WALSH/LANGAN INTRODUCTION

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PHOTOS BALLINROBE

Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland

Bridge Street

Bridge Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo The addresses for John and Fanny Walsh in Ballinrobe were Carnalecka and Knockanotish both of which lie at the far end of this road. This is the street they would have walked up to get to town and to the church and the market. The card was not posted. This postcard image is from a photograph taken between 1880 and 1900 by Thomas J Wynn, a Castlebar photographer. Notice that there is a street light about mid-way down the street. Given the date of Wynn's photographs it was most certainly a gas light.

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Bridge Street, Ballinrobe" This photo is later than the one above. Notice the telephone or electric poles on the left side of the photo. Everything else is pretty much the same. When did electricity come to Ballinrobe? The card was not posted.

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Bridge Street, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo" The house on the left was the Kenny House. The view is towards town looking across the bridge over the Robe River. This is the opposite of the two images above which are looking from town towards the Kenny house. Robe House or Robe villa was the name of the Kenny home (Information from Alfonso P. Duncan February 2006)

Waterfall, Mill and Bridge

"Waterfall and Bridge, Ballinrobe" This is the Robe River and the bridge on Bridge Street in Ballinrobe. The falls in the background are the falls that powered the "Kenny Mill".

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date

Waterfall, Ballinrobe This the mill falls in front of the "Kenny" Mill just off Bridge Street in Ballinrobe. These falls are faintly seen in the background of the previous photo. Agnes Goehle Land took a photo of this view in 1980. See Ballinrobe Photos

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Buildings near the waterfall across from Kenny's mill. These are the backs of buildings on Abbey Street.

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "The Waterfall, The Mills, Ballinrobe" The mill is visible on the left.

The Mill, Ballinrobe, painted c. 1819 by J. A. O'Connor. Original in the National Gallery of Ireland. From the cover of BALLINROBE A TOURIST GUIDE

The Bowers 1800 as seen from the Mill beside the Kenny house. James Arthur O'Connor, National Gallery of Ireland. The Bridge, December 1972. Courtesy of John Doherty, December 2005.

Abbey Street

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Abbey Street, Ballinrobe" Bridge Street is to the left and Glebe Street is to the right.

Glebe Street

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Glebe Street, Ballinrobe"

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880

Main (Market) Street

Market (Main) Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo This view and the next three are looking from Bridge Street. Glebe Street is on the left.

Close-up of above postcard

Main Street Ballinrobe This photo predates 1922. Note that the name on the corner store in the above photo is "M Fahy" and that there are no electric or telephone wires in the photo. In Bridie Mulloy's history of Ballinrobe, Itchy Feet and Thirsty Work there is another photo taken of the same corner. In that photo the name on the store was B. Joyce and there were telephone and electric poles in the picture. Bernard Joyce owned the store in 1922.

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date

Postcard collection of Maggie land Blanck

Main Street Ballinrobe This post card was mailed in 1913.

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Main Street, Ballinrobe" Note the name B Joyce on the store front and the electric poles in this photo.

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Main Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo" This view is of Main Street looking towards Bridge and Glebe Street

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted Similar view to the one above.

This Valkenburg Hotel image was shared by Pat King of Melbourne, Australia in April 2009. Pat's mother is Evelyn Valkenburg whose family lived in the hotel from about 1860 to 1950.

The Valkenburg Hotel Girls, photo from Pat King

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck, Not posted "Market Street, Ballinrobe" Market Street is really a continuation of Main Street. The fence on the right is outside of St Mary's Catholic Church. In January 2010 Kevin McDarby wrote: "You called this street Market St. ? To my memory Bowgate St. ran into Main St. Weavers Row came from Cornmarket to Bowgate St.

Photo collection of Mark Douglas In October 2009 Mark Douglas wrote and shared some Ballineobe photos and history. Mark wrote about this photo: "The photo I'm pretty sure is in Ballinrobe. I see a shop name to the right hand side which could be "Lynam". The person standing at the door looks like my aunt, Alice Goulden, (sister of my mother). They had a black dog named Countess and that's more than likely she lying on the pavement. I cannot identify the man."

