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 centuriesPatrick 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:
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 was still alive some years after the birth of his grandson Michael Comerford in 1764. He and his wife (?Mary Butler) were the parents 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:
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 in north Co Wexford 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, 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 Sunday’s Gate, Drogheda, Co Louth, died ca 1872. He married Mary Ann Carlisle (died ca 1877), and they had at least two sons:[29]
● 1a, Joseph Comerford (1865-). He was born in Drogheda 7 October 1865.
● 2a, Thomas J. Comerford (1869-ca 1948). He was born in Drogheda 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 (ca 1857-1891), hotelier, of Ballinakill, Co Laois, died 28 November 1891 in Ballinakill.[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 ComerfordWe 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 OfficeWilliam 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 and three daughters:
● 1a, Thomas Whitty.
● 2a, William Whitty.
● 3a Nicholas Whitty.
● 4a, Anastasia. She married married Thomas Jordan, shopkeeper, of Newtownbarry, Co Wexford. She died 19 July 1900, aged 37. Her daughter, Hannah Jordan of Bunclody, was a source for much of the family details in 1970.
● 5a, Anne.
● 6a, 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 lived at Mall House, Newtownbarry. They 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 Mall House, 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 on 3 July 1907, in Saint Francis Xavier Church, Dublin, Victoria Mary Derham, daughter of Andrew Derham, farmer, and Anne (McCabe) of Holmpatrick, Skerries, Co Dublin witnesses: Denis EJ Lawler and Emily O’Neale). In the church register, he describes himself as Merchant, and she describes herself as Lady. Her sister Emily married Joseph O’Neill of Kinsealy Hall, Malahide, Co Dublin.[60] Born ca 1876, she was 35 at the 1911 census.[61] Peter and Victoria had three sons:
●● 1b, Desmond Comerford Lawler (1908-ca 1970) of the Chase House, Carrigduff, Bunclody.[62] He was born in Newtownbarry 12 April 1904. He died unmarried ca 1970.[63]
●● 2b, (The Revd) Brendan Comerford Lawler, SJ, MSc, LPh, STL (1909-1993). He was born in Newtownbarry on 29 October 1909. 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). He was born in Newtownbarry on 2 March 1911.[64] 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 30 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 born on 12 August 1865.[68] He married on 26 April 1919 in Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) Mary Elizabeth, daughter of John Bolger of Ferns, Co Wexford. Priest: David Bolger, PP; witnesses, Nicholas Fallon, Mary B Bolger.[69] William died on 23 June 1935, aged 69; Mary died on 23 October 1924, aged 33. 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 was born on 24 June 1870. He died unmarried on 3 April 1941 and is buried with his parents.[72]
● 9a, Sarah (1873-1957). She was born in Newtownbarry on 25 November 1873. She 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]
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)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 KilkennyJAMES 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 1806/1807-1864), 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:
● 1a, Michael Murphy.
● 2a, Patrick Murphy.
● 3a, Philip Murphy.
● 4a, 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 and a son:
● 1a, Ellen.
● 2a, Elizabeth.[92]
● 3a, 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 (or Darcy) (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-post 1865). She moved to Dublin and was living at 10 Aungier Street in September 1859, when she married James Reilly (O’Reilly), son of George Reilly of 33 King Street in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row (witnesses Richard Meyler and Margaret Dowdall). They later lived at 30 Cuffe Street and 8 Redmond’s Hill, and they had at least a daughter and three sons:
● 1a, George Reilly, born 13 October 1860, baptised in Saint Nicholas Church, October 1860 (sponsors James Comerford and Bridget Brien) and died in infancy before 1865.
● 2a, Mary, born 1862.
● 3a, Richard Joseph O’Reilly, born 1864, baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors Patrick O’Reilly, Mary Jordan).
● 4a, George Joseph Reilly, born 1865, baptised Saint Andrew’s (sponsors: James Eyze, Mary Comerford).
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 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 in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, his first wife, Elizabeth Walsh, daughter of David Walsh of 37 Cuffe Street and his wife Mary (Farrell) (witnesses, James Francis and Mary Comerford). Elizabeth Comerford’s sister Margaret Walsh married James Comerford’s cousin Robert Comerford (see below).[103]
James and Elizabeth Comerford had no children. After Elizabeth’s death, James Comerford married in Rathmines on 29 October 1882 his second wife, Ellen, daughter of Laurence McDonald of Oldcastle, Co Meath, and 130 Harold’s Cross Road, Dublin (Father WS Donegan; 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, 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 five children:
1, Mary Helena (1883-1920). She was born 10 September 1883, and baptised 14 September 1883 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors: Stephen Comerford, Elizabeth Grattan). She was aged 17 in 1901. She married in Saint Kevin’s on 17 September 1907 Thomas Hopper, compositor, of 90 Francis Street (witnesses James Hopper, Teresa ...). They lived at 50 Wesley Terrace. She died at 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street on 12 January 1920. They had one son and two daughters:
● 1a, Rosaleen Hopper (1908-1968). She was born 6 October 1908, and was living at 22 O'Donovan Road, South Circular Road, when she died unmarried on 5 April 1968.
● 2a, James (Jimmy) Valentine Hopper (1913-), born 22 February 1913. He was a compositor and living at 22 O'Donovan Road on 1 August 1940 when he married in Saint Nicholas of Myra Church Mary Christie, daughter of Peter Christie, painter, of 6 Saint Nicholas Terrace (witnesses: James Fitzgerald, Margaret Christie).
● 3a, Nellie Mullen.[107]
Tom Hopper remarried in the 1920s and had three more children.[108]
2, Richard Patrick Comerford (1886-1886). He was born on 24 January 1886, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s on 2 February 1886 (sponsor Jane Wilson). He died on 3 February 1886 [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 18/41; GRO deaths.]
3, Laurence James Comerford (1887-1967), of whom now.
4, Elizabeth (‘Lizzie’) Rose (1891-post 1938?), born on 8 February 1891 at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and was baptised two days later in Saint Kevin’s (Father Matthew MacEntee; sponsors, James Comerford and Anne Nolan. She was living at 50 Upper Clanbrassil Street on 12 June 1928 when she married in Saint Kevin’s Church as his second wife Michael Gannon (ca 1889-1951), widower, plasterer and shop steward, of Wesley Road, Rathgar, Dublin. They later lived at 25 Woodfield Terrace, Inchicore. She died before 1951. He died at the age of 62 on 5 August 1951 after falling from his bicycle at Emmet Road, Inchicore.[109] They had a daughter and two sons, still living.
5, Robert Thomas Comerford (1893-1958), of whom later.
This James Comerford’s elder son:
LAURENCE JAMES (‘Larry’) COMERFORD (1887-1967), son of James Comerford (ca 1839/1841-1903). He was born in 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin, on 15 October 1887, and was baptised on 18 October 1887 in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street (Father James Baxter; sponsors, James Comerford and Mary Donnelly). He 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 on 22 December 1967, aged 80.
Larry and Hannah Comerford had a son and a daughter, and have descendants living in Dublin. Their daughter Mary (May or Masie) married Michael Kealy and lived in Sandyford, Co Dublin; she died on 21 October 2014.[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 27 April 1893, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s on 28 April 1893 (sponsors Richard Cassel, Catherine O’Brien).[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] On 28 September 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 was living at 26 Saint Mary’s Park, Walkinstown, when he died in the Meath Hospital on 23 May 1958. 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.
8.21: Patrick Comerford with cousins May Kealy and Rita Duggan at Sean Comerford’s funeral in University Church, Dublin, in 2011ROBERT 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]
8.22: 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 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 (1847-1913), born in Dublin in 1847 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row (sponsors: James Comerford and Jane Tracy), although she is said to have been born in Co Wexford in 1847. She 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), 37 Cuffe Street (1882), 36 Cuffe Street (1889), Rialto Cottages (1901), 15 Williams Place South (1911) and 76 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1925).[129]
He was living at 9 New Bride Street on 7 August 1881, when he married in Saint Kevin’s Church Margaret Walsh, dressmaker, of 37 Cuffe Street, daughter of David Walsh and his wife Mary (née Farrell), and sister of Elizabeth Walsh, first wife of his cousin James Comerford above (witnesses, William Murray, Rosanna McCann).[130] At the 1901 census, Robert and Margaret were living at 140 Rialto Cottages. When his daughter Margaret married in 1905, he was living at at 17 Martin Street, off South Circular Road. 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 at 37 Cuffe Street, 1 December 1882; baptised 5 December 1882 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, William Murray, Helena Maher). She was living at 24 Kingsland Parade on 2 August 1908 when she married in Saint Kevin’s James Crowe of 6 Lennox Lane, son of Edward and Catherine Crowe (witnesses, Edward Crowe, Teresa Mulvany). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, f. 74; ibid., # 52.] They had ten children, six sons and four daughters:
● 1a, Mary, born 16 May 1909.
● 2a, Rosanna, born 12 August 1910.
● 3a, Edward Crowe, born 7 January 1912.
● 4a, James Crowe born 16 February 1913.
