Mary O'Connell (1778–1836) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary O'Connell
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Portrait of O'Connell by John Gubbins
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| Born | 25 September 1778 |
| Died | 31 October 1836 (aged 58) Derrynane House, County Kerry
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| Resting place | Abbey Island, Derrynane |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel O'Connell |
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Mary O'Connell (born September 25, 1778 – died October 31, 1836) was an important Irish woman. She was the wife of Daniel O'Connell, a famous Irish leader. Mary played a key role in managing their large family and home, especially while her husband was busy with politics.
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Mary's Early Life
Mary O'Connell was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Her birthday was September 25, 1778. Her father, Dr. Thomas O'Connell, was a doctor. He was a Protestant and had three children already. He then married Ellen Tuohy, who was Catholic. Mary was one of their eight children.
Sadly, Mary's father died in 1785. This left her family in a difficult financial situation.
Meeting Daniel O'Connell
Around 1800, Mary started secretly writing letters to her distant cousin, Daniel O'Connell. They probably met at a social event in County Kerry. Daniel was worried his uncle, Maurice "Hunting Cap" O'Connell, would not leave him any money if he married someone without a dowry. A dowry was money or property a bride brought to her marriage. Because of this, they kept their relationship a secret.
They got married in Dublin on July 24, 1802. Daniel's family did not know about the marriage. Mary and Daniel lived apart until she became pregnant with their first child. Their fears came true, and Daniel's uncle did not leave him money.
Family Life and Challenges
Mary moved in with Daniel's parents, Morgan and Catherine O'Connell, at their family home in Carhen. She lived there until 1805. Then, Mary and Daniel bought their own home on Westland Row in Dublin.
Growing Family
Mary and Daniel had many children. Their first son, Maurice, was born in 1803. Then came Morgan in 1804, Ellen in 1805, and Kate in 1807. Their son Edward was born in 1808 but sadly died in 1809. In 1810, Mary gave birth twice, first to Elizabeth and then to John. Between 1812 and 1816, she had five more children. Only one of them, Daniel, lived to be an adult.
Managing the Household
In 1809, Daniel O'Connell bought a house on Merrion Square in Dublin. Mary did not want this house because they could barely afford it. Throughout their marriage, Mary was in charge of their home. She managed the servants and raised their many children. Sometimes, she even acted as her husband's helper.
As Daniel O'Connell became more involved in the movement for Irish rights, called the "emancipation movement," he was away from home for longer periods. This, along with money worries, affected Mary's health.
Seeking Better Health
In 1817, Mary took her family to a spa town called Clifton, England, to try and improve her health. She returned to Dublin that summer. In 1822, she moved to France with her six children. She told friends it was for her health, but it was also because they needed to save money. They lived simply there until 1824.
In 1825, Daniel and his uncle made up. The couple inherited the family home, Derrynane House. Mary moved her family there. Their oldest daughter married soon after. Daniel O'Connell was elected to parliament in 1829. Mary often traveled with him to London when parliament was in session.
Mary's Later Years
From 1830 to 1836, Mary and Daniel O'Connell were almost always together. Their money problems were solved, and their children were grown up and married.
In April 1836, even though she was not well, Mary joined her husband on a political trip in England. She went to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in May 1836, to take the waters, which was a common health treatment then. She returned to Derrynane in August.
Mary O'Connell passed away on October 31, 1836, at Derrynane House. She was buried at the O'Connell family tomb on Abbey Island.
A painting of Mary by John Gubbins can be seen at Derrynane House today. Her letters are kept in the National Library of Ireland and the University College Dublin Archives.
