John Donegan Watch for sale with Maynards in 2021
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John Donegan watch for sale with Bonhams in 2015
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1838 John Donegan watch for sale with Christies in 2015
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Donegan of Vergemount
Patrick Donegan of Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh born circa 1757 married Mary. He
died 5 Jul 1823 and was buried in Galoon Cemetery. Mary Donegan died on 6 May 1852.
1 Patrick Donegan born circa 1787 was a jeweller and goldsmith. He married Mary.
In 1841 he was trading from 9 Essex Quay. It was announced in 1862 that Patrick
senior was the successor and would carry on the business of the late John Joseph
Donegan (his brother). The Donegans also sold Turret Clocks but it is thought that
John Stephenson Ogg used their premises to build these and they were then
retailed under the Donegan name. One of these is in Trim Cathedral and another
was installed at Goff's farm in New Abbey, Kilcullen. Patrick died 12 Dec 1872 at
Vergemount House, Clonskea and was buried in the family vault at Glasnevin E33,
O'Connell Circle. He left 22K in personal estate and his son Patrick was, one of the
executors, the main beneficiary and the residual legatee. The Will was contested
as everything bar a few small legacies was left to his son Patrick. He had already
given land in Fermanagh to the value of 2K to two other sons during his lifetime.
His daughter Maria who in a previous Will was left £300, got nothing. It transpired
that Patrick senior had deliberately cut his daughter and son in law, James Pollock
and a grandson James Donegan in America out of his Will as there had been a dispute
between them. The Will was upheld.
1 Patrick Donegan second son born circa 1829 in Co Cavan. He was a jeweller,
goldsmith and watchmaker. He worked for his uncle John at Dame Street and
by 1861 he was foreman of the workshop at 1 Essex-street. As per a clause
in the wishes of his uncle he had to keep the business going. They only made key
wound watches and their business diminished with the introduction of keyless
watches. He married Mary (possibly O'Brien) and they lived at Springfield in
Cabra where Mary died on 12 May 1867 aged 34.
1 Mary Donegan born circa 1857 died 31 Jan 1868 aged 10 and was buried
at Glasnevin.
2 Margie Frances Donegan, eldest daughter born circa 1863 married James
Tyrrell of Leinster Market on 30 Jan 1883 at the Church of St Bridget,
Blanchardstown. James was a butcher and the son of Thomas Tyrrell, a
chandler. In August 1883 Margaret was injured in a tram accident, the
family claimed for 2K and were awarded £400. They were living at South
Dock in 1901 with their four children.
1 Thomas Tyrrell born 14 Jan 1884 at 7 Leinster Market.
Patrick secondly married Mary Anne Smith on 8 Sep 1869 at Blanchardstown RC
Church. Mary was resident at Oak Park, Phoenix Park and was the daughter of
Anthony Smyth, a farmer and his wife Jane. He was elected to the Pembroke
Township and they moved to Cruicerath in 1881. He was appointed a JP for the
County of Meath in 1885. He carried on the watch making business and in 1892
the were selling watches from £5 to £35. The couple had nine children together
of whom seven survived in 1911. Mary Anne died 1 Jun 1924 at Mulhuddart.
Patrick died at Mulhuddart on 5 Nov 1926 aged 97. The stock in trade of the
business was put up for auction by his executors in December 1926.
3 Mary Jane Donegan born 8 Jun 1870 at Vergemount House married Patrick
Joseph McCarthy on 11 Sep 1894 at St Bridget’s Church, Blanchardstown.
P J was a solicitor from Bandon. Mary Jane died 3 Sep 1950 and was
buried in Glasnevin.
4 Anna Teresa Donegan born 24 Mar 1874 at Vergemount House baptised at
St Mary's, Donnybrook died 26 May 1874 and was buried at Glasnevin.
5 Ellen Donegan born 13 Nov 1875 at Vergemount House baptised at St
Mary’s Donnybrook.
6 Francis Charles Donegan born 16 Dec 1876 at Vergemount baptised at St
Mary's, Donnybrook. He married Alice Mary (Nallie) Daly on 10 Apr 1929 at
the Church of Our Lady of Refuge in Rathmines and they lived at Cruicerath.
