Stephen Callaghan
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
Mar 12, 20233 min read
The Story behind a Silver War Badge - Joseph Newell
Recently, I came across the following badge, known as a Silver War Badge (or often incorrectly as the Silver Wound Badge), the badge was...
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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
Jan 29, 20233 min read
Boer War and Great War Veteran Thomas Hickey
Thomas Hickey was born on Bury Quay, Tullamore, King’s County on 24 January 1875. He was the son of Michael Hickey and Mary Hickey (Nee...
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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
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
Mar 11, 20223 min read
Where it all Started - Crimea Veteran Christopher Kerrigan
Regular readers will be aware of my tendency to focus on Offaly related topics, with specific focus on Birr, a town where I have many...
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Stephen Callaghan
Feb 21, 20224 min read
Revisiting a Letter's Untold Story
This post was originally posted on the Offaly History Blog in April 2020, but in light of new research, I have added to the story. Today...
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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
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 31, 20213 min read
The death of Captain Charles Dodgson, 4th Dragoon Guards
Charles Dodgson (the grandfather of Lewis Carroll) was born in 1769. He was the son of Bishop Charles Dodgson and Mary Frances Dodgson...
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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
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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Stephen Callaghan
Sep 18, 20212 min read
Drumcullen to Africa, Sergeant Egan, 21st Regiment of Foot
Joseph Egan was born in the Parish of Drumcullen, King’s County around 1843. He was the son of Thomas Egan, a farmer who worked land...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jul 30, 20212 min read
The Tragic End of a Crimea Veteran - Patrick Walsh
On Saturday 18 April 1903, The Leinster Leader reported the 'Strange Suicide' of a Crimea veteran, Patrick Walsh who had shot himself...
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Stephen Callaghan
Jul 16, 20212 min read
A Canteen Manger of Birr Barracks - George Beattie
On 16 July 1922, while the ruins of Birr Barracks were still smoldering after having been set alight on the 14th, George Beattie passed...
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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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