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Seeking information about Mary Butler born Calverstown, Co Kildare 1869 who married Michael O'Keeffe at Kildare Town in 1894, daughter of George Butler and Marcella Cahill, one of her sons George O'Keeffe, occupation groom married Margaret Kelly at Kildare Town in 1921 and another son Thomas Patrick O'Keeffe married at St Conleth's, Newbridge 1937 and is buried in St Conleth's Cemetery following his death in 1945 (his wife may be still alive) whilst a daughter Marcella O'Keeffe married Patrick Geraghty 1933 and she died 1955, other O'Keeffe siblings were Michael, Margaret, Kate and Mary Ellen, all born pre 1901.

Mary Butler O'Keeffe siblings were:
Martin Butler born Calverstown 1865 died Naas 1941: married (1) Anne Loakman 1897 (2) Widow Margaret Hughes nee Brian 1912.
Bridget Butler born Calverstown 1867: married John Curran Kildare Town 1890, later lived Newbridge.
Margaret Butler born circa 1875 Co Kildare married James Kelly St Conleth's, Newbridge 1899.
George Butler born circa 1875 Co Kildare: married Bridget Brassington, Harbourstown, Co Meath 1910, died Garristown, North Co Dublin 1834.

Trying to establish if Margaret and George were twins and and where /when they were born. Also when/where Marcella Cahill/Butler died before her widowed husband remarried in 1879 to widow Catherine Gorman nee Owens at Suncroft.

Thanking you in anticipation.

J.T.A.

This is a long shot: George Butler married Marcella Cahill at Crookstown Catholic church, Co Kildare, Ireland in 1864 and had three children, Martin, Bridget and Mary before disappearing from the records in 1870. They lived at Ballymount, Co Kildare and I have noticed many went to Australia from that district. Are these names familiar to anyone?

Many thanks.

J.T.A.

J.J. Quigley came to Carrickmacross from Derry in 1922 to take up an appointment as post master and soon become heavily involved in the social and cultural affairs of the town. Some time after 1932 he resigned as post master and took over the business of J.J. Duffy & Co. mineral water manufacturer founded by J.J. Duffy circa 1897.

I have been informed by a senior citizen that J.J. Quigley married twice and that one of his wives was a daughter of J.J. Duffy.

James Joseph Duffy had two daughters, Anna Maria born 1896 and Mary Ellen born 1899 who I have not been able to trace since they were orphaned in 1912 along with their brother James Joseph Jr. born 1898 so this is my only clue. J.J. Quigley died in 1988 aged 93 but neither his long obit in the Dundalk Democrat or his death notice in the Irish Times mentions his wives.

Does any one know who J.J. Quigley married? I have been told his headstone in St Joseph's cemetery, Carrickmacross is inscribed in Irish. If anyone is familiar with it perhaps they will note if anyone else is buried with him.

Many thanks in anticipation.
J.T.A.

Vincent Michael Duffy of Carrickmacross died suddenly 4th February 1912 at the young age of 30 years. His long obit and funeral was reported in the Dundalk Democrat and the following is a piece from it. It was also reported that all businesses in town were closed for the funeral and "It would be impossible to give anything like an adequate list of those present; suffice to say that every household in Carrickmacross and a wider radius beyond was represented at the funeral."

"The late Mr Duffy was in many respects a notable young man and while his time was by no means confined to his native town, it is not much to say that the people of Carrickmacross simply idolised him. His undoubted abilities and genial kindly good nature added to a sweetness of conversation made him a favourite everywhere. On the local concert stage he was one of the most successful and pleasing delineators of humorous songs and sketches and was also one of those amateurs who knew how to be genuinely funny without being vulgar. In more serious work of drama he was excellent and in this connection there is a touching incident in the fact that posters were exhibited around town announcing the performance of ‘Charley’s Aunt’ for the 19th of February in which deceased was to take the title role. Needless to say the entertainment has been cancelled and his companions of the Farney Players Dramatic Society have been plunged into deep sorrow at the untimely death of their talented leader. It was probably as a black and white artist that the late Mr Duffy was most widely and favourably known. Although he had started in an artistic career some years ago it was only comparatively recently his ability in this line became fully realised. He had a keen sense of humour and any effort of his pencil was seized upon with avidity by the art editors of several London illustrated journals including ‘M.A.P.,’ ‘London Opinion,’ ‘The Sketch,’ ‘Horner’s Weekly’ etc, etc, while late in last year he received a commission for ‘Punch’ the consummation of the humorous artist’s ideal. It will thus be seen that a successful career had just begun for him. His noteworthy exhibits at the Dublin Sketching Club Exhibition last autumn attracted great attention, the Metropolitan dailies vying in praise of his work. He invariably added instruction to delight as a lightning cartoonist and his work in this respect on the concert platform was always a happy item. Another item of his facile ability should not be left unrecorded. As an honorary member of the Irish National Foresters, he very generously consented to paint two new panes for their banner and had already sketched beautiful and original designs for same. He was actually beginning work on the canvass when the Angel of Death stayed his gifted hand. Anyone who ever saw his fine drop scene in the Catholic Hall ‘Sunset on Lough Nalgack’ (a lake near Carrickmacross) to say nothing of the manifold subjects from his brush for the Farney Players, could not help expressing the deepest admiration for the lofty sense of true art invariably displayed."

At this time it was said that Vincent Michael Duffy would never be forgotten by the people of Carrickmacross. Is there anyone out there who recalls him. I am interested to know if any of his artwork survived. He was unmarried but had siblings, nieces and nephews.

Mr J.T.A.