Flaherty Family, the Spa, Tralee

4/9/2014

Chuch of the Purification built 1858 Churchill, Co. Kerry which serves the Roman Catholic Parish of the Spa

I have been researching the Flaherty family over the last few days. The name Morgan Flaherty kept popping up. So I decided to take a look at what I could find out about Morgan since his name is somewhat unusual.
I discovered that a Morgan Flaherty left Ireland on the Carmania from Queenstown (Cobh), on Feb. 20th 1921. He gave his home address as Ballygarron, Spa, Ireland. (The) Spa is about 4 miles outside Tralee on the road to Fenit.
Morgan (50) was accompanied by his wife Hannah (45), John aged 15, Eileen aged 9, Eugene aged 8, Bernard aged 5 and Cicelia aged 2.
They were bound for the home of their son Morgan who was living at 51 Bellew Ave., Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Morgan Senior names his father as John Flaherty, Ballygarron, (the) Spa, Tralee.
When I checked the RC Church records, I found Morgan son of Morgan Flaherty and Hannah Heffernan born on July 1st, 1889 at Baltygaron, the Spa.
The US Census 1930 finds Morgan (59) and his wife Hannah (55) living at 205 Seventh Avenue, Haverhill, Mass. with their son Eugene (21) daughter Cecilia (17) and grandson Daniel B. Sullivan (2) Their grandson Daniel is listed as born in New York of parents born in Ireland.
Michael Flaherty, his wife Helena and their children live next door. Michael and Helena were born in Mas. but both their parents were born in Ireland .

Morgan and Hannah in the 1901 Census, Ireland
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kerry/Ballynahaglish/Ballygarran/1430771/

Morgan and Hannah in 1911, Ireland
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Kerry/Ballynahaglish/Ballygarran/290690/

60 Comments

Jane Cook

4/20/2015 07:50:52 pm

My maternal great grandfather was John Patrick Flaherty. I think he was born in County Kerry in 1847/

Martine Brennan link

6/1/2015 01:16:42 pm

Dear Jane, have you any other information about your great grandfather? Who did he marry? Did they marry in Ireland? If so we might be able to figure something out. I am sorry for the long delay in replying.
Warm wishes
Martine

Jane

11/28/2015 02:20:02 pm

He married Nora Sullivan. I do not know, if they were married in Ireland,or New York City. I do know that Nora's parents were Denis and Mary Bresnahan. John's parents were Patrick and Ellen Flaherty

Jane Cook

9/23/2016 04:09:37 pm

I checked he was born in 1845. His father's name was Patrick and his mother's first name was Ellen. He had brothers named Simon,Edmond and Morgan. He also had a sister named Johanna.

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/22/2017 07:44:34 pm

My name is Morgan O'flaherty and my dad moved from Tallow to England when he was about 13. He was born in August 1923. He too was Morgan. My mum always said he added the O' . He knew little about his father and after my dad's death I found an official worl war 1 piece of paper saying his dad was Timothy Flaherty from Churchill county Kerry. They were very poor. He had been wounded in Gallipoli. I know nothing else and that piece of paper is sadly long lost. My dad had a hard life as a child and started work at 13 over here in London. His dad died before he knew him and never heard him mentioned. I know nothing else and am desperate to find my roots for both myself and my children. Can anybody help.

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/30/2017 09:10:01 pm

Dear Martine, I've been looking into what I can thanks to your links and good advice. The Royal Munsters 3rd reserve battalion were stationed in Cork in 1915 - that would be the RM 4 you question marked. I remember that my grandads army discharge papers said he came from Churchill. I knew nothing about my great grandfather so a bit of a shock to know he was a soldier too. Maybe a WW1 serviceman, but I would have thought quite old. He was Morgan too so I think that must be the route to follow. Will see if I can find anything there. My sister said my dad talked of an uncle in Boston,USA, so that's another avenue. Can't seem to unravel what happened to Timothy. Assumed dead early in my dads life, but have found no death recorded so far. No need to reply and I'll keep you updated if I find anything. Regards Morgan O

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/22/2017 10:11:14 pm

I posted an email today (22.3.17) about Timothy Flaherty and now think he may have been an older son of Morgan and Hannah! How exciting for me as I have been trying to track family for many years. My dad knew none of this possibility as far as I Know. He said he had an uncle from Boston, he thought.

