lough Derg 1955, Troy family of Church St. and Craftshop na Méar

Lough Derg Pilgrims 1955

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Troy family of Church St.

I posted last week about a Fr. Charles Troy of Ballyfermot who hailed originally from Listowel.

Here below are two extacts from writing by Bryan Mac Mahon who knew the family well:

"...I digress for a moment to call attention to the Troy family, five of whom were

prIests - three were monsignori — who achieved eminence in many aspects of

U.S. ecclesiastical life, including army chaplaincies, college and parochial life.

Miss Mai Quinlan of Church Street reminds me of Fr. Jim’s appearance at the

Eucharistic Congress in 1932 in Dublin dressed as an honorary Indian chief and

leading a troupe of full-blooded Indians!

She too recalled the five priests and Sr. Mary Jane, together with their father,

John and his wife, Bessie, nee McKenna, holding a musical evening in their home

with Thomas Purcell at the keyboard.

The Purcells later lived in Charles St.

The best known member of the Troy family on this side of the Atlantic was ex-kerry

player Father Charlie Troy, Ballyfermot, whom I saw trying to make

peace in Listowel during a Civil War battle for possession of the town.

As a postscript, I am reminded that John Troy’s wife, Bessie has come down to us as a marvellous personality — she impishly interrupted the musical evening by encouraging an itinerant barrel-organ

player to render rauccus tunes outside the window. The evening ended in

uproarious laughter.'

and this introduction to a songbook

"A feature of the publication is the dedication which accompanies each of

thc songs and which provides a sociological or historical dimension for

the publication. “O’ Donnell Abu!”, which he describes as “War Song 1597”

(National Anthem) Poetry by M.J. McCann, Arr. by Thos. J. Purcell, Op 59”,

is dedicated to the soldier and jurist, the Hon. Marcus Kavanagh, Chicago,

 “Who Fears to Speak of Ninety Eight” is dedicated “to my friend Wm. J. O’Neill,

Chicago”,

and “The Boys of Wexford” to “M.D. Hennessy, Chicago, Ill”. This last named dedication should have been exchanged with the dedication of “The Patcheen Finn” which he offered to Rev.

Thomas F. Troy of Listowel and Chicago. for the professor and family were very friendly

with Fr, Tom Troy in Chicago, where he served for a while in St, Colmcilles.

Incredible as it may seem, Father Troy, who comes from a brilliant family who

lived a few doors from me here in Church Street, Listowel, was descended,

as also are the McKennas of Listowel, from Thos. McKenna from Monaghan,

and “brave United Irishman” of the ’98 song “The Boys of Wexford”, who

married Jane Foulkes, “the captain’s daughter, the captain of the Yeos”, both

of whom, if local lore is to be believed, made their way to Kerry after the

disaster of Vinegar Hill and who now lie buried in the Hegarty grave at Kilsynan

The Troy family  lived second-next door to us at number 22 Church Street (now O’Halloran’s).

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Some of the lovely gift ideas in Craftshop na Méar, Listowel

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Charles Street

This recently refurbished corner of Charles St. is looking really well now.

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Very happy talented young man

(Photo from his mammy's Facebook page)

The very talented step dancer, Seán Slemon of Moyvane is once again All Ireland Champion. Well done, Seán!    Well deserved!