The Gallaghers of Ballinrobe
IN MARCH 2020, Pat Gallagher had an idea. He asked his brother, Owen, what he thought of writing a book about the family of their father, James Gallagher, who grew up in the early decades of the 20th century in the West of Ireland in the small town of Ballinrobe, County Mayo. The shutdown from COVID-19 was just beginning, and the thinking was they would have more time on their hands than usual. What better way to spend quarantine than exploring the stories of our aunts, uncles and other relatives. The task turned out to be much more complicated (and rewarding) than anticipated. It involved sifting through ship manifests, census, birth and marriage records, newspaper archives, and, most enjoyable, sessions delving into the memories of extended-family members. Sorely missed was the chance to hear first-hand the tales from our deceased cousins John O'Brien and Pete Gallagher. This book's stories and more than 500 images are the result of the past year's journey. The goal was both simple and ambitious: making the memories of the Gallaghers of Ballinrobe ours forever.
IN MARCH 2020, Pat Gallagher had an idea. He asked his brother, Owen, what he thought of writing a book about the family of their father, James Gallagher, who grew up in the early decades of the 20th century in the West of Ireland in the small town of Ballinrobe, County Mayo. The shutdown from COVID-19 was just beginning, and the thinking was they would have more time on their hands than usual. What better way to spend quarantine than exploring the stories of our aunts, uncles and other relatives.
The task turned out to be much more complicated (and rewarding) than anticipated. It involved sifting through ship manifests, census, birth and marriage records, newspaper archives, and, most enjoyable, sessions delving into the memories of extended-family members. Sorely missed was the chance to hear first-hand the tales from our deceased cousins John O'Brien and Pete Gallagher. This book's stories and more than 500 images are the result of the past year's journey. The goal was both simple and ambitious: making the memories of the Gallaghers of Ballinrobe ours forever.
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Aunt Ann and cousin Tommy Gallagher join hands while saying Grace during a gathering at the DeAscanis' New
Castle home.
place to play. What the adults’ conversation turned to when
the children were in the basement is anyone’s guess, though
they must have wondered what the future would hold for
the new generation.
In the yard at Champlain Avenue was a red maple
tree, one of the specimens Uncle Pete gave to family
members. One of the trees grew larger and larger next to
the cemetery fence in the backyard at Uncle Jim’s home on
Sycamore Street. It spawned several saplings, two of which
are still growing at his son Owen’s house in Egg Harbor
Township, New Jersey. Another link to Champlain Avenue
is the vintage Pennsylvania Dutch light switch cover from
the stairs heading to the basement, which now holds a place
of honor leading to Pat and Ronnie Gallagher’s basement in
Hockessin. The metal cover features two tulips and reads,
"Outen the light."
LOYALTY
Aunt Ann talks with her nephew John O'Brien during
a dinner at the home of John's sister, Patsy DeAscanis.
Patsy DeAscanis remembers calling Aunt Ann
once on the anniversary of Aunt Delia's death. Aunt Ann
said she did in fact remember that day in 1973. When Patsy
said the year had been 1975, Aunt Ann corrected her and
said confidently, “No, it was 1973.” Two days later, Aunt
Ann called back. “Good morning, Aunt Ann,” Patsy
remembered herself saying to start the phone call. Patsy
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