Andrew Sullivan, Hunger Striker, 1882-1923

When you do family history you hope to find individuals who made an impact on their world. Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923) is such a person. He gave his life for the cause of a united Ireland.

I haven't connected Andrew Sullivan/O'Sullivan yet to the family but three different sources have told me he is related including Rita Galligan, a neighbor of the Sullivans in Denbawn we met on our 2011 visit to Ireland; my newly found 3rd cousin Eileen Sullivan in Canada whose father was born in Denbawn; and, possibly from a DVD recording from a school reunion in Denbawn/Drumvaddy, County Cavan from 2007. [Update: DNA proves I am related to Capt. Andrew O'Sullivan]

Source: https://republicansinnfein.org/hunger-strike-roll-of-honour/
Note: The Cahill family says the image attributed to Andrew O'Sullivan
second row, left side, is NOT Andrew O'Sullivan

He was a member of the Irish Volunteers, later to become the Irish Republican Army.

Captain Andrew Sullivan was born in Denbawn, County Cavan in 1882, the oldest of eight children born to Michael Sorahan (c1836-1909) and Mary Smith (c1856-a1911).

Line 215 - June 16?, 1882; parents Michael Sorahan and Mary Smith, Dennbane

Andrew Sullivan attended the Royal College of Science for Ireland in Dublin. The mission of the College when it was created in 1867 was to "supply as far as practical a Complete Course of instruction in Science applicable to the Industrial Arts, especially those which may be classed broadly under the heads of Mining, Agriculture, Engineering, and Maufacturers, and to aid in the instruction of Teachers for the local Schools of Science." (Wikipedia, accessed April 20, 2017.)

We believe this photo of Andy may have been taken during his school years in the early 1900s, possibly his graduation photo from 1909. His niece, Teresa Sullivan Cahill, relates the story that after Captain Andy's death, his father Michael Sorahan wore his glasses, like the ones seen in this photo.

Andrew Sullivan c1900s. Photo from the collection of Teresa Sullivan Cahill

Image of diploma courtesy of Teresa Sullivan Cahill, niece.

He eventually became the agricultural inspector for the Mallow area, County Cork and held that position for many years. During the War of Independence Sullivan was the Commanding Officer for Civil Administration in the North Cork area and later in the 1st Southern Cork division. (Flynn, Pawns in the Game). A supporter of the anti-Treaty side during the Irish Civil War, he was arrested and interred on July 5, 1923. Between 1922 and 1923, hundreds of others in all parts of Ireland were arrested by the British controlled Irish police force, without any charge, and were kept in the prisons and internment camps without trial.

In the Autumn of 1923 the conditions in the prisons grew worse and the men and women were being treated as convicts rather than political prisoners. To protest their imprisonment and bring public attention to the cruelty they were receiving, the only "tool" they felt they had at their disposal was a hunger strike.

While on the hunger strike, Andrew wrote to his brother Michael on Nov 7, 1923, the 25th day of the hunger strike. Here is a copy of the letter he sent.

Letter provided by Andrew's grand niece, Michele Cahill. To read a transcription of the letter, go to my website
at www.McIntyreGenealogy.com and locate the entry for Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923)

Teresa Sullivan Cahill, niece, and her brother, Andy Sullivan, nephew, of Captain Sullivan share a portion of the above letter which was recorded and included in the DVD celebrating the 2007 Denbawn and Drumavaddy School Reunion in County Cavan. Thanks to Michele Cahill for providing the clip.

The strike lasted for 41 days. Denis Barry of Cork and Andy O'Sullivan, of Mallow, both died during the hunger strike. Andrew dying on November 23, the day before the hunger strike was called off.

Entry #433, click on image to enlarge; source IrishGenealogy.ie

The death notice in the New York Times, November 25, 1923 reads:

Second Irish Hunger Striker Dies
"Dublin, Nov. 24. - The ending of the hunger strike among the political prisoners of the Irish Free State came too late to save Andrew O'Sullivan of County Cavan, interned in Mountjoy Prison. He died in a hospital yesterday after a fast of forty days."

In The Scotsman, November 26, 1923, page 10 it reads:

Death of Irish Hunger-Striker
"At the inquest on Saturday on Andrew Sullivan, a hunger-striker, who after removal from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, died on Friday afternoon in a military hospital, a doctor stated that Sullivan went on [a] hunger-strike on October 14, and about a week ago he lost his sight. The jury found that death was due to pneumonia."

