Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Genealogy, Archaeology, History, Heritage & Folklore

Moderators: Clare Support, Clare Past Mod

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Feb 19, 2023 12:10 am

Hi Sheila

Thank you for researching and sharing your discovery that Patrick McNamara of Knockreddan married in 1919 and died a widower in 1947 at the grand old age of 97 years. Many Crusheen civil records are in Ennis Parish, we might find the death record for his wife, Mary Clancy McNamara, in that civil parish.

Previously, I speculated that Patrick McNamara of Knockreddan, evicted by the Misses Butler of Castlecrine in 1891 along with his family, then later assaulted when a laborer in 1894, had possibly immigrated to America, prior to his reinstatement to their Knockreddan lands in 1909. Similar to the Loughery family. However, in having another look at the Irish census of 1901, I now believe Patrick was a 37 year old laborer working for John Hanrahan of Gortnamearacaun townland. His age is off by a good 10 plus years, but I don't believe that John Hanrahan when reporting to the census taker would have been terribly fussed about accurately reporting Patrick's age, a laborer.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1087411/

When the McNamara's of Knockreddan were evicted by the Misses Butler of Castlecrine in 1891, they were reported as "P. McNamara", and a household of 4. I believe the four would have been (1) Patrick McNamara, Sr. (2) Either his wife Anne McNamara, or unmarried daughter, Bridget McNamara (3) Patrick McNamara, Jr. (4) Thomas McNamara.

In the 1851 census, Patrick McNamara, Sr., was 32 years old, or born about 1819. Thus when evicted from Knockreddan in 1891, he would have been about 72 years old. Did Patrick McNamara, Sr., emigrate along with his children? In searching for the missing McNamara children **, a better approach might be to focus on what happened to their parents, Patrick (≈1819 - unknown) and Anne McNamara. Anne's age was not reported in the 1851 census, but with her first child was born in 1838, so likely born about 1819.

** The missing include Darby McNamara (born ≈1839), Daniel McNamara (≈1842), Bridget McNamara (≈1844), and Thomas McNamara (early 1850's).

***************************

Sheila, while you were researching the McNamara's of Knockreddan, I revisited my assumption that James McNamara of Rathclooney, who wrote "An Old Song", and was the son of Michael McNamara per his marriage record, had grown up in a shebeen of Michael McNamara of Rathclooney who had been a defendant in an 1861 petty session complaint. This was very unlikely. There were many Michael McNamara's in Rathclooney.

My further curiosity was sparked by an 1884 article in the Freeman's Journal where the residents of Rathclooney all signed a letter to the editor complaining of the "blood tax" which they believed was unfairly being levied against them. It is interesting in its own right, but also acts as a census substitute midway between the available 1855 Griffith Valuation and 1901 Irish Census.
EXTRA POLICE FOR SPANCELHILL
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN
Rathclooney, county Clare, Sept 10th


SIR—Never in the administration of that drastic Draconian code called the Crimes Act was there so gross an act of oppression and injustice as that which had been inflicted on the poor impoverished townland of Rathclooney. This townland is situated about five miles from the place where John McMahon was murdered, for the protection of whose family it is about being so heavily muleted. It is isolated from all the other townlands charged with the extra police. Between Rathclooney and other townlands charged are two other townlands which were exempted and stepped over to save the pockets of a local magistrate residing in one of the favoured townlands. Again, in the parish Inchicronan, where the murdered man lived, there is not a single townland charged, visibly to save this magistrate who holds a considerable amount of land in the parish.

Now, this John McMahon always was on the best and most intimate terms with the people of Rathclooney, many of whom are closely connected with him—facts which his wife can and will certify. If it is the work of the Executive, it must be through revenge of the murder had been committed here three years ago. Well, if the people of Rathclooney were such desperate assassins why did not the family of the murdered man seek protection of any sort?

Also the parish of Clooney, in which this townland is, has been paying all last year for another protection hut for a fellow who alleged a shot had been fired at him. It may well be well to mention that Rathclooney paid its full share of that tax, too. It also paid five levies of a most iniquitous "blood tax."

