The Whelan family of Kilmacud
Edward Whelan married Catherine Reid
born 12 Apr 1867 5 Aug 1888 born 21 Nov 1871
Co Wicklow Sandyford County Dublin
died 14 Jan 1933 died 10 Apr 1937
Jervis Street Hospital Kilmacud Road
Edward Whelan born 12 Apr 1867 at Kilqueeney, Avoca baptised at Avoca, Co Wicklow on
14 Apr 1867 son of Richard Whelan (Feb 1840 – 10 Jan 1914), a labourer and Esther (Etty) Gaffney
(c1844 – Jan 1900). He married Catherine (Kate) Reid at Sandyford Church on 5 Aug 1888. Kate
was living at Stepaside and was the daughter of John Reid (born c1844), a labourer and Ann Neil
of Stepaside. Edward was a herd/groom and by 1900 they were living at Thornhill Lodge on the
Kilmacud Road. They had 14 children of whom 12 were alive by the 1911 census. Edward (father)
was a land steward at Thornhill by 1929 and died at Jervis Street Hospital late of Thornhill Lodge
on 14 Jan 1933 and is buried at Deansgrange. Catherine died 10 Apr 1937 at Kilmacud Road and
is buried at Deansgrange. The children of Edward and Catherine were:
1. Edward Whelan born 28 Apr 1888 at Foxrock, Co Dublin. He joined the 12th Royal Lancers (The
Prince of Wales’s Royal) in 1907 rising to rank of Sergeant. He was a strong horseman and was an
instructor in the Lancers riding school. Pre WW1 he was stationed in India and South Africa, He
was badly injured at the Battle of Marne, September 1914 when the German advance on Paris
was halted by the BEF. Edward spoke at an enlistment recruitment drive at Stillorgan in September
1915. He latterly transferred as Second Lieutenant to The Labour Corps. He was awarded The
Mons Star, Silver War Badge, Victory Medal and British War Medal WWI. He married Jessie Blake
daughter of Alfred Blake on 1 Aug 1915 at St Mark’s, Lakenham, Norwich. He was an Air Ministry
Warden in WW2 and a member of the East Anglian Irish Society and East Anglian ex-Cavalrymen’s
Association. He died in 1947 and is buried in Norwich, UK.
2. Richard Whelan born 14 Jul 1889 at Foxrock was baptised at St Brigid’s Church, Cabinteely. He
worked as a gardener in Ballybrack Lodge on Church Road in 1906 and he joined the 102 Foot
Regiment (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), Service Number 6864 on 19 Dec 1906 and then he followed his
brother Edward and joined the 12th Lancers in 1908. He worked in the Traffic department of
Guinness’s from 1919 to 1942 when he retired. He married Kathleen O’Connor circa 1918 and
lived at Estate Avenue, Mount Merrion with their two children Isabel and Patrick. He died in 1962
and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
3. John Whelan born 14 Sep 1891 at Foxrock baptised at Cabinteely was living with his parents at
Thornhill at the time of the 1911 census. John Whelan served in the Royal Engineers during World
War I. He was part of the 2nd Siege Company, Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers, a unit raised in
Holyhead that he joined at the outbreak of war in 1914. Before he enlisted, he worked as a railway
engineer. During his service rose to the rank of Serjeant and was awarded the Military Medal (MM)
for his bravery in repairing a bridge under heavy enemy fire during the Battle of Ypres, ensuring
wounded soldiers could be transported to safety. It was announced in the London Gazette on
10 Nov 1916. In 1917, he suffered from a gas attack at the second battle of Ypres and was sent to
Holyhead to recover. While convalescing, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Jones, the daughter of
the local postmaster. He was also awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal WWI, After the war,
John settled in Chester and passed away on 26 Oct 1967 and his wife, Elizabeth, died shortly after
on 22 Nov 1967.
