Newspaper articles


Nenagh Guardian
Contributed by Mary Heaphy
1875


1875

August 8 1875

Mr. Cullen, Relieving Officer (No 2) said he heard old Delany (the fiddler),
who was down as 96 years of age, got married; he had been in receipt this
time back of 2s 6d a week, and he wished to kown if the relief was to be
continued to him. Mr. H. Poe said that there was half a column in the
Guardian about him, and his marriage to Shan Van Vocht. Mr. H. Head- I think
that on a account of his marrige with the little old woman he would want
more relief. Mr. Sheehan heard that Jack got a lot of money by his marriage.
Relieving Officer (No 2) heard that Jack had £30 of his own, and that the
wife brought £20, so that he was enabled to lodge £50 in one of the local
banks. Mr. H. Head - If he had that money, how was it that we have ben
paying hin outdoor relief? Vice-Chairman - When was he married? The
Relieving Officer belived on yesterday. On being questioned as to the age of
the bride, he believed tht she was only 70 years of age . And in respect of
her lodging £20 in the bank in conjunction with the bridegroom's £30. He
heard that such had been the case, but he did not know it of his own
knowledge. Delaney was her third husband; she was a fine strong lump of a
woman. It was said Father Joe Magrath refused to marry them, and then Jack
truged into Nenagh to get the nupital knot tied; and on his way he stopped
in a cabbin near Bawn for a shower, when he lilted up " Haste to the
Wedding' and had all the boys and girls dancing like mad. Mr. Kennedy
(Relieving Officer No1) said Delany, who is a dark man, along with being
very old, fell some time ago into a fire, and had a narrow escape of being
burned to death; this was said to be principal cause of his getting married,
for thereby he would have a person younger than himself to take care of him.
It was remarked that allowing the twice or thrice widwed woman to be 76
years of age, she would be still twenty years his junior. It was further
stated that Jack had a house rent free; that Lord Dunalley, Lord Bloomfield,
and others acted acted very kindly towards him from time to time. Jack's
name was removed from the list of out-door relief.