Belfast News-Letter, November 25, 1923 has an article about the Roman Catholic Church refusing a Catholic burial for Denis Barry but the article goes on to say:

No Difficulty in O'Sullivans' Case
"The remains of Andrew O'Sullivan, a Republican internee, who died in the military hospital, Dublin, as the result of his "hunger strike" in Mountjoy prison, were interred at the New Cemetery, Sandfield, Mallow, Co. Cork (which is in the Roman Catholic diocese of Cloyne) on Tuesday. The funeral procession was over a mile long. Several priests, including deceased's brother-in-law, took part in the obsequies. Miss Mary MacSwiney and David Kent represented the Republicans, the latter delivering an oration over the grave."

Flynn, Barry. Pawns in the Game, Irish Hunger Strikes 1912-1981, Chapter 4, 2011 addresses the slowing down of the movement after the end of the hunger strike:

"It seemed that the momentum of the strike diminished as it progressed. The Free State government stood firm and the release of prisoners soon started in earnest. Within six months, most of the hunger strikers were released on the condition that they 'be loyal to the Irish Free State.'"

But the effort would re-emerge with a vengeance with the onset of World War II in 1939.

Captain Sullivan's niece, Teresa Cahill, and nephew, Andrew Sullivan, talk about him being buried in Mallow, County Cork. Again, thanks to Michele Cahill for providing the video clip.




 A monument has been erected in Mallow, County Cork, on the bridge over the Blackwater River, recognizing several members of the community.

The writing on the monument is in Irish and translates:

"In loving memory of the following officers and the private soldiers of the 5th Battalion of the 4th Cork Brigade Republican Army of Ireland (Irish Republican Army) and who gave their lives defending that Republic."

Denis Bennett 

Patrick O’Flynn 

Edward Walters 

Stephen Lehane (or Lyons)   

Michael Kiely 

Michael Long 

Dermot O’Connell 

Thomas Mulcahy 

Edward Creedon 

Patrick Ronan 

Patrick Corcoran 

Andrew O’Sullivan

Monument photos and transcription from Rebel Cork's Fighting Story.

Two nieces of Captain Andrew Sullivan, Sister Mary Sullivan and Sister Eileen Sullivan, embroidered this piece and presented it to Andrew's mother, Mary Smith Sullivan.

Image of embroidery provided by Michele Cahill, grand niece of Captain Sullivan
"Death before Dishouour - Capt. Andy O'Sullivan - Died in prison Nov 23rd 1923
After 42 Days - hunger-strike"

Now to figure how Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923) and his brother Michael (b1898) fit into the family.

My hypothesis is that Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923) is my second cousin, twice removed.

****DNA HAS PROVED THE CONNECTION*****

• Three independent sources have told me Andrew (d1923) is related to the extended family.
• The 1901 Irish Census lists an Andrew Soroghan, son of Michael (bc1836) and Mary Smith.
• The 1911 Irish Census does not include Andrew (d1923) with the family in Denbawn, but an Andrew O'Sullivan is listed living as a border on William O'Brien Street, in Mallow, County Cork. His age is given as 27 and states his occupation has something to do with agriculture, unfortunately, at the present I cannot read the entry completely.
• It is believed Andrew (1882-1923) is the oldest son of Michael Sullivan/Sorahan (bc1836) and Mary Smith and therefore could reasonably be named after his grandfather, Andrew, the supposed father of Michael (bc1836). This was the custom in Ireland at the time.
• On the 1821 Irish Census for Cavan, Patrick (bc1794) is listed with a brother Andrew (bc1801); further the father of Patrick (bc1794) and Andrew (bc1801) is named Michael (b1761). Again, citing the custom of naming the first son after the father's father, the naming custom holds if Michael (bc1836) is the oldest son.
• Patrick (bc1797) is my great, great grandfather, which if all of the above holds true, would make Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923) my second cousin, twice removed.
• We are about to test this theory using a DNA test on one of Andrew's (b1882) nieces.

                                  ****DNA HAS PROVED THE CONNECTION*****

Many thanks to Eileen Sullivan for contacting me in November, 2016 and confirming she is the great granddaughter of Matthew (1841-1923), brother to my great grandfather, Philip (1840-1915). That makes us third cousins. She shared the Denbawn and Drumavaddy School Reunion 2007 video with me which alerted me to the possibility that Captain Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923) might be a relation.

Additional thanks to Michele Cahill, grandniece of Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923), for posting on Facebook about her great uncle and so graciously sharing much of the above information on Captain Andrew Sullivan including a copy of the letter he wrote while in prison, video clips from the 2007 School Reunion and various photos of Andy which were supplied by her Mom, Teresa Sullivan Cahill. Given the results of the DNA testing, Michele Cahill and I are fourth cousins.

