Embedded Files
The Downes Clan of Dublin
The Downes of Dublin research was started decades ago by my late uncle William Anthony Downes. He didn’t have the tools we have today (which he would have loved!), but his findings were our starting point and have been invaluable in pushing us forward. “Us” was originally Dublin cousins Denis Mullen (tireless researcher of Downes lore) and Denise and Richard Devlin, and me. As a direct result of our initial site, we had the pleasure (not to say excitement!) of having some major gaps in our knowledge plugged by “new” cousins, Adrienne, Anna and Lorraine. We all attended a memorable 2014 AGM at Downes HQ, Ryan’s pub in Beggar’s Bush, Dublin, just round the corner from great-grandfather Thomas’s last abode.
Our earliest hard evidence is the 1764 baptism of Catherine Quigley, older sister of our great-great-great-grandfather, William Quigley in Rathdowney, Laois. Our earliest Downes ancestor may be Thomas Downs, baptised 6 April 1758 in Oristown, Meath, son of Patrick Downes & Anne Cusack When Mary Downes née Quigley died in December 1865, her age was stated as 65, but we now know that she was born in 1790, not 1800. Ages were very often guessed, preservation of many church records was poor and William, Thomas, Mary and Anne were probably top of the name charts, so the difficulties become apparent
By the middle of the 19th century, our ancestors, predominantly landscape gardeners and/or estate managers, ventured out of Dublin, no doubt in search of work in a period which covered the Great Famine (1845-1852, when Ireland lost one quarter of its population to hunger and emigration). After the Great Famine a period of reorganisation and prosperity was experienced until further famines occurred in 1878-81 and on several occasions during the 1890s, bringing repeated hunger and deprivation. We find our Downes ancestors at different times in the great landed estates of Kildare, Wicklow, Mayo and Laois, before they returned home to Dublin.
Our research hasn’t been assisted by the paucity of Irish records, many of which were lost when the Customs House was burnt down during the War of Independence in 1921 and the June 1922 blowing up of the Four Courts during the subsequent Civil War. Other records have still to be transcribed, including those of Clontarf Parish which might enable us to go further back than great-great-grandfather William’s marriage in 1817.
Family names: Downes (and Downs, Dowens, Dewan, Duan, Dwen, etc.), Quigley, Guilfoyle, Canavan, Lacey (Lacy), McCarthy, Daniel, Keys, Byrne, Mooney, Hudson, Ryan..
William Quigley & Mary Byrne:
>Catherine Quigley, born 6 May 1764 in Skirke, Rathdowney, Laois. Sponsors: Darby Shallow & Catherine Byrne
>Margaret Quigley, born 14 February 1767 in Ballaquaid, Rathdowney. Sponsors: John Bergin & Honor Nowlan
>William Quigley, baptised 18 May 1770, Kilcoke, Rathdowney. Sponsors: Michael Tynan & Catharine Byrne. William married Biddy (Bridget) Byrne on 7 June 1787 in Athy. Witnesses: John Devoy & Patt Byrne. We've found 4 children:
>Mary Quigley, baptised 1 August 1790, Barrowhouse , Athy. Sponsors: John Muldowney & Betty Malone. Married William Downes.
>Michael Quigley, baptised: 6 October 1795, Kilcrow, Athy. Sponsors: Derby Unknown/Bridget Quigly
>Ellen Quigly, baptised: 27 November 1803, Barrowhouse, Athy. Sponsors: Matthew & Judith Green. Married Cornelius Guilfoyle on 25 November 1827 in Clontarf. Address: Seafield Avenue. Witnesses: Wm & Mary Downes.
>Michael Patrick Guilfoyle, baptised 17 March 1831 in Skerries. Sponsors: George Stewart & Eliza Gilligan
>Francis Guilfoyle, baptised 8 September 1844 in Booterstown. Sponsors: William Cullen & Catherine Lacy
>Elizabeth Guilfoyle, baptized 21 February 1847 in Booterstown. Sponsors: William Clinton & Margaret Guilfoyle.
>Eliza Quigly, baptised: 15 June 1806, Barrowhouse, Athy. Sponsors: Patt Doyle & Mary Gordon..Married Patrick Delaney in Athy on 27 November 1840. Witnesses: Patrick & Margaret Shannon
>Ellen Delaney, baptised 5 June 1842 in Athy. Sponsors: Jeremiah Kehoe & Ellen Quigley.