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880 "The prominent building with Hotel written on its gable end was the town's post office up until about five years ago. The street, therefore, is Bowgate Street. The Catholic Church would be on your left." Gerry Ryder, October 2007 The date should be about the same as the image of the old St Mary's R.C. church. Gerry points out that it is likely the two images were taken the same day. Kevin McDarby wrote in January 2010: "One of your photographs shows Bowgate street and a big building HOTEL on its gable end .... later to become the Post Office. The pillars at the far end of this street are the pillars of the gate/entrance to Ballinrobe castle and later to Cran more house. Possibility that the Barrack bridge to give access to the barracks rather than across the grounds of Cranmore house was built same time as the house!"

"The picture is looking towards the entrance to Cranmore House. The house itself was built about 1832, and was consumed by fire after 1923." Gerry Ryder, October 2007
Photo by Gerry Ryder, 2007
In January 2010 Kevin McDarby wrote to say that if there was a fire the house was rebuilt. He knew the owners and played in the house in the 1950s. See more information on the Cranmore house from Kevin at Recent Images of Ballinrobe

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

St Mary's R. C. Church, Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880 "It should date from sometime around 1872, because it's the original layout before any extensions were built." Gerry Ryder October 2007 Several of the children of John Walsh and Fanny Feeny (including Joseph Walsh) were baptized in St Mary's. Patrick, James, and Bridget, the children of Mathias Langan and Penelope Bryne were also baptized here. The Larners, a family of stoneworkers who were godparents to several of the children of John Walsh and Fanny Feeney, are credited with being the builders of St Mary's.

	St Mary's R.C. Church, Ballinrobe
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck The outlines of the old church are clearly visible in the front and left side of this image.

St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Ballinrobe

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date

	St Mary's R. C. Church, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

	St Mary's Protestant Church This building now houses the town library.
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Cornmarket

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Cornmarket Street, Ballinrobe

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Cornmarket Street, Ballinrobe The picture is the same as the one above.

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880 "Augustinian Friary near Abbey Street. On the right hand side of the picture, you can make out the seven-storey tower of the mill at the back of Kenny's House." Gerry Ryder, October 2007

Barrack Bridge
	Barrack Bridge, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

	Barrack Bridge, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

The River Robe
	The Riverside Walk, Ballinrobe
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

	The River Robe, Ballinrobe
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

With the kind permission of the National Library of Ireland - Library Reference Number: WYN73

Ballinrobe by Wynne, Thomas J 1838-1893 photographer ca.1880

The Riverside Walk, Ballinrobe The men are standing on the Bowers Bridge

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date This postcard images is from a photograph taken between 1880 and 1900 by Thomas J Wynn, a Castlebar photographer.

Ballinrobe Canal, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

The Bowers Bridge, Ballinrobe

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

	Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

In January 2010 Kevin Darby wrote: Man walking with stick and Woodbine poster in the background is in fact my late father-in-law.

1880 Images From The Graphic

The Graphic, December 11, 1880. Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck "Market Day in Ballinrobe During The Military Occupation" See Captain Boycott, under Land Issues.

The Graphic, December 11, 1880. Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck "A Sketch At Ballinrobe After The Departure of The Troops

Holy Well

The Graphic, December 11, 1880. Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck "Holy Well On The Road Between Lough Mask and Ballinrobe"

Lough Mask

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Lough Mask, Ballinrobe Co. Mayo

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Fishing on Lough Mask, Co. Mayo, Ireland Ballinrobe Printed on back Lough Mask, Co. Mayo: A large expanse of water, 10 miles long and 4 miles broad, is noted for its brown trout. On the island of Inishmaan are the ruins of a church built by St Comac in the 6th century. Lough Mask is connected with the larger Lough Carrib by an underground river which is accessible in parts, and where the limestone has broken away the caves formed may be descended.

Convent of Mercy

Convent of Mercy, Ballinrobe

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date "The Convent of Mercy is on your right hand side (south side) as one exits Ballinrobe in the direction of Tuam - out Gleebe street!" Patrick Joseph Flannery, July 2007" Patrick also suggested the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy website at Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy which says "Ballinrobe was founded from Westport, on 19 February 1851 and as well as education and visitation the Sisters nursed the sick in the Workhouse hospital and helped the poor in every possible way. There were two foundations from Ballinrobe - Clonbur - four Sisters arrived there on Sunday 19 October 1924 and until the late 1980's the Sisters as well as educating the local children, were involved in all aspects of parish life. That house is now the property of the North Connemara Voluntary Housing Association." Kevin McDarby says the covent is on the left side of the road.

