 The Giles Family
The name Giles is derived from a Greek personal name, 'Aegidius', that was popular in France in the Middle Ages.
A family tradition stated that this branch of the Giles family originally came from Wales in the 19th Century,
but this has been conclusively disproved. It may have originated from the fact that one member of the family moved from Ireland
to Wales in the early 20th century.
The line traced so far comes from Counties Tipperary and Kilkenny in
the Republic of Ireland, particularly the town of Carrick-on-Suir and the village of Piltown. But there is a real mystery
at play here! The family was discovered to have gone by the name Fenlon for about twenty years towards the end of the
19th century, before changing it to Giles. Subsequent research has revealed that the paternal line was in fact originally
the Fenlon line, with the surname Giles being that which belonged to Lucy Giles, the wife of Patric Fenlon or Fennelly. There
was no illegitimate birth involved, however, and so it is not yet known why the family subsequently took on the maternal surname
of Giles, rather than the Fenlon name.
A huge thank you to the late Paddy Giles, his wife Pauline Prendergast,
and to Paddy's cousins Paddy and Junior Nolan for their help with the following history of the family.
|
| Calum's mother Claire, with cousin Colin "Butch" Giles, & wife Carole - Detroit, July 1999 |
The members of the Giles family known to be related
to Calum and Jamie are:
ASSOCIATED NAMES:
Abel Adams Allan
Barry Becker Carroll Caulfield Cleary Cliff Coady
Colleton Doherty Donovan Dunphy Fenlon Finn
Fitzgerald Fontaine Fox Gorman Graham Hearne Heaven
Jacob Kippen LaFontaine Loveland McIsaac Mead Morrey
Murphy Murray Nelson Nolan O'Brien O' Halloran Organ
Parker Paton Phelan Power Prendergast Ricciardi Savalox
Stark Walsh Ward White Young
Henry Giles
1780 - 18??
Calum's and Jamie's four times great grandfather
was called Henry Giles.
Not a lot is known about Henry, but his name is given as that in the marriage
record of his daughter Lucinda to Patrick Fenlon or Fenally in 1848, in
Callan registration district, Co. Kilkenny. The couple's first child was subsequently also called Henry.
Several other Giles family members are also listed in the vicinity of Carrick-on-Suir:
A Patrick Jyles is listed in the 1851-53 Griffith's Valuation in
a tenement at 38 Fair Green, Ballyrichard, which he was renting from John Sullivan for an annual rent of 11 shillings.
An Anne Giles is also noted as
having died on October 20th 1868, and her death certificate states that she
was a farmer's widow resident on Ballyrichard Road. The cause of Anne's death was old age, and she was noted as being 90 years
old. The informant was Ellen Giles, noted as the householder on Ballyrichard Road, Carrick-on-Suir. It seems
possible that she was a wife to Henry, with Ellen as
her granddaughter.
CHILDREN of HENRY GILES:
John Gyles - to be confirmed
b: 1816 d: 6/3/1880
A John Giles died at Georges Street, Portlaw, within the
poor law union of Carrick-on-Suir, on 6 MAR 1880, aged 64. The informant was a Richard Giles of 28 Georges
Street.
It is unknown if this John was connected, but a John Giles was
present as a sponsor to the baptism of Louise Fenlon, daughter of Henry Fenlon (or Giles)
and Joanna Donovan, on 16 JUL 1871 in Carrick-on-Suir (RootsIreland).
Lucinda Giles
b: abt 1825 d: 4/2/1880
Lucinda was Calum's and Jamie's three
times great grandmother - see below.
Honora Giles - unconfirmed
b: 18?? d: 18??
Honora is another possible daughter of Henry Giles, but may also have been his
wife. She appeared as a witness to the wedding of Catherine Hallaran and Timothy Brosnan on 27 FEB 1851, in the parish of
Carrick-on-Suir (RootsIreland).
Rose or Rosanna Giles
b: abt 182? d: aft 1868
Rose's baptism has as yet to be sourced, but she first appears in the Roman Catholic
parish registers in 1849, with the birth of her son John. In this she is noted as the spouse of John
Donovan. Her mariage to John has as yet to be identified.
On 27 FEB 1851, she is listed as Rose Ann Giles, a witness to
the Roman Catholic wedding of Timothy Bresnan and Catherine Hallaran in Carrick-on-Suir (Source: RootsIreland).
With the birth of her daughter Rosanna in 1851, she is identified
again as Rosanna Giles, spouse of John Donovan, but this time we also learn that she
resided at Ballyrichard Road. Seemingly confirming the relationship with her sister Lucy is the fact that the sponsor
for her daughter Rosanna's baptism was Patrick Fenlon (noted as Finlon).
In January 1859 Rose again appears, this time as the sponsor for the baptism
of a Michael Mahony of Greenside in Carrick-on-Suir (RootsIreland).
In pawn shop records for Carrick-on-Suir from July 1864-1868, held in the town's
Heritage Centre, there are also many references concerning a Rose Giles of Fair Green, and also Ballyrichard
(from October 1865).
CHILDREN of ROSE GILES and JOHN DONOVAN:
John Donovan
b: abt 20/8/1849
John was baptised on 20 AUG 1849 in Carrick-on-Suir, with his parents named as
John Donovan and Rose Giles, and the sponsor as Margaret Gleeson (Source:
National Library of Ireland, Carrick-on-Suir Roman Catholic baptismal register 02456/04, p. 92).
Rosanna Donovan
b: abt 26 DEC 1851
Rosana was baptised on 26 DEC 1851 in Carrick-on-Suir, with her parents named
as John Donovan and Rosanna Giles, and the sponsors as Patrick Finlon and
Margaret William. The couple were resident at Ballyrichard Road (Source: National Library of Ireland,
Carrick-on-Suir Roman Catholic baptismal register 02456/04, p. 128).
Lucinda Giles
1825 - 4/2/1880
Lucinda or Lucy Giles was Calum's and
Jamie's three times great grandmother.
This took a bit of time to work out (years!), but it seems that the name Giles
being passed down to the present day was in fact due to the maternal line of the family, rather than the direct male line.
Lucinda, more colloquially known as Lucy, appears to have been
born in about 1825, according to what is believed to be her death certificate index entry in Carrick-on-Suir in 1880. She
married Patrick Fenlon or Fenally on 16 JUN 1848 in Callan registration district, Co. Kilkenny
(GROI M 1848 Q3 Callan Vol.3, p.207). This was not a Roman Catholic marriage, as the civil registration of Catholic marriages
did not commence until 1864) and so it was either a civil marriage performed by a registrar, or a Protestant marriage (though
the latter seems highly unlikely).
Lucinda's son Henry was then born in early June 1849.
In this record Henry's father was noted as Patrick Fenlon, and in Henry's marriage record from 1870, Patrick
was further stated to be a clerk by profession. Although Henry's children later took on his mother's surname of Giles,
Henry himself was not an illegitimate child - his baptismal record confirms that his parents were married when he was born.
On 22 SEP 1867 both Lucy and her son Henry were noted as sponsors for the baptism
of Ellen Feehan of Green Side, Carrick-on-Suir, daughter of Edmund Feehan and Mary Brenehan (RootsIreland).
Little else is known about Lucy at present, other than that she passed away at
the age of 55 in the workhouse of Carrick-on-Suir on 4 FEB 1880, after suffering consumption for a year and
seven months (certified on 29 FEB 1880). She was noted as the widow of a labourer. The informant to the registrar was
Thomas Dunne, Chief Resident Officer of the workhouse (GROI D 1880 Jan-Mar, Vol. 4, p.447).
SON of LUCINDA GILES (JOYLES) and Patrick FENLON:
Henry Fenlon or Giles
b: 19/6/1849 d: 4/9/1889
Henry was Calum's and Jamie's great
great grandfather - see below
Ellen Fenlon or Giles
b: 12 JUL 1852 d: abt 25/5/1925
Ellen was noted in the Roman Catholic baptismal register for Carrick-on-Suir
as having been baptised there on 12 JUL 1852, with her father noted as Patrick Fennelly and her mother as
Lucy Giles, both resident at Greenside (Source: National Library of Ireland, Carrick-on-Suir Roman Catholic
baptismal register 02456/04, p. 137).
As Ellen Giles she was recorded as the informant at the death
of Anne Giles at Ballyrichard in 1868, and also noted as the householder (Source: Bru Boru website).
On 7 SEP 1873 Ellen Giles was further found as
a sponsor at the baptism of a Catherine Boyce, daughter of William Boyce and Johanna Ryan, of Sir Johns Road, Carrick-on-Suir
(RootsIreland).
Nothing further has as yet been found on Ellen again until the 1901 census, where
she is listed as Ellen Joyles, and living at Church Street
in Carrick-on-Suir. In this she is noted as 'not married', aged 46, head of family, unable to read, a domestic servant, a
Roman Catholic and born in County Tipperary. There is also one other person recorded in the house - Peter Hogan,
named as her son. He was aged 19, a general labourer, able to read and write and also born in Tipperary. From this it would
seem that Peter was illegitimate.
As Ellen Giles she originally could not be found in the 1911 census. A search
of Carrick-on-Suir, and in particular Church Street, using the first name Ellen only, did however pick up what would seem
to be her - but noted as Ellen Finlan (Fenlon). She was now noted as aged 60, a charwoman, single, Roman
Catholic and again from County Tipperary.
SON of ELLEN FENLON or GILES and UNKNOWN:
Peter Hogan
b: 1881
Peter is noted as Ellen's son in the 1901
census for Carrick-on-Suir, where he is listed as an unmarried general labourer, resident with his mother at house 15 in Church
Street (Source: National Archives of Ireland 1901 census).
Henry Fenlon (Giles)
19/6/1849 - 4/9/1889
Henry was Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather.
Henry's baptismal entry notes that he was born in Carrick-on-Suir,
County Tipperary, on 19 JUN 1849, and baptised three days later on the 22nd. His father was Patrick Fenelon,
and his mother Lucinda Giles. The couple was resident at Greenside (Source: National Library of Ireland,
Carrick-on-Suir Roman Catholic baptismal register 02456/04, p. 90).
On 22 SEP 1867 both Henry and his mother Lucy were noted as sponsors for the
baptism of Ellen Feehan of Green Side, Carrick-on-Suir, daughter of Edmund Feehan and Mary Brenehan (RootsIreland).
Henry was found to have been variously recorded under both of his parents' surnames. On 8 JUN 1872, he
was noted as Henry Giles, a witness to a wedding in Carrick-on-Suir between William Smith, a factory
had of The Level, and Ellen Corcoran, of Green Side (RootsIreland).
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| Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary |
Henry turned out to be something of an enigma!
In April 2007, we received a letter from the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph's in Waterford,
where Henry's son Patrick Fennlon Giles died in 1944, and where he had spent the last three years of his
life. In the letter, his father was noted as Henry Fennlon, and his mother as Johanna Donovan,
whilst his wife was mistakenly noted as Anne Colison, instead of Colleton. At first I thought
that this was a simple transcription or recording error, i.e. that Henry was not recorded as Henry Giles.
In fact, this developed into something of a full blown mystery...
On about July 4th 1870, a young child was born at Oven Lane in Carrick-on-Suir by the name of Henry
Giles. Whilst his civil birth record has as yet to be found, we initially knew of the event from the sad
fact that he survived for only six days, with his death registered on July 10th 1870 by an Honoria Donovan,
of Oven Lane. The parents were not listed, and Honoria was noted as the 'householder'. It is briefly worth describing
Oven Lane. By the time of the 1901 census, it is noted as a small street with just 16 households, with no Donovan
households present at all.
In September 2009 however, Henry's parents were confirmed as being Henry Giles and Johanna
Donovan by Pierce Nolan, who very kindly went through the Roman Catholic baptismal register from St. Nicholas's in
Carrick. Henry was baptised on the 9th; in the baptismal entry his mother was noted as Johanna Giles,
formerly Donovan.
Just two weeks after the death of baby Henry, on July 24th
1870, a 21 year old factory hand called 'Henry Fenlon', from Ballyrichard Road, married 22 year
old Johanna Donovan, from Oven Lane. Henry's father was noted as a Patrick Fenlon, a clerk, whilst Johanna was the
daughter of a boatman called Patrick Donovan. The witnesses were a William Dalton (noted
as a sponsor on Henry junior's baptismal cert) and Margaret Power. The record noted that both the spouses'
fathers were dead, and that neither Henry nor Johanna could write. The priest was Father Tom O' Connell from Carrick,
not Father Jacob Power who performed the baptism of Henry junior.
Over the next sixteen years, the couple had at least seven
children, all recorded under the surname of Fenlon. In July 1871, Aloisia Fenlon was born
at Oven Lane, and her father, Henry, was noted as a factory worker. On February 25th 1873, a Patrick Fenlon
was born at St. John's Road to Henry Fenlon and Johanna Donovan, and his father was again recorded as a factory worker. In
the letter that we received from the Little Sisters of the Poor, Patrick Fennlon Giles was noted as the son
of a Henry Fennlon and Johanna Donovan - and born February 26th 1873. In other words, Patrick Fennlon Giles
and Patrick Fenlon are one and the same person.
