Offaly 2/3

The service of Thomas Costello from Shinrone

Stephen Callaghan

Jun 18, 20212 min read

The service of Thomas Costello from Shinrone

Thomas Costello was born in Shinrone, King’s County (Offaly) around 1837. Thomas was a volunteer in the 98th King’s County Rifles, the...

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Army Pensioner Edward Curren of Mount Sally, Birr

Stephen Callaghan

May 28, 20212 min read

Army Pensioner Edward Curren of Mount Sally, Birr

Through the course of my research, I have searched both 1901 and 1911 census for army pensioners living in and around Birr. One army...

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A Souvenir of Mesopotamia - Pioneer Joseph Kelly

Stephen Callaghan

Apr 8, 20212 min read

A Souvenir of Mesopotamia - Pioneer Joseph Kelly

While looking through online auctions sites I came across the following brass plaque or 'trench art', clearly a souvenir of service in...

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The Military Service of the Stephens of Ferbane, County Offaly

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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Peninsular Wars to Anglo-Burma War - Colonel Alexander Campbell, 38th Foot

Stephen Callaghan

Mar 20, 20212 min read

Peninsular Wars to Anglo-Burma War - Colonel Alexander Campbell, 38th Foot

Alexander Campbell was born in Auchinbreck, Argyllshire, Scotland on 10 October 1795. Possibly related to the Campbells of Auchinbreck,...

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Barbados to Birr, Sergeant Gordon Brooker

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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Clonoghill Stories: Private Christopher White

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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War Memorials of St Brendan's Church, Birr (Part 1)

Stephen Callaghan

Feb 19, 20212 min read

War Memorials of St Brendan's Church, Birr (Part 1)

There was a significant contribution of men from the town of Birr, King’s County during the Great War. The true extent is not fully...

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A King's County Gentleman - Andrew Acres Stoney

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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Gunner Patrick Brien, Royal Garrison Artillery

Stephen Callaghan

Jan 22, 20212 min read

Gunner Patrick Brien, Royal Garrison Artillery

Today we look at Gunner Patrick Brien of the Royal Garrison Artillery who is buried in Killoughy Cemetery, County Offaly. Killoughly...

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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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A Peninsular War Veteran's Memorial, Captain William Henderson

Stephen Callaghan

Jan 1, 20212 min read

A Peninsular War Veteran's Memorial, Captain William Henderson

Throughout County Offaly, many Church of Ireland churches have seen a decline in numbers, this has resulted in some churches being...

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Private Patrick Doolan, 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment

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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Honourary Captain Denis Hayes M.B.E. Leinster Regiment

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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An American Revolutionary War Veteran's Grave in Birr

Stephen Callaghan

Dec 4, 20202 min read

An American Revolutionary War Veteran's Grave in Birr

The old medieval church, St Brendan’s in Birr was replaced by a new church, also named St Brendan’s in 1816. when the new church, also...

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A Birr man in Sudan, Private Michael Egleton, York and Lancs

Stephen Callaghan

Nov 20, 20202 min read

A Birr man in Sudan, Private Michael Egleton, York and Lancs

Michael Egleton was born in Birr, King’s County around 1840. He was the son of John Egleton, his mother has not been traced. Michael...

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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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Clonoghill Stories: The accidental shooting of Lieutenant Ross

Stephen Callaghan

Nov 6, 20203 min read

Clonoghill Stories: The accidental shooting of Lieutenant Ross

Among the many military graves of Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr there is the grave of Lieutenant Douglas Archibald Ross of the Royal Scots...

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Clonoghill Stories: Lieutenant Malcolm Willington MC

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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The ones left behind - Soldiers buried in Tullamore.

Stephen Callaghan

Oct 23, 20202 min read

The ones left behind - Soldiers buried in Tullamore.

To celebrate the publication of my latest book “Birr Military Cemetery”, I thought I would write a special themed post to mark the...

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