Author Archives: francesbird

Given his many political commitments I suspect his wife Helena was left to do the heavy lifting when it came to their family.[1] Walter’s descendants have commented to me they understand that Helena was equally, if not more, committed to the republican cause, so Walter had found a good match. Helena attended numerous events withContinue reading “Walter’s final years”

Continued service Following his term as Lord Mayor Walter continued on the Corporation, as an Alderman through to 1955 and then as a Councillor from 1956 to 1960. Cork Civic Party membership After years as an active member of Fianna Fáil, Walter joined the Cork Civic Party in 1954.  The Civic Party was a pro-businessContinue reading “Walter Furlong – life after Mayoralty”

Political life post Dáil Walter continued his Cork City Council work, and from 1946 to 1955 was an Alderman. Walter appears to have had a particular interest in health. The Irish Examiner of Friday Sept 5 1947 reported on chairing a meeting of the Cork Fever Hospital. In 1950, Walter was appointed as a memberContinue reading “Walter Furlong – Lord Mayor of Cork”

After several attempts, in 1944 Walter became a TD (member of parliament) in the 12th Dáil.  He was elected with 7,705, or 20.43% of votes to represent Cork Borough. In the 1945 and 1946 Thom’s Directories we can see Walter listed under the Members of Dáil Eireaan. The Taoiseach was Éamon de Valera. In 1946Continue reading “Walter Furlong – Teachta Dála (TD)”

Not only was Walter engaged with the Old IRA Men’s group, but he was active in both local and central government politics. Walter was a long-term member of the Fianna Fáil party[1], which formed in 1926. He was involved in the reorganisation of Cork Fianna Fáil, as evidenced in a letter from him in August 1934Continue reading “Walter Furlong – politician”

Republicanism in Cork Prior to the period known as the Cultural Revival, with the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Conradh na Gaeilge(Gaelic League) and Cork Celtic Literary Society (founded in 1901), Cork was referred to contemptuously as “khaki Cork” for its lack of republican activity (McGarry, 2010).  Irish Republican Brotherhood members set aboutContinue reading “Walter Furlong: Revolutionary”

Walter was the first and surviving son of “Babe” and James FURLONG, and the oldest surviving grandson of Timothy O’CALLAGHAN. Walter was born 17th September 1893 at 101 Friar St. Ballyphehane, Cork. Walter’s family had moved across to Shandon by 1897, and Walter grew up in the Shandon/Blackpool area on Cork’s north side. In theContinue reading “Walter Furlong”

Kathleen, named Catherine at birth, and known to my mother and aunts as “Kitty”, was born 26th November 1897.  She married Andrew DOWLING, an engineer, on 28th August 1920. Andrew served in WW1 as a seaman as a medal card shows Kitty received his medals. It seems Andrew’s service was on the HMS Pelorus, inContinue reading “Kathleen “Kitty” (Furlong) Dowling Murphy”

Mary Madeline, or Madeline, as she was known, “Babe”’s elder daughter, was born 14th January 1892.  She was the oldest of Timothy O’CALLAGHAN’s grandchildren to survive into adulthood. A year after her mother “Babe”’s death, Madeline married Eugene “Gene” O’CALLAGHAN (no known relation), a painter (decorator) on 28th July 1931. She was 39-years-old. There areContinue reading “Madeline (Furlong) O’CALLAGHAN”