Castle Street, Birr in 1911: households, families and businesses in the street over 110 years ago. A contribution to the Heritage Council’s Living in Towns series. By Michael Byrne

So far we have looked at the 1821 and 1901 censuses for Castle Street, Birr together with traders in the street in the nineteenth century (see previous articles by going to the blog section on http://www.offalyhistory.com.) There were a lot of new families in Castle Street in 1911 when compared with 1901 based on the surname of the occupiers – not always a reliable guide. Families where there was continuity included that of John Wall, James Sammon, Patrick Connors, Laurence Kennedy, Owen Gaffney and Elizabeth Watterson.

A handy map of Bir with Castle Street on upper right in this pic.

In 1911 fifteen houses were classified as private dwellings, one was a boarding house, nine were commercial properties of which two were public house.^[1] Interestingly there was a printing office and a cycle shop (2), together with porter stores, the Williams wholesale, two drapery stores and a grocery. Among the occupants on the street were William Morrison, the noted and clever plumber and Annie Bateman, a teacher of music. Her son was in the cycle trade as was Michael Brady, who was born in Sligo. The family of John Barry was extensive in the poultry trade with three of his children in the same line. Daniel Culleton was a publican (40) with three Wheatley stepsons, one of whom must have taken over the trade judging by the nameboard in one of the old photographs of the street. This pub was almost in the centre of the terrace backing on the river and west of Doolins.

The pig market in Castle Street to the right. The old brewery was on the corner but was in trouble by the 1840s and was reinvented on the old distillery site across the road in the 1850s by the Woods family. The last rector to live here was Abraham Downes who died in 1824. The new rectory was a much grander affair off Cumberland/Emmet Street.

Overall there were 27 entries for 1911 with no. 25 with 12 windows to the front the largest of the houses. Kieran Doolan was a draper in no. 22 and that house can be seen as Doolan in both the old and the modern photographs.^[2] The houses on the south side of Castle Street from the corner with Bridge Street to Crotty’s church had the large fronts and more windows than those on the southern side. This would reflect the more haphazard development on the northern side from the time of the relocation of the parish church in 1815 on the north side of the town, together with the refurbishment of the old brewery on Castle Street north, opposite the maltings. In 1911 the census enumerator started on the corner of what is now Spinners on the northwestern side of the street and numbered to Kennedy (no. 14). He had taken over from Cully and the pub is now Craughwell’s. For no 15  Barry’s the enumerator started east of Crotty’s church and travelled close to the corner with Bridge St and Market Place. Doolin, Lee and the two Williams shop bring us close to the corner with Bridge Street (see the photographs). As Mr Cleary told us last week in the 1901 blog (comments on per Facebook) his family lived east of Barry’s, the fowl merchants.

In 1911 there were only five enumerated houses in Market Square and twenty-five in Castle Street.  This suggests that the houses from the corner with Bridge Street to Doolan’s archway were in 1901 enumerated as part of Market Square. There is the additional complication that some of these were damaged in a fire in 1897 and were not occupied in 1901. D.E. Williams in Castle Street. The shop to the left of the memorial was a new build by Hickey of about 1909.

Perhaps the most interesting change from 1901 was house number 25 in the 1911 census was the Williams shop. In 1911 it had a staff of thirteen resident and living on the premises under the management of James Bradshaw (40 and single) with eleven other men working in hardware, grocery and drapery. Norah Cahill was the only woman working as a milliner. All were Roman Catholic.

The Castle Street shop was formerly owned by the Meara, later O’Mearas, an influential Birr family in the nineteenth century.^[3] The shop was acquired by way of lease in May 1898 and consisted of a wholesale and licensed retail business. Daniel E. Williams, who was in the same line of business with an extensive number of branch houses, including three in Birr died in 1921.^[4] 

23 November 1905. New front – plate glass and sign board.^[5]

Lees are connected with Castle Street from about 1910 to 1920, but they must have been in the house owned by the Misses Murphy in Cumberland/Emmet Square for a while.

