Day: January 16, 2020

Hardings of Millstreet

“Hello friends! I am searching for Harding family members in the area, and tracing family back to Joseph and Mary Harding of Millstreet, shoemakers in the 1800’s. I know my G-G-Grandad (Bryan Harding) came to America in 1857, settled in Massachusetts then Rochester NY. His brother Daniel, sister Julia emigrated also. Any Harding descendants in the area? I am travelling to Ireland this April and would be so happy to learn more of my family.” – Mary McDonough [from this comment]

By the Admin: While there were Hardings in Millstreet:-  shopkeepers, egg-layers, carpenters, tradesmen, shoemakers (Bryan, Bridget, John),  we seem to have found no reference at all to any Joseph Harding, which would be unusual. Below is some of what we found, which may or may not be of relevance:  [read more …] “Hardings of Millstreet”

Martin Cahill, Constable R.I.C. (Millstreet c.1901-1920)

Constable Martin Cahill (#43535) was born in Clare in the 1850’s. He Joined the R.I.C in 1878, and was initially sent to Mayo where he stayed for seven years. At the start of 1885 he was transferred to Cork East where he was based in Clonbanin Barrack. A year later he married an Ellen Buckley who lived only a mile east of the station, at Skagh, near Derinagree. After getting married he was then transferred to Dunmanway, then Union Hall, and came back to Millstreet to be stationed there from 1901 to 1919. He and his wife had 17 children, of which 7 were alive in 1911. In Millstreet they lived at Pound Hill, and later at Minor Row. He left the police in 1920 on a pension when the real troubles were beginning to happen, after over 41 years in service, at a time when lots of officers retired because of low morale and a conflict of interest.

Four of their children died young in Millstreet, another five had died earlier in Union Hall. His wife Ellen died here in 1923, and the remaining family seemed to have moved to Killorglin where more got married. Martin died in 1932 in Killorglin and was (most likely) returned to Millstreet to be  to be buried with his wife.

Below are our notes on Martin and Ellen:  [read more …] “Martin Cahill, Constable R.I.C. (Millstreet c.1901-1920)”