01 -- Fr. Edward Whelan

 

Skehana Church

© Gerry Costello Photography

Fr. Edward Whelan  1848 – 1849

Fr. Edward Whelan ministered on Clare Island in 1838 and in Ballintubber, Co. Mayo in 1843. Later in 1843, however, he is recorded as being Curate in Kilbannon, Co. Galway and Curate in Skehana in August of 1848.

He has been mentioned again later as PP of Clareisland.

(The following report © Connaught Telegraph – Wednesday, February 15, 1843)

A Petty Sessions Case in February 1843 recorded that “the Rev. Edward Whelan was summoned by a little girl for three shillings wages. The complainant’s mother swore that her daughter agreed with the priest, on entering his service , and that the sum she now claimed was legally due. Miss Whelan, the defendant’s sister, deposed that it was she who hired the complainant, and not her brother – the priest. She had been paid every farthing of the wages due to her. Mr. Kelly—What was the girl’s character?  Miss Whelan— When leaving our service she stole a quilt off my brother’s bed. Mr. Ormsby—Indict her for that. Mr. Joseph Bourke—Decree for three shillings , the amount claimed. Mr. Kelly—Is it after Miss Whelan swearing there was nothing due? Biddy Ryder offered to swear that the complainant never got one halfpenny wages. Mr. Kelly asked her why she formed that opinion and Miss Biddy admitted it was from hearsay. The magistrates said the case was decided—decree for wages and costs and Mr. Kelly expressed his intention of appealing to the Quarter Sessions.”