I'm sure Mike went to Glenlough School like his brothers and sisters. I'm not sure how far any of them went in school although we know from this census that my grandmother was still in school at 17. I don't know what grades/classes were at Glenlough School in those days. When Johnny Murphy was in school, he went to Sneem School after finishing at Glenlough School - then went to the Technical School in Kenmare.
Even though they were attending school, Mike and the others still had to help around the farm - cutting turf in the bog, harvesting hay, planting the garden, helping with the animals - along with daily tasks like getting water from the well, bringing in turf for the fire which was used for cooking and heating the house. Later he likely worked for neighbors - in the bog and hayfields, maybe clearing fields or drains - whatever had to be done. This was a time when everything was done by hand - cutting hay with a scythe, gathering it into haycocks, bringing home hay and turf by donkey and cart, building houses.
Mike had more responsibility as his brothers emigrated. But it looks like Uncle Mike was supposed to leave Cobh for New York on the S.S. Samaria on 24 April - is that 1926? There is a line through his name which I guess means that he did not make the journey. He is a 21 year old laborer - a citizen of the Irish Free State - and his last residence was Glenlough. His nearest relative in Ireland is his father - Michael Sullivan of Glenlough, Sneem, Co. Kerry. His destination is Plainfield, New Jersey - he must be going to his brothers.
Page 2 tells us that he bought his own ticket and has $50. He is joining his brother Patrick Sullivan at 556 Belvedere Ave. in Plainfield, N.J. He does not intend to return to Ireland but intends to become a citizen of the United States. I wonder what happened that kept him from leaving? If it is 1926, this is the same year that his sister Bridget dies in November.
I found another passenger listing for Uncle Mike for 2 days later. He is again leaving Cobh - this time on the S.S. Lancastria on 17 April 1926. He is number 1 on the list. The information on this page is the same as 2 days earlier except that he is headed for Chicago, Illinois!
The second page tells us Mike arrives in New York on 26 April - a 9 day voyage. Looks like he has $45 or $25 - what do you think it says? He had $50 two days ago. Did he have to stay over night in Cobh and pay for his digs? Did he have to buy a new ticket?
He is joining his stepbrother Jas. Moriarty at 1520 E. 73rd St., Chicago, Ills. James' last name was X'd out and corrected - so was the city - looks like it might have said Massachusetts. Do you remember that Jim Moriarty stopped in Boston in 1921 to visit his sisters before heading to Chicago to be best man for the Schoolmaster's son, Con Moriarty? Apparently, Mike has decided to follow him and head west.
Mike is 5 feet 4 inches tall. He has a fresh complexion with brown hair and blue eyes.
Interesting to see these 3rd class cabin rooms where Uncle Mike might have walked and ate.
Larry John L (Mike's son) had told me that Uncle Larry, the oldest O'Sullivan son, was called home when the family was ill. Old John L was 45 years old in the 1911 Irish Census - so he would be about 60 in 1926. He wanted Uncle Larry to stay and take over the farm, but Larry had other ideas! So he snuck away in late October 1927 and sent Uncle Mike back.
Mike did not want to return to Loughane - he liked the United States, but he did go back. Ellen Leary Moriarty O'Sullivan, John L, and Bridget were all living in the old cabin when Bridget died at 17 years on 24 November 1926.
Nellie Moriarty came home some time for a visit and was unable to get back to the USA. So she lived in the old house too. Uncle Mike had a lot of people depending on him.
Uncle Mike married Lena Nash from Tahilla. His first cousin, Mike Leary, of Bohocogram made the match. Mike Leary's father, James Leary, was a brother to our Mike's mother, Ellen Leary.
Uncle Mike built the house below about 1939. It was fairly recently knocked down and replaced.
I think it is Larry in front of the house in the picture above. Notice the rain barrel under the down spout. The house had no indoor plumbing or running water when I first visited in 1973 - and a rain barrel was still there.
Uncle Mike with Hannah and it looks like Larry.
Hannah across from the calves' house.
