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I'm anxious to hear from any elderly residents of Dungloe, Co Donegal, who might recall anything about a certain Dr Gardiner, who was Medical Officer for the town from around 1901 to 1937.  He would have been well known to their parents and grandparents.  Assistance would be greatly appreciated.



Dr. C. E. R. Gardiner’s resignation from the position of medical officer of Dungloe, a correspondent writes, has officially terminated an honourable service and association of over 35 years with the Rosses of West Donegal. 

In his 45 years in the profession, Dr. Gardiner has had varied and trying experiences in battles against disease at home and abroad.  After taking his degrees in 1888, Dr. Gardiner volunteered for service in Central Africa and was appointed state surgeon to the Congo Free State, at that time the private property of the King of Beigium.

Of fourteen others who went with Dr. Gardiner to the Congo there were only five survivors at the end of three years.  On completion of his service Dr. Gardiner was awarded the Congo Star, and personally decorated by the Belgian King.


Following his return to his native Dublin, Dr. Gardiner was brought in contact with the Rosses, in 1901.  Outbreaks of typhus and typhoid fever in West Donegal had resulted in the deaths of Drs. O’Doherty and Sullivan.  The only medical man remaining in West Donegal was Dr. Smyth of Burtonport, whose single-handed fight against the plague constitutes one of the most glorious pages in the history of the profession.

Dr. Gardiner accepted the appointment, which many had refused, as medical officer in the Rosses.  His first duty was to attend on Dr. Smyth, who had, by then, contracted the fatal disease.

A second outbreak of fever took place soon afterwards, and another in 1916.

Such outbreaks are now almost unknown.  Much of the credit is due to pioneers like Dr. Gardiner.

During those years Dr. Gardiner gave wholehearted support to anything which tended to benefit the Rosses, particularly the town of his adoption, Dungloe.  The same may be said of Mrs. Gardiner and the members of the family, one of whom is now medical officer at Ballintra; another, the Rev. J. G. Gardiner, O.P., Dublin, while others hold important positions elsewhere.

Dr. Sullivan (Jun.), Mountcharles, is acting as medical officer in Dungloe since the resignation of Dr Gardiner.

From The Morning Chronicle, Thursday September 2, 1824:

"Peace-Officer Halpin" saves a child from sexual slavery in Dublin -

ATTEMPT AT SEDUCTION.

 On Saturday evening, about five o’clock, several persons were attracted to the upper part of Trinity street, by the wild and distracted cries of a female of about 14 years of age, that had just escaped from one of those houses of infamous character in that neighbourhood. She clang particularly to a woman in the crowd, of a decent and motherly appearance, who had a child in her arms, and besought her protection. When she recovered a little from her agitation, on being questioned as to the particulars of the transaction, she told the following story with the most heart-touching candour and simplicity: - She lived in Tullow, in the county of Carlow; her name was Anty (Anastasia) Simmons. Some people from that neighbourhood came to Donybrook to sell cheese at the fair; she purchased a small stock, and accompanied them. On Saturday, whilst in the fair, a man of sedate and respectable appearance, in company with a fine looking lady, came up to her, and, after some conversation, told her if she came into town he would immediately give her a good place in his family, as he wanted a servant of her description; that the lady and all the neighbours advised her to come into town, which she accordingly did, with the gentleman, who shortly after leaving the fair, parted from the lady. He brought her to the house ‘there beyand’, and took her up stairs; that a woman (after some whispering between them) immediately came up, and began to close the shutters, and he thereupon attempted to take liberties with her; that on perceiving his object, she screamed, and ran down stairs; the two women below thought to hold her, but she escaped from them. At the conclusion of her story, she turned round to the crowd in the most pathetic manner and said: “Oh, all I want in the wide world is that some good Christian will bring me back to the people I know in the fair, that I may get home to my own country. I had often heard of Dublin, but I never knew what it was before.” Here the poor creature burst into tears. A gentleman who happened to be passing requested she would accompany him to College street Police-office, where the above complaint was put in form on the day-constable’s book. There being no Magistrate at that time in attendance, Peace-officer Halpin, in the most praiseworthy manner, made her go along with him to the house to which she had been entrapped. The peace-officer being told by a person who had seen the gentleman follow the little girl from the house of ill fame, that he was walking up and down Dame-street, pursued him, and on addressing him, he assumed a most determined tone. He asked the peace-officer for his authority for stopping him; the other evaded the question, as he had no warrant for taking him into custody, and told him, all he wanted (and he would not let him go unless he gave it) was his address. He at length, after much altercation, went into a public house, and wrote a name and address, which he gave to the officer as his. The peace-officer then sent the child to her friends in the fair; she promised him she would come back yesterday (Sunday), but as the fair was broken up on Saturday evening, it is supposed she went home with her poor neighbours. Several persons attended the poor girl to the police-office, and some of their names were taken down, who saw her make her escape. – Dublin Morning Post.

     Hi guys.  Looks like we'll have to start a new thread if we want to continue our investigations.

     Ken - I came across something I've had in my possession for some time, but clearly hadn't read closely enough until now.  The document comes from the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers and it's dated "1812 - The second part of the eleventh report of the commissioners appointed to enquire into fees, etc... .
     Under the subheading Arrears and Balances: Stamp Office Queen's County there's the line "4th July 1786.  Paget Halpin, Esq. Ballynamoney, Queen's County; Boys Smith, Surgeon, Maryborough." 

     It seems Smith and Halpin owed £23 14 9..."The Distributor and Boys Smith, one of his sureties, are both dead, without leaving property.  Mr. Paget Halpin, the other surety, is solvent."

     It wasn't the fact that Paget cropped up in Queen's County that caught my eye, but that he should be in Ballynamoney.  I know you'll find that interesting.

Moderator's Comment: here's a link to the 1st thread - Halpin of Co. Wicklow - Part 1

Edwin Halpin, of county Wicklow, was a telegraphist working in Wexford town in the period 1877 - 1883(?), where he met Marianne Murphy (father - William Murphy, shoemaker, address Ram Street; mother - possibly Bridget Rossiter).  If anyone has any information about either, husband or wife, could you post it over on the Wicklow message board, where I'm trying to focus all relevant info on the extended Wicklow Halpins.  I'm particularly interested in anything you might be able to tell me about Marianne and her family - I believe she was a teacher. Might anyone know what kind? Thankyou.