Stephen Callaghan
A forgotten Casualty of the 3rd Leinsters - Private John Moran
In the military cemetery located in Crinkill, just outside Birr, there is a memorial commemorating the death casualties of the...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Feb 19
- 3 min
Finding the grave of a Peninsular War Veteran - Major Richard Woods
Over the past few years I have been researching Birr’s forgotten cemetery, which over time has garnered the unflattering name Bully’s...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Aug 7, 2023
- 4 min
John Joseph Cannon, Leinster Regiment
Years ago I came into the procession of the medals of John Joseph Cannon, a soldier of the Leinster Regiment who fought during the Great...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Jun 9, 2023
- 2 min
A forgotten Soldier's child - Sarah Mussin
Within the Protestant section of Clonoghill Cemetery, perched upon the crest of the hill, is the grave of Sarah Mussin. Only aged 5...
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Stephen Callaghan
- May 20, 2023
- 4 min
Tracing the Story Behind a Photo - Jim O'Brien DCM
The following article appearing in a previous edition of the genealogical magazine, Irish Lives Remembered. Online auction sites are full...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Mar 1, 2023
- 4 min
Remembering Vol. John Gunning on the centenary of his death
Around 15 years ago, while going through burial records for Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr, I came across an entry for a “John Gunning”, what...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Feb 19, 2023
- 2 min
Crimea Veteran Robert Dillon
Robert Dillon was born in Birr, King’s County (Offaly), in 1837. The son of labourer, Thomas Dillon. He enlisted at Birr for service with...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Oct 25, 2022
- 2 min
The tragic death of Margaret McCarthy of Birr
Margaret Price was born in Parsonstown (Birr) on 16 December 1870. She was the daughter of Henry Price and Jane Price (née Boyle). Henry...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Jun 20, 2022
- 2 min
The tragic end of Captain John Pilkington
John Edward Maxwell Pilkington was born on 9 September 1856 at Carrick House, Queen’s County. He was the son of William and Isabella...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Jun 4, 2022
- 3 min
Colonel George Robert Hopkins, 53rd Foot
George Robert Hopkins was born circa 1819, belonging to an old Kilkenny family. Not much is known about George’s early life. He was...
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Stephen Callaghan
- May 2, 2022
- 3 min
Patrick Burke of Moorpark, Birr
Patrick Burke was born at Moorpark, Parsonstown, King’s County on 13 March 1881. He was the son of William Burke and Rosanna Burke (nee...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Apr 8, 2022
- 3 min
Xhosa War and India Mutiny Veteran John Houlihan
In today’s blog with look at the life of John Houlihan, whose funeral caused some embarrassment and a bit of a stir in Birr. John...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Apr 1, 2022
- 3 min
Cavalry Officer and Duelist - Captain Alexander Munro
Alexander Thomson Munro was born in Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland on 27 April 1803. He was the son of Lieutenant John Munro, a soldier who...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Feb 6, 2022
- 1 min
The Handover of Birr Barracks 100 years ago
A century ago today, Birr Barracks was officially handed over to the National Army. The last of the Leinster Regiment had departed only...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Feb 2, 2022
- 2 min
Leinsters Depart Birr 100 years ago
A century ago today the Leinster Regiment left Birr Barracks for the last time. As per the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which was signed in...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Jan 21, 2022
- 3 min
The Birr Raid
With a major barracks so close to Birr town, interactions with soldiers were daily. For most instances, interactions were uneventful and...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Jan 14, 2022
- 2 min
Private James Mooney from Birr, Offaly
The 17 January marks the 106th anniversary of the death of James Mooney, 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment. As it nears the anniversary of...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Dec 24, 2021
- 2 min
T/Sergeant Michael Broderick
Michael Joseph Broderick was the eldest son of Laurence Broderick and Annie Broderick (née Killen). He was born at Cappacur, County...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Nov 26, 2021
- 4 min
The Service of Captain Gilbert Powell 1913 - 1928
Countless times I have passed the grave of Capt. Gilbert Powell in Clonoghill Cemetery in Birr, County Offaly. Some brief attempts to...
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Stephen Callaghan
- Oct 25, 2021
- 2 min
A Forgotten Peninsular War Veteran in Birr - George Power
While recently browsing the Church of Ireland burial records for Birr, I came across a record relating to George Power, a 56-year-old...
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