Maurice J. “Young Maurice” Woulfe (ca. 1763–before 1838)
Maurice James Woulfe, also known as”Young Maurice” and “Maurice of Dromada,” was born about 1763, probably at Templeathea in western County Limerick. He was the son of Maurice James “Old Maurice” Woulfe, a Catholic farmer, and Kathleen Rearden (also Riordan) Woulfe. His siblings included Richard Maurice “Short Dick” (b. ca. 1730), James Maurice (b. 1732), Edmond Maurice, and Patrick.
Little is known of Woulfe’s life except that he married Hanora Harnett (sometimes Hartnett), of County Limerick. The couple had eight children: James Harnett (b. ca. 1780–1800), Richard (b. 1802), John Harnett (b. 1807), Edmond, Timothy, Mary, Patrick Maurice, and Catherine.
Woulfe’s son James immigrated to the United States in 1819 and died there in 1836, possibly the victim of murder. His brothers Richard and John Wolfe took up his land claim in Missouri.
Maurice Woulfe and his wife both died sometime before 1838 and are buried at the Templeathea graveyard.
Top of the page: Lixnaw, in North Kerry (National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin)