8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin

8.1: Bunclody in the 21st century: this branch of the Comerford family moved to the Bunclody area in the late 17th and early 18th centuries

Patrick Comerford

Introduction

At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, one line of the Comerford family of Ballybur [see Chapter 4: Comerford of Ballybur Castle and Kilkenny City] moved from Kilkenny to the area around Newtownbarry (Bunclody), in north Co Wexford. This move probably came through the family links of Garret Comerford of Ballybur, who was a second cousin of Eibhlinn A Ruain Kavanagh, celebrated in song, poetry and myth, who is buried in Kilmyshall Cemetery, near Bunclody.

Following the move to the Bunclody/Templeshanbo area, generations of Comerfords were buried in Kilmyshall Cemetery and the Church of Ireland churchyard in Templeshanbo.

In the 19th century, Bishop Michael Comerford was a prominent member of this branch of the family. He was known both as a bishop and a local historian, and was involved in founding local history societies in Kilkenny and Carlow, and in restoring the gravestones and monuments to members of the Ballybur branch of the family. He was a cousin and a contemporary of James Comerford (1817-1902), a celebrated arts-and-crafts period stuccodore, whose most celebrated and extravagant work of architecture and stucco plasterwork was the frieze on the Irish House in Dublin.

The family story:

RICHARD COMERFORD, son of Garret Comerford [see Ballybur, Chapter 4: Comerford of Ballybur Castle and Kilkenny City], was born ca 1660. He was living in 1686, when his father changed his will shortly before his death. He married ca 1690 the widowed Mary (Sweetman) Conway (born ca 1665), only child and heir of John Sweetman of Castle Eve and his wife Beale Archer (her father, Henry Archer, MP for Kilkenny City in 1639, was a son of Walter Archer and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Shee, Mayor of Kilkenny).[1] She was a first cousin of Piers Sweetman, father of Nicholas Sweetman, Bishop of Ferns (1745-1786).

Mary Sweetman’s first husband, Hugh Conway of Castle Eve, a cousin of Henry Archer and John Shee, died shortly after he made his will on 10 May 1690. Hugh and Mary had three sons:[2]

1, Patrick Conway.
2, Stephen Conway.
3, Silvester Conway.

Richard and Mary Comerford were the parents of three further children:

8.2: The grave of Michael Comerford (died 1719) in Old Kilmyshall Churchyard, outside Bunclody, Co Wexford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

1, William Comerford (post 1690-post 1764), of Kilkenny City (of whom next).
2, Michael Comerford (ca 1693-1719), born ca 1693, died 15 December 1719, aged 26, buried in Old Kilmyshall Churchyard outside Newtownbarry (Bunclody), Co Wexford, which is also the burial place of Eibhlinn A Ruain, second cousin of his grandfather, Garret Comerford.[3]
3, Margaret, born ca 1705/1706. She married ... O’Neal. She died on 13 February 1763, aged 57, and is buried in Saint Colman’s Church of Ireland churchyard, Templeshanbo, Co Wexford.[4]

Richard Comerford’s elder son:

8.3: Coolgreany House, near Castlewarren, Co Kilkenny, built in 1653, and said to have been the home of Richard Comerford and his son William Comerford

WILLIAM COMERFORD, of Kilkenny City (post 1690-post 1764). William claimed to be a member of the Ballybur branch of the family. Barney Comerford says William and his father Richard lived at Coolgreany, Co Kilkenny, but Prim and other authorities show that William moved to the Langton House, The Butterslip, Kilkenny, after the marriage of his son James to Anne Langton in 1754. His grandson Michael later recalled how William took an oaken chest of title deeds with him to the Butterslip, and on sunny days would take them out and unfold them. These were believed by family members to be the title deeds to Ballybur Castle. After William’s death, they were inherited by his elder son James Comerford, but are believed to have been destroyed by James Comerford’s wife, Anne.[5]

William Comerford, who was still alive some years after the birth of his grandson Michael Comerford in 1764, was the father of:

1, James Comerford (ca 1720-1809) of Kilkenny, ancestor of the Comerfords of Langton, The Butterslip, Kilkenny [see Chapter 4: Comerford of Ballybur Castle and Kilkenny City]. He died in 1809, possessed of the Comerford lands at Knockanure, Clohamon, near Bunclody.[6]
2, Edmond Comerford (ca 1722-1788), ancestor of the Comerfords of Bunclody, and of whom next.
3? Patrick Comerford, of Ryland, outside Newtownbarry, who died ca 1787.[7]
4? Edward Comerford, ancestor of the Comerfords of Newbawn and Horetown [see Chapter 11: Comerford of Horetown, Newbawn, &c., Co Wexford].

Barney Comerford cites no sources when he says William was also the father of:

5, Matthew Comerford, who married Elizabeth Bolton.[8]
6, Pierce Comerford, of Coolgreany, Co Kilkenny, born ca 1732.[9] [see Comerford Profiles 38: Pierce Comerford (1944-2010), maintaining a tradition at Coolgreany]

William Comerford’s second son:

8.4: The home of the Comerford family for generations in Newtownbarry ... now Bunclody Post Office (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

EDMOND COMERFORD (ca 1722/1723-1788), son of William Comerford of Langton House, The Butterslip, Kilkenny. Born ca 1722/1723, he may have moved to the Netwonbarry (Bunclody) area through connections with his aunt, Margaret O’Neal (ca 1705-1763), and other members of the Comerford family living in the area.

8.5: The Friary in Wexford seen from High Street and framed by the houses of Mary Street ... in the parish records for Wexford Town, Edmund and Jane Comerfort were sponsors at a baptism in the Friary in 1785. Later, Robert Comerford’s children were baptised here in the 1840s (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

The Parish Registers of Wexford record Edmund Comerfort and Jane Comerfort were sponsors at the baptism of Edmund Curry, son of Thady Curry and Mary Luisa Macs [?] in Wexford town on 23 August 1785.[10]

8.6: Saint Colman’s Churchyard, Templeshanbo, Co Wexford ... Edmond Comerford was buried nearby in 1788 (Photograph; Patrick Comerford, 2010)

Edmond Comerford died on 15 August 1788, aged 65, and is buried close to Saint Colman’s Church, Templeshanbo, Co Wexford.[11]

8.7: The graves of Thomas Comerford (left) and Edmond Comerford (right), his son James Comerford, and his grandson, Richard Comerford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

His children included:

1, Bridget (ca 1759-1810). She was born ca 1758/1759. She married John Ellis of Ballypracas, Newtownbarry. She died on 23 July 1810, aged 51, and is buried in Old Kilmyshall, with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson.[12]
2, John Comerford , (ca 1760-1823), of Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, of whom next.
3, Thomas Comerford (ca 1769-1789). He was born ca 1769. He died unmarried on 10 November 1789, aged 20, and is buried beside his father and his brother James in Templeshanbo.[13]
4, James Comerford (ca 1775-1825). He was born ca 1775, and lived at Ballyminane, near Newtownbarry, Co Wexford. See below, after the descendants of his brother John.
5, Martin Comerford (ca 1777/1778-1840) of Knockanure (see below).

They may have been cousins of:

Thomas Comerford (ca 1780-post 1825), of Gorteen, Templeshanbo (see below).

Edmund Comerford’s eldest son:

8.8: John Comerford who died in 1823 is buried in Old Kilmyshall with his sons John and William (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

JOHN COMERFORD (ca 1760/1761-1823), of Clonmullen and Newtownbarry, Co Wexford. The eldest son of Edmond Comerford above, he was born ca 1760.[14] On 8 July 1797, as ‘John Commerford’, he was paying £4.14s. rent for land held from the Earl of Farnham by the representatives of George Humphreys.[15]

John Comerford died aged 62 on 20 April 1823 and is buried in Old Kilmyshall with his sons John and William. The inscription on John Comerford’s gravestone in Kilmyshall, “Take him for all in all he was a man,” is an adapted quotation from Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2. There, in a conversation with Horatio in Act 1, Scene 2, Hamlet says of his father, the dead king:

He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.[16]

He was probably the husband of Ruth Commerford (nee Lewis). She was born ca 1764/1765, died on 3 February 1827 aged 62, and is buried in Kilrush Church of Ireland Cemetery, Co Wexford.[17]

John Comerford’s children included:

1, Eleanor (ca 1783-1841). She was born ca 1783. She married James Whitty of Tomgarrow. She died on 9 December 1841, aged 58. He was born ca 1775/1776, and died on 30 May 1863, aged 88.[18] James Whitty was a first cousin of Father John Murphy of Boolavogue (1753-1798), youngest son of Thomas Murphy of Tincurry, Ferns, and Johanna Whitty of Tomgarrow.[19] Eleanor and James Whitty are buried in Castledockrill.[20]
2, James Comerford (ca 1788/1789-1859), of Clohamon, Bunclody and Carlow, who married Catherine Rooney, and of whom next.
3, William Comerford (ca 1792/1793-1850) of Newtownbarry, who married Mary Lewis, and of whom after the descendants of his brother James.
4, John Comerford (ca 1805-1827). He was born ca 1805/1806, and died on 6 June 1827. He is buried in Old Kilmyshall, Co Wexford, with his father John Comerford and his uncle William Comerford.[21]

John Comerford’s eldest son:

JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1788/1789-1859) of Clohamon and Newtownbarry (Bunclody), Co Wexford, and Brown Street, Carlow. He was born ca 1788/1789,[22] the first son of John Comerford above.[23] He moved to Carlow, where he was a pawnbroker at 11 Brown Street, Carlow, in 1842. He also held property close to the Methodist Church in Charlotte Street, Carlow.[24] He died in Carlow on 2 November 1859, and was buried beside his son John at Saint Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.[25]

His son, the Revd Michael Comerford, then of Monasterevan, Co Kildare, was his sole executor.[26]

James Comerford married Catherine Rooney,[27] daughter of Michael and Catherine Rooney, who are buried in Grange burial ground in Arles Parish, Co Laois (Queen’s County), four miles from Carlow, and they had seven children:

1, John J. Comerford (ca 1827-1854), of Court Street, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Born ca 1827/1829, he died 1 or 14 October 1854, aged 25 or 27, and was buried at Saint Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.[28]
2, Joseph Comerford, linen merchant, of Drogheda, Co Louth, died ca 1872. He married Mary Ann Carlisle (died ca 1877), and they had a son:[29]
● 1a, Thomas J. Comerford (1869-ca 1948). He was born in Drogheda in 1869 and was baptised in Saint Peter’s, Drogheda. A former Jesuit seminarian, he moved to New Jersey, where ca 1903 he married Dorothy Selover. They had no children. He died ca 1948 at the age of 79.[30]
3, ..., a daughter, a nun.[31]
4, ..., a daughter, married ... Dunne,[32] and had a daughter who married J.D. McCarthy.[33]
5, Charles Comerford, hotelier, of Ballinakill, Co Laois.[34]
6, (Right Revd) Michael Comerford (1831-1895), of whom next.
7, James Commerford (sic) (ca 1841-1865). He was born ca 1841/1842, and died on 17 April 1865. He is buried with his grandparents, Michael and Catharine Rooney, in Graigue burial ground, Arles, Co Laois. His brother Michael had been a curate in Arles three years previously (see below).

The fourth son and sixth child of of James Comerford and Catherine Rooney was:

8.9: Bishop Michael Comerford (1831-1895), was consecrated Bishop of Corycus in Carlow Cathedral in 1889

(The Right Revd) MICHAEL COMERFORD (1831-1895) [See Comerford Profiles 16: Bishop Michael Comerford (1831-1895), bishop and historian], Coadjutor Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, archaeologist and historian. He was born in April 1831 in Tullow Street, Carlow, he was educated at Saint Patrick’s College Carlow, Saint Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, and Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He finished his studies in 1855. He was ordained in Carlow Cathedral on 13 May 1856 by the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr James Walshe. He was curate at Kill (1856-1857), Maryborough (Portlaoise, 1857-1861), Arles (1861-1862), Naas (1862-1863), and Monasterevan (1863-1878), and Parish Priest of Monasterevan from 1878.

Bishop Comerford was a founder member with John Hogan of Ormond House, Kilkenny, of the Ossory Archaeological Society. In 1869, while he was curate of Monasterevan, he was involved with Hogan and another Kilkenny historian, William Healy, in re-erecting one of the two Comerford family monuments in Grange Churchyard, near Ballybur, an altar-tomb with an ornamental reredos and Latin inscription commemorating Richard Comerford of Ballybur, who died in 1637, and his wife Mary Purcell. [See Chapter 4: Comerford of Ballybur Castle and Kilkenny City][35]

Michael Comerford was appointed titular Bishop of Corycus in Cilicia Prima (present-day Kızkalesi in Mersin Province in Turkey) and Coadjutor Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin by Pope Leo XIII on 2 November 1888, with the right of succession, and was consecrated in Carlow Cathedral on 1 January 1889.