Uncle Mike, above, holding Gerry with Nellie Moriarty holding onto Hannah and Larry behind Hannah. Gerry died when he was a teenager. I'm not sure what happened to him, but he was unable to walk. The 1940s and 1950s were the time of polio outbreaks.
The Kerry Board of Health, Moulagullane, Sneem Burial Ground, County Kerry Register of Deaths 1960-61 has Jeremia Sullivan of Loughane as # 750. He died 29 April at 15 years old. He died of Phneumonia in the Castlecove Sanitary District - Glenlough was part of this district. He was buried 1 May with his father Michael Sullivan "having management of internment." David Sheehan registered the death and burial. That must have been a sad time - especially with the four children in the house.
Larry and Hannah
Larry and Hannah - school picture.
Hannah's 1st Communion - she is 2nd from right in back row - Larry is 2nd from left in front row.
Below, Mike and my mother on the rocks overlooking Kenmare Bay.
I have several of Mike's letters that I am including.
My Dear Sister Margaret,
Thanks a lot for your nice Xmas Card & the Enclosed 10 dollar Bill. We had Eileen Home With us for one Week at Xmas - it was quite short & the Weather no good. She has a Very good job now. She is a Cashier in a Big Firm. She is getting 42 pounds a week. But there is a certain amount of Tax out of that. She may go to the States for a Holiday in the summer & She is to call to see you if she can get going. Helen, Pat's wife, writes to her occasionally & she wants her to go over.
Ellen, John & Norman called to see us during there short stay - they are Out-Standing People. I was Really Proud of them. We had a Right good day until 1 o'clock at Night Together. I Hope We Will Be
"seeing them all again in the summer. Your 2 girls got 2 Lovely Husbands. You are Really Blessed with them. We are all very Well Here. Patsy Worked in Waterville in Mulcahy's Hotel until the first of November. It closed down then & Will Reopen again in Mid-March. His job is good for the Coming Season. I had a nice Xmas card & a 5 Dollar Bill from John & Ellen yesterday. She told me You are quite Well. I was delighted with that. We were one Right family that Loved & liked each other.
Hannah, Larry & the Mrs are doing very Well & Wishes to be Remembered Dearly to you. You were outstanding, one of the very Best. We never Heard of Mary's Death until your family were home. (Mary Moriarty Walsh was my grandmother's oldest sister and Mike's half-sister - she was the first in the family to emigrate - she went to Uncle Con Moriarty in Newport, R.I.) She had good Health and that was the Main thing. R.I.P. (Rest in peace.) So now to conclude. All at home joins With Me in sending to you My Dear Sister our very Best Respects. From Br. Mike. Cheers."
Eileen did come out to the States that summer. She spent time in Watertown and New Jersey. I remember Hannie and Norman took her to Hyannisport - it was just 10 years since John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. He was the first Catholic American President - I remember going into Irish houses where his picture would be hanging on the walls.
Eileen was extremely quiet so it was interesting to read Uncle Mike's letters about her trip.
"Loughane, Sneem 10.6.75
Dear Helen, John & family,
We Had a Letter from Eileen A Week ago Back in London again. After Her wonderful trip to the States. Meeting with all her close Friends & Relatives. She said she had A Marvelous time. Imagine. To you & John Come all the Way from Boston To New Jersey To take Her Home. Ye are a wonderful family. Yer Dear Mother Should Be Really Proud of ye & got right-good Husbands. Outstanding in every Respect. She Said that Each & every-one of Ye gave Her A wonderful time & treated her Generously. I Have not Rita address. Tell her to Contact Me. She Was One I was Really Proud of. I want to Write to Her & Her Dear Husband & family & thank them for Being so kind to Eileen. I know Your Dear Mother is Staying With Peggie & I Want their
"address. Ellen. I want to contact them also for the Wonderful time they gave Eileen When she Called on Them. She Said She Was lonely Leaving all Her good friends in Boston. She Had A wonderful time also in New Jersey: with Helen & Pat & family. Also Uncle Larry & family Meeting & Seeing Each Other for the first time. She Was delighted on Seeing him for the first time & knowing him. She Said She Was Really Proud of him & He Was Really nice to her in every respect: Also Fr John. He Was Charmed on Meeting Her. A Lovely Man. I am Really Proud to Be his Uncle.
