The Gallaghers of Ballinrobe

At left, Delma Gallagher, front, her sister Philomena, back, Mary Moran, right, and John Moran, left, are together
for John's First Communion. Shown in front of his home, center, and with his bike, right, is Delma's brother Jack
Gallagher, who raised a family with his wife, Mary, on New Street. He worked for the Post Office for 35 years.
charmed a security guard into letting the three of them into
the then-closed hall.
Eugene's travels also took him to Africa and the
Middle East. He had his picture taken at the former jail cell
of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. And he walked 100
miles in Jordan to raise money for charity. For the latter
excursion, he got sponsors to pledge money for his effort to
support the Irish Heart Foundation in February/March
2001. At one point, the walk took him to the Israeli border,
but he was cautioned not to cross over. Eugene, however,
figuring he was so close, took a quick step into Israel and
back. He was so close, he couldn't resist.
Back in Cornaroya, Eugene could be counted on
to welcome visitors – “Yanks,” he called them – when they
arrived from America. He married Ann Tierney of Glebe
Street in Ballinrobe in 1971 at Ballintubber Abbey. Their
crowded home often hosted visitors who were treated to a
bit of rhubarb pie and tea – or maybe a drop of something
stronger. Eugene and his family would often get a mention
in local newspaper accounts of the winners of livestock and
other competitions at area fairs. You can also find the latest
generation active in efforts promoting social issues. Eugene
and Ann’s children are Maria, Claire, Patrick, Angela and
Louise. Ann's brother James Tierney eventually bought the
fields along the boreen where the original Gallagher
cottages were located.
Tommy Gallagher sits with Aunt Mary, center, and his
sister Delma in the 1940s on the wall at the Cornaroya
home of Tommy's father, Peter.
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