My ancestors - Donovan - Contents

John Donovan

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • Grave of Joe Donovan. Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick. Grave is near where Plunketts are buried.

Mary Leo (back centre) and John Murray Donovan (back RHS).
Wedding photo of their dau Peg Donovan, Grouse Lodge, 1942.

John Donovan,
John Murray Donovan, born 1871.
See entry in tree by Paddy Waldron.
He is listed as farmer, age 24, of "Kilcoleman, Ardagh" at mar in Limerick city.

John's father died 1897.
He inherited Grouse Lodge, near Kilcolman, some way S of Shanagolden, Co.Limerick.
District Councillor, Poor Law Guardian:
He was elected 1899 as a D.C. (District Councillor) of Rathkeale Rural District Council.
He was a Poor Law Guardian of the Rathkeale Poor Law Union.
They are listed at Grouse Lodge in [Census, 31 Mar 1901], they have 3 servants, he is "farmer".
He is described as D.C. at his brother Peter's death, Aug 1901.
He was at funeral of John Cussen 1902.
"J. Donovan, Grouse Lodge" is described as grand nephew of Margaret Nolan at her death 1903.
He provided the land to build the Carnegie Library at Kilcolman, c.1906-07 (near the church, see map). The library later closed, and the building was demolished in 1990.
They are listed at Boughilbo in 1911 census. This is Grouse Lodge (see map). He is farmer. They have 3 domestic and farm servants.
He contributed a large sum to the building of the new church at Kilcolman (opened 1913, see street view). He and his family were given a private front pew.
He served on committee of Ardagh Co-operative creamery 1916-20.
He retired as District Councillor 1920.
He did not approve of the violence of the War of Independence.
He was again on committee of Ardagh Co-operative creamery 1924-30.
He is listed as "farmer" at son's mar and dau's mar 1931.
He is listed as "farmer" at son's mar 1935.

John died 20 Jan 1943, age 72 yrs.
He was bur Kilbradran graveyard.
Mary died 28 May 1955, age 82 yrs.
She was bur Kilbradran graveyard.
John and Mary had issue:

1. Joe Donovan,
   Joseph P. Donovan, born 18 Mar 1896, Co.Limerick, NOT 1895.
   He is not at home in 1911 census.
   He mar Chris Byrnes.
   He wit his brother Dan's mar 1931. Looks like "Joseph L. Donovan".
   He worked for years in Cannocks (Pennys) in Limerick.
   He died pre-1959.
   He was buried in Mount St. Lawrence cemetery, Limerick.
   Chris bur Mount St. Lawrence.
   They had issue:
   1. Jack Donovan.
   2. Joe Donovan.
   3. Tony Donovan, died 2009, bur Mount St. Lawrence.
   4. Margaret Donovan.
   5. Cornelius Donovan.

   
   

2. William Donovan,
   Willie, William E., born 1897, Co.Limerick,
   of Ballymackerry,
   mar Bridget Moloney,
   he died 26 Feb 1968, age 71 yrs,
   she died 27 May 1993,
   both bur Kilbradran graveyard,
   had issue:
   1. Edward Donovan.
   2. Mary B. Donovan.

   
   

3. Catherine Donovan, born 1899,
   died in infancy before 1901.

   
   

4. Dan Donovan,
   Daniel H. Donovan,
   born Grouse Lodge, Dec 1900 (age 3 months in Mar 1901 census).

   
   

5. Peter Donovan,
   born 1901 or 1902, Co.Limerick,
   went to USA, no issue.

   
   

6. Catherine Donovan,
   Kitty, Kit, born 1903, Co.Limerick.
   Living Rathkeale at mar.
   She mar 17 October 1931, Rathkeale RC church, to her 3rd cousin James Madigan and had issue.
   Double wedding with her brother Dan. See mar cert from here.

   
   

7. Bridget Donovan,
   Bridget C., born 1905, Co.Limerick.
   "Bridie Donovan" wit her sister Catherine's mar 1931.
   She died unmarried, 16 Jan 1956, age 51 yrs,
   bur Kilbradran graveyard.

   
   

8. Michael Donovan,
   Mick, Michael Leo Donovan,
   born 1906, Co.Limerick,
   mar 1stly to Bridie Conway,
   had issue by 1st wife:
   1. John Donovan, mar Mary Lavin and had issue:
      1. Robert Donovan.
      2. Kathleen Donovan.
      3. Bridie Donovan.
      4. Patricia Donovan.

   Michael mar 2ndly to Josie ----,
   he died 1968, age 62 yrs,
   had issue by 2nd wife:

   1. Michael Donovan.
   2. Ann Donovan, mar --- Byrne.

   
   

9. May Donovan, born 1908,
   died in infancy before 1911.

   
   

10. Ed Donovan,
    Edward Thomas, Ned, born 1910, Co.Limerick.
    He was named after Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick.
    He mar N. Kelleher.
    [Donovan, 2010] has a story about Ned and his family using the Donovan private pew at Kilcolman church: "On being told by a new PP that all were equal in God's House, Ned quietly told the priest - the Donovans were here before you and will still be here long after you and will continue to use their own private pew which had been bought and paid for back in 1913!"
    Ed and his wife had issue:
    1. Jack Donovan.
    2. Mary A. Donovan.

    
    

11. John Donovan,
    Jack, born 1912,
    mar M. Windle and had issue:
    1. Eileen Donovan.
    2. Mary Donovan.

    
    

12. Darby Donovan,
    born 1914.

    
    

13. Mary V. Donovan,
    Marie, born 1917.
    She mar Victor Sparling [Victor John Sparling, son of John Thomas Sparling and Margaret Emily Switzer].
    See his entry in tree by Paddy Waldron.
    They lived in Killarney, Co.Kerry.
    She died Aug 1993, age 76 yrs.
    They had issue:
    1. John Sparling.
    2. Marjorie Sparling.
    3. Eithne Sparling.
    4. Breda Sparling.

    
    

14. Peg Donovan,
    Margaret, born Grouse Lodge, Aug 1919 [mother age 46],
    mar 1942 to Thomas Plunkett and had issue.

Back: Tom Plunkett, Josie (wife of Mick Donovan), Mick Donovan.
Centre: Three sisters of Tom Plunkett, nuns.
Front: Ann Donovan, Mary Leo, Margaret Plunkett.
Photo c.1951. From Cormac Stone.

John Donovan grave, Kilbradran.
Different family members used "Donovan" or "O'Donovan".
Photo 2013. See full size.