married his former neighbor, Mary Anne Caulfield later that year in 1925. They were married in St. Patrick’s Church, Galway. They had 9 children: Joe, Mary Anne, Thomas, Paddy, Eileen, Tessie, Richard, Michael and Willie. Mary Anne and Willie died young. Three of these lived in Athenry parish all their lives. Joe and Eileen lived in Castlelambert and Athenry Town respectively. Thomas still lives in Lisheenkyle – on the farm that Richard and William lived on in 1911. Mike inherited the farm from his father Mairtín Bhilie and having had no children he then left the farm to his nephews Thomas and Pake (Pat’s son). Richard Higgins died on 13/7/1951 aged 60. He is buried in the New Cemetery, Athenry. Fellow team member Martin Ruane also moved to Castlelambert in 1925 when the Lambert Estate was divided and they were next door neighbours for the remainder of their lives. Thomas Higgins, remembers going to the fairs in Athenry, Galway and Monivea with his father. He used to buy and sell cattle and sheep. All the neighbours would go together. Both William and Richard used to go visiting their relations particularly their brothers Mick Mullen with hir niece Ellen and her children. Thomas Mullins died on 22/11/1965 aged 89 according to the death register in Athenry Church Records. However if we look back on the date of his birth, he was actually 90 when he died. 31
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