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Diarmuid Ó Sé(anglicised Jeremiah Shea) was born c. 1830 on the Great Blasket Island, Ireland. He is well known as the uncle that Tomás Ó Criomhthain (Tomás O'Crohan) so fondly called "The Rake" in his book the An tOileánach (The Islandman). His parents were Eibhlín (Ellen) Ní Ghuithín and Diarmuid Ó Sé (married c. 1810). He is probably buried in Ventry or Dunquin parish, as only unbaptized infants, bodies found at sea and suicides were buried on the island.[1]
Diarmuid was one of the most important characters in the Blasket 'Story'. He was one of the main characters in An tOileánach (The Islandman). Tomás Ó Criomhthain (Tomás O'Crohan) who was encouraged by Carl Mastrander in 1917 to write about life on the Blasket Islands. His books are considered classics of Irish-language literature containing portrayals of a unique way of life, now extinct, of great human, literary, linguistic, and anthropological interest. Regarding mentions of him in other books, he has quite a central role in Seanchas ón Oileán Tiar ('folklore from the western island'), a collection of folklore which the renowned folklorist Seamus O Duilearga (James Delargy) collected from Tomás Ó Criomhthain. Diarmuid is mentioned several times in the review of same by Máire MacNeill which was published in The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 71, No. 280 (Apr-Jun 1958).
From An tOileánach
[edit]Diarmuid's tale is in multiple chapters: Including: Diarmuid places a peice of seal meat on Tomás' leg to promote healing: Tomás saves his uncle's life in the seal cave: Selling the pigs in Dingle: Spending days on Inishvickillaun while Diarmuid tries to make a "match" for Tomás: Diarmuid sends Tomás to bed while he sits with Tomás' mother on her death bed: Diarmuid's son commits suicide after a long illness that affects his thinking: Diarmuid's other son hits his head and never is able to do a days work again: finally Tomás decides Diarmuid was not a Rake after all that Diarmuid had spent most of his life taking care of others, and had neglected himself. An tOileánach (The Islandman) chapter 14, "Christmas Provisions":
- It was customary to go to town several days before Christmas to get tea, sugar, flour and other supplies.
| “ | "My three uncles and my sister Kate's husband Pats Heamish, were going down to the boat for Dingle. Though they were all good friends of mine, I wasn't too anxious to go in their company. I'd had enough of Pats Heamish the day I went with him,
and my uncle Diarmid too, you may be sure, that day with the pigs, and that wasn't so long ago either.When I came to a halt on the cliff-top, Diarmid came from below after taking a basket of fish down to the water, 'Are you going to Dingle?' says he to me. 'I was thinking of it ,' says I. 'Why on earth, then, couldn't you get ready?' said he. 'Have you got any fish or anything else to take with you' 'I have half a hundred pollock to take, but I haven't the time to put them together,' says I, 'Aren't you all ready now?' 'Run off with you now and put them up,' said he. 'The boat will wait for you.' As I've said before, Diarmid was the best of the lot. The rest hadn't a thing to say to me, although all who were going on the boat were kinsmen of mine. I sprang off at once. I put up my fish with two ropes I had. Another lad brought one of the bundles down to me, and I had the whole thing done in half an hour. The boat was afloat, ready and waitng for me. 'Holy Mary!' says Diarmid, 'You didn't take to long.' They took the bundles aboard and off we sailed for Dingle. [2] |
” |
When they got to Dingle, Tomas and Diarmid were able to sell their fish right away to the the women called 'huck-sters' on the quay.
