We have an unusual request to ask of you, the readers of the Galway’s Own Magazine Blog.
We were contacted by Micheal Keegan, who’s father (also Michael Keegan b.1928, d.2009) was born in St Bridget’s Pl. nr Prospect Hill and was raised nearby in Woodquay in Galway, seeking our help in uncovering the history behind a particular medal that is now in his possession. This is a GAA medal from the ‘Galway City Tournament 1919 – Walsh Medals’ and won by ‘Galway T Ashe HC – M O Dea’.
The only information Micheal can add is:
The medal is 1½” x 1″ and hallmarked silver.
It was found among my maternal aunt’s personal effects. She was Eithne Drury, (b.1920, d.2012) originally from Rathgar, Co Dublin. She resided for all her life in south Co Dublin, except for c20 years when she worked in the Irish Embassy in London. She never married.
I have no more to go on, so the medal is a complete mystery. I made some inquiries of the County Board (I think it was via John Hynes) a couple of years back, but despite his efforts no light could be shed on the medal’s provenance.
The medal resided in a little jewellery box with various religious medals, along with one relating to the 1930 Father Matthew Feis, for Teagasc Críostaidhe (fé bhun 14). It shows that Eithne was in good standing with the man upstairs, so if you/your readers can’t solve the mystery of the Walsh medal I may have to resort to a higher level investigation.
Micheal kindly sent photos of the Father Matthew Feis medal, which is an interesting addition to this post.
If you can shed some light on these medals please do get in touch at info@galwaysown.ie.