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Stephen Callaghan
Jun 27, 20212 min read
The story behind Private Hennessy's memorial plaque
A few years ago I was lucky to enough to be given the memorial plaque of Lance Corporal Patrick Andrew Hennessy from a relation of his....
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Stephen Callaghan
Jun 6, 20213 min read
The Ennis brothers of Stoneybatter, Dublin
On my last visit to Grangegorman Military Cemetery, my attention was caught by the headstone of John Ennis of Stoneybatter, Dublin. The...
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Stephen Callaghan
May 14, 20212 min read
The Service of Private Michael Henry, Leinster Regiment
A familiar stretch of road to me is the Tullamore - Birr road, which I’ve been on countless times. Passing by Eglish I always catch...
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Stephen Callaghan
Apr 30, 20213 min read
The Healy's of Charleville, Cork
The recent release of the World War One pension cards has made spotting large family contributions to the war effort much clearer. One...
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Stephen Callaghan
Mar 27, 20213 min read
The Military Service of the Stephens of Ferbane, County Offaly
Recently a friend linked me to some medals for sale, the group consisted of the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The...
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Stephen Callaghan
Mar 11, 20213 min read
Barbados to Birr, Sergeant Gordon Brooker
Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the death of Sergeant Gordon Brooker of the Leinster Regiment. Sergeant Brooker was buried in an...
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Stephen Callaghan
Feb 26, 20212 min read
Clonoghill Stories: Private Christopher White
As it was the anniversary of the death of Private Christopher White during this past week it would only be fitting to feature his story...
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Stephen Callaghan
Feb 12, 20212 min read
A King's County Gentleman - Andrew Acres Stoney
Andrew Acres Stoney was born in Frankford (Kilcormac), King’s County (County Offaly) on 8 October 1879. He was the only surviving son of...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jan 15, 20213 min read
Solving the Mystery of James Flynn
My early days of researching soldier’s in Birr began with spending countless hours wandering around Clonoghill Cemetery, which is just a...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jan 8, 20212 min read
A Career Soldier's Bed Plate - Warrant Officer M. J. Hogan
Today with are looking at a simple brass item, a bed plate. Bed or duty plates were hung at the end of a soldier’s bed when they were on...
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Stephen Callaghan
Dec 18, 20203 min read
Private Patrick Doolan, 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment
A number of years ago I came across a Queen's South Africa medal. On initial research there did not appear to be much information about...
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Stephen Callaghan
Dec 11, 20203 min read
Honourary Captain Denis Hayes M.B.E. Leinster Regiment
The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII was appointed commander in chief of the Leinster Regiment in 1919. In 1922 he visited the 1st...
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Stephen Callaghan
Nov 13, 20206 min read
Saving Captain Studholme's Cross
11 November 2020 marks one year to the day since the 6.6-meter-tall oak cross commemorating Captain Lancelot Joseph Moore Studholme was...
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Stephen Callaghan
Oct 30, 20201 min read
Clonoghill Stories: Lieutenant Malcolm Willington MC
Robert Malcolm Vernon Willington was born at St Kieran’s, Dorrha, County Tipperary on 13 November 1895.He was the youngest son of James...
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Stephen Callaghan
Aug 28, 20202 min read
The sad tale of Trooper Vincent Hogan, South Irish Horse
Vincent John Hogan was born in Crinkill, Birr on 23 February 1892. He was the son of Colour Sergeant Patrick Hogan and Sarah Hogan (née...
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Stephen Callaghan
Aug 21, 20203 min read
One of the Missing - 2/Lieut Oliver Wendell Holmes
Oliver was born in Trim, County Meath on 6 September 1896. He was the son of Head Constable Michael Holmes and Marianne Holmes (Nee...
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Stephen Callaghan
Aug 14, 20202 min read
Life after the War, Drummer Peter Craffey, Leinster Regiment
This is the story of Peter Craffey. A professional soldier, wounded and taken prisoner during the Great War. Peter's post war life was...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jul 31, 20202 min read
A Souvenir of the Boer War
The Second Anglo Boer War broke out in October 1899. The conflict arose after the British ignored an ultimatum issued by the Boers about...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jun 26, 20204 min read
The Great War and the McDonalds of Birr, County Offaly
A few years ago I came across a single 1914-15 Star awarded to Private Frederick McDonald of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling...
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Stephen Callaghan
May 9, 20203 min read
The Gallagher’s of Birr, County Offaly – Three Generations at War
While casually browsing the 1901 or 1911 census it is possible to pick up on interesting or peculiar facts about different families...
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