McInerney 1898 postcard from Killawinna to Belgium

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo,

I don't think Ellen Galvin would have had anything to learn about cleanliness when she arrived in Kansas. I think she would have known as much about cleanliness as anyone there.

I found the rest of the posting interesting, as usual, and I happen to have a printout of the obituary for Mr. Thomas Galvin published in the Clare Champion on 2 Jan 1904:

Death and Funeral of Mr. Thomas Galvin, Late Editor of the “Clare Champion.” This week it becomes our painful duty to convey to the homes of our readers the sad news of the demise of Mr. Thomas Galvin, Editor of this paper, which melancholy event took place at his father’s residence, Caherbanna, on Sunday last at 4.20 o’clock, a.m.

The obituary goes on the say that Thomas was born in 1872, entered St. Flannan’s college at age 14, spent some time studying law under Mr. T. Lynch, came second to Mr. E. M. Bennett in a contest for the position of Clerk of Ennis Union, became editor of the “Clareman” in 1898, when that paper was owned by Mr. B. Parsons.

The remains which were removed from Caherbanna to the Pro-Cathedral, Ennis, on Monday evening, were followed by an immense concourse of people. On Tuesday morning High Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Pro-Cathedral for the repose of the soul, the congregation being extremely large. The celebrant was Rev. P. J. Donnelly, C.C., deacon, Rev. Dr. McInerney, P.P. V.G., Killaloe; sub-deacon Rev. C. Stuart, Adm., Ennis; master of ceremonies, Rev. P. Devanny, C.C.
In the choir were – Rev P. McInerney, P.P., Kilnamona; Rev. A. Clancy, P.P., Killimor; Rev. J. Kennedy, Adm., Newmarket-on-Fergus.
On Tuesday the remains were conveyed from the Pro-Cathedral, Ennis, to the family burial ground, Templemaley, where the interment took place, and the long cortege of cars and pedestrians which followed them testified to the respect and esteem in which the deceased and his family are so deservingly held.
The clergymen present were – Rev. Father Stuart, Adm., Ennis; Rev. A Clancy, P.P., Killimer; Rev. P. J. Donnelly, C.C., Ennis; Rev. Jas. Kennedy, Adm., Newmarket; Rev. Michael Carey, P.P. Doora; Rev. F. Lalor, C.C., Feakle, and Rev. Dr. Griffith, Rector, Ennis.
The chief mourners were – Messrs Thos. Galvin (father), John and Michael Galvin (brothers), James Galvin (uncle). Rev. Father Pat McInerney, P.P., Kilnamona; Very Rev Dr. McInerney, P.P., V.G., Killaloe; Thos and Michl Galvin, Ranaghan (cousins), Ml and Jas Galvin, and James Galvin, Tooreen (cousins). John Moloney Tulla; Thomas Considine, D.C., J. Galvin, Barefield; M. Walsh, Killaloe; James O’Sullivan, Bridgetown, (cousins), James Spellissy and J. Spellissy, junr, Ennis. [A long list of other mourners follows] There were a number of beautiful wreaths from – “In loving memory of our darling son Tom, from his heart broken father and mother.” “To our darling Tom from his loving brothers and sisters, Nancy, Mary, Joe, Nell, Jack and Miko.” “To dear Tom, from his loving cousin, Father Pat McInerney.” “With fondest remembrance to dear Tom, from Father F. Keane.”

. There were several other wreaths from friends and colleagues.
On the same page is a report on the death taken from the Irish Daily Independent:

The death took place on Sunday morning at the residence of his father, at Caherbanna, of Mr. Thomas Galvin, editor of the Clare Champion at a very early age. He had been in failing health for some time and the end was not unexpected. Mr. Galvin had been editor of the “Clareman” and when it became defunct after the recent libel action brought against it by Mr. McInerney, he aided in founding the Clare Champion which was equally outspoken, in its National tones.

Thomas’s mother died in Feb. 1916. Her obituary, published in the Clare Champion of 19 Feb 1916, was yet another of those which gives very little on the lady herself, not even her first name, but it mentions that she was a Moloney from East Clare.

The funeral which took place at one o’clock to the family burial ground at Templemaley, was extremely large and representative, and the obsequies at the grave were said by her son , Rev. M. C. Galvin, C.C., Shinrone.
The chief mourners at were: Thomas Galvin (husband); Rev. M. C. Galvin and John Galvin (sons); Misses Nancy and Mary Galvin and Mrs. Maguire (daughters); Sarsfield Maguire (son-in-law); Mr. John Molony (nephew); Miss B. Molony (niece); Rev. P. McInerney, P.P., Castleconnell; Michael Canny, Feakle; James O’Sullivan, Bridgetown, O’Briensbridge; Mr. and Mrs Walshe, Killaloe; and Miss M. A. O’Sullivan, Bridgetown (cousins). [a long list of other mourners follows].