Are ye Coming this Year? We are looking forward to that for another Sing-Song. Ye are A Grand Family. We always loved & liked Each other. So now To conclude. Thanks A Million & all at home joins With Me in Sending Our very Special Thanks. With love & good wishes from all the O'Sullivans, Loughane. Cheers. XXX"
The next day Mike wrote to my grandmother.
My Dear Margaret & Niece Peggie, Husband & Family.
Ye must Excuse Me for not Writing to ye long ago. When Rita Was Here, She told us that her mother Was Staying with Peggie, & never thought of getting The Address from Her. Well now Margaret I must tell you about Rita. I Was Really Proud to Be Her Uncle. It was Ascension Thursday She came Here. Bringing A Car from Killarney & on Her Way through Sneem got off at Mick Caseys. You Know He Has a Bar. She Bought from Him A Bottle of Paddy for Her Friends in Loughane. I happened to Be at Sneem Mass that Day & on My Way up through Sneem about 12 o'clock Mick Casey Called Me in & Said go Home Mike as quick as you can. Your Niece is gone Back. I got Home about 12:30 & there She Was up the Road to Meet Me. The man that Brought Her from Killarney had to go Back right away. She stayed on
"All Day & got A Local Car To Take Her Back to Killarney about 10 O'Clock that Night. & Taking With Her Larry & His Mother along for the final trip & taking Them to the Hotel Where She Was Staying & Had Some Nice Refreshments. They got Home about 2 O'Clock. She Was One that You could Really Call Your Own. She Brought some Very Special Expensive gifts from all your Family To Each & every-one Here at Home not forgetting the 5 dollar bill from Your-self. You Were always A Right-good Sister & there is One thing I can Say that you Reared A Right-good family & They got Right Good Husbands. Out-Standing in every Respect.
Now, With Regards to Eileen's trip to the States. We Had 2 Letters from Her since She got Back to London. She Enjoyed Her Holiday to Perfection Meeting Each & every one of the Family, their Children & Grand-Children & the Way She Was Treated by Each
"& Every-one of them. It Was Fantastic. Ellen & John taking Her By Car all the Way from New Jersey to Boston. Hannie & Norman Huliston & their Family taking Her to the Various Places. Rita, Richard & the 3 Boys taking Her all over Boston, & Peggie taking her To See Young Larry's Wife Gwen & Mrs. John Nash : & in with that not forgetting Yourself My Dear Sister. Each & every-one of Ye treating Her Generously. She Said She Was Really Lonely Leaving Boston. Pat, Helen & Family, Larry, His Mrs. & the 2 Girls, Anne & Mary & Their Husbands all gave her A Wonderful Time. Larry's 2 Girls Were Here a few Years Back. Anne Was Married then to Charlie. A Lovely Girl & He A Nice Quite Man. It Seems They Have A Young Baby Boy: good for them. Mary Was not Married When She Was here. They all gave Her A Wonderful Time.
"Well now for Fr John. He Was delighted on Meeting Her. She Said She met Him on 2 Different Occasions. He talked with Her the longest time. She Said She Was delighted on Meeting Him. Enquiring for Each & Every one at Home. She Said He Was Outstanding in Respect & I Hope to tell You He Treated Her Generously. Well now Sister Margaret & Niece Peggie, Husband & family. Well now Sister Margaret - I under-stand that you Calls to John & Ellen's every day & I am putting on Their Address & I Know Both of Ye Can get it there. So to Conclude - thanking Each & every-one of Ye for giving Eileen Such A Marvelous time. Thanks A Million. With Love & the Best of Luck from the Mrs & all the O'Sullivan family & myself to Sister Margaret & all the Family. Cheers."