Mary Quigley married William Downes on 26 November 1817 in Booterstown. Witnesses: Pat MacCormack & Mary Keegan.
Mary died on 19 December 1865 in Balla, Mayo, aged 75, 65 according to the death certificate. Address: Balla. Cause of death: “Chronic bronchitis – 2 months”. Informant: William Downes (husband). William died in Athavallie, Balla, on 20 April 1868, informant: Eliza Downes (daughter). His age was given as 74.
The parish of Booterstown was founded in 1616, and included Irishtown, Donnybrook, Milltown, Churchtown, Rathfarnham, Sandyford to the top of Three Rock mountain, Dundrum, Kilmacud, Stillorgan, Galloping Green and Rockford via Newtownpark Avenue and Stradbrook Road. From there it stretched across to Seapoint and back along the coast to Irishtown /Ringsend. Parish boundaries changed in 1787. Booterstown, which included Blackrock, Stillorgan, Kilmacud and Dundrum, separated from Donnybrook.
Research into the early Downes baptismal sponsors and marriage witnesses shows that the Downes were related by marriage to the Quigley, Kelly, Mahon, Keegan, Lane, McCormick, Boyd and Guilfoyle families, and probably also to the Corcoran family.The Kelly, Mahon, Keegan, Lane and Guilfoyle families were all interrelated.
Children of William & Mary Downes
- a Thomas Downs of Cavan (probably Kevin) Street Dublin was baptised 30 December 1817 at the Pro Cathedral. Parents: Willm Downs & Mary (no maiden name). Sponsors: John & Maryan Cain. Might this be their first child?
1. Mary Downes, Born in Barrowhouse, Athy on 29 June 1822. Sponsors: Patrick Donoughoe, Mary Conroy.
II. Anne Downes Born in Seafield Avenue, Clontarf on 27 June 1824 Sponsors William Kelly & Catherine Reilly. Probably died 27th Apr 1843, aged 18, buried in grave CD.106.5 (Garden Section), Glasnevin Cemetery. Address given in burial record: Summer Hill.
III. Elizabeth Downes Born in Clontarf on 30 September 1826 Sponsors Patrick Ryan & Elizabeth Lane. We know nothing further of Elizabeth except that she registered her father's death in 1868 and was presumably unmarried.
-St Peter’s Dublin: An Edwd Downes of Kevin St was buried on 14 April 1825, aged 47 (born c.1778) Related to William?
IV. Edward Downes Born in Clontarf on 19 August 1829. Died Dec 1840 (buried Glasnevin, 7/12/1840 in grave owned by Sarah Downes I, his address given as: Killester) Baptism sponsors John Lane & Mary Kelly.
V. Sarah Downes Born in Clontarf 18 September 1831 Sponsors James Kelly & Sarah Shepherd Died 10 April 1834. Buried in Garden Section plot RB 74, Glasnevin Cemetery, the same plot as her brothers, GGF Thomas and Edward Downes. Information provided by Glasnevin Trust: Mr Downes bought this grave on 02/10/1834 for 2 shillings and sixpence and put it in Sarah Downes’ name. She was the first to be buried in this grave (died 10/04/1834) She was living in Clontarf according to Glasnevin records. At this time - 2 years after Glasnevin cemetery opened - a grave was opened to bury someone whether they owned it or not, after which the family had 10 years to buy the grave. Mr Downes (William ?) bought grave RB74 in October 1834, 6 months after Sarah died. .
VI. Sarah Downes II, Born in Clontarf 01 September 1837 Sponsors: Thomas Mahon, Sarah Durants. Sarah died on 11 October 1895 in Chicago, Illinois.
Married: James Canavan on 18 October1866 in Castlebar, Mayo. James Canavan was born in February 1835 in Rathduff, Balla, Mayo, and was a horse dealer. He died in Chicago on 11 November 1909. Children: William, born 23 October 1866 in Balla, Co. Mayo. Laura Bridget, born 4 October 1873 in Chicago, died 9 January 1939 and was buried three days later in Calvary Cemetery,Evanston, Cook, Ill. Mary, born December 1874 in Chicago. Mary married James J. Donovan in Chicago Cook, Illinois. on 27 November 1901. Children: James Donovan, George Donovan, Edwin Donovan, Marian Donovan.
In the US 1880 Census, James Canavan (described as "coachman") and Sarah Canavan ("Keeping house") are only living with Bridget and Mary. Had William already died or did he stay in Ireland?
