Patrick Gallagher : Short Biography

Patrick Gallagher was appointed porter of the Mohill Workhouse in 1868. His appointment was proposed by Dr Terence Keon an apothecary, coroner and member of the Mohill Workhouse Board of Guardians. During the interview for the position, as reported in the Leitrim Advertiser, Patrick said that he was 39 years old - the posted age limit was 40 -  and that he had been employed by Dr Keon for many years. Keon confirmed that Patrick had “lived” with him for 15 or 16 years. Given that, when Terence Keon died in April 1871, it is not surprising that Patrick Gallagher was the informant present at the death. In 1871 the office came up for re-appointment. Though Patrick initially lost out to a man named Early, one of the Board members commented “there would be another election for the office of porter, and Gallaher (sic) would not be leaving the House for some time.” When Parick's son Michael married in 1877, he gave his father's occupation as "porter poorhouse". It appears that Patrick himself died at the workhouse on March 20, 1890. Cause of death was sudden apoplexy and the informant was the Master of the Workhouse, Edward Geelan. Patrick’s age at death was given as 67 - so he may actually have been about 45 when he was initially hired at the workhouse.