Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Cashel House on Cashel Bay was built 1850 (or poss. 1840).
It was bought by leading Sinn Fein politician James O'Mara
as a summer home, Aug 1919.
James had noticed it earlier while living at
Barfield near Galway city.
A photo of it exists in the family 1918 but they were
not living there yet.
James liked it partly because his wife's name was Cashel
(no connection).
James O'Mara went to the US in Oct 1919, was there until 1921.
His wife's sister, the Sinn Fein activist
Alice Cashel
stayed with James' wife and children at Cashel House 1919-21.
Alice Cashel attracted the suspicion of the authorities and
Cashel House
was
raided by the British in April 1920.
Alice Cashel
was arrested.
Cashel House
was
raided a few more times in 1920.
The Conacher twins
died there 1922.
Dick Humphreys courted James' daughter Eithne O'Mara there
(they married 1929).
The
house had beautiful gardens,
tennis and croquet lawns,
and
its own boathouse and private harbour for boating on Cashel Bay
(deep sea fishing, cultivation of oysters).
James O'Mara died 1948.
His family sold the house 1952 (or poss. 1951).
There is a leaflet
(and p.2)
putting the house up for sale,
price £15,000
(about £1m in
today's money),
but directing queries to James O'Mara at
The Grove, Killiney.
Perhaps he was organising the sale before he died,
but it didn't go through?
Cashel House was purchased by the Browne-Claytons 1952,
who entertained
Harold Macmillan
(Prime Minister 1957-63)
there.
See BROWNE-CLAYTON in
[Burkes Irish, 1976].
Cashel House was purchased by Dermot and Kay McEvilly, 1967.
They
opened it as the luxury
"Cashel House Hotel" 1968.
The French wartime leader
Charles de Gaulle
and his wife
spent holiday there, May 1969
(just before he died).
The McEvillys still run it as "Cashel House Hotel" today.
They have added a tasteful extension at back.
Cashel House
on 1887 to 1913 map.
Cashel House before the extensions.
Painting on display at Cashel House Hotel. Photo 2012.
See larger
and full size.
See other shot
and other shot.
Cashel House, (stuck in album) 1922.
Cashel House, the gardens, think c.1922.
Cashel House, Aug 1924.
Eileen and Una.
See larger
and full size
and other shot.
Cashel House.
See larger
and full size.
Cashel House, 1927.
Eithne and the
Conacher boys.
Cashel House letterhead on letter of
25 June 1927.
See
full size.
Cashel House.
See larger
and full size.
Cashel House, prob. c.1930.
Cashel House, 1936.
See full size.
Cashel House, 1937.
See full size.
Cashel House, 1938.
The Lavelle children:
Ruarie, James, Una and Paddy Lavelle.
(The youngest here, James, was born 1932.)
See larger
and full size.
See other copy.
Cashel House.
See larger
and original.
Cashel House.
See larger
and original.
Cashel House, c.1940.
Cashel House, think c.1947.
Cashel House, think c.1947.
Cashel House for sale when James O'Mara was alive (before 1948).
Though not sold until after he died.
Sold in 1952 (or poss. 1951).
See alternative
and full size
and original.
And p.2 of leaflet.
Plaque commemorating the de Gaulle visit of 1969, Cashel House.
From Cashel House Hotel.
Used with permission.
Sign to the "De Gaulle seat", Cashel House.
From Cashel House Hotel.
Used with permission.
Cashel House postcard.
See larger
and full size.
From P133/2/14.
Cashel House, c.1970s.
See larger
and original.
Painting of Cashel House.
On display at Cashel House Hotel. Photo 2012.
See larger
and full size.
See 2016 photo.
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