Pierce Comerford (b. 1944)

Coolgreaney House has been occupied by the Comerford family for eight generations. It sits in a beautiful setting, surrounded by a grove of trees which were planted by earlier family members. Pierce Comerford traces his family tree and recalls one great character Nicholas Comerford who lived from 1780-1870. Pierce’s grandfather, also named Pierce, while working in Arnotts in 1898, was chosen to play on the Arnotts Dublin team, to play in the All Ireland Football final, which they won. The medal was presented in 1899 and is now in the possession of the present owner of the house at Coolgreaney. Molly Hogan, Pierce’s paternal grandmother, was a most resourceful woman who looked after the workers very well, and who would carry eggs to Dublin in her Morris Minor for sale. Pierce’s mother nursed in England during the war years. Pierce himself decided to emigrate to Canada when he finished his education but due to his father’s ill health, after one year he returned home to take care of his home place.