Contributed by Joanne Hogan
The Hogan family history spans rural Galway, urban London and a return to Ireland reflecting themes of tradition, migration and adaptation across generations.
Frank Hogan was born in 1941 in Woodford, County Galway, the youngest of three brothers in a family with strong musical roots. His father, Cornelius ‘Connie’ Hogan (1894–1965), was a respected concertina player whose music was part of the East Galway and Clare tradition. Frank’s mother, Ann Brigid “Bridie” Hogan (1897–1973), was central to family life in Galway, supporting her children through times of change and transition. The family’s early years were shaped by rural community ties, music and agricultural life.
Frank’s eldest brother, Anthony “Tony” Hogan (1939–2024), became a teacher in Birr, County Offaly, and was very active in local cultural circles, including the Birr Stage Guild.
The middle brother, Conor Hogan (1938–2004), remained in Galway, where he worked in farming and forestry. He was a popular member of the local GAA community.
In 1955, at the age of 13, Frank moved to London to live with his maternal Aunt Tilly and her husband, Dr Vincent Boland, a general practitioner in Islington. This move was part of a broader pattern of Irish migration to the UK during the mid-20th century, as families sought new opportunities.
Frank attended secondary school in St Aloysius College in Highgate, London. He benefited from the support of relatives including Vincent O’Meara, a young dentist who lived nearby. Family life in London included regular visitors to the home in Thornhill Road, Islington, shared activities, playing cards and chess, music concerts, Camden dances and the maintenance of Irish cultural connections.
Frank excelled academically and received a scholarship to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. After graduating in 1966, he worked in the NHS in Manchester and Birmingham gaining experience in a range of medical settings. During this period, Frank met and married Susan, an Irish nurse. In the early 1970s, Frank and Susan decided to return to Ireland where they settled and raised four children in County Wexford. Frank’s medical career continued in Ireland, where he worked as a general practitioner, anaesthetist, and medical officer for the RNLI.
In 2022, Frank received a civic award in recognition of more than 50 years of service as a physician. He was described as “far more than a doctor” to his patients and is missed by colleagues and the community following his retirement.
The Hogan family history is marked by adaptability, a strong sense of identity and a commitment to education, music and service. Their journey from rural Galway to London and back to Ireland highlights the broader patterns of Irish migration and the ways in which families maintain continuity whilst embracing change. The Hogan family’s experiences reflect the resilience and resourcefulness found in many Irish families of their generation, and their story continues through the lives of their children and grandchildren.