The Ancestral Home of Thomas Brennan

"The Cottage", Cooper Hill, nr Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. IRELAND

Built in 1911 and the home of Thomas Brennan & Mary Anne Moran and their family until July 1996.

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This is the Family History of my Great, Great Grandfather William Brennan and his descendents who lived in and around the villages of Woodland, Ballickmoyler, Ballyangall and Cooper Hill in the County of Laois (Queens County), Ireland. William Brennan was born c1810 and owned large amounts of land in the Woodland & Ballickmoyler areas.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have information about this, my family, or the area that they lived in. Please feel free to contact me via my email address if you think you have any information you wish to share or questions to ask.

Not all the information below has been proven or verified.

Thank you

Michael Brennan

Descendants

of

WILLIAM BRENNAN & MARIE ANNE WALSH

This is the entry in the Index to Griffith's Valuation of Ireland, for the County of Laois in 1851 of my Great, Great, Grandfather:

Mr. William Brennan, Parish : Killabban Location:  Woodland / Garragh. County : Laois/Leix/Queens

 

1. William Brennan was born c.1810, Woodland and died 24th December 1862 aged 52 years in Woodland, Co Laois. He married Maria Anne Walsh, on 2nd May 1839 in Ballickmoyler. *.  She was born c.1820., and died 28th October 1894, aged 74 years. (Source: Headstone inscription in Arles).

Children of William Brennan and Maria Anne Walsh are:

i. ***Denis Brennan, b. 1841; d. 16 Oct 1918, Arles. Co Laois; m. Byrne. (Source: Headstone inscription in Arles).

Parish of Mountrath Source: Rev M Comerford" Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin" Vol. 3 (1886 - The Rev. Edward Brennan, the present pastor of Parish of Mountrath. Brother to Denis Brennan.

Extract from Nationalist. Dated 29th April 1920. Denis Brennan late of Woodlands, Ballickmoyler, Queens county, Farmer, deceased. All persons claiming to be creditors or having any claim against the estate of the above named should contact John J. Duggan, Solicitor, Carlow.  Denis Brennan was 77 years in 1918 at the time of his death on 16th October 1918.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Denis Brennan which sad event took place at his residence , Woodlands, Ballickmoyler on October ?. Deceased who was a brother of Rev. E. Brennan, P.P. Mountrath was of a very kind and generous disposition, a good neighbour and a sincere friend. The chief mourners were -Rev. E. Brennan P.P. Messrs P.J. Carey, M. Doyle, and F. Lawlor. ( brothers-in-law) T. Byrne, P. Byrne, E. Carey,  J. O'Leary, nephews. It does not mention any other brothers or sisters.

Source: Email from Mick Purcell 3 Sept 2008.

ii. Mark Brennan, b. 1841?, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 21st Mar 1902, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. ** (Married Catherine (Katie) Lalor on 30th Jan 1872 at Arles)., b, 1859 and d, 13th Jan 1893.

iii. Ellen Brennan, b. Bef. 1842, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois; d. Aft. 1874.

Notes for Ellen Brennan: She was Godmother to Mary Anne Moran wife of Thomas Brennan in 1874

iv. */***Edward Brennan, b. 4th Apr 1844, Woodland, Co. Laois. Died 5th Sept 1029

Edward Brennan was variously a curate at Tullow, Bagenalstown, Killeigh, Paulstown and Newbridge. He was parish priest of Mountrath from 1885-1929 and died on 5 September 1929.

 

He appears in the 1911 census as Parish Priest in Mountrath aged 66.

Notes for Edward Brennan: Birth appears in Arles Church Records of 1844. Sponsers: William King & Judy Neal.

Letter received on 4th Sept 2009 from Bernie Deasy. Archivist Delany Archive Trust, c/o St Patrick's College, Carlow

Your email to Knockbeg College seeking information about the above was passed onto me for response. Fr John McEvoy published a book in 1993 called Carlow College 1793-1993: The ordained students and teaching staff of St Patrick’s College, Carlow. According to this, Edward Brennan was from Arles, Co. Laois, and attended Carlow College between 1859-1861. He was ordained in 1867 for the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. It seems he was ordained at Maynooth. According to another book I have here, an Edward Brennan matriculated at Maynooth on 25 September 1861 and was in the Humanity Class. According to the Maynooth book, he was ordained in 1866-1867.

v. *Johana Brennan, b. 25th Mar 1847, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. Married James Delany 29 Jan 1862 in Arles

* They lived at Skenhanagh. Co Laois.

