Bowler Hat

"This is my great-grandfather’s bowler hat. He was born in 1892 and served in Michael Collins’ Army during the Civil War. At that time, his future wife was serving on the opposite side as a runner for Éamon de Valera. She was arrested and was brought to prison in Tralee. My great-grandfather was working as a guard in the prison and he met her when he was bringing her food. Even though they were from either side of the divide, they fell in love. When she was released, they married and, from 1927, he ran a draper shop on the Western Road in Clonakilty. It would have been a great sign of wealth having a bowler hat and a cane. He was really into hats and there are plenty of pictures of him in suits as well. After he died in 1944, the hat was stored in the house. It was found two years ago after my grand-uncle, Pat, passed away. My great-grandfather’s name is on the inside: C. Fitz Clon (Cornelius Fitzpatrick)."