Return to Ireland April to December 1912
20. Return to Ireland April to December 1912
This diary begins with John John travelling from Port Adelaide on the SS Orontes back to Ireland for a 6 month holiday. On the first days of his return he goes straight to his ancestral home, visits his father and stays with his brother and sister-in-law. Michael the brother has been in Australia with him but saved funds and returned to live in Ireland marrying Ellen Meade and starting two small farms.
John’s visit back to Ireland has many highlights castle hunting, visiting friends and relatives, commenting on how Ireland has changed in the 35 years since he was last there, and of course he illustrates his great love for his homeland in many accounts of this diary. It finishes with him farewelling his father on a train station and heading back on the SS Orontes back to Port Pirie knowing he will probably never see Ireland again.
this is my ancestry – he mentions visiting Dysert Castle in 1912 and climbing to the top and looking at the views
When you say it’s your ancestry what do you mean Maureen? Kind Regards Greg
O’Dea Clan Origins
The O’Dea clan came originally from County Clare where there is a fortified tower house over 500 years old known as O’Dea Castle at the 80-acre (320,000 m2) townland of Dysert O’Dea (Irish: Dísert, meaning “hermitage”). The ruins of Dysert O’Dea Monastery, round tower, and St. Tola’s high cross are 265 metres to the south-southwest of the castle in the adjacent 260-acre (1.1 km2) townland of Mollaneen (Irish: Molainín, meaning “the little hill”), near Corofin.
The name O’Dea is normally pronounced oh-dee, and sometimes oh-day, in English. Clan descendants may have the surnames Alday, Allday, O’Dea, Dea, Day, Daye, O’Day, O’Daye, Dee, Dees, O’Dee, Godwin, or Goodwin.
I have been a member for many years and currently am Secretary of the Association
We are having a reunion in June 13th – 15th 2025
The Dysert Castle is over 7oo years sold and has been bought and restored by an America (and his family ) and John had to prove to the Irish Government 5 generations of family before he could take the ownership of the castle
You can see more at odeaclan.org
My ancestors (maternal ) came from Lissycasey County Clare and the original homestead remains
I am stiil looking for my McMahon relatives in County Clare
John Griffiths
There are McMahon’s in Askeaton, but this of course is in Limerick not Clare. John Fitzgerald’s half-sister Bridget married a McMahon of which there are many descendents living in Ireland and some in Askeaton.