Children of Johana Brennan and James Delany are:

i. William Delany, b. 05 Dec 1862, Skenhanagh. Co Laois; m. Maria Angus Conway, 04 Oct 1910, Cork; b. Unknown. Notes for William Delany: William was 48 when he married

ii. Pat Joseph Delany, b. 08 Apr 1864, Skenhanagh. Co Laois. Sponsers: Patrick Delaney & Mary Haydon

iii. Anne Delany, b. 29 Sep 1865, Skenhanagh. Co Laois.

iv. Mary Josephine Delany, b. 25 Apr 1868, Skenhanagh. Co Laois.

v. Johanna Delany, b. 10 May 1869, Skenhanagh. Co Laois.

vi. Margaret Delany, b. 27 Nov 1872, Skenhanagh. Co Laois.  Sponsers: James Delany & Sarah Delany

vii. Elizabeth Delany, b. 10 Nov 1873, Skenhanagh. Co Laois. Sponsers: James Delany & Kate Brennan

vi. **/***Charlott Brennan, b. 14 Jan 1849, Woodland, Co Laois. d. ??

Notes for Charlott Brennan: Mother Marie Walsh Father William Brennan Sponsor: Michael Coogan & Margaret Brennan. Location ****land. (Woodlands) - Entry found on Arles Baptism records for 1849 in http://www.laoisgenealogy.com/.

vii. **Lucy Brennan, b. 19 Feb 1851, Woodland, Co Laois. d. ??

Notes for Lucy Brennan: Mother Anne Walsh - Sponsors: Daniel Murry & Ellen Kealy Her mothers name could have been Anne Marie and used Anne for Lucy birth. Entry found on Arles Baptism records for 1849 in http://www.laoisgenealogy.com/.

She was listed in the 1911 census as a Teacher and living in the Presentation Convent, George’s Hill, Inns Quay, Dublin. Facility for the Religious Sisterhood for teaching the poor. She is aged 60. (Presentation Convent ~ Orphanage and N.S).

viii. *William Brennan, b. 29 Jun 1852, Woodland, Co Laois; *d. 11 Sep 1898, Arles. Co Laois. (*Headstone inscription in Arles).

Notes for William Brennan: Sponsors of his Baptism: James Wall & Margaret Kealy. 

ix. *Margaret Brennan, b. 19 Jan 1856, Woodland, Co Laois. d. ??

Notes for Margaret Brennan: Born Jan 1856 Sponsors: William Murray & Charlotte Brennan.

x. */**Anne Brennan, b. 23 Aug 1857, Woodland, Co Laois. d, ??

Note on Anne Brennan: In the 1911 census she is listed as living in Bagnalstown Convent aged 56 listed as a School Teacher. (45 in Regent Street (Bagenalstown Urban, Carlow)).

xi. James Brennan, b. 1858, Woodland, Co Laois; d. 20 May 1915, Pollerton Road, Carlow. (see notes below on James).

* = Source: Arles Parish Baptism Records

** =  http://www.laoisgenealogy.com/.

*** = Source: 1901 Census & Reg of B.M.D. Dublin found by Rita Murphy (Moran) 1999.

Descendants of James Brennan

Generation No. 1

1. James Brennan was born 1863 in Woodland, Co. Laois, and died 20 May 1915 in Pollerton Road, Carlow. He married Anne Sunderland Monday 26th Dec 1878 in Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. She was born c.1861 in Ballon. Co Carlow, and died Date Unknown.

Notes for James Brennan: James Brennan was Godfather to Mary Anne Moran wife of Thomas Brennan in 1874.

Marriage Notes for James Brennan and Anne Sunderland: James Brennan and Anne Sunderland were married in Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow on Monday 26 Dec 1878.

His mother & Father are were listed as William & Anne (nee Mary Anne Walsh) Brennan from Woodland. Co. Laois.