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/3/2017 06:42:25 pm

Dear Martine
I am working away on the family O'Flaherty/ Flaherty. My dad seems to be recorded at birth as Morgan Flaherty in Lismore - Five miles from Tallow, where he grew up. He was always O'Flaherty as far as I am aware. I have been baffled as to what happened to his dad, Timothy. We were told he died after the war. That was 1918 but my dad was born in 1922. I always assumed that he died not long after dad's birth, perhaps due to a longterm injury sustained in Gallipoli. However, I could not find any record of Timothy dying round about the 1920's. I have worked out he was a Timothy born in January 1891, to Morgan and Hannah Flaherty, in Kerry.Searching all the Timothy deaths I could find, that would relate to that birth date , I found a Timothy O'Flaherty who died in 1955 ,with his son, Micheal O'Flaherty present. Timothy was 65. My younger sister says she thought he died in England. That was the name of my dad's older brother. Not sure if this was the right Timothy, so I will try to find out and will let you know if I find anythingb. Timothy's wife Katherine, I always thought came from Kerry, but it looks like it was Kinsale.
Sadly, most of the family women could only make their mark on any records but like my mum and my gran, they were such strong and determined women and my mum's tale will be my next task after I finish this one. Thanks again. Morgan

kevin flaherty link

4/18/2017 05:18:36 pm

I am Kevin O'Flaherty and am your 3rd cousin and can tell you all, Timothy was born in 1890 to Morgan and Hanna, they had 14 children, Mary died in Spa as a child, buried on cemetery on Spa road, Timothy was injured, I have searched for many years to find something of what happened in the end. I reached his son or grandson about 15 years ago, they did not seem to happy about talking so I left well enough alone. I would like to chat anytime

Kevin

5/13/2015 11:55:51 am

that is my grandparents...aunts and uncles and great grandparents....maybe we can text or email if you have more info....i would like to know more from you

Martine Brennan link

6/1/2015 01:14:03 pm

Hi Kevin, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have been researching some other families since. Would you like to email me at mbrennankerry@gmail.com
Are you resident in the U.S.?
Warm wishes
Martine

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/18/2017 06:50:33 pm

Dear Kevin

I am hopeful that you are indeed related to me. I know my dad was upset when he found out an uncle ( I think) visited Tallow, (where my dad spent his early years) trying to trace his Irish roots. No one let my dad know about this. My dad died at only 62 about thirty years ago. His brother, Michael, died before him. As far as I'm aware, they were his only two sons. That would not fit your contact with a son, some 15 years ago. Micheal had a sonTimmy, who was brought up by family in Tallow and still lives there I think. I remember seeing Timothy's discharge papers from the war. It said he had gunshot wounds to the legs. It was always said he died from these injuries but the war ended in 1918. My dad was born in 1922 and he had older siblings, Michael and Cecelia ( I have found a Delia Cecelia born in Lismore ( 5 miles from Tallow) in 1917, and my dad (Morgan) in 1922. I cannot find the birth of Michael. Dad never talked about his dad, so I knew nothing when beginning this search. I could not find Timothy's death around 1922. I found a Timothy who died in Dublin in 1955 who was 65 years old and it says his son, Michael O'Flaherty was with him. It may be that Timothy left my dad and that it why he never mentioned him. I'm not sure. The fact that the O' was sometimes used, sometimes not, makes the research more difficult. I live in Brighton, England, but we grew up in London and my siblings are still there. My older sister was christened Cecelia but has always been called Carole, I'm 65 and my sister (Anne) is next and finally my brotherSimon. I have an 18 year old son (Daniel) and a 20 year old daughter, Ella. You can find Ella O'FLaherty on YouTube as she used to write and sing her own music. She gave up when studying took over! The kids are both really proud of their Irish roots. I am hoping to do some more research soon. Martine did find Timothy O'Flaherty's wedding in 1915 and it said his father was a soldier. Maybe that will fit (or not) with what you know. Sad my dad knew nothing of his roots.
Good of you to get back to me.

