Victoria, Australia to Monaveen

 

Sheilah Cangley 2016

Courtesy of Sheilah Cangley

Location of Monaveen, Woodlawn

Patrick Raftery of Monaveen was my grandmother’s half brother. My grandmother Katie was brought up at Monaveen when orphaned early in life. Katie Raftery was born in 1866 at Killaan. Katie married James Morris in 1891. They had had three children. The eldest J.P.A Morris was my father.

Raftery’s, Monaveen?

I was in Ireland in 2007 and a cousin drove me past a deserted house in the country near Ballinasloe which she said was the home of the Rafterys. It was called Monaveen. It was next to the road and had a light coloured brick wall at one side.  I would love to know if this was indeed the Rafterys old home. There seemed to be surrounding land and fields which were uncultivated. I never saw Woodlawn (House) but my cousin told me the Rafterys knew the property well either through employment or other connections.

Writer & Artist

My husband Barron George Cangley died last year. I am alone now and living in an aged care facility in Victoria, Australia. I have two daughters; one close by and the other in South Africa. I am in reasonable health and well looked after here. I am painting a good deal and writing my memoirs so any information about my Raftery connnections will be very welcome and helpful .

Sheilah Cangley (nee Morris)