Family History

The beautiful Cahermoyle house that we see today was built by Smith O’Briens son, Edward, and is one of only 2 domestic projects by architect JJ McCarthy, best known for his work in Gothic Revival cathedrals and churches across Ireland.

Among the members of the Smith O’Brien family that continue to intrigue are his daughter Charlotte Grace O’Brien who fought for the rights and conditions of young emigrant girls travelling from Ireland to the US…. His son Lucius O’Brien who went on to become to Dean of Limerick, and grandson, Conor O’Brien; who was the first person to circumnavigate the globe in his yacht ‘The Saoirse’. The Saoirse may have been one of the first boats to sail into many ports flying the Tricolor.

Conor’s brother Dermod was the longest sitting president of the RHA, and his work in Dublin undoubtedly had a part in him selling Cahermoyle to the Oblate Fathers in the 1920s, where they stayed for 60 years, becoming an important part of the community and adding a chapel and beautiful arched walkway. Local people recall as many as thirty Oblate Students based here during the 1950s; they were a familiar sight on Sunday evenings on their walks around the area. They ran a model farm at Cahermoyle that made them totally self-sufficient and supplied many locals with fresh produce.