He lived at Braganza in Carlow but continued as Parish Priest of Monasterevan until his death, with Father James Hughes there as Administrator.

He died suddenly on 19 August 1895 before succeeding as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. He is buried in Carlow Cathedral, where the Flemish pulpit was erected in his memory.[36]

8.10: The Apostle Paul preaching at the Areopagos in Athens ... a panel from the pulpit erected in Carlow Cathedral in memory of Bishop Michael Comerford

We return to John Comerford’s second son:

WILLIAM COMERFORD, second son of John Comerford. He was a shopkeeper, of Main Street, Newtownbarry (Bunclody), and of Clonmullen, Co Wexford. Born ca 1792/1793, he was living in Newtownbarry ca 1827-1836, and held lands in Clonmullen as a tenant of the Maxwell-Barry estate in 1839.[37] He was a sponsor with Ellen Comaford [sic] at a baptism in 1834.[38]

William Comerford of Newtownbarry, publican, with freehold houses and land in Newtownbarry, was among the Wexford freemen who registered to vote in March 1835, according to a list of notices received from the Clerk of the Peace, from persons claiming to Register their votes at the General Quarter Sessions of the
Peace, to be held at Enniscorthy. He was a juror at Ralph’s Hotel (the King’s Arms), with his father-in-law, William Lewis, after the Battle of the Pound on 20 June 1831.[39] He was a Poor Law Guardian (today’s equivalent of a county councillor), and was a member of the committee of Newtownbarry Fever Hospital with the Hon Somerset Maxwell (1803-1884), later 8th Baron Farnham, the Revd John Charles Archdall, Rector of Newtownbarry (1836-1897) and later Archdeacon of Ferns (1875-1897), the Revd James Walsh, Parish Priest of Marshalstown, and John Walsh, J.P., from 1848 until his death in 1850.[40]

William died on 3 May 1850, and is buried in Old Kilmyshall.[41] Probate was granted in 1854,[42] and his widow Mary took over the family leases from the Farnham estate that year.[43]

William Comerford married ca 1828 Mary Lewis, daughter of William Lewis of Clohamon.[44] Mary was born ca 1797/1798,[45] made her will on 15 July 1872, died on 2 May 1873, and is buried in Bunclody.[46]

8.11: Bunclody in the 19th century ... William and Mary Comerford lived in a house on the left hand side; it later passed to the Lawler family before becoming the Post Office

William and Mary Comerford had two daughters and a son:

1, Mary (1829/1830-1867). Born ca 1829/1830, she died on 29 June 1867 aged 37 and was buried with her mother.[47] She married John Whitty of Main Street, Newtownbarry, and they had three sons, Thomas Whitty, William Whitty and Nicholas Whitty, and three daughters, Anastasia (Jordan), Anne and Mary. [48]
2, Anne (ca 1832/1834-1911). Born ca 1832/1834, she was living at time of the 1911 census, aged 76.[49] She died on 22 May 1911. She married on 17 August 1858 Denis Lawler, of Rathvilly, Co Carlow (born ca 1831, died on 9 July 1892, aged 61).[50] Anne and Denis Lawler are buried in the Old Cemetery, Newtownbarry.[51] They had 10 children, five sons and five daughters:
● 1a, Michael J. Lawler (1859-1908). He was baptised 10 May 1859.[52] He married but had no children.[53] He died on 3 July 1908 and is buried in Bunclody.[54]
● 2a, Mary (1860-1932), married Brian Hennessy of New Ross, Co Wexford. They had no children.[55]
● 3a, Peter Paul Lawler (1862-1914), merchant, grocer, draper, auctioneer, of Main Street, Newtownbarry.[56] He was baptised on SS Peter and Paul Day, 29 June 1862.[57] In 1890 he was on the committee for erecting street lighting in Newtownbarry.[58] He died on 3 May 1914, and is buried in Bunclody.[59] He married in 1907 Victoria Mary Derham of Kinsealy, Co Dublin.[60] Born ca 1876, she was 35 at the 1911 census.[61] Peter and Victoria had three sons:
●● 1b, Desmond Comerford Lawler (1907-ca 1970) of the Chase House, Carrigduff, Bunclody.[62] He died unmarried ca 1970.[63]
●● 2b, (The Revd) Brendan Comerford Lawler, SJ, MSc, LPh, STL (1909-post 1990). A Jesuit priest, he was the Assistant Registrar, Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Milltown Park, Dublin, and Lecturer in Logic (see 36: Some Comerford missionaries).
●● 3b, (The Revd) Donald Comerford Lawler, SJ (1911-1985), born March 1911, [64] he was a Jesuit priest. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1928, went to Hong Kong in 1936, and lived in Hong Kong for over 40 years, apart from two brief periods when he studied in Australia, where he was ordained, and in Ireland. He was senior Science Master in Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, for thirty years (see 36: Some Comerford missionaries). After a long illness, he died in Ireland on 4 December 1984, aged 73.[65]
● 4a, Anne Mary (1863-1942) baptised on 22 September 1863, she died unmarried on 18 April 1942, and is buried in Bunclody.[66]
● 5a, (Dr) William Comerford Lawler, LRCPI&SI (1865-1935), of Riverview, Bunclody, Co Wexford; medical officer and registrar of births, Newtownbarry, Enniscorthy Union, 1921.[67] He was baptised on 23 April 1865, and died on 23 June 1935.[68] He married Mary Elizabeth (died 23 October 1924, aged 33), daughter of John Bolger of Ferns, Co Wexford.[69] They had three sons, including the Revd Raymond Lawler, SJ, a Jesuit priest, of Clongowes Wood, Co Kildare (died 2001), and one daughter. They have descendants still living.
● 6a, Katie (1867-1945), married John Delahunty of Wicklow, and had children.[70]
● 7a, John J. Lawler (1868-1939), of Bray, Co Wicklow. He died on 15 May 1939, aged 70, and is buried with his parents in Bunclody.[71]
● 8a, Denis E.J. Lawler (1870-1941), he died unmarried on 3 April 1941 and is buried with his parents.[72]
● 9a, Sarah (1873-1957), married Jim O’Reilly of Bray, Co Wicklow, and had four children.[73]
● 10a, Edward Joseph Lawler (1874-1875), born on 15 October 1874, died on 23 March 1875.[74]
● 11a?, Leo Thomas Comerford Lawler of Cumberland, Maryland, of whom next, before we continue with the Comerfords of Newtownbarry.
3, John Comerford (ca 1843-1872). He was born ca 1843/1844.[75] He was a sponsor with his sister Mary Whitty in 1860 at the baptism of Mary, daughter of Denis Lawler and Anne Comerford; and sponsor in 1868, with Nicholas Whitty and Mary Whitty, at the baptism of John J. Lawler.[76] He died on 2 April 1872, aged 28, and is buried with his mother, Mary Comerford, and his sister, Mary Whitty.[77]

8.12: The Mall, Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, ca 1900. The former Comerford and Lawler family home is on the left (Photograph: Lawrence Collection)

Although the 1911 census shows Anne (Comerford) Lawler had 10 children, she may also have been the mother of:

LEO THOMAS COMERFORD LAWLER who lived in Cumberland, Maryland. He married Lillian Laing and they had six children, three sons and three daughters:[78]

1, Albert (‘Bert’) Comerford Lawler (died before 2003).
2, (Dr) Thomas Comerford Lawler, of Sterling, Virginia (ca 1921-2006), theologian and patristic scholar, of whom after his brother David.
3, (The Revd Dr) David Comerford Lawler (1926-2003), born in Cumberland, Maryland. As Father Ronald Lawler, OFM Cap, he was a Capuchin friar and a distinguished theologian. See below.
4, Lillian Comerford Lawler (died before 2003).
5, Laing Lawler Baker (died before 2003), married ... Baker.
6, Mary Lawler Busch, of Berlin, Maryland, married ... Busch.

The third named son:

8.13: Father Ronald Lawler (the Revd Dr David Comerford Lawler) ... a Capuchin friar and leading American theologian

(The Revd Dr) DAVID COMERFORD LAWLER, was born on 29 July 1926 in Cumberland, Maryland. As Father Ronald Lawler, OFM Cap, he was a Franciscan Capuchin friar, ordained on 28 August 1951. A theologian, he was the only American member of the Pontifical Roman Theological Academy. He was educated at SS. Peter and Paul School, Saint Fidelis Seminary, and Saint Louis University (Ph.D., 1958). He taught at Saint Fidelis College, Herman, Pennsylvania, Josephinum College, Worthington, Ohio, the Catholic University of America, Washington DC, Saint Thomas University, Houston, Texas, Saint John University, New York, and the Holy Apostles’ College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut.

In 1977, he was the founding president of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, formed as a conservative counterpoint to the Catholic Theological Society of America. He was made a member of the Pontifical Roman Theological Academy in 1982 alongside Cardinal Henri de Lubac and Father Hans Urs von Balthazar. He wrote on bioethics, defending church teaching on matters ranging from embryonic stem cell research to end-of-life issues. He was co-editor of the adult catechism The Teaching of Christ (1976), with his brother, Thomas, and Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh. He died on 5 November 2003 in Pittsburgh, aged 77. He was buried in Saint Augustine Cemetery, Shaler, Pennsylvania.[79]

Father Ronald’s elder surviving brother was:

THOMAS COMERFORD LAWLER (ca 1921-2005). Theologian and patristic scholar, of Sterling, Virginia. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and was educated at Saint Fidelis Capuchin Seminary, Herman, Pennsylvania. He joined the US army in World War II, and was in the US army engineers from 1943 to 1946. He worked for the CIA for 26 years from 1951 to 1977 and received the CIA’s Intelligence Medal of Merit.[80]

He was president of the Federation of Catholic Parent-Teacher Organisations in Northern Virginia (1968-1970), and was one of six lay members of the National Catechetical Directory committee (1972-1978).[81] From 1964 to 1991, he was co-editor of the Ancient Christian Writers series of translations from Latin and Greek, published by the Paulist Press, and in that series translated S. Augustine: Sermons for Christmas and Epiphany and The Letters of Saint Jerome (1963), Origen: Treatise on the Passover and Dialogue with Heraclides (1992), Saint Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies (1992). He was co-author of The Teaching of Christ (1976) with his brother, Father Ronald Lawler, and Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh. He was co-author of The Letters of Saint Jerome and The Teaching of Christ (Our Sunday Visitor, 1995), and The Gift of Faith (2001).

In 1978, he was appointed director of religious education for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. He served on the National Catechetical Directory committee, the board of directors of the Arlington Catholic Herald newspaper and the board of Catholic Charities.[82] He received an honorary degree of Humane Letters by Saint Joseph’s College, Standish, ME, and an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute, Arlington. In 2001, he received from Pope John Paul II the papal medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. After a long career in the CIA, he received the Intelligence Medal of Merit. A friend said: “He was perhaps the only man in history to earn his country’s highest award for spying and his Church’s highest award recognising the achievements of a layman.”[83]

He died on 20 November 2005, aged 84, at the Johnson Center at Falcons Landing in Cascades, Potomac Falls. He was buried on 23 January 2006 at Arlington National Cemetery.[84] Thomas and his wife of 55 years, Patricia Ann Fullerton Lawler, of Sterling had three sons, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.[85]

We now return to James Comerford, third son and fourth child of Edmond Comerford:

8.14: James Comerford (ca 1775-1825), said to be from a miniature painted by John Comerford, who also painted his uncle, James Comerford of Kilkenny

JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1775-1825), of Ballyminane, Newtownbarry, Co Wexford. Born ca 1775, he was the son of Edmond Comerford.[86] He was a witness to the events surrounding the 1798 Rising in Co Wexford [see: 12: James Comerford (1775-1825) and witnesses to the 1798 Rising], and family tradition says he was painted by the Kilkenny-born miniaturist John Comerford [see 13: John Comerford (1770-1832), artist].

