ERECTED BY
MARTIN MORAN ,
IN MEMORY OF HIS BELOVED WIFE ,
JOHANNA MORAN ( HAYES ) ,
WHO DIED MARCH 15TH 1879,
AGED 64 YRS.
ALSO , OF KATE DONOVAN ( UPTON ) ,
DIED JAN 5TH 1904, AGED 46 YRS.
HER HUSBAND , MALACHY
DIED NOV 17TH 1921 , AGED 81 YRS.
BRIGID ( DAUGHTER ) ,
DIED DEC 15TH 1926, AGED 40 YRS.
THOMAS ( SON )
DIED AUG 3RD 1929, AGED 40 YRS.
R.I.P.
ROBERT DONOVAN
DIED MARCH 5TH 1970.
Martin Moran married Johanna Hayes in Emly RC on the 15-02-1858 , witnessed by Thomas Donovan & Catherine Ryan. Johanna Moran , nee Hayes , wife of a civil officer, died at Nelson St. Tipperary on the 15-03-1879.
Malachy Donovan (1841-1921), an Emly shoemaker & farmer and son of Thomas Donovan & Bridget Hayes , married Catherine (Kate) Upton (1861-1904), daughter of Glenbrohane , Co. Limerick farmer Robert Upton & Judith Ryan , in Glenbrohane RC on the 20-04-1885.
Children born to Malachy Donovan & Kate Upton , were Bridget Mary Donovan 1886-1926, Thomas 1887-1930, Robert 1889-1970 & Julia 1891-1891, who was five days old when she died.
Thomas (Tommy) Donovan (1887-1930), an I.R.A activist during the War of Independence was arrested by British forces in July 1920 and imprisoned in Cork. He and ten companions went on hunger strike on the 11-08-1920. It finished on the 12-11-1920, a total of 94 days, making it one of the longest hunger strikes on record. Nine of them survived it. There were four Ballylanders, Co. Limerick men who survived the 94 days also, brothers John Crowley 1891-1942, Peter Crowley 1900-1963, Michael O'Reilly 1899-1965 & the last one of the nine survivors to die, Christopher Upton 1891-1973, who is recorded in Ladywell cemetery in Ballylanders at memorial LI-LWBL-0064 on the historicgraves website.
After a recovery period, Tommy Donovan was imprisoned in Spike Island and later in Portlaoise, before being released in December 1921. He was opposed to the Treaty during the Civil War. He died in Tipperary Hospital on the 03-08-1930 , having never fully recovered from the rigours of the hunger strike and prison life.
NB.Year of death on headstone and age at death is incorrect because he was in fact 43 years old, having been born on the 28-07-1887.
His brother, Robert Donovan (1889-1970), married Ellen Walsh (1901-1976), daughter of Patrick Walsh (1863-1954) & Margaret Hayes (1870-1924) of Ballinvreena, Emly on the 11th Apr 1934 in Emly RC. Their children included Malachy Donovan 1935, Patrick (1940 -2016 ) & Thomas (Mossy) 1942-2022 who operated a garage business in Emly.
Patrick (Paddy) Donovan (1940-2016) , son of Robert Donovan & Ellen Walsh died on the 21-11-2016 . He was residing at Bunratty Woods House, Low Road, Bunratty, Co. Clare. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Maureen, daughters Maria & Roberta, son Thomas and his brothers Malachy & Thomas ( Mossy ). He was interred in Bunratty cemetery on Wednesday 23-11-2016.
His brother, Thomas ( Mossy ) Donovan ( 1942-2022 ) died on the 24th Dec 2022 and was interred at this memorial on Wed 28th Dec 2022. His obituary reads as follows :
Thomas ( Mossy ) Donovan of Limerick City & Emly, Co. Tipperary, died on Dec 24th 2022 in the tender care of the staff of UHL, Limerick City.
Predeceased by his brother Patrick ( Paddy ). Sadly missed by his devoted partner Joan, brother Malachy, sisters in law Maureen & Nuala, family Margaret, Mary, Maeve & DJ, nieces Roberta & Maria, nephew Thomas, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, good neighbours and many friends.
Reposing at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Thomas St., Limerick City on Tuesday Dec 27th from 4.30 to 6.00pm. Requiem Mass at 11.30 on Wednesday morning Dec 28th at St Ailbe’s Church, Emly. Burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
This headstone and kerb were sandblasted in Apr 2024 and a new headstone was erected adjacent to it to Thomas Donovan 1887 -1930 and his nephew Thomas ( Mossy ) Donovan 1942-2022. The inscription reads as follows :
In Commeration Of
Thomas Donovan
Who with eight other brave men
Survived ninety four days
Hunger strike in Cork Jail
11th Aug 1920 - 12th Nov 1920
Chun Gloire De agus onora na hEireann
In Loving Memory Of
Robert's Son
Thomas ( Mossy ) Donovan
Died 24th Dec. 2022 aged 80 yrs
R I P
Translation of the Gaeilge in the inscription is For the Glory of God and the honour of Ireland
NB. See memorial number 0159 for relevant Walsh family information