Robert O'Dwyer (Caolrua, Kilcatherine, 1893-1918; drowned 12 Nov 1918; not a known cousin of JJM — see disambig)
family confidence: 0 — not family / context
**REVISED 2026-09-26 (Beara kin thread).** Settled: Robert O'Dwyer (b. 22 Oct 1893), son of Johnny O'Dwyer and Ellen Lynch of Caolrua, captain of the Ballycrovane company of the Irish Volunteers, was the only O'Dwyer lost in the seine- fishing accident off Pointe Reanna, Kilcatherine, on the night of 11-12 Nov 1918 (Annals of Beara II pp. 270, 412-13; Riobard O Dwyer, "The Dream"; Norelene O'Dwyer to Emma Verling, 3 Aug 2026: "Only Robert of the Dwyer family got lost ... he was 25 yrs. old. His brother Richard went to America"). He is NOT a known cousin of James J. Murphy: the Butte Independent of 14 Dec 1918 p. 1 gives the kinship correctly ("The two Murphy brothers are cousins to James Murphy of the Hennessy store") and lists Robert's own Butte kin, two uncles (Richard, North Wyoming street, and Michael Dwyer) and three aunts (Mrs. Michael Walsh, Mrs. John Shea of East Summit street, Mrs. Jerry Sullivan). The Butte dailies of 10 Dec 1918 turned that uncle Richard into a second "cousin" victim. Death date corrected to 12 Nov 1918 (the boats were returning before dawn; the Annals give Nov. 12th). See research/docs/beara-kin-thread-2026-09-26.md. Earlier text kept below for the record. **REVISED 2026-05-29 per user + Oliver Murphy correction.** Reported in the 1918-12-10 Anaconda Standard as a "cousin of James Murphy of the Hennessy store" drowned in the Kilcatherine fishing-boat accident of Nov 11 1918, with "an aunt living on Anaconda road in Butte." The Annals of Beara Vol II p.412 (Riobárd Ó Dwyer, written by a local Beara author) attests only ONE O'Dwyer victim of that Nov 11/12 1918 drowning — **Robert O'Dwyer (Oct 22 1893), Captain of the Ballycrovane Company of the I.R.A.**, son of Johnny O'Dwyer + Ellen Lynch of Caolrua. The Annals lists the other four victims as Sean (a Chaoil) O'Sullivan, Jer (Murt) McCarthy, and **John Murphy + Patie Murphy of Ballycrovane** (sons of Jim Murphy + Julia O'Sullivan per Annals p.270 section C). Oliver Murphy noted the discrepancy in correspondence with the user (per user 2026-05-29): the trans-Atlantic message that reached Butte ("letter from Cork" to James M. McCarthy of Centennial Brewing) likely conflated the Murphy victim surnames into the O'Dwyer family that lost Robert in the same accident. **Most likely truth**: this record refers either to: (a) The actual Robert O'Dwyer of Caolrua (IRA Captain, age 25) — in which case he is NOT a cousin of JJM but his sons John + Patie Murphy of Ballycrovane WERE Beara relatives in the same network, and the "cousin" framing got blended in trans-Atlantic transmission; OR (b) Actually John Murphy of Ballycrovane (Dec 1891 per Annals p.270 section C) misnamed as "Robert Dwyer" by the Cork → Butte communication chain — in which case John IS a cousin of JJM (a Hyp-B nephew of Pat through Pat's brother Jim). See [[_annals-of-beara-vol-ii-p412-caolrua-johnny-odwyer-ellen-lynch]] for the primary-source list and [[_annals-of-beara-vol-ii-p270-section-a-patrick-murphy-ballycrovane]] section (C) for the Jim Murphy + Julia O'Sullivan child list including John + Patie. The 1918 Butte press attribution is preserved here as historical claim-documentation; the "Robert Dwyer cousin of JJM" identification is no longer treated as primary-source-correct.
Facts
Each fact shows how sure the archive is of it (0–100) and the sources it rests on.
- Birth:
- 1893-10-22, Kilcatherine (parish) 75undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II; 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018Annals II p. 412 gives Oct. 22nd 1893 and 'then only 25' at his death; Norelene O'Dwyer's article gives 25. Both are family-compiled (Riobard was his nephew, Norelene is his niece), so 75; 95 with the baptism or civil birth entry. Caolrua is in Kilcatherine parish.
