Sweny of Dublin

[kenneth cooke]

I have just received a reply re the reporting of the shooting of William Lionel Sweny, son of Fredk Wm, the chemist, from a contributor on ancestry.com:
"Your analysis proved correct. Found a death notice inserted by the family for this lad in Weekly Irish Times of 28 April 1916. Died in Lower Mount Street as result of gunshot wound.
Also, the age quoted (13) fits this boy, rather than the older son Frederick William.
Well done and thanks again."

[kenneth cooke]

The actual death notice read:
From Irish Weekly Times, Sat April 29, 1916, page 12:
“SWENY – April 26, at Lower Mount Street, as result of a gunshot wound, William Lionel, son of F.W. Sweny, 1 Lincoln Place, aged 13 years.”

[kenneth cooke]

The chemist described by James Joyce in ‘Ulysses’ was Frederick William Sweny, who in the book  sold some perfume and a cake of lemon-scented soap to Mr. Leopold Bloom. Bloom was on his one-day ‘odyssey’ round Dublin on 16 June 1904, now known as ‘Bloomsday’ and celebrated annually by ‘pilgrims’ following in his footsteps. According to Joyce, the sign then read ‘F.W. Sweny & Co. (Limited), Dispensing Chemists’.

I doubt if Joyce actually met Sweny. His description of him is vague-
‘Sandy shrivelled smell he seems to have. Shrunken skull. And old.’
‘He ought to physic himself.’
He does not come across as a real character.
‘About a fortnight ago sir ?’  ‘Yes sir.’  ‘Fourpence sir.’
‘You can pay all together, sir, when you come back.’

If you visit the chemist shop today, you will see a photo of Frederick Sweny on the counter. He looks well, like a young middle-aged man perhaps.
Joyce began working on Ulysses in 1914, and the first edition came out in Paris in 1922. I wonder when Joyce met Sweny.
In 1904, Sweny was 47, and I would guess the photo is from around this time.
After the death of his son Lionel in 1916, his health, both physical and mental, is said to have deteriorated. Lionel died at Easter, and within two months, Sweny had drawn up his will. He died in 1924.
Citations from Ulysses- Penguin Edition pp. 85 & 596

[kenneth cooke]

William Lionel Sweny  1902-1916 of 1 Lincoln Place Dublin,
Son of Fredk Wm Sweny, chemist, and Sarah Jane Owens
Birth registered Jan-Mar 1903 Dublin South Vol.2, Page 692. No Baptism record found.
1911 Census at 1 Lincoln Place, Wm Lionel Sweny, son, 8 yrs. C of I.

Death Notice from Irish Weekly Times, Sat April 29, 1916, page 12:
“SWENY – April 26, at Lower Mount Street, as result of a gunshot wound, William Lionel,
son of F.W. Sweny, 1 Lincoln Place, aged 13 years.”

From Irish Times, Friday 12 May 1916, Page 6:
46 interments at Dean’s Grange Cemetery of military, civilians and insurgents,
killed during the rebellion.
Civilians identified and buried at Dean’s Grange include:
W. H. Sweeney, aged 13 years, of Wentworth Place, Dublin

This is the third reference to a Swe(e)ny killed at Easter 1916. The other one was F W Sweny,
the name of the chemist, father of Lionel, mentioned in the Irish Times (see #111).

It is most unlikely that there were two or three victims named Swe(e)ny. In the confusion of the times, I believe that the wrong initials, and address were printed. The boy's age is correct.
We are making enquiries at Dean's Grange Cemetery.
We have also notified Joe Duffy of 'Liveline' radio program.

[kenneth cooke]

ONCE AGAIN SWENY'S CHEMIST SHOP IS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE !
AND BLOOMSDAY IS JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY.
YOU CAN HELP BY SIGNING AN ONLINE PETITION TO SAVE SWENY'S FROM CLOSURE.
EMAIL SWENY'S TO SAY YOU WILL SIGN, AND THEY'LL SEND YOU THE FORM ONLINE.
swenyspharmacy@gmail.com
THANKS
KEN
P.S. WILL DUBLIN EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN IF SWENY'S IS CLOSED ?

[kenneth cooke]

OR YOU CAN GOOGLE IN:

change.org sweny pharmacy

AND REGISTER YOUR COMMENT DIRECT

There are now over 1000 signatures, but more will be needed.

Ken

[kenneth cooke]

The chemist was Frederick William Sweny 1856-1924.
His grandparents were Eugene Sweny, coachmaker & undertaker, and Lydia Jones.
 
I have started a new rootschat topic about Lydia's father, called "John Jones of Jervais St. Dublin and Oldtown Co. Kildare". He was my 4 x Gt. grandfather.

Those following the Swenys may well be interested.

Ken

[kenneth cooke]

Just received news from the Chemist shop:
"Hi Ken, all great in Swenys, we have won our appeal and continue to thrive. I am on holiday and it all happened while I was away so will update change.org asap. Kind regards, Wendy"

[sweeney83]

My great great grandfather owned this pharmacy, my great grandfather was frederick william sweeny jnr, my grandfather is frederick william sweeney, his surname was changed because there was an issue with school or something and the name being considered to protestant to enter a Catholic school, My great great grandfather left the pharmacy to the eldest son from his second marriage (don't no why) From my side the name sweeny stopped at my grandfather, but the line goes on its just sweeney instead! My grandfather was frederick william sweeny's jnr only son,