Photograph courtesy of Rachel Jackson
Gernon of Athcarne Castle and Booterstown
Patrick Gernon born circa 1752 was a distiller of Drogheda. He married Mary Doran
circa 1785. Mary was the daughter of James Doran of Drogheda and his wife Sarah
Dease. The couple had at least 16 children.
1 James Gernon born 14 Feb 1780. He married Marianna O’Reilly on 26 Oct 1807.
Marianne was the second daughter of James O’Reilly of Higginstown House in Co
Longford and the niece of Richard Dease, sureon and they had at least eight
children (4 boys and 4 girls). He took an active part in liberal politics and was
an intimate friend of O’Connell, Sheil, Lawless and Grattan. He was an advocate
and supporter of Catholic Emancipation but latterly confined himself to public
affairs for the county. Circa 1830 he purchased the lease on the extensive farms
of Athcarne Castle from Henry Garnett. He was a magistrate and appointed High
Sheriff of Drogheda in 1846. In 1848 the Erin Go Bragh balloon landed on his
estate. It was supposed to land at Ashbourne, but it couldn't be secured and took
flight again. However, the gas gradually escaped, and the balloon descended at
Athcarne and was secured by James Gernon junior and some of the men in his
employment. James and his family lived at Dawson Court in 1851/2 and at Rokeby
from 1852 to 1854. James died 1 Jun 1863 at his town house, 4 Seaview Terrace,
Donnybrook. Marianne died 28 Sept 1865 at her residence on Leeson Street aged
80.
1 James Gernon eldest son born circa 1811 married Marianne Gradwell
in Nov 1839 at Wilfred’s Church, Preston. Marianne was the only
daughter of George Gradwell of Preston. They lived at Brierly Lodge,
Duleek and James was appointed a magistrate in 1847. Marianne died at
her father's residence in Preston on 1 Dec 1847.
1 James George, eldest son born October 1840 at Farm House, Co
Meath died 12 Feb 1859 aged 18 years at Athcarne Castle.
2 Georgina Mary Gernon born April 1843 at Farm House, Co Meath.
As only surviving daughter she married Francis E Joseph MacDonnell
on 28 Nov 1865 at St Andrew’s Westland Row. Francis of Dunflerth
House was the son of the late Francis MacDonnell of Dunflerth. Her
uncle Rev Robert Gradwell officiated at the ceremony. They were
living at the Lodge, Rathangan, Co Kildare in 1873.
3 Anna Maria Gernon, second daughter born 4 Jul 1846 died at Weston
Super Mare on 5 May 1858.
4 Henry Chester Gernon born circa 1847. He was a commission of the
peace for co Meath in 1870. He married Alice Louisa Braham on
11 Oct 1871 at St Andrew’s Westland Row. Alice was the daughter of
Captain Augustin F Braham, 49th Regiment and the niece of Frances
Countess Waldegrave. He was with the Kildare rifles who later formed
the 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He fought in the Boer War
and was in Warrenstown SA in 1901. Alice mobilized friends to collect
warm clothing and arranged for it to be shipped to her husband for
distribution among his men as SA was suffering an extremely cold
winter. He retired under paragraph 44 Militia Regulations, with
permission to retain his rank and to wear the prescribed uniform in
August 1901. He was awarded the SA medal with 4 clasps. Lieut Colonel
died 1 Apr 1908 at Alma House Nursing Home, Mountjoy Square late of
Athcarne Castle and was buried at Chord cemetery. Alice died
4 Dec 1916 at Athcarne Castle and was buried with her husband.
Athcarne was sold by public auction by instruction of the Land
Commission on 30 May 1939 and is now a spectacular ruin.
1 Eveleen Georgina Elizabeth Mary Gernon born 20 Jul 1873 at the
Lodge, Rathangan, Co Kildare residence of Francis Mac Donnell.
2 Margaret Frances Mary (Marjorie) Gernon second daughter born
17 May 1874 at Athcarne Castle married Matthew M’Cann,
Ballinacard, Drogheda on 17 Jul 1907 at the University Chapel,
Stephen’s Green. Matthew was a widower and the son of William
M'Cann. The had at least four children including twin girls.
1 Sheila Elizabeth McCann married Arthur Joseph Doyne
Keogh in 1938 at Michael's Church, Dun Laoghaire. Arthur
was the son of Joseph Chapman Keogh of Bellosquardo on
Newtownpark Avenue.
3 James Gernon eldest son born 15 May 1875 at 105 Lower Baggot
Street. He went to Klondike region of Yukon in 1895.
4 Alice Maud Emily Gernon born 11 Mar 1877 at Athcarne Castle
married Clibborn Hill. She died 16 Nov 1961 at The Hill, Monkstown
and was buried at Deansgrange with her sister Helen.