	Convent of Mercy, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Muddy Langan, the wife of Martin Langan, worked in the convent upon her return to Ballinrobe with her two daughters. See Martin Langan
Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Convent of Mercy, Ballinrobe, 1980

Photo by Agnes and Bud Land

Creagh House

Creagh House, Ballinrobe Built in 1875 by Colonel Charles Howe Cuff Knox, one of the big landlords in the area. Bridie Mulloy in her book about the area (Itchy Feet and Thirsty Work) says that many of the workers on the Creagh estate lived in Carnaleck. In 1924 the Creagh estate became a TB sanatorium.

Photo from Souvenir of Ballinrobe (Co. Mayo) Album of Local Views, F Kilkelly, Bookseller, Ballinrobe, no date

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Creagh, Ballinrobe Not posted

Postcard collection of Carolyn Copeland

Creagh, Ballinrobe My Gt Grandfather worked as a Coachman for Mr. Knox at Creagh House and his daughter Elizabeth Kiddle also worked at Creagh House along with one of her sisters. I have a reference written for my Grandmother by Mr. Knox dated 1900. It is written on Creagh House headed paper. I also have a post card of Creagh House which was sent by my Grandmother's Sister who worked there to another Sister in England. I have attached a copy of this postcard." Carolyn Copeland Birmingham, England

Creagh House, Ballinrobe In June 2005 John D Clark sent me this wonderful photo of workmen at Creagh House doing renovations in 1929. John wrote: Back Row : L to R, My great granduncle, William Clark, Plumber, a native of Montrose, Scotland who came to Ireland with his brother David Clark, Plumber. William set up business in Ballinrobe. He died on 11th Feb, 1931 after being taken to hospital in Galway. Buried in Ballinrobe but have not been successful in finding his grave. (Scotch Presbyterian ?) Back row : 3rd from right Tom McGreal a native of Cong, and subsequently a postman in Castlebar Front Row: 3rd from left my dad David Clark who was 19 at the time this photo was taken apprenticed to his uncle William Clark as a plumber. Unfortunately that's all the people I know in the photo.

Court, December 1889

The Graphic, December 11, 1880. Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck "At The Ballinrobe Police Court: Magisterial Examination Of Rioters On A Charge of Threatening Captain Boycott" See Captain Boycott, under Land Issues.

Ballinrobe School Play circa 1907

Photo from A Century of Memories an undated magazine about Ballinrobe, xeroxed at the Castlebar Library in 2004. The child who I have highlighted with the red arrow is identified as Helen Langan. The caption reads in part This is the cast of an old Ballinrobe School Play, but we're not sure of the exact year. It was certainly more than a few years ago........ Photo courtesy of Maureen McDarby Maureen McDarby was not listed in Ballinrobe the 2003 phone book.* Helen Langan the daughter of Martin and Ellen Langan was born in New York in 1900. Ellen Langan and her two daughters, Martha and Helen, returned to Ballinrobe circa 1900 where they remained until 1920 when they returned to New York. This would date this photo to about 1906-1908 guessing at the age of Helen in the photo. See Martin Langan *In December 2009 Kevin McDarby, the son of Maureen McDarby wrote: "Maureen Mc Darby, my mother, died December 2000 and my father, Dr. Mac, died November 1999 thus no phone book number for them." See more from Kevin McDarby below.

Photo Taken October 1919 Ballinrobe The following photo was graciously sent by John Doherty who got it from THE BRIDGE magazine "A Periodical of Ballinrobe Parish" circa 1977