In the interests of justice and fair play we hope you will insertion to the above.—We remain, sir, you obedient servants,
Daniel Sweeney, John D McInerney, Patrick McInerney [married to Mary McNamara], Mrs Anne McNamara, John Clune (x his mark) [married to Mary McNamara], William McCormack, Mrs Mary McNamara, James Duffy, Pat Torpey, Connor McMahon, Michael Moloney (son to the man shot in Rathclooney), John Duffy, Michael Duffy, John Duffy, John McNamara.

Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Friday, 12 September 1884
Sheila, you had stated that since there were "so many Michael McNamaras in the Quin-Clooney parish baptisms" that it would be "impossible to decide which one James belongs to". James McNamara, who wrote "An Old Song", was identified as the son of Michael McNamara when he married in 1903. An important clue was the identity of those who signed the above letter to the Freeman's Journal in 1884 and tracing each McNamara back to the 1855 Griffith Valuation. However, the key clue to solve the mystery was discovering that James McNamara was not just from Rathclooney, but from Leen, Rathclooney, which was in the northern part of the townland, just south of Derrymore townland in Crusheen Catholic Parish.


Griffith Valuation Plot 4, Mary McNamara, House and Land, 8 acres, valuation £2 10 shillings

The identity of Mary McNamara was determined by proving that Plot 4 was located in what was known as "Lavinee" in the Tithe Applotment books of 1825 for Clooney (Upper Bunratty), and as "Leen" in the Quin-Clooney baptism register.

In the Tithe Applotment Book of 1825 for Clooney (Bunratty Upper), it states in the remarks that the townland of "Lavinee" was "Part of Rathclooney per O.S.". The families living in "Lavinee" in 1825 were McCormick, Conners (2), Molony, Torpy, and Healy; there were no McNamara's. "Leen" is used as a residence in the Quin-Clooney baptism register for these families.

By 1855 Griffith Valuation, "Lavinee" was absorbed into Rathclooney townland and the "Leen" specific surnames of McCormick and Torpey appear at the beginning at Plot 3 and Plot 5, respectively. This is the northern section of Rathclooney townland. There are no Connors families in 1855. Michael McNamara appears to have "married in" when he married Mary O'Connor, who was the "Mary McNamara" residing at Plot 4 at Griffith Valuation.

Michael McNamara ( - died prior to 1855) and Mary O'Connor (≈1808 - 1898) were the parents of six children reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816 - 1855). Their residence was reported mostly as "Leen", and only once as "Rath". There are also several "missing" baptism records (John, Honor, and James) for this family (the only ones noted in this research). This is likely due to "Leen" being to the far north of Rathclooney townland (Quin-Clooney Catholic Parish) and just south of Derrymore and Derryvett townlands (Crusheen Catholic Parish). This McNamara family appears to have had a connection to both Derrymore and Derryvett townlands, as two of their children would end up living there. Thus, it is very likely that the "missing" baptism records were simply due to going north to Crusheen parish whose baptism records do not start until 1860.

In 1884, Mrs. Mary McNamara signed the letter to the editor of the Freeman's Journal decrying the unjust "blood tax" levied against Rathclooney rate payers. Mary McNamara, age 90, widow of a farmer, of Rathclooney, died on 2 December 1898, informant son James McNamara (Tulla civil registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 644802.pdf

4.1 Pat McNamara (1831 - unknown), baptized on 2 December 1831; residence Ballyvrahane; sponsors Tom O'Neil, Honor Conors.

4.2 Michael McNamara (1833 - unknown), baptized on 1 November 1833; residence "Lee(?)verry", sponsors John McNamara, Catherine McCormick.

4.3 Anne McNamara (1837 - unknown), baptized on 11 June 1837; residence "Leen", sponsor Mrs. McCormic.

4.4 Michael McNamara (1839 - 1907?), baptized on 5 June 1839; residence "Rath", sponsors John and Catherine McNamara. Possibly, a "Michael John"? Or was John McNamara baptized in Crusheen parish whose records start in 1860?