The writing may be a little flowery but the sentiment comes through - Uncle Mike's love for my grandmother and the pleasure he had meeting her family. I remember when I would visit - and others said the same thing, Uncle Mike and his family would be so happy to see me and whoever was with me. They couldn't do enough for us. But, when it came time to leave, they were so sad and were "keening" when we left. We could hear the racket as we drove off, but it was only later that I realized that the noise was like the keening at an Irish wake. Gradually, when more of us were visiting and the trips were more frequent, they were still sad to see us leave, but the keening stopped because they knew we would be back again.
"Loughane, Sneem 27.12.75
Dear Sister Margaret
Thanks A Million for your nice Xmas Card & the Enclosed 10 dollar Bill. You are A wonderful Woman & You Have A Lovely Family With Right Good Husbands. One With the Other. Rita Was Here With Us last May & She is Out-Standing in every Respect. I Was Really Proud of Her. I Had A Nice Xmas card from Her also & A 10 Dollar Bill Enclosed. I Will Be Writing to Her one of these days. My Daughter Eileen is Home. She Came last Saturday. Patsy Has A Little Car & He Contacted Her at the Cork Air Port. She Was very Pleased With Her Trip to the States Meeting With You, & All Your Lovely
"Family, Children & Grand-Children & their Out-Standing Husbands & Ye all treated Her Generously. She Said She Was Lonesome leaving Boston. She had Such A Wonderful time: Sister Margaret We are delighted that you are keeping very Well, & I Hope & Pray this Will Continue. I Sent no Xmas Card To Peggie. Sorry for that. I had not her address. Give Her & Her Dear Husband & family Our Best Regards. Mrs. Abby McCarthy our cousin died in November. She Was 83 Years & all the family Were Home for Her Burial. They are all in England. With One Boy at Home.
So now to Conclude all at Home are very Well & Joins With Me in sending on to You & all Your lovely family Our Very Best Respects, Health & Happiness in the New Year. from Br. Mike
Cheers XXX"
Julia Leary was married to Patsy "Cran" Curran who escaped drowning with my grandfather, Myles Moriarty, when he took a load of fish to Cahirciveen as the others went out to save their fishing nets from a storm.
Abbie's sister was Molly Curran Crowley who was married to Peter Crowley the postman. His son took over his job - Johnny Crowley the mailman.
Uncle Mike's wife Lena used to hide her cigarettes at Abbie's house and would walk up for a smoke now and then. She could not smoke in front of Uncle Mike.
Abbie's son Danno McCarthy farmed the home place. Larry or Hannah would walk up to his well for water until their new house and well were built. Danno's well was a hole in the ground - you wouldn't even know it was there. I walked up several times with Larry and Hannah in the early 1980s - those buckets were so heavy when filled with water! I would be exhausted after carrying a bucket back down the hill to the house!
My Danno and Danno MccCarthy in Loughane
"Loughane, Sneem 20.1.1977
Dear Sister Margaret,
Just a few lines in answer To Your Nice Xmas Card & the Enclosed 5 Dollar Bill. I Had Xmas Cards from all Your Family. They are Certainly They are Real Nice in every Respect. We are Having A Very Severe Winter. Snow & Frost With the Past 2 Weeks. I Was glad to Hear from the Girls that you are keeping very well. I Had Letters from Pat & Larry also. They & Their Families are keeping very well. Is there any of the Family coming for A Trip this coming Summer. We Hope They Will. They are Out-Standing in every Respect. Give them all Our Best Regards. Eileen Was Home from London for 9 or 10 days at Xmas. She was in great
"form & is Coming again in June. Patsy is Home Since November When the Hotel in Waterville Closed Down. He is taking up a Job in Kenmare Bay Hotel the first of March as Head Hall Porter. Its A Good Job & He Has the experience. How are all the family friends in Boston. We are all very well here. The Years are (?) Rolling on. There is nothing strange around Here. It's nice for You Sister Margaret that you can get around So Well & visit all the family. How is Anna Cronin Mrs Walsh, give Her Our Best Regards & also Her Dear Husband. So now to Conclude The Mrs & all family joins With Me in Sending on to You & all your nice family our very Best Respects in 1977. Good Luck from Br Mike, the Mrs & all the Family Sister Margaret. Happy Days XXX"
