Crossmakeelan Post Office

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This post office was situated in Crossmakeelan, Shercock, Co. Cavan.

It was known as ‘Mick the Masters’ and was conveniently situated at a crossroads.

In 1875, Michael Clarke, a school master and son of Michael Clarke, a farmer from Nolagh married Catherine Reilly, a daughter of James Reilly from Crossmakeelan. They were both of full age. Like many women Catherine signed her name with an ‘X’. However by 1901, most likely with assistance from her husband, she could read, write and speak both English and Irish, her occupation was farmer and teacher pensioner.

According to a publication titled “Irish post offices and their postmarks” Crossmakeelan post office opened circa 1879 – 1880 and by 1907 it was listed as a sub post office to Bailieborough. They recorded in 1901 that their house had one room and one window. Michael and Catherine were living there with three of their children Rose Mary, Michael, Ellen and Catherine’s sister Mary.

Catherine died of heart disease on 25 June 1902 and when Michael died on 16 September 1908 as a retired teacher his daughter Rose Mary was present.

In the 1911 Census, four unmarried siblings namely Patrick, Rose Mary, Michael and Ellen were living in the house, with their Aunt Mary, by this time they had two rooms and three windows in the front of house and they had eight out houses which included a stable, cow house, calf house, piggery, fowl, barn, turf house and a shed. Patrick and Michael were farming and Rose Mary was a sub postmistress while Ellie was a teacher.

On 6 February 1924 this post office closed .

Carmel O’Callaghan