Remembering - Pax Whelan (1890-1986)

​Patrick “Pax” Whelan was born on July 8th 1890 in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford to Patrick Whelan and Bridget Carey. Pax would be the oldest of 5 siblings (in order as follows: Pax, Michael, Jack, Edmond & Mary (known as Maisie by family). Life for Pax & his family was difficult as his mother Bridget had passed away a month after Mary was born and Patrick was an invalid with arthritis, so Pax would have to help take care of his four other siblings. Unfortunately in 1918, Pax would lose another member of his family, his brother Edmond due to influenza.

In November of 1913, Pax had joined the Irish Volunteers shortly after it had been founded by Eoin MacNeill. On January 14th 1921, Pax had married Catherine (Cáit) Fraher, the daughter of local hurler & draper, Dan Fraher. Pax & Cáit would then have 4 children (Patrick, Mai (known as Mai by family), Dónal, Kathleen). In 1941, Cáit would sadly pass away and 6 years later, Pax’s daughter Mary would pass away from tuberculosis. On September 14th 1986, Pax had passed away at the age of 96.

So I would like to honour my Great-Grandad Pax and keep the memory of him and his life going strong. Stay tuned for more