Sheila

[Jimbo]

Hi Sheila,

Yes, of course, my apologies. I was a little too overzealous in wanting to make the argument that Nellie Galvin was an American due to her three years in Kansas. In 1918 when she was awarded the medal, I don't believe any Americans soldiers were getting medals for courage as the country had not yet entered the war. Anyways, I've toned down the argument considerably.

And by way of further apology, and on the same topic, I don't think living in Ireland you'd be aware of Irish Spring soap that is a popular brand in America. Their commercials have been common in American TV starting in the 1970's. Irish Spring marketing campaigns included "fresh as an Irish spring" and "clean as a whistle" and were typically set in an Irish village. The commercials give a very stereotypical view of Ireland which include cleanliness. Here is one example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9iaMIaiVVk

Thanks very much for posting the obituaries. They are a perfect example how Irish and American newspapers vary. American obituaries, especially in a small town, focus on the life of the individual and not so much on listing every attendee at the funeral.

In 1917, the Rev. John J. McInerney officiated at a funeral in Chanute, Kansas for a deceased member of the Grand Army of the Republic. GAR, the American Civil War veterans group, was very powerful politically. The below news article from the Chanute press actually critiqued Father McInerney's sermon at the funeral and the local GAR post even passed a resolution as a "vote of thanks". This would not have been very typical.

GRAND ARMY MEN APPROVE OF SERMON
They Give Thanks for Patriotic Oration By Father MacInerney.

Chanute post of the Grand Army of the Republic at its regular meeting Saturday afternoon voted its thanks to Rev. Fr. John J. MacInerney, pastor of St. Patrick's church, for the excellent sermon he gave at the funeral of B.F. Pattee Thursday morning. Mr. Pattee was a Union soldier in the Civil War and his funeral services were held on Washington's birthday. Father MacInerney made a patriotic oration so in keeping with the occasion that it delighted the Grand Army men, who attended in a body and had charge of the burial services in St. Patrick's cemetery. The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic also attended and performed their ceremony of placing a small silk flag on Mr. Pattee's breast in the church.

The resolution adopted by the post was as follows:

"Be It Resolved, by the members of Chanute post No. 129, Department of Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic, that we return a vote of thanks to the Rev. Father MacInerney for the patriotic sentiments so eloquently expressed in his sermon on the occasion of the funeral services of our beloved comrade, B.F. Pattee; and that we recognize in the Rev. MacInerney a worthy scion of that heroic race of men who have always been ready to die for the rights of man; and who have written with their life blood some of the brightest pages of America's heroic history; and we especially commend his advice to young men to be ready to defend what so many of our countrymen have died for in the past.—Samuel Baughman, Adjutant; William Vaughn, Commander."

The Chanute Daily Tribune, Kansas, 26 February 1917

In 1917, whether or not America should enter the war in Europe was a top political issue and the GAR appears to have favored America's involvement. But what would an Irish born priest like the Rev. John J. McInerney think of America entering the war on the side of Great Britain? The fact that Germany attacked Catholic Belgium, including destroying much of the University of Louvain where Father McInerney was ordained in 1901, would be one reason to support the war.

The Rev. J. J. McInerney submitted a full one-page editorial under "The People's Column" of the local The Chanute Star of 7 June 1917 that made his views clear. He fully supported the war, attacking Kansas congressmen for mailing out ant-conscription material, but linked his support to the "Irish Question". It is very long, but this one sentence captures the theme: "Whenever England grants to Ireland a free constitution, whenever Ireland will be declared a Republic, the arms will fall from the hands of the German soldiers and they will accept our principles for facts, 'that we are fighting for the brotherhood of man, for the freedom of all peoples and all nations' ".

Here is an old postcard from about 1910 or 1920 of St. Patrick's Church in Chanute, Kansas. The priest's house where the Rev. John J. McInerney and his aunt and housekeeper Margaret Hogan were living in the 1920 census is shown to the right. In America, the priest's house is nearly always next door to the Catholic church. I was surprised to discover that in Ireland this was not the same set-up. In google street view, St. Patrick's Church in Chanute is still there and now has higher steeples; the priest's house is a parking lot.

