George Cashel

• References:
  • Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) records
    • the full RIC service records were taken to the Home Office 1922
    • original register is now [PRO.UK] Home Office Records, H.O. 184, our George is in vol.1
    • microfilmed by [LDS] film no. 085 6057, our George is on p.44, no.560
    • copy of this in [NAI]
    • copy in [SOG] microfiche IR/GEN/73963/1-8

  • RIC List, 1840 to 1922
    • [BL] - complete set
    • [GM]
      • complete on microfilm
      • incomplete on paper - 1840-7, 1851-5, 1867, 1869, 1880-1, 1884, and others later
    • [NLI] - incomplete
      • 1840-5, [NLI] Ir 3522 R 8
      • 1844-7, [NLI] J 3522
      • 1857, 1876-9, 1881-1919, [NLI] Ir 3522 R 8
    • [RUC]
      • incomplete - 1840-50, 1859-1908, and others later, [RUC] 1995.002
      • also has a 1836 Constabulary List as Ms

  • RIC Return of men Rewarded, Dismissed, Disrated and Fined (1848-72), [GM] M.169
    • might be different version in [TCD], (todo) see

  • RIC pensions
    • RIC pensions (1873 on) and death list is PMG 48 in [PRO.UK]
    • RIC pensions, Ireland tracts vol.1, [SOG] IR/G 164

  • The Royal Irish Constabulary: A Short History and Genealogical Guide, Jim Herlihy, 1997.
  • The Royal Irish Constabulary: A Complete Alphabetical List of Officers and Men, 1816-1922, Jim Herlihy, 1999, [KCL] RR 351.74.

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • "Gravestone Inscriptions, Killeshin, Sleaty, Graiguecullen, Mayo, Arles, Doonane, Castletown, Rathaspick, Shrule, Rathnure with historical notes", Paul Redmond, J.P.F. Print, Stradbally, Co. Laois, 1997.

he joined the County Constabulary 1st Sept 1828 [RIC records, no.560],
see his RIC record,
the County Constabulary later became the Irish Constabulary, then the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC),
he joined the rank and file (non-commissioned), below the officers (cadet school, commissioned), he would have started as some class of Sub-Constable,
age given as 21 (no need to lie since you could join at age 19),
height - 5 ft 9 in (minimum acceptable height), trade or calling - "none",
members of the police were forbidden to belong to "any political society whatsoever, or to any secret society whatsoever, except the Society of Freemasons",
he was recommended by "A. Blennerhassett, J.P.",
he had to be personally known to his recommender, who could be from various categories, including a local J.P., i.e. Cashel must be from same area as A. Blennerhassett,
the letter of recommendation would have been in his RIC personnel file, which would have been destroyed,

would have been in training for about 6 months first, 1828-9,
stationed Co.Waterford, c.1st Mar 1829,
note you were not allowed serve in your home county (Co.Kerry),

stationed Co.Tipperary, S.R., 1st Nov 1833, must be in or around Mullinahone, where he met his wife, note you were forbidden to marry until after 7 yrs service (1835), the County Constabulary became the Irish Constabulary 1836, mar 6 Feb 1838 to Mary Kickham [born est c.1815, she would have to have been vetted by the police, but of course the Kickhams weren't revolutionaries at this point], also not supposed to serve in your wife's home county (Co.Tipperary) - but he lived and served in and around her home town for many years, he was a Catholic from a recent mixed Catholic-Protestant background, and it seems that she was a Catholic from a recent mixed Catholic-Protestant background, their child was born at most 7 ½ months later, this is within the bounds of premature births, or alternatively she could have been already pregnant at marriage, must be stationed at first at Mullinahone itself, since in 1838-44 his children are bapt at Mullinahone, he was promoted to Constable 20th May 1839, document ref 2942 - P - 1934, moved post-1844 from Mullinahone to nearby Lismolin, [RIC List] only starts listing the names of the Constables in charge of small stations with [RIC List, 1846, 2nd half], in [RIC List, 1846, 2nd half] to [RIC List, 1854, 2nd half] he is listed as the Constable in charge of Lismolin police station, at Lismolin (or Lismalin), Lismalin par, NW of Mullinahone (see map), in 1846-48 his children are bapt at Drangan RC parish church, W of Mullinahone (though Lismolin is Ballingarry RC parish), he is noted in par records as Constable at Lismolin, in the 1840s his wife's Kickham relations became increasingly nationalist, in 1848 his wife's relation Charles Joseph Kickham took part in an armed rising against the state that Cashel, as a policeman, was defending, it seems he kept property in Mullinahone, "George Cashel" is listed in [Griffiths Valuation, Nov 1850] as the lessor (landlord) of a house (listed as vacant) at 63 Carrick St, Mullinahone, Co.Tipperary, moved from Lismolin back to Mullinahone, in [RIC List, 1855, 1st half] to [RIC List, 1858, 1st half] he is listed as the Constable in charge of Mullinahone police station, the head quarters of Mullinahone district, in the Jan-Mar quarter of 1856 he is listed among those rewarded by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for assistance in the prosecution of the sale of unlicensed spirits, document ref A 33402 - 3021 [RIC rewards, etc.], wonder how he got on with his wife's relation Charles Joseph Kickham, who became an increasingly prominent enemy of the state - perhaps this was why he left Co.Tipperary in 1858, it is interesting that within a generation, in his son Blen's time, the family had become nationalist and even republican,