Nallie was the daughter of the late Thomas Daly of Carrick on Suir and she
lived with her mother at 24 Grove Park, Rathmines. She died aged 34 on
15 Oct 1932 at Cruicerath. Her funeral mass was held at Westland Row and
she was buried at Glasnevin. Charles died 24 Dec 1970 at the Mater Hospital
late of Mulhuddart and was buried at Glasnevin.
1 Patrick F Donegan only son married Norrie Byrne.
7 Michael Donegan born 12 Apr 1878 at Vergemount House baptised at St
Mary’s Donnybrook. He died a bachelor on 2 Nov 1945 at Courduff House,
Blanchardstown and was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery.
8 Frederick Alphonsus Ligournia Donegan born 9 Jan 1880 at Vergemount
House died 28 Oct 1980 at Vergemount.
9 Agnes Donegan born 17 Oct 1881 at Cruicerath died 11 Apr 1965 at a private
nursing home and her funeral mass was held at St Brigid’s, Blanchardstown .
She was buried at Glasnevin.
10 Cecelia Donegan born circa 1885 attended the Loretto Convent in Bray and
was living with her parents in 1911.
2 Mary Donegan, eldest daughter worked for her uncle John in the vestment
department for seven years. She married James Pollard, from Black Horse Lane on
13 Jul 1853 at Blanchardstown Church. They lived at 26 Essex Street and James
worked for both John and Patrick Donegan in their workshop. He was dismissed in
1864 accused of stealing. He took Patrick junior to court and was awarded £400 in
damages. They had five children and in 1874, Maria found herself in extreme
poverty having received nothing in her father’s Will and a public subscription was
opened. It appears that they no longer spoke to the family. James was accused of
theft and receiving stolen goods in 1877 by his brother in law Patrick, found guilty
and sentenced to a year in prison.
3 Catherine (Kate) Donegan, second daughter married John Donegan of Belturbet Co
Cavan on 6 Feb 1858 at St Marys RC Church, Donnybrook.
4 John Donegan born circa 1844 attended Prospect House School in Sandymount. He
was a farmer of Corlatt, Co Fermanagh. He married Catherine Masterson on
28 Nov 1866 at Ardcath (double wedding). Catherine was the eldest daughter of
Nicholas Masterson of Irishtown House Ardcath. John was a farmer living at Corlatt
in 1901 with his wife and five children.
5 James Donegan born circa 1845 attended Prospect House School in Sandymount.
He was a farmer of Corlatt, Co Fermanagh. He married Bridget Masterson on
28 Nov 1866 at Ardcath, Bridget was the second eldest daughter of Nicholas
Masterson of Irishtown House, Ardcath. James, a widower and a farmer was living
at Corlatt House in 1901 and 1911.
6 Margaret Donegan fourth daughter married Terence Small of Belturbet, Co Cavan
at Donnybrook RC Church on 22 Apr 1861.
7 Eliza Agnes Donegan born circa 1846 married Edward O’Hanlon on 7 Apr 1864 at
St Mary's, Northbrook Road. Edward was a watchmaker working for John
Donegan and was the son of George O'Hanlon, an accountant. In 1864 he set up
his own watch repair and jeweller's shop at initially as Crampton Court and later
at 73 Dame Street. It appears the business had failed by 1879 and Edward,
Elizabeth and their six children left Dublin.
2 John Donegan born circa 1794 was trading as a jeweller in 1841 from 29 Essex Quay.
He was a watch manufacturer, and had a Sheffield Plate, Church Ornament and
Vestment department at 21 Essex-quay, later at 5 Upper Ormond Quay and later
again at 32 Dame Street. He was employing 40 people in 1845. In 1847 Messrs
Donegan and Wright of 20 Ormond Quay (a short lived partnership 1847-1848) were
praised for their exertions in reviving more detailed manufacture of watchmaking in
Ireland than had existed for nearly half a century and awarded a large silver medal by
the RDS. It is about this time that they were commissioned to make a watch for Daniel
O’Connell with an engraving of Derrynane House. In 1850 he exhibited a gold duplex,
jewelled twelve hole; gold two-pin escapement skeleton lever at the RDS Art Exhibition.
