The title picture is of the purported ancestral home. Today it is just a clump of trees and some stones but is kindly preserved by Frank Ledwith the farmer who now owns the land.
Michael and Maureen's family gathering in Bloomfield Hotel, Mullingar to celebrate Michael's 80th birthday in 2000.
The Bloomfield was the location for many family occasions over the years perhaps motivated by the families residence in Mullingar from 1959 to 1969.
In fact all of the family were born in Mullingar except for myself (Tony) and Marie, we have the honour of saying we hail from Roscommon. We were born in a modest galvanised roofed cottage in an area near the town of Roscommon called Ballinaboy.
This photographed was taken by Brian Shaughnessy, a neighbour of Maureen's from Delvin.
Michael's work in the Department of Agriculture brought him around the country. His first temporary job in South Cork as a Tillage Inspector, to his job as an Inspector with the Land Project division in Mullingar, to a similar role in Castlebar. He then went on to work in Dublin for the Farm Modernisation Scheme, based in O'Connell Bridge House. After several years commuting between Mullingar and Dublin the family eventually moved to Palmerstown, Dublin 20. He finished up his civil service career in Baltinglass Co. Wicklow where he was responsible for an area including North Wicklow and Carlow.
The Bloomfield was the location for many family occasions over the years perhaps motivated by the families residence in Mullingar from 1959 to 1969.
In fact all of the family were born in Mullingar except for myself (Tony) and Marie, we have the honour of saying we hail from Roscommon. We were born in a modest galvanised roofed cottage in an area near the town of Roscommon called Ballinaboy.
This photographed was taken by Brian Shaughnessy, a neighbour of Maureen's from Delvin.
Michael's work in the Department of Agriculture brought him around the country. His first temporary job in South Cork as a Tillage Inspector, to his job as an Inspector with the Land Project division in Mullingar, to a similar role in Castlebar. He then went on to work in Dublin for the Farm Modernisation Scheme, based in O'Connell Bridge House. After several years commuting between Mullingar and Dublin the family eventually moved to Palmerstown, Dublin 20. He finished up his civil service career in Baltinglass Co. Wicklow where he was responsible for an area including North Wicklow and Carlow.
John Devine son of William Devine and Margaret Drake (on left) homecoming visit to Ireland in December 1954. To his right Marjorie McGuinness (daughter of Patrick Devine who was son of William and Margaret), Michael Devine (son of Thomas who was a brother of Johns), Marcella Devine (nee Byrne) and Paddy Devine brother of Michael. Taken in Pluckstown.
The photo recorded the visit from Brisbane of John and Marcella to their ancestral country shortly before John passed away.
Photo provided by Diane Kingston. This photo and others of the visit were also found in Michael's old photo album without context before Diane's input. John emigrated to Sydney Australia in 1912 and was followed six months later by Marcella, they were married in Brisbane where they settled in 1915.
The photo recorded the visit from Brisbane of John and Marcella to their ancestral country shortly before John passed away.
Photo provided by Diane Kingston. This photo and others of the visit were also found in Michael's old photo album without context before Diane's input. John emigrated to Sydney Australia in 1912 and was followed six months later by Marcella, they were married in Brisbane where they settled in 1915.
John's son Pat is also seen in this picture to the left. For their trip they had the loan of the car behind them. At one stage it got stuck in the snow and had to be pulled out. There is some question about whether this 'getting stuck' was aided and abetted by a sup from the local.
Michael and Maureen (Moore's) wedding on July 13th 1955.
Most of the attendees were from the Moore and O'Toole side..
Most of the attendees were from the Moore and O'Toole side..