by a kinsman, Lord Edmund Fitzgibbon, the White Knight, who discovered him in a cave near Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Fitzgibbon handed him over to Carew, who lodged him in Shandon castle, Cork, before sending him to London as a prisoner, in August, 1601. James was placed in the Tower of London and he survived for six years, dying there in 1607. He was buried in St Peter’s Chapel in the Tower on 28 April, 1607.

It was the army of this “Sugan Earl” which besieged Askeaton castle for 246 days during the Desmond Rebellion. The defending force was commanded by Francis Berkeley (qv), who was knighted on the spot for his bravery by Lord Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex (qv), when he even- tually arrived in Askeaton to raise the siege on 2 June, 1599. (McCormack, ODNB)

 

Fitzgerald, Rev. Bonaventure OFM (c.1562-), Friar.

Father Bonaventure Fitzgerald, went to the continent for his ecclesiastical studies and returned to Ireland in 1687, following his ordination. He was elected Assistant to the Franciscan Provincial for the period 1697-1700. After this he returned to Belgium, where he was appointed Guardian at St Anthony’s College, Louvain. He later worked in Kilcrea (outside Cork), Nenagh and Limerick and, in 1727, was appointed Guardian of the Askeaton Friary. In 1719, he got a chalice made for the Askeaton Friary. This is now in St Mary’s, Limerick. It is thought that, while Guardian of the Askeaton Friary, he continued to reside in Limerick, because there was no permanent Franciscan community in the Friary in Askeaton after the Treaty of Limerick. (Conlan, 2007).

 

Fitzgerald, Rev. John (c.1840-1914), Clergyman.

John Fitzgerald was ordained on 1 January, 1869, after which he took up an appointment as curate in Abbeyfeale (1869-71). He was subsequently curate in St Patrick’s (1871-72), Loughill (1872- 74), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1874-75), Banogue (1875), Bulgaden (1875-81), Kilmallock (1881-82) and, for a second time, Bulgaden (1882-87). On 14 September, 1887, he was appointed Administrator of Glin, where he remained until his transfer to Manister as Parish Priest on 6 April, 1891. He remained in this post until his death on 27 April, 1914. He is buried in the church grounds, Glin. (Tobin, 2004, 36).

 

Fitzgerald, Rev. Michael (1788-1863), Clergyman.

Michael Fitzgerald, son of Thomas Fitzgerald and Mary Meehan, was born in Ballydoorty, Castlemahon, Co. Limerick, in 1788. He was educated at the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained and, subsequently, served as a member of the seminary staff. His first appointment in Ireland was as Parish Priest of Broadford/ Dromcollogher in 1818. There he purchased a field and built a Church in 1824. Soon afterwards, he was transferred to Askeaton, where he remained until 1837. He then became Parish Priest of Ballingarry, before his transfer to Rathkeale in the same capacity in 1849.

In Askeaton, Fitzgerald came up against Rev. Richard Murray (qv), Church of Ireland Rector in Askeaton, who was pursuing a very active campaign of proselytisation there. According to Murray’s own evidence (BPP 1837, [543-I, 543-II], 836-38), he succeeded in converting some ‘160 to 170 adults, besides about 300 young persons and children’ from Roman Catholicism. Fr Fitzgerald led a vigorous campaign against this proselytisation. It ceased when Rev. Murray accept- ed an offer of the deanery of Ardagh from the Duke of Northumberland. Moreover, many of Murray’s converts subsequently immigrated to the US and Canada. The Bishop of Limerick then made Fitzgerald an Archdeacon, possibly as a reward for his successful campaign. In 1838, Archdeacon Fitzgerald was transferred to his native parish, Ballingarry. He gave evidence to the Royal Commission on the Poorer Classes in 1835 and to the Royal Commission on the State of Llaw and Practice in Respect of Occupation of Land in Ireland in 1844. He died in Ballingarry on 6 February, 1863, and is buried in Castlemahon (LDA; BPP 1837, [543-I, 543-II], 836-38; BPP 1835 (369), 689; BPP 1845 [616] [617], 788-92).

Fitzgerald, Rev. Mortimer (c.1829-89), Clergyman.

Mortimer Fitzgerald, born around 1829, and was ordained 29 July, 1857, in the Convent of Mercy, Limerick. He was appointed curate successively in Kilfinane/ Ardpatrick (1857-59), Bruff (1859- 61), Kilfinane/ Ardpatrick (1861-65) before his appointment to Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1865-72). On 20 January, 1872, he was transferred from Askeaton/ Ballysteen as curate to Kilmallock (1872- 76), before his appointment as Parish Priest of Ballyagran on 5 December, 1876. He died in that post on 26 July, 1889, and is buried in Ballyagran. (Tobin, 2004, 37).

 

Fitzgerald, James (1918-83), Sportsman

James Fitzgerald, son of Michael Fitzgerald and Mary Kenny, was born in Church Street, Askeaton, on 22 August, 1918. He attended Askeaton National School, after which he became an apprentice painter to his father. James displayed an early talent for hurling and became a member of the Askeaton minor hurling team. Later, he graduated to the junior team and was called for a trial to play with the Limerick senior team. He played with Limerick in the National League of 1947. James’ talent in hurling, however, was soon surpassed by his younger brother, Paddy, who became a regular member of the Limerick senior huling team. James married Mona Mooney and they had four children (Liam, Anne, Margaret and Andrea). He died on 16 September, 1983, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Ryan, MJ, 2007; Fitzgerald, G., 2007)

 

Fitzgerald, Paddy (1921-82), Sportsman.

Paddy Fitzgerald, son of Michael Fitzgerald and Mary Kenny, was born at Church Street, Askeaton, in May 1921. He attended Askeaton National School, before joining the family painting contracting firm. His sporting talents were recognised early and he was a prominent member of the Askeaton Minor hurling team. He went on to develop his hurling skills and represented Limerick at minor, junior and senior level. He was also selected for the Munster Senior Hurling team, with which he won two Railway Cup medals. Paddy was an all-round player, also playing Gaelic foot- ball and club soccer. He was a member of the Ballysteen junior football team which won the coun- ty final in 1946 and he played with Limerick FC against Shamrock Rovers. In his later years, he painted scenery for the Askeaton Musical Society, of which he was a valued member. Paddy mar- ried Peg Shanahan and they had two children (Michael and Carol). He died on 24 September, 1982, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Cronin, 1995, 1998; Fitzgerald, G., 2007).

 

Fitz-Gerald, Sir John Fitz-John (c.1259), Knight of Glin

Sir John Fitz-John Fitzgerald, 1st Knight of Glin, received the title from his father, Sir John Fitz- Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Lord of the Decies and Desmond. The father, as Count Palatine, had the right to bestow knighthoods and among the first recipients were his four sons: Gilbert, the White Knight; Maurice, Knight of Kerry; John, Knight of Glin and Thomas, Knight of the Island of Kerry (Castleisland). Sir John received castles at Glin and Beigh, thus joining his family’s fortunes to those of Ballysteen for the next 300 years. Beigh Castle was one of a series of castles built by the Knight in Kenry, to safeguard his property. Many of the Irish and Norman-Irish families in Kenry held land from the Knight. The Knights of Glin suffered much during the Geraldine wars for siding with their kinsman, the Earl of Desmond. Thomas Fitzgerald, heir to the Knight of Glin, was hanged, drawn and quartered in Limerick in 1567. The old castle in Glin was besieged, captured and destroyed by Elizabethan forces in 1600. Though the Knights lost most or all of their property (up to 30,000 acres) in Kenry during the Geraldine wars, they, nevertheless, managed to hold on to

some 15,000 acres west of Foynes. This acreage was gradually reduced over the years, though the present castle is still surrounded by some 500 acres. The Knighthood of Glin is one of the oldest extant titles in Ireland and the present holder of the title, the Hon. Desmond Fitz-Gerald, is President of the Georgian Society of Ireland, and an acknowledged expert on antiques. (Burke, 1899, 143)

 

Fitzgibbon, Mary (1906-80), Teacher.

Mary Lavelle, eldest daughter of Peter and Mrs Lavelle, was born at Shrove, Co. Donegal, in October, 1906. She was educated at Carysfort Teacher Training College, Blackrock, Dublin, where she proved to be a gifted student, qualifying as a teacher in 1926. Her first appointment was at Mater Dei Girls National School, Basin Lane, Dublin 8. While there, she attended UCD in the evenings and secured a BA degree. When her father became Head Keeper of the Beeves Lighthouse, she moved to Askeaton and became assistant teacher in the Junior National School, in 1929. She married Dr Michael Fitzgibbon on 3 October, 1929, and they had a family of three boys and five girls. She taught in Askeaton National School for many years, retiring as Principal of the Junior School. She died on 3 November, 1980, and is buried in Kilcornan cemetery. (Fitzgibbon, N., 2007)

 

Fitzgibbon, Michael (1891-1969), Physician.

Michael Fitzgibbon, second son of John Fitzgibbon and Elizabeth O’Loughlin-Casey, was born in Askeaton and baptised at St Mary’s Church on 8 February, 1891. He attended Askeaton National School initially, and, subsequently, Cappagh National School, where Mr William Murphy was Principal. Murphy, from Askeaton, had a great reputation as a teacher, some of his pupils, including Michael Ftizgibbon, travelling to school every morning by train to Ballingrane. Michael also spent some time at the Normile Academy, Newcastle West, from where he matriculated to University College, Dublin, to read medicine. He took his degree from the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin. After qualifying, he sailed with the White Star Line as a ship’s doctor, before taking up the post of dispensary doctor in Askeaton in 1918. The previous dispensary doctor, Patrick O’Brien, had died unexpectedly in 1916. Michael practised in Askeaton until his retirement in 1956, when he was succeeded by his son, Dr Noel Fitzgibbon. Michael married Mary Lavelle on 3 October, 1929, and they had a family of three sons and five daughters. He died 13 June, 1969, and is buried in Kilcornan cemetery. (Fitzgibbon, N., 2007)

 

Fitzgibbon, Thomas (1887-1968), Relief Officer.

Thomas Fitzgibbon, eldest son of John Fitzgibbon and Elizabeth O’Loughlin-Casey, was born in Askeaton and baptised at St Mary’s Church on 12 June, 1887. He attended Askeaton National School before entering Rockwell College, from where he matriculated to University College, Dublin. His university studies were interrupted, however, when his parents required his presence at home. In addition to his substantive post as Relief Officer in Askeaton, he also had business and farming interests. He married Olive O’Brien, daughter of Dr Patrick O’Brien and Elizabeth Magner, and they had a family of one son (Fr. John) and four daughters (Mary, Betty, Celestine and Patricia). He died on 17 September, 1968, and is buried in Kilcornan cemetery. (Meade, M., 2007).

Fitzsimons, Patrick (1854-1938), Member L.C.C.

Patrick Fitzsimons, son of Patrick Fitzsimons and Ellen Stack, was born in Morgans, Askeaton, in 1854. He represented Askeaton as a member of the Limerick County Council from 1911 to 1920 and from 1925 to 1928. He married Bridget Mangan, from Ardineer, Foynes. They had three sons (Patrick, Daniel and Thomas) and two daughters (Celia and Violet). His son, Patrick, was also a member of the Limerick County Council (1942-50). Patrick Senior died on 2 July, 1938, and is buried in Mount Pleasant cemetery, Askeaton. (Ferriter, 1998, 213-15)

 

Fitzsimons, Patrick (1899-1955), Member L.C.C.

Patrick Fitzsimons, son of Patrick Fitzsimons and Bridget Mangan, was born in Morgans, Askeaton, in 1899. He was a member of the Limerick County Council from 1942 to 1950. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for Dail Eireann. He died on 3 June, 1955, and is buried in Mount Pleasant cemetery, Askeaton. (Ferriter, 1998, 221-22))

 

Fletcher, Rev. Richard E (1836-1900), Clergyman.

Richard Edward Fletcher, son of William Fletcher, a saddler, was born in Dublin in 1836. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA and Divinity Test 1859, MA 1876). He was ordained a priest of the Church of Ireland in 1861 in Cork for the diocese of Limerick. His first appointment was as curate in Askeaton, where he remained until 1864. He was afterwards curate in Tallow, Co. Waterford (1864-68), Incumbent in Cappoquin (1868-73), Curate in St James, Dublin (1873-89), before becoming Rector at St Barnabas, Dublin (1889-1900). He was a brother of Rev. James S Fletcher, who was also a Church of Ireland clergyman. Richard died 10 October, 1900, in Dublin. (Leslie, 1936)

 

Foley, Stephen (1923-84), Sportsman

Stephen Foley, eldest son of Timothy Foley and his wife, Maria Griffin, was born in Church Street, Askeaton, on 26 December, 1923. He attended Askeaton National School, before transferring to the Cistercian College, Roscrea, as a boarder. Here he distinguished himself in several sports, winning the Leinster Swimming Colleges championship and representing his College in the Leinster Colleges Rugby Cup. It was probably in hurling, however, that his sporting talents received most prominence. He was chosen to play with the Limerick minors in the 1940 championship. After playing a few games, however, he was reported to the GAA for playing rugby and, in view of the Association’s ban on ‘foreign games’ at that time, Stephen was dropped from the team for the All- Ireland, which Limerick won that year.

Stephen went into the catering business when the sea planes began coming into Foynes. From there, he went on to become catering manager at Shannon Airport, before taking up a post as man- ager of the Hydo Hotel, Kilkee. Subsequently, he purchased the former Villiers School in Henry Street, Limerick, and transformed it into the popular Shannon Arms Hotel. He married Rosaline Casey and they had two sons, Michael and Sean. Stephen died of a heart attack in September, 1984, and is buried in Mount St Oliver cemetery, Limerick. (Foley, M., 2007)

 

Foley, Rev. William M, (c.1856-1944), Clergyman.

William Malcolm Foley, son of Rev. Peter Foley, Rector of Dunfeeny, Co. Mayo, was born about 1856. Educated privately, he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where he distinguished himself as a scholar (BA, 1877, Bishop Forster’s Prize, 1876, Divinity Test, 1877, Theology Exhibition, 1878,

BD 1880). He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1877 and Priest in 1878. He held several posts as curate in the West of Ireland, before taking up a post as Rector in Askeaton in 1885, in succession to Rev. James Sullivan. He remained in that post until 1896. Other appoint- ments included, lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin (1892-93), Rector in Tralee and Examiner for the Bishop of Limerick (1907-20); Chancellor of the diocese of Ardfert (1911-15); Archdeacon of Ardfert (1915-22); Rector of Drumcar (1924-30), Editor of the Church of Ireland Gazette (1931- 34). He married (27 August, 1879) Elizabeth Pauline, daughter of Thomas Hackett Armstrong, and they had a son, Thomas William Foley. He was author of books on theology and contributed to Hasting’s Dictionary of Religion and Ethics (1908, 1915). He died on 19 October, 1944. (Leslie, 1936)

Gallagher, Patrick (1920-99), Community Builder

Patrick Gallagher, fourth son of John Gallagher and Catherine Carroll, was born in Ballysteen on 14 May, 1920. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he worked for some time on the family farm. About 1940, he began working as a shop assistant for his brother, Jack, and Jack’s wife, Sheila. Subsequently, he worked in the same capacity at Fitzgibbons’ shop, Askeaton, before taking up a post at Boyd’s Store, Limerick. He was one of the founders of the Credit Union in Askeaton in 1967 and held the post of director and treasurer from its inception. In 1972, he became Manager of the Credit Union, Askeaton, and continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1993. He continued, however, as a Director until his death. Paddy was also Treasurer of the Askeaton/ Ballysteen Community Council and a member of the Tidy Towns Committee. He was also involved in all heritage activities. Paddy married Cathleen O’Shaughnessy and they had three children (Oliver, Camillus and Marie). He was a regular member of the Ballysteen football teams of the 1940s, winning several West Limerick Final medals, as well as a county final medal in 1946. He died on 6 September, 1999, and is buried in Relig Mhuire cemetery, Askeaton. (Dalton, N., 1999, 12)

Going, Major Richard (c.1769-1821), Chief Constable, Magistrate

Richard Going, second son of Richard Going, Bird Hill, Co. Tipperary, J.P., and Anne, daughter of Henry White, New Ross, was born in Bird Hill around 1769. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 13 July, 1784, and graduated with a BA in 1789 and an MA in 1792. He was obviously a bright and diligent student because he was also called to the Irish Bar the same year. Taking up a career as a Police Magistrate, he worked first in Tipperary, before taking up duties in County Limerick. He married and had children. He was the officer in charge of the police during the tithe ‘affray’ at Incherourke, Askeaton, on 15 August, 1821. Acting on ‘information received’ he sent a detachment of seventeen specially-picked armed constables, led by Captain Thomas Doolan, to intercept a ‘White Boy’ raid on the house of the Tithe Proctor, John Ivess (qv), in Incherourke. According to reports, there were up to 200 men, some on horseback, many dressed in white, and all armed with either make-shift weapons or firearms.

When the police arrived at the scene, the leaders, who had the tithe proctor on his knees on the road, gave the order to attack. The police responded with a volley that had fatal conse- quences. Three rebels were mortally wounded, two of these being later picked up by police. Three others were captured. Some fifteen wounded horses were brought to the Rathkeale barracks next day and the two ‘dead’ (some say still alive) men were buried in ‘Croppy’ graves near the bridge in Rathkeale. The captured prisoners were made to dig the graves of the two to be buried and to throw quicklime on their bodies.

People were outraged at the story (officially declared to be untrue) that Going caused wounded men to be buried alive and a conspiracy was hatched to murder him. This came to pass on 14 October, 1821, when a group of assassins opened fire on him as he rode along the Curraheen Road from Cappagh village. Two men (one was James Bridgeman) were later arrested, convicted at the March Assizes in Limerick, 1822, and hanged for the murder. It may be of interest to note that Major Going’s brother, Rev. John Going, Church of Ireland Rector at Mealiffe, Co. Tipperary, was also murdered eight years later, in 1829. [BLGI, 1899, 172; Connaught Jrnl, 19.1.1824; LC, 18.8.1821; BPP 1825(20)].

 

Griffin, Mary (c.1860-1932), Teacher

Mary Sheahan was born in Curraghchase, Kilcornan, around 1960. She became a teacher in Askeaton National School. She married Michael Griffin, a skilled tradesman from Askeaton, and they had two daughters, Maria (who married Timothy Foley) and Ellen, who also became a teacher in Askeaton National School, and who married Michael Sheehy (qv). Mary died in 1932. (Folley, M., 2007).

 

Griffith, Richard (1752-1820), M.P.

Richard Griffith, son of Richard and Elizabeth Griffith, was born in Dublin on 10 June, 1752. He joined the East India Company and made a fortune, after which he retired to Ireland. He was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1783 to 1790. In 1786, he acquired Millicent House, Clane, Co. Kildare, which became the family seat. He married Charity Yorke Bramston, and one of their sons was the well-known Sir Richard Griffith, who compiled the famous Griffith’s Valuation (1850).

In his earlier parliamentary career, Richard Griffith was a liberal and wrote several pamphlets, advocating the protection and expansion of Irish industry. However, by the time of the 1798 rebel- lion, he was a staunch supporter of the British Government and captain of a Yeoman unit used to suppress the insurrection in Clane. He was also involved in the opening of the Grand Canal. On the death of his first wife, he married Mary Hussey Burgh and, with her, had eleven children. He died on 27 June, 1820, at Holyhead and is buried there. His mother, Elizabeth Griffith, had earlier made a name for herself in Dublin as an actress and writer. (UHF)

 

Guiry, Rev. Joseph (1926-83), Clergyman.

Joseph Guiry was born in Kilfinny, Co. Limerick, on 19 November, 1926. He was educated at St Munchin’s College, Limerick, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 22 June, 1952. After ordination, he served with St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan) in Nigeria for three years. In 1955, he was recalled to the diocese of Limerick and sent as curate to Abbeyfeale. Subsequently, he served in the same capacity in St John’s Limerick City, Ballyhahill (1958), Coolcappagh (1963) and Shanagolden (1965). In March, 1968, he was appointed curate in Askeaton, where he served until his retirement, owing to illness, in August, 1974. He continued, however, to live in Askeaton until his death on 23 September, 1983. He is buried in the grounds of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Askeaton. (LDA)

 

Hackett, Rev. Samuel J (c.1858-1915), Clergyman.

Samuel John Hackett, son of Thomas Hackett, Justice of the Peace, born about 1858 in Castletown, Co. Laois, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1878, MA 1882). He was ordained for the

Church of Ireland in 1879 and served initially as curate in Shankill, Co. Down (1879-84). After this, he served in the Diocese of Down and Connor (1884-96). In 1896, he took up an appointment as Rector of the Church of Ireland in Askeaton. He was made a Canon of the Cathedral (Limerick) in 1911 and served in Askeaton until his death on 10 October, 1915. He was a blood brother of Rev. Thomas A.P. Hackett, also a clergyman of the Church of Ireland and Dean of Limerick. He never married and was described as ‘a scholar, a gentleman and an ideal clergyman’ (Leslie, 1936).

 

Halpin, Rev. Joseph (1911-88), Clergyman.

Joe Halpin, son of Patrick Halpin and Catherine Murphy, was born (according to Spiritan records) in Askeaton on 1 January, 1911 (ABC, 2004, 94, lists the date as 11 September, 1910). He attended Askeaton National School before going on to complete his secondary schooling at Blackrock College, Dublin. He entered the Holy Ghost Congregation and was professed in the Holy Ghost Scholasticate, Kimmage, in 1931. After completing his philosophical studies, he was assigned to Trinidad, where he served as a teacher at St Mary’s College, Port of Spain, from 1932 to 1935. On returning to Ireland, he completed his theological studies at Kimmage and was ordained in 1939, after which he was assigned to the Nigerian Mission in Onitsha-Owerri. It was a period of great activity in the missions and the days were too short for the ministry to which Joe felt called. He subsequently became Head of the Teacher Training College in Nsukka. Ill-health, however, in the form of skin cancer, forced him to quit the tropics in 1957. He returned to Blackrock College and continued teaching in spite of his ailment. During his last years, despite regular visits to hospital for treatment, he continued to participate fully in community life. Even when his energy failed, he was always ready to share his good humour. He died peacefully on 17 July, 1988, and is buried in Dean’s Grange cemetery, Dublin. (www.irishspiritans.necrology)

 

Hanley, Nuala (1930-98), Teacher.

Nuala Egan, daughter of John Egan and Bridget Frost, was born on 5 January, 1930. She was edu- cated at the Mercy Convent Schools, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, and, later, at Carysfort Teacher Training College, Dublin. After qualifying as a teacher, her first appointment was in Dundalk, after which she came to Foynes. Subsequently, she came to Askeaton National School as assistant teacher in the late 1950s. She succeeded Ms Helena Hardiman (qv) as Principal in 1971 and contin- ued in this capacity until her retirement in July, 1995. She married James Hanley, Moig, and they had a family of three boys (Fergus, Paul and David) and three girls (Louise, Grace and Aideen).

Nuala was an accomplished musician (piano and organ), and a founder member of Geiptine Singers. She also taught singing in school. She died 14 February, 1998, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton (Hanley, J., 2007)

 

Hanly, Rev. David (c.1888-1923), Clergyman.

David Hanly, born around 1888, was ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 22 August, 1880. After ordination, he served on loan to the Archdiocese of Westminster (1880-83), before returning to Ireland to take up duties as curate in Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1883-84). He was subse- quently curate in Bruree (1884-86), St Patrick’s (1886-88), Parteen (1888-98), Athea (1898-05),

Ballyagran (1905-10), Monagea (1910-19) and Templeglantine (1919). In April, 1919, he was appointed Parish Priest of Monagea (1919-23). He died, after a long illness, on 12 October, 1923, in Portsmouth. He is buried near Foynes (Tobin, 2004, 46).

Hardiman, Helena (1906-93), Teacher.

Helena Hardiman was born in Gort, Co. Galway, on 19 June, 1906. She was educated at the Convent of Mercy, Gort, and at Carysfort Teacher Training College, Dublin, where she qualified as a teacher. After qualifying, she taught for two years in Dublin before taking up an appointment as Assistant Teacher in Carrickerry, Co. Limerick. From there, she came to Askeaton as Principal of the Girl’s school. She remained as Principal in Askeaton until she retired. She then returned to her native Gort, where she spent her remaining years, which were latterly plagued by illhealth. She died on 19 November, 1993, and is buried, alongside other members of her family, in the historic monastic settlement of Kilmacduagh, Co. Galway.

 

Harlowyn, Rev. Robert (c.1663), Clergyman.

Rev. Robert Harlowyn was installed as Church of Ireland Rector of Askeaton (including Lismakeery and Toomdeely) on 12 May, 1663. It would appear that he remained in this post until 1668. It will also be recalled that this was a tempestuous period in Irish history, especially in Askeaton. (Leslie, 1936).

 

Hartigan, Rev. Patrick (1862-1937), Clergyman.

Patrick Hartigan was baptised in his native parish of Parteen on 8 January, 1862. He attended St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 24 June, 1889. After ordination, he served as assistant priest in Edinburgh for some years before taking up duties as curate in Monagea (1893- 94). In 1894 he came to Askeaton/ Ballysteen as curate and remained until 7 October, 1914, when he was transferred to Mahoonagh as curate and administrator (1914-18). He was appointed Parish Priest of Tournafulla in 1918 and remained there until 1929, when he was transferred to Mahoonagh as Parish Priest (1929-37). He died there on 3 July, 1937, and is buried in the church grounds. (Tobin 2004, 47).

 

Harty, Rev. William (1885-1954), Clergyman.