"Loughane. Sneem. 14.1.78
My Dear Sister Margaret. Thanks ever so much forYour Nice Letter & the Enclosed 5 Dollar Bill:Which We Received Before Xmas. I am delighted that you, Norman Huliston, Hannie & family are keeping very Well. I Was in Hospital for 3 Months this last Summer. Had 2 Operations. John Manning, Mary-Ellen & Her Girl Friend Were Home in June. & They Were Here in Loughane & they Called to See Me in the Hospital. John Himself Called on 2 occasions, I Was Well Improved at that Particular time. The Operations Were all over & I Was in right Good Form & They Were Delighted. They are Outstanding in every Respect. Dr Spillane Was my Doctor & He
"Is A Wonderful Man. When I Went in to the Hospital on the 8th of April He told Me that I Had Jaundice & Gaul Stones & that I Should Have an Operation for the Gaulstones & I had an Exam next day. & the Operation Was 2 days later on. He told Me I had Right Good Health. not To Worry that Every-thing Would Be O.K. So after 2 weeks I had another Exray, & there was Still some more there. So Then I had A second Operation. I Was then fed With Glucose. The Second time for 6 days. & I Felt in great form. They then took out the tube & fed Me With Potatoes, Chicken & the Best of Beef. & then I Really did Start to Improve & from that on I Was Improving every Day. all the Stitches Were taken Out I Was Back to My Normal
"Health & Strength again. I was then Sent down to Eden-Burn. Its A Part of the Hospital Where Patients are Sent to Get Built up Before They are Sent Home. So I Was there for 15 days Having the Best of Treatment until I was Perfect. They Were Really Nice & I had the Best of Care. So on the 4th of July I Had a thorough Examination By the Surgeon. & He told Me I Was OK now & that I Could go home. So Patsy & the Mrs were working in Waterville & I rung Him To take Me Home. So He Was into the Hospital for 6:30 & We got Home at 8 o'clock. So now I am in the Best of form. Can Eat well, up & around every day, takes good care of My-self
"goes to Mass every Sunday. Larry Has A Car & He takes Us to Sneem Occasionally. So (?) I'm O.K. & every-Body is in the Best of form Thank god. I am Including this letter for the Whole family. Sister Margaret, Norman Huliston, A Lovely Man, My Niece Hannie, & all Their Lovely family. Hoping to Be Seeing ye all in June. ye will Be Hearing from Eileen in due time. And now to Conclude Wishing You all A Very Happy, Holy & Prosperous New Year. With Love from Br Mike, Mrs & Family. To sister Margaret, Hannie, Norman & family. All the Best. Cheers. Happy days again from all the O'Sullivans in Loughane."
MEM, Kate and Patsy O'Sullivan, and friend at Logan airport in 1983 - a couple of us met them at the airport when they had a layover on the way to Ireland.
GeeGee and I spent a lot of time with Patsy and Kate when we were in Loughane for Eileen's wedding in 1978. They later moved to Chicago where Kate grew up. They came out to Boston for a visit, and we all got together at Diane Huliston Pierce's house in Medford. Kate later died of cancer. Patsy stayed in Chicago working for the Hilton Hotel. John Huliston surprised him at work one day when John was in Chicago.
Patsy and John Huliston
"31.1.1979
Loughane, Sneem.
My Dear Sister Margaret,
Thanks ever so for Your Nice Letter at Xmas. We Were all delighted to hear from Yourself & that You are Keeping So Well & may God Keep You So. We Had Xmas Cards from all Your Family. Rita & Dick were Here With us the first week of June. A Nice girl & He A Lovely Man. They Were Sorry they could not Wait for Eileen's Wedding But left A Wedding Gift for Her. Your Grand Daughter Mary-Ellen Manning & Her girl Friend Gee-Gee were here also. My Br Larry
"from New Jersey & A friend of His. Larry Was not Home for 51 years & He Enjoyed the Wedding to Perfection. He Says He is coming again this coming year. John Manning, Your Son Jim & Norman are coming also & Mary-Ellen & Gee-Gee. We Will Be looking forward on seeing them all again.
