In 1886, my great-grandparents, Patrick and Julia Pluck (maiden name Luff of Mervue) left Shantalla, Co Galway and migrated to Queensland, Australia.Their four surviving children accompanied them. Two boys had died in February 1879. Before they left Galway, their eldest son, James, born in 1873 at Barna, was presented with an Address by the Galway Barnch of the Young Ireland Society. The Address is printed on white silk and is still held and treasured by the family here in Brisbane, 130 years later. The wording of the Address is very lyrical and it is hard to believe that the qualities described could relate to a thirteen year old boy. I am attaching a copy of the Address and a typed copy of the wording because the original is no longer so clear and a couple of words are undecipherable. I have often wondered if, in fact, the Adress was directed at James's father, Patrick, but given the atmosphere in relation to the national cause at that time, that it was unwise to recognize his contributions to the Young Ireland Society and the Address was presented to his son instead. I am wondering if anyone else has seen such an Address and also if there are any references to the Galway activities of the Young Ireland Society.
j tolhurst
Tuesday 5th Apr 2016, 12:28AMMessage Board Replies
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Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
I haven't seen such an address myself but have heard of them over the years. Have you tried to find out if the National Library of Ireland have anything related to it on their Sources database:
Best wishes
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support
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Thanks for your reply, Clare. I have now tried the NLI Sources database but have been unable to locte any articles about the Young Ireland Society. Kind regards Jim Tolhurst
j tolhurst