Patrick Gallagher was born on 29 Jan 1910 in Tavnaglass, the eighth child of Edward and Mary.
On 25 Mar 1940, Patrick married Bridgie McDonagh and together they had five children:
- Mary Teresa (Terry), born 3 Jan 1941 at Tavnaglass, married Martin Moran, 3 Aug 1973, died 16 Nov 1988.
- Beatrice, born 25 Feb 1942, at Tavnaglass, married Patrick Grimes, 14 Jun 1969. Patrick died 7 December 1995.
- Teddy, born 5 Mar 1946, at Tavnaglass, married Maureen Walsh, 5 Aug 1970. Maureen died 5 Feb 2001.
- Michael, born 9 Mar 1949, at Tavnaglass, married Karen Walshe, Sep 1975. Karen died 20 Feb 2016.
- Patrick, born 4 Jul 1954, married Patricia Furey, 11 Sep 1982, died 19 Feb 2018.
Patrick tragically died in a work accident at Masborough train station in Rotherham Yorkshire on 13 October 1961, whilst clearing ice from the railway tracks.
He was brought home to Midfield for burial and was met in Swinford a few days after his untimely death by his wife Bridgie, daughters Mary Teresa (Terry) and Beatrice, sons Teddy, Michael and Patrick, sisters Bridget Groarke, Mary Campbell and brother Michael who came from Philadelphia, brother-in-law’s Michael Groarke, Edward Campbell, Martin McDonagh and John Kneafsey and Sister-In-Laws Mary Kneafsey and Anne McDonagh and nieces and nephews and extended family members, neighbours and friends. He was brought to Swinford Church that evening and the next morning he was brought to St Joseph’s Church in Midfield for a full requiem Mass and then was buried in Midfield Cemetery.
On 5 February 2001, he was joined in the family plot by his daughter-in-law Maureen who died of Cancer and then on 12 April 2003, his wife Bridgie was finally reunited with him in eternal rest after 41 and half years exactly.
In 2001, Patrick’s grandson Éamonn had a headstone erected for his mother Maureen and then in 2005 he had both family graves refurbished and cleaned to their current state.
At the time of his tragic death in October 1961 Patrick lived at 1 Lindum Terrace on Doncaster Road in Rotherham Yorkshire, he worked about 1.5 miles away at Masborough Train Station. The house where he lived no longer stands, it is believed that due to a fire in the mid 1960’s both 1 & 2 Lindum Terrace got burnt down.
On 17 August 2022 Patrick’s Grandson Éamonn made a visit to the scene of his tragic accident to see the site for himself and to lay flowers and some soil from his home in Tavnaglass, he was met by Kerry and Franky from Network Rail who gave him access to the platform at Masborough Station and some information on his Grandads death, upon arrival at the station a Locomotive of a similar make and model that killed his grandfather was stationed on the track, it left just after he placed the flowers for his grandfather.
the bridge in the background is the believed location of Patrick’s Death.