Our young son Pat that came as A Baby from Kenmare Hospital the day you arrived in Loughane, He got married 2 years ago to Yankee Born & They Both now in Chicago.
So now to Conclude all at Home Joins With Me in Wishing you & all The Friends A Bright & Prosperous New (Year.) From your Fond Br Mike, Mrs & family. God Bless. XXX"
Uncle Mike's house.
I spent many happy hours in this house. There was a fireplace in the "Eastern" room which was on the Sneem side of the house. When I was spending time in Loughane, this eastern room was not used - it had pictures hanging on the walls - a wedding - maybe Aunt Hannah's or one of the brothers. A few things were stored here - like the whiskey you were given when you visited. Life revolved around the kitchen - the table and chairs where you always had tea - the old bench where 3 and 4 people could sit - the big range which was always going - winter or summer - to heat water for tea or for washing. Uncle Mike used to sit in a chair beside the range.
Uncle Mike, Johnny Burns of Glenlough, Larry, and Jamesy Breen on the old bench in Loughane. When this house was being demolished to build a new one, Larry gave that bench to Dr Malone. I guess the doctor knew an antique when he saw one!
1977 Larry, MEM, Hannah, Lena, and my friend Beth in Loughane. Uncle Mike was in the hospital in Tralee.
When I visited Sneem in the summers, I would drive to Waterville to dances when the pubs closed in Sneem. My car would be packed with Larry, Johnny Murphy, Jamesy Breen, Paddy Casey, and any others that wanted to go to the dance. We would be singing all the way back and forth. I can still hear Paddy Casey singing "O'Sullivan John." The roads were narrow and very twisty in those days so it would take us a while going and coming back. Uncle Mike would always be sitting by the range waiting for us to stop in for tea - all of us - no matter how late it was - and it was always after 2 am! There would be more singing and laughing - Uncle Mike would always sing a song or two.
One night we were extremely late - it must have been 4 am. I thought it was too late to go in - surely Uncle Mike must be in bed. The next day he greeted me by asking what I meant by not stopping in last evening - wasn't he sitting up expecting us all!!
Uncle Mike died while I was living in Gortdromagh. He had been sick for a time, but Larry had managed to keep him at home as long as he could.
This was the first time I had been involved with a family death in Sneem. Uncle Mike's body was brought to the Church the night before the funeral. As we got out of the parked cars, it seemed that hundreds of people descended on the family to offer their condolences. Most people in Sneem knew that I was related to Mike - although many probably did not know how! People were coming up to me and Johnny Murphy to shake hands and say a few words. All this before we even got into the Church! There was a short service in the Church before we left. Uncle Mike remained in the Church that night.
Eileen asked me to do a reading at the funeral - she said that I was always Uncle Mike's favorite. Everyone knows I am paralytic if I have to speak in public. But I did it - I read the Psalm "The Lord Is My Shephard" - although I'm sure my voice was quivering from fright! Plus I was standing up there 7 months pregnant with my daughter Mairead. Some of the older women were horrified when I went into the cemetery - they said it was unlucky for a pregnant woman to go into a graveyard. Uncle Mike was buried in the old section so the walking was a little rough.
This death register for Moulagullane cemetery lists Michael L Sullivan of Loughane, Sneem dying on 7/4/86. He was buried in the old cemetery. He was an 82 year old married Roman Catholic farmer. He died of old age at Kenmare Hospital. Larry was in charge of the burial. M. Sullivan was the Registrar.
Danno, John, Larry, Niall, and Bernadette in Eileen's Bishopstown flat in Cork City.
One night we were extremely late - it must have been 4 am. I thought it was too late to go in - surely Uncle Mike must be in bed. The next day he greeted me by asking what I meant by not stopping in last evening - wasn't he sitting up expecting us all!!
