Harry & Mabel in 1936
Connolly family of Dromartin House
Thomas Connolly, a farmer.
1 James Connolly son of Thomas born circa 1849 was a national school teacher. He
married Isabella Devlin on 20 Oct 1880 at Dundalk. Bella was a teacher and the
daughter of Peter Devlin. James was a JP and served one term as a County Councillor.
They lived at Ravensdale, Dundalk in 1901 and in 1911 four of their five children had
survived. James was the proprietor of the Proleek Lime Works and the Lime Store,
Merchants Quay, Newry. James died 11 Jul 1916 at Ravensdale and was buried at St
Patricks. Isabella died 24 Jul 1932 in Dundalk.
2 Alexander Connolly son of Thomas born circa 1853 at Blackwatertown, Co Armagh
served his apprenticeship to the grocery and spirit trade with Messrs Quinn’s North
Street, Belfast. In 1882 he went into business on his account and soon acquired
several licenced premises including one in North Queen Street in Belfast and another
in Great George’s Street. He married Margaret (Maggie) Madden from Galrock on
30 Oct 1883 at Armagh Cathedral. Maggie was the daughter of the late Francis Madden,
a farmer. They had fifteen children of whom eleven survived in 1911. In 1903 they
moved to Milltown, a large house with 7 bedrooms and an Orchard on the shore of Lough
Neagh. Alexander was appointed a JP in 1907. He died on 25 Mar 1910 at Milltown House,
Birches, Portadown. His funeral mass was held at Maghery where he was also buried. He
left 2k in personal estate. Margaret continued the business with her son Thomas. In 1916
Margaret decided to retire and put the grocers and licenced premises on 4 acres at Milltown,
Birches with 7 cottages and the adjoining 5 acre farm up for sale but it took a number of
years to sell. In 1919 Margaret moved to Dromartin House, Dundrum. Margaret died
17 Feb 1946 aged 83 at Cul Mullen, Navan Road; her son Leo the informant.
1 Thomas Patrick (Tom) Connolly eldest son born 31 Oct 1884 at Bristol Street in Belfast.
He was the founder and captain of St Malachy’s Gaelic Football team, Mahery and also
competed at cycling meetings. Tom and his mother took over the business’ in 1908
when his father was struck by paralysis. Tom died unmarried on All Soul’s Day,
2 Nov 1911 at Milltown House and he was buried at Mahery with his father.
2 Mary Veronica Connolly born 11 Apr 1886 at Bristol Street, Belfast living with her mother
at Derryaugh, Lurgan in 1911 attended her brother Edward's funeral in 1948.
3 Elizabeth (Lily) Connolly second daughter born circa 1888 joined the Sisters of Mercy,
Crumlin Road, Belfast in 1907. In religion she was Sister Mary Cecilia.
4 Catherine Connolly born 21 Aug 1889 at 74 Great Georges Street.
5 Catherine Cecilia (Cassie) Connolly, third daughter born circa 1891 in Belfast. She
married Peter Sherry on 14 Jan 1914 at St Laurence O’Toole Church, Dublin. Rev
Michael Connolly, her cousin officiated. Peter was a farmer and cattle dealer and
the son of John Sherry of Armagh. They lived in Clonkeen, Clones where in 1932
Cassie was knocked down by a bullock. She managed to get to her feet and bravely
held the animal by the nose and screamed for help. She was rescued 30 minutes
later and made a full recovery. Peter died in 1934
6 Henry Joseph (Harry) Connolly born 20 Dec 1892 at Manning Street, Belfast. He was
educated at St Patrick’s College, Dungannon and St Malachy’s College, Belfast. He loved
the theatre and was known for his impersonations of comedians. Harry drove a Ford
motor car and in 1922 it was damaged in an attempt to commandeer it by Irregulars.
He was an auctioneer with premises at 13 D’Olier Street by 1923. He married Mabel
Staunton at University Church, Stephen’s Green on 30 Sep 1936. Henry was living at
Drommartin House, Dundrum and Mabel was the daughter of John P Staunton, a
farmer of The Grove, Ahascragh, Co Galway. He was president of the Irish Auctioneers
and Estate Agents Association in 1936 and again in 1937, an office that was rarely held
twice. Henry had Dromartin House up for sale in 1941. He died at St Vincent’s Hospital
on 29 Jan 1959 late of 'Avondale', St Alban’s Park, Sydney Parade. His funeral mass was
held at Church of our Lady of Peace, Merrion Road and he was buried at Deansgrange.
7 Alexander Connolly 14 Apr 1894 in Belfast attended Maynooth and was conferred a
priest in 1922. He was known as Father Alex and was parish priest of Ballgalget in 1955
and transferred to Crossgar in 1961 where he died in 1969.
