Maureen Flavin Sweeney

Maureen Flavin Sweeney

(Maureen and her Husband Ted)

She was born on June 3, 1923 in Knockanure, County Kerry, The Irish Free State (Ireland.)

In 1941 when she was 18 years old she moved to Blacksod Bay, County Mayo, Ireland where she worked at the Post Office there.

 Ireland was Neutral during World War 2, but under an August 1939 Agreement, the Post Office was one of a number in Ireland that provided Daily Weather Readings to the British Met Office via Telegraph.

On June 3, 1944 – her 21^st Birthday – Maureen got up at 1 am to take the hourly Weather Reading.

 The Station Instruments showed a slight drop in air pressure, a 7-mile-per-hour (11 km/h) wind from the south-west and a slight drizzle. The drop in pressure was the first indication of an incoming severe storm that could make hazardous conditions for any crossing of the English Channel.

British Royal Air Force Officer James Stagg, who was the Chief Meteorologist to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, in charge of the D-Day Invasion (the Allied Invasion of German-Occupied France), had his Office call the Blacksod Post Office directly to confirm their Readings, bypassing the usual Liaison Office in Dublin.

(An observation sheet completed by Maureen on June 3, 1944.)

As a result of the confirmed Weather Reports Eisenhower agreed to a postponement of the Invasion by 24 hours, from to June 6th, potentially saving lives from stormy waters.

The D-Day Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944 saw 13,000 Allied Paratroopers and 24,000 Allied Soldiers land in German-Occupied France.

It was the becoming of the Liberation of France and Western Europe.

Maureen married Ted Sweeney, the Son of the Postmistress at the Blacksod Post Office, and continued to operate the Blacksod Weather Station until is was automated in 1956 – which is also when she learned of how her important Weather Reports helped the Allies during the War.

Maureen succeeded her Mother-In-Law as Postmistress of the Blacksod Post Office and worked there until her Retirement in the 2000s.

(Maureen receiving her Honor from the US Congress)

In June 2021, Maureen Flavin Sweeney was honored by the United States Congress for her role in the Second World War.  Her name was entered into the Congressional Record and she received a Medal from the House of Representatives. She also received a Certificate from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

She celebrated her 100th birthday on June 3, 2023.

She died at the Tí Aire Nursing Home on December 17, 2023 in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland.