Kerry Woollen Mills at Ballymalis, tucked away in the vicinity of the old castle of that name, dates to about 1745.[1] A contributor to the 1930s Schools’ Collection ascribed the origin of the mill to a man named Leahy:
About 200 years ago a man named Leahy built a small mill driven by water, cut off by a sluice from the River Greestin and he ground corn in the mill for the people of the parish.[2]
In 1829, John Sealy Esq was recorded as the freeholder of land, houses and mill at Ballymalis called the Mill-lands and part of which was called ‘Lissuree’ with a value of £50.[3] A young man named Daniel Moore in the employment of John Sealy Esq died on 26 January 1830 after becoming entangled in the mill machinery.[4] In 1832, John Sealy Esq advertised his bolting (boulting) mill to let ‘and about 10 acres of prime land situated in an excellent wheat country where a sufficiency of grain of superior quality may be purchased at the mill.’[5]
In 1836, George Bowles Woodley (1809-1887) of Ballymalis Esq, appears as leaseholder of the flour mill, dwelling house, and premises at Ballymalis, also house and demesne of Cottage. By 1838, he was living in New South Wales. [6]
The mill was subsequently utilised as a paper mill,[7] as recorded by the same contributor to The Schools’ Collection:
It was closed down for years and then restarted for the making of paper … An old man named Sullivan of the district, whose father worked there told me his father worked there making bricks. He said that there was a tax imposed on the paper and after trying to carry on, smuggling paper here and there for some time – paper making was finally abandoned.[8]
James Garvey was the proprietor of the paper mill in 1842 when a matter brought by the Excise about paper carriage and duties was dismissed. ‘The Rev Mr Rowan said the magistrates at Petty Sessions took the same view of the case, and the more so as a paper mill in this part of the country being a new thing the people were less likely to be aware of the law.’[9] However, in April 1846, the machinery and stock of the Ballymalis Paper Mills were sold by Wilson Gun, High Sheriff, at the suit of the Excise which included working machinery, reams of paper and furniture.[10]
During the Famine, the mill may have returned to use as a corn mill. In 1847, the Killarney Union met and the supply of Indian meal was discussed. Guardian Francis Bland ‘thought it would be the most advisable to purchase a cargo of corn and effect a large saving by doing so. It could be delivered in Killorglin and ground at the Mills of Ballymalis.’[11]
The bankruptcy of Christopher Gallwey Esq of Killarney in 1852 reveals his association with the trade. Described as ‘Miller and Flour Merchant, Dealer and Chapman,’ his assets included ‘Lot 15 The Mill and Mill Lands of Ballymalis about six miles of Killarney, held for a term of 91 years, from 1841, and upon which the bankrupt expended a large sum of money, annual rent £15.’
Christopher Gallwey (1779-1861), eldest son of Thomas Gallwey (1746-1817) of Killarney and Maria Mahony of Dunloe, was Land Agent to Lord Kenmare.[12] His father, Thomas Gallwey, built a mill at Deenagh, Killarney in 1789[13] which survived until the late 1850s when it was demolished.[14] In the hard year of 1846, on the subject of food supply, the history of Deenagh Mill unfolded:
It is gratifying to find that the mills of our county are being well stocked with wheat. Early in the week, our reporter had the privilege of viewing the vast improvements which have been made in Mr Gallwey’s very fine mill in the vicinity of Killarney, an establishment which towards the close of the last century, was the first to create a market in Kerry where so late as the year 1790, the father of the present proprietor was unable to procure so much as a hundred bags of wheat till purchasing and bringing into the county large quantities of seed, which he distributed amongst the farmers of the surrounding baronies (who paid him back in kind), he laid the foundation for the extensive culture of that grain, which some of our most unpromising mountain lands now exhibit. In Mr Gallwey’s establishment there were, in the beginning of the week, no less than eight thousand five hundred barrels of wheat. The amount of the manufactured staple was over two thousand.[15]