William Harty was baptised in his own parish church, St Mary’s, Limerick, on 4 March, 1885. He attended St Munchin’s College, before entering St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 20 June, 1909. After ordination, he served for some time in the archdiocese of Westminster before taking up appointments as curate successively in Effin (1912-17), Glenroe (1917-18), Mahoonagh (1918), Ballingarry (1918-21), Rathkeale (1921-24) and St Michael’s Limerick City (1924-32). In 1932, he was appointed Administrator in St Michael’s Limerick and Parish Priest of Bulgaden in 1937. Subsequently, he was Parish Priest in St Mary’s Limerick (1938- 46), before his transfer to Askeaton-Ballysteen as Parish Priest on 7 February, 1946. After falling into ill-health, he resigned as Parish Priest of Askeaton on 14 April, 1948, retiring to Waterford to live with his brother. He died there on 14 March, 1954, and is buried in Limerick. (Tobin, 2004, 47)

 

Haworth, Rev. John L (1928-03), Clergyman.

John Lutrell Haworth, son of Athol Hawarth, and Muriel Lutrell, was born in Dublin on 11 November, 1928. He was educated at Chesterfield Grammar School and Multifarnham College. He worked for some years as a business representative before deciding to study for the sacred ministry. He entered the Church of Ireland Theological College in 1964 and obtained his G.O.E. Certificate. He was ordained Deacon in 1966 and Priest in 1967. One of his first appointments was to

Keenagh, Co. Longford (1967-71). He was then appointed Rector in Ballymacelligot before his transfer to Kinneigh, Co. Cork (1972-76), Ballineen (1976-78). In 1978 he was appointed Rector of the Askeaton/Kilcornan/ Kildimo Union. Subsequent appointments included Rector in Ballina, Monasterevin, Kiltegan and Fermoy, from where he retired in 1996. His retirement years were spent in Myrtleville, Co. Cork. In 1955, he married Rose Treacy from Cork and they had a family of two boys (David and Brian) and a girl (Patricia). Rev. Haworth died 2 June, 2003, and is buried in Crosshaven. (Haworth, 2007).

Hayes, Maurice (1923-96), Sportsman

Maurice Hayes, second son of Owen Hayes and his wife, Margaret Somers, was born in Ballysteen in 1923 and baptised in St Patrick’s church. He attended Ballysteen National School and helped in the family farm afterwards. He was a regular member of the Ballysteen junior football team in the 1940s and won several West Limerick Final medals. One of the highlights of his sporting career, however, was his membership of the Ballysteen team which won the Junior Football final in 1946. On the basis of his performance in this match, he was selected to play with the Limerick county junior football team in 1947. Subsequently, Maurice immigrated to the USA and spent several years in San Diego, California. There he met and married his wife, Mary O’Shaughnessy. On his retirment in the USA, Maurice returned to Ireland for his final years. He died on 17 July, 1996, and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Hayes, M., 2007)

Hayes, Michael (1921-2001), Sportsman

Michael Hayes, eldest son of Owen Hayes and his wife, Margaret Somers, was born in Issane, Ballysteen, on 8 November, 1921, and baptised in St Patrick’s Church. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he began work on the family farm. He was a fine athlete and won a place in every Ballysteen team of his generation, both football and hurling. He was on the Ballysteen team of 1946, which won the Limerick country final. He was also chosen to represent Limerick in Junior intercounty football in 1947. He married Margaret Staffe (1925-75) and they had a family of four boys (John, Michael, Dominic and Owen), and two girls (Mary and Biddy). Michael died on 28 May, 2001, and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Hayes, M, 2007)

Heavenor, Rev. Daniel MS (1904-77), Clergyman.

Daniel Miner Stearns Heavenor was born in the USA on 10 September, 1904. His grandparents came from Pallaskenry and immigrated to the USA during the Great Famine. He was ordained in 1957 and became Priest-in-Charge of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Askeaton/ Kilcornan from 1974-77. He returned to the USA in 1977 and died there on 21 October, 1977. His body was cre- mated and his ashes buried in the grounds attached to the Church of Ireland, Castletown, Pallaskenry. (Crockford).

Herbert, Rev. Jerome OFM (c.1620-), Friar.

Jerome Herbert was elected Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1645 and re-elected in 1647 and 1648. It was while he was Guardian that the bodies of martyrs, Bishop O’Hely and Fr Con O’Rourke, were brought to the Friary and buried there. It is not clear whether Fr. Jerome Herbert and Fr. Jeremiah Herbert was one and the same person, since not only does spelling vary in different documents, but, moreover, the contemporay notes may be in either Latin, Irish or English. In any case, Fr Jeremiah Herbert is listed as Guardian in Askeaton in 1670, 1675, 1676, 1681, 1683 and 1687. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 169).

Hewson, John (1749-1829), Magistrate.

John Hewson, eldest son of Robert Hewson (1710-80) and Lilian Lees (d.1780), was born in Castlehewson on 15 March, 1749. He married (1 January, 1782) Mary, daughter of William Lysaght, and niece of 1st Baron Lisle. They had seven sons and eight daughters. John was Deputy Lieutenant of County Limerick and was responsible for building the Hewson mill in Askeaton in 1825. He was a middleman for Sir Matthew Blakiston, owner of the seigneury of Askeaton. He died on 8 September, 1829. (BIFR 1976, 586; O’Donovan OSL, 1840; Hewetson, 1911, 7)

 

Hewson, William (1781-1858), Magistrate.

William Hewson, second son of John Hewson and Mary Lysaght, was born in Castlehewson in 1781. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA) and qualified as a Barrister at Lincoln’s Inn in 1806. He married Elizabeth Anne, eldest daughter of John Brownrigg, Justice of the Peace, of Edenderry, Co. Offaly. They had two sons and two daughters. William was middleman for Sir Matthew Blakiston, owner of the seigneury of Askeaton, and is listed as ‘lessor’ for both the town of Askeaton and several townlands in the parish in Griffith’s Valuation of 1850. During the Tithe War, he was wounded in the hand on 15 Feb, 1822, when a lone and unknown gunman fired at him, while he was travelling between Askeaton and Glin. He died in 1858. (BPP 1822 (423), 14; BIFR 1976, 586; Hewetson, 1911,7).

 

Hewson, John Brownrigg (1826-1908), Magistrate.

John Brownrigg Hewson, eldest son of William Hewson and Eizabeth Anne Brownrigg, was born in Castlehewson on 11 July, 1826. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA, 1846), and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He married (8 July, 1873) Harriet Mary Gardiner of Rochford, Essex. They had three sons. He died 3 December, 1908, and was buried in the family cemetery, Castlehewson. In the list of landowners published in 1876, he was listed as being in possession of 1,435 acres of land (BIFR 1976, 586; Hewetson, 1911, 7).

 

Hewson, Gilbert (1875-1951), Member L.C.C., T.D.

John Gilbert Brownrigg Hewson, second son of John Brownrigg Hewson and Harriet Mary Gardiner, was born in Blackrock, Dublin, on 21 May, 1875. He was educated at Malvern College, England, Trinity College, Dublin, and Kings Inn, where he qualified as a lawyer. He was elected to the Limerick County Council in 1928 for the Rathkeale electoral area. On election, he took issue with the legality of part of the current county council rate. He argued his case all through the courts and won, that part of the rate being consequently quashed. After this, he was approached to stand for Dáil Éireann. He stood as an Independent and won a seat in the Fifth Dail in June 1927. This, however, was the shortest Dáil on record, lasting only 98 days, and was dissolved in September, 1927.

Gilbert married a distant cousin, Kathleen Violet Hewson (1876-1958), youngest daugh- ter of George Hewson, Ennismore, Listowel, Co. Kerry, and had one son, Maurice, and one daugh- ter, Rachel Elizabeth (‘Betty’). Kathleen Hewson was a descendant of King Edward I (through a connection with Sir Maurice Fitzgerald, Knight of Kerry). In addition to the estate at Castlehewson, Gilbert inherited the flour mill, built by his great grandfather in Askeaton in 1825. With the decline of this industry, he started a new one in 1905, which later evolved into Southern Chemicals. Initially, the firm manufactured lime for agricultural purposes and calcium carbide for making acetylene, used in domestic and cycle lamps. After World War II, however, the market for

this material collapsed. In 1935, a business consortium, led by Diarmuid O’Riordan (qv), pur- chased the plant and site and laid the foundations of further development. Gilbert Hewson also owned the ground rents of much of the property in Askeaton west of the bridge, his father having purchased these from Sir Matthew Blackiston (qv). Gilbert Hewson died on 30 January, 1951, and is buried in the family cemetery in Castlehewson (BIFR 1976, 586; Hewetson, 1911, 4).

 

Hewson, Maurice (1912-98), British Colonial Officer.

Maurice Gilbert Hewson, son of John Gilbert B Hewson and Kathleen Violet Hewson, was born in Castlehewson on 25 September, 1912, and was educated at Repton Public School (England), St Columba’s (Dublin) and Trinity College, Dublin. He then went on to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, where he obtained the degrees BA (1936), LLB (1947) and MA (1952). In Trinity College, he took an active part in sports and was captain of the Athletic and Tennis Clubs. He sub- sequently entered the British Colonial Service and rose to the rank of District Commissioner in the Gold Coast (present Ghana), West Africa. He served with the West African Frontier Force during World War II. On his retirement, he was an active member of the Church of Ireland community in Askeaton. Maurice and his sister, Betty, had a royal connection to King Edward I, through ther mother, Kathleen. In addition to the Castlehewson property, Maurice also inherited ground rents of property in the town of Askeaton west of the bridge. Maurice and his wife, the former Pamela Mary Kettle, from Ballycarney, Co. Wexford, perished in an accidental fire at their home, Lough House, Ballyengland, Askeaton, on 23 February, 1998. They are buried at the family cemetery at Castlehewson. Paul Hewson (‘Bono’ of U2) is a relation of Maurice (BIFR 1976, 585; Hewetson, 1911, 4).

 

Hewson, Maureen (1931-90), Teacher.

Maureen Garvey was born on 21 March, 1931, in Ballyea, Inagh, Co. Clare. She was educated at Gortbofarna National School, Inagh, Presentation Convent, Mountmellick, and Carysfort Teachers College, Dublin, where she qualified as a national teacher in 1951. After a first appointment in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, she came to Askeaton as assistant teacher in 1953. She married Vincent Hewson on 25 June, 1959, and went to live in Milltown, Ballysteen. They had a family of four boys and three girls. Maureen was an active member of many local, cultural, heritage and community- building organisations, including Ballysteen Comhaltas, ICA and Local Radio Organising Committee. She was a life-long enthusiast for the Irish language and culture. She took early retirement from teaching in 1978. During the months preceding her death, Maureen super- vised the compilation of the book, A History of Askeaton and Ballysteen (Askeaton/ Ballysteen ICA, 1991), which was published after her death. The proceeds of this book went to Milford House Hospice, where she died on 10 September, 1990. She is buried in Kilcornan Cemetery. (Hewson, 2007).

 

Hickey, Rev. Francis OFM (c.1714), Friar.

Fr Hickey is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1714. Conlon, however, points out that there is no evidence of a permanent settled community in the Friary, Askeaton, after 1690. In some instances, at least, the appointment was nominal, possibly in the hope that political events would change to permit more open practice of the Catholic religion. (Conlon, 2007; Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170)

Hickey, Rev. James (c.1825-71), Clergyman.

Rev. James Hickey, born about 1825, was Parish Priest of Askeaton in succession to Father Raleigh, who was transferred to Rathkeale in 1863. Though Begley describes him as a ‘Cashel Priest’, Hammel does not confirm this and it is more likely that Begley is confusing him with a younger Cashel priest of the same name (matriculated 19 October, 1858, ordained 1863). Our James Hickey had previously been Parish Priest of Donoghmore. He matriculated at Maynooth on 3 November, 1843, entering the Humanities class. He was a nephew of Dr. Ryan, Bishop of Limerick (1828-64), and his appointment as Parish Priest of Askeaton in 1863 is said to be related to a misunderstanding between Bisop Ryan and his coadjutor and successor, Bishop Butler. Father Hickey died 20 July, 1871. (Begley, III, 602; Toomey and Greensmyth, 1991, 129-30)

 

Higgins, Rev. William (1837-1917), Clergyman.

William Higgins was baptised on 24 December, 1837, and matriculated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 9 September, 1864, into the Physics class (an unusual subject of study in a seminary at that period). After completion of his philosophy and theology, he was ordained on 14 June, 1868, and then appointed curate in Knockaderry (1869-83), and St John’s Limerick (1883-86). On 15 December, 1886, he was appointed Administrator of St John’s and remained there until his appoint- ment as Parish Priest of Askeaton- Ballysteen on 25 March, 1890. He remained only two years in Askeaton, however, before being transferred on 15 February, 1892, to Effin as Parish Priest. He died in Effin on 2 February, 1917, and is buried there (Begley, III, 602; Tobin, 2004, 50).

 

Hoare, Sir Joseph (1713-1801), M.P.

Sir Joseph Hoare, son of Edward Hoare of Dunkettle, Co. Cork, and Grace Burton, was born in Dunkettle on 25 December, 1713. He was educated at Trinity College (1732) and the Middle Temple and was called to the Irish Bar in 1745. He was appointed weighmaster of Cork for life in April, 1766 (but dismissed, apparently for political reasons, in 1789). He also held an appointment as ‘Commissioner for Paving the Streets of Dublin’ (1778-80), and ‘Governor and Guardian of the Lying-in Hospital (1786). He was listed among Irish Judges and Barristers in 1789. He married (1744) Catherine Summerville, daughter of Sir James Summerville, 1st Baronet, and had one son, Joseph, and one daughter, Catherine, who married William Hume.

Sir Joseph ‘purchased’ his Askeaton seat ‘for life’ from Edward Taylor (Ballynort) in 1766 and sat for 39 years for Askeaton, until the Act of Union. Sir Joseph was also related to the Taylors, Edward Taylor’s mother being Sarah Hoare. The Hoare family was politically allied to the Ponsonbys and was regarded as being consistently opposed to Catholic Relief. Sir Joseph voted against the Union in 1799 and 1800. On 10 December, 1784, he was made 1st Baronet of Annabella in County Cork. He is listed as receiving reimbursement of £200 for the loss of his seat in Askeaton in 1800 (Lewis, 1837). Sir Joseph was succeeded as 2nd Baronet by his son, Sir Edward Hoare (1745-1814), who represented Carlow (1768-76) and Banagher (1790-97; 1798- 1800) in the Irish Parliament. Sir Joseph continued to attend parliamentary sessions even when blind and hard of hearing. He died 24 December, 1801. (UHF)

 

Hoare, Margaret (c. 1800), Teacher

Margaret Hoare is listed in a Government Report in 1826 as operating a small private school in the parish of Askeaton/ Ballysteen. The number of pupils was small, numbering only 11, all of whom were Catholics. Four were girls. The building was described as ‘a wretched hovel’. Ms Hoare

reported that the school fees, which she received for the year, amounted only to £3. During this period, there are no Hoares listed in the Askeaton/ Ballysteen Parish Register, though they are some listed forty years later. They are, however, some Hoares listed at this time in the Kildimo/ Pallaskenry Parish Register. (BPP 1826-27 (12), 1078)

 

Hough, Sr Margaret (1875-1962), Religious Sister.

Margaret Hough, daughter of Edward Hough and Catherine Guinane, was born in Askeaton on 1 September, 1875. She attended Askeaton National School before entering the Convent of Mercy, Tipperary Town, where she received the habit on 27 September, 1897. Taking the name, Sister Mary Ita, she was professed on 14 October, 1899. Her early years were spent teaching small children, something for which she had many talents. Subsequently, she spent time in St Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, Ballycarron and St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. In her later years she returned to the Mercy Convent, Tipperary, where she spent the remainder of her life. In 1949, she celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her profession and, in 1959, her Diamond Jubilee. She was known as a prayerful and obliging person. She was a sister of Sister Kathleen Hough (qv). She died peacefully on 10 February, 1962. She is buried in the convent cemetery, Tipperary. (Mercy Archives Ireland).

 

Hough, Sister Kathleen (1878-1947), Religious Sister.

Kathleen Hough, daughter of Edward Hough and Catherine Guinane, was born in Askeaton on 10 July, 1878. She attended Askeaton National School before entering the Convent of Mercy, Abbeyfeale on 27 August, 1903. She received the habit on 17 March, 1904, taking the name of Sister Patrick. She was professed on 29 March, 1906. She was elected to the position of bursar of the convent on two occasions: 1920-32 and 1941-47. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession in 1931. She was a sister of Sister Margaret Hough (qv). In later years, her health was less than perfect and she died on 26 August, 1947, and is buried in the convent cemetery, Abbeyfeale. (Mercy Archives Ireland).

 

Hurley, Rev. William (c.1661), Friar.

Fr Hurley is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1661. There seems to be no further information about him. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 169).

 

Hunt, Catherine (1701-1805), Centenarian

Catherine Hewson, daughter of George Hewson (1662-1735) of Castlehewson and his wife, Katherine Peacocke, was born in Castlehewson around 1704. She married Robert Hunt of Incherourke, who predeceased her. She had a remarkably long life and died in the home of her grandson, Edmund Hunt, Incherourke, in February, 1805. A newspaper report of her death records that she lived to see her great great grandchildren and, almost to the end, was in full possession of her senses. (Hewetson, 1911, 4; LGA, 21, Feb., 1805)

 

Hunt, Robert Mun (1842-), Magistrate

The Hunts of Incherourke trace their ancestry back to William Hunt of Gosfield, Essex, who died about 1552. His grandson, John (b.1582), came to Ireland during the Confederate war and was one of the ’49 Officers’ in the English army. From him descended two main branches of the family, the more prominent being the descendants of Sir Vere Hunt of Curraghchase (qv), whose son, Sir Aubrey, changed the family surname to the more aristocratic De Vere. The other branch included

those at Incherourke, and their cousins in Friarstown, Bruff. Robert Mun Hunt, of Incherourke, born in 1842, was the grandson of Robert Hunt and his wife, Catherine Hewson (1701-1805). He married (1876) Louisa Margaret Coplen-Langford, 3rd daughter of Edward Langford of Merino, Co. Kerry, and Stonehall, Co. Limerick. There were several branches of the Langford family in west Limerick and they intermarried with most of the Co. Limerick gentry. Robert Hunt of Inchirourke (b.1878), son of Robert Mun Hunt, was the father of the late Patricia Denise Hunt (d. 19.3.94), who married Colonel Philip O’Grady. (BIFR 1976, 335)

Hunt, Sir Vere (1761-1818), M.P.

Vere Hunt’s ancestors came from Gosforth, Essex, and the first of the family to come to Ireland seems to have been John Hunt, one of the ’49 Officers’ in the English forces. Vere was born in Curraghchase in 1761, son of Vere Hunt and Anne Browne, of Newgrove, Co. Clare. In his youth he showed an interest in literature and the theatre (which was to re-emerge more forcibly in his grandson, Aubrey de Vere). In 1783, he was appointed Major in the Fencible Regiment, raised at the close of the American Wars. In 1784, he married Elinor Perry, daughter of Lord Glentworth, Protestant Bishop of Limerick. In 1784, he was made a baronet, Sir Vere Hunt. Subsequently, he became High Sheriff of Limerick and was commissioned at the outbreak of the French wars to raise two levies. While attached to the 135th regiment in Southampton, he was made a colonel.

On his return to Ireland, he purchased one of the Askeaton Parliamentary seats in 1797. His time in parliament was short-lived, however, since Askeaton was disenfranchised with the pass- ing of the Act of Union in 1800. Though Sir Vere was listed for compensation of £1,100 (in lie of his seat in Parliament), he experienced difficulty in obtaining this money, as well as payment for his army services. It is said that his disappointment with the Dublin administration in this matter turned him into an Anglo-Irish nationalist. Concerning the Act of Union, he is on record as saying that it was ‘a measure which my honour was bound to but my soul revolted at’ (Nolan, ‘Glengoole- New Birmingham and the Parishes 1600-1900').

The great work of Sir Vere Hunt’s life, however, was his scheme to build the model town of New Birmingham in Glengoole, County Tipperary, and to turn it into a prosperous industrial centre. Sir Vere had inherited land in Tipperary from his father, and, in collaboration with the Parish Priest, Father Meigan, he attempted to extract coal from the ground in commercial quanti- ties. He was bitterly disappointed at the failure of the British Government to support his far-sighted enterprise. Though several buildings were erected, and a new town was on the verge of being established, the coal extraction failed to became a profitable business and, after Sir Vere’s death on 11 August, 1818, his successors allowed the project to founder and eventually fail.

Sir Vere had only one son, Sir Aubrey Hunt. It was he who changed the name from ‘Hunt’ to ‘De Vere’, which was the family name of his aristocratic great grandmother, five genera- tions removed. The adoption of the De Vere surname finally separated the Hunts (as in Incherourke) from the De Veres of Curraghchase. (BIFR, 1976); Nolan, W., 2007).

Hunter, Rev. Alexander (c.1732-93), Clergyman.

Alexander Hunter, born about 1732 in County Longford, entered Trinity College, Dublin, as a sizar (exempted from fees) in 1750. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland on 31 July, 1868, and Priest on 20 November, the same year. Before coming to Askeaton as curate on 1 August, 1785, he was curate in Croagh (1773-85). He moved to Limerick as curate in St Munchin’s on 27 February, 1792. His health declined, however, and he died at Pump Lane, Limerick, in January, 1793. His obituary was carried in the Waterford Herald of 29 January, 1793. (Leslie, 1936).

Ivess, John (c.1821), Tithe Proctor.

John Ivess was the ‘Tithe Proctor’ (i.e. Tithe Collector) in Askeaton in 1821. He became the unwit- ting centre of an ‘affray’ when the Askeaton ‘Whiteboys’, led by Terence Moran (qv), decided to attack his house on 15 August, 1821, for the purpose of seizing and burning the tithe books.

Newspaper reports stated that up to 200 people, some on horseback, were involved. The locals, however, were betrayed and a detachment of armed police were waiting for them. In an exchange of fire, Moran and two others were mortally wounded, while three others (Michael Moran, Michael Halloran and Michael Fitzgerald) were captured and subsequently charged with the wilful murder of Thomas Manning, one of the policemen present. The bodies of two of the ‘dead’ ‘Whiteboys’ were next day buried (some say while still alive) in quicklime in a ‘croppy hole’ near the bridge in Rathkeale. Some of the Ivess family immigrated to Australia around 1850 and members of this branch now live in Buderim, Queensland. One of them suggests that the surname, Ivess, may have come from the old name for Ballysteen, Iverus, from Uíbh Rossa, but etymologists are still debat- ing this matter. (LC, 18.8.1821; DEP, December, 1821)

 

Ives, Burl (1909-95), Singer, Film Actor.

Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was born near Hunt City in Jasper County, Illinois, on 14 June, 1909. He is probably best remembered for his music. He started his career as an itinerant singer, accompanying himself on his banjo. In 1940, he began his own radio show, entitled, The Wayfaring Stranger, after one of his popular ballads. His film career began in 1946, when he was cast as a singing cowboy in Smoky. He also featured in East of Eden (1955) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). He won an Academy Award as best supporting actor in The Big Country (1958) and had a prominent part in Our Man in Havanna (1959).

In the 1960s Burl began singing country music and had several big hits in this genre. Burl purchased Prospect House, Ballysteen, in 1965. His choice of Prospect House was in part accidental. While visiting Ireland, he visited The Coach Inn, in Kilcornan, at the time owned by Peter Sheehy. Prospect House was then owned by the family firm, Sheehy Brothers, who had just decided to put it on the market. In the course of conversation, Burl asked if there were any houses for sale in the area and Peter took him to see Prospect and the purchase was soon arranged. Helen Ives, Burl’s first wife, received the house as part of a divorce settlement and she and her second husband, Bill Lovelock, spent some of their vacations there.

Burl Ives was a warm, friendly man and, whenever he visited Ballysteen, he called at the Post Office and stayed for a cup of tea with the postmistress, the late Mrs Margaret Hayes. (Feheney 1998, 194).

 

Joynt, Dudley (c.1685-1759),

Dudley Joynt, son of Christopher Joynt and Ann Stokes, Tiermore, Shanagolden, was born before 1685. He was of Hugenot extraction and, like several members of his family, was closely associat- ed with civic affairs in County Limerick. His grandfather was Sheriff of County Limerick c.1659 and connected with the Cromwellian administration in Ireland. Dudley married Rose Galbraith, daughter of an officer in the army of William of Orange, from Cappard, Co. Galway, on 19 May, 1729, and settled in Ballinacourty, Askeaton. In October, 1746, he leased land in Ballinvoher from Wyndham Quin, Adare, and also acquired a lease of other lands in Morgans, Askeaton. Like some other members of his family, he left a detailed will (1759-60) making arrangements for the disposal of his property among his five sons and three daughters. He died about 1759 and, like his son,

William, lies buried in the Joynt vault at Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. This family is directly related to the Lane-Joynt family in Pallaskenry. (Joynt, ‘Descendants of William Joynt’)

 

Jermyn, Rev. Richard (c.1639), Clergyman.

Richard Jermyn was installed as Church of Ireland Vicar of Askeaton on 4 March, 1639. He had been eduated at the University of Oxford and ordained Deacon in 1621 and priest in 1622 in Cork. During the years, 1627-34, he had been Vicar in Ballydeloughy, Cork, and in Rahan, near Mallow, in the diocese of Cloyne, 1633-39. Following his stint in Askeaton, he was Rector of Ardsheagh and Carrigaleary, near Mallow, up to 1660. (Leslie, 1936).

 

Jones, Anne (1905-88), Teacher.

Anne O’Donnell was born in Newcastle West on 11 October, 1905. Her father, Michael O’Donnell, was Principal of the Courtenay primary school and it was deemed natural for her to follow in his footsteps. She attended Mercy Convent School in Newcastle West, before starting teacher training at the College of the Immaculate Conception, Limerick. Her first appointment on leaving college in 1927 was in Herbertstown. In 1935, she took an appointment at the Girl’s school, Askeaton, where she met her future husband, Denis Jones. They married in 1937 and had four daughters (Mary, Catherine, Anne and Ailesh). She retired in 1970 and died on 1 March, 1988. She is buried beside her husband, Denis, in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Fitzgibbon, M., 2007).

 

Jones, Denis (1906-87), Teacher, T.D.