VII. Thomas Downes born Black Quarry, Clontarf on 29 April 1840 Sponsors: Thomas Mahon & Catharine Corkoran. Thomas Downes was a gardener. He died on 28 June 1911 in Dublin.
Thomas Downes married (1) Jane Lacy on 15 July 1863 in Kilquade, Wicklow.
His address: Glendara. Her address: Altidore.
Witnesses: Anne Cash, Terance Byrne. Bride’s parents: Felix Lacy (Leesy/Leecy) & Bridget Brennan. Jane Lacey was baptised on 7 October 1840 in Baltinanima, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. So far 3 sisters and a brother have come to light: Maria (1828, Glendalough), Winifred (1830, Glendalough), Bridget (1836, Glendalough) and James (1842, in Kilquade). Jane died on 23 September 1880 of TB, aged 39 (35 according to the death certificate) at Derry, Clonaslee, nr. Rosenalis, Queens Co.She is buried at Rearymore Cemetery, Clonaslee.
Kilquade Church, Co. Wicklow http://www.kilquadeparish.com/kilquade_church.htm
Children of Thomas & Jane Downes
I. Jane Downes born 4 December.1867 in Balla, Mayo. Baptism sponsors: Felix Lacey and Eliza Downes. Died on 17 January 1944 (aged 78) in St. Kevin’s Hospital, Dublin. Described as widowed housekeeper, late of Mountjoy (?) Place. Cause of death: myocardial degeneration.
Married 24 October 1894 in Baldoyle, Dublin to John McCarthy, a gardener. Both gave their address as St. Doulagh’s - Jane at Bohomer, and John at Lime Kilns. Fathers: Andrew McCarthy and Thomas Downes. Witnesses: Patrick McCarthy and Anne Downs. In the 1901 Census, they were living at 32 Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, and in the 1911 Census at 18 Ballyardel, Mourne Park, Co. Down: The 1911 Census says they have been married for 16 years and he's 46, she's 45. They had no children as far as we know.
II. Eliza Downes, born on 23 November 1869 in Athavallie, Balla, Castlebar, Mayo (sponsors: ?) Died on 2 August 1945 (aged 76) in St. Kevin’s Hospital, Dublin. Described as widow, housekeeper, late of 137 Merrion Road. Cause of death: "senile, myocardial?"
Married Felix Daniel (born in Dublin in 1865 to Felix Daniel and Elizabeth Mc Mahon. His parents’ marriage record shows the paternal grandparents as Michael and Joanna Daniel) on 14 July 1889 at Holy Cross Church, Dundrum. Witnesses: Wm. Guilfoyle & Maria? Downes. Felix Daniel died on 15 June 1943.
In the 1901 Census (31 March) Eliza (aged 30, born Dublin) is listed as living at 4 Herbert Avenue Donnybrook, Dublin with Felix (35) and 4 children: Elison Jane (10) William(8) Henetta(6) and Felim P(1). In the 1911 Census they were living at 7 Herbert Avenue (same house after street renumbering) with -
Henrietta Daniel of Keegan's Cottages Merrion, baptised 09 July 1895 in Booterstown. Sponsors: Laurence Daniel & Ann Downs. Married: William Griffith, chauffeur of 32 Benburb St., son of William, a carpenter on 07.04.1919 in Booterstown. Henrietta was then living at 137 Merrion Road. Witnesses: Michael & Elizabeth Hayden.
Elizabeth Jane Daniel, born 12 October 1890 at The Grange, Carrickmines. Married Michael Hayden (son of John Hayden) labourer of 171 Merrion Raod, Merrion on 3 October 1910 at Booterstown
William (Billy) Daniel born 4 February 1893 at Fortlands, Merrion. Baptised 6.02.1893 St. Mary’s Donnybrook. Sponsor: Cecilia Guilfoyle . He was a chauffeur. 7 Children: Eileen (died c. 1997) William (Billy), ex-British Army (son Jack) Jim ex-British Army. Gerry (died c. 2008), Josephine, Kathleen, Teresa (aka Phyllis) (born 4 February 1927 at 171 Merrion Road. Birth informant Kathleen Daniel of 137 Merrion Road - Felix Junior's wife
Felix Patrick Daniel born 4 March 1900 at Fortlands, Merrion. Baptised 13.03.1900 St. Mary’s Donnybrook. Sponsors: Edmund & Edith Bishop. Married Kathleen Ryan on 11 August 1925. Felix died on 14 October 1968 in St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park.
