1. Mark Brennan was born c.1842 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois, and died 21 Mar 1902 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. He married Catherine (Katie) Lalor 30 Jan 1872 in Sacred Heart Church, Arles, Co Laois, daughter of John Lalor and Margaret Mooney. Catherine Lalor was born 1854 in Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois, and died 13 Jan 1893 in Ballynagall, Co, Laois. aged 34 years. Between 1872 and 1893 she had 10 children.

Notes on Mark Brennan:

To date no baptism or birth certificate has been found for Mark despite intensive searches been carried out. He is listed in the 1901 Census for Ireland as been aged 65 years of age which means he was born in the year of 1836. His Death certificate lists him as been aged 61 years old when he died which means he was born in 1841. This was quite common to advance ones years at this time so he could claim a pension. He was also listed as been unable to Read. His trade is listed as been that of a Slater & Plaster. It is reputed that he was involved in slating the roof of Arles National School. He would have been about 20 years of age at the time. The Arles National School was built c.1856 and the Sacred Heart Church, Arles which is next to the school was built in 1866. He is buried along with his wife Catherine (Katie) Lalor) in Arles Graveyard. Co. Laois.

Children of Mark Brennan and Catherine Lalor are:

i. William Brennan, b.15 Apr 1873, Arles, Co Laois; d. 07 Aug 1895, Ballynakill.

ii. Hannah Brennan, b.25 Oct 1874, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 29 Feb 1940, Loreto Convent, Lucknow, India.

iii. Thomas (Tom) Brennan, b.09 Jul 1876, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 26 Nov 1957, Portlaoise Hospital, Co Laois.

iv. Christina Brennan, b. 15 Dec 1878, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 1944, Dublin.

v. Mark Brennan, b.29 May 1881, Ballynagall, Co. Laois; d. 05 Apr 1966, Mountmellick Hospital, Co Laois.

vi. Michael Brennan, b.05 Aug 1883, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 24 May 1964, Ballynagall, Co Laois.

vii. Edward Brennan. b. c.1886 and d. 23 Aug 1911 at Mountmellic General Hospital. Co Laois. His trade was a Plaster & Slater. His name may have been Edward and but he was possibly christened by the local lads as "Red Ned" because he sported a red beard.

viii. Martin Brennan, b.29 Nov 1888, Coopers House, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; d. 27th Feb 1963, in the City Hospital  Belfast. He was living at No.1 Adela St, Antrim Rd, Belfast 15.  His death occured in Belfast City Hospital and his certificate states he was a widower. Belfast City Hospital is in the parish of St Brigid's, within the Diocese of Down and Connor, Belfast. St Brigid's Church. is located in Windsor Avenue, Belfast BT9 6FP., The Parish Office is located at 40 Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6FP Tel: 028 9066 5409 stbrigids@downandconnor.org

ix. Annie Brennan, b.1891, at Coopers House Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois; She went to work in Dublin as a driver. In the 1911 census of Ireland she is aged 20 years of age and is a boarder at 35 Gardiner's Place Rotunda, Dublin. In 1939 she was involved in an accident and died in Dublin. The accident involved either as a result of moving furniture or a driving accident or both. She was only 48 years old and she is buried in Arles Cemetery, Co Laois.

Notes on Annie Brennan:

She did not marry. It is reputed that she was killed in an accident while working in Dublin and is buried in Arles Cemetery, Co Laois.

There is an Annie Brennan mentioned in the 1911 census of Ireland Her occupation is listed as Driver. She was 20 years of age in 1911 (b.1891)., census of Ireland.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/Rotunda/Gardiner_s_Place/31651/ 

x. John Brennan aka John McCartan was born 17 Aug 1892 in Ballynagall, Co, Laois; He was 'Wounded twice in Action' in France during the First World War. He was killed in action on 14 October 1918 aged 26 years young. Read the latest notes on John Brennan aka John McCartan

John was "Wounded twice in Action" in France during the First World War. After recuprating from his second wound he returturned to the front for the third time and was killed in action on 14 October 1918 aged 26 years young. He changed his name sometime between 1901 and 1911 to John McCartan. In the 1901 census he appears as John Brennan and in 1911 census he appears as John McCartan working on a farm in Northern Ireland.