Any Fureys out there?

Hi John,

There is a very interesting article about a number of brothers named Furey from Loughrea who lost their lives in the First World War by William Henry in his column Talking History in the Galway Independant of the 14/11/2012 entitled 'The Furey Brothers'. Try searching for it under Furey Brothers Loughrea or some such title and I am sure that you will be surprised but also saddened at what you find. There is a Ward and Furey connection in that family.

 Regards, Christy C.

G'day Christy

Yes I've seen the references to the number of Furey brothers in WW1, indeed my  own grandfather was one of those brothers (John Joseph Furey).He  was a Connaught Ranger and was invalided out after action in France. I'm not sure the media reported number of brothers killed is correct-but then even one is one too many.

You're right about the Ward connection and in fact only a few weeks ago I linked up with an unknown relative-Jack Ward of Loughrea -who is my second cousin once removed. 

Cheers

John Mc

South Australia

Hello John.

I remember seeing a WWI war medal (I think it's called something like "Honor Roll", but I honestly can't remember).

When I was in Loughrea in May 2009 for a family reunion, I was visiting the shop of my cousin.  He showed me the medal, it was about 3 inches in diameter.  He gave me a book to read, but I can't remember if the story of the Furey brothers was a Chapter in the book, or just a section (it was only a few pages in length).  Again, I can't remember the details, but the book was talking about 4 or 5 brothers killed/wounded.  (I remember thinking about the movie "Looking for Private Ryan", and making the similar connection when I was reading the story, so 4 or 5 brothers was the number that sticks in my mind.)

Anyway, the medal was sold to another man who also dealt in memoribilia.  A few days later, we were honored with a tour of this other man's home, and I saw that medal on one of his tables.  I flat out asked him "How did you get the Furey medal?"  He was VERY surprised -- almost shocked -- that I knew what it was (probably because I'm from America, and was visiting all my cousins for a 2 week period, and it wasn't likely that I would know local history), then I explained that I had held it a few days earlier and had learned its history from my cousin.

Would you like me to try to find out if this medal might still be in the other man's possession, and if it might be available for purchase?  Remember, though, that was 3 and 1/2 years ago, and it might not be in the other shop anymore.

I just looked up Irish medals from WWI on the internet and found a website that has images.  I think the medal was a "Death Plaque", so it probably was not your grandfather's, but most likely it was one of his brother-in-law's medal. 

I also just found this at the Loughrea website which might be of some interest (it's about your grandmother, Catherine Furey's brothers-- the sons of William Furey and Mary Ward)  I'll bet that one of the people on the Commemorative Committee would be of more help, if you're interested : http://www.loughreaonline.com/2012-11-10fureyfamilyandthegreatwar.php

Thank you!

Mary Van Dyke

G'day Elaine

I can't find a James, as a father, in my mob that would correspond with your dates.

I do have 2 x Norahs (Honoria) and 2 x Martins that do align with your Norah's dates. Thier respective folks were a William Furey m Mary Ward and John Furey m Roseanne Reilly. 

William and John were brothers so their Norahs and Martins were all Fureys.

I've only been researching for a  couple of months, but I'm happy to share my (hand drawn) chart if it might help.

Cheers

John Mc

South Australia

Happy to help. Let me know where you're at and I'll do what I can throght the net (South Aus is a long hike from Oranamore!)

The Malachy connection, if we do make it, would be excellent.

John Mc

South Australia

G'day Elaine

The  'x2' is just a short hand way of saying there are two Martins as in 2 x packets of flour on the shopping list means buy two packets. My apologies, I wasn't aware it's not a common abbreviation in the US.

I didn't know about the Glamorgan connection (you spelled it correctly!) How interesting.  Jack Ward, my new found cousin, tells me the Fureys were Travellers and I have some memory of this from my childhood, so I guess the Welsh movements are to be expected. 

