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 193 min read
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, 20234 min read
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, 20232 min read
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, 20234 min read
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, 20234 min read
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 18, 20232 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20212 min read
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, 20214 min read
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, 20212 min read
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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