Cunningham's of Tullamore

[Marc McNamara]

I am hoping to call on the local knowledge of the forum to help bring some life ( or kill off !!) a family story that still raises it head at Family get togethers...

I shall try to be brief... The background to this story is that my Grandmother, Mary Cunningham was one of several childer born (also James, Dan, Patrick and others i'm still trying to locate) to Peter & Brigid (Byrne) Cunningham right back at the beginnin of the last century. They lived around Wheelright Lane - which i beleive is now known as Offaly St.

My Grandmother always maintained that there was a great sadness in the family after an incident that effected them all and resulted in many of the childer leaving tullamore as young adults and making for other cities. The story goes along the lines that following Mass one Sunday morning, one of her brothers' was shot dead in an unprovoked attack by the then present 'Black & Tans' whom opened fire and i assume that ther may have been other loss of life or injury.
The result of this was (again, this is my Grandmothers recolection) that her Mother, Brigid, was so effected that it resulted in her spendin sometime at a local Asylum.
I had assumed that if an incident like this had occurred, then it surely would have been reported in the regional newspaper if not the national? I have searched in vain so far - that said, i did uncover a story of three lads whom were executed by the Free State Army in 1923 , one of whom was a Patrick Cunningham. The time line of this does not match really though i'm sure there is some conection as i do not think that the Cunningham name was indiginous to the area judging by the Census returns.

My Gran later returned to Tullamore to take care of her Mothers Funeral, whom she believes was still at an asylum!! I have since located what i beleive is the death certificate for Brigid, and it Names her Grand Daughter, Mary Judge(?) as the witness - This is not 100% verified as yet but seems a strong match.

So there you have it.... Can anybody bring greater light on this story or will it be resigned to the book of 'Tales'! I am visiting Dublin for Easter and would like to share some news with My Ma & Aunt - Now in her 80's

Tugaim buíochas leat roimh ré as do chabhair

Marc

Marc A. McNamara

e: marc.mcnamara@btconnect.com

[The Head Hauncho]

Hi Marc,

There are quite a few Cunningham's in the locale, who knows which is relate4d to you?! Have you thought about looking up phone numbers on eircomphonebook.com and try calling? I know of Cunningham's on the Daingean Road. There's also a Roy Cunningham I know who has his own limo company. Can't help much after that...

Seanie.

[cookie]

There's loads of Cunninghams in the area, best of luck!