Famous Author James T Farrell and Galbally Co Limerick
James T. Farrell the major Irish-American novelist was born in Chicago in 1904 and died in New York in 1979.His roots are believed to be in County Westmeath and in Counties Limerick and Tipperary.
His output was incredible – some 52 books in total during his lifetime and 3 more posthumous publications
He visited Ireland in 1938 and in 1974.He devoted one of his books to his thoughts on Ireland. This was On Irish Themes, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 1982.
After his death he was honoured by a sold-out tribute evening in New York, attended by over 500 people including authors Norman Mailer and Pete Hamill, and in Chicago a street was named in his honour.In 2004 a group of American devotees traveled to the American University in Paris and participated in a James T. Farrell seminar there.
It has been decided to include a focus on James T. Farrell in the program for the end September 2007 Athlone Literary Festival to be held on September 21 and 22.
James T Farrell was reared by his grandmother Julia Browne from Athlone area.
Julia Browne married John Daly from Mullingar area. The marriage took place in the USA.
Julia and John had a daughter Mary Daly who was born in 1884.She married James Francis Farrell in the USA in 1899, and their son, the future author was born in 1904.James Francis Farrell is believed to be the son of a certain James Farrell or O’Farrell who went to Americafrom the Galbally area of Co Limerick.
Is there a chance that some relatives of the author might still be living in Ireland?
Any information on any of the three families would be greatly appreciated .
The postal address of Athlone Literary Festival is Custume Place,The email address is [email protected].