Individual Details
John D. BROSNAN
(Abt 28 Nov 1868 - 22 Oct 1929)
John and his wife, Nora, farmed in Lacca (also spelled Lacka) East, Islandanny, Duagh, Co. Kerry. I have also seen their address given as Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Co. Kerry, which is not strictly correct but is the address sometimes recorded for the family in church records. Note that Islandanny is not itself a parish or townland; rather it is regarded as the area that comprise the six townlands of Sluicequarter, Rea, Knocknacaheragh, Pilgrim Hill, Lacca East and Shronebeirne.
It is said that the Brosnans of Islandanny are descended from two Brosnan men (presumably related) from Castleisland, Co. Kerry who settled in Islandanny and ended up owing most of it. As the years went by, the Brosnan families sub divided their land between them to such an extent that at one point there were 17 Brosnan families living in Islandanny.
The nickname of John's branch of the Brosnan family is "Chawkes", the name originating with John himself. Apparently at the time there was a man by the name of Chawke who worked locally as perhaps an inspector of drains or something similar. One day, John saw Mr. Chawke walking down the street ahead of him and, wanting to speak to him, started calling out "Chawke, Chawke, Chawke...". People found this funny and from then on started calling him "Chawke"!
Although John was born in Duagh, he was baptised in Athea, Co. Limerick, the home parish of his mother, Ellen. It was common practice at the time to have the first-born child baptised in the mother's parish church. As the eldest child, John presumably inherited his family's farm in Lacca East.
It is said that the Brosnans of Islandanny are descended from two Brosnan men (presumably related) from Castleisland, Co. Kerry who settled in Islandanny and ended up owing most of it. As the years went by, the Brosnan families sub divided their land between them to such an extent that at one point there were 17 Brosnan families living in Islandanny.
The nickname of John's branch of the Brosnan family is "Chawkes", the name originating with John himself. Apparently at the time there was a man by the name of Chawke who worked locally as perhaps an inspector of drains or something similar. One day, John saw Mr. Chawke walking down the street ahead of him and, wanting to speak to him, started calling out "Chawke, Chawke, Chawke...". People found this funny and from then on started calling him "Chawke"!
Although John was born in Duagh, he was baptised in Athea, Co. Limerick, the home parish of his mother, Ellen. It was common practice at the time to have the first-born child baptised in the mother's parish church. As the eldest child, John presumably inherited his family's farm in Lacca East.
Events
| Birth | Abt 28 Nov 1868 | Islandanny, Duagh, Co. Kerry | |||
| Christen | 1 Dec 1868 | Athea, Co. Limerick | |||
| Marriage | 24 Feb 1906 | Moyvane, Co. Kerry - Hanora (Nora) HUDSON | |||
| Death | 22 Oct 1929 | Lacca East, Kilmorna, Co. Kerry | |||
| Burial | Springmount Cemetery, Duagh, Co. Kerry |
Families
| Spouse | Hanora (Nora) HUDSON (1879 - 1958) |
| Child | Ellen (Lil, Ellie) BROSNAN (1907 - 1996) |
| Child | Daniel (Dan) J. BROSNAN (1908 - 1969) |
| Child | Johanna (Hannie) BROSNAN (1909 - 1990) |
| Child | William (Sonny) BROSNAN (1910 - 1981) |
| Child | Mary Ita (Ita) BROSNAN (1912 - 1991) |
| Child | Hanora (Ciss) BROSNAN (1915 - 1989) |
| Child | Denis BROSNAN (1916 - 1995) |
| Child | John Joseph (John Joe) BROSNAN (1919 - 2016) |
| Child | Edward (Ned) Benedict BROSNAN (1922 - 1997) |
| Father | Daniel BROSNAN (1830 - 1890) |
| Mother | Ellen SHEAHAN (1838 - 1917) |
| Sibling | Denis BROSNAN (1869 - ) |
| Sibling | Mary BROSNAN (1870 - ) |
| Sibling | Michael BROSNAN (1872 - ) |
| Sibling | Johanna BROSNAN (1874 - ) |
| Sibling | Catherine (Kate) BROSNAN (1876 - ) |
| Sibling | Helen BROSNAN (1879 - ) |
| Sibling | Daniel BROSNAN (1881 - ) |
| Sibling | Timothy (Tim) BROSNAN (1883 - 1941) |