Edit 1 on 21 Oct 2023: deleted old postcard photo to save space (155 KiB).

[Jimbo]

FATHER MACINERNEY HEARS IRISH CHIEF
GIVES INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF KANSAS CITY MEETING

Was the Most Enthusiastic Meeting He Ever Attended.
He Says—DeValera Says Ireland Asks Right of Self-Determination

From Tuesday's Daily.
Father J.J. MacInerney returned from Kansas City where he had been to hear Mr. De Valera, the elected president of the Irish Republic. He said it was the greatest and most enthusiastic meeting he ever attended.

An audience of fully 11,000 people at Convention hall cheered the president for over twenty minutes, and Judge Ewing Bland, who was chairman of the meeting introduced him as the Lincoln of the present time.

Monsignor O'Reilly opened the meeting with prayer and the followed the seaman Parson of Baltimore, Dr. Grattan Mythen, as Episcopalian minister in charge of the largest churches in Baltimore.

Judge Cubbison, of Kansas City, Kan., was the next speaker. Lindsay Crawford, a leading Presbyterian of Ulster, but for the last six years editor of the Statesman in Toronto, Canada, explained how the Ulster question was a convenient tool for British Imperialism to use in its propaganda against Irish Independence.

Frank. P. Walsh told of the atrocities committed on Irish political prisoners, and that yet in the face of what we fought for Ireland was held captive and in subjection by an army of fully 100,000 soldiers fully equipped as in war time.

President De Valera's speech was a clear logical exposition of Ireland's right to freedom and independence.

He said: "We want no territory. We want our own country for our own people in accordance with the principles for which the world war was waged. I am in America as the official head of the republic established by the will of the Irish people, in accordance with the principles of self-determination. . . .(a long speech) . . .

Chanute Weekly, Kansas, 31 October 1919, page nine

"De Valera in America: The Rebel President's 1919 Campaign" by Dave Hannigan (The O'Brien Press) tells of Irish President Éamon De Valera's visit to the United States. The book review in the Irish Times included an interesting story of his time in Kansas City:
https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/cap ... s-1.914603

[Jimbo]

Rev. Father McInerney, of Garnett, has returned from a visit of several months in Ireland with an uncle.

The Miami Republican, Paola, Kansas, 10 December 1920, page 7

Conditions Very Sad.

Rev. Father McInerney, who recently returned from a five-months visit to Ireland, says conditions in that country are terrible. He says the reports that the troubles there are the result of religious differences are positively untrue; that both Protestants and Catholics are united in their fight for freedom. All are fighting for the Irish flag—green, for the Catholics, and orange, for the Protestants, united by a stripe of pure white, representing union, peace and purity.

Father McInerney says Ireland has only four and a half millions of people, and they are compelled to pay to the British government $150,000,000 per year.

Before leaving for home, Father McInerney stopped three days at Southampton, England, and, to kill time, visited some of the theatres, where alleged jokes on Americans were loudly applauded by the English. "I was so angry that I could hardly stand it," said he.

"The people of the United States do not understand Ireland's condition at all."

The Garnett Review, Kansas, 16 December 1920, page 1

The Rev. Thomas J. McInerney, age 33, born Ennis, left Southampton on the Aquitania on 13 November 1920 and arrived in New York on 20 November 1920. The Rev. McInerney had been visiting his brother Martin McInerney of Ennis, and was on his way home to Garnett, Kansas, where he was the pastor. The Rev. Thomas J. McInerney of Garnett, Kansas was the brother of the Rev. Patrick J. McInerney of Olathe, Kansas who in 1907 went to Rome with Bishop Lillis.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6X3-GQ3

According to his biography in "A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans" (1918):

Father McInerney was born in County Clare, Ireland, January 14, 1887. He secured his preliminary education in a national school at Barefield in that county, and took a Latin and Greek classical course in St. Flannan's College at Ennis in the same county. At the age of twenty-two he came to the United States and on September 7, 1909, arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, and two weeks later entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he pursued the philosophic course two years, following which he spent three years in Kenrick Seminary at St. Louis. He was graduated from the latter institution and ordained June 12 1913.

In the 1901 Irish census, Thomas McInerney (age 14) was living in Ballymacahill with his brother Martin McInerney (age 22) as head of household and seven other siblings; both parents had died by 1899. Also living in the household in 1901 was a 60 year servant named Patrick Griffin who might have been a relative.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... l/1068816/

After reading the Thomas McInerney biography, the below comment in the 1921 Kansas newspaper (several postings back) that appears to relate to Patrick McInerney, most surely relates to his younger brother Thomas. The newspaper reporter was confused as to who was sponsored by Bishop Lillis at St. Flannan's college in Ennis.

