The title picture above is of the 'Double Ditch' at the Devine ancestral home in Upper Baskinagh near Athboy. Picture the scene in the mid to late 1800's as two adjoining farmers work side by side to dig parallel ditches to both drain their land and to mark their boundaries. The resulting higher earth between the two ditches formed a pathway for animals and humans alike. The house was located to the right in this picture. If you view a Google map of the area you will see that the current road takes a near right angle turn at the entrance to the Ledwith farm, in the past the original path or road way would have gone straight up to the Devine home following the line of the double ditch. The revised road layout took it away from where the Devine house was located, did that speed up its dereliction ?
The crooked road that emerged from the entrance to the Ledwith farm all the way out to the main road at Frayne is the subject of another story. It appears the local farmers got together in the days before the road was due to be laid and moved the marking pegs to suit their landholdings.
The house appears to have existed during both the 1901 and 1911 census and was occupied by William Devine, his wife Margaret and at least 8 of their children based on the census data but presumably at one time would have been home to the 12 children that is indicated in the 1911 census as having been 'born alive' to William and Margaret. This census also indicates that there was just three rooms in this house. It is classed in both surveys as being of 3rd class, meaning that it's roof and walls were made of perishable material such as timber/mud or thatch. It also had a Stable, a Piggery and a Cowshed. By 1911 William and his family had added considerably to their farm outbuildings although the house itself remained 3rd class. So now they had a total of 7 outbuildings, as well as those listed in 1901 they added a Calf House, a Fowl House, a Barn and a Shed.
The crooked road that emerged from the entrance to the Ledwith farm all the way out to the main road at Frayne is the subject of another story. It appears the local farmers got together in the days before the road was due to be laid and moved the marking pegs to suit their landholdings.
The house appears to have existed during both the 1901 and 1911 census and was occupied by William Devine, his wife Margaret and at least 8 of their children based on the census data but presumably at one time would have been home to the 12 children that is indicated in the 1911 census as having been 'born alive' to William and Margaret. This census also indicates that there was just three rooms in this house. It is classed in both surveys as being of 3rd class, meaning that it's roof and walls were made of perishable material such as timber/mud or thatch. It also had a Stable, a Piggery and a Cowshed. By 1911 William and his family had added considerably to their farm outbuildings although the house itself remained 3rd class. So now they had a total of 7 outbuildings, as well as those listed in 1901 they added a Calf House, a Fowl House, a Barn and a Shed.
It is believed that one of the offspring, Michael (b circa 1880 d 1947) lived on at this house where he married Jane Murtagh and went on to have seven children. Michael is seen sitting here on the donkey.
Madeline was the eldest girl of the family and according to Maria Feerick, her daughter who provided this picture, she is the girl to the right of this picture.
Maria indicated that this photograph was taken in the 1930's. The surrounding area looks like it could be the 'Devine ancestral home' in Baskinagh.
Jane became known as 'Madam Devine' (1895 - 1997). Frank Ledwith tells a story of Madam Devine leaving a pot of stew in the ditch every day for her son who was hiding out from the Black and Tans in the field in bales of straw. Need to verify this as the Black and Tans were active between 1915 and 1922 when Jane would have only been only in her early twenties.
Madeline was the eldest girl of the family and according to Maria Feerick, her daughter who provided this picture, she is the girl to the right of this picture.
Maria indicated that this photograph was taken in the 1930's. The surrounding area looks like it could be the 'Devine ancestral home' in Baskinagh.
Jane became known as 'Madam Devine' (1895 - 1997). Frank Ledwith tells a story of Madam Devine leaving a pot of stew in the ditch every day for her son who was hiding out from the Black and Tans in the field in bales of straw. Need to verify this as the Black and Tans were active between 1915 and 1922 when Jane would have only been only in her early twenties.
This is Madeline Devine (1921 - 2000), daughter of Michael and Jane of Baskinagh.
According to Maria Feerick her daughter, Madeline emigrated to England after the war (assume 1946) to work as a nanny in London. Madeline had seven children one of whom died young.
According to Maria Feerick her daughter, Madeline emigrated to England after the war (assume 1946) to work as a nanny in London. Madeline had seven children one of whom died young.