Back row left to right: (1) Martin Mellett brother of Harry Mellett, New Street (2) Willie Joyce, Loughmask (3) Paddy Masterson lived up Glebe St, his father was either on the railway or in the army (4) Michael (Sonney) Joyce, Bridge Street (5) Andy Walsh, Friarsquarter (6) Willie Killeen, Hollymount (7) Gerard Moran, Bridge St. (Birmingham (8) Gerard (Sonny) May, Main St. (9) Jack Meenehan, Cloonkeerie, cousin of Wilson Jennings (10) Alec Lowery, New St. (11) Paddy Moran (Birminghams Bridge St. (12) Francis McDonald, his dad was a policeman, lived down Creagh Rd. (13) Maurice Menneghan, brother of Jack above (14) Paddy Hasty, Abbey St. Second row left to right: (15) Paddy Flannery, Bowgate St. (16) Mick Farragher, Bowgate St. (17) Dennis Fitzpatrick, Main St. (18) Tommie Hennelly, from Partry, but lived with an aunt, Mrs. Kenny, Cornmarket (19) Christy Mellett from Kilkerrin (20) Jimmy O'Malley, Bowgate St. (21) Josie Bourke, Main St. (22) Cyril Staunton, Bridge St. (Newtons) (23) Jack Lyons from Roundfort (24) Leo Mc Hugh, Glebe St (25) Bill Faoan, his father was Station Master in Claremorris, he was later a guard in Ballinrobe (26) Martin Frawley, Abbey St, his father was a head constable in the R.I.C. (27) Luke Lydon, Glebe St. Third row from top seated left to right: (28) Tommie Mellett, brother of Harry and Martin Mellett, New St. (29) Michael Frawley, Abbey St, brother of Martin Frawley (3) J. J. Costello, Abbey St (31) Fagan, brother of Bill Fagen Claremorris (32) Jim Cavanagh, out the Convent Road (33) Burke, nephew of Mrs. Hession, Bridge St. (34) Paddy Bennett, his father was a teacher at Newbrooke School (35) Jack O'Conner, Glebe St (36) Willie Malley, Bowgate St. (37) Luke O'Malley, Ballinew (38) Thomas J Hollernan, Glebe St. Second row from the bottom left to right: (39) O'Mara, his father was D. I. of police, lived out at Mile Hill House(40) Willie Gannon, Church Rd. (41) Christy Donnellon, Church Rd. (42) Charlie Murphy, Cornmarket (43) Paddy Donnellon, New St. (44) Johnny Loeby, Loughmask Rd. Cottages (45) Alphonsus Leydon, Glebe St. (46) Ned O'Mara, Milehill, brother of the other O'Mara in the same row 947) Owney Joyce, Bowgate St (48) Michael Walsh, Glebe St. (49) Eddie O'Malley, Bowgate St. (brother of Jim O'Malley) Bottom row seated on the ground left to right: (50) Mattie Walsh, Bowgate St (51) Willie O'Malley, High St (52) Wilson Jennings, Main St. (53) Harry Murphy, Cornmarket (54) Mikie May, brother of Gerard May, Main St (55) Frank Loeby, brother of John Loeby, Loughmaks Rd. Cottages (56) Jack Power, Glebe St. (57) Paddy Conner, New St. April 2008 Syl Walsh wrote to say he was born in Ballinrobe in 1944 but left in 1960. "My father was born in Bowgate Street 1914. On the third to last picture, old Photo's shows my Uncle, Mattie Walsh."

Photo Taken Ballinrobe 1935 The following photo was graciously sent by John Doherty who says that the picture was kindly loaned to him by Mary Rankin, nee O'Malley, niece of Bridie O'Malley who appears in the picture. "The attached picture was taken about 1935 and shows girls at the Convent School, Ballinrobe. I have names for only two of the subjects. The third from the left on the front row is Bridie O'Malley from Frenchbrook, Kilmaine. She was related to a cousin and died, sadly, in 1949. On the right end of the second front row is Delia O'Connell of Ballinrobe. The last I heard she was still living in Ballinrobe last year."

Images from Eamonn Morris The following photos was graciously shared by Eamonn Morris, April 2009 Christian Brother's School "1937, 6th year. My father is shown second row from front and second from the right [looking at the pic]."

"The second is the local football team 1907/1908. I believe my Grandfather Peter was the club secretary at that time. There are likely to be Feerick boys in both photos that may be indentifiable by others." See Feericks, Ballinrobe now or at the bottom of the page for more information on the Ferrick family of Ballinrobe and for Ferrick images.

Photos From Syl Walsh In May 2008 Syl Walsh contacted me to share some old Ballinrobe photos. Syl Walsh was born in Ballinrobe in 1944. His father was born in Bowgate Street in 1914. Syl's uncle, Mattie Walsh, is in the 1919 photo of the boys, see above.

