Hi Danny Dunne here a Rochfortbridge native, from the nearby Kilbride area. Bríd, what was you maiden name? I went to Dalystown School and later to St. Josephs Secondary School. I am a Primary School Principal today in Clonard in Co. Meath but I live in Gaybrook, Mullingar. The nuns who taught at the convent in those halycon days are still going strong. Miss Alford was from Tyrrellspass. Mary Alford and her sister Ann Taught at The Convent Primary School. Rochfortbridge. Ann moved when she became principal of Tyrrellspass N.S. She married Martin Buckley from Mullingar and they are the owners of Tyrrellspass Castle today. Mary whom you mentioned married a Rochfortbridge man, John Gavin and she is living there still. Ann and Mary are both retired now. A past pupil of the Convent School Ann Eighan (nee Reidy) is principal there now and it is a very progressive school. the corporal punishment days are long gone thank God and school is a much happier place.
Fr. McManus used to bring cans of sweets to all the parish primary schools. At Dalystown where I went, the can was always raffled and it was always very useful. It was a treasured item on the local farms. It had a very airtight lid and there were no spills when carrying water or milk. People in the country looked out for each other. When a cow calved, there was always a glut of milk and often a can of fresh milk was welcome at a neighbours house when there was a scarcity of milk there, the complement was returned when there was a shortage at home. Churning took place once a week. The milk was skimmed each day and the cream was stored in a delph crock. When this was done the sour cream was added to the churn and each person took a turn turning the handle till the butter formed. The remaining liquid was drawn off into a bucket. this buttermilk was used as a drink for thirst and was also used for baking bread. The can was sued to deliver buttermilk to the neighbours

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Can sum1 post photos of Rochfortbridge Community Centre if they have them?

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Sorry to post yet another genealogy question to your community.
I am looking into my father's family, James Gay of Mullingar, b.1923.
My grandmother was Mary Flood of Gibbonstown married to my grandfather William Gay in the church at Rochfortbridge 13 April 1921 by Fr Charles Muntagh (Witnessed by Christy Glennow and Maggie Gaynor). Mary and William lived just outside Mullingar at Baltrasna, just off the Dublin road.
Mary Flood was daughter of Catherine Keefe (Catherine was possibly born in Tallyho, Wicklow) and J Flood, who I think possibly worked or was tenant on the Gaulston Estate.
My great-grandmother, Catherine Flood/Keefe, lived in Gibbonstown certainly for the 1911 census and herself had a brother Matthew Keefe (emigrated) and sister Mary Keefe. There is a family assumption that her husband John/James Flood was a blacksmith.
My grandmother Mary Flood had five brothers: Michael Flood, Joseph E Flood, Laurence Flood, Thomas Flood and John Flood. At least three of the brothers emigrated to the States – I have Ellis Island records for them. Michael and Joseph left at the same time along with their cousin Richard Ennis in 1914 – the records show all of them using Matthew Keefe their uncle as sponsor so I can only assume that Matthew Keefe’s sister Mary Keefe married into the Ennis family, unless there is another sister I have not found. They also show that their mother Catherine was still in Gibbonstown after 1911.
(There is another family story that the boys emigrated to avoid the authorities but not sure how true this is).
I have a Westmeath Examiner archive listing J Gay, several Floods and some Ennis family as attending the funeral of Col. Smyth (1916 I think) and this might suggest that they were tenants showing their respects.
Any hints or information would be of help; perhaps some of the names are familiar, even as far as the Gay’s in Mullingar, I would be grateful.

Kind regards
Kevin Gay

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Hi. My name is Diana and I am trying to find historical information on my Great-Grandparent's families as they came from this part of County Wetmeath. My Great-Grandfather was James Francis Garry, son of John Garry and Catherine Cleary. He was born around 1890. My Great-Grandmother was Mary Josephine Sheil, daughter of Patrick Sheil and Mary Ann Hynes. She was born 17 March 1890. They and their families immigrated to New York, New Zealand, and Australia. I know that some of my ancestors/relatives worked in Tyrrellspass, Gainstown, Glendevine, and worked on the Boyd-Rochford Estate. I don't know their history in Ireland and would love to find out if anyone remembers the families (or is descended from them!). Thanks. Kindest regards, Diana

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for a friendly and reliable Service - Airport and docks specials.

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Hi,
I have recently found out that my gg grandfather Francis Neill came from Westmeath. I have found a birth record that fits for him as being born in 1843 in Rochfortbridge. Francis was born to Charles Neill and Catherine Gowan.Francis died in 1907 in Co Offaly . In finding this record it has lead me to believe my O'Neill line has a long history in Co. Westmeath, going back to at least the 1740's. I am wondering if anyone is researching the O'Neill family in Westmeath and would like to share information.

Along with the name Francis in being prevalent in my tree, other family names are - Thomas , Charles, Bryan/Bernard, William,Joseph, Catherine, Anne and Mary. If there are any O'Neills out there, please let me know, Thank you , Megan

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When is your "Robert Rochfort 1st Earl including his last will and testament, stories and accounts of his funeral, funny story about Earl of Belvedere and Lord Burlington about a venture they tried involving Turkeys ( might leave that one till nearer Christmas)...plus evidence to suggest that the architect Cassels did not design Belvedere House but was accredited for it at a later date........the plot has thickened" Info coming Belvedere? It would be great reading!!! Love your site though!

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Lovely photo Shane....keep up the good work

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Would it be the Ghost of Christmas Past?

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Recent reports in the local press have highlighted the urgency in dealing with the remains of the bell tower of Christ Church, Gaulstown.

There are slight historical inaccuracies in the reporting of the collapse but the bottom line is what is left can not be regarded as “Rubble”

I intend to lobby Westmeath County Council to either rebuild the bell tower or use the stone to build a suitable monument on the site or in an appropriate site.

The bell tower dates back to 1774 and was built by George Rochfort 2nd Earl of Belvedere as a monument to the resting place of his father Robert 1st Earl of Belvedere. Built from the stone recycled from the original Gaulstown house it should not end up in either land fill or removed by a developer to enormous cost only to end up being reused in some other project elsewhere.

I herby donate the site to erect a suitable monument if erecting it in the original position is ruled out for any reason.

Denis O'Neill, Beechwood Lodge, Gaulstown. 044 9222434

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