Regards
Morgan

Martine Brennan link

4/19/2017 09:23:09 am

Dear Morgan and Kevin. I am so happy that you have found each other. It is wonderful when families reconnect. Martine

Thomas J Monahan Sr

10/24/2015 04:05:46 am

Hi Martine,
I was doing some research on the Flaherty's from Tralee and as luck would happen I opened a link and low and behold my eyes popped, the Flaherty's you wrote about are the Flaherty's I was looking for you see Morgans daughter Eileen or as she was Eyile in the 1911 Irish census she was married to my uncle who hailed from Galway. thanks for all your info and hopefully we will be in touch, I also do research and some writing. My book "From Galway To New York " is on amazon.com so happy to have found your web site.
Thanks

Martine Brennan link

11/6/2015 07:24:27 pm

Hi Thomas, glad to be of help. Keep up the good work, writing and researching!
Warm wishes
Martine

Kathleen Monahan-Light

11/16/2015 07:43:03 pm

So happy my cousin Thomas Monahan above found your site, as he was looking for my grandmother, Eileen Flaherty per my request. Tommy is a wonderful family historian and he has found what I was looking for. It is a small world, but wondering if you'd know Eileen Flaherty's cousin, Mark O'Brien? He is still well and living in Spa and attending the church above! I believe he'll be 93 soon and is related to the McCarthy's who own Paddy Macs in Tralee. Slainte! Kathleen

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/3/2017 07:43:57 pm

Dear Thomas
It could be that my Grandad, Timothy, was Eyile's brother. Not sure as I'm new to this and just starting to research. The O seems sometimes added. Sadly, my dad,Morgan, had no information to help and he died 30years ago. If I find anything that confirms this I'll get back to you. Regards Morgan OFlaherty.

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/28/2017 08:50:10 pm

Dear Thomas, my grandad, I have recently confirmed, was Timothy Flaherty/O'flaherty, Eyile's brother. Martine found that he married my grandmother in Cork in 1915. She was Katherine Holland and she was from Kinsale. I know he was wounded in Gallipoli and my dad, Morgan, was born in 1922, and his dad died some time After that. I think about that time, but I'm not sure. My dad never spoke of him, sadly. I have only recently started my research and found this link. I knew of no cousins of my dad. Kevin Flaherty from Haverhill USA was my first contact and through this site just recently. I don't know if you'll get this but I am desperately trying to find out what happened to Timothy and to discover my Irish roots. This posting is a long time after your original posting but I thought it was worth a try. Sadly, I don't think my dad knew anything about his grandmother, grandad or his enormous number of cousins. Yours Morgan O'Flaherty. Brighton UK

Martine Brennan link

11/28/2015 09:57:44 am

Hi Kathleen, delighted to be of assistance to you. I don't know your cousin but again I am delighted that my research was a help to you.
Martine

Martine Brennan link

9/27/2016 09:31:45 am

Congrats Jane!

Martine Brennan link

3/23/2017 12:29:38 am

Hi Morgan, I'm so glad you found this research. I'm very busy for the next few days but will take a look at your information and search. If you have addidtional dates and the name of your grandmother etc. that would be a great help, your Dad's siblings names..really anything extra that will speed up the process enormously. It's REALLY late now so I'll have to go. 'Speak' soon, Martine

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/23/2017 07:32:41 am

Dear Martine
Thank you. I will write down the little I know over the next few days. I know some names but will talk to my brother and sisters to clarify what they know. My dad never mentioned his dad. I always assumed he was very young when he died. My dad told me he came to England with my gran called 'Haddy' by the family but I think she was Kathleen Holland before marrying, his older brother , Michael and his sister Celia or Cecelia. That's my sisters middle name. There is a Cecelia in the American census of a later date I just found. She's living with Morgan and Hannah with possibly a baby. Could that be her and did she return to Ireland I wonder.
Sorry off to work now.
Morgan

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/23/2017 07:26:18 pm

Dear Martine
Just realised from your article that Cicelia Flaherty went to America aged 2 so could not be my dad (Morgan's) sister. In fact, my sister Carole has just told me she was christened Cicelia and not Carole! It seems a family name.
Also, Carole said my dad was really upset because an uncle came over from America to Ireland retracing his roots. My dad would have been his closest relative I would think, but wasn't aware of the visit. The uncle probably didn't know about him or his whereabouts. That was about 30 years or more ago.
I did find a newspaper article about a Timothy Flaherty charging a machine gun post single handed and getting shot in the leg in the Gallipoli campaign. That would fit with his discharge papers. Expect he joined up due to poverty. All very strange to me. Sadly did not save the article online and can't find it. Always wondered what happened to him eventually. Dad was born 5 years after the war. So much is a mystery. I wondered did Tim die not long after that.
When dad came to London the family lived in Balham. They were poor as his mum was a war widow of little means. They lied about his age so he could get a job.
When I was little, Gran (Haddy) Dad (Morgan), Cicelia (Celia) Michael (Dads oldest brother) and all of their wives/partners and children lived in one house. There were 14 of us in all. The 4 mentioned adults all ended their days in London.

