Martin McGuire : Short Biography

Martin McGuire was born on 3 July 1897, the fourth child of Patrick and Sarah McGuire. He grew up in a small three roomed house with a thatched roof and three front windows. There was a cow house, piggery and barn outside. They lived next to Patrick's uncle's widow and her children. Martin's uncle Thomas lived with them during Martin's early childhood, before he got married. Martin only met one of his grandparents- his maternal grandmother Catherine Nolan, who died when he was eight. 

Martin attended Drummullin National School with his siblings. He did not go on to secondary school but instead worked on the farm with his father and brother Thomas. His other brothers Joe and Jim joined the gardaí. Martin intended to go with them but did not pass the health exam. His brother Patrick left for Australia in 1921. His mother Sarah died suddenly when he was twenty one.

In 1937, Martin was introduced by mutual friends to Bridget Quinn of Lisphilip in Kilmacumsy. She was back visiting from America. However the two got on very well and decided to get married so Bridget sold her return ticket to a neighbour. They were married on 21 August 1937 in Mantua Church by Fr Butter. The witnesses were Martin's brother Thomas and Bridget's friend Mary Agnes Greene. 

Martin and Bridget lived in his family home in Kye and had six children. Sadly, their eldest and youngest died as babies. Martin's father Patrick died two years after his marraige. Bridget died tragically in 1959, leaving Martin with four teenagers. He lived for many years after this, to the age of eighty six and saw all of his grandchildren.