9: Sinnott y Comerford and Kelly y Comerford of Wexford and Argentina

Willie Sinnott y Comerford, who died in Buenos Aires in 1940: the Comerford name continued in his family in Argentina

Patrick Comerford

The Comerford family name continued to be used in Argentina by two families whose direct male line of descent was derived from a Kelly and a Sinnott family in Co Wexford.

The sisters Margaret and Bridget Comerford, who moved to Argentina, married into the Kelly and Sinnot families. Evidence indicates that Bridget was the same Bridget Comerford, who was born in Dublin in 1847, daughter of Robert Comerford of Wexford Town and Bunclody and his wife Rose French [see Chapter 8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin].

Margaret Comerford married James Kelly in the 1850s and Bridget Comerford married James Sinnott in the 1860s. The Comerford name continued to be used with these two family names in various combinations by their descendants in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina until late in the 20th century.[1]

MARGARET COMERFORD (1836-1921) was born in Ireland in 1836 and died on 18 July 1921. She married James Kelly (1815-post 1895). He was born in Ireland, and they both emigrated to Argentina. They had six children, three sons and three daughters:

1, Isabel ‘Lizzie’ Kelly y Comerford (1859-1923), who married Edward ‘Eduardo’ Kehoe y Robins (1859-1911), and of whom next (see below).
2, Catalina Kelly y Comerford (1864-1947). She married Nicolás ‘Nicholas’ Kavanagh y Brure, and of whom after her sister Lizzie (see below).
3, Eduard Kelly y Comerford (1877- ), born in 1877.
4, Elena Kelly y Comerford (1880- ), born in 1880.
5, Santiago Kelly y Comerford.
6, Juan Kelly y Comerford ( -1949). He died on 18 August 1949. He married on 26 October 1912 in Chascomús Enriqueta Wilson y Gardiner, daughter of Enrique Wilson O’Connor and Anna Gardiner y MacDonnell. They have living descendants.

The eldest daughter of Margaret Comerford and James Kelly was:

ISABEL ‘LIZZIE’ KELLY y COMERFORD (1859-1923). She was born in 1859, died on 25 November 1923, and is buried in San Isidore. She married Edward ‘Eduardo’ Kehoe y Robbins (1859-1911), son of John Kehoe y Redmond (1821-1890) from Co Wexford and his wife Julia Robbins y Egan (1832-1877) from Co Offaly. John and Julia had settled as sheep-farmers in San Pedro, 157 km north-west of Buenos Aires; another son, José Kehoe y Robbins, married Lizzie’s niece, Anna Margarita Kavanagh (Cabana) y Kelly (see below). Edward Kehoe y Robbins was born on 23 August 1859 in San Pedro and died on 15 August 1911.

Lizzie and Eduardo were the parents of:

1, Juan José ‘Johnnie’ Kehoe y Kelly (1880-1950). He married Catalina Brennan (d. 1954). They had a son and a daughter and have living descendants.
2, Catalina María ‘Bunty’ or ‘Kathleen’ Kehoe y Kelly (d. 1954). She married on 14 November 1911 Pedro José ‘Peter’ Dolan y Murray (1890-1947), brother of Juan José ‘Jack’ Dolan y Murray (1887-1970), who married Kathleen’s sister Mary (see below). Kathleen and Peter have living descendants.
3, Margarita Josefina ‘Maggie’ Kehoe y Kelly (1883-1951). She married on 12 December 1914 her cousin Juan Ricardo ‘Jack’ Sinnott y Comerford (1871-1939), son of James Sinnott and his wife Bridget Comerford (see below). She died on 29 November 1951. They have living descendants.

Luly Kehoe y Kelly and her husband Jack Richards y Doyle in 1939

4, Julia Maria ‘Luly’ Kehoe y Kelly (1884-1968). She married on 28 June 1905 Juan Carlos ‘Jack’ Richards y Doyle. She died on 19 May 1968. They have living descendants.

Jack Dolan y Murray (1887-1969), his wife Mary Kehoe y Kelly (1888-1969) with their family in 1929

5, Maria Julia ‘Mary’ Kehoe y Kelly (1888-1969). She married on 6 November 1915 Juan José ‘Jack’ Dolan y Murray (1887-1970) of Capilla del Señor. His brother, Pedro José ‘Peter’ Dolan y Murray (1890-1947) married Mary’s sister Kathleen (see above). Mary and Peter have living descendants. Three of their sons – Luis (1921-2000), Guillermo (1927-1974) and Heriberto (born 1923) – were Catholic priests, while another son, Dr Mario Alberto Dolan (1918-2002), studied medicine with Ernesto Che Guevara and was the founder of the Irish-Argentine Society of New York. Their eldest son, the Revd Luis Dolan, CP (1921-2000), graduated from Fordham University, New York, and worked as missionary in villages and estancias in Argentina. He died on 15 October 2000 in New York.
6, Santiago ‘James’ Kehoe y Kelly. He died on 19 October 1888, aged 10 months, of diphtheria.
7, Eduardo Kehoe y Kelly (1895-1911). He was born in 1895 in San Pedro. He lived for many years in Asunción and Concordia in Paraguay, where he was the manager of a meat-packing company in Paraguay. He died in Concordia, Paraguay, on 7 December 1941. He married Maria Wilson y Gardiner, whose sister Enriqueta married his uncle, Juan Kelly y Comerford (see above). They have living descendants, and their grandchildren include: the folk musician Gustavo Kehoe (b. 1958); and Gloria Kehoe (1954-1977), a prize-winning short-story writer and partner of Adolfo Infante Allende (1940-1977). Gloria and Adolfo were abducted by a navy death squad in 1977 and were murdered.

Gloria Kehoe (1954-1977), a prize-winning writer and direct descendant of Margaret Comerford from Co Wexford, she was abducted and murdered under the military regime in Argentina in 1977

Lizzie Kelly y Comerford’s next sister, the second daughter of Margaret Comerford and James Kelly, was:

CATALINA KELLY y COMERFORD (1864-1947). She married Nicolás ‘Nicholas’ Kavanagh y Brure (1858-1919), son of Nicholas Kavanagh (1818-1878) from Co Wexford, who emigrated to Argentina in 1844, and his wife Mary Brure (1834-1895), from Co Westmeath. They had seven children, five daughters and two sons:

1, Maria Francisca Cabana y Kelly (1884- ).
2, Nicolás Alberto Cabana y Kelly (1886-1938). He married Isabel Roteta and they have living descendants.
3, Anna Margarita Kavanagh (Cabana) y Kelly (1888-1943). She married José Kehoe y Robbins, whose brother Eduardo Kehoe y Robbins married her aunt Lizzie Kelly y Comerford (see above). They have no descendants.
4, Catalina Ana ‘Bebisa’ Kavanagh (Cabana) y Kelly (1890-1963). She married Benjamin Bockett Pugh, who was born in England. They have living descendants.
5, Luisa Mercedes Cabana y Kelly (born in 1891).
6, Pedro Diego Cabana y Kelly (born 1894).
7, Pilar Elena Cabana y Kelly (1892-1978), a Professor of English. She married Andrés Barcos and they have living descendants.

Margaret Comerford (1836-1921), who married James Kelly was an elder sister of:

BRIDGET COMERFORD (1847-1913), who is said to have been born in Co Wexford in 1847, appears to be the same as Bridget Comerford, born in Dublin in 1847, daughter of Robert Comerford of Wexford Town and Bunclody and his wife Rose French. She was baptised in Saint Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin (sponsors: James Comerford and Jane Tracy), and her parents subsequently returned to live in Bunclody, Co Wexford. [see Chapter 8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin].

Bridget Comerford (1847-1913) married James ‘Santiago’ Sinnott (1821-1898), and they settled in San Vicente, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they have descendants.

James Sinnott died on 14 February 1898; Bridget (Comerford) Sinnott died on 24 May 1913. They had seven children:

1, Santiago Patricio Sinnott y Comerford (1867-1922), of whom next.
2, Juan Ricardo ‘Jack’ Sinnott y Comerford (1871-1939), of whom after Santiago.
3, Eduardo Mateo Sinnott y Comerford (1880-1928), of whom after Jack.
4, Carlos ‘Charlie’ Sinnott y Comerford (1887-1906). Born in 1887, Charlie died in military service on 24 September 1906.
5, Catalina Sinnott y Comerford (1889- ). Born in 1889, she married Pablo Verasain, and has descendants.
6, Isabella Sinnott y Comerford (1877-1970). On 17 October 1903, she married in Las Flores, Buenos Aires, Juan Patricio ‘Johnny’ Feehan y McKay, son of John Feehan and Ellen MacKay. Isabella died in 1970 in Hogar San Patricio (Saint Patrick’s Home), Villa Elisa, Buenos Aires. Isabella and Johnny were the parents of:
● 1a, Juan Diego Feehan y Sinnott, who has no descendants.
● 2a, Ricardo ‘Richie’ Feehan y Sinnott. He married Esther Harris. They were the parents of:
●● 1b, Ruth Feehan y Harris, who is without descendants.
● 3a, Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Feehan y Sinnott. He was married twice, and has descendants through his second wife.
7, Guillermo ‘Willie’ Sinnott y Comerford (18??-1940). He married Dolores Uranga. Willie died on 11 October 1940 in Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, and Dolores died there on 1 April 1950. They left no descendants.

The eldest son of Bridget Comerford and her husband James ‘Santiago’ Sinnott was:

SANTIAGO PATRICIO SINNOTT y COMERFORD (1867-1922). He was born in 1867 in San Vicente, Buenos Aires. He died on 20 March 1922.