John McNamara, bachelor, farmer, of Lean, son of farmer Michael McNamara, married Anne O'Neill, of "Attynacote", daughter of herdsman Thomas O'Neill, on 28 January 1874 at Clooney chapel by the curate John McMahon; witnesses William McCormack and Susan McCormack (Tulla civil registration). The Catholic marriage record of Quin-Clooney parish has consistent information.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 117936.pdf

In the 1825 Tithe Applotment book for Clooney (Upper Bunratty), the townland of "Ailynacull" has the remark, "Part of Rathclooney per O.S.". Similar to "Lavinee" (later "Leen") of Rathclooney townland.

John McNamara and Anne O'Neill had no children reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1855-1880). However, the Crusheen marriage register (1900 -1939), available on ancestry, includes the father and mother of both bride and groom. With the below entry from 1920:

Michael McNamara, son of John McNamara and Anne O'Neill of Derrymore, married Delia McNamara, daughter of Pat McNamara and Mary Noone of Calura, on 17 February 1920 at the Catholic church in Crusheen by the parish priest James Monohan; witnesses Michael Quigney of Clooney and Katie Noone. The civil marriage record includes consistent information, specifying the church at Ballinruan, without naming the mother of bride and groom:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 353483.pdf

John McNamara, of Derrymore, obtained his last dog license at the Crusheen court house for the year ending March 1907. John McNamara, farmer of Derrymore, married, age 72 years, died on 7 April 1907; informant son Michael McNamara (Tulla registration). Anne McNamara <Derrymore, Rathclooney, House 5; House 5>, of Derrymore, age 78 years, widow of a farmer, died on 29 November 1922; informant son, Michael McNamara, of Derrymore.

...........................4.4.1 Michael McNamara (1874 - after 1920), "Michael Mack" was baptized on 22 November 1874; residence Derremore, father reported as "John Mack", mother reported as "Bridget O'Neill", likely in error; sponsors T(?) O'Neal, Bridget Butler, per Crusheen baptism register (1860-1880). Was unable to locate civil birth record. <Derrymore, Rathclooney, House 5; House 5> As noted above, Michael married Delia McNamara in 1920.

4.5 Honor McNamara (≈1841 - 1931), unknown baptism. Possibly baptized at Crusheen Parish whose records start in 1860?

Honor McNamara, of Rathclooney, daughter of Michael McNamara, married Patt Hehir, labourer, of Derryvett, son of labourer Patt Hehir, on 9 October 1867 at Clooney Chapel by the parish priest Daniel Corbett; witnesses Pat Torpey and Susan McCormack (Tulla Registration). <Derryvett, Tuberbreeda, House 5; House 6> Norah Hehir, of Derryvett, widow, age 87 years, died on 1 April 1931; informant son Michael Hehir (Scarriff registration). Patrick and Honor Hehir were the parents of nine children:
...........................4.5.1 Michael Hehir (1868 - after 1931), baptized on 8 September 1868; residence Derrymore, mother reported as "Honora McNamara"; sponsors Stephen McCormick, Mary Costello. <Derryvett, Tuberbreeda, House 5; House 6>
...........................4.5.2 Mary Hehir (1870 - ), baptized on 6 March 1870; residence Derrymore, mother reported as "Mary McNamara" in error; sponsors Michael O'Neill, Margaret Costelloe.
...........................4.5.3 Honor Hehir (1876 - ), baptized on 18 June 1876; residence Derrymore, mother reported as "Honor Mack"; sponsors Thomas O'Neal, Margaret Costello.
...........................4.5.4 Hanora Hehir (1880 - ), baptized on 9 June 1880; mother reported as "Honor Mack".
...........................4.5.5 Pat Hehir (1882 - ), baptized on 12 September 1882; mother reported as "Honor Mack".
...........................4.5.6 Catherine Anne Hehir (1884 - ), baptized on 13 October 1884; mother reported as "Honor Mack". Catherine Hehir, age 16, was living with her bachelor uncle, James McNamara, in Rathclooney in the 1901 census. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 17; Derryvett, Tuberbreeda, House 6>
...........................4.5.7 Susan Hehir (age 16 in 1901) <Derryvett, Tuberbreeda, House 5; x>
...........................4.5.8 Unknown Hehir (parents of 9 children, 6 living at 1911 census)
...........................4.5.9 Unknown Hehir

4.6 James McNamara (≈1843 - 1919), unknown baptism. Possibly baptized at Crusheen Parish whose records start in 1860?

James McNamara was the informant when his 90 year old mother died in 1898. James McNamara (age 40) was living with his niece, Catherine Hehir, in the 1901 census. And with his wife in the 1911 census. James McNamara, farmer, of Rathclooney, son of Michael McNamara, married the widow Sarah Moloney, of Kiloo (sp?), daughter of Pat O'Donohue, on 14 August 1903 at the chapel at Clare Castle, by the curate D. McNamara; witnesses Michael Hehir and Annie Monohan (Ennis registration). <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 17, House 11>

James McNamara of Rathclooney was famous for writing the song "An Old Song", sometime after 1910, about his journey by push-bike from Rathclooney to Kilkeedy.

James McNamara, of Leen, Rathclooney, married, farmer, age 74 years, died on 12 November 1919; informant his wife, Sarah McNamara, of Leen, Rathclooney.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 414419.pdf

4.7 Bridget McNamara (1846 - unknown), baptized on 4 June 1846; residence "Leen", sponsors John Ryan, Bridget Minogue.

4.8 Bridget McNamara (1846 - unknown), baptized on 20 December 1846; residence "Leen", sponsors John Ryan, Bridget Minogue.


Griffith Valuation Plot 6Cd, Margaret McNamara; House, Offices, & garden; 22 perches; valuation 10 shillings.

Margaret McNamara also held a small garden at Plot 9b (valuation 2 shillings); and 3 acres of Land at Plot 10 (valuation 2 shillings).

Martin McNamara ( - died prior to 1855) and Margaret Hehir ( - died after 1855, prior to 1864?) were the parents of five children:

6.1 Thomas McNamara (1825 - 1869 in Rhode Island), baptized on 7 December 1825; residence Rathcloney; sponsor Pat McNamara.

Thomas McNamara (no residence reported) married Bridget Connors of Newgrove on 26 February 1859 in Tulla Parish (1846-1861 Tulla marriage records). Thomas McNamara and Bridget Connors of Rathclooney were the parents of five children. Eldest son was named Martin McNamara, this is the key evidence that Thomas was the son of Martin McNamara of Rathclooney. A very good chance that Bridget Connors was the daughter of Martin Connors and Mary/Margaret McMahon of Tyredagh (in Newgrove DED) baptized on 13 February 1834 in Tulla Parish.

...........................6.1.1 Mary McNamara (1859 - ), baptized on 30 December 1859; residence "Raclouney", mother reported as "Bridget Connors"; sponsors John Swyney, Bridget Doloughty.
...........................6.1.2 Martin McNamara (1861 - ), baptized on 24 May 1861; residence "Rathcluny", mother reported as "Bridget O'Connor"; sponsors Michael O'Connor, Anne McNamara.
...........................6.1.3 Patt McNamara (1863 - ), baptized on 8 March 1863; residence "Raclouney", mother reported as "Bridget Conners"; sponsors James Hehir, Margaret Clune.
...........................6.1.4 Thomas McNamara (1865 - ), baptized on 8 December 1865; residence "Ballyvahrane" (Tulla civil record states "Rathclooney"), mother reported as "Bridget O'Connors"; sponsors Michael Moloney, Kate Moloney.
...........................6.1.5 Hanna McNamara (1868 - ), baptized on 29 March 1868; residence "Rathclouney", mother reported as "Bridget Conners"; sponsors Michael Clune, Mary Clune.

No sign of the Thomas McNamara family in later Irish records. Did they emigrate? Yes, arriving in New York on 3 May 1869 on ship Minnesota were Thos. McNamara (age 36), Brid (34), and four of their five children: Martin (7), Patrick (5), Thos (3), and Hana (1).

