My ancestors - Cashel - Contents

Blennerhassett Cashel

• References:
  • GSWR Register of Officers and Servants, [IRRS].
    • GSWR record for Blennerhassett Cashel. Book 10 p.184. Book 12 p.305. Book 13 p.145. Book 14 p.169.
    • GSWR record for George E. Cashel. Book 12 p.293 and p.306.

  • Family record of births and deaths. Looks like written at the time (in the 1870s).

  • The Great Southern and Western Railway by K.A. Murray and D.B. McNeill, Irish Railway Record Society (1976). [IRRS] RR. [NLI] Ir 385 m 10.
  • Cork City Railway Stations 1849-1985, Colm Creedon, 1985. [IRRS] RR.
  • Lost Railways of County Cork, Stephen Johnson, 2005.

   
(Left) Blennerhassett Cashel. See full size and original.
(Right) Maria Agnes Lyons. Photo in Cork, pre-1896. See full size and original.

Blennerhassett Cashel [poss. descendant of Edward III],
bapt 18 June 1848, Co.Tipperary, must be born 13 June 1848,
"tall, slim and handsome, with a drooping moustache" [Pat Lavelle],
like his brother William Henry, he worked for Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR), which had been running trains since 1846,
appointed 23 Apr 1866 [GSWR record], age 17,
he "had very little of the world's goods .. but he envied no man" [Pat Lavelle],
see all the stations he was based at,

listed as "clerk", living Mallow, NC Co.Cork at mar 1869,
Mallow was a GSWR station at this time,
mar 1stly, 30th Sept 1869, St. Peter and Paul, Patrick St, Cork [GROI] to Maria Agnes Lyons [born 1846],
he went to USA in 1870 to find his brother Edward,
had to resign from railway 9 Mar 1870 [GSWR record] in order to take the leave, was in New York as at June-July 1870,
came back to Ireland, reappointed to railway 4 Aug 1870 [GSWR record], his job at Mallow was clearly kept for him,
listed as "clerk", living Main St, Mallow, Co.Cork (see map) when he registered Agnes' birth with [GROI] on 5th Jan 1871,
at Kathleen's birth 1872 he is listed as "railway clerk", living New St, Mallow, Co.Cork (later William O'Brien St, now O'Brien St, see old map),

he sp bapt of his niece Mary Agnes Sheahan 1873,
"station master" in Banteer, NC Co.Cork, at Eileen's birth 1873 and Annie's birth 1874,
Banteer was a GSWR station at this time,
station master at Newbridge, Co.Kildare, from at least 1875 up to 1877,
Newbridge was a GSWR station at this time,
"station master" at Railway Station, Newbridge, Co.Kildare, at Willie's birth 1875 and John's birth 1877,
became station master at Parsonstown (now Birr), Co.Offaly, 1877, taking over from his brother William Henry,
Parsonstown was a GSWR station at this time, the station (now gone) was on the S side of the town, at Seefin,
[Freeman's Journal, 10 Aug 1877, p.5 centre, [NLI] microfilm] reports William Henry's move from the railway station at Parsonstown to Carlow, and his replacement at Parsonstown by his brother Blennerhassett, late of Newbridge,
"station master" in Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly, at Alice's birth July 1878 through Eileen's death Dec 1878,

The death of 4 of their children in 1878, and another in 1880: Maria Agnes went with her dau Agnes to stay with Tralee relations for a couple of days holiday, "There had been a tragedy, common enough in those days. While Grandmother was away for a couple of days holiday, 3 of the children became ill. Grandmother rushed home only to see them die of diptheria." [Pat Lavelle], Willie and John died Sept 1878, Annie died Nov 1878, Agnes remembered little 2 year old Willie leaning out the window as they pulled away, never said goodbye, [Pat Lavelle] says: "Within that same year 2 other children got typhoid and these also died.", Eileen died Dec 1878, there may also have been a child Daniel, as at Sept 1878 they had 7 children, by Dec 1878 they had only 3 children, only no.1, no.2 and no.7 survived, they then had another baby, Blennerhassett, who died Aug 1880, "They say Grandmother never really got over it. She was never again full of fun and laughter, and she was still young when she died.",

he is listed as "station master", Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR), living Railway Station, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, at Blennerhassett's birth 1879 through Blennerhassett's death 1880,
Thurles was a GSWR station at this time,