.....As was the custom, they bought each other drinks...later in the Chapter, and later in the day:.....
| “ | "I thank God today, as I did then, that I didn't do what
I had in mind to do, and that is: sit down and drink my fill. I felt that if I did so he world would surely go as easily with me as with the others who were taking that line, I had good cause to be angry. The boat that had come out with us had gone home, and the crew of my boat was melting like the foam on the river; three of the brothers sodden with drink, one of them in jail, and as for the two others in the boat, I hadn't seen them all day up to now -" [2] |
” |
Background:
[edit]The Great Blasket Island is appx. 2 kilometres off the southwest corner of Ireland (County Kerry). The Curach was the main way of getting to the mainland so despite the closeness, the Islanders were frequently cut off by bad weather. The highest population of the Islands was 176 in 1916. Families moved to the Blasket Islands as early as 1750. During the first 10 years (1808-17) covered by baptismal records eight family names occur. Two of the families occur once then disappear. The remaining names are Kearney - one family, Guiheen - five families, Dunlevy - two families, Shea - three families, Keane - one family. [3]
Early life:
[edit]Diarmuid came from a large family, one of his sisters is Tomás O'Crohan's mother.
During the Great_Irish_Potato_Famine the Island's population dropped from 156 in 1841, to 109 in 1851. Islanders survived the potato famine better than mainlanders because they could fish, and there was a good supply of birds and rabbits on the Island. Also they were able to salvage cargo from three ship wrecks to sell for money to buy food.
Marriages:
[edit]The Rake was married twice and had at least 10 children.
His first marriage was to a woman of the Carney family, which lasted only a few years before she died. They married on the 13 Feb 1858. (There is little known about the first wife. There is a Johanna Carney who was born on the 20/3/1830, daughter of Pat Carney & Mary Scanlon, which could be her, although 28 is quite old for a marriage.)
His second mariage: Diarmuid Ó Sé and Máire (Moll) Ní Ghuithín were married on 20/2/1862. Moll was born in 1844. Máire's parents were Seán Ó Guithín & Máire de Mórdha, married 11/02/1834 [1]
- If this is not the Diarmuid Ó Sé you are looking for, he had a nephew, another Diarmuid Sé, who married Máire Ní Ghuithín (another Maire), Peig Sayers' sister-in-law.
Children:
[edit]The Rake's known children:
| Surname | Name | Mother | D.O.B | Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sé | Seán | Siobhán Ní Cheárna | 1.05.1859 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Máire | Siobhán Ní Cheárna | 30.09.1860 | Baptismal record | |
| Shea | Honora | Carney | 1861 ? | death certificate | |
| Sé | Tomás | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 06.07.1864 | Baptismal record | *Tomás and |
| Shea | Thomas | Mary Guiheen | 1865 | death certificate | *Thomas same person |
| Sé | Donal | Máire Ní Ghuithin(Moll) | 08.10.1866 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Pádraig | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 24.04.1870 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Cáit | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 22.12.1872 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Seán | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 01.07.1875 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Eibhlín | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 09.01.1881 | Baptismal record | |
| Sé | Muiris | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 26.06.1883 | Baptismal record | |
| Shea | William | Mary Guiheen | 12.03.1887 | death certificate | |
| Sé | Andrias | Máire Ní Ghuithín(Moll) | 27.01.1889 | Baptismal record |
Baptism Records previded by: Dáithí de Mórdha,OPW, Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Dún Chaoin, Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí, 066-9156444
Death Certificates provided by: Town Hall, Town Of Enfield CT, USA.
Three emigrated from Blaskets to Thompsonville CT USA:
[edit]The three silblings alway lived within one-half mile of each other. All three became devout members of St Patrick's Church. Irish Immigrants were strong and hard working, so they were able to find work. However as Catholics they at first experienced harsh discrimination. They had to find an Irish architect to design their church because no one would provide them the service. Their church was dedicated in 1904. [4]
Honora came first in 1879
On 30.9.1883 She married Patrick Stack who emigrated 1879
Patrick is the son of John Stack and Mary Moore of Kerry, Ireland
Born 22.2.1857, Baile Ghainnín, Ballyferriter parish.
Their marriage sponsors were Michael Carney and Maria Carney
Patrck Stack work in the Dye room at the Hartford Carpet Company in Thompsonville(became Bigelow Carpet)
Patrick died on 21.5.1934.