Children of James Brennan and Anne Sunderland are:

i. Joseph Brennan, b. 13 May 1879, Bridewell Lane, Carlow. Joseph 'Juggers' married Una Scully from College Street.

ii. Patrick Brennan, b. 27 Nov 1881, Burrin Street, Carlow.

iii. Elizabeth Brennan, b. 27 May 1884, Pollerton Road, Carlow.

iv. Anne Brennan, b. 06 Apr 1886, Pollerton Road, Carlow. Nancy married John Campion, Pollerton Road.

v. Sarah Brennan, b. 11 Sep 1888, Accommodation Rd. Carlow; d. 16 Jan 1968, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow.

vi. Christopher Brennan, b. 30 Dec 1890, Accommodation Rd. Carlow. Christy married Bridget Byrne and lived in Sleaty.

vii. Thomas Brennan, b. 10 Jan 1893, Pollerton Road, Carlow.

viii. John Brennan, b. 13 Sep 1896, Pollerton Road, Carlow. John, single, worked in Doyle's of the Shamrock.

ix. Mary (Mollie) Brennan, b. 29 Apr 1899, Pollerton Road, Carlow. (Mollie married Dinny Hyland, Graiguecullen - to be verified).

x. Bridie Brennan, b. 06 May 1900, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow.

ix. Bill Brennan, b, ? Bill married Jean Piggott.

 

Their children were Thomas, Seamus, Paddy &  Edward, all single.

Generation No. 2

 Sarah Brennan was born 11 Sep 1888 in Accommodation Rd. Carlow, and died 16 Jan 1968 in Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow. She married Edward Brennan 27 Feb 1907 in Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, son of Edward Brennan and Eliza Goodlow. He was born 16 Dec 1884 in Barrack Street, Carlow, and died 09 Jul 1928 in Closh, Carlow.

Notes:  Edward & Sarah Brennan lived at No. 135: Staplestown Road Carlow; Sarah was well known for her cure for whooping cough. Thomas and Paddy worked in the Boot Factory.

Children of Sarah Brennan and Edward Brennan are:

i. Anne Brennan, b. 01 Mar 1910, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow.

ii. Edward Brennan, b. 01 Mar 1910, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow; d. 25 May 1932, Carlow.

iii. Thomas Brennan, b. 1911, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow.

iv. Patrick Brennan, b. 1912, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow; d. 20 Jun 1948, Carlow.

v. William Brennan, b. 1913, Staplestown Road, Carlow.

vi. Elizabeth Brennan, b. 1916, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow; d. 07 Oct 1922, Carlow.

vii. Mary Brennan, b. Feb 1921, Staplestown Road, (Closh) Carlow; d. 13 Oct 1922, Carlow.

Source: Friends and Neighbours 1986 & Michael Purcell c2008

Source of records for Carlow Brennan's: Cathedral of the Assumption parish records.

2. Mark Brennan was born 1836 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois, and died 21 Mar 1902 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. He married Catherine (Katie) Lalor 30 Jan 1872 in Sacred Heart Church, Arles, Co Laois, daughter of John Lalor and Wife???. She was born 1859 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois, and died 13 Jan 1893 in Ballynagall, Co, Laois.

Children of Mark Brennan and Catherine Lalor are:

i. William Brennan, b. 15 Apr 1873, Arles, Co Laois; d. 07 Aug 1895, Ballynakill..

ii. Edward (Ned) Brennan, b. (1873?) , Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 1911, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.

iii. Hannah Brennan, b. 25 Oct 1874, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 29 Feb 1940, Loreto Convent, Lucknow, India.

iv. Thomas (Tom) Brennan, b. 09 Jul 1876, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 26 Nov 1957, Portlaoise Hospital, Co Laois.

v. Christina Brennan, b. 15 Dec 1878, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 1944, Dublin.

vi. Mark Brennan, b. 29 May 1881, Ballynagall, Co. Laois; d. 05 Apr 1966, Mountmellick Hospital, Co Laois.

vii. Michael Brennan, b. 05 Aug 1883, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 24 May 1964, Ballynagall, Co Laois.

viii. Martin Brennan, b. 29 Nov 1888, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 1962/63, 1 Adela St, Antrim Rd, Belfast 15.

ix. Annie Brennan, b. 1891, Coopers House Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. Unknown, Dublin.

x. John Brennan, b. 17 Aug 1892, Ballynagall, Co, Laois; d. France WW1 (Killed in Action), date 1918?.

Hannah Brennan in Dublin c1904

(Click on image to enlarge)

 

Notes on Hannah Brennan: Short Biography on Hannah Brennan The Nun

Thomas (Tom) Brennan c1950's

(Click on image to enlarge)

Notes on Thomas Brennan:

Born 09 Jul 1876, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; Godparents - Patrick Dargan & Mary Bourke

 

He married Mary Anne Moran on the 20th May 1908 in The Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. She was the daughter of James Moran and Mary Kelly from Arles, Co. Laois. 

 

(On Thomas' birth certificate it states that Catherine Lalor is his mother and yet on his brothers and sisters certificates she is named as Catherine Lawlor and Katie Lawlor).

