Freeman’s Journal 26 Sep 1871 p.1
Carefully proofread.The Christian Brothers’ Raffle, Ennis
The following is a List of the Winning Numbers: -
Piano, won by Mr. Mitchel, Portumna.
Gold Watch, won by D. M’Namara, Ennis.
Musical Box, won by C. O’Brien, Ennis.
Two Sheep, won by Mons. Nono, Ennis.
Silver Watch, won by M. Meehan, Cloony.
Tea Urn, won by Rev. J. Fogarty, Ennis.
China Tea Service, won by W. Sheehan, Limerick.
French Time Piece, won by M. Cooney, Clare.
Dozen of Sherry, won by Mrs. Quin, Mullingar.
Pair of Lamps, won by J. Howley, Limerick.
Gold Ring, won by Ceppi, Dublin.
Cushion, won by Mr. Ring, Ennistymon.
Album, with Portraits, won by James Ennis, Dublin.
Last Supper, won by Mrs. Corbett, Killerk.
Pius IX, won by Miss Quinlivan, Gower Hall.
Gong, won by Mrs. Davoren, Clareen.
Pair of Statues, won by J. Mackey, Warren-street, Brooklyn.
Half-Barrel of Ale, won by Mons. Nono, Ennis.
Life of St. Patrick, won by M. Holohan, Carrahan.
Brooklyn is the New York borough in Kings County, east of Manhattan island and not formally part of NYC until 1898. Warren Street was a well-known place for immigrants. Mullingar is likely the town in Co. Westmeath, but I have no clue why a Clare-minded Mrs. Quin was there. However, it is highly likely that “J. Howley” of Limerick was in the game due to that family’s close association with the Daniel O’Connell family of Kilgory, East Clare (although both he & wife Catherine nee Howley had died in the mid-1830s).
For those familiar with Ennis RC hierarchy of that era, my question is: Who is Mons. Nono, the man set up for a great mutton dinner complete with beverage ? It looks to me like this name was an alias, to anonymize the actual winner.
All in all, a complete surprise to learn of a raffle being held in Clare...and such a successful, popular one. Each of the raffled items speaks volumes as to what was valued in Western Ireland and was what available to the Christian Brothers for this venture.