Honora died on 17.3.1936.
Her pall bearers were Atty. Thomas Malone, Daniel Gallant, Thomas Hannafin,
Maurice Griffin, John Shea and John Ferguson.
Patrick and Honora are buried in St. Patrick's old Cemetary
along with several of their children.
Thomas came right after Honora's first child was born in 1886.
Thomas was then the sponsor for the baptisim of Honora's second child, Michael.
In 1890 he married Bridget Moriarty
Bridget was born in 1868 and emigrated 1884 from Dingle. Ireland
Bridget is one of 11 children of Denis Moriarty b 1831 d 1915
and Bridget O'Connell b 1836 d 1910 of Dingle Ireland
Thomas worked in the Dye room with his brother-in-law Patrick.
Bridget died 1933.
Thomas died in 1935 after he was struck by a car walking home after visiting his daughter.
His pall bearers were Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Crohan, John Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan,
Michael Guiheen and Michael Kane.
Thomas and Bridget are buried in Saint Patrick's old cemetary, along with several of their children.
William came last.
Honora and Thomas would have been in THompsonville before William was born.
William married Mary Lynch (Minnie) b 17.2.1886
They had one daughter, somewhat later in life.
William worked in the dye room at the Bigelow Carpet Company.
William died on 2.2.1958, Minnie on 1.1.1968
They are buried with their daugher in Saint Patrick's King Street Cemetary.
More than 150 decsndents:
[edit] Children of Honora Shea and Patrick Stack:
- - They had at least 9 children, 11 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren - -
I.Mary Stack b 28.4.1885 d. 31.10.1918 of Spanish Flu / Pneumonia
married 18.4.1912 Michael J Hynds
their children,
A.Helen Stack b 1914 d. 24.10.1997 Enfield married
married Ralph Van Nostrand b 3-20-1911 New York d 8-6-1975 Enfield CT
- 4 children - 11 grandchildren - 13 great-grandchildren
B.Mary Rita Stack b 1917 d 28.12.1980
married John Falkowski b 20.1.1911 d 27.5.2003 Enfield CT
- 1 child
II.Michael Joseph Stack b 9.1886 d 26.1.1958 Philadelphia PA
married Margaret Jane Gavin b 10.7.1898 d 17.12.1967 Prospect Park Pa
daughter of Bernard Gavin and Maryann Manning
their children
A.Doris Stack b 25.4.1910
married Samual (Terry) McAlpin Philadelphia PA d 8-18-1997 Fortescue NJ
- 5 children
B.Thomas Stack b 11.4.1910 d 2.1980 San Fransisco CA
married Alicai Gardiagabal who was born in Cartagena Columbia
- 16 children
C.Francis Stack b 30.9.1918 T'ville d Ridley Park PA
married Cathy Sheehy - born in Canada - divorced
- 4 children
D.Patrick Martin Stack b 27.1.1924 Leaksville NC d 29.7.1990 Philadelpia PA
married on 12.10.46 Florence Lillian McVeigh b 26.4.1927 Philadelphia PA
daughter of Robert McVeigh &Florence McCafferty
- 10 children
III.Patrick Stack b 17.1.1888 d. 11.1977 Maryknoll NY
worked for 10 years as a street-car conductor with the Hartford and Springfield Railway
worked for 11 years witht the Bigelow Hartford CArpet Mills
then in the US Army in WWI honorably discharged 8-4-1919
joined Maryknoll Brothers 10.1925 final vows Sept 1931
IV.Thomas Stack b 7.1.1896
joined Maryknoll Brothers Stafford Spring CT
V.Helen ELizabeth Stack b 8.9.1900 d 24.10.1997
married on 1.9.1930 Allire Joseph Gallant b 29.3.1900 d 9.8.1976
VI.Doris Irene Stack b 29.4.1903 d 16.6.1965 Stafford CT
married George Bouthillier
their children