8 Margaret Mary (Rita) Connolly born 9 Dec 1897 at 2 Duncairn gardens in Belfast. Rita
was living at Dromartin House and won a medal in the Feis Ceoil in 1923. She married
James Cawley on 20 May 1925 Holy Cross, Dundrum. James was a barrister of 43
Waterloo Place and the son of the late Thomas Cawley of Sligo.
9 Teresa Josephine Connolly fifth daughter born 25 Sep 1899 at Duncairne Gardens,
Belfast. She was living at Dromartin House and married Garrett Flavin on 25 Jan 1928
at Holy Cross Church Dundrum. Garrett worked for the Land Commission and was the
second son of John Glavin of Clashmore House, Co Waterford. They lived at 2 Grove
Avenue, Blackrock. Garreth died on 11 Dec 1951 and was buried in Glasnevin.
10 Edward J (Eddie) Connolly born 26 Aug 1901 at 2 Duncairne Gardens, Belfast living with
his mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Edward married Gabrielle Stokes, a widow
and daughter of Charles Marie on 25 Nov 1942 at St Michael's, Dun Laoghaire. Edward
was an auctioneer and estate agent of Lincoln Place, Westland Row from 1938 until his
death on 25 Jul 1948. His brother Henry was the informant and he was buried at
Deansgrange.
11 Francis Dominick (Leo) Connolly born 18 Jul 1903 in Lurgan, Co Armagh living with his
mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Leo was an auctioneer in 1945 and was living
at 'Crumullen', Navan Road in 1963. Leo died unmarried on 25 Apr 1976 at 2 Grove
Avenue and was buried at Deansgrange with his brother Henry.
12 Rosanna Clare (Clare) Connolly born 31 Jul 1905 in Lurgan Co Armagh living with her
mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Clare of Dromartin House Dundrum professed
a nun as Sister Marie Celine at St Louis Convent, Monaghan in 1927.
13 James Joseph Connolly born 8 Mar 1908 in Lurgan, Co Armagh died 8 Apr 1908 at
Derryaugh, Lurgan.
3 Thomas Connolly of Blackwatertown attended both his brother’s funerals in 1910 and in
1916.
4 Patrick Connolly born circa 1861 in County Armagh, He was a merchant of Belfast and
married Catherine (Cassie) Madden on 10 Apr 1888 in Armagh. Catherine was the daughter
of the late Francis Madden, a farmer. She was also his brother Alex’s sister in law. Patrick,
Cassie and their seven children were living at Springfield Road in 1901.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - November 2020
* With special thanks to Mary Cregan
Return to Dromartin House page
Thomas Connolly, a farmer.
1 James Connolly son of Thomas born circa 1849 was a national school teacher. He
married Isabella Devlin on 20 Oct 1880 at Dundalk. Bella was a teacher and the
daughter of Peter Devlin. James was a JP and served one term as a County Councillor.
They lived at Ravensdale, Dundalk in 1901 and in 1911 four of their five children had
survived. James was the proprietor of the Proleek Lime Works and the Lime Store,
Merchants Quay, Newry. James died 11 Jul 1916 at Ravensdale and was buried at St
Patricks. Isabella died 24 Jul 1932 in Dundalk.
2 Alexander Connolly son of Thomas born circa 1853 at Blackwatertown, Co Armagh
served his apprenticeship to the grocery and spirit trade with Messrs Quinn’s North
Street, Belfast. In 1882 he went into business on his account and soon acquired
several licenced premises including one in North Queen Street in Belfast and another
in Great George’s Street. He married Margaret (Maggie) Madden from Galrock on
30 Oct 1883 at Armagh Cathedral. Maggie was the daughter of the late Francis Madden,
a farmer. They had fifteen children of whom eleven survived in 1911. In 1903 they
moved to Milltown, a large house with 7 bedrooms and an Orchard on the shore of Lough
Neagh. Alexander was appointed a JP in 1907. He died on 25 Mar 1910 at Milltown House,
Birches, Portadown. His funeral mass was held at Maghery where he was also buried. He
left 2k in personal estate. Margaret continued the business with her son Thomas. In 1916
Margaret decided to retire and put the grocers and licenced premises on 4 acres at Milltown,
Birches with 7 cottages and the adjoining 5 acre farm up for sale but it took a number of
years to sell. In 1919 Margaret moved to Dromartin House, Dundrum. Margaret died
17 Feb 1946 aged 83 at Cul Mullen, Navan Road; her son Leo the informant.
1 Thomas Patrick (Tom) Connolly eldest son born 31 Oct 1884 at Bristol Street in Belfast.
He was the founder and captain of St Malachy’s Gaelic Football team, Mahery and also
competed at cycling meetings. Tom and his mother took over the business’ in 1908
when his father was struck by paralysis. Tom died unmarried on All Soul’s Day,
2 Nov 1911 at Milltown House and he was buried at Mahery with his father.
2 Mary Veronica Connolly born 11 Apr 1886 at Bristol Street, Belfast living with her mother
at Derryaugh, Lurgan in 1911 attended her brother Edward's funeral in 1948.
