School: Dean Kelly Memorial (roll number 16639)
- Location:
- Athlone, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: D. Cahalene
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0748, Page 211
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- This man was born a short distance from Athlone on the Connaught side of the town about the year 1870. His parents having died while he was young he, who was "unable to dig and ashamed to beg" betook himself to the workhouse in Athlone. His education was security, but as time went on Reading seemed to have a fascination, and anything he read he had the power of retaining. From his early days he was fond of writing Poetry, for on the death of an old man who lived by the roadside on Brennan's way to school & who showed a particular affection for little birds he says"Came his feathered friends at morning
By the old man to be fed
And when sunset gave them warning
That the day was nearly dead
Then their voices sweet united
In a grateful melody
As they sang the old man's praises
In the branches of the tree"Coming into contact with those in authority in the workhouse he, in all probability got into their good graces for positions of some responsibility fell(continues on next page)