Mary Josephine Daniel b 15 May 1902, 4 Herbert Avenue, Merrion. Died of TB on 20 November 1918 at 137 Merrion Road, aged 16.
Thomas Daniel b 4 February 1907, 7 Herbert Avenue, Merrion. Thomas (taxi driver of 137 Merrion Road) married Bridget Murphy of 9 Pembroke Cottages, Booterstown, daughter of Andrew, a gardener, in Booterstown on 13.08.1929. Witnesses: Annie & Frederick Milner.
Annie Daniel b 4 February 1907, 7 Herbert Avenue, Merrion. Annie (then of 137, Merrion Road) married Frederick Milner, bus driver of 112 Abbeyfield, Killester, son of Thomas, a coach builder, in Booterstown on 10.04.1929. Witnesses: Thomass Daniel & Bridie Murphy.
III. Catherine Downes born 26 March, 1872 in Cloghran, Dublin, Baptised 02.04.1872 in the parish of Swords. Birth sponsors: John & Eliza Sharkey. Catherine died 17.12.1887 in Meath Hospital, Dublin.
IV. Harriett Downes born 19 June 1874 in Windmill Hill, near Killenard, Maryborough, Queen's Co. Died 8.10.1883 in St Michael’s Hospital Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) of pneumonia.
V. William Downes II, born 7 May 1876 at Windmill Hill, Maryborough, Laois. William was a landscape gardener, then a self-employed market gardener in Kilmacud from 1905. He died on 6 March 1962 at 22 Grantham Street, Dublin. According to William (Anthony) Downes III, his father trained at Albert Horticulture School Glasnevin and subsequently at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin, and in his early years was a land steward at the Lefroy estate, Carriglass Manor Co. Longford (); He settled in Kilmacud after presumably working in Kildare – his fourth child, Eileen, was born in Naas. On 8 October 1894 he married Margaret Mary Byrne, born 17 February, 1870. Baptismal sponsors: Peter Byrne & Sarah Doyle. 3rd daughter of Patrick Byrne (d. 1907) and Anne Doyle (1837-1924) of Ballymoney, Avoca and Arklow (Co. Wicklow), married in Dundrum, Co. Dublin. Witnesses: Patrick Byrne (of Blackrock) & Catherine Byrne (of Donnybrook). Both William & Margaret gave their addresses as Enderley, Dundrum. Margaret was born in Avoca, Wicklow and died on 22 January 1954 in Dublin. William and Margaret had 3 daughters and 5 sons.
1. Anne Josephine Downes, dressmaker, born on 19 January 1895 at Gledswood, Bird Avenue, Clonskeagh, Dublin. Educated at Mount Anville School. She married John Joseph O’Connor, son of James O’Connor of Blackrock, on 30.7.1919. In the 1911 Census, J.J. O'Connor's mother, Margaret J. (described as a widow) was living at 33 Temple Road, Blackrock, with Thomas (24), John (22), Mary (20) and Margret J. (16). Anne died on 26 December 1969 and John on 2 December 1973, leaving 2 sons and 3 daughter:
Margaret Mary (Peggy), born 20 September 1920, died 17 April 1992, unmarried; Eileen Teresa, born 3 April 1922, died on 4 October 2019 in Aldwick, Sussex. Married Allan Greenwood in 1959 and had 2 children; William (Liam) Augustine , born 30 June 1923, died 16 October 2014, aged 91. Liam married Phyllis Mitchell, daughter of George & Margaret Mitchell in 1952 and had 2 children; Sean Joseph, born 31 August 1927, died []. Sean married Rosaleen Murphy and had 3 children; Nuala Carmel Ann, born 16 July 1929, died 13 June 2019, aged 89. Nuala married Michael Heade (died []), in 1959, and had 3 children.
2. Thomas Downes, clerk, born on 15 December, 1896 in Terenure, Dublin. Baptised St Joseph's, Terenure. Address: Temple Hill Lodge, Kimmage Road. Sponsors John & Mary Byrne. Priest Charles W O'Carroll CC. Educated in Stillorgan and at the Rathmines School of Commerce. Enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 3 April 1914, and sent to Gallipoli on 2 July 1915.
X Killed in action on 7 August, 1915, aged 18, in Gallipoli, while serving with the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Buried Grave VII. F. 8. 12-Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli,
3. Patrick Gerard Downes, painter and decorator,born 10 February 1899 in Dublin. Baptised at St Joseph's, Terenure on 12 February 1899. Address: Ardavon Dodder Road, Churchtown - this residence still exists, tucked in behind Mount Carmel Private Hospital. Sponsors: John & Jane Mc Carthy (aunt) Priest: Thomas Byrne CC.
Enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 4 August 1914 (the day that Britain declared war on Germany), aged 15. He was in the 8th Battalion RDF when wounded in the face and right thigh on 9 September 1916 during the 16th Irish Division attack on Ginchy (part of the first battle of the Somme). After treatment in England, he returned to France on 9 October 1917 and was wounded for a second time in 1918. Discharged on 7 February 1919 after serving for the entire war.
Married Bridget Geraghty of Dundrum on 13 April 1920. Patrick died on 20 March 1968 and Bridget in 1972, leaving 3 sons and 4 daughters: Christopher William (b. May 1921, d.05.1986), William, Patrick, Margaret, Veronica, Doreen and Maureen.[Curiously, Patrick & Bridget lived in Ballinteer Gardens, not far from another Patrick & Bridget Downes, who lived in Ballinteer Avenue. The latter are buried in Kilgobbin cemetery, in the same grave as Luke, Margaret and Maria Downes...] Christopher William emigrated to Birmingham and married Catherine Mary Malone (d. 1978) there on 18.2.1946. They had 4 children: Bridget Catherine (b. December 1946), Linda Veronica (b. June 1951), Catherine Mary (b. April 1956) and Christopher James (b. March 1961, d. 2009). Maureen Downes married Tommy Botfield in 1966 in Birmingham. They had 1 child, Christine (b. 1970).
4. Eileen Mary Downes born on 22 January 1901 in Naas, Kildare and died on 26 December 1980 in Dublin. Educated at Mount Anville School. In 1932, she married Edward Saunders (b. 25 June 1905, son of William Saunders and Katherine Brennan of Blackrock, older brother of Thomas [7.9.1906] and Isabella [6.8.1908, married Frederick Hill on 20 October 1934] on 26 September 1932 (Rathdown). Edward died 8/12/1966. Edward and Eileen had no children. From the 1901 Census: William Saunders aged 28, a butler, born in Co. Wexford (and described as Church of Ireland), is living at House 41.1 in Mount Street Upper, Dublin, home of a Quaker family called Pim (Pym?). Another member of the household is Kate Brennan aged 20, a housemaid and indoor servant born in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, described as Roman Catholic. She was related to the Dolan family of Mullingar.
5. William (Anthony) Downes III, Registrar of the Land Commission Court, born on 5 October 1905 in Dublin. Married Margaret Frances Bowman on 12.12.1930. WA died on 5 March 1992, and Margaret on 24 March 1982, leaving 2 sons, Lesley and Neil.
6. James Downes, accountant, was born on 11 November, 1909 in Dublin. He married Frieda Doreen Spence of Sunderland. James died in Sunderland on 8 September 1971, leaving two daughters and one son.
7. Maureen Downes, bookkeeper, born on 17 May 1912 in Dublin and died on 7 August 1993 in Southampton. Educated at Mount Anville School. Married James Noel Vincent O’Leary (born 31 December 1914,) son of Michael & Anne O’Leary of 29, Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, on 16 September 1939 in St. George's Church, George Street, York. Witnesses: Eileen Saunders & A.H. Rodgers. Michael O'Leary, born in Clare, died 29 Dec. 1964; Anne O'Leary née Kearns (born 26/08/1886 in Munny, Clonmore, Co. Wicklow to James Kearns & Margaret Murphy) died 23 April 1966. Buried in plot 319, North Section, Deansgrange Cemetery, Dublin.
Maureen is buried in Grave no. 244, Section 10C, Hollybrook Cemetery, Southampton.James died on 21 January 1988, and his ashes are buried in the same grave. They had one daughter.
8. John Benedict (Jack) Downes, artist and printer, born on 5 September 1914 in Dublin and died there on 15 October 2014, just a few weeks after his 100th birthday. Married Kathleen O’Higgins on 23 October 1954. They had one son.
VI. Anne Downes born 3 July 1878 in Derry, between Clonaslee and Rosenalis , Queen's Co. Her father Thomas was then working at the Wrafter Estate. Anne was a childrens nurse for a merchant and publican's family who lived at Arkendale Road in Glenageary. Anne died 25 January 1957 at her home, 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, Dublin.
