Contributed by Kevin and Paul O'Connor.
History tells us that the O’Connor Clan ruled Connaught
as Kings for centuries and rose to be High Kings of
Ireland from 1058 to 1198, their reign ending with the
Norman invasion. While we would very much like to claim
that we are direct descendants of the Irish Kings, it is
inconveniently difficult to find evidence to corroborate this.
More recent, verifiable history begins with my greatgrandfather,
John O’Connor, who actively supported
Charles Stewart Parnell, leader of the movement for
Irish Home Rule from his home on the Cork/Kerry border.
Subsequent to Parnell’s death in 1891, John moved with
his wife and family of eight to Cork City where he practised
as a chartered accountant, being a very early member
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. His
second child, John Joseph—my grandfather—had four
children: Tadhgh, Charles (my father), Oonagh, and John
(who died in an accident at age twelve). Tadhgh graduated
from UCC as a doctor and practiced in Leeds, where he
died at 33 during an influenza outbreak on the day WWII
began. A memorial in Leeds still honours his dedication.
My father, Charles, joined the Civil Service in Dublin after
graduating. He served in the Department of Industry and
Commerce until his untimely death in 1966 at age 56.
In his career, he was associated with the Commission
on Youth Unemployment, the foundation of the IDA and
preparation for the introduction of decimal currency,
weights and measures. During the Emergency, in
addition to his full time Public Service occupation,
he joined the LDF (local defence force – now the FCA)
and because of some brilliant strategic achievements,
was promoted to the highest rank equal to Colonel,
the only such held by a non military person. He retired
from that role at the conclusion of the hostilities.
In 1936, he married Maureen Gibney, whose mother,
Josephine, had a shop in Brunswick St. (now Pearse
St.) . She was celebrated for giving citizens fleeing
indiscriminate shooting by the Black and Tans refuge
in the shop. Charles and Maureen had four boys - Don,
myself, Charles and Paul, and one daughter, Colette.
After completing my studies in Trinity College, Dublin, I
followed in my father’s footsteps and entered the Civil
Service becoming a Trainee Inspector of Taxes posted
to Dundalk. There, while involved in musicals and drama,
in a show where we were both performers, I fell in love
with my darling, Anne (née Jones). We married in 1962
and were blessed with five wonderful children, Marge,
Polly, Liz, Grace and John. I completed my commissioning
exams in 1964 and with promotions and transfers
progressed through Dublin to Limerick where we were
very happy. Anne had a very busy social life notably as a
foundress of the “Lifford Ladies Association”, a social
activities club for women in the local neighbourhood
(and the first of many such associations in Ireland). In
the meantime, I was tempted by a local firm of Chartered
Accountants to leave the Revenue and work with them
as a Tax Consultant. I took articles and qualified as
a Chartered Accountant myself. I continued to take
part in amateur musicals and drama and devoted an
unforgivable amount of time to my other love, golf, as a
member in Castletroy, Limerick and Lahinch, Co. Clare.
In the 1980s, our two eldest daughters, Marge and Polly,
qualified as nurses and, typical of the time, set off to
work in hospitals in the U.K. Liz studied accountancy, but,
while visiting her sisters in London, was attracted by a job
notice in a bank. She enquired, and after supplying some
details, was offered an appointment on the spot, which she
accepted. At around this time, the U.K was experiencing
a boom whereas Ireland was rather in depression.
My firms tax practice in the U.K was very pressed with
work and I was offered the opportunity of moving from
Ireland which seemed to be the right move, and one which
we have never regretted. We quickly settled into our new
surroundings by singing in choirs, and I played golf at
Ganstead Park near Hull. Grace and John continued their
education here and, after university, Grace went on to be
a primary school teacher. John embarked on a successful
career in telecommunications. Anne established a
home care business for the elderly in the community.
Anne and I retired in the mid-2000s and spent lots
of time with our children and grandchildren. Now, at
the ages of 87 and 85 respectively, we no longer sing
with choirs or play golf, but music, song and plenty
of chatter continue to be part of our home in Hull.
Sadly, Anne has since passed away on 20 February
2025. She is dearly missed by her husband, family
and friends, both in the UK and Ireland.