● 5a, Margaret, born 4 February 1916.
● 6a, David Crowe, born 28 April 1918.
● 7a, John Crowe, born 6 December 1920.
● 8a, Patrick Crowe, born 23 November 1922.
● 9a, Robert Crowe, born 6 July 1926.
● 10a, Catherine, born 17 November 1926.
2, Margaret Mary (1884-1965), born at 37 Cuffe Street 3 March 1884, baptised Saint Kevin’s, 7 March 1884 (sponsors, David Walsh, Sophia Foley). She married on 4 June 1905 in Saint Kevin’s Thomas Mulvaney of Martin Street, son of Thomas and Mary (Clarke) Mulvaney (witnesses, James Crowe, Rose Comerford). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, Baptisms, 107/79; ibid, Marriages, 1905, #29.] They lived at 21 Beechpark, Dun Laoghaire. She died at the age of 81 on 24 March 1965. They were the parents of:
● 1a, Mary, born 20 March 1906.
● 2a, Thomas Mulvaney, born 10 March 1907.
● 3a, Robert Mulvaney, born 27 May 1909.
3, Robert Comerford (1886-1889). He was born at 37 Cuffe Street on 5 May 1886 and baptised 18 May 1886 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors John Walsh, Catherine Brian). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 26/177.] He died in childhood in 1889.
4, David Joseph Comerford (1889-1934), of whom now.
5, Anne, born ca 1892/1893, living 1901, when she was aged 7, and 1911. On 23 November 1912, she married Robert Ryan and had at least one son:
● 1a, David Ryan (born 15 July 1923).
6, Elizabeth, living 1901, aged 6, and 1911, aged 16 (sic). She married Alexander McCabe of 34 Marrowbone Lane in Saint Kevin’s on 11 June 1911 (witnesses, Bernard Price, Anna Comerford). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 1912.]
The eldest son:
DAVID (Davy) JOSEPH COMERFORD (1889-1961), son of Robert Comerford; stucco plasterer. He was born on 31 August 1889 at 36 Cuffe Street, and was baptised 17 September 1889 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, David Walsh, Bridget Vanston). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 121/417.] He lived at Rialto Cottages (1901, aged 11), 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. 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 had 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, of Drummond Place, Harold’s Cross, Dublin. He was born in 1919, he died on 24 October 2010 aged 91, and was buried in Bohernabreena Cemetery. He had 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 on 7 August 1956, and they had children, including four sons, of whom the fourth is:
● 1a, David Comerford, born 1961.
9, Bernadette, born in 1929, married Patrick Doolin on 25 June 1951. Their daughter is:
● 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:
8.23: 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 1851. 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.]
8.24: 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]
8.25: 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]
8.26: The Society of Stucco Plasters of Dublin claimed a direct connection with a guild dating back to the Caroline periodIn 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 Charlemont Street (1881), 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.
He appears to be 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.]
On 14 September 1851, in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin, James Comerford married Anne Doyle (priest ‘JPF’; witnesses Patrick O’Leary, Mary Doyle)[146] Anne, who was born in 1834, was the daughter of Garret Doyle of 25 Cross Kevin Street, Dublin, and his wife Mary (Byrne).
Anne (Doyle) Comerford was baptised in Saint Nicholas Church by Father James Roche on 25 August 1834 (Sponsors: William Coffey, Bridget Reilly). [Par Reg, St Nicholas] On 12 July 1859, Anne Comerford was a witness with Edward Sherwood at the marriage of Edward Connor of 28 Cross Kevin Street and Ann Raymond in Saint Nicholas Church. [Saint Nicholas Par Reg] Anne Comerford died at 2 Mountpleasant Villas, Ranelagh, on 28 April 1899, aged 63.[148] Anne Comerford is buried with other family members in Glasnevin.
Anne Comerford had two older sisters: her eldest sister, Mary Doyle of Stephen Street, was born in 1828, was baptised in Saint Nicholas Church on 15 December 1828, died on 28 August 1852, aged 23, and is buried in the Comerford family grave in Glasnevin);[147] her next sister, Eliza Doyle, was born in 1831 and was baptised in Saint Nicholas Church on 23 September 1831 (sponsors: James Dougherty and Mary Rood).
8.28: James Comerford’s signature when he signed his son’s indenture of apprenticeship on 23 June 1888 (Comerford family collection)
8.29: Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin ... generations of the Comerford family were baptised and married in this church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)James Comerford and Anne (Doyle) Comerford had eight known children, five sons and at three daughters:
1, James Comerford (1853-1915), of whom next.
2, Mary (ca 1854/1855-post 1911). She was born ca 1854/1855, and was aged 46 in 1901 and 56 at the 1911 census. On 11 November 1889 (although census returns indicate they were married in 1888), she married Francis Coleman (ca 1854/1855-post 1911), baker, of 31 Cuffe Street, Dublin, in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street (Father James Baxter; witnesses, Christopher Hackman and Mary Halpin). He was the son of Francis Coleman and Mary Halpin [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, f 151], and appears to have been a first cousin of Thomas A Coleman (1865-1950), the architect, of Ashlin and Coleman, whose parents, John Coleman and Mary (White) Coleman, were living at 61 Lower Clanbrassil Street when Thomas was born there on 4 April 1865. They lived at 9 Windsor Terrace (1888), 31 Cuffe Street (1889), Charlemont Street (1901), and 86 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1911). They were the parents of two children, a son and a daughter:
● 1a, Peter Coleman (1888-post 1901). He was born 26 August 1888, and baptised on 11 September 1888 in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street (Father Thomas Bourke; sponsors: Peter Coleman, Mary Barrow). He was living with his parents in 1901, baker; he died before 1911.
● 2a, Mary (1889-post 1911). She was born 11 December 1889, and was living with her parents in 1901 and 1911 (biscuit packer, aged 21). She married ... Daly.
3, Bridget (ca 1856?-post 1884). On 6 June 1881, as Bridget Comerford of 2 Charlemont Street, she married in Rathmines Henry Quaile, bricklayer, of 49 Cuffe Street, son of John and Mary Anne (Eileen) Quaile (priest, John Norris CC; witnesses, James Comerford, Catherine Murphy) [Par Reg Rathmines, # 3142]. They lived at 47 Charlemont Street (1882), and then at 3 Wentworth Place (1884). They may have later emigrated to Argentina. They had at least two sons:
● 1a, John Joseph Quaile (born 1882).
● 2a, James Quaile (born 1884).
4, Richard Comerford (1858-1937), of whom after his brother James Comerford and his descendants.
5, Robert Comerford (1860), who seems to have died in infancy. He was born in 1860 and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church (sponsors: Moses Byrne and Maria Wyer).[201] The name Robert appears again for a younger son (see below), so this Robert seems to have died in infancy.
6, Anne (Annie) Elizabeth (1863-post 1909). 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 was living at 2 Mount Pleasant Villas when she married on 29 April 1909 Thomas Murphy, son of John Murphy of Coolure, Co Westmeath, in Rathmines (witnesses: Michael Lynders, Mary Anne Lynders). Four years earlier, on 7 February 1905, her brother Stephen Comerford married Bridget Lynders, a sister of Michael and Mary Anne Lynders. Annie and Thomas Murphy may have moved to England later.[149]
7, Stephen Edward Comerford (1867-1921), of whom after James, Richard and their descendants.
8, Robert Comerford (ca 1868-1902), of whom after Stephen Edward and his descendants.
8.30: 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 (1853-1915), eldest son of James Comerford, stucco plasterer. He was born in December 1853, and was baptised in Rathmines on Christmas Day, 25 December 1853 (Sponsors William Rorke, Mary Jordan). 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 1911.[150] He was living at 86 Lower Clanbrassil Street when he died on 15 January 1915 in Jervis Street Hospital, and when his age at death is given as 50.
8.31: 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 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 Joseph Comerford (‘Sen’) (1886-1944). He was born on 26 March 1886, and baptised on 30 March 1886 in Saint Kevin’s, Harrington Street (Father Thomas Bourke, sponsors Richard Comerford and Helen Comerford). He was a stucco plasterer. He lived at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and later at 3 Upper Clanbrassil Street (1941, 1944).[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 on 18 May 1944 at 3 Upper Clanbrassil Street. They had no children.[155]
2, Catherine Mary (1890- ). She was born 21 April 1890, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s on 25 April 1890 (sponsors, Stephen Comerford and Mary Dorgan). She married in Saint Kevin’s on 23 November 1931 Michael O’Brien of 82 Lower Clabrassil Street (witnesses: Richard Comerford, Amelia Sweeney). They had no children.[156]
3, Denis Christopher Comerford (1892-1963). He was born on 29 December 1892, at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and was baptised 3 January 1893 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, Edward Russell, Mary Ellen Comerford). A stucco plasterer, he was living at 114 Downpatrick Road, Crumlin, Dublin, in 1938. He married in Saint Joseph’s Church, Terenunre, on 29 September 1919 Sarah Smullen (witnesses Joseph Smullen, Katherine Comerford). She was a daughter of Joseph Smullen, corn porter, of 1 Dodder Cottages, Templeogue. Denis died on 19 March 1963, Sarah died on 27 February 1972. They are buried in Templeogue Cemetery, Dublin.[157] They had four sons and three daughters:
● 1a, Helena, born 1921.
