Helena Dunne (Lena) was born on Tuesday, October 22, 1889, the last of seven children born to Ellen Lyons (1852 - 1911) and William Dunne, Carpenter (1846 - 1934) at Carrigeen in the Parish of Newinn & Knockgraffon, Co. Tipperary. [See Section DN-6-1 for family background.]
1889 Lena was baptised in Newinn on Sunday, October 27 with sponsors Michael Hally and Kate Brien.
1890 Lena's birth was registered No.82 in the District of Tullamaine in the Union of Cashel on March 21, 1890 by Ellen Dunne, Mother, Carrigeen, with alleged birth date Saturday, February 1, 1890. [Group Registration ID 9596407]
We kept her birthday on October 22.
1901 March 31 Lena was at home in Carrigeen.
Much of the following has been deduced from analysis of Lena's photograph and autograph albums and may have some inaccuracies.
1904/5 - 1908/9 The older autograph book was a present from her sister Margaret for Christmas 1904. There are a number of entries starting in 1905 from girls at St George's or The Convent. Unfortunately, none gives a location. Since Lena did her teacher training in Southhampton, perhaps it was there, but I think I have found Mary Bridget, age 14, a "Resident Pupil" in Newport, Monmouthshire in 1911. Perhaps St George's was there. Gladys McHale seems to have come from thereabouts. I have not found anything online to settle the matter.
1909 - 1910 There are a number of entries in the autograph books with location The Avenue College, Southampton (or variations thereof), most dated within the academic year 1909-10.
1911 March 9 Lena was present at her mother's death in Carrigeen, and registered her death on July 14 in Cashel.
1911 April 2 Lena was boarding in the following household at Place of Bonhill in the Parish of Bonhill, Vale of Leven, in a house with 7 windowed rooms.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace John Douglas Boarder 22 S Draughtsman (Engineering)
Motor ConstructionWorker Midlothian, Edinburgh 7 Ellen Russel Boarder 28 S Head Teacher
R.C.Schooldo. Ireland May McAulay Boarder 20 S Teacher, do. do. Lanarkshire, Glasgow Helena Dunne Boarder 21 S do., do. do. Ireland Ellen Dennehy Boarder 24 S do., do. do. do. Place of Bonhill is a short road between Main Street, Renton and the River Leven. It is adjacent to the present St Martin's School which did exist at that date though not necessarily in the same location. There are other houses with the same address which suggests that the houses were not numbered.
On June 25, Eileen Russell and E. Dennehy signed Lena's autograph book at East House, Renton. This may or may not be the same location as above.
1911 December 18 Gladys McHale signed Lena's autograph book in Broxburn.
Lena lodged with the Dowds when she first went to Broxburn and formed an attachment with Pat Dowd but never married him as it would have meant giving up teaching.
1918 April 25 Herbert (The Warrior) Dunne signed Lena's autograph book.
1918 September 1 J.C. Gobbi signed Lena's autograph book.
1919 February 2 Ed. J. McKenzie signed Lena's autograph book.
1923 July 23 Lena was bridesmaid at the wedding of her sister Kate to Frank Corbett in Newinn.
1924 Uncle Ned makes his only known visit home.
1979 Lena died on Tuesday, January 23 in Glasgow and was buried with Peg and Dick Reynolds in St. Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth.
Compiled by John Reynolds — JRGene@btinternet.com
Last significant update — September 2016 (created)