James Hynes : Short Biography

James Hynes was born in Tulla, County Clare in 1853 to John Hynes, a shopkeeper in Tulla and his wife, Ellen Clancy.  James was one of several children born to this family who were well-known shopkeepers in the village during this time.  In the 1879, James married Mary Halloran in Manchester, Engand.  Shortly after the  birth of their son, Aloysius in 1880, this family emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts.  They remained there for several years where their second child, Ellen was born in 1882.  However, they returned by 1885 settlig back in Salford where their daughter, Teresa was born.  Bernard, Joseph, Clare and John Anthony (also known as Oswald) were all born in Manchester between 1885-1894.  Clare and her sister, Teresa were living with their aunt Mary Hynes in Tulla assisting her with the shop in the 1911 Census. 

James had continued to reside with Mary and their remaining children in Manchester.  In September, 1918, he decided to visit his family relations in Tulla with Clare.  They were returning back to Manchester ferom Ireland on 10 October, 1918 aboard the RMS Leinster when it sunk.  Neither body was ever found.  A High Mass was celebrated for their souls in Tulla Church.  They were noted as 2 of the 11 Clare victims from the RMS Leinster Tragedy.  A Cenetenary Commemoration was held in Ennis on 7 October 2018 for all Clare victims, as well as a national commemoration on the 10 October, 2018 in the Maritime Museum, Dun Laoghaire. 

For further reading about the RMS Leinster Tragedy, please see The RMS Leinster Commemoration 1918-2018 Clare's Connection by Lucille Ellis (2018).