Photo collection of Syl Walsh Lane number 1 — Mrs O'Malley, Syl Walsh and Ann O'Malley, about 1946

Photo collection of Syl Walsh Syl Walsh and his sisters, Kay, Mary and Fran — 78 New Street Ballinrobe 1951

Photo collection of Syl Walsh The Ballinrobe races 1952 Ned Healy — a prominent figure in the town at the time, was the Garage owner for many years McElroy — The Police Man (Garda) family that lived in New Street Mary and Silvie Walsh

Photo collection of Syl Walsh Mary and Fran Walsh — Convent School 1957

Photos From Mark Douglas In September 2009 Mark Douglas contacted me to share some old Ballinrobe photos. His family were the Gouldens who were Chruch of Ireland. Sergeant Henry Richard Goulden was in the RIC. See Other Families in Ballinrobe

Photo collection of Mark Douglas Gordon Douglas and Harry Calvert, Creagh, Ballinrobe May 1934.

Photo collection of Mark Douglas "Wedding day in Ballinrobe, 15 May, 1941. My aunt Alice, my father Gordon Douglas, my mother Florence (Flo) Goulden and her brother Jim (James).The wedding took place at St Mary's Church, Ballinrobe. This church was closed sometime ago and as far as I know it is now functioning as a library. The Rev. Canon R.Francis officiated. Canon Francis also officiated with the Bishop of Tuam at my mother's confirmation on 28 April, 1929. Mark Douglas, October 2009

Photo collection of Mark Douglas "the just married couple leaving on a train. I wonder was this taken at Ballinrobe railway station?" Mark Douglas, October 2009

To see more recent images of Ballinrobe click on NEW PHOTOS OF BALLINROBE or the 2005 image of Glebe Street

A Great Web Site by Gerry Ryder With Old and New Images of Ballinrobe

Ballinrobe ......... a century of change

If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com

Emigration from Ireland

JOHN WALSH

JOSEPH WALSH

FANNY FEENEY

MATTHIAS LANGAN

MAGGIE LANGAN

PENELOPE BYRNE

FEERICK

WALSH/LANGANS INTRODUCTION

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My Association With Ballinrobe John Walsh, born circa 1827, married Fanny Feeney in Castlebar in 1856. They had at least 11 children born in Ballinrobe between 1861 and 1881. John Walsh was a stewart on the Kenny estate in Ballinrobe. At least eight of John and Fanny's children emigrated to New York City between 1886 and 1894. Their son Joseph, born 1873, immigrated in 1894. I do not know if any of the children of John and Fanny remained in Ballinrobe. Maggie Langan was born in 1875 in Mochara in Shrule Parish, the daughter of Matthias Langan and Penelope Byrne. Matthias, born circa 1841, was the son of Mathias Langan and his wife Margaret. Penelope was the daughter of Michael Byrne and Nappy Naughton of Mochara. Matthias and Penelope had five children between 1866 and 1879 (Pat in 1866, Martin in 1872, Maggie in 1875, James in 1877, Bridget in 1879). The whole family emigrated to New York City between 1886 and 1892. Before leaving Ireland the Langan family lived in the town of Ballinrobe. Matthias Langan returned to Ireland (perhaps in 1916) and died in Ballinrobe (at age 80) in 1920. Mathias Langan had at least two siblings, Pat and Bridget. Pat never married. Bridget Langan married John Ferrick. Bridget was listed in the 1901 Census on Creagh Road in Ballinrobe. Martin Langan born in 1872 married Ellen Moghan. Ellen and her family were also from Ballinrobe. Sometime before the 1911 census Ellen and her two daughters returned to Ballinrobe where they remained until October 1920 when they went back to New York City. Joseph Walsh and Maggie Langan married in New York City in 1895. They probably knew each other in Ballinrobe: both because it was a relatively small town and because they lived in the same quarter of the town. Joseph and Maggie had 10 children. Their fourth child was Isabelle born in 1901. Isabelle married Frank Goehle, a German American, in New York City in 1921. Their first child was Agnes, my mother, born in 1922. Maggie Land Blanck, January 2010