Denis Jones, son of John Jones and Mary O’Connell, was born in Broadford, Co. Limerick, on 12 October, 1906. His father was Principal teacher in Broadford and his mother an assistant teacher. Denis was educated at Broadford National School and Rockwell College. He then entered St Patrick’s Teacher Training College, Dromcondra, and qualified as a national teacher. His first teaching assignment was in Kilmallock, after which he came to Askeaton, where he became Principal in 1933.

He was an enthusiastic sportsman and played with Askeaton when they won the Limerick junior county hurling championship in 1935. Subsequently, he became a member of the Limerick County Board and a team selector. During World War II, he served as an LDF officer (Commandant) in the local defence force. He was also an active member of Muintir na Tíre.

In 1957 he was elected as a Fine Gael deputy to Dail Eireann, where he served as opposi- tion spokesman in education (1957-61), then local government (1961-66) and, finally, labour

(1966-67). In 1967, he was elected Leas Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, a position he retained until his retirement from the Dail in 1977. He was also a member of the Public Accounts Committee, holding the chair of this important body for eight years. He was also a delegate to the Council of Europe and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

At a cultural level, Denis Jones played a pivotal role in the national Folklore Project of 1937-38. It was he who coordinated the collection of hundreds of pages of local folklore, which are now housed in the National Folklore Collection at UCD. Copies, however, are available in the Limerick County Library.

Denis Jones married Anne O’Donnell, a fellow teacher in Askeaton, and they had four daughters (Mary, Catheriine, Anne and Ailesh). Denis died on 6 May, 1987, and is buried beside his wife, Anne, in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Fitzgibbon, M., 2007).

Jones, Rev. Joseph (c1767-1843), Clergyman.

Joseph Jones, son of Samuel Jones, a merchant, was born in County Clare and entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1784. He obtained his BA degree in 1788 and his MA in November, 1832. He was licensed as a Curate in the Church of Ireland, Askeaton, on 21 October, 1795. Subsequent appointments included curate Rathkeale (1798) and curate Ardfert (1805). He died in 1843. (Leslie, 1936)

 

Kelly, Sister Elizabeth B (1907-91), Religious Sister.

Elizabeth Kelly, daughter of Patrick Kelly and Catherine Nolan, was born in Main Street, Askeaton, on 23 April, 1907. After completing her primary schooling at Askeaton National school, she joined the Presentation Sisters, Victoria Province, Melbourne. She received the habit on 25 December, 1925, and took the name, Sister Brigid. She was professed on 8 September, 1928. She taught in several Presentation Sisters schools in the Melbourne area and died on 11 April, 1991.

She was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery, Australia. She was a sister of Sister Hanora V Kelly (qv) (Presentation Archives, Victoria).

 

Kelly, Sister Hanora V (1899-1988), Religious Sister.

Hanora Martha Kelly, daughter of Patrick Kelly and Catherine Nolan, was born in Main Street, Askeaton, on 18 February, 1899. She attended Askeaton National School and, subsequently, joined the Presentation Sisters, Victoria Province, Australia. She received the habit on 6 October, 1922, taking the name, Sister Virgilius. She was professed on 26 January, 1924, after which she taught in Presentation schools in the Victoria Province. She died 21 September, 1988, and was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery, Australia. She was a sister of Sister Elizabeth B Kelly (q.v). (Presentation Archives, Victoria).

 

Kelly, Rev. Michael (c.1906-88), Clergyman

Michael Kelly attended St Munchin’s College, Limerick, and St Patrick’s Seminary, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 5 June, 1932. His first two years of ministry after ordination were spent in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. He returned to Ireland in November, 1934, as curate in Banogue. In March, 1936, he was transferred to Askeaton/ Ballysteen as curate, where he remained until March 1941, with a short break, while he was on loan to St Munchin’s College as a member of the teaching staff. On 1 March, 1941, he was appointed chaplain to the Good Shepherd Convent and Home, Limerick, and in September, 1944, he was transferred as curate to Ardpatrick. Subsequent appointments included curate at Newcastle West (1945-64); Parish Priest of Cappagh (1964-67); Parish Priest of Bulgaden (1967-71); Parish Priest of Kilcolman (1971-88). He died on 5 September, 1988. He is buried in the church grounds, Kilcolman. (LDA).

 

Kelly, Rev. Vincent (c.1900), Clergyman.

Vincent Kelly, son of Patrick Kelly and Catherine Nolan, was born in Main Street, Askeaton, and baptised at St Mary’s (RC) church, Askeaton. He attended Askeaton National School and, later, became a priest in Australia. He was a brother of the two Presentation nuns, Sisters Elizabeth Kelly (1907-91) (qv)and Hanora Kelly (1899-1988) (qv). (Presentation Archives, Victoria)

Kenneally, Jackie (1903-75), Sportsman

Jackie Kenneally, son of Con Kenneally and Susan Purcell, was born in Askeaton on 23 June, 1903. He attended Askeaton National School, at the same time showing evidence of great sporting talent. He represented Askeaton in minor hurling and graduated to junior level. In 1924, he played with Cappagh and helped the team win the West Limerick Junior Championship. In 1935, he was a member of the Askeaton team which won the junior hurling county championship. The following year, he was chosen to represent Limerick in intercounty junior hurling. Jackie subsequently played football with Ballysteen, also winning West Limerick championships in this code. He married Nora Carmody and they had a family of six boys and one girl. Jackie died on 20 February, 1975, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Kenneally, M., 2007).

Kenneally, Michael (1905-83), Sportsman

Michael Kenneally, son of Con Kenneally and Susan Purcell, was born in Askeaton in September, 1905. He attended Askeaton National School and followed the example of his older brother, Jackie, by becoming involved in hurling. He graduated from minor to junior hurling and was captain of Askeaton when they won the Limerick county final in junior hurling in 1935. The following year, 1936, Michael was captain of the Limerick intercounty junior hurling team. He also played football with Ballysteen, winning several West Limerick junior football championships. Michael married Hana Flavin and they had a family of eight boys and three girls. Michael died in June 1983 and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Kenneally, M., 2007).

Kenrick, Mary (1851-1912), Teacher.

Mary O’Neill, daughter of Michael O’Neill and Catherine Mulqueen, was born in Ballynort and baptised in St Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 3 October, 1851. She married Michael Kenrick, Ballycanana, in Askeaton on 3 October, 1875, and they had a family of four boys (Patrick, Edward, John and Michael) and four girls (Mary, Margaret, Ellen and Catherine). She is listed as an infant teacher in Askeaton National School in Guy’s Munster Directory for 1893. Daniel Conway was Principal at the time. She took early retirement, owing to chronic asthma. She died in January, 1912, and is buried in Beigh Cemetery, Ballysteen (A/B PR; Guy’s Munster Directory, 1893)

Kenrick, Sister Cathleen (1893-1983), Religious Sister.

Sister Cathleen Enda Kenrick, daughter of Michael J Kenrick and Mary O’Neill, was born in Ballycanana on 26 July, 1893. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation (Victoria Province, Australia) in 1920. She completed her novitiate at Presentation Convent, St Kilda, and was pro- fessed on 22 November, 1923. After qualifying as a teacher, she taught at Presentation schools in the Victoria Province, including St Mary’s East, St Kilda, Glenhuntly, St Joseph’s (as Principal), Presentation College, Windsor, Armadale, St Patrick’s (as Principal), Sacred Heart Heathcote and St Mary’s Dandenong. She visited Ireland twice. She died on 7 December, 1983, aged 90, and was buried in the Presentation Convent cemetery, Windsor, Victoria. (Presentation Archives, Victoria).

 

Kirby, Rev. Thomas (1905-85), Clergyman.

Thomas Kirby was born in Bermondsey, South London, in 1905. He was the son of John Kirby and Nora Mulcahy from Killeedy, Co. Limerick. When his parents returned to Ireland, he began his education at Broadford National School, and continued it at Copsewood College, Pallaskenry, St Munchin’s College, Limerick and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He was ordained on 29 June, 1928, after which he served for some time in Hastings, in the south of England. On his return to

Ireland, he held appointments as curate in Templeglantine (1930), Manister (1931) Fedamore (1934) and Croom (1938). He was appointed Parish Priest of Banogue in 1958. He was transferred to Donaghmore in the same capacity in 1961 and, on 14 October, 1969, he was inducted as Parish Priest of Askeaton/ Ballysteen. He was appointed a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in 1974. He died in office on 19 August, 1985, and is buried in the church grounds, Askeaton. While in Askeaton/ Ballysteen, he was responsible for the refurbishment of the churches in both places. (LDA).

 

Lake, George (c.1821), Police Captain.

George Lake was an assistant police magistrate for the Rathkeale area (including Askeaton), with the rank of Captain, in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. He was assistant to Major Going in the infamous burying of two men from Askeaton in a ‘Croppy hole’ in Rathkeale, following their fatal wounding in tithe ‘affray’ at Incherourke on 15 August, 1821. Because of his fair hair, he was known as ‘Yellow’ George Lake. He lived at Garryduff, Newcastle West, where he had an estate.

The hunting lodge, which he built there, is still standing, and contains six bedrooms, in addition to other common rooms and servants quarters. Lake’s wife was a Catholic and he regularly drove her to Mass in Monagea church. Though hated because of his alleged behaviour towards prisoners in the Rathkeale/ Askeaton area, and despite receiving numerous threats, he was never personally attacked. However, it is reported that, whenever Lake’s coach passed the door of a certain farmer’s house, the occupant expressed his derision by lowering his pants and turning his posterior towards his landlord’s carriage. Lake’s memory is tainted by the ‘Croppy hole’ burial in Rathkeale. As his assistants shook quicklime on the two ‘dead’ men (one of whom is alleged to have been still alive), Lake is reported to have shouted, ‘Salt them well, boys, salt them well!’. (BPP 1825 (20); BPP 1822 (423); Breathnach, N.; LC 18.8.1821)

 

Leahy, Rev. Michael (1878-1949), Clergyman.

Michael Leahy, a native of Charleville, was baptised on 1 July, 1878. After completing his ecclesi- astical studies in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, he was ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 20 July, 1902. After ordination, he went on loan to the Archdiocese of Westminster (1902-07), after which he returned to Ireland to take up posts as curate in Monagea (1907-08), Croagh (1908- 13), Fedamore (1913-18), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1918-20), Bulgaden (1920-24), Newcastle West

(1924-25), Croom (1925-27), Feenagh (1927-28) and Dromin/ Athlacca (1928-36). On 6 February, 1936, he was appointed Administrator of Knockaderry (1936-40) and transferred to Bulgaden in 1940. He was appointed Parish Priest of Bulgaden in February, 1946, where he died on 9 April, 1949. He was made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter on 5 October, 1946. He is buried in Bulgaden. (Tobin, 2004, 57).

 

Lee, Rev. John (1858-1932), Clergyman.

John Lee was born in Glenroe on 5 February, 1858. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Irish College in Rome, where he was ordained on 8 April, 1882. His early years after ordination were spent ministering in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh: Kelso (1878-79), Linlithgow (1879-83), Midlothian (1883-84) and Loanhead (1884-87). He returned to Ireland in 1887, taking up posts of curate in Pallaskenry (1887-92), St Mary’s (1892-94) and St Michael’s (1894-06). On 8 December, 1906, he was appointed Administrator at St Michael’s and on 2 December, 1908, he was appointed Parish Priest of Askeaton/ Ballysteen. He was subsequently

transferred to Kilfinane as Parish Priest (1915-26) and, later, to Bruff (1926-32). He was appointed a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in June, 1924, and Vicar Forane in 1926. He died as Parish Priest of Bruff on 22 April, 1932, and is buried in the church grounds. (Tobin, 2004, 58)

 

Liston, Rev. Thomas (1848-1921), Clergyman

Thomas Liston was born in Mungret on 13 October, 1848. He was educated locally and then at the Irish College in Rome, where he was ordained in 1874. On his return to Ireland, he was appointed curate in Ballingarry (1874-77), after which he was transferred to Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1877-79) in the same capacity. Subsequent appointments included curate and chaplain to the Workshouse at Rathkeale (1879-98); Parish Priest of Feenagh/ Kilmeedy (1898-1909); Parish Priest of Shanagolden (1909-21). On 14 September, 1915, he was appointed Canon of the Cathedral Chapter by the Holy See. He died at St John’s Hospital, Limerick, on 10 December, 1921, and is buried in the church grounds, Shanagolden. (Tobin, 2004, 60)

 

Lodge, Rev. George (1828-), Clergyman.

George Lodge, son of Rev. Nesbitt Lodge, Co. Kilkenny, was born in 1828. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, which he entered on 1 July, 1845. He is listed as Church of Ireland curate in Askeaton in 1861. (Leslie 1936)

 

Lodge, Rev. William (1845-83)

William Henry Darrell Lodge, eldest son of Christopher Lodge, a solicitor, was born at Northbrook Road, Dublin, in 1845. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained his BA degree, and was ordained in 1863. He succeeded his relative, Rev. George Lodge, as Rector in Askeaton. He died in Askeaton on 29 April, 1883 He is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (Leslie 1936)

 

Lyons, Rev. Patrick (1920-62), Clergyman

Pat Lyons was born in Granagh, Co. Limerick, in 1920. He attended Ahalin National School, before entering St Munchin’s College, Limerick, in 1935. He went on to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in June, 1947. His first appointment was as a temporary curate in Askeaton (1947-48). Other appointments included curate at Glenroe (1948-51); Granagh (1951- 53); St Michael’s Limerick (1953-59); Donoughmore (1959-61) and Our Lady Queen of Peace, Limerick (1961-62). He died on 11 June, 1962, and is buried in the church grounds, Our Lady Queen of Peace. (LDA).

 

McAdam, Rev. Benet (c.1858), Clergyman.

Rev. Benet Dugdale Hastings McAdam, son of David Hastings McAdam, a medical doctor, was born in Dublin around 1827. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and obtained his BA degree in 1854. He was appointed curate in the Church of Ireland in Askeaton in 1858. (Leslie 1936)

 

McCann, Rev. George (1899-1974), Clergyman.

George McCann, son of James McCann, Principal of Queen’s Place School, Lurgan, was born in Lurgan in 1899. He was educated at Marlborough School and Trinity College, Dublin, where he was Bedell Scholar in 1928 and winner of the Kyle Irish Prize in 1929. He obtained his BA degree

in 1930 and his MA in 1935. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1930 and Priest in 1931. His first appointment was as Curate in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin (1930-34). After this, he was Curate in Oldcastle (1934-38), followed by a post as Chaplain-in-Charge at Kilmacshalgan, Co. Sligo (1938-44). Subsequently, he was Incumbent of Dingle (1944-54), before taking up the post of Rector of Askeaton and Kilcornan (1954-73). He married (7 August, 1935) Saragh Maude, daughter of Robert Stephens, and they had a daughter, Grainne. He died February, 1974. (C.o.I Archives)

McCarthy, Rev Dermot (1919-93), Clergyman.

Dermot McCarthy was born in Abbeyfeale in 1919 and attended the local National school. After this, he entered St Munchin’s College as a boarder and then went on to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in June, 1943. Always a keen sportsman, he represented his native Abbeyfeale and then, selected for Limerick, won a Munster Junior Football Championship in 1939. His early appointments included: curate in Tournafulla (1943-46); Glenroe (1946-48); Knockaderry (1948-58); Croom (1958-64); Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1964-68) and Athea (1968-71). He suffered a heart attack in 1971 and was appointed bursar at St Munchin’s College, Limerick, in 1974. In December, 1983, he was appointed curate in Ballingarry. While he was curate in Askeaton, he played an important part in fostering Gaelic football. It was during his time in Askeaton that Askeaton- Ballysteen won the senior county championship, with Tony Fitzgerald as captain. This team provided several players for the Limerick Senior team, including the captain, Tony Fitzgerald. Father McCarthy served both as chairperson of the West Limerick Board (1951- 57) and, later, as chairperson of the Limerick County Board. He died in the Limerick Regional Hospital from a stroke on 10 August, 1993. (LDA).

McCarthy, Paddy ‘Sax’ (1932- 2002), Musician

Paddy McCarthy was born in Askeaton on 1 August, 1932. He was educated at Askeaton National School, after which he began an apprenticeship as a tailor at Collin’s Tailoring Shop, Askeaton.

Music, however, was Paddy’s great passion. He came from a family of musicians, his uncles, Chris and Joe McCarthy, being members of the Donie Collins Danceband. His brother, Edmund, was also a musician, specialising in drums. By the age of nine, Paddy had mastered the accordion. Donie Collins, however, persuaded Paddy to try the trumpet, but they both eventually decided that Paddy had a special gift for the alto saxaphone. Paddy continued with the Donie Collins band until 1951, when he emigrated to England. He saw service with the merchant navy and, later, with the Royal Airforce. During this time, he also had an opportunity to play with the Royal Airforce Band.

Paddy married Frances Kirwan from Foynes in 1958 and they had a family of four girls and one boy. After the marriage, they returned to England and Paddy worked in an office by day and played with the big bands at night. Finally, they returned to Askeaton for good in 1968, where, again, Paddy held down a conventional job during the week, and played with his own band at weekends. In 1979, his health deteriorated, but he continued his voluntary work for the local community, becoming involved in several new projects, including an Askeaton Youth Band. Paddy died on 21 July, 2002, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Cronin, P., 1995, 102-03.)

McCoy, Rev. Mortimer (1851-1927), Clergyman.

Mortimer McCoy was baptised in his native Coolcappa on 2 March, 1851. He completed his eccle- siastical studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained in the Convent of Mercy, Limerick, on 30 June, 1878. He served as curate in Donaghmore (1878-81), Ardagh (1881-83),

Fedamore (1883-87), Dromin/ Athlacca (1887-88), Mungret (1888-90), St Munchin’s (1890-92), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1892-93) and Ballingarry (1893-1919). He was eventually appointed Parish Priest of Ardpatrick (1919-27). He died in Ardpatrick on 30 September, 1927, and is buried there. His brother, Rev. James McCoy (1836-06) was also a priest in the diocese of Limerick. (Tobin, 2004, 74).

 

McDaid, Eamonn (1921-97), Sportsman

Eamonn McDaid was born in Ramelton, Co. Donegal, in September, 1921. He was educated at St Mary=s National School, Ramelton, and St Joseph=s College, Dumfries, Scotland. A talented ath- lete, he specialised in soccer, playing for Swilly Rovers, Coolraine and Derry City. He also represented the Republic of Ireland in junior soccer. In October, 1962, he and his wife, the former Sheila Canning, settled in Askeaton, where she took up a post as a teacher, first in Askeaton, subse- qently in Ballysteen, later returning to Askeaton National School. Eamonn was employed in Southern Chemicals. They had a family of eleven boys and three girls. Eamonn was very active in soccer in Askeaton, initially as a player and, subsequently, as an administrator. He was also a member of the Askeaton/ Ballysteen Community Council for many years. His later years were plagued with illness. He died on 11 January, 1997, and he is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (McDaid, E., 2007).

 

McDonagh, Bill (1915- 88), Sportsman

William McDonagh, son of James McDonagh and Anne Smallwood, was born in Ballysteen in 1915. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he began an apprenticeship as a carpen- ter with his father. Subsequently, he worked for many years at Irish Cement Limited in Mungret. Bill was a talented sportsman and, after playing with the Askeaton minor hurling team, was selected to play with Limerick county minors in 1932. He also played hurling with the Askeaton junior team and won a junior county final with this team in 1935. He was one of a few players to play intercounty for Limerick in both footbal and hurling. He won several West Limerick junior championships with Ballysteen and was a member of the Ballysteen team which won the county Limerick junior football final in 1946. Bill married Catherine Reidy and they had a family of one boy (Seamus) and three girls (Maureen, Annette and Reena). Bill died on 10 January, 1988, and is buried in Kilcornan cemetery. (Carroll, M., 2007).

McDonagh, John (1906-62), Member LCC

John McDonagh, son of Thomas McDonagh and Jane O’Keeffe, was born in Beigh, Ballysteen, in October, 1906, and baptised in St Patrick’s church a couple of days later. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he completed an apprenticehip as a carpenter with his uncle, Jim McDonagh. He played football with Ballysteen and was a member of the team that won three West Limerick championships in the 1930s. When he ceased playing, John became involved in GAA administration and gave long and devoted service in this area. He was a member of the West Limerick Board for several years and served as treasurer for two periods, 1952-60 and 1958-63 . He was also vice-chairman of the Limerick county Board (1952-60) and a selector for the Limerick senior team. In October, 1958, he was co-opted as a member of Limerick County Council on the death of David J Madden TD. He married Hana Hourigan and they had a family of two boys (Peter and Thomas) and one girl (Mary). John died on 6 February, 1962, and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (McDonagh, H., 2007; Carroll, M., 2007).

McEniry, Rev. Anthony OFM (c.1699), Friar

Fr Anthony McEniry is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary in Askeaton in the period 1699- 1701 and 1711. The McEniry sept was prominent in county Limerick at one time, especially in the barony of Upper Connello (Askeaton is in Lower Connello). Their stronghold was in Corcomohid, later called Castletown McEnery, and still later Castletown Conyers. MacLysaght notes that the McEnirys belonged to the Ui Cairbre group, which includes the O’Donovans. A member of this family is listed as being in possession of the castle in Toomdeely, Askeaton, at one time. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170; MacLysaght, 1991, 82)

 

MacGillapádraig, Rev. Diarmuid (c.1418), Clergyman.

Diarmuid MacGiollapádraig is listed as Parish Priest of Askeaton in 1417. He was a member of the local nobility and then in his 20th year. It is also recorded that he was the son of an Augustinian priest and an unmarried woman. Since he was illegitimate, it had been necessary for him to obtain a dispensation before he could be ordained. (Leslie 1936).

 

McGovern, John (d.1936), Illegally Exhumed.

John McGovern was the son of Mr McGovern who, in 1925, purchased Ballymartin, part of the Waller estate, from Hardress Waller. Mr McGovern was from Dunmanway, Co. Cork. The local farmers had been expecting the Irish Land Commission to purchase Ballymartin, just as it had pur- chased the Castletown section of the Waller estate. It was their hope that the Ballymartin estate, amounting to about 170 acres, would be divided among local applicants for land. It was with a view to bringing pressure on the land Commission that ‘cattle drives’, aimed at harassing Mr McGovern, were initiated. Some suspects were arrested and one from Ballysteen received a short jail sentence, though the evidence for the conviction is said to be hearsay.

When McGovern’s son, John, died of meningitis in St Joseph’s Hospital, Limerick, the father had difficulty in obtaining a burial plot locally. Mr Waller declined to accommodate him in Castletown and the people of Pallaskenry were violently opposed to granting a plot, in view of his alleged status as a land grabber. Mr McGovern, however, quietly obtained a burial plot in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. When, however, some Ballysteen men went to Pallaskenry for their usual drink, they were taunted by the Pallaskenry men with the allegation that Ballysteen was ‘soft’ on land grabbers. This was the background to the unusual event which occurred in Beigh cemetery on the night of Friday, 4 September, 1936, when John McGovern’s body was exhumed and the coffin laid to rest on a large stone at the entrance to the cemetery, about one hundred metres away. On the coffin was a notice, reading, ‘Go back to where you came from’.

Though the Gardai made an attempt to find the perpetrators, this proved impossible. Mr McGovern, meantime, at the urging of the gardai, put the coffin on a trailer and headed for his home place in Dunmanway. As he entered the town at night, he was stopped by a member of the gardai, who inquired why he had a coffin on a trailer at night. Mr McGovern then related what had happened to his son’s coffin in Ballysteen. The guard expressed his condolences and Mr McGovern was waived on, completely ignorant of the fact that the guard was also from Ballysteen. (Southern Star, September, 1936; Feheney 1998, 164-66)

 

McKnight, Charles (c.1800), Teacher.

Charles McKnight was a schoolmaster,whose school in Askeaton had a total of 115 pupils in 1826. 71 of these pupils were boys, with 37 girls. All the children were Roman Catholic, except seven

who were listed as Protestant. Like most of the schools before the advent of the National School system, it was a pay school, though the fees paid by the children were relatively small. Mr McKnight listed his total annual income from 115 pupils as £12. The school building, though con- structed of ‘stone and lime’ was thatched. Charles married Mary Cleary in 1836 and they had at least one child (Mary, 1839). Charles McKnight was not related to the Ballysteen branch of this family. [BPP 1826-27 (12)]

 

McNamara, Elizabeth (1913-90), Teacher

Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy, daughter of Thomas O’Shaughnessy and Nora Magner, was born in Aughinish, Askeaton, on 10 October, 1913. She was educated in Leeds, Presentation Convent, Thurles, and UCD, where she obtained her BCom and HDE qualifications. She began teaching in Dublin at the Gregg Institute, after which she joined the staff of St Mary’s Secondary School, Askeaton, founded by Mrs Polly Jones in 1939. Subseqently, Elizabeth opened her own private sec- ondary school in Shrulane, Borigone, where she was later joined by her brother, Noel, and sister, Patricia. After some years, she closed the school in Shrulane and, together with Noel and Patricia, joined the staff of Stella Maris Mercy Convent School, Mount Trenchard, Foynes. She married Patrick McNamara of Aughinish and they had two daughters (Anne and Mary). She died on 25 October, 1990, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Fitzsimons, M., 2007)

 

McNamara, Rev. James OFM (c.1731), Friar.

Father James McNamara was listed as a member of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1731, though it is known that he was actually acting as Parish Priest of Kilrush at that time. (Conlon, 2007)

 

McNamara, Rev. John OFM (c.1742), Friar.

Though Father John McNamara was officially Guardian of the Askeaton Friary during the period 1742-44, he was actually living in Clare at the time. The reason for this was the absence of a community in the Askeaton Friary at the time (Conlon, 2007).

 

McNamara, Thomas (c.1800), Teacher.

Thomas McNamara operated a ‘hedge’ school (a derisive name for the Catholic fee-paying schools in operation in the 18th and early 19th centuries in Ireland). It was located in the Milltown (Iverus) area and Mr McNamara estimated his annual income from school fees as £10 p.a. from 75 pupils, all Catholic, of whom 21 were girls. It is expected that this Thomas McNamara was the man who is listed as a tenant of of Rev. William Waller, for a farm in the townland of Druminycullane in 1850. (Griffith’s Valuation, 1850, 21; [BPP 1826-27 (12)].