● 2a, Catherine, born 3 September 1922.
● 3a, James Comerford, born 10 May 1924.
● 4a, Denis Comerford, born 29 May 1926.
● 5a, Richard Comerford (1931-2016), born 1931; his wife Catherine died 17 October 1995, he died 8 February 2016, they are buried with his parents in Templeogue Cemetery, Dublin.
● 6a, John Comerford, born 1928.
● 7a, Mary, born 27 April 1933.
4, Richard (‘Dick’) Comerford (1895-1954), plasterer. He was born on 13 June 1895 at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street. He later lived at 86 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1931), and 33 York Street, Dublin. He married Amelia (‘Melina’) Sweeney, daughter of William Sweeney (deceased) of 75 Lower Clanbrassil Street on 23 November 1931 in Saint Kevin’s Church (witnesses, Michael O’Brien, Catherine Comerford). He died on 31 November 1954.[158] They had had two daughters:
● 1a, ..., a daughter born in 1932.
● 2a, Emily, born 1934.
5, Helena (Lena) Mary (1897- ). She was born on 27 June 1897 and baptised on 29 June 1897 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors John Keegan, Kate O’Brien). She married in Saint Kevin’s on 22 August 1926 James Hoolahan of Fairview.[159] Their children included:
● 1a, James Hoolahan, born 24 February 1927.
● 2a, Lena, born 1934.
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 1879 in Rathmines Anne (Annie) Lannery (ca 1856/1857-post 1902), of Grand Canal Bank, daughter of Peter Lannery and Mary (née Roche); witnesses Robert Cumerford (sic) and Mary Redmond. Richard spelled his name Cumerford and Cummerford in 1879. [Par Reg Rathmines, # 2941.] He lived at 3 Costelloes Cottages, off Upper Clanbrassil Street (1879), 57 Charlemont Street (1880, 1883), 25 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1884), 63 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1888), 7 Peter Street (1892), 32 Upper Mercer Street (1894), 71 Charlemont Street (1895), 9 Pitt Street (1897) and 1 Camden Buildings, off Camden Street (1899, 1901 and 1911). He died ca 18 February 1937.
Dick and Annie Comerford had at least seven sons and three daughters:[160]
1, James Comerford (1880-1941). He was born on 21 April 1880, and baptised in Rathmines on 25 April 1880 (sponsors, James ... and Mary Redmond). 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] He was living at 20 Pleasant Street, off Camden Street, when he died on 11 August 1943.
2, Anne (1883-? pre 1901). She was born 9 March 1883, and baptised in Rathmines 13 March 1883 (sponsors: Robert Comerford and Mary Comerford). [Par Reg Rathmines, 82/82.]
3, Agnes (1884-1951). She was born 28 September 1884, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 30 September 1884 (sponsors Stephen Comerford, Margaret Lannery). 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 were living at 55 York Street when he died on 11 May 1934; she died on 4 January 1951. They had five sons,[163] including:
● James McNab, born 15 July 1916.
● Patrick McNab, born 1928.
4, Bridget (1886-post 1911). She was born 5 June 1886, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 8 June 1886 (sponsors: James Roche, Bridget Roche). She was living in 1901 and 1911.[162]
5, Peter Comerford (1888-1952), of whom next.
6, Richard Comerford (1892-post 1901). He was born on 7 October 1892, in 7 Peter Street. He was aged 8, a schoolboy, in 1901.[164]
7, Thomas Comerford (1894-post 1944). He was born in 1894, and was baptised on 12 July 1894 in SS Michael and John Church (sponsor, Agnes Lannery). 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.
8, Stephen Edward Comerford (1895-1897). He was born 31 December 1895 and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 7 January 1896 (sponsors Francis Coleman, Mary Coleman); he died on 5 April 1897 at the age of 1. [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, f. 152.]
9, John (Jack) Joseph Comerford (1897-1949). He was born at 9 Pitt Street on 24 July 1897. He married Mary Ennis, widow of his brother Patrick Comerford, after 1939. They were living at 1 Kingsland Parade when he died on 27 April 1949. They had no children.[166]
10, Patrick Comerford (1899-1939). He was born 1 September 1899, and was baptised in Saint Kevin’s 12 September 1899. 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 was living at 47 Lennox Street on 16 July 1935 when he married Mary Ennis of 46 Lennox Street, daughter of Christopher Ennis, clerk, in Saint Kevin’s Church. They were living at 46 Lennox Street, Portobello, Dublin, when he died on 7 November 1939. After his death, his widow married Patrick’s brother, Jack Comerford (above).[167]
11, Josephine (1901-post 1931). She was born 29 October 1901, and was baptised 5 November 1901 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsor: Elizabeth Larkin). She was aged 8 (sic) and at school in 1911.[168]. She married on 9 August 1931, in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Robert Gibney of 14 Joy Street, Ringsend (witnesses: Richard McNab, Eva Gibney).
The second son of Richard Comerford (ca 1856-1937) was:
PETER COMERFORD (1888-1952), stucco plasterer and later master plasterer and contractor. He was born 9 August 1888, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 14 August 1888 (sponsors, Michael Kelly and Anne Kelly). He married on 20 November 1911, in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Sarah Byrne, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (O’Neill) Byrne of 11 Harty Place, off Clanbrassil Street (witnesses, James White and Teresa Byrne). Her sister Theresa married Peter Comerford’s brother Thomas Comerford (see above). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 1888 (90/394), 1911 marriages.]
Peter Comerford was living at 1 Camden Buildings (1911, 1914), 17 Harty Place (1918) and 39 O’Curry Road, Dublin (1933, 1935). He died at 39 O’Curry Road on 9 July 1952, aged 63.
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] Their children included:
1, Richard Comerford (1913-1959), of 45 Saint Thomas Road, and 29E York Street. He was born on 3 February 1913. He 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. He worked as a plasterer (1935) and news vendor (1959). He married on 5 August 1935 in Saint Kevin’s Mary McGrane, daughter of John McGrane, silversmith, of 30 Greenville Avenue (witnesses John Ennis, Annie Comerford). He died on 13 October 1959.
2, Brendan Comerford, who played soccer 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:
8.32: 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]
8.33: 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]
8.34: 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]
8.35: The medals Stephen Comerford was decorated with during World War IDuring 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]
8.36: The Liberation of Thessaloniki in October 1912 ... Stephen Comerford was stationed here before being discharged on medical grounds in 1916Stephen Comerford was married twice. He married first, in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin, on 29 November 1899, Anne Cullen (1868-1903), of 11 Merrion Square, Dublin (the home of Sir Edward Hudson Hudson-Kinahan). She was born on 19 August 1868, the daughter of Thomas Cullen (1808-1871) and Anne (McGurk or McGuicken) of 79 Lower Clanbrassil Street, and was baptised on 21 August 1868 in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street (sponsors: Patrick Toole, Honor Whelan). Thomas and Anne Cullen were married on 8 January 1843 in Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, Francis Street, Dublin, on 8 January 1843 (witnesses: Eleanor Bergin, ... Cullen), and they were the parents also of a son, James Cullen, born and baptised in 1848. [183]
8.37: 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 on 26 April 1902, and was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row.[186] She married in Saint Joseph's Church, Terenure, on 11 October 1939 John Leonard (Seán Ó Lionnáin) (1876-1959), civil servant, then of 52 Orwell Road, Rathgar, and later of Convabeg, Ballyhooley, Mallow, Co Cork (witnesses Patrick Daneford and Margaret C Comerford). He was born John Leonard in 1876 in Ballyellis, Mallow, Co Cork, the son of Michael Leonard and Mary Anne McCarthy; his family owned Leonard’s Bar in Ballyhooley (now Grindels). At a young age, he 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. He married in Fulham, London, in 1911, his first wife, Mary J Ward (Máire Nic a Bháird), who died on 3 October 1930. When he married Mary Comerford in 1939, the parish register in Terenure described him as ‘bachelor.’ 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. He first worked with Arthur Guinness & Son, and 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 was living at 7 Swanville Place, Rathmines, on 9 September 1930 when he married Catherine (‘Kathleen’) Miller, daughter of Christopher Miller, engineer, of 129 Upper Rathmines Road (witnesses Patrick Comerford and Mary Miller) in Rathgar. They lived at 38 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6. 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.
8.38: Arthur James Comerford (1903-1987) lived at 38 Rathgar Road (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2006)Anne (Cullen) Comerford died at the age of 32 (sic) on 16 November 1903 at 11 Upper Beechwood Avenue, and is buried with her son Edmond and her father Thomas Cullen in Glasnevin (South Section, JA 6).[190]
8.39: Saint Patrick’s Church, Portrane ... Stephen Comerford and Bridget Lynders were married here on 7 February 1905 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)
8.40: 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. The witnesses at their wedding were her cousin Lawrence McMahon and her younger sister Mary Anne Lynders (1879-1956), who later married John Sheehan.[191]
8.41: 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 on 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.