That same year he purchased 114oz 13dwts of gold from California, which he allowed
scientific gentlemen to inspect. In 1852 he manufactured watches
for the Cork exhibition, these included watches with engraved dials with scenes of
Blarney Castle, Killarney Lakes and Muckross Abbey and the Round Tower at Cashel. At
that same exhibition he put on display chalices embedded with oriental amethysts,
ciboriums and a Monstrance. In 1853 he donated seven watches (each worth £20) to
‘The Irish Exiles’ in Van Diemens Land. These were exhibited at the New York Exhibition
of 1853 and then forwarded to recipients. (William Smith O’Brien, John Mitchell, John
Martin, Thomas Meagher, Terence Belle MacManus, Kevin Izod O’Doherty and Patrick
O’Donoghue). The dial plates had an American Eagle with a shamrock in its beak, on the
outside case was a harp in blue enamel surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks. They were
presented in a Morocco leather case lined with green velvet and each had the name of
the recipient printed in gold and included a dozen extra glasses. That same year he
purchased the stock in trade of Michael Bennet, an ecclesiastical supplier and moved to 32
Dame street. He was also part owner of a newspaper (The Morning News) and a director
of the Irish Catholic Publishing Company. He took part in the great Industrial exhibition
of 1853, and in 1855 presented Charles Gavan Duffy, MP with a watch prior to his departure
to Australia. John Donegan was known as a man who was blunt in manner and plain of
speech. He was a devote Catholic and enjoyed a simple life. He was called a rough
diamond, he donated thousands during his lifetime to the poor and to the church
(including 1K to All Hallows). He died in his sleep on 27 Nov 1862. Hundreds of letters
of condolences were sent to his brother by clergymen including one from the
Archbishop of Tuam. Masses were offered up all over the county for the repose of his
soul. His funeral mass was held at the Metropolitan Church (Pro Cathedral). The hearse
pulled by six white horses with white plumes was led to Glasnevin (D & E 29 to 35) by
the artisans and workers he employed who numbered nearly one hundred.
The mourners included his sister which was unusual for this date but she was 'not to be
denied saying farewell to her beloved brother'. John died intestate, he left 35K in
personal estate and probate was granted at the Principal Registry to Patrick Donegan,
senior of Vergemount, Clonskea in the County of Dublin, Gentleman, the brother and
one of the next of kin of said deceased.
3 Hugh Donegan born circa 1803 was a provision dealer. He died on 30 Apr1888 at 8
Arbour Hill, Dublin.
3 Miss Donegan attended the funeral of her brother John in 1862.
4 Margaret Donegan died on 26 Jan 1852 and was buried at Galoon graveyard.
Employees
John Donegan had 40 employees in 1845 and close to 100 in 1862. These included case makers,
motioners, jointers, jewellers, engine turners, case springers, polishers ,gilders, engravers,
finishers and examiners. He started his watch manufacture in 1844 and at the height, was
producing nearly four thousand per annum.
1847 Alexander Dodd from Liverpool (worked for Donegan & Wright)
1847 -1860 Mr O’Brien, foreman of the workshop at Essex Street (ended up in a lunatic asylum)
1861 Patrick Donegan, nephew and foreman of the Essex Street workshop.
1867 John Joseph Jones
1847 - 1861 Joseph Jones, a finisher and examiner working for John Donegan.
1863 Edward O'Hanlon, foreman at Patrick Donegan’s Workshop set up his own business
at Crampton Court and later at 73 Dame Street.
1872 L E Ryan worked for Patrick Senior.
1845 - 1862 Jeffrey Murphy worked for John Donegan as a finisher.
1849 - 1862 John Murphy, apprentice watch maker to John Donegan.
1867 John Joseph Dunne, manager to Patrick Donegan, senior.
1845 - 1863 William O'Brien, confidential clerk and manager to John Donegan.