 

McPherson, Rev. Maurice Óg (c.1586-1617), Clergyman.

Maurice Óg McPherson is listed as Vicar of Askeaton in 1586. In that position, he was liable for ‘coyne and livery’ to the Earl of Desmond, amounting to two horses and four horse boys.

Subsequently, he was encouraged by Sir Francis Berkeley, Elizabethan owner of the Castle and ‘seignory’ of Askeaton, to preach his sermons in Irish for the benefit of Berkeley’s Gaelic-speaking tenants, whom he brought to church. This, we are told, made the tenants very attentive. (Jour.

RSAI, 1903, 166); Leslie 1936).

Madigan, Rev James (1906-98), Clergyman.

James Francis Madigan, son of Thomas Madigan and Bridget Meany, was born in the family farm in Cragmoor, and baptised in St Mary’s church, Askeaton, on 6 July, 1906. After completing his primary schooling in Askeaton National School, he entered St Patrick’s College, Carlow. On being accepted as a candidate for the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, he went to the USA and became a student at St Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MA. On completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained in St Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, Mass., on 21 May, 1932. His first assignment was as assistant pastor at St Joan of Arc parish, Mobile, Al. After serving in other parishes in the Archdiocese of Mobile, he returned as pastor of this parish in 1946, remaining there for 31 years. He was given the title of Monsignor in 1977 in recognition of his service to the Catholic Church in Mobile. He retired in 1985 and died on 28 January, 1998. He is buried in the priest’s plot, Catholic Cemetery, Mobile, Al. (Feheney, M., 2007).

 

Mahon, Rev. Donatus OFM (c.1672), Friar.

Fr Donatus Mahon is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1672. There seems to be no further information about him. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170)

 

Malby, Sir Nicholas (1530-84), Soldier.

Nicholas Malby, soldier and administrator, was born in the North Riding of Yorkshire around 1530. His father died when he was about four years old and he was reared by his uncle, John Malby, a merchant and lawyer in London. Nicholas married Thomasine Lamb from Leeds and they had one son, Henry, who attended Oxford University, and one daughter, Ursula, who subsequently married Anthony Brabazon, Lieutenant-governor of Connacht. Nicholas learned his soldiering by serving with Lord Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick, in Spain. In 1567, he came to Ireland as officer in the English army and he was stationed in Ulster for some years, where he proved to be a capable commander. In 1576, he was appointed chief commissioner and army commander of Connacht.

Again, he proved to be a very capable administrator and he obtained grants of large tracts of land in that province, including monastic lands and castles in Roscommon and Athlone. On 7 October, 1576, he was knighted by the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, and, in May, 1579, he was made President of Connacht. The same year, he had Connacht so well under control that he offered to come to Munster with 600 soldiers to help Sir William Drury fight the Earl of Desmond’s forces during the Desmond Rebellion. This was the time he visited Askeaton and killed three of the Franciscan Friars and desecrated the tombs of the forbears of the Earl of Desmond. Though he also burned the Friary, he did not succeed in gaining entry to the Castle, the Earl having secured it in advance and barrackaded himself within. Sir Nicholas Malby died suddenly in Athlone on 4 March, 1584. His wife, Thomasine, survived him and remarried. His son, Henry, died in 1602 and this was the end of the direct involvement of the Malby family in Ireland. The English settlers, however, which Sir Nicholas so strategically and adroitly introduced into Connaught, prospered, and some of their descendants are still there today. (Cunningham, ODNB)

 

Malone, Edmond (1702-74), M.P.

Edmond Malone, second son of Richard Malone of Baronstown, Co. Westmeath, and Marcella, daughter of Redmond Mulleady, was born on 16 April, 1702. He was educated in London at the Middle Temple and called to the English Bar on 16 May, 1729. In 1734, he entered the Inner Temple and was called to the Irish Bar in 1740. In 1756 he was awarded an LLD degree (honoris

causa) by Trinity College, Dublin. He married (26 May, 1736) Catherine, daughter of Benjamin Collier of Essex. They had two boys, Richard, who became 1st Baron Sunderlin, and who also sat in the Irish Parliament, and Edmund, who became a celebrated Shakespearean critic. They also had two girls, Henrietta and Catherine. Edmund Malone had a very successful legal career. His appoint- ments included King’s Counsel (1746), Justice of the Common Pleas (1767), Bencher of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns (1767), Commissioner for Causes in Chancery (1768) and Commissioner for Bankruptcy (1772). He took one of the Askeaton Parliamentary seats on the death of John Minchin-Walcott in 1753 and sat until 1760. During the period, 1761-67, he represented Granard in Parliament. Among the honours heaped upon him were the Freedom of the Guild of Merchants (29 April, 1754) and the Freedom of Cork (14 July, 1760). He died on 22 April, 1774. (UHF).

 

Martin, Rev. Nicholas (1813-88), Clergyman.

Nicholas Martin, son of Captain Nicholas Martin, an army officer, was born in Cork in 1813. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, (BA 1836) and ordained priest of the Church of Ireland on 31 December, 1838. After his ordination he was appointed curate in the Church of Ireland, Askeaton. He died in 1888. (Leslie 1936).

 

Massey, Sir Hugh (1733-90), M.P.

Hugh Massey, eldest son of Sir Hugh Massey, 1st Baron of Duntrileague, Co. Limerick, and Mary Dawson, was born on 14 April, 1733. He was appointed Sheriff of County Limerick in 1763 and was Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1776 to 1783. On 25 September, 1760, he married Catherine Taylor of Ballynort, Askeaton, and had four sons, Hugh, Edward, George-Eyre and John, together with four daughters, Mary-Anne, Catherine, Jane and Sarah. His wife, Catherine Taylor, was the elder daughter (and co-heiress with her half sister, Sarah, Countess of Carrick), of Col.

Edward Taylor of Ballynort. Catherine brought a marriage dowry of £5,000 in cash plus ‘half the barony (sic) of Askeaton’. Her fortune was later used by her husband to settle the Massey family debts outstanding since the time of his grandfather. Hugh Massey succeeded to the Duntrileague title in January, 1788. He died on 10 May, 1790. (UHF; Tracey, F., 2005, 23)

 

Maxwell, Rev. George (1809-1870), Clergyman.

George Maxwell, eldest son of Arthur M. Maxwell, Brookend, Co. Tyrone, was born on 27 August, 1809, in Dublin. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, (BA 1830) and ordained deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1832 and priest on 25 March, 1834. Early in his ministry, he became curate in Askeaton (1833-38), after which he became Rector and remained in this post until his death in 1870. He ministered in Askeaton for a total of 37 years. It was while he was Rector that the present Church of Ireland was completed and consecrated on 23 August, 1840, and the Church of Ireland school house at Beigh Cross was licensed for public worship in 1844. He married (1840) Margaret Anne Hewson of Ennismore, Listowel, Co. Kerry (a relative of the Hewsons at Castlehewson) and they had a family of two boys (Arthur and John Francis) and two girls. His younger son, John Francis, married (1874) Laura, third daughter of Edward Hewson, Askeaton.

Many of George Maxwell’s descendants still live in Ireland. He was secretary of the Famine Relief Committee in Askeaton in 1847. He died in Askeaton on 8 January, 1870, and is buried, beside his wife (d. 5 March, 1881) in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (BIFR 1976; Leslie 1936)

Meagher, Rev. Thomas (c. 1814), Clergyman

Rev. Thomas Meagher is listed as Parish Priest of Askeaton from 1791 to 1814. He was preceded by Rev. Robin Wall and succeeded by Rev. William Cronin (qv). No further information about him seems to be available. (Begley, III, 602).

 

Minchin-Walcott, John (1701-53), M.P.

John Minchin-Walcott was born John Minchin, eldest son of Edward Minchin of Glanahulty, Co. Tipperary, in 1701, and died 2 October, 1853. John Minchin married Eleanor Fitzgerald (b.c.1701). She happened to be the niece of Colonel John Walcott, Deputy Lieutenant for Limerick, and a wealthy man with an estate in Croagh. John Walcott died without an heir in 1736. In a will, dated 27 March, 1730, John Walcott decreed that his considerable estate be divided among five sons of his cousin, Edward Minchin, Glanahulty, Co Tipperary, provided they changed their names to Walcott. Mr Walcott also confirmed a previous (1712) settlement to his wife, Eleanor, whereby she retained possession of the family ‘mansion’ in Croagh, together with other specified lands. From then on, these Minchins used the surname, Minchin-Walcott. John Minchin-Walcott (sometimes listed simply as John Walcott) was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and was called to the Irish Bar in 1726. John was Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1747 until his early death in 1753. His descendants returned to England and lived in Southampton and Gloucester. (UHF; Walcott Family)

 

Money, Rev. James D. (c.1830), Clergyman.

Rev. James Drummond Money was ‘presented’ with the Rectorship of Askeaton by Sir Matthew Blakiston Bart., owner of the seignory of Askeaton, on 25 November, 1830. The background to this appointment was the storm of controversy aroused by the proselytisation campaign of Rev.

Money’s predecessor, Rev. Richard Murray, whom Sir Matthew adroitly ‘removed’ in 1829 by get- ting him appointed Dean of Ardagh. Rev. Murray was one of the leaders of the ‘Protestant Crusade’ in Ireland, which aimed at the conversion en masse of Catholics to Protestantism.

Protestant Mission ‘colonies’ were established in certain areas, including Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, but most notably in Dingle and Achill. Naturally, this put the proselytisers on a collision course with the Roman Catholic clergy. In Askeaton, the main protagonists were Rev. Richard Murray (qv) and Archdeacon Michael Fitzgerald (qv). Rev. Money seems to have restored calm on his appointment. There is very little information about him in the standard works e.g. Leslie and Crockford. (Leslie 1936).

 

Moran, James (1838-1914), Teacher.

James Moran was born in Gurteen, Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick, in 1838. He married Mary Ambrose and had a large family, several of whom distinguished themselves in their professions. James began teaching at the old school (Culhane’s Cross), Ballysteen, around 1858, moving to the new school on the present site in 1861. He qualified under the National Board in 1877, obtaining first place in Limerick in the examination. The people of Ballysteen marked this achievement by presenting him with a purse of 80 gold sovereigns, together with a gold watch, said to be valued at another 40 sovereigns. He became Principal of the Ballysteen School in 1885 and was chairman of the Limerick Teachers Association for a term. On his retirement in 1903, his son, Patrick, succeed- ed him as Principal in Ballysteen. Another son, Gerald, taught in Askeaton National School, while his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, taught in Ballysteen and his daughter, Helena, in Clonlehard.

He died on 25 April, 1914, and is buried in Beigh cemetery.

He was a skilled versifier and wrote several poems, as well as, a play, ‘The Death of a Fenian’, first produced by Thomas B Naughton in the Carnegie Hall/ library, Rathkeale, in 1909. (Feheney 1998, 72-3).

 

Moran, Gerald (1872-1940), Teacher

Gerald Moran, son of James Moran and Mary Ambrose, was born in Ballysteen and baptised in St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, on 18 February, 1872. He was educated at Ballysteen National School and St Patrick’s Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin. He taught in Askeaton National School for many years, ending his career as Principal. He was an active participant in the National Folklore Project 1937-38 and the contribution from Askeaton National School included copious notes from Gerald. This material, hitherto preserved by the National Folklore Headquarters at University College, Dublin, may now be viewed in the Limerick County Library. Gerald married Julia Bowen and had a family of five boys and one girl. He died on 1 July, 1940, and is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (A/B PR).

 

Moran, Patrick (1876-1946), Teacher.

Patrick Moran, son of James Moran and Mary Ambrose, was born in Ballysteen and baptised on 10 September, 1876. After qualifying as a teacher at St Patrick’s Teacher Training College, Drumcondara, he began teaching in Ballysteen National School as an assistant to his father, James Moran. He succeeded his father as Principal, when the latter retired in 1903. Patrick took early retirement in 1934 and purchased Milltown House, a small mansion, built by Arthur Caulfield around 1875. There were, however, heavy County Council rates on houses of this type and, in an effort to economise, Patrick sold the house for demolition in 1940 to Mr Vaughan, 2 St John’s Square, Limerick. Rather late in life, he married Christine Lynch from Moig, Askeaton. He was a skilled versifier and his ballad, ‘Exile’s Inquiry’ was once very popular in Ballysteen. He died in 1946 and is buried in Beigh cemetery. (A/B PR).

 

Moran, Mary (1862- c.1945), Teacher.

Mary Moran, second daughter of James Moran and Mary Ambrose, was born in Ballysteen and baptised at St Patrick’s church on 2 February, 1862. She was educated in Ballysteen School, after which she entered Carysfort Teacher Training College, Blackrock, Dublin, where she qualified as a teacher. She then returned home and she spent the rest of her working life as infant teacher in Ballysteen National School, retiring in 1927. When her father purchased Prospect House, she moved there with her sister, Bridget. She died there about 1945 and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Ranahan, M., 2007).

 

Moran, Michael (1868-1932), Physician

Michael Moran, son of James Moran and Mary Ambrose, was born in Ballysteen and baptised at St Patrick’s church on 23 February, 1868. After completing his primary schooling in Ballysteen, he attended Rockwell College, before entering Queen’s College, Galway, where he read medicine. On qualification, he moved to London, where he built up an extensive practice. He married Rosemary Thomas and they had one child, Rosemary Moran, who subsequently married Denis Naughton.

It was Dr Moran’s long-term intention to retire to Ireland, and, in preparation for this, he purchased a house and farm at Ballinacourty from Arthur Lynch. He died suddenly, however, from

a brain haemorrhage in London on 7 June, 1932, and was buried in London. His wife had already predeceased him. (Feheney 2006, 36-7).

 

Moran, Michael (1934-88), Horseman.

Michael Moran, eldest son of Terence Moran and his wife, Margaret Quirke (qv), was born in Church Street, Askeaton, on 20 December, 1934. He was educated at Askeaton National School, after which he entered Clonakilty Agricultural College, where he completed a course in theoretical and practical agriculture and farm management. Though he was employed for some years by the equivalent of Bord Bainne, his special interest was equestrianism. Specialising in show jumping, he spent many of his weekends riding at horse shows and gymkhanas, and winning numerous awards. Gradually, he built up is own equestrian centre at his farm in Aghalacka, Askeaton, where he laid the foundations of what later developed into Deelside Stud. He married Jill Jones and they had a family of two boys (Brian and David) and one girl (Patricia). Michael was killed in a tragic riding accident on 7 November, 1988, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Moran, T., 2007).

 

Moran, Terence (1790-1821), Rebel Leader.

Terence Moran was born in Aghalacka, Askeaton, around 1790. As a young man, he became involved in the agrarian agitation against the tithes, then payable by Catholics and Protestants alike for the upkeep of the Church of Ireland clergy. He was the leader of the ‘Whiteboy’ ‘affray’ on the night of 15 August, 1821, when the house of the local tithe collector in Incherourke was attacked for the purpose of seizing and burning the tithe books. Major Going, commander of the recently- formed constabulary, was, however, warned of the planned attack in advance and he dispatched a detachment of 17 specially chosen armed men, under the command of Captain Thomas Doolan, to intercept the raiders.

The raiders numbered about 200, some on horseback and all armed with weapons of vari- ous kinds, including some firearms. Terence Moran, the leader of the group, according to reports, was ‘attired in a most conspicuous manner, with a white dress, a cocked hat and feathers’ (LC, 18.8.1821). The constabulary managed to get in among the raiders before the latter realised their identity. When Captain Doolan ordered a surrender, the response was a volley of fire, which killed Thomas Manning, one of the constables. The constabulary then opened fire and several of the attackers were wounded, some mortally, including Terence Moran. His companions carried him away, but he died that night and he was buried secretly for fear of reprisals. The Limerick Chronicle (18.8.21) reported that three men were taken prisoner and two shot dead. It was also alleged that more of the attackers would have been killed had they not dismounted and hidden behind their horses, fifteen of which were brought to the barracks in Rathkeale next day. Several of the horses had gun shot wounds.

The bodies of the two who were killed were brought to Rathkeale and buried, on the orders of Major Going, in quicklime in a ‘croppy’ hole near the bridge in Rathkeale. The three cap- tured men were forced to dig the burial hole. Some people alleged that one of the men was alive when buried and this caused outrage among the people, leading to the subsequent murder of Major Going on 14 October, 1821, on the Curraheen Road, outside Cappagh. The Askeaton ‘affray’ was one of the largest assemblies in the entire ‘tithe war’, surpassing in numbers the better-known inci- dent in January of the same year described by Máire Bhuí Ní Laoire, in the poem, Cath Céim an Fhia (BPP 1822 (423), 14; BPP 1825 (20); LC, 18 August, 1821).

Moran, Margaret (1902-86), Teacher.

Margaret Quirke, daughter of Patrick Quirke and his wife, Ellen O’Mara, was born in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, on 30 October, 1902. She attended the Presentation Convent School, primary and sec- ondary, before qualifying as a teacher at Carysfort Teacher Training College, Dublin. After a brief period in Borrigone, she took up a post at the Infant School, Askeaton, as from 1 January, 1925. A very successful teacher, she was forced to take retirement in 1959 owing to ill-health, but she sub- sequently returned to teaching. She succeeded Mrs Mary Fitzgibbon as Principal of Junior School, Askeaton, and finally retired in 1963. In 1929, she married Terence Moran and had seven children. She was a founder member of the Irish Country Women’s Association in Askeaton, as well as being a member of Muintir na Tíre. She was a life-long enthusiast for the Irish language. She died on 30 November, 1986, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Moran, T., 2007)

Mulcahy, Rev. John OFM (c. 1684), Friar.

Fr John Mulcahy is listed as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Askeaton, in 1684. There seems to be no further information about him. (Westropp, 1910, ‘Notes’, 170)

Mulcair, Áine (1872-1929), Teacher.

Áine Mulcaire, daughter of Jeremiah Mulcaire and Hana Carroll, was born in Askeaton and bap- tised at St Mary’s Church on 30 June, 1872. She was educated at Askeaton National School before qualifying as a teacher at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. She taught in the Infant school in Askeaton for more than twenty years. She was a great enthusiast for the Irish language and Irish culture and was active in organising Feiseanna. She also produced two books, one in Irish, Obair an Leinbh and another in English, The Teacher’s Work. She died in hospital in Dublin on 20 January, 1929, and is buried in the Franciscan Abbey, Askeaton. (Mulcair, M., 2007).

Mulqueen, Rev. Br James (1912-2003), Religious Brother.

James Mulqueen was born in Milltown, Ballysteen, son of Patrick Mulqueen and Mary O’Connell, in 1912. After completing his primary schooling in Kilcornan National school, he entered De La Salle College, Castletown, Co. Kildare, in 1928. He was received into the De La Salle Congregation later that year, taking the name, Brother Paul. He made his profession in 1929. He then joined the English Province of his Congregation, completing his teacher training studies at St Mary’s Training College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, in 1935.

Brother Paul spent the remainder of his life teaching in schools in England and Scotland, including St Joseph’s Manchester, St Iltid’s Cardiff, St Joseph’s Tranent, St Mary’s and St John’s Glasgow. His administrative talents were recognised early and he was Deputy for seventeen years and Headmaster for twenty. He died on 24 February, 2003, and is buried in Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland. (De La Salle Archives, England).

Murphy, Elizabeth (1871-1971), Centenarian

Elizabeth Murphy, daughter of Joseph Murphy and Helen Clancy, was born in Main Street Askeaton, and baptised in St Mary’s Catholic Church on 4 June, 1871. She attended Askeaton National School and operated a drapery shop on the site of the present Post Office. She was a sister of William Murphy, Principal of Cappagh National School, and niece of Dr William Murphy, who practised and died in Kenfig Hill, Glamorgan, South Wales. Elizabeth lived to be 100 years and seven months, dying on 26 December, 1971. She is buried in the family grave in the Abbey, Askeaton. (Sheehy, C., 2007).

Murphy, Rev. James (1917-84), Clergyman.

James Murphy, second son of Thomas Murphy and Annie Hart, was born in Milltown, Askeaton, on 9 July, 1917, and baptised in St Mary’s church, Askeaton, a couple of days later. He attended Askeaton National School before entering Salesian College, Pallaskenry. On deciding to become a priest, he attended Mount Melleray for a short period before entering St John’s Seminary, Camarillo, California, where he was ordained on 17 March, 1945, for the diocese of Monterey- Fresno by Bishop Philip G Scher. Fresno subsequently became a separate diocese and Fr Murphy ministered in several parishes in that diocese, including Yossemite. After his retirement, he lived at Watsonville, San Luis Obispo, Ca. He died on 19 November, 1984, and is buried in St Peter’s Cemetery, Fresno, California. (Murphy, Sr S., 2007)

 

Murphy, Thomas (1927-2005), Sportsman

Thomas Denis Murphy, son of Thomas Murphy and Elizabeth Keith, was born at Church Street, Askeaton, on 16 June, 1927. He attended Askeaton National School, where his hurling skills were first noticed. In his teen years, he played with Askeaton minor hurlers and then moved on to play with the junior team. He came to the notice of the Limerick hurling selectors and soon he was a regular member of the Limerick senior hurling team. He was equally at home playing half forward or centre field. He was on the Limerick team, with his fellow-Askeaton man, Paddy Fitzgerald, which drew with Kilkenny in Croke Park in the final of the National League on 15 November, 1947. In the replay, Limerick was successful and Tommy received his first and only National League medal. It was a great loss to Askeaton and Limerick hurling when lack of employment opportunities forced Tommy, like so many other young men and women, to immigrate to England in the early 1950s. Initially, he settled in Birmingham, where he married his wife, Terry. Tommy died on 13 February, 2005, and is buried in England (Ryan, M.D. 2007).

 

Murray, Rev. Richard (1777-1854), Clergyman.

Richard Murray, Church of Ireland rector of Askeaton during the years 1824-30, was born in 1777. While in Askeaton-Ballysteen, he stirred up considerable religious controversy because of his aggressive attempts to proselytise Roman Catholics. In these attempts he seemed to be notably successful. In his evidence to a Commission of Inquiry in 1837, he stated ‘the number of converts in Askeaton (-Ballysteen) are in number between 160 and 170 adults, besides about 300 young per- sons and children’ (BPP, 1837, 435-9). All the members of his own flock, however, were not so happy with his approach and moves were made behind the scenes to find an alternative appoint- ment for him. This became a reality in 1830 when the Duke of Northumberland offered him the post of Dean of Ardagh (Co. Longford). He had obtained the ‘living’ in Askeaton through the grace and favour of Sir Matthew Blakiston, owner of the manor of Askeaton. Murray was a member of the militant Protestant Association and was the author of several books, including tracts attacking the Catholic Church (Ireland and Her Church, 1845, Outlines of the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland ,1840). In his evidence before the 1837 Commission of Inquiry, Murray also expressed his disappointment with the Protestants in the Askeaton area for their lack of zeal in following his own example in proselytising. He died in Ardagh, Co. Longford, in 1854. [Leslie 1936; BPP 1837 (543-I; 543-II)].

Naish, Sr Mary Carolin (c.1826-58), Religious Sister.

Mary Naish, born about 1826, was the daughter of Carroll Naish and Mary Sampson of Ballycullen House, Askeaton. She entered the Convent of Mercy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and made her pro- fession on 18 February, 1857, her religious name being Sister Joseph. Most Rev. Bishop Browne of Elphin presided at the ceremony and the sermon was preached by Rev. Dr O’Brien of All Hallows College, Dublin. (Irish-American, NY, 14.3.1857). She had a short life, however, and died on 12 November, 1858, of tuberculosis, then a rampant disease in Ireland. She was buried in the cemetery at St Peter’s Convent, Athlone, Co. Westmeath (Mercy Archives, Ireland).

 

Naish, James Carroll (1825-), Magistrate

James Carroll Naish, son of Carroll Patrick Naish and Mary Sampson (eldest daughter of Denis Sampson, Dublin), was born in Ballycullen House, Askeaton, on 15 June, 1825. He is listed as owning 573 acres of land in 1870. He was an older brother of the Rt Hon. John Naish (qv), Lord Chancellor of Ireland (1842-90). The family was in this area for hundreds of years, David Fitz James Ruadh Nash, then owner of Ballycullen Castle, being killed in 1581 during the Desmond Rebellion. A descendant turned sides, however, and, while remaining a Catholic, fought with Lord Broghill during the Cromwellian campaign. One of James’ sons, Patrick Sarsfield Naish, immigrat- ed to the USA, married Catherine Moran from Ardineer, Foynes, and was the father of the film star, James Carroll Naish (1897-1973). Carroll Naish’s sister, Carolin Mary (qv), became a Sister of Mercy in Athlone. In 1690, a Patrick Naish from Ballycullen settled in Co. Cork and gave rise to the Finnstown and Rockfield branches of the family. (BIFR 1976; Connact Jrnl, 19.1.1824)

 

Naish, John Rt. Hon. (1842-90), Lord Chancellor.

John Naish, second son of Carroll Naish and first son of his second wife, Anna O’Carroll, was born in Ballycullen House, Askeaton, on 10 July, 1842. He was a younger brother of Carroll Naish (qv) and relative of the film actor, James Carrol Naish. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College and Trinity College, Dublin (BA, 1863, bar, 1865). After practising as a barrister for some years, he was appointed a Q.C. in 1880. Appointed legal adviser to the British establishment at Dublin Castle, he unearthed the celebrated statute of Edward III and put it into force against the Land Leaguers. He acted successively as Solicitor General and Attorney General, before being appointed Lord Chancellor (1884-85) by Gladstone, at the age of 44. This was the highest judicial office in Ireland at that period. Subsequently, he became judge of the Appeal Court. On 15 April, 1884, he married Ms Matilda Mary Dease (1859-1920) and they had three daughters. He died in Dublin in August, 1890, and was buried in Dublin (London Illustrated News, 23 Aug, 1890, Naish Obituary; BIFR 1976, 108; Crone, 1828, 166).

