Edward Rohu 1848-1941
Edward Rohu
Edward Rohu was born on 30 June 1848 in Malahide, Co Dublin a Lighthouse Keeper. He served on most of the lighthouses on the south west coast of Ireland, also on Tory Island off the Donegal Coast. Edward married and had three sons and two daughters. Following his marriage there was some disagreement with his family (as his wife was of the Catholic faith) and unfortunately, the disagreement continued up to his death.
He was a very talented man and gifted. He could make anything and was particularly fond of bird and animal life. This appears to be a family trait. He once made a model of a fully rigged ship, passing the Fastnet rock lighthouse. Hovering over the vessel was a storm petrel. The sea and sky were painted in natural colours. He fitted to this model the mechanism of an old alarm clock which, when wound up, gave the impression that the vessel was pitching and rolling with the action of the waves. This model is still in Bangor County Down where he went to live in his retirement, at 45 Dufferin Avenue. He was an authority on ships, the sea and everything pertaining to it. He was president of the Bangor Model Yacht Club for a number of years. One of his treasured posessions was a handsomely engraved walking stick presented to him by the members of the club in appreciation for his valued services. Edward died on February 26th 1941 at the age of 93 years. You can read his obituary here.
He was a very talented man and gifted. He could make anything and was particularly fond of bird and animal life. This appears to be a family trait. He once made a model of a fully rigged ship, passing the Fastnet rock lighthouse. Hovering over the vessel was a storm petrel. The sea and sky were painted in natural colours. He fitted to this model the mechanism of an old alarm clock which, when wound up, gave the impression that the vessel was pitching and rolling with the action of the waves. This model is still in Bangor County Down where he went to live in his retirement, at 45 Dufferin Avenue. He was an authority on ships, the sea and everything pertaining to it. He was president of the Bangor Model Yacht Club for a number of years. One of his treasured posessions was a handsomely engraved walking stick presented to him by the members of the club in appreciation for his valued services. Edward died on February 26th 1941 at the age of 93 years. You can read his obituary here.
Family man
Edward, wife and children
Edward Rohu had five children: three sons, Edward, Alfred and Con, and two daughters, Catherine (Katie) and Elizabeth (Lily). This photograph, taken in 1884, shows Edward, seated in front of his wife. Youngest daughter, Lily (age 1 or 2) is seated on Edward's knee. Left is Katie (age 9) and right is Alfred (Age 5). Their fourth and fifth child, Con and Edward were not yet born.