1857 Brothers John and Francis Murphy - watchmakers employed by John Donegan.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2022/updated March 2023
Patrick Donegan of Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh born circa 1757 married Mary. He
died 5 Jul 1823 and was buried in Galoon Cemetery. Mary Donegan died on 6 May 1852.
1 Patrick Donegan born circa 1787 was a jeweller and goldsmith. He married Mary.
In 1841 he was trading from 9 Essex Quay. It was announced in 1862 that Patrick
senior was the successor and would carry on the business of the late John Joseph
Donegan (his brother). The Donegans also sold Turret Clocks but it is thought that
John Stephenson Ogg used their premises to build these and they were then
retailed under the Donegan name. One of these is in Trim Cathedral and another
was installed at Goff's farm in New Abbey, Kilcullen. Patrick died 12 Dec 1872 at
Vergemount House, Clonskea and was buried in the family vault at Glasnevin E33,
O'Connell Circle. He left 22K in personal estate and his son Patrick was, one of the
executors, the main beneficiary and the residual legatee. The Will was contested
as everything bar a few small legacies was left to his son Patrick. He had already
given land in Fermanagh to the value of 2K to two other sons during his lifetime.
His daughter Maria who in a previous Will was left £300, got nothing. It transpired
that Patrick senior had deliberately cut his daughter and son in law, James Pollock
and a grandson James Donegan in America out of his Will as there had been a dispute
between them. The Will was upheld.
1 Patrick Donegan second son born circa 1829 in Co Cavan. He was a jeweller,
goldsmith and watchmaker. He worked for his uncle John at Dame Street and
by 1861 he was foreman of the workshop at 1 Essex-street. As per a clause
in the wishes of his uncle he had to keep the business going. They only made key
wound watches and their business diminished with the introduction of keyless
watches. He married Mary (possibly O'Brien) and they lived at Springfield in
Cabra where Mary died on 12 May 1867 aged 34.
1 Mary Donegan born circa 1857 died 31 Jan 1868 aged 10 and was buried
at Glasnevin.
2 Margie Frances Donegan, eldest daughter born circa 1863 married James
Tyrrell of Leinster Market on 30 Jan 1883 at the Church of St Bridget,
Blanchardstown. James was a butcher and the son of Thomas Tyrrell, a
chandler. In August 1883 Margaret was injured in a tram accident, the
family claimed for 2K and were awarded £400. They were living at South
Dock in 1901 with their four children.
1 Thomas Tyrrell born 14 Jan 1884 at 7 Leinster Market.
Patrick secondly married Mary Anne Smith on 8 Sep 1869 at Blanchardstown RC
Church. Mary was resident at Oak Park, Phoenix Park and was the daughter of
Anthony Smyth, a farmer and his wife Jane. He was elected to the Pembroke
Township and they moved to Cruicerath in 1881. He was appointed a JP for the
County of Meath in 1885. He carried on the watch making business and in 1892
the were selling watches from £5 to £35. The couple had nine children together
of whom seven survived in 1911. Mary Anne died 1 Jun 1924 at Mulhuddart.
Patrick died at Mulhuddart on 5 Nov 1926 aged 97. The stock in trade of the
business was put up for auction by his executors in December 1926.
3 Mary Jane Donegan born 8 Jun 1870 at Vergemount House married Patrick
Joseph McCarthy on 11 Sep 1894 at St Bridget’s Church, Blanchardstown.
P J was a solicitor from Bandon. Mary Jane died 3 Sep 1950 and was
buried in Glasnevin.
4 Anna Teresa Donegan born 24 Mar 1874 at Vergemount House baptised at
St Mary's, Donnybrook died 26 May 1874 and was buried at Glasnevin.
5 Ellen Donegan born 13 Nov 1875 at Vergemount House baptised at St
Mary’s Donnybrook.
6 Francis Charles Donegan born 16 Dec 1876 at Vergemount baptised at St
Mary's, Donnybrook. He married Alice Mary (Nallie) Daly on 10 Apr 1929 at
the Church of Our Lady of Refuge in Rathmines and they lived at Cruicerath.
