Michael Langan 1873-1974, Cahara.
(son of Maurice 1.)Mick Langan took over the place from his father-in-law John Sexton, circa 1907. I remember Mick well. He was a very communicative and intelligent person and a stonemason by trade. Back in those years, (1959-1970) Mick, along with his son John and John’s wife Anna would regularly pay visits to my grandfather’s home in Glenagragra. To co-inside with such visits, the Chawke’s from Granagh (grandmother Langan’s relations) would invariably visit on the same day. I, despite the fact that back then I being rather timid, especially when in the company of so many people, would sure to be called upon to break the ice so to speak by being asked to sing the first song of the afternoon. Grandfather made sure that everyone got into the spirit of the occasion by producing bottles of his best-mulled porter and the entertainment would go on for hours on end. I really looked forward to those wonderful Sunday’s back then.
Mick lived to be over 100 years of age and was so upright and strong in his limbs as to walk to the town of Glin each Friday to collect his pension. Following his 100th birthday celebrations the Limerick Leader of Sept 15th 1973 ran the following article;
‘’Secret of Long Life-by John, aged 100’’.
(It should have read Michael, not John)‘’Mr. Michael Langan, Cahara, Glin, County Limerick, celebrated his 100th birthday at the weekend with his sons and Daughters from Ireland and overseas.
This was also the first complete family re-union in 54 years.
Mr. Langan’s daughters, Mrs. Ellen McCarthy,Mrs. Kitty Feely, his grand-daughter, Mrs Barbara McNeil, and her son Terry, all came from Brooklyn, New York. His son, Maurice, travelled from Glasgow.
Daughter, Mrs Mary Quigg, who lives next door to Mr. Langan, didn’t have far to go with her congratulations and Mr. and Mrs. John Langan didn’t have to move at all – they live with Mr. Langan.
A cousin, Mrs Mary Harrington, from Long Island, New York was also at Glin for the occasion.
Around 200 people from all over Munster attended the party.
President Childers sent £50 to Mr. Langan along with congratulations and sincere good wishes.
Work, Pint, Pipe.Mr. Langan, still sporting a fine head of hair, let us into his secret of long life, ‘’Hard work, a pint and a smoke of my pipe.’’
Despite his great age, he is still very active, goes for walks and finds time to read the paper.’’
Mick went to his eternal reward 1974.
Census 1901.
Cahara.
Mick Langan
Mary (Wife)
Margaret (Daughter aged 2)
Census 1911.
Cahara.
Mick Langan – Aged 37.
Mary – Wife – Aged 36.
Maurice – Son – Aged 12.
Ellen- Daughter – Aged 9.
Mary Kate – Daughter – Aged 10 months.
John Sexton – Relative. (Father-in-law)
Glin parish records, 1851-1900 state:-06-02-1897 Marriage of Michael Langan to Maria Sexton.
Sponsors for this wedding were Patrick Lynch and Maria Healy.
Family from that union as follows –
(1) Ellen Langan (Babe) born 20/11/1901.
(2) Maurice Langan b1899.
(3) Mary Langan b1911.
(4) Catherine Langan b1920.
(5) John Langan b1925.
(1) Ellen (Babe) Langan was born Nov 20th 1901 in Glin, Co. Limerick and died December 13th 1977 in Oceanside, New York. Ellen was the first of the family to emigrate staying with her uncle Mike Conway. On January 30th 1929 she married Charles Finbar McCarthy in Brooklyn, New York. In 1926 Charles jumped ship in New York. He served with the British Navy between 1914 – 1918.
Charles and Ellen had the following family –
(i) Barbara Mary McCarthy, b January 9th 1930, Brooklyn, New York.
(ii) Charles Michael McCarthy(Bud), b October 19th 1932, Brooklyn, New York.
(iii) Barbara Mary McCarthy was married twice – firstly on May 20th 1952 to James McNeil and had the following family –
Thomas James McNeil, b November 19–, Brooklyn, NY.
James Charles McNeil, b January 19–, Brooklyn, NY.
Terrence James McNeil, b January 19–, Brooklyn, NY.Thomas James McNeil married Ann Favicchio Nov 1974 in Rockville Centre, NY. Family from that union as follows –
Thomas James McNeil b March 19–, Baldwin, NY.
Bryan Patrick McNeil b Nov 19–, Baldwin, NY.
Katie Ann McNeil b July 19–, Baldwin, NY.Terrence James McNeil married Rose Ann Portentier, Oct, 19–. Family from that union as follows –
Ryann McNeil b July 19–.
Terrence James McNeil (T,J.) b Sept 19–.
Meghan McNeil b July 19–.
