Charlie Mc Grane and Mary Molloy

Charlie Mc Grane (son of Charlie + Mary Anne Mc Grane) moved to Strabane from Ballinacarrick with his brother Jim and both became business men. Jim had a pub and Charlie had a shop.

Family folklore tells that both brothers opened a shop and pub, the Bridge End Bar, on the Melmount side of Strabane bridge on Bridge Street. Charlie, though had a little too much liking for alcohol! Eventually Jim walked away from the partnership and openend his own bar on the Strabane side of the bridge in the town.

Charlie married Mary Molloy from Newry, who taught Home Economics in the Technical College in Strabane.

(c) Kenneth Allen

Mary turned Charlie's life around - he quit drinking and went on to be quite a respectable citizen even becoming a member of Strabane Town Council.

Rumour has it that Mary took all the Mc Grane money when Charlie died in 1963. Mary moved to Dublin where she met and married a Garda Mc Dermott. This marriage did not last long.

When Mary died in 1996 she was buried with Charlie in St Mary's graveyard, Melmount, Strabane. She bequeathed £1000 to Sean Mc Grane, Jim's son, in her will. Sean is at odds to understand why, perhaps, he thinks, it was to make up for the way Jim had been treated all those years ago?

Above as told to Noeleen by Sean Mc Grane and Hugh Behan.