+Comerford,+Portrane,+with+Patrick+and+Margaret+(McMahon)+Lynders+behind,+1.JPG)
8.42: 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]
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:
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, 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 Ellen (Murphy) (1919-2014), daughter of Thomas Michael Murphy and Maria (Crowley) of The Square, Millstreet, Co Cork. Ellen was born on 10 February 1919, and died 20 May 2014. Stephen and Ellen Comerford had six children – four sons and two daughters – of whom five survive, along with nine surviving grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His sons include the Revd Canon Patrick Comerford, author of this blog.
We now return to the fifth and youngest son of James Comerford (ca 1817-1902), who was:
,+with+his+eldest+sons,+James+and+Robert.jpg)
8.45: Robert Comerford (ca 1868-1902), with his eldest sons, James Comerford and Robert Comerford (Comerford family collection)ROBERT COMERFORD (ca 1868-1902), the youngest son James Comerford (1816/1817-1902) (see above). An elder brother also named Robert Comerford, born in 1860, seems to have died in infancy. This Robert’s age is given as 34 when he died in 1902 (i.e., born ca 1868), and as 35 at the 1901 census (i.e., born ca 1866). 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] They lived at 13 Upper Mercer Street (1897). They were living in Lower Kevin Street at the census in 1901, he gave his age as 35 and she was 32. They were living at 25 Upper Mercer Street when he died on 13 August 1902, and his age was given as 34. 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 before the 1901 census.
2, Robert Comerford (1893-1962), of whom next.
3, Francis (Frank) Comerford (1894- ), born 17 May 1894 at 22 Wexford Street, aged 7 at the 1901 census, aged 16 at the 1911 census, living with his mother in 12 Longford Street, and working as a newsboy. He was a soldier and living at 8 York Street when he married Christina (Chris) O’Connor, daughter of John O’Connor, labourer, of 6 Great Longford Street, in Saint Michael and John Church on 1 September 1918 (witnesses: William McGuinness, Annie Kenny). 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). [Saint Andrew’s, # 148.] He was aged 4 at the 1901 census; at 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, he was below the age of 1 at the 1901 census, and aged 10 at the 1911 census, when he was living with his mother at 12 Longford Street.He later lived at 75 Lower Clanbrassil Street, at 8 York Street (1936) and in Pimlico, Dublin. He married on 14 December 1936 Anne, daughter of John Harvey. He died in 1983 aged 82.
Robert Comerford’s second and eldest surviving son:
+and+Stephen.jpg)
8.46: Two Comerford brothers ca the mid-1920s, believed to be Robert Comerford (ca 1893-1962) and Stephen Comerford (ca 1901-1983) (Comerford family collection)ROBERT COMERFORD (1893-1962), son of Robert Comerford (1860-1902). He was born in 1893. He was aged 9 at the 1901 census. 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 ten sons and six daughters:[207]
1, Christina (‘Chrissie’) (1915-1992), born 5 December 1915, she married William Freeman of Keeper Road, Dublin, on 1 December 1935. They had four daughters and four sons, and she died in 1992.
2, Richard Comerford, born on 30 April 1917, died in his late 40s.
3, Robert Comerford, born on 5 July 1919, died young.
4, James Comerford, born 19 June 1921, died young.
5, Patrick (‘Paddy’) Comerford (1922-ca 1934/1935), born on 27 July 1922, he died aged 12.
6, Stephen Comerford (1924-1982), plasterer, of 39 St Kevin’s Parade, off Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8. He was born on 21 May 1924. He married on 2 June 1945 Frances (‘Carmel’) Moran. He died on 27 May 1982. They had at least two sons.
7, Edward Comerford (1925-1989), plasterer, of 34 Ashgrove, The Coombe, Dublin 8. He was born on 14 August 1925. 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.
8 Eva Ellen (1928-ca 1932), born 1928, died aged 4 ca 1932.
9, 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.
10, Francis Comerford (1933- ), born 1 August 1933.
11, Anthony Comerford (1934-1995), plasterer, of Mountpleasant, Ranelagh, and 354 Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Born 1934. He married Margaret Kehoe, who died in 1995. They had four sons and three daughters.
12, Anne, born 1936, died young.
13, John Comerford (1938-1998), plasterer, of Holloway, London. He was born in 1938, and died in 1998 aged 60.[209] He married ..., and had a daughter.
14, Thomas Comerford, died young.
15, Teresa, she married on 24 January 1953 William Kenny and they had children.
16, Agnes, died a child.
Unplaced:
[THOMAS?] COMERFORD (ca 1796/1801- ) married ... They were the parents of:
1, Thomas Comerford (?ca 1826/1831-post 1876), of whom next.
2, Elizabeth, married Denis Cuddy of 9 The Coombe and later of 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street. They had at least five children, four daughters and a son:
● 1a, Mary Clara (born 21 May 1856).
● 2a, Sarah Anne (born 16 November 1860).
● 3a, Elizabeth (born 3 October 1863).
● 4a, Thomas Augustine Cuddy (born 11 April 1866).
● 5a, Mary Teresa (born 7 September 1868).
The first named was:
THOMAS COMERFORD (?ca 1826/1831-post 1876) of Lower Clanbrassil Street. He married Mary Anne Ludlow on 7 May 1856 in Saint Nicholas’s Church (witnesses Edward and Margaret McMahon). [Par Reg St Nicholas, # 695.] Her sister, Catherine Ludlow married John O’Neill of 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street.
Thomas and Mary Anne Comerford lived at 64 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1858), 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1862, 1866, 1872), 68 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1868), and 24 Upper Kevin Street (1876).
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 and Mary Anne Comerford were the parents of:
1, Edward Joseph Comerford, born 24 July 1858, baptised 26 July 1858 in Saint Nicholas’s Church (sponsors, Dennis and Eliza Cuddy). [Par Reg Saint Nicholas, 41/646.]
2, Ellen Teresa Comerford, born 24 October 1862, baptised 27 October 1862 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, Thomas Hopkins, Mary Carty). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, # 720.]
3, Mary Anne Comerford, born 3 March 1866, baptised 6 March 1868 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, Richard Duff, Margaret Murphy). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 17/262.]
4, Christina Louisa Ludlow Comerford, born 19 December 1868, baptised 22 December 1868 in Saint Kevin’s (sponsors, James Carroll, Anne Whitaker). [Saint Kevin’s, 74/1072.]
5, Helene Theresa Comerford, born 16 December 1872, baptised 17 December 1872, Saint Kevin’s (sponsors: James Cuddy, Catherine Sparks). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 165/2517.]
6, James Patrick Comerford, born 16 March 1876, baptised in Saint Kevin’s, 17 March 1876 (sponsors, John Wilson, Elizabeth Cuddy). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 70/1222.]
These families may also have been related to:
PHILIP COMERFORD (ca 1811/1816-post 1878) married on 27 June 1841 in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, Mary Hines (witnesses: Anthony Williams, Mary Hines). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, # 209.] He was living at 90 Bride Street (1854) and 7 Bolton Street (1874, 1875, 1878).
They were the parents of at least six children, two sons and four daughters:
1, Anne (ca 1846-post 1901), who was aged 55 and living with her brother Matthew Comerford in Peter Street in 1901.
2, Matthew Comerford (ca 1847-post 1901), of whom next.
3, Elena (? ca 1849-post 1874), married on 15 February 1874, James Ivers of 106 Great Britain Street in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (witnesses, Daniel Sheridan, Anna Comerford). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, 132/53.]
4, Rose (? ca 1853-post 1878), living at 2 Digby Terrace, Mountjoy Square, on 3 February 1878 when she married John Owens of Gloucester Street (witnesses Louis Comerford and Anne Comerford). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, # 907.]
5, Eleanor Jane (1854- ), born 1 February 1854, baptised 10 February 1854, Saint Nicholas’s Church (sponsors Edward and Mary Walsh). [Par Reg Saint Nicholas, # 480.]
6, Lewis (‘Louis’) Philip Comerford (1856- ), born 1856, baptised 1856, Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row. [Par Reg Saint Andrew’s, 16/296.] He was living at 44 North Clarence Street when he married on 16 April (?1899) in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, Mary Murphy of 2 Bolton Street, daughter of Thomas Murphy and Elizabeth (Hackett) of 2 Bolton Street (witnesses: Andrew Murphy, Mary Murphy) [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, Marriages 1862-1881, f 49, where Louis’s father is named as Thomas Comerford (sic).]
The first-named child:
MATTHEW COMERFORD (ca 1847-post 1901), born ca 1845/1851, Britain Street, Dublin. A tiler and rouge slater, he lived at 35 New Bride Street (1875). He married in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, on 15 June 1875 Elizabeth Archbold (1849-1928) of 11 Moore Street, daughter of James and Ellen Archbold (witnesses: William Kerwick, Margaret Nibbs). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, 164/138.] They were living at 18a Britain Street (1869), 13 Moore Street (1873), 168 Britain Street (1873), 7 Bolton Street (1878, 1880), 26 Gordon’s Place (1883), 9 Gordon’s Place (1885, 1887) and Peter Street (1901). At the 1901 census, they both said they were aged 54. He died 20 Ocotber 1930, 20 Digges Street, Dublin, aged 83; she died 18 June 1928, 20 Digges Street, aged 79.
