Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Dick Lavelle,
There was a story during the War of Independence:
In Nov 1920,
Dick McKee,
Commandant of the Dublin Brigade IRA,
asked Dick Lavelle
if he knew anywhere a load of explosives could be hidden.
Steen O'Mara arranged that
they could be hidden in stables of O'Mara house in
Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin.
But a few days later McKee was arrested and shot without trial (21st Nov 1920)
in the reprisals on
Bloody Sunday.
No one collected the explosives. They survived a British search.
They were not found until one morning in Feb 1922,
long after Steen and Pat's father James O'Mara
returned from the US.
He was furious.
Dick graduated MB, BCh, BAO in 1923 (age 29).
He
didn't get married until he got his first job, 1924.
He
mar 2 Jan 1924 to Patricia O'Mara [Pat,
born 23 July 1898].
She was
descendant
through Blennerhassett
of Edward III.
His first job, 1924, was as dispensary doctor,
Ballyhaise,
Co.Cavan.
In 1926 (or 1928)
he became doctor in Letterfrack,
Connemara, Co.Galway.
They lived
Garraunbaun House, Connemara, Co.Galway
(a fine Georgian-style house,
5 miles from Letterfrack).
Even after they left, they kept Garraunbaun House as a summer house,
went back for years afterwards.
In 1934 (or 1935)
he became doctor in Ballinasloe, E Co.Galway.
Lived at 5 Mt Pleasant Ave, Ballinasloe.
Despite moving around the country, all children were born in Dublin (where Pat's family was) in 1924 to 1939.
In 1942 they finally moved to Dublin.
From 1942 on,
Dick was dispensary doctor, living at Ardnagreine (or Ard na Greine, or Ardnagreina, or Ard na Greina),
Castleknock, Co.Dublin.
Listed there in
[Thom's, 1944].
Listed as "Medical Officer of Health".
They
finally sold
Garraunbaun House
1945.
Living "Verona" as at 1963.
Dick died 5th May 1963, age 69 yrs.
He was bur Glasnevin,
beside James O'Mara grave.
See street view.
De Valera was at funeral.
Pat was living "Verona" as at 1965.
Listed there at death.
She died 8 Apr 1966 [death cert], age 67 yrs,
at the Richmond Hospital, part of St.Laurence's Hospital, Dublin.
John Lavelle thought died 6 Apr.
See death cert
from here.
She was bur Glasnevin.
De Valera was at funeral.
Dick and Pat
had issue:
Another
4 generations photo at Ruaire's birth, 1924.
Mary Anne Joyner,
Delia McGough,
Dick Lavelle,
Ruaire Lavelle.
See full size.
See version also including Pat.
Grave of Pat and Dick Lavelle, Glasnevin. Photo 2006.
See full size.
Photo courtesy of Richard Humphreys.
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