Birr, located in County Offaly, Ireland, was known as Parsonstown from 1620 to 1899, named after the local landowner Parsons family. The name “Birr” translates to “plain of water” in Irish. The town is situated within a civil parish also named Birr.
William Wallis (1836-1901) emigrated from Ireland to America in 1839 after the death of his mother. He served as a First Lieutenant in the 117th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, participating in key battles. Later, he became a Methodist minister, dedicating 35 years to his faith. A letter from 1885 reveals his pride in his Irish heritage. Wallis passed away in 1901.
Thomas Connor and Mary Kinney married in Birr, Ireland, in June 1840. Their sons, John and Nicholas Connor, both served in the Civil War. John died in 1861, and Nicholas succumbed to wounds from Gettysburg in 1863. Their story highlights the Irish contribution to the Civil War and connects to their heritage in Birr, County Offaly.
John Renehan, a Sergeant in Company H of the 1st Artillery Regiment, witnessed the first shots of the US Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861. Born in Offaly, Ireland, he served valiantly during the conflict, later re-enlisting after the fort’s surrender. He died prematurely from heart disease in January 1866.
Over recent months, we received valuable feedback from readers about forgotten lives in Offaly. Many have shared details about their family histories, assisting us in unraveling stories of notable individuals like Carey Heaton and Patrick Fox. We appreciate all contributions that help illuminate these important histories.
Edward Doyle, born in 1829 in County Offaly, Ireland, served in the US Army for 40 years, notably as an Ordnance Sergeant from 1860. Assigned to various forts, he avoided combat during the Civil War but played a crucial role in ordnance management. Doyle retired at 61, passing away in 1896.
On July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, eleven soldiers from Offaly were either killed or wounded, marking a tragic day in the region’s history. Among them, Barney Horan and James Egan were both wounded and died later in a Gettysburg hospital on the same day. Ongoing research continues to uncover more details about Offaly soldiers involved.
2 US CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS Today we paid a visit to the graves of these two soldiers who fought on
Thomas Molloy and Peter Cavanagh were two Offaly men who fought on opposing sides during the American Civil War. Molloy served in the Confederate army while Cavanagh was in the Union forces. Both returned to Ireland post-war, living significant yet contrasting lives, with their stories reflecting the impact of their experiences.
We seek information on Offaly’s heroes from the American Civil War, specifically those categorized as “Unknown within Offaly.” If you have family stories or records, please share them. We’ll soon add more identified soldiers lacking specific details. Every piece of information is vital for preserving their legacy.
“The body of another of our brave volunteers killed at the storming of Missionary Ridge, that of Lieut. James Conway,
