Margaret Of Cork

By Gail Dennehy

Between 1952 and 1971, Dr. Albert E. Casey hired an army of researchers to investigate the genealogy of the Casey family in Ireland. Two of the oldest finds in “O'Kief, Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher and the Upper Blackwater in Ireland” were the early seventeenth century wills of William and James Casey in County Cork.

Margaret of Cork, is fictional, Margaret Bourke Casey was not. William Casey's widow was evicted from her home. Her older sons went west and settled around Skibbereen, Cork. She and her other children moved to County Kerry, near Castleisland. Some became teachers, while others farmed the land. Margaret gets credit for being the ancestress of all the Caseys of Kerry,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gail Dennehy
• Release date: Dec 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311897138

Gail Dennehy

Born in Massachusetts and presently living in Arizona, Gail Dennehy is a jack of all trades and, according to her friends, master of more than a few. She has trained in herbalism, accounting, and drafting. With an Associate in Science degree in Special Education- Behavioral, Ms. Dennehy has worked as a bookkeeper, nurses aide, sheet metal worker, industrial collector, teaching assistant, meat wrapper, motel maid, and telephone tarot card reader. Twice she ran for Town Clerk while living in Central Maine, where she, two dogs, and three cats resided in a trailer on the side of a mountain. Her hobbies include hand-spinning, beading, and, of course, the twenty grandchildren she shares with her third and last husband Paul.

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Margaret of Cork

by Gail Dennehy

Published by Gail Dennehy at Smashwords

© 2016 by Gail Dennehy

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Epilogue

Behind the story

About the Author

Chapter 1

Morning

Margaret stood in the front doorway looking across the fields to the East Cork sunrise. Behind her, the younger children were just starting to stir. They’d find the porridge by the fire without her help. This was her own special quiet time. When William had been alive, she had often gone to the pens to watch him feed the stock. Thomas and John did it since their father’s death last year. They’d not appreciate her attention. She and William had raised fine sons and beautiful daughters. Although three of the older children had married and moved farther into West Cork, there were enough still needing nurturing to fill her days. Had she wanted, Margaret could have taken her three youngest ones to her father’s home in Cork City. But after all the years here on the farm, the life of a Bourke mayor’s daughter didn’t appeal.

The Caseys had worked this land since leaving Slayne years before. She meant for them to remain in William’s home for centuries more. She meant that with all her heart. Still, the English might mean something entirely different for them.

As she stood quietly thinking, a jarring sound rose in the distance. It was the sound of horses and men marching. Margaret’s heart beat double-time. She saw Thomas drop his plow in the fields and John rush from the pens. Turning quickly, she called out to waken the remaining children, Quick now, dress yourselves.

Running from room to room, she gathered up the things worth most to her and the family. She hid them within the bedclothes in the children's room. She didn't dare take a chance on accidentally showing the location of the secret compartment William's grandfather had built within the hearth.

Thomas rushed through the door reaching for his father’s old pike.

No, she cried, placing a restraining hand on his arm. That’s not the way at all. Thomas, son, you’ve heard what happened in the north to those who resisted. Would you bring that on your family?

Thomas stopped and took notice of the younger ones looking up at him. By now, they were milling around in confusion. The grim look on Thomas’ face caused Amy, her shy seven-year old sister, to hide within the woven folds of Catherine’s dress. Only twelve years-old herself, Catherine was busy trying to quiet her five-year-old brother, Teige. Ten-year-old Eoghan stood quietly behind Thomas trying hard to understand why his brother was so angry.

Thinking quickly, Thomas grabbed young Teige up and put his arm around Eoghan. Outside now, ‘tis visitors for breaking fast we have on this fine morning. His voice rang as heartedly as he could manage. Uncertain, the children came. They came slowly, but