John Devine (1880 - 1955) was another of the Baskinagh Devines but it appears he was more adventurous than the rest. He sailed to Australia in 1912 and landed in Sydney, the intention was to work hard for 6 months, save all of his money and return to Ireland to help his family, of course this never happened. John had a sweetheart in Ireland and they kept in touch through letters, her name was Marcella Byrne from Dalystown. Marcella got sick of waiting for him to return so she boarded a ship for Sydney in 1913 and joined him there, they eventually moved north to Brisbane in Queensland, married and had 7 children. John lost his right hand while working on a cane farm in Brisbane. It appears the farmer he and his colleagues were employed by was miserable with the food rations. John decided to go fishing - with dynamite. Unfortunately it went off while still in his hand. That didn't hold him back as he went on to paint his entire house, Emerald Isle green of course, with one hand.
Story courtesy of John's granddaughter Diane Kingston.
Story courtesy of John's granddaughter Diane Kingston.
John and Marcella's family in Brisbane Australia.
Photo left to right:
William (Billy), Catherine (Cathy), Patrick, Marcella, James (Jimmy),
Elizabeth (Betty), John Patrick, John and Sheila Margaret Devine.
You will notice that John has his right arm in his trouser pocket, having lost his hand while fishing with dynamite he didn't like showing his stump in photos.
This photo was taken about 1950, Elizabeth, or
Betty as she prefers to be called was the last surviving member of the family.
Note: Cathy was Diane Kingstown's mother. Diane provided much of the research inputs to this site.
Photo left to right:
William (Billy), Catherine (Cathy), Patrick, Marcella, James (Jimmy),
Elizabeth (Betty), John Patrick, John and Sheila Margaret Devine.
You will notice that John has his right arm in his trouser pocket, having lost his hand while fishing with dynamite he didn't like showing his stump in photos.
This photo was taken about 1950, Elizabeth, or
Betty as she prefers to be called was the last surviving member of the family.
Note: Cathy was Diane Kingstown's mother. Diane provided much of the research inputs to this site.
Elizabeth Timmons (1876 - 1946) Died on December 16th 1946 aged 70 years. From Girley, Fordstown near Kells. Listed in the 1911 census as living at home and occupation was a seamstress.
Further information on the Timmons family has since been brought to my attention courtesy of Tommy Timmons a first cousin of my father Michael and a nephew of Lizzie's. Lizzie's parents were Patrick Timmons (Fordstown) and Julia Teeling (daughter of herd at big estate in Cortown - Atgea, Rannanagh). She was one of 9 children, 4 of which were daughters. Thought to be Mary Teeling (nee Dunne), Elizabeth's grand mother. widow of Thomas Teeling, sitting outside the family home at Athgaine/Rannangh Co. Meath. Thomas died in 1891 and may have been buried near Kilbeg, not far from Carlanstown ca. 5km north-east of Kells. The whereabouts of his grave is unknown but there is a burial ground known as Histy (townland of Stahalmog) near there and a chapel just a mile away.
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Thomas Devine (1877 - 1952) married Elizabeth Timmons on 24/11/1914 in her home area of Kells. There are no photographs (so far of Thomas/Tom). This Witness Statement to the Bureau of Military History (dated 27/8/57) refers to Tom Devine as being one of the organisers of the Athboy company of Irish National Volunteers (prelude to Old IRA) in 1913. The author's family, the McGurl's, were previous owners of part of the land in Pluckstown before it was acquired by Tom in 1931.
www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1660.pdf#page=2 They lived in Pluckstown near Athboy in a house that was built by Thomas himself. The house included its own water supply, at the front of the house, a real sign of affluence at that time. To top it off Elizabeth added a priest and a nun from her side of the family. Thomas was described as being a big tall rough man, while Elizabeth (Lizzie as she was better known) was a petite and gentle person. They were married by arrangement and quite late in life (he was approx 37 years old while she was 38). Thomas shows up in the 1901 and 1911 census living with his widowed aunt Bridget Devine (not known which of William's brothers she had been married to). The house was in Frayne. In the time he lived with his aunt it appears he had added considerably to the farm. A stable and a cow house now appear in addition to the piggery and fowl house that was listed in 1901. The house Thomas shared with his Aunt Bridget was even upgraded from 3rd class to 2nd class implying that he had re-roofed and made the walls non-perishable. This is all credible as my father Michael had always told us that his father Thomas had built the house at Pluckstown himself. Lizzie gave birth to two girls that did not survive before she had the twins, Paddy and Willie in 1918. Michael arrived in 1920. |
Willie became famous around Athboy when he bought an old hearse which he had converted for use by the living. He was known for using this old hearse to transport himself and his friends to nearby GAA matches. Sadly Willie passed died at the young age of 36 in December 1954 as a result of diabetes, an ailment that was not fully understood at the time.