Nallie was the daughter of the late Thomas Daly of Carrick on Suir and she
lived with her mother at 24 Grove Park, Rathmines. She died aged 34 on
15 Oct 1932 at Cruicerath. Her funeral mass was held at Westland Row and
she was buried at Glasnevin. Charles died 24 Dec 1970 at the Mater Hospital
late of Mulhuddart and was buried at Glasnevin.
1 Patrick F Donegan only son married Norrie Byrne.
7 Michael Donegan born 12 Apr 1878 at Vergemount House baptised at St
Mary’s Donnybrook. He died a bachelor on 2 Nov 1945 at Courduff House,
Blanchardstown and was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery.
8 Frederick Alphonsus Ligournia Donegan born 9 Jan 1880 at Vergemount
House died 28 Oct 1980 at Vergemount.
9 Agnes Donegan born 17 Oct 1881 at Cruicerath died 11 Apr 1965 at a private
nursing home and her funeral mass was held at St Brigid’s, Blanchardstown .
She was buried at Glasnevin.
10 Cecelia Donegan born circa 1885 attended the Loretto Convent in Bray and
was living with her parents in 1911.
2 Mary Donegan, eldest daughter worked for her uncle John in the vestment
department for seven years. She married James Pollard, from Black Horse Lane on
13 Jul 1853 at Blanchardstown Church. They lived at 26 Essex Street and James
worked for both John and Patrick Donegan in their workshop. He was dismissed in
1864 accused of stealing. He took Patrick junior to court and was awarded £400 in
damages. They had five children and in 1874, Maria found herself in extreme
poverty having received nothing in her father’s Will and a public subscription was
opened. It appears that they no longer spoke to the family. James was accused of
theft and receiving stolen goods in 1877 by his brother in law Patrick, found guilty
and sentenced to a year in prison.
3 Catherine (Kate) Donegan, second daughter married John Donegan of Belturbet Co
Cavan on 6 Feb 1858 at St Marys RC Church, Donnybrook.
4 John Donegan born circa 1844 attended Prospect House School in Sandymount. He
was a farmer of Corlatt, Co Fermanagh. He married Catherine Masterson on
28 Nov 1866 at Ardcath (double wedding). Catherine was the eldest daughter of
Nicholas Masterson of Irishtown House Ardcath. John was a farmer living at Corlatt
in 1901 with his wife and five children.
5 James Donegan born circa 1845 attended Prospect House School in Sandymount.
He was a farmer of Corlatt, Co Fermanagh. He married Bridget Masterson on
28 Nov 1866 at Ardcath, Bridget was the second eldest daughter of Nicholas
Masterson of Irishtown House, Ardcath. James, a widower and a farmer was living
at Corlatt House in 1901 and 1911.
6 Margaret Donegan fourth daughter married Terence Small of Belturbet, Co Cavan
at Donnybrook RC Church on 22 Apr 1861.
7 Eliza Agnes Donegan born circa 1846 married Edward O’Hanlon on 7 Apr 1864 at
St Mary's, Northbrook Road. Edward was a watchmaker working for John
Donegan and was the son of George O'Hanlon, an accountant. In 1864 he set up
his own watch repair and jeweller's shop at initially as Crampton Court and later
at 73 Dame Street. It appears the business had failed by 1879 and Edward,
Elizabeth and their six children left Dublin.
2 John Donegan born circa 1794 was trading as a jeweller in 1841 from 29 Essex Quay.
He was a watch manufacturer, and had a Sheffield Plate, Church Ornament and
Vestment department at 21 Essex-quay, later at 5 Upper Ormond Quay and later
again at 32 Dame Street. He was employing 40 people in 1845. In 1847 Messrs
Donegan and Wright of 20 Ormond Quay (a short lived partnership 1847-1848) were
praised for their exertions in reviving more detailed manufacture of watchmaking in
Ireland than had existed for nearly half a century and awarded a large silver medal by
the RDS. It is about this time that they were commissioned to make a watch for Daniel
O’Connell with an engraving of Derrynane House. In 1850 he exhibited a gold duplex,
jewelled twelve hole; gold two-pin escapement skeleton lever at the RDS Art Exhibition.
