Father's Childhood home

Fáilte Barbara!

You are in luck...

Click here to read a folklore tale collected by George Daly of Slattagh National School (dating from 1937-39). ​ 

It gives George Daly's address as Caul, Scramoge, Co. Roscommon and names "L. Donohue" as the person who told him the story. 

So, you need to find the townland of Caul, just south of Slatta Village (where the National School still exists) and east of the tiny Village of Scramoge (site of the famous Scramoge Ambush of 1921).

Caul was a Donohue stronghold in the 19th Century (see Farm # 6 in Griffith's Valuation). Their extended family cluster at Caul#6, was a pre-famine village/ clachán in and of itself, sharing approx 88acres of farmland (rundale system). Caul even had its own animal pound back in 1837!

There were 5 Donohue households there in 1911. It would appear that this was John & Lizzie's 1911 Census record. (Can you confirm the other family members?) 

In any case, what you are looking for is a small road leading up to this cluster of Donohue homes (and the buildings themselves, some derelict). 

The co-ordinates for this cluster are 53.784687, -7.980877 which you should be good to access Google maps and Google Street View. For comparing historical maps from 1837 and 1900 to the latest aerial views, see GeoHive. 

A working farm is still there, so you should be able to get local help pinpointing the exact house. 

Best of luck!

__________________________________

For more 1930s stories from Slattagh National School click here. 

You could try the eir phonebook to see if anyone of this name is living in the area today. 

You might also like to link in with this IrelandXO thread on Caul Donohues.

Delighted!

Actually, DUCHAS (1930s Irish Heritage Collection) has a handy search engine for names here. That's how I found him at Slattagh School. 

If you are looking to trace relatives, it might be an idea to connect with the parish priest ahead of time (and see if he might post a notice in the parish newsletter). 

Looking forward to hearing how things go. Don't forget to check out George's old school as well!

Hello Rua,

Thank you for the helpful ideas. I believe most of my relatives from Ireland have passed away.  My father was the youngest. My Aunt Liz moved to Longford and My Uncle Tom moved to England.

My girlfriends and I are traveling to Roscommon on Friday, September 14, 2018.  We are taking the 7:30 morning train from Dublin and are staying one night at the Gleeson House.

Would you know if Caul townland is a far distance from the Gleeson House?  If it is too far to walk, can you recommend a way (bus or taxi) for us to get there?  We are happy to compensate.

Also, I would like to meet you if you  reside in the area.  You have been so helpful. And yes, I will visit my  Father's School, Slatta National School.  He had some tales to tell about his life in Ireland.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Barbara Daly Thompson

Rua,

I made an error answering your question about the 1911 census.  My father was not living at this time!

My great granfather,aunts and uncles and my grandmother were living.  They lived in house 3 in Caul (Kilglass South, Roscommon).

 Kate, Lizzie, Teresa, and Mary were all my great aunts.  My grandmother was Bridget Donohue.  She changed her name to Beatrice when she came to America.

Thomas was my great uncle.  I never met him.  I never met my great grandfather, John Donohue. 

I have shared this information with my brothers and sisters. So exciting!   Thank you so much, Rua.    Barbara Daly Thompson

Barbara

Are you staying in Roscommon town? If so, Caul is at least a 30 min drive away (depending on traffic) by way of Strokestown. 

I'm afraid I am not a local of Slatta and won't be able to meet you. It would be a great idea to meet up with a local guide though, as Caul is rather rural and appears to be quite a walk from Slattagh school, and nowhere near your hotel.  

A local historian in or around Slattagh would be ideal. If Slattagh School or the Parish priest can't make a recommendation, then Roscommon County Library or the Roscommon Heritage Centre might be able to give you a contact list of professional guides.

One absolute must-see to include on your way back (as you'll be passing) is the Famine Museum at Strokestown House. You won't be disappointed.

Rua,

Thank you for all of your help.  You have provided me with information I could never have found myself.

I will definitely let you know about my trip to Ireland.  Barbara Daly Thompson

:o)

Hi Barbara

How did your trip to Slatta go?

Did you manage to find the house?

Hope it went well.

Hello Rua,

With the help of a wonderful guide, I was able to find my father’s childhood home. I  visited the school and church he attended as a child.

At your suggestion, we visited the famine museum. Ireland is a lovely country.

Thank you!!     Barbara Daly Thompson