Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Stephen O'Mara (see here),
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.
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.
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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:
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.
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