 | | | | | | | | | | Posted by: shay moran
on Sep 19 2010 08:23 |  This Summer (2010)I went to visit Paddy McGirr who lives beside the original McGirr homestead in Cuilleen. The homestead was built circa.1795 when the McGirrs first came to Louisburgh. I discovered from Paddy that his brother John is alive and well and lives in Westport. He is married to Mary Regan. They have no family. Evelyn (my wife) and I called on John but he was not in. We met his lovely wife Mary and have arranged to meet this Autumn with the McGirr brothers and Mary. I look forward to posting news and photographs of our meeting. In the meantime view the photographs I took this Summer. Shay Moran | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on Sep 10 2010 01:21 |  In 2007 the Hotel, now operating as Grady's supermarket suffered a fire. The house beside it with the brown boarded door was also damaged. This house is owned by Fr Gerard Moran and was at one time part of the hotel. (see photograph) The other photgraphs in this article show the original house where Patrick McGirr lived, the house where my grandmother was born and the court house (now Staunton's chemist) once owned by the McGirrs. Many other properties were owned by the McGirrs but they were all sold off over time. Over the years all the properties were sold and the family scattered. | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on Aug 31 2010 13:59 |  Michael and Ann MacHale (nee McGirr) build a "daub" house in the field above Ivy Cottage in Louisburgh. We now call it MacHale field, It was during the famine years. They had 8 children but 4 died at a young age - Michael 1848 (2), Richard 1856 (3) , Mary 1863 (15), Bridget 1865 (10) and Sarah 1865 (2). Nora, Kate and Annie survived. The ruins of the old house are still there today. Nora married Ned O Malley (Grandfather of Mary Gibbons) Michael's brother Patrick had a grandchild called Evelyn MacHale who married a son of Ned O Malley called Paddy Ned. Hence we see that Mary's mother and father were cousins. It is from Mary that I get the information on the MacHales and consequently I am confident of its accuracy. | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on July 29 2010 16:26 | My Inspiration
The ‘Ledger winner Derby’s “Keysoe”, This Birthday offering won for me, A ten o one chance, I should say so, Seldom comes our way, please take it thee; ‘My own’; ‘my Sweet’; my soul’s adored, ‘Tis little, but ‘tis all I can afford.
I put my little earnings in a heap, And chanced it on a turn of “Pitch and Toss” ‘Tis yours my love to spend or keep, The Gee-gee won the race so here’s the dross, And may ole Dad be spared the while, To watch each Birth-day’s happiness anew, And see our darling Seamus win your smiles, For me, I know you’ll keep a few.
And now sweetheart may I wish you many returning happy and many prosperousBirthday anniversaries and may God in his unbounded goodness watch over and keep you always. Papa
To my darling Wife on the anniversary of her Birthday 12th November 1919 66, Langham Street, Liverpool.
Note: Seamus was 18 months old at the time | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on June 18 2009 16:10 | Jame's first wife Madge died from pneumonia at the age of 45 leaving 7 children behind her. Stella, who was 21 reared the rest of the children. James went into depression and travelled over to Liverpool to meet a friend. He stayed there and met Jemima Forrest whom he married at the age of 51. They had one son Seamus who lived in Barry, Wales as an adult. A letter to Stella written in 1931 when he was 77 years of age suggests that he lived to a good age. In fact he died at the age of 78. From listening to Ivy as a boy I know that the two families kept in touch and I remember seeing a photograp of Ivy, Maeve and Seamus at Old Head when they were young.
There is also a long letter (undated) from James to Stella asking her to look into the status of his fathers will.
Additional information includes -
James went to Australia to his brothers before he got married. He worked as a bookeeper in a ranch shop. The owner of the shop promised the business to James if ...
