In 1850, Pierce Meany occupied a farmhouse and 44 acres at Knockyloolhan west. (See map) His age at that time was probably around 75. Quite soon after this period Pierce was dispossessed. Remarkably, he would live for a further 27 years. A clue to the date of Pierce Meany?s dispossession can be found in a report that was carried in an Ohio newspaper in 1906. The occasion was the arrival of Bishop Patrick O? Connor of Armadale to Middletown Ohio. The Bishop, who was on a world tour visited with his Aunt Mrs Mary Coffey who was a daughter of Pierce Meany.The article, included a profile of Mary Coffey; a paragraph of which went as follows. ?During the land troubles of Ireland, about 1848, Madam Coffee?s father was a man of considerable influence and intelligence who became surety for Lord Pierce Barron of his own count, and thus lost all his property. Lord Barron?s family ultimately retrieved their wealth and made some restitution to one of the sons of his ruined surety, this son became an eminent priest and died two years ago? (this was Fr Patrick Meany). Pierce was not completely destitute; his son in law David O?Connor took occupation of the holding, so it?s quite probable that Pierce resided with his daughter Johanna and David O?Connor. (It was here that Bishop O?Connor and Brother Fr David were born)
Writing to his sister Mary Coffey in 1872, from St George?s Island in the Bering Sea, Dr Denis Meany (Son of Pierce) comments. ?Our old father is now the oldest person in the parish, or perhaps in the whole county, he is wonderful. He asked me if I could see you when I came to America. He is very anxious I should, if I could?. Denis goes on to say. ?An easy contented mind with good health keeps him alive so long, Na beag tina ins a tig?if the house was on fire he would not fret?. At the time of Denis writing the letter his father was 95 years old. Pierces obituary notice would reveal that he was born in 1773 and died in 1875 aged 102. The Meany family held impressive holdings at both Killineen and Brennan at Stradbally in the early part of the nineteenth century. Denis Meany signed a lease at Killineen west as early as 1787. The fact that Pierce was born in 1773 would suggest that the family probably had an earlier lease at Killineen. This would firmly place them there in the 18th century. (c) Eddie Cantwell from his book ?The Way it was?