Anne

1/10/2020 12:11:58 pm

Flaherty and O'Flaherty used by the family Look in Flaherty in the papers many names and branches of the family look in Kerry Sentinel and Waterford papers.

My Partners Grandfather left home in Tallow and joined the Irish Light Horse due to poverty and fought right through the war in France. Poverty was riff in that area and the land was run by the Duke from Lismore.

Morgan O'Flaherty

1/11/2020 07:32:29 am

Dear Anne
Thanks for your tip. I'm hoping to come over to Ireland this year and try and research what happened to my grandad. I think my first cousin, Timmy, may be the caretaker of the school in Tallow. My children are keen to trace their roots too. My daughter is training to be a doctor and my son, an engineer. I would like them to know and understand their background, and the lives that their great grandparents and grandparents had. Sadly, neither of their grandparents survived to see them carve out the next generation of our line but both kids are very proud of their heritage and roots.

Martine Brennan link

3/23/2017 11:04:25 pm

Hi Morgan, On Sept 25th 1915 a Timothy O'Flaherty married a Katherine Holland in St. Patrick's Church, Cork. Timothy's father was Morgan O'Flaherty, a soldier and Katherine's father was Michael Holland, a Mason (deceased). Timothy was serving as a soldier in the 3rd Battalion, R M 4? and Katherine was working as a servant in Wellington Rd. Cork. Could this couple be your grandparents?
The record is available free of charge on irishgenealogy.ie Civil Records section
Soldiers records used to be held in Kew, your local librarian would be able to guide you on how to find more information about his service. Enlistment details may give you more information about his family of origin. Do let me know if you uncover more information. Best wishes, Martine

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/18/2017 11:12:47 pm

Dear Martine
Thanks to your blog, Kevin O'Flaherty in Boston has been able to confirm that myTimothy O'Flaherty and the Timothy in your original article are one-in-the same person. In a couple of weeks an unknown past has started to appear. Thank you so much.

Yours gratefully

Morgan

Martine Brennan link

4/19/2017 10:50:47 am

Dear Morgan, I just saw this message and I am so happy for you. I have sent you an email. If you manage to get over this summer it would be lovely to meet up for coffee as I live in Tralee. Though maybe now you will be heading for Boston! Martine

Morgan O'Flaherty

3/24/2017 07:23:19 am

Dear Martine
I think that must be them. I will try and follow up the regiment aspect. I wonder if the Timothy Flaherty and the Timothy O'flaherty could be the same person. I will try to follow that up. I think the Morgan and Hannah in the 1930 American census became Morgan and Hannah O in the 1940 one. I'll keep you posted if I find anything. Also I wonder if Morgan could have been a mason on an estate. Thanks as I have found out more in two days than I had ever known. Regards Morgan

Martine Brennan link

4/4/2017 01:36:28 am

Dear Morgan, I am delighted that you are moving ahead at such speed. 2 things before I forget, locally the RC Church is known as Churchill and it serves Fenit to the Spa have a look on google maps.It would not be unusual for people of that time period to describe themselves as from Churchill since they would have been baptised there. The O' is present and absent in different records and does not mean that it is a different family.
If you search the Census 1901 and 1911 using DED Ballynahaglish you will find all the Flahertys and only one O Flaherty in 1901 and one in 1911
Martine.

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/4/2017 07:10:15 pm

Dear Martine

After 1 wrote my email yesterday I paniced because I thought I'd got it wrong with my line of enquiry but the fact that Churchill and the Spa are the same place has got me excited again. I am sad my dad knew so little. I am so grateful to you. I have a Northern Irish friend who I am meeting tomorrow after work (teachers both) to help her get started on her family tree. I have started on my mum's now. Sadly, her mum died at the birth of her second daughter and mum's father went to Canada. My mum was two and brought up by an uncle. I have traced him and her dad, and her mum's death. I have traced the batchelor uncle who brought my mum up in Lismore .He died aged 44 in 1943 so must have looked after my mum in his early twenties. My next search is for Maurice Flynn, her father. Mum eventually tracked him down and he had remarried with two sons. He died of a heart attack not long after I think she said. My mum was both a formidable woman, witty and strong, but also a very anxious at times. I felt her past was much to do with that and the picture is becoming much clearer as to why. Thank you again. No need to reply and I will keep you posted.