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on June 17 2009 16:14 | The Battle of the Diamond was a violent confrontation between the Catholic Defenders and a Protestant faction including Peep O' Day Boys, Orange Boys and local tenant farmers that took place on September 21, 1795 near Loughgall County Armagh Ireland. The Protestants were the victors, killing between 4 and 30 Defenders. It led to the foundation of the Orange Order. The background to the so called "Battle of the Diamond" was the increase of republicanism stimulated by the United Irishmen and the Catholic Committee an alliance which endangered the whole body of the landed gentry. This fear to their privileged position was also compounded by the proposals of the English Moderate Whigs with concessions to the upper stratum of the Catholic Community, and that the English “Liberals” proposed to buy over the wealthier and more moderate Catholics. The “Castle clique” of the Protestant Ascendancy retorted "by rousing up the more ignorant, debased, corrupt, and reactionary stratum," according to T. A. Jackson. The objective was to create disunity and disorder under pretence of passion for the Protestant religion. This view was shared by John Mitchel “The chief object of the Government and its agents he writes, "was now to invent and disseminate fearful rumours of intended massacres of all the Protestant people by the Catholics."As a result of the efforts and influence of the United Irishmen, sectarian divisions were being replaced by political unity. Religion therefor was the last option left to the reactionaries, and to stock the traditional fear of the Papacy and hostility to the Catholic religion.Dr. Daniel Owen Madden says of this period: — “Efforts were made to infuse into the mind of the Protestant feelings of distrust to his Catholic fellow-countrymen. Popish plots and conspiracies were fabricated with a practical facility, which some influential authorities conceived it no degradation to stoop to; and alarming reports of these dark confederations were circulated with a restless assiduity.” In County Armagh where the population was fairly evenly divided between the sects, there had for years been the sight of intermittent faction fighting between Peep-of-Day Boys and Catholic Defenders This had subsided under the influence of United Irish agitation. When the pro-Catholic reformer Earl FitzWilliam was appointed Viceroy, the Peep-of-Day Boys after nearly two years of quiescence suddenly resumed their activity. Jackson notes that it was “impossible to miss the connection between this fact and the lie deliberately circulated by the Clare-Beresford faction that Fitzwilliam was coming to replace Protestant ascendancy with Catholic ascendancy.” The most reactionary Protestant magistrates in County Armagh took advantage of the renewed disturbances to search Catholic homes for “seditious literature”. The Peep-of-Day Boys also began again to “search” Catholic homes for “concealed arms” although it was now legal for Catholics to possess arms. The Defenders’ re-organised and began beating off The Peep-of-Day Boys attacks; these “defences” were described as “Catholic outrages.” Such outrages brought fresh searches for evidence of “sedition” to be followed by a spread of anti-Catholic violence to areas previously peaceful. Ruth Dudley Edwards has stated that the Catholic Defenders might have been better known as the “Aggressors”. According to Marianne Elliott, Defenders regularly attacked Protestant homes. Within weeks a regular pogrom was in force in Armagh and the neighbouring counties. The victims, fleeing from their burning homes, spread panic throughout Ireland. The motive actuating this “Protestant” villainy according to Jackson became unmistakable when it was seen that it was the most improved farms, on the best land, which were first attacked, and whose occupants were first offered the alternative of “Hell or Connacht”. Jackson continued, Poor and struggling Catholic farmers scratching a living from a stony hill-top farm rarely, if ever, excited Protestant zeal even in the heart of Antrim. Reference: Robert Knee,; T. A. Jackson and John Mitchell | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on May 16 2009 09:15 |  This letter was sent to my cousin Seamus in 1948. Seamus was the the only son of my grandfather by his second marriage. Seamus lived in Wales during his adult iife. A copy of the letter was given to me by Greg, his son and my step cousin, when I went to visit Greg and Stella (his sister) in May 2009 in Wales. unlike in Ireland, The McGirrs have flourished and the lineage is very strong. Greg is the only living person with the surname 'McGirr' from our side, although his sister Stella James is also McGirr by her maiden name. There are two other McGirrs in Westpost, descendants from Patrick's brother James. | |
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| | | Posted by: Brigitte Suslu
on May 3 2009 11:40 |  Postcard sent to Stella McGirr in 1913 (one of several postcards sent to her and to Kathleen in the period 1913 - 1914 - 1915) until the Rising in 1916 and his death thereafter. | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on Mar 25 2009 04:35 |  History of the McGirr Hotel On the 2nd day of January 1869 The Marquis of Sligo gave permission to Mary Comber and Margaret Comber to build a hotel in Louisburgh. The premises was owned by John Comber, who was the late uncle of the two ladies. John Comber took a lease on the property from the then Marquis of Sligo, Howe Peter, on the first day of May 1841 for a yearly rent of 17 shillings per annum. According to the indenture, upon the death of John and for a payment of one shilling the property became freehold. One of the conditions attached to the indenture included the commitment to build a two story house within two years. John died in 1865, before his death his last will and testament bequeathed the property to Mary & Margaret Comber his two nieces. The two ladies were both spinsters according to the “Indenture” signed by George John Marquis of Sligo o n 2nd January 1869. They built the hotel on the site which is now occupied by O Grady’s Supermarket on Chapel Street and which suffered a fire in January 2008. Margaret Comber married a Mr. Power from Loughrea, Co. Galway . An Indenture dated 11th July 1884 shows that Margaret Power (nee Comber) sold the hotel to Mary McGirr (nee Kennedy) for the sum of stg£500. It was often said in our family down the years that Patrick McGirr, my Great Grandfather bought the hotel for his new wife Mary when they got married. This is at odds with the indenture which refers to both ladies as widows. It means that Patrick McGirr (Mary’s Husband) must have taken a lease on the premises and that Mary bought it after his death. They went on to have 4 children – Margaret, Anne (Netta), Paddy (Pa) & Sarah. Sarah was the only one to get married. Angela was her daughter. I remember Maggie And Netta. The Indenture reads as follows: "This Indenture made the eleventh day of May eight hundred and eighty four. Between Margaret Power of Loughrea in the county of Galway, widow on the one part and Mary McGirr of Louisburgh in the county of Mayo, widow of the other part. Whereas the said Margaret Power is now seized in Fee farm of and in the hereditaments and premises hereinafter mentioned and has agreed to sell and convey the same to the said Mary McGirr fee farm incumberances for the sum of five hundred pounds. Now this indenture witnesseth that in consideration of five hundred pounds by the said Mary McGirr now paid to the said Margaret Power of which sum of five hundred pounds the said Margaret Power hereby acknowledges the receipt and of from the same. Doth hereby aquit release and discharge the said Mary McGirr her executors, administrators and assigns forever by these present. She, the said Margaret Power, the beneficial owner hereby conveys to the said Mary McGirr, her heirs and assigns all that and those, the house and plot of ground in the town of Louisburgh comprised in and granted by a certain fee farm grant thereof dated second January one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine made between the most Honorable The Marquis of Sligo on one part and and Mary Comber, since deceased and Margaret Power party hereto then Margaret Comber of the other part all situate in the Barony of Murisk and Co. mayo onto the reversion and reversions yearly and other rents, title deeds and muniments or instruments of title relating thereto and all the property, interest and estate of her the said Margaret Power of into or out of said premises. To have and to hold the said premises with the appointenances unto the said Mary McGirr her heirs and assigns to the use of her heirs and assigns for ever, but subject to the payment of the reserved yearly fee farm rent and to the performance, fulfillment of the conditions, covents and agreements in said fee farm grant contained and which on the Tenants or Leesees part aught to be paid, observed, fulfilled or performed. In witness whereof the parties aforesaid have hereunto put our hands and affixed our seals the day and year first above written. Signed sealed and delivered by said Margaret Power in presence of Johnston Bart & Hanaffan Loughrea Margaret, N, Cuilanan, Bookeeper, Loughrea"
Netta ran the Hotel after Mary died but it did not flourish and after Nettas death in 1961, Angela sold half the hotel and other rooms to Mrs Duggan. Eventually, it was bought by a Mr Scott who set up a shop in the premises. Scott sold it to McNamara and from there to Pat O’Grady. It is now a burned down supermarket.. I will get dates for these events over time | |
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| | | Posted by: shay moran
