My ancestors - O'Mara - Contents

Dr. Alec Spain

Alec Spain.
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Dr. Alec Spain,
Alex W. Spain, born 22 Sept 1897, Cashel, Co.Tipperary.
He is possible descendant of Edward III if (but seems unlikely) his Colclough line descends from Colclough of Tintern Abbey.
He was educ Christian Brothers, Cashel, Co.Tipperary.
Family moved back to Dublin.
He was educ Blackrock College 1908-1915.
Played rugby for Blackrock:

He captained the JCT team. Won JCT 1911 and 1912.
He captained the SCT team. Won SCT. (This must be the 1915 win.)
He played for the Leinster Schools XV.

He was educ UCD. BA 1918.
Studied for priesthood, but left.

Studied medicine:
Started studying medicine in UCD 1919.
President of UCD Students Council 1920.
Played rugby for UCD. Captain of UCD rugby club. Captain in 1924 when they won Leinster Club Senior Cup (see photo in Belfield House, UCD). Later he was President of the club.
Gynaecologist. MB, B.Ch., B.A.O., UCD 1924 [NUI, 1964].
Played rugby for Ireland against New Zealand, in Dublin, 1 Nov 1924, during the famous New Zealand tour of 1924-25, when New Zealand won everything.
Worked Mater Hospital, Dublin, as at 1925.
Assistant Master of Holles St Hospital (National Maternity Hospital), Dublin, 1926-1927 [plaque in hall].
M.A.O. NUI 1929, MRCOG 1929.
At mar he is living 31 Lower Baggot St, Dublin.

He mar 30 July 1929 to Eileen O'Mara [Eibhlin, born 7 Aug 1903].
She was descendant through Blennerhassett of Edward III.

They lived 31 Lower Baggot St, Dublin, where Alec started a private practice.
Working Mater Hospital again as at 1938.
President of Blackrock College Union 1938.
Master of Holles St Hospital 1942-1948: He was Master of Holles St Hospital 1942-1948 [plaque inside door].
Became FRCOG.
Lived and had practice in 20 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin [NOT 18].
[Thom's, 1945, p.1802a] lists him with houses at 20 Fitzwilliam Square South and Faitealan, Carrick Hill, Malahide, N Co.Dublin.

Retired from medicine:
He had to retire from medicine with health issues. Probably in 1948. He suffered from paralysis problems, a progressive injury dating from getting injured in the New Zealand rugby match of 1924.
Went back to live in Cashel, Co.Tipperary, for some years, having bought the Mullins shop.
In 1954 Eileen opened an antiques shop next to Mullins' in Cashel.
They moved back to Dublin, but continued to run the Cashel business for a time.
Lived Elm Lawn, Sandyford Rd, Dundrum. (Georgian house close to Dundrum Main St crossroads. This is now FlyeFit Gym. See modern street view.)
See 1962 article about the Cashel shop. This says they are living in Dundrum but still running the shop in Cashel, and also an antiques shop in Killarney.
Eileen opened an antiques shop in Ranelagh, Co.Dublin. See 1968 article about her Ranelagh shop. The Cashel antiques shop is now gone.
They are listed at Elm Lawn, Dundrum, in [Thom's, 1973].

In later years the two of them were in a nursing home, Our Lady's Manor, Bullock Harbour, Dalkey, Co.Dublin.
He died at Our Lady's Manor, 24 Feb 1983, age 85 yrs. (NOT 1982.)
See death notice in Irish Times, Fri 25 Feb 1983.
Funeral Sat 26 Feb 1983. He was bur at Dean's Grange Cemetery.
See obituary in Irish Times, 5 May 1983.
Eileen died 20 Mar 1988, age 84 yrs.
Alec and Eileen had issue:

Anne Spain.
Alex Spain.
Paddy Spain.
He mar Mary Binchy.
They had issue:
1. Patrick Spain, mar Cecilia Barry and had issue:
  1. Alexandra Spain.
  2. Christiane Spain.
2. Eddie Spain, mar Karen Loftus and had issue:
  1. Jack Spain.
  2. Harry Spain.
  3. Edward Spain.
3. Alexandra Spain, mar Rob ---- and had issue:
  1. Laura ----.
  2. Daniel ----.
4. Benedicte Spain, mar Barry White and had issue:
  1. Ben White.
  2. Paul White.
  3. Anna White.
Stephen Spain.
Ellen Spain.
She mar Raymond Davern and had issue.
Malachi Spain.

Alec and Eileen's wedding, July 1929.
See larger. See full size with names of people.
Back LHS includes: Steen, Eithne (who married in Sept 1929), Moll O'Sullivan.
Back RHS includes: Jim Riordan, Jack Riordan and their mother Kat.
Centre RHS includes: Fr. Paddy O'Mara, James O'Mara.
See other copy. See other copy.

Alec and Eileen's wedding, 1929.

Nameplate of Dr. Alex Spain.
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See other shot.

Portraits

Portrait of Alec Spain, by David Hone, 1969.
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Portrait of Alec Spain.
Among portraits of the Masters in Holles St Hospital.
Photo 2021. See full size.
See label.

Unveiling of portrait of Alec Spain at Holles St Hospital.
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See back.

Portrait of Eileen O'Mara, by David Hone.
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See wider shot.
See what appears to be a copy of the original.

References

"On road from Cashel...", Barbara Page, Evening Herald, 5 May 1962.
"The Boom In antiques", Renagh Holohan, The Irish Times, 7 Aug 1968, p.6.

Sources yet to be consulted

"Alex Spain: The Sporting Master" by John M. Stronge.

"A beautiful maiden - God knows why
Thought of me as quite a 'Guy'
Before her gaze I was weak as water
And so was wed with an O'Mara daughter."
- From a poem written by Alec to Eileen on their 40th anniversary, 1969.