 

Naughton, Annie (1891-1994), Centenarian

Annie Ranahan, daughter of Michael Ranahan and his wife, Mary Millane, was born in Ballycanana and baptised in St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen, on 25 January, 1891. She came from a large family of four girls and five boys. She married a neighbour, David J Naughton (qv) and they had a family of three boys and five girls, of whom only one boy, Denis, and three girls, Peg, Mary and Nancy, survived into adulthood. She had a retentive memory and was widely consulted on mat- ters relating to family and local history in the Ballysteen area. Her final years were spent in Tall Trees Nursing Home, Askeaton, where she died on 18 May, 1994. She is buried in the family grave in the grounds of St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen. (Feheney, 2006, 33).

Naughton, David J (1865-1941), Member L.C.C.

David John Naughton, second son of Denis Naughton (1832-93) and Margaret Bennett (c1835- 1924), was born in Bushy Island, Pallaskenry, and baptised in Kilcornan Church on 25 June, 1865. He became a rate collector for the Limerick County Council at its inception in 1899. Subsequently, he was a member of the ‘Sinn Fein’ Limerick County Council, 1920-25. He married Annie Ranahan (qv, 1891-1994) and had nine children, of whom only four reached adulthood. He died 7 September, 1941, and is buried in the grounds of St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen. (Feheney 2006, 30-32).

 

Naughton, Denis (1919-86), Member L.C.C.

Denis Naughton, second son of David Naughton (1865-1941) and Annie Ranahan (1891-1993), was born in Ballycanana, Askeaton, on 19 October, 1919. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he worked on te family farm. He was a member of the Limerick County Council for seventeen years (1950-67) and chairman for two terms (1963-64 and 1965-66). He married Rosmary Moran (1919-86) and had eight children, including David M Naughton, also a member of Limerick County Council. Denis died on 19 October, 1986, and is buried in Beigh cemetery. (Feheney 2006, 36-9)

 

Naughton, Michael (1842-1910), Member L.C.C.

Michael Naughton, fourth son of Thomas Naughton and Bridget Murphy, was born in Ballycanana and baptised in St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen, on 19 September, 1842. He was a member of the Rathkeale Board of Guardians before being elected to the first Limerick County Council for the Rathkeale constituency in 1899. He retained his seat until his sudden death on 19 March, 1910. He is buried in the family grave in Kildimo. (Feheney 2006, 23-5)

 

Naughton, Thomas B (1864-1914), Newspaper Editor.

Thomas Bennett Naughton, eldest son of Denis Naughton (1832-93) and Margaret Bennett (1835- 1924), was born in Bushy Island, Pallaskenry, in 1864. He attended Rockwell College and entered Queen’s College (now National University of Ireland) Cork in 1880. He left in 1883 to take up a career as a journalist, starting with the The Leinster Leader, Naas. He was subsequently editor of the Tipperary News and Waterford Herald in Clonmel. Later, he was editor of The Limerick Leader before taking up a post as Clerk/ administrator of the Rathkeale Union. He was an ardent national- ist and a fluent poet. He died in the Cistercian Monastery, Roscrea, on 3 June, 1914, and is buried in the family grave in Kildimo. (Feheney 2006, 26-28).

 

Neville, Daniel (1898-1920), Old I.R.A.

Daniel Neville was born in Ballyaglish, Askeaton, and baptised at Ballysteen church on 19 January, 1898. He was the son of John Neville and Annie Ranahan. He attended Ballysteen National School before entering the Presentation Preparatory School, Cork, on 12 September, 1912. He remained there for two years, following a programme preparing him for the King’s Scholarship, which was then the recognised qualification for entry to teacher training college.

On returning home, he became a member of the Ballysteen unit of the Volunteers. He was in charge of an active unit, which called on the home of a Protestant family in Moig, Pallaskenry, in search of arms on the night of 18 April, 1920. There was an exchange of gun fire and Dan was fatally injured. Though efforts were made to administer first aid in a nearby forge, he

died soon afterwards and was buried in a temporary grave in Ballynort. Subsequently, he was interred in the family grave in Castletown, Pallaskenry.

Dan was a talented sportsman and was a member of the successful Ballysteen football team of the period. There is a memorial to him in Newcastle West, which reads, ‘Lt. Daniel Neville of Ballysteen, killed in action at Pallaskenry, 18 April, 1920.’ (Feheney, 1998 121; Presentation Archives, Cork)

 

Neville, Br. David A. (1896-1960), Religious Brother.

David Neville, son of Patrick Neville and Bridget Hayes, was born in Drominoona and baptised in Ballysteen Church on 5 March, 1896. After completing his primary schooling at Ballysteen National School, he entered the Preparatory School of the Presentation Brothers on 24 September, 1910. He was received into the Presentation Brothers on 16 April, 1911, taking the name of Brother Aquinas. He was professed on 27 April, 1916.

On completion of his training, he was appointed assistant to the Master of Novices at Mount St Joseph, Cork, after which he was Superior of St Joseph’s Special School, Greenmount, Cork. In 1928, he was appointed bursar at the Presentation juniorate, Colaiste Muire, Douglas, Cork, where he remained for the rest of his life. He died in England on 9 December, 1960, and was brought home for burial at Mount St Joseph, Cork. (Presentation Archives, Cork)

 

Neville, Margaret (1894-2001), Centenarian

Margaret (‘Gretta’) Neville, daughter of John Neville and Anna Ranahan, was born in Ballyaglish, Askeaton, on 31 October, 1894. She attended Ballysteen National School. She married Patrick Neville, a distant cousin, living in Lurga, Adare, but they had no children. She enjoyed unusually good health throughout her life and lived to be 106 years of age. In her later years, she was a resi- dent of St Paul’s Nursing Home, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Up to her last months, she enjoyed the full use of all her faculties. She died on 30 January, 2001, and is buried in the family burial plot in Castletown Cemetery, Pallaskenry. (Feheney 1998, 29).

 

Neville, Br. Patrick T. (1905-70), Religious Brother.

Patrick Neville, son of John Neville and Annie Ranahan, was born at Ballyaglish, Askeaton, and baptised in Ballysteen church on 11 August, 1905. He attended Ballysteen National School, before entering the Presentation Preparatory School in Cork. He was received into the Presentation Brothers Novitiate on 3 April, 1923, and professed in 1925. His religious name was Brother Thomas. On his transfer to England, he joined the staff of St Joseph’s Orphanage, Orpington, where he spent several years. Subsequently, he transferred to St Thomas More School, West Grinstead, Sussex, where he taught for several years. He died there on 20 February, 1970, and is buried in the local cemetery, West Grinstead. (Presentation Archives, Cork)

 

Noonan, Cornelius (c.1826- 1936), Supercentenarian.

Con Noonan was born in Doneraile, Co. Cork, possibly around the year 1826. Always interested in horses, he became a coachman for a member of the gentry in Limerick. In July 1874, he married Peggy O’Shaughnessy from Ballycanana and purchased a small farm in the same townland. There, he reared a large family, most of which immigrated to the USA.

Con is an important figure in the history of the parish of Askeaton/ Ballysteen because he is on record as the oldest person ever to live in the parish. His death certificate records his death on

21 September, 1936, at the age of 110 years, thus qualifying for the title of supercentenarian. It should be mentioned, however, that, as in the more famous case of the ‘old’ Countess of Desmond (qv), who is reputed to have died at the age of 140, some people have expressed doubts about the accuracy of Con’s alleged date of birth. On the other hand, as in the case of the ‘old’ Countess of Desmond, there is no doubt about the date of death. He was buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Feheney 1998, 171-73).

 

Norton, Sir Hugh, (c.1605), Entrepreneur

Sir Hugh Norton’s connection with Askeaton dates from 1605, following the Nine Years War, when he and Sir Dominic Sarsfield were consulted by Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy, as to the feasability of initiating a ferry service across the Shannon. Both enthusiastically agreed, suggesting Beagh Castle, on the Limerick side, and Rineanna (now the site of Shannon Airport), on the Clare side, as suitable locations. This ferry operated for some years, before being discontinued.

 

O’Brien, Gerard T. (1916-77), Teacher.

Gerard Thomas O’Brien was born in Limerick city in 1916. After completing his primary schooling at the Model School, O’Connell Avenue, he transferred to CBS Secondary School, Sexton Street, for his second level education. Deciding to become a teacher, he entered De La Salle Training College, Waterford, where he qualified as a primary teacher in 1937. His first appointment was in Kilkenny, after which he taught in the National school, Shantraud, Adare. He came to Askeaton as assistant teacher in the 1940s and became Principal on the retirement of Denis Jones. He married Maureen Keogh in 1947 and they had two boys and a girl. He died suddenly on 20 March, 1977.

He is buried in the family plot in Mount St Laurence cemetery, Limerick. (O’Brien, Sr. A., 2007).

 

O’Brien, Patrick (1860-1916), Surgeon.

Patrick C. O’Brien was born in Knockpatrick, Foynes, Co. Limerick, about 1860. He received his early education locally, after which he matriculated at Queen’s University, Dublin (now UCD), where he studied medicine. On completion of his course as a ‘surgeon’ (M.D., MCh), he was appointed medical officer in Askeaton. He was married three times. With his first wife, Mary Margaret Magner, from Tally-ho, Rathkeale, he had three sons, two of whom died young, one from German measles. His son, John, then aged three, is listed in the Infant class, Askeaton National School, in 1896. John later lived in Croom. His second wife was Catherine Curtin, with whom he did not have children. With his third wife, Elizabeth Magner, from Grange, Newcastle West, he had one daughter, Olive M O’Brien, who later married Thomas Fitzgibbon. His three wives were cousins. Dr O’Brien died unexpectedly on 29 March, 1916, from pneumonia, brought on by a severe wetting, received while answering a sick call. He is buried in Kilbradran cemetery. He was a brother of Dr Cornelius O’Brien LRCSI LKQCPI, dispensary doctor in Pallaskenry in the second half of the nineteenth century. (Meade, M., 2007).

 

O’Cahan, Rev. Eugene OFM (d.1652), Friar.

A native of County Clare, Eugene O’Cahan joined the Franciscans Order in Ennis, Co. Clare, and, subsequently, went to Rome to study for the priesthood. On completion of his studies, he was awarded the degree STL and sent as Professor of Philosophy to Barletta, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, and later to teach theology in Pontoise, Paris. Soon after his return to Ireland in 1641, he set up an important school in Quinn and subsequently taught in Ennis. In 1650 he was appointed

Guardian of the Franciscan Friary in Askeaton. Captured in 1651, he was later released. In 1652, however, he was captured a second time and put to death somewhere in the Sliabh Luachra region (Conlon, 2007; Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 169).

 

O’Cleary, Rev. Marcus (1812-86), Clergyman.

Marcus O’Cleary was born in Bulgaden in 1812 and ordained in December, 1840. After ordination, he served as curate in Bruff (1841-42), Bulgaden (1842-44), Shanagolden (1844-47), Newcastle West (1847-50), St Mary’s Limerick (1850-54), Killeedy (1854-57), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1857- 60) and Adare (1860-62). In 1862, he was appointed Parish Priest of Bulgaden, where he remained until his death on 8 December, 1886. He is buried in the church grounds, Bulgaden. He became an active supporter of the Land League, while Parish Priest of Bulgaden. He also advocated public works, such as road construction, to prevent labouring people, who could not find work, becoming dependent on the Poor Law Guardians (Tobin, 2004, 14, 213).

 

O’Connor, Rev. Daniel (1820-86), Clergyman.

Father Daniel O’Connor studied for the priesthood in the Irish College, Rome, and was ordained priest of the diocese of Limerick in March, 1845. He also obtained a doctorate in Divinity from the Pontifical University in Rome. On his return to Ireland, he served as curate in St Munchin’s (1846- 53) and Parteen (1853-63). He was appointed Parish Priest of Ardagh on 13 April, 1863, and trans- ferred to Askeaton-Ballysteen in the same capacity on 25 July, 1871. He remained in this post until he became ill in 1885. He is listed in Bassett’s Directory of Munster (1886) as living at Shannonview (Courtbrowne). Some time before his death he went to Cork for medical treatment, where he died on 24 September, 1886.(Tobin, 2004, 79; Bassett, 1886)

 

O’Connor, Rev. Michael (1924- 2000), Clergyman.

Michael O’Connor, a native of Ballygiltinan, Glin, was born on 22 February, 1924. He was educat- ed at St Michael’s College, Listowel, and later at St Munchin’s College, Limerick. From there, he entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 20 June, 1948. He served as curate in Athea (1949), St Mary’s Limerick (1956), Knockaderry (1961), Ardagh (1962) and Newcastle West (1968). On 9 May, 1976, he was appointed Parish Priest of Cratloe. He was trans- ferred to Askeaton-Ballysteen as Parish Priest on 27 August, 1985. He was appointed a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in 1991 and retired on 14 September, 1997. In the 1960s, Father O’Connor was one of the lecturers in the UCC Extra-mural Diploma in Social Studies, which a number of people from Askeaton-Ballysteen completed. He died on 9 November, 2000, and is buried in the grounds of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Askeaton. (Culhane, Sr. J., 2007).

 

Ó Corrbuí, Mairtín (1912-2002), Teacher.

Mairtín Ó Corrbuí was born near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, in 1912. He was educated at Nenagh CBS School, Coláiste Iosagáin, Ballyvourney, and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, where he qualified as a national teacher. His first appointment was at his alma mater, Nenagh CBS, after which he took an appointment as assistant teacher at the Boys National School, Askeaton, in 1937.

Subsequently, he became Principal in Ballinacarriga National School, where he remained until his transfer as Principal to Pallaskenry National School in 1964. He married Olive Carey in 1942 and they had a family of three boys and four girls. He was a great enthusiast for the Irish language and wrote several books in Irish, which were widely used in primary and secondary schools. He was

also a noted scholar in the field of local history and is, arguably, better known for his local history books, including, Kenry: The Story of a Barony in County Limerick (Dundalgan Press, 1975) and County Tipperary (Irish Books & Media, 1991). He died on 8 May, 2002, and is buried in Clochprior cemetery, near Neenagh, Co. Tipperary. (Corboy, O., 2007)

 

O’Dea, Rev. Patrick (c.1914-90), Clergyman.

Patrick O’Dea was a native of Bulgaden. He was educated at St Munchin’s College and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 18 June, 1939. His first appointment as curate was in Kilmeedy (1939), after which he served in Glenroe (1943) and Croagh (1946). He was transferred to Askeaton/ Ballysteen on 3 June, 1949, and remained there until his transfer to Newcastle West on 15 January, 1964. He was subsequently Parish Priest of Loughill (1968), Kileedy (1973) and Kilfinane (1979). He was made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in 1986 and died on 2 June, 1990. He was a nephew of Rev. Stephen O’Dea (1874-1968) and a cousin of Rev. Edmund O’Dea. (Hammel, 46; LDA)

 

O’Dea, Rev. Stephen (1874-1968), Clergyman.

Father Stephen O’Dea was baptised in his home parish of Effin on 30 December, 1874. He was an uncle of Rev. Patrick O’Dea, who was curate in Askeaton-Ballysteen 1949-64, and of Rev. Edmund O’Dea. Ordained at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 23 June, 1901, Father Stephen served as assistant priest in the diocese of Portsmouth for some years (1901-07). On his return to Ireland, he served as curate in Ardpatrick (1907-08), Parteen (1908-13), Ardagh/Carrickerry (1913-19), Croom (1919-21), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1921-24) and Kildimo/ Pallaskenry (1924-30). He was appointed Parish Priest of Kildimo/ Pallaskenry in September, 1930, and transferred to Dromin/ Athlacca in the same capacity on 21 January, 1936. He retired in 1963 and died at Milford House Hospice on 24 November, 1968, at the age of 93. (Tobin, 2004, 81)

 

Odell, John (c.1641-1700), M.P.

John Odell was born in England around 1641, son of John Odell and Jane Mervin. He joined the British army, rising to the rank of major. He came to Ireland and, in recognition of his services to the royalists, was granted estates in County Limerick on the restoration of King Charles II in 1667. He was commissioner for Poll Tax in Limerick in 1660-61 and High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1678-79. He married Elizabeth Crane and had two sons (John and William) and two daughters (Judith and Mary). He was Member of Parliament for Askeaton during the period 1692-93. Sadly, John Odell got into debt and was sued by his daughter-in-law, Constance, daughter of William Fitzmaurice, Baron of Kerry, for non-completion of her marriage settlement. Odell was imprisoned for debt and died in the debtor’s prison in April, 1700, as a result, his own daughter alleged, of ‘severe treatment’ from his daughter-in-law. The Odell family was prominently associated with Ballingarry and one member of the family, Thomas, married heiress Sara Westropp of Ballysteen and, for two generations, the Ballysteen family were known as Odell-Westropp (Feheney, 1998, 12; UHF)

 

O’Donnell, Rev. Henry (1864-1925), Clergyman.

Henry O’Donnell, a native of St Patrick’s parish, Limerick City, was educated at the Irish College, Rome, and ordained 19 June, 1886. After ordination, he spent an additional year in Rome, before taking up temporary duty in the archdiocese of Westminster (1886-90). He returned to Ireland in

1890 to take up a post as curate in Askeaton (1890-92) before being transferred in the same capaci- ty to St John’s Limerick (1892-98). Feeling called to the religious life, he obtained excardination from the Bishop of Limerick in 1898 and joined the Redemptorist Congregation in Limerick. He died at the Redemptorist House in Esker, Athenry, Co. Galway, on 25 September, 1925, and is buried in the cemetery there. (Tobin, 2004, 81)

 

O’Donnell, Rev. M (c.1845), Clergyman.

Father M O’Donnell was the Parish Priest of Askeaton/Ballysteen during the famine years. He is listed as a contributor to the Famine Relief Fund in 1845. There is, however, no further information about him in the diocesan archives.

 

O’Donnell, Rev. Denis (c.1896-1953), Clergyman.

Born about 1896, Denis O’Donnell was educated at St Munchin’s College, Limerick, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 19 June 1921. He served as curate in Fedamore (1921-24), Croom (1924-34) and Bruree (1934-45) before his appointment as Parish Priest of Cappagh on 8 March, 1945. He was transferred to Askeaton-Ballysteen as Parish Priest on 11 May 1948 and remained there until his death on 11 July, 1953. He is buried in the grounds of St Mary’s church, Askeaton. (LDA).

 

O’Donoghue, Rev. Edmund (c.1823-83), Clergyman.

Edmund O’Donoghue, born around 1823, was educated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and ordained in September, 1848. After ordination, he served as a curate in Ballyagran (1848-49), Donaghmore (1849-50), Shanagolden (1850-59), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1859-65), Kilfinane (1865-

69), Bulgaden (1869-72) and St Munchins Limerick (1873-75). From 10 August, 1875, he was on sick leave, with a stipend from the diocese of Limerick. He died on 27 April, 1883. (Tobin, 2004, 84)

 

O’Donoghue, Sister Josephine (1911-88), Religious Sister.

Josephine O’Donoghue, daughter of Patrick O’Donoghue and Elizabeth Collins, was born in Clonreask, Askeaton, and baptised in St Mary’s Church, Askeaton, in 1911. She attended Askeaton National School and then joined the Sisters of Sacre Coeur at Hoegaarden, Belgium. She took the name, Sister Ita, when she received the habit. She spent all of her religious life in Belgium and died at the Sacre Coeur Hospice, Nivelles, Belgium, on 22 November, 1988. She is buried in Nivelles. (Neville, P., 2007).

 

O’Donovan, John (1809-61), Scholar.

John O’Donovan, son of Edmund O’Donovan, was born at Atateemore, Co. Kilkenny, on 9 July, 1809. The death of John’s father in 1817 caused the dispersion of the family and he was brought to Dublin by his older brother, Michael. In 1826 he began a serious study of the language, philology and archeology of Ireland. Through the help of James Hardiman, he found work as a translator of old Gaelic manuscripts in the Public Record Office, Dublin. Subsequently (1829), he was engaged, under George Petrie, in the Ordinance Survey Office. He was given access to all ancient documents in his task of establishing the placenames of Ireland.

In the course of his work, he clarified and established the names of some 62,000 town- lands in Ireland. In 1836, he commenced the compilation of an index of Irish manuscripts in Trinity

College. He was called to the bar in 1847 and awarded an honorary doctorate by Trinity College Dublin. His great work of scholarship was the first complete edition of The Annals of the Four Masters. He died in Dublin, on 9 December, 1861, and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. He is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest scholars.

In the course of his work for the Ordinance Survey Office, he visited every townland in Askeaton and Ballysteen in 1834 and made copious notes of the names of the land owners and ten- ants, the nature of the soil and the ancient monuments, of which he also made drawings. (O’Donovan 1840, OSL, passim; Connolly, 1998, 405)

 

O’Driscoll, Rev. David (1858-1923), Clergyman.

David O’Driscoll, a native of Kilmallock, was baptised in his own parish church on 6 December, 1858. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained in St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 1 January, 1882. After ordination, he spent some time as a professor at St Macartan’s seminary, Clones, before taking up duties as curate in Glin (1884). From there he came to Askeaton/ Ballysteen as curate (1884-88). His other curacies include St John’s Limerick (1888), Bruff (1888-89), Mungret (1900-92), Bruff (1892-98). On 5 September, 1898, he was appointed President of St Munchin’s Diocesan College, Limerick, where he remained until 1908. He was then appointed Parish Priest of St Patrick’s (1908-14), after which he was transferred to St Munchin’s Limerick in the same capacity. He died there on 8 December, 1923, and is buried in the Church grounds. He was also associated with St Patrick’s Seminary school, Bruff. (Tobin, 2004, 85)

 

O’Grady, Dudley (c.1820-), landowner.

Dudley O’Grady, youngest son of Standish Darby O’Grady, Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace, Aghamarta Castle, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, and Ellen George, daughter of Baron George of the Irish Court of Exchequer, was born around 1820. In 1857 he purchased the townlands of Mantlehill and Courtbrowne, Askeaton, which were part of the estate of the Earl of Cork. (New York: Irish American, 5th ed., 1857). He is listed as a member of the ‘gentry’ in the parish of Askeaton in 1861 (Directory of British Isles) and in 1870 (Slater’s Directory). He was then living in Prospect House, Ballysteen. He was a nephew of Lord Standish O’Grady, Baron of the Exchequer, and 1st Viscount Guillamore (cousins of the Kilballyown branch of the family). The Guillamore family owned many thousands of acres in West Limerick, as can be seen in Griffith’s Valuation. (BIFR, 1976, 914)

 

O’Hanlon, Rev. Thomas (d.1824), Clergyman.

Father Thomas O’Hanlon was Parish Priest of Askeaton/ Ballysteen from 1818 to 1824. He was Parish Priest of Killeedy before coming to Askeaton. He died in 1824 and is buried in the Franciscan Abbey, Askeaton. (Begley, III, 602)

 

O’Hely, Bishop Patrick (c.1543-79), Bishop, Martyr.

Patrick O’Hely was born in County Leitrim or Sligo about 1543. In 1561 he joined the Franciscans and, as a novice, he was sent abroad to the University of Alcalá for his ecclesiastical training. He proved himself to be a gifted student, and he was duly ordained. He was summoned to Rome in 1576 and appointed Bishop of Mayo (now merged with the Archdiocese of Tuam), with power to operate in neighbouring dioceses, if no local bishop were available. Soon afterwards, he left with

James Fitzmaurice (of the House of Desmond) for Spain and Portugal to organise a crusade. In 1578 O’Hely went to Paris to prepare for his spiritual mission in Ireland. He spent almost a year there. Early in 1579, he set out with Fr Con O’Rourke (qv), another Franciscan, for Brittany to catch a ship to Ireland. They both landed in Smerwick harbour, Co. Kerry, in the Summer of 1579. They proceeded to Askeaton where Eleanor, Countess of Desmond (qv), received them in the absence of the Earl. However, she betrayed them to the Mayor of Limerick, James Goold, who arrested them and sent them to Sir William Drury, Lord President of Munster, then with his army in Kilmallock. When they refused the Oath of Supremacy, and declined to give information about the Fitzmaurice expedition, Drury short-circuited their trial by invoking Martial Law. Both were tried without a jury or defence and condemned to hang. The sentence was executed outside the gates of Kilmallock on 13 September, 1579. Both were subsequently interred in the Chapter Room, Askeaton abbey. O’Hely and O’Rourke were included in the list of Irish Martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II on 27 September, 1992. (Catholic Encyclopedia, 2007)

 

O’Keeffe, Rev. Denis (c.1851-1911), Clergyman.

Denis O’Keeffe, born around 1851, studied for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained in St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 20 February, 1876. His early appointments as curate included Fedamore (1876-77), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1877), Ballingarry (1877), Banogue (1877-79), Knockaderry (1879-80), Mahoonagh (1880-92) and Ballyagran (1892-05). He died in St

John’s Hospital, Limerick, on 14 February, 1911. (Tobin, 2004, 88)

 

O’Loughlin, Brian (c.1777-1820), Surgeon.

Brian O’Loughlin, son of Terence O’Loughlin (qv) and Mary Elizabeth Seamans, was born in Askeaton around 1777. He qualified as a surgeon and joined the staff of the Greenwich Hospital, London. He married and had two sons, Terence and Brian, both of whom died in infancy, and one daughter. He died on 28 April, 1820, at the early age of 43, and is buried in the grounds of Greenwich Hospital. His widow, at the time of his death, was only 26 years of age. (Downes, B., 2007)

 

O’Loughlin, James Bernard (c.1778-1854), Surgeon.

James Bernard O’Loughlin, son of Terence O’Loughlin, and Mary Elizabeth Seamans, was born in Askeaton in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. He qualified as a surgeon and practised ini- tially in Dublin and, subsequently, in Westport, Co. Mayo. He married Rosanna Brook and they had a family of four sons, John, Joseph Peter, James and Patrick Brooke. He died 24 December, 1854 (Downes, B., 2007).

 

O’Loughlin, Patrick (c.1770-), Apothecary.