4. Anne Whelan born 19 April 1893 at 8 Meath Place and was living with her parents at Thornhill
the time of the 1911 census. Anne married John O’Shea at Kilmacud Church on 22 Jul 1914. Patrick
was a bread vanman, living at Bray and the son of John O’Shea. Patrick died in 1916. Anne secondly
married Patrick Nolan at Kilmacud Church on 23 Apr 1918. Patrick was living at 46 Donnybrook and
had a shop business and was the son of Myles Nolan, a shopman. They had a son Brendan (b1920)
and a daughter Sheila (b1922).
5. Herbert ‘Hugh’ Whelan born 6 December 1895 at 8 Meath Place. Hugh died on 2 Jan 1897 of
Bronchitis at 13 months old. The family were residing at 40 South Earl Street at this time and father’s
occupation is given as float driver. Hugh is buried in Glasnevin.
6. Essie Whelan was born 3 Jan 1898 at the Coombe Hospital. She was a maid and married Thomas
Frazer at Kilmacud Church on 4 Jun 1917. They lived at Tubbermore Avenue Dalkey and had at least
two sons and a daughter Rosaleen who died in 1928. Thomas was a fitter living at Dalkey with their
son Edward Frazer.
7. Bridget (Bridie) Whelan born 18 Feb 1900, Mount Merrion. She attended Mount Anville National
School. When she was fourteen Bridie went to work as a servant and worked for Mrs Moore O Farrell
at Kildangan Castle, Co Kildare and Mrs Gainsford St Lawrence at Howth Castle. She had brown hair
and hazel eyes. She was living at Thornhill Lodge in 1918 and enlisted in the Queen’s Mary’s Army
Auxiliary Corps as a cook/waitress in August that year. Her references were Sarah Smith, the post
mistress and Sir Thomas Talbot Power who knew her from birth. She was posted to Ebrington
Barracks, Derry in July 1918 and then on to the Beresford Barracks at The Curragh in January 1919
and discharged in April 1919 due to ill health. Bridget married Charles Gaskin (1894-1963) of Stillorgan
in Kilmacud Church on 9th May 1920. Charles was a Gunner in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal
Garrison Artillery unit from 1914-1920. Charles was the son of Edward Gaskin and Elizabeth
McLoughlin of Kilmacud. Bridget died in 1931 and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
8. Patrick Mary Whelan born 1 Feb 1902 at Mount Merrion. He married Mary Kate Furlong on
16 Jul 1921 at Bree Parish Church, Enniscorthy. Patrick was a labourer and Mary Kate, was a servant
from Ballyhogue. She was the daughter of Thomas Furlong a chauffeur at Edermine House, the Sir
Thomas Talbot Power’s Wexford Estate. Patrick was in the 6th Battalion IRA during the War of
Independence. He lived in Marion Park, Blackrock in later life. He died in 1974 and is buried in
Deansgrange Cemetery.
9. Thomas Whelan born 21 Jan 1904 at Holles Street worked for Power's Distillery. Thomas was in
the 6th Battalion IRA in G Company (Dalkey), during the War of Independence. He then joined the
National Army in 1922. The Gate Lodge at Thornhill House was raided a number of times by the
Black and Tans and Auxiliaries B Coy, RIC, throughout the War of Independence on suspicion of
hiding arms. Details are recorded in the Daily/Monthly Raid Reports on 26 March, 13 April, 25 April,
30 April and 8 May 1921 for Thomas and Patrick Whelan when they were arrested and released. On
17 Jun 1921 Kate Whelan (mother) was arrested at Thornhill Lodge by the 2nd Worcester Regiment
and released.
10. Moses ‘William’ Whelan born 1 Feb 1905 at Holles Street. He joined the IRA during the Truce in
November 1921 and continued in the National Army in 1922 in 1 Bn, 2nd Dublin Brigade, Eastern
Division during the civil war. He married Mary Kelly in Holy Cross Church, Dundrum Church on
5 Sep 1923. Mary was the daughter of John Kelly and was living at Sweetmount, Dundrum. Mary
died 30 Dec 1965 at Mulvey Park, Dundrum. One of their daughters, Sister Pascaline Joseph, Little
Sisters of the Poor received the British Empire Medal (BEM) Honorary, in the Queen’s 2015 New
Year’s Honours List, for services for the elderly at Jersey, Channel Islands. Moses and Mary are
buried at Deansgrange Cemetery.