8.15: The grave of James Comerford(1775-1825) in Templeshanbo, where he is buried with his father, Edmond Comerford, and his son Richard Comerford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

He died on 6 November 1825, aged 50, and is buried with his father in close to Saint Colman's Church of Ireland parish church in Templeshanbo, with his father Edmond, son Richard and brother Thomas.[87]

James Comerford married ... and was the father of:

1, Richard Comerford (ca 1796-1848), of Newtownbarry, of whom now.
2, Robert Comerford (ca 1806/07-1864), of Wexford and Newtownbarry, who is treated after Richard and his descendants.
3, Michael Comerford (ca 1808-1868). He was born ca 1808/1809. In 1853, he was living in Ryland Lower, Newtownbarry, as a tenant of William Harvey.[88] He died aged 59 on 16 August 1868, and is buried with his uncle Thomas Comerford (died 1789) and beside his father and grandfather in Saint Colman’s Church of Ireland churchyard, Templeshanbo.[89]
4, James Comerford (ca 1817-1902), of Wexford and Dublin, who is treated after his brother Robert and his descendants.
5, Catherine, who married Philip Murphy of Mullawn, Kiltealy. She was living in 1868, when she erected a gravestone in Templeshanbo for her brother Michael and her uncle Thomas Comerford. They had at least three sons and a daughter, Michael, Patrick and Philip Murphy, and Stacia.[90]
6? Ellen, married Michael Rowe in Saint Aidan’s, Enniscorthy on 24 September 1847.[91] They first lived in Enniscorthy and later moved to Newtownbarry. Their children included two daughters, Ellen and Elizabeth,[92] and a son Patrick Rowe.[93]

The brothers Richard, Robert and later James Comerford worked throughout Co Wexford on the Gothic Revival churches built in the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s by the English architect, Augustus Welby Pugin, and his pupil, Richard Pierse. They included Saint Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Saint Peter’s College, Wexford, and Wexford’s twin churches in Rowe Street and Bride Street.

8.16: Rowe Street Church, looking from High Street towards John Street; James Comerford lived in John Street, Wexford, while he worked with his brothers Richard and Robert Comerford on Rowe Street Church and other Pugin-style buildings in Wexford. (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)

This James Comerford was a contemporary of:

8.17: Kyle Glebe in Oulart Village ... James Comerford was killed here on 27 May 1798; his widow Elizabeth and their children were then taken to Castle Annesley and on to Wexford Town (Photograph: Patrick Comerford 2009)

JAMES COMERFORD (?ca 1763-1798) was one of the first people killed during the 1798 Rising, being one of the four Protestants killed in the attack on Kyle Glebe, east of Oulart village, along with Samuel Judd, Thomas Earl and Joseph Aston after the Rector of Kilmuckridge, the Revd Robert Burrowes, was murdered in front of the house prior to the Battle of Oulart Hill on Sunday 27 May 1798. Musgrave indicates he was a parishioner of Burrowes, but the local historian Brian Cleary states he was also a Yeoman.[94]

After James Comerford was killed, his widow Elizabeth and their five children were probably then taken with the Burrowes family to Castle Annesley, the Clifford family home near Kilmuckridge, and from there brought to Wexford Town.[95]

8.18: The ruins of Castle Annesley in Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford ... James Comerford’s widow Elizabeth and their five children were probably taken there with the Burrowes family after he was killed (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

The move to Dublin

We return to the eldest son of James Comerford (1775-1825) of Newtownbarry:

RICHARD COMERFORD (ca 1796-1848), of Ryland Street, Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, eldest son of James Comerford (ca 1775-1825) of Ballyminane (above). Plasterer. He married Mary Davis (ca 1812-post 1841).[96] On 1 May 1833, John Maxwell Barry, 3rd Lord Farnham, granted Richard Comerford a lease for three lives (the King of Hanover, Queen Victoria and Anthony Graham) of a house and lands in Ryland Street,[97] which later passed to Richard’s cousin William and brother Robert.

Richard died on 22 December 1848, aged 52, and was buried with his grandfather, Edmond Comerford, in Saint Colman’s Church of Ireland churchyard, Templeshanbo.[98]

Richard and Mary (Davis) Comerford were the parents of two sons and two daughters:

1, Anne (ca 1834-post1865). She moved to Dublin and was living at 10 Aungier Street in September 1859, when she married James Reilly (O’Reilly) of 33 King Street in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row (witnesses Richard Meyler and Margaret Dowdall). They later lived at 8 Redmond’s Hill, and they had at least a daughter and two sons: Mary (born 1862); Richard Joseph Reilly (born 1864); and George Joseph O’Reilly (born 1865).
2, Robert Comerford, born in Newtownbarry and baptised on 17 December 1837.[99] He appears to have died young.
3, James Comerford (ca 1839/41-1903); see James Comerford ‘Nephew’, of whom after next.
4, Mary Comerford, born 1841.[100] She was living in 1870.

Richard Comerford’s eldest son:

JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1839/1841-1903), of Clanbrassil Street, Dublin. Known as James Comerford ‘Nephew’, and later ‘Senior’ in union records. He was born in Newtownbarry ca 1839/1841,[101] son of Richard Comerford (ca 1796-1848).[102] A stucco plasterer, he was a founding member of the Regular Stucco Plasterers’ Trade Union of the City of Dublin in 1893 (later the Dublin Operative Plasterers’ Trade Society) of 32 East Essex Street, Dublin.

8.19: The house at 7 Redmond’s Hill, where two generations of the Comerford family lived, is long gone, but the site is marked by the line of trees on the left (east) side of the street (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

He was living with his uncle James Comerford and his family at 7 Redmond’s Hill, Dublin, on 2 February 1870, when he married his first wife, Elizabeth Walsh (her sister Margaret Walsh married his cousin Robert Comerford, see below).[103] They had no children, and after Elizabeth’s death James Comerford married on 29 October 1882 his second wife, Ellen McDonnell of Oldcastle, Co Meath, and 130 Harold’s Cross Road, Dublin (witnesses James Comerford and Mary Lambert).[104]

James lived at 60 and later 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin (No 62 was also the home of Thomas Comerford below, a plasterer, see below). He signed the 1901 census as “James Comerford ‘Senior’.” No 62 was shared by three families: James and Ellen Comerford and their four children lived in one room; James and Lena Comerford (below) and their five children were living in two rooms; and the Keegan family were living in one room.[105]

James Comerford died on 2 October 1903, aged “about 62 years,” according to the inquest that day.[106] His widow later lived at 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street.

James and Ellen had at least four children:

1, Mary Hopper, born ca 1883/1885, she was aged 17 in 1901. She married ca 1907/1908 Thomas Hopper, compositor, and died ca 1914. They had one son and two daughters: Jimmy Hopper, Rosaleen Hopper and Nellie Mullen.[107] Tom Hopper remarried in the 1920s and had three more children.[108]
2, Laurence Comerford (ca 1887-1967), of whom now.
3, Elizabeth Rose (‘Lizzie’), born in 1891. She married as his second wife ca 1924 Michael Gannon, plasterer and shop steward, of Wesley Road, Rathgar, Dublin.[109] They had a daughter and two sons, still living.
4, Robert Thomas Comerford (1893-1958), of whom later.

This James Comerford’s elder son:

LAURENCE ‘Larry’ COMERFORD (ca 1887-1967), son of James Comerford (ca 1839/1841- 1903). He was born in Dublin ca 1887, and lived most of his life at 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street, Dublin. James Joyce in Ulysses makes No 52 Upper Clanbrassil Street the birthplace of Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom in her soliloquy in Penelope refers to a party at the Comerfords. A plasterer, Larry was chairman or president of the Operative Plasterers’ Trades Society of Ireland for a brief period ca 1931-1935, and vice-president ca 1936-1946.[110] In 1943, the union affiliated to the Labour Party. He was a teacher at Bolton Street Technical School (VEC) from 1946. He was a delegate to Dublin Trades Council, Irish TUC, &c, including the 1942 congress which decided on a one-day strike to commemorate James Connolly. A friend of Jim Larkin, he was a founding delegate at the Congress of Irish Unions when the Irish TUC split in 1945.[111]

8.20: No 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street ... James Comerford’s family lived here from the early 20th century. James Joyce says Leopold Bloom was born two doors away, and Molly Bloom in her soliloquy speaks of a party at the Comerfords (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2005)

Larry Comerford married on 21 April 1924 in University Church, Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Hannah, daughter of George Bayling, 2 Garden Villas, Ranelagh.[112] Larry died in 1967.

Larry and Hannah Comerford had a son and a daughter, and have descendants living in Dublin.[113]

ROBERT THOMAS (Bob or Bobby) COMERFORD (1893-1958), son of James Comerford (ca 1839/1841-1903). He was born at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street on 8 April 1893.[114] A plasterer and member of the union committee throughout 1930s and 1940s, he was one of the organisers of the union in Belfast.[115] In 1931, he married Kathleen O’Flanagan (1898-1960), of Parnell Street, Dublin (her sister Sarah married James Comerford, see below), and they later moved to Fairview. Robert died on 23 May 1958, and Kathleen died on 15 July 1960. They had one son:[116]

1, John Oliver (Sean) Comerford (1938-2011). He was born in 1938, and educated at CBS Synge Street. For his work as Sacristan of the University Church, Saint Stephen’s Green, he received the papal decoration, Benemerenti. He lived in Marino. He died on 21 June 2011, and after a funeral mass in University Church he was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Patrick Comerford with cousins May Kealy and Rita Duggan at Sean Comerford’s funeral in University Church, Dublin, this week

ROBERT COMERFORD (ca 1806/1807-1864), son of James Comerford (ca 1775-1825). Born ca 1806/1807, he was living in Wexford Town in the early 1840s, and was working briefly in Dublin in 1847, when his daughter Bridget (II) was born.[117] He lived later in Ryland Street, Newtownbarry, as a tenant of his cousin William Comerford. In 1854, as representative of his late brother, Richard Comerford, he was a tenant in Ryland Street of the Farnham-Maxwell estate.[118] In 1855, he held the same house in Ryland Street from Robert Hall-Dare.[119] Robert died in his house in Ryland Street on 13 July 1864, aged 57.[120]

The house continued to be held by representatives of the late Richard Comerford until at least 1866.[121]

8.21: Ryland Street in Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, at the close of the 19th century ... Robert Comerford lived here until his death in 1864 (Photograph: Lawrence Collection)

Robert Comerford married Rose French,[122] who died before 1864. Robert and Rose Comerford had four or five daughters and two sons:

1? Margaret Comerford (1836-1921), born in Ireland in 1836, she died in Argentina on 18 July 1921. She married James Kelly, and like her sister Bridget she emigrated to Argentina, where she has a large number of descendants [see Chapter 9: Sinnott y Comerford of Wexford and Argentina].
2, Anne, born in Wexford town on 9 October 1840, and baptised in the Friary the following day.[123] She was living in Newtownbarry with her father at the time of his death in 1864.[124]
3, Bridget (1843-pre 1847), born in Wexford town on 17 January 1843, baptised in the Friary the next day.[125] She appears to have died in infancy.
4, Bridget (1847- ), born in Dublin in 1847 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row (sponsors: James Comerford and Jane Tracy). Was she the same as Bridget Comerford (1847-1913), who is said to have been born in Co Wexford in 1847, and who married James “Santiago” Sinnott (1821-1898), and settled in San Vicente, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they have descendants? [See Chapter 9: Sinnott y Comerford of Wexford and Argentina].
5, Richard Comerford (1850-1866), born in Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, baptised on 31 May 1850.[126] After the death of his father in 1864, he moved to Dublin with his brother Robert and sister Mary to live with their uncle James Comerford and other members of the family. He was living at 22 Long Lane in 1865 and at 7 Redmond’s Hill in 1866. He died on 9 February 1866,[127] and is buried in Glasnevin with other members of the family.
6, Mary (ca 1852/1853-1865). She was born in Newtownbarry ca 1852/1853. She moved to Dublin after her father’s death with her brothers Richard and Robert to live with their uncle James at 22 Long Lane. She died on 29 December 1865,[128] and is buried with other members of the family in Glasnevin.
7, Robert Comerford (ca 1855/1856-1925), of Newtownbarry and Dublin, of whom next.

ROBERT COMERFORD (ca 1855/1856-1925), stucco plasterer, son of Robert Comerford (ca 1806/1807-1864). Born in Newtownbarry, Co Wexford, ca 1855/1856, he moved to Dublin with his brother Richard and his sister Mary after the death of their father in 1864. He was a founding member of the Regular Stucco Plasterers’ Trade Union in 1893 (Robert Comerford ‘Sen’ in the union records). He lived at 9 New Bride Street (1881), 15 Williams Place South (1911) and 76 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1925).[129]

On 7 August 1881, in Saint Kevin’s Church, he married Margaret Walsh of Cuffe Street (sister of Elizabeth Walsh, first wife of his cousin James Comerford above).[130] Robert died on 1 May 1925, aged 67. Robert and Margaret had seven children, of whom four daughters and a son were still living in 1911:[131]

1, Rosanna, born ca 1883/1884, she married on 6 August 1908 James Crowe, and they had at least three sons, David Crowe, James Crowe and Patrick Crowe.
2, Margaret, born ca 1885/1886, married ca 1910/1911 ... Mulvaney.
3, David Comerford (ca 1889/1890-1934), of whom now.
4, Anne, born ca 1892/1893, living 1911.
5, Elizabeth, living 1911, aged 16. Elizabeth or her sister Anne married ... Ryan and had at least one son, David Ryan.