3 Elizabeth (Lily) Connolly second daughter born circa 1888 joined the Sisters of Mercy,
Crumlin Road, Belfast in 1907. In religion she was Sister Mary Cecilia.
4 Catherine Connolly born 21 Aug 1889 at 74 Great Georges Street.
5 Catherine Cecilia (Cassie) Connolly, third daughter born circa 1891 in Belfast. She
married Peter Sherry on 14 Jan 1914 at St Laurence O’Toole Church, Dublin. Rev
Michael Connolly, her cousin officiated. Peter was a farmer and cattle dealer and
the son of John Sherry of Armagh. They lived in Clonkeen, Clones where in 1932
Cassie was knocked down by a bullock. She managed to get to her feet and bravely
held the animal by the nose and screamed for help. She was rescued 30 minutes
later and made a full recovery. Peter died in 1934
6 Henry Joseph (Harry) Connolly born 20 Dec 1892 at Manning Street, Belfast. He was
educated at St Patrick’s College, Dungannon and St Malachy’s College, Belfast. He loved
the theatre and was known for his impersonations of comedians. Harry drove a Ford
motor car and in 1922 it was damaged in an attempt to commandeer it by Irregulars.
He was an auctioneer with premises at 13 D’Olier Street by 1923. He married Mabel
Staunton at University Church, Stephen’s Green on 30 Sep 1936. Henry was living at
Drommartin House, Dundrum and Mabel was the daughter of John P Staunton, a
farmer of The Grove, Ahascragh, Co Galway. He was president of the Irish Auctioneers
and Estate Agents Association in 1936 and again in 1937, an office that was rarely held
twice. Henry had Dromartin House up for sale in 1941. He died at St Vincent’s Hospital
on 29 Jan 1959 late of 'Avondale', St Alban’s Park, Sydney Parade. His funeral mass was
held at Church of our Lady of Peace, Merrion Road and he was buried at Deansgrange.
7 Alexander Connolly 14 Apr 1894 in Belfast attended Maynooth and was conferred a
priest in 1922. He was known as Father Alex and was parish priest of Ballgalget in 1955
and transferred to Crossgar in 1961 where he died in 1969.
8 Margaret Mary (Rita) Connolly born 9 Dec 1897 at 2 Duncairn gardens in Belfast. Rita
was living at Dromartin House and won a medal in the Feis Ceoil in 1923. She married
James Cawley on 20 May 1925 Holy Cross, Dundrum. James was a barrister of 43
Waterloo Place and the son of the late Thomas Cawley of Sligo.
9 Teresa Josephine Connolly fifth daughter born 25 Sep 1899 at Duncairne Gardens,
Belfast. She was living at Dromartin House and married Garrett Flavin on 25 Jan 1928
at Holy Cross Church Dundrum. Garrett worked for the Land Commission and was the
second son of John Glavin of Clashmore House, Co Waterford. They lived at 2 Grove
Avenue, Blackrock. Garreth died on 11 Dec 1951 and was buried in Glasnevin.
10 Edward J (Eddie) Connolly born 26 Aug 1901 at 2 Duncairne Gardens, Belfast living with
his mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Edward married Gabrielle Stokes, a widow
and daughter of Charles Marie on 25 Nov 1942 at St Michael's, Dun Laoghaire. Edward
was an auctioneer and estate agent of Lincoln Place, Westland Row from 1938 until his
death on 25 Jul 1948. His brother Henry was the informant and he was buried at
Deansgrange.
11 Francis Dominick (Leo) Connolly born 18 Jul 1903 in Lurgan, Co Armagh living with his
mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Leo was an auctioneer in 1945 and was living
at 'Crumullen', Navan Road in 1963. Leo died unmarried on 25 Apr 1976 at 2 Grove
Avenue and was buried at Deansgrange with his brother Henry.
12 Rosanna Clare (Clare) Connolly born 31 Jul 1905 in Lurgan Co Armagh living with her
mother in 1911 at Derryaugh, Lurgan. Clare of Dromartin House Dundrum professed
a nun as Sister Marie Celine at St Louis Convent, Monaghan in 1927.
13 James Joseph Connolly born 8 Mar 1908 in Lurgan, Co Armagh died 8 Apr 1908 at
Derryaugh, Lurgan.
3 Thomas Connolly of Blackwatertown attended both his brother’s funerals in 1910 and in
1916.
4 Patrick Connolly born circa 1861 in County Armagh, He was a merchant of Belfast and
married Catherine (Cassie) Madden on 10 Apr 1888 in Armagh. Catherine was the daughter
of the late Francis Madden, a farmer. She was also his brother Alex’s sister in law. Patrick,
Cassie and their seven children were living at Springfield Road in 1901.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - November 2020
* With special thanks to Mary Cregan
Return to Dromartin House page