That same year he purchased 114oz 13dwts of gold from California, which he allowed
scientific gentlemen to inspect. In 1852 he manufactured watches
for the Cork exhibition, these included watches with engraved dials with scenes of
Blarney Castle, Killarney Lakes and Muckross Abbey and the Round Tower at Cashel. At
that same exhibition he put on display chalices embedded with oriental amethysts,
ciboriums and a Monstrance. In 1853 he donated seven watches (each worth £20) to
‘The Irish Exiles’ in Van Diemens Land. These were exhibited at the New York Exhibition
of 1853 and then forwarded to recipients. (William Smith O’Brien, John Mitchell, John
Martin, Thomas Meagher, Terence Belle MacManus, Kevin Izod O’Doherty and Patrick
O’Donoghue). The dial plates had an American Eagle with a shamrock in its beak, on the
outside case was a harp in blue enamel surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks. They were
presented in a Morocco leather case lined with green velvet and each had the name of
the recipient printed in gold and included a dozen extra glasses. That same year he
purchased the stock in trade of Michael Bennet, an ecclesiastical supplier and moved to 32
Dame street. He was also part owner of a newspaper (The Morning News) and a director
of the Irish Catholic Publishing Company. He took part in the great Industrial exhibition
of 1853, and in 1855 presented Charles Gavan Duffy, MP with a watch prior to his departure
to Australia. John Donegan was known as a man who was blunt in manner and plain of
speech. He was a devote Catholic and enjoyed a simple life. He was called a rough
diamond, he donated thousands during his lifetime to the poor and to the church
(including 1K to All Hallows). He died in his sleep on 27 Nov 1862. Hundreds of letters
of condolences were sent to his brother by clergymen including one from the
Archbishop of Tuam. Masses were offered up all over the county for the repose of his
soul. His funeral mass was held at the Metropolitan Church (Pro Cathedral). The hearse
pulled by six white horses with white plumes was led to Glasnevin (D & E 29 to 35) by
the artisans and workers he employed who numbered nearly one hundred.
The mourners included his sister which was unusual for this date but she was 'not to be
denied saying farewell to her beloved brother'. John died intestate, he left 35K in
personal estate and probate was granted at the Principal Registry to Patrick Donegan,
senior of Vergemount, Clonskea in the County of Dublin, Gentleman, the brother and
one of the next of kin of said deceased.
3 Hugh Donegan born circa 1803 was a provision dealer. He died on 30 Apr1888 at 8
Arbour Hill, Dublin.
3 Miss Donegan attended the funeral of her brother John in 1862.
4 Margaret Donegan died on 26 Jan 1852 and was buried at Galoon graveyard.
Employees
John Donegan had 40 employees in 1845 and close to 100 in 1862. These included case makers,
motioners, jointers, jewellers, engine turners, case springers, polishers ,gilders, engravers,
finishers and examiners. He started his watch manufacture in 1844 and at the height, was
producing nearly four thousand per annum.
1847 Alexander Dodd from Liverpool (worked for Donegan & Wright)
1847 -1860 Mr O’Brien, foreman of the workshop at Essex Street (ended up in a lunatic asylum)
1861 Patrick Donegan, nephew and foreman of the Essex Street workshop.
1867 John Joseph Jones
1847 - 1861 Joseph Jones, a finisher and examiner working for John Donegan.
1863 Edward O'Hanlon, foreman at Patrick Donegan’s Workshop set up his own business
at Crampton Court and later at 73 Dame Street.
1872 L E Ryan worked for Patrick Senior.
1845 - 1862 Jeffrey Murphy worked for John Donegan as a finisher.
1849 - 1862 John Murphy, apprentice watch maker to John Donegan.
1867 John Joseph Dunne, manager to Patrick Donegan, senior.
1845 - 1863 William O'Brien, confidential clerk and manager to John Donegan.
1857 Brothers John and Francis Murphy - watchmakers employed by John Donegan.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2022/updated March 2023