The Misses Murphy house in Cumberland/Emmet Square about 1915-20. Judging by the doorcase it should date to about 1750-60

In 1906 the Tribune carried an advertisement for the Williams shop
The drapery establishment of Messrs D.E. Williams in Birr is now, that we are on the eve of the winter season, well worthy of a visit to all sections of the community who wish to invest in suitable up-to- date and suitable garments to withstand the icy blast, and heavy rains and fogs which generally obtain during the winter time. As in all seasons of the year, Williams at Castle Street Birr is well stocked and absolutely well worth a visit. So, for that extra special event, and in cheery mood to see off this icy weather and welcome another fashion spectacular, visit Williams for Winter Warmth.^[6]

12 February 1920 – The manager, Michael Burbage, lost his life in a fire at the Castle Street shop. The fire broke out in the petrol and oil stores. The town fire brigade was aided by the military from Crinkill. The fact that the river behind the building was in flood greatly helped to put out the fire before it reached Lee’s garage beside that of Williams.^[7]

23 January 1946 – Fire caused considerable damage to the drapery section of the premises and further problems with the landlord because the property had not been sufficiently covered by insurance. This was the third fire at Castle Street in fifty years and while the roof did not fall in the place was gutted.^[8] The shop was rebuilt. In the late 1970s this shop was the only old-style branch house still owned by the Williams company after the great disposal in the 1960s. These shops were sold to Quinnsworth in 1979.

House no.	Building use	Class of house	No. of Distinct families	Name of ‘head’ of family	Occupation	No of rooms occupied	Total  no. of persons In each family
1	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Morrison, William [now close to Spinner’s end of the street]	Plumber, Gaspipe	6	8
2	Boarding house	2nd	1	Moran, John	Painter	7	3
3	Porter stores	–	–	–	–	–	–
4.1	Private Dwelling	2nd	2	Mahon, Jeremiah	General Labourer	3	8
4.2	Private Dwelling	2nd	2	Walsh, William	Railway Porter	7	3
5	Printing office
6	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Fitzgerald, Thomas	General Labourer	7	10
7	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Kennedy, Laurence	General Labourer	5	5
8	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Connors, Mary Anne	–	7	6
9	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Sammon, James	Bootmaker	4	4
10	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Wall, John	Ex National Teacher	4	2
11	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Bateman, Annie	Teacher of Music	4	5
12	Cycle shop	2nd	1	Brady, Michael	Cycle Mechanic	5	5
13	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Egan, Michael	Army Pensioner	5	3
14	Publican	2nd	1	Kennedy, Joseph [now Craughwell’s}	Grocer and Publican	6	7
15	Private Dwelling	1st	1	Barry, John [Castle street south east of Crotty church]	Poultry Merchant	10	7
16.1	Private Dwelling	2nd	2	Cleary, Michael	Butcher	6	2
16.2	Private Dwelling	2nd	2	Mescal, Michael	Ordnance Surveyor	1	2
17	Private dwelling	2nd	1	Coghlan, Michael	Bootmaker	6	7
18	Furniture shop	2nd	1	Gaffney, Owen	House Keeper	12	3
19	Public house	2nd	1	Culleton, Daniel [later Wheatley – see the old photographs]	Publican	6	6
20	Private Dwelling	2nd	1	Hogan, James	Painter	6	7
21	Grocery house	2nd	1	Watterson, Eliza	Grocery and Provision Business	7	3
22	Drapery shop	2nd	1	Doolan, Kieran	Draper	6	4
23	Drapery house	2nd	1	Horan, Michael	Builder Carpenter	9	2
24	Cycle shop	–	–	Occupied at night	—
25.1	Wholesale House	2nd	2	Larrissey, Patrick [Williams shop]	House Steward	15	2
25.2	Wholesale House	2nd	2	Bradshaw, James [Williams shop]	Hardware Manager	4	13
26	Corn Stores	–	–
27	Malting Houses and stores	–	–