DAVID (Davy) COMERFORD (ca 1889/1890-1961), son of Robert Comerford; stucco plasterer. He was born ca 1889/90. He lived at 15 Williams Place (1911, aged 21, stucco plasterer), 23 Armstrong Street (1934), and 11 Fitzgerald Street, Harold’s Cross, Dublin (1961). He was a member of the DOPTS.[132] He had administration of his father’s will in 1925. He married in Dolphin’s Barn on 19 June 1911, Mary Nolan (born ca 1889/90, died 20 October 1970), of Gibraltar Cottage,[133]. He died on 8 April 1961, aged 71; and they had nine children, three sons and six daughters, of whom two daughters are still living (2010):[134]

1, Thomas Comerford (1912-ca 1996). He has no children.
2, Margaret (1914- ), deceased.
3, Anne (1915- ), deceased.
4, Frances (1917- ), born in 1917, living in 2010, aged 93.
5, Robert (Bob) Comerford (1919-2010), plasterer; born in 1919, he died on 24 October 2010. He has no children
6, Mary (1922- ), born in 1922, deceased.
7, Rosaleen (1924- ), born in 1924, living in 2010, aged 86.
8, David Comerford (1927- ), deceased. He married Margaret Ryan, and they had children, including four sons, of whom the fourth is:
● 1a, David Comerford.
9, Bernadette, married ... Doolin. Their daughter:
● 1a, Bernadette Doolin Vaněk.

James Comerford, stucco artist, and his descendants

We now return to the next son of James Comerford (1775-1825) of Newtownbarry:

8.22: James Comerford (1817-1902) ... stucco plasterer and union organiser (Comerford family collection)

JAMES COMERFORD (1816/1817-1902), stucco plasterer, of Wexford and Dublin. He was born ca 1816/1817,[135] son of James Comerford of Ballyminane, Newtownbarry, Co Wexford (ca 1775-1825). He lived in Wexford with his brothers Richard and Robert and took care of their children after they died. James was living in John Street, Wexford Town, from ca 1842 until ca 1852. After working in Wexford, he moved to Dublin and with his sons and nephews worked with Pugin’s son, Edward Welby Pugin, and his partner George Ashlin on the city’s new Gothic Revival churches, including John’s Lane and Saint Kevin’s, and on the Irish House on the corner of Wood Quay and Winetavern Street, Dublin, and the Oarsman in Ringsend.[136] [See: 18: James Comerford (1817-1902), Victorian stucco artist and architect.]

8.23: The Irish House ... James Comerford’s masterpiece, has been described as an urban folly, a renowned piece of Celtic revival architecture, and a Byzantine casket

The Irish House with its painted stucco by the stuccodores Burnet and Comerford has been described by Sean Lynch as “a renowned piece of Celtic revival architecture,” an “urban folly” Burnet and Comerford also created a group of round-tower, cross and wolfhound on the pediment of the Oarsman pub in Ringsend, but the Irish House was their masterpiece. In his 1967 book on Irish plasterwork, C.P. Curran describes it with “its whole frontal all-glowing in colour like a Byzantine casket.”[137]

8.24: James Comerford’s stucco work on the facade of the Oarsman in Ringsend (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2008)

Later in life, James Comerford was employed by the Board of Works in Dublin Castle, and in the 1901 census he describes himself as “civil servant retired.”[138] He was a member of the Society of Stucco Plasterers of Dublin, which claimed direct descent from the City of Dublin Guild of Bricklayers and Carpenters, granted a royal charter by Charles II in 1670, and a founding member of the Regular Stucco Plasterers’ Trade Union of the City of Dublin, 1893.[139] He was an active trade unionist until his death. He could read and write both Irish and English (Nicholas Furlong, the Wexford historian, says Newtownbarry “was the last area in Co Wexford where Irish was the tongue of the market place”).[140]

8.25: The Society of Stucco Plasters of Dublin claimed a direct connection with a guild dating back to the Caroline period

In Dublin, James Comerford lived at Stephen Street (1852),[141] 22 Long Lane (until 1865),[142] 7 Redmond’s Hill (from 1866 until at least 1870, when he was working on the Irish House),[143] 2 Mountpleasant Villas, Ranelagh (until ca 1899 or 1900),[144] and, from ca 1899, at 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, where he died 14 December 1902, aged 85.[145] He is buried in Glasnevin with his wife Anne and other members of the family.

8.26: No 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh ... James Comerford died here on 14 December 1902, Stephen Comerford continued to live here afterwards, and Anne (Cullen) Comerford died here on 16 November 1903 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2004)

Is he the same James Comerford who visited Comberford, Tamworth and Wednesbury at the beginning of the 20th century and who compiled a short history of the Comberford and Comerford family, published in November 1902 shortly before his death? [See Comberford 2: Comerford and Comberford, ties of kinship and affection.]

Ca 1853, James Comerford married Anne Doyle[146] (her older sister, Mary Doyle of Stephen Street, was born ca 1828/1829, died on 28 August 1852, aged 23, and is buried in the family grave in Glasnevin).[147] Anne, who was born ca 1835/1836 (daughter of Joseph Doyle?, born ca 1803/1804?), died at 2 Mountpleasant Villas, Ranelagh, on 28 April 1899, aged 63.[148] She is buried with other family members in Glasnevin.

8.27: James Comerford’s signature when he signed his son’s indenture of apprenticeship on 23 June 1888 (Comerford family collection)

8.28: Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin ... generation of the Comerford family were baptised and married in this church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

James and Anne had at least four sons and at least one daughter:

1, James Comerford (ca 1854-post 1911), of whom next.
2, Richard Comerford (1858-1937), of whom after James and his descendants.
3, Robert Comerford (1860-1902), to whom we return after his youngest brother Stephen and his descendants.
4, Anne Elizabeth (1863-post 1902 ). She was born in 1863, and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: James Reilly and Catherine Maher). She was unmarried at the time of her father’s death in 1902. She married later (to ... Murphy?), and may have moved to England.[149]
5, Stephen Edward Comerford (1867-1921), of whom after James, Richard and their descendants.

8.29: The baptismal font in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, where two generations of the Comerford family were baptised ... the font was a gift to the church from Daniel O'Connell (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

The eldest son of James Comerford (ca 1817-1902) was:

JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1854-post 1911), eldest son of James Comerford, stucco plasterer. Born ca 1854, he was a founding member of the Regular Stucco Plasterers’ Trade Union of the City of Dublin (1893). He lived at 62 and later 86 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin, and was living after 1902.[150]

8.30: The signature of James Comerford from 1908 on the plaster work in Dublin City Library, Brunswick Street (now Pearse Street)

On 10 November 1908, James Comerford was one of the plasterers working on the building of Dublin City Library, Brunswick Street (now Pearse Street), who left their signatures there, the others being Christy Dolan, John Lumsden, Willie Lumsden, Patrick Malone, Christy Dolan and Patrick Ward.[151]

In 1911, James Comerford and his family were sharing 82 Lower Clanbrassil Street with the Coleman family and with Isaac Joffe, a 58-year-old Jewish shopkeeper from Russia and his Russian-born Jewish wife, Hannah (56).[152]

James Comerford married Helena (Lena) Donovan (daughter of Denis Donovan?), originally from Cork. They had three sons and two daughters:[153]

1, James Comerford (‘Sen’) (ca 1886/1888-ca 1944). Born ca 1886/1888, he was a stucco plasterer. He lived at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and later at 3 Upper Clanbrassil Street (1941).[154] He was a committee member, OPATSI (1932), and an active union member in 1941. He married Sarah Flanagan of Parnell Street (her sister Kathleen married Robert Comerford, see above). He died ca 22 May 1944. They had no children.[155]
2, Catherine, born ca 1889/1891, married ... O’Brien. They had no children.[156]
3, Denis Comerford (1892-1963). He was born on 29 December 1892, at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street. A stucco plasterer, he was living at 114 Downpatrick Road, Crumlin, Dublin, in 1938. He married Sarah Smullen. He died on 19 March 1963, she died on 27 February 1972. They are buried in Templeogue Cemetery, Dublin.[157] They had at least two sons.
4, Richard (‘Dick’) Comerford (ca 1895/1896-ca 1954), plasterer. He was born ca 1895/1896. He later lived in York Street, Dublin. He married Melina Sweeny. He died ca 1954.[158] They had had two daughters, who married.
5, Helena (Lena), born ca 1896/1898; married ... Houlihan.[159]

The second son of James Comerford (ca 1817-1902) was:

RICHARD ‘Dick’ COMERFORD (1858-1937). A stucco plasterer, he was the second son of James Comerford. He was born in 1858, and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: James Comerford and Anne Comerford). He married on 27 July 1877 in Rathmines Anne (Annie) (ca 1856/1857-post 1902), daughter of Peter Lannery (witnesses Robert Cumerford (sic) and Mary Redmond). Richard spelled his name Cumerford and Cummerford in 1879. He lived at 3 Costelloes Cottages, off Upper Clanbrassil Street (1879), 7 Peter Street (1892), 32 Upper Mercer Street (1894) and 1 Camden Buildings, off Camden Street (1901 and 1911). He died ca 18 February 1937.

Dick and Annie Comerford had at least six sons and three daughters:[160]

1, James Comerford (1879-post 1941). He was born in 1879. He was a stucco plasterer, and was working with his brother Peter as a master plasterer on 16 July 1941. He was living with his parents in 1901 after he married Ellen ..., and they were living at 2 Montague Place in 1911, along with his cousin, Elizabeth Greene (4). James was then 32 and Ellen was 31. They had no children. [161]
2, Bridget, born ca 1885/1886, living in 1901 and 1911.[162]
3, Peter Comerford, born ca 1887/1889, of whom next.
4, Agnes, born ca 1888. She married on 2 February 1908 in Saint Kevin’s Henry Ferguson McNab, soldier, of Portobello Barracks, son of Robert McNab (witnesses Henry Jordan, Mary Kavanagh; priest, Christopher Grimes). They lived in York Street and had five sons.[163]
5, Richard Comerford, born on 7 October 1892, in 7 Peter Street. He was aged 8, a schoolboy, in 1901.[164]
6, Thomas Comerford (1894-post 1944). He was born in 1894, and was baptised on 12 July 1894 in SS Michael and John Church. He married before 1918 Teresa Byrne, daughter of Thomas Byrne of 11 Harty Place (off Lower Clanbrassil Street) – her sister Sarah married Thomas Comerford’s brother, Peter Comerford (see above).[165] Thomas and Teresa had at least four children.
7, John (Jack) Comerford (ca 1896/1897-post 1946). He was born ca 1896/1897. He married Mary Ennis, widow of his brother Patrick Comerford, after 1939. They had no children.[166]
8, Patrick Comerford (ca 1900/1901-post 1939). He was born ca 1900/1901. A stucco plasterer, he was a member of OPATSI, a member of the union committee in 1930, and a union trustee in 1931-1934. He was a trustee again in 1937 and a member of the union committee in 1937 and 1938. He married Mary Ennis and died ca 1939. After his death, his widow married Patrick’s brother, Jack Comerford (above).[167]
9, Josephine, born 1901, aged 8 (sic) and at school in 1911.[168]

The third son of Richard Comerford (ca 1856-1937) was:

PETER COMERFORD (ca 1887/1889-post 1943), stucco plasterer and later master plasterer. Born ca 1887/1889, son of Richard Comerford. He married on 20 November 1911, in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Sarah Byrne, daughter of Thomas Byrne of 11 Harty Place, off Clanbrassil Street. Her sister Theresa married Peter Comerford’s brother Thomas Comerford (see above).

Peter Comerford was living at 1 Camden Buildings (1911, 1914), 17 Harty Place (1918) and 39 O’Curry Road, Dublin (1933).

He was an active member of the OPATSI until the 1930s. In 1933, he was a plastering contractor, and he was a member of the union executive committee in 1938. He was one of the founding members of the Master Plasterers’ Association, formed ca 1940 at the request of the union, and represented the MPA in talks with the union. In 1941, he was working with his brother James Comerford and his cousin Robert M McNab. In 1943, he was an executive member of the MPA. The union records refer to ‘Peter Comerford and Sons.’[169]

Peter and Sarah Comerford had at least seven sons and a daughter, and have descendants living in Dublin, Leixlip, Co Kildare, and Sweden.[170]

Peter Comerford’s eldest son, Richard Comerford, played soccer for Shamrock Rovers (1933-1935) and Saint James’s Gate (1935-1938), and played in two FAI cup finals: in 1937, when Waterford won 2-1; and in 1938, when he scored one of the goals that helped defeat Dundalk 2-1. Another son, Brendan Comerford, played for Saint James’s Gate 1930-1934, and was on the 1934 FAI cup final team that lost 2-1 to Cork.