Uncle Mike died while I was living in Gortdromagh. He had been sick for a time, but Larry had managed to keep him at home as long as he could.
This was the first time I had been involved with a family death in Sneem. Uncle Mike's body was brought to the Church the night before the funeral. As we got out of the parked cars, it seemed that hundreds of people descended on the family to offer their condolences. Most people in Sneem knew that I was related to Mike - although many probably did not know how! People were coming up to me and Johnny Murphy to shake hands and say a few words. All this before we even got into the Church! There was a short service in the Church before we left. Uncle Mike remained in the Church that night.
Eileen asked me to do a reading at the funeral - she said that I was always Uncle Mike's favorite. Everyone knows I am paralytic if I have to speak in public. But I did it - I read the Psalm "The Lord Is My Shephard" - although I'm sure my voice was quivering from fright! Plus I was standing up there 7 months pregnant with my daughter Mairead. Some of the older women were horrified when I went into the cemetery - they said it was unlucky for a pregnant woman to go into a graveyard. Uncle Mike was buried in the old section so the walking was a little rough.
"Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."
"In Loving Memory Of Michael O'Sullivan, Loughane, Sneem, Co. Kerry who died on 7th April 1986 aged 83 years R.I. P.
This death register for Moulagullane cemetery lists Michael L Sullivan of Loughane, Sneem dying on 7/4/86. He was buried in the old cemetery. He was an 82 year old married Roman Catholic farmer. He died of old age at Kenmare Hospital. Larry was in charge of the burial. M. Sullivan was the Registrar.
Lena was in Loughane when I first was going there. Then she went to stay with Eileen in Cork. I could never figure out why - especially when Mike was sick. I would be driving Larry back and forth to Eileen's flat when I was there on vacation/holidays. I later learned that Eileen had cancer. Lena must have been there to help with the kids.
John and Bernadette McCarthy with my Danno. Their grandmother Lena O'Sullivan is drinking tea at the table.
Larry tending to Eileen's garden in Bishopstown, Cork.
Eileen, Lena and the kids eventually moved to Ballydehob where Eileen bought or leased a shop.
One year when I was there, Larry asked me to drive him, his wife Sheila and Hannah to Ballydehob because Eileen was not very well and wanted to see me. My Danno was a young teenager - I was teaching him how to drive our manual rental car. I developed a migraine headache halfway to Ballydehob, so Danno had to drive the rest of the way. He had no license - but it seemed okay in Ireland!!
Larry called us a few weeks later to tell us that Eileen had died.
"Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on the soul of Eileen McCarthy, East End, Ballydehob, Co. Cork who died on 17th September 1994 - Aged 44 years - Rest in Peace."
John spent a lot of time with me and Danno when we would be in Sneem for the summer. I would take him with us wherever we went. He and Danno were great pals. He is now a guard/policeman in Cork.
John McCarthy and Danno in Loughane
I always say that I taught Bernadette to walk. I used to take her when we would be out in the fields in Loughane - I would hold onto her hands and give her feet a gentle kick outward. She was walking by the time Danno and I returned home. Unfortunately, Bernadette drowned several years ago.
Danno, Bernadette and John - we had brought some books to Eileen's kids
Niall and Sheila are the other two children - I never spent much time with Niall - he was just a baby when I was in Sneem for summers. I would see him when I drove Larry to Bishopstown or Ballydehob. And I only saw Sheila when she was an infant.
Niall, Rick and Richie Schiavoni, Eric Pierce, and Danno with Larry in front - this was 1997 in Loughane.
Lena eventually moved back to Sneem. She was originally from Brackhurst in Tahilla. She helped care for her family there, while Aunt Nellie Moriarty helped take care of Lena and Mike's kids.
Lena and Hannah moved into a Kerry County Council house in Seaview. I remember bringing a wheelchair to them on one trip - my aunt Peggy Keohane Navin's family sent it over. Hannah had to wait a long time for hip replacements. They thought the wheelchair would make it easier for Hannah to get around.
