Dr Lynch’s Return to Cork & Further Education

In 1876 Dómhnall returned to Coolea on a visit with the intention of returning to the US after spending some time with his family.

On his arrival home, his now elderly mother, who was knitting by the fire in their family home in Togher, failed to recognise this tanned and bearded middle aged man who entered the kitchen. He said to her “It is me, mother, your son Dómhnall. Don’t you recognise me?”. It is believed that he intended returning to the United States but his mother persuaded him to remain in Ireland.

Dómhnall decided to attend University College Cork (in those days called Queens College Cork) in 1877, aged 35 years, to study medicine. During this time he boarded at 18 Prosperity Square (off Barrack Street) and he also stayed with his brother, Jerry (Jeremiah), who was by this stage farming at Inniskenny, Waterfall, approximately 5 miles west of Cork City.

During his time in Queens College, Dómhnall was awarded a prize for Practical Anatomy following his second year exams. He graduated near the top of his class in 1881.

The following is a link to Dómhnall’s student register record, where he was known as Daniel during his time in Queen’s College Cork – Queens College Cork Student Register Record of Daniel Lynch 1877 to 1881

Dómhnall then returned to Ballyvourney as a junior assistant to Dr. Kent who subsequently died 6 months later, following which an Dochtúir Dómhnall Ó Loingsigh took over the practice.

Dr Dómhnall spent the rest of his life working in Ballyvourney in the Doctor’s House at the bottom of Mahony’s Lane.

The Poor Law Guardians were in charge of the health centres at that time and Mr Goff was the name of the Health Officer for County Cork.

In 1886 he said “We have many excellent medical men who are dedicated to helping the sick and destitute, working for us throughout County Cork, but I have no hesitation in mentioning Dr. Lynch as one of the most competent, well qualified medical personalities in our area, able to differentiate in any of the many various ways the requirements of his patients, medical or physical, and act accordingly”.

 

Adapted from Éighse 2008 speech given by Dónal Ó hÉalaithe – Staraí áitiúl de chuid Acadamh Fódhla ó Chúil Aodha, translated into Béarla by James O’Leary, Coláiste an tEasbog Mac Aogháin, Máigh Chromtha; additional information from Jerry Lynch, Riversdale House, Bishopstown.