The fourth son of James Comerford (ca 1817-1902) was:

8.31: Stephen Edward Comerford (1867-1921) (Comerford family collection)

STEPHEN EDWARD COMERFORD (1867-1921) [See Comerford Profiles 19: Stephen Edward Comerford (1867-1921), stuccodore and trade unionist], fourth son of James Comerford (ca 1816/1817-1902). He was born at 7 Redmond’s Hill, Dublin on 28 December 1867, and baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row (sponsors: Thomas Roche, Margaret Dowdall).[171] At the age of 16, Stephen Comerford was apprenticed to his father, James Comerford, Operative Plasterer of the City of Dublin, “to learn his Art” from 1 June 1884 for seven years, according to an indenture dated 23 June 1888, signed by James Comerford and Stephen Comerford and witnessed by John Hartigan and Isaac Hill.[172]

8.32: Stephen Comerford’s signature when he was apprenticed to his father on 23 June 1888 (Comerford family collection)

A stucco plasterer, he worked on many of George Ashlin’s Dublin churches and on Ashlin’s hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin. He was a member of the Society of Stucco Plasterers of Dublin and a founding member and member of the council of the Regular Stucco Plasterers’ Trade Union of the City of Dublin in 1893. He was the Dublin branch secretary in 1899, when the union organised a Parnell commemoration demonstration, and in 1902, when he took part in an Irish-language demonstration. In 1903, the union changed its name to the Operative Plasterers’ Trade Society of Dublin.[173] According to the census returns for 1901 and 1911, he could read, write and speak Irish and English.[174]

8.33: No 2 Old Mountpleasant, Ranelagh ... Stephen Comerford lived here in the first two decades of the 20th century (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

Stephen lived at 2 Mountpleasant Villas, Ranelagh (1899),[175] 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue (1900-1905),[176] 2 Mountpleasant Villas (1905- post 1907),[177] 102 South Lotts Road, Ringsend (ca 1909),[178] 2 Old Mountpleasant (ca 1909-ca 1913, this house is now incorporated in ‘The Hill,’ Ranelagh),[179] and 7 Swanville Place, Rathmines, Dublin, from 1913 until his death in 1921.[180]

8.34: The medals Stephen Comerford was decorated with during World War I

During World War I, Stephen Comerford was a private in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers: Private, regimental number 9062; theatre of war first served in, (2B) Balkans; date of entry, 14 July 1915; discharged 3 May 1916; medals: Victory, Roll B/101 B2, p. 131; British, Roll B/101 B2, p. 131; 1914-1915 Star, Roll B/10B, p. B81.[181] He was at Suvla Bay in August 1915, was evacuated to Thessaloniki and was discharged on 3 May 1916.[182] [For Stephen Comerford’s wartime story see: Wearing a poppy so my grandfather’s story might not be lost]

8.35: The Liberation of Thessaloniki in October 1912 ... Stephen Comerford was stationed here before being discharged on medical grounds in 1916

Stephen Comerford was married twice. He married first, in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin, on 29 November 1899, Anne Cullen (1871-1903), of 11 Merrion Square, Dublin (the home of Sir Edward Hudson Hudson-Kinahan), daughter of Thomas Cullen, salesman, of Clanbrassil Street, Dublin.[183]

8.36: No 11 Merrion Square, Dublin ... Anne Cullen was living here in 1899 when she married Stephen Comerford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2008)

Stephen and Anne Comerford had three children:

1, Edmond Joseph Comerford (1900-1905). He was born in Dublin on 30 October 1900, and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: Elizabeth Carey and Michael Heffernan).[184] He died on 24 August 1905 in Clonskeagh Hospital, Dublin, and is buried with his mother, and his grandfather Thomas Cullen, in Glasnevin.[185]
2, Mary Josephine (May) (1902-1973). She was born in 1902, and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church .[186] She married in Autumn 1939 Seán Ó Lionnáin (John Leonard), of Convabeg, Ballyhooley, Mallow, Co Cork. At a young age he had emigrated to England, where he worked in the Post Office and became friends with Michael Collins. On retirement, he returned to Ballyhooley, and built Convabeg. His first wife, Máire Nic a Bháird (Mary Ward), died on 3 October 1930. He died on 25 December 1959. Seán Ó Lionnáin and May (Comerford) had no children, and after his death she returned to live at 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure, with her half-brother Patrick Comerford and her half-sister Margaret Comerford. She died on 24 September 1973 and is buried in Dean’s Grange Cemetery, Dublin.
3, Arthur James Comerford (1903-1987). He was born on 26 October 1903.[187] In 1911, he was living at The Quay, Portrane, with his stepmother’s mother, Margaret Lynders, who described him as her grandson.[188] He first worked for Arthur Guinness and Son. From 1926, he was the clerk of the Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar. He was awarded the Papal Medal Bene Merenti in 1973. He lived at 38 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6. He married Kathleen Millar. Kathleen died on 27 November 1975, Arthur died on 12 December 1987, and they are buried in Dean’s Grange Cemetery, Dublin. [189] They had no children.

8.37: Arthur James Comerford (1903-1987) lived at 38 Rathgar Road (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2006)

Anne (Cullen) Comerford died at the age of 32 on 16 November 1903 at 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue, and is buried with her son Edmond and her father in Glasnevin.[190]

8.38: Saint Patrick’s Church, Portrane ... Stephen Comerford and Bridget Lynders were married here on 7 February 1905 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)

8.39: The Quay House, Portrane ... Bridget Lynders was married from this house on 7 February 1905 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)

Stephen Comerford married secondly, on 7 February 1905, in Saint Patrick’s Church, Donabate, Bridget Lynders (born 18 April 1875, died 25 March 1948), daughter of Patrick and Margaret (McMahon) Lynders of The Quay House, Portrane, Co Dublin.[191]

8.40: Stephen and Bridget (Lynders) Comerford on their wedding day in Donabate in 1905 (Comerford family collection)

Stephen and Bridget (Lynders) Comerford had three sons and a daughter:

4, Patrick Thomas Comerford (1907-1971), born at 2 Mountpleasant Villas, Ranelagh, on 24 November 1907. He lived at 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure, Dublin 6. He died unmarried on 22 April 1971, and is buried with his parents in Portrane, Co Dublin. [192]
5, Robert Anthony (‘Bob’) Comerford (1909-1953), born at 102 South Lotts Road, Ringsend, Dublin, on 28 December 1909.[193] A civil servant, he lived at 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure. He was unmarried. He died in the Meath Hospital, Dublin, three hours after a motor accident in Leinster Road, Rathmines, on 10 August 1953. He is buried with his parents in Portrane.[194]
6, Margaret Catherine (1912-1995), born at 2 Old Mountpleasant on 22 April 1912.[195] She lived at 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure, Dublin 6W. She died unmarried on 14 February 1995 and is buried with her half-sister in Dean’s Grange.[196]
7, Stephen Edward Comerford (1918-2004), of whom next.

8.41: Stephen and Bridget (Lynders) Comerford are buried with their sons Patrick Comerford and Robert Comerford in Saint Catherine’s Churchyard, Portrane; behind is the grave of her parents, Patrick and Margaret (McMahon) Lynders (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)

Stephen Comerford died in hospital on 21 January 1921, and he was buried in Saint Catherine’s Churchyard, Portrane. His gravestone incorrectly gives his age at death as 49.[197]

8.42: No 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure ... Bridget (Lynders) Comerford moved here in the mid-1930s, and it remained the Comerford family home for 60 years until Margaret Comerford died in 1995 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

Stephen Comerford’s widow, Bridget (Lynders) Comerford, continued to live at 7 Swanville Place until ca 1935. She then moved to 5 Ashdale Park, Terenure, and in the 1940s worked as private secretary to William Norton (1900-1963), leader of the Irish Labour Party (1932-1960) and secretary of the Post Office Workers’ Union (1924-1948).[198] She died in her home in Terenure on 25 March 1948, seven weeks after Norton became Tanaiste in the first Inter-Party Government. She was buried with her husband in Saint Catherine’s Churchyard, Portrane.[199]

The youngest son of Bridget and Stephen Comerford was:

8.43: No 7 Swanville Place, Rathmines ... Stephen Edward Comerford (1918-2004) was born here in 1918 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

STEPHEN EDWARD COMERFORD (1918-2004). He was born at 7 Swanville Place, Rathmines, on 14 December 1918.[200] He was an insurance clerk with the London and Lancashire Insurance Company in College Green, Dublin, an insurance surveyor with Royal Insurance and a surveyor with Donal O Buachalla and Company, 86 Merrion Square, Dublin, where he was a director. He died on 27 December 2004, and is buried in Bohernabreena Cemetery, Co Dublin. He married and had six children – four sons and two daughters – of whom five survive, along with nine surviving grandchildren, all living in Dublin. His sons include the Revd Canon Patrick Comerford, author of this blog.

We now return to the third son of James Comerford (ca 1817-1902) was:

8.44: Robert Comerford (ca 1868-1902), with his eldest sons, James Comerford and Robert Comerford (Comerford family collection)

ROBERT COMERFORD (1860-1902), son of James Comerford (1816/1817-1902) (see above). He was born in 1860 and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: Moses Byrne and Maria Wyer).[201] A plasterer,[202] he was a founding member of the union in 1893, and in 1898, he was a council member of the union.[203] He lived at 20 Bishop Street (1888), 13 Upper Mercer Street (1897) and at 25 Upper Mercer Street, where he died on 13 August 1902.[204] He married in Saint Nicholas Church on 15 July 1888 Margaret, daughter of Francis Duncan.[205] After his death, Margaret lived at 12 Longford Street and later in Little Ship Street, where she died at the age of 87.

Robert and Margaret (Duncan) Comerford had five sons:[206]

1, James Comerford, died aged 6.
2, Robert Comerford, of whom next.
3, Francis (Frank) Comerford, born ca 1894/1895, aged 16 at the 1911 census, living with his mother in 12 Longford Street, and working as a newsboy. He married Chris Connor. They had five or six children.
4, Edward (Ned) Comerford (1897-1966) He was born in 1897 and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: Peter Coleman, Mary Rafferty). It was said he was nine months younger than his brother Frank. In the 1911 census, his age was given as 15, he was a newsboy and living with his widowed mother in 12 Longford Street. Later he worked as a plasterer and lived in Gardiner Street, Dublin. He died on 14 February 1966. He had no children.
5, Stephen Comerford, born ca 1901, aged 10 at the 1911 census and living with his mother at 12 Longford Street. He later lived at 75 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and in Pimlico, Dublin. He died unmarried in the early 1980s in his late 80s.

Robert Comerford’s second and eldest surviving son:

8.45: Two Comerford brothers ca the mid-1920s, believed to be Robert Comerford (ca 1893-1962) and Stephen Comerford (Comerford family collection)

ROBERT COMERFORD (ca 1893-1962), son of Robert Comerford (ca 1866/1868-1902). He was born ca 1893. He lived at 22 Mercer Street, and High Street, Dublin (1914). He died in 1962 and is buried in Glasnevin. On 5 July 1914, he married in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, Eleanor, daughter of Andrew Gaynor, of 4 Lower Gloucester Place Dublin. Robert and Eleanor (Gaynor) Comerford had at least nine sons and six daughters:[207]

1, Stephen Comerford, plasterer (deceased), of 39 St Kevin’s Parade, off Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8. He married Frances (‘Carmel’) Moran. They had at least two sons.
2, Edward Comerford (died 1989), plasterer, of 34 Ashgrove, The Coombe, Dublin 8. He is mentioned in union records ca 1940-1945. He married Lilly Kells of York Street, Dublin. She died on 21 August 1987, and he died in 1989.[208] They had eight sons and two daughters.
3, Anthony Comerford (died 1995), plasterer, of Mountpleasant, Ranelagh, and 354 Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dublin 14. He married Margaret Kehoe, who died in 1995. They had four sons and three daughters.
4, John Comerford (ca 1936-1998), plasterer, of Holloway, London. He was born ca 1936. He died in 1998 aged 62.[209] He married ..., and had a daughter.
5, Richard Comerford, born on 30 April 1917, died in his late 40s.
6, James Comerford, died young;
7, Robert Comerford, born on 5 July 1919, died young.
8, Thomas Comerford, died young.
9, Patrick (‘Paddy’) Comerford, died aged 12.
10, Elizabeth (‘Lilly’) (ca 1930-2001). She was born ca 1930. She married Michael Duggan. They lived in Lower Clanbrassil Street, Donore Avenue, and at 18 Donard Walk, Dublin. She died in July 2001, and they had five children.
11, Teresa, married William Kenny and had children.
12, Agnes, died a child.
13, Anne, died young.
14 Eva Ellen, died aged 4.
15, Chrissie, born ca 1915/1916, married William Freeman of Keeper Road, Dublin. They had four daughters and four sons.