I think Lena had a stroke and that is why she went to live in Tir na Nog nursing home in Kenmare. She was there for several years. She seemed to receive good care. Johnny Murphy and I would visit her when we were in Sneem. I took my aunt Hannie Huliston to see her one year. She was very happy to see Hannie who made that first trip to Loughane with my mother and father.
Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on the soul of Helena O'Sullivan, Loughane, Sneem, Co. Kerry who died on 5th November 2011 - Aged 91 years. Rest in peace.
This death register shows that Helena O'Sullivan of Loughane died 5/11/01 - she was 91 years old. She was a widowed pensioner. She died in Kenmare Sanitary District. She was buried in the old cemetery on 8/11/01. Larry arranged the burial. John Nash was the Registrar. I wonder if he was her nephew who worked for the Kerry County Council?
When I was first visiting Loughane in the early 1980s, I spent a lot of time with Hannah. This girl has a mind like a computer - she must remember everything that she hears! She knows so much family history and so much about the older neighbors! And she enjoys a good joke and a good story. And who would ever expect her to visit Boston!
I think it was the time that Johnny Murphy and I were taking Larry, Sheila, and Hannah back to Casey's Cove for a drink. We were waiting for them to get ready, and we couldn't find Hannah. And where was she? Already out in the car! She enjoys a good time.
Uncle Mike, Hannah, and Larry in Loughane
Larry inside the old Moriarty cabin. That is the old fireplace on the left - you can't see the open area beside the fireplace where someone said chickens would roost - I'm not sure if that is true, but I figured if pigs and cows bunked in the cabins a hundred years ago, then why not chickens.
I always wondered if this window on the right was the one Stephen Casey pulled my aunt Nellie Keohane through when she was sitting in the window drying her hair. Those bags you see are probably full of turf.
I used to go with Larry when he was working or I would pick him up when he finished work. That is the reason that I met so many people in Sneem and Castlecove - through Larry. We had great times together - not just at bogs or in hayfields but out at the pubs and at dances. I used to drive Larry back to the Castlecove Post Office to pick up his dole check. We would stop into the Blackshop and then go up to Staigue Fort Hotel - then stop at Mollie Leary's - a friend/cousin of ours - for messages/groceries.
I always wondered if this window on the right was the one Stephen Casey pulled my aunt Nellie Keohane through when she was sitting in the window drying her hair. Those bags you see are probably full of turf.
I used to go with Larry when he was working or I would pick him up when he finished work. That is the reason that I met so many people in Sneem and Castlecove - through Larry. We had great times together - not just at bogs or in hayfields but out at the pubs and at dances. I used to drive Larry back to the Castlecove Post Office to pick up his dole check. We would stop into the Blackshop and then go up to Staigue Fort Hotel - then stop at Mollie Leary's - a friend/cousin of ours - for messages/groceries.
Patrick Breen, Larry's nephew John McCarthy, Larry, Danno in Gortdromagh.
Father Murphy said that Larry did his bit to help with the Peace Process when he married a gal from County Down. Johnny Murphy Danno, and I went back for Larry and Sheila's wedding.
Bernadette, Eileen, Hannah, Sheila, Father Murphy, Larry, Larry's first cousin Johnny Nash, Niall, and Connie McCarthy in St. Michael's Church in Sneem.
Lena, Johnny Nash, Larry, Sheila, Bernadette, Hannah, Niall in front with Connie McCarthy, Eileen, and John in back.
Connie, Johnny Nash, Eileen, MEM, Bernadette in front of Lee Connell, Larry, Fianna Fail T.D. John O'Donoghue of Cahirciveen, Sheila, Lena between Sheila's cousins, Niall and John. The swimmer was a random person swimming at Derrynane Hotel when we went outside to take the pictures!
Sheila and Lena
Sheila and Larry
Larry, my sister Patty Schiavoni, Sheila, MEM, Hannah in front of the new house.
We'll see more of these O'Sullivans later on. But all this talk about Loughane makes me want to take a trip over there!!
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