1  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Morrison family. The Morrison’s family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the father, five daughters and two sons. The house had three windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 1 Birr in 1911 census

Morrison	William	Head of Family	COI	48	Plumber,Gaspipe	M	Belfast
Morrison	Florence Jane	Daughter	COI	25	Housekeeper	S	Co Down
Morrison	Era Mabel	Daughter	COI	23	Dressmaker	S	Kings Co
Morrison	Isabella Maud	Daughter	COI	19	Dress Maker	S	Kings Co
Morrison	Kitty Eliza	Daughter	COI	17	Scholar	S	Kings Co
Morrison	Edith	Daughter	COI	15	Scholar	S	Kings Co
Morrison	Samuel George	Son	COI	13	Scholar	S	Co Louth
Morrison	Philip James	Son	COI	10	Scholar	S	Co Louth

Presumably it was Samuel George Morrison who served in the Great War. The Chronicle recorded in 1915 that ‘Private Morrison son of Mr Morrison plumber, Castle Street, Birr has been promoted a Lance Corporal after very brief service in the Leinsters. But he is a good bright lad.^[9]

Wheatly pub, furniture store and the weigh area on the right with the old maltings and entrance gate with Birr Castle behind. Truly a market street at the gates of the old castle when the entrance was to the rear of the rebuilt castle of the 1780s to the 1830s.

2  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Moran family. The Moran family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of the husband, wife and one boarder. The house had three windows to the front and seven rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 2 Birr in 1911 census

Moran	John	Head of Family	RC	62	Painter	M	Kings Co
Moran	Ellen	Wife	RC	40	–	M	Kings Co
Joyce	Thomas	Boarder	RC	23	Lawyer’s Clerk	S	Dublin

3  Castle Street, no. 3 Birr in 1911 census unoccupied, porter stores

4  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Mahon family. The Mahon family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling and the house was shared with another family. The family comprised of the husband, wife, one son, four daughters and one lodger. The house had two windows to the front and three rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 4.1 Birr in 1911 census

Mahon	Jeremiah	Head of Family	RC	33	General Labourer	M	Co Kings
Mahon	Mary	Wife	RC	32	–	M	Co Kildare
Mahon	James	Son	RC	9	Scholar	S	Co Kildare
Mahon	Bridget	Daughter	RC	7	Scholar	S	Co Kildare
Mahon	Katie Anne	Daughter	RC	6	Scholar	S	Co Kildare
Mahon	Mary	Daughter	RC	5	Scholar	S	Co Kildare
Mahon	Josephine	Daughter	RC	1	–	S	Co Kings
Meara	Patrick	Lodger	RC	55	General Labourer	M	Co Tipperary

In 1911 the house was occupied by the Walsh family. The Walsh family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife and one daughter. The house had two windows to the front and three rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 4.2 Birr in 1911 census

Walsh	William	Head of Family	RC	28	Railway Porter	M	County Kildare
Walsh	Kathleen	Wife	RC	23	–	M	Dublin City
Walsh	Bridget	Daughter	RC	3 mo	–	S	Kings County

5  Castle Street, no. 5 Birr in 1911 census unoccupied, a printing office

6  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Fitzgerald family. The Fitzgerald family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife, four daughters, three sons and one lodger. The house had five windows to the front and seven rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 6 Birr in 1911 census

Fitzgerald	Thomas	Head of Family	RC	41	General Labourer	M	England
Fitzgerald	Annie	Wife	RC	43	–	M	Co Galway
Fitzgerald	Mary	Daughter	RC	17	–	S	Kings Co
Fitzgerald	Thomas	Son	RC	14	Scholar	S	Co Galway
Fitzgerald	Patrick	Son	RC	12	Scholar	S	Kings Co
Fitzgerald	Ellen	Daughter	RC	10	Scholar	S	Kings Co
Fitzgerald	Alice	Daughter	RC	7	Scholar	S	Kings Co
Fitzgerald	William	Son	RC	3	–	S	Kings Co
Fitzgerald	Bridget	Daughter	RC	6 mo	–	S	Kings Co
Byrne	James	Lodger	RC	23	General Labourer	S	Queens Co