The couple had more children, all under the name of Fenlon.
John was born in June 1874 at Oven Lane, with Henry now noted as a weaver. Martin was
born in November 1876 at Oven Lane, with Henry again noted as
a weaver. Mary duly arrived in
February at Sheehan's Lane, with her father now noted as a labourer,
and in July 1882, son Mark arrived, with Henry again noted as a labourer. Finally, in April 1886, a
daughter - Honoria - was born at Comerford's Lane (now Comerford Lane), with her father once more noted as
a labourer.
On September 4th 1889, 38 year old Henry Fenlon died at New Lane, Carrick-on-Suir,
the cause being phthisis, an old way of describing tuberculosis. He was again noted as a labourer, and his wife recorded as
Johanna Fenlon, of New Lane. Johanna was the informant to the registrar, and was still unable to write, signing with an X.
Following Henry's death, Johanna and all the children, for reasons unknown, almost
immediately took on the surname of Giles rather than Fenlon, under which they
are subsequently recorded in the 1901 census, and again in 1911. For several years I had been unable to find the births of
the children, for the simple reason that they had all been baptised with the surname Fenlon, when I was looking
for them initially under the name of Giles.
In the marriage entry for his son Patrick and his wife Margaret Organ in
1906, Henry was described as a mechanic - and, crucially, as Henry Gyles. In the same
year, his son Mark married Mary Aylward - and he was again recorded as Henry Gyles, a labourer. In 1922,
when Patrick remarried to Annie Colleton, his father was once again noted as Henry Giles,
a mechanic. His daughter Mary listed her father as Henry Gyles, mechanic, on her wedding entry to Pierce
Nolan in 1906.
From his death record's age, Henry Fenlon or Giles was believed to have been born in about 1849. In 2015 the Irish Roman
Catholic registers were placed online by the National Library of Ireland - and sure enough, Henry was found in these recorded
as Henry Fenlon for his baptism entry from 22 JUN 1849, as noted earlier.
In the 1901 census Henry's widow Johanna was listed
at Chapel Lane as a 58 year old widow and head of family. She could read but not write, and was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Also in the household were 26 year old son Patrick, a mechanic, 23 year old Martin (working
at the creamery), 21 year old Mary (at the creamery), 18 year old Mark (at the creamery)
and 14 year old daughter Nora, a scholar. All the children were born in Carrick-on-Suir, and all could read
and write.
Ten year later, in the 1911 census, Johanna was resident with her
son Martin, daughter Mary (Minnie), her husband Pierce Nolan, and the Nolan
children at 47 Chapel Lane in Carrick. Johanna was aged 73, could read and write, was Roman Catholic and born in County Tipperary.
Johanna died on May 25th 1925, aged 81, at her home in New Street, Carrick-on-Suir,
the cause of death being senility 5 months. The informant to the registrar on the same day was her daughter Mary Nolan,
of Town Wall, Carrick on Suir (GRO Ireland, 1925, D, Group Reg ID 2357464, Carrick-on-Suir).
A burial register entry sourced in Carrick-on-Suir notes an Ellen
Joyles being laid to ground on the same day. She was noted as being a widow, and aged 81. The burial record consulted
was a transcription, and the original has therefore still to be consulted. However, the death register clearly shows
that this Ellen must be an erroneous listing for Johanna, who was buried in the same plot as Patrick Giles
and Annie Colleton, Calum's and Jamie's great grandparents, and both of New Street also - they were interred
at plot 37P in section L of St. Mary's Cemetery.
CHILDREN of HENRY FENLON/GILES and JOANNA DONOVAN:
(1) Henry Fenlon or Giles
b: 4/7/1870 d: 10/7/1870
Henry unfortunately survived for only six days, but his short existence raised
many questions about his father's story.
As Henry Donovan he was noted as having been born
on Monday, 4 JUL 1870, at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir. His mother was listed as Johanna Donovan, and the informant to the Carrick
registrar on 10 JUL was Honoria Donovan, present at birth, and also resident at Oven Lane. Honoria was illiterate
and therefore signed the document with an 'X'. No father was listed on the record, with Henry being illegitimate
(GROI B 1870 Group Reg ID 7620320 Carrick-on-Suir).
Henry was subsequently baptised on Saturday 9 JUL at St. Nicholas Roman
Catholic church in Carrick-on-Suir. His parents were recorded as Henricus Giles, of Ballyrichard Road, and
Johanna Giles formerly Donovan. The sponsors to the baptism were Gulielmus
Dalton (William Dalton) and Brigida Healy (Brigit Healy).
Just a day after his baptism, young Henry died. On his civil death certificate,
he is noted as the son of a labourer, resident at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir. The cause of death was convulsions, and whilst
the parents are not named directly, the informant was again Honoria Donovan, almost certainly Johanna's
mother. Honoria again signed the document with an 'X' (Source: Bru Boru website).
A 65 year old Honoria Donovan, a widow, died at the workhouse
in Carrick-on-Suir on January 5th 1877, the cause being paralysis. It is therefore likely that the informant to Henry's death
was in fact his grandmother. The informant was Thomas Dunne, at the workhouse (Source: Bru Boru website).
(2) Louisa Fenlon or Giles
b: 22/7/1871 d: 7/7/1872
Louisa's (or Aloisia's) birth was registered under the surname of Fenlon.
According to the civil birth certificate transcribed by the Irish Family History Foundation, she was born on July 22nd 1871
at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, to Henry Fenlon, factory worker, and Johanna Donovan. Henry informed the registrar. (Irish
Family History Foundation).
However, her baptismal certificate tells a slightly different story. This states
that as Louisa, she was baptised on Saturday July 15th 1871 and baptised as a Roman Catholic the following day by Father Tim
O' Connell. The sponsors were a Joannes Files and Catharina Walsh. It is unclear whether Files is a mistranscribed
Giles.
It is therefore possible that the IFHF transcription for the statutory birth
record recorded the registration date as opposed to the actual birth date.
As Louisa, she was tragically found to have died at the age of 1 on 7 JUL 1872,
at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir. Her death record notes that the householder was henry fenlon, and that Louisa was a factory
worker's child. The cause of death was 'homoptysis'.
(3) Patrick Fennlon
Giles
b: 25/2/1873 d: 6/7/1944
Calum's and Jamie's great grandfather
- see below.
(4) John Fenlon
or Giles
b: 9/6/1874 d: 19/2/1876
John was born on June 9th 1874 at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, on June 9th 1874. His father was noted as a weaver,
and his mother was the informant, signing the register with an X.
John also tragically died in infancy, aged just over a year old, on 19 FEB 1876. he was noted as residing at
Oven Lane, and the son of a factory worker. The householder was given as his mother, Johanna Fenlon. The cause of death was
convulsions.
(5) Martin Fenlon
or Giles
b: 10/11/1876 d: 9/5/1912
Martin was born on November 10th 1876, at Oven
Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, under the namer Fenlon. His father was noted as a weaver, and his mother was the informant.
In the 1901 census, by now going by the name
of Martin Giles, he was listed at Chapel Lane as single, aged 23, and working at the local
creamery in Carrick-on-Suir (Cleeves Creamery). In 1911, he was still single, and listed as a labourer.
In late 1911 Martin was taken into the poorhouse in Carrick-on-Suir. He suffered for six months from
pulmonary tuberculosis utemoptysis, from which he would ultimately die on May 9th 1912. In his death certificate Martin was
described as aged 32, formerly resident at Town Wall, Carrick-on-Suir, and a labourer. The informant to the civil registrar
was James Walsh, who was listed as a householder and occupier at the poor house (Source: GROI/IrishGenealogy 1912 D Group
Reg ID 5241213).
(6)
Mary (Minnie) Fenlon or Giles
b: 11/3/1879 d: 1965
|
| Minnie Giles in later years, date unknown |
Minnie was born as Mary Fenlon on
March 11th 1879 at Sheehans Lane, Carrick-on-Suir. Her father was noted as a labourer, and her mother was the informnant to
the registrar, signing the register with an X, showing that she was illiterate.
Throughout her life, Mary was known as 'Minnie',
and by 1898 had changed her name to Mary Giles. On 10 APR 1898 she was listed as Mary Gyles, a
sponsor to the baptism of Michael Darmody of Mill Street, Carrick-on-Suir, son of John Dramody and Mary Byrnes
(RootsIreland).
In the 1901 Carrick-on-Suir census, it is recorded that Minnie
was 21 years old, Roman Catholic, able to read and write, and working at the local creamery in Carrick-on-Suir (Cleeve's
Creamery). She resided in Chapel Lane.
Minnie married Pierce Nolan
(1881-1965), known more colloquially as "Piery Nolan", on September 5th 1906, at the Chapel of St. Nicholas in Carrick-on-Suir.
In her wedding certificate she is recorded as Mary Gyles, a factory hand residing at Bridge Street in the
town, of full age, and with her father Henry Gyles recorded as a mechanic. Piery, born in 1881, had
settled in Carrick-on-Suir in about 1906. He was noted as a plasterer residing at William Street in Carrick, with his
father Patrick Nolan noted as a mason. The witnesses to the ceremony were Martin Holmes and Julia Brett,
and the priest officiating at the service was Father Patrick Ward (source: copy of marriage cert from Paddy Nolan, obtained
OCT 2008).
Minnie went on to have two sons, Patrick
and Henry, and a daughter, Mary Josephine, who sadly died in infancy, aged just a year
and a day old.
In 1911, Minnie (noted as Mary) is listed as aged 31 and living at 47 Chapel
Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, with her husband Pierce, aged 29, her sons Patrick (3) and Henry (1), her mother Johanna
aged 73, and her brother, Martin Giles, with Martin listed as being a labourer aged 31. They
had had three children, but one was deceased.
In the late 1920s, Piery and his two sons established the building contracting
firm of P. Nolan and Sons Ltd. In Paddy Nolan's family history ("Before Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow: A
Brief History of the Family of Pierce Nolan, Carrick-on-Suir", Autumn 2008), he outlines how during the early years of the
company Pierce's son Paddy followed his father in working as a plasterer, whilst Harry worked as a joiner in the
frim's joinery shop. Pierce himself was a master plasterer, whose great interest was detailing in the Neo-Classical and Arts
and Crafts styles. Projects undertaken by the firm included the facade of Kirby's Poultry premises on Greystone Street, and
the front of Taaffe's on Main Street, whilst in later years the firm was consulted in the restoration of the Manor House of
Carrick Castle. As the company developed and expanded, Paddy became the firm's general foreman, with Harry the role of
general administrator. The firm was to continue trading successfully for the next 60 years.
Both Minnie and Pierce are further recorded at Chapel Lane in the 1940 Electoral
Register for the town.
Pierce Nolan died on February 25th 1963 at Town Wall, Carrick-on-Suir. An inventory
was drawn up and his son Patrick Nolan, a building contractor, acted as the executor. The value of Pierce's estate was £8268,
with probate granted in Waterford on February 10th 1865 (Source: National Archives of Ireland).
Minnie died in 1965, two years after her husband, and was buried in St Mary's
Cemetery in Carrickbeg, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary.
In Paddy Nolan's family history, he recalls the following of Minnie:
Minnie was a lady of formidable personality who played
a vital supporting role in the formation of Piery's building construction business. In her middle and later years she developed
a fondness for style in clothing without, on her part, much concern for cost, which to Piery's dismay she invariably purchased
on credit (with the shopkeeper's complete co-operation, sometimes even connivance), citing her husband's deserved good name
as a man who always promptly (if reluctantly) paid his wife's debts.
Piery and Minnie were born into the great era of Parnell
and the Irish Parliamentary Party, and the agitation of Michael Davitt and the Land League. During their early years they
experienced the formation of the Gaelic Athletic Association, one of the founders and the first President of which was Carrick
man Maurice Davin. They lived with the birth of the Gaelic League, the formation of the Irish Volunteers, of which Piery was
a member, the saga of Home Rule and the events leading to 1916. Like many of their contemporaries they were swept up in the
Nationalist cause during the War of Independence, the Treaty discussions and their terrible aftermath, the formation of the
Irish Free State and the civil war which followed. The bloody carnage that was the First World War fortunately had no immediate
personal effect on them as the British administration's intention to force conscription in Ireland was unsuccessful.
CHILDREN of MINNIE GILES
and PIERCE NOLAN:
(i) Unknown
Nolan
b: bef 1911 d: bef 1911
Nothing is known of this unnamed Nolan child, including its sex. The child passed
away before the 1911 census, which is the only reference to him or her so far discovered.
(ii) Patrick Joseph
Nolan
b: March 1908 d: 15/11//1989
Patrick Joseph Nolan was baptised in Carrick-on-Suir on 29 MAR 1908. He was noted
as the son of Pierse Nolan and Mary Giles of Town Wall, with the sponsors being his mother's sister-in-law Mary Giles
(wife of Mark Giles) and Robert Murphy (RootsIreland).