11. Mary Whelan born 1906 in Holles St.
12. James Whelan born 10 Aug 1907 at Holles Street. He was a postman and married Anne Martin
8 Jul 1929 at Rathfarnham Church on 8 Jul 1929. Anne was the daughter of John Martin a motor
van driver and was living at Whitechurch Cottages.
13. Joseph Whelan born 26 Sep 1909 at Kilmacud living at Thornhill Lodge in 1937. He married Mary
Kelly (b1908) in 1943. Mary died in 1946. Joe later remarried and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
14. Ernest Gerald Whelan born 26 Oct 1910 at Kilmacud married Margaret Halpenny at St Andrews,
Westland Row in 1935. Margaret was living at Leeson Street and was the daughter of Patrick Halpenny,
a labourer. Ernest joined the Irish Army and lived at 11 Beaufield Park. He died at St Colmcille’s
Hospital, Loughlinstown in 1971. He is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
15. Michael Whelan born 5 May 1912 at Holles Street. He went to St Laurences BNS, Kilmacud. He
married Bridget Furlong of Ballyhogue, Wexford at St John the Baptist Church, Blackrock on
30 Jun 1935. Bridget was living at 39 Carysfort Avenue and was the daughter of Thomas Furlong, a
motor man at Edermine House, Wexford. After WW2, Michael was a Police Constable in Watford. He
then returned to Ireland and worked at Ardmore Studios in Bray in the 1960s. Michael retired from
UCD as a Service Officer in the 1980s. He and his wife Bridget are buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
16. Francis Whelan born 16 Jun 1914 at Holles Street. He moved to the UK.
17. Martin Patrick Whelan born 17 March 1916 at Holles Street. Joined the Irish Guards Regiment
during World War Two. He married Mary Stack, born circa 1909. Martin died in Staines, UK on
23 Jan 1973. They are buried together in the Old London Road Cemetery, Staines, UK.
Contributed by Barry Whelan
© Barry Whelan, June Bow & Karen Poff – January 2025
Edward Whelan married Catherine Reid
born 12 Apr 1867 5 Aug 1888 born 21 Nov 1871
Co Wicklow Sandyford County Dublin
died 14 Jan 1933 died 10 Apr 1937
Jervis Street Hospital Kilmacud Road
Edward Whelan born 12 Apr 1867 at Kilqueeney, Avoca baptised at Avoca, Co Wicklow on
14 Apr 1867 son of Richard Whelan (Feb 1840 – 10 Jan 1914), a labourer and Esther (Etty) Gaffney
(c1844 – Jan 1900). He married Catherine (Kate) Reid at Sandyford Church on 5 Aug 1888. Kate
was living at Stepaside and was the daughter of John Reid (born c1844), a labourer and Ann Neil
of Stepaside. Edward was a herd/groom and by 1900 they were living at Thornhill Lodge on the
Kilmacud Road. They had 14 children of whom 12 were alive by the 1911 census. Edward (father)
was a land steward at Thornhill by 1929 and died at Jervis Street Hospital late of Thornhill Lodge
on 14 Jan 1933 and is buried at Deansgrange. Catherine died 10 Apr 1937 at Kilmacud Road and
is buried at Deansgrange. The children of Edward and Catherine were:
1. Edward Whelan born 28 Apr 1888 at Foxrock, Co Dublin. He joined the 12th Royal Lancers (The
Prince of Wales’s Royal) in 1907 rising to rank of Sergeant. He was a strong horseman and was an
instructor in the Lancers riding school. Pre WW1 he was stationed in India and South Africa, He
was badly injured at the Battle of Marne, September 1914 when the German advance on Paris
was halted by the BEF. Edward spoke at an enlistment recruitment drive at Stillorgan in September
1915. He latterly transferred as Second Lieutenant to The Labour Corps. He was awarded The
Mons Star, Silver War Badge, Victory Medal and British War Medal WWI. He married Jessie Blake
daughter of Alfred Blake on 1 Aug 1915 at St Mark’s, Lakenham, Norwich. He was an Air Ministry
Warden in WW2 and a member of the East Anglian Irish Society and East Anglian ex-Cavalrymen’s
Association. He died in 1947 and is buried in Norwich, UK.