Santiago Sinnott y Comerford married … and had four children:

1, Juan Diego Sinnott, who lived his last years in San Miguel del Monte, Buenos Aires, where he is buried. He was unmarried and without descendants.
2, Margarita Sinnott, lived in Las Flores, Buenos Aires, and died unmarried without descendants.
3, Angela Sinnott, died on 7 May 1965, in Las Flores, Buenos Aires, where she is buried. She was unmarried and has no descendants.
4, José Eduardo ‘Pepe’ Sinnott (1908-1978). Born on 13 December 1906, he died on 2 October 1978 in Adolfo Gonzalzes Chavez, Buenos Aires, and was buried in San Miguel del Monte. In 1933, he married in Cachari, Buenos Aires, Lidia Paula Barbieri. They were the parents of three sons:
● 1a, Eduardo Sinnott y Barbieri (1934- ), who married Ester Joaquin López. They had three daughters and a son.
● 2a, Delfor Sinnott y Barbieri (1939- ), who married Carmen Leonor Gallo, and had three daughters.
3a, Santiago Sinnott y Barbieri (1950-1995), who married Elena Barragorry and had one daughter.

The second son of Bridget Comerford and her husband James “Santiago” Sinnott was:

JUAN RICARDO ‘JACK’ SINNOTT y COMERFORD (1871-1939). He was born in 1871 in Canuelas, Buenos Aires. He married Margarita Josefina ‘Maggie’ Kehoe y Kelly (1883-1951), born in 1883 in San Pedro, Buenos Aires, the daughter of Eduardo Kehoe y Robbins and his wife Isabel ‘Lizzie’ Kelly y Comerford. Lizzie Kelly y Comerford was the eldest daughter of James Kelly (born 1815) and his wife Margaret Comerford (1836-1921). Jack died on 11 August 1939, and Maggie died on 29 November 1951. They were the parents of two sons:

1, Haroldo Zacarias ‘Roldy’ Sinnott y Kehoe (1924-1997), who married Georgina ‘Georgie’ Acevedo and had six children, three daughters and three sons.
2, Ricardo José ‘Dicky’ Sinnott y Kehoe (died 1976), who married Maria Lydia Teresa ‘Marily’ Mangudo Escalada y Lascano and had six children, three sons and three daughters.

The third son of Bridget Comerford and her husband James ‘Santiago’ Sinnott was:

EDUARDO MATEO SINNOTT y COMERFORD (1880-1928). He was born on 16 October 1880. He married on 12 March 1907 Catalina Luisa Pardo y Guillén (1887- ), daughter of Luis Pardo and Mercedes Guillén. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters:

1, Carlos Eduardo ‘Charles’ Sinnott y Pardo (1909-1988), of San Vicente, Buenos Aires. He married Angela ‘Chola’ Gasbaro and they had five children, four sons and a daughter.
2, Próspero Sinnott y Pardo (died 1970), of Morón, Buenos Aires. He married María Pardo (died 1998) and they had six children, two daughters and four sons.
3, Mercedes Brígida Sinnott y Pardo (1913- ). She was married twice (1) José Di Napoli and had three children, a son and two daughters; and (2) N... Fraga, and had two children, a son and a daughter.
4, Patricio Sinnott y Pardo (1916), born on 21 March 1916, of Raunch, Buenos Aires. He was married twice: (1) Gracina Albelo and (2) Emilse ... He has no descendants.
5, Maria Haidée ‘Polola’ Sinnott y Pardo (1919-1974), died unmarried and without descendants.
6, Lucia Sinnott y Pardo (1921- ), of Las Flores, Buenos Aires. She married Antonio Saizar, and had one daughter.
7, Catalina Luisa Sinnott y Pardo, married Gabriel Leopoldo Sesti and had five children, four daughters and a son.
8, Héctor Abel Sinnott y Pardo (1925- ). He married in 1955 Sara Sofia Saavedra, and had a son and a daughter.
9, Hetel Elisa Sinnott y Pardo (1927- ). She married in 1947 Alberto Gabriel Vega. They had two sons.

© Patrick Comerford 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013

Footnotes and references:

[1] The sources for this Chapter include:

http://www.irishgenealogy.com/ar/genealogia/K/Kavanagh/Nicholas.php#Nicholas_Kavanagh_y_Brure;
http://www.irishgenealogy.com.ar/genealogia/K/Kehoe/john.htm#Eduardo_Kehoe_y_Robbins;
http://www.irishgenealogy.com.ar/genealogia/K/Kehoe/Thomas2.php#Eduardo_Kehoe_y_Robbins;
http://www.irishgenealogy.com.ar/genealogia/K/Kelly/james2.htm.
http://www.irishgenealogy.com.ar/genealogia/S/Sinnott/james.htm.

Last updated: 25 May 2008; 15 and 16 August 2009; 19 November 2010; 27 and 28 June 2011; 11 April 2012.

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10: Comerford of Co Wexford and Minooka, Illinois

Patrick Comerford

A Comerford family with origins in Co Wexford has been intimately involved in the founding and later history of Minooka in Illinois, a town 65 miles outside Chicago. Minooka was originally home to the Potowatomie Indians, who first lived in the surrounding area.[1]

Minooka dates back from 1852 when the Chicago, Rock Island and Peoria Railroads came through the area on the recommendation of surveyor, Ransom Gardner. George Comerford, an Irish immigrant from Co Wexford and railroad surveyor helped bring the railroad to Minooka. Gardner and Comerford bought land in the area for the railroad, and George Comerford became the first agent at the Minooka Depot. He also was instrumental in establishing a post office in 1853 and was its postmaster for nine years.

When Minooka was incorporated in 1869, there were three grocery and liquor stores, a post office, a grain elevator and two churches – Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church, both built with support from George Comerford.

PIERCE COMERFORD, of Co Wexford is the immediate, direct ancestor of this branch of the Comerford family that emigrated to the United States in the mid 19th century and settled in Minooka, Illinois. He may have been born ca 1769/1770. He married ... and was the father of:

WILLIAM COMERFORD (ca 1799/1800-1866), of Co Wexford and Grundy County, Illinois. He was born in Co Wexford ca 1799/1800. While still living in Co Wexford, he married ca 1824/1825 Honora (Nancy) Nolan (ca 1802-1854). William and Nancy Comerford emigrated to the United States in 1847, first settling in Rochester County, New York. In 1849, they moved with their entire family to Illinois and bought land in the Aux Sable district of Illinois, where William farmed 560 acres in Grundy County.

Nancy (Nolan) Comerford died on 1 November 1854, aged 52. William Comerford died on 11 October 1866, aged 66.

William and Nancy Comerford were the parents of five sons and two daughters who were born in Co Wexford:

1, George Comerford (1826-1891), born in Co Wexford and of whom next.
2, Pierce Comerford (1828-1868), born in Co Wexford in January 1828. He emigrated to America with his parents. He married …, daughter of Dennis Dempsey of Co Kildare. Pierce died in January 1868. He was the father of two sons and three daughters:
● 1a, William Comerford (1859-1905), born in Minooka, Grundy County, Illinois, on 15 August 1859. He married Katie, daughter of Patrick Kinney. Katie Comerford was born on 26 July 1860. She was burned to death in her home in March 1905. Her husband died from pneumonia a few days later in Chicago in March 1905, and was buried in Dresden Cemetery. They had an only daughter:
●● 1b, Mary E., born ca 1898, aged seven at the time of her parents’ deaths.
● 2a, Honora.
● 3a, Nicholas Comerford.
● 4a, Mary E.
● 5a, Anna.
3, Mary.
4, Charles Comerford, of Brule, Chamberlain County, Dakota.
5, Nicholas Comerford (ca 1835/1836-1861), who was born in Co Wexford, ca 1835/1836, and died on 26 September 1861, aged 25.
6, William Comerford (ca 1842-1855)¸ who born in Co Wexford ca 1842, and died on 6 January 1855, aged 12.

The eldest son:

GEORGE COMERFORD (1826-1891), was born in Co Wexford on 3 August 1826. He planned to study for the Catholic priesthood, but emigrated to America with his parents in 1847. He lost parts of his feet in a railroad accident in 1853. On 16 September 1855, he married Catherine Smith (1824-1903), of Buffalo, New York, daughter of Thomas and Mary Smith from Co Wexford. Catherine was born near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, in 1824, and moved to Lockport, New York, with her parents in 1852.

George Comerford was a railroad pioneer in Illinois who is credited with bringing the railroad to Minooka, which came into existence in 1852 when the railroad came through the area. George surveyed the Rockford and Rock Island Railroad, and settled in Minooka, Illinois, where he was rail agent, postmaster and merchant. He was instrumental in establishing the Minooka post office in 1853, and served as its postmaster for nine years. The village of Minooka was incorporated on 27 March 1869.

George Comerford was also involved in building the Chicago, Rock Island and Peoria Line and became the first agent at the Minooka Depot. He built the Comerford Block in Minooka, helped build both the Catholic and Methodist churches, farmed 160 acres, and was President of the Board of Education. He was a Democrat in his politics. He returned to visit his native Co Wexford ca 1882.

George Comerford died on 3 December 1891. His widow Catherine died on 1 August 1903.