on Feb 21 2009 03:19 |  This article was written by Stella McGirr, sister of Ivy, circa 1915. It gives a flavour of the "nationalist" sentiment of the people of that time. Dear Sir I have read with interest and not a little surprise your heading article of last week’s issue entitled “Revolutionists”. In these days of War and Blood and Fire, when our Daily papers are decorated with startling and cunningly devised headlines one thinks – there is surely nothing unusual in such a title. But leading articles do not, as a rule bear such attractive titles, and in a Country that has been for over 700 years in a state of Revolution, it would be considered highly improper to place such an inviting Savoury before the public. In Ireland it is perhaps consistent with the general attitude of the so-called National press, whose every line must pass the Censorship of Dublin Castle, where we get every item flavoured with Imperialism and served with King’s sauce, to ignore as far as possible, the Nationalist Section – which is, of course, the majority of its readers, so that they know little or nothing of the men or the movements which comprise the inner life of the Nation. I see that in England at any rate such is not the case and I am glad that the “Catholic News” has at last lifted the Veil and brought to light a movement which for the past few years has spread as rapidly. We have the name of being the most “led” Nation on earth. We have allowed ourselves to be coaxed, cajoled, and humbugged for over half a century, but the time has come for straight thinking and straight talking. The time has come when our only Guide and leader is strict adherence to those principles of Nationality which are our heritage. Patriotism has always been considered one of the virtues of the Irish People, and we have had a lack of Patriots, still it has been found necessary to remind Irishmen of the first principle of Patriotism and explain to them the meaning of the word. In other countries where every man and woman is a Patriot, this is unnecessary. A German’s first duty is to Germany. A Belgian is first and foremost a Belgian and the Bravery of that little Nation has won the admiration and sympathy of the whole world. The British Prime Minister speaking in Dublin on Friday Night last refers to it: “The Passionate attachment of a numerically small population to a bit of territory… The proud unconquerable devotion of a people to their own little land…It proves to the world, that ideas which cannot be weighed or measured by any material calculus, can still dominate and inspire mankind”. And so it has been in Ireland. Through all the long years these ideas have lived in our hearts and inspired and dominated our lives; there have always been the faithful little band, who kept the old flag flying and who never faltered, never once swerved from their pledge of undying love to Cathleen Ni Houlihan! They were the men who more than half a century ago formed the greatest and most unselfish organisation Ireland has ever known: The Fenian Brotherhood. They are the men who today form the backbone of the National Volunteers, the men who for the past four years have voiced their ideas and Ideals in the columns of “Irish Freedom” and who will accept or be satisfied with nothing less! But on the other hand, we have had, as you so admiringly put it “ far too many “Patriots” of the Le Baron type, dishonest scoundrels, who have utilised the Irish Movement to play the traitor and to feather their nests with British Gold on the one hand, and with money from the unfortunate dupes who believed in them on the other hand”. You believe that “an honourable settlement of Ireland’s outstanding grievances against Great Britain, will finally be arrived at! What do you call an honourable settlement? Surely not the paltry measure of Home Rule obtained at the sacrifice of all that Irishmen have held sacred since time immemorial. It is not my intention to use this letter as a medium for a further attack on Mr John Redmond but I should like to know what you would call the man who could stand up in the House of Commons and betray the trust of the Irish Volunteers, as well as of the Irish people at home and abroad, in offering their services to the Government whose representation had, but one short week before, shot down, without discrimination or mercy, the inoffensive and defenceless citizens in the streets of Dublin? What would you call the man who has since become a recruiting “Agent for the British Army”? Is this the policy? Are these the principles of Davitt and Parnell? The end does not always justify the means. There can be no comparison with such and the men whom you c hose to speak of as “insane” and “absurd” . Who are you to sneer at them and scoff at their Ideal? The Ideal for which Wolfe Tone and Fitzgerald and Robert Emmett died and countless others, on the scaffold, on the Battlefield and in English Convict Prisons? Who are you? I say again to sneer at their Ideal of an Irish Republic? M.Stella. McGirr Louisburgh Co Mayo. Ireland To The Editor “Catholic News” Manchester | |
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