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Stephen O'Mara, of Strand House

Revolutionary in 1916-23: He joined Sinn Fein after 1916 Rising. Listed as bacon merchant, living Strand House, at marriage. He mar 5 Feb 1918, Limerick Cathedral [GROI] to Nancy O'Brien [born 31 July 1895]. She was sister of the writer Kate O'Brien. When first married, they lived in a house they called "Toomyvara", after O'Mara family's supposed origin. He was appointed member of Sinn Fein Standing Committee (or "Ard Chomhairle") for Dec 1918 general election. Mayor of Limerick, 22 Mar 1921 - Jan 1922 (elected for rest of his predecessor's year). See the Town Hall, Limerick. He took over as Mayor of Limerick after his two predecessors were murdered by the Black and Tans on 7 Mar 1921. (Before them, the Mayor was his brother Phons.) Stephen condemned the Black and Tans, and they targeted him. "[Stephen] O'Mara too was a brave man, as a number of attempts had already been made on his life." [Hannan, 1997] A special steel door was fitted upstairs in Strand House, everyone slept behind it. He had "a bodyguard of picked men" [obituary]. He was arrested by the British Apr 1921 and imprisoned for one week in Limerick gaol. See Apr 1921 interview of his father. It was him (NOT his father) who was appointed Trustee of Dail Eireann Funds when his brother Jim resigned May 1921. His obituary says he too raised funds in the US, in 1921, and was the underground government's Special Envoy to the US. He opposed the Treaty (taking a stand against his own brother, Jim). He was the only O'Mara who went anti-Treaty. He and de Valera were now both Trustees of the money raised by Jim for the Irish Republic, and both anti-Treaty Republicans. They argued that the money should go to the Republican side. The other trustee, Bishop Fogarty, supported the new Free State government. [Lavelle, 1961] describes the dispute, which carried on into the Civil War and beyond. Mayor of Limerick, Jan 1922 - Jan 1923 (second term). Re-elected Mayor Jan 1922, when he was led in triumph from his house to the Town Hall by the IRA. The Limerick Crisis, Feb-March 1922: In early 1922, when British forces were leaving Limerick, pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty forces faced off over who would control the barracks being evacuated. The situation was very tense. The Mayor Stephen O'Mara negotiated a compromise in Mar 1922 that avoided conflict breaking out for now. See [Corbett, 2008]. But Civil War broke out nationally in June 1922. During the Civil War he was arrested at Roscrea 9th Dec 1922, imprisoned by Free State. The family were very worried that he would be executed. Mayor of Limerick, Jan 1923 - 1st Oct 1923 (partial third term). Resigned 1st Oct 1923.

His biography in [Thom's Irish Who's Who, 1923] describes him as an "Alderman", and as "Managing Director" of "O'Mara, Ltd., Bacon Curers", living Strand House.
Strong supporter of Fianna Fail (founded 1926).

Stephen and Nancy had no children, decided to adopt.
Nancy was in London for medical treatment in Mar 1927. Stephen went home. She stayed for a while (her sisters were there) and visited adoption agency in London. Saw little boy (Peter, born Sept 1925), he ran over to her.
They adopted him. They baptised him on 19 March 1927.
They lived Strand House.

Stephen founded bacon factory in Claremorris, Co.Mayo, 1930.
Founded bacon factory in Letterkenny, Co.Donegal.
Member of the Government Commission on Vocational Organisation 1930s-40s.
Chairman of O'Mara's bacon company at time of O'Mara's centenary, 1939.
He was NOT a Senator (that was his father).

Stephen demolished Strand House c.1943. He said it was impossible to heat. His sister Mary was furious with him for demolishing it.
He built a second "Strand House" at the site in 1943 and lived there until his death. (This house is also now gone.)
Aodogán O'Rahilly remembered him sitting on the University Committee c.1957/58.
1958 article describes him as Chairman of O'Mara Bacon Factory.
Obituary describes him as Chairman of O'Mara Ltd and of the Claremorris and Donegal Bacon Companies.
Appointed to Council of State by President Eamon de Valera Oct 1959.

Stephen dies, 1959:
In 1959, the family moved out of the second Strand House. They moved to the next door house, Ivy Bank, Ennis Rd, Limerick.
Stephen organised the move, but died before moving in.
He died Mater Hospital, Dublin, Wed 11th Nov 1959, age 75 yrs.
See obituary in Limerick Leader, 11 Nov 1959.
Funeral Fri 13 Nov 1959, Gardiner St Church, Dublin (his brother's church), bur Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
See poem by Frank Gallagher, 1961, dedicated to Stephen. From J/552/71.