kevin flaherty

4/18/2017 08:39:49 pm

Hello Morgan, We are definitely the same family, Timothy was born in 1891 his parents were Morgan Sr. And Hanna...they lived in Spa or The Spa just outside Tralee Ireland, Parish of Church hill...Timothy was in WWI and was wounded...His family came to America, just north of Boston Massachusetts. It has always been a mystery to me also about there brother Timothy, we have been back and forth many times. Only because of the internet I about 15 years ago found a Timothy O'Flaherty in Tallow still living, he wasn't all that open and or friendly so I let it go. It is kind of funny, it sounds like Timothy (the solider) named his children after his brothers and sisters Morgan and Cecelia are family names from his 14 brothers and sisters. I think Timothy the eldest is buried in Tallow all of his brothers and sisters are gone and buried now. The story I was always told was wounded in WWI and died sometime later of lasting injuries, but you are right those injuries lasted a long time. Some how the family here knew his children (your Dad and family had moved to England where as my Dad always said he had cousins in England but then there was no way to locate without the net, then after getting cold reception from family in Tallow I thought there was just no interest if you go on Google earth for Spa Ireland and follow Spa Rd. Out from Tralee Look for a pub on the main road across from Tralee Bay it is the Oyster Pub the family house is up the road along next to the pub half way up in right halfway from pub and Scratham(my spelling is off) Cross its the first cross roads. I do have a lot of times and dates and info written down. I had a picture my Grandfather Tim's brother gave me of Tim in his uniform. I wish one of us had more info on Tim's life. You do have a lot of family over here all still north of Boston

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/18/2017 11:03:42 pm

Dear Kevin
Brought a tear to my eye. Sad my dad didn't know. I realised recently that if I was on the right track that my dad's gran was alive the year I was born. My dad had a grandad of the same name alive until he was 19. Dad had a very hard life as a child and began work at 12 years old. His mum ( we called her Haddy) lied about his age and he got the sack because he couldn't pull the blind down outside the shop. He was too short!
When I was little Haddy Micheal , Cecilia (called Celia) and my dad and their partners and children lived in a 5 bedroomed house in Sistova Road, Balham, London. The four of us lived in two rooms. There were 14 of us. We moved out when I was about 2. Dad was a larger-than-life character and did well at work. My mum was a strong woman called Mary Flynn, from Lismore. Her mum died in childbirth and she was brought up by an uncle . Her father left for Canada and I my search for the O'flahertys has started me on that sad road too. My Dad died at 62. Mum beat cancer twice and the hospital said she outlived many of her specialists and died at 87. A strong woman but only 5ft tall! They are buried together in London. This gives you some more of the bigger picture on the family over here.

Sean Shanahan

11/6/2019 08:30:10 pm

Hello Kevin just reading pieces about Flahertys I live between the OysterTavern and Scrahan Cross My grandfather knew the pub was owned by Flahertys and another house we called Mrs Flahertys.I think this was an o Flaherty farm before Davis and Shanahan.
.

Morgan O'Flaherty

11/7/2019 10:52:12 am

Dear Sean, I'm the Morgan O'flaherty in the posts above. My dad was born Morgan Flaherty and the O appears later in his life. He seemed to know little about the family history. Timothy, his dad died when he was very young. Dad was born in the hospital in Lismore, county Waterford, but lived in Tallow, 5 miles away. If you get a chance to read my other posts it will explain the complicated family story. I was born in London in 1952 with lots of the family living in the one rented house.I think there was a relative called Patsy Shanahan there for a while, but I think he was related on my grandmothers side and she was a Holland. There's an American book on a place called Haverhill, which is online. There's an amazing picture of the Flaherty family that went to America (in 1922). The picture was taken around 1910.. The only one that's not in it is my grandad, and he didn't go to America. I have tried to find out what happened to him and where he's buried but it's still a mystery. I have a cousin Timmy, who still lives in Tallow I think. We were very poor when I was young and my gran was a widow with, by then three grown up children. My dad started working in England when he was 12. I am slowly piecing together our history but grandad Timothy has really stumped me . Thanks for your post and I'll post here if I get anything new.

Morgan O'Flaherty

11/8/2019 09:33:27 pm

Dear Sean,
To find the picture online if you're interested, type in The Irish in Haverhill Massachusetts Morgan Flaherty.
Scroll down till you get a http:google books.co.
The book is by Dr.Patricia Trainor O'Malley (1999)
It should open on the family page. My dad didn't know any of these cousins existed sadly.