(1931 - Michael (1920 - 2006) son of Thomas and Elizabeth married Maureen Moore (1931 -2016) in her home town of Delvin on July 13th 1955.
As the invite shows, the wedding was at 9am in the morning, so get here if you can. They went on to have their reception in the Headfort Arms in Kells.
Michael and Maureen (1931 - 2016) had 8 children.
As the invite shows, the wedding was at 9am in the morning, so get here if you can. They went on to have their reception in the Headfort Arms in Kells.
Michael and Maureen (1931 - 2016) had 8 children.
- Anthony (Tony), called after his mother's favourite saint, a patron for finding lost things. Tony's second name is after his grandfather Thomas.
- Marie (christened Teresa), became known as Marie when Maureen's mother (Mary Moore, nee Toole) insisted she be called after Maria Goretti.
- Concepta (Cepta common name or Connie as she prefers to be known), I'm not sure if there is a religious connection here like the two that went ahead.
- Sean, called after his uncle Sean Moore
- Helen, known for her capacity to talk endlessly
- Terence (Terry), called after his uncle and grandfather Terry Moore.
- Kevin, called after his uncle Kevin Moore.
- Maeve, called after the Queen of Ireland, as she will tell you herself.
Michael and Maureen's 'weeding' day, clearly the scythe had not been sharpened in July 1955.
Most of the attendees at the wedding are from Maureen's side of the family, Moore and O'Tooles. Two of three daughters of Patrick Devine (1874 - 1950) are in this picture. Second lady from left is Marjorie McGuinness (nee Devine). To her right and in the same row is Kathleen Hanley (nee Devine), who is just behind Paddy Devine. The young girl at the front is Rene Shaw (nee Hanley). Her father and Kathleen's husband Frank is two men behind Michael's right shoulder.
Most of the attendees at the wedding are from Maureen's side of the family, Moore and O'Tooles. Two of three daughters of Patrick Devine (1874 - 1950) are in this picture. Second lady from left is Marjorie McGuinness (nee Devine). To her right and in the same row is Kathleen Hanley (nee Devine), who is just behind Paddy Devine. The young girl at the front is Rene Shaw (nee Hanley). Her father and Kathleen's husband Frank is two men behind Michael's right shoulder.
Taken at the Bloomfield Hotel in Mullingar 2000, this was one of those annual occasions where the family would get together, in this case it was for Michael's 80th birthday. This was the last gathering of that size, my father, Michael, passed away in 2006 at which point another few grandchildren would have been added, today he would also have had a growing number of great grandchildren. My sister Marie’s daughter Karen and her partner Andy brought Hannah into the world in June 2014. Karen further extended the family in November 2016 when Jessica arrived.
My mother Maureen sadly passed away on January 9th 2016 after a short illness.
A further three great-grandchildren have been added to the dynasty, Adam was born to Chloe (Marie's daughter) and Peter in March 2016 a little brother Ben arrived in June 2017. Isabelle Cunningham was born to my daughter Natalie and husband Brian in April 2016.
Key to the photograph above.
Back Row:
Stephen McGovern (Helen’s eldest), Gerry McGovern (my sister Helen’s husband), Eoin McGovern (Helen’s second eldest), Alan Devine (my eldest now in Wellington, NZ), Brendan Hayes (my sister Marie’s husband who died far too young some years back from non-Hodgkin's), Jim Hegarty (my sister Cepta’s husband and my skiing buddy), Terry Devine (my brother).
Third Row:
Gary Kenny (my youngest sister Maeve’s husband), Maeve Kenny (nee Devine, my youngest sister who since then has had two children, Conor and Josh).
Natalie Devine (one of my two beautiful daughters now married to Brian C), Natalie had a daughter, Isabelle in April 2016.
Siobhan Hegarty (Cepta’s eldest girl, now in Sydney and has been since 2011, plans in place to marry Rick O'Connell in 2017),
Lisa Hayes (Marie’s second girl, married John in 2015),
Tony Devine (yep, that's me),
Mark Devine held by his dad my brother Sean Devine.
Second Row:
Brian Cunningham (the great guy that married my daughter Natalie in August 2012),
Concepta/Cepta/Connie Hegarty (my sister who hates the name she was christened with),
Marguerite Devine (my good wife),
Karen Hayes (Marie’s daughter who has since (2014) had a daughter, Hannah, of her own and will further extend her family in Nov 2016.
Carol McGovern (my sister Helen’s daughter who has had two kids, Chelsea and Chloe, herself and is now engaged to Liam),
Chloe Hayes (Marie’s youngest daughter, did Oz but didn’t like it and came home in 2014), will add to the great-grandchildren pool in March 2016.