George and Catherine Comerford had two sons and a daughter:

1, Thomas S. Comerford (1860-1925), farmer and postmaster, of Minooka, Illinois, and 113 D’Arcy Avenue, Joliet, Illinois. He was born on 7 March 1860 in Minooka. He was postmaster at Minooka, and lived there until 1920, when he moved to Joliet. He was educated at Notre Dame University. In 1885, he married Margaret Ellen Coulehan¸ daughter of Lawrence and Margaret Coulehan, who originally came from Co Offaly, and moved to Grundy County, Illinois. Margaret (Coulehan) Comerford died on 31 December 1910 aged 48. Thomas Comerford died on 20 August 1925, aged 65. He was buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Minooka. They had two sons and five daughters:
● 1a, George A. Comerford (1889-1970), born 19 December 1889, died 15 June 1970. He married Catherine J. … (1895-1972). They are buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Minooka.
● 2a, Joseph T. Comerford (1901-1979). He married Elizabeth … (1904-1968). They are buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Minooka.
● 3a, …, married Frank Feehan.
● 4a, Marjorie, married John J. Henneberry (1882-1968), rancher and businessman.
● 5a, Frances.
● 6a, Florence.
● 7a, Clare.
2, Nicholas J. Comerford (1862-post 1925), of 601 Western Avenue, Minooka, and Joliet, Illinois. He was born in 1862 in Grundy County, Illinois. He was educated at Notre Dame University, and went into his father’s merchandising business. In 1910, he retired from business and moved with his family to Joliet. He was later identified with the Eagle Furniture Company in North Chicago Street, and was food administrator for Will County. He was still living in 1925. He married Anna Frances Kaffer and they had four sons and three daughters:
● 1a, George Comerford, of Joliet, Illinois. He worked with the Joliet National Bank. In 1919, he was a sergeant in the US army in France.
● 2a John Comerford.
● 3a, Dean Comerford (1898-1921). He was born in Minooka, Illinois, in 1898. He was educated at Joliet Township High School (class of 1916), Dubuque College, Iowa, and Notre Dame University. He died on 1 October 1921 and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
● 4a, Thomas Comerford.
● 1a, Helen.
● 2a, Lucile.
● 3a, Mary Agnes (fifth child), born 13 September 1899, died unmarried 21 August 19..
3, Mary, born ca 1870/1871, died on 11 April 1883, aged 12, while a pupil at Saint Mary’s Academy, Notre Dame.

Nicholas J. Comerford was also a cousin of:

Mary H. Comerford (1859-1923), cousin of Nicholas J. Comerford, married on 30 November 1882 Boetious H. Sullivan (1859-1910), of Plankinton, South Dakota. He was the son of Eugene and Mary O’Sullivan, immigrants from Kenmare, Co Kerry, who settled in Illinois. He was a prominent attorney and was Surveyor General of South Dakota. A powerful figure in the Republican Party, he was a delegate to many national Republican conventions and was one of the famous “Forty Thieves” who secured General Harrison’s nomination at Minneapolis in 1888. They had a daughter Clare. He died while visiting Chicago. She died in Los Angeles in February 1923, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Chicago.

Mary Comerford Sullivan was a sister of both:

George Comerford of Los Angeles.

Mrs ... Demet of Washington DC.

© Patrick Comerford 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,2013

Footnotes and references:

[1] The sources for this chapter are: Comerford family gravestones, Dresden Cemetery, Aux Sable, Illinois: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilkendal/Cemeteries/Grundy/Dresden/Dresden.htm (29.8.2006); Grundy County ILGen Web Project, http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgrundy/locales/cemdres.html (29.8.2006); Minooka History: http://www.minooka.com/History/history.htm (10.12.2006); History of Grundy County, Illinois (Chicago: Munsell Publishing, 1914); Morris Daily Herald, 31 March 1905; Phoenix Advertiser, ‘Minooka News,’ 6 August 1903, 30 March 1905; a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings collected by Nicholas J. Comerford, of Minooka and Joliet, including obituaries and newspaper articles – these have been photocopied and transcribed by Michele Roberts, historian at Three Rivers Public Library, Minooka (http://grundycountyil.org/articles/other/nj01.php , 24.5.2008).

Last updated: 25 May 2008, 16 August 2009, 19 November 2010; 14 February 2013.

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11: Comerford of Horetown, Newbawn, &c., Co Wexford

The castle at Fethard-on-Sea was the official residence of Edmond Comerford as Bishop of Ferns at the beginning of the 16th century. One branch of the Comerford family was living nearby in Fethard-on-Sea in the 19th and the early 20th century (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

Patrick Comerford

Newbawn is in Adamstown Parish, Co Wexford. The Sweetman family was associated with this parish from the 15th century, and Bishop Nicholas Sweetman was born in the parish.[1] This branch of the Comerford family appears to have been closely related to the Comerfords of Bunclody and Kilkenny [see Chapter 8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin], and they were closely related to the Sweetmans of Newbawn. The Revd Laurence Comerford is sometimes described as a nephew of Bishop Nicholas Sweetman, and his brother, Nicholas Comerford, was named after the bishop.

EDWARD COMERFORD (?ca 1721-post 1762) was living at Brownstown, near Newbawn, Co Wexford, in 1762, when Edward Comerford, Mathew Murphy, John Byrne and Thomas Burke were among the displaced Catholic tenants who had been evicted by Robert Leigh (1729-1802/3), the landlord of Rosegarland. They “tried hard to prevent the new Protestant tenants from settling on their lands,” and William, Samuel and Richard Cottoms “were made to feel in every way the displeasure of the old occupiers.” The eviction of Edward Comerford and the others has been linked to the moves by Leigh to settle the area with Protestant freeholders who would vote for the Tottenhams of New Ross. At the outbreak of the 1798 Rising, John and Samuel Cottoms were among those killed in the massacre at Scullabogue Barn near New Ross.[2]

Edward Comerford may have married into the FitzHenry family. He was the father of:

1, (The Revd) Laurence Comerford (1751-1847), born in Newbawn, of whom next.
2, Richard Comerford (1753/1754-1825) of Donard. He married Anne Stafford or Grafford. They were the parents of:
● 1a? Mary Comerford (ca 1776-1841).
● 2a? Patrick Comerford (ca 1779- ) of Dungulph (see below).
● 3a, Edmund Comerford (ca 1783-post 1825). He married Mary Kelly, and they had a daughter:
●● 1b, Brigid, born on 10 August 1803.
● 4a, Margaret, married ... Mernagh.
3, Nicholas Comerford of Horetown (ca 1755-1825), of Horetown, Co Wexford, of whom after his brother Laurence.
4? Mary (ca 1765/70-post 1795). She married John Carty of Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, and they had a son, Michael Carty (1795- ), baptised on 29 October 1795.

The eldest son of Edward Comerford was:

(The Revd) LAURENCE COMERFORD (1751-1847), of Newbawn and Adamstown. He was born in 1751.[3] The house where he was born was still pointed out in 1986.[4] He was related to Bishop Nicholas Sweetman (1700-1786) of Ferns,[5] and to the Fitzhenry and Murphy families.[6]

He was a cousin of Father John Fitzhenry, Parish Priest of Bannow, who died in 1782,[7] or of John’s nephew, Canon Michael Fitzhenry (1740-1789), a nephew of Bishop Sweetman.[8] The Revd Thomas Murphy (died 1768) of Ballyclemock was a first cousin of Father Laurence Comerford and of Father John Fitzhenry.[9]

According to the historian Kevin Whelan, “Bishop Sweetman looked after his clerical relatives, the Fitzhenrys, the Downes, Comerfords, Staffords and Corrins.”[10]

Laurence Comerford was ordained by Bishop Sweetman, and the first record of his ministry is in 1782, at the age of 30 or 31, when the “Rev Mr Cummerton” and Loughlin Doyle were witnesses at a wedding in Cushinstown.[11] On 9 November 1789, he was sent to work as a curate with Canon Michael Fitzhenry, Parish Priest of Bannow, who had fallen into ill-health that autumn. Canon Fitzhenry was a nephew of Bishop Sweetman, who had died three years earlier, and his predecessors at Bannow included the Revd John Fitzhenry, who was curate 1751-1782,[12] a cousin or uncle of Laurence Comerford.[13]

Less than a month after Laurence Comerford’s arrival in Bannow, Canon Fitzhenry died on 4 December 1789. He was only 49, and was buried in John Fitzhenry’s grave in Adamstown.[14] A fortnight after Canon Fitzhenry’s death, the Revd Andrew Devereux, curate of The Hook, was appointed to Bannow on 17 December 1789 as Parish Priest of “Bannow, Carrig, Ambrosetown, Ballynulty, Shimogue, and Ballylingly.” On the same day, Laurence Comerford was transferred as curate to the parish of “Ballymore and Mayglass,” where his parish priests were Canon Peter Sinnot, until 1795, and the Revd Aedan Ennis.[15] His time in that parish was marked by the events of the 1798 Rising. The church at Mayglass was burned by soldiers who were retreating from Wexford to Duncannon on 30 May 1798.[16] Three years later, in 1801, Bishop Caulfield returned Mayglass parish as worth £50 a year, with a curate.[17]

In 1802, Laurence Comerford was made Parish Priest of Monageer, then known as Clone and Boolavogue,[18] succeeding the Revd Patrick Cogley, who had been the victim of vicious Orange attacks, and who was transferred to Duncormack or Rathangan parish.[19] The parish of Clone and Boolavogue represented the old parishes of Clone, with portions of Templeshannon (Enniscorthy), Ballyhuskard and Kilcormack. Boolavogue, which was then a curacy in the parish, is still closely linked in folk memory with the 1798 Rising and Father John Murphy of Kilcormack. One of Laurence Comerford’s first tasks as the new parish priest was to rebuild the chapel of Boolavogue, which was set on fire on 27 May 1798 when John Murphy was curate.[20]

