Sweeney, Joseph Alphonsus

Trooper Joseph Alphonsus Sweeney or McSweeney

was born at Dungloe, Co. Donegal on 12th February 1900 to Joseph Sweeney (of Arkansas, USA), Railway Contractor and Catherine nee Boyle. The bank Staff Record card states his date of birth as 17th February 1900. His parents had married on 14th July 1897 at St Eugene's Chapel, Londonderry.

His birth registration and his parents marriage registration record the family surname as Sweeney.

In 1901 Joseph (1) lived in house 87, Dungloe with his mother, Kate Sweeney and his sister Kathleen (3). In the house too were Catherine Boyle (his grandmother), Mary Boyle (his aunt) and a servant Ellen McCauley. 

By 1911, Joseph is boarding in Mt Sackville Convent Boarding School in Castleknock, North Dublin (detailed in the Irish Census as house 40.1, Castleknock, Dublin). 

Following his education, Joseph joined Northern Bank in early 1917. His Staff Record card states his surname as McSweeney and also initially said 2nd April 1917 but was crossed out and amended to 12th June 1917. The card also said his first name was John but was crossed out and Joseph written above it.

His first branch is recorded as Mohill.

 

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

Joseph volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse on 29th September 1917 and left the bank on 3rd October 1917. He was about 17 1/2 years of age.

He saw service in the Home Service prior to being discharged for being under age. 

On 13th December 1917 he re-joined Northern Bank at Strokestown (Junior). Transfers followed to Head Office (1920 - Junior), Grafton Street (1921 - Junior and the Exchange), Kingscourt (1927 - Cashier), Head Office (1928), Ball’s Branch (1929 - Accountant), Head Office (1930), Falls (1930 - Accountant) and Oldcastle (1931 -  Cashier).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Falls branch

On 12 September 1939 he married May Glover at the Church of St Therese, Somerton Road, Belfast.

The Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal published on Saturday 4th March 1950 reports that Joseph was to be transferred to Kells branch as manager. He was a member and treasurer of Kells Golf Club.

Joseph Sweeney retired on 31st March 1962.