Origin of the exclamation "Jeannie (Genie?) Martins"

My mother often uses the term "Jeannie Martins!" (or perhaps Genie Martins, I've never seen it written, though this seems less likely) as a general exclamation.

Jeannie Martins, it's cold outside!

I've been unable to find the origins, so can any of you shed any light please?

I've asked my mother where it comes from, but she can offer little more than that my grandfather used to say it. He was born and raised in County Cork, Ireland in 1920 and moved to North East England in the 1930s or 1940s if that helps any.

Solution 1:

Although I wasn't familiar with the phrase until just now, it seems almost certainly to be a euphemism, such as might be found on http://phrases.org.uk under the heading Minced Oaths.

Like "Crikey," "Jiminy Cricket," "Cheese and Crackers," and "Jeezum Crow," it seems like a way to curse, albeit mildly, with either Jesus Christ or Jesus and Mary.

There are countless regional and cultural variations on maledictions made mild.

I'm rather enamored of "Jeannie Martins" now, and may well remember her the next time I bash my thumb with a ball peen hammer.