Laurence Comerford “laboured zealously until his retirement in 1816. He went to reside with his relatives in Adamstown.”[21] His successor as parish priest was the Revd Nicholas Codd, previously a curate in Enniscorthy.[22] Laurence survived another 29 years, living in retirement in Adamstown. In his old age, he was totally blind and was led around the roads of Newbawn by his nephew. He had a reputation as a healer, and people came from far and near to visit him.[23] He died on 5 September 1847, in his 95th year.[24] His inscribed tomb can be seen in the old cemetery in Newbawn.[25]

Laurence Comerford’s younger brother:

NICHOLAS COMERFORD (ca 1755?-1825), of Horetown, Co Wexford. He was born ca 1755. He may have been named after Nicholas Sweetman, Bishop of Ferns (1745-1786). He married … and appears to have been the father of:

1, Patrick Comerford (ca 1785? - post 1853), of Horetown South, of whom next.
2, Nicholas Comerford of Clongeen, Newcastle (ca 1787?-post 1833), of whom after Patrick.
3, John Comerford (ca 1784-post 1842), of Newbawn, of whom after Nicholas.
4, Thomas Comerford (ca 1786-post 1824), of Horetown, of whom after John.
5, Matthew ‘Matty’ Comerford, (ca 1789/1790-1825), of Horetown, died aged 35.
6, Catherine, married Michael Cullen of Newcastle, Co Wexford, and had at least five children, fours sons, William, Edmund, Jeremiah and John Cullen, and daughter Margaret (Tynan).
7? Margaret (Peggy), who married John Carty. They had four daughters and two sons, including twins.
8? Margaret, who married James Barron and had two sons, James Barron and Michael Barron.
9? Anastasia (‘Anty’) (born ca 1785/90), who married Thomas Pender of Ballyclamock and had at least two sons, James Pender, born in 1815 (? if he was the same James Pender who married Judy Comerford), and Luke Pender, born in 1818.
10? Mary (ca 1799-1873). Born ca 1799, she married William Power of Ballinteskin, Co Wexford. Mary died on 14 March 1873, aged 73, and is buried in Newbawn, Co Wexford.[26]

The eldest son of Nicholas Comerford (ca 1744-1825) of Newcastle was:

PATRICK COMERFORD (ca 1785?-post 1853), of Horetown South, tenant of Strangman Goff. He married Margaret (‘Peggy’) Redmond and they had three sons and one daughter, including one pair of twins:

1, Matthew Comerford (1815-post 1853), of Horetown North. Born in 1815. He was living in 1853. He married Anne Murphy and they had one son and three daughters, including one pair of twins:
● 1a, Patrick Comerford, born in 1844.
● 2a, Margaret, born in 1844.
● 3a, Mary Anne, born in 1846.
● 4a, Elizabeth, born in 1847.
2, Mary, (1819-post 1853).
3, Patrick Comerford (1826-post 1846), twin with his brother John.
4, John Comerford (1826-post 1855), of Deerpark, Horetown, born in 1826 (twin with his brother Patrick), living in 1855. He married Jane Roche and had a son:
● 1a, Moses Comerford (1855- ).

The second son of Nicholas Comerford (ca 1744-1825) of Newcastle was:

NICHOLAS COMERFORD (ca 1787-post 1833), of Clongeen and Newcastle. He was born ca 1787? He was living in 1833. He married Margaret Roach and they had four children:

1, William (‘Billy’) Comerford, Commerford or Comerton of Newcastle, born ca 1812, living in 1853, when he was a tenant of Francis A. Leigh. He married Bridget (‘Biddy’) Redmond and they had two or three sons:

● 1a, Nicholas Comerford, born in 1846.
● 2a, Simon Comerford, born in 1851.
● 3a? William Comerford, who married Elizabeth Doyle and had a son:
●● 1b, Edward Comerford, born in September 1863.
2, Brigid, born in 1814.
3, Margaret, born in 1816, died in infancy.
4, Margaret, born 1817.
5, Patrick Comerford (1821-1824) of Newcastle.

The third son of Nicholas Comerford (ca 1744-1825) of Newcastle was:

JOHN COMERFORD (ca 1784-post 1842), of Newbawn, Adamstown Parish, Co Wexford. Born ca 1784, he held two lots of land in Newbawn in 1834: 10 acres on which 16s 8d was due in tithes, and 5 acres 2 roods 20 perches, on which 5s 11d was due in tithes.[27] He married Bridget (‘Biddy’) Redmond.[28] He was still living in 1842.[29]

John and Biddy Comerford were the parents of three or four daughters and two sons:

1? Judy, who married John Pender (above).
2, Bridget, baptised on 17 December 1814.[30] She died in early childhood.
3, Bridget, baptised 21 September 1817.[31] She married Philip Carty and they had a son, Patrick Carty, born in 1846.
4, Anastasia, baptised on 17 December 1818. She married Pat White of Rath... and they had a daughter Catherine (born 1845).
5, Edward Comerford, baptised on 3 January 1820.[32] He probably died in childhood.
6, Laurence Comerford (ca 1821/1822-post 1869), of Newbawn, of whom next.

The younger son of John and Biddy Comerford was:

LAURENCE COMERFORD (ca 1821/1822-post 1869), of Newbawn. He was born ca 1821/1822. Griffith’s Valuation shows that in 1853 he was a tenant of Peter Sweetman for a house, office and lands totalling ca 35 acres, valued at £17.[33] He was still living in Newbawn in 1869.[34]

Laurence married Anne Parle ca 1850, and they were the parents of a son and a daughter:

1, John Comerford, baptised on 3 September 1851.[35]
2, Margaret, baptised in November 1856.[36]

We now return to the fourth son of Nicholas Comerford of Horetown (1744-1825):

THOMAS COMERFORD (ca 1786-post 1824), of Horetown. He was born ca 1786, and was living in 1824. He married Mary Roche or Roach, who was still living in 1853, when she was a tenant of Lord Carew.

Thomas and Mary Comerford had at least two sons:

1, Mogue or Morgan Comerford, born in 1816.
2, Thomas Comerford of Horetown, born ca 1816, living in 1856. He married in 1846 Bridget Fardy and they had a son:
● 1a, John Comerford of Horetown, living in 1853.

RICHARD COMERFORD (1753/1754-1825) of Donard (above) and his wife Anne Stafford or Grafford may have been the parents of:

PATRICK COMERFORD (ca 1779-post 1829), of New Ross and of Dungulph, Co Wexford, born ca 1779, was living in New Ross 1809 and at Dungulph in 1813 and 1829. He married Alice Corrin or Curran and they had two sons and three daughters:

1, Edward Comerford (1809-1809), born in New Ross on 14 December 1809, he died ten days later on 24 December 1809.
2, Laurence Comerford (1813-1897), of whom next.
3, Elizabeth, born in 1816.
4, Catherine, born on 3 December 1818.
5, Mary, married on 22 April 1841 John Furlong of Templetown, Co Wexford.

The only surviving son:

LAURENCE COMERFORD (1813-1897) of Dungulph, Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford. He was born on 14 October, 1813. He died on 15 April 1897, and is buried in Saint Mogue’s Church of Ireland Churchyard, Fethard-on-Sea.[37] He lived at Dungulph where he was a tenant of the Marquess of Ely. Laurence Comerford and Catherine Walsh had a son and a daughter:

1, Rosann, baptised on 30 January 1838.
2, Paul Comerford (1842-1866), born on 25 January 1842, baptised the next day. He died in 1866 aged 24.

Laurence subsequently married ca 1843 Catherine Fitzgerald. Catherine died on 8 March 1898, and was buried with her husband in Saint Mogue’s Church of Ireland Churchyard in Fethard-on-Sea.[38] Laurence and Catherine Comerford had two more daughters and two more sons:

3, Mary, baptised 12 September 1844.
4, Alice, born ca 1847, she died unmarried on 21 August 1879, and is buried in Saint Mogue’s Churchyard, Fethard-on-Sea.[39]
5, Patrick Comerford (1848/1849-1917), of whom next.
6, Laurence Comerford (1854-1898), born on 1 June, 1854, baptised on 3 June 1854. He died on 8 March 1898.

The grave of Laurence Comerford of Dungulph and his daughter Alice in in Saint Mogue’s Churchyard, Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2011)

Laurence Comerford’s fifth child was:

PATRICK COMERFORD (1848/1849-1917), of Grange, Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford. Born in 1848/1849, he married in 1875 Catherine Foley (ca 1852-1898). Patrick died aged 68 on 2 September 1917, and is buried in Saint Mogue’s Church of Ireland Churchyard, Fethard-on-Sea. Catherine died on 8 March 1898 and is buried with him.[40]

Patrick and Catherine Comerford were the parents of five daughters and two sons. Both sons died at sea during the two World Wars:

1, Alice, born in 1876.
2, Laurence Comerford (1878-1917), of whom next.
3, Anastasia, born on 24 July 1880.
4, Margaret, born ca 1881/1882, living in 1901, aged 17.
5, Mary A, born 1886. She died unmarried on 1 February 1906, and is buried with her parents, aunt and grandfather in Saint Mogue’s Church of Ireland churchyard, Fethard-on-Sea.[41]
6, Patrick Comerford (1888-1941), of Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford. Born ca 1888, he was living in Fethard-on-Sea at the time of the 1911 census. A Merchant Navy able seaman on board the SS Clune Park (Greenock), he died at sea on 12 February 1941, aged 52. The SS Clune Park was one of the 19 ships in the unescorted convoy SLS64 when it was attacked by the German cruiser Admiral Hipper. Like his elder brother, Laurence Comerford, who died at sea during World War I, Patrick is named on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.[42]
7, Elizabeth, born 1893, living 1901, aged 8.

