Patrick Joseph HYLAND (1897 – 1942)

Patrick Joseph was the sixth child of Patrick and Mary Teresa (Egan) HYLAND, born 14th May 1897 in Rosscarbery, County Cork. He was the second boy to be named Patrick; his older brother dying aged two days in 1894.

Like his brothers, Paddy worked on the railways.

In 1917 Paddy’s occupation was given as ‘Extra Fireman’ in the records of the National Union of Railwaymen. A 1925 record shows Paddy (PJ), Fireman, was admitted to the National Union of Railway Workers Cork 1 Union branch. Paddy was an engine driver at the time of his death.

Paddy was a G.A.A. man.[1] He was reportedly club treasurer for Glen Rovers Hurling Club around the 1920s/30s, and possibly president.

A Cork Examiner article on Monday Nov 10^th, 1930 described the ‘Impressive Funeral Scenes’ of the late Pipe-Major Nelius Cronin.  Cronin had been active in the Volunteers (old IRA), the Cork Shakespearean Company and had played for Glen Rovers.  Amongst the large contingent of priests, Christian brothers, G.A.A. representatives and Glen Rovers representatives listed were a P. Hyland and M. Hyland. 

Death

There was a TB epidemic in Ireland in the 1940s and 50s.

Patrick died 21 August 1942, at St Joseph’s Hospital, from cardiac failure brought about by Pulmonary T.B. He was not yet 45 years old.

Notice of his death was published in the Cork Examiner the following day:

Patrick is buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery Tory Top Road, Ballyphehane. He is buried with other members of his family, including his sister Agnes and father Patrick. They lie in an unmarked grave, in Section 2, first north of Mary Murphy’s headstone which is sadly no longer visible.

Paddy’s effects were granted to older sister Katty, the the eldest of the family.

Family memories

Nieces recalled that Paddy and his younger brother Billy used to come to Thurles for the big hurling matches and the family would go to the station to see them or they would visit the house. Paddy would bring chocolates. My mother described Paddy as ‘very quiet. Paddy was a bit of a drinker, well of course when we saw them they’d be down for the hurling game and they would come and they would give us money…’

Reportedly Paddy would complain about using newspaper in the (outside) toilet and nan Hyland said to ‘give him an end of velvet’.

[1] G.A.A. – Gaelic Athletic Association – promotes the Irish games of hurling, its female equivalent of camogie, Gaelic football and handball.

For further information: https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/about-the-gaa/