7  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Kennedy family. The Kennedy family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife, two sons and one daughter. The house had four windows to the front and five rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street about 1995

Castle Street, no. 7 Birr in 1911 census

Kennedy	Laurence	Head of Family	RC	50	Labourer General	M	Co Kings
Kennedy	Eliza	Wife	RC	48	–	M	Co Kings
Kennedy	John	Son	RC	24	Labourer, General	S	Co Kings
Kennedy	Cissie	Daughter	RC	18	Housekeeper	S	Co Kings
Kennedy	Jeremiah	Son	RC	17	Labourer, General	S	Co Kings

In 1911 the house was occupied by the Connors family. The Connors family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of father, one daughter, one son, one daughter in law, one grandson and one granddaughter. The house had three windows to the front and seven rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 8 Birr in 1911 census

Connors	Mary Anne	Head of Family	RC	71	–	W	Co Tipperary
Connors	Agnes	Daughter	RC	26	Dressmaker	S	Birr, Kings Co
Connors	Thomas	Son	RC	39	Army School Master Warrant Officer	M	Co Tipperary
Connors	May	Daughter in Law	RC	29	–	M	Chichester, England
Connors	Thomas William	Grand Son	RC	5	Scholar	S	Limerick City
Connors	Kathleen Mary	Grand Daughter	RC	1	–	S	Kassalie, India

9  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Sammon family. The Sammon family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of father and three sons. The house had two windows to the front and four rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 9 Birr in 1911 census

Sammon	James	Head of Family	RC	50	Bootmaker	W	Kings Co
Sammon	William	Son	RC	12	Assistant Bootmaker	S	Kings
Sammon	Patrick	Son	RC	10	Scholar	S	Kings
Sammon	John	Son	RC	6	–	S	Kings

10  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Wall family. The Wall family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of husband and wife. The house had two windows to the front and four rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 10 Birr in 1911 census

Wall	John	Head of Family	RC	79	Ex National Teacher	M	Kings County
Wall	Maria	Wife	RC	69	–	M	Co Tipperary

John Wall did not live very long after the taking of the census and died in late April 1911. ‘At his residence, Castle Street, Birr, after a brief illness, Mr. John Wall, superannuated school teacher, and father of Color-Sergeant Michael Wall, Leinster Depot, Birr.  Much regretted, owing to his kindly unassuming disposition.’^[10]

11 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Bateman family. The Bateman family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of mother and four sons. The house had two windows to the front and four rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 11 Birr in 1911 census

Bateman	Annie	Wife	RC	48	Teacher of Music	M	Dublin City
Bateman	Reginald	Son	RC	16	Cycle Trader	S	Birr, Kings
Bateman	Harold	Son	RC	14	Shop Messenger	S	Birr, Kings
Bateman	Victor	Son	RC	12	Scholar	S	Birr, Kings
Bateman	Brendan	Son	RC	8	Scholar	S	Birr, Kings

12 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Brady family. The Brady family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife, two daughters and one servant. The house had two windows to the front and five rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street in 2022.

Castle Street, no. 12 Birr in 1911 census.

Brady	Michael	Head of Family	RC	29	Cycle Mechanic	M	Sligo
Brady	Oonagh	Wife	RC	29	–	M	Donegal
Brady	Margaret Mary	Daughter	RC	1	–	S	Sligo
Brady	Mary Oonagh	Daughter	RC		–	S	Sligo
Ward	Mary Kate	Servant	RC	16	Domestic General	S	Kings Co

The five-year old Mary Margaret Brady died in 1914. The Midland Tribune reported: ‘Death and Funeral of Miss Doreen Brady, Birr.  It is with regret that we announce the death of Miss Margaret Mary (Doreen), eldest and five-year-old little daughter of Mr. Brady, Castle Street, Birr. .. on a visit to her grandmother, Mrs.  Bohan, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, …  November 27th, passed to her heavenly home.  … The funeral to Carananty Cemetery took place on Sunday, November 29th, ..’^[11].