1869 passenger listing: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV3Q-3TDS

By the 1875 state census for Rhode Island, Bridget McNamara (age 41) was a widow living in Providence with her five children; daughter Mary (age 15) must have arrived in America separately. Thomas McNamara appears to have died soon upon his arrival in the USA as "Mrs Thomas McNamara" of 17 Weeden would have only been reported in the Providence city directory of 1870 if she was a widow. In the 1870 directory, 1875 state census, and 1880 federal census, Bridget O'Connor McNamara was living at 17 Weeden; at the same Providence address were Irish born Thomas O'Connor (age 80 in 1880) and Hannah O'Connor (age 78), likely relatives.

1880 census for R.I. (Bridget with three children, O'Connor neighbors):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4SX-N8Y

Poor Thomas McNamara, of Rathclooney, died on 5 August 1869 in Providence, Rhode Island, only three months after his arrival in America:
FATAL ACCIDENT.—Thomas McNamara, who was engaged [by the City Highway Department], yesterday afternoon, in blasting rocks on Doyle Avenue, was accidentally killed while running from the fuse after it had been ignited. A large fragment of rock struck him in the back of the head, and he immediately expired. McNamara was a laborer, and lived on Weeden street. He leaves a wife and four or five children.
Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, 6 August 1869, page 2
6.2 Patrick McNamara (1828 - ), baptized on 27 February 1828; residence Rathcloney; sponsors Patrick Conors, Catherine Rochford.

6.3 Michael McNamara (1830 - ), baptized on 24 October 1830; residence "Ballyvrohane"; sponsor Ellen Doughty.

6.4 Bridget McNamara (1833 - ), baptized on September 1833; residence Rathcloney; sponsor Pat McNamara, Mary Hehir

6.5 Anna McNamara (1836 - 1915?), baptized on in May 1836; residence Rathcloney; sponsors Terence Sweeny, Mary Molone.

Possibly. . . . Anne McNamara of Rathclouney married Patt Mullins of Rathclouney on 22 January 1855, witnesses Margaret McNamara (likely, Anne's mother) and Mary Heihir (Quin-Clooney marriages, 1855-1881). No children were reported with this couple in the Quin-Clooney baptism register.

Possibly again. . . . Anne McNamara of Rathclouney married Daniel McNamara of Rathclouney, the presumed son of Cornelius McNamara of Griffith Valuation plot 13, on 16 February 1858; witnesses Thomas McNamara (her brother?), Mary Clune (her cousin Mary McNamara married to John Clune?). See Plot 13 for their descendants.

Otherwise, there is not much trace of any of the children of Martin McNamara and Margaret Hehir in Rathclooney by the time of the 1901 Irish census. Nor did any family member (except, Anne McNamara who likely married Daniel McNamara and moved to Plot 13) sign the 1884 letter to the editor of the Freeman's Journal complaining about the "blood tax" levied upon Rathclooney rate payers. Did they all emigrate?


Griffith Valuation Plot 9a, Michael McNamara; House, office, and land; 2 acres; valuation £1, 3 shillings.

Michael McNamara ( - died after 1855?, prior to 1864?) and Mary O'Dea ( - unknown) of Rathclooney were the parents of three children reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816-1855):

9.1 Michael McNamara (1828 - unknown), baptized on 24 July 1828, residence Rathclony; sponsors John McNamara, Norry Moloney.

At the time of 1855 Griffith Valuation, it is not clear if Michael, Sr., or Michael, Jr., was the leaseholder of Plot 9a. Michael McNamara lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and John Clune, as evidenced by several petty sessions cases as both complainants and defendants.

Michael McNamara and his brother-in-law, John Clune, appear to have lived in the same household which was rumored to have been a shebeen:
That the defendant [Michael McNamara, same complain for John Clune] had in his possession in his dwelling house at Rathclooney on the 16th of March last [1861], a quantity of illicit spirits and that said Defendant's house is under the repute of being a shebeen house and not duly licensed for the sale of spirits.
Crusheen Petty Sessions, 18 April 1861
The attack by Patrick McInerney (who would later marry a Mary McNamara, see way below) in 1865 proves that Michael McNamara and John Clune, married to Mary McNamara, lived in the same household:
That the defendant [Pat McInerney of Rathclooney] did maliciously attack the dwelling house of the complainant (Michael McNamara) of Rathclooney on the night of Sunday the 22nd of October 1865, by furiously pelting stones at said house on the above night with intent to harm one John Clune and the said Michael McNamara, and to injure said house.
Crusheen Petty Sessions, 13 September 1866

9.2 Mary McNamara (1831 - 1909), baptized on 13 October 1831, residence Rathclony, father reported as "M McNamara"; sponsors John Ryan, Briget Hehir.