Anne Downes married Thomas Keyes, a postal official of 4 Ard-Righ Place, Stoneybatter, Dublin on 29 April 1908 at Glasthule R.C. Church. Witnesses: William Keyes (elder brother of Thomas) and Kate Byrne. Thomas Keyes was born on 26th April 1878 at 23 Barrack Street – now 23 Woodstock Street – Athy. Co. Kildare, the youngest of five children of William and Margaret Keyes. William Keyes – whose name was spelt Kaye on his marriage certificate - married Margaret Flynn at St. Michael's Church, Athy in 1866. William was a Postal Official as were all three of his sons, William, James and Thomas. He also had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. Margaret, then aged 33, is recorded as a visitor in Thomas & Anne's home in Stoneybatter when the 1911 Census was taken. Thomas Keyes died at Baggot Street Hospital on 14 March 1930.
Thomas Keyes & Anne Downes on their wedding day
Children of Thomas Keyes and Anne Downes:
1.Veronica (Vera ) Keyes born 5 July 1909 at 4 Ard-Righ Place, Stoneybatter, and died 8 February 2002 at The Sisters of Charity Residence in Southport. She is buried at The Sisters Cemetery at Mill Hill, London. She was a Civil Servant in Dublin until 1936 when she entered The Sisters of Charity, where she was known as Sister Pauline. She served mostly at Mill Hill where amongst other duties she was Bursar, Organist and Librarian.
2.Jane (Dinnie) Keyes born 16 October 1910 at 4 Ard-Righ Place, Stoneybatter, and died at the Mater Hospital on 7 July 1992. She married Edward (Eddie) Mullen of Dublin on 28 June 1937, who died 2 May 1971 on his 63rd birthday. They had three children Edward Justin (died 5 October 2012), Denis John and Henry Thomas.
3.Margaret (Peggy) Keyes born at 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, Dublin on 3 September 1912 and died on 26 June 1998 in Dublin. On 21 August 1937 in Dublin, she married William Herbert Johnston, of Belfast, born 30th April 1911 in Belfast and died 10 April 1985 in Dublin. They had three children, William Alan, Diana, and Deirdre.
4.Elizabeth (Betty) Keyes born at 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, on 7 April 1915, and died in Eastbourne, Sussex on 22 December 1990. She married Patrick Spiddal on 17 August 1942 in Dublin. Patrick was born on 12 June 1917 at Tankardstown, nr. Athy, Co. Kildare and died on 31 December 2001 in Eastbourne, Sussex. They had one son, David Joseph, born in Dublin on 2 October 1950 and died on 31 March 2010.
5.Teresa Keyes born 12 January 1918 at 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, and died at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin on 2 April 1989. She married Patrick Devlin of Dublin on 12 July 1943. Patrick died on 28 September 1998 in Dublin. They had two children, Denise and Richard.
6.Dorothy Keyes born 16 November 1919 at 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, and died on 21 April 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin. She was unmarried.
7.Thomas (Tommy) Keyes born 9 June 1923 at 7 Orchard Terrace, Phibsborough, lived in Weymouth, Dorset with his wife Hazel and their three children Christine, Thomas Geoffrey and Paul. Tommy Keyes died 13 April 2016, aged 92.
Athavallie House, Balla, Co. Mayo - in the mid-1800s the Irish seat of Sir Robt. Lynch Blosse, bart., who owned 17,555 acres (biggest land holding in Mayo) and was an absentee landlord.Thomas Downes (son of William I) Married (2): Rosanna Byrne on 29 June 1884, at the Star of the Sea church in Sandymount, Dublin. Witnesses: Michael and Cecilia Guilfoyle. Rose Downes was born in Upper Creggan, Co. Armagh, on 27 December 1862 to Thomas Byrne & Mary Lenahan. Sponsors: Michol (sic) Byrne & Judith Lenahan. She died on 16 November 1932 at 6 O’Briens Place, Haddington Road, Dublin, aged 69. She is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, St. Bridget’s Section, Grave no. SK 297.5, with Gerard Downes (d.1969 aged 47), Veronica Downes (d.1963 aged 39), Thomas Downes (d. 1949 aged 60) Gertrude Downes (d.1947 aged 21) and Bridget Downes (d. 1932 aged 5) Rose Downes’ death certificate gives the informant as Ellen Downes, daughter-in-law, with an address of 29 O’Connell Gardens, the home of Thomas Edward, their eldest son. Thomas Downes died 28 June 1911, at 6 O’Briens Place, Haddington Road, Dublin. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, The Garden Section, Grave RB74.
Photos believed to be of Thomas Downes and Rose Byrne on their wedding day, 29 June 1884.
