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Stephen Callaghan

A Letter to Rinagry, Ballina, County Mayo and its Sender

While browsing online auction sites, I came across an "On Active Service" envelope sent from Field Post Office H.12 by a soldier serving...

Stephen Callaghan

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

A Soldier's Spoon

Today we are going to look at what might initially look like an innocuous object, a spoon! However, this is no ordinary kitchen spoon, it...

Stephen Callaghan

The 'Man' Behind the medal.

Not many of my posts will come with a warning, but this post deals with issues of abuse. While all dates and details are factually...

Stephen Callaghan

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...

Stephen Callaghan

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...

Stephen Callaghan

The service of Colonel John Henry Graham Holroyd-Smyth

120 years ago today, the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Leinster Regiment returned home to Birr after two long years of service in South...

Stephen Callaghan

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...

Stephen Callaghan

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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