Like his brother, Father Tom, he [Father Patrick McInerney] gathered his collegiate education at St. Flannan's college, in Ennis, County Clare, and while there was adopted by the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Lillis, the bishop of the Leavenworth diocese.

The Rev. Thomas Lillis was made Bishop of Leavenworth in 1905. His father, James Lillis, had died in Kansas City in 1898 leaving a large estate. The first provision of the will was that "$5,000 shall go to the priest of the parish in which Mr. [James] Lillis lived at the time of his death" which was the Rev. Thomas Lillis. Rev. Lillis also received his portion of the large estate, divided between his mother and 10 siblings, but still a large amount. So, the Rev. Lillis when he made bishop in 1905, with the Rev. Patrick McInerney reporting to him, could have easily sponsored Thomas McInerney at St. Flannan's in Ennis, and perhaps also when he attended seminary in the United States.

The biography of Thomas McInerney also stated that his mother "was Bridget Purcell, who was born in County Clare in 1856, and died there in 1899" which clears up another mystery in the baptism records for Doora and Kilraghits (1821 - 1862):

NLI Doora and Kilraghtis 1856 baptism for Bridget Purcell.jpg (85.06 KiB) Viewed 4179 times

For the above 1856 entry, the parents were John Purcell and Mary Griffy, and child baptized was Bridget Purcell. But the priest appears to have made a mistake writing "Purcell" as the father's name. He corrected this by writing "John" where the child's name should have been. And "Bridget" or "Biddy" is likely illegibly written behind the black smudge mark on the far left. John Purcell and Mary Griffy/Griffin had four other children in the Doora baptism records.

Was most curious about the Rev. Thomas McInerney having three days in Southampton and going to the theatres to spend his time. In Britain he would have gone to a "music hall" or "variety show", what would be called "vaudeville" in America. Southampton had many theatre options for a city its size because apparently it was quite common for passengers leaving Southampton to catch a show while they waited to board their ship.
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Southampton.htm#gordons

Father McInerney had three days in Southampton, I reckon he went to three of the four theatres below, unfortunately only one survived the blitz and bombings during WW2:
1) The Theatre Royal on French Street (1880 - 1940, destroyed by a bomb)
2) The Hippodrome Theatre (previously Prince of Wales) in Ogle Street (1905 - 1939, damaged in air raid in 1940 blitz, later demolished)
3) The Grand Theatre at West Marlands (1898 - 1939); reopened as The New Hippodrome Theatre in 1939, survived the war, closed in 1959.
4) Royal York Palace of Varieties (1872, bombed in 1940 blitz, destroyed 1942)

"I was so angry that I could hardly stand it" said Father McInerney after hearing jokes about Americans that were loudly applauded by the English. He could hardly stand it, but not enough not to return for another show at a different theatre. Was he alone? I looked through the passenger listing of the Aquitania and there were three young women also going to Kansas from County Clare:

1) Birdie Ryan, age 20, typist, lived in Waterford; father, James Ryan of Tubber, Clare: going to cousin, Father McInerney, Garnett, Kansas.

Susan Ryan was born in 18 Aug 1900, the daughter of James Ryan and Kate McInerney of Monreagh, close to Tubber. She went by Birdie in the 1911 census.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... gh/351878/

Unlike her five McInerney first cousins, Birdie Ryan did not join the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. In 1924, Susanna Mary Ryan, born 1 Aug 1900 in Tubber, arrived 23 Nov. 1920 in New York, declared to become a U.S. citizen while living in New York City, and working as a stenographer.

2) Ellen Burke, age 20; her father was P. Burke at Kilmaley, Clare; going to St. Mary's Academy, Leavenworth.

Ellen Burke was born 25 June 1900, the daughter of Patt Burke and Bridget Griffin of Knockadangan. In the 1911 census she was one of 10 children:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... an/354899/

"Eileen Burke", age 27, born 21 July 1900, arrived 20 Nov. 1920 in New York, became a naturalized U.S. citizen on 6 December 1927 in Kansas City. The witnesses were John Clune (married to Ellen McInerney) and Peter McInerney of Kansas City. Likely cousins of some sort. Ellen Burke does not appear to have joined the Sisters of Charity.

3) Bridget Kennedy, age 22; her mother was Mrs. Kennedy, of Roslevin, Ennis; going to St. Mary's Academy, Leavenworth, Kansas.