Unplaced:

THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1832-post 1865). He was born ca 1832. He was a plasterer and living at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin, in 1862, when his daughter Ellen Teresa was born. [210]

No 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street was later the home of James Comerford (ca 1854-post 1911), eldest son of James Comerford (1817-1902), see above. So Thomas Comerford may have been a nephew of the elder James Comerford, perhaps a son of Robert Comerford (1807-1864), see above. Thomas Comerford married on 7 May 1856, in John Street Chapel, Parish of Saint Nicholas Without, Dublin, Mary Anne Ludlow.[211]

He died after 1865. Thomas and Mary Anne Comerford had one daughter:

1, Ellen Teresa, born on 24 October 1862, baptised 27 October 1862 (sponsors Thomas Hopkins, Mary Carty).[212]

Were Thomas and Mary Anne Comerford also the parents of:

MATTHEW COMERFORD, born ca 1865. A tiler and rouge slater, he lived at 35 New Bride Street. He married Elizabeth Archibald and had a son and a daughter:

1, Robert Comerford, born ca 1883. A stone mason and cutter, he lived at 35 New Bride Street, 61CB Iveagh Buildings (1910),[213] and Saint Kevin’s Cottages (1916),[214] Dublin. He married on 17 July 1908, Christina St John, daughter of Stephen St John.[215] They had four daughters and two sons.
2, Rose.

Comerford of Knockanure

We now return to Edmond Comerford’s fifth child and fourth son:

MARTIN COMMERFORD (ca 1777/1778-1840) of Castle Quarter and Knockanure House, Clohamon, near Newtownbarry (Bunclody), Co Wexford, fifth and youngest son of Edmund Comerford above. Born ca 1777/1778, Martin lived at Castle Quarter and Knockanure, in the parish of Kilrush, the electoral district of Newtownbarry, Co Wexford. In 1824, the Tithe Applotment Books show Martin Comerford owned 68 acres in the neighbouring townlands of Castle Quarter and Knockanure. In Castle Quarter (as Martin Comerton), he owned 50.2.0 acres, making Martin the largest landholder in the townland. In 1852, this land was held by Bartholomew Connor from Richard Gason. In Knockanure, as Martin Cummerton, he owned another 17.2.0 acres.[216]

Ca 1811, Martin married Mary ... (born ca 1785/1786, died on 7 May 1871, aged 85). They were buried in Kilrush Old Roman Catholic Cemetery, near Newtownbarry, with their .[217] Mary Comerford was still holding 14.2.6 acres in Knockanure in 1852.[218] Martin died on 6 June 1840, aged 62, and was buried in Kilrush with his wife and family.[219] Martin and Mary had the following children:

1, Patrick Commerford. Born ca 1812/1813, he died on 16 March 1869, aged 56, and was buried in Kilrush Old Roman Catholic Cemetery with his parents and their family.[220] Patrick married ... and had a daughter and a son:
● 1a, Margaret,born ca 1844. On 11 May 1869, she married in Newtownbarry, William Byrne, grocer, son of Gregory Byrne, Carlow. William Byrne was sponsor on 15 June 1870, for Denis Lawler, son of Denis Comerford and Anne Lawler.[221] Margaret and William Byrne had three daughters and a son, Catherine, Margaret, Gregory and Anne.[222]
● 2a, James Comerford, born ca 1862, died on 19 November 1914, aged 52, buried with his grandparents.[223]
2, Johanna, born ca 1813. She married Myles Connors. She died on 29 December 1850, aged 37, and is buried in Kilrush Old Roman Catholic Cemetery with her parents and their family.[224] Johanna and Myles Connors had two daughters, Judith and Anne.[225]
3, Eleanor, born ca 1821/1822. She married in Newtownbarry on 6 February 1863, James Curran. She died on 15 April 1867, aged 45, and was buried in Kilrush with her parents and their family.[226]
4, Bridget, born ca 1825/1826. She married in Newtownbarry on 10 September 1867 John Ralph, widower, farmer, of Tombrack.[227] John Ralph was postmaster of Newtownbarry in 1839,[228] and the family owned the King’s Arms Hotel. Bridget (Comerford) Ralph died on 22 February 1871, aged 45, and was buried in the Comerford family grave in Kilrush.
5, Martin Comerford (ca 1828-1911), of whom next.
6, John Comerford, living in 1867, when he was a witness at the wedding of Bridget Comerford and John Ralph in Newtownbarry. Barney Comerford suggested he later emigrated to Australia, but perhaps he is the same John Comerford of Irish Street, Newtownbarry, born ca 1826/1827, and still living, aged 74 at the time of the 1901 census. He married Anne Hore (ca 1836/1837-post 1901), and they were the parents of :
● 1a, James Comerford, of Tubal Road, York, New South Wales, Australia.[229]
● 2a, Ann, born 1861 [?she married William Murphy].
● 3a, Ellen, born 1864. She married ... Crean and had a daughter Elizabeth.[230]
● 4a, Margaret, born 1868.
● 5a, Mary, born 1870, living in 1911, aged 34, with her brother John and niece Elizabeth.[231]
● 6a, Philip Comerford, born 1871, living in 1901.[232]
● 7a, John Comerford, born 7 August 1875, living in 1911, aged 34, single, and living with his sister Maria and niece Elizabeth.[233]
● 8a, Jane, born on 27 January 1878, she married (1) John Falconer (1868-1906) in Saint Vincent’s Church, Birmingham in 1900, and had two children. After John Falconer’s death she returned to Ireland with her children. She married (2) James O’Connor in Saint Vincent’s Church, Birmingham. The children of Jane (Comerford) and John Falconer were: [234]
●● 1b, Mary Margaret (1901-1980), of Lichfield, Staffordshire. She was born in June 1901 in Birmingham; on 21 March 1939 in Saint Vincent’s Church, Vauxhall, she married Maurice Bernard Perrett of 191 Saint Saviour’s Road, Birmingham, and they later lived in Lichfield, Staffordshire, where she died in 1980.[235]
●● 2b, John Falconer (1903-1973), of Tobernbrone, Piltown, Co Kilkenny. He was born on 23 September 1903 in Birmingham, and died on 1 December 1973 in Tobernbrone, Piltown, Co Kilkenny. He married Mary Kate Rowe (1902-1981) of Wicklow, and they had seven sons and seven daughters.[236]
● 9a, Kate or Katie, Clohamon, born ca 1878/1879, died 23 June 1960, aged 81, buried Kilrush Roman Catholic cemetery.[237]
● 10a, Michael Comerford, of Tubal Road, York, New South Wales, Australia.
● 11a? Ellen, Castle Quarter. Born ca 1885, she died ca November 27 1968, aged 83, and is buried in Dublin.[238]
7? Ellen, married Thomas Doyle of Knockanure, Co Wexford, and had a daughter Ellen, born in 1857.[239]
8? Margaret, living on 6 February 1863.[240] Did she marry Martin Dunbar ca 1870-1875?
9? Catherine, living in 1843-1844.[241]

The fifth child and second son of Martin and Mary Comerford was:

8.46: Martin Comerford (ca 1828-1911) of Knockanure House, Clohamon, Co Wexford, and later of Bahana, St Mullin’s, Co Carlow (Comerford Family Collection)

MARTIN COMERFORD (ca 1828-1911), of Knockanure House, Clohamon, and later of Bahana, St Mullin’s. He was born ca 1828/1829. Martin Comerford was evicted from Knockanure House, Clohamon. ‘Big Martin’ later went back and burned the house, bringing a large trough with him by ass and cart to his new home at Bahana, near St Mullin’s, Co Carlow. When he died on 25 September 1911, aged 82, he was buried with his parents and their family in Kilrush. Martin was twice married. His first wife was Mary Doyle, daughter of Alexander Doyle (ca 1781/1782-1853), of Ballyling, and his wife Margaret (ca 1805-1862), and sister of Garret Doyle (ca 1841/1842-1900) of New Ross, Co Wexford. Mary died on 9 July 1868, and was buried with her parents in St Michael’s, St Mullin’s, Co Carlow.[242]

Martin and Mary Comerford had three sons and five daughters:[243]

1, Johanna (ca 1860/1861-1925), born ca 1860/1861, died 20 July 1925, aged 64. She married Michael Doyle of The Glebe, St Mullins, Co Carlow, and they had seven children. Their descendants living in St Mullins, Co Carlow, and New Ross, Co Wexford, include the Doyle and Deegan families.
2, Margaret, born ca 1862, died on 21 November 1867, aged 5. She is buried with her grandparents in Kilrush.
3, Patrick Comerford (ca 1866/1867-1941), of Bahana, St Mullin’s, Co Carlow, born ca 1866/1867, died on 29 July 1941, aged 74. He married Mary (Minnie) Ryan (ca 1874/1875-1967), aunt of Bishop Laurence Ryan of Kildare and Leighlin. She died on 12 July 1967, aged 88. Patrick and Mary Comerford are buried in Saint Michael’s, St Mullin’s.[244] They had two sons and three daughters:
● 1a, Martin Comerford (died 1996).
● 2a, Mary , who married Lar Byrne.
● 3a, Margaret , who married John Ryan.
● 4a, Patrick (Patsy) Comerford of Bahana, who played junior hurling for Co Carlow, and died in 2008.
● 5a, Eileen , who married Tom Murphy.[245]
4, Elizabeth, born ca 1868/1869, died on 26 July 1923, aged 54, buried with her grandparents.[246]
5, Mary, married Philip Cushen, and had three sons and two daughters. Their grandchildren include (Revd) Patrick Cushen, Parish Priest of Ferns, Co Wexford, and (Revd) Bernard Cushen, Parish Priest of Adamstown, Co Wexford (living in 2010).
6, James Comerford (1872-1914), born in 1872, he died on 19 November 1914, aged 42. He married Bridget Doyle and they had two sons and a daughter:
● 1a, Martin Comerford, who married Mary Cullen.
● 2a, Michael Comerford.
● 3a Mary, married Martin Lyng and had two daughters, Kathleen and Bridget, and a son, Martin Lyng.
7, Michael Comerford, who moved to Australia, where he married, and may have had children.
8, Katie, who died ca. 1961.

8.47: Clerical cousins ... Canon Patrick Comerford and Father Bernard Cushen in Old Ross, Co Wexford on 9 September 2009

Comerford of Gurteen

Another member of the family was:

THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1780-post 1825), of Gorteen, near Templeshanbo, Co Wexford. He was born ca 1780, and living in 1825.[247] He appears to have been a nephew of Edmond Comerford (above). He married ... and had one son and perhaps one daughter:

1, Daniel Comerford, of whom now.[248]
2? Elly, who married Dan Doyle and had a son, Thomas Doyle, born in 1866.[249]

Thomas Comerford’s son:

DANIEL COMERFORD or COMERTON, born ca 1810, v. 1850, 1868.[250] He was living in Newtownbarry in 1839, and later held three acres and a house at Gurteen, near Templehanbo. He was a tenant of Daniel Cookman in 1853.[251] Dan Comerford, along with Denis Lawler (see above) and others, was a member of the jury in Bunclody at the trial of Patrick Power for the murder of his father Timothy Power in 1868.[252] Was he still alive in 1898? He married Judith (Judy) Franey of Kyle, Co Wexford, sister of James Franey of Ashbourne, Co Meath.[253] Daniel and Judy Comerford had at least two daughters and a son:

1, Ellen, baptised in 1840.[254]
2, Mary, of Gurteen, married on 5 February 1868 Luke Mahon of Boolabeg, farmer, and had two sons and a daughter, Patrick, Anne and Thomas Mahon.
3, Patrick Comerford, of whom now.

Daniel’s son:

PATRICK ‘Mogue’ COMERFORD (ca 1846/1847-1924). Born ca 1846/1847,[255] farmer, of Glaslacken and Gurteen, he died in August 1924, aged 77, and is buried in Kilmyshall Church Cemetery.[256] He was twice married. He married first in 1875 Bridget Nolan (ca 1851-1904), of Cromogue, who died in January 1904 and is buried in Kilmyshall Church Cemetery.[257] Patrick and Bridget had five sons and two daughters:[258]

1, Daniel Comerford, born on 19 January 1876, living in 1911, unmarried.
2, Johanna, born on 27 September 1877, unmarried.
3, Thomas Comerford, born 12 February 1880, lived at Scarawalsh. He married ... Davis, and had two sons and three daughters. His children and grandchildren live in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Adamstown, Co Wexford, and Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
4, Patrick Comerford (1882-1904). Born on 12 May 1882, he died unmarried in January 1904, and is buried with his parents in Kilmyshall Church Cemetery.[259]
5, Aidan Comerford (1884-post 1930). Born on 6 June 1916, he married on 6 June 1916 in Kilmyshall, Mary, daughter of William Bolger of Cramogue, Co Wexford.[260] They had four sons, and their children and grandchildren live in Co Kildare.
6, Mary, whose daughter Mary (Mollie) married Thomas Walsh.
7, James Comerford (1890-post 1979), of Ferns Road, Castlequarter, Clohamon Co Wexford. He married ... and had at least two sons and four daughters.

Patrick Comerford married secondly Johanna ...