They were the parents of ten children, eight sons and two daughters:
1, Mary Anne (1869-1942), born 19 January 1869,Britain Street, Dublin, baptised 1 February 1869, Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (sponsors: Marianna Archbold, Thomas O’Reilly). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, 45/709.] She died 1 May 1942, 171 Ceannt’s Fort, Kilmainham, Dublin, aged 73.
2, James John Comerford (1871-1940), born 3 October 1871, 13 Moore Street, Dublin, baptised 17 October 1871, Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (sponsor: Catherine Kavanagh). [Par Reg Saint Mary’s, f. 66.] He was living with his parents and aged 27 (sic) at the 1901 census. He died 9 June 1940, 13 Digges Street, Dublin, aged 68.
3, Matthew Comerford (1873-1962), born 30 November 1873, baptised 10 December 1873 (sponsor Julia Nolan). [Par Reg, Saint Mary’s, f. 100.] He was living with his parents and aged 24 (sic) at the 1901 census. He died 18 August 1962, 18 Foster Terrace, Ballybough, Dublin, aged 88.
4, Helen Joanne (Ellen) (1878-1878), born 3 May 1878, 7 Bolton Street, Dublin, baptised 13 May 1878, Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (sponsors: Theresa Archbold, Bernard Farrell). [Par Reg, Saint Mary’s, 142/560.]; died 4 July 1878, 7 Bolton Street, Dublin.
5, Louis John Comerford (1880-ca 1880 ), twin, born 26 January 1880, baptised 30 January 1880, Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (sponsors: Mary Comerford, Maria de Little). [Par Reg, Saint Mary’s, f. 136.]. He died in infancy.
6, Andrew Comerford (1880-1941), twin, born 26 January 1880, baptised 30 January 1880, Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (sponsors: Mary Comerford, Maria de Little). [Par Reg, Saint Mary’s, f. 136.] He was living with his parents and aged 22 (sic) at the 1901 census. He died on 11 November 1941 in Dublin, aged 61.
7, Joseph Comerford (1881-1941), born 1 September 1881, 26 Gordon’s Place, Dublin. He was living with his parents and aged 20 (sic) at the 1901 census. Is he the Joseph Comerford of 184 Iveagh Trust Buildings on the Irish Citizen Army Dublin list (315 Block P)? He was living at 84 Iveagh Buildings when he died 8 June 1924, aged 42.
8, Michael Comerford (1883-1950), born 3 April 1883, 26 Gordon’s Place, Dublin, baptised 10 April 1883 in Saint Bridget Byrne). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 84/120.] He was living with his parents and aged 16 (sic) at the 1901 census. He died 7 April 1950 in Dublin, aged 67.
9, Rose (1885-1885), born 14 February 1885, 9 Gordon’s Place, baptised 3 March 1885 in Saint Kevin’s, Harrington Street (sponsors, John Hayburn, Helen Murray). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 134/89.] She died 9 Gordon’s Place, 28 October 1885.
10, Robert Louis Comerford (1887-1947), of whom next.
The youngest child:
ROBERT LOUIS COMERFORD (1887-1947), born 29 March 1887, 9 Gordon’s Place, baptised 5 April 1887, Saint Kevin’s Harrington Street (sponsor: Elizabeth Sheils). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 50/118.] He was living with his parents in Peter Street and aged 13 (sic) at the 1901 census. A stonemason and cutter, he lived at 55 New Bride Street (1908), 35 New Bride Street, 61CB Iveagh Buildings (1910), and Saint Kevin’s Cottages, Dublin (1916).[214][213] On 17 July 1908, he married in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Christina St John (1889-1942) (witnesses, Joseph Walsh, Elizabeth Plunkett). [215] [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, # 47.] She was the daughter of Stephen St John (1864-1904), who died in the Philippines, and Margaret (née Cullen) St John (1872-1932) of 8 Camden Place. He died 16 June 1947 aged 60; she died 30 December 1942, 39 Faughert Road, Crumlin, aged 53.
They were the parents of 14 children:
1, Bridget Elizabeth (1908-1912), born 3 September 1908, died 14 January 1912, 60 Marlborough Street, Dublin.
2, Mary (Maisie) (1910-2005), born on 3 July 1910. She married William McCabe (1913-1970) in 1935, and they were the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth (1935-2015), who married Tom Byrne (1933-2005). Maisie died in March 2005 aged 94.
3, Christina (Dolly), born ca 1912, may have died in infancy.
4, Esther (Maggie) (1914- ), born 5 April 1914, 2 Rialto Cottages, Dublin, married in 1940.
5, Robert Comerford (1916), born 16 October 1916 St Kevin’s Cottages, Dublin; died 24 October 1916 St Kevin’s Cottages, Dublin.
6, Kathleen Christina, born 19 December 1917, 21 St Kevin's Cottages; married 1 August 1937 in Saint Kevin’s Church, Dublin, William (‘Willie’) Farrell (1912- ), and they were the parents of two sons and six daughters.
7, Patrick Cmerford (ca 1918- ), born ca 1918.
8, Matthew Comerford (1920- ), born 19 March 1920.
9, Elizabeth (1922- ), born 21 April 1922.
10, Patrick Comerford (1924- ), born 16 March 1924.
11, Teresa (1925-2004), born 24 September 1925, died in Dublin 5 January 2004, aged 78.
12, Carmel (1927-ca 1990), born 9 July 1927, died ca 1990, 39 Faughert Road, Crumlin.
13, Josephine, born 1929.
14, Stephen Comerford (1932-2018). Born 1932, he married Mary Connolly in September 1955. They were the parents of nine children. He died on 12 December 2018 in Dublin, aged 86.
Also unplaced:
PETER COMERFORD, plasterer, was the father of:
JAMES COMERFORD, labourer, of Dartmouth Place, married in SS Michael and John Church on 10 September 1899, Ellen Barrett, daughter of Joseph Barrett (witnesses: John Barrett, Marby Kennedy).
Another unplaced but perhaps related family is as follows:
THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1814/1819–post 1874) married Mary Jane Cusack on 5 July 1844 in Saint Audeon’s Church (witnesses John Dunn, Jane Gallagher). [Par Reg Saint Audeon’s]. They later lived at 62 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1874) and appear to have been the parents of:
THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1852-post 1901) married Anne Fitzgerald (were they married in Saint Kevin’s on 19 July 1874; witnesses, John and Bridget O’Shane?) [see Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 50/843.] They lived at 74 Lower Clanbrassil Street (1887) and 22 Daniel Street (1890, 1893, 1901). At the 1901 census, he was aged 49 and she was 40.
They were the parents of five children, four sons and a daughter:
1, Michael Comerford (ca 1875-post 1901). He was living with his parents and aged 26 (sic) at the 1901 census.
2, Thomas Comerford (ca 1884-post 1906), of whom next.
3, James Comerford (1887-post 1901), born 7 July 1887, baptised 12 July 1887 in Saint Kevin’s, Harrington Street (sponsors: Edward Fitzgerald, Anne Fitzgerald). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 58/251.] He was living with his parents and aged 14 at the 1901 census.
4, John Joseph Comerford (1890-post 1901), born 6 September 1890, baptised 9 September 1890, Saint Kevin’s Church (sponsors: Patrick Courtney, Elizabeth Long). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 6/298.] He was living with his parents and aged 11 in 1901.
5, Emily Christina Comerford (1893- ), born 6 December 1893, baptised 8 December 1893, Saint Kevin’s Church (sponsors: James Moore, Mary Anne Doherty). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 94/306.] She was living with her parents and aged 7 at the 1901 census.
The second-named son:
THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1884-post 1925) of 22 Daniel Street. He was living with his parents at the 1901 census and aged 17. He married in Saint Kevin’s Church on 15 July 1906, Elizabeth Grace, daughter of Edmund and Mary Grace of 2 Dowken Lane (witnesses: Michael Keavey, Annie Dunn). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, # 42.] They had 10 children, seven sons and three daughters:
1, Thomas Comerford, born 17 November 1906.
2, Edward Comerford, born 25 October 1908.
3, James Comerford, born 17 January 1911.
4, John Comerford, born 13 April 1912.
5, Mary, born 20 October 1913.
6, Michael Comerford, born 25 October 1915.
7, Patrick Comerford, born 12 January 1920.
8, Joseph Comerford, born 13 July 1922.
9, Annie, born 15 September 1923.
10, Elizabeth, born on 5 June 1925.
Yet another unplaced but perhaps related family is as follows:
RICHARD COMERFORD (ca 1810?-post 1870), watchmaker, of 5 Swift’s Row (1870), married Elizabeth Gibb.
They were the parents of:
1, Richard Comerford, (living 1886).