Paddy was a building contractor who married a girl called Mary (May)
Carroll (1910 - 24/7/1993) in October 1929. After living in a property on New Street, Paddy bought a property at
the arch on Chapel Street, in which he and his family lived whilst they constructed a bungalow nearby on Chapel Street, which
they eventually moved into. Residing at the Bungalow, Paddy and his brother Harry continued running the successful
joiner's shop set up by his father, Piery. Paddy's cousin, Patrick Giles, (Calum's grandfather) worked
most of his life as a carpenter in the same joinery workshop.
Paddy died in November 1989 at the age of 81 years. The following memorials at
his grave in Carrickbeg's St Mary's Cemetery commemorate his life:
In Loving Memory of
Patrick (Paddy) Nolan (building contractor)
"The Bungalow" Chapel St, Carrick-on-Suir
died 15th Nov 1989, aged 81 yrs
His wife, Mary (May) Nolan
died 24th July 1995 aged 86 yrs
His grandnephew Stephen Nolan
died 9th Nov 1967 aged 3 yrs
Their son Pierce (Percy Nolan) 19 New
Street
Died 6th Nov 2002 aged 69 yrs
Rest in Peace
NOLAN
Erected by his loving wife May and Family
Our grandad Percy
love from Stacy, Ciara and Pierce
CHILDREN of PATRICK NOLAN and MARY CAROL:
|
| Baby Maeve Nolan, with her aunt Eily Carroll and cousin Paddy Giles (right) and |
Maeve was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Maeve grew up to become a confectioner. She married John (Jackie),
a painter and musician, in 1954.
Shortly after their wedding, the couple bought a house on Main Street, Piltown
from Harry Nolan, which had previously belonged to Paddy Giles' half-sister Bridget
Cecelia.
The couple still reside in Piltown to this day.
(b) Judy Nolan
Judy was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Judy married Martin, a plasterer from Kilcullen in County Kildare,
in 1953. The couple had five children, and still reside in Kilcullen to this day.
(c) Pierce (Percy) Nolan
b: 1933 d: 6/11/2002
Percy was born in Carrick-on-Suir in 1933.
Percy grew up to become a builder, and married Maureen in the
town. The couple had one son and resided at 19 New Street in Carrick.
(d) Veronica (Ronnie) Nolan
Ronnie was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Ronnie moved to Italy when about twenty years of age and married an Italian
called Niccolo, with whom she has three children. The family live near Rome.
(e) Joseph Nolan
Joseph was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Joseph joined the Royal Air Force and married Noreen in Carrick-on-Suir.
The couple have three children, and continue to reside in England.
(f) Catherine Anne
Anne was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
|
| Ann Nolan, at the Giles-Prendergast wedding in 1960. |
Anne grew up to become a confectioner in the town. She acted as bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin Paddy
Giles, which was held at Piltown Church of Assumption, in Piltown, County Kilkenny.
At some stage after this wedding, Anne herself married
to John, and the couple went on to have three children.
(g) Patrick (Pat)
Nolan
b: 1939 d: 18/2/2008
Pat was born in 1939 in Carrick-on-Suir.
Pat grew up to become a builder and married Kathleen in
Carrick in 1968.
The couple had eight children, two of whom, Patrick
and Desmond died tragically.
Pat sadly died on February 18th 2008. Kathleen today continues to reside near
Carrick-on-Suir.
(h) Henry (Harry)
Nolan
Harry was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Harry married Josephine from Clonmel in 1964. The couple
lived at 65 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, which had been the parish priest's house until Harry's father Paddy bought it in
the 1950s. Until then the family had lived at New Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
When P. Nolan and Sons ceased trading, Harry was employed as a plastering
trade instructor by the Regional Trades Board.
Harry and Josephine had five children.
(i) Martha Nolan
b: 1943 d: 2006
Martha was born in Carrick-on-Suir in 1943.
Martha grew up to become a hairdresser and an expert Irish dancer. She
married Frank in Dublin in 1968 (brother to Joseph, who married Martha's sister Cecelia).
The couple emigrated to Perth, Western Australia, in 1970 where they
had two children.
Frank subsequently died and Martha eventually remarried to a gentleman
called Bill, and Englishman who was living in Perth.
Martha passed away in 2006.
(j) Philip Nolan
Philip was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Philip joined the RAF and subsequently emigrated to Australia, where he continues to live in the Blue Mountains
near Sydney, New South Wales.
(k) Cecelia Nolan
Cecelia was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Cecelia married Joseph of Dublin in 1968 (brother to Frank, who married Cecelia's
sister Martha). The couple also emigrated to Sydney, Australia, where they had two children.
Cecelia and Joseph separated and after residing for a time in Sydney, Cecelia eventually moved to Perth, Western
Australia, to Perth.
(l) John Nolan
John was in Carrick-on-Suir.
John grew up to become a builder and married Helen.
The couple live at William Street in Carrick-on-Suir, in the former home of the other main branch of the family
(Henry F. Nolan's branch - see below), and where Paddy Giles was reared by his Aunt Mary
(Minnie).
When P. Nolan and Sons ceased trading, John continued the joinery business for some time before retiring.
Raymond was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Raymond grew up to become a child care worker. he was married in the 1970s, but his wife died. He is due to remarry
again soon.
_______________________
(iii) Eugene Henry (Harry) Francis Nolan
b: 1910 d: 27/2/1958
Eugene Henry was better known as Harry and worked all his life at the family joinery
workshop, set up by his father Pierce.
Harry married Kathleen in Carrick-on-Suir in 1933. The couple settled in the same house
as Pierce Nolan and Minne Giles, and went on to have six children.
Harry died on February 28th 1958 at William Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
He died testate, leaving £12,629 to his widow Kathleen, who acted as his executrix. Probate was granted on January 20th 1959.
Children of Eugene NOLAN and Kathleen COADY:
Pierce (Junior) Nolan
b: 1934
|
| Pierce "Junior" Nolan |
Pierce, better known as "Junior",
was born at William Street, Carrick-on-Suir, in 1934.
As a child aged about ten or eleven years old, Junior was a member
of the LDF brass band in Carrick-on-Suir. In September 2008, he very kindly shared the following memory of how he came to
join the organsiation - and what led to his leaving!
When Paddy Giles went away to join the Air
Force, I was a young member of the Brass Band learning the dots, as we used to call them, and when my turn came to take up
an instrument, I was given Paddy’s French Horn. I played this instrument in the band until I gave it up when I found
out about girls.
In
1974 the Brass Band changed all their instruments, which were B Flat to a new complete set of Silver A instruments, they had
an auction of the old ones, and I bought 2. One was the B Flat Bass that my father Harry played, and the other was the French
Horn that Paddy and I played. I have these 2 instruments still in my possession.
Junior also recalled how music was a constant part of the Nolan family
life:
All the Nolan family were very musical, we had it from both sides. My grandfather, on my mothers side,
Michael Coady
was a founder member of the Carrick Brass & Reed Band at the turn of the 20th. century. He later became its
leader, and conducted the band for many years, until his death in 1932. I actually have a photograph of his funeral led by
the Band coming down Main Street in Carrick. Also
all my uncles on my mothers side were members of the band at some stage. My brother Mickey was a life long member of the band
until his death in May this year (i.e. 2008). He also had the band play at his funeral.
My brothers Eugene (Midge), Mickey and myself
were all members of the Carrick Musical Society, and I have played many parts in its productions for
a period of 24 years.
Growing up in the house on William Street proved to be an effort in survival,
particularly at lunchtimes! In the following poem written in 1957, Junior outlined the typical lunchtime scene at William
Street.
CRIBBERS HALF HOUR
The Whistle has gone,
Tis time for our lunch,
So home we all go,
And arrive in a bunch.
The first cry's from Midge
The dinner's not right,
So on goes the wireless
To try 'n makes things bright.
Then the Boss, he arrives
With his cribbin' and cryin',
His most common phrase is
"Tis all bloody fine".
Then Pop, he comes in
His pressure sky high,
He just looks up to heaven
And asks himself, Why?
Pierce-Lady Killer, slides in
With slick brylcreamed hair
He's thinking of ladies
Who're out there somewhere.
And Mickey might come
Asking, what is there left?
Why can't I have a piece of
That well cooked beef skirt?
Paddy Giles, he just sits there
And takes it all in,
But, now and again,
He comes out with a grin.
And Billy, the "Joiner",
He eats with us too,
But he's never happy,
When dinner is stew.
Mam puts up the dinner,
There's so many, she's lost,
And the first thing discussed , is,
"How much did it cost?"
Now Nanny is lucky,
She's a little bit deaf,
But when she gets going,
You would need a Ref.
There also is Patsy
And Mary and Paul
Who will eat what they get
When the workers are full.
Twelve sit at our table,
With faces so dour,
No wonder we call it,
Cribbers Half Hour.
Pierce grew up to become a builder and married Maureen
White from Kilrossanty, County Waterford, on August 16th 1960, a day after the wedding of Paddy Giles
and Pauline Prendergast, Calum's and Jamie's grandparents.
When P. Nolan and Sons ceased trading, Pierce was employed until his
retirement as site agent by the Regional Health Authority on the construction of a major regional hospital.
Pierce and Margaret had four children, and today live at Castle Park,
Carrick-on-Suir.
|
| The Nolan brothers in Oklahoma, Carrick Musical Society |
(b) Michael (Mickey) Nolan
b: 1935 d: 2008
|
| Mickey, 1960 |
Michael was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, and was more colloquially
known as Mickey.
Mickey grew up to work as a builder. In 1960, he was present at the wedding
of his cousin Paddy Giles at Piltown Church of Assumption, Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland, and at the subsequent
wedding breakfast.
In the following year, Mickey married Breda from Carrick-on-Suir,
who had also been present at Paddy's wedding in 1960. The couple went on to
have five children.
When P. Nolan and Sons ceased trading, Mickey worked with his wife Breda to establish
a florist's business, The Rosebowl, which continues to trade successfully in Carrick to this day under the management
of their daughter Muriel.
Mickey passed away on May 24th 2008. The Munster EXpress carried an obituary
for him on August 1st 2008, of which the following forms a part:
Mickey Nolan was always known for the
warmth of his character and for his kindness and sense of humour, along with his outstanding musical talents. He was a man
of astute intelligence but no pretension whatsoever and he instinctively loved Carrick, its people and all its traditions
and human lore. In 1961 Mickey married Breda Power, finding in her a life partner of gentleness and strength. They set up
house in Chapel Street and their happy marriage was blessed with five children: Michael, Catherine (R.I.P.), James, Kevin
and Millie (Carley).
In recent years Mickey assisted Breda
in the running of the Rosebowl - the florist shop prominent on the Main Street beside The Canon’s Arch. Mickey was a
very familiar figure there, like a social scout keeping a humorous and perceptive eye on the town and he was very widely known
through his unfailing delivery of orders for flowers to all parts and rural corners of the Carrick hinterland extending into
three counties.
As well as his many quiet and unassuming
acts of goodness and kindness to people, Mickey was publicly active in the community in a voluntary capacity, especially so
in fund-raising and other work for schools. He was also a key figure in the town-twinning with Tregunc, Brittany, and a member
of Carrick’s long-established Social and Literary Club (”The Kitty Club”), which provided a guard of honour
at his passing. His musical involvements included choirs, the renowned local Musical Society and most devotedly of all, the
Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band, of which he was a lifelong member. His maternal grandfather Michael Coady had been a player and
conductor before him, and his father Harry Nolan had also been a member; his brother Midge remains a band Trustee. Mickey’s
three sons were also band members during their school-going years in Carrick.
It is therefore true to say that outside
of family, nothing connected with Carrick was more cherished by Mickey Nolan than its venerable Brass Band, with all the local
pieties and human associations of its history dating back to the 1840s in the town. It was fitting therefore that the band,
supplemented by musical friends and associates from Cahir, was so prominent in the public liturgies and farewells around his
passing.
(c) Eugene Nolan
|
| Midge Nolan |
Eugene was born in Carrick-on-Suir, and is more
colloquially known as Midge.
Midge grew up to be a builder. He attended the wedding
of his cousin Paddy Giles in Piltown, Church of Assumption, Piltown, Kilkenny and also attended the wedding
breakfast at Clonmel.
Midge subsequently married Eleanor,
who was also a guest at Paddy's wedding.
When P. Nolan and Sons ceased trading, Midge continued
as a sole trader until his retirement in 2005.
The couple had four children, and today live at Castle
Park, Carrick-on-Suir.
(d) Patrick
(Paddy) Nolan
Patrick was born in Carrick-on-Suir, and is more colloquially known today as
Paddy. It is thanks to Paddy that the information on so many members of the Nolan family has finally been untangled, for which
we are extremely grateful.
Paddy grew up to become an architect, and in 1966 married Anne
from Waterford.
Paddy was always known as Patsy by the family, and name which he hated with a
passion, and when he went to boarding school he took the opportunity to correct the name to Paddy.
Paddy and Anne have three children.
(e) Mary Nolan
Mary was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary.