The Ballymalis mill subsequently returned to the name of Leahy, according to a notice published in 1852:
In the matter of Christopher Gallwey, bankrupt, the sale of the residue of this property took place at Killarney by order of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy. The interest in the lands of Scrahan was purchased by Mr O’Sullivan for £110. The head rent of the Kenmare Inn was purchased by Mr Finn for £57. The head rents of two houses in Killarney, with the mill of Ballymalis, were purchased by Counsellor Leahy. The amount netted by the sale was £622.[16]
Counsellor Leahy was John Leahy Esq QC (1809-1874) of South Hill, Coolclogher, Killarney, Co Kerry, whose family had a history in milling.[17] Leahy, who was called to the Bar in 1833 and admitted to the Inner Bar in 1859, had property interests in the county including Beginish Island (off Valencia Island), one time home of the ‘Begnis Men.’[18] Elsewhere in Iveragh he held estates at Aghatubrid and Ballycarbery.[19] Indeed, the first attempt to lay the transatlantic telegraph cable in 1857 was on the estate of Counsellor Leahy at Ballycarbery.[20]
The name Sealy subsequently returns to the history of Ballymalis Mill, as shown in The Schools’ Collection:
Sealy then bought the old mill and started carding and spinning wool there. His son about 1860 installed machinery, and woollens of all kinds were manufactured. He was a Protestant and gave employment to 30 or 40 local boys & girls. He brought Scotch weavers to teach the locals.
In 1864, a movement began to encourage the growth of flax in the south and west of Ireland. At Cambridge House, Lord Palmerston was introduced to a deputation of noblemen and gentlemen including the Earl of Bessborough, Lord Fermoy MP, Hon Agar Ellis MP and Mr Blake MP by the Chief Secretary for Ireland, all in favour of the movement.[21] The Kerry Flax Company Ltd was subsequently formed in Tralee.[22] The enterprise, headquartered at the Flax Mill at Killierisk, Tralee (later the site of Ballymullen Woollen Mills[23]) was short-lived, and the National Bank, Dublin foreclosed in 1870.[24] In the same year, an article about the cultivation of flax alluded to the good work of the Ballymalis mill:
On the west of Killarney the waters of the Laune going waste to the sea; but you have on a tributary of it (the Geestedane) Ballymalis mills, now working as a carding and spinning mill for woollens, by a very enterprising and industrious self-taught gentleman, Mr Sealy.[25]
The Mr Sealy referred to was Edward Sealy Esq, whose enterprising father was John Sealy Esq, formerly of Maglass House, Castleisland. John Sealy Esq died at Ballymalis on 4 March 1863[26] and the following year, his son Edward married Anna Sophia, daughter of Samuel Adams Esq of Londonderry.[27]
According to The Schools’ Collection, Edward Sealy used the mill to shield the Moonlighter Sullivan from the police after the shooting of John O’Connell Curtin at Castlefarm in 1885. ‘It was young Sealy who planned his escape to America. A year or two ago an old type of revolver was found in the wool loft where Sullivan was in hiding.’[28]
Edward Sealy died on 10th August 1899:
He was the first to introduce the new machinery for the making of tweeds, blankets, &c, in Kerry, and though the works may not be of world-wide reputation, yet he did a large business, and some of his tweeds are not unknown in America and England, being on the track of tourists, on the banks of the river Laune. He mostly employed local hands, whom he trained himself. As an individual he endeared himself to all, and his loss, though he had reached 79 years, will be felt by many of those left behind.[29]
Edward Sealy was succeeded by his son, William Sealy. In the summer of 1903, a meeting of the Killarney District Board of Conservators was held in the Courthouse, Killorglin and a discussion took place about the passage of fish at Mr Sealy’s mill. It was reported that on 19 May 1903, the frame for the wire lattice in the head race was raised two inches from the bottom rendering it dangerous:
