Year of 1854 was focus of mystery talk at local Historical Society meeting

IT WAS with much delight that Chairman Finbarr Spain welcomed Birr native, Caimin O’Brien, Archaeologist with the National Monument Services, to Birr Historical Society in October 2024.

Caimin has been working on a project with Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society called ‘Where do you think they lived?' Mapping the 1901 census, is a project which was set up to make a map of the people living in houses who were recorded in the 1901 census forms. There was no map which matches where each family once lived, so the project involves finding out where each house is and/or once stood and asking for help from anyone who may have knowledge of these houses.

In his illustrated presentation, Caimin explained how a digital mapping project would reveal a lot about Birr and its people. Information could then be accessed through the smart phone/tablet. This would be an imaginative way of bringing the past to the present using technology such as Google maps and multimedia involving 3D models, videos, photographs and audio clips.

Griffiths valuation 1854 is the first full-scale valuation of property in Ireland and details of property with valuations were published between 1847 and 1864. Caimin drew the attention of the audience to properties located in Bridge Street, Brendan Street and Castle Street in 1854 and he spoke about, how houses can take you on an historical journey. There were houses and a shop on Bridge Street which are no longer there. In 1853, a hardware shop advertised goods such as fancy dresses, gloves, tweeds and silks. No. 34 Castle Street and No. 1 Bridge Street were the premises of D.E. Williams and today you find Sanjays Indian Restaurant and other occupants.

Griffiths valuation records the owners of property in 1854. Caimin gave a very detailed history of the life of Sir John Kingston James (1784-1869) who owned No. 34 Castle Street which was occupied by William Meara. The Landlord lived in 9 Cavendish Row, Rutland Square, Rotunda, Dublin. He was a wine merchant and Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1823, he became a member of the nobility and his coat of arms had maritime sea symbols, anchors, lion, dolphin, four crosses.

He imported wine from the West Indies and this links with another story. The James family burial plot, Tomb No. 5 can be found in St Brendan’s graveyard. He spoke about William O’Meara (1798-1873), occupier who was the First Town Commissioner ever sworn in Parsonstown (Birr). His responsibility as Town Commissioner was the public lighting of the town, water supply, management of sewerage and repairing roads. He pointed out, that it is very interesting to find out about the people who lived in the houses and what is their story.

Caimin grew up in Brendan Street, and he remembers many names from Castle Street, some of which include; Mrs Early, Olive Ovington, McLoughlins, Horans, Hairstylist Mary Rigney, Hennessys, Librarian, Violet Doolin. Many people today can still remember Coolahan’s shop on the Bridge.

Caimin would love to have photographs of people who lived in Birr. He would like to document the street and families at different time periods, starting in 1854 with Griffiths Valuation of Houses, so we remember and do not forget the people of our town. He can be contacted at: caimin.obrien@gmail.com.

This project when complete would be a very valuable resource for anyone interested in history genealogy.

Chairman, Finbarr Spain thanked Caimin on behalf of Birr Historical Society for his wonderful talk, his committee and everyone for coming to the talk.