My ancestors - O'Mara - Contents

Richard Ray

Left to Right: Michael Judge, Nora O'Mara, Kate O'Mara, unknown, Eileen O'Mara, Dick Ray.
At Kilkee, 1914.
See larger and full size.

Richard Ray,
Dick, bapt 22 Feb 1852, Limerick.
His brother Tom married into the O'Maras in 1874.
Dick became a friend of the O'Maras and appears in family letters before his marriage. For example, letters of 30 June 1875 and 2 July 1875.
He lived Thomas St, Limerick. The O'Maras moved to Thomas St in 1878.
He is listed as "Draper", living Thomas St, Limerick, at mar 1881.

He mar 14 June 1881 [St.John's cathedral, Limerick] to Kate O'Mara [Catherine, bapt 10th Nov 1854].
See entry in [GROI]. Marriage wit by Thomas Joyce and Helen Ray (or Ellen).
Richard owned a provision shop on Roches St, Limerick, opposite O'Mara's bacon factory. The Ray shop was a retail outlet for O'Mara's bacon.
He is described as "Provision Merchant", 46 Roches St, Limerick, at son's birth 1885.
Richard Ray, Provision Merchants, 46 Roches St, listed in [Guy's, 1886] and [Ashe's, 1891].
"R. Ray" of Roches St was admitted as a member of the Catholic Institute, Limerick at meeting of 8 May 1892.
"Catherine Ray" sp bapt of her niece Norah O'Mara 1897.
He is at funeral of James O'Mara 1899.
They are listed in 1901 census at Military Rd, Limerick. Business still in Roches St. He is provision merchant. They have 1 servant.
Her sister Nan died 1905 "at the residence of her sister", 6 Alexandra Terrace, O'Connell Avenue (Military Rd, see 1870 map). This must be Kate's house.
"R. Ray" was at funeral of Matthew John de Courcy 1909.

They are listed in 1911 census at house no. 37 (does not correspond to postal number) Military Road, Limerick. Census outer sheet says this is 3 Auburn Villas. Foley are in 1 Auburn Villas. Business still in Roches St. He is provision merchant. They have one servant. The census form strangely lists "Canada" in "where born" column - this is where their son was living.

Their residence is listed as Auburn Villas in [Guy's, 1912].
Richard Ray, Provision Merchants, 37 Roches St, listed in [Guy's, 1912].
Richard Ray, Provision Merchants, 41 Roches St, listed in [Guy's, 1913] and [Guy's, 1914].
Their residence is listed as 1 Auburn Villas in [Guy's, 1914]. Maybe an error, or there has been a re-numbering.
They moved post-1914 to "Derravoher", North Circular Rd, Limerick.
He was at funeral of William de Courcy 1915.
They visited America and are listed in [US census, 1920] as visiting their only child Jim in Santa Barbara, California.

Richard died "Derravoher", 16 Jan 1929, age 76 yrs [GROI]. Listed as merchant.
He was bur 18 Jan 1929 in Ray grave at Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Kate died "Derravoher", 14 Feb 1933, age 78 yrs, listed as widow of merchant [GROI].
She was bur 17 Feb 1933 in Ray grave at Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Richard and Kate had issue:

Jim Ray,
James Mary Ray, born 12 May 1885, 46 Roches St, Limerick [GROI].
Another child, Ray.
1911 census says they had 2 children born alive, only 1 living in 1911.

Richard Ray's shop and O'Mara's bacon factory and Lynch and Spain on Roches St, Limerick, listed in [Guy's, 1893].

Derravoher, North Circular Road, Limerick

NIAH entry says "Derravoher" was built c.1830.

"Riverside" on 1887 to 1913 map.
This is apparently "Derravoher".
NIAH says "Derravoher" was formerly "River View" but it must mean this house.
See modern map and satellite view.

2009 street view of what is apparently "Derravoher".

Richard Ray grave

Richard Ray grave, Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Location: lat 197 long La. Go through gate, straight on, up to chapel, go left, LHS of centre of chapel, a few graves in.

Richard Ray grave, Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Photo 2009. See larger and full size.
See wider shot showing location relative to chapel.
See close-up.