*****

Unplaced:

... COMMERFORD, married Esther Nolan. She was born ca 1785/1786, died on 8 January 1836, aged 50, and is buried in Kilmyshall Roman Catholic churchyard.[261]

© Patrick Comerford, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

Sources, references and footnotes:

[1] See Carrigan 3, pp 332-33.
[2] Carrigan 3, p. 333.
[3] R. Murphy, Old Kilmeashal, Cemetery (Enniscorthy, 1988), #171; B. Cantwell, Memorials of the Dead - North Wexford (Greystones, 1978-1980), 5, p. 199, gives the age at death as 6, and the date of death 15 December 179-; original gravestone inscription checked by Patrick Comerford, 24.4.1992, 23.4.2010.
[4] Original gravestone inscription checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986; Cantwell 5, p. 217, does not give the full inscription, and misspells her surname as O’Neale, adding a final ‘E’.
[5] Prim (1864), p. 83; EL Hayburn, ‘Langton Portraits,’ Old Kilkenny Review No 25 (1973), p. 78; Barney Comerford, p. 47.
[6] PROI Dublin, Index of Administration Bonds, Diocese of Ferns Index.
[7] WPW Phillimore (ed), Indexes to Irish Wills, vol 1 (Ossory, Leighlin and Ferns) (London, 1909), p. 73.
[8] Barney Comerford, p. 47.
[9] Barney Comerford, p. 47.
[10] Wexford Parish Register (NLI Pos 4252).
[11] Cantwell 5, p. 217, where his age at death is given incorrectly as 65 and gives no day in August; his age is also given as 65 in R. Murphy (ed), Memorials of the Dead, Templeshanbo (Bunclody: Glór na nGael, 1990), p. 43, s.v. Templeshanbo Old Graveyard, # 44; original gravestone inscription inspected by Patrick Comerford 12 June 1986, 24 April 2010.
[12] Cantwell 5, p. 199; Rory Murphy incorrectly gives her age at death at 31 instead of 51 (Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 458).
[13] Cantwell 5, p. 217; Murphy, Templeshanbo, p. 43, # 43; checked by Patrick Comerford 12 June 1986, 24 April 2010.
[14] His grave in Old Kilmyshall is not recorded by Cantwell. Murphy variously gives his age at death as 62 in 1823, i.e., born ca 1760/1761 (Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 8), and 82 in 1873, i.e., born ca. 1791, but points out that he found this memorial “very difficult to read” and that “the dates of death are not definite.” Rory Murphy, note signed R.M. to Patrick Comerford (13.3.2002). Gravestone checked and transcribed by Patrick Comerford, 23 April 2010.
[15] ‘Quit Rents and Crown Rents, Co Wexford,’ NLI Ms 5505, ff 143.
[16] See Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 8 and note of 13.3.2002. Original gravestone inscription inspected by Patrick Comerford 12 June 1986, 24 April 2010.
[17] R. Murphy, K. Hemmingway (eds), Memorials to the Dead, Parish of Kilrush (Bunclody, 1990), p. 60.
[18] Cantwell 5, p. 178.
[19] See N. Furlong, Fr. John Murphy of Boolavogue 1753-1798 (Dublin, 1991), pp 1, 28-29, 144.
[20] Cantwell 5, p. 178.
[21] See Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 8, where his reading of John’s death at the age of 21 in 1877 would have him born ca 1856, 36 years after the death of his father John Comerford; gravestone checked and transcribed by Patrick Comerford, 23 April 2010.
[22] Although his gravestone in Enniscorthy says he was aged 76 when he died in 1859 (i.e., born ca 1783), a lease on the family properties in Newtownbarry from the Farnham estate in 1854 shows he was then aged 65 (Cantwell 6, p. 241, but see NLI Mss 3134, estate rental, and 3135, f. 19, which says he died in November 1859).
[23] Barney Comerford lists him as a brother of Martin Comerford (Barney Comerford, pp 112, 272).
[24] PV 3/1, p. 9.
[25] Cantwell 6, p. 241.
[26] PROI, Wills Index, 1865, p. 65.
[27] Barney Comerford, pp 112, 272; JAPMD 3, p. 494 (quoting note from Mr CJ Hobson). There have been members of the Rooney or Roney family in the Bunclody area since, perhaps, at least the mid-17th century: Bryan Roney (born ca 1659/1660, died 25 March 1723) is buried in Old Kilmyshall along with his wife Margaret Freeman and their sons, Daniel Roney (born ca 1706/1707, died 12 August 1741) and Bryan Roney (born ca 1720/1721, died 16 April 1763), see Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 316.
[28] Cantwell 6, p. 241; PV 31/1, p. 34. The parish register in Enniscorthy says he died 1 October, the gravestone says he died 14 October.
[29] Barney Comerford, pp 112, 272.
[30] Barney Comerford, pp 112, 272.
[31] Barney Comerford, p. 272.
[32] Barney Comerford, p. 272.
[33] Barney Comerford, p. 272.
[34] Barney Comerford, p. 272.
[35] Carrigan 3, p. 391; Healy 1, pp 62-64; Hogan (1883), pp 41-42.
[36] Journal Co Kildare Archaeological Society, iii (1896-1899), pp 1-2; (Revd) B. Canning, Bishops of Ireland 1870-1987 (Ballyshannon, n.d., ca 1988), p. 213.
[37] Aged 57 at death, gravestone inscription, Old Kilmyshall; Newtownbarry estate rentals also show Wm Comerford paying portion of the rent on property owned by John and Peter Doyle (Newtownbarry rentals, 1818-1839, NLI Pos. 3133, f. 51 (part ii), 4.7.1827 to 26.1.1836); extracts from the Farnham estate rent book for Clonmullen and the Clonegal area are also quoted in WD White, Heirs to a Heritage, Part 2 (Clonegal, privately published, 1994), pp 169-170.
[38] This is one of the earliest entries in the parish register, but it is almost illegible and partly torn (Bunclody Par. Reg.).
[39] Wexford Conservative, Wednesday 18 March 1835; Wall, p. 177; S. de Val, ‘The Battle of the Pound,’ The Past No 9 (1972), pp 43-47. The foreman of the jury was Captain Nicholas Browne of Ballinpark, and the other jurors were Thomas Barker, William Comerford, Myles Doyle, Michael Dunne, William Lewis, Edward Moore, Lewis Moore, Stephen Radcliffe, James Redmond, Richard West and John Young (Wall, loc cit, p. 117).
[40] Wall, pp 201, 204; James Walsh, as parish priest of ‘Marshalstown’ or Newtownbarry built two new churches for the parish at Kilmeashall and Castledockrill (Grattan Flood, Ferns, p. 42).
[41] Rory Murphy’s transcripts of Old Kilmyshall give his age at death variously as 47 (i.e., born ca. 1802/03), and 37 (i.e., born ca. 1812/13) See Murphy, Old Kilmeashall, # 8 and note of 13.3.2002.
[42] PROI, Index, Administration Bonds, Ferns.
[43] NLI Mss 3134, Farnham estate rentals, 3135, ff 19, 207, 228; 5507.
[44] Ms family tree in the possession of her descendants, William and Denis Lawler (2000), hereinafter Lawler Ms.
[45] Her gravestone gives her age at death as 75; gravestone visited by Patrick Comerford 23.4.1970, 12.4.1986; see R. Murphy, Bunclody Old Cemetery: Church of St Mary Magdalen 1826-1970 (Bunclody: Glór na nGael Bunclody, 1989), pp 20-21, # 94 (her gravestone is not included in Murphy’s index).
[46] Mary Comerford’s gravestone; Murphy, Bunclody, loc cit; wills and administrations, 1877/1022 (PROI, Dublin); witnesses James Doyle and John Canning, executors Revd Thomas Busher, PP of Newtownbarry, and Patrick Murphy of Cromogue.
[47] Mary Comerford’s gravestone; Murphy, Bunclody, loc cit.
[48] Her gravestone says she was 78 when she died in 1911 (i.e., born ca 1832/1833), but the census return earlier that year gave her age as 76 (Census 1911 Co Wexford, 26/15, f. B121); gravestone inscription checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[49] 1911 census, Co Wexford, 26/15, Newtownbarry, B 121.
[50] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[51] Gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[52] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[53] 1901 Census.
[54] Gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[55] Lawler Ms.
[56] Bassett’s County Directory.
[57] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[58] Wall, p. 290.
[59] Gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[60] Lawler Ms.
[61] 1911 census, Co Wexford, 26/15, Newtownbarry, B. 60.
[62] 1911 census, Co Wexford, 26/15, Newtownbarry, B. 60.
[63] Lawler Ms; WD White, Heirs to a Heritage, Part 2, p. 97.
[64] Lawler Ms.
[65] Lawler Ms; Sunday Examiner, Hong Kong, 14.12.1984.
[66] Bunclody Par. Reg.; 1911 census returns; gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986; Lawler Mss.
[67] Check refs.
[68] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[69] Lawler Mss.
[70] Mary Comerford’s will, 1872; Lawler Mss.
[71] Bunclody Par. Reg.; gravestone inscription, which adds the middle initial ‘J’ not on the baptismal register; checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[72] Bunclody Par. Reg. The initials ‘E.J.’ do not appear in the baptismal register or in the census returns, and may have been adopted in memory of his youngest brother, Edward Joseph Lawler; census returns; gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[73] Bunclody Par. Reg., Lawler Ms.
[74] Bunclody Par. Reg., gravestone inscription, checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[75] Mary Comerford’s gravestone; Murphy, Bunclody, loc cit. The gravestone inscription gives his age at death as 28.
[76] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[77] Mary Comerford’s gravestone; Murphy, Bunclody, loc cit.
[78] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 8.11.2003; Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[79] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 8.11.2003.
[80] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[81] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[82] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[83] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[84] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[85] Washington Post, 28.11.2005.
[86] Gravestone inscription names him as Edmond’s son. See Cantwell 5, p. 217, where his name is incorrectly transcribed as John. Original gravestone checked by Patrick Comerford 12 June 1986.
[87] Cantwell 5, p. 217; Murphy, Templeshanbo, p. 43, # 44; checked and corrected by Patrick Comerford 12.6.1986.
[88] PV 31/1, p. 72.
[89] Cantwell 5, p. 217; Murphy, Templeshanbo, p. 43, # 43; checked by Patrick Comerford 12.6.1986.
[90] Cantwell, 5, p. 217; Murphy, Templeshanbo, p. 43, # 43, and p. 50, # 94; checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[91] Enniscorthy Par. Reg.
[92] Enniscorthy Par. Reg.
[93] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[94] Brian Cleary, ‘The Battle of Oulart Hill: Context and Strategy,’ The Past, Uí Chennsellaig Historical Society (1995), pp 22-23; Daniel Gahan, The People’s Rising: Wexford 1798 (Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 1995), pp 19-21; (Sir) Richard Musgrave, Memories of the Rebellion in Ireland (4th ed., eds SW Myers, DE McKnight, Enniscorthy: Duffry Press, 1995), pp 310-312, 714, 743.
[95] See Musgrave, pp 210-312, 714, 743.
[96] Bunclody Par. Reg., entries for the baptisms of his children.
[97] Farnham estate rentals, NLI Ms 3134.
[98] Cantwell 5, p. 217, where his date of death is given incorrectly as 2 December 1848; the date is correct in Murphy, Templeshanbo, p. 43, # 44. Gravestone checked by Patrick Comerford, 12.6.1986.
[99] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[100] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[101] The 1901 Census returns give his age as 61, his death certificate in 1903 gives his age as ‘about 62’.
[102] He gives his father’s name as Richard at the time of his marriages; he is ‘Nephew’ in the union records until his uncle James Comerford ‘Senior’ retires, he moves to Dublin to live with his uncle in After the death of his father in 1848, he came to live in Dublin with his uncle James Comerford, and the witnesses at his second wedding include his first cousin James Comerford.
[103] Par. reg.
[104] Rathmines Par. Reg.
[105] 1901 Census Returns for 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street.
[106] Gen Reg deaths.
[107] 1901 and 1911 census returns, 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street; information supplied by Rita Duggan.
[108] Information supplied by Rita Duggan.
[109] Information from their daughter, Rita Duggan; and from Sean Comerford, University Church, Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin, 23.6.1988. Further information in this section from the minutes, correspondence and financial records of the Dublin Operative Plasterers’ Society, its predecessors and successors are taken from the union’s records in the National Archives, Dublin, Ms 1039/1-9 and 1039/2/1 (referred to hereinafter as Opatsi).
[110] Opatsi.
[111] Opatsi.
[112] Par. Reg., University Church, courtesy of Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[113] Details from May (Comerford) Kealy, and Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[114] Birth certificate.