13  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Egan family. The Egan family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife and one daughter. The house had four windows and five rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 13 Birr in 1911 census.

Egan	Patrick	Head of Family	RC	74	Army Pensioner	M	Galway Co
Egan	Mary	Wife	RC	64	House Keeper	M	Kings County
Egan	Mary Jane	Daughter	RC	23	House Keeper	S	Kings County

14  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Kennedy family. The Kennedy family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of the husband, wife, two sons, one daughter, one assistant and two visitors. The house had five windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 14 Birr in 1911 census.

Kennedy	Joseph	Head of Family	RC	32	Grocer and Publican	M	Kings County
Kennedy	Norah	Wife	RC	33	Wife of (above)	M	Birr, Kings County
Kennedy	Patrick Not at home	Husband	RC	3		–	Birr, Kings Co
Kennedy	Harry	Son	RC	2		S	Birr, Kings
Kennedy	Elizabeth	Daughter	RC	1		S	Birr, Kings
Delany	Gracie	Assistant	RC	18	Bar Assistant	S	Roscrea, Co Tipp
Gleeson	Mary Jane	Visitor	RC	36	–	M	Killeen, Co Tipp
Gleeson	John	Visitor	RC			S	Killeen, Co Tipp

15 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Barry family. The Barry family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the father, four sons and two daughters. The house had eight windows and ten rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 15 Birr in 1911 census.

Barry	John	Head of Family	RC	50	Poultry Merchant	W	Londonderry
Barry	John	Son	RC	23	Poultry Merchant	S	Wexford
Barry	Henry	Son	RC	20	Poultry Merchant	S	Wexford
Barry	Alexander	Son	RC	19	Poultry Merchant	S	Wexford
Barry	George	Son	RC	14	Scholar	S	Wexford
Barry	Elizabeth	Daughter	RC	17	Housekeeper	S	Wexford
Barry	Adeline	Daughter	RC	15	House Keeper	S	Wexford

16 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Cleary family and the Mescal family. The Cleary family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband and wife. The house had three windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 16.1 Birr in 1911 census.

Cleary	Michael	Head of Family	RC	28	Butcher	M	Kings Co
Cleary	Margret	Wife	RC	27	–	M	Kings Co

16.2 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Mescal family. The Mescal family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling shared with 16.1. The family comprised of the husband and wife. The house had three windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants as to one of the families were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 16.2 Birr in 1911 census.

Mescal	Martin	Head of Family	RC	34	Ordnance Surveyor	M	Co Clare
Mescal	Frances	Wife	RC	23	–	M	Wicklow Co

17  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Coghlan family. The Coghlan family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife, four sons and one daughter. The house had six windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 17 Birr in 1911 census.

Coghlan	Michael	Head of Family	RC	45	Boot Maker	M	Kings
Coghlan	Mary	Wife	RC	39	Boot Maker	M	Kings
Coghlan	Robert	Son	RC	18	Unemployed	S	Kings
Coghlan	William	Son	RC	14	Scholar	S	Kings
Coghlan	Patrick	Son	RC	10	Scholar	S	Kings
Coghlan	Michael	Son	RC	6	Scholar	S	Kings
Coghlan	Mary	Daughter	RC	12	Scholar	S	Kings

18  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Gaffney family. The Gaffney family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife and one son. The house had six windows to the front and twelve rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 18 Birr in 1911 census.