Mary attended the wedding of her cousin Paddy Giles at Piltown
Church of Assumption, and also the wedding breakfast at Clonmel after.
|
| Mary with younger brother Paul at Paddy Giles' wedding in 1960 |
Mary grew up to become a teacher and in 1968
married Sean Dunphy, from Waterford. The couple have three children, and today live in Waterford.
(f) Paul Nolan
|
| Paul Nolan - Piltown, 1960 |
Paul was born in Carrick-on-Suir.
Paul attended the wedding of his cousin Paddy Giles and his
fiance Mary Pauline Prendergast, at Piltown Church of Assumption, Piltown, County Kilkenny, and the subsequent wedding breakfast held in Clonmel.
Paul grew up to become a quantity surveyor. He married an American lady
called Katherine Caulfield, with whom he had three children.
Paul and Kathy have since separated, with both continuing to live in
Waterford.
(7) Mark Fenlon or Giles
b: 7/7/1882 d: 19??
Mark was born on July 7th 1882 at Level, Carrick-on-Suir, the son of
Henry Fenlon, a labourer, and was christened as Mark Fenlon. His mother informed the registrar.
In the 1901 census, Mark was listed as 18 years old, Roman Catholic,
able to read and write, and working at the local creamery in Carrick-on-Suir with his sister Minnie. He resided
at Chapel Lane, and had been born in Carrick.
Mark married 19 year old Mary Aylward, daughter of poulterer
Michael Aylward, on October 14th 1906 in Carrick-on-Suir. Mark was listed as a 23 year old labourer, and
his father Henry was noted as being a labourer also. The witnesses to the event were John O' Dwyer and Ellie
Cummins (GROI M 1906 Q4 Vol. 4 p.200).
On Sunday 26 MAY 1907 Mark acted as a sponsor to the baptism of Henry
Joseph Giles, his nephew, the son of his brother Patrick Giles. On 20 MAR 1908, Mark's wife Mary
was a sponsor to the baptism of his nephew Patrick Joseph Nolan, son of Mary (Minnie) Giles
and Pierce Nolan (RootsIreland).
Mark left Ireland for Wales, settling in Clydach, near Swansea. In the
1911 census for Clydach he is noted at 6 Vera Road at Clydach on Tawe, and as being 27, from Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary,
and a worker in the copper extraction process at the nickel works. He was married four years and with his wife had had
three children, one of whom had sadly died in infancy. His wife Mary was 23, and a housekeeper, and there
were two children, 3 year old Laura Augusta Giles, born in Carrick-on-Suir, and 2 year old son Henry
Patrick Giles, born in Glamorgan. There were also two boarders, 20 year old Patrick Power and 26 year old Pierce
Quann, both labourers from Carrick-on-Suir.
Mary tragically died of cancer when her son Henry was only four
years old, placing her death at approximately 1913. Following her death the grandmother (Derek believes her mother) came over
from Ireland to raise the children. Mark had three other children - Laura Giles, Noreen Giles and
Mary Giles, all living their middle & latter years in South of England. According to Henry's grandson
Derek Giles there was also a Michael Nolan, who was an uncle, who kept a fish & chip shop
in Clydach.
CHILDREN of MARK GILES and MARY AYLWARD:
Laura Augusta Giles
b: Jul-Sep 1907
Laura was born in Jul-Sep 1907 in Carrick on Suir, and was present with her parents in the
1911 census for Glamorgan, residing at 6 Vera Road at Clydach on Tawe.
Henry Patrick Giles
b: 16/2/1909 d: 11/1987
Henry, better known as Harry, was born on February 16th
1909 in Ireland. He was present with his parents in the 1911 census for Glamorgan, residing at 6 Vera Road at Clydach on Tawe.
Henry became an engine fitter and in the third quarter of 1946 married
Francis Sylvia Morrey (born Warwickshire in 1921) in Coventry (GROE M 1946 Q3 Vol.9c p.2037).
Harry eventually died in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, in November
1987, aged 78 (GROE D Nov 1987, volume 33, page 325).
Josephine Giles
b: Jul-Sep 1910 d: Oct-Dec 1910
Josephine Giles was born in Pontardawe in the third quarter of 1910 (Vol
11A, p.1130). She died in the fourth quarter (Vol 11A, p. 519). Although the mother's maiden name is not given, she would
appear to be the child who was listed as ahving died in the 1911 census.
Mary
A. Giles
b: Oct-Dec 1911
Mary was born in Pontardawe, Glamorgan (Vol 11A, p.2016).
Noreen V. Giles
b: Jul-Sep 1913
Noreen was born in Pontardawe in the third quarter of 1913 (Vol.11A,
p.2278).
A Noreen V. Giles married Cuthbert Vernon Cochrane in
Oct-Dec 1940 in Bournemouth, Dorset (Vol 2B, p.2301). Cuthbert passed away in 1978, his birth date was listed in the
index as March 1st 1914. He died in Bournemouth, Dorset (Vol 23, p. 0111).
(8) Honoria 'Nora' Fenlon or Giles
b: 22/4/1886 d: 28/9/1904
According to the IFHF statutory record transcription
of the event, Nora was born as Honoria Fenlon on April 23rd 1886 at Comerford's Lane (now Comerford
Lane), the son of Henry Fenlon (Giles), a labourer, who was also the informant. In the 1901 census, Nora was now listed
as Nora Giles, resident at Chapel Lane, and a scholar.
Nora's baptismal certificate however states that she was in fact born
a day earlier on Thursday April 22nd 1886, but confusingly baptised on Tuesday January 12th 1886! Clearly there
is a transcription error. However, the sponsors to her baptism were a Joanna Meany and a Catharina
Dillon, with Father Martin Sheehan doing the honours.
In the 1901 census, Nora was recorded at Chapel Lane as a 14 year
old scholar, born in Carrick-on-Suir, Roman Catholic, and able to read and write.
Nora tragically passed away aged
17 on September 28th 1904 at Bridge Street, Carrick on Suir. She was unmarried, listed as a spinster, and the cause
of death was phthisis exhaustion. The informant was her mother, resident at the same address (GROI D 1887 Q4 Vol. 4 p.318).
Patrick Fennlon Giles
25/2/1873 - 6/7/1944
Patrick was Calum's and Jamie's great grandfather.
|
| Patrick Giles with his son Patrick, and daughter Cecilia, in Carrick-on-Suir - approx 1935 |
Patrick was born at Sir John's Road, Carrick-on-Suir,
County Tipperary, Ireland, on February 25th 1873, but under the name of Patrick Fenlon. The reasons
for the family going by the name of Fenlon for at least 15 years from his birth are likely to tie in with the birth of Patrick's
illegitimate brother Henry Giles, who was born in 1870, and who survived for only six days (see above).
From 1892 Patrick worked as a factory fitter at Cleeves
Creamery, a branch of the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland. The company had been founded in 1883 by Cleeves, and made condensed
milk and butter for export. From Patrick C. Power's Carrick on Suir and its People (1976), we learn that the company's
Carrick branch was based first at Oven Lane, on the site where Kenny's woollen factory had previously existed, but that
it moved later to the site of Malcolmson's cotton factory.
On 19 DEC 1897, Patrick Giles was listed as one of the sponsors at the Roman Catholic
baptism of James Faulkner of Coolnamuck Road, son of Patrick Faulkner and Brigid Donovan (RootsIreland).
On 20 AUG 1899, he was again noted as a sponsor at a baptism, this time to Mary Healey of Well Road, daughter
of Michael Healey and Mary Ryan (RootsIreland).
In December 1899, Patrick (noted as Patrick Gyles) was brought
before the petty session court of Carrick-on-Suir, following a complaint by a Constable Francis O'Brien. The charge was as
follows:
Defendant on 3rd December 1899 unlawfully allowed a
dog his property to be at large on the public street at Carrick-on-Suir in said county without being muzzled.
Patrick was fined a shilling and ordered to pay costs of a shilling and
sixpence (FindmyPast Ireland/NAI: Tipperary petty session records).
In the 1901 census, Patrick is recorded as living at
no. 3 Chapel Lane with his widowed mother, and his brothers and sisters.
On April 29th 1906, Patrick married a lady called Margaret
ORGAN, daughter of shoemaker John ORGAN and his wife Bridget (in the
1901 census, the couple were resident at Chapel Lane in Carrick, with their children, Michael, James,
Johannah, Thomas, Bridget and Alice). In the record
for their marriage, Patrick was described as a 30 year old engine driver from Bridge Street, whilst Margaret was a 21 year
old servant from the Town Wall. Patrick's late father Henry was described as a mechanic, and the witnesses were Patrick's
brother Mark Gyles and a Mary Kennedy. (Source: RootsIreland)
On 29 JUN 1910, Patrick was a sponsor at the Roman Catholic baptism of Peter
Joseph Power, son of John Joseph Power and Alice Lunch, of Mill Street, Carrick-on-Suir (RootsIreland).
By 1911, Patrick and Margaret had had two children Henry
and Bridget Cecelia, with the family living at 1 Mill Street in Carrick. Patrick was a 38 year
old factory labourer born in County Tipperary, could read and write, and was Roman Catholic. Margaret was aged 26, and from
Tipperary, whilst Henry was aged 4 and Bridget
2 (NAI: 1911 census).
Tragically, however, Margaret died at home on
Mill Street on February 27th 1912,
the cause being pulmonary tuberculosis, from which she had suffered for two years. The informant was her husband, Patrick
Giles of Mill Street, with Margaret herself noted as a 'wife of an engine driver'. Margaret was just 27 years old (1912/D/Q1/CARRICK-ON-SUIR/4/449).
On 1 MAY 1912, Patrick was one of the sponsors at the Roman Catholic baptism of
Ellen Drohan of John Street, Carrick-on-Suir, daughter of Edward Drohan and Johanna Meany (RootsIreland).
Just eight days later, his brother Martin Giles died in Carrick's workhouse, aged just 32, the cause
being pulmonary tuberculosis, as suffered for six months.
On 28th June 1922, Patrick re-married to a heavily
pregnant Annie Colleton, a domestic servant in the town, with whom he had a further three children, though one sadly died
in infancy aged just seven weeks in 1924. The wedding took place at St Nicholas' Roman Catholic Church in Carrick-on-Suir,
the priest was Father Michael O'Byrne, and the witnesses were John Colleton and Katherine O'Neill.
This wedding, however, took place amidst in the most dramatic of circumstances
in the town. From Carrick-on-Suir and its People (p.152):
Cleeves Creamery in Carrick was one of a chain in Munster
which processed dairy products and exported them. In 1922 there were rumours of a reduction in wages and a workers' committee
was set up in Carrick, as in the other branches. The chairman was Michael Banks and other members were Michael Healy, Patrick
Foley and Charles Keane. They were informed by the management that they must accept a reduction of 33 1/3% in wages or else
the plant would be closed down.
The London Times reported on developments on May 15th (p.10 col. a):
"RED" COUP IN IRELAND
WORKERS SEIZE CREAMERIES
BELFAST DISORDERS
PEACE EFFORT IN DUBLIN
A number of creameries and milk factories
in the South of Ireland have been seized by the branches of the Transport Workers' Union, who have hoisted the red flag over
the building.
The Peace Commission in Dublin is making
an earnest effort to find a formula for Dail Eireann, which meets on Wednesday.
Further outbreaks of disorder in Belfast
are causing much anxiety. A new curfew order has been issued, and the critical situation will engage the attention of the
Northern Parliament.
(From our Own Correspondent.) DUBLIN,
MAY 14.
When Dail Eireann meets on Wednesday it will
have before it the result of the final effort to contrive some sort of agreement between the Free State party and
the extremists. The chief hope of agreement is founded now on the country's increasingly impatient demand that something
shall be done quickly to relieve an almost intolerable state of affairs.
The peace committee is pursuing the desired
formula with much energy. It sat for two hours yesterday morning and for more than two hours at night, when it adjourned until
this evening. No statement of its progress has been made.
Further proof of the collapse of law and order
in the South was forthcoming yesterday when, by an apparently concentrated movement, branches of the Irish Transport Workers'
Union took possession of important factories, which they propose to conduct directly in the interests of the workers. The
creamery and condensed milk factory of Messrs. Cleeve at Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, were seized after the failure of
negotiations on the wages question. The local secretary of the Transport Union has been appointed manager of the factory,
which employs 90 hands. Messrs. Cleeve's branches at Tipperary and Bansha were seized at the same time, and the red flag is
flying over them.
A body calling itself the 'General Council of
Action for Munster' has issued a proclamation, which asserts that the proprietors are endeavouring to force down the standard
of living by demanding a 33 1-3 per cent. in wages, that the workers refuse themselves to be forced down to the slave level,
and, in view of the threatened closing of the factories, have decided to conduct themselves in the interests of the community.
The proclamation ends with the words 'Long live the sovereign people'.
It is reported that Messrs. Cleeve's factories
at Clonmel, Killmallock, Mallow and Knocklong have been seized in the same fashion. The object lesson is not likely to be
lost upon the farmers of the most prosperous agricultural district in Ireland.