- Death:
- 1918-11-12, Kilcatherine (parish) 95undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II; 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018; 1918-12-10 — The Anaconda Standard, p.7; 1918-12-10 — The Butte Miner, p.5; 2025-01-10 — Emma Verling's English translation of Martin's "Gort Broc" (Badger's Field), story 102, "The Sinking of the Béal a' Chrobháin Follower"Drowned off Pointe Ranna, Fay, Kilcatherine, on the night of 11-12 Nov 1918 coming back from seine fishing (Annals p. 412; the 2018 article: November 12th). The Butte dailies give Nov. 11 because the crew first went out on the evening of the 11th. The death itself is stated by several independent accounts.
- Residence:
- Kilcatherine (parish)
| Date | Fact | Conf. | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | residence · Caolrua, Kilcatherine (Kilcatherine (parish)) Annals p. 412 and the 2018 article. | 100 | undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II; 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018 |
| 1918-11 | military · 'Captain of the Ballycrovane Company of the I.R.A. at the time' of his death (Ballycrovane) Annals p. 412 (his nephew's book); the organisation was then still generally called the Irish Volunteers. | 75 | undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II |
| 1918-11-12 | description · a powerful swimmer who died of a deep head wound from striking the rock Norelene O'Dwyer's article, reporting the research of a local man (Patie Healy's grand-nephew). | 75 | 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018 |
| 1918-12 | description · Butte kin: an aunt 'living on Anaconda road' (Anaconda Standard); per the Butte Independent, two uncles, Richard of North Wyoming street and Michael Dwyer, and three aunts, Mrs. Michael Walsh, Mrs. John Shea of East Summit street and Mrs. Jerry Sullivan (Butte, Montana) The Standard gives the aunt and, under its phantom 'Richard Dwyer', an uncle on North Wyoming street and 'Mike, another uncle'; the Butte Independent of 14 Dec 1918, p. 1 (not filed as a source; OCR text in research/docs/butte-independent-search-2026-09-26.md) gives the full list as Robert's. A primary newspaper read from OCR windows only: 75. | 75 | 1918-12-10 — The Anaconda Standard, p.7 |
| 1918-12-10 | event · printed in the Anaconda Standard and the Butte Miner as 'Robert Dwyer', one of 'two cousins of James Murphy of the Hennessy store' drowned in the accident (Butte, Montana) Both papers print it; the cousin claim itself is rated under proposed_relationships (10). | 100 | 1918-12-10 — The Anaconda Standard, p.7; 1918-12-10 — The Butte Miner, p.5 |
| — | description · 'six feet and a half inch tall', 'a very promising athlete'; held the Cork County senior 100 yards champion Pat Flanagan of Castletownbere to a draw at Eyeries sports; a good weight-thrower and hop-step-and-jumper Annals p. 412. | 75 | undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II |
| — | description · eldest of the 12 surviving children (14 born) of Johnny O'Dwyer (d. 28 June 1920 aged 72) and Ellen Lynch (d. 4 Mar 1921 aged 48), Caolrua; his brothers included Liam (Commandant of the Beara Battalion), John, and Tim, Pat and Richie, who all went to Butte in the 1920s (Kilcatherine (parish)) Annals pp. 412-413. | 75 | undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II; undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II |
| — | description · uncle of the article's author, Norelene O'Dwyer ('my uncle') The article. | 95 | 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018 |
Nexus
Open the full web →blood relationmarriageother documented tienamed in the same sources (×count)circle colour = family branch
Appears with
- Jack Sullivan (= Sean a' Choill O'Sullivan of Caolrua, Kilcatherine, c. 1859-1918; drowned 12 Nov 1918)7 shared sources
- 1918-12-10 — The Anaconda Standard, p.7
- 1918-12-10 — The Butte Miner, p.5
- 1918-12-14 — The Butte Independent, p.1
- 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018
- undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II
- 1999 — 'Stories as told by Riobard O'Dwyer', on the IRL-KERRY pages at RootsWeb; first sent by him to the IRL-KERRY mailing list