The mill is worked by a turbine, the water being conveyed from the river Guisthen, and at this period of the year the law requires that means must be taken by the owner of the mill to prevent fry getting into any dangerous machine. Any fry passing into the turbine would be cut to pieces.[30]
In 1903, William Sealy’s personal difficulties were revealed, and he withdrew from the business.[31]
In 1904, it was announced that the mill had been purchased by Messrs Robert Eadie and Sons, formerly of Alyth, Perthshire:
Those mills are the oldest in the county and the new proprietors intend to enlarge the premises and introduce improved machinery by which they hope to considerably develop the business in Kerry.[32]
The proprietors were Robert Eadie (1852-1929) native of Selkirk, Scotland and his wife, Mary Ann Tait (1857-1949) of Innerleithen, Scotland and their sons, Robert Shaw Eadie (1885-1965) and Thomas Tait Eadie (1888-1967), both born in Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh.[33]
The company diversified. In 1905, Eadie & Sons offered for sale Northern Star potatoes, and in 1920, another service:
Double the quantity of milk from your cattle by crossing your best cows and heifers with the best milking strain of cattle in the world, the Holstein Friesian breed. We have got that fine pure-bred Pedigree Friesian Bull, Dunninald Ixion (9549) whose grand-dam, Melford Aconite (10206) produced 1380 gallons of milk in 280 days. Sire, Dunninald Gaatsomairschaap (6175) imported from Holland by Major Spence, Montrose.[34]
On 22 August 1922, textile goods were taken away from the wareroom by armed men. The company subsequently claimed and was awarded compensation.[35]
In January 1936, 28-year-old John O’Brien died following an accident at the mills. The Minister of Industry and Commerce subsequently prosecuted Robert Eadie and Sons under the Factory Acts for failing to fence securely all dangerous parts of the machinery.[36]
The company flourished. In 1958, Robert Eadie and Sons Ltd, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of spinners, doublers, knitters, weavers, dyers, had capital of £40,000, with £1 shares.[37]
Andrew Eadie, great grandson of Robert and Mary Eadie, continues to run the family business at the historic mill.[38] In 2004, the company celebrated its centenary.[39] Its machinery is described as ‘a successful blend of the traditional and modern, having been carefully updated over the years, producing woollens in traditional colours and designs. Visitors to the premises have the opportunity to see the carding, spinning, weaving and finishing of products like scarves, shawls, jumpers and blankets.’
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[1] Kerryman, 22 April 2004. ‘The mills originally opened in 1745 and have been in the Eadie family for 100 years.’ [2] The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0458, pp 083-084. Variations of the River Gweestin include Gaoistin and Giveestin. ‘The River Gweestin (Kerry) looks like an allied Celtic word’ (Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury, 19 April 1890). It is worth noting that a family by the name of Leahy had a mill at Coolclogher, Killarney, Co Kerry. [3] Kerry Evening Post, 12 December 1829. The following is from the Ordnance Survey Namebooks: ‘There are three forts on the townland [Ballymalis], one north called Lissaree, the other two south, one called Lissanisky and the other Lisheenroe.’ [4] Southern Reporter, 2 February 1830. [5] Cork Constitution, 18 August 1832. [6] In August 1835, George B Woodley Esq was married at Ballymacelligott Church by Rev Archibald Mackintosh, to Helena, eldest daughter of the late John Drew Esq of Rockfield. He later took up employment at the Church of England school at Bathurst, New South Wales in 1838. [7] The early Ordnance Survey map designates the building a ‘Paper Mill.’ The Ordnance Survey Name Books compiled during the first Ordnance Survey of 1838 record ‘a flour mill west called Calees Mills.’ [8] James Bartholomew O’Sullivan Esq, a magistrate and paper mill proprietor at Dripsey and Blarney, was the largest paper manufacturer in Ireland. In 1829, an inquest was held to ascertain the circumstances of his death. The Coroner’s Inquest was published in Saunders’s News-Letter, 1 October 1829 which suggested that his life may have been saved from drowning had assistance been provided. Among the papers found on O’Sullivan’s body was the following, evidently intended for publication: ‘It gives us much pleasure to be enabled to state to our readers at this and the other side of the water, that James B O’Sullivan Esq, after many years compulsory removal from trade, is about resuming the business of a paper manufacturer at his extensive mills at Dripsey and Blarney in the county of Cork, Ireland. The re-establishment of the manufacture in these magnificent buildings in the erection of which Mr O’Sullivan has expended over £50,000, may be considered as a new epoch in the contribution of comforts and the means of industry to the poor. A large unemployed population surrounds them, and the impetus which it will give to their honest exertions will go far to the quieting the turbulent spirit which has latterly existed. For some causes which Mr O’Sullivan intends hereafter to speak of, a want of spirit and energy had led to the discontinuance of the business but now that they are removed, every prospect exists of their bestowing that benefit upon the country which, under his management, was admitted that they formerly imparted. His arrival among his old and long attached servants is eagerly looked for, and, as we understand, he purposes commencing business with a large capital on the opening of the new year.’ His son was William Kirby Sullivan; see Dictionary of Irish Biography. In 1852, 28 paper mills were recorded in Ireland (Kerry Examiner, 23 March 1852, ‘Paper Mills in the United Kigdom (sic)’). [9] Kerry Examiner, 28 October 1842. [10] Kerry Evening Post, 11 April 1846. Writ of Fieri Facias. [11] Kerry Examiner and Munster General Observer, 26 November 1847. In reply, Mr Bland was informed that ‘we contracted with Mr Leahy for 100 tons of meal that has been both delivered and consumed, he now seeks a renewal of the contract.’ [12] Christopher Gallwey married (first) Lucinda (Lucy), fifth daughter of Peter Grehan of Clonmeen and Mary Roche by whom he had nine children, Mary (1812-1844), Ellen (1814-1871), Thomas (1815-1880), author of Lays of Killarney Lakes (1871), The Geraldine’s Bride (1871) and The Last of the Desmonds (1874); Christopher Joseph (1816-1870), Lucy Mary (1819-1838), Fr Peter SJ (1820-1906), see Memoirs of Father P Gallwey SJ with portrait (1913) by Father M Gavin SJ; Catherine (married James Scully) Augustine William (1824-1905) and John Joseph (1827-1864),. Lucinda Gallwey died on 14 December 1829 in her 35th year. A sculptured memorial was erected in Muckross Abbey in memory of Lucy. Christopher Gallwey married secondly, on 17 January 1833 in Dublin, to Anne, only daughter of Patrick French of Ballykinave, Co Mayo. Mrs Gallwey died at Killarney on 4 July 1852. Christopher Gallwey Esq died at Atlantic View, Tramore, Waterford on 30th August 1861 at age 82. ‘By his death, Lord Castlerosse obtains a large accession of property, his life having been the last in many old leases.’ [13] ‘It may be of interest to note that in the year 1812 we had two Killarney flour mills grinding 6,000 bags of wheat per year … A flour mills owned by Messrs Galwey and Leahy were situated near Ballydowney and were worked by the River Deenagh’ (Kerry Reporter, 25 November 1933). [14] The Deenagh (Deanagh / Deanough) mill situated at the townland of Derreen is marked as Killarney Flour Mills on the early OS map. In 1830, two men were committed on suspicion of being involved in a robbery at Mr Gallwey’s mill. A few years later, when plans were put forward for changing the course of the stream through the Park, it was remarked that ‘at times the torrent was so powerful and of such a magnitude as to be sufficient to turn Mr Gallwey’s mill.’ Thatched cottages on the Rock Road, rebuilt in 1874, were used by people employed in Mr Gallwey’s mill. The mill was up for sale in December 1851: ‘The old established Killarney Flour Mills situate on the River Deanagh and within half a mile of the Lakes of Killarney. The mills are calculated for the manufacture of fifteen thousand barrels of wheat in the year and the machinery is in complete repair and excellent working order. They are worked by water-power … particulars from Messrs Stack and Hores, Merchants, Liverpool.’ In 1854, in the matter of the estate of John Gallwey, owner, the Encumbered Estates Commissioners ordered the sale of the lands of Deanagh and Folly Field on which the Killarney Flour Mills were situate. The mill was demolished in the late 1850s to make way for a road (Port Road). [15] Kerry Evening Post, 28 February 1846. The following from Thomas Radcliff’s Agricultural Survey of 1814: ‘Killarney has one flour-mill, upon a small scale; but within half a mile is an extensive and remarkably well constructed one, built by Mr Gallwey in the year 1789 and now possessed and carried on in the best and most prosperous manner by his son, Mr Christopher Gallwey. So late as the year in which this flour-mill was erected, but for one other, then on a small scale, the property of Mr Blennerhasset of Elmgrove, it would have stood single in this extensive county. Some grist mills in various parts ground corn of all kinds for toll, but none except that above mentioned had aspired to the dressing of flour for which article the inhabitants of Kerry were obliged to rely upon Cork and Limerick and to which counties on the opening of his mill Mr Gallwey was himself necessitated to resort for grain to keep it at work for the space of six months, notwithstanding a year’s previous notice to the Kerry landlords. It must therefore be very satisfactory to him and his son as well as to other spirited country gentlemen who, like them, have embarked in similar undertaking to find that whilst they advance their own interest in a most laudable and efficient manner, the agricultural interests of the country are forwarded by the same means from which both landlord and tenant must eventually derive advantage. The building of this mill may be said to have been the era of tillage in this county, in which so much remains yet to be done but in which it appears a great deal has been done since the year 1789. For exclusive of Mr Gallwey’s mill, and the small one in Killarney, which between them manufacture from five to 6,000 bags of wheat of 20 stone per annum ...’ For Gallwey genealogy, see ‘Gallwey of Killarney’ in The Galweys & Gallweys of Munster by Sir Henry Blackall, revised by Andrew Galwey & Tim Gallwey in 2015. [16] Cork Examiner, 22 September 1852. [17] http://www.odonohoearchive.com/a-sketch-of-coolclogher-house-killarney/ Further reference, Coolclogher An Industrial Townland Includes Sketches of the Leahys of South Hill and the Herberts of Cahernane (2009) The Herberts of Currans and Cahernane Includes Sketch of the Leahys of South Hill (2011). Leahy was appointed to the Chairmanship of Co Louth in 1859, and Chairman of the County and City of Limerick in 1864, having been Chairman of West Riding Cork before this appointment. He died from a heart attack at his lodgings in Newcastle West while preparing to open court in Rathkeale on 13 October 1874 aged 65. He was laid to rest in Killeagy Cemetery Muckross on 16 October 1874. [18] ‘While the rain was descending in torrents and the storm-wind whistling in fretful gusts over our heads, two of those stalwart Celts known to all lovers of aquatic sports as the Begnis men were being evicted from the spot where they were born, and thrown homeless upon the world. And strange to relate, this act was committed by Mr John Leahy QC, the present proprietor of the island. Mr Leahy is reputed a very good landlord, and it is well known that his tenants at Aghatubrid and Ballycarbery are about the most independent farmers in Iveragh. But some strange infatuation must have come over him now, or else he would not remove from this place, where their services as pilots were so very essential, those men; for no other reason, it is alleged but because he considered them, together with the three who are on it at present, too large a population for an island which, up to the famine year, always maintained sixteen families. A short time ago little did John and Michael Connell dream, as they, together with the rest of the Begnis crew, were winning laurels at Blackwater and elsewhere and even in Valencia harbour exciting the admiration of his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, while snatching the palm of victory from the best men of the Black Eagles’ picked crew, that the crowbar brigade headed by the sheriff would one day cross