Gaffney	Owen	Husband	RC	50	House Keeper	M	Cavan
Gaffney	Kate	Daughter	RC	31	–	M	Kings Co
Gaffney	Laurence	Son	RC	16	Scholar	S	Kings Co

Lawrence Gaffney, father of Owen died at his son’s residence in Castle Street in 1911, at an advanced age.^[12]

19 In 1911 the public house was occupied by the Culleton family. The Culleton family lived in a 2nd class public house made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of the husband, wife, three step sons and one assistant. The house had six windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 19 Birr in 1911 census.

Culleton	Daniel	Head of Family	RC	40	Publican	M	Co Kings
Culleton	Ellen	Wife	RC	40	–	M	Co Kings
Wheatley	Peter	Step Son	RC	15	Scholar	S	America
Wheatley	Joseph	Step Son	RC	12	Scholar	S	America
Wheatley	John	Step Son	RC	7	Scholar	S	America
Maddon	Maggey	Assistant	RC	17	Assistant of Publican	S	Co Kings

20  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Hogan family. The Hogan family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife, two daughters, two sons and one nephew. The house had four windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 20 Birr in 1911 census.

Hogan	James	Head of Family	RC	55	Painter	M	Tipperary
Hogan	Julia	Wife	RC	55	House Wife	M	Tipperary
White	Mary	Daughter	RC	32	Nurse	W	Tipperary
Hogan	Jane	Daughter	RC	30	Housekeeper	S	Tipperary
Hogan	John	Son	RC	28	Painter	S	Tipperary
Hogan	Michl	Son	RC	26	Painter	S	Tipperary
Hogan	John	Nephew	RC	16	Appentice to Painting	S	Tipperary

Julia Hogan, the wife of James Hogan, a member of the urban council, died at Castle Street in 1914 and was buried at Ballyloughkeen.^[13]

21 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Watterson family which was a grocery shop. The Watterson family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife and one lodger. The house had four windows to the front and seven rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 21 Birr in 1911 census.

Watterson	Elizabeth	Head of Family	RC	50	Grocery and Provision Business	S	Co Tipperary
Watterson	Margaret	Sister	RC	35	Commercial business Clerk	S	Co Tipperary
Carroll	Ellen	Lodger	RC	60	Cook Domestic Servant	W	Queens Co

22  In 1911 the house was occupied by the Doolan family which was also a drapery shop. The Doolan family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of the husband, wife and two apprentices. The house had four windows to the front and six rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 22 Birr in 1911 census.

Doolan	Kieran	Head of Family	RC	29	Draper	M	Kings Co
Doolan	Josephine M	Wife	RC	33	Draper	M	Kings Co
Egan	Agnes	Apprentice to Drapery	RC	16	Apprentice to Drapery	S	Kings Co
Moran	Teresa	Apprentice to Drapery	RC	17	Apprentice toDrapery	S	Co Tipperary

Midland Tribune,  15 January 1910
Important Announcement
Mr. Kieran Doolan, of Castle St, Birr
He begs to announce to his many friends and the Public in general, that he is now in a position to supply every item in the Drapery line at the lowest possible prices, and hopes by close attention to their requirements in the future to be favoured with a continuance of their support as in the past.
Dresses & Suitings a Speciality.
Boots from this leading Irish Manufacturers are at Prices far beneath all the local Retailers in Town. Their latest productions in Ladies Coats and Millinery are now on show. Blankets, Flannels & Flannelettes, sell at incomparable Prices. Best Value ever offered in Shirts, Hosiery, Umbrellas, and Corsets. Every article marked in plain figures so as to secure One Price Only.

Castle Street in 2022. Home of Violet Doolin for many years. Remember having whiskey and sandwich cake there after a lecture in the late 1980s. Nice portrait of her in the town library. She saved many of the old minute books of the Birr town commissioners – now in Offaly Archives and some recently digitised and now online.

Kieran Doolan,
Castle Street, Birr

Midland Tribune, 05 February 1910
At Doolan’s, Castle St. Birr
Now is the time to secure the latest and most up-to-date dress materials and Gent’s suitings at prices and value incomparable. Heavy tweeds, dress material from 7½ d. per yard. All linings and trimmings reduced this year. Ladies blouses, blouse materials, corsets and underclothing at lowest possible prices.

