Thady Kilgallen : Short Biography

Thady Kilgallen aka Kilgallon (son of Thomas Kilgallen & Eleanor Corcoran) married Mary Dowd of Meera, Carrick on Shannon (daughter of Michael Dowd & Eliza M Padden)  on 05 Aug 1879.

They raised their family at the Kilgallen farm in Ardononglass, Soodry, Toberpatrick West,  Co. Sligo.

By 1911, both Thady and Mary were deceased and the farm occupied by three of their sons (Thomas, Art & James) and their uncle. Their son, John Kilgallen, inherited the Dowd farm at Meera and was executor to the will of the last Dowd of Ryefield, Elphin.

Children of Mary Dowd & Thady Kilgallen (born in Sligo):
Ellen         20/7/1880  (gp: Thos Kilgallon
Thomas   10/10/1882 d.1982  (gp: Thos Kilgallon & Delia Dowd)
William     c.1887
John M     c. 1890  MEERA
Art            c.1898
James     c. 1900

Leitrim Observer , Saturday, May 28, 1910; Section: Front page, Page: 1

Obituary – MR THADY KILGALLEN

With deep regret we announce the death of Mr Thady Kilgallen, which took place at his residence, Ardnaglass, on the 4th inst. Within the memory of the oldest inhabitants no death caused more genuine sorrow, as poor Thady was a general favourite with all classes, guileless to a fault, and strictly honest in his transactions. Indeed it may be truly said of him that be was a man "taken all in all we shall not soon look upon his like again." Though he was connected, on the maternal side, with some of the most distinguished families in the Co Sligo—the late General Corcoran, who carried the "stars and stripes" triumphantly over many a blood stained battlefield during the civil wars in America, and the present Burke Cockran, the eminent American lawyer, and the late Major Porteus of Manchester being his cousins ; yet the most humble were always met with the same warm grasp and the same kindly greeting. Naturally of a robust constitution, and exemplary in his habits, no one thought of his being afflicted by an internal complaint, which, notwiihstanding all that medical aid and the loving care and tenderness that a devoted wife could do, caused him to pass peacefully to his Saviour on the date mentioned. His remains were removed on Friday morning to Skreen Catholic Church, where High Mass was offered for the eternal of his soul. The Rev A McHale, P.P., Kilglass, was celebrant; Rev William Healy, P.P., Templeboy, deacon ; Rev P O'Hara, C.C., sub-deacon; and Rev B Quinn, Adm, Ballina. master of ceromonies, In the chair were—Rev P McNulty, P.P., Skreen and Drutrard ; Rev M J Clarke, P.P, _Protnore West; Rev Chas Flynn, P.P., Killargue,Co. Leitrim j Rev T Beirne. C C, Ballina ; Rev W Groaney, C.C ; Rev M Meagher, C.C.,Easkey, and Rev Father McManus, USA.

The funeral cortege started for the family burial place at Skreen, at 2 pm, and was the most imposing witnessed for many years. It was simply an outpouring of the _uiats-ts of the entire barony from the Moy to the historic strand at Ballisodare. The towns of Sligo, Ballina, Boyle, Elphin, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tobercurry, Ballymote, Collooney, Coolaoey, Ballisodare, Bllinamore, Dromahair, Drumshanbo, &c, were fully represented, and paid their last tribute to departed worth. RevP McNulty officiated at the grave, assisted by the above named clergymen. Peace to his ashes ; may the earth lie lightly on his breast , and may a Merciful Province receive him in the wellknown words of the Gospel: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place thetj over many j enter thou into the joys of the Lord."

The chief mourners were—

Mrs Mary Kilgallen (wife) ; Mrs Flynn (daughter); Tom, Wm., Jack, Art, James (sons) ;

Thomas and William Kilgallen. (brothers); Mrs O'Hart, Port Royal (sister);

Mrs Gallagher and Mrs Quinn (sisters-in-law),

Patrick Flynn, J.P., Carrick-on-Shannon (son-in-law);

John Quinn and Michael Gallagher (brothers-in-law) ;

J P Henry, M.D., Dublin, and P O'Hart, M.D., Ballymote; Thos. O'Hart (nephews); Eily O'Hart (niece);

Miss Mary Kilgallen, Sligo ; Wm. Murray, James Gilhooly, D J, Edward, William, and Robert Martin, William Boyd, Bob Golden (Coolaney), P J Kilgallen, C.E., Sligo (cousins).

Wreaths were sent from the following:

"From his heartbroken wife and children," Mrs Kilgallen;

" In affectionate end loving remembrance of our dear father," from Eily and Patk. ;

"In loving memory," from Lizzie, and William ;

" With deepest affection," from bis beloved sister, Sarah Hart;

" With great sorrow," from Frank O'Hart, Paris ;

" With heartfelt grief," from Dr. Henry ; " In deepest sympathy," from Assistants of P Flynn & Co., Carrickon-Shannon ;

"In affectionate aud loving memory," from Delia and John Quinn ; " In loving memory," from Lizsie and Michael Gallagher ;

" In loving memory of dear Mr Kilgallen," from Mrs J Y O'Donnell; ''With deepest sympathy," from Olivia O'Donnell.

Letters and telegrams were received from the following:—

Rev B M Quinn, Adm., Ballina; Rev T Quinn, Tourlestrane; Fr. Mauley, Carrick-on-Shannon ; Fr. Casey, Collooney ; Fr Mulligan, do; Fr Burke, Aclare; Dr. Mac Enrí, Dublin ; Don Francis O'Hart, Paris; Miss Walsh, Carrick on-, -banuon ; Mr and Mrs Dolan, do; Mr Carty, do; Miss Lillie Kilgallen, London ; Mrs Nora Devanay, Easkey; Miss Kenny, do; Mrs Mullen, do; Mrs Cox, London; Mr Cor, do; Mr O'Connell, Thurles; Mr Lee, Leitrim; Mr Parkes, Ballymote; Mr and Mrs Caslan, Roscommon ; Mrs Mulligan Carrick-on-Shannon ; Mrs Henry, Tobercurry ; Mr T Kelly, Dublin ; Mr and Mrs O'Neill, Leitrim ; Mrs O'Connor, Ballinacarrow ; Mrs Boyd, Carrick-on-Shannon ; Mr Maver, Manager, Provin. Bank, Sligo ; Mr Henry Lyons, Sligo; Miss O'Dowd, Ryefiled, Elphin; Mrs Flood, Carrick-on-Shannon ; Mr and Mrs McCrossan, Derry ; Mrs Kate Cox, Surrey; Mrs Coleman, Bellra; Mils Martin, Knockvicar; Mr and Mrs McTeggart, Ardcaree ; Mrs Gordon McHale, Castleconnor; Mrs Ardhill, feandym junt; Mr B McDonagh, Sligo ; Mr H Boyers, Sligo ; Mr Gannon, Coolaney; Mi and Mrs Reynolds, Enniskillen; Mr Conroy, Sligo; Mrs and Mrs M Tiernan, Woodhiil; Mr B. McCarrick, Enniscrone; Mr and Mrs Alleyne, Carrick-on-Sbannon.