******************************************************************************

The DNA results are in! I am related to Andrew Sullivan (1882-1923), he is my second cousin, 2 times removed. Thank you Teresa Sullivan Cahill for taking the DNA test!

Fr. Patsy Sullivan, Golden Jubilee Mass

Fr. Patsy Sullivan, 1933-2013, is:

• the son of James Sullivan (c1873-1969) and Katie Donohue (?-1960)

• the grandson of Michael Sullivan (c1836-1909) and Mary Smith (c1856-?)

• possible great grandson of Andrew Sorohan/Sullivan (c1801 - ?), wife unknown

• I believe Andrew is the brother of Patrick Sorahan/Sullivan (c1794-a1874), my great, great grandfather.

• If the above is true, then Fr. Patsy/Patrick Sullivan is my 3rd cousin, once removed.

On the celebration of Fr. Patrick's Golden Jubilee, Bishop Leo O'Reilly gave this homily at his Golden Jubilee Mass.

Source of Homily: Eileen Sullivan, February, 2017

Photos of Fr. Patrick (Patsy) Sullivan's 50th anniversary as a priest from Rita Galligan, 2011

Mystery Picture on Wall

The photo below was taken at the Philip J. Sullivan (1840-1915) home in Evanston Illinois most likely in 1909 or 1910. Although I am not sure of the occasion, given that all the Sullivan family who lived in the Chicago area are included and in another photo from the same day, much of the family of Nonie Mahoney (1889-1971) who would become Philip M. Sullivan's (1885-1959) wife, are represented it is my belief that this was either an engagement party or perhaps even a wedding party reception for Philip and Nonie who married on September 21, 1910.

What intrigued me about the photo when I first saw it was the picture hanging on the wall to the left.

It looks like a photo of six men.

Here is a close up of the picture on the wall:

Unfortunately, the image is too grainy to distinguish faces in the picture.

Several years later, I received a photo of Ann McGivney Sullivan (1836-1915) the wife of James Sullivan (c1830-1898) -- brother of Philip J. Sullivan -- from a great, grandson of Ann and James, Joe Sullivan. In this photo of Ann you can see a similar photo on the wall behind her. My guess is this photo of Ann is from 1910 or perhaps a little later given her age.

Seeing the two pictures in separate Sullivan homes led me to believe the photo was most likely of the extended Sullivan family.

Then, I came across this photo of Philip J. Sullivan in the album of Thomas A. Sullivan (1908-1996), grandson of Philip J. Sullivan. It is believed to be from the late 1870s or early 1880s given the clothing and chair in the photo.

When I look at the picture on the wall, especially in the home of Philip J. Sullivan, the male on the right in the back row looks very much the face in the above photo.

So, if Philip J. Sullivan (1840-1915) is in the photo, might this be a photo of the five Sullivan male children who immigrated to the U.S., plus who else?

Michael Sullivan - c1826 - 1915
James Sullivan - 1830 - 1898
Patrick Sullivan - 1832 - 1881
Andrew Sullivan - 1833 - 1881
Philip J. Sullivan - 1840 - 1915

Other known brothers: Thomas Sullivan (c1831-b1915) and Matthew (1841 - ?) both remained in Ireland.

Update January 21, 2019. Another brother, Rev. Peter F. Sullivan (c1838-1896) has been identified. He lived in Pennsylvania his whole adult life. It is very possible he is the "sixth" man in the photo! View Peter F. Sullivan (c1838-1896).

Sullivan Home in Denbawn

Recently, I was contacted by Eileen Sullivan a great, great granddaughter of Patrick Sullivan/Sorahan (c1794-a1874). She came across this blog and sent me a photo of the home her father, Matthew Sullivan (1927-2011), grew up in and that his brother, Thomas (c1920-1978) lived in until his death. At this point, I believe the home had been on the same property as the land I visited in 2011. View the video of the land.

I imagine this is not the physical building that Patrick Sullivan (c1794-a1874) lived in. It is most likely that this home was built sometime in the early to mid-20th century. However, it is believed to have been on the property, or near the property, listed in the 1857 Griffith's Valuation. I have more sleuthing to do.

Eileen wrote in the email to me: "I have attached a picture of my father's homestead in Denbawn, which was already abandoned.... I stayed there as a child with my parents. Thomas Sullivan [Matthew's brother] lived there until he died. He married late in life and after a couple of years of marriage he died and his wife sold the family farm."

Thank you so much Eileen Sullivan for sharing this amazing photo.

Eileen later sent a photo from 1972 of this same home when her uncle Thomas was still living in the house.

And, here is a wonderful aerial view of the property from May 17, 1984.

Source of photos: Eileen Sullivan, 2017

Life in Drumbarry c1955

Rose Corcoran Sullivan (c1805-1874) lived on a farm in the Townland of Drumbarry, Denn Parish, County Cavan as a young girl. In Drumavaddy School Reunion Committee Denbawn and Drumavaddy Old Schools (Cavan 2007), pages 44-46, it describes a shop in Drumbarry which Teresa Clarke Gaffney worked at in the 1950s. At this time it is not clear if Teresa Clarke Gaffney is related to Rita Clarke Galligan, a friend of the Sullivans, who lived down the road from the old Sullivan farm in Denbawn. And, whom I visited with when I was in Ireland in 2011. Rita was helpful with information on the Sullivans.

The description of a general store, although from the 1950s, is fascinating and probably reflects the type of shops that were in the area in earlier times.

To enlarge the page, click once on the image.

The photo on this page shows Mattie Sullivan (1927-2011) great, grandson of Patrick
Sullivan (c1794-1874) and Rita Clarke (eventually Galligan)

Source: Eileen Sullivan, great, great granddaughter of Patrick Sullivan (c1794-1874) and daughter of Mattie Sullivan (1927-2011) sent me these pages from Drumavaddy School Reunion Committee Denbawn and Drumavaddy Old Schools (Cavan 2007). I am in the process of trying to order the book with the hopes there are more stories and possibly photos relating to the Sullivans and Corcorans of County Cavan.

Life in Denbawn, c1940s

This article was written by Fr. Patsy Sullivan. As of this writing, I do not know how he relates to the larger Sullivan family but I am pretty positive he does. I spoke with him by telephone in 2011 when I was visiting Ireland and he was living in County Sligo. Although we were not able to determine the Sullivan connection, from what I had learned from Rita Clarke Galligan, neighbor of the Sullivans in Denbawn, he is related.

*** I have learned Fr. Patsy Sullivan is my third cousin, once removed. His sister took an autosomal DNA test to verify the paper trail. Yeah!!!***

Click once on the page images to enlarge so you can read them.

Mattie Sullivan (1927-2011) is pictured here. He is the great, grandson of Patrick Sullivan
(c1794-a1874) and was born in Denbawn, County Cavan.

Rita Clarke Galligan invited me and my husband into her home to share what she knew
about her Sullivan neighbors when we visited in 2011. Two of her children
Phelim and Damienne were also present.

Rita Clarke Galligan, with children Damienne and Phelim, 2011
Denbawn, County Cavan

Source: Drumavaddy School Reunion Committee Denbawn and Drumavaddy Old Schools (Cavan 2007); 3 pages. Copies of the pages received from Eileen Sullivan, great, great granddaughter of Patrick and Rose Sullivan. January, 2017.

Patrick Soraghan, possible death date evidence

The original records for the Calendar of Wills and Administration were created by the Probate Registry, which took control of proving Ireland's wills and administrations in 1858. Before this, four different types of ecclesiastical (church) courts dealt with these cases. A Principal Probate Registry was established in London in January 1858, and several district probate registries were created around the country. From then on, the registries oversaw all grants of probate and letters of administration. This collection is the Calendar of these grants covering the years 1858-1920.  View the online index.

This online index was created by FamilySearch as part of an agreement with the National Archives of Ireland. It is believed the original probate records were destroyed in the 1922 fire.

Searching for Patrick Soraghan of County Cavan, the following entry was returned.

SORAGHAN otherwise SOROHAN Patrick   [36]   12 April Letters of Administration (with the Will) of the personal estate of Patrick Soraghan otherwise Sorohan late of Dennbawn County Cavan. Farmer who died 16 March 1902 were granted at Cavan to Peter Soraghan Farmer.  Effects £28.

At first it was believed this Patrick Soraghan (Sorohan) was the widower of Rose Corcoran Soraghan and father of Philip J. Sullivan, but it is hard to believe a person born in c1794 lived until 1902, to nearly 108 years of age. Philip's father, Patrick, was alive in 1876 when Rose Corcoran Soraghan died, but had already died by 1915 when mentioned in his son Michael's probate record.  I'm fairly confident, this Patrick is a member of the larger Soraghan family, but exactly how he fits, I am not sure.

Note: On the 1821 Irish Census for Dennbawn, Denn Parish, County Cavan, Patrick's father, Michael, has his last name spelled as Sorohan.

Additionally, in the above clip is an entry for Thomas Soroghan, died 19 June 1902.  Possibly a brother/cousin of Patrick but again, no other corroborating evidence is known.


Source: Ireland, Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920. National Archives of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.  Calendar year: 1902, page 440.  Accessed online, May 20, 2013.