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Inhabitants of Main Street.
In 1939 the following people were named as living on Main Street Emyvale. I can give some up-to-date information on some of
them but if you can add to the information we would appreciate it. Information added will appear in red.
Dr. Leonard, doctor and coroner. (lived where current Doctor Watters now lives but he moved out to the bungalow near Sruth
an Mhuilleann.
Charles McCluskey PC and M.C.C.: fantastic business man and entrepreneur. He was responsible for a huge number of
developments around North Monaghan, including the setting up of Emyvale Development Association and the development of
the boot/shoe making in Mullan Mills. He had the big shop where Centra is now and also a grain store, where the priest’s house
is on the Glaslough Road. He was a great poet and I will post some of his work soon. His gardens, which were looked after by
Fred Majnone (Kevin’s father) were beautiful and open to the public one day every year with funds raised going to a local
charity. Francie Treanor, Gerry Murphy and Eugene Gilbride have been owners of the shop before Glyn Williams. Charlie raised a
niece called Molly, who married Luke Skeath, and her sister, Annie, was raised by Pat Lavery, the breadman, and his wife. My
aunt. Anna McKenna Loughran, was a close fiend of Molly’s in their younger days ans Anna spent a lot of time in McCluskeys.
E.J Neeson P.C. & Merchant: Had a big shop directly opposite where McMahons shop is now. It was hardware and grocery,
but they also had drapery and Undertaker. Dan took over and Benny Hackett was working there too. The Neeson family moved
to Oriel Park when the shop closed and McKennas purchased the shop building. Mrs. Neeson ( Eddie’s wife) was a Delaney and
the Delaneys lived next door in what is now Flynns. When Professor Brendan O’Grady first came to Emyvale with his wife in
mid 50’s (she was a Delaney and was looking up her ancestors) Seamus Mc Cluskey directed them to Benny Hackett and they
went to the Delaney grave in Donagh old graveyard. This was the beginning of what we now see as the Prince Edward Island
connection and subsequent twinning et al. Benny told story of collecting load of coffins (nor sure from where) but coming into
village at “Shaws Corner” on a very frosty road, the coffins (empty) went one way and the horse and cart the other. They also
had a source of coffins in Dundalk.
Ed. McCormack, grocery and Spirit merchant: This was one of three pubs in the village. It was where John’s place is now.
The McCormack family moved to County Kildare and some locals have maintained contact with family members through the
years. Eoin McMahon purchased and developed the McCormack pub. He then built the Emyvale Inn (The Red Star Inn) on
McCormack’s Green, which was a grassed area beside the pub. This area was the location of the Emyvale Carnival where a big
marquee was erected and the major bands performed at the dances every night for over a week. The Pub and Inn were sold
and the present John Plaice was built. It was the Greenmount restaurant originally. It is now, in 2020, closed and that is a pity
as Emyvale is an Ideal location for a good restaurant as there is so much through traffic.
Luke Skeath, Coal Merchant and Potato exporter: He used the Store belonging to Charles McCluskey on the Glaslough Road
but also the stores where Hollands have a yard opposite Pauls. He married a niece of Charles McCluskey and moved to
Monaghan and Old Cross Square.
Peter McMahon, Merchant: Yes he was my father and when in his teens he became very attached to a Hughes family who
had a shop where Aine Sheehan lives and a travelling shop. He took over the business and built a wooden structure, where the
Credit Union is now, and opened a shop there as well as going round the country in his pony and trap selling goods and buying
eggs. However World War 11, when things were scarce, including money, he had to close as it was impossible to get paid. The
shop was bought by Mr. McGlone, a local auctioneer and it became his office. The Credit Union bought it in the late ‘60’s and
some time later built the present offices.
Jas. P. Holland, Cycle Mechanic: No relation to the present Holland family, James Holland had a bicycle shop where the
Golden Emerald Chinese Take-away is now. There was the father, mother and son and they repaired bicycles and sold new
ones. They spoke with an English/Scottish accent. They lived at the back of the shop but later built a bungalow beside the shop
where the entrance to the housing estate, Scarna Court, is now. When Jim, the son, was the only one left and the shop had
been closed Jack Donaghue bought the property. Jim was a lovely man but had some rare pursuits e.g. he used walk about the
street with a huge transistor radio on his shoulder at full volume, or he had a ring on a piece of string to help him divine a
water source. He loved chatting to people and could discuss any topic.
Mrs. J McCluskey, Restaurant: This building has very much retained the same architecture as it was then and is occupied by
Nancy McCluskey and family. Former Mrs. McCluskey had a B&B there and many Garda, custom men, teachers, and others
were lodgers in that B & B. It was also a great place for a good meal and many passing through the village stopped there for
food. It was known as ‘McCluskey’s Hotel’ and was the location for many meetings of local organisations. This is the house
where Seamus was born and reared with a sister, Josie. Patsy was born in Cavanmore, in the parish of Errigal Truicha, on,
according to his birth certs lst June, the 6th June and 31st May 1921!!! Officially he had to give 6th June as his date of birth,
but his mother always insisted it was lst June.. Usually the father went to register the child, so often errors on dates did occur..
