Mahon Deffier Farm

Tom Mahon (Brother of Mary Mahon McNally)

Thomas A Mahon was born on 1st September 1895, the 3rd of 8 children, to Joseph and Eliza (McManus) on a small farm of poor land in Deffier, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. He went to the local Corderay National School where his attendance record was less than exemplary.

Tom, his brothers Joe and Pakie and sister, Elsie were involved in the War of Independence and the Civil War, taking the anti-treaty side. This was a very complex period in our Irish History and Tom didn’t talk to us much about those turbulent years.

Joseph left for New York in 1905 shortly after the youngest child, Pakie was born. He remained there for 10 years sending money home to the family. One by one all of Tom's siblings also went to NY. Eliza died at 58, saddened to see seven of her children emigrate.

When his sister, Elsie emigrated Tom got her part-time job as Home Assistance officer and Cottage Rent Collector with Local Government. He also continued to do farm work. Joseph was blind in his later years and Tom looked after him at home in Deffier until he died in 1944.

While Tom was a patient in the Fever Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1938/9 recovering from typhoid fever (there were several cases of the fever in Deffier due to contaminated well water) he met the beautiful Margaret (Peggy) Flynn who was a nurse at the District Hospital nearby. They were  introduced but never met again until 8 years later when they had a chance encounter at Shannon Airport. Tom was there to meet Elsie arriving from New York and Peggy was on holiday in the area. Elsie organised a meet-up in Carrick, the match was made and the wedding took place within 3 weeks. This was in 1946, Tom was 51 and Margaret 39. Betty was born in 1949 and Rose in 1951.

In 1953 Tom and Peggy sold the farm in Deffier to neighbours whose family continue to live there. We moved to a small farm outside Carrick. Tom never learned to drive (he was the proud owner of a pony and trap while in Deffier). In 1964 we moved into the town of Carrick, this was our first home with an indoor toilet and running water. Tom continued his part-time work until his retirement at 66. He was highly regarded for his care and kindness to all and his listening skills were legendary. He was quiet-spoken and easy-going and as an older father he wasn’t a strict disciplinarian with his two daughters. He loved Irish music and song and in his younger days was a fine dancer – doing the ‘single turn’, the old style step dance.

Tom died in 1977 and is buried in the cemetery at the church in Drumshanbo alongside his parents and Peggy, who died in 2000. 

Betty Mahon married Noel Fitzpatrick – family – Owen (m. Caroline Bernie) and Kevin (Australia).

Grandchildren – Kate and Lucy Fitzpatrick

Rose Mahon married Dermot Kearney (RIP) – family - Laura (m. Victor Lopes) and Ronan (m. Miriam Arthur).

Grandchildren - Beatriz and Vasco Kearney Lopes. Sean, Tom and Eli Kearney.