stationed Co.Wexford 1st Mar 1858,
promoted to 2nd class Head Constable (nearly highest rank below officers) 1st Mar 1858, document ref 68868 - 10078,
in [RIC List, 1858, 2nd half] he is listed at Ferns police station, Ferns, Co.Wexford, though he is not listed as the Constable in charge of the station,

stationed Co.Carlow, 1st Nov 1858, transfer document reference A - 64363 - 3901,
in [RIC List, 1859, 1st half] to [RIC List, 1859, 2nd half] he is listed as the Constable in charge of Leighlinbridge police station, Leighlinbridge, Agha par, Co.Carlow,
in [RIC List, 1860, 1st half] to [RIC List, 1867, 1st half] he is listed as the Constable in charge of Bagenalstown police station, Bagenalstown, Dunleckny par, Co.Carlow, the head quarters of Bagenalstown district,
Mary prob. died pre-1861 [see Edward's civil war letter], maybe died before family left Co.Tipperary 1858,
under "Rewards, Marks of Distinction and Favourable Records" in his RIC record is a hard to read entry, something like: "2nd Sheet" with document reference "B - 12312 - 3003" or similar,
under "Punishments" in his RIC record is "Reprimanded and Removed", document reference 68868 - 8414,
he was pensioned 1st Feb 1867 (perhaps at 60th birthday), document ref A - 74 899 - 4795 or similar, no injuries received in course of duty over entire career,
he retired just before the Irish Constabulary was prominent in the suppression of the Fenian Rising of Mar 1867,
in [RIC List, 1867, 2nd half] he is gone,
Irish Constabulary became Royal Irish Constabulary Sept 1867,

wrote letter c.Jan 1869 to William Kickham, dated from Buttevant, NC Co.Cork (where his son William Henry Cashel was stationmaster),
listed as "George Blennerhassett Cashel, gentleman" at his son Blen's mar 1869 [GROI],
not listed in [RIC pensions] 1878-9,
described as "Constabulary Pensioner" at death [NAI],

died Wed 21st June 1882, Railway Station, Carlow town (his son William's house) [GROI], age 75 yrs,
listed as "George S. Cashel", age 72, in Irish Times, Fri 23 June 1882, and in Freeman's Journal, 23 June 1882, [NLI] microfilm,
listed as "George S. Cashel" in [Carlow Sentinel, Sat 24th June, [BL.NL] M 4557] and [Carlow Independent, Sat 24th June, [BL.NL] M 20167],
no notice of death found in Kerry Evening Post, [KCL] RR microfilm, 21st June - 5th July,
funeral Fri 23 June from Carlow Cathedral,
bur Killeshin, Killeshin par, SE Queen's Co. (Co.Laois or Co.Leix) (just across border from Carlow town), (todo) find grave,
this would be Killeshin RC Old, or Killeshin RC New (Holy Cross, built pre-1882),
no inscription apparently found in a 1984 survey of these graveyards,
will pr 21st Sept 1882 at Principal Registry, Dublin, by his son William [NAI], definitely burnt in Four Courts 1922,
had issue (all Catholic):

1. Agnes Cashel,
   Agnes Mary,
   bapt 21 Sept 1838 [Mullinahone RC par records], sp William Armstrong and Sarah Kickham, NOT Sara,
   "Grandfather Cashel's only sister" [Pat Lavelle],
   some of Pat Lavelle's notes have her as "Mary", but bapt and mar [GROI] have her as "Agnes",
   and her brother Edward's letter of 1864 apparently says "I'll send Agnes some papers in a day or two" (think my transcript is incomplete), (todo) scan original,
   living Buttevant, Buttevant par, NC Co.Cork (where her brother William Henry Cashel was stationmaster), at mar,
   mar 25th Apr 1870, Lisgriffin RC church, Buttevant par, NC Co.Cork [GROI],
   to David Sheahan and had issue.

   
   

2. Edward Francis Cashel,
   Edward, born Co.Tipperary,
   bapt 14 June 1840 [Mullinahone RC par records], sp Edward Kickham and Sarah Kickham,
   [his U.S. Army pension records] say born 20 July 1840,
   [US Census, 1900] says born July 1840,
   named after his grandfather Edward Francis Kickham,
   fought in American Civil War,
   one of the very first U.S. settlers in Alaska.