Morgan O'Flaherty

11/9/2019 01:38:47 pm

Dear Sean
If you do a search for :
The Irish in Haverhill Massachusetts morgan Flaherty
About the 4th reference down is a reference to a google book.
It should open on the page of the Flaherty family taken outside a house in Spa ,I think.
If it doesn't open on the exact page it's about the 30+ page if you scroll through from the first image . It shows the family group minus Timothy. My dad had no idea about all these uncles and aunts. He thought he might have some cousins in Boston . That's all he knew , but didn't know that for sure.

Morgan O'Flaherty

4/27/2017 10:06:51 pm

Dear Martine, I have a mystery that I hope you can give me some advice on. I can't seem to find the death of Timothy, my grandad. He is the only one missing in the American photo I sent you. Kevin (in America) said that they thought he was buried in Tallow and died from injuries received in WW1, after 1922, as that was when my dad was born.This is what we thought. My searches online about that came up with nothing so far. I may be doing it incorrectly. I did find a Timothy who died aged 65 in Dublin in 1955 with his son Michael with him. My uncle was called Michael. Any thoughts of how I pair up the Timothy, born in about 1890 in Churchill and the death of any other Timothy Flaherty/O'Flaherty? It's as though he disappeared from his immediate family early on, as he wasn't in the photo and the American side have the same view of his final demise as we do. Yours Morgan

Martine Brennan link

4/29/2017 08:15:13 am

Hi Morgan, this is a big problem with Irish death records. They don't always state where a person is from. People from all over Ireland died in hospitals in Dublin where they were being treated for health problems beyond the scope of their local hospitals. Have you tried findagrave.com which may have a burial listed for him. Also google graves, county... in case that a kind local person has uploaded information. If all this fails you might consider contacting the local undertakers and asking for their assistance. Some of them have records that go back to the early 1900's. Is there an historical society in the Tallow area that could assist you? Some of my great grandparents are buried in unmarked graves because in those times,gravestones were beyond the reach of many Irish families. Also have you checked for records for Tim/Ted/Teddy/Thade since he may not have been recorded under his legal name. Waterford included the Civil Registration Districts of Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, Lismore, Waterford, Youghal. It' painstaking work but I would go through each of those with surname Flaherty only on irishgenealogy.ie for the relevant time period. Good luck and hope this helps. Martine

Mary Nunan

8/3/2017 11:09:06 pm

Just found this site re O'Flaherty, Churchill / Spa / Ballynahaglish. Am delighted to be able to extend my family tree. The flaherty family in 1901 and 1911 census are my
My grandmother was Mary Teresa O'Flaherty, Ballymakekoke / Ballygarron. and was a close cousin of Flaherty's who owned the Oyster Tavern. Mary m. William Hickey, Ballymakegoge whose daughter Bridget Hickey is my mother!
My Ancestors:
Edward O'Flaherty, Spa, held 35 acres and was (m. 1830’s) to Ellen Quinlan, the Spa. Their three known children were:
• Simon O’Flaherty, publican, ‘ The Oyster’, Spa m. Joanna Shanahan, one of their children was:
 Margaret O’Flaherty, ‘Oyster’ Spa (26.1.1903-6.6.1916). Buried in Clogherbrien graveyard.
• Mr. O’Flaherty, auctioneer, Dominic St. Tralee, single.
• John Ned O’Flaherty (b. 1836) Clogherbrien, heir, farmer, butter merchant and spirits importer, owned his own pier, had a 9 room house with 15 outhouses (in census). His granddaughter, recounted that ‘he was a great orator, accompanied Parnell, always carried a briefcase and had a horse and carriage at his funeral!’
He married three times - a Scottish lady who died, then m. Ms. Nelligan, Castleisland who also died. Their only son, O’Flaherty was reared in Castleisland and died at Nelligans a year later due to Pneumonia.
John Ned finally was (m. 1881) to Bridget Connell (1864 - 1898) when aged 17 years and 24 years younger than Ned. [see Fuller, Glenoe House and Leen family Trees]. Mary bore six children but alas died aged approx. 35 years along with her twins.One of Ned and Bridget’s other children was:
 My grandmother Mary Theresa (bpt. 10.11.1881 -1977) baptised in Ballybunion, was reared by grandmother Mary Connell in Knockenagh and ed. in Coolard N. S. Listowel. She recalled accompanying her grandmother on her regular Sunday visits to her great grandfather, Bill Fuller in Glenoe House near Listowel. Mary Teresa returned home to Ballymacegogue / Clogherbrien to attend for secondary schooling in Balloonagh, Tralee and was only sixteen when her mother died. Fourteen years later, Mary was (m. 15.2.1912) to William Hickey, Ballymacegogue, both aged thirty. They had nine children and died aged 96 years, having outlived her husband by 17 years.
I would love to have a clearer understanding of the connection between the Morgan and Mary Teresa Flaherty/O'Flaherty. Regards,
Mary Nunan

