Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Dr. Frank O'Mara,
He was
MD,
LAH (Licentiate of Apothecaries Hall),
LRCPI,
LRCSI.
He registered his brother-in-law
Tom Ray's death 1892.
He was then living 12 Cecil St, Limerick.
He worked as assistant in Limerick mental hospital.
Listed as Assistant Medical Officer,
Limerick County Lunatic Asylum, Limerick, in
[Thoms, 1893].
"Dr. O'Mara" wrote from The Asylum, Limerick,
to the
Catholic Institute, Limerick,
asking to borrow chairs for an event to be held on 14 Feb 1893.
See their meeting of 3 Feb 1893.
Very lively youth, was remembered for years afterwards.
Finally settled down and married.
Listed as living Limerick at mar.
|
He
mar [think 14] Nov 1894
to Mary Plunkett [Cis, born Co.Dublin, 1867,
dau of James Plunkett, merchant].
Her family was meant to be of Co.Meath, though she was born Co.Dublin. She is listed as living 3 Le Bas Terrace, Rathmines, Co.Dublin, at mar. Her brother was Alderman Ambrose Plunkett, solicitor in Dublin. He sp bapt of Dorothy 1898. Think he left Mary a lot of money. Frank and Mary mar at Church of Our Lady of Refuge, Rathmines, Co.Dublin [GROI]. |
"F. O'Mara M.D." is on organising committee of
Grand Ball to celebrate 700 years of Limerick,
28 Dec 1897.
Frank was
living Limerick District Asylum when Dorothy born 1898.
He is listed as
Assistant Medical Officer, Limerick District Asylum.
Older children born Limerick.
Moved to Ennis, Co.Clare, 1898-99.
Younger children born Co.Clare.
Head of Ennis Asylum (later Clare Mental Hospital), at least 1899 to 1935:
He was head of the District Lunatic Asylum, Ennis, Co.Clare
(founded 1868, some distance N of town centre).
He was RMS (Regional Medical Superintendent).
Head doctor. He ran the Asylum.
They actually lived in the Asylum.
Living quarters were in middle of the building.
Apartment just inside hall door on LHS.
They also had a large domestic staff - composed of the more competent inmates.
Asylum had its own garden/farm.
Lot of food grown there.
Dr. Harry Counihan (junior)
says he hadn't large salary, but they "lived like Dukes".
Frank
registered his father's
death 1899.
He is listed as living at Ennis Asylum
[GROI].
Though probate of his father's will granted to
"Frank O'Mara of Mulgrave St, Limerick, MD" 1899
[NAI].
He was
living at Ennis Asylum when twins born there 1900,
he is "Resident Medical Superintendant".
They are
listed
at Ennis Asylum
in
[Census, 31 Mar 1901].
He is "Resident Medical Superintendant-Physician-Surgeon".
Her widowed mother living (or at least staying) with them.
Thomas Ray
also with them.
They have 3 domestic servants.
He was at funeral of
Dr. David Humphreys
in 1903.
[PAT/1, p.11 and p.12]
says that once in their living quarters at the Asylum:
"The nurse in charge of the children was feeding the baby its bottle
when she observed with horror a maniacal lunatic under the bed with a knife in her hand.
The silly girl flung the baby on the bed and ran out shrieking to find Aunt Cis,
and it was she who walked back to the bedroom and picked up her baby as if nothing had disturbed her
and quietly turned the key in the door as she went out".
Letter of July 1908
from Patricia O'Mara
on holiday in Kilkee, Co.Clare,
says: "The Ennis cousins came down today. The twins came a couple of days ago."
They were
living at Ennis Asylum when dau married in 1915.
He is "Resident Medical Superintendant".
Their family was very Establishment.
They were
Catholic, would have voted Home Rule,
but had no time for militant Nationalists.
Their daughters married members of the British Army in Ireland.
[PAT/1, p.12]
says:
"Politically, Dad"
[James O'Mara, Frank's nephew]
"and he were as the poles apart. Uncle Frank's outlook was frankly
a West Briton one".
Living at Ennis Asylum when dau mar 1922.
He is "Resident Medical Superintendant".
Mary died 1926-1946. She died many years before he did.
He is listed as Resident Medical Superintendant,
Clare Mental Hospital, Ennis, in
[Thom's, 1929] and
[Thom's, 1935, p.880].
Not listed any more (retired) in
[Thom's, 1939, p.829].
He was oldest RMO (Regional Medical Officer) in Ireland when retired 1935-1939.
"Toomevara", Ennis:
Dr. Frank had lived at the asylum.
When he retired, he needed a house.
He built
"Toomevara", Victoria Road, Ennis
(thus spelt).
Probably built late 1930s.
Despite their political differences
he was good friends with his nephew James O'Mara.
In old age he used go fishing in Connemara
during summer with James.
Frank dies, 1946:
He died 7 Dec 1946, age 84 yrs,
at his house
"Toomevara", Ennis.
See death cert
from here.
See death notice
in
Irish Independent, December 9, 1946.
Funeral Mon 9 Dec 1946.
He was bur at Drumcliff Cemetery, Ennis.
See short obituary
in Limerick Leader,
14 Dec 1946.
(todo) See obituary, Clare Champion, 14 Dec 1946.
(todo)
See long obituary
in Limerick Leader,
16 Dec 1946.
See vote of sympathy
at Clare County Council,
reported
in Limerick Echo,
17 Dec 1946.
See item
about his will
and settlement of property,
Tipperary Star, August 9, 1947.
Mentions children except for Jim.
Frank and Mary
had issue:
"F. O'Mara"
(back).
From
photo of
the employees of
O'Mara's Limerick factory
in 1939.
See larger
and full size.
Wonder if this is Frank O'Mara (junior) above.
See another copy.
From
P40/185.
Ennis Lunatic Asylum
on
1887 to 1913 map.
See modern
satellite view.
See modern street view
from gate
and
from the N.
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