2. Richard Whelan born 14 Jul 1889 at Foxrock was baptised at St Brigid’s Church, Cabinteely. He
worked as a gardener in Ballybrack Lodge on Church Road in 1906 and he joined the 102 Foot
Regiment (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), Service Number 6864 on 19 Dec 1906 and then he followed his
brother Edward and joined the 12th Lancers in 1908. He worked in the Traffic department of
Guinness’s from 1919 to 1942 when he retired. He married Kathleen O’Connor circa 1918 and
lived at Estate Avenue, Mount Merrion with their two children Isabel and Patrick. He died in 1962
and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
3. John Whelan born 14 Sep 1891 at Foxrock baptised at Cabinteely was living with his parents at
Thornhill at the time of the 1911 census. John Whelan served in the Royal Engineers during World
War I. He was part of the 2nd Siege Company, Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers, a unit raised in
Holyhead that he joined at the outbreak of war in 1914. Before he enlisted, he worked as a railway
engineer. During his service rose to the rank of Serjeant and was awarded the Military Medal (MM)
for his bravery in repairing a bridge under heavy enemy fire during the Battle of Ypres, ensuring
wounded soldiers could be transported to safety. It was announced in the London Gazette on
10 Nov 1916. In 1917, he suffered from a gas attack at the second battle of Ypres and was sent to
Holyhead to recover. While convalescing, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Jones, the daughter of
the local postmaster. He was also awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal WWI, After the war,
John settled in Chester and passed away on 26 Oct 1967 and his wife, Elizabeth, died shortly after
on 22 Nov 1967.
4. Anne Whelan born 19 April 1893 at 8 Meath Place and was living with her parents at Thornhill
the time of the 1911 census. Anne married John O’Shea at Kilmacud Church on 22 Jul 1914. Patrick
was a bread vanman, living at Bray and the son of John O’Shea. Patrick died in 1916. Anne secondly
married Patrick Nolan at Kilmacud Church on 23 Apr 1918. Patrick was living at 46 Donnybrook and
had a shop business and was the son of Myles Nolan, a shopman. They had a son Brendan (b1920)
and a daughter Sheila (b1922).
5. Herbert ‘Hugh’ Whelan born 6 December 1895 at 8 Meath Place. Hugh died on 2 Jan 1897 of
Bronchitis at 13 months old. The family were residing at 40 South Earl Street at this time and father’s
occupation is given as float driver. Hugh is buried in Glasnevin.
6. Essie Whelan was born 3 Jan 1898 at the Coombe Hospital. She was a maid and married Thomas
Frazer at Kilmacud Church on 4 Jun 1917. They lived at Tubbermore Avenue Dalkey and had at least
two sons and a daughter Rosaleen who died in 1928. Thomas was a fitter living at Dalkey with their
son Edward Frazer.
7. Bridget (Bridie) Whelan born 18 Feb 1900, Mount Merrion. She attended Mount Anville National
School. When she was fourteen Bridie went to work as a servant and worked for Mrs Moore O Farrell
at Kildangan Castle, Co Kildare and Mrs Gainsford St Lawrence at Howth Castle. She had brown hair
and hazel eyes. She was living at Thornhill Lodge in 1918 and enlisted in the Queen’s Mary’s Army
Auxiliary Corps as a cook/waitress in August that year. Her references were Sarah Smith, the post
mistress and Sir Thomas Talbot Power who knew her from birth. She was posted to Ebrington
Barracks, Derry in July 1918 and then on to the Beresford Barracks at The Curragh in January 1919
and discharged in April 1919 due to ill health. Bridget married Charles Gaskin (1894-1963) of Stillorgan
in Kilmacud Church on 9th May 1920. Charles was a Gunner in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal
Garrison Artillery unit from 1914-1920. Charles was the son of Edward Gaskin and Elizabeth
McLoughlin of Kilmacud. Bridget died in 1931 and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
8. Patrick Mary Whelan born 1 Feb 1902 at Mount Merrion. He married Mary Kate Furlong on
16 Jul 1921 at Bree Parish Church, Enniscorthy. Patrick was a labourer and Mary Kate, was a servant
from Ballyhogue. She was the daughter of Thomas Furlong a chauffeur at Edermine House, the Sir
Thomas Talbot Power’s Wexford Estate. Patrick was in the 6th Battalion IRA during the War of
Independence. He lived in Marion Park, Blackrock in later life. He died in 1974 and is buried in
Deansgrange Cemetery.