Children of Thomas & Rosanna Downes
1. Bridget Downes, born 17.04.1885 at Bohomer, St Doulagh’s, Dublin. Died of croup on 20.10.1891 at Farm Hill, Roebuck
2. Thomas Edward Downes born 16/4/1887 at 16 South Richmond Road, Dublin. Baptised Harrington Street Church on 22.04.1887. Sponsors: Michael Kilfoyle & Kate Downs. Died aged 62 on 7/10/1949. Buried in same grave as his mother Rose in Glasnevin Cemetery (grave SK 297.5, St Bridget's Section). Note: Kate Downs is presumably Catherine, Thomas’s daughter from his marriage to Jane Lacy (despite being just 15 at the time of this baptism, it seems that once confirmed, anyone could be a sponsor). Thomas was educated at Haddington Road Convent. After trying out horticulture (under pressure?), he was an apprentice at the City Wheel Works in Brunswick St. (now Pearse St.). In about 1904, he joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers overriding the objections of his father and other relatives, who were National Foresters Association members and nationalists. By 1906, he was serving in Sudan and later in Mesopotamia. In WW1, he was wounded in the battle of Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, and sent home, later to be reposted to Egypt where he served out the war. He returned to Ireland at the end of the war and later joined the Irish Army Corps of Engineers. He was discharged on 19 February 1947.
Thomas married Ellen Mooney on 11 June 1919 at St. Mary's, Haddington Road, and died aged 62 on 7/10/1949. He is buried in same grave as his mother Rose in Glasnevin Cemetery (see above) together with his children Gerard, Veronica, Gertrude and Bridget. Thomas and Ellen had 8 children:
Thomas William (b. 20 May 1920, died 2000), married and had 4 daughters; Gerard Richard born 8.6.1922, died 6.3.1969 aged 47. British soldier. Unmarried; Veronica died 9.8.1963 aged 39. Unmarried; Gertrude born 14.1.1926 died 15.10.1947 aged 21. Unmarried; Bernard William (b.2 July 1930) died in 1986. Unmarried; Jack died in infancy; Bridget Harriet b. November 1927, died 5.11.1932 aged 5; Eileen Elizabeth (21 July 1934-25 March 2018) had 4 children.
3. Patrick Downes born 9/7/1888, at Grove Park, Rathmines, Dublin. Baptised at Rathmines Church on 11.7/1888. Sponsors: Wm Downes & Mary Kearns. Note: Presumably the godfather is Thomas’s first son, William, aged 12. Patrick married Ellen Hudson (born 1889 to William Hudson and Anne Wilson of 12 Cumberland Street, Dublin) on 9/03/1911 at St. Andrew’s Church, Dublin. Witnesses: James Wilson & Mary Hudson. Research is being carried out to confirm if Patrick served with the Royal Irish Regiment and spent time in Egypt during WW1, as photographs of him in uniform indicate this. He died on 26/12/1936 at Cranmer Cottage, Cranmer Lane, off Haddington Road, Dublin aged 48 and was, at that time, a watchman in Beggars Bush barracks, Haddington Road. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery (Plot MK189.5) with his wife Ellen and daughter Rosamund (Rosie). Ellen died at Cranmer Cottage, Cranmer Lane, off Haddington Road on 3/10/1944, aged 54. Patrick & Ellen had 5 children:
Patrick J emigrated to the UK and married Edna Fletcher in Birmingham in December 1945. They had 3 children, one daughter and two sons; Rosamund (Rosie) married Matthew Day in Dublin on 8 September 1937, Witnesses: John Downes & Amy Langan. Their only child, Patrick Francis, died aged 18 days on 12 October 1935; John William and his wife Eileen lived in Deansgrange, Dublin. They had 5 children, one daughter and 4 sons; Mary (Mollie) married William Dunwoody, (born c. 1911, youngest of 13 children born to George Dunwoody (b. 1873 in Co. Down) & Ellen Mary Grant, born Dublin 1871, who married in Dublin in 1895) and lived in Dublin. They had 4 children, two daughters and two sons; Ronald S was born on 13/01/1935 at Holles Street Hospital. His father was employed at Beggars Bush at that time. Ronald (Ronnie) married Carmel Helen Saunders in 1959 and lived in Dublin. They had 6 children, two daughters and four sons. Ronald S. worked in the Printing Department at Guinness Brewery, Dublin until retirement. He died on 13/10/2000 and is buried with his daughter Jennifer (wife of Mats Pettersson of Gothenburg, Sweden) in Mount Venus Cemetery, Dublin.