The workers were particularly infuriated with the situation at Cleeves
due to the fact that the company had a £1 million in profit during the First World War. Patrick C. Power's further history
of the town, Carrick-on-Suir Town and District, published in 2003, explains what happened next (p.226):
All the strikes of the creameries culminated
in an ideological struggle on 12th May 1922. In the late afternoon the workers took over Cleeves' factory and declared it
a soviet. All joined in the action except the clerical staff, butter-makers and foremen but these 90 employees joined later
on 17th May. This happened also in Clonmel, Tipperary and other branches of Cleeves where a red flag was hoisted over each
one.
In the subsequent struggle it was charged that
the workers were Marxist communists, which were untrue. However, there was one communist cell in Carrick-on-Suir, composed
of three men, Michael Banks, a Sweeney and Michael Morrissey.
The farmers refused to send milk to the creamery
and bought separators to extract cream and make butter at home. When the strikers threatened them, they formed a Citizens'
Guard to protect themselves especially in Rathgormack and Windgap. On 20th May only 6 gallons of milk were delivered to the
factory instead of the 12,000 to 17,500 gallons that was usual at that time of year.
On 14th June 1922 F. J. Cleeves, director, placed
an advertisement in the newspapers, stating that no one had the power or was authorised in mallow, Bruree, Tipperary, Knocklong,
Clonmel or Carrick-on-Suir to purchase, sell or deal in the business of his company. He pointed out that "the present occupants
have no legal right to interfere with or dispose of the stocks."
The soviet managed the factory until August
when the Irish Free State Army captured the town and Michael Banks was arrested immediately. That ended this episode. In October
Cleeves' creamery was re-opened with 20 employees.
It seems clear from this that Patrick was involved with the Carrick soviet, but
it is not clear whether he was sacked as a result or one of the 20 who were re-employed. In his obituary (see below),
there is conflicting information. The 1944 written article states that he left the company 22 years ago, dating that to 1922,
and the correct period for the soviet, but it also states that he stayed with the company when it closed - this happened in
1927, which may be what the writer meant.
Just a few months after the wedding, and the soviet experiment, Patrick sent
his son Henry to America, to stay with his uncle in New York. Not long afterwards, his daughter Bridget
Cecelia moved to London in England.
Patrick's
wife Annie died only five years later on 2 APR 1927, the cause being pulmonary tuberculosis, leaving him to raise
his two surviving children himself. In her death record Patrick was again noted as a mechanic, and resident at New Street
in Carrick-on-Suir.
Paddy Nolan in Waterford recalled the following about Patrick in July 2008:
As far as I can gather, Pat Giles lived at New Street with your Dad (i.e.
Paddy Giles, Calum's and Jamie's grandfather) after vacating Chapel Lane for whatever reason, and when Paddy Nolan and
May Carroll married (1929) they moved in with Pat and Paddy into the New Street house. They had their first three children
(Maeve, Judy and Pierce (Percy) while still living with Pat and your Dad.
Maeve (Nolan) well remembers Patrick bringing the children to the "Pattern
of Mothel", a holy well some four miles from the town on the Co. Waterford side. Apparently he was also a great source of
sweets and small gifts.
In about 1933, things were becoming so overcrowded that Patrick and his children moved up to William Street and lived with Piery
Nolan and Minnie Giles. But with the Thirties being a time of
great depression, Patrick decided to move to England temporarily to find work, as again recalled by Paddy Nolan:
Patrick Giles (like his son Paddy) was apparently a
quiet and unassuming man. (His sister Minnie made up for that!!). My eldest brother Pierce (Junior, born 1934) remembers well
that Patrick returned from England sometime before the Second World War started. He remembers vividly that Patrick returned
with toy instruments for all the children, in Junior's case a toy trombone. At some stage after he had moved temporarily to
William Street, Patrick went to England, probably to find work. Remembering that Cleeves and the Creamery were closed at this
stage, and that he was probably out of work, this makes sense.
Upon his return to Ireland, Patrick obtained
employment in Burke's Asylum in Carrick.
When he returned he got an appointment as caretaker at the Burke Asylum, an
institution funded through the proceeds of the will of Edward Burke, a corn-broker from Waterford (1861). The house did not
in fact open until 1868, and it was intended for "reduced respectable tradesmen, all whom must be natives of Carrick-on-Suir,
be of irreproachable character and be Roman Catholics". Patrick had living quarters in the house and apparently called at
the Nolan house in William Street every morning at six o'clock to light the range, a black all purpose heater and cooker of
great capacity. Presumably he stayed on for breakfast!
His tenure at Burke's Asylum was not long,
as it is known that in 1941 he gained employment at the Little Sisters of the Poor convent in Waterford, located at St. Joseph's
on Manor Hill. The convent's records show that he had moved there on February 3rd 1941, and upon his admission,
his last known residence was listed as William Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
Why he moved to Waterford to the Little Sisters (in
1941), no one seems to know. What is evident is that he did not move there as a charity case, as he was employed there also
as Lodge-Keeper, while living in the main house. He died in 1944.
Junior and Maeve also remember visiting him in the Little Sisters. Interestingly,
Junior knows that he was buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Carrick-on-Suir, in the same grave as the Culletons. Junior was
at his funeral. There is, as you know, no inscription or headstone commemorating him.
Patrick was to remain here until his death
on July 6th 1944, with his children left to his sister Minnie to look after at William Street. Paddy was buried in St. Mary's
Cemetery in Carrick-on-Suir, in section C, plot 37P. A notice on his death was placed in the Munster Express on July 14th
144:
DEATH OF MR PATRICK GILES
The news of the death of Mr. Patrick Giles, New St., Carrick-on-Suir,
was learned with regret in his native town on Thursday on last week. He had been in failing health for some time past. Deceased
had the distinction of being one of the first group of mechanical engineers to be employed by Cleeve's Condensed Milk Factory,
almost sixty years ago, and was with that firm until it closed, about 22 years ago. The late Mr. Giles was brother of Mrs
P. Nolan, Town Wall; and was father of Master P. Giles, New St., and Mrs Adams, Monmouth Road, Paddington, London. There was
a large attendance at the funeral to the New Cemetery, Carrickbeg. R. I. P.
There had been some talk in the family that Patrick or his father owned a small farm on the
outskirts of Carrick. Initially deemed as a fanciful tale, it now seems that there is indeed something to this, as in the
details provided by the Little Sisters of the Poor, Patrick's occupation was noted as "farmer".
|
| Patrick Giles (on central trombone player's left, with cloth cap on) - 1930s, Carrick-on-Suir |
CHILDREN of PATRICK
GILES and MARGARET ORGAN:
(1) Henry Joseph Giles
b: 22/5/1907 d: 19/12/1954
|
| Henry Giles, approx 1934 |
Henry Joseph Gyles
was recorded as having been born on New Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, on May 22nd 1907. His father Patrick Gyles, the informant,
was noted as being an engine driver on his statutory birth record. Henry's baptismal certificate adds some further information.
He was born on a Wednesday, and was baptised by Father M. Cheasty on Sunday May 26th. The sponsors for his baptism were his
uncle, Mark Giles, and a Mary Kennedy.
Henry spent his
childhood being raised by his father at New Street in Carrick-on-Suir.
At the age of 15,
Henry emigrated to the United States, though not, it would seem, through choice. After his mother's death, he was
sent to Cork by his father to get the boat to America in order to stay with his uncle, but returned to Carrick on each occasion.
Eventually, he did take the boat, the "President Polk", and after crossing the Atlantic arrived at Ellis Island on January
18th 1923.
Upon his arrival,
Henry made his way to stay with his uncle, Michael Organ, at 66 Clinton Street, Brockton, Boston, Massachussetts.
The passenger manifest
from the "President Polk" tells us a little about Henry. He had fair complexion, brown hair and grey eyes, and was quite
a small man, standing at 5 feet and four inches tall. When he arrived in New York, he was described as a scholar.
After staying with
his uncle, Henry moved to the city of Boston, in the state of Massachussets, and married a Nova Scotian woman, Mary
Jessie MacIsaac.
|
| Mary Jessie MacIsaac, centre, with a neighbour and a sister (date unknown) |
The couple had
five children, all of whom are still living in the United States. Henry naturalised as an American citizen on November
27th 1944 at the US District Court of Boston (petition number 277335). At the time he was residing at 326 Granite Street,
Quincy 69. He was aged 37 and confirmed as being born May 22nd 1907.
|
| Henry's naturalisation 1944 (Source: Ancestry.com) |
Henry died on December 19th 1954, and his death
was subsequently noted in the Munster Express newspaper on Friday, January 14th 1955:
Sympathy
- At a meeting of the Carrick Branch of the Irish National Foresters, a vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. Patrick Giles on
the death of his step-brother (sic), Mr. Henry Giles. which occurred in America some two weeks ago.
CHILDREN
of HENRY GILES and MARY McISAAC:
Henry George "Bud" Giles
22/2/1933 - 19/2/2018
Bud was born on 22 FEB 1933 in Quincy, Massachussetts.
From his own compiled family history in March 2012, of which he kindly posted a copy to us, the following details have been
gleaned.
Bud graduated from Quincy High School in 1951, in
the 'City of Presidents'. He served for four years in the US Navy until 1955, and then moved to Michigan in October 1955,
just a few months after the passing of his father. His mother, sisters Margaret and Christine,
and brother Colin (Butch) followed later in 1955, and they lived in Ferndale for many years.
Henry spent over thirty five years with the Detroit
Edison Company, working in various power plants and other positions relating to steam and electrical gneration from 1955-1993.
He taught part-time in the Related Trades Division at Henry Ford Committee College in Dearborn, Michigan, for many years.
Henry also served in the US Navy and Reserve Forces from 1951-1986, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Office Four. In
his retirement Henry is now retired and enjoyed his 'Classic' cars, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible. In the April
2009 edition of Muscle Car Enthusiast Magazine, Henry's 1968 Firebird was in an article entitled 'Original Owner's Muscle',
with many great photographs. He was also an 'Original' owner of a 1984 Corvette, having fun each summer at local car shows.
Henry lived in Livonia, Michigan, woth his wife Noreen
ZEUNER, and three children and eleven grandchildren.
Richard
Angus Giles
|
| Richard Giles |
Richard graduated from Quincy High School in
1952. He served in the US Navy from 1953-1957 and also in the Reserve Forces. Richard worked for many years for Hub Steel
Company as a supervisor and steel layout man for all types of steel projects. As at March 2012, he resided at East Weymouth,
Massachusetts, USA.
Richard lives in Boston, Massachussetts, USA,
with his wife Judy and his two children.
It is believed that Judy died in 2003, possibly
October 2nd at East Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachussetts.
Richard is the only one of Calum's and Jamie's
mother's American first cousins still to be met.
Margaret Jean "Peggy" Giles
b.1937 d.5/6/2011
|
| Peggy Giles as a child in Massachussetts (courtesy of Mac Beeker) |
Born in Quincy Massachussetts in approximately 1937, Peggy lived near Detroit, Michigan, USA, and
was married to Warren Beeker, and has a son and two step-daughters from Warren's previous marriage.
Peggy sadly passed away on June 5th 2011, and is sadly missed by all who knew her.
The following obituary was found online following Peggy's death:
Margaret Jean 'Peggy' Beeker, originally of Quincy, Massachusetts, died
peacefully in her house at the age of 74 in Eastpointe. Loving wife of Warren. Beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Dear daughter of Henry Joseph Giles of Ireland and Jessie MacIsaac of Nova
Scotia. She is survived by 2 brothers, Richard and Henry and predeceased by her sister, Chris and her brother, Butch.
|
| Peggy Giles and Warren Beeker - wedding day (courtesy of Mac Beeker) |
Florence Christine 'Chris' Giles
b. 15/2/1941 d. 6/4/2011
|
| Chris Giles with her two grandchildren, Ella and Gunnar Savalox - Aug 1999 |
Chris lived near Detroit, Michigan, with her husband Jim Savalox.
The couple had three children and two grandchildren.
Chris sadly died in April 2011. The following obituary was found online
for her shortly after:
Died April 6, 2010 at St. Mary Mercy Hospital
in Livonia. She was 69 years old. Chris was born Florence Christine Giles February 15, 1941 in Quincy, Massachusetts to Mary
(nee MacIsaac) and Henry Giles.
Chris moved to Michigan with her family when
she was 15 years old and married James Savalox on July 27, 1963. Together, they raised their 3 sons in Dearborn. Chris was
a gentle and caring woman who adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She was known to always put others first and
to help those in need whenever she could. An extremely intelligent and well-read woman, she also enjoyed genealogy and travel.
She was loved deeply and will be greatly missed.
Chris is survived by her beloved husband of
nearly 47 years, Jim Savalox, her sons, Erik (Beth), Todd (Heather), and Brian Savalox, her grandchildren, Gunnar, Ella, Kira,
and Shane Savalox, and her siblings, Bud (Noreen) and Dick (the late Judy) Giles, Peggy (Warren) Beeker. She is preceded in
death by her brother, Butch (the late Carole) Giles.
