Looking at the Census for 1901 & 1911 it would appear that James Jim Lynch who was born in 1859 was married twice, firstly on February 25th 1879 at the Immaculate Conception RC, Glin to a Bridget Culhane, daughter of Maurice ‘Coiner’ Culhane and Ellen Guiney, Ballyguiltenane Lr. Jim’s age given as 20 years. The witnesses were James’s brother William Lynch and Maria Sheehy. Jim Lynch’s second marriage on April 8th 1902 at Athea church was to Johanna Casey, b. 1877, R.I.P March 24th 1953, daughter of Tom Casey a bootmaker from Lr Dirreen, Athea. The witnesses for the wedding were Daniel Scanlon, Dromreask, Glin and Ellie (Nell) Casey who was married to Histon from Dirreen. There was no family from either marriage. Jim’s age given as 48 years and Hannie aged 25 years. Looking at the 1911 census it states therein; James Lynch married to Hannie Lynch for the past 9 yrs. This Hannie was the Johanna Casey, female servant, age 23 as per the 1901 census for the same house. So it seems that Jim’s first wife wasn’t dead no more than a year when he married Hannie Casey. Also present during that 1901 census was a Margaret Costelloe, niece, aged 10yrs. Margaret was the daughter of Bridget’s sister Margaret Culhane who was married to Tom Costelloe, Clounleharde East. Jim Lynch was a cooper by trade and made ‘firkins’ for the local farmers. These ‘firkins’ were used for the storing and conveying of home made butter which the farmers made at the time. The farmers sold the butter locally and at the market towns of Listowel and Newcastlewest.
The ‘Cooper’s’ shop as it is today, photographed 2011.
Johanna Casey was a sister to the shoemaker Paddy Casey. She was known to all and sundry as Hannie Casey. The Casey’s came from Lr. Dirreen otherwise known as ‘Scrathan’. Paddy emigrated to Australia and lived in ‘The Bush’ there for years. He eventually returned home and built for himself a little thatched house in Dromreask at the turn of the road a few hundred yards east of Lynch’s, now Dalton’s. Paddy’s house was known as ‘The Humpy’ due to its size and shape. Apparently, similar shaped houses in the ‘bush’ were referred to as ‘Humpie’s’. That turn of the road is still referred to today as ‘Paddy Casey’s turn’,
‘Paddy Casey’s turn’ ahead – Photo 2011.
Johanna Casey, (Jim Lynch’s wife) had a sister, Mary Casey who married Michael O’Connor R.I.P. August 26th 1950 son of Tom O’Connor. The original O’Connor home was a thatched one and was situated close by the cottage where Michael and Mary lived, the same cottage where Thady O’Sullivan now resides. They had two daughters and one son; Hannah, who married Stephen Moore, Carrickerry, (Moore’s Bar). Mary (Moll), who married Mick Dalton, son of Paddy Dalton, Carrickerry and Mary Woulfe, Glenbawn and Tom O’Connor who died of a heart complaint at the age of 6yrs.
Following the death of her parents Michael and Mary, Moll O’Connor,(pictured 1989 on left with her daughter Mary), came to live with her aunt Hannie Casey Lynch who left her the place. Mick Dalton did a ‘cliamhain isteach’, (married into).
The Cooper’s Landmark
In a time where landmarks were more than just geographical markers, ‘The Cooper’s dwelling held a significant spot in the local community. When a stranger asked for directions, they were often told to look for ‘The Cooper’s, a key point of reference in the area. This was not just because of its distinct charm but because it was a bustling hub of activity.
Hannie Casey’s Shop
James’ second wife, Hannie Casey, opened a shop at this iconic location. Her establishment attracted customers from nearby towns such as Glenagrahra, Dirreen, Dromreask, and even as far as Ballyguiltenane. The majority of these visitors traveled on foot, traversing shortcuts and paths etched across hills, valleys, and mountains. Hannie sold provisions of all things necessary for the everyday running of the home. Paddy Faley told me how in the evenings he would make his way down the mountain and across the fields to the shop to purchase a half quarter of Plug or Bendigo tobacco for his father at a price of one shilling and three pence. For his mother he would purchase a half ounce of Clarke’s white cap snuff for five pence and for himself he would have the treat of a few of Geary’s toffee sweets for one penny.
A Community Gathering Place
‘The Cooper’s was more than just a shop; it was a community gathering place. Many locals would come together here in the evenings for a chat or to play a game of cards, particularly the popular game of 41, with some of the best card gamblers in the area. It was also a social hub for young men and women, a place where everybody felt welcomed by Hannie’s warm and generous spirit.
Hannie was known not only for her hospitality but also for her matchmaking efforts. She took great joy in bringing courting couples together, and ‘The Cooper’s’ shed across the road became a well-known spot for arranging dates. This shed remains standing to this day, a testament to the history and stories it witnessed.
The End of an Era
As times changed, so did shopping habits. The rise of supermarkets led to the closure of many small shops, including Hannie’s beloved store. Although the barrels and firkins that once defined the butter-making business are no longer made, the place is still affectionately referred to as ‘The Cooper’s.’ The legacy of ‘The Cooper’s’ lives on, not just in its physical presence, but in the memories of those who gathered there, shared stories, and forged lifelong connections.
My mother often spoke about the platform that was across the road from Jim Lynch ‘the Cooper’s. It was in Dan Scanlon’s land, laid down by the stalwart men of Glenagragra. I will quote a line or two from a song written by Paddy Barrett of Turraree in relation to the said platform -;
‘This platform was modelled out in 1928,
By the stalwart men of ‘Gragra’
In Dan Scanlon’s big estate.
It brought there crowds from Newtownsandes,
Killeanemore and Glin,
To tip the light fantastic,
With Dirreen’s athletic men’.
It appears that some bit of jealously developed between the Dirreen and Glenagragra boys resulting in Jack Feury, Glenagragra and Paddy Barrett, Turraree digging up the platform. Hannie Casey almost had a nervous breakdown because of the feud. There was a platform located to the immediate east of Maurice Higgin’s gate thereafter but it did not last long. Jack Higgins made concrete blocks on the site after that. I remember the block making mechanism very well.
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