Patrick O’Loughlin, son of Terence O’Louglin and Mary Elizabeth Seamans, was born in Askeaton during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. He qualified as an apothecary and established a practice in Rathkeale. He married Mary Reidy of Tally-ho House, Rathkeale, on 10 February, 1789. Three of his sons were doctors: Terence, who was a surgeon; Edmund, a surgeon with the 17th Lancers (the cavalry regiment involved in the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ during the Crimean War); Thomas, who became an apothecary in Askeaton. Patrick O’Loughlin’s memory is perpetuat- ed in a story relating to the Tithe ‘Affray’ in Askeaton on 15 August, 1821. It will be recalled (see Major Going above) that two wounded prisoners, captured at the scene of the ‘affray’, were

brought to Rathkeale next day (16 August, 1821) and buried in a Croppy hole on the orders of Major Richard Going (qv) and Captain George Lake (qv). The ‘corpses’ of the two prisoners were examined by two doctors before burial. One of the doctors, a Protestant, later testified that both prisoners were dead when he examined them. The other doctor, Patrick O’Loughlin, apothecary, a Catholic, testified that one of the prisoners was still alive. However, only the testimony of the Protestant Doctor was reported in the Minutes of the Lords Inquiry in 1824. (Connaught Jrnl, 19.1.1824; BPP 1825 (20), Downes, B., 2007)

 

O’Loughlin, Thomas (d.1892), Apothecary.

Thomas O’Loughlin, son of Patrick O’Loughlin, apothecary, and Mary Reidy, was born in Rathkeale. He married Anna Walker (d. 6 March, 1873) and they lived in Askeaton. Thomas was a licensed apothecary, a profession that performed much of the medical work now done by General Practitioners. At the time, the three main practitioners of medicine were a) surgeons, who were cut- ting experts for the external parts of the body b) physicians, who practiced mainly in large cities and were the equivalent of the modern consultants and c) apothecaries, who not only prescribed medicines, but who also treated internal bodily ailments. Thomas died on 16 January, 1892, and is buried in Rathkeale (Downes, B., 2007).

 

O’Loughlin, Terence (d.c.1800), Linen Merchant.

Terence O’Loughlin, son of Terence O’Loughlin, came to Askeaton in the middle of the 18th Century. He was a descendant of Colonel Terence O’Loughlin, an officer in the Irish Confederate Army of 1641. Terence, a linen and woollen merchant, had a family of six sons and four daughters. Three of Terence’s sons became doctors (q.v). Terence’s grandson, also named Terence, became a surgeon and worked with the British Army (17th Lancers, the cavalry regiment involved in the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ during the Crimean War). Terence O’Loughlin was the great, great grandfather of Dr Michael Fitzgibbon, Dispensary Doctor in Askeaton from 1918 to 1956 (Downes, B., 2007)

 

O’Mahony, Mary (1913-97), Teacher.

Mary (familiarly known as ‘Polly’) Jones, daughter of John Jones and Mary O’Connell, was born in Broadford, Co. Limerick, on 21 January, 1913. She was educated at Broadford National School (where her father was Principal), FCJ Convent, Bruff, and University College, Dublin, where she obtained a BA degree, followed by a Higher Diploma in Education in 1938. Initially, she found employment in England, but, with the outbreak of World War II in 1939, she returned to Ireland to seek a teaching appointment. With the encouragement of her brother, Denis Jones, and the approval of the Bishop of Limerick, she opened St Mary’s Secondary School in the library building, Askeaton, in September, 1940. She had one assistant, Mrs Elizabeth McNamara nee O’Shaughnessy, from Aughinish. In 1948, she married Conor O’Mahony, a veterinary surgeon, and they had four children (John, Maurice, Anne and Marion). The same year, she invited Mrs Nora Hawkes to take over the Principalship of the school, while she remained on as a teacher. She died on 11 November, 1997, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (Sheehy, A., 2007)

 

O’Neill, Michael (1869-1942), Athlete.

Michael O’Neill was born in Ballinvoher, Askeaton, and baptised in St Patrick’s church, Ballysteeen, on 3 March, 1869. His father, Daniel O’Neill, came from a farm near the ‘White

Corner’, Ballynort, while his mother was Mary O’Shaughnessy of Ballinvoher. He was small and slight of build (taking only size four shoe in adult life) but had remarkable stamina as an athlete. He began his athletic career in Adare on 4 September, 1893, and soon discovered that his talent lay in middle and long distance running. In 1894 he won the half-mile and mile events in Adare and the 1 mile championship of Munster (IAAA) in Limerick and, subsequently, the four miles IAAA championship in Dublin and the 1-mile and 3-mile championships of Munster (1896). All this was just a preparation, however, for his first All-Ireland championship in the 1-mile event at Jones’ Road, Dublin (site of present Croke Park). He then went on to win the 4-miles international event in Edinburgh in the Ireland-Scotland tournament. In 1898, he set a new record in the 5-mile GAA Championships. Altogether in 1898, his last year as an amateur, he won sixteen of his nineteen races.

For the next two years, he ran in Ireland, England and Scotland, winning several chal- lenges against champion athletes from other countries. His last race was at Ashton-under-Lyne when he defeated Len Hurst, French champion, in the 5-mile and 10-miles events. He then retired from the track at the age of 31. It should be remembered that the Olympic Games were not revived until 1896 and Ireland’s participation at that time was minimal. By the time the next Olympics came around in Paris in 1900, Michael was not eligible to represent Ireland because of his ‘profes- sional’ status. In his later years, he acted as ‘Whip’ for the Stonehall Harriers. He died in 1942. (Feheney 1998, 112-14)

O’Neill, Patrick (d.1798), United Irishman.

Paddy O’Neill was born near the ‘White Corner’, Ballynort, in the second half of the eighteenth century. He became a member of the United Irishmen and was accused of membership of that organisation in 1798. When the insurrection in Wexford was ruthlessly suppressed, a hunt for rebels was extended to other counties. Paddy went into hiding in a clump of furze in Ballinvoher, Ballysteen, but, following information given, he was hunted with blood hounds and arrested. He was summarily tried in Askeaton and hanged, his head being exhibited on a pole near the Desmond Castle, Askeaton, as a warning to would-be rebels. Through the influence of a friendly soldier, the family obtained the head and it was buried beside his body in Beigh cemetery, the burial place of the O’Neill family. (Feheney 1998, 120)

O’Riordan, Diarmuid (1908-81), Entrepreneur.

Diarmuid O’Riordan was born in Sunday’s Well, Cork, in 1908. He attended University College, Dublin, where he specialised in science, obtaining a BSc degree, followed by an MSc in 1932. After graduation, he worked with the Drumm Battery Company, transferring to Southern Chemicals, Askeaton, in 1935. He was largely responsible for the development and expansion of Southern Chemicals, of which he was managing director for many years. One of his most successful innovations was the production in 1957 of a form of polystyrene, known as ‘aeroboard’, which is now a feature of insulation in all new houses and is much used in the packaging industry.

Diarmuid was very involved in local community development. He was one of the pro- moters of the Community Hall, built in 1956. He was director of Gaeltarra Eireann from 1964-79. He was also chairman of the Board of Gaeltarra Mara for ten years, prior to its reorganistion as Udurás na Gaeltachta. He was also a founder member of Cois Sionna Credit Union and its first chairman. Diarmuid married Maureen Sweeney, a school teacher from Donegal, in 1940, and they had five children. Both Diarmuid and Maureen were enthusiasts of the Irish language. Diarmuid died in May, 1981, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (O’Riordan, D., 2007).

O’Riordan, Maureen (1908-81), Teacher.

Maureen Sweeney, daughter of Dominic Sweeney and Sophie McLafferty, was born in Ardara, Co. Donegal, on 19 November, 1908. After completing primary schooling, she attended St Louis Convent Boarding school, Monaghan. On deciding to become a teacher, she entered Carysfort Teacher Training College, Dublin, and qualified as a national teacher. Her first appointment was as assistant teacher in Ballysteen, where she remained until her marriage to Diarmuid O’Riordan in 1940. She then transferred to Askeaton National school, where she continued teaching until her early retirement in 1945. She took a keen interest in drama and was a member of several dramatic productions in Askeaton. She and Diarmuid had five children. She died in December, 1981, and is buried in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton. (O’Riordan, D., 2007).

 

O’Rourke, Fr Con (c.1549-79), Friar, Martyr.

Con O’Rourke, son of Brian Bachach O’Rourke, Chief of the Breifne O’Rourkes, is said to have been of Royal Birth. In his teens, he entered the Order of Franciscan Observants in Dromoheir, Co Leitrim, this Friary having been founded by his grandfather, Eoghan O’Rourke, in 1508. He was sent to France to finish his studies in 1576. In the Summer of 1579, he joined Bishop Patrick O’Hely (qv) And sailed to Ireland. With O’Hely, he was betrayed by Eleanor, Countess of Desmond (qv), arrested by James Goold, Lord Mayor of Limerick, and, after torture, condemned to death by Sir William Drury, Lord President of Munster. After his execution in Kilmallock on 13 September, 1579, his body (together with that of Bishop O’Hely) was interred in the Chapter Room, Askeaton, Abbey. His name was included in the list of Irish Martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II on 27 September, 1992. (Catholic Encyclopedia, 2007)

 

O’Shaughnessy, Michael (c.1800), Teacher

Michael O’Shaughnessy is reported in a survey in 1826 as running a private school in the parish of Askeaton/ Ballysteen. He had a total of 98 children on his school register, all Catholics, of whom 29 were girls. The children paid school fees, which, according to Mr O’Shaughnessy, amounted to

£10 a year. This and other private schools like it disappeared when the National Board erected schools in Askeaton and Ballysteen, where tuition was free and standards were monitored by the Board’s Inspectors. [BPP 1826-27 (12)].

 

O’Shea, Rev. Jeremiah (1863-1928), Clergyman.

Jeremiah O’Shea, a native of Kilmallock, was baptised in his own parish church on 6 June, 1863. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 24 June, 1889. After ordination, he went on loan to the Archdiocese of Liverpool for some years (1889-93), before his return to Ireland to take up a post as curate in Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1893- 98). Subsequent appointments as curate included St Munchin’s (1898-99), St John’s (1899-05), St Michael’s (1905-12) and Athea (1912-17). In June, 1917, he was appointed Parish Priest of Cappagh, where he remained until his transfer to Glin (1924-28) in the same capacity. He died

while Parish Priest of Glin on 29 October, 1928, and is buried in the Church grounds. (Tobin, 2004, 694)

 

O’Sullivan, Rev. Con (1890–1963), Clergyman.

Con O’Sullivan, a native of Athea, was baptised in the parish church on 12 January, 1890. He was educated for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and ordained there on 20 June,

1915. His first appointment as curate was to Banogue (1916-18), after which he served as a teacher in St Munchin’s College, Limerick (1918-20). In September, 1920, he returned to parish ministry, taking up appointments as curate in Monagea (1920-24), Askeaton-Ballysteen (1924-26), Ballybrown (1926-31) and Bruff (1931-38). In 1938 he was appointed Parish Priest of Cratloe (1938-44) and transferred to Kileedy in the same capacity in 1944. He was transferred to Askeaton- Ballysteen as Parish Priest on 6 August, 1953. He died in office, after a long illness, on 21 November, 1963, and is buried in the grounds of St Mary’s RC Church, Askeaton. (Tobin, 2004, 95)

 

O’Sullivan, Kathleen (1898-1982), Teacher.

Kathleen O’Callaghan, daughter of Patrick O’Callaghan and Helen Barry, was born in Ballydoole, Pallaskenry, on 24 September, 1898, and baptised in Pallaskenry the next day. She completed her early education in the National School, Pallaskenry, before attending secondary school in Limerick. She completed her Teacher Training course at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, her final marks placing her in the top five graduating students. After teaching for a couple of years in Limerick City (St Mary’s and St John’s), she came to Ballysteen as assistant teacher about 1927. On the early retirement of Mr Patrick Moran in 1934, she succeeded him as Principal. She married Christopher O’Sullivan in July, 1935, and had a family of one girl (Cathleen) and two boys (Eamon, who died in his youth and Christóir). She retired, after a very successful career, in July, 1961.

Mrs O’Sullivan was coordinator of the Ballysteen section of the National Folklore Collection Project in 1937-38. She also regularly contributed poems to the Limerick Leader and acted as producer of plays performed by the Ballysteen Dramatic Society in the 1940s. She died on 22 December, 1982, and is buried in Mount St Laurence cemetery, Limerick. (O’Sullivan, C., 2007).

 

Perceval, Philip (1686-1748), M.P.

Philip Perceval, son of Sir John Perceval, 3rd Baronet of Burton, Co. Cork, and Catherine, daugh- ter of Sir Edward Dering, 2nd Baronet of Surrenden, Kent, was born in King’s Weston, England, on 13 November, 1686. He was educated at Westminster School, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and Lincoln’s Inn. Despite his legal training, his passion was for music and he was appointed Director and Supervisor of State Music to Kings George I and George II. He married (12 June, 1712) Martha, daughter of Christopher Ussher of Dublin and widow of Nehemiah Donnellan, Member of Parliament for Galway. After his marriage, he obtained a post as “Customer and Collector of Dublin, Skerries, Malahide and Wicklow”. He was well connected politically as well as socially, his brother being Lord Egmont, a Member of Parliament for County Cork. His occu- pancy of one of the Askeaton seats came through the “grace and favour” of the Taylor family, who “owned” both Askeaton seats. Perceval’s tenure was short, however. He entered Parliament on 25 November, 1713, and it was prorogued on 24 December, 1713. He and his family were zealous supporters of the Hanoverian succession. He died on 26 April, 1748. (UHF).

 

Perrott, Rev. Joseph (1919-99), Clergyman.

Joseph John Perrott, son of Joseph Perrott and Jane Doupe, was born in Askeaton on 11 February, 1919, and baptised in the Church of Ireland, Askeaton on 16 March, 1919. He attended Dromlohan Church of Ireland School and later entered the Civil Service, Postal Division. He was promoted

through the service and was made Post Master in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Feeling drawn to the sacred ministry, he attended St Aidan’s Ecclesiastical College, Birkenhead, in 1963. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1964 and Priest in 1965. He served as curate in St George’s Parish, Dublin (1964-71); Dromcondra (1971-72); Drimoleague Union (1972-75); Rural Dean Cork City (1975-78). Subsequently, he served as Rector in Ballydehob (1978-93), from where he retired. He was made a Canon of both Cork and Cloyne Cathedrals in 1985. He spent his retirement years in Kingston College, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. After his death on 29 January, 1999, his personal library, including a valuable collection of theological works, was presented to the Library of the University of Limerick by his cousin, Ms. Alberta Callender. He is buried in the family grave in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (Leslie & Wallace, 2001, 968; Callender. A, 2007)

 

Pett, Sir Peter (1630-99), M.P.

Peter Pett, son of Peter Pett (1593-1652), a shipwright of Deptford, was baptised in St Nicholas’ Church, Deptford, on 31 October, 1630. He was educated at St Paul’s School and at Sidney-Sussex College, Cambridge (BA, 1648). He then moved to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he graduated with a BCL in 1650. After that, he enrolled as a law student at Grey’s Inn and was called to the English Bar in 1664. He was one of the original Fellows of the Royal Society (with Sir Robert Boyle), when it was formed in 1663. He was appointed Advocate General for Ireland and knighted by the Duke of Ormond. He was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1661 to 1666. He wrote anti-Papist polemical works and died 1 April, 1699. (Petts Family; UHF).

 

Philips, Chichester (c.1664-1728), M.P.

Chichester Philips, born before 1664, was the son of Chichester Philips of Middlesex and his wife, Susanna, daughter of Thomas Warner, Rector of Balshaw, Cambridgeshire. He married Sarah Handcock, daughter of William Handcock and Sarah Stanley and three of his four sons became clergymen. Starting as an ensign to Sir Thomas Fortescue (1663-5), he progressed to Captain in Viscount Mountjoy’s Regiment of Foot (1685). He was removed from command by the Earl of Tyrconnell on the accession of James II and he responded by seeking employment in the army of William of Orange. His home was at Drumcondra Castle, Dublin, though he purchased an estate (including 580 acres in Westmenth) from the Commissioners for Sale of Forfeited Estates in 1703. He also sought (28 September, 1703) to inherit land from Sir Simon Eaton Bart., deceased, by seeking the disqualification of the beneficiary of the Eaton will, on the grounds of Catholic connec- tions. His Askeaton seat in Parliament (1696-99; 1703-17) was probably purchased from the Taylors of Ballynort, who were the effective owners of the two Askeaton seats. Chichester Philips died in 1728. (UHF)

 

Prittie, Henry Snr (1708-68), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Henry Prittie (Snr), scion of a Cromwellian family, and only son of Henry Prittie of Dunalley Castle, Co. Tipperary, and Elizabeth, only daughter and heiress of Colonel James Harrisson, was born in 1708. He married, in 1726, Deborah, daughter and co-heiress of Very Rev. Benjamin Neale, Archdeacon of Leighlin, and widow of the late John Bury, Shannongrove, Co. Limerick. They had one son, Henry, and four daughters. Henry (Snr) was returned to parliament for Tipperary in 1761 and held his seat until his death in 1768. He was a foundation member of the Dublin Society in 1731. He had estates in Kilboy, Co. Tipperary, and was granted the right to hold fairs in

Silvermines. He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and is featured in James Worsdale’s 1736 portrait of the members of this club. He died 11 April, 1768. (UHF).

 

Prittie, Henry Jnr (1743-1801), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Henry Prittie (Jnr), only son of Henry Prittie (Snr) of Dunalley Castle, Tipperary, and Deborah Neale, daughter of Very Rev. Benjamin Neale, Archdeacon of Leighlin, was born at Dunalley Castle on 3 October, 1743. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (1760). He married Catherine, daughter and co-heiress of Francis Sadlier, Co. Tipperary. They had two surviving sons and five daughters. Henry was made a Freeman of Fethard in 1754, Sheriff of County Tipperary in 1770 and High Sheriff in 1771. He held a commission as Captain in the Upper Ormonde Cavalry (1796). He was returned to Parliament for Banagher (1767-8), for Gowran (1769-76) and for County Tipperary (1776-90). He was a member of the Askeaton Hellfire Club and is featured in James Worsdale’s portrait (1736) of members. He was described as being possessed of considerable estates and ‘large fortune’. He was created Baron Dunalley on 31 July, 1800, and died on 3 January, 1801. (UHF)

 

Purcell, John (1891- 1959), Colourful Personality

John Purcell, son of James Purcell and Brigid Shannon, was born in Askeaton and baptised at St Mary’s Church on 14 November, 1891. In his youth, he was regarded as one of the finest athletes in Askeaton at that period. He married Hana Lenihan (nee Madigan) and they had a family of two boys and nine girls. One of John’s celebrated achievements was undertaken on behalf of a local drag hunt. For a bet, he ran through Askeaton, Ballysteen and part of Kilcornan, dragging a herring along the ground behind him. He was given a 30-minute start and then a pack of hounds was released to follow the scent. The hounds, however, failed to catch up with John. He also acted as town ‘crier’ for special events in Askeaton, such as circuses and concerts. On occasion, he was known to wear a ‘top hat’ and to welcome being addressed as ‘Lord John’, by which name he was familiarly known. He died on 19 November, 1959, and is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. (National Folklore Collection, Askeaton, 1937-39; Baron, L., 2007)

 

Purcell, John ‘Sam’ (1925-87), Athlete.

John ‘Sam’ Purcell, son of John Purcell and Hana Lenihan (nee Madigan), was born in Church Street, Askeaton, in 1925. He attended Askeaton National School and showed great athletic prom- ise. He joined the Irish army and took up boxing, in which he won several competitions. It was in athletics, however, that he achieved most prominence. Specialising in middle and long distance running, he won several trophies, including the 4-mile Army and Munster championships. He mar- ried Margaret and had one son, John, who immigrated to Australia. On his retirement from the army, he settled in Dublin. He died in 1987 and is buried in Dublin (Barron, L., 2007).

 

Purcell, Rev. Patrick OFM (c.1652-1719), Friar.

Father Patrick Purcell joined the Franciscan Order and was sent to the continent to study for ordi- nation. He returned to Ireland around 1678. He was appointed Guardian in the Askeaton Friary 1677-79 and again 1703-11. He was appointed Guardian in Adare 1716-17. It was he who pur- chased for the Franciscan Friary in Askeaton the chalice, which is now preserved in the Presbytery, Askeaton. It is dated 1719 and the legend reads: ‘Pro Convtu. ff min. de Askettin me Super per- missu fieri curavit fr. Pat Purcel anno quo mortuus est 1719’ Translation: ‘For the convent of the

Friar’s Minor at Askeaton, with the Superior’s permission, Fr. Patrick Purcell had me made in the year of his death 1719’. (Conlon, 2007; Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, 170)

 

Quaid, Rev. David (1817-90), Clergyman.

David Quaid, a native of Knockaderry, was born on 11 July, 1817. He studied for the priesthood in the Irish College, Rome, and was ordained on 15 August, 1843. His early appointments as curate included Knockaderry (1843-44), Monagea (1844-46), Glin (1846-47), Askeaton/ Ballysteen

(1847-53), Coolcappa (1853-54), Bulgaden (1854-58), Kilmallock (1858-59), Bulgaden (1859-65) and Newcastle West (1865-66). On 26 June, 1866, he was appointed Parish Priest of Dromin/ Athlacca (1866-89). He died there on 29 November, 1890, and is buried in the church grounds. (Tobin, 2004, 96)

 

Quin, Windham (1717-89), Askeaton Hellfire Club.

Windham Quin, son of Valentine Quin of Adare, and Mary, daughter of Henry Widenham, was born in Adare in 1717. In July, 1748, he married Frances, daughter of Richard Dawson, a Member of Parliament, and had three sons and five daughters. He was High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1747, and was made a Freeman both of Limerick (1751) and Fethard, Co. Tipperary (1774). He was commander of the Adare Volunteer Infantry. He was Member of Parliament for Kilmallock from 1768 to 1776, having purchased his seat from the Oliver family of Castleoliver, who con- trolled Kilmallock. He was one of the 24 founding members of the County Limerick Society in 1774. This was said to be a non-political club, comprising members of the local gentry, for ‘the peace, well-being and good order of the County Limerick’. He continued the work of his father, Valentine, in building up the family estate in Adare. This included 1,300 acres inherited from Henry Widenham, his grandfather, in Kildimo. He was a member of the Limerick/Askeaton Hellfire Club and is featured in Worsley’s painting of the members in 1836. He died in May, 1789, and was succeeded by his son, Valentine Richard Quin, 1st Earl of Dunraven. (UHF)

 

Quinlivan, James (1775-1831), Gaelic Poet.

James Quinlivan was born in Strand, Broadford, Co. Limerick, in 1775. Though an intelligent and gifted boy, he seems to have come late to scholarship and writing. As a boy, he was apprenticed to a weaver in Feenagh, Co. Limerick, and became proficient in this skill. He is described in one of his manuscripts as ‘an figheadóir ó Fíodhnach I gContae Luimneach’. As a ‘journeyman’ i.e. quali- fied weaver, he travelled to different towns to get work, as was often the custom at the time. Partly due to his travels and partly due to his innate interest in literary matters, he began to copy down some of the Gaelic epic tales and poems that he heard. Thus, in 1796, he wrote ‘Agallamh Oisín agus Pádraig’ (The debate between Oisin and Patrick). A manuscript translation of Seatrún Ceitinn’s Foras Feasa ar Éireann, dated 1816, was written in Askeaton. He also made his way to Ballysteen and manuscripts copied by him in 1831 list his residence in Ballycanana (probably at Naughtons) and at Ballyvaddock. He also spent some time teaching in Newcastle West and was an accomplished poet in Irish. He died in a drowning accident while crossing the river Feale in 1831. (Kelly, T., 1983).

 

Raleigh, Rev. James (d.1864), Clergyman

Father James Raleigh, previously Parish Priest of Donoughmore, was transferred to Askeaton/ Ballysteen as Parish Priest on the death of Father Edward Cussen in 1860. It was Father Raleigh

who supervised the building of St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen, and the erection of Ballysteen National School on its present site, both completed in 1861. It will be recalled that the sites for both buildings were donated by the 3rd Earl of Dunraven, Edwin Richard Wyndham-Quinn (qv). Father Raleigh was the unwitting victim of a misunderstandings between Bishop Ryan (1928-64) and his coadjutor and successor, Bishop Butler (1864-86). As a result of this misunderstanding, Fr. Raleigh was transferred to Rathkeale as Parish Priest in 1863, only three years after taking up duty in Askeaton. Fr Raleigh died in Rathkeale in 1864. (Begley, III, 602; Toomey and Greensmyth, 1961, 129).

 

Ranahan, Sr Margaret A (1893-1972), Religious Sister.

Margaret Ranahan, third daughter of Michael Ranahan and Mary Millane, was born in Ballycanana and baptised in St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, on 15 January, 1893. She was educated at Ballysteen National School, before entering the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor. After an initial period in England, she was sent to France where she spent her entire life, serving in con- vents in Paris, St Etienne, Rive de Gier and Lyons. She died in Lyons in 1972 and is buried there in a cemetery attached to the convent. (Feheney 1998, 89).

 

Ranahan, Patrick J (1916-96), Sportsman

Patrick Joseph Ranahan, son of John Ranahan and Elizabeth Murphy, was born in Ballinvoher, Ballysteen, on 9 October, 1916, and baptised in St Patrick’s church, Ballysteen, a couple of days later. He attended Ballysteen National School, after which he worked for some years in farming. A gifted athlete, he soon claimed his place on the Ballysteen Junior Football team, where he dominat- ed the centre half-back position for several years. He won medals in football in the West Limerick division and the Limerick county championship in 1946 at junior level. He was also chosen to rep- resent Limerick in inter-county junior football in 1947. He worked for many years at the creamery, Askeaton, subsequently transferring to Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland. He married Margaret Neville and they had a family of four boys (Des, Pat, Gerard and Seamus), together with two girls (Pauline and Maureen). P.J. died on 27 May, 1996, and is buried in Beigh cemetery, Ballysteen. (Ranahan, M., 2007).

