I am trying to trace the history of the Coghlan/Coughlans of Co Cork and am particularly interested in my own SKIBBEREEN branch of the Coghlan family through my Grandfather, COL. DANIEL COGHLAN (1881 - 1962), who was born in SKIBBEREEN and died in Stillorgan, Dublin. He was a remarkable man with a fascinating story including a friendship with MICHAEL COLLINS which you can read about via the link below to a newspaper article which appeared in the Irish Independent in 1967.
His brother DAVID 'TONE' JOSEPH COGHLAN (1898 - 1961) married RITA O'RIORDEN and owned the racehorse Mr What when it won the Grand National in 1958 and came 3rd in 1959, as well as Careys Cottage when it was 3rd in 1955. He went to America in 1916 but returned in 1938. 'His horse won the Grand National 'at ease' winning by thirty lengths, a record for the National. Another record was the winnings, which amounted to £13,744, the largest prize distributed so far as a first prize. Mr What was trained by Mr Taffe in Rathcoole. In Skibbereen town the bookies were disgorging for nearly a fortnight and bookies across Ireland that never in the history of their 'profession' did its members receive such a keelhauling. 'Tone' was the recipient of a gay reception in Skibbereen. A band met his family party at the outskirts of the town. There was a reception held at the West Cork Hotel.
The visit was made an occasion for presenting him with a scroll, setting out his Fathers contribution to the National cause in days dark and evil.' This was DANIEL COGHLAN (1844 - 1911) of Skibbereen (My Great Grandfather) who was a Boot & Shoe Maker on Bridge Street (with a pub in the back)and who was married to ELLEN COLLINS.
His father, (my Great, Great Grandfather) was MICHAEL COGHLAN, a labourer (there was a Michael Coghlan living in the Coronea area of Skibbereen according to Griffiths 1848-1864 ). Ellens father was DENIS COLLINS, a farmer from Corron, nr Leap, Co.Cork.
I would love to hear from any Coghlans or Coughlans with roots in Skibbereen.
UPDATE Sept '06
Just got back from SKIBBEREEN where I visted the Heritage Centre. There I found the entry for DANIEL & ELLEN in the 1901 Census. He is listed as a Bootmaker aged 59, so born in 1844, the year before the Famine started. ELLEN is 44 making her born in 1857. The address is 25 Bridge Street, Skibbereen
There are nine children listed, RICHARD AGED 22,(a Schoolteacher), MARY AGED 17, MICHAEL AGED 16 (a 21 year old Michael Coughlan from Skibbereen is listed as landing at Ellis Island N.Y on June 27, 1906 on the ship Carmania - is this him, the age and location fit?), JAMES PATRICK AGED 14, ELLEN AGED 12, MARGARET AGED 10, HANNAH AGED 5, DAVID JOSEPH AGED 3, PATRICK JOSEPH AGED 10 DAYS.
Also included is a brother of Daniels, ANDREW, a retired Postman aged 77. Which means there were 12 people living in 5 rooms plus the shop/pub underneath. My Grandfather DANIEL is not listed as he was working in Clerkenwell, London as a letter sorter at the time of the Census. RICHARD is listed in GUYS Postal Directory for 1914 as living in the house on Bridge Street and also as President of the Skibbereen Gaelic Football and Hurling Clubs.
After visiting the Heritage Centre, which is in Upper Bridge Street I only had to go a few hundred yards to find myself in Bridge Street. I got chatting to a little old lady who told me she could remember the Coughlans from years ago, although they were all gone now, and took me to the house she remembered them from - it was No 25! It is only 2 doors away from The Eldon Hotel where MICHAEL COLLINS had his last meal and left for his fateful journey to Beal-na-Blath in 1922.
NOW SCROLL UP FOR LOTS MORE INFO ON SKIBBEREEN & THE COGHLANS INCLUDING PICS, LINKS, MAPS, DIRECTORIES, HISTORIES, BIOGRAPHIES, FAMILY CREST AND THE FAMILY TREE.
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- 1901 Census (1673 KB)
1901 Census form for 25 Bridge Street, Skibbereen and the family of Daniel & Ellen Coghlan.
- Hugo and Dorothy Coghlan 2000 (58 KB)
My Father Dr.Hugo Coghlan & Mother,Dorothy (nee Hunter)Coghlan
- Hugo Coghlans Birth Certificate 1925 (1639 KB)
Birth certificate of my father Hugo Coghlan, son of Daniel, grandson of Daniel and great grandson of Michael.
- Daniel Coghlan, Barrister at Law (20 KB)
My Grandfather Daniel Coghlan in his Barristers wig and gown. Not sure when this was taken, probably about 1925
- Michael Collins leaving the Eldon Hotel (18 KB)
The last photo of Michael Collins taken as he leaves the Eldon Hotel on Bridge Street, Skibbereen, 2 doors away from the family home at no 25.
- Daniel & Zoe 1923 (47 KB)
Daniel Coghlan & Zoe Zulima Lamerant on their Wedding Day 1923
- Mr What returns to Rathcoole 1958 (16 KB)
The civic reception & parade for Mr What on his return to his training yard in Rathcoole after winning the Grand National in 1958
- 'Tone' returns after Mr What wins Grand National (875 KB)
Photograph that appeared in Southern Star when David 'Tone' Joseph Coghlan returned to Skibbereen after his horse 'Mr What' won the Grand National in 1958. A Civic Reception was held at the West Cork Hotel. (That's him in the bowler hat)
- Bridge Street, Skibbereen (32 KB)
Bridge Street showing No 25 (the green house on the left)and the Eldon Hotel(the large pink building 2 doors away)(photo taken c2000)
- Diarmuid , George & Hugo Coghlan (66 KB)
The three sons of Col.Daniel Coghlan in 1976. Diarmuid (on the left) is holding Michael Collins walking stick that his father was given by the Big Fellas brother Sean after his death at Beal na Blath.
- No 25 Bridge Street, Skibbereen (960 KB)
The old family home of the Coghlans in Skibbereen in 2006
- The Medals of Col. Daniel Coghlan O.B.E. (105 KB)
Includes the O.B.E., Croix de Guerre, French Medal of Honour, Russian Order of St Anne, Belgian Silver Cross Decoration, Victory Medal with Oak Leaf(Mention in Dispatches)& British War Medal as well as a Commemorative Medal of the reign of Leopold II of Belgium.
- Coat of Arms (11 KB)
The Coughlan/Coghlan coat of arms.
- Mr What Commemorative Shot Glass (572 KB)
Shot glass from a set of 6 produced in the early 60's commemorating Grand National winners from the late 50s/early 60's.
- Hugo Coghlan & Daughters (113 KB)
Dr Hugo Coghlan with his 3 daughters Charmaine, Diane and Adele in 1985 and his grand daughter Samantha
- Mr What Biscuit Tin (18 KB)
This is a Jacobs biscuit tin which I found on Ebay showing Mr What jumping in the Grand National 1958 which he won at 30 lengths, coming in at 18 to 1! My great uncle David 'Tone' Joseph Coghlan owned him at the time and his name is on the tin along with the jockey & trainer.
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The Coghlan / Coughlans of Skibbereen & Co.Cork