James Francis "Frankie" Tinneny

James Francis Tinneny was the first son of Hugh Tinneny and Susan Connolly. He was born in the Tinneny home at Quivvy, Belturbet, Co. Cavan, Ireland on May 16, 1939.  His godparents were his father's cousin Alice Tinneny McGuinness and his mother's brother Jack Connolly.  He was named after his maternal and paternal grandfathers.  His mother’s father was James and his father’s father was Francis.  He was nic-named Frankie and was known as a fun loving young boy. 

Photo: Frankie and his mother. Courtesy of Maisie Tinneny Brady 

In July 1943 tragedy struck the Tinneny household at Quivvy.  Frankie, who was seven years old, had cut his foot and as a result of the wound he contracted tetanus. 

In 1999, Frankie’s sister Maisie tearfully told me of a recent occurrence that brought Frankie’s illness back to her in a very vivid way.  She said her grandson David Brady came into her house and sat down and was talking with her.  He said “I went to the doctors today Granny and “he gave me an injection.”  She said that when David said that it all came back to her. 

She said Frankie was jumping from the top of the dung pile to see how far he could jump when he sustained a minor cut.  He became ill and they didn’t know what was wrong with him.  He was upstairs in the Gola room of the Tinneny house at Quivvy and just kept getting sicker and sicker.  She told how their mother made him custard and took it up to him.  Maisie followed and when Frankie asked her for the empty custard box that she was playing with she said she wouldn’t give it to him.  The doctor came to the house that day to treat Frankie and gave him an injection.   

After the doctor left Maisie went back up to the room and Frankie was laying there crying and she asked why.  Frankie said, “The doctor gave me an injection.”   With that Maisie went downstairs and got the custard box and brought it to Frankie. 

Photo: Frankie and his mother, Neighbors Mr. & Mrs. Grogan and Frankie’s sister Maisie. Courtesy of Maisie Tinneny Brady. 

Later his condition deteriorated and he was taken to Cavan General Hospital. His father told the doctors to “spare no expense in the treatment – that he would sell every animal he had if need be to pay for the treatment.”  While Frankie was in Cavan General, his father rode a bicycle the 22 mile round trip each day to visit him. 

While all this was going on with Frankie his sister Maisie said that Mrs. Hanlon who lived up the Quivvy road helped care for her and her brother and sister.  She remembered that Mrs. Hanlon was very kind to them. 

As Frankie’s condition worsened it was suggested that he be brought to the hospital in Dublin to be treated by specialists and he was brought to Saint Jarlath's Nursing Home (hospital) in Dublin.  However, the treatment was unsuccessful and Frankie died at Saint Jarlath's on July 20th.  A statement of account for the transport of young Frankie's remains back to Quivvy by Kirwins read as follows: 

KIRWINS

"Funeral Undertakers and Private Hire Services.

Chrysler Hearses and Coaches

All Funeral Requisites"

July 21, 1943 funeral expenses of the late Francis Tinneny

D/S Sp. Chestnut coffin, French polished and fully mounted and furnished.

Delivered to Saint Jarlath's Nursing Home and

removed to G.N.R. Railway Station per hearse and coach.

Rail fees G.N.R. Amiens St., Belturbet

L(pounds) 10.18.10."

 Frankie was buried in the Tinneny plot at Drummully Cemetery, County Fermanagh.