 

Rea, Rev. David (c.1908-83), Clergyman.

David Rea, born around 1908, was educated at St Munchin’s College, Limerick, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 8 June, 1933. His first appointment was as curate in Templeglantine (1933), after which he served in Tournafulla (1936) in the same capacity. He came to Askeaton- Ballysteen as curate on 1 March, 1941, and remained there until his appointment as Parish Priest of Parteen on 9 June, 1949. He was transferred to St Patrick’s as Parish Priest in 1961 and to Croom in the same capacity on 3 September, 1974. He was made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter on 16 April, 1981. While in Askeaton/ Ballysteen, Father Rea was very active in fund- raising to build a separate house for the curate in the parish. To this end, he helped organise con- certs and was instrumental in setting up dramatic societies in Askeaton and Ballysteen. He died in Croom on 12 August, 1983, and is buried in the church grounds there. (LDA).

 

Reidy, Rev. Timothy (1860-1940), Clergyman.

Timothy Reidy, a native of Effin, was baptised in the local parish church on 20 January, 1860. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained at St John’s

Cathedral, Limerick, on 12 April, 1885. After ordination, he went on loan to the diocese of Middlesboro (1885-87). On his return to Ireland, he was curate successively in Kildimo/ Pallaskenry (1887-92), Mungret (1892-02) and Kilmallock (1902-08). On 11 January, 1908, he was appointed Parish Priest of Cappagh (1908-15), where he remained until his transfer to Askeaton on 14 May, 1915. In 1930, he was made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter. He died at Milford House Hospice on 13 May, 1940, and is buried in the church grounds, Askeaton. (Tobin, 2004, 100).

Reddan, James (d.1832), Teacher.

James Reddan was a teacher at Ballysteen School, then located in Moloney’s Field, near Culhane’s (formerly Ballysteen) Cross. He is listed in a report in 1826 as having 78 pupils, all Catholics (of which 23 were girls). The children paid fees, as was the custom in all schools, before the setting up the the Irish National Schools. Reddan listed his income for the year as £13. This school, or part of it, would seem to be used as a Catholic Church on Sundays. Reddan was killed when the police opened fire on combatants during a faction fight at the fair of Stonehall in September, 1832. When Father Foley, Parish Priest, failed to stop the fight, a detachment of soldiers, under the command of Major Thorpe, opened fire, killing two men and wounding eight others. At a subsequent inquest, it was established that Reddan was a spectator, rather than a combatant, and the jury observed that it was unfortunate for Mr Reddan to ‘be abroad that day’ (Ó Corrbuí, 1975, 184; BPP 1826-27 (12), 1079).

Royse, Rev. Henry (d.1689), Clergyman.

Rev. Henry Royse was installed as Rector of the Church of Ireland in Askeaton (including Lismakeery and Toomdeely) on 10 September, 1668. He continued in this appointment until his death in 1689. During at least part of this period, he also held the appointment of Prebendary of Ardcanny. Earlier (1663), he was installed as Rector of Kilcornan. Both his son and grandson were also named Henry.

Henry belonged to the Ballinvirick branch of the Royse family, which was in this area for hundreds of years. There were clergymen of the Church of Ireland in the Royse family for at least three gen- erations i.e the son and grandson of the present Henry. The Royse family built Ballinvirick House in the 1700s. The estate going with the house was modest by landed-gentry standards, containing only about 120 acres. The house and land remained in the Royse family until 1919, when it was purchased by Mrs Mary Hewson. Ballinvirick House, then the home of Rev. Thomas Royse, Vicar of Nantenan, burst into national newspaper headlines in 1743, when a celebrated kidnapping took place there. The events may be summarised as follows:

On the night of 13th November 1743, Hugh Fitzjohn Massy, his brother-in-law, John Bourcher, and some others gained entry to Nantenen rectory, where Ms Frances Ingoldsby was residing under the guardianship of Reverend Thomas Royse, whose wife was a relative of Frances. Under threat of violence, the young men kidnapped Frances Ingoldsby and made off with her to the safety of Massy lands in the Galtee Mountains. A reward of £200 was placed on Massy and Bourcher’s heads by the government. Massy, accompanied by Frances, made his escape to Bordeaux in France. At some stage a marriage ceremony took place and Frances seems to have accepted the situation. It is clear that the objective of the abduction was to secure an income for Hugh Massy. The guilty parties eventually returned, Ms Ingoldsby having meantime married Massy, and he, using the great influence of his extended family, managed to get the charge of kidnapping dismissed in court. This was as big a scandal as the original kidnapping. (Toby Barnard, 1998; Leslie 1936)

Russell, Rev. Edward (1842-1928), Clergyman.

Edward Russell, a native of Bruree, was born in 1842. He studied for the priesthood in the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained on 7 August, 1870. His early appointments as curate included Ballyagran (1870-71), Drumcollogher (1871-75), Rathkeale (1875-79), Askeaton/

Ballysteen (as curate, 1879-84, and as administrator, 1884-86); Bruff (1886-87) and Effin (1887- 92). On 14 June, 1892, he was appointed Parish Priest of Stonehall (Kilcornan) and transferred to Killeedy in the same capacity on 12 February, 1895. On 7 July, 1902, he was transferred to Parteen as Parish Priest, where he remained until his retirement on 12 April, 1926. He died at St John’s Hospital, Limerick, on 29 February, 1928. He was a member of the Cathedral Chapter until his retirement (1920-26). Father Russell had a keen interest in agrarian reform and was chairperson of the Askeaton branch of the Land League. In a speech in Askeaton in December, 1880, he said that the Land League meetings were not only intended to benefit Irish farmers, but to let ‘every home- stead in England’ know about the deprivations suffered by the Irish. Earlier, while in Dromcollogher, he assured the people that the Church would support them as long as their struggle for land reform lasted. (Tobin, 2004, 103, 209, 221)

Russell, John Norris (c.1771-1853), Entrepreneur.

John Norris Russell was born in Limerick around 1771. He was described by Maurice Lenihan, author of the History of Limerick (Dublin, 1866), as the most enterprising merchant Limerick ever saw. He began his milling empire by taking over the Plassey Mill, built by Major Hedges Maunsell. Russell then acquired the Corbally Mills from the Bindons in 1820. Subsequently, he built the steam mills at Newtown Perry in 1827 and the Lock mills soon afterwards. Sometime after 1840, and before 1847, he acquired Paul Erson’s mills (later the site of the Creamery) in Askeaton. For over a century, his company was the largest employer in Limerick, with about 2,000 employees. He was granted the Freedom of Limerick City on 1 July, 1822. In the collection for the famine victims in Askeaton in 1847, Thompson Russell, then managing director of the firm, as well as a son of the founder, John Norris Russell Senior, contributed the sum of £2 (in addition to £20 from his father) to the fund. Another son of the founder, Richard Russell, built the present Plassey House (now part of the University of Limerick) in 1863. The Russells were also co-founders of some of the better- known industries in Limerick, including Matterson’s bacon factory and Cleeve’s Condensed Milk and confectionary business. Like other wealthy merchants of the time, the Russells also invested in land. They had 700 acres adjoining Plassey House, as well as a lease of a hundred acres in Milltown (Askeaton) from William Hewson. John Norris Russell died in 1853, at the age of 82,

and is buried, with other members of his family, in the Russell vault in St John’s, Limerick (LC, 15.3.1847; LC, 21 Dec., 1993; Hannan and O’Donnell, 1994, 133-34)

Ryan, Patrick (1880-1914), Titanic Victim

Patrick Ryan, son of Thomas Ryan and Helen O’Donoghue, was born in Toomdeely and baptised at St Mary’s RC Church, Askeaton, on 6 March, 1880. He was educated at Askeaton National School, after which he worked on the family farm. With three friends (Seamus Moran, Bridget Moran and Margaret Madigan), he sailed from Queenstown (Cobh) on the ill-fated liner, The RMS Titanic, which was sunk by a giant iceberg on 15 April, 1912. Of the four from Askeaton, the two boys, Patrick and Seamus, were drowned, while the two girls, Bridget and Margaret, were saved. Patrick and Bridget were said to be engaged, hoping to marry in the USA. The Titanic, built in Belfast, was considered, at that time, the pinnacle of naval architecture and, with a double bottom, was said to be ‘practically unsinkable’. (Ryan, M.D, 2007).

St Leger, Sir Anthony (d.1613), Soldier

Anthony St Leger, son of Sir Anthony St Leger and Anne Warham, was a younger brother of Sir Warham St Leger (1525-97). His father, Sir Anthony, had been Lord Deputy of Ireland five times. The latter’s son, the present Sir Anthony, was one of the less prominent members of this distin- guished family. His significance in the history of Askeaton is that he received a grant of Askeaton Castle and 40 acres of land from Queen Elizabeth II on 17 October, 1599. This grant was embar- rassing for Sir Edward Berkeley, who had received the seignory of Askeaton (with 7,000 acres of land) on 18 Dec 1589. Fortunately for Sir Edward’s heir, his brother, Sir Francis Berkeley, the St Leger grant was revoked in 1610 and the castle reverted to the Berkeleys. Sir Anthony St Leger died in 1613. (Bryson, ODNB).

 

St Leger, Sir William (d.1642), President of Munster

William St Leger was the son of Sir Warham St Leger and his wife, Elizabeth Rothe. William’s grandfather, Sir Anthony St Leger, had been Lord Deputy of Ireland several times. In 1607, William killed a man and was forced to flee Ireland. He went to the Low Lands and enlisted in the army and slowly rebuilt his career. He married, first, Gertrude de Vries, a Rhinelander, by whom he had a son and a daughter. Later, he married Gertrude Heywood, by whom he had two sons. He was pardoned in 1610 and knighted in 1618. He was made Lord President of Munster in 1627. His daughter, Elizabeth, married Morrough O’Brien, Lord Inchiquin, who proved to be an outstanding military commander (on the English side). St Leger was active during the 1641 Rebellion, but it was his son-in-law, O’Brien, who was chiefly responsible for defeating the Irish rebels in Munster. William purchased the Doneraile estate for £1800. This was enlarged and became the family seat. St Leger incurred the displeasure of Lord Robert Boyle, Earl of Cork, and there was on-going rivalry between the two. Sir Hardress Waller was a friend of St Leger and, at the outbreak of the 1641 rebellion, St Leger appointed Waller Governor of Askeaton and commander of his regiment of foot. William St Leger died at Doneraile House on 2 July, 1642, after a long illness. (Clavin, ODNB)

 

Sander(s), Rev. Nicholas (c.1530-81), Papal Legate

Nicholas Sander (or Sanders), son of William Saunders and his wife, Elizabeth Mynes, was born in Charlwood, Surrey, around 1530. His usual signature in English was ‘Sander’. He enrolled in Winchester College in 1540. In 1548, he was elected a Fellow of New College, Oxford, where he also obtained a BCL the same year. He was professor in Canon Law in the University in 1557.

Though he is said to have been offered the post of Latin Secretary to Queen Elizabeth I, Sander resigned his Fellowship in 1560, rather than take the Oath of Supremacy. In 1561, he went to Rome and was ordained a priest. In 1564, he received ‘archiepiscopal’ powers and he travelled to Louvain, where he became a professor at the University. He wrote several learned theological tracts, most of them dealing with Henry VIII’s suppression of Catholicism in England and Ireland. In 1572, he returned to Rome, where Pope Gregory XIII made him a special legate to King Philip II of Spain, in an attempt to persuade Philip to invade England and restore Catholicism. Sander sailed with the Spanish expedition to Ireland in 1579. He landed with Sir John of Desmond at Smerwick harbour in July, 1579. Immediately, he began sending out letters to the Irish leaders.

Westropp notes that Sander met Gerald, Earl of Desmond (and 1,000 armed men), at Askeaton, on 12 November, 1579, and formally entered the war. Sometime later, however, Sander fell into bad health and became terminally ill. It is said that, once he realised this, he asked the Bishop of

Killaloe to administer the last rites to him. He died at dawn the following day (sometime between March and June, 1581) and is buried in an unmarked grave. (Mayer, ODNB; Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’, Part II, 153).

Sarsfield, Sir Dominic (b.1568), Chief Justice

Dominic Sarsfield, founder of the Kilmallock branch of the family, was a son of Thomas Sarsfield of Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, Co. Cork (and cousin of General Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan). A man of great ability, he studied law and qualified as a lawyer. In 1607, he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Munster and was one of three commissioners appointed to demarcate the munici- pal boundaries of Cork City. In 1610, he was appointed Chief Justice of Common Pleas in Ireland. In 1627, King Charles I raised him to the peerage as Viscount Kilmallock and rewarded him with a land grant. He was the first Irishman to be made a Baronet, a title created by James I to reward those who helped him to the throne. The Lord Deputy, Sir Arthur Chichester, was in correspon- dence with Sir Dominic on 26 November, 1605, about the advisability of establishing a ferry service between Limerick and Clare. Sir Dominic welcomed the idea and suggested one between Beigh Castle and Rineanna (the site of the present Shannon Airport) Sir Dominic married Joan Tirry, daughter of Edmund Tirry, Mayor of Cork, and brother of the Augustinian martyr, Father William Tirry OSA (1608-54). One of their daughters, Catherine, married Sir John Meade. (Feheney, 1998, 141; Sarsfield Family Project).

Shanahan, Rev. Denis (1844-1924), Clergyman.

Denis Shanahan was born about 1844. He studied for the priesthood in All Hallows College, Dublin, where he was ordained on 24 June, 1868. Though ordained for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia, he was sybsequently permitted to opt for his native diocese of Limerick. His early appointments as curate included the diocese of Waterford and Lismore (1868-69), Glenroe (1869-70), Coolcappa (1870-72), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1872-74), Ballingarry (1874-79), St John’s

(1879-82), St Michael’s (1882-89), Coolcappa (1889-90), St Michael’s (1890-92). He was appoint- ed Parish Priest of Askeaton/Ballysteen on 18 February, 1892. A few months later, however, he was transferred to St Patrick’s, Limerick, as Parish Priest, in succession to Rev. Fr Bourke, who had died there on 25 May, 1892. He remained in St Patrick’s until 1898, when he was transferred to St Mary’s as Parish Priest (1898-1917). Fr Shanahan died at St John’s Hospital, Limerick, on 28 June, 1924. Father Shanahan is on record as taking an active part in local politics. In the election cam- paign of 1880, he compared Mr Spaight, a ‘Tory’ election candidate, to ‘a drownded (sic) fly, giv- ing his last kick’. On the other hand, he endorsed the candidature of the sitting MP, Mr Richard O’Shaughnessy, who was successful. Fr. Denis was a brother of Fr. Timothy Shanahan (c.1830- 1915), also in the diocese of Limerick. (Tobin, 2004, 95, 101, 106).

Sheehy, Ellen (1890-1942), Teacher.

Ellen Griffin, second daughter of Michael Griffin and Mary Sheahan, was born in Church Street, Askeaton, and baptised in St Mary’s Church on 30 July, 1890. She attended Askeaton National School, where she became a pupil teacher, under the supervision of her mother, who was already teaching there. Ellen completed her teacher training in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and subsequently returned to teach in Askeaton. She married Michael Sheehy from Moig, Askeaton, and had a family of two boys (Michael and Edmund) and two girls (Christine and Vera). The fami- ly lived in Kilbeha, Askeaton. Ellen died of a brain tumour on 5 March, 1942, and is buried in Lismakeery cemetery. (Sheehy, E., 2007).

Sheehy, Sister Elizabeth E (1893-1986)

Elizabeth Sheehy, daughter of Edmund Sheehy and Mary Hayes, was born in Gortnagranagher, Moig South, Askeaton, on 17 March, 1893, and baptised in Askeaton Church, one day later. She was educated at Askeaton National School and Drishane Convent, Millstreet, Co. Cork. On 15 August, 1914, she entered the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, at Drishane Convent, and was professed on 15 August, 1916. She worked for many years as a member of the teaching staff at Drishane Convent and died there on 7 October, 1986. She was buried in the cemetery attached to the con- vent. (I.J. Archives)

 

Sheehy, Mark (1918-86), Entrepreuner

Mark Sheehy, son of Edmund Sheehy and his wife, Mary Kenrick, was born in Ballinvoher, Ballysteen, on 20 September, 1918. He was baptised in St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, and attended Askeaton National School. The family had, by this time, transferred residence to Ballynort. A man of many talents, Mark immigrated to England during World War II, but owing to a hand injury, was not conscripted into the armed forces. Instead, he got involved in earth moving and demolition work and, in the aftermath of World War II, set up his own demolition company. He returned to Ireland in the 1950s and founded the firm, Sheehy Brothers, which specialised in earth moving and demolition. The firm was involved in major land reclamation, site preparatation and demolition projects throughout Ireland, but mainly in county Limerick. On his retirement, he set- tled in Balbriggan, Co.Dublin. He married Iris Key and they had a family of two boys (Mark and John) and three girls (Patricia, Dymphna and Christiane). Mark died on 9 July, 1986, and is buried in Dublin. (Sheehy, C., 2007).

 

Sheehy, Sister Mary A (1897-1978), Religious Sister.

Mary Sheehy, daughter of Edmund Sheehy and his wife, Mary Hayes, was born in Gortnagranagher, Moig South, Askeaton, on 8 September, 1897, and baptised in Askeaton church five days later. On completion of her national school in Askeaton, she became a pupil at Drishane Convent, Millstreet, Co. Cork. She entered the Sisters of the Infant Jesus at Drishane Convent on 25 March, 1922, and was professed on 15 August, 1924. She worked for some years as a member of the teaching staff of the convent school, but was later assigned to the knitting factory in Drishane Convent, where she became a supervisor. Subsequently, she joined the sales department and travelled around Munster as a sales representative for the factory. She died at the convent on 12 January, 1978, and is buried in the cemetery attached to the convent grounds. (I.J. Archives)

 

Sheehy, Patrick (1912-99), Member L.C.C.

Paddy Sheehy, eldest son of Edmund Sheehy and his wife, Mary Kenrick, was born in Ballinvoher, Askeaton, on 26 June, 1912, and baptised at St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen. Initially, he attended Ballysteen National School, subsequently transferring to Askeaton, when the family moved resi- dence to Ballynort. As a young man, he purchased his own truck and laid the foundations of a haulage business. He married Nellie Staffe from Pallaskenry and they had a family of five boys and six girls. He lived for some years in Ballinacourty, before moving to a historic Georgian house in Clonlara (Doonass House, built by Sir Hugh D Massey in 1780). Later he moved to a similar estate nearby (Belle Isle House), before settling in a farm in Clouncagh, where he turned his hand to dairy farming. As usual, he made a success of this project. Then he turned to local politics, winning a seat, as a Fianna Fail candidate, on the Limerick County Council in 1967 and retaining it until he

retired in 1991. A great entertainer, he inherited his skill as a ‘box’ player from his father and moth- er, who were both good players. Paddy was also a fine singer. He died on 29 November, 1999, and is buried in Clouncagh cemetery. (Sheehy, C., 2007).

 

Somers, Sister Bridget (1877-1953), Religious Sister.

Bridget Somers, daughter of James Somers and Mary Kenrick, was born on 1 March, 1877 (con- vent records, incorrectly I think, state 1883), in Courtbrowne, Askeaton, and baptised in Ballysteen Church three days later. She was a sister of John ‘Neighbour’ Somers of the same address. She attended Ballysteen National School and then, through the influence of Bishop John Hogan, a Limerick priest, who became Bishop of Kansas City, Mo., entered the Sisters of Mercy, Kansas City, Mo., USA. She received the habit on 19 December, 1912, and was professed 2 January, 1915. She took the religious name of Sister Mary Columba and went to train as a nurse at Mercy Hospital, Denver, Co. In the course of her religious life, she served at St Agnes Academy, Kansas City, Mo.; St John’s Hospital, Joplin, Mo.; Mercy Hospital, Denver, Co.; St Catherine’s Home, Kansas City, Mo., where she died on 25 November, 1953. She is buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. Rev. Michael J. Ranahan CSV, Chicago, a distant cousin, officiated at the requiem Mass. (Mercy Archives, Mo, USA)

 

Somers, Sister Mary (1873-1919), Religious Sister.

Mary Somers, daughter of Michael Somers and Bridget O’Carroll, was born in Courtbrowne, Askeaton, and baptised in Ballysteen church on 9 February, 1873. On completion of her primary schooling in Ballysteen, she attended the Ursuline Convent Boarding School, Blackrock, Cork. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in 1903, taking the name Sister Veronica, and was professed in 1906. She was a member of the staff of the Ursuline Convent, Blackrock, Cork, for many years and died there on 17 December, 1919. She is buried in the cemetery attached to the convent grounds. (OSU archives, Blackrock, Cork)

 

Sprigg, Rev. William (c.1713-1790), Clergyman.

William Sprigg, son of Rev. Nathaniel Sprigg, Prebendary of Ballycahane, was born about 1713. Educated in the school of Mr. McNamara, he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 13 May, 1730, and obtained his BA in 1734. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland on 28 May, 1738, and Priest on 21 December, 1740. He was appointed Vicar of Askeaton and Toomdeely and installed as Rector of Lismakeery on 24 September, 1747. He died October, 1790, and his will was proved in 1791. (Leslie 1936).

 

Spring-Rice, Sir Thomas (1849-1926), Magistrate, Member L.C.C.

Thomas Spring Rice, 2nd Baron Monteagle of Brandon, son of the Hon. Stephen Edward Spring Rice and Ellen Mary Frere, was born on 31 May, 1849. A grandson of the 1st Baron, he succeeded to the title when his father (1814-65) predeceased him. The 2nd Baron had, unfortunately, to live in the shadow of his more famous grandfather, who was not only popular and influential in Ireland, but who also rose to the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer in the English Parliament. In 1899, the 2nd Baron Monteagle put himself forward as a Unionist candidate for the Askeaton seat in the first election for the Limerick County Council. He was opposed by Michael J. Feheney, Aghalacka, Askeaton, who was a Nationalist candidate. Fortunately for the Baron, the Nationalist vote was split, and he was a surprise winner of the seat. At the next election in 1902, however,

Feheney defeated the Baron and retained the seat until he retired in 1911. The 2nd Baron Monteagle married Elizabeth Butcher and they had a family of three children (Stephen Edward and Thomas Aubrey, who became 3rd Baron, and Mary Ellen. He died on 24 December, 1926. (Frere Family History; Ferriter 1998, 206)

 

Stephenson, Oliver (d.1642), Soldier.

Oliver Stephenson, son of Richard Stephenson of Dunmoylan, Shanagolden, and Margaret O’Brien, daughter of Sir Brien Dubh O’Brien of Carrigagunnel Castle, was born in Dunmoylan Castle about 1617. Oliver’s maternal grandmother was also an O’Brien, being the daughter of Hon. Donough O’Brien of Dromoland Castle. Added to this is the fact that Oliver’s sister was married to a Daniel O’Brien of Downeyne. Oliver, was, therefore, closely connected to his future opponent, Lord Morrough O’Brien, 1st Earl of Inchequin. Though Oliver was of English Elizabethan planter stock, his father having obtained a large estate in Dunmoylan, he joined the Confederate army (with the rank of Major General) because, as a Catholic, he felt the time had come to join forces with his co-religionists in their opposition to increasing Protestant domination in Ireland.

The overall commander of the Confederate forces (6,000) at this battle was General Garrett Barry, a professional soldier, while Stephenson, had 500 cavalry under his command. The English were commanded by Stephenson’s relative, Protestant Irishman, Lord Morrough O’Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin, with Lord Broghill and his brother, Richard, 1st Earl of Burlington, com- manding their own militias. The battle began with a cavalry charge by Stephenson, which threw Inchiquin’s forces into disarray, even capturing Inchiquin himself. Unfortunately, however, Stephenson was shot dead by Inchiquin’s brother, through the eye-piece of his helmet, and the Irish cavalry lost heart and fell back. Inchiquin’s forces, being better led and better disciplined, reorgan- ised and launched a counter offensive. The Confederate troops gave way and this led to a rout, with Inchiquin’s forces being victorious. Oliver Stephenson’s body was brought to Askeaton and interred in the chancel of the Franciscan Friary. In 1646, his wife, Eleanor, and his mother, Margaret (nee O’Brien), caused a mural tablet to be erected to mark his grave. It may be of interest to add that the battle of Liscarroll brought two great Protestant Anglo-Irish families together, because Inchiquin’s son, William O’Brien, 2nd Earl of Inchiquin, married Lady Margaret Boyle, daughter of Lord Broghill. (Stephenson Mural Tablet, Abbey, Askeaton; Battle of Liscarroll).

 

Stoughton, Anthony (c.1588- ), M.P.

Though Anthony Stoughton came from Dublin to Kerry, the family settled permanently in an estate in Ballyhorgan, Rattoo, Listowel, Co. Kerry. They were prominent in social and political affairs in that county for several generations and married into the better known Munster families, including the O’Briens of Thomond, The Blennerhassetts, The Crosbies and the Daunts. Anthony married Honoria, daughter of Dermod O’Brien, Baron of Inchiquin. One of the desdendants of this mar- riage subsequently married Mary Daunt of Gloucestershire in 1815, their descendants thereby inheriting Owlpen Manor in Gloucestershire. The family held this estate until 1925. Anthony Stoughton was Member of Parliament for Askeaton (1613-1616) in the Parliament of King James I. (Stoughton Family Tree; Westropp, 1903, ‘Notes’)

 

Sullivan, Rev. James A (1815-88), Clergyman.

James Ashe Sullivan, son of Major James Sullivan was born in Chesterfield, Limerick, in 1815. He attended Mr Baillie’s school and entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 17 January, 1834. He obtained

his BA in 1840 and passed his Divinity Test in 1843, and, in 1844, entered Wells Theological College, England. He was ordained priest in 1845 and served as curate in Armagh from 1845-46. He then had a variety of appointments including Melbourne (Australia) 1850-54 and 1857-62.; Ballymore Eustace, 1866-72; Bristol 1874-75. He was appointed Incumbent in Askeaton in 1875 and remained in this post until 1884. He married Georgina Luie, only daughter of George Annesley Owen and his wife, Catherine Moore. Their son, Ponsonby AM Sullivan was Vicar of St Giles, Durham (1891-1901), while their daughter, Georgina, married (1899) Lt Commander Arnold Claud Lancaster Ellis, RNR (1869–1948). Rev. Sullivan died in 1888. (Leslie 1936).