 

He was a Stonemason by trade and worked for himself. He travelled great distances on foot both in Co. Laois and Co. Carlow. He was in constant demand because of his skill with stone. He carried out a lot of repairs on property belonging to The Feehans of Ballickmoyler.

 

In 1913 after he got married and while still living in Coopers House, Ballickmoyler he was offered a new cottage in Cooper Hill (the Lawlor's) but turned it down and waited for the second cottage to be completed before he and his family moved in on 1st April 1913. The reason could have been because there was more land with the second house and it had access to The Fishoge river which ran the full length of property.

According to Mary McDonald as told to her by her Mum (Mary Brennan), Thomas used to set out on a Monday morning and walk to Monahan's of Castletown, Carlow to carry out repairs to the stone work of the Castle of Castletown which was owned by Louis Monahan (1932) and John Monahan (1942). He would return to Carlow on Friday's and meet his wife Mary Anne Moran in town to do the shopping and then walk back to Cooper Hill.

After he finished a job he would always leave a trade mark of his work which consisted of a hand tool buried in the brick or stone work.

In the 1950's when Mum (Lily Brennan) was in hospital, at least once or twice a week after I (Michael) came home from school we would go with Granddad to get wood for the fire. We would walk for what I thought was miles following the course of the river (The Fishoge). We would cut down a tree then we would chop it up and carry it home between us.

He used to tend the garden and sow Potatoes, Cabbage and lots of other kinds of vegetables. There were four apple trees and a good acre and a quarter of land which was allowed to grow as hay and this he would cut it by hand with a scythe and then we would make hay cocks. These were then sold to a local farmer, Mr Joe Bambrick, who had a horse drawn trailer and we loved to ride on the trailer when the Hay Cocks were been taken away

We would collect the apples and store them in wooden boxes with straw and Granny used to make lots of Apple jam with them.

 

It was reputed that he Thomas Brennan may have been involved in the fight against the local IRA who were stationed in the Garda Barracks (police station) in Ballickmoyler c.1916. It is also reputed that he may have been involved with other locals from the area in an attempt to blow up the barracks in Ballickmoyler. (Source - Kitty (Pat) Brennan). Obviously there is no concrete evidence of this.

 

He often walked to Keenans?

 

He used to smoke a pipe and always wore a hat. Towards the last years before he died he used to suffer very badly with his eyes and had to have them bathed every day. He wore an eye patch over one eye and couldn't bare to have any strong light in the house. Even after we had the electric light installed he wouldn't allow it to be turned on at night while he was in the kitchen so we had to wait until he went to bed before we could turn on the light. The only light source we had then was an Oil lamp and some candles until he went to bed.

 

In the Pat Purcell Papers there is a list of names of people who were members of the Ballickmoyler Irish National Volunteers, dated July 1914 and signed by Mr. J. W. Feehan, Hon. Secretary . They carried out target practice at the gravel pit in Rossena "on a couple of evenings each week".

Among the names listed attending the meeting in Aug. 1914

are : Pat Brennan, Ballyharmon - Tom Moran Old Court - Thomas Brennan, - Ballickmoyler. - Mike Doyle, Galeshill, - James McDonald, Ashfield, - John Nolan, Arles. - M. Duplex (Surveyor) – Hovenden, Gurteen. - Tom Farrell, Monacre. - Bill Kelly, Ballynagall. - Tom McDonald, Arles. - Tom Cooney, Coolanouge. - Pat Moore Ardnateggle. - M. Pender, Old Leighlin.- John Nolan, Arles. - Piercs Nolan, -Dan Maher, Ballickmoyler. - Patrick Cooney, - Walshe, - Comerford, - Walshe, (all of Queens County possibly Castlecomer. - Pat Pender, - McGinley, - Tom Cooney, - Coolanouge. - Pat Purcell, Keelouge, Killeshin. - (there are more names but they are recorded in a disordered fashion).

 

There is a large number of names recorded. It was the same all over the country, many joined for the companionship and something to do during the long evenings. But one has to bear in mind that all this is before the outbreak of The Great War. Many of the "Volunteers " left the I.N.V., following the commencement of hostilities and also many more later distanced themselves from the Rebellion of 1916 seeing it as premature and a waste of life. So only a few of the early I.N.V. members actually took part in the War of Independence 1918-1921. But still several of those named above served in the Irish Republican Army whilst others named were members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and remained so until their death.