Millinery will be this year a specialty, both choicely selected and highclass. Men’s tweeds and suitings from 1s 3d per yard; Men’s Irish made trousers from 2s 2d per pair; large range of boy’s suit’s, Irish made, from 2s 3d each; Men’s and Boy’s caps from 4½d; men’s hat’s, ties, and braces, in great variety, very cheap.

23 In 1911 the house was occupied by the Horan family which was also a drapery shop. The Horan family lived in a 2nd class private dwelling. The family comprised of one brother and one sister. The house had five windows to the front and nine rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 23 Birr in 1911 census.

Horan	Michael	Brother	RC	58	Builder Carpenter	S	Kings Co
Horan	Julia	Sister	RC	68	Draper	S	Kings Co

Death of Miss Horan, King’s County Chronicle, 14 Sept. 1911 A highly respected Birr resident has passed away in the person of Miss Julia Horan, who died at Castle Street on September 7th, at the age of 69. To say she was respected would be but faintly to express the feelings which her genuine kindness evoked on all sides; as she never was as happy as when doing a service. This trait was especially visible in her business dealings. Being a superior needlewoman, she was greatly sought by the ladies of the district who, on discovering her tenderness of feelings, were deeply attached to her. She had executed some very fine work in embroidery, and if we are correctly informed, so splendid was one particular piece that a connoisseur offered her up to £50 for its possession. Latterly she had been in failing health, but true to her innate nature she bowed uncomplainingly to the divine will, knowing that all would be for the best, coming as it did from merciful God. She belonged to a good old family and in his time her late parent, Mr Michael Horan, did a considerable amount of building in the neighbourhood, one of his well-fulfilled contracts being the erection of the “King’s County Chronicle” Printing office, shortly [closer to 10 to 14 years] after this paper entered its career under the tutelage of the late Mr Francis Shields, its first proprietor in 1845. On Saturday although it was the busiest time of the week, a large company paid their respects by attending the funeral to Clonoghill. A beautiful wreath was sent “In Loving remembrances and deep sympathy from Mr and Mrs Lee. The chief mourners were:- Mr Michael Horan, brother; Edward James and Michael Dooley (3), T.J. Cullen cousins. Amongst the friends were- Revs. E Scanlon, who said the De Profundús at the grave; P. McGee, P.P, of Tubber, B O’Donovan, M. Crowe and P J O’Dea, R.C.Cs, Birr. M. O’Meara solicitor; James and John Hickey, J. J. Kennedy, Solicitor; W Downey, U.C, W. Egan, W. Carroll, J Guinan, P. Corboy, J. Farrell, John Wright, &c., &c.

Ellie, the youngest daughter of the late Michael Horan, died at Castle Street in 1895.^[14]

This may have been taken over by Gilbert A. Lee for use as a garage and subsequently H. Bridge. Rosse as immediate lessor was replaced by – Dooley in the early 1920s.

Castle Street, no. 24 Birr in 1911 census unoccupied (probably GV 33 the Gilbert A. Lee shop taken over the A. Bridge in the early 1920s for a house shop and garage

Castle Street, no. 24 Birr in 1911 census unoccupied. [Lee’s]

25.1  In 1911 the wholesale house was occupied by the Larrissey family. The Larrissey family lived in a wholesale house made of brick and slate roof. The family comprised of the husband and wife. The house had twelve windows to the front and nine rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 25.1 Birr in 1911 census.

Larrissey	Patrick	Head of Family	RC	72	House Steward	M	Kings
Larrissey	Eliza	Wife	–	71	Cook	M	Kings

25.2   In 1911 the wholesale house was occupied by the Williams manager (Bradshaw) and staff. The Bradshaw family lived in a wholesale house The house comprised of one manager, seven assistants, four clerks and one milliner. The house had twelve windows to the front and nine rooms. Its occupants were as follows:

Castle Street, no. 25.2 Birr in 1911 census.