I've attached my hand drawn chart-I'm pretty confident of its accuracy.

keep on digging

My great grandmother was Margaret May Furey, her parents were James and Elizabeth (Mulcare) Furey. James H Furey's father was John Furey (1832-1917) married to Anna Rooney (1825-1900). John and Anna were both in Ireland but married in McHenry Co., IL. I have a note that he may have arrived in 1844 but that hasn't been proved. I don't know where in Ireland, John and Anna came from.  My grandfather told me once County Cork, but I have nothing to prove that either.

Thank you, I didn't know that about Furey being from County Galway. I will add that County. I am waiting my DNA results as I just mailed my kit in a couple of weeks ago. So it will be interesting to see if I can find more info.

I know this post is a few years old. Thanks all for the information on this family. Patrick was my grt grandfather. He Married Ellen later known as Helen Colbourne 1915 In St Michaels Ballinasloe. At time of marriage it listed his occupation as a soldier.As far as my mother remembers Is Patrick or Paddy as they knew him never spoke of why they left Ireland or anything about his family.Patrick ended his days with Helen(ellen) In Huddersfield Yorkshire after a brief spell In Port Glasgow Scotland where their only child Mary Ellen furey married and settled down.

This message is for John ,

My name is Aoife , I was born in Dublin to my respective parents George and Mary Furey . My grand father was Edward "Ted" Furey from Lochrea Galway. His wife was Nora Connelly . 
I noticed that on an Irish heritage site that is run by a J Ward , that names very closely linked to my grandparents are there . 
Could there be a direct connection?

Thanking you in advance Aoife 

Think we may be related.My name is Martin R. My great grandfather was Martin Fury, his parents were William Furey and Mary Ward from Loughrae. His daughter was my grandmother Nora from Ballinasloe. She married Michael Barrett from Galway.

Hi

Im from Kilchreest just a few miles from Loughrea. My dad Mike Coy has often mentioned the Fureys from Kilchreest that moved into Loughrea. I think the Furey house was near the village of kilchreest from what i remember but i can ask my dad again.

There is a story from the irish folklore commission here https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4569055/4567412. Mary Furey gathered it from Stephen Furey in 1937.

Regards
Ronan

Also there is a John Furey born about 1860 who reenlisted in the 4th battalion of 88th regiment of foot connacht rangers in june 1897 (service no 2029). He was from Kilchreest and was a tin maker. He recorded that he was married and he had already served 10 years with the rangers prior to this. He was 6th foot tall and 144 pounds. He had 4 kids under 14 at the time. Not sure if he is connected to anyone here but it might help someone.

Ronan

Also there is a John Furey born about 1860 who reenlisted in the 4th battalion of 88th regiment of foot connacht rangers in june 1897 (service no 2029). He was from Kilchreest and was a tin maker. He recorded that he was married and he had already served 10 years with the rangers prior to this. He was 6th foot tall and 144 pounds. He had 4 kids under 14 at the time. Not sure if he is connected to anyone here but it might help someone.

Ronan

For what it's worth, when visiting my cousin Maggie Callanan Manton in Cahernagarry (Loughrea Civil Parish) in the summer of 1972 a "Mrs. Furey" came to her back door to inquire if there was any household work needed.  Maggie said the Fureys lived nearby and they were "Itinerants" who helped her when she needed a pot mended or a knife sharpened.  I had heard of "Travellers" but I was surprised at the time that they were still active.

To Martin R , Jack was in touch earlier with me and mentioned he had a DNA connection to you directly . I have been trying to find out more information about my grand father Ted and his family . The info that my family have is sketchy to say the least . Any info you might have would be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you . 
Regards Aoife 

Hi Aoife, just found your message, not great with technology!  Jack has been a great help as he knows lots of history, would love to meet him.     My grandmother was Nora Furey from Ballinasloe, and her parents were Martin Furey and Margaret Ward.   Martin's parents were William Furey and Mary Ward from Loughrea, and Margaret's parents were Charles Ward and Mary Furey.       It seems that many names crop up as cousins often married cousins, so we could all be related on more than one front which makes some of the DNA matches quite strong.    My grandmother married Michael 'Mocks' Barrett from Galway, and they lived in Ballinasloe then Manchester.    I am on FB, regards, Martin Russell