Groups audience:
THE THREE JOLLY PIGEONS
James and Imelda McCormack current owner 2015
Griffith Valuation 1854
- Barony of Kilkenny West,
- Parish of Noughaval
- Union of Ballymahon,
- Townland of Bawn, Co. Westmeath.
- Tenant was James Murray.
- The Landlord was William Chapman.
Originally referred to as No. 12 in Griffith Valuation and later as No.7.
It is understood that the Murray family were in occupation prior to 1800. An ale house had existed on the site since the 1700's . There have been many alterations to the building over the years. A railway guide to Ireland of 1848 referred to the newly renovated Inn. Part of that renovation exists as the thatched part of the ground floor housing the bar. The interior of the current bar area exists mainly from the period immediately after the First World War (1914-1918) completed by ? Connaughton, Tubberclaire. Yardworks including new wall were completed by James Murphy, Muchanagh and Billy McLynn during the 1940's. Further alterations to the building were made in the 1970's completed by Ben Murtagh, Cartrontroy, Athlone. Painting during period 1930/1970 was usually by Frank Moran,Tubberclaire and Hubert Quest, Kilkenny West.
At the entrance to The Three Jolly Pigeons you walk over a millstone from The Busy Mill and fireplace stones from The Modest Mansion (Lissoy Parsonage) of Oliver Goldsmith fame.
James Murray, the occupant in the 1850's, was succeeded by Elizabeth Murray (his wife ?) circa 1877. She was succeeded by Thomas Murray circa 1882 who agreed the rent of two pounds per annum with the landlord (William Chapman). Thomas Murray died intestate 05.07.1895. His wife Lizzie (Elizabeth) became the owner and she assigned title to John Nally 29.11.1900. In 1908 John Nally purchased the freehold title with the assistance of the Irish Land Commission. John Nally died 23.05.1926 leaving his widow Elizabeth and three children Thomas Francis, John Joseph and James. On 14.05.1931 the property was sold at public auction by Hugh Flood, Auctioneer, Ballymahon to Anthony McCormack (Tonlegee, Tang). In 1934 Anthony transferred the title to his uncle and aunt Joseph McCormack and Anne Murphy of the Gap House, Moate. Anthony moved to the Gap House, Moate and James took over the management of The Three Jolly Pigeons. In 1936 Anne Murphy died demising all her property to Joseph who sold The Three Jolly Pigeons to his nephew James McCormack (brother of Anthony). In 1972 James transferred title to his son John who returned with his wife Josephine (Josie nee Wallace ofBallinakill, Multyfarnham) and family (John, Fiona, Patricia and James) from England. In 1992 John and Josephine transferred title to his brother James (Seamus) and wife Imelda (nee Fitzmaurice of Castledaly)
1901 Census
Residents House No. 1:
John Nally, Head of Household (1863), Bernard Nally (1871) his brother and Francis Murray (1895) his nephew.
John Nally born 1863 at ? (probably at The Three Jolly Pigeons) , owner of The Three Jolly Pigeons 1900/1926. Died 23.05.1926 and was buried in Noughaval cemetry.
Bernard Nally born 1871 at ? (probably at The Three Jolly Pigeons) Brother of John Nally. Died ? Buried ?
Francis Murray known as Frank Murray born 1895 at the Three Jolly Pigeons ? Lived in Creggy and later in Clonkeen. Farmer. Owned land in Tang and Clonkeen. Married to ? Salmon Tubberclaire. Died 1960's? Buried Temple a Valley?
1911 Census
Residents House No.4:John Nally, Head of Household (1863), Francis Murray (1895) his nephew, Thomas Murray (1897) his nephew and James McGann (1889) servant.
John Nally born 1863 at ? (probably at The Three Jolly Pigeons) , owner of The Three Jolly Pigeons 1900/1926. Died 23.05 1926 and was buried in Noughaval cemetry.
Francis Murray known as Frank Murray born 1895 at the Three Jolly Pigeons ? Lived in Creggy and later in Clonkeen. Farmer. Owned land in Tang and Clonkeen. Married to ? Salmon Tubberclaire. Died 1960's ? Buried Temple a Valley?
Thomas Murray born 1897 at The Three Jolly Pigeons ? Later lived in Creggy with his aunt Annie Nally. Farmer (noted for the excellent butter he made). Died? Buried?
James McGann born 1889 at ? Worked as a shop assistant at The Three Jolly Pigeons. Died ? Buried ?