Martine Brennan link

8/5/2017 11:46:41 am

Dear Mary, it was lovely to hear from you. My goodness you have done extensive research on your family tree! Have you discovered the Civil records available online at irishgenealogy.ie which are free? If you haven't you have a lot of fun ahead of you. I do hope that your cousins will see your reply and get back to you so that you can extend your tree even further. Thanks again for sharing your tree so generously. Warm wishes, Martine

Elaine Gauthier

4/29/2018 04:52:14 pm

Hi Mary Nunan, I found this site when doing research about my grandfather, Patrick Hickey. I believe our grandfathers (yours, William Hickey) were brothers. There were 12 children. Their father, I believe, was Edmund Hickey and mother, Catherine Sweeney, but I'm not sure. Do you know anything about the Hickey side from The Spa, Kerry?

Morgan O'Flaherty link

4/30/2018 01:47:58 pm

IHi Elaine, don't think I can help from the Flaherty/ O'Flaherty side. However, I do think there was a mention of Padre (forgive my spelling)Hickey in my family in England when I was a child (1950s). Not sure if that's a link. Sorry
Morgan O'Flaherty

mary nunan

6/2/2020 07:41:52 pm

2.6.2020
Dear Cousin Elaine,
only found your message today. sorry for two year delay.
Have completed extensive research on Hickeys.
Patrick b.1884 was my mother's uncle
please send email and I would love to share research and stories.
Hope its not too late to reconnect.
Patrick Hickey’s Family, Providence, Rhode Island
 Patrick J. Hickey (b.15.4.1884), Ballymakegoge; g. son of Jn. m. to Mary Sugrue; son of Edm. (1838-1885) m. to C. Sweeney (9.7.1838-Mar.1923), Flemby who sent Patrick J. to USA. He m. Deborah O’Connell, Caherciveen, lived at 60 Chicago St., Providence, R. I. 2905. Three chn:
 Anne E. m. Mr. Kelley. Mary F. m. Mr. Foster, finally,
 William Patrick Hickey (15.4.1911- 6.4.1996) m. Kathleen. Three chn:
o Brian A: William, Warwick, Rhode Island: Elaine Hickey m. Jack Gauthier, a Grammy-nominated recording engineer. Two chn: Elaine who visited Irish Hickey relatives: Jesse Liam Hickey Gautier (b. c.1985), ed at Uni, Rhode Island, then founded and leads the ‘Jesse Liam Band’

mary nunan

Morgan O'Flaherty

8/5/2017 12:30:01 pm

Dear Mary, I am not sure of the connection but that is partly because you have discovered a wealth of information from an earlier period that I have not got back to. I ran into a wall of trying to fathom out what happened to my grandad as my dad grew up without him as he is said to have died early on in my dad's life. This is the element I am desperate to solve. Kevin Flaherty on this blog gave me a great deal of information as he could pinpoint exact links between us. He is in America and he and relatives there have managed more research than me. They are direct descendants of my grandad's parents and siblings. For some reason grandad was the only one of over 12 children who did not go to the USA in the 1920s. I am in England, where I was born. Like you, I stumbled on the link here and that got me going! Martine was fantastic at finding pieces of the jigsaw. If I can find any links I'll get back to you but life is busy at the moment and I haven't done anything since my 'wall' as that was my key goal. I am sure I will get there though...eventually! Regards, Morgan

mary nunan

6/2/2020 07:58:19 pm

2.6.2020
Dear Morgan,
only opened website today and We may be related.
Excited to read your reply to Elaine Gautier who is a 1st cousin of my mother Bridget Hickey whose mother Mary T. Flaherty. and yes Bridget's paternal uncle was Canon Bryan, Hickey who died 1955 in Ashton-under-Lyne. Bridget's brother, Fr. John Hickey died at St. Columba's Bradford in 1982. So, perhaps Grandmother Mary T. Flaherty is connected to your ancestor. Please send your email and I can forward research into Morgan Flaherty etc which I'm researching at the moment.
It may be far too late for you to find this after a 2 year delay.
Mary Nunan