 

Sullivan, Rev. Thomas Humphrey (c.1763), Clergyman.

Rev. Thomas Humphrey Sullivan is listed as Parish Priest of Askeaton from 1763 to 1780. At the end of this period, he was transferred to Rathkeale in the same capacity. He was succeeded by Rev. John Fitzgerald. No further information about him is available. (Begley, III, 601-02)

 

Taylor, Berkeley (ante 1683-1736), M.P.

Berkeley Taylor, eldest son of Robert Taylor, was born in Ballynort House, Askeaton, before 1683. He married Sarah Hoare, daughter of Edward Hoare, Dunkettle, Co. Cork, and had four sons (William, Edward, Richard and Robert) and two daughters, Sarah, who married Thomas Westropp, and Lucy, who married Arthur Ussher of Cappagh, Co. Waterford. His first two sons were also Members of Parliament for Askeaton. In addition to the Ballynort estate, he possessed a much larg- er estate in Mallow, County Cork, together with considerable property in Cork City. He was a foun- dation member of the Dublin Society in 1731 and was Sheriff of County Limerick in 1724. His son, William Taylor, inherited his estate. Berkeley died 25 June, 1736. He was Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1723 to 1736. (UHF)

 

Taylor, Edward (post 1694-1760), M.P.

Edward Taylor, second son of Berkeley Taylor and Sarah Hoare, was born after 1694. He obtained a commission as Colonel (10 November, 1737) and was High Sheriff for County Limerick in 1727. He was a foundation member of the Dublin Society in 1731. He married (10 October, 1747) Anne, daughter of Richard Maunsell (from a prominent Limerick family) and had one son, Edward, and two daughters, Catherine and Sarah. Sadly, the son, Edward, was drowned in the river Isis in 1769, while studying at Oxford University. The two daughters became Edward Taylor’s heirs, Catherine marrying Hon. Hugh Massey, 2nd Baron Massey (also an MP for Askeaton), while Sarah married Hon. Henry T Butler, 2nd Earl of Carrick (also an MP for Askeaton). It is said that each daughter received a dowry of £5,000, together with ‘half the barony (sic) of Askeaton’. It will be remem- bered that this was part of the 12,000 acre seignory given originally to Sir Francis Berkeley and inherited by the Taylors. It will also be noted that Griffith’s Valuation (1850) lists several Askeaton townlands as the property of the Earl of Carrick and Hon Hugh Massey. With the passing of the Act of Union in 1800, the Earl of Carrick and the trustees of the will of Hon. Hugh Massey each received compensation of £6,850 from the British Government, since the Taylors ‘owned’ the two Parliamentary seats in Askeaton. Edward Taylor died in December, 1760, and seems to have been the last of the Taylors to live in Ballynort House. He was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton for 33 years, 1727-60. (UHF)

Taylor, Robert (ante 1660-96), M.P.

Robert Taylor, son of John Taylor and Gertrude Berkeley, was born in Ballynort House, Askeaton, before 1660. He was High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1670. He had two sons, Berkeley and Robert, both Members of Parliament for Askeaton after the death of their father. The Taylors, from a political point of view, were the most important family in Askeaton for more than 150 years.

Through his marriage to Gertrude Berkeley, Robert’s father, John, obtained control of the two Parliamentary seats in Askeaton. Thenceforth, until the Act of Union, the Taylors determined who, other than themselves, sat in these two seats. In keeping with the ‘pocket borough’ nature of these seats, the Taylors, when it suited, sold them to other people, as mentioned elsewhere in these pages. It was Robert Taylor Senior who built up the Ballynort estate. He died some time before March 28, 1696, and was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton from 1692 until his death in 1696. In his will (1693), he bequeathed a scarf and ring to his cousin, Thomas Crofton, provided that the latter was at Taylor’s funeral! Around this time, the Taylors were also prominent in the political and social history of Swords, Co. Dublin. (Dalton, J., 1938; Crofton 1911, 93; UHF).

 

Taylor, Robert (c.1682-1723), M.P.

Robert Taylor, younger brother of Berkeley Taylor, was the second son of Robert Taylor (c.1660- 96) and was born in Ballynort House, Askeaton around 1682. He was Sheriff for County Limerick in 1706 and was commissioned as an officer in the Earl of Argyle’s Regiment of Foot. He was a Member of Parliament for Askeaton during the years 1703-14. He then obtained a seat in Tralee and represented that constituency from 1715 until his death in 1723. Politically, he was regarded as a Whig and he is on record as voting for a National Bank in Ireland in 1721. (UHF, 2043).

 

Taylor, William (1693-1746), M.P.

William Taylor, eldest son of Berkeley Taylor and Sarah Hoare, was born in Ballynort House, Askeaton, in February 1693. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained a Doctorate (LLD) on 2 March, 1742.. He was a foundation member of the Dublin Society in 1731. He held the posts of Collector of Taxes for Limerick (1736-42) and for the town of Mallow (1742) and was both Sheriff of Cork (1741) and Mayor of Cork (1746). He married (3 April, 1738) Dorothy, daughter of Sir Nicholas Osborne, Bart., and had one daughter, Mary. He was returned for Askeaton on the death of his father, Berkeley Taylor, in 1736, and continued as a member until his own death on 15 May, 1746. He had a large estate in Cork City and county, including some 1,813 acres, which was purchased from the Commissioners for Sale of Forfeited Estates in 1702-3. (UHF, 2047)

 

Tenal, Rev. William OFM (d.1579), Friar

Rev. William Tenal OFM was one of the Franciscan Friars killed by the army of Sir Nicholas Malby at the Franciscan Abbey, Askeaton, on 9 October, 1579. (Westropp, 1901, ‘Notes’)

 

Tracy, Rev. Michael (1891-1954), Clergyman.

Michael Tracy studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 18 June, 1916. He served as curate in Monagea (1916-17), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1917-18) and St Michael’s (1918-24). An outstanding musician, he was sent to Rome to study music (1924-27) and, on his return, he was appointed Professor of Organ and Gregorian Chant in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth (1927-52). He died in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on 19 May, 1954, and is

buried in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. In later years (1920), he changed his name to the Irish version, Miceál Ó Treara. (Tobin 2004, 110).

 

Treacy, Rev. Edmund (c.1853-1908), Clergyman.

Edmund Treacy was born in Hospital, Co. Limerick, around 1853. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained at the Redemptorist Church, Mount St Alphonsus, Limerick, on 20 September, 1868. His early appointments as curate included Banogue (1868-69), Ballyagran (1869-70), Feenagh (1870-73), Rathkeale (1873-74), Knockaderry (1874-75), Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1875-77),

Glenroe (1877-79), Bruff (1879), Croom (1879-80), St Patrick’s (1880), Ardagh (1880-81), Parteen

(1881-87), Shanagolden (1887) and Newcastle West (1887-88). On 31 January, 1888, he was appointed Parish Priest of Stonehall/ Kilcornan (1888-92), and transferred to Askeaton/ Ballysteen on 14 June, 1892, where he remained until his death on 25 November, 1908. For much of his life, he suffered from health problems, especially in his later years. He is buried in the church grounds, Askeaton. During the Land League era, Father Treacy was chairperson of the Ardagh branch of the League and, at a ‘monster’ meeting on Easter Sunday, 1881, he called for the ‘death and burial of the landlord system, and the crushing of land-grabbers for ever’. These words were received with acclamation (Tobin 2004, 110, 169).

 

Tunnadine, John (1726-87), M.P.

John Tunnadine, son of Rev. John and Rebecca Tunnadine, was born in Limerick and baptised on 19 December, 1726. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 24 May, 1744, and, on completion of his degree, registered at Lincoln’s Inn on 29 November, 1748. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1756. His appointments included Master in Chancery (1773-83), Magistrate in Limerick, 1764; burgess of the City of Limerick; Sheriff (1764), Governor of the Hibernian Fire Insurance Company (1775); Bencher of Honourable Society of King’s Inns (1760) and Commissioner of Appeals (1776-83). He was a member of the Royal Dublin Society from 1762. He obtained his Askeaton seat (1768-76) because he married Anne Maunsell, widow of Col. Edward Taylor of Ballynort (who ‘owned’ the two Askeaton seats). He was subsequently a Member of Parliament for Longford (1776-83). Ambitious to become a judge, he was dismissed from all offices by Lord Temple when it was discovered that he had embezzled a large sum of money entrusted to him by a client. As a consequence, he died a bankrupt and was buried on 15 May, 1787. (UHF, 2116; Farrar, Limerick Directory, 1769)

 

Vokes, Thomas (c.1830), Police Magistrate.

Major Vokes was Chief Constable and commander of the constabulary in county Limerick in the 1830s. He had a position roughly equivalent to that of a stipendiary magistrate. There is a report from him to Dublin Castle in which he describes a faction fight in Askeaton on 27 September, 1833. According to Vokes’ report, the background to the fight was a dispute about seaweed. The Parish Priest and some local magistrates were summoned to calm the combatants and there were also twelve dragoons standing by. When the melee got out of hand, Col. Thomas Davenport, Ballinacourty, gave the dragoons an order to fire, mortally wounding one man and seriously wounding two others (Feheney, 1998, 92).

Wall, Raymond (c.1800), Teacher.

Raymond Wall is listed in an Education Report in 1826 as being the teacher in a private school in Ballynort. The school building was described as ‘an old barn’. The 42 children on the roll paid fees, which Mr Wall reported as amounting to £7 a year. All the pupils were Catholics and they included 12 girls. (BPP 1826-27 (12), 1078)

 

Wallace, Teresa (1872- 1958), Teacher.

Teresa Wallace, daughter of Patrick Wallace and his wife, Catherine Ryan, was born in Ballyengland and baptised in St Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 25 September, 1872. She attended Askeaton National School and passed through the monitorial system to become a teacher in her old school in Askeaton. She took a lively interst in nationalist politics and is alleged to have closed the school in 1922 to show her disapproval of the terms of the Anlgo-Irish Treaty. She retired as Principal of Askeaton Girls School in 1937. During the Second World War, she spent time with her sister, Mrs Sheehan, in Pallaskenry, and was reputed to be sympathetic to republican fugitives. In her later years, she moved to Dublin, where she resided until her death on 31 January, 1958. She is buried in Rathkeale. Teresa was a grand-aunt of Dr Pat Wallace, distinguished archeologist and Director of the National Museum of Ireland. (Wallace, PF, 2007; Buckley, M., 2007).

 

Waller, Sir Hardress (c.1604-66), Soldier, M.P., Governor.

Hardress Waller, son of George Waller of Groombridge, Kent, and Mary, daughter of Richard Hardress, was born in Kent about 1604. Descended from a 15th century soldier and administrator, he was also a first cousin of the Parliamentary general, Sir William Waller. Hardress was knighted in 1629 and the same year married Elizabeth Dowdall, daughter of Sir John Dowdall, Kilfinny, Co. Limerick, who had acquired a large estate along the river Shannon, centred in Castletown. They had two sons, John and James, and four daughters, Elizabeth (married, firstly, Sir Maurice Fenton and, secondly, Sir William Petty, and became mother of the 1st Earl of Shelburne); Bridget (mar- ried Henry Cadogan, whose son was 1st Earl of Cadogan); Mary (married Sir John Brookes, Bart.); Anne (married Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart.).

Sir Hardress was a close friend of Sir William St Leger, Lord Deputy, and he sat in the Irish Parliament representing Askeaton in the parliaments of 1634 and 1640. With the outbreak of the rebellion of 1641, St Leger (qv) appointed Waller Governor of Askeaton and, in 1642, he became Lieutenant Colonel of St Leger’s regiment of Foot. During this period, Sir Hardress was back and forth to England and he was one of the judges that condemned King Charles I to death in 1649. He was appointed a Colonel in Cromwell’s New Model Army and he played an active part in Cromwell’s campaign in the Limerick area. On the Restoration of King Charles II, Sir Hardress ini- tially fled to France, then returned to England and was one of only two to plead guilty to the charge of regicide. Condemned to death, the sentence was commuted to exile and he spent the remainder of his life imprisoned in Mount Orgueil Castle, Jersey, where he died in 1666. Though his family and friends deserted him after his conviction for regicide, he had already arranged marriages with influential people for his children. These liaisons ensured not only that the Wallers retained their property up to the twentieth century (they still had 6,636 acres in 1876), but that Sir Hardress’ descendants are to be found among the English, as well as the Irish artistocracy. (BIFR 1976, 1176- 77; Little, ODNB; Landowners in Ireland, 1876)

Waller, Rev. John Thomas (1827-1911), Clergyman, Magistrate

John Thomas Waller, son of Rev. William Waller (d.1863) and Maria O’Grady, was born at Castletown Manor in 1827. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA) and took Holy Orders in the Church of Ireland. In August, 1855, he married Fanny Sarah Lavallin, only daughter of John Lavallin Puxley (same family as Puxleys of Dunboy Castle, who owned the Allahies Copper Mines). They had a family of five sons and six daughters. Rev. John Thomas, in addition to being Rector of Kilcornan, was active as secretary of the Irish Church Missions, a Protestestant prose- lytising organisation, with a strong Evangelical flavour. When he insisted that his ‘Scripture Readers’ erect placards in Pallaskenry, pointing out the errors of ‘Romanism’, he provoked a riot on 13 June, 1861. A crowd of 100-200 people assembled, tore down the placards and pelted him and his helpers with anything to hand. Rev. Waller got his revenge by getting one of his friends to present his version of events to the Westminster Parliament. Moreover, acting on ‘information received’, he had 21 people (including women) arrested and tried for ‘riot and affray’ in a court, over which he, himself, presided. He is responsible, however, for the largest land reclamation scheme ever carried out in the Askeaton/ Ballysteen area. On 1 October, 1869, he purchased 253 acres of the river Shannon tideway, off Ballinacourty and Castletown, and, using direct labour, enclosed it within the present retaining river banks, which he built there in 1870. In his later years, Rev John Thomas Waller suffered from dementia. He died 22 December, 1911, and is buried in the Waller vault, Castletown cemetery. In 1876, he is listed as owning 6,636 acres. (BPP 1862 (231), 197; BIFR 1976, 1176-77; Landowners in Ireland, 1876)

 

Walsh, Sister Mary V (1886-1972), Religious Sister.

Mary Walsh, daughter of James Walsh and Catherine Drew, was born at Druminycullane, Askeaton, and baptised at St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, 25 September, 1886. She attended Ballysteen National School, before entering the Sisters of Mercy at St Mary’s Convent, Limerick. She received the veil on 16 October, 1908, being known henceforth by her religious name, Sister Veronica. She was professed on 2 December, 1911.

She spent some years catering for orphan children in Glin, before the institution was closed in 1926. Subsequently, she worked at St Catherine’s Home, Newcastle West . Her last twen- ty years were spent in St Mary’s Convent, Limerick, where she nursed sick and elderly nuns in the infirmary. She died there on 27 December, 1972, and is buried in the convent cemetery. Her younger sister, Bridget (qv), also joined the Sisters of Mercy, entering the Mercy Convent, Killaloe. (Mercy Archives Ireland)

 

Walsh, Sr Bridget T (1893-1930), Religious.

Bridget Walsh, daughter of James Walsh and Catherine Drew, was born at Druminycullane, Askeaton, and baptised at St Patrick’s Church, Ballysteen, on 1 December, 1893. She was a younger sister of Sister Mary Veronica Walsh (qv). After completing her schooling at Ballysteen National School, she entered the Convent of Mercy, Killaloe, on 8 December, 1915. She made here profession on 20 August, 1918. After profession, she was assigned to work at St Mary’s Boarding School, Killaloe, where she remained until her early death on 24 July, 1930. She is buried in the convent cemetery, Killaloe. (Mercy Archives Ireland).

Walsh, Rev. Robin (c. 1791), Clergyman

Rev. Robin Walsh is listed by Begley as Parish Priest of Askeaton before 1791, in which year he died. There seems to be no further information about him. (Begley, III, 602)

 

Warner, Rev. Simon (c.1684-1757), Clergyman.

Simon Warner, son of Thomas Warner, was born about 1684 in County Cork. He was educated by Mr Goodman and entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 22 March, 1701. He won a scholarship in 1704 and obtained his BA in 1705 and his MA in 1708. One of his early appointments was as curate Askeaton, (1714), after which he was Vicar in Shanagolden (1714-51) and Rector and Vicar in Kilcolman (1715-57). He is also listed as Vicar in Kildimo (1742-47). He died in 1757. (C.o.I. Archives).

 

Warren, Rev. Christopher B (1936-2002), Clergyman.

Christopher Bruce Warren, son of Bruce and Norah Warren of Sutton, Co. Dublin, was born in Sutton in 1936. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, (BA 1958, HDE 1960, MA 1961, Divinity Test, 1962). He won the Carson Prize for academic achievement in 1961. He was ordained Deacon of the Church of Ireland in Cashel on 23 September, 1962, and priest on 7 July, 1963. He served as curate in Waterford (1962-64) and as Bishop’s Curate in Askeaton (1964-66). Following this, he was Incumbent of Kilcolman Union with responsibility for Askeaton (1966-72) and acting Curate in St Waldeburga’s, Dublin (1973-74). In 1974, he was appointed Incumbent of Stradbally (1974-80). Between 1980 and 1986, he took a post as Incumbent at Fenagh and Myshall in the dio- cese of Leighlin. He was Rural Dean in Ossory (1984-88) and Anglican chaplain in Finland (1988- 94). He returned to Ireland and became Incumbent of Omey (Tuam), 1994-96, during which period he was also Rural Dean. He married Elsa Poyry, in Karuna Church, Helsinki, on 21 June, 1973, and had two sons, Uske Christopher Lochlainn (b.1974) and Pentti Marcus Diarmod (b.1977). He was the author of The Clifton Setting: Music for the Holy Communion (1996). He retired in 1996 and went to live in Hartola, Finland, the home of his wife. He died in 2002 and is buried in Hartola. (C.o.I Archives.

 

Westropp, Edmund (1860-1939), Magistrate.

Edmund Westropp, eldest son of Richard Odell-Westropp (1821-1909) and Elizabeth Westropp, was born in Ballysteen in 1860. He married (1921) Phyllis Cork, daughter of the Colonial Secretary for Jamaica, and had two daughters, Elizabeth Enid (b.1922), who married Rev. Maurice Talbot, and Philippa Mary (b.1924), who was the last Westropp to live in Ballysteen House.

Edmund died in 1939 and is buried in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. Some years after his death, most of the estate was purchased by the Irish Land Commission and parcels of land allocat- ed to local farmers to augment their own holdings. (Price, ‘Westropps’)

 

Westropp, John (c.1760-1825), Soldier, Magistrate.

John Westropp, eldest and only surviving son of Thomas Westropp (d.1789) and Jane Browne, was born at Ballysteen House around 1760. He was High Sheriff of Limerick in 1794 and, though mar- ried to Grace Kiely, died without issue in 1825. He was an officer in Grattan’s ‘Volunteers’ in the 1780s and acquired the title of General. It was he who built the present Westropp house in 1809, on the site of an earlier building. In addition to Ballysteen, he also owned the Westropp estate in Kilkerrin (Co. Clare). At his death, he left all his property to his sister’s husband, Thomas Odell

(m.1775), on condition that he adopted the surname Westropp. In 1825, Thomas Odell-Westropp and his wife and family took up residence in Ballysteen and, for the next two generations, the Odell-Westropps owned Ballysteen. (Price, ‘Westropps’)

 

Westropp, Thomas (d.1744), Magistrate.

Thomas Westropp, son of Mountifort Westropp (d.1698) and Frances Taylor of Ballynort (d.1706), was born in Mellon, Co. Limerick. On 12 June, 1703, Thomas purchased Ballysteen estate from the Chichester House Commissioners. The property had reverted to the British Crown after the Cromwellian Confiscations. At the time of the Restoration, it was assigned to James, Duke of York (later James II), and was inherited by his daughter, Queen Anne. It came within the remit of the Chichester House Commission, set up in 1700, and was auctioned in 1703, at which time it was purchased by Thomas Westropp. Thomas married Elizabeth Drury of Shannongrove and had five sons, his eldest son, Thomas, being the founder of the Ballysteen branch of the family. Son Thomas married Sara, daughter of Berkeley Taylor of Ballynort, and had two sons, Thomas and Berkeley, and two daughters. Thomas Snr died at Mellon in 1744. (Price, ‘Westropps’)

 

White, Rev. FAH (c.1894-1965), Clergyman.

Frederick Alexander Howard White, son of Rev. James Stuart White, Rector of Killtallagh, was born about 1894. He was Rector of the Church of Ireland, Askeaton, for more than 30 years. He entered Trinity College in 1912, was ordained Deacon in 1913 and Priest 1917. He obtained his BA in 1917 and MA 1931. He held an appointment in the archdiocese of Armagh (1912-19), before coming to Rathkeale as curate (1919-24). He was then curate in Castleisland (1924-29), before being initiated as Rector in Askeaton in 1929. From 1940-63, he was Rural Dean in the Askeaton Union, while also holding the appointment of Precentor at St Mary’s Cathedral. Limerick (1951- 63). He died in 1965. (Leslie, 1940, 77).

 

Willcocks, Richard (c.1824), Police Magistrate and Inspector.

Major Richard Willcocks was appointed Inspector of Constabulary and Chief Magistrate for county Limerick following the assassination of Major Richard Going in October, 1821. He gave evidence to the Lord’s Commission into the State of Ireland in 1824 and dealt with events connected with and consequent to the Tithe ‘Affray’ in Askeaton on 15 August, 1821. Previous to his appointment as Chief Magistrate in county Limerick, Willcocks had served in Waterford and Tipperary. His appointment to Limerick was under the terms of the Constabulary Act, which came into force in 1821. In his evidence in 1824, Willcocks stated that one of two medical officers in Rathkeale, who examined the bodies of the two men, subsequently buried in the ‘Croppy’ hole in Rathkeale on 22 August, 1821, confirmed that both men were dead before being interred. He failed, however, to state the opinion of the other doctor, Patrick O’Loughlin, from Askeaton (qv), who is believed to have confirmed that at least one of the prisoners was alive. [BPP 1825 (20)].

 

Wilmot, Rev. John (c.1903-52), Clergyman

John Wilmot attended St Munchin’s College, Limerick, after which he entered St Patrick’s Seminary, Maynooth. He was ordained there on 17 June, 1928. His early appointements as curate included: Monagea (1928-29); Glenroe (1929-33); Askeaton/ Ballysteen (1933-36) and Ardagh (1936-52). He died in Dublin on 6 August, 1952, and is buried in the church grounds, Ardagh. (LDA).

Worsdale, James (1692-1767), Painter, Askeaton Hellfire Club.

James Worsdale, portrait painter and actor, was born in London in 1692, son of a colour grinder. He built up a reputation as a portrait painter and was appointed Master painter to the Board of Ordnance about 1744. Though his success is said by some to be largely due to his clever conversa- tion, conviviality and ability as an actor and singer, he was, nevertheless, commissioned to paint the portraits of several important people, including members of the Royal family. He came to Ireland in the 1730s and was befriended by Lord Blayney and Sir Laurence Parsons, 1st Earl of Rosse, with whom he founded the Dublin Hellfire club in 1735. He also helped form the Askeaton Hellfire Club around 1736. His painting of a group of five members of the Dublin Club and another of a larger group of members of the Askeaton Club are now in the National Gallery, Dublin.

In Ireland, Worsdale also acted with theatre companies in Dublin, including the Smock Alley Company (1737-40). He was reputedly the author of several songs, plays and operas, though at least some of these are likely to be the work of others, especially needy artists, who were willing to forego their claim to authorship for a fee. He returned to London in the 1750s and performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Samuel Foote’s comedy, ‘Taste’ (1752). He was said to be a very small man, approximately five feet in height. He died in London on 10 June, 1767, and is buried in St Paul’s, Covent Garden, London (O’Donogue and Burnette, ODNB).

 

Wybrants, Rev. Gustavus (1758-1824), Clergyman.

Gustavus Wybrants, 5th son of Stephen Wybrants (whose forbear came from Antwerp in 1622) and Alice Cane (Ó Catháin), was one of twelve children and was born in Rutland Square, Dublin, in 1758. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 6 May, 1776, obtained his BA in 1781 and MA in 1793, he was ordained as a clergyman of the Church of Ireland in 1781 and was inducted into the Diocese of Limerick in 1783. He became Vicar of Askeaton in 1793 and remained there until his death in 1824. Previous to this he was vicar in Castlelyons, Co. Cork. He married (1793) Mary Homan after the death of her husband, Rev. Arthur Champagne, in 1790, and moved to Askeaton. On his moving from Castlelyons, Mary’s son (by her first marriage), Rev Arthur Champagne (qv) got th Castlelyons ‘living’. Gustavus died at Miltown House (Iverus) on 23 March, 1824, and is buried in a vault in the cemetery, Church Street, Askeaton. There is also a plaque to his memory in the nearby Church of Ireland, erected by his stepsons, Arthur and Forbes Champagne. He had seven children, with only one boy, Stephen, who died unmarried. Of his six daughters, the eldest, Mary-Anne, married (1823) Colonel William Middleton and had children. The second, Alice, mar- ried (1815), Rev. Edward Herbert, Archdeacon of Aghadoe and their descendants married into the aristocracy. Gustavus’ wife, Mary, is listed as the teacher in the ‘free’ Protestant school, under the patronage of the Kildare Place Society, in Milltown (Iverus) in 1826. Though Mrs Wybrants was Protestant, all 36 girls attending the school were Roman Catholic (BIFR 1976; O Cahan Coat of Arms; Leslie, 1936; Brady, 1864, II, 97)

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