Michil Bradley`s House

There were once a lot of Bradleys who lived in Moneyconey and this house is one of the few traces of them which still exists. This ruin  has survived the bulldozer the past 80 years and exhibits some nice stonework. These Bradleys were of the same Bradleys as those who lived close to the Shepherd`s Rest, (the Michil Cormacs).

In 1856 we have a Michael Bradley living here. Then by 1901 Michael is 81 and living with his sister Bridget who is 70. Also living with them is nephew Michael, aged 26  and niece Mary who is 30. These two were of the Micheal Cormac Bradley family who lived along the Sixtowns road just past the Shepherd`s Rest bar.  By 1911, Micheal (Sen) is still there at the age of 95. So too are Michael and Mary.

Times were hard in those days and many people were just about surviving with some often going hungry. There was a story about Mary when she was an old woman living there. Some men were working with flax in a nearby field and a neighbour woman was returning home past Mary`s house after bringing the men their dinner. Mary came out and asked her if there were any scraps of food left that she could eat. A stark reminder of what it was like to live in the days when there was absolutely no government assistance for anyone who could not provide for themselves or their families.