The elder son of Patrick and Catherine Comerford was:

LAURENCE COMERFORD (1878-1917), was born in Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, in December 1878, and was baptised on 7 December 1878. He married Anastasia Hawkins and they lived at 5 Presentation Row, Waterford. An able seaman on board the SS Coningbeg of Glasgow, he died at sea on 18 December 1917, aged 39, just 2½ months after the death of his father, when it was torpedoed in Caernarvon Bay by the German submarine U-62. Although registered in Glasgow, the SS Coningbeg was from Waterford, and was sailing home with a crew of 40 and four passengers when it was torpedoed without warning. There were no survivors. There were harrowing scenes on the Waterford Quayside as women and children waited in the wet and cold of winter for news of their loved ones. It was after Christmas before the sinking of the SS Coningbeg and the SS Formby within days of each other, a total loss of 83 lives – the worst disaster to befall Waterford in the 20th century.

Like his younger brother Patrick Comerford, who died at sea during World War II, Laurence is named on the Tower Hill memorial in London. Laurence Comerford is also named on the War Memorial to the SS Coningbeg on Adelphi Quay, opposite Reginald’s Tower in Waterford, unveiled by President Mary Robinson on 21 December 1997.[43]

Laurence Comerford is named on the Coningbeg Memorial, unveiled on the quays in Waterford in 1997 by President Mary Robinson

The deaths at sea of the two brothers Laurence and Patrick Comerford during the two World Wars brought to an end the male line of the Comerfords of Dungulph, who had been associated with Fethard-on-Sea since the beginning of the 19th century.[44]

Footnotes and references:

[1] Grattan Flood, p. 94; Hilary Murphy, p. 00.
[2] Kevin Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 45.
[3] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 28.
[4] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 28.
[5] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 64.
[6] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, pp 26, 28, 29, 64.
[7] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, pp 26, 28, 29.
[8] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, pp 26, 28.
[9] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 29.
[10] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 64.
[11] Cushinstown Parish Register (Old Ross, Carnagh and Ballyanne), 17 January 1782.
[12] Grattan Flood, p. 144.
[13] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, pp 26, 28, 29.
[14] Grattan Flood, p. 144.
[15] Grattan Flood, pp 141, 145.
[16] Grattan Flood, p. 141.
[17] Grattan Flood, p. 140.
[18] Grattan Flood, p. 141.
[19] Grattan Flood, p. 38.
[20] Grattan Flood, p. 36.
[21] Grattan Flood, p. 38.
[22] Grattan Flood, p. 39.
[23] Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 26.
[24] Grattan Flood, pp 38-39; Cantwell says he died on that date in his 96th year, Cantwell, 8, #372.
[25] Grattan Flood, p. 39; Cantwell 8, #372.
[26] Cantwell 8, # 372.
[27] TAB 31/49, ff. 181-19; Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 11.
[28] Ballycullane Par. Reg.
[29] Newbawn Par. Reg.
[30] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[31] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[32] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[33] PV 31/3, p 206; see Whelan (ed), Newbawn, p. 113.
[34] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[35] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[36] Adamstown Par. Reg.
[37] Cantwell 8, p. 366.
[38] Cantwell 8, p. 366.
[39] Cantwell 8, p. 366.
[40] Cantwell 8, p. 366.
[41] Cantwell 8, p. 366.
[42] Tom Burnell and Margaret Gilbert, The Wexford War Dead: a history of the casualties of the world wars (Dublin: Nonsuch, 2009), pp 62-63.
[43] Burnell and Gilbert, The Wexford War Dead: a history of the casualties of the world wars (Dublin: Nonsuch, 2009), pp 62-63.
[44] Burnell and Gilbert, The Wexford War Dead: a history of the casualties of the world wars (Dublin: Nonsuch, 2009), pp 62-63.

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12: Comerford of Wexford Town

The Franciscan Friary in Wexford Town and John Street, seen from the gates of Rowe Street Church. Generations of Comerfords were baptised here in the 18th and 19th centuries when they lived in John Street and the neighbourhood (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2007)

Patrick Comerford

The Comerford family has been present in Wexford Town since the end of the 17th or the beginning of the 18th century. Father James Comerford, a Franciscan from Kilkenny, was parish Priest of Rosslare and Tagoat (1709-1734), Co Wexford, and appears to have lived at Ballydungan and at the Franciscan Friary in Wexford Town.[1] His will mentions family members in Kilkenny and Dublin, his books in the Franciscan Library in Wexford, and fellow clergy in the Diocese of Ferns, but mentions no family members in Wexford town.

In the 18th century, the number of Comerfords increases in Wexford Town, and their names appear regularly in the 18th and 19th centuries in the parish registers for baptisms and marriages in the Friary Church, which served as the parish church of the town. During the mid-19th century, the brothers Richard, James and Robert Comerford from Bunclody [see Chapter 8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin] worked in Wexford Town as stuccodores. Robert and James probably lived in John Street. Some of Robert’s children were baptised in the Friary Church before he returned to live in Bunclody, while James moved to Dublin.

EDMOND COMERFORD (ca 1722-1788) [See Chapter 8: Comerford of Bunclody and Dublin], the ancestor of the Bunclody branch of the family, appears in the Wexford parish registers in 1785, when Edmund and Jane Comerford were sponsors at the baptism in the Friary, Wexford Town, of Edmund Curry, son of Thomas Curry and Mary Luisa Macks. Edmond Comerford was a contemporary of Richard Comerford, Garret Comerford and Bridget (Comerford) Butler of Wexford Town:[2]

RICHARD COMERFORD (?ca 1708-post 1738), of Wexford Town. He may have been born ca 1708. He married Anne Doyle in Wexford on 5 May 1738.

GARRET COMERFORD (?ca 1754-post 1784), of Wexford Town. He was living in Wexford town in 1784.

BRIDGET CUMMERFORD (?ca 1766-post 1816), of Wexford Town. She was living in Wexford Town 1791, when she married George Butler on 9 January 1791. They had a son Edward Butler, who was baptised in Wexford Friary on 13 February 1816.

Drawing on the Roman Catholic parish records of Wexford Town, it is possible to outline a definitive family tree of one branch of the Comerford family in Wexford town dating back to the mid or late 18th century:

No 1, JOHN COMERFORD (born ca 1777?) married Catherine Murphy and had at least four sons:

1, John Comerford [No 2] (ca 1807-post 1852).
2, Philip Comerford [No 16] (ca 1812-post 1845).
3, James Comerford [No 21] (ca 1813-1873).
4, Patrick Comerford [No 32] (1820-post 1850).

No 2, JOHN COMERFORD, (ca 1807-post 1852), of Wexford Town, son of John Comerford [No 1]. He was born ca 1807? He was living in Wexford Town from at least 1837 until after 1857. On 6 July 1837, in the Friary, Wexford, he married Mary Whelan. In 1850, Mary’s sister, Bess Whelan, married Pat Stamp of John Street, Wexford, a neighbour of James Comerford of John Street (see James, No 21). John and Mary Comerford had at least three sons and three daughters:

1, John Comerford [No 3] (1838-ca 1843?). He was born on 22 July 1838, and was baptised in the Friary, Wexford, that day. He died in infancy.
2, Catherine (Kate) [No 4]. She was born on 30 May, 1841, and was baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. On 20 January 1864, she married in Wexford John Brien (or Breen). They had five daughters and two sons.
3, John Comerford [No 5], (1844-post 1901), of whom next.
4, Martha [No 6], born on 8 July 1846, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day.
5, Mary [No 7], born on 15 May 1847, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day.
6, Martin Comerford [No 12], (1852-post 1880), of whom after his brother John and John’s descendants.

Their third child and eldest surviving son:

No 5, JOHN COMERFORD (1844-post 1911), son of John Comerford [No 2], born on 20 January 1844, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. On 9 August 1865, he married in Wexford Mary Whitmore. Mary was born ca 1844. John was a house painter and he and Mary lived at 44 John Street, Wexford (1901 census) and 43 John Street (1911 census). John and Mary Comerford had at least three sons and three daughters:

1, Mary [No 6] (1867-post 1901), born on 25 February 1867, baptised in Wexford the next day. She married ... Kavanagh and was living with her parents in John Street, Wexford, in 1901, when the census gave her age as 30. Her two daughters, Mary Kavanagh (8) and Kate Kavanagh (7) were living with her parents at the 1911 census.
2, John Comerford [No 7] (1869-pre 1880), born on 11 September 1869, baptised in Wexford the next day. He died in infancy.
3, Catherine (Katie) [No 8] (1875-post 1901), born on 29 December 1875, baptised in Wexford the next day. She was unmarried and living with her parents in 1901 when the census gave her age as 24.
4, Margaret Anne [No 9] (1877- ), born 21 September 1877, baptised in Wexford the next day.
5, John Comerford [No 10] (ca 1880-post 1901). He was born ca 1880/1881. He was living with his parents in Wexford in 1901, aged 20, general labourer.
6, Laurence Comerford [No 11] (ca 1885/1886-post 1911), born ca 1885/1886, he was living with his parents in Wexford in 1901 (aged 15) and 1911 (aged 24).

No 12, MARTIN COMERFORD (1852-post 1880), of Wexford Town. He was a son of John Comerford [No 2]. He was born on 24 January 1852, and was baptised in Wexford the next day. Martin married Mary Yates (Yeates or Gates) in Wexford on 11 August 1874. Martin and Mary Comerford had at least three sons:

1, John Joseph Comerford (1875-1876) [No 13], born on 12 May 1875, baptised in Wexford the next day. He died in infancy in 1876.
2, Martin Comerford (1877- ) [No 14], born on 13 May 1877, baptised in Wexford the next day.
3, John Joseph Comerford (1880-1915) [No 15], born on 9 March 1880, baptised in Wexford two days later. He died in 1915.