Morgan O'Flaherty

10/3/2020 08:54:49 pm

Dear Mary,I have written in detail several times in past months but I have not got the picture security to respond properly. I'll keep it short this time. My email is:
morganoflaherty@tiscali.co.uk

Catherine Smith

4/30/2020 12:57:37 am

I am very excited to have found this blog and hope it is still active. I'm researching the family of my great-great grandmother Johanna Mary Joseph Flaherty (born 1842). She immigrated to New York City in 1872 where she met and married a distant cousin, Matthew Sullivan, who immigrated around the same time and lived in Barrow, very near where Johanna lived. Johanna's father was Patrick Flaherty (birth I'm guessing 1812ish) and his father was Morgan Flaherty (so what 1780 give or take 50 years?). Patrick had a brother names Timothy. I'll be going through all of these comments to see whether any of these Morgans or Timothys might fit into my family tree. I believe that one of Johanna's brothers (John?) married a Nora Sullivan. I have lots and lots of information from by great-grandfather (Johanna's son), but I can't verify most of it. I have only verified some of the cousins he remembered surnamed Ferris, Clifford, and Finn.

Jane Cook

4/30/2020 01:50:34 pm

I know my great grandfather came from Tralee. I remember my mother mentioning the name Simon, Morgan, Edmond.and telling me about her Aunt Johanna

Jane Cook

5/5/2020 05:15:27 pm

To Catherine Smith, do you know the name of Johanna;s mother?

Jane Cook

5/11/2020 10:03:17 pm

I replied to your comment. I hope you saw it

Jane

4/30/2020 01:57:46 am

My maternal great grandparents were John and Nora Sullivan Flaherty. John had a sister named Johanna and his father's name was Patrick They had a daughter named Ellen who married Michael Delany at St Peter's church on Barclay St in NYC

Eugenie Sardo

5/22/2020 06:27:02 pm

My gr-great grandfather was Patrick Flaherty of Stradbally & Bunmahon, Waterford. He was a miner. He married Honor Veale. I wondered if he came from another county, as I can’t find very many Flahertys in the area. His children all came to America & worked in mining.

Martha

10/30/2020 04:41:20 pm

My great-grandfather was James O'Flaherty b about 1840. He made his way to Buffalo, NY were he married an Ellen Flaherty in 1865. The marriage record indicates that James' father was Timothy O'Flaherty and mother Mary Connors. I have been at this for may years and can not break through to find any other information about this family. He may have had a bother Mathias married to Mary Sullivan- both came to Buffalo. Mathias had a son Timothy.

As for Ellen Flaherty- my gr-grandmother she too came to Buffalo, and I have no additional information other than after she and James married in 1865 at St,, Brigids in Buffalo they had a child Mary Flaherty. Sometime between 1865 and 1870 James disappeared- no death record can be found, and Ellen remarried a Florence McCarty. Florence and Ellen had a son called- Florence. Any help would be welcomed. Martha

Tom Burnell

1/18/2021 07:57:23 am

For what it is worth. Timothy John Flaherty, a single man, Excise Officer, ex-Royal Civil Service Rifles, aged 26, died on Fenit Island, Tralee, County Kerry on 06/09/1920 from Pulmonary Tuberculosis, certified. I am not sure if this is the same man as you say he was married and served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. But here it is anyway. The best of luck with your researches.

Tom Burnell

1/18/2021 08:40:12 am

I am not sure if this is the same man but here you go No 7211470 (post war number, Wartime number was 10663), Lance Sergeant,Timothy Flaherty, enlisted 01/06/1916 at Tralee, farmers son, born Lixnaw, County Kerry, married Brigid Falvey, at Abbeydorney on 22/08/1918 had a daughter Ellen born 22/10/1919, Discharged at Warwick, 31/05/1932. Address on discharge-Abbeydorney.

Tom Burnell

1/18/2021 08:41:16 am

7211470 (post war number, Wartime number was 10663) was for the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

Martine Brennan link

1/19/2021 06:10:55 am

Many thanks Tom. I am sure this will be of great interest to the Flaherty descendants who check out this blog. I hope you are keeping well at this difficult time.
Martine

breda oshea link

5/6/2021 10:31:08 am

I found this very interesting as i am from the spa and knew a lot of the older people there, I know mark o brien that was mentioned and my great grandparents were john and nora flaherty, might not be any relation but maybe I can help with your search.

Martine Brennan link

5/8/2021 11:00:17 am

Many thanks Breda. People check in here from time to time so I hope someone will take you up on your generous offer of help. Martine

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Flaherty Family, the Spa, Tralee

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