The good, the bad, the ugly… every family has them. But their stories are always interesting nonetheless…
Soldiers for both the British and the Irish, some also fought in the US army, and we may have sons of one in the German army in WWII…
Tom Reilly went to America, where he fell on hard times. His passage was paid home, but he returned to the states. He joined in the US Army in WWI after which he mas married to or had a relationship with a local German girl. She died in childbirth, and their kids were raised by her parents. He fought for the UK in WWII, and its possible his sons could have been on the other side MORE >>>
John Boyd of Ballymacool in Letterkenny was from an Anglo Irish family. The war was nearly over after it started, and the boys could have been home for Christmas, but not in the way it was hoped. Down to the actions of a few humdred, and the initiative and heroics of this man who covered their tactical retreat, it was said Gheluvelt being held saved the war for the Allies… MORE >>>
The Irish are a nation of poets, it is said, and we have a few in our ranks…
Apart from my own musings, we also have Maggie Sawkins as a writer in Plymouth in England, and Marie Rosalie Boyd Trehane who achieved note in South Africa…
Politicians and Clergy
A lord mayor of Cork is from the Hourican line, a number of county councillors, a councillor in Liverpool from the Drake line…
Colm O Reilly, Red John Reilly’s son, is said to be my grandmothers first cousin [RDG].
The Bad
If the Dopping connection is correct (according to SS O Dubhgain) , the infamy of Jemmy Dopping is enough to make anyone stop family research in case worse in found! A dodgy councillor in London who resigned in disgrace and shall remain nameless… there are a few… whether a folk hero or folk anti hero or an embarrassment to her family, should there be a connection between our Diognans and hers, Chicago May would slot in here also…