Mary McNamara of Rathclouney, reported as "Bridget" by priest in error, married John Clune on 28 February 1854; witnesses Patrick McNamara and Anne McNamara (per Clooney-Quin marriage, 1833-1855). John Clune (≈1822 - 1908) and Mary McNamara (1831 - 1909) <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 11; x> were the parents of eight children reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1855-1880):
...........................9.2.1 Mary Clune (1856 - ), baptized on 17 March 1856, residence Raclouna, mother reported as "Mary McNamara"; sponsors Pat McNamara, Ellen McNamara. Witness at the marriage of her sister in 1895.
...........................9.2.2 Michael Clune (1857 - ), baptized on 11 December 1857, residence Racloona, mother reported as "Mary Mack"; sponsors Michael Clune, Ellen O'Brien.
...........................9.2.3 James Clune (1859 - ), baptized on 5 August 1859, residence Raclouny, mother reported as "Mary Mac"; sponsors Thomas Clune, Mary Clune.
...........................9.2.4 Bridget Clune (1863 - ), baptized on 12 June 1863, residence Raclouny, mother reported as "Mary Mack"; sponsors Michael Clune, Bridget Halloran.
...........................9.2.5 Patt Clune (1865 - ), baptized on 3 September 1865, residence Rathclouney, mother reported as "Mary Mack"; sponsors Patt Donohoe, Anne Mack.
...........................9.2.6 Ellen "Lena" Clune (1867 - after 1911), baptized on 1 November 1867, residence Raclune, mother reported as "Mary McNamara"; sponsors Michael Roughan, Mary Roughan. Lena Clune married Michael McMahon, a farmer and tailor, of Ballyscanlon, son of Thomas McMahon, on 23 February 1895. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 11; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.1 Patrick McMahon (age 15 in 1911) <Rathclooney, House 11; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.2 Mary Ellen McMahon (age 14 in 1911) <Rathclooney, House 11; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.3 Bridget McMahon (age 12 in 1911) <Rathclooney, House 11; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.4 Anne McMahon (age 11 in 1911) <Rathclooney, House 11; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.5 Alice McMahon (age 8 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.6 Margaret McMahon (age 7 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 5>
..................................................9.2.6.7 John McMahon (age 5 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 5>
...........................9.2.7 John Clune (1871 - ), baptized on 8 September 1871, residence Rathclouney, mother reported as "Mary McNamara"; sponsor Anne McNamara.
...........................9.2.8 Thomas Clune (1874 - ), baptized on 29 May 1874, residence Rathclouney, mother reported as "Mary McNamara"; sponsors John Clune, Mary Clune.

"John Clune" of Rathclooney signed with an "x" the 1884 letter to the editor of the Freeman's Journal complaining of the exorbitant "blood tax" levied on the townland. John Clune, of Rathclooney, married, age 86 years, died on 8 June 1908; informant son-in-law Michael McMahon. Mary Clune, of Rathclooney, widow, age 78 years, died on 24 December 1909; informant son-in-law Michael McMahon.

9.3 Bridget McNamara (1835 - unknown), baptized in July 1835, residence Rathclony; sponsor Briget O'Connor.


Griffith Valuation Plot 13, Anne McNamara; House and Land; 14 acres; valuation £6, 15 shillings.

"Connor McNamara" was reported in Rathclouney townland in the 1825 Tithe Applotment book for Cooney (Upper Bunratty).

Cornelius "Connor" McNamara ( - died prior to 1855) and Anne "Nancy" Carney ( - died after 1855 GV, died prior to 1864?) of Rathclooney were the parents of seven children (including one baptism when the priest mistook the father's name) reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816 - 1855):

13.1 John McNamara (1817 - unknown), baptized on 19 May 1817; father reported as "Connor MacNamara", and mother as "Bridged Carney", residence Rathclouny; sponsor John McNamara.

