Michael Egan was born on April 9th, 1886, to John Egan, and Margaret Dillane, Clounleharde. Margaret was the daughter of Thomas Dillane, Kinard, Glin. On April 25th, 1931, Michael Egan, aged 45 years, son of John Egan, a deceased farmer, married CATHERINE DILLANE, aged 38 years, born on 18 Nov 1893 in Kinard, Glin Co. Limerick, the witnesses being – Thomas Egan & Margaret Kelly. Catherine died on 24 Feb 1947 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick, aged 54 years.

This part of Clounleharde was known locally as ‘Bricktown’ because of the lane of brick houses that had been built here in days gone by, by the landlord Dixon to accommodate his gamekeepers. A two-storied brick house was situated directly across the road from these lanes of houses, and it was in this house Mick Egan lived. During this time the rear part of the brick house was used to accommodate some of the teachers at nearby Clounleharde National school. He house had to be demolished as it was deemed unsafe following a fire.  On July 3rd, 1967, Clounleharde School closed its doors for the final time and the thirty-six pupils who attended there were taken by bus to join Ballyhahill National School.

Mick & Catherine had a shop in one of the lane of house’s which was demolished circa 1960 to make way for their new abode which is situated right next to the cross-roads.

Mick Egan & Catherine Dillane had one daughter Margaret (Peggy) Egan. Peggy married JIM (JIMMY ‘LIZ’) ENRIGHT, Clounleharde. Jimmy died on February 3rd, 2005. His wife Peggy died July 19th, 2005.

As far as I know all the lanes of brick houses are now demolished. Some of the tenants of those houses back then were as follows – Stephen O’Sullivan. Next to Stephen lived Paddy O’Sullivan. A Mrs. O’Connell nee O’Shaughnessy lived in the house before Paddy. Harry Riordan from Dirreen is the present owner. Martin Dillane hereunder lived in one of them as well before he built a new house next to the school.

My thanks to Paddy Faley, Glenbawn, for supplying me with some of the above information.

Notes for Margaret Dillane: 

Her sponsors for baptism were Michael Cregan and Bridget Hunt.

John Egan & Margaret Dillane had the following children:

i. JOHANNA JOSIE6 EGAN was born on 25 Dec 1884 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill, County Limerick.

ii MICHAEL6 EGAN was born on 12 Apr 1886 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick. He died in 1961. Mick was married to Catherine Dillane, Kinard, Glin. (as above)

iii. BRIDGET6 EGAN was born on 02 Dec 1887 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick. She died in 1958.

iv. MARY6 EGAN was born on Sept 16th, 1890 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick. She died on 14 Feb 1908 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick.

v. THOMAS6 EGAN was born on 28 May 1892 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick. He died in 1971. Married to Nora O’Connor, Clounleharde. Tom Egan and his wife Hanora (Nora) O’Connor lived for a time in the two-storied brick house before relocating, along with his family to Finnoe, Ballyhahill. Thomas Egan, address given as Glenbawn, Ballyhahill, got married on March 17th, 1942, to Hannah O’Connor who was also from Glenbawn, Ballyhahill, daughter of John O’Connor, the witnesses being – Pat Finucane & Peggy O’Connor. The townlands of Glenbawn and Clounleharde are located side by side. In fact Clounleharde School is in the townland of Glenbawn. Paddy Dunne formerly of Glenbawn and now Clarecastle, Co. Clare and myself had a good chat today Feb 2nd, 2023 about the subject matter. (George Langan)

vi. MARGARET6 EGAN was born on 03 Sep 1894 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County, Limerick. She died in 1949.

vii. CATHERINE6 EGAN was born on 11 Jun 1898 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick. She died on 23 Nov 1915 in Clounleharde, Ballyhahill County Limerick.