The Finlay Family

BessBrook

Bakers-bridge 1851 - 1860

According to the Jesuit religious order records a William Finlay, born in 1810, came to work as an engineer on the Shannon and Erne Bridges. In 1848, he was stationed in Lansborough on the Shannon. In 1851, he was at Bakers-Bridge on the Erne. He married Maria Magan about 1845 and came to live in Cavan town in 1860. Died there on 1st November, 1874 and was buried in the Abbey graveyard. His wife, originally from Killashee, Longford, died on 3rd April, 1884.

He had four sons and three 3 daughters, each of whom were nuns.

The eldest son John, lived in Scotland with his grandparents.

Father Thomas, the next boy was born in Lanesborough on 15/2/1851. He was associated with and gave powerful support to the co-operative movement in Ireland. Aside from this major contribution as a Jesuit theologian he was a teacher, acted as school rector, lectured as a professor of philosophy (catholic university) from 1888 - 1902, and also as a professor of political economy from 1902 - 1909. He also held the chain of political economy in UCD with his resignation in 1931. He died on the 8/1/1940

The next boy, Father Peter, was born at Bessbrook - Bakers-bridge on 15/2/1851, was also ordained as a Jesuit. Like his older brother he has a distinguished career teaching theology and philosophy in Wales, the USA and Ireland where he died on 21/10/1929.







The youngest boy William was also born at Bessbrook, Bakers-bridge on 26/12/1856; took over the family business at 92 Main St. Cavan. On 26/10/1892 he married Mary 'Sis' O Hanlon, eldest daughter of John F O'Hanlon. In the early 1900's, the family moved to Curragho Lodge and later to Killynebber where he died on 6/01/1927. His wife lived to 21/12/1962 and both are buried in Cavan Abbey graveyard. William was politically active as secretary of the Tenant Rights and Home Rule Association in the county, and secretary also of the local Land League. He was chairman of Cavan Town Commissioners and later chairman of the Urban Council. He then became both chairman and secretary of Cavan County Council, a post he discharged until his death in 1927.



All information sourced, pages 287, 288, 289, Breifne Journal (1977 - 78) Students of Kilmore academy (1839 - 1874) by Very Rev Terence P Cunningham, D.C.L.