Persona Post 1911
Elizabeth Nally nee Higgins? born? At ? Married John Nally 191? John Nally died 23.05.1926 and Letters of Administration granted to Elizabeth 25.07.1927. Following sale of The Three Jolly Pigeons 1931 moved with her three children Thomas Francis, John Joseph and James Nally to ? (Thomas was living in Glenageary, Dublin in 2014)
John Fox worked in The Three Jolly Pigeons as Manager during the period 1927/1931
Anthony McCormack purchased The Three Jolly Pigeons 1931. He was born at Tonlegee 1899 and lived there until 1913 when he moved to Cornamagh, Athlone to Patrick and Brigid Melinn (his aunt). Joined Irish Volunteers 1914. Mobilised Easter Sunday 1916 at Annagh, Ballykieran, Athlone with up to 60 comrades and soon ordered to disperse. Mobilised again on Easter Monday 1916 and was sent with dispatch to Coosan. Sent to observe British military movements in Athlone but was arrested on Easter Tuesday and detained overnight. 1918 active in Athlone IRA also in IRB 1919. Returned to Tang 1919 and appointed Captain of Tang Company IRA. Active during War of Independendece including Auburn Ambush and burning of Littleton Barracks. Interned Ballykinlar Co. Down January to December 1921. On Republican side during Civil War 1922/1923. Interned in Athlone and Curragh 1923/1925. Returned to Tonlegee and engaged in family business based on Connolly's Ballymahon until 1931 when with family assistance purchased The Three Jolly Pigeons. In 1934 Anthony moved to The Gap House Moate and transferred The Three Jolly Pigeons to his brother James. In 1934 Anthony married Dotie Lynott of Tang and Clondra Co. Longford. Dotie died unexpectedly after operation in Dublin 1939. Buried?. Anthony married Brigid Finn, Dungay (Boher), Ballymore in 1946. Sold The Gap House 1950? and moved to Summerhill near Athlone (Co. Roscommon). Moved to St. Patrick's Villas Moate 1952? where he lived until his death in 1997 predeceased by Brigid 1986. Both buried in Tubberclaire in the Murphy (grandparents) grave.
James McCormack moved with his brothers Anthony and Joseph to The Three Jolly Pigeons in 1931.He succeeded his brother Anthony at The Three Jolly Pigeons in 1934. James was born at Tonlegee 1900 and lived there until 1913 when he moved to Cornamagh, Athlone to Patrick and Brigid Melinn (his aunt). He was not in Tonlegee for the 1911 census. Joined Irish Volunteers prior to 1916. Collected American Bacon box containing guns from Athlone railway station for delivery to Athlone Brigade for 1916 mobilisation also detailed to purchase medical supplies on Easter Saturday. On return to Tonlegee circa 1918/9 joined Tang Company IRA. He became the local Volunteer Intelligence Officer. Participated in Auburn Ambush and burning of Littleton Barracks. Interned Curragh “Tintown” 1921. On Republican side during Civil War 1922/1923. Interned in Ballymahon (escaped), Athlone (escaped) and Curragh 1923/1925. Returned to Tonlegee and engaged in family business based on Connolly's Ballymahon. Married Mary Finn, Dungay (Boher), Ballymore in 1936. They conducted a successful business until they transferred it to their son John (Sean) and his wife Josephine (Josie) in 1972. James and Mary had ten children (John, John/Sean, Anthony/Tony, Denis, Angela, Seamus, Oliver, Anne, Elizabeth and Catherine). James died 1980, buried in Tubberclaire. Mary died 1989, buried in Tubberclaire.
Joseph McCormack worked with his brothers Anthony and James at The Three Jolly Pigeons ( 1931/1946 ) He was born at Tonlegee 1912 where he lived until 1931.Moved to The Gap House Moate in 1946. Married Maureen Finnegan ? Died 1998. Buried in Trim
Annie Finn was born at Dungay, Ballymore ? Moved to The Three Jolly Pigeons 1946. Assisted her sister Mary to rear her family and her brother-in-law James to run his business. Continued to assist with the management of The Three Jolly Pigeons almost to the time of her death. Died 22.12.2002 at Castlecore Nursing Home, Ballymahon. Buried in Tubberclaire.
Some of the People that worked/assisted at The Three Jolly Pigeons (not a complete list)
Nicholas Fitzsimons......from Rathmore..... yardman, gardener and general from weighing flour & animal foods to bottling ale & stout and measuring parrafin oil. Great story teller and entertainer especially with double headed coins at pitch and toss.
Patrick (Paddy) Quest....Long term general helper including milking the cow and feeding the pig
Patrick (Gavins) Tumelty.....from Creggy (originally Clonkeen) assisted behind the bar on Sunday afternoons.