As peviously stated, Barbara Mary McCarthy was married twice. Her first husband James McNeil died 1975. She re-married in 1981 to Ward Murphy.
(iv) Charles Michael McCarthy (Bud) married Grace Ellen Maloney Feb 19– in Brooklyn, NY. He served in the U.S. army from 1952-1954.Family fom that union as follows –
Grace Ellen McCarthy b June 19–, Brooklyn. (Nurse Manager)
Patricia Ann McCarthy n November 19–, Brooklyn. (Computer Analyst for special education children)
Jeannie Marie McCarthy b Dec 19–, Brooklyn.
Robert Charles McCarthy b Sept 19–, Brooklyn. (Captain in U.S. Merchant Marine’s
)(v) Patricia Ann McCarthy married Stephen Bruce Miller August 19– in Brooville, NY. Family from that union as follows –
Kevin Charles Miller b Aug 19–.
John Patrick Miller (Jake) b March19–.
(2) Maurice Langan also went to the U.S.A and married a Scottish woman. He retired to Scotland and died there without issue.
(3) Mary Langan was the second to emigrate to the U.S. She married a man by the name of Quigg and had one daughter Maureen Quigg. The marriage broke up and Maureen went to her father’s family and had no contact with her mother after that. Mary Langan Quigg retired to Glin, next door to the family home and died there.
(4) Catherine Langan (Kitty) married JackFeely (Fealy) from Loughill. Their house was situated almost directly across the road from Loughill Church. They emigrated to the U.S. Not sure if they were married and living in Loughill or not prior to they emigrating. Jack had a lorry and drew sand during the building of Paddy Murray’s Hall in Loughill which opened its doors on March 17th 1941. The renowned Bunny Dalton Band from Listowel supplied the music on that memorable opening night. Other bands to play there included – The McKnights, The Devon Dance Band, Jimmy McCarthy and the fiddlers four – Mick Mangan, Michael O’Connor, Jim McKenna & Con O’Connell. A traditional piece of music known as ‘Mick Mangan’s jig’ was one of the first tune taught to me on the fiddle by my grandfather Paddy Langan.
Mick Mangan was born in Clounleharde. He married and thay both went to live in a farm that Elizabeth inherited from her uncle. This farm was situated approximately a half mile west of Ballyhahill village on the Glin road. Mick and Elizabeth had no family. I knew Con O’Connell well and had the occasion to play a few tunes together during his visits home from the U.S. in the mid 1960’s. (See also Griffin’s of Glenagragra) Paddy Faley reminds me that the Glenagragra Dramatic Class of which he was a member of also staged plays in Murray’s hall during the early 1950’s. Catherine (Kitty) Langan Feely died in New York.
(5) John Langan took over the home cottage in Cahara from his father Mick. He was married to Anna Prendeville from Listowel. It would appear that John was very close to his 1st cousin, Paddy Langan, my grandfather, of Glenagragra. John and his wife Anna often recalled the times of Paddy and his wife Babe going to the town of Glin in their pony and trap, going out to their house and spending most of the night there chatting with his father Mick and themselves. Babe would never say to Paddy it is time to go home as other wife’s might do, she was very patient and enjoyed the company. John was involved in Paddy’s election campaign of the 1940’s and 50’s, canvassing the countryside with him and acting as his tallyman on Election Day at the courthouse in Glin.
John Langan was as versatile as his forbearers were and took part in many local plays, concerts and dramas, many staged at the aforementioned Paddy Murray’s Hall in Loughill. The Glin correspondent of the Limerick Leader of Wed November 15th 1944 had the following to say about one such night out:
Enjoyable Night at Glin.
Glin Dramatic Company (writes our Glin correspondent) held on Sunday night a most delightful concert and humorous play at Reidy’s Hall, Glin, before a crowded and appreciative audience.
The entertainment was opened by the Company singing ‘Kelly The Boy From Killane’ in fine style, and, also ‘The Bold Fenian Men’. These were followed by songs from Messrs. Joseph Healy, John Power, Pakey Culhane, John Langan and Master John Finn. Step-dancing items were contributed by Misses Adams, McNamara, Burke and McKeon. Master Michael Reid contributed the dance music. Miss McKeon recited a very pleasing item ‘’When Granny Was Young’’.
Those who took part in the play were Messers :-
John Langan, Michael Mangan, Pakey Culhane, Joseph Healy, John Fennell and Misses :- Cathleen Dillane, Mary O’Sullivan Elsie Wallace ; each and all giving of their best and making the entertainment the delightful one it was.
The ‘Soldiers’ Song’ brought the entertainment to a close.
John Langan died April 16th 2001. His wife Anna Langan died June 7th 1996. They had no family.
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