A Death in Laois

Patrick Loughman (1891-1918) was the oldest son of Michael Loughman, gamekeeper at Lisduff demesne, County Laois owned by Lord Castletown. Patrick died of broncho pneumonia and heart failure on November 3, 1918 in Ballagh. The Spanish flu peaked in Ireland from October to December 1918 and the first week of November was the most severe. Leinster had the most cases in Ireland. Patrick was my grandfather’s half brother. While I never heard my grandfather speak of Patrick, he was always vigilant when I was sick and would move me to his house where he and my grandmother nursed me back to health. Learning about his older brother’s death suggests a reason why he was so careful about isolating sick grandchildren and caring for them.