No 16, PHILIP COMERFORD (ca 1812-post 1845), of Wexford Town. He was a son of John Comerford [No 1]. He was born ca 1812 and was living in Wexford Town from at least 1837 until after 1845. On 9 October 1837, in the Friary, Wexford, he married Mary Kerewan (Kearwin or Kirwin).

Phil and Mary Comerford had at least two sons and two daughters:

1, John Cummerton [No 17], baptised in Wexford Friary on 20 October 1837.
2, Laurence Commerford [No 18], born on 24 August 1840, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day.
3, Catherine [No 19], born on 25 May 1843, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day.
4, Anne [No 20], born on 11 June 1845, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day.

No 21, JAMES COMERFORD (ca 1812-1873), of Wexford Town. He was a son of John Comerford [No 1]. Born ca 1812/1813? He was living in Wexford Town from at least 1842. In 1853, he was living in John Street, where his neighbours on either side were Patrick Stamp (who married Bess Whelan, sister of Mary who married John Comerford, No 2) and Mary Hanrahan. On 6 May 1842, in the Friary, Wexford, James Comerford married Mary Kehoe. James died on 19 May 1873, aged 60, at his home in John Street, Wexford, with his wife Mary present. James and Mary had at least six sons and one daughter:

1, John Comerford [No 22], born on 20 November 1842, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. He died in infancy before 1845.
2, John Comerford [No 23], born on 19 April 1845, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. He died in infancy before 1846.
3, John Comerford [No 24], born on 13 April 1846, baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. He died in infancy after 1849.
4, Martin Comerford [No 25] (1849-post 1876), of whom next.
5, Catherine [No 26], born on 12 February 1852, baptised in Wexford the next day.
6, John Comerford [No 29], (ca 1856-post 1880), of whom after Martin.
7, James Comerford [No 33], born on 28 May 1857, baptised in Wexford the next day.

The fourth and eldest surviving son:

No 25, MARTIN COMERFORD (1849-post 1901), or Comerton, of John’s Gate Street, and later of John Street, Wexford Town. He was the fourth and eldest surviving son of James Comerford [No 18]. He was born on 28 March 1849, and was baptised in Wexford Friary the next day. On 8 October 1873 in Wexford, he married Mary Mansell (or Mansfield). He was a corn porter (1901), and living at 30 John Street and gave his age as 53; she gave her age in 1901 as 52.

Martin and Mary Comerford had at least three sons and one daughter:

1, James Comerford [No 27] (1874-1917), of whom next.
2, Margaret [No 28], born in Wexford in February 1876, baptised in Wexford on 6 February 1876. Married ...Webber, and was living in England in 1901, while her daughter Cathleen (aged 4) was living at 1 John Street, Wexford, in 1901 with Margaret’s brother and sister-in-law, James and Julia Comerford (see below).
3, John Comerford [No ?] (ca 1882/1883-post 1901), born ca 1882/1883, he was aged 18, a railway cleaner and living with his parents in 30 John Street, Wexford, at the 1901 census.
4, Martin Comerford [No ?] (ca 1884/1885-post 1901), born ca 1884/1885 he was aged 16, a general labourer and living with his parents in 30 John Street, Wexford, at the 1901 census.

No 27, JAMES COMERFORD (1874-1917), or Comerton, of 1 John Street, Wexford Town (1911), and later of Wygram Place, Wexford Town (1917). He was the son of Martin Comerford [No 25]. He was born in Wexford in July 1874, and baptised in Wexford on 19 July 1874. He married ca 1907 Julia O’Connor (sometimes Connors or Connor). He was a fireman or stoker first on the railways and then for many years in Mercantile Marine Service. During World War I, he was on board the SS Antinoe (London), when it was torpedoed by a German submarine about 150 miles off Bishop Rock on 28 May 1917. The ship was sunk and he was among those who drowned. He was then aged 42. His name is included on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.[3]

James and Julia Comerford were the parents of at least three sons:

1, Martin Comerford [No 40] (1908-post 1911), born on 14 November 1908, living with his mother, brother and cousin Cathleen Webber (4) at 1 John Street, Wexford, at the 1911 census.
2, John Comerford [No 41], born on 12 August 1910, aged eight months at the 1911 census and living with his mother, brother, and cousin Cathleen Webber (4) at 1 John Street, Wexford.
3, Edward Comerford [No 42], born on 29 October 1912.

No 29, JOHN COMERFORD (ca 1856-post 1880), of Wexford Town. He was a son of James Comerford [No 18]. He was born ca 1856, aged 20 in 1876, porter. On 24 November 1876, in Wexford, he married Jane Noctor (Naughter or Knockter), daughter of John Noctor, Back Street (High Street), Wexford, weaver.

John and Jane Comerford had at least two daughters and one son:

1, Mary Jane [No 30], born in November 1877, baptised in Wexford on 19 November 1877.
2, Catherine (Kate) [No 31], born in Wexford on 10 April 1879, baptised in Wexford the same day. She married Joseph Tyghe on 30 April 1911.
3, James Comerford [No 32], born in September 1880, baptised in Wexford on 22 September 1880.

No 32, JOHN COMERFORD (1823-post 1860), of Wexford Town. He was a son of John Comerford [No 1] and Catherine Comerford. Born in Wexford town in December 1823, he was baptised in Wexford Friary on 12 December 1823. He lived most of his life in Wexford town, although he and his wife Alice Kennedy may have lived in Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, at the time their twin daughters were born in 1850. John and Alice had five daughters and a son, including twin daughters:
1, Catherine (1845-ca 1849) [No 33]. She was baptised in Wexford Friary on 8 December 1845. She died in infancy before 1850.
2, Catherine [No 34] (twin), born 26 January 1850, baptised the same day in Templetown.
3, Mary [No 35] (twin), born on 26 January 1850, baptised the same day in Templetown.
4, John Comerford [No 36], born in Wexford Town on 22 July 1852 and baptised the next day in Wexford Friary.
5, Alice [No 37], born in Wexford Town on 3 July 1857 and baptised the next day in Wexford Friary.
6, Elizabeth [No 38], born in Wexford Town on 11 March 1860 and baptised in Wexford on 14 March 1860.

Unplaced:

JOHN COMERFORD [No 43], of Wexford Town, married Mary Duggan in Wexford on 5 September 1910, and they had at least three sons and two daughters:

1, Patrick J. Comerford [No 44], born on 21 June 1911.
2, Mary K. Comerford [No 45], born on 25 August 1912.
3, John G. Comerford [No 46], born on 24 February 1914.
4, Josephine [No 47], born on 5 April 1918.
5, John Comerford, born 17 December 1920.

No 48, MARTIN COMERFORD (1884-1950), of John Street (no 42 or 72), Wexford Town and Liverpool. He was born on 22 October 1884. He married married Marie Codd (born 19 April 1889, died 17 September 1972). They moved to Liverpool ca 1912-1913, and he died on 25 December 1950. Information from the Wexford parish registers and their great-grand-daughter Kate Morgan show Martin and Marie Comerford had two sons and a daughter:

1, John Comerford (1912-1994) [No 49], born in Wexford on 5 January 1912, died in 1994. He married Ivy Jones on 1 August 1936. They had two sons and one daughter:
1a, John Comerford (1937- ), born 28 October 1937. He has no children.
2a, Maureen (1939- ), born 31 December 1939. She has no children.
3a, Peter Comerford (1942 ), born 15 March 1942. He has two sons and two daughters.
2, James Francis Comerford (1913-2000), born in Liverpool on 31 July 1913, died on 13 July 2000. He married on 12 March 1937 Lena Vogel (born 8 October 1914, died 25 December 1992). They had three sons and two daughters:
1a, James Comerford (1939- ), born 17 February 1938. He has two sons and two daughters.
2a, Michael Comerford (1943- ), born 8 December 1943, and has one son and one daughter.
3a, Rita Mary (194- ), born 7 March 1946, and has one son and two daughters, including Kate Morgan.
4a, Ann (1948- ), born 1 May 1948, and has one son and two daughters.
5a, Martin Comerford (1959- ), born 14 November 1959, has two daughters.
3, Mary (1915-1996), born 22 April 1915, died 3 August 1996. She married Walter Delbridge. They had no children.

Recent members of the Comerford family in Wexford Town and the vicinity have included:

MARTIN COMERFORD, living in 1949, when he was goalkeeper with Wexford county football team.

© Patrick Comerford, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014

Footnotes and references:

[1] William Carrigan, ‘The will of the Rev James Comerford, PP Rosslare,’ The Past (Ui Ceinsealaigh Historical Society), No 1, November 1920 (Wexford: John English, 1920), pp 129-132; W.H. Grattan Flood, History of the Diocese of Ferns (Waterford: Downey & Co, 1916), p. 186.
[2] The details of these members of the Comerford family and subsequent generations are taken from the Wexford Town parish registers (Roman Catholic) and the 1901 and 1911 census returns for Wexford Town.
[3] Tom Burnell and Margaret Gilbert, The Wexford War Dead: a history of the casualties of the World Wars (Dublin, Nonsuch, 2009), p. 63.

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13: Comerford of Ballinakill, Rathdrum and Courtown

Ardavon House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, home to generations of this branch of the Comerford family (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

Patrick Comerford

The Comerford family of Ardavon House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, founded Rathdrum Mill, beside Rathdrum Bridge, in the mid-19th century. Rathdrum Mill finally closed in 1935. Ardavon House occupied a prominent site at the northern end of the town, facing the junction of the Main Street with the roads to Lowtown and to Clara, Laragh and Glendalough; at the southern end of the Main Street, in a similar position, is the Church of Ireland Parish Church of Saint Saviour’s. Between the two, there is still (April 2014) a Comerford shop on the Main Street.

