James Farrell was born on the 27th December 1888 in Kingstown, Co. Dublin to Matthew and Bridget Farrell of Patrick Street; the family later moved to Seapoint Road in Bray with their seven children.
In 1909, James married Brigid Byrne from Greystones, Co. Wicklow. They lived at various addresses in Dublin, finally settling at 32 Bessborough Avenue off the North Strand Road. James died on his 29th birthday when the SS Adela was torpedoed.
His four children – Matthew, James, Molly and Laurence – were aged from 7 years to 4 months old. His widow was just 26 years old.
Brigid reared her children on a British War Widow’s pension, with support from her family and the community in East Wall. She lived for a short time in Cabra but eventually moved to 65 Seaview Avenue in East Wall where she resided until her death in 1977 at the age of 87, sixty one years after the drowning of her beloved husband.
The surviving grandchildren of James and Brigid Farrell now live in Ireland, Canada and the USA.
FARRELL – December 27, 1917, lost at sea on the ss. adela (body not recovered). James Farrell, late of 32 Bessborough Avenue; Deeply regretted by is surviving wife and family, father, mother, sisters, brothers, and a large circle of friends. Sweet Jesus, have mercyon his soul. R.I.P.
Original Death Notice:
