Monday 19 March 2012

The Sydney Harbour Bridge - another Fitzhenry connection

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened 80 years ago today on 19th March 1932. The engineer responsible for the detailed design was Ralph (later Sir Ralph) Freeman, of the London engineering company Douglas Fox & Partners.

Ralph Freeman's wife was Mary Lines, the fourth child of Joseph Lines and Jane Fitzhenry (both of London, England, family group 004 in the database). They were married at St Olaves Church, Stoke Newington London on 14th July and had four children Ralph (1911) James (1914) Patrick (1919) and Diana (1924). 

I have featured this family before, as three of Mary's brothers (Walter, William Joseph and George Edward) formed Triang Toys and Walter became chairman of Hamley's toy shop on Regents Street, London. (Link to the Triang toys story)


Why not subscribe to this blog and get the updates sent to your inbox? Or send us an email about your Fitz(-)henry family links.

Saturday 17 March 2012

"Fitzhenry clan set for Presidential honours"

Published earlier this week (15th March) in the Gorey Echo (County Wexford, Ireland). Congratulations to the Fitzhenry brothers (Damien, Mark, Tom, Séamus, John, Martin, Gerard, Noel, Paddy and Fran) who represented their club and county at both hurling and Gaelic football
THE GREAT Fitzhenry clan of Duffry Rovers fame are set to be honoured by the GAA at the President’s Awards this Friday night in Croke Park.

The family have been synonymous with the club’s greatest successes, with the 10 brothers having campaigned in the green-white-and-gold in addition to also serving Wexford in both codes and at the highest levels with plenty of distinction.

The women didn’t sit back and admire their brothers’ exploits though, as the three sisters, Tina, Mary and Ann starred in camogie circles.

The President’s Awards have been in operation for quite some time.

But the Family Acknowledgement Award was only introduced last year, when the family of the late Dermot Earley of Roscommon and Kildare renown were honoured.

Indeed, this award is now known as the Dermot Earley Family Award, and the Fitzhenrys are very deserving to be the second-ever recipients after a lifetime of outstanding service to Gaelic games, from their talents on the playing fields, to management, club administration and even match-commentary, with the award being presented in acknowledgement of outstanding family contribution to the GAA.

Why not subscribe to this blog and get the updates sent to your inbox? Or send us an email about your Fitz(-)henry family links.

Friday 9 March 2012

The Fitzhenrys of Macmine Castle

Colm Moriarty emailed us to say that the Bree Heritage Site (County Wexford, Ireland) has just published a history of the Fitzhenrys of Macmine castle.
It's a jolly good read, and many thanks Colm for letting us know about it.

Why not subscribe to this blog and get the updates sent to your inbox? Or send us an email about your Fitz(-)henry family links.