T. J. Wright, Spirit Merchant: There were more than three Pubs in Emyvale in the early days but Thomas James Wright’s
was one of the three to survive. It is now Paul’s and previously belonged to the McCaffrey family. Packie McCaffrey and brother
Francie developed the pub, when they took it over and they also started a Concrete Block making business in the yard. T.J.
and wife built a new bungalow beside Hollands bungalow opposite the Oratory and lived there until they passed away. When
Thomas James died Mrs Wright used give he her blue Morris Minor car to go to Mass in Corracrin every Sunday. I was mid teens
and didnt have a car but had a licence.
Mrs. McElmeel: This lady is reported in the 1939 list as ‘spirits and grocery’. I take it that she was the mother of Margaret
(Maggie), who became McMahon when she married Eoin and they were parents of Monica, Mai, and Rosemary. and lived in ‘The
Gaelic Bar’, now known as The Redboys. Got a little more information re. this family and the Pub but would like to complete the
story before I paste it here.
Packie Hughes: Had a butcher shop, where Susan has the Hairdressing today. He lived out in Corlattalon and brought the
meat in to the shop with a pony and cart. He always parcelled your purchase in paper and tied it with string and I always loved
to watch him tying the string and then with a flick of the hand he was able to break the string off the roll - no knife or scissors
needed there. Packie was brother of John and Ned.
I am now going to post a number of people names on the 1939 list as living in the village but I have no information on them -
so I need your help, especially with all the ‘retired school teachers’!!
Mrs. A McKenna: Retired School Teacher? John McKenna, born in Moy, Errigal Truagh, and granduncle to Caitríona McKenna.
He joined the R.I.C. and while stationed in Co. Meath he met and married Alice Geraghty, a Primary School Teacher from Co.
Meath. They married in Dublin in 1898. Because he married a Co. Meath girl, John was then transferred to Co. Westmeath,
where he was stationed in Mullingar and then in Delvin. He retired in 1907 and returned to Emyvale, where he bought a house
in Cornacrieve – the first two storey house as one leaves Emyvale for Monaghan on the lefthand side. John died there in 1927.
When John and Alice moved to Emyvale with 6 of their 7 children, Alice got a job teaching in Corracrin. After John’s death Alice
bought a house in Emyvale. You have a picture of the house with a VW parked outside it (Colye’s). She lived in the Emyvale
house until she died in 1951. By that time her daughter Lily, who had married Tommy Coyle, Killybreen, Errigal Truagh in 1940,
was teaching in Killyrean N.S. Lily and Tommy had one daughter Mary who died in the 1980’s.
John Holland: Postman? Born in Emyvale, and father of Nora McCionna. Nora told me once that she was related to me
through the Hollands.? Not sure where he lived in Emyvale but could have been opposite the High House. I have been informed
that John Holland built the house now occupied by Joan McQuaid. One person said that he and the family lived there. If that is
so they also lived on Main Street, where the late Lizzie McKenna lived, and that has been verified by Nora. My mother, Maggie
Jo McMahon, was Godmother to John Holland’s son, Joe and she had a sewing room in their house on Main Street.
Miss Devlin, ex-school teacher? I presume that this lady was a Principal in Corracrin prior to Master Kelly?
Miss O’Callaghan: ex-maternity nurse?
Miss Neeson,: Maternity Nurse? What was her name and was she related to Dan Neeson above?
Chas. McKenna: Flax Mill? Would they have what became Maguires and where did Charles live?
P. McEntee: Retired School Teacher? He was related to Bishop Duffy, possibly, and taught in Deravoy NS. Was he any relation
to the McEntee family, who built the house where the O’Doherty family live?
H. Wright: Retired Civil Servant? Would this man be connected to the Wrights who owned the High House?
Wm. Hendry: Another ‘eating house’ or ‘Dining Rooms’ on Main Street which is next door to Scarna Inn. It is a very important
house as I am supposed to have been born there. In earlier times it was two houses but Hendrys made it into one. Willie
worked with the Council, and there were three children - Nancy (a Nurse) who emigrated to England; Sean - the terrific
footballer, tall with a great pair of hands. He also emigrated to England and passed away a couple of years ago. The other
sister, Molly, was married to a man called Begley, and lived in Armagh.
W. Amberson: William John Amberson was born in Emyvale on 8th August 1888. His father was also William John Amberson
and his mother was Ann Jane Patterson. They were married in Belfast in 1887. William Senior was already stationed in Emyvale
as a Sergeant in the RIC. The 1901 census shows Ann working as sub-postmistress in Emyvale. The 1911 census shows
William Senior as Retired Sergeant, his wife Ann as sub-postmistress and her daughter Annie, from a previous marriage, as
Post Office Assistant. Their son William, then 22, was living in Newtownards with his Aunt, and working as a carpenter. In 1919,
the daughter Annie married Robert Wright, Glaslough, a business official, son of George Wright, a farmer. In 1938, William
Amberson's mother died age 85, and his father died in 1943 age 83. Thanks Norah
1. Did William return to work in Emyvale post office after his mother died?
2. I cannot see any record of his death. --- Can you add to this???
James McKenna: Drapery.??
Where Sean and Susie Mc Kenna now live – A Master Gallagher was a Donegal man (Gaoth Dobhair) and he became
Inhabitants 1