[115] Opatsi.
[116] Information from Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[117] Wexford Town Par. Reg.
[118] NLI Ms Pos 3135, f. 51.
[119] PV.
[120] NLI Ms Pos 3135, f. 51.
[121] NLI Ms Pos 5507.
[122] See entries Par. Regs., Wexford and Bunclody, for the baptisms of their children.
[123] Par. Reg., Wexford.
[124] Death certificate.
[125] Par. Reg, Wexford.
[126] Par. Reg. Bunclody.
[127] Death certificate.
[128] Death certificate.
[129] Opatsi minutes, 1911 Census returns, Administration.
[130] Par. Reg., Saint Kevin’s.
[131] 1911 Census returns; Opatsi.
[132] Opatsi.
[133] Par. Reg., Dolphin’s Barn.
[134] Cent. Reg.; Opatsi; email correspondence with Bernadette (Doolin) Vanek, 16 November 2010.
[135] His death certificate gives his age at death as 85.
[136] Oral tradition; for a number of Comerford families who were living in John Street, Wexford, at this time, see Chapter 000.
[137] Sean Lynch, ‘Dublin News,’ Apollo, the international magazine of art and antiquities (London, September 2006), http://www.apollo-magazine.com/issue/september-2006/70382/dublin-news.thtml (3.11.2007).
[138] 1901 Census returns.
[139] Opatsi.
[140] 1901 census returns for 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue; Nicholas Furlong.
[141] See death certificate for his sister-in-law, Mary Doyle, 28.8.1852.
[142] See death certificate for his niece, Mary Comerford, 29.12.1865.
[143] For example, see birth certificate for his son, Stephen Comerford, December 1867.
[144] See death certificate for his wife Anne Comerford, 28.4.1899, handwritten memorial card once in the possession of her grandson, Stephen E. Comerford of Rathfarnham and now in the possession of Patrick Comerford; and 1901 census returns.
[145] 1901 census returns; death certificate for James Comerford.
[146] Birth and marriage entries for their son, Stephen.
[147] Death certificate.
[148] Death certificate; handwritten memorial card in the possession of her grandson, Stephen E. Comerford of Rathfarnham and now in the possession of Patrick Comerford; see Opatsi minutes, 1039/2/1 for April and May that year.
[149] See her father’s will, where she is named; additional information from her niece, Margaret Comerford (1912-1995).
[150] Opatsi; birth certificates for his son Denis; 1901 census returns.
151 [151] Dublin City Library Newsletter, November 2005, http://www.baileathacliath.ie/Images/Newsletter%20Nov05_tcm35-22929.pdf
[152] 1911 Census returns, 72/39.
[153] 1901 and 1911 census returns; Opatsi; further information from Sean Comerford and Rita Duggan.
[154] 1901 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; Opatsi.
[155] Opatsi; information from Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[156] 1901 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; further information from Sean Comerford (23.6.1988).
[157] 1901 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; Opatsi; gravestone, Denis and Sarah Comerford, Templeogue Cemetery; further information from Sean Comerford (23.6.1988).
[158] 1901 Census , 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/391; information from Sean Comerford (23.6.1988).
[159] 19101 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; information from Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[160] Opatsi; Parish Reg. Rathmines; birth certificate for Richard Comerford, October 1892; birth certificate for Josephine Comerford, 1901 (DS (64) 2/608; 1901 Census returns, Dublin city 72/5 and 1911 Census returns, Dublin City 70/7.
[161] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; Opatsi.
[162] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708.
[163] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708; Opatsi; birth certificate for James McNab.
[164] Birth certificate 1892, DS Q4 2/564; 1901 Census returns, Dublin city 72/5.
[165] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708; family conversations.
[166] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708; Opatsi; family conversations.
[167] 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708; Opatsi; family conversations.
[168] Birth certificate for Josephine Comerford, 1901 (DS (64) 2/608; 1901 Census returns, Dublin city 72/5 and 1911 Census returns, Dublin City 70/7.
[169] 1901 Census, Dublin 72/5; 1911 Census, Dublin 70/7; Marriage certificate; Saint Kevin’s Par. Reg; 1914 birth cert for his son Thomas; Opatsi; conversations with his sons Thomas, Denis and Joe Comerford.
[170] Do; conversation with Joe Comerford and Anne O’Reilly, 23.6.1989.
[171] Dublin South births 1867, 17/655, where the family name is spelled Commerford; Anne O’Connor present at birth. His son Arthur believed Stephen was born in 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street and baptised in Saint Kevin’s Church (conversation with Arthur Comerford, 15.3.1986).
[172] Indenture dated 23.6.1888, in the possession of his grandson, Patrick Comerford.
[173] Opatsi.
[174] Census returns, 1901, 1911.
[175] Wedding certificate, 1899.
[176] Birth certificates for his son Edmund, 1900, daughter Mary, 1902, son Arthur, 1903; census returns 1901; death certificates for his father James 1902, and wife Anne 1903; Thom’s Directory, eds 1902-1905.
[177] Death certificate for his son Edmund, 1905; birth certificate for his son Patrick, 1907.
[178] Birth certificate for his son Robert, 1909.
[179] Census returns, 1911 (http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/Rathmines___Rathgar_East/Mountpleasant__Old/51083/, 22.12.2007, where his name has been transcribed incorrectly as Comeford); birth certificate for his daughter Margaret 1912.
[180] Thom’s Directory, various eds., house valued at £9; death certificate.
[181] WO/372/4.
[182] David Murphy, Irish Regiments in the World Wars (Oxford: Osprey, 2007), p. 13.
[183] Parish Register, Saint Andrew’s, Westland Row; Thom’s Directory 1899.
[184] Birth reg., DS Q4 2/638.
[185] Death reg., DS Q3 2-414.
[186] Birth reg., DS Q2 2/717.
[187] Birth reg., DS 2-4-559-40.
[188] 1911 Census, Portrane, Co Dublin, 15/20, f. B17.
[189] The Irish Times, 31.1.1973; conversation with Arthur Comerford, 15.3.1986; death notice, Sunday Independent, 13.12.1987, Patrick Comerford present at funeral; notice of sale of house at 38 Rathgar Road, The Irish Times, 19.2.1988 (Allen & Townsend).
[190] Death certificate.
[191] Donabate Par. Reg.
[192] Birth reg., 2-4-588-19; Patrick Comerford present at funeral; gravestone, Portrane.
[193] Birth reg., DS 2-1-581-497, Mary Clarke, 21 Thorncastle Street, present at birth.
[194] The Irish Times, 11.8.1953; gravestone, Portrane.
[195] Birth reg., DS 2-2-606-95.
[196] Patrick Comerford present at funeral.
[197] Death certificate; gravestone in Portrane.
[198] See Thom’s Directory, 1935; letter from her great-nephew, Ronnie O’Reilly (17.11.2008).
[199] Gravestone in Portane.
[200] Birth reg., DS 1919, 2-1-534-29.
[201] Marriage cert. 1888 says he was “full age”, i.e. over 21 and born ca 1866/1867; death cert. 1902 says he was aged 34, i.e. born ca 1867-1868.
[202] Marriage cert. 1888 and death cert. 1902 describe him as “plasterer,” although the marriage cert. for his son Robert describes him as “tradesman.”
[203] Opatsi.
[204] Marriage cert. 1888; death cert. 1902.
[205] Saint Nicholas par. reg. According to family tradition, the Duncan family had come from Scotland, and Margaret had a brother Christy Duncan (conversations with his grandson Eddie Comerford and granddaughter Chrissie Freeman, August 1987, and his granddaughter Lilly Duggan, 11.1.1989).
[206] Census returns, 12 Longford Street, 1911; conversations with his grandson Eddie Comerford and granddaughter Chrissie Freeman, August 1987, and his granddaughter Lilly Duggan, 11.1.1989.
[207] Marriage reg., Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dublin, 5.7.1914; conversations with Edward Comerford and Chrissie Freeman, August 1987; conversation with Lilly Duggan, 11.1.1989; Opatsi.
[208] Patrick Comerford present at the funeral of Lilly Comerford in Whitefriars Street Church, Dublin, 1987.
[209] Information from his nephew, Michael Duggan.
[210] Par. Reg., Saint Nicholas Without (RC), Dublin.
[211] Par Reg., Saint Nicholas Without (RC), Dublin.
[212] Par. Reg., Saint Nicholas Without (RC), Dublin.
[213] Birth certificate for his daughter Mary.
[214] Birth certificate for his son Robert.
[215] DS Q3/2/706.
[216] Tithe applotment book, f. 6; see Rory Murphy and Ken Hemmingway, Memorials to the Dead: Parish of Kilrush (Bunclody: Glór na nGael, 1990), p. 139.
[217] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[218] Griffith’s Valuation, PV 31/1.
[219] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[220] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[221] Bunclody par. reg.
[222] Bunclody par. reg.
[223] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[224] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[225] Par. Reg., Kilrush and Askamore.
[226] Par. Reg., Kilrush and Askamore; Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[227] Par. Reg., Bunclody.
[228] Wall, p. 155.
[229] Barney Comerford, pp 000.
[230] 1911 census returns, Co Wexford 26/15, Newtownbarry, f.B. 200.
[231] 1911 census returns, Co Wexford 26/15, Newtownbarry, f.B. 200.
[232] Census returns.
[233] 1911 census returns, Co Wexford 26/15, Newtownbarry, f.B. 200; information from Vince O’Keeffe, 27.5.2009, grandson of John Falconer and Mary Kate Rowe.
[234] Information from, Vince O’Keeffe, 27.5.2009.
[235] Information from, Vince O’Keeffe, 27.5.2009.
[236] Information from, Vince O’Keeffe, 27.5.2009.
[237] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 127.
[238] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 128.
[239] Par. Reg., Kilrush and Askamore.
[240] Par. Reg., Kilrush and Askamore.
[241] Par. Reg., Kilrush and Askamore.
[242] St Michael’s St Mullin’s Tombstone Inscriptions (St Mullin’s: Muintir na Tire, n.d.), p. 50, where their surname is spelt ‘Comford’ and Mary’s age at death is given as 40; Charlie Keegan, ‘Patsy (77) a ‘hurling fanatic,’ The Nationalist (Carlow), 4.10.1986, p. 5; memorial card for Martin Comerford who died on 25.9.1921, printed by The People, Wexford (courtesy Eileen Doyle and Mark Deegan of New Ross, 2.9.2008).
[243] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27; conversation with Eileen Doyle, 2.9.2008; memorial card for Johanna (Comerford) Doyle, who died on 20.7.1925 (courtesy Eileen Doyle and Mark Deegan, 7.9.2008); conversation with the Revd Bernard Cushen of Adamstown, Co Wexford, in Old Ross, Co Wexford, 9.9.2009, and Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, 25.11.2010.
[244] St Michael’s St Mullin’s, loc cit., where their surname is spelt ‘Comford’; Barney Comerford gives Patrick’s age at death as 71 and gives no date, see Barney Comerford, p. 272, table I-22A; Charlie Keegan, ‘Patsy (77) a ‘hurling fanatic,’ The Nationalist (Carlow), 4.10.1986, p. 5.
[245] See Barney Comerford, p. 272, table I-22A; Charlie Keegan, ‘Patsy (77) a ‘hurling fanatic,’ The Nationalist (Carlow), 4.10.1986, p. 5.
[246] Murphy and Hemmingway, p. 77, # 27.
[247] Tithe Applotment Book 31/9, ff 27-28.
[248] Note from Barney Comerford, 28.6.1989.
[249] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[250] Note from Barney Comerford, 28.6.1989.
[251] PV 31/1, p. 103.
[252] Wall, p. 241.
[253] Rory Murphy says Judy’s brother James Franey moved to Australia and became noted there; a park was established in Melbourne in his memory ca 1988 (Notes from Rory Murphy, 18.8.1992).
[254] Bunclody Par. Reg.
[255] His gravestone gives his age at death as 77; see Requiescant In Pace, Kilymshall Church Cemetery (Bunclody: Glór na nGael, 1988), #1.
[256] Kilymshall Church Cemetery, loc cit.
[257] Kilymshall Church Cemetery, loc cit, where her age at death is incorrectly transcribed as 23.
[258] Barney Comerford, interviews with Mary Comerford (born 1887) and Mollie Walsh, her daughter Marie, Aidan Comerford, his son David Comerford, Seamus Murphy of Enniscorthy, and Michael Comerford of Carrick-on-Suir; note from Rory Murphy of Bunclody, 18.8.1992.
[259] Kilmyshall Church Cemetery, loc cit.
[260] Barney Comerford interviews with Mary Comerford (born 1887) and Mollie Walsh, her daughter Marie, Aidan Comerford, his son David Comerford, Seamus Murphy of Enniscorthy, and Michael Comerford of Carrick-on-Suir; note from Rory Murphy of Bunclody, 18.8.1992.
[261] Cantwell v, p. 200; ‘Requiescant in Pace,’ Kilmyshall Church Cemetery, # 105.

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