Bridget Kennedy was born 8 June 1887, the daughter of Robert Kennedy and Bridget McMahon of Rosslevan, Ennis. In 1911, Bridget McMahon Kennedy (age 50) was a widow living with five of her children, including Bridget (age 13):
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... an/352712/

Bridget Kennedy, age 23, born 29 June 1897 in Roslevan, Clare, arrived 22 Nov. 1920 in New York, petitioned to become a U.S. citizen in Helena, Montana, on 8 February 1921, with two nuns as witnesses. In the 1930 census, Sister Salome Kennedy was at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana; born in Ireland in 1898 she had arrived in the USA in 1920. Sister Mary Salome Kennedy died on 26 March 1935 at Anaconda, Deer Lodge, Montana; per death record: father Robert Kennedy, mother Bridget McMahon.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/286 ... me-kennedy

So only 1 out of 3 of the young women would end up with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

It would appear that the Rev. Thomas McInerney did act as the chaperon for Birdie Ryan, Ellen Burke and Bridget Kennedy on their trip to America. Did he invite the three young ladies along to the theatre in Southampton? Not sure their mothers back in Clare would have approved. And if so, did they laugh along with the English at the jokes about the Americans? That would have made the Rev. Thomas McInerney so angry.

[Jimbo]

CHRISTMAS DAY IN IRELAND
LETTER RECEIVED BY CHANUTE MAN FROM HIS SISTER

It Tells of Campaign of Terrorism Conducted in County Clare
by the Black and Tans — Their Sister's Home Looted.

The following description of the situation in County Clare, Ireland, has been received from his sister [Mary McInerney of Killawinna, who sent the postcard to Belgium in 1898] by a Chanute man [Rev John J. McInerney].

It is Christmas night in Ireland—yes, but Christmas night, 1920. In the future of our beloved country, this Christmas night will stand in great red letters. It will be no reminder of merry-making and bring no memories of festive gatherings. No echo of laughter will come to us when we look on those words, Christmas night of 1920. It will be a nightmare of "black and tan" deviltry on a poor people struggling, praying and fighting to be free.

Our Masses here are at 8 and 10 as always. We were at the first mass. The morning was dark, stormy and misty, just fitting the times. Nobody thought of wishing anyone a Merry Christmas. How could we be merry when every day brings its list of tragedies—burnings, lootings, shootings and cruel imprisonments?

At the same time we are not sad—just quiet, calm, determined, and, above all, proud. All these sentiments you can see on the people's faces, with now and again a twinge of pain and horror when an especially gruesome murder is recorded.

Our priest prayed for the repose of the souls of three shot and bayoneted to death the past two days in Ennis jail. In your young days such a thing would bring tears to the eye and keep us sleepless for nights. Now, there is no "nine days' wonder." We simply ask the name and pray for the repose of their souls and renew our act of love to Mother Erin.

It is hard to lose so many fine young men, but after all they are not lost. Our army in Heaven is growing stronger day by day, and God will not be long deaf to their tears and prayers for our country's freedom.

All day today the storm raged, but in the evening the sun shone out. I think it is a good omen. It was like a smile of encouragement from Heaven on our 700-year-old struggle.

We heard that another prisoner was shot in the jail today. There are upwards of sixty poor fellows in that grim jail in Ennis. What their crimes are we do not know. There they are, kept away from God's own fresh sweet air, away from mothers, fathers, wives, children, and sisters, that their spirits may be broken, that no longer may we look for liberty, for the obtaining of which all this suffering has been.

These are the thoughts of all of us this Christmas day. May the Dear Little Infant hear our prayers and grant our petitions. May He bring us the fulfillment of our desires before the dawn of another Christmas day—peace and justice and the liberty of our beloved country.

Many things have happened since I wrote you last. Some you may have read of. Others have not been published. There was the shooting of the four young Scariff boys in Killaloe, Egan, Kildea, Rogers and our own cousin, poor Michael McMahon. He was a fine Irish boy, gentle, merry and good-natured, a good Irish speaker and there was no more intense lover of his country. They were shot on the bridge at midnight. Michael's cry for the ministrations of the church was distinctly heard, but no priest was called to console his dying moments.

They were gathered up and thrown into the barrack-yard, tied as they were when shot, and left there until 8 o'clock in the morning. I went to see their graves, as I could not get away to the funerals. Their mothers were the proudest women in Clare that day. There were no tears shed, though to their dying day they will never forget their beloved boys.