2, James Comerford (ca 1840-post 1886), of whom next.
3, Henry Comerford (living 1878, 1884).
The second named son:
JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1840-1903), Jeweller. He married on 5 March 1870, in Saint Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street Belinda Sherwood (1841-1900), daughter of John Atkin Sherwood of Victoria Park, Drumcondra, law clerk, and his wife Mary Jane Martyn (witnesses James Brady and Catherine Sherwood). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 26/334.] Belinda was born in November 1841; her parents were married in Saint Thomas’s Church (Church of Ireland) on 18 January 1841 [Par Reg Saint Thomas, 20/54], and were living in 29 Charlotte Street in 1870.
James and Belinda Comerford lived at 3 Swift’s Row (1870), 29 Charlemont Street (1871, 1872) 56 Charlemont Street (1876), 34 Charlemont Street (1874, 1880, 1886), 57 Charlemont Street (1880), 54 Charlemont Street (1884, 1886), 30 Greenville Terrace (1900); after Belinda’s death, he lived at 43 Warren Street (1901).
Belinda died on 21 November 1900 at 30 Greenville Terrace; James died 1 December 1903 at 28 Fitzgerald Street, Harold’s Cross. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and three daughters:
1, Mary Josephine (1871-post 1901), born 19 March 1871, baptised in Saint Kevin’s, 24 March 1871 (sponsors: James Brady, Mary Sherwood). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 126/1895]. She was living with her father at 43 Warren Street in 1901.
2, Richard John Comerford (1872-post 1904), of whom next.
3, Catherine (‘Kate’) (1874-post 1901). She was born 5 June 1874, and baptised in Rathmines on 6 July 1874 (sponsors: Richard Comerford, Mary Watt). [Par Reg Rathmines, # 7581]. She was living with her father in 1901.
4, Elizabeth (‘Lizzie’) (1876-post 1901), born 24 September 1876, baptised 1 October 1876 (Rathmines); stationer's assistant, living with her father at 43 Warren Street 1901; 5, James Joseph Comerford (1878-post 1902). He was born 13 October 1878, baptised in Rathmines 20 October 1878 (sponsors: Henry Comerford, Elizabeth Boughan). [Par Reg Rathmines # 9478.] Did he marry Elizabeth ...?
6, Christopher James Comerford (1880-1885), born 10 November 1880, baptised in Rathmines 19 December 1880 (sponsors: ... Comerford, Margaret Sherwood). [Par Reg Rathmines, # 10567.] He died on 18 December 1886.
7, Henry John Comerford (1884-1886). He was born 23 January 1884 and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 1 February 1884 (sponsors: Henry Comerford, Bridget Roche). [Par Reg Saint Kevin’s 104/37.] He died on 11 December 1886.
The eldest son:
RICHARD JOHN COMERFORD (1872-1945), jeweller. He was born on 28 July 1872, and was baptised in Saint Kevin’s on 30 July 1872 (sponsors, Richard Sherwood, Anna Brady). He married Catherine Wogan (sister of Julia Wogan, who married James Kennedy of Brunswick Street, Dublin). They lived at 52 Brunswick Street (1896), 5 East James Street (1898, 1899, 1901), 28 Fitzgerald Street (1902, 1903), 28 Drummond Street, Harold’s Cross (1904), 23 Fitzgerald Street, Harold’s Cross (1911), 46 Hamilton Street (1945). Richard died on 13 December 1945 at 46 Hamilton Street, Dublin
They were the parents of six children, of whom two sons and three daughters were living at the 1911 census:
1, Agnes Belinda (1886-1887). She was born 25 February 1886, and baptised in Saint Kevin’s 5 March 1886 (sponsors: Richard Comerford and Mary Comerford). [Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 20/81]; she died at 3 Malpas Terrace on 10 February 1887.
2, Julia Belinda (1896-post 1911). She was born in 1896 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s (sponsors: James Wogan, Mary Kennedy). [Par Reg Saint Andrew’s, 34/119.] At the 1901 census she was aged 4.
3, Mary Belinda (1898-post 1911). She was born in 1898 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s (sponsor Joseph Wogan, Mary Comerford). [Par Reg Saint Andrew’s, 35/38.] At the 1901 census, she was aged 3.
4, James Patrick Comerford (1899-post 1911). He was born in 1899 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s (sponsors: John Wogan, Kate Comerford). [Par Reg, Saint Andrew’s, 35/38.] At the 1901 census, he was aged 2.
5, John Joseph Comerford (1902-post 1911). He was born 29 March 1902, and baptised in Rathmines on 2 April 1902 (sponsors: James Comerford, Elizabeth Comerford). [Par Reg Rathmines # 884.]
6, (Catherine) Clare (1904-post 1945). She was born on 10 August 1904, baptised on 14 August 1904 in Rathmines (sponsors: James O’Neill, Margaret O’Neill). [Par Reg # 1548.]. Living with her father at 46 Hamilton Street when he died in 1945.
Unplaced: Comerford of Ship Street, Clanbrassil Street, Parnell Place and Kenilworth Square:
RICHARD COMERFORD, watch maker, watch case maker and silversmith, of 22 Mary Street (1849) 20 Jervis Street (1851) and 6 Ship Street (1857), Dublin. He married Eliza Philips, and they were the parents of:
1, William Comerford (ca 1842/1843-1907), of whom next.
2, James Comerford (1843-post 1857), born 1843, baptised in Saint Nicholas of Myra Church (Roman Catholic), Francis Street, Dublin, on 18 May 1857.
3, Eliza Comerford (1849- ), born 25 June 1849 according to the baptismal register in Saint Mary’s Church (Church of Ireland), but baptised in SS Michael and John Church (Roman Catholic), Dublin, on 24 May 1849 (sponsor Eliza Philips), and in Saint Mary’s Church (Church of Ireland), Dublin, on 12 August 1849.
4, Mary Anne Comerford (1851- ), born 24 May 1851, and baptised in Saint Mary’s Church (Church of Ireland) on 29 June 1851 by the curate, the Revd Benjamin Gibson, and in Saint Nicholas of Myra Church (Roman Catholic), Francis Street, by Father N O’Farrell on 30 May 1851.
5, Richard Comerford (1853- ), born in 1853, and baptised in Saint Nicholas of Myra Church (Roman Catholic) Church on 6 April 1853 (Witnesses: Wiliam Ledwidge, Teresa ...).
The first-named son:
WILLIAM COMERFORD (ca 1842/1843-1907), heraldic engraver, and living at 24 Whitefriar Street, 1864; 2 Montague Street, 1866; 29 Upper Camden Street, 1870, 1871; Clanbrassil Street, 1873; 18 Parnell Place, Rathmines (now Parnell Road, Harold’s Cross), Dublin, in 1877, 1879, 1890, 1901, 1907; and aged 58 at the time of the census on 31 March 1901. On 29 September 1862, in Saint Audeon’s Church (Church of Ireland), Dublin, he married Hannah Jordan, daughter of John Jordan, accountant, of 3 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin (witnesses, James Smyth and Mary Murphy). He died at 18 Parnell Place, Harold’s Cross, on 28 May 1907, and administration was granted to his sons Charles W Comerford and Joseph C Comerford.
William and Hannah Comerford were the parents of seven children:
1, Elizabeth, born 30 October 1864, baptised 23 February 1865, Saint Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, Harrington Street (sponsors: Henry Jordan and Mary O’Brien, 74, Whitefriar Street, Dublin). She married on 5 November 1890, in Saint Catherine’s Church of Ireland Church, Dublin, James Harvey, Bandmaster, North Lancashire Regiment, then resident in the Soldiers’ Institute, 18 Parnell Place, and son of James Harvey, foreman, London Clocks (witnesses William Carsy and William Comerford). They went out to India with the First Rifle Volunteers (later the First North Lancashire Regiment), and there he was made bandmaster in Kamptee, Poona, Bombay, in 1895. From India, the moved to St Wilfred’s House, Trinity Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, where Frank ran a hardware shop and Elizabeth ran a B&B. They took part in various concerts. After her husband James had an accident while swimming at the Isle of Wight, Elizabeth Harvey (nee Comerford) followed her son Frank to Ireland and rejoined the remaining Comerford family in Dublin. She then took up renting the house at 27 Mount Pleasant Square in Ranelagh. Elizabeth and James had five children:
● 1a, Frank William Harvey (1891-1971), born in India 25 December 1891. He was an apprentice engraver and living with his Comerford uncle and aunts in Parnell Place at the 1911 census. He served his time with Comerford & Brady, Silversmiths and Engravers, Eustace Street, Dublin. He eventually took over the business and retired in 1949, when the business closed. He then worked from his house at 27 Mount Pleasant Square, Ranelagh, Dublin, for many years. He died on 2 April 1971.