- 2025-01-10 — Emma Verling's English translation of Martin's "Gort Broc" (Badger's Field), story 102, "The Sinking of the Béal a' Chrobháin Follower"
- John Murphy (Ballycrovane, 1891–1918; drowned off Pointe Ranna; James's first cousin)4 shared sources
- 1918-12-14 — The Butte Independent, p.1
- 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018
- undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II
- 1999 — 'Stories as told by Riobard O'Dwyer', on the IRL-KERRY pages at RootsWeb; first sent by him to the IRL-KERRY mailing list
- Patie (Patrick) Murphy (Ballycrovane, 1895–1918; drowned with his brother John; James's first cousin)4 shared sources
- 1918-12-14 — The Butte Independent, p.1
- 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018
- undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume II
- 1999 — 'Stories as told by Riobard O'Dwyer', on the IRL-KERRY pages at RootsWeb; first sent by him to the IRL-KERRY mailing list
- James Joseph "James J." Murphy (b. 1883 Ardgroom; d. 1938 LA)3 shared sources
- Richard Dwyer ("victim" only in the Butte dailies of 10 Dec 1918; did not drown — see disambig)3 shared sources
- James M. McCarthy (Centennial Brewing, Butte)3 shared sources
- James "Jim" Murphy (PJM's brother; Oliver Murphy's grandfather; stayed in Beara; m. Julia Sullivan 1890)1 shared source
Sources linking to this person
<25 — Namesake / flag / context — 7
- undated — Riobárd Ó Dwyer, "Who Were My Ancestors? Annals of Beara," Volume IIAnnals of Beara Vol II, p.412: JOHNNY O'DWYER & ELLEN LYNCH (CAOLRUA) — 14 children incl. Robert (1918 Pointe Ranna drowning victim, IRA Ballycrovane Co. captain) + the 1921 Black-and-Tans house-burning during the War of Independencerole: name_clash_with_butte_press_robert_dwyer · identity 100 family confidence on this source: 0
Identity: Child (1) of the Caolrua entry, b. 22 Oct 1893, drowned 12 Nov 1918: the record is built on it.
- 1918-12-10 — The Anaconda Standard, p.7ONLY ONE SURVIVES IN PARTY OF SIXrole: drowning_victim · identity 95 family confidence on this source: 10 · as printed: Robert Dwyer
Identity: 'Robert Dwyer' drowned in the Kilcatherine accident of Nov 1918; he was the only Dwyer among the dead, and the Butte aunt fits his kin. Only the 'cousin' label is wrong.
- 1918-12-10 — The Butte Miner, p.5M'CARTHY'S NEPHEW IS DROWNED NEAR IRELANDrole: drowning_victim · identity 95 family confidence on this source: 10 · as printed: Robert Dwyer
Identity: Same report, shorter.
- 1918-12-14 — The Butte Independent, p.1Irish Fishing Village Is Shrouded in Gloom of Sad Drowning Fatality.role: drowned · identity 100 family confidence on this source: 0 · as printed: Robert Dwyer
Identity: Robert O'Dwyer of Caolrua, one of the five drowned on 12 Nov 1918 (Annals of Beara II p. 412).
- 1999 — 'Stories as told by Riobard O'Dwyer', on the IRL-KERRY pages at RootsWeb; first sent by him to the IRL-KERRY mailing listRiobard O Dwyer, 'The Dream': his uncle Robert and the four men drowned with him off Pointe Ranna, 12 Nov 1918role: drowned_uncle_of_the_narrator · identity 100 family confidence on this source: 0 · as printed: my uncle Robert O'Dwyer ... from Caolrua
Identity: Robert O'Dwyer of Caolrua, drowned 12 Nov 1918, as in the Annals of Beara II p. 412.
- 2018 — Norelene O'Dwyer, 'The Ballycrovane Seine Fishing Tragedy, 1918', centenary article in the annual Christmas newsletter (Ardgroom/Eyeries), 2018Norelene O'Dwyer's 2018 centenary article on the Ballycrovane seine-fishing tragedy: the five dead with ages, and the survivor Patie Healy, 19role: drowned_aged_25 · identity 100 family confidence on this source: 0 · as printed: Robert Dwyer, Caolrua, aged 25 yrs. (my uncle)
Identity: 'Robert Dwyer, Caolrua, aged 25 yrs. (my uncle)'.
- 2025-01-10 — Emma Verling's English translation of Martin's "Gort Broc" (Badger's Field), story 102, "The Sinking of the Béal a' Chrobháin Follower"The seanchaí's account of the Ballycrovane follower lost in November 1918, in Emma Verling's translation from 'Gort Broc'role: drowned_unnamed_in_this_account · identity 50 family confidence on this source: 0
Identity: The account describes the accident in which he died but neither names nor describes him; its tally (two O Murchu brothers, an O Suilleabhain, a Mac Carthaigh boy) leaves him out.