5 Helen Olivia Gernon fourth daughter born 23 May 1878 at
Athcarne Castle died a spinster at a private nursing home late of St
Catherine’s Park, Glenageary on 23 Sep 1952. Her funeral mass
was held at St Joseph’s in Glasthule and she was buried at
Deansgrange.
6 Constance Susan May (Connie) Gernon born 28 Apr 1881 at
Athcarne Castle died a spinster at St Catherine’s Park, Dun
Laoghaire on 4 May 1963 and was buried with her sisters at
Deansgrange.
7 Reginald Henry John Gernon born 29 Oct 1882 at Athcarne Castle
died at Pasadena, California in 1915.
8 Ward John Gernon born 21 Aug 1884 at Athcarne Castle was a
motor engineer went to America in 1909. He married Ruth D
Stephen on 19 Jun 1915 at Annunciation, New York and was
naturalised in 1917.
9 Cyril Louis Michael Gernon born 29 Sep 1886 at Athcarne Castle
attended St Vincent’s College in Castleknock and entered the
priesthood. He was ordained a Deacon at Ushaw College and
died there in 1912.
James of Brierly Lodge secondly married Margaret O’Reilly on 10 Aug 1849, eldest
daughter of the late Edmond B O’Reilly, of Sylvan Lodge, Rathgar in August 1849.
James died on 2 Aug 1870 at Athcarne.
2 Thomas Gernon third son born circa 1814. He was appointed a JP in 1839
and was living at Rokeby in 1852. He died 20 Sep 1863 aged 49 at
Amandaville, Lehy Terrace, Sandymount.
3 William Gernon, fourth son born 8 Sep 1820 graduated Trinity in 1841.
He was called to the bar in 1844. He married Marianne Curtis in Oct 1846
in Dublin. Marianne was the eldest daughter Patrick Curtis of Fitzwilliam
Square. William was joint secretary to the board of Charitable Bequests in
Ireland. They had six children.
4 Louise Gernon became a presentation nun in 1848.
5 Helen Gernon living at Sandymount with 1860.
6 Susan Mary Gernon, third daughter born circa 1817 married Stephen
Berkeley Stafford of Ballymore House, Co Wexford on 15 Sep 1851 at
Booterstown Roman Catholic Church. Susan a widow died 23 Aug 1880
at her residence 9 Islington Avenue, Kingstown on 28 Aug 1880.
7 Judith Gernon living at Sandymount in 1860 and Athcarne in 1901.
2 Judith Gernon became a nun and died 13 Dec 1857 at the Presentation Convent in Clane.
Mother Magdalen, daughter of the late Patrick Gernon of Drogheda.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - April 2020
Patrick Gernon born circa 1752 was a distiller of Drogheda. He married Mary Doran
circa 1785. Mary was the daughter of James Doran of Drogheda and his wife Sarah
Dease. The couple had at least 16 children.
1 James Gernon born 14 Feb 1780. He married Marianna O’Reilly on 26 Oct 1807.
Marianne was the second daughter of James O’Reilly of Higginstown House in Co
Longford and the niece of Richard Dease, sureon and they had at least eight
children (4 boys and 4 girls). He took an active part in liberal politics and was
an intimate friend of O’Connell, Sheil, Lawless and Grattan. He was an advocate
and supporter of Catholic Emancipation but latterly confined himself to public
affairs for the county. Circa 1830 he purchased the lease on the extensive farms
of Athcarne Castle from Henry Garnett. He was a magistrate and appointed High
Sheriff of Drogheda in 1846. In 1848 the Erin Go Bragh balloon landed on his
estate. It was supposed to land at Ashbourne, but it couldn't be secured and took
flight again. However, the gas gradually escaped, and the balloon descended at
Athcarne and was secured by James Gernon junior and some of the men in his
employment. James and his family lived at Dawson Court in 1851/2 and at Rokeby
from 1852 to 1854. James died 1 Jun 1863 at his town house, 4 Seaview Terrace,
Donnybrook. Marianne died 28 Sept 1865 at her residence on Leeson Street aged
80.
1 James Gernon eldest son born circa 1811 married Marianne Gradwell
in Nov 1839 at Wilfred’s Church, Preston. Marianne was the only
daughter of George Gradwell of Preston. They lived at Brierly Lodge,
Duleek and James was appointed a magistrate in 1847. Marianne died at
her father's residence in Preston on 1 Dec 1847.
1 James George, eldest son born October 1840 at Farm House, Co
Meath died 12 Feb 1859 aged 18 years at Athcarne Castle.
2 Georgina Mary Gernon born April 1843 at Farm House, Co Meath.
As only surviving daughter she married Francis E Joseph MacDonnell
on 28 Nov 1865 at St Andrew’s Westland Row. Francis of Dunflerth
House was the son of the late Francis MacDonnell of Dunflerth. Her
uncle Rev Robert Gradwell officiated at the ceremony. They were
living at the Lodge, Rathangan, Co Kildare in 1873.
3 Anna Maria Gernon, second daughter born 4 Jul 1846 died at Weston
Super Mare on 5 May 1858.