Patrick (Gollagher) Keegan......from Tubberclaire, assisted behind the bar on Sunday evenings and some nights during week. First Cousin of James McCormack
Patrick?(Odie) Nolan......from Clonkeen? assistant yardman in the 1940's.
James (Jimmy) Connaughton....from Tubberclaire, great friend of the McCormack Family who assisted behind the bar from the 1940's almost to the time of his death
Patrick (Paddy)McCormack..... from Ardboro, Drumraney, trainee barman and grocer in the 1940's. Eldest son of Michael (First Cousin of James McCormack)
Patrick (Bash) Keegan.....from Kilkenny West, barman for brief period in 1972
Andy Moran....from Coolaline. Kept thatched roof in excellent condition up to the 1950's?
John (Jack) Higgins......from Doonis. Kept thatched roof in excellent condition for years succeding Andy Moran of Coolaline in the task.
Eugene Duffy.....from Dublin. Bar Manager 1972/1973
Martin Connaughton.......from Littleton. Manager in 1970's
Daniel (Danny) Reddin....from Tang. Barman for many years in 1980's/1990's
Albert Lowry......from Kilkenny West. Barman
Annie (Nanny) Seery.......from The Blue Bottoms, Listisson. Helped with child minding.
Margaret Moran.......from Clonkeen. Housekeeper before she emigrated to USA (New York) in 1950's
Margaret (Maggie) Seery......from Lissoy. Housekeeper in 1940's
Francis (Frankeen) Seery..... from Bawn, The Pigeons. Part time yardman in 1940/1950's and thereafter from time to time. Very good friend to family especially Annie Finn in the 2000's
Anthony (Tony) Finn......from Bishopstown. Assisted as barman from time to time. Cousin of Mary McCormack and Annie Finn
Brigid (Breeda) Donoghue......from Bawn, The Pigeons, assisted with barwork
Nora Higgins.........from Tang, worked as a housekeeper in 1940's
John Joe Rush.... from Littleton, assisted with barwork from time to time
Children of James McCormack and Mary Finn
John born in New County Hospital Mullingar 16.09.1939 and died at The Three Jolly Pigeons? 1939. Buried in Noughaval with his grandparents John and Maria McCormack
John (Sean) born in New County Hospital Mullingar September 1940. Educated Tang N.S. St. Finian's College Mullingar and North Western Polytechnic London. Worked in London 1959/1972. Married Josephine Wallace of Ballinakill , Multyfarnham at St. Nicholas's Church, Multyfarnham 30.09.1963. Lived with his family in Highgate, London and moved to Enfield, Middlesex 1964/1972. Returned to The Three Jolly Pigeons 1972/1992. Also worked in Athlone and Dublin during his ownership of The Three Jolly Pigeons. Post 1992 continued to work in Dublin, Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Warsaw ( Poland) until his retirement in 2000. His family joined him at The Three Jolly Pigeons July 1973 and they moved to Cartrontroy, Athlone in September 1973 to a new house built by Ben Murtagh, Cartrontroy. In October 1976 moved to Celbridge, Co.Kildare
Anthony (Tony) was born ? September 1940. Educated Tang N.S. St. Finian's College Mullingar and Bolton Street Dublin. Worked in London June/December 1960 and then returned to The Three Jolly Pigeons. Worked in Mullingar 19/19 with Westmeath Co.Co. Kinsale Co. Cork as Town Clerk 19/19 ans Nenagh North Tipperary as Town Clerl 19 until retirement 19
Denis was born ? September 1941 .Educated Tang N.S, Vocational School Ballymahon
Angela was born ? March 1944
Seamus was born? June 1946
Oliver was born ? July 1947
Anne was born ? November 1948
Elizabeth was born ? April 1950
Catherine was born in Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe August 1954
Children of John (Sean) McCormack and Josephine (Josie) Wallace
John was born in St. John & St. Elizabeth Hospital, St. John's Wood, London, England August 1964
Fiona was born in St. John & Elizabeth Hospital, St. John's Wood, London, England March 1966
Patricia was born at Holmbridge Gardens, Enfield, Middlesex, England February 1967
James was born at Alexandra Road, Enfield, Middlesex, England November 1968
Denise was born at North Middlesex Hospital, Edmonton, North London December197. Died ? and buried in Lavender Hill Cemetry, Enfield, England
Children of James (Seamus) McCormack and Imelda Fitzmaurice
Eimear was born
Colm was born
Eoghan was born