GSWR head at Limerick: GSWR station master at Limerick station from Feb 1881 to 1893,
Limerick station served multiple railway companies, Cork and Limerick Direct Railway was part of GSWR, and this was its Limerick end,
he was only the GSWR head at Limerick, not the head of the whole station, [GSWR record] lists him as "station master",
GSWR had lost the initial race to Limerick, and got in later, GSWR mainly did goods at Limerick at this time,

he travelled to London to give evidence at Bow Street on July 14, 1882, in the trial for treason of Thomas Walsh, of London, Walsh was charged with sending arms from London to individuals in Ireland, Blen reported how cases containing arms had arrived at Limerick station in Dec 1881, see The Times, July 15, 1882, listed as "station master", GSWR, living Railway Cottage, South Henry St, Limerick, at Madeline's birth, 23 July 1882, South Henry St is the old name for the W part of Carey's Rd, just S of the station (see 1829 to 1842 map and 1887 to 1913 map), see his testimony here and here in the Trial of Thomas Walsh, 31st July 1882, in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, Walsh was convicted and got 7 years, interesting that Blen's father was a policeman, he was a witness for the crown against subversives, and yet his children were Sinn Feiners,

he knew Stephen O'Mara from when he lived in Limerick, their children met in Limerick summer 1891,
listed in [Ashe's Directory, 1891-92] as "station master, Cork Direct Railway", residence Railway Cottage, Carey's Rd, Limerick (would be same place as Railway Cottage, South Henry St, previously),
listed as "station master", living Carey's Rd, as at his brother's death Oct 1891, and when will pr Nov 1891 [NAI],
this stretch of Carey's Rd has since been almost entirely cleared (see street view),
listed in [Guy's, 1893] as stationmaster, GSWR, Limerick,

GSWR goods head at Cork: he moved apparently in 1893 to Cork station, as goods superintendant for GSWR,
the new railway station at Glanmire Rd, Cork, opened 1 Feb 1893, replacing earlier buildings [Creedon, 1985],
Cork station served multiple railway companies,
[GSWR record] lists him as Goods Agent, Cork Goods station,
listed in [Slater's Directory, 1894] as "Goods Manager" for GSWR at the new Glanmire Rd station, Cork,
lived 52 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, right beside the new railway station,
listed as "goods agent", living 52 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, as at Agnes' mar 1895,
Maria Agnes died Fri 10th Jan 1896, 52 Lr Glanmire Rd, age 49 yrs [GROI],
funeral Sun 12th Jan, bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork, Blen bought this plot on 12 Jan,
had issue by 1st wife:

1. Agnes Cashel,
   Mary Agnes, "Agg", "Ag",
   born 21st Dec 1870, Main St, Mallow, Co.Cork [GROI].

   
   

2. Kathleen Cashel,
   Kathleen Mary, Kat, Kattie, "Aunt Katty", "Aunt Kate",
   NOT Kathaleen, NOT Kathy,
   born 11th May 1872, New St, Mallow, Co.Cork [GROI],
   wit her sister Agnes' mar 1895,
   she is found staying with the Sheahans in Limerick in 1901 census,
   mar 30th Apr 1904, St.Patrick's, Cork [GROI], to Jack Riordan and had issue.

   
   

3. Eileen Mary Cashel ["Ellen" in birth record, "Eileen" in death],
   born Banteer, NC Co.Cork, 9th Aug 1873 [GROI],
   died of "diptheria", Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly, 31st Dec 1878, age 5 yrs [GROI].

4. Annie Cashel,
   Anne, born Banteer, NC Co.Cork, 23rd Oct 1874 [GROI],
   died of "inflammation of the bowels", 28th Nov 1878, Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly, age 4 yrs [GROI].