● 2a, James Charles Harvey (1895-1962), born 11 December 1895. He lived at 27 Mount Pleasant, Ranelagh. He married Florence Emily Peck of 95 Meadway, Ilford, Essex, in June 1934 in All Saints’ Church, Goodmayes, Romford, Essex. They moved to 21 Frankfort Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin, where they had their only son, James Richard Harvey, was born 13 January 1940. He died 2 February 1962. His son, James Richard Harvey, married Daphne Gertrude Carter in 1962 in Saint Lawrence’s Church, Chapelizod, Co Dublin. They had two daughters and three sons: Sandra Elizabeth (born 1963), Jennifer Margaret (born 1966), James Charles William Harvey (born 1968), Andrew Richard Victor Harvey (born 1970) and Timothy Charles Malcolm (born 1973).
● 3a, Charles Reginald Victor Harvey (ca 1899-1955).
● 4a, William Beaconsfield Harvey (1912-1933), born 12 April 1912, died 1933.
● 5a, Christine Ada Harvey (ca 1892-ca 1894). She was born ca 1892, was baptised 19 September 1893, and died the following year from pneumonia.
2, Mary Christina, born 28 December 1866, baptised 25 January 1867 in Saint Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, Harrington Street (sponsors: James Comerford, Catherine Shaw); aged 35 in 1901, and 40 in 1911, when she is named Christina and is listed as Church of Ireland.
3, Richard Henry Comerford (1870- ), born 1 June 1870, baptised 7 June 1870, Saint Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, Harrington Street (sponsors: Richard Comerford, Anne Mullin).
4, John William Comerford (1871- ), born 10 May 1871, baptised 27 June 1871, Saint Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, Harrington Street (sponsors: John and Susan Jordan).
5, Susan (1873-1937), born 18 March 1873, baptised 30 March 1873 in Rathmines Roman Catholic Church (sponsors: George Jordan, Mary Anne Backen), aged 27 in 1901, and 36 in 1911, when she is listed as Church of Ireland. She died at 21 Parnell Road on 9 June 1937, unmarried, aged 60 (sic).
6, Charles William Comerford (1877-1977), born 28 February 1877, baptised 31 January 1878, Saint Peter’s Church of Ireland, Aungier Street (note, the baptismal register only gives his mother’s maiden name, spelling it as Jordon, and gives his father’s surname as Jordon), of whom next.
7, Joseph Henry Comerford (1879-post 1919), heraldic engraver, born 28 February 1879, baptised 7 August 1879, Saint Peter’s Church of Ireland Church, Aungier Street, Dublin, by the Revd Robert William Buckley, curate of Saint Peter’s and Rathmines, and organising secretary of SPG Ireland (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel). Joseph Comerford was aged 22 in 1901 and living with his father’s family. With his brother Charles he was granted administration of his father’s will in 1907. In 1911, he was 31, and was living in Parnell Place with his sisters Christina and Susan, and a nephew, Frank William Harvey, an apprentice engraver (aged 19), born in India. On 5 February 1919, in Blackrock Roman Catholic Church, Co Dublin, he married Miriam Elizabeth Dutrannos, daughter of Henri Dutrannos of Seapoint (witnesses: William Ivers, Frances Alexander).
The sixth named child:
CHARLES WILLIAM COMERFORD (1877-1953), of 60 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin. He was born on 28 February 1877, baptised on 31 January 1878, Saint Peter’s Church of Ireland, Aungier Street (note, the baptismal register only gives his mother’s maiden name and his father’s surname as Jordon). He was aged 24 in 1901, telegraph clerk, and living with his father’s family at Parnell Place, Rathmines, on 31 March 1901. With his brother Joseph he was granted administration of his father’s will in 1907. He was aged 34 in 1911, telephonist, GPO.
On 9 June 1910, Charles Comerford married Adelaide Margaret Field (1878-1953), daughter of John E. Field, solicitor’s clerk, of 39 Longwood Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin, and his wife, Elizabeth Mary (née Doyle), daughter of William Doyle of 53 Lower Clanbrassil Street. John Field and Margaret Doyle were married on 14 April 1868 in Saint Luke’s Church, Dublin, and were living at 53 Lower Clanbrassil Street in 1874. Adelaide was born on 18 February 1878, and baptised by the Revd RW Buckley in Saint Peter’s Church on 23 April 1878. In the census returns in 1911, they both declared they were born in Dublin and members of the Church of Ireland.
His granddaughter Angela Marks believes Charles Comerford was in the GPO in O’Connell Street in 1916 and says family tradition tells of him crawling out along the street and swearing to leave Ireland. The family left Ireland ca 1922 and lived at ‘Kenilworth’, on Nore Road, Portishead, near Bristol. Adelaide died on 2 February 1953, Charles died seven month later on 3 September 1953; they are buried at Saint Peter’s Church, Portishead. They had three daughters:
1,, Lillian (1912?-1999), a teacher. She married Ronald Jarrett, and she is buried in Portishead Cemetery, North Weston.
2, Nora (1914-2001), educated Royal Holloway University, taught in Reading and in Exeter, where she was head of Maths at Exeter Maynard School. She lived in Pinhoe, Exeter.
3, Kathleen (1917-1995), a teacher at Luckwell School, Bristol. She married Sidney Parker (1913-2002) of Portishead, at Saint Peter’s Church, Portishead, on 7 March 1944. They lived in Roath Road, Portishead, and then in Beach Road West, Portishead. She is buried in Portishead Cemetery, North Weston. They had a daughter and a son:
● 1a, Angela (Marks), born 1945. She attended Redland High School, Bristol, and trained as a teacher in Gloucester. She married on 6 April 1968 Patrick Marks, an engineer. They have a son and a daughter, Roger Patrick Marks and Rosemary Jane Marks.
● 2a, David Parker, born 25 April 1947, educated at Kingswood School, Bath. He worked for the family glazing firm, SH Parker of Bristol, and later became an architectural model maker. David and his partner Jacqui live in Pill, near Bristol.
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]
Martin Comerford married ca 1811 Mary ... (born ca 1785/1786, died on 7 May 1871, aged 85). They were buried in Kilrush Old Roman Catholic Cemetery, near Newtownbarry, with some of their children.[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 were the parents of:
1, Patrick Commerford (1812-1869). 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. Living on 6 February 1863. [240] On 11 May 1869, she married in Newtownbarry, William Byrne, grocer, son of Gregory Byrne, Carlow (witnesses, Mary Cosgrave and James Kavanagh). 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:
●● 1b, Gregory Byrne, born 1870 (sponsors, Michael and Mary Lawler).
●● 2b, Catherine, born 1871 (sponsors, Nicholas Whitty and Julia Connors).
●● 3b, Mary, born 1872 (sponsors, James Kelly and Anastatia Whitty).
●● 4b, Anne, born 1874 (sponsors, Mick Connors and Johanna Cosgrave).[222]
Margaret was widowed in the 1870s, and she married her second husband, Martin Dunbar. Martin and Margaret sold their shop in Bunclody and moved to Ferns, Co Wexford, where they had a delph shop as part of their business. They had eight more children, five sons and three daughters:
●● 5b, Elizabeth (1878-1932), born 1878 (sponsors, Andrew O’Neill, grocer, Bunclody, and Mary Whitty). She married William Roberts. They had no children, and when she died in 1932 she was buried with her parents in the Old Roman Catholic churchyard in Bunclody.
●● 6b, Thomas Dunbar, born 1879 (sponsors, Denis Connors and Kate Dunbar).
●● 7b, Patrick Dunbar, born 1881 (sponsors, William Murphy, baker, Bunclody, and Mary Doyle.
●● 8b, James Dubar, born 1883 (sponsors, Thomas Dunbar and Anne Whitty).
●● 9b, John Dunbar, born 1884 (sponsors, Patrick and Ellen McCrea).
●● 10b, Martin Dunbar, born 1886 (sponsors, Edward Doyle and Teresa Connors).
●● 11b, Margaret, born 1888 (sponsors, Thomas Jordan and Anne Malone).
●● 12b, Jane, born 1892 (sponsors, James Kenny and Margaret O’Neill). She married Stephen O’Connor, and they had 10 children.[222]
● 2a, James Comerford (ca 1862-1914), born ca 1862, he died on 19 November 1914, aged 52, and was buried with his grandparents in Kilrush Old Roman Catholic Cemetery.[223]
2, Johanna (ca 1813-1850), 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 (ca 1821-1867), 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 (ca 1825/1826-1871), 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 he appears to be 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 (1871-post 1901), born 1871, living in 1901.[232]
● 7a, John Comerford (1875-post 1911), born 7 August 1875, living in 1911, aged 34, single, and living with his sister Maria and niece Elizabeth.[233]
● 8a, Jane (1878-1932), 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. She died in Birmingham 1932. 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 (1908-1986) of 191 Saint Saviour’s Road, Birmingham, and they later lived in Burtnwood, near Lichfield, Staffordshire. She died in Lichfield 31 May 1980; he died in Birmingham February 1986.[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 (ca 1878/1879-1960), 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 (ca 1885-1968), 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? Catherine, living in 1843-1844.[241]
The fifth child and second son of Martin and Mary Comerford was:
8.48: 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 (ca 1868/1869-1923), 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, ordained 1971, and worked in London, Murrintown, Wexford and Marshalstown before becoming the Parish Priest of Ferns, Co Wexford, and Vicar Forane for the Enniscorthy area of the Diocese of Ferns; and the (Revd) Bernard Cushen, ordained priest in 1974, Parish Priest of Adamstown, Co Wexford (2010) and Cloughbawn and Poulpeasty, Co Wexford (2015).