Aisling Hegarty (my sister Cepta’s second of two daughters, now in Australia, these days in Melbourne since 2013,
Gavin Devine (my second youngest of the four, in Perth with his girlfriend Nessa since April 2012, will eventually come home, I think).
Front Seated:
Marie Hayes (my sister, a year younger than me, christened Teresa in case you ever look for her records, married Wally her partner of many years and her husband since December 2015. Wally had also lost his wife in similarly tragic circumstances to Marie in 2004,
Shirley Devine (married to my youngest brother Kevin, she has baby Ross one of her twins on her knee),
Maureen Devine, Michael Devine,
Karen Devine (married to my brother Terry) her eldest of two daughters, Sophie on her knee (a second daughter Kelly has arrived since then.
Helen Devine (my sister) and her youngest child Nicole,
Karen Devine nee O'Donnell (married to my brother Sean, since amicably separated.
On Floor: Kevin Devine (my youngest brother) Craig Devine (sitting, Kevin and Shirley’s eldest), Gary Devine (twin to Ross, Kevin & Shirley’s sons),
Lauren Devine (my baby, born in 1994 and completed her Digital Media Degree in Maynooth, graduating in September 2015.
A bit contorted, but its a record now for more to share in.
My mother Maureen sadly passed away on January 9th 2016 after a short illness.
A further three great-grandchildren have been added to the dynasty, Adam was born to Chloe (Marie's daughter) and Peter in March 2016 a little brother Ben arrived in June 2017. Isabelle Cunningham was born to my daughter Natalie and husband Brian in April 2016.
Key to the photograph above.
Back Row:
Stephen McGovern (Helen’s eldest), Gerry McGovern (my sister Helen’s husband), Eoin McGovern (Helen’s second eldest), Alan Devine (my eldest now in Wellington, NZ), Brendan Hayes (my sister Marie’s husband who died far too young some years back from non-Hodgkin's), Jim Hegarty (my sister Cepta’s husband and my skiing buddy), Terry Devine (my brother).
Third Row:
Gary Kenny (my youngest sister Maeve’s husband), Maeve Kenny (nee Devine, my youngest sister who since then has had two children, Conor and Josh).
Natalie Devine (one of my two beautiful daughters now married to Brian C), Natalie had a daughter, Isabelle in April 2016.
Siobhan Hegarty (Cepta’s eldest girl, now in Sydney and has been since 2011, plans in place to marry Rick O'Connell in 2017),
Lisa Hayes (Marie’s second girl, married John in 2015),
Tony Devine (yep, that's me),
Mark Devine held by his dad my brother Sean Devine.
Second Row:
Brian Cunningham (the great guy that married my daughter Natalie in August 2012),
Concepta/Cepta/Connie Hegarty (my sister who hates the name she was christened with),
Marguerite Devine (my good wife),
Karen Hayes (Marie’s daughter who has since (2014) had a daughter, Hannah, of her own and will further extend her family in Nov 2016.
Carol McGovern (my sister Helen’s daughter who has had two kids, Chelsea and Chloe, herself and is now engaged to Liam),
Chloe Hayes (Marie’s youngest daughter, did Oz but didn’t like it and came home in 2014), will add to the great-grandchildren pool in March 2016.
Aisling Hegarty (my sister Cepta’s second of two daughters, now in Australia, these days in Melbourne since 2013,
Gavin Devine (my second youngest of the four, in Perth with his girlfriend Nessa since April 2012, will eventually come home, I think).
Front Seated:
Marie Hayes (my sister, a year younger than me, christened Teresa in case you ever look for her records, married Wally her partner of many years and her husband since December 2015. Wally had also lost his wife in similarly tragic circumstances to Marie in 2004,
Shirley Devine (married to my youngest brother Kevin, she has baby Ross one of her twins on her knee),
Maureen Devine, Michael Devine,
Karen Devine (married to my brother Terry) her eldest of two daughters, Sophie on her knee (a second daughter Kelly has arrived since then.
Helen Devine (my sister) and her youngest child Nicole,
Karen Devine nee O'Donnell (married to my brother Sean, since amicably separated.
On Floor: Kevin Devine (my youngest brother) Craig Devine (sitting, Kevin and Shirley’s eldest), Gary Devine (twin to Ross, Kevin & Shirley’s sons),
Lauren Devine (my baby, born in 1994 and completed her Digital Media Degree in Maynooth, graduating in September 2015.
A bit contorted, but its a record now for more to share in.