5. Willie Cashel,
   William, William Henry, same name as his uncle,
   born 13th Dec 1875, Railway Station, Newbridge, Co.Kildare [GROI],
   died of "croup", 8th Sept 1878, Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly, age 2 yrs [GROI].

6. John Cashel,
   John George, born 15th July 1877, Railway Station, Newbridge, Co.Kildare [GROI], or 16 July [Family record],
   died of "croup", 8th Sept 1878, Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly, age 1 yr [GROI], or 6 Sept [Family record].

   
   

7. Alice Cashel [Alice Mary, "Aunt Al"],
   born 17th July 1878, Seefin, Birr par, Co.Offaly [GROI], or 16 July [Family record],
   Sinn Fein activist and County Councillor.

   
   

8. Blennerhassett Joseph Cashel,
   born 6th Aug 1879, Railway Station, Thurles, Co.Tipperary [GROI],
   died 7th Aug 1880, Railway Station, Thurles, of "diarrhoea", age 1 yr [GROI].

   
   

9. George Cashel,
   George Edward Cashel, born 12th July 1880, Railway Station, Thurles, Co.Tipperary [GROI],
   only son to survive infancy,
   he worked for a time, like his father, for the Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) at Cork, where his father was head of goods,
   appointed 1 May 1899 to Cork Coaching [GSWR record], age 18, moved 17 May 1899 to Cork Goods,
   [GSWR record] says he resigned from the railway 9 Aug 1901,
   however, earlier than this, in [UK census, 31st Mar 1901], he is found staying with his sister's family in Paddington, London,
   listed as single, working as "Bacon Salesman" (his sister's husband James O'Mara was the London agent for his family company, O'Mara's Bacon Co.),
   volunteered for Canadian army in WWI, his sister Alice (the Sinn Fein supporter) wouldn't see him off,
   [Canadian WWI records] list him as Regimental Number: 112012, (todo) see record,
   not injured in war, settled in Canada,
   worked Waterworks Dept, Vancouver,
   lived Vancouver Island,
   mar Maggie ----, no issue,
   he was described as "the last of the Cashels" but his branch (my branch) has since discovered that he was not,
   he died Vancouver, 7 May 1956, age 75 yrs,
   (todo) see death cert, Vancouver, ref. 1956-09-005655, BCA B13228 GSU 2033104,
   Maggie survived him.

   
   

10. Madeline Cashel ["Aunt Dot", Madeline Mary, poss. "Madeliene"],
    born 23rd July 1882, Railway Cottage, South Henry St, Limerick [GROI],
    supporter of Sinn Fein as early as her brother-in-law James O'Mara c.1907 [see [Lavelle, 1961]],
    living with her father in Cork in 1911 census, she is listed as "teacher, German",
    living Little Island, Co.Cork, at time of mar 1914 [GROI],
    mar 16th July 1914, University Church, St.Stephen's Green, Dublin [GROI]
    to William M. Conacher and had issue.

    
    

11. think Daniel Cashel,
    died young, poss. of typhoid,
    can't find in [GROI], NOT Daniel of Lismore, 1885.

he mar 2ndly, 26th Oct 1898 [him age 50], St.Augustine and John, Thomas St (nr Christchurch), Dublin [GROI]
to Marion Mc Swiney ["Aunt Mal", "Marion Clare" in census, born 1865 or 1867 or 1873, census says born Limerick, dau of William Morgan Mc Swiney, (poss. merchant)],
she was spinster, living 18 Liberty St (unidentified), Dublin, at time of marriage,
he is described as "goods superintendant" at mar,
described as "goods manager" at Helen's birth 1899,
they are listed in [Census, 1901] as living 52 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, he is "goods superintendant, GSWR", they have 1 servant living with them, [NAI] 81/98, microfilm,
listed as "superintendant", GSWR, living 52 Lower Glanmire Rd, at Kathleen's mar 1904,
despite his giving evidence against subversives in 1882, [Lavelle, 1961] says he later approved of his daughters' Sinn Fein beliefs,