into the sea-encircled home of their childhood, the spot where their fathers from time immemorial lived and died. Little did they think that the present year would see their comfortable cottages razed to the dust and themselves with their wives and helpless children conveyed from that green spot in the very boats with which they and their fellow-islanders often snatched from the yawning gulfs of the angry ocean many a despairing, shipwrecked mariner. But never again will the Begnis crew respond to the wild wail of the drowning sailor … the remnant of the crew now remaining on the island could never effect the saving of life and property which the whole when together could easily accomplish … many a landlord would feel proud to have under him such tenants as those splendid specimens of the Celtic race. Every one of them is a giant in his way. As Mr Leahy has so many other estates, would it not be possible for him to find a place on one of them for these poor fellows?’ (Tralee Chronicle, 21 June 1861). [19] Aghatubrid numbered among the lots sold in June 1851 in the matter of the estate of John Spottswood and another, ex parte Francis Woodley Lindsey, and Henrietta Lindsay, petititioners: ‘The townland of Aghatubrid with its subdenomination, Cloghancarhan, situate in the aforesaid barony of Iveragh, and parish of Caher, distant about four miles from the seaport town of Cahirciveen, and three from the post town of Waterville, celebrated for its salmon and trout fisheries. The land on this lot is very improvable, particularly the moory portion; there are 2,031 acres, 3 roods, 34 perches, statute measure, and soil is very fertile, and possesses remarkable ripening qualities; the aspect is southern; the land rises in a slope from 48 to 1,639 feet above the level of the sea which is distant about 3 miles. Estimated profit rent 286l 3s 2d. Mr John Leahy was declared the purchaser at 1,500l’ (Weekly Freeman’s Journal, 21 June 1851). [20] Tralee Chronicle, 10 September 1858. ‘Counsellor Leahy is carrying out the most judicious and spirited improvements on the properties purchased by him in Iveragh and Clanmaurice, and doing all in his power to raise the condition of the people’ (Tralee Chronicle, 28 September 1858). In 1906, tenants on the Leahy Estate at Ballycarbery applied to the Estates Commissioners to purchase their holdings. On the eve of purchase, an action was brought by Mrs Agnes Leahy, widow of John White Leahy (and son of Counsellor Leahy) against Daniel O’Connor, Kimego, about the rights to rock weeds and floating weeds at Ballycarbery Strand (White Strand). In the course of the proceedings it was remarked that John Leahy Esq QC purchased Ballycarbery Estate from Mr Bland in 1858. See ‘The Ballycarbery Weeds. Leahy v O’Connor,’ Kerryman, 28 January 1911. [21] Kerry Evening Post, 5 March 1864. [22] See report of its formation in Tralee Chronicle, 28 June 1864. ‘There are, we learn, over three thousand acres of flax sown in Kerry, the greater portion near Tralee. The question then arises – what is to be done with this crop? How bring the Ulster manufacturer in contact with the Kerry grower? Half a dozen Tralee gentlemen have already practically answered this question by at once forming and producing a Joint Stock Company to get up a scutch-mill to prepare the flax for market, being then prepared to step in and buy that flax for importation to the North. We wish this new company God speed’ (Kerry Evening Post, 6 July 1864). In 1865, a Testimonial was presented to William Brown for his duties as instructor to flax growing to the Tralee Union. See Kerry Evening Post, 28 October 1865. [23] Joseph N Revington established the extensive Ballymullen Tweed Mills in 1883 in Tralee, Co Kerry’ (‘If Walls Could Talk: Thomas Revington belonged to an ambitious group of pioneering entrepreneurs’ by Paul O’Brien, Limerick Leader, 24 January 2025). The following was included in a sale of lots on the Denny Estate in May 1899: ‘Lot No 36 is a Fee-farm Rent of £9 5s 6d, issuing out of part of the Lands Killierisk. The valuable Woollen Mills of Messrs Revington and Co are erected on this plot, and are now working thereon. This is an attractive investment.’ ‘Joseph Revington acquired a disused linen mill at Ballymullen and there installed his plant, where it remained until comparatively recent times as Ballymullen Woollen Mills. That this was no small or amateur concern is shown by the fact that the products were highly prized in their day. There are documents in existence stating that they were awarded certificates for excellence and medals at various industrial exhibitions, including the Dublin Horse Show, and that they were stocked by all the leading shops. To market the products of the mill Joseph Revington opened his first warehouse at No 3 Denny Street. Thus in 1857 was started the nucleus of what was with the years to grow into the important and extensive business premises of today’ (‘Revington’s of Tralee 1857-1957,’ Irish Independent, 18 September 1957). The mill was disused by the early 1930s: ‘Fifty years ago the spinning wheel at home, the local weaver, and a good busy factory here and there supplied most of the people’s clothing. There used to be, about that time, a weaver at Cordal, at Scart, at Ballinvariscal, and that grand old sportsman, Mickey Kavanagh of Rathanny used to function at his loom much later than that. Almost all the children at Clogher School used to be clad in the lovely, health-giving tweeds that he turned out. Sealy’s at Ballymalis and Revington’s at Ballymullen, Tralee were busy woollen mills in those good old days’ (Liberator Tralee, 25 October 1932). [24] ‘A shareholder writing to the Chronicle makes sad complaints of the management of the Kerry Flax Company’ (Kerry Evening Post, 9 December 1865). [25] Kerry Evening Post, 2 February 1870. [26] ‘In the 69th year of his age’ (Cork Examiner, 7 March 1863). Sealy genealogy in The O’Donohoe Collection catalogue (http://www.odonohoearchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Michael-ODonohoe-Collection.pdf pp168-169). John Sealy Esq of Ballymalis, son of Samuel Sealy of Maglass and Elizabeth, fifth daughter of Samuel Raymond Esq JP of Ballylochrane (married 24 December 1785), sold Maglass. He married, and left issue Edward and Lucy. [27] The marriage took place in Dublin on 30th November 1864. [28] https://www.odonohoearchive.com/a-sketch-of-molahiffe-castle-and-the-manor-of-molahiffe/ In 1881, Thomas Patterson, Kerry Woollen Mills, Ballymalis, advertised for sale a cock, eight hens, and young Red Faced Monareas (Tralee Chronicle, 22 March 1881). [29] Kerry Evening Post, 12 August 1899. Sophia Sealy, widow, age 76, is recorded in the Census of Ireland 1901 at Ballymalis boarding with Mary Sealy, age 78, unmarried. [30] Kerry Evening Post, 13 June 1903. Mr Sealy blamed his worker who ‘saved himself the trouble of cleaning and freeing it from weeds from time to time’ and gave an undertaking that it would not occur again. [31] William Sealy married Annie, daughter of John Sealy, Gentleman Farmer, in Killorglin on 12 May 1898. The officiating minister was Robert Eagar. William Sealy was described as a Civil Engineer, son of Edward Sealy, Gentleman Miller. A son, Edward, was baptised in Killarney on 26 September 1899. William was separated from Annie when an order about custody of their four year old son was determined in court in 1903 (see ‘William Seely v Anne Seely and others,’ Cork Examiner, 17 September 1903). Custody was awarded to Mrs Annie Sealy who was living with her parents at Cromane, Co Kerry, as shown in the Census of Ireland 1901 (William Sealy, farmer and mill owner, age 48 and married, is recorded at Ballymalis and 23-year-old Annie Sealy and their one-year-old son Edward are recorded at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, residing with her parents John (farmer and shoemaker) and Catherine Sealy, and her unmarried sisters Catherine and Jane Sealy). The following is noted for genealogy: ‘Died 3rd January 1907 at his residence, Cromane, near Killorglin, John Mason Sealy, aged 80 years, son of the late Uriah Fitzmaurice Sealy, Brick Field, Tralee, and grandson of John Herbert Sealy, RM, Maglass, Castleisland. ‘A marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place between the Rev C V Rooke, Rector of Ardfert, youngest son of Thomas Slator Rooke Esq, Sydney, NSW, and Florence Jane, youngest daughter of the late John Mason Sealy and Mrs Sealy, Cromane, Killorglin, and great granddaughter of the late John Herbert Sealy RM, Maglass, Castleisland’ (Killarney Echo, 22 January 1910). Edward Sealy, aged seven, died from meningitis at Cromane on 15 June 1906. In 1907 his father published the following notice in the Kerry Reporter (18 May): ‘I hereby give notice that I will not permit any person to interfere with the headstone over my family burial place in Kilbonane Churchyard, and that immediate proceedings will be taken against anyone who attempts to interfere with same.’ This seems to have been brought about by the death of the child. In 1909, Anne Sealy took court action for the recovery of funeral expenses whereby she was awarded 5 guineas. The report of the action suggested that William had little involvement with his son (Sealy v Sealy, Kerry Weekly Reporter, 2 July 1909). In 1912, the sale of William Sealy’s farm at Ballymalis was withdrawn. ‘About an hour before a wagonette containing about half a dozen men, including a bell-ringer, appeared in Killorglin after arriving from Killarney. The bell-ringer at once proceeded through the town, and in a lusty voice announced that objection would be made to the sale of the farm on behalf of a Mr Roland Eagar whose father, it was alleged, had been dispossessed of this farm years ago’ (Kerry Weekly Reporter, 1 June 1912). See ‘Eager Estate (Ballymalis)’ in Kerry Weekly Reporter, 11 November 1911, in which Rowland Eager presented his case to the Evicted Tenants Association. He argued that he had been served notice pre-emption, and had been in possession for 26 years. William Sealy of Ballymalis and Puck Island, Dingle, Co Kerry died on 24 March 1919. He left a will dated 1 September 1917 with two codicils (1st March 1917 and 4 May 1918) to which Robert Shaw Eadie of Abbeylands, Milltown, Co Kerry and Richard B Meredith, Solicitor, Dicksgrove, Co Kerry were executors. The will was disputed; details of settlement in Killarney Echo and South Kerry Chronicle, 6 December 1919. [32] Kerry Weekly Reporter. 23 April 1904. ‘It was sold in 1906 to a Fermanagh man named Eadie and is still flourishing manufacturing blankets, rugs, woollen cloths of all kinds and woollen socks for men. Modern machinery has now been installed and about 30 boys and girls are employed’ (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0458, pp 083-084). [33] Another son, John Christian P Eadie, age 7, is recorded on the Census of Ireland 1901 at Lisbellaw, Fermanagh. The Census of Ireland 1911 records four children born to Robert and Mary Eadie, three living. In 1911, John Christian P Eadie was a scholar boarding at the Boys Royal School, Dungannon. [34] Kerry Reporter, 17 April 1920. Major David Anderson Spence (1868-1921) of Dunninald Mains, Montrose, Angus, Scotland and Conveth Mains, Laurencekirk, gained the rank of Major in the Black Watch. He married Margaret Ogilvy Johnston on 26 September 1895 in Montrose and died at Dunninald Mains, Craig, on 8 June 1921. He was buried in Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose, Angus, Scotland. [35] Compensation Files, National Archives of Ireland, Reference FIN/COMP/2/8/456. ‘A receipt was given signed by the OC Supplies 6th Battalion Kerry 2nd Brigade.’ Mr Eadie was awarded £72 in 1924 for goods commandeered. [36] Kate O’Brien, widow, was paid £75 compensation for the death of her only son, John, who had worked at the mills for nine years, his wage 16s ‘all of which he gave to his mother.’ [37] Directors Messrs Robert Shaw Eadie, Lahard House, Beaufort, Kerry and Thomas Tait Eadie, ‘The Poplars,’ Beaufort, Kerry. [38] Robert Shaw Eadie married, on 31 December 1912 at St Nicholas Church, Cork, Mary, eldest daughter of J Ruttle, Hill Terrace, Bandon. The ceremony was performed by Rev R W Ruttle, brother of the bride. Thomas Tait Eadie married Rachel Bowen Ruttle (1886-1977) and had two children, Eric Sutcliffe Eadie (1921-2001) and Kathleen Iris Eadie (1916-2007). The Eadie brothers’ graves are located in Aghadoe Church of Ireland, Co Kerry. Robert Shaw Eadie, born 8 December 1886, died on 25 October 1965. His wife, Mary J Eadie, died on 22 February 1957. Thomas Tait Eadie died on 12 June 1967, his widow Rachel died on 13 January 1977. [39] Kerryman, 30 December 2004, ‘A hundred years old and going strong.’