4 Henry Chester Gernon born circa 1847. He was a commission of the
peace for co Meath in 1870. He married Alice Louisa Braham on
11 Oct 1871 at St Andrew’s Westland Row. Alice was the daughter of
Captain Augustin F Braham, 49th Regiment and the niece of Frances
Countess Waldegrave. He was with the Kildare rifles who later formed
the 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He fought in the Boer War
and was in Warrenstown SA in 1901. Alice mobilized friends to collect
warm clothing and arranged for it to be shipped to her husband for
distribution among his men as SA was suffering an extremely cold
winter. He retired under paragraph 44 Militia Regulations, with
permission to retain his rank and to wear the prescribed uniform in
August 1901. He was awarded the SA medal with 4 clasps. Lieut Colonel
died 1 Apr 1908 at Alma House Nursing Home, Mountjoy Square late of
Athcarne Castle and was buried at Chord cemetery. Alice died
4 Dec 1916 at Athcarne Castle and was buried with her husband.
Athcarne was sold by public auction by instruction of the Land
Commission on 30 May 1939 and is now a spectacular ruin.
1 Eveleen Georgina Elizabeth Mary Gernon born 20 Jul 1873 at the
Lodge, Rathangan, Co Kildare residence of Francis Mac Donnell.
2 Margaret Frances Mary (Marjorie) Gernon second daughter born
17 May 1874 at Athcarne Castle married Matthew M’Cann,
Ballinacard, Drogheda on 17 Jul 1907 at the University Chapel,
Stephen’s Green. Matthew was a widower and the son of William
M'Cann. The had at least four children including twin girls.
1 Sheila Elizabeth McCann married Arthur Joseph Doyne
Keogh in 1938 at Michael's Church, Dun Laoghaire. Arthur
was the son of Joseph Chapman Keogh of Bellosquardo on
Newtownpark Avenue.
3 James Gernon eldest son born 15 May 1875 at 105 Lower Baggot
Street. He went to Klondike region of Yukon in 1895.
4 Alice Maud Emily Gernon born 11 Mar 1877 at Athcarne Castle
married Clibborn Hill. She died 16 Nov 1961 at The Hill, Monkstown
and was buried at Deansgrange with her sister Helen.
5 Helen Olivia Gernon fourth daughter born 23 May 1878 at
Athcarne Castle died a spinster at a private nursing home late of St
Catherine’s Park, Glenageary on 23 Sep 1952. Her funeral mass
was held at St Joseph’s in Glasthule and she was buried at
Deansgrange.
6 Constance Susan May (Connie) Gernon born 28 Apr 1881 at
Athcarne Castle died a spinster at St Catherine’s Park, Dun
Laoghaire on 4 May 1963 and was buried with her sisters at
Deansgrange.
7 Reginald Henry John Gernon born 29 Oct 1882 at Athcarne Castle
died at Pasadena, California in 1915.
8 Ward John Gernon born 21 Aug 1884 at Athcarne Castle was a
motor engineer went to America in 1909. He married Ruth D
Stephen on 19 Jun 1915 at Annunciation, New York and was
naturalised in 1917.
9 Cyril Louis Michael Gernon born 29 Sep 1886 at Athcarne Castle
attended St Vincent’s College in Castleknock and entered the
priesthood. He was ordained a Deacon at Ushaw College and
died there in 1912.
James of Brierly Lodge secondly married Margaret O’Reilly on 10 Aug 1849, eldest
daughter of the late Edmond B O’Reilly, of Sylvan Lodge, Rathgar in August 1849.
James died on 2 Aug 1870 at Athcarne.
2 Thomas Gernon third son born circa 1814. He was appointed a JP in 1839
and was living at Rokeby in 1852. He died 20 Sep 1863 aged 49 at
Amandaville, Lehy Terrace, Sandymount.
3 William Gernon, fourth son born 8 Sep 1820 graduated Trinity in 1841.
He was called to the bar in 1844. He married Marianne Curtis in Oct 1846
in Dublin. Marianne was the eldest daughter Patrick Curtis of Fitzwilliam
Square. William was joint secretary to the board of Charitable Bequests in
Ireland. They had six children.
4 Louise Gernon became a presentation nun in 1848.
5 Helen Gernon living at Sandymount with 1860.
6 Susan Mary Gernon, third daughter born circa 1817 married Stephen
Berkeley Stafford of Ballymore House, Co Wexford on 15 Sep 1851 at
Booterstown Roman Catholic Church. Susan a widow died 23 Aug 1880
at her residence 9 Islington Avenue, Kingstown on 28 Aug 1880.
7 Judith Gernon living at Sandymount in 1860 and Athcarne in 1901.
2 Judith Gernon became a nun and died 13 Dec 1857 at the Presentation Convent in Clane.
Mother Magdalen, daughter of the late Patrick Gernon of Drogheda.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - April 2020