Comerford General Drapery, a shopfront on Main Street, Rathdrum (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

Ardavon House was burned a few years ago and has been a sad burned-out shell ever since, covered in graffiti, with its doors and windows blocked. Yet the house, with its imposing portico, remains a surprising element in Rathdrum’s townscape, sitting right next to the heart of the town, yet remaining aloof in its secluded grounds, hopefully awaiting refurbishment.

There was a number of inter-marriages between the Comerford family of Rathdrum and the Ellis family. The Ellis family of Kilpoole, Co Wicklow, were one of the last owners of Rathdrum’s largest brewery, at the Fairgreen.

Members of the Comerford family were close friends of Charles Stewart Parnell, and the family become associated with Co Wexford through inter-marriage with the Esmonde family. The most prominent members of this branch of the family in more recent times were the Republican activist, author and journalist Maire Comerford and her nephew, the film-maker Joe Comerford.

Family origins

Ballinakill, Co Laois, between Abbeyleix and Castlecomer, has had associations with the Comerford family since the mid-16th century (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2012)

This branch of the Comerford family is said to have originated in Balinakill, Co Laois, between Abbeyleix, Ballyragget and Castlecomer, and close to the border of Co Laois and Co Kilkenny.

The Church of Ireland parish church in Ballinakill ... the Revd Peter Comerford was Rector of Dysert Galen in the 1550s (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2012)

The Comerford links with Ballinakill date back to the mid-16th century, when the Revd Peter Comerford, probably a member of the Comerford family of Waterford and Castleinch, Co Kilkenny, was the Rector of Dysert Galen (Ballinakill), Co Laois, in the Diocese of Leighlin. He was presented by the Crown to the Rectory of Maghnan de Galen on 26 October 1550.

However, the late Maire Comerford, in conversations in the early 1970s, expressed the tradition that this branch of the Comerford family was related to the Comerfords of Bunclody (Newtownbarry), Co Wexford.

The Comerford family is recalled on the 1798 memorial in Ballinakill, Co Laois (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2008)

A COMERFORD of Ballinakill, who may have been born ca 1742, is said to have been a hero during the 1798 Rising. A monument erected in the Square in the centre of Ballinakill in 1898 bears the inscription: “This monument is erected by the Ballinkill ’98 Club to commemorate the memory of the men who gave their lioves for Ireland in 1798. COMERFORD. GRENNAN. GEOGHAN. McEVOY. FAGAN. FOX. The above mentioned patriots are interred at Castle Lane. Beannacht Dé le h-anam na marbh.”

This Comerford patriot was married and had at least five children:

1, ..., a daughter, unmarried.
2, ..., a daughter, unmarried. These two “maiden aunts” lived “a little down from the monument” to the men from Ballinakill who were killed during the 1798 Rising.
3, William Comerford, a son, of whom now.
4, Edmund Comerford, a juror in Ballinakill in 1823.
5, Edward Comerford, brewer, of Ballinakill, living in the 1820s, of whom after his brother William.

The third child:

WILLIAM COMERFORD (?born ca 1772). He moved from Ballinakill, Co Laois, to Laragh, Co Wicklow, where he was the proprietor of a flour mill. He married Ellen ... and they had seven children:

1, Ann.
2, Kate.
3, Mary.
4, (The Revd) William Comerford, a Vincentian priest.
5, Haddin.
6, Fanny.
7, John Comerford, who married A... Ellis and had at least four children:
● 1a, Mary.
● 2a, Edward Comerford, married ... and had at least four children:
●● 1b, Julia.
●● 2b, Mary.
●● 3b, Haddin.
●● 4b, Helen.
● 3a, Alexander Comerford.
● 4a, William Comerford.

The youngest brother of William Comerford of Laragh, Co Wicklow, was:

EDWARD COMERFORD, brewer, of Ballinakill, Co Laois. He was living in the 1820s. He married D... Fitzpatrick, and they were the parents of at least three sons:

1, Matthew Comerford, died 1894.
2, James Comerford (1799-1867), of whom next.
3, John Comerford.

The former Comerford Mill in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

The second named son:

JAMES COMERFORD (1799-1867), of Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. He was born in 1799. He owned the Comerford mill in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, and in 1863 he built Ardavon House, which remained the family home of this branch of the Comerfords for a number of generations. Barney Comerford says the mill was built in 1826 and that the mill operated for 100 years. But other family sources says the Comerford family bought Rathdrum Mill from Dr Tomlinson, whose ancestors had lived in Rathdrum from about 1680. In 1840, James Comerford acquired a second mill at Laragh, a mill formerly owned by the Barton family of Glendalough House. This mill was held from the Archbishop of Dublin until James Comerford died in 1867.

The sad remains of Ardavon House on the northern end of the Main Street in Rathdrum (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

James Comerford married Julia Anne Ellis. Julia Comerford died on 26 July 1865; James Comerford died on 28 May 1867, aged 65. His effects at administration were valued at almost £12,000. James and Julia were buried in Ennisboyne with many of their children. They had ten children, six daughters and four sons:

1, Kate, married T... O’Donnell and had children.
2, Julia Dymphna, born ca 1831/1832, died on 24 June 1846, buried Ennisboyne.
3, Helen Julia (Sister Mary Gertrude), a nun. She was the first novice to be received by Saint Bridget’s Convent, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. She died on 8 February 1883.
4, Mary, died on 22 September 1859, buried in Ennisboyne.
5, Edward Comerford (1837-1874), engineer, Liverpool, and corn broker of Rockferry, Chester. Born in 1837, he died aged 37 in 1874. He married Mary P. Jones (born in 1840, died aged 72), and they had six sons and three daughters:
● 1a, Eugene Comerford (1862-1862), born in January 1862, he died an infant on 29 November 1862.
● 2a, James Comerford (1863-1863), born on 21 June 1863, he died an infant on 19 August 1864.

The passport of Edward and Violet Comerford, issued in Liverpool in 1924 (Photograph courtesy Alex Comerford, 2011)

● 3a, Edward Comerford (1864-1942). He was born on 25 June 1864, he died on 3 September 1942, aged 78, and is buried in Ennisboyne, Co Wicklow. He was educated, with his brothers Owen and James, at Oscott College, Birmingham (1876–1882). He was an engineer in the Kimberley Diamond Mines, South Africa, and a shareholder in Rathdrum Mill. He married in 1922 Violet McDermott (1891-1975), daughter of Charles McDermott and Margaret Margaret Elizabeth Ellis, who were married in Saint Mary’s Parish, Maynooth, Co Kildare, on 28 August 1878. Violet (McDermott) Comerford was born on 21 December 1891 and died on 11 November 1975.

Edward Comerford photographed with his son ‘Ted’ in his infancy ca 1924 (Photograph courtesy Alex Comerford, 2011)

They had a son:
●● 1b, Edward (‘Ted’) Comerford (1924-2003). He was born in 1924, and died in 2003. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare, and Trinity College Dublin, and was a civil engineer. He married Mary Fallon, a teacher. Their son, Alexander John Edward Comerford (born 28 March 1970), is a motorsports photographer.
● 4a, Mary (1866-1925), born on 1 January 1866, she died unmarried on 26 March 1925, aged 59.
● 5a, James Comerford (1868-1924), born on 9 August 1868. He was educated, with his brothers William and Owen, at Oscott College, Birmingham (1880-1881). He died unmarried, aged 56, on 11 October 1924.

Gardenhill House, Castle Connell, Co Limerick ... Owen Comerford died here on 15 June 1945 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2017)

● 6a, Owen Comerford (1869-1945). He was born on 11 December 1869. He was educated, with his brothers Edward and James, at Oscott College, Birmingham (1880-1883). He was a shareholder in Rathdrum Mill. On 8 February 1898, in Saint Michael’s Church, Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire), he married Kathleen Byrne, daughter of Laurence Byrne of Croney Byrne, Rathdrum. They later lived at ‘Coolas,’ Seafield Road, Clontarf, and he was still living there in 1940. Kathleen died on 17 October 1932. Owen later went to live with his daughter and son-in-law, and died at Gardenhill House, Castle Connell, Co Limerick, on 15 June 1945. They were the parents of an only daughter:
●● 1b, Nora Kathleen (‘Norrie’). On 23 September 1940, she married James Henry Montgomery, civic guard, of Chapelizod Garda Barracks, Co Dublin. They later lived at Garden Hill House, Castle Connell, Co Limerick (1945). They had no children. Norrie Montgomery died in 1972.
● 7a, Helen Polding (1870-1913). She was born on 8 June 1870, and died unmarried on 3 September 1913, aged 43. She is buried in the family grave, Ennisboyne, Co Wicklow.
● 8a, William Comerford (1872-ca 1925). He was born in 1872, and he died unmarried aged 53.
● 9a, Julia (1874-1945). She was born on 27 May 1874, married E... Gargan, and died on 7 April 1945.
6, William Comerford (1838-1893). He was born in 1838, died on 26 October 1893, aged 55, and was buried in Ennisboyne. He was a shareholder in the Rathdrum Mill, which was built in 1828, closed for a short time in 1928, and finally closed in 1935.
7, James Charles Comerford (1842-1907), of Ardavon House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow (of whom next).
8, Anne Elizabeth (1841-1937). She was born in 1841, and died on 26 January 1937. She married W... Hartnett (who died on 2 June 1903).
9, Alexander Comerford (ca 1844-1895), of Greenfield House, Hoole, Chester, and 11 Brunswick Street, Liverpool, born ca 1843/1844, he died unmarried on 26 May 1895. A corn merchant, he was killed when he was thrown from a horse. Administration of his effects in Ireland, valued at £3,022 12s 10d, was granted to Edward Comerford in 1907.
10, (Sister) Harriet (1846-1915), a Sister of Charity (Sister Mary Joseph), died on 30 June 1915.