4.John Joseph Downes born 15 December 1890 at Farm Hill, Roebuck, Co. Dublin. Baptised at Dundrum on 15/12/1890. Sponsors: Felix & Elizabeth Daniel (his half-sister Elizabeth Downes)
X Killed in action 9th May 1915 at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, nr Lille, France, while serving with 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Gave his name as John Byrne when enlisting, the name inscribed on Panel 9, Ploegsteert Memorial, near Mesen, Belgium. No known grave. His name (J. Downes) is also inscribed on WW1 War Memorial in St. Mary’s Church, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Will of Rifleman John “Byrne”, no. 9649, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, recognized as valid by the War Office on 1 February 1917.
“In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs. Rose Downes of 6, O’Brien’s Place, Haddington Road, Dublin Ireland. Signed, John Byrne, 9649, R.I. Rifles”
5. Rose Christina Downes born at Farm Hill, Roebuck on 2 January 1893. Baptised: 2 January 1893 in Dundrum. Sponsors: Joseph Melin & Anne Dunne. She never married, but lived with her sister Kathleen (Ryan) at 59A, Serpentine Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Rose died there on 13 June 1964. The death certificate describes her as a clerk. Informant: William D. Ryan, her nephew (see below). She is buried in grave 32 BO, St Brigid’s, Deansgrange. Her niece, Kathleen Connelly of 21 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, is buried with her, and the grave owner is Rose's sister Kathleen Ryan (below).
6. Kathleen Downes born 19 July 1896. Address: 19 Turners Cottages, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Baptised 20 July 1896, St. Mary’s, Haddington Road. Sponsor: (half-sister) Jane McCarthy (née Downes). Kathleen married William Ryan, son of David Ryan, on 30 June 1921 at St. Mary’s Chruch, Haddington Road, Dublin. Kathleen died at 10, Garreglwyd Park, Holyhead, Anglesey, on 10 January 1988, aged 91. She and William had 4 children: Carmel Patricia, born at 10, Newgrove Avenue on 16 June 1923, married John Barton Speidel, pork butcher, on 20 January 1941 in Cabinteely; Kathleen Patricia, born at 13, Chaworth Terrace on 24 February 1926. Kathleen married Edward Joseph Connelly on 28 September 1954 at the Star of the Sea church in Sandymount. and died, widowed, at the age of 47 on 30 July 1973. She is buried with her aunt Rose in Deansgrange; Bernadette Muriel, born at 13, Lr. Pembroke Street on 29 December 1928. She married Robert Macca of Almunecar, Granada, Spain, at Guardian Angels Church, Newtownpark Avenue on 18/11/1981. Bernadette died at 10, Garreglwyd Park, Holyhead on 4 January 1994, aged 65; William David (Billy), born at 90, Pembroke Road on 14 April 1934. Billy worked for B&I and moved to Holyhead, where he died on 15th November 2010, aged 76. Billy’s death announcement: (http://www.bmdsonline.co.uk/31072077-death-william-david-ryan)
Left: Family photo in Kilmacud taken by Lafayette, probably in 1925. With black arm-bands worn by some, and only direct family members present, this photograph appears to be a 10th anniversary commemmoration (given the likely ages of the family members) for John Joseph and Thomas Downes who were killed in action in May and August 1915 respectively. Insert: William (Anthony) Downes III. Back row: Paddy II, Maureen, William Downes II, Anne. Middle row: Thomas Edward, Kathleen, Eileen, Rose Downes Senior, Margaret Downes, Jim, Rose Junior, Patrick I, Front, sitting: Jack (J.B.), Clare Baumann (cousin).
Grave of L/Cpl Thomas Downes Jr. (1896-1915) at Twelve Tree Copse Memorial Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Glasnevin grave of Thomas Downes, 1840-1911. This plot was registered in the name of Sarah Downes (died 1834). Also buried there are: Edward Downes (d.1840), Francis Guilfoyle (d.1842) Harriet Downes (d.1883), Catherine Downes (d.1887) and Bridget Downes (d.1891), Memorial erected by Denis Mullen, grandson of Anne Downes (Keyes), great-grandson of Thomas Downes.
Memorial to William and Margaret Downes and Eileen and Edward Saunders,
St. Nissans, Deansgrange Cemetery, Dublin.
Key(e)s family photograph taken at the wedding of Margaret Keys to William Johnston, 21 August 1937
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