   
   

3. William Henry Cashel, born Co.Tipperary,
   bapt 16 Nov 1844 [Mullinahone RC par records], sp Richard Armstrong and Ellen Manning(?),
   stationmaster on Great Southern and Western Railway,
   stationmaster at Buttevant, Co.Cork, as at 1869,
   [Irish Times, October 23, 1869] reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea and the officers of the 81st Regiment presented "a massive gold ring" to "William Henry Cashell", the stationmaster at Buttevant, Co.Cork, for his help in transporting the regiment by rail, "for his civility and readiness on all occasions to oblige anyone belonging to the regiment whilst stationed at Buttevant", ring bore inscription and date Oct 1869,
   wit his sister's wedding 1870,
   station master at Parsonstown (now Birr), Co.Offaly, up to 1877,
   became station master at Carlow 1877,
   [Freeman's Journal, 10 Aug 1877, p.5 centre, [NLI] microfilm] reports William Henry's move from the railway station at Parsonstown to Carlow, and his replacement at Parsonstown by his brother Blennerhassett,
   stationmaster, living Railway Station, Carlow town, as at father's death 1882 [GROI], [NAI],
   didn't marry, took to drink, seems to have lost job, listed as "ex-stationmaster" at death,
   will dated 22nd Sept 1890, transcript of will survives in Limerick will book, [NAI] 4 218 45, p.300, but very short, leaves all property to his brother Blen, Blen also sole executor,
   will witnessed by "Patrick L. Aherne", Mater Hospital, Dublin (perhaps he was receiving treatment there?),
   committed suicide, 28th Oct 1891, Croom, Co.Limerick, age 46 yrs,
   searched Limerick Chronicle 29th Oct, not found,
   findings of inquest: "suffocation caused by a self-inflicted wound in his throat whilst in a state of temporary insanity - suicide" [GROI],
   will pr at Limerick, 21st Nov 1891, by his brother Blen [NAI].

   
   

4. Charles Cashel,
   Charles is Kickham family name,
   bapt 30 Nov 1846 [Drangan RC par records], sp John Vaughan and Joanna Flannory.

   
   

5. Blennerhassett Cashel,
   "Blen", born Co.Tipperary,
   bapt 18 June 1848 [Drangan RC par records], sp Matt Mursen(?) and Ally(?) Mullally(?),
   looks like "Blennard" in bapt register.

   
   

Mullinahone

Think this is 63 Carrick St, Mullinahone (unconfirmed).
Photo 2008. See larger and full size.
See other shot.

Carlow railway station

Carlow railway station.
Photo 2007. Light adjusted digitally. See larger and original.
See other shot light adjusted and original.

The RIC

Timeline of national police force 1814 Peace Preservation Force 1822 County Constabulary enforced collection of Protestant Tithes from Catholics in Tithe War 1836 Irish Constabulary armed opposed Young Irelanders opposed Fenians 1867 Royal Irish Constabulary assisted evictions in Land War heavy casualties in War of Independence 1922 in south, disbanded, and Gardai formed in north, became RUC

• RIC and RUC

The other "George Cashell" in the RIC

• George Cashell, born 1813, Co.Kerry, Catholic,
  enlisted in County Constabulary 8 Jan 1833, age 20 [LDS microfilm of RIC records, p.130, no.1521],
  trade or calling "none", recommended by "Denis Mahony", Protestant clergyman,
  see his RIC record,
  spent all his service in "Cork W",
  re-appointed 12 Sept 1837,
  RIC records list him as married "Circular 20 Dec 1838", wife from "Cork W",
  promoted to 1st class sub-constable, 1 Mar 1839,
  promoted to constable, 1 Oct 1848,
  pensioned 21 June 1866, after 33 yrs 6 months of service.

• Henry Cashel,
  mar Sarah Slattery and had issue:
  1. George Cashel, bapt 27th Sept 1813 [Tralee RC par records].

Must be the same as:

• George Cashell, born 1810,
  mar Julia ----- [born 1802],
  must be George Cashel who mar 4th Feb 1837 [him age 27, her age 35] to Julia Murphy [Kilmurry, Co.Cork RC par records],
  settled Dernagree (or Derrinagree), Dromtarriff par, NE Co.Cork,
  described as "ex-policeman" at his son John's mar Nov 1866,
  Julia died 18th Apr 1884, Dernagree, age 82 yrs [GROI],
  described as "ex-sergeant, RIC" at death,
  he died 11th Feb 1893, Dernagree, age 83 yrs [GROI],
  had issue:
  1. John Cashell, born 1837,
     teacher, of Dernagree,
     mar 6th Nov 1866, Catholic church, Dernagree [GROI], to Mary Shanly [or Mary Anne, or Marianne, born 1840, dau of Edward Shanly, banker], she is listed as also teacher, of Dernagree, at mar,
     he died Dernagree, 11th Dec 1904, age 67 yrs [GROI],
     she died Dernagree, 15th Jan 1925, age 85 yrs [GROI],
     had among other issue:
     1. George Cashell, reported father's death early 1905.

  (todo) For more on this family see BMD of this area indexed in [O'Kief].

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