Memorial Service at Schrader-Howell Funeral
Home, 280 S. Main Street, Plymouth, Saturday, May 1 at 2pm. Friends may visit beginning at 1pm. Luncheon to follow. Memorials appreciated to the Salvation Army, 9451 S. Main Street,
Plymouth 48170.
Colin Frederick "Butch" Giles
b. 26/8/1942 d.20/2/2010
|
| Butch Giles July 1999 |
Butch was born on August 26th 1942 in Quincy, Massachussetts, USA. He
married twice... and on both occasions to Carole Mead, daughter
of James and Donna Mead!
Based near Detroit, Michigan, USA, Butch successfully ran his own
car repairs outfit, Giles Auto Body, and has been involved in sponsoring cars on the local racing circuits.
Butch had two sons with Carole, who still live in the Detroit area with
their own children, but tragically Carole died of a heart attack on October 5th 2001, and is sadly missed by all who knew
her. The following obituary for Carole appeared in the Detroit Free Press on October 8th 2001:
GILES,CAROLE L., of Livonia, age 56, died
October 5, 2001. She was born on July 21, 1945; daughter of James and Donna Mead in Gladwin, MI. Prior to moving to Livonia,
she lived in South Lyon for 27 years. She is survived by her loving husband Colin "Butch" Giles of Livonia and her dear children:
Jeffrey (Cynthia) Giles of Livonia, and Henry (Gina) Giles and Redford. She is also survived by her father James Mead of Traverse
City, three grandchildren: Jennifer, Jordan and Cheyenne and three brothers. She was preceded in death by her mother Donna
Mead in 1991. Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home, 122 W. Lake (10 Mile) South
Lyon. Family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Memorial contributions requested
to Crohn s and Colitis Foundation, 31313 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 269, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
Butch continued to live on the outskirts of Detroit until his
own passing on February 20th 2010. Again, the following obituaries were found online for him. The first is from the Detroit
Free Press:
GILES, COLIN "BUTCH" of Livonia passed
away, February 20, 2010. He was born on 8/26/1942 in Quincy MA; son of the late Henry & Mary Giles. Colin moved to Michigan
in 1953 and graduated from Ferndale High in 1960. He owned and operated Giles Autobody in Inkster MI from 1979-2007 and was
an active participant at Flat Rock & Toledo Speedway. He was a long time South Lyon MI resident and a dear Friend and
Father who will be dearly missed. He is survived by his children: Jeffrey (Cindy) Giles and Henry (Gina) Giles and his siblings:
Henry "Bud" Giles, Richard "Dick" Giles, Margret "Peggy" Beeker, and Florence "Chris" Savalox. He is also survived by his
grandchildren: Jordan, Cheyenne, Justin Giles and Jennifer Nelson. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carole (Mead)
Giles. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 27th, at 11:00 a.m. at PHILLIPS FUNERAL HOME (122 West Lake Street,
South Lyon, MI 48178). The family will begin receiving friends at 10:00 a.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to the family
of Colin c/o Phillips Funeral Home or to a charity of your choice.
Also, from the Toledo Speedway News:
Colin "Butch" Giles Passes
Colin "Butch" Giles, long
time sponsor and car owner at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedway, passed away February 20 after a brief illness. For decades, Giles
promoted his Giles Auto Body auto collision repair business by sponsoring race teams, race events and special awards to racers
at Flat Rock and Toledo. On what would be his final day at the track in October 2009, Giles enjoyed possibly his most successful
day at the track at Toledo Speedway's Glass City 200 when Dave Kuhlman won in a Giles Auto Body sponsored car and Ron Allen
finished 2nd in a car owned and sponsored by Giles. Giles, 67, made his home in Livonia. He is survived by his sons Henry
and Jeff.
(2) Bridget Cecilia Giles
b: 18/11/1908 d: 14/2/1999
|
| Bridget Cecilia Giles & Henry Joseph Giles, approx 1912 |
Bridget, more colloquially known as Celia
or Cecilia, was born on Wednesday, November 18th 1908, at Oven Lane, Carrick-on-Suir,
County Tipperary, Ireland, the daughter of Patrick Giles, engine driver, and Margaret Organ .
Her father was the informant to the registrar on 26 NOV 1908 (Source: GROI 1908 B CARRICK-ON-SUIR/Vol4/p.439/#96). Bridget
was baptised as Brigida Cecilia Giles on Sunday November 22nd 1908 at St. Nicholas Church in Carrick by Father
Mauritius Cheasty, and the sponsors were Johanna Organ and Thomas Faulkner (RootsIreland).
With her mother and father having died
whilst she was still a young girl, Celia was raised by Paddy and Minnie Nolan, her aunt
and uncle, along with her brother Patrick (Paddy).
Celia's Roman
Catholic confirmation was made on Ascension Day 1921, it is believed in Carrick-on-Suir.
At some stage
after this, Celia moved to England, to study to become a nurse. The Munster Express carried the story of her passing her final
exams on December 12th 1930:
CARRICK NURSES' SUCCESS
At the final examination
for qualification as State registered nurses held at the Horton General Hospital, Banbury, England, Miss Mary Kehoe and Miss
Celia Giles, both of Carrick-on-Suir, passed with much distinction and have been registered as State nurses. They have secured
important nursing positions in England.
Soon after,
Celia met George Adams, and whilst they never married, they did raise an adopted daughter, Susan.
Just after the Second
World War, Celia received a visit from her brother Paddy, who was in the British RAF. In July 2008, Paddy Nolan, a cousin
from Waterford, supplied the following information on celia, for which we are extremely grateful:
Some time after the
second world war, possibly in 1949/50, Cecelia Giles, Paddy's half sister, came with her adopted daughter Susan and intermittently
with her partner George Adams (they never married) for whatever reason, to carrick-on-Suir. Ceceilia and Susan stayed at the
Nolan home in William Street, as presumably did George during his visits. At some stage during this time they bought a house
in the main street in Piltown into which they moved in maybe 1950 or 1951. George may have been an irregular visitor but his
mother certainly lived there also. Susan actually went to school in Carrick-on-Suir for a period of approximately twelve months,
so that brings their occupation of the house to about 1952/53 when it seems they returned to England. The house was sold to
Harry Nolan, father of the William Street children. In 1953 and 1954 both Nolan families lived in Tramore where the firm was
building a scheme of local authority houses. The intention was that upon reruning from Tramore the Harry Nolan family was
to move into the Piltown house, but this, much to Kathleen's (Harry's wife's) disappointment, did not happen, and the family
returned instead to William Street. In 1954 Harry sold the house to Maeve Nolan and Jackie Doherty who married that year,
and they have lived there happily ever since.
|
| Celia Giles on the right (courtesy of Pierce and Paddy Nolan) |
It was to be
several decades later before Celia would finally catch up with her brother Paddy again, when he once more returned to
meet her in London in the 1990s for an emotional reunion.
In later years, Celia ran a lodging house, and
had a long term resident in the house called Frank. As Celia grew older, Frank took care of her and when the house was
given up, he moved into the home that she moved to as well.
Celia did return to Ireland briefly on a couple
of occasions, usually staying with the Nolans in Carrick-on-Suir, though she did visit her brother Paddy (Calum's and Jamie's
grandfather) in Piltown. According to Calum's and Jamie's mother, she appeared on these occasions to be a well to do woman,
and "a bit stuffy".
Celia spent
the rest of her days in London, receiving occasional visits from her nieces Claire Giles, Celia Giles and
Lucy Giles, and on one occasion gave her bible to her namesake Celia. From these visits Calum's and Jamie's
mother, Claire, changed her opinion on her aunt, finding out that she was not stuffy at all, but a good laugh who enjoyed
her wine and who smoked a lot.
Celia eventually
passed away in the residential home where she lived on Valentine's Day, 1999.
CHILDREN
of PATRICK GILES and ANN COLLETON:
Johanna (Josie) Giles
b:
8/9/1922 d: 2/8/1980
Johanna was
born on Friday September 8th 1922 during the Irish Civil War, and baptised two days later on Sunday the 10th by Father
John McCarthy of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Carrick-on-Suir. The sponsors to her birth were a John O'
Brien and Anna Kavanagh.
Johanna, better known as Josie, was six years old when her mother died, and she was raised by her mother's
family, the Colletons.
|
| Johanna Giles and Harry Fox on their wedding day, February 14th 1947 |
At the age of 14, after having spent some time in a
local convent, Josie moved over to Scotland, and settled in Irvine, where she took up work as a cook. She met Harry, a builder's
labourer, and was living with him at 241 Winton Road in the town at the time of their marriage on February 14th 1947. The
couple married at the Manse in Irvine, after banns were called according to the Church of Scotland. So Claire was not the
first Giles to marry a Prod! The minister was Reverend Alex Macara, and the witnesses to the wedding were J.Miller of 39 Winton
Rd and Mary Fox of 9 Wallace Road, Irvine (GROS: 1947/595/13). The wedding was registered three days later.
Josie died on August 2nd 1980, at 5.20 in the morning
at the infirmary in Kilmarnock. At the time, her home address was 5 Ashgrove in Irvine. The cause was acute myocardial infarction,
as certified by Dr. Tom Pearce. Josie's husband Harry informed the Irvine registrar two days later (SP/NRS D 1980 672/00
235), and her brother Paddy, Calum's grandfather, came over from Ireland for the funeral.
Patrick Joseph Giles
13/8/1926 - 19/4/2001
Calum's and Jamie's grandfather - see below.
Patrick Joseph Giles
13/8/1926 - 19/4/2001
Paddy was Calum's and Jamie's grandfather.
|
| Paddy Giles, right of frame, as a boy in the 1930s. |
Patrick Joseph Giles, later to be known as Paddy, was born in Carrick-on-Suir,
County Tipperary, on August 13th 1926. His baptismal cert from St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Carrick shows that
he was born on a Friday and baptised by Father John Roche on Sunday August 15th, with his sponsors being Henry Nolan
and Johanna Murphy.
Six months after Paddy was born his mother tragically died in late March or early April 1927,
and he was then raised by his father.
Paddy Nolan in Waterford recalled the following to Claire Paton (nee Giles)
about her father in July 2008:
As far as I can gather, Pat Giles lived at New Street with your Dad (i.e.
Paddy Giles, Calum's and Jamie's grandfather) after vacating Chapel Lane for whatever reason, and when Paddy Nolan and
May Carroll married (1929) they moved in with Pat and Paddy into the New Street house. They had their first three children
(Maeve, Judy and Pierce (Percy) while still living with Pat and your Dad.
In the mid 1930s Paddy's father travelled to England to find work, leaving him with his aunt Minnie
and uncle, Patrick Nolan. Paddy senior returned prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, and after a brief
stint working at Burke's Asylum, he gained work in 1941 at the Little Sisters of the Poor convent in Waterford, located at
St. Joseph's on Manor Hill, leaving young Paddy Giles to be raised again by his aunt and uncle.
|
| Paddy Giles, left of frame, circa 1940 |
In his youth, Paddy joined the local LDF Brass band, learning how to play the French horn. When he left Carrick to
join the RAF (see below), the instrument was passed on to his cousin Pierce (Junior), who recalled in September 2008:
When Paddy Giles went away to join the Air Force,
I was a young member of the Brass Band learning the dots, as we used to call them, and when my turn came to take up an instrument,
I was given Paddy’s French Horn. I played this instrument in the band until I gave it up when I found out about girls.
Many
years later, Pierce was able to acquire the instrument permanently from the band:
In 1974
the Brass Band changed all their instruments, which were B Flat to a new complete set of Silver A instruments, they had an
auction of the old ones, and I bought 2. One was the B Flat Bass that my father Harry played, and the other was the French
Horn that Paddy and I played. I have these 2 instruments still in my possession.
|
| LDF Brass band - Paddy is to the right of the drum, seated at the front. |
On July 6th 1944, Paddy senior died, and so young Paddy Giles became a permanent member of the Nolan household.
He left school and was employed in their building firm, P. Nolan and Sons Ltd., working as a joiner.
As already noted, Paddy joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1945, travelling to Long Kesh in Northern Ireland to join with seven others from Tipperary, though only
he and one other managed to get in. They were based in Larne, County Antrim, for a short time and were then transferred
over to England, where they were based for a time at Cambridge.
|
| Paddy in the RAF |
In 1946, Paddy was posted to Egypt, where
he spent a dusty 21st birthday in the Sahara Desert. After a month in Egypt, his squadron moved up the Suez Canal and
spent some time at Haifa in the Palestine. The RAF mission was to help keep the peace between Arabs and Zion fundementalists
over the founding of a state for Jews, which ultimately became Israel in 1948. Paddy
remembered that he had to carry lorry loads of coal through the mountains to Iman, and that at one point they were lost in
the mountains for about a week. He also joked about having a girlfriend called Stami. Some of his fellow RAF men included
friends called Harry and "Ginger". Paddy's exact squadron is currently unknown.
Paddy's return to Carrick was noted in the Munster Express of November 28th 1947 ("Mr.