The O'Maras re-named Ivy Bank to "New Strand House".
Nancy died 11 Feb 1975, age 79 yrs.
She was bur Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
See draft of letter of condolence written by Michael Rynne to Peter, p.1 and p.2. From P133/2/18.
Stephen and Nancy had adopted issue:

1. Peter O'Mara,
   Peter Joseph O'Mara.
   
   Peter's natural parents are unknown:
   There has been for many years a rumour that Peter was Kate O'Brien's child. For example this rumour was repeated in a talk on Kate O'Brien on RTE Radio, 3 Nov 1997.
   But the story is false. Peter was an abandoned baby found in London in 1925.
   Birth cert says he was born around early Sept 1925, location unknown, parents unknown, and "abandoned on 5 Oct 1925, aged about 4 weeks, at the children's day nursery, British Empire Exhibition, Wembley Park".
   Birth cert gives him the name "Peter Johnson", though it says identity of both parents is unknown. It is not clear whether he was given that name when he was placed in care or if it was attached to clothing etc. when he was abandoned.
   Baptism entry gives birth date of 8 Sept 1925, but this would be just an estimate (taking away exactly 28 days).
   He was baptised as "Peter Joseph O'Mara" on 19 Mar 1927 by the O'Maras, at Corpus Christi RC church, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London.
   Aug 1927 letter about the adoption agrees no one can know his exact birth date.
   
   Peter was educ Crescent College, Limerick, 1935-36.
   He mar Mary O'Connell.
   They lived New Strand House, Ennis Rd, Limerick.
   He died 3 May 1977, age 51 yrs.
   He was bur Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
   Mary sold New Strand House 1994.
   Peter and Mary had issue:

   
   

   1. Anne O'Mara.
   2. Clare O'Mara, mar Thomas Hannigan and had issue:
      1. Peter Hannigan.
      2. Michael Hannigan.
      3. Thomas Hannigan.
      4. Elizabeth Hannigan.
   3. Stephen O'Mara.
   4. Peter O'Mara.
   5. Mary Agnes O'Mara.

Stephen O'Mara.
Photo of the Directors of O'Mara's at O'Mara centenary dinner, 1939.
See larger and full size.

Stephen O'Mara and Nancy O'Brien.
See larger and full size.
From [P40/910]. Used with permission of [UL Archives].

Peter O'Mara and Nancy at front of Strand House, 1927.
See larger and full size.
See other picture.
From [P40/911]. Used with permission of [UL Archives].
See other picture (and back). From P133/2/20.

Stephen and Nancy and Peter (born 1925) and unnamed girl. Strand House.
See full size and back. From P133/2/20.

Nancy O'Brien and Mary Rynne. At front of Strand House.
See larger and full size.
From [P40/912]. Used with permission of [UL Archives].

Eamon de Valera with the O'Maras in July 1932.
(De Valera had won the Feb 1932 election and was now President.)
Standing: Unknown.
Seated left to right: Peter O'Mara, Eamon de Valera, unknown, Stephen O'Mara.
Location is back door of Strand House.
See full size.
See copy and other shot. From [P40/912]. Used with permission of [UL Archives].

Grave of Peter O'Mara, Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
Photo 2006. See full size.
See also 2009 shot courtesy of Richard Humphreys.
See also unused grave nearby, 2009 shot courtesy of Richard Humphreys.

References

• "Some Notable Mayors of Limerick", by Kevin Hannan, in [Lee, 1997].
• Not While I Have Ammo: A History of Connie Mackey by Jim Corbett (2008).

Sources yet to be fully consulted

• Stephen O'Mara papers (P40 )

Sources yet to be consulted

• O'MARA, STEPHEN MARY in [DIB]

• Stephen O'Mara in Mayors of Limerick sources.
• "Stephen O'Mara and the Limerick Crisis, March 1922", by Ciarán Ó Gríofa, in [Lee, 1997].

• Frank Gallagher Papers, [NLI]. Papers of Frank Gallagher.
  • Ms. 18,349. Letters to Gallagher from Stephen O'Mara and members of O'Mara family of Limerick; mainly relating to economic, political and literary affairs; also references relating to O'Mara bacon and timber enterprises at Limerick, Claremorris and Letterkenny, mainly in 1943; c. 1924-50.
  • Ms. 21,239. Letters to Frank Gallagher from Stephen O'Mara of Limerick some containing reference to the murder of the Mayors of Limerick, also some letters from other members of the O'Mara family, c. 1955.

• 1916-23 period