LUCEY, Cornelius and Julia (née Kelleher)

Cahireen1, the name of the farm where the Lucey family lived in Co. Cork is approximately seven miles north-west of Macroom, the market town where the farm's produce, including butter and livestock, were sold and the household commodities purchased. Although the official title of the townland was Baratanaknock, the family members were known as "Cahireens" because of a fort, or cahir, which was situated on the land from earliest times.

Conny Cahireen

Cornelius, known more familiarly as "Conny Cahireen" was easy-going and affable, tall and well built, and was considered to be very good looking. He was also reputed to be an athlete of some ability, and in an anecdotal reference to this, his son, John, once reported that:

... his ability to run served a very useful purpose when a man-hunt had been arranged to catch a dangerous lunatic who was ranging about the locality in possession of a large cleaver knife. Conny was the first to catch up with the man and hold him until the others came up, even though the knife had been driven through his hand by the lunatic. The Police present wanted him [Conny] to join them and offered him early promotion but he would not.

He loved horses and would have only the very best. A good horse for saddle or cart was a necessity for the farmer if his prestige was not to suffer, because his neighbours would so often challenge him to a road race after weddings or funerals or when coming home from fairs or markets. Conny Cahireen never believed in being last on such occasions!

Julia, his Wife

Julia Kelleher, his wife, daughter of Seán (John) Andreas and Julia (née Healy), came from a family of nine children—four boys and five girls. She grew up at Cahirkearna near Ballyvourney where her father owned five substantial farms. Julia has been described as small, but virile, and a highly competent housekeeper.  

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