P. Giles from Palestine"). Paddy Nolan, based in Waterford, had a special reason for remembering his cousin's departure
and subsequent return from Palestine, which he shared with Claire Paton (nee Giles) in July 2008:
It's funny, but I remember as if it were only yesterday asking your Dad when
he went to Palestine, to bring me back a monkey, and being very disappointed when he didn't!!
Upon his return, Paddy Giles went back to work for
the Nolans as a joiner in Carrick-on-Suir, but it seems his military aspirations were not quite over! Paddy's cousin Paddy
Nolan again tells the story:
Paddy, sometime about 1948/49, evidently had a row with Piery or Minnie
or both. He came home one night somewhat over the odds and ascended the stairs singing "I'll take you home again Kathleen...."
Whatever transpired, he left without anyone's knowledge the next morning on his bike and cycled to Clonmel and joined the
Irish Army! Piery got wind of where he was and had to use the influence of a friend of his who was a T.D. (Member of Parliament),
plus a considerable fee to 'buy' him out of the service, and bring him back to the workshop. I don't think it was ever discussed
again, but knowing Piery, deductions from wages until the fee was repaid would have been in character!
On May 12th 1950, Paddy was noted in the Munster Express
as being on a committee designed to reorganise the Carrick-on-Suir British Legion.
Amongst the work Paddy carried out whilst working
for Piery Nolan was the new roof of the Catholic church in the town and the laying down of a new floor in Piltown's community
hall. It is known that Paddy was connected to, and possibly a member of, the Irish National Foresters, as evident from a newspaper article in the Munster Express on Friday, January 14th 1955, concerning the death of his brother:
Sympathy
- At a meeting of the Carrick Branch of the Irish National Foresters, a vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. Patrick Giles on
the death of his step-brother (sic), Mr. Henry Giles. which occurred in America some two weeks ago.
|
| left - Paddy showing 'Pudding' how its done; right - Paddy at work, Junior in the background (1950s) |
|
| Billy Anthony (left) and Paddy (right), 1958 |
In
a poem written by Pierce Nolan (Junior) in 1957, entitled 'Cribbers Half Hour', a verse depicts Paddy's demeanour
as everybody around the table is getting stuck into lunch:
Paddy Giles, he just sits there
And takes it all in,
But, now and again,
He comes out with a grin.
In
the late 1950s, whilst in Carrick, Paddy joined the town's amateur operatic society, where he met his future wife, Pauline
Prendergast, a local girl from the Three Bridges, two miles down the road from the town. In the Munster Express of
12 APR 1957, Paddy was noted as having played a gateman in a performance in the town of The Belle of New York. The
courting couple then made two appearances in the Munster Express in 1959 and 1960. The first was a report on Friday 4th December
1959 on the second annual Castle Ball, attended by Paddy, Pauline, and several of Paddy's Nolan cousins:
Successful Second Annual Castle Ball
One of the most enjoyable functions of the year in carrick was that held
in the ormonde Hall recently. It was the second annual Castle Ball, a joint effort by the local tennis and Golf Clubs.
Despite the petrol strike, many travelled from Waterford City, Kilkenny,
and North Tipperary.
The Regal Orchestra, of Cork, which provided the music, scored a big "hit"
with the large crowd.
Amongst the attendance were: Dr. and Mrs. Prenderville and party, Clonmel;
Mr Joseph Ahearne and Miss Ann Nolan; Mr T. O'Keefe and Miss M. Norris, waterford; Mr. and Mrs. Blacque and party; Mr
E. Nolan and E. Murphy; Dr. and Mrs. O'Neill; Mr. M. Nolan and Miss Breda Power; Mr T. Chapman
and partner, Waterford; Dr. and Mrs P. Dernan; Mr. and Mrs. Bart Horan; Mr. and Mrs. Noel Treacy; Mr. T. Rockett and M. Nugent;
Mr. and Mrs. Fennel and party, Cashel; Mr. and Mrs. John Moran; Mr. and Mrs. R. Bourke; Mr. Noel Croke and Miss Clair Frawley,
Waterford; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Morrissey, Kilkenny; Mr. Frank Walsh and Miss Philomena Fitzgerald, do; Mr. and Mrs F. Mullins;
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Coughlan; Mr. and Mrs Kieran Moloney and party, New Ross; Mr. and Mrs. J. Roche; Mr Patrick Power and party,
Waterford; Mr. and Mrs. M. Curran; Dr. and Mrs. Paul O' Brien; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Galvin; Mr. Pierce Nolan
and Miss M. White; Rena McDonnell and partner; Mr. and Mrs. James Kelly; Mr. Tom Brett and Miss Margaret Halloran;
Mr. and Mrs. John Connolly; Mr. Vincent Millett and partner, Clonmel; Mr. and Mrs. John Hearne; Mr. and Mrs. John Fox; Miss
Peg Cooney and partner; Mr. Noel O'Dwyer and Miss Breda Shortiss; Mr. and Mrs. William Walsh; Mr. Thomas Ryan and Miss Margaret
Cooney; Mr. Jerry O'Callaghan and Miss Mary Murphy; Mr. and Mrs. William Morrissey; Mr. Noel Phelan and Miss Patricia Jackman,
Nenagh; Mr. D. Murphy and Miss Betty Walshe, do; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Gallagher, do; Mr. and Mrs. B. Donovan; Mr. Thomas Morrissey
and Miss Kitty Phelan; Mr. and Mrs. Nial Quirke; Mr. Thomas Cleary and Miss Rita Brett; Mr. Nicholas Dalton and Miss D. Phelan;
Miss Mary Kelly and partner; Mr. and Mrs. Pat Drohan; Mr. Myles Murphy and Miss B. Tilson, Waterford; Mr. Joseph Cooney and
Miss M. Duffy, Dublin; Mr. A. C. Power and Miss M. Coughlan, Dungarvan; Mr. P. Faulkner and Miss M. Lonergan; Mr. and Mrs.
R. Lyons; Mr. J. Smyth and party, Clonmel; Mr. S. Bowman and Miss M. Mulchay, Dungarvan; Mr. D. Carroll and Miss Dymphna Carroll;
Mr. Wm. Kavanagh and Miss Anna Doherty; Mr. and Mrs. Ml. Cleary; Mr. A. Mullins and Miss Pauline Rainsford; Mr. and Mrs.
Mark Clery; Mr. P. Feehan and partner; Mr. J. Kennedy; Mr. and Mrs. J. Parle; Mr. D. O'Driscoll and party, Kilkenny; Mr. V.
O'Donohoe and Miss S. Hickey, Waterford; Mr. and Mrs. Ml. O'Toole, do; Mr. P. Dowley and partner; Mr. Richard Phelan and partner,
Clonmel; Mr. and Mrs. M. Connolly; Mr. Patrick Giles and Miss Pauline Prendergast; Mr. Thomas O'Neill
and partner; Mr. and Mrs. James Collins; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Murphy; Mr. R. Flynn and Miss P. O'Dwyer; Mr Patrick Murphy and
Miss Honora Morrissey, etc.
Paddy obviously survived the hangover, as on January
15th 1960 the Munster Express carried a report on the Operatic Society's performance of HMS Pinafore:
CARRICK PINAFORE CAPTIVATED
Delightful Production By Local Operatic Society
GUEST ARTISTS AND HOME TALENT EXCELLED
The people of Carrick-on-Suir may well feel proud of the prominent and
progressivepart which is being played in the cultural life of the township by the local Amateur Operatic Society. To the long
chain of previous successes, andother golden link was added this week, when, as their eighteenth production, they selected
Gilbert and Sullivan's ever-green and always welcome "H.M.S.Pinafore". And, in every phase of its delightful presentation,
it has captivated all who have derived such unalloyed pleasure from its staging in the Ormonde Hall, from its opening performance
last Sunday night. Nor have we any hesitation in prediciting that it will continue to do so until the curtain is made to ring
down on its final offering next Sunday night.
(There will be no production to-morrow (Saturday) night).
A departure from the pantomime, which was favoured for several years past,
the society made a particularly happy choice on this occasion, for they gave us a "Pianoforce" that was well-nigh perfect.
For the first time, too, they introduced two guest artistes, in the selection of which they exercised a soundness of discrenment
that paid handsome dividends in the intense warmth of the enthusiasm with which they were received each night by the packed
audience.
FINISHED ARTISTRY
One of these was Minica Condron, who has filled a number of leading roles
with the Dublin Grand Opera Society. As Josephine (the Captain's daughter), she was playing a part for which her vocal gifts
and histrionic attributes so well equip her. There was a finished artistry about her singing and her acting which left behind
memories that will linger long with those who heard, saw and applauded her with such spontaneous fervour and sustained approval.
RADIO FAVOURITE
The other guest principal, Michael Murphy, as Ralph Rackstraw (Able Seaman)
did not come quite as a stranger from his native Cobh. For quite some time past, he was featured on the Mitchelstown Creamery's
sponsored programmes from Radio Eireann, and in that respect, the reputation which he has won for himself as an excpetionally
fine tenor, had preceded him. But, how different it was now hearing him at much closer "range" and being regaled by him with
such a flawless and all-satisfying interpretation of the haunting arias which he sand with such consumate ease and impressive
abaility, thus adding a major contribution to the scintillating progress of this most acceptable Gilbert and Sullivan work.
Apart from these two, the remainder of the cast was recruited entirley
from local talent. And what an abundance of it there must be in Carrick! In the supporting roles, and in the choral work,
all these amateurs, without exception, rose to the big occasion in a manner that won the golden opinions of all.
THE LOCALS
As Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., Pat Power, in addition to infusing into his
part the essential ingredient of humour, spoke his lines with a clarity that was good to hear - and enjoy. The part of Captain
Corcoran was very ably sustained by "Junior" Nolan, always a favourite; while that ominous character,
Dick Deadeye, was very effectively portrayed by Eugene Nolan. Dick Meany and John Dalton proved
themselves true sons of the Navy; and who can forget the part of the part of the Midshipmite as undertaken so successfully
by John Walsh as Tom Tucker (and hornpipe specialist).
THE LADIES
And what of the ladies (God bless' em!). B. Hannon's Little Buttercup was
a delicious offering, as pleasing and fascinating as one could wish for. And then we had two other accomplished stage
personalities in Margaret O' Donoghue and B. O'Brien, who found themselves happily at home when they doubled in the role of
Hebe (Sir Joseph's Cousin).
THE CHORUS
Those who comprised the chorus covered themselves with glory throughout.
Indeed, in this department, Carrick can boast a collection of male and female voices which blends delightfully. This results
in a most appealing tonal quality and a harmonious ensemble of voices that is really good to hear. One got the impression
that behind the merit of their work, lay careful and competent training.
CONDUCTOR-PRODUCER
Under the baton of Mr. J. Moran - who was also responsible for the production
- the high standard set by the orchestra was in keeping with the all-round excellence of a memorable performance. As musical
director and pianiste, Mrs. J. Shelly filled her dual role with impeccable success.
Greatly admired by the audiences were the ingenuity of the producer in
the manner in which he adapted the rather small stage to mee the demands of such a presentation; the brilliant lighting, which
helped to show up the attractive setting to best advantage, and the beautiful costumes and stage make-up, all of which absolutley
defied criticism.
On this latest triumph of the Carrick Amateur Operatic Society, heartiest
congratulations are extended. By every member of the Society, and particularly by the indefatigable President Rev. J. harty,
CC., whose great work in the cause of music is so well known, they were never more richly deserved.
THE CHORUS
Chorus of the First Lords, Sisters, Cousins and Aunts: Mmes. Hurly and
Murphy; Misses A. Power, E. Murphy, A. Doherty, M. Doherty and M. Fahey, B. O'Sullivan, P. Rainsford, P.
Prendergast, P. McGarry, M. Thompson, A. Hannon, A. Carroll, D. Carroll, P. Danagher, M. O'Halloran, I. Crowley, M.
O'Brien, F. Torpey, M. Coady.
Chorus of Seamen and Marines: T. Power, R. Meany, J.
Nolan, P. Drohan, B. Mulvaney, M. Nolan, D. Carroll, J. Dalton, B. Kavanagh, P.
Giles, E. Nolan, T. O'Keefe, P. Finucane, C. O'Driscoll, H. O'Driscoll, J. Drohan, J. Hurley, N. Treacey. J. Aylward.
THE ORCHESTRA
Conductor, Mr. J. Moran; First Violins, Mrs T. Parle and Mr. D. O' Callaghan;
cello, Messrs J. Power and V. Cleary; Trumpet, Mr. J. carroll; Clarinet, Mr. P. Coady; Horn, Mr. R. Lyons; Trombone, Mr. M.
Coady; Organ. Mr. M. Inglesby; Piano, Mrs J. Shelly.
Opera was one thing, but Paddy had another secret
weapon in the war against music, and that was his eternal rendition of the song Two Carrick Smashers, a variant of the song
The Two Tyrone Smashers. The following are the words that he used to sing - over and over and over again...!
Oh we are the two Carrick smashers,
We
often go out on the mash.
We wear no tall hats
Or no shirts to our backs,
And we seldom have got any cash (cash,cash).
