Obituary of Philip M. “Old Phil” Woulfe (1901)

In this obituary, which appeared in the Cork Examiner on April 29, 1901, Old Phil Woulfe is remembered in positively heroic terms and as a member of a storied family.

FUNERAL OF MR PHILIP MAURICE WOULFE, CRATLOE, CO LIMERICK.

The interment of this esteemed gentleman took place at Athea, the cortege being the largest seen in this locality for many years. Deceased was born in 1810, and had he keenest and most accurate knowledge of the many stirring historical events through which the country passed during that period. At the patriarchal age of 91 he walked upright as at early manhood, and possessed his faculties fully to the end. He belonged to an old West Limerick family, being fifth in descent from James Woulfe, merchant, who had to fly from the city of Limerick in 1653 under the Cromwellian code, and who settled down at Inchreagh, on the banks of the Gale, which was then but a wild, uninhabited moorland. A grand type of Irish farmer, straightforward, honourable, industrious, over willing to sympathise and assist those in trouble or difficulty, he was universally esteemed and regarded. Very sincere sympathy is extended to the family by the people of Newcastle West and the western districts.

Chief mourners were:—Michael H. Woulfe, Newcastle West; Joseph Woulfe, Philip Woulfe (sons), Maurice Woulfe, Inland Revenue, Clonmel; Michael Woulfe, Kilorathorn (nephews), Mrs. Conway, Croom (niece), John Breen, Carrigeen (son-in-law).

Clergyman present were—Rev Fr Quann P P, Athea; Fev Fr Henly, C C, do.

Amongst the general public were—Messrs. Thomas Hurley, Jp P, Chairman Newcastle West District Council; Dan Leonard, D C, do; Cornelius McAuliffe, do: Dr J M Ambrose, Joseph P Cregan, T C; C C Harnett (auctioneer), Thomas McCoy, Philip Murphy, Richard Nash, Timothy McMahon, James Brouder, Maurice Curtin, Courtenay Arms Hotel; Stephen Ambrose, David Berton, Patrick K Madigan, John Ahern, Richard J Woulfe, D C, Cratloe; J P Woulfe, P P Woulfe, Richard M Woulfe, Patk M Woulfe, James Woulfe, Michael R Woulfe, Richard W Woulfe, Maurice J Woulfe, Patrick J Woulfe, Edmond Sheehy, M O C; John P Woulfe, Athea; J P Woulfe, New York; Denis Hurley, Athea, Thomas Liston, do; John Danaher, D D Danaher, Templeathea; Wm Danaher, Mahagloss; M P Danaher, Glougare; James Clery, Knockanair; Philip Danaher, The Church; Timothy O’Connell, Athea; Matthew Tierney, Patrick Barrett, Glenduff; John Barrett, D C, do; John M White, D C, Dromada; R E Woulfe, Clash; Wm O’Connor, do; Maurice Woulfe, do; Patk O’Mahony, do; John J White, W S Roche, Timothy Hunt, Thomas O’Connor, Thomas Kelly, John Ahern, Athea; Michael. Moloney, Abbeyfeale; Wm Eggliston, do; E Forde, James J Harnett, do; John Danaher, Daniel Cusack, Maurice Aher, Michael Murphy, P R C; Wm Harnett, Tour; Michael Leahy, do; Denis Leahy, do; Thomas Anglim, John Harnett, D. Fitzgerald, Gurteen; John Leahy, Thomas Leahy, Wm Roche, Batt Fitzgerald, John Barrett, Ed Fitzgerald, W L Harnett; R O; Denis Woulfe, Villaugh; John J Brouder, Joseph Brouder, Michael Sullivan, Wm Wren, Patrick Collins, Thomas Roche, Michl Herlihy, Con Brouder, Ed Roche, Wm Cotter, Daniel Reardon, P J Leahy, Timothy Murphy.

Mr Michael J Moloney, Abbeyfeale, had charge of the funeral arrangements.

At the top: Old Phil Woulfe, at the Glen, Cratloe, stands in the background