Jack Ahern  (Born ?)

Ellen, Jule and The Private

Jack Ahern (known as 'the Private') was born in Tournafulla and lived there all of his life.

He married Julia Doherty (known as Jule). They had 6 children,

Michael, Dominic, Lar, Ellen, Kathleen and Sean.

Ellen (now O'Gorman) known as Ellen the private, is still living in Tournafulla and her brother Sean is living in Dublin.

The Tournafulla hurling team, taken around 1900-10  The Private, Middle row, 3rd from the right. 

Song written about Jack when he captained the hurling team in the 20's:

The Private Ahern

Success attended that gallant team,

who I often witnessed play,

In that dear old spot I loved so well,

That's Tour so far away.

Where the buachail's young, on a summer's eve

They hurled on Kelly's Lawn,

You would hear the cheers go reaching back

To the banks of the sweet Lochan.

Their captain boys, was a sporting lad,

Whose equal can't be seen,

He was always in the Gaelic field

With fair-play for his team.

When the game was at it's hottest,

And regardless of his bones,

He led his men to victory,

The Gaelic young Wolfe Tones.

Mikey (Bill's son), Jack 'the private', Ellen, Sean & Lar