A little too young, I reckon, to be the John McNamara of Plot 14 who was married to Mary Sullivan since their first child was born in March 1834. And definitely too young to be the John McNamara married to Catherine Sheedy with a first born child in January 1833 (see family tree following Plot 14 family).

13.2 Daniel McNamara (1819 - 1882), baptized on 30 January 1819; father reported as "Cornelius McNamara", and mother as "Nancy Kearny", residence Raghcloon; sponsors Cate McNamara and John Torpey.

Probably. . . . Daniel McNamara, of "Raclouney", married Anne McNamara, of "Raclouney", on 16 February 1858; witnesses Thomas McNamara and Mary Clune, per Quin-Clooney marriage register (1855-1881). Possibly, Anne McNamara was the daughter of Martin McNamara and Margaret Hehir born in 1836 — see Griffith Valuation plot 6 above.

Pre-1864 marriage records do not report the father of bride and groom. Daniel did not name his first born son Cornelius, which appeared to have lost favor by all the McNamara's of Quin-Clooney parish. However, Daniel McNamara who died in 1882 reflected the approximate birth year of about 1818. Researching land records would provide further evidence that Daniel McNamara was the son of Cornelius McNamara.

Daniel McNamara (1819 - 1882) and Anne McNamara (1836 - 1915) <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 12; House 6> were the parents of eight children reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1855-1880), all with residence of Rathclooney (under various spellings):

...........................13.2.1 Michael McNamara (1859 - 1916 in Massachusetts), baptized on 3 April 1859; sponsors James Hehir and Catherine Hehir.
Michael J. McNamara, driver of Hose 3, Fitchburg fire department, died at his home, No. 132 Laurel street, Saturday evening at 8:10 after an illness of several weeks. . . . .Mr. McNamara is survived by his wife, a daughter, Alice who is a school teacher in Prosaic, N.J.; three brothers, Daniel, of Waltham, John and Thomas of Ireland; three sisters, Mrs. David Moloney of Fitchburg, a Mrs. Carey of Boston, and a sister living in Ireland. . . . Michael J. McNamara was born in Ireland, near the town of Ennis, County Clare, April 16, 1860, and spent his boyhood days there. He came to this country about 1880, landing in New York where he stayed a short while before coming to Worcester to live. . . . In 1889, Mr. McNamara removed to Fitchburg where he has since lived. . . Mr. McNamara will be given a fireman's funeral, according to a decision by the family today. A high mass of requiem will be celebrated at St. Bernard's church tomorrow . . . burial at St. Bernard's cemetery. . .
The Fitchburg Daily News, Massachusetts, 8 May 1916
..................................................13.2.1.1 Alice McNamara (age 6 in 1900 census)

...........................13.2.2 John McNamara (1861 - ), baptized on 19 April 1861; sponsors Michael McNamara and Ellen McNamara. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 12; House 6> John McNamara, of Rathclooney, son of Daniel McNamara, married Catherine Vaughan, of Maghera, daughter of Patrick Vaughan, on 9 November 1901 at Clooney chapel; witnesses Thomas McNamara and Annie Vaughan

..................................................13.2.2.1 Daniel McNamara (age 8 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 6>
..................................................13.2.2.2 Patrick McNamara (age 7 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 6>
..................................................13.2.2.3 Thomas McNamara (age 3 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 6>
..................................................13.2.2.4 John McNamara (age 2 in 1911) <Rathclooney, x; House 6>

...........................13.2.3 Mary McNamara (1863 - ), baptized on 13 September 1863; sponsors John Moloney, Bridget Torpey.
...........................13.2.4 Margaret McNamara (1865 - ), baptized on 13 August 1865; sponsors Tom McNamara, Mary McNamara.
...........................13.2.5 Thomas McNamara (1867 - ), baptized on 5 April 1867; sponsors Thomas McNamara, Ellen Clune. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 12; House 6> Thomas McNamara or Rathclooney was the informant on the 1915 death record of his mother, Anne McNamara.
...........................13.2.6 Anne McNamara (1869 - ), baptized on 25 March 1869; sponsor Mary Clune. