Category: Pre 1920

Charles was the eldest of 9 children born to John and Ellen Coughlan neé Sullivan

John was 24 years old and married to Ellen (Lil) when Charles was born on 18 October 1886, they were married one year before in 1885. 
Godparents were John Twomey and Ellen Forrest. John listed his occupation as Carpenter at Bandon Road at the time of their marriage and Ellen did not list her occupation but her address was listed as Blackpool. Both their Fathers names are are also listed on their marriage cert as Charles Coughlan – Publican deceased (father of John) and Daniel Sullivan – Collector.

The Coughlan family can be traced back to the 1750s living in the Bandon Road area. Prior to this the Penal Laws existed in Ireland and this placed many restrictions and rules on Irish Catholics. I would highly recommend you read about this or at least have a quick look at this wikipedia page on them. This is why we have no records of births, deaths, marriages except in rare cases and no land ownership etc.

Their Children were as follows

Charles (Charlie) 1887 [occupation listed on 1911 census Carpenter]

Daniel (Danny) 1888
 [occupation listed on 1911 census Carpenter]

William/Liam (Billy) 1891 
 [occupation listed on 1911 census Carpenter]

Mary Hanna (May Honorah) 1892

Ellen Margaret (Ellie)1895

Margaret (Madge) 1897 
[married Barnes]
[click for news article on her participation in the War of Independence]

John Joseph (Seán) 1901

Cornelius (Nelius) 1903

Elizabeth (Eileen) 1906

They lost three children (I have not found a record of the causes of death ref. census 1911) 

Known Family Addresses

149 Bandon Road in 1886 according to Charles Baptism Records in the South Parish Church

157 Bandon Road  according to 1901 Census

Link to 1901 Census Record

164 Bandon Road according to 1911 Census (Larger House, Johns brother William (general larbourer was also living with them at this time)

Link to 1911 Census Record

1883 Will of Charles Joseph Coughlan

Charles Coughlan is the gentleman on the left ice skating on the Lough, Cork on New Years Day 1914. Taken for the Cork Examiner and published on the 2nd Jan 1914 in the newspaper. It also appeared in the “Holly Bough” and a “Remember When” Cork Examiner book of Cork photographs.

Charles Coughlan is the gentleman on the left with friends Daniel Noonan (Plumber from Turners Cross) and Joseph Linehan (Cork Examiner)

You can see a slightly larger version click here

The photo as it was printed in the Cork Examiner January 2nd 1914

A note of thanks to Ronnie Herlihy Cork Historian for sending me this photo!
It is with great sadness I note the passing of Ronnie in 2020. He was a true gentleman, a wonderful historian and the loss to Cork city is a great one.
RIP Ronnie and thank you so much for the help and encouragement on this journey following my ancestors in the South Parish.