Bradshaw	James	Head of Family	RC	40	Hardware Manager	S	Galway
Kennedy	John	Assistant	RC	30	Hardware Assistant	–	Galway
Kenny	James	–	RC	30	Grocer Assistant	–	Tipperary
Horan	Martin	–	RC	27	Grocer Assistant	–	Kings
Hammil	John	–	RC	28	Grocer Assistant	–	Kings
Mccaque	Francis	Clerk	RC	28	Office Clerk	–	Kings
Dillon	John	–	RC	22	Office Clerk	–	Queens
Caulfield	Michael	–	RC	23	Office Clerk	–	Mayo
Roche	Patrick	–	RC	22	Office Clerk	–	Clare
Phelan	Lawrence	Assistant	RC	24	Drapery Assistant	–	Waterford
Dooley	Daniel	–	RC	28	Drapery Assistant	–	Queens
McFadden	William	–	RC	29	Drapery Assistant	–	Cavan
Cahill	Norah	Milliner	RC	30	Milliner	–	Kings

Castle Street, no. 26 Birr in 1911 census, corn stores.

Castle Street, no. 27 Birr in 1911 census, malting house.

Comments and corrections welcome to info@offalyhistory.com

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[1] Midland Tribune, 8 Apr. 1905: ‘On Friday last Mr J.J. Nolan Auctioneer, brought under the hammer for Mr Denis Carroll, the interest in the licensed house in Castle Street Birr. Up to a short time ago, Mrs Mary Duffy ran the business. There was a great deal of interest in the property, which was purchased by Miss Norah Horan, of Main Street. Those present at the auction were pleased that Miss Horan had taken on the premises.’; Midland Tribune, 1st September,1906, Licensing Transfer Mr Joseph Kennedy applied for and was granted an “ad interim” transfer of the license in respect to premises licensed in the name of his wife in Castle Street, Birr. The transfer was granted and the court adjourned.[now Craughwell’s]

[2] Midland Tribune, 5 Feb. 1910: At Doolan’s, Castle St. Birr
Now is the time to secure the latest and most up-to-date dress materials and Gent’s suitings at prices and value incomparable. Heavy tweeds, dress material from 7½ d. per yard. All linings and trimmings reduced this year. Ladies blouses, blouse materials, corsets and underclothing at lowest possible prices. Millinery will be this year a specialty, both choicely selected and high-class. Men’s tweeds and suitings from 1s. 3d. per yard; Men’s Irish made trousers from 2s 2d per pair; large range of boy’s suit’s, Irish made, from 2s. 3d. each; Men’s and Boy’s caps from 4½d; men’s hat’s, ties, and braces, in great variety, very cheap.

[3]  King’s County Chronicle, 18 Aug. 1921.William Meara was born in 1832 and had one of the largest businesses in Birr in the late nineteenth century. He was grandfather to Claude Corcoran who was later a property owner in Castle Street.

[4] See Williams Prospectus of 1899, and Hennessy and O’Meara to Registry of Deeds (RD), 1898. Book 61, No. 221. Hennessy was a trustee arising from the marriage of William O’Meara to a Miss Hennessy from Galway with a dowry of £5,000.

[5] King’s Co. Chronicle, 23 November 1905

[6] Midland Tribune, 4 Oct. 1906. King’s Co. Chronicle, 23 November 1905

[7] Midland Tribune, 14 Feb. 1920, 28 Feb. 1920.

[8] Midland Tribune, 26 Jan. 1946.

[9] King’s County Chronicle, 11 Nov. 1915.

[10] King’s County Chronicle, 18 April 1911.

[11] Midland Tribune, 27 Nov. 1914.

[12] King’s County Chronicle, 25 Feb. 1911.

[13] King’s County Chronicle, 24 Sept. 1914.

[14] King’s County Chronicle, 24 Dec. 1895.