My ancestors - Cashel - Contents

Jack Riordan

Jack Riordan.
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Jack Riordan,
John, born 28 Jan 1873.
At home in 1901 census. He is "accountant".
He worked for the Cork Harbour Commissioners from before 1904 until 1944.
He is listed as "clerk", living Ivera, Western Rd, Cork, at marriage 1904.
See address to him on his marriage from staff at the Cork Harbour Commissioners.

They are living 5 Cathedral Place, Cork (see map) at son's birth 1905. He is listed as "accountant".
Living 5 Highfield Ave, Cork (see map) at son's birth 1906. He is listed as "accountant".
Living 5 Windsor Villas, Highfield Ave, Cork, at son's birth 1908. He is apparently listed as "Clerk".
They are listed in 1911 census as living Spital-lands townland, St.Nicholas' par, Cork city. This is now the SC suburbs, the area around St.Joseph's cemetery (see modern map). In census, Jack is listed as "Assistant Dues Collector, Harbour Board". They have 1 servant living with them.
They are shown in 1913 postcard at Strand Cottage, Clash, Little Island, Co.Cork. (This would be Clash Road on Little Island just outside Cork. See map.)
See documents about a gift of stock to her from her brother-in-law James O'Mara in Mar 1916: p.1 and p.2 and p.3.
They moved to 13 Myrtle Hill Terrace, Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork.

1916-23 period and the MacSwiney's:
Kathleen and her sister Alice Cashel were great friends with the Cork republican family, the MacSwiney's. This family may be relations of their stepmother Marion McSwiney.
Terence MacSwiney was elected TD for Mid Cork in 1918 for the First Dail (in which Kathleen and Al's brother-in-law James O'Mara sat).
The Riordan house at 13 Myrtle Hill Terrace was one of Terence MacSwiney's safe houses when he was on the run in 1919-20 during the War of Independence. Through the attic window you could get out onto the cliff above the house.
Terence MacSwiney was elected Lord Mayor of Cork in Mar 1920. He was arrested. He died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison, Oct 1920 after 74 days (longest hunger strike in history).

Jack was Collector of Dues (or Collector of Rates) at Cork Harbour 1929 to 1944.
Listed as "Cork Harbour Board official" at son's mar 1938.
He retired from staff of Cork Harbour Commissioners in Sept 1944.

Kathleen dies, 1947:
She stayed sometimes at her sister Agnes O'Mara's house, The Grove, Killiney, Co.Dublin, when in ill-health in 1940s.
She died at her sister's house, The Grove, Killiney, 7 May 1947, age 74 yrs. See death in [GROI].
See item in Cork Examiner, May 10, 1947.
See mass card and notes.
She was bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork (where her parents are buried, but she is not bur with them).

Jack dies, 1949:
He died at his home, 13 Myrtle Hill Terrace, 7 Aug 1949, age 76 yrs.
See obituary and mass card and notes.
See telegram of sympathy on 8 Aug 1949 from Fr. O'Mara.
He was bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork.
Jack and Kathleen had issue:

1. Jim Riordan,
   James St.John Mary Riordan,
   born 25 June 1905, 5 Cathedral Place, Cork [GROI].

   
   

2. Cashel Riordan,
   Cashel John Mary Riordan,
   born 13 Dec 1906, 5 Highfield Ave, Cork, NOT 1907, see birth in [GROI].
   Letter of July 1908 from Patricia O'Mara on holiday in Kilkee, Co.Clare, says: "Aunt Katty and her sons are here."

   
   

3. Jack Riordan,
   John Blennerhassett Mary Riordan, Johnny,
   born 17 Aug 1908, 5 Windsor Villas, Highfield Ave, Cork, see birth in [GROI].
   Played in Munster schools rugby. Captained CBC Cork.
   He was manager, Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) bacon factory, Tralee, Co.Kerry.
   He mar Peggy Culnan [Peg, from Dungarvan, Co.Waterford], no issue.
   He was President of CWS Sports Club, Tralee.
   He was an Urban District Councillor. Newspaper at death 1955 says he was "elected a member of the Tralee Urban Council at the recent local elections".
   He lived Racecourse Road, Tralee, living there at death 1955.
   Listed at death as "Manager of Bacon Factory".
   Jack died, 1955:
   He died at Tralee, 13 July 1955, of coronary thrombosis, age 46 yrs [GROI].
   He collapsed on steps of Tralee courthouse, Ashe St, Tralee, and died shortly after at a doctor's surgery nearby on Ashe St.
   See item in Cork Examiner, July 14, 1955.
   See death notice in Irish Press, July 14, 1955.
   Funeral from Ballinlough Church, Cork. See mass card.
   He was bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork with parents.
   (The CWS factory in Tralee closed 1971. It did NOT become part of Denny's.)
   Peggy lived Racecourse Road, Tralee.
   Peggy died, 1999:
   She died 6 Dec 1999.
   She was bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork.

Jack Riordan (would be RHS).
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Jack and Kathleen and two of the boys.
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(Left to Right): Jack Riordan, his nieces Sheila and Eithne O'Mara, and a "Father Shanley".
Photo at Cashel.

 
(Left) Jack Riordan. See larger and full size.
(Right) Kathleen Cashel. See larger and full size.

Wedding ring of Jack Riordan and Kathleen Cashel, date 1904.
Inscribed: "J. K. April 30, '04".
Photo 2016. See full size.
See other shot and other shot.

1913 postcard from Kathleen's nephew Steen O'Mara to "Aunt Kate" in Co.Cork.
Postmarked from Norwood, London S.E. (The O'Maras lived at "Dunlica" in nearby Dulwich.)
See full size.

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Cork Harbour photos

W.T. Cosgrave (far left) and Jack Riordan (2nd from right) at some Cork Harbour meeting or inspection.
Would be when W.T. was in office in 1922-1932.
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Inspection of Cork Harbour, July 1929.
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W.T. Cosgrave is front, seated, 3rd from LHS.
Jack Riordan is middle row, towards the RHS.

Inspection of Cork Harbour, July 1934.
See larger and full size.
Jack Riordan is no.6 (centre LHS) on guide.
His son Jim Riordan is no.37 (RHS centre).

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Riordan grave, St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork

Riordan grave, St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork.
Location: Go in gate, sharp left, go along by wall, up to the end. Nearly at the end, turn right, grave is on left.

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Sources yet to be consulted

• Cork Harbour Commissioners records at Cork Archives.