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 (ca 1879-post 1911), who was living with his father in 1901 (aged 22) and 1911 (aged 26). He moved to Australia, where he married, and may have had children.
8, Catherine (Katie) (ca 1887/1888-ca 1961), who was living with her father in 1911 (aged 23), and died ca 1961.
8.49: Clerical cousins ... Canon Patrick Comerford and Father Bernard Cushen in Old Ross, Co Wexford on 9 September 2009Comerford of Gurteen
Another member of the family was:
THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1780-post 1825), of Gorteen, near Bunclody, 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 (ca 1803-1892), of whom next.[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 (ca 1803-1892), 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 Bunclody. 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 Comerford died on 1892, aged 89. Daniel and Judy Comerford had at least two daughters and a son:
1, Ellen (1840- ), baptised in 1840.[254]
2, Mary (1868- ), 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 (ca 1846/1847-1924), 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 (1876-1952), born on 19 January 1876, living in 1911, unmarried. He died 30 March 1952, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Bunclody, Co Wexford.
2, Johanna (1877-1951), born on 27 September 1877, unmarried, she died on 20 April 1951, aged 73, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Bunclody, Co Wexford.
3, Thomas Comerford (1880-1949), born 12 February 1880, lived at Scarawalsh, near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. He married on 27 February 1906 Bridget Davis, and had two sons and three daughters. He died in 1949. 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 (ca1885/1887-1944). Born ca1885/1887, he married on 6 June 1916 in Kilmyshall, Mary Margaret, daughter of William Bolger of Cramogue, Co Wexford (witnesses Daniel Comerford, Bridget Bolger).[260] At the time of their marriage, he was aged 31, and she was 24. They lived at Horsehill, Naas, Co Kildare. He died in Naas aged 57 on 2 November 1944; shed died on 1 October 1953, aged 61. They had four sons, and their children and grandchildren live in Co Kildare.
6, Mary (ca 1888-1981), born ca 1888, she died on 1 March 1981, aged 93, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Bunclody, Co Wexford. Her 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]
Also unplaced:
THOMAS LAWLER married Hannah Comerford and their children included a son and a daughter:
1, Leo Thomas Lawler (1878-1944), of whom next.
2, Frances, who did not marry.
LEO THOMAS COMERFORD LAWLER (1878-1944). He was born on 13 December 1878. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadeplphia. He waa the city electrician in Cumberland, Marlyland, and later worked in real estate until 1929. He married Lillian-Marie Wilhelmina Laing (1892-1960). They were the parents of 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 M Lawler (died before 2003).
5, Frances Laing (1924-1998), married Wilton Anthony Baker.
6, Mary Catherine (1917-2008), of Berlin, Maryland, who married John Anthony Busch (1913-1992).
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]
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; information from Mary O’Connor, 19.5.2015.
[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] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 95/300; ibid, # 77; information supplied by Rita Duggan.
[109] Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, f 17 # 48; 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] Par. Reg., Saint Kevin’s, f. 66 # 371; 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] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 79/159.
[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] Saint Kevin's Par Reg, Marriages, f 94; 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 12.
[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] Par Reg, Saint Andrew’s, 14.09.1851; Birth and marriage entries for their son, Stephen.
[147] Par Reg, Saint Nicholas, Dublin; 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] Par Reg Rathmines, # 1209; Opatsi; birth certificates for his son Denis; 1901 census returns.
[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] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, f 22, # 107; 1901 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; Opatsi.
[155] Opatsi; information from Sean Comerford, 23.6.1988.
[156] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 138/138; 1901 Census, 74/37-40; 1911 Census, 72/39; further information from Sean Comerford (23.6.1988).
[157] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 69/3; 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] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, f. 190; 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] Par Reg Rathmines # 10189; 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; Opatsi.
[162] Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 28/201; 1901 census Dublin, 72/5; 1911 census Dublin, 70/7; DS 2/708.
[163] Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 122/319; 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] Par Reg SS Michael and John, 15/69/1098; 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] Par Reg, Saint Kevin’s, 45/283; 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; Par Reg Saint Kevin’s, 96/334; 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; Parish Reg., Saint Nicholas of Myra, Francis Street.
[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.; email correspondence and telephone conversation with Marese O’Connor, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, 20-21.10.2016.
[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, 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, Bunclody, 18.8.1992.
[261] Cantwell v, p. 200; ‘Requiescant in Pace,’ Kilmyshall Church Cemetery, # 105.
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13 comments:
hallo i am the granddaughter of robert comerford (213) he had 11 children who were his parents it could not be thomas comerford (210) he died in 1865 & robert was born in 1883. Have you any information on his wife Cristina St. John(215)I dont seem to be able to find anything, Looking forward to hearing from you . Brenda Sullivan
Thanks Brenda, great to hear from you.
If you'd like to contact me by email, I'd be delighted to work out these connections, and to update my postings with your information ... Patrick
Hi Patrick,
I am puzzled by your photo of Kyle Glebe house Oulart Village as the house has been in my family since 1806 and it is not the house you have on your website.
There is a plaque in front of my family's house in Oulart Hill that was put there by the President of Ireland acknowledging the killing of Burrowes at the front door.
I'd be interested to hear more about the house on your web.
Barbara
Thank you Barbara.
The original photograph came from a histiry of the 1798 Rising in Wexford. I visited Kyle Glebe on Sunday 25 October and took photographs of the house, and so have updated the image on this page. Thanks for your help, Patrick
This is Thomas Aquin Lawler, son of Thomas Comerford Lawler who died in 2005.
My middle son's name is Kevin Comerford Lawler, who was born on April 1, 1979. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is an artist, and a very good one.
My other son is Stephen Christopher Lawler, born on Octber 22, 1976, who is married and has two children, neither with a Comerford name. He lives in Pittsburgh, and is one of the top folks in the country on "computer intrusion" issues, which I do not understand. My only Daughter is Emily Quin Lawler, who was born on March 10, 1991 and lives in Chicago. She is in college, but is also working, and she lives in a Lincoln Park condo that she owns.
My wife (Rosemary) and I live on a 20 acre farm in Leesburg, VA, with a pre-Civil War barn that we renovated and a small 1790 overseers house on the property as well.
Hi Patrick,
What a wonderful blog. I have just dipped my toe into some family research over the last few months so I cannot begin to contemplate the work involved in your site!
My great-great-grandmother was Anne Comerford. She married John Connor. She had twin boys, John and Thomas, baptised in the parish of Booterstown in 1865. One of the boys' sponsors is named as Thomas Comerford. The twin boys lived in Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) all their lives.
Would you have any information on this Anne Comerford as I am finding it difficult to find a marriage cert for Anne Comerford and John Connor?
Kind regards,
Ann Marie Fair
My fathers family tree goes back to Thomas Murphy and Johanna Whitty. Fr. John's sister was married to a Walsh of Effernogue and my great great grandmother was Anne Walsh ( a grand niece of Fr. John)
This is a beautiful Comerford family resource. A relate who I believe was a my grand aunt Bessie Kennedy married James Comerford. They were born around 1875, so they were ~ 65 years at the time of the 1940 US Census. Bessie (perhaps originally Briget?) and Thomas had two children , Anne and Thomas, both living with them in 1940. Bessie was born in Ireland, likely Country Leitrim. Am interested in either Comerford or Kennedy connections. Many thanks. Peter Kennedy. petekennedy@mac.com
Angela Marks
My grandfather was William Charles Comerford of 60 Kenilworth Square, Dublin. He left Ireland in around 1922 as a result of the Troubles and lived in Portishead, near Bristol. He had three daughters, Lillian, Nora and Kathleen. Kathleen was my mother, who married Sidney Parker of Portishead 0n March 7th 1944. I was born in 1945 and my brother, David in 1947.
I have pictures of my grandparents if you would be interested.
What a superbly researched site you have created!
Thank you.
pandamarks@virginmedia.com
Hi Patrick I amDiane Floyd Smith from New Zealand.My great grandmother in Ireland was Annie Quinn née ComerfordShe lived at 7 Dorset st and next door at 6 Dorset St was her mother Catherine Comerford and son.A sister Ellen Comerford lived with her.I have searched you’re history and can’t find them kind regards Diane
Re: Annie Comerford
Hi,
I read your wonderful post trying to find my Comerford relatives and just looked at the posts and realised that I am after the same Comerford as the last post by Diane. My great grandmother was also Annie Quinn nee Comerford and I am realated through Annie's son Aloysius Quinn. Diane if you read this or anyone else who has information please contact me on joneile@aol.com Many thanks and best regards, Hilary
I am also a comerford my great grandfather was from dublin my grandfather was Patrick comerford from Liverpool my father also from Liverpool Scotland rd i live in Liverpool
Thank you so much nice post
comptable copropriété
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