9. Thomas Whelan born 21 Jan 1904 at Holles Street worked for Power's Distillery. Thomas was in
the 6th Battalion IRA in G Company (Dalkey), during the War of Independence. He then joined the
National Army in 1922. The Gate Lodge at Thornhill House was raided a number of times by the
Black and Tans and Auxiliaries B Coy, RIC, throughout the War of Independence on suspicion of
hiding arms. Details are recorded in the Daily/Monthly Raid Reports on 26 March, 13 April, 25 April,
30 April and 8 May 1921 for Thomas and Patrick Whelan when they were arrested and released. On
17 Jun 1921 Kate Whelan (mother) was arrested at Thornhill Lodge by the 2nd Worcester Regiment
and released.
10. Moses ‘William’ Whelan born 1 Feb 1905 at Holles Street. He joined the IRA during the Truce in
November 1921 and continued in the National Army in 1922 in 1 Bn, 2nd Dublin Brigade, Eastern
Division during the civil war. He married Mary Kelly in Holy Cross Church, Dundrum Church on
5 Sep 1923. Mary was the daughter of John Kelly and was living at Sweetmount, Dundrum. Mary
died 30 Dec 1965 at Mulvey Park, Dundrum. One of their daughters, Sister Pascaline Joseph, Little
Sisters of the Poor received the British Empire Medal (BEM) Honorary, in the Queen’s 2015 New
Year’s Honours List, for services for the elderly at Jersey, Channel Islands. Moses and Mary are
buried at Deansgrange Cemetery.
11. Mary Whelan born 1906 in Holles St.
12. James Whelan born 10 Aug 1907 at Holles Street. He was a postman and married Anne Martin
8 Jul 1929 at Rathfarnham Church on 8 Jul 1929. Anne was the daughter of John Martin a motor
van driver and was living at Whitechurch Cottages.
13. Joseph Whelan born 26 Sep 1909 at Kilmacud living at Thornhill Lodge in 1937. He married Mary
Kelly (b1908) in 1943. Mary died in 1946. Joe later remarried and is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
14. Ernest Gerald Whelan born 26 Oct 1910 at Kilmacud married Margaret Halpenny at St Andrews,
Westland Row in 1935. Margaret was living at Leeson Street and was the daughter of Patrick Halpenny,
a labourer. Ernest joined the Irish Army and lived at 11 Beaufield Park. He died at St Colmcille’s
Hospital, Loughlinstown in 1971. He is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
15. Michael Whelan born 5 May 1912 at Holles Street. He went to St Laurences BNS, Kilmacud. He
married Bridget Furlong of Ballyhogue, Wexford at St John the Baptist Church, Blackrock on
30 Jun 1935. Bridget was living at 39 Carysfort Avenue and was the daughter of Thomas Furlong, a
motor man at Edermine House, Wexford. After WW2, Michael was a Police Constable in Watford. He
then returned to Ireland and worked at Ardmore Studios in Bray in the 1960s. Michael retired from
UCD as a Service Officer in the 1980s. He and his wife Bridget are buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
16. Francis Whelan born 16 Jun 1914 at Holles Street. He moved to the UK.
17. Martin Patrick Whelan born 17 March 1916 at Holles Street. Joined the Irish Guards Regiment
during World War Two. He married Mary Stack, born circa 1909. Martin died in Staines, UK on
23 Jan 1973. They are buried together in the Old London Road Cemetery, Staines, UK.
Contributed by Barry Whelan
© Barry Whelan, June Bow & Karen Poff – January 2025