James Comerford’s “pleasant daughters” were the only friends of Charles Stewart Parnell’s daughter, Anna, as she grew up in Rathdrum, but “the mental inferiority to which women were condemned by ecclesiastical authority was accepted as a matter of course by them,” according to McWade, and this “galled Miss Anna and chilled her sympathy for them; if they had revolted against St Paul she would have been their close friend in spite of the castle prejudices that stood between her and them.”

The seventh child:

Charles Stewart Parnell ... James Charles Comerford was a friend and political ally in Rathdrum

JAMES CHARLES COMERFORD (1842-1907), of Ardavon House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, a shareholder in Rathdrum Mill. He was born in 1842. He was a friend and political ally of his neighbour, Charles Stewart Parnell. On 15 December 1881, when the Land League organised a demonstrative day of action in support of Parnell by calling on people to plough and manure his fields at Garrymore, near Rathdrum, and at Avondale, Comerford gave his mill workers in Rathdrum and Laragh the day off to take part.

The Comerford mill in Rathdrum burned down in June 1885, but was rebuilt and the business was flourishing a year later in June 1886 when the Comerfords hosted a visit by British and Irish millers.

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Esmonde, VC (1831-1872), father of Eva Mary Comerford (Photograph courtesy Roger Comerford)

On 7 September 1892, James Charles Comerford married Eva Mary Esmonde (born on 3 November 1860, died on 5 September 1949 aged 88), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Esmonde VC (1831-1872), of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment and Deputy-Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Colonel Esmonde received the Victoria Cross for his part in the Battle of Sebastopol, on 18 June 1855, being the first officer to enter Sebastopol after the siege. Colonel Esmonde, whose great uncle was the Right Revd James Murphy, Bishop of Cork, was a younger brother of Sir John Esmonde (1826-1876), 10th Baronet, of Ballynastragh, Gorey, Co Wexford, and Glenwood, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, Liberal MP for Waterford (1852-1876).

Eva Mary (Esmonde) Comerford was three times tennis champion of Ireland.

Part of the sad ruins of Ardavon House in Rathdrum ... once the home of James Charles Comerford and his family (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

James Charles Comerford died on 3 October 1907, aged 64, and is buried in Three Mile Water, Ennisboyne, Co Wicklow, with the Ellis family of Kilpoole, Co Wicklow. At the time of her death, Eva Comerford was living at St Nessan’s, Sandyford, Co Dublin, and she was buried in Ennisboyne. They had two sons and two daughters:

Máire Comerford,(1893-1982), journalist and republican activist

A false passport used by Maire Comerford during the Irish Civil War

1, Mary (‘Máire’) Eva Comerford (1893-1982), of St Nessan’s, Sandyford, Co Dublin (see Comerford Profiles 21: Máire Comerford (1893-1982), republican activist and journalist). She was born on 29 June 1893, and she died at her home aged on 16 December 1982, aged 89, unmarried. Máire Comerford was raised in Co Wexford and in Co Waterford. A life-long Republican activist, she first became active in politics as a Redmondite in Wexford Town, but then took part in the 1916 Rising. in Dublin She ran a farm in Co Wexford before working as a journalist on the staff of The Irish Press from 1935. She was buried beside Father Sweetman on Mount Saint Benedict outside Gorey, Co Wexford.

Colonel Thomas Comerford and Edith Donaldson on their wedding day in Bombay on 10 October 1921 (Photograph courtesy Roger Comerford)

2, (Colonel) Thomas James Comerford (1894-1959). He was born on 1 November 1894 and raised in Co Wexford and Co Waterford. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment in September 1914. He was on active service at the Souvla Bay landing (Gallipoli), and was temporarily with the 6th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers from 7 to 16 August 1915. He was badly wounded in the mouth and chest and was not declared fit for active service until December 1915. He later told his son that he was in Dublin while his sister Máire was involved in the Easter Rebellion in 1916. He was on active service in France from 22 July 1916 in the latter part of Battle of the Somme with the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, and then in Belgium at the Battles of Messines, Langemark, Menin Road, Ploegsteert and Wytschaate. He joined the Indian Army in November 1917 and would spend 25 years in India. He was active in World War II organising supplies for the Chindits. He died aged 65 on 1 January 1959 in West Malling, Kent. He married in Bombay on 10 October 1921 Edith Isobel Donaldson; she died on 9 September 1990. They had a son and a daughter. Their grandson is Roger Comerford.
3, Dympna Helen (1897-1977), born 9 November 1897, she died in 1977 aged 80. She married Paddy Mulligan, and they had a son and a daughter, Patrick Mulligan and Margaret.
4, Alexander E. (‘Sandy’) Comerford (1900-1966), of Nairn, Saint Margaret’s Park, Malahide, Co Dublin. He was born 5 February 1900 and died on 17 December 1966. He worked with Bord na Mona. He married on 5 October 1941 Kathleen McNelis (1911-2000) of Donegal. She was born on 22 December 1911 and died on 29 December 2000. They are buried in Malahide Cemetery, Co Dublin. They are the parents of the film-maker Joe Comerford (see Comerford Profiles 24: Joe Comerford, film-maker).

The fire at Ardavon House (Photograph courtesy Roger Comerford

Ardavon House was the residence of the Comerford family until 1958 when it was acquired by the Wicklow County Vocational Education Committee (VEC). It was a school until the end of 1991 when it was superseded by the newly built Avondale Community College. The woodwork used in the construction of Ardavon was pitch pine, said to have been salvaged from a vessel wrecked off the Wicklow coast.

Ardavon House was badly destroyed in a fire in 1997. Despite local authority undertakings to rebuild it, the house stands derelict today (2014), a sad reminder of former days.

Another Rathdrum family

A number of Comerfords from another family in Rathdrum are buried in the graveyard at Saint Kevin’s Monastery, Glendalough, Co Wicklow. This Comerford family originated in Co Kerry, and moved to Rathdrum through marriage.

James Comerford, from Derrynane, Co Kerry, married Margaret (Peg), daughter of James and Catherine Brennan of Main Street, Rathdrum. Peg Comerford died on 27 December 1879, aged 42, and was buried in Saint Kevin’s, Glendalough, Co Wicklow.

Their son:

The grave of William, Mary and Eithne Comerford from Rathdrum in Glendalough (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

William Comerford (1872-1951), of Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. He was born in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, in 1872 and was brought up by his uncle, James Brennan. He married Mary Josephine O’Neill, whose family owned the coaching inn that became the drapery shop in Rathdrum that was later owned by the Comerford family. William Comerford of Rathdrum died on 22 June 1951, aged 79; his wife Mary Joe died on 22 September 1987, and are buried in Saint Kevin’s, Glendalough, with their 18-year-old daughter, Eithne, who died on 26 April 1944.

They were the parents of at least three daughters, including:

1, Margaret, born 1 February 1916. Peg, or Peig O Tighearnaigh (née Comerford), of Mount Merrion, Co Dublin, originally from Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, died on 29 December 1980, and is buried in Saint Kevin’s, Glendalough, Co Wicklow. She married (Ambrose) Breandán O Tighearnaigh (1925-2013) of Mount Merrion and late of New Ireland/Irish National Insurance, former Commandant, 11th Motor Squadron, FCA (Reserve Army), Insurance Institute of Ireland, Chartered Insurance Institute and board of Peamount Hospital. He died aged 88 on 15 October 2013, and was buried in Roundwood Cemetery, Co Wicklow. They were the parents of a daughter and two sons, Brenda, Cian O Tighearnaigh and Colm O Tighearnaigh.
2, Eithne (1925-1944), who was born on 12 July 1925 and died at the age of 18 on 26 April 1944. She is buried in Saint Kevin’s, Glendalough, Co Wicklow.

The grave of Peig O Tighearnaigh (née Comerford) of Mount Merrion, originally from Rathdrum, in Glendalough (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2009)

Sources:

Patrick Comerford, visits to Ballinakill, Co Laois, 21.9.2008, 22.4.2012.
Patrick Comerford, visits to Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, latest visits 6.4.2014, 27.10.2014.
Patrick Comerford, visits to Glendalough, Co Wicklow, latest visit 31.10.2009.
Patrick Comerford’s conversations with the late Maire Comerford.

Barney Comerford, ff 512-513 (Tables WI, WIA).
Burke’s Peerage, 1970, s.v. Esmonde, p. 956.
Brian Cantwell, Memorials of the Dead – South-East Wicklow, 2 (Delgany, 1973-1975), # 56.
Brian Cantwell, Memorials of the Dead – North-West Wicklow with Laragh and Glendalough, 4 (Delgany, 1976-1978), # 140.
RH Foster, Charles Stewart Parnell: the Man and his Family (2nd ed, Hassocks, Sussex: Harvester Press, 1979).
The Irish Press, 9.2.1971.
The Irish Times, 16.12.1982.
Malahide Cemetery gravestones.
RM McWade, The uncrowned king: the life and public services of the Hon Stewart Parnell (Philadelphia, 1891).

Mss family trees, Roger Comerford.
Email correspondence with Alexander Comerford, 23-24 October 2009; conversation with Alexander Comerford, 2011.
Email correspondence with Roger Comerford, 28-29 October 2009, 4, 7 and 16 November 2009.
Email correspondence with DD Comerford and Roger Comerford, 14 April 2016.

© Patrick Comerford 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

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