We often bring out a new fashion,
While the old ones they stick to the
old.
Although we are just 27
We are daring quite handsome and bold
Chorus:
And
we'll sing tra la la la as we walk down the street
For style and perfection we 'ere can
be beat,
All the ladies declare that we are a
treat,
We're the two Carrick smashers from off
Greystone street
And we dance and we sing
We dont give
a jot we're a jolly fine lot
We're alright but we're tight
And
we're jolly fine company"
Last Saturday we were invited,
To the town hall by two ladies
fair,
Their cheeks were in bloom
Like the roses in june,
And we danced to a beautiful air,
We were singin and dancin til midnight
Drinkin whiskey and porter and rum
And when the dancin was over
With the queer wans we had lots of fun
Chorus:
And we'll sing tra la la la
as we walk down the street
For style and perfection we 'ere can
be beat,
All the ladies declare that we are a
treat,
We're the two Carrick smashers from off
Greystone street
And we dance and we sing
We dont give
a jot we're a jolly fine lot
We're alright but we're tight
And
we're jolly fine company"
|
| Billy Anthony, Paddy Giles, Pat Nolan, Mary Nolan and M. Mentz |
On 16th August 1960, Paddy and Pauline married
in Piltown Church of Assumption. The following
article appeared shortly after in the Munster Express, giving a vivid description of the wedding
cermeony and the guests in attendance:
The
marriage took place with Nuptial Mass and Papal Blessing at the Church of the Assumption, Piltown last week of Mr.Patrick
Giles, William Street, Carrick-on-Suir and Miss Pauline Prendergast, Three Bridges, Carrick-on-Suir. The ceremony was performed
by Rev.Fr.Phelan, C.C. Mr John OBrien, was best man and the bride was attended by Miss Ann Nolan (cousin of the groom) and
Miss Nan Quinn.
A reception took place at the Ormonde Hotel, Clonmel, where many friends and relatives of the newly
married couple were entertained.
During the ceremony, the bride was attired in a white ballet length frock, with matching
headdress, and carried a bouquet of red carnations. The bridesmaids wore lavender brocade ballet length frocks.
Both
the bride and groom are extremely popular figures in Carrick-on-Suir. The honeymoon is being spent in Dublin.
The wedding took place at 8.00am in Piltown Church
of Assumption. Pauline made her way to the church in a taxi, whilst Paddy set off from his home in Carrick. The ceremony
lasted an hour, after which the couple went to Clonmel for a wedding
reception/breakfast, a more traditional way of celebrating a marriage back then.
Shortly after the wedding, the newlyweds set off
for Dublin for their honeymoon. The couple stayed at a hotel in the north side and went for a day trip to the Isle of Man
as a part of their stay.
After their honeymoon, the couple set up home in Three Bridges (Garrynarea) next door to
Pauline's grandmother's house, where there were first seven children would be born.
In 1969, the family moved to a council house in Hillcrest Avenue, Piltown. The Munster Express
records the award of the house as follows, on 4 JUL 1969:
Appointed Tenants
The following have been appointed tenants of the sixteen new
County Council houses in Piltown village: Michael O'Toole, Main Street, Piltown; Eamon Fitzpatrick, do.; Nicholas Dunne, do.;
Thomas J. Long, Clonmore, Mooncoin; Denis Hogan, do.; Francis Power, Athmore Road, Fiddown; Mrs. Mary Cummins, Turkstown,
do.; Michael O'Brien, Tobernabrone; Richard Cuddihy, Templeorum; Michael Morohan, Tinnakilly, Piltown; Terence O'Reilly, Kildalton,
Piltown; James Malone, Kilmanahan; Michael Guilman, Belline, do.; Patrick Bourke, Railway Cottage Tybroughney; Richard Murphy,
Mooncoin, and Patrick Giles, Garnarea.
Paddy and Pauline subsequently bought their home seven years later. The family was extended with four
further children.
|
| The Giles family in Australia, 1994 - (L to R) Lucy, Luke, Anita, Claire, Pauline and Paddy |
Paddy continued to work for his cousin Paddy
Nolan in the carpentry shop in Carrick-on-Suir, where he had worked prior to his RAF days,a nd amongst the jobs he
did, he was to renovate the roof of the Catholic church in Carrick and to relay the floor of the community centre in Piltown.
In
later years, Paddy and his wife Pauline left Ireland on several occasions to visit family around the world. In 1994, they
spent an enjoyable time in Australia, staying with their daughter Anita, son-in-law Ian
and grandson Luke. And in 1995, both Paddy and Pauline journeyed to the United States, to meet Paddy's nices
and nephews (the sons and daughters of his half-brother Henry Giles) near Detroit, Michigan.
Paddy also travelled over to London, England,
to meet with his older sister Cecelia, an emotional reunion as the pair had not seen each other in decades.
|
| Paddy giving daughter Claire away at her wedding - June 24th 2000, Piltown |
On June 24th 2000, Paddy gave away his daughter Claire,
Calum's and Jamie's mother, to her husband Chris Paton, in their wedding at Piltown Church of Assumption. He escorted her in a vintage car to the church and walked her
down the aisle, a proud moment for any father. But at the after dinner speaches, breaking with normal tradition, instead of
giving a speech Paddy opted instead to sing several verses of one of his favourite songs, "Two Carrick Smashers",
which Claire and Chris had asked him to sing, with Claire coming from close to Carrick-on-Suir and Chris from Carrickfergus
in County Antrim. It was a rousing rendition of one of his favourite party pieces (the other being "It's a Long Way to
Tipperary") and earned him a huge round of applause, which was soon after followed by his son Shane's rousing rendition
of another Kilkenny wedding classic "Diahorrea" (no kidding)!
For the words to Paddy's two favourite songs, click
on the following link:
Favourite Songs
Paddy died of Parkinson's Disease in hospital in Waterford
on April 19th 2001, and is sadly missed by all who knew him. The following notice appeared in the Irish Independent
on Saturday, 21st April, 2001:
GILES (8 Hillcrest Avenue, Piltown, Co.Kilkenny)
- April 19, 2001. Patrick (Paddy); deeply regretted by his loving wife Pauline, sons, daughters, grandchildren, relatives
and friends. R.I.P. Removal from Walsh's Funeral Home, Carrick-on-Suir tomorrow (Sunday) evening at 7.30 o'c to Piltown Church.
Requiem Mass on Monday at 11 o'c. Burial in adjoining cemetery immediately afterwards.
And the following obituary in the Kilkenny
People, week ending Friday May 11, 2001 (p.38), really says it all:
PADDY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL FROM THREE BRIDGES
The death has taken place of Paddy Giles, 8 Hillcrest, Piltown.
He passed away at Waterford Regional Hospital on April 19 following an illness. Paddy was 74 years and a native of Carrick
on Suir. He was the last surviving member of the Giles family. Paddy was a craftsman all his life; he spent almost all of
his working life with Nolan's of Carrick on Suir as a joiner, up to his retirement. Paddy was one of the carpenters that laid
the floor in the Piltown Community Centre. He also spent a three-year period in Palestine with the British Air force during
the late 40's, after the war years. Paddy was also a member of the chorus in the Carrick on Suir Operatic Society, and it
was during a Pantomime that he met his sweetheart Pauline Prendergast, from the Three Bridges and some years later they wed,
and had a family of eleven children. Paddy was a real family man, and devoted lots of time and attention to his family and
in later years his extended family and grandchildren. He loved to meet his grandchildren and new in-laws. Paddy was quiet,
and gentle but he had an endearing disposition that made everlasting friends. He enjoyed socialising and was often called
on for a rendering of a song; he was a singer of note. He was a keen GAA follower and followed the Tipperary team down the
years; even so he loved his adopted Piltown, where he had many friends, young and old. During the past few years Paddy was
a regular at the Carrick on Suir day care centre, which he enjoyed attending. Paddy was also a member of the Over 60 club,
which met weekly in the Piltown Community Centre. His family, neighbours and many friends will sadly miss the familiar sight
of Paddy Giles, in Piltown.
The funeral was from Walsh's funeral parlour, Carrick on Suir to Piltown's parish Church,
where Rev.Fr. T. Corcoran C.C. Templeorum Parish received the remains. On the following day the requiem mass was celebrated
by Fr. Corcoran with Fr. Paschal Moore assisting. Sacred readings were by Clair Paton, daughter, and Jacqueline Walsh, grand-daughter.
Sons in law, Chris Paton, Ian Hearne and Dave Heaven with Sophie Sheppard, friend and Anita Walsh, granddaughter, recited
the prayers of the faithful. Gifts brought to the altar included an old ruler from his working days, a Tipperary hurling jersey,
for his dedication to the Tipperary team as well as the bread and wine, were presented by David Giles, son; grandson Michael
Murray and grand daughters Louise Walsh and Leeann Heaven. During the mass the parish Choir sang some suitable hymns. The
burial followed in the adjoining cemetery. He is survived by his wife Pauline Giles. He was father of Rosella, Anita, Lucy,
Celia, Majella, Clair, Pat, Paul, Ger, Dessie and Shane, and is also survived by his sons and daughters in law, grandchildren,
nieces nephews other relatives and friends. He was pre-deceased by his sister Josie, stepsister Celia and stepbrother Henry.
|
| Paddy Giles' grave in Piltown Cemetery |
Claire Patricia Giles
Claire is Calum's and Jamie's mother.
|
| Claire and younger brother Shane, early 1980s in Piltown |
Claire was born in Piltown, County Kilkenny in the Republic
of Ireland, one of a pair of twins (the other being Desmond).
As a youngster, Claire attended Piltown National School.
As a part of her studies she had to learn Irish, which she absolutely hated. For a long time she kept getting Dessy
to ask their Irish teacher on her behalf for permission to go to the toilet, being incredibly shy. The teacher
on one particular occasion told her she would have to ask herself if she needed to go - rather than do this, Claire ended
up wetting herself - one of her earliest memories - and was dragged home by her sister Lucy to get changed! Ever after that,
she was forced to ask to go to the loo in Gaelic, and despite nearly fourteen years of tuition in Irish, this remains the
only sentence she can remember in Irish to this day - "An bhfuil cead agam a dhul amach, maith 's e do thoil
e"!!
Another incident Claire remembers as a toddler was when
a coal lorry reversed over the tricycle she was riding, slightly hurting her in the process. It was her brother Paul's tricycle,
and he apparently was not too happy about it!
A further memory Claire has of her primary school
is of an injury she sustained in the playground whilst playing camogie (similar to Scottish camanach or shinty). She
ended up off school for six weeks, having sustained a facial injury, and was delighted because she ended up only able to eat
ice cream for most of that duration! Claire's interest in
camogie continued competitively until the age of 21, playing for Piltown Camogie Club between the ages of
8 and 16, Carrick-on Suir Camogie Club between 16 and 18, and Bristol Camogie Club between
19 and 21. And if hat wasn't enough, the accident prone Claire also had her face accidentally smashed on the green in front
of the houses at Hillcrest by neighbour Caroline Long!
Claire later went to a secondary school in Carrick-on-Suir in neighbouring
County Tipperary, called the Scoil Mhuire, in Greenhill, and then went to the Vocational
Technical School in Carrick from the age of 17 to 18.
Claire moved to Bristol to join her elder sisters Lucy and
Celia, where she took up work with the Royal Liver Assurance Company. In 1993, at the age of 21, she went
on a tour around the world with her Lucy, visiting America, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia (where
she stayed for six months in Perth with her sister Anita), Thailand and India.
Upon her return to Bristol in 1994, and having just taken up work with the Avon
Gorge Nursing Home, Claire was involved in a serious accident whilst riding her bicycle, colliding with a car in Clifton.
She broke her left foot and suffered facial injuries, which took several months to heal.
Back on her feet again, Claire took up work shortly after with Ernst and Young
(a company she continued to work for until October 2003, when she was unfortunately made redundant after a reorganisation
of the company's finance operations).
Things soon began to look up in 1995, when she
met her future husband Chris Paton, in an ASDA supermarket in which she was
working - the exact meeting spot was the toilet roll
aisle! The couple moved into a flat together in the Totterdown area of the city about six months later, and shortly after,
in September 1997, both moved to Scotland, where they have lived ever since.
In Scotland, Claire continued to work for Ernst and
Young, and gained an HNC in Accounting at the Glasgow College of Commerce in 1999. She and Chris finally married in her
home village of Piltown, at the Church of Assumption, and spent their honeymoon in Galway and the Aran Islands.
Claire gave birth to a son, Calum,
who continues to torment them on a daily basis! Two years later, both she and Chris relocted from Glasgow to Ayrshire,
and soon she gave birth to her second wee terror, Jamie.
Claire continues to live and works in Largs.
|
| Claire on a mad aerial caper in Cumbernauld, Scotland, May 2002 |
CHILDREN of CLAIRE GILES and CHRIS
PATON:
Calum Paton
Jamie Paton
Below:
The Patons - left to right: brother-in-law Robert, husband Chris, father-in-law Colin, brother-in-law Colin; inset, sons Jamie
and Calum
|