Then there was the shooting of McKee, Clancy and Corney Clune, in Dublin. Corney was, as you know, a man of sterling character. He is just the right sort to plead our cause before God. This is what gives me hope when such good pure souls are taken. I feel and know that their sufferings will not be in vain.

Then the burnings and lootings, too. Our sister's home was raided [Bridget McInerny, a nurse, in Newmarket-on-Fergus]—looted, I should have said. It was 11 o'clock at night when they knocked and threatened to break in the door if not admitted instantly. She was downstairs and opened the door in about ten minutes. They poured in—military, black and tans and the "corps de loot." They said, "We want your flag." They had their revolvers and rifles at "ready", and some confessed to having bombs. They looted the house from top to bottom, taking a wrist watch, a gold brooch, toilet brushes, scissors, a fountain pen, surgical instruments, knives, butter, general provisions and money. (The young lady is a visiting nurse.) They left her nothing of any consequence, and her loss is therefore complete, because she will never be compensated by the Crown for this robbery.

Your photograph was well examined by them, and the wonder is that they did not smash it. They tore a picture of the Sacred Heart, and would have done much more only for one black and tan who was touched by the fact that she was a lone lady. I could tell you much with regard to their reasons for raiding her, but it is better not, lest this letter not reach you.

Mrs. Slattery was raided too, and looted as well. Her frieze coat and William's gold watch and chain were taken, also money and a large amount of tobacco.

Nobody is safe and on the road we are constantly afraid lest we be run into. The Doora road is no longer safe for traffic. It is entirely cut up by lorries. For weeks I've gone to Ennis by Clare Castle, but the road from the Castle in Ennis is not now safe because of lorries and armored cars and drunken black and tans, so I have to go by Gauris.

They fire shots when pushing thru the towns. Yesterday—Christmas Eve—a shot went off quite close to us, but we are used to risks and have grown courageous through familiarity with danger.

Cork is burned, the prettiest city in Ireland, and the loveliest mannered people are the object of the deepest hatred of British tyrants. Our priests are hunted down again and butchered in cold blood. All last week these British lorries came into Ennis from the country laden with turkey, geese and other fowls. These pretty items bring sorrow and worry enough to the poor people, not to speak of the terror of the midnight raids.

Our Bishop's house was entered by four masked men whose motives were more sinister than the mere looking through documents. He has not been home since. Many of our young priests are "on the run." They having been threatened and flogged and ill-treated by these dogs of war.

I could go on reciting outrage after outrage, robbery after robbery, with the approval of the Crown government, and this for no reason but what the World War was fought for. I shall, however, conclude by hoping for a realization of peace and goodwill, the Song of the Angels, for us and for all the world before another Christmas comes around.

Chanute Weekly Tribune, Kansas, 21 January 1921, page four

I too shall conclude by hoping for a realization of deliverance from the coronavirus pandemic, the Song of the Angels, for the USA and Ireland and for all the world before another Christmas comes around. Amen.

Edit 1 on 7 Oct 2023: deleted painting of Song of the Angels (1881) by William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) to save space

[Sduddy]

Hi Jimbo

Thank you for those postings. The last one was very apt as we’ve been remembering 1920 this year. Two books (that I know of) about the War of Independence in Co. Clare were published this year, The Hand that Held the Gun: Untold Stories of the War of Independence in West Clare, by Eoin Shanahan (The last line of his introduction has stayed with me: “This is the story of the West Clare Brigade. It is the story of ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things in extraordinary times”). And my Christmas present to myself this year is Clare and the War of Independence, by Joe Power.
Your second last posting will ring bells for people who have done work on various McInerneys in Clare and South Galway. Birdie Ryan, who went to the U.S in 1920, was the sister of Margaret Ryan, who had married John McInerney of Ballyogan (Ballyogan in Ruan parish – not Ballyogan in Kilraghtis/Barefield) in 1916. The witnesses at the marriage (registered in Corofin) were James Casey and Susanna Ryan. If I am not greatly mistaken, James Casey is the granduncle of Paddy Casey, who has contributed so much to this Forum (Happy Christmas, Paddy). James Casey married Teresa McInerney of Blakemount in 1923 – see this interesting posting by Paddy Waldron re Margaret McInerney of Blakemount: http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=401.

The McInerneys rank with Moloneys and McNamaras in terms of difficulty. If you are going to dive in to any of those families, you will need a diving bell.

Jimbo, thanks for your good wishes and Happy Christmas to you.

Sheila