A. Roger Bouthillier married Jeanne - Stafford Springs CT
B.John D. Bouthillier b 1.1.1937 Springfield MA d 1.8.2002 Manassas VA
- buried St Edward's Cemetary Stafford Springs CT
C.James Bouthillier d 24.11.1998
D.George Bouthillier married Marjorie - Stafford Springs
E.Judith Bouthillier b 03.08.1938 d 10.12.2002 Hartford Hosp Hartford CT
married Joseph Gagne
- 8 children 17 grandchildren
VII.Annie Stack b 1-2-1899 d 10-20-1899 died of meningitis
VIII.James Stack b 8-20-1891 d 8-12-1894 died of marasmus
IX.John Stack b 1-1890 d 12-4-1890 died of spinal meningitis
Children of Thomas Shea and Bridget Moriarty:
- - They had at least 8 children, 11 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren - -
I. Bridget (Bridie) Shea b 1890 d 1988,
married 17.12.1922 Joseph McMahon b 1875 d 1947 Springfield MA
their children
A. Tom b 1926 d 1956 died in automobile accident, had married Mary Rowan
- 2 children, a girl and a boy; Mary Rowan remarried and we lost track of them
B. Mary Theresa b 19.8.1929 d 14.1.2009 married Eugene Slowick (Red)
- 4 children, 1 grandchild
II. Mary (Mamie) Shea b 1891 d 1963
married 27.4.1926 Willaim Hunt from Lowell b 1894 d 1963
Owned and operated "Hunt and Shea" retail carpet Store
their children
A. William L. Hunt- d 5.4.1981 married Clare Provencher
- 4 children
B. Edward Hunt married Marcia Meehan
- 5 children
III. Ellen (Nellie) Shea b 21.4.1893 d 20.10.1973 Springfield MA
married John Joseph Finn b 21.11.1897 d 17.5.1951
their children
A. Thomas b. 9.1.1926 d 22.7.2004
B. Dorothy b. 3.23.1923 d. 36.7.1979
C. Helen Marie b. 19.4.1931 married 8-1-1955 Robert E Sulivan
- 6 children, 18 grandchildren
IV. John (Jack) Shea b 1896 d 1962 Springfield MA
married Gertrude Handsey b 1895 d 1933
mother & child died in childbirth
V. Anna Shea b 1900 died 13.1.1968 Thompsonville CT
VI. Thomas Francis Shea (died in infancy) b 7.11.1897 d 21.7.1898
VII. William L. Shea b 1902 d 1959
VIII. Thomas Edward Shea b 1904 d 1972
married 25.11.1935 Bernice Barnack b 25.12.1917 d 13.9.2002
their children
A. Joyce Theresa Shea b 2.4.1940 d 19.12006 buried with parents St. Patrick's King Street Cemetary
B.Thomas Edward Shea JR b 23.4.1942
C. Elizabeth Ann Shea b 23.10.1944 married 15.4.1972 John Magee III b 7.10.1941 d 23.8.2008
- 3 children
D. Cynthia Mary Shea b 10.2.1950 married 8.6.1974 Steve Olson b 24.11.1946
- 1 child
Child of WIlliam Shea and Mary (Minnie) Lynch:
- - They had one child -
I. Mary Shea b 5.5.1922 d 4.1.1999
Mary never married and led a somewhat reclusive life
See also
[edit]- Blasket Islands
- Tomás Ó Criomhthain
- The Blascaod Centre in Dún Chaoin[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dáithí de Mórdha, Archivist. Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Dún Chaoin, Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí, 066-9156444.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b O'Crohan, Tomas (1951). The Islandman translated from the Irish by Robin Flower. OxfordPress.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) Cite error: The named reference "OCrohan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Stagles, Joan&Ray (1988). The Blasket Islands Next Parish America. The O'Brien Press. p. 33.
- ^ MIller, Michael (1998). Images of America: Enfield Connecticut. Arcadia.
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