My ancestors - Nolan - Contents

Dr. Agnes Nolan

Dr. Agnes Nolan in 1919.
From below photo.

Dr. Agnes Nolan,
bapt 7 Aug 1890.
Her father was the doctor at Shanagolden, Co.Limerick.
She became a doctor, like her father.
She was educ UCD.

Breach of promise:
While a student she became engaged to Dr. William Hederman of Croom, who worked with her father in Shanagolden. But he decided not to marry her, and, in a case strange to modern ears, she sued him for breach of promise at the Nisi Prius Court in Dublin. She got £275 compensation in Oct 1914. It was in the newspapers. Some relations did not approve of her suing.
She never did marry.

Agnes was attached to Coombe Hospital, Dublin, as at June 1919.
She graduated as MB, B.Ch., B.A.O. in 1920 [NUI, 1964]. She was LRCPI and LRCSI.
She was called to attend Tim Madigan after he was shot, Dec 1920, present at his death.
She worked with her father at Shanagolden.
Her father died 1922.
She succeeded her father as GP at Shanagolden.
Lived Elm Ville, Shanagolden.
She wit her sister Kitty's mar 1923.
"Dr. Agnes Nolan" is listed as niece of Julia Nolan at her funeral 1926.
"Dr. Agnes Nolan, of Shanagolden" is listed as cousin (should be dau of cousin) of Rev. Mortimer McCoy at his funeral 1927.
She is listed as Medical Officer at Shanagolden in [Thom's, 1931, p.1072].
Dr. Agnes Nolan, Elm Ville, Shanagolden, listed as cousin of Mary Nolan at her funeral 1935.
Her separated sister Kitty lived with her at Elm Ville.
Death, 1963:
Living Elm Ville at death 1963. She is medical doctor, "retired".
She died 23 Oct 1963, age 73 yrs, at St.John's Hospital, Limerick.
See death cert from here.
She would be bur in Shanagolden town graveyard with parents (named on grave).

Dr. William Hederman in the medical directory on p.909 of [Thom's, 1914].
He is the only Dr. Hederman at that time.

Item about the breach of promise case.
From Evening Herald, October 28, 1914, p.3.
There is a strange AI-generated version of this at limerickarchives.com, which uses AI to make stories.

Dr. Agnes Nolan (back row, centre) with the staff of the Coombe Hospital, Dublin, June 1919.
See full size.

Extract from medical directory on p.982 of [Thom's, 1921].
Lists Agnes' father (died 1922) but does not list her.

Extract from medical directory on p.983 of [Thom's, 1926].
This is the first year that it lists Agnes.

Women In Medicine in Ireland Network (WIMIN)
- Profile of Dr. Agnes Nolan, 2025, in their "Sunday WIMIN" profiles.