they are listed at 52 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, in [Census, Apr 1911], he is "goods superintendant, GSWR",
he retired Oct 1911,
moved to "Knocknacool", College Rd, Cork, must be at retirement 1911 (52 Lower Glanmire Rd was railway property, came with the job),
see a simple "will" he made, 13 Sept 1913, leaving everything to his wife,
listed as "agent" at Madeline's mar 1914,
listed (after death) as "Railway Manager" at Helen's mar 1926,
living "Knocknacool", College Rd, Cork, at death 1915,
died at his residence, "Knocknacool", Thur 21st Oct 1915, age 67 yrs, "railway superintendant" [GROI],
death notice in [The Evening Echo, Cork, Fri 22nd Oct] and [Cork Examiner, Fri 22nd Oct], listed as "goods agent" at Cork for GSWR,
funeral Sat 23rd Oct, bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork,
funeral list in [The Evening Echo, Cork, Sat 23rd Oct] and [Cork Examiner, Mon 25th Oct],
see death notice in Irish Times, October 30, 1915,
admin of estate granted at Cork, 20th Dec 1915, to Marion, admin survives in [NAI], no will,
he is listed as "railway agent" and "goods agent", GSWR.

Marion and dau Helen lived at Little Island, Co.Cork, for a time,
they also lived near Carrigaline (near Cork) for a time,
Helen mar 1926,
Marion living 17 Knockrea park, Douglas Rd, Cork, with Helen and family at time of death 1940,
will dated 26th Feb 1940, at Mercy Hospital, Cork, very short, all property to dau Helen,
died 4th [grave] or 5th [NAI] or 6th [GROI] of Apr 1940, Mercy Hospital, Cork,
age 67 yrs [GROI] or 73 yrs [NAI] or 75 yrs [grave],
bur St.Joseph's cemetery, Cork,
admin of estate (with will) granted 28th Oct 1940 at Cork to dau Helen [NAI],
had issue by 2nd wife:

1. Helen Cashel,
   born "Helena Mary", 17th Oct 1899, 52 Lr Glanmire Rd, Cork [GROI],
   almost a generation younger than her half-sisters and half-brother, Pat Lavelle described it that (her grandfather) "had a baby daughter for his old age", "Helen was a year younger than me and we were very good friends",
   Helen was at Cashel House one time when her half-sister Alice was arrested (1920 or 1921), saw her driven off,
   living 5 Eldred Terrace, South Douglas Rd, Cork, at mar, think listed as "Typist",
   mar 18th Aug 1926, Douglas, Cork [GROI] to Frank McGrath and had issue.

An 1875-built GSWR Class 90 engine.
Here running at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway in 2007.
This is Ireland's oldest operational steam engine.
Search for other GSWR videos here and here.

Notepaper of Blennerhassett Cashel shortly before retirement 1911 is made out as "B.H. Cashel" and he signs it "B.H. Cashel".
He may be using the style "Blenner Hassett Cashel".
See larger and full size.

Clock given to Blennerhassett Cashel by GSWR at retirement, Oct 1911.
Photo 2011. See larger and full size. See other shot.

Inscription on the clock shows it is presented to "Mr. B.H. Cashel" (would stand for "Blenner Hassett").
Photo 2011. See larger and full size. See other shot.

Blennerhassett Cashel's 2nd wife Marion Mc Swiney and her grandson Jack McGrath.
17 Knockrea park, Douglas Rd, Cork.
Photo c.1938.
The house was called "Carna" after Carna in Connemara (see map) where they spent holidays.
See larger and full size.
See other shot and other shot.
See wider shot and wider shot.

Marion Mc Swiney.
Detail of above.

(Left to Right): George Cashel (George Edward Cashel, born 1880), his wife Maggie, and a Mrs. Stevens,
Lulu Island, Vancouver, 1956.

---

Blennerhassett Cashel - Stations

---

• Rail transport in Ireland
  • History of rail transport in Ireland
  • Train stations in Ireland

• Eiretrains by Ciaran Cooney
  • Irish train stations

• Irish Railway Bibliography