Lecture 57: The WW1 Ex-Servicemens Cottages in Callan, Co Kilkenny by MaryAnne Maher

After surviving the horrors of WW1, many returning soldiers, were expecting the world to be a better place, where their life could return to some normality in a secure and safe environment and jobs for all. This was in part due to the promises made by recruitment officers from 1915 of ‘a home’ for returned soldiers. When asked about the number of houses needed in Ireland in 1915, Major Lefroy recommended about 40,000. Was this promise kept and if so at what cost?

Why were there 25 cottages built in Callan and how did it compare to other schemes in Co. Kilkenny.

[paulwright]

Thank you Mary Anne for all your work. I can see my Great Grandfather Michael Corcoran was in 17 followed by his son Michael!

[karenj]

I was amazed to come across this wonderful lecture by Mary Anne Maher but so very glad I did. My Grandparents lived in one of the Skeagh cottages. I also saw the names of other possible extended family members living in others. I stayed at 'number 13' one Summer as a child, in about 1960, and remember the exact layout of the cottage and gardens. The outside toilet, the water pump nearby, which was, according to Mary, constructed from a well sunk by my extended family members.
My own father left England and returned to the cottage (his childhood home) in the 60s after his mother was widowed and remained there until he died in 1987.
Thank you so much for sharing all this information Mary.

[callanmcguire]

My name is Callan McGuire/Macuidhir, I have a degree in history and American studies and My name is used way too much In this lecture 😂😂