 

Source: From: Michael Purcell,  December 05, 2004

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Notes on Martin Brennan:

Martin Brennan in Cooper Hill  c1950's

(Click on image to enlarge)

He did not marry. He lived and worked in Belfast, NI. for most of his life as a professional gardener. He is buried somewhere in Belfast. NI.

(If there is anyone out there who can tell me where Martin Brennan worked. He lived in Adela St, nr Antrim Rd, Belfast 15 and we assume he is buried somewhere near there.

If you know anything about this man I would love to hear from you ). Michael Brennan

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Notes on Annie Brennan:

She did not marry. It is reputed that she was killed in an accident while working in Dublin and is buried in Arles Graveyard.

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Descendants of John Brennan

1. John Brennan was born 17 Aug 1892 in Ballynagall, Co, Laois, and 'Wounded twice in Action' in France during the First World War.

 

More notes on John Brennan: Visit John Brennan

3. Thomas (Tom) Brennan was born 09 Jul 1876 in Ballynagall, Co. Laois, and died 26 Nov 1957 in Portlaoise Hospital, Co Laois. He married Mary Anne Moran 20 May 1908 in Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, daughter of James Moran and Mary Kelly. She was born 27 Sep 1875 in Arles, Co Laois, and died 23 Feb 1960 in The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois.

Notes on Mary Anne Moran:

God Parents were - Ellen & James Brennan

Started work at the age of 11 (1884) as a Ladies Companion /Cook working for Gentry somewhere in the County of Laois. Visit the Denis Moran Family Tree.

There were times when she came home from work she had to dip her hands in hot oil and then wrap them up in cloth to get them warm after they had been in water all day.

She won several prizes for her gardens in Cooper Hill. She loved to grow Roses and she was able to read and write and she would sit in front of the open fire in the kitchen reading the newspaper to Granddad (Thomas Brennan).  She was also very good with figures and managed all the finances for the family business which was selling Fruit and Vegetables from the garden.

Mr Paddy Jackman from Tullow who married Mary Anne's sister Lizzy Moran, used to come to Cooper Hill to buy apples by the barrel from Granny and they used to spend hours talking to each other when he visited.

There was a Mrs O'Brien who was a Gypsy and had a handicapped son. They used to walk from Graigue to Cooper Hill with a basket full of trinkets selling them locally. She used to visit Granny and they sat around talking a lot but she wouldn't let her into the house so they sat outside in the garden.

She used to do a lot of her shopping for clothes at Doran's in Tullow St, Carlow.

As Children we used to watch her bake the best soda bread around. It was done on an open fire. She would mix the dough then put it into a large black round metal pan which was hanging over the open fire from a crane. She would then put the lid on and heap hot ashes on top of the lid.

She probably worked at some time for Mr & Mrs Bayley at Coolrain House. She also did some work for the Brennan's of Cooper Hill House.

When Granddad was out working she had to look after the orchard and tend the vegetable patch sowing all sorts of vegetables such as cabbage and potatoes.

She was known for miles around as "The Lovely Lady in Black"

In 1957 she received a letter from Mr Oliver Flannagan TD offering his condolence on the death of her husband Thomas Brennan.

Children of Thomas Brennan and Mary Moran are:

i. Christina (Crissie) Brennan, b. 23 Dec 1912, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 23 Oct 1974, Carlow District Hospital, Dublin Rd, Carlow.

ii. Mark (Markie) Brennan, b. Apr 1914, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 06 Nov 1939, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois.

iii. Mary (Mollie) Brennan, b. 14 Sep 1915, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 04 Sep 1969, St Vincents Hospital, Athy, Co. Kildare..

iv. Catherine (Katty) Brennan, b. 21 Nov 1916, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 26 Dec 1980, The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois.

v. Elizabeth (Lily) Brennan, b. 26 Oct 1922. The Cottage, 112 Cooper Hill, Ballickmoyler. Co Laois. d. 30 Jun 1996, Portlaoise General Hospital. Co. Laois.

 

Mark Brennan, Molly Proctor and some close friends c1937. The young girl is believed to one of the Proctor girls from The Mall, Killeshin. He played football for Killeshin. (see football team picture) and he played in Ballickmoyler Brass Band with Michael Ramsbottom. (Click on images to enlarge)

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Arles National School

This is the old Arles National School today which was built in 1856. It was occupied as a school until the 1960's. In 1989 the building was transformed into a modern centrally heated community centre for the region and is now known as the Arles Community Centre. All of the 2nd Generation of the above family attended this school.

If you know of any information or you have connections with any of the above mentioned families

Please contact MICHAEL BRENNAN