the Christmas – turkeys and geese. “All the card sharks would be there. There was many a lovely party in his house”. Pat died on 8/4/1968 aged 84. He is buried in the New Cemetery, Athenry. Andy was the next eldest of the three born 9/2/1887 and was one of a twin with his brother John. He was aged 24 in 1911. Unfortunately Andy set sail on the ill-fated Titanic to go to the US. He was drowned with hundreds of others on that night of April 14, 1912. Having decided to emigrate, his sister who was already in America sent him the fare of £8 ls Od and he booked through Mahon Travel Agents, Athenry. Mahon advised him to go on a different ship where conditions would be much better but he decided to take the Titanic. He had with him a dozen hurleys, a melodeon and his County medal. Gaels from all over the County attended a Solemn Requiem High Mass in the Parish Church, Athenry in July 1912, celebrated by Very Rev. Canon Canton P.P. for the repose of the soul of Andy Keane. The large congregation that attended the Mass included all the prominent G.A.A. officials in the County, teammates and representatives of various clubs. "The departed comrade was dearly loved by his associates in the movement." At the County convention later in the year the Board presented a portrait of the deceased to his brother Patrick. This information was gleaned from the Athenry GAA Story – A history of the Gaelic Games in Athenry by St. Mary’s GAA Club. In the Spring of 2011 in Tuam, Andy’s tragic story formed the basis of a Musical by Tuam Musical Society entitled “Titanic the Musical”. Mick was the youngest of the three and was born on 14/8/1890, aged 21 in 1911. He married Christina Larkin from Manninard in Ardrahan in approx. 1935. They lived in Rathmorrissey. Their children, Patsy, Tom and Martin lived in Rathmorrissey too all their lives. Both Patsy and Martin are meant to resemble their father Mick. Dominic Parr remembers Mick Keane well. “Mick Keane was a lovely kind man. That was the house that I used to go visit in the evenings. We used to play cards there”. Mick died in 1974 aged 84. He is buried in the New Cemetery, Athenry. Mick Freaney from Derydonnell Mick Freaney lived in Derrydonnell Beg in 1911. Although, his address was termed Derrydonnell More in 1901. His brother Miles or Myles was most likely a sub on the team. We know that Myles or Miles Freeney was a sub on the team. Although another M. Freaney was listed it most likely was not their brother Martin as he only was 9 in 1911. Their father Anthony Freeney was aged 60 years in 1911. He was a farmer. His wife was Mary Higgins and in 1911 she was aged 48. They were married on 23/02/1884, so in 1911 they would have been married 27 years. Anthony and Mary Freeney had seven children – Bridget, Mary, Michael, Myles, Patrick, William and Martin according to the Athenry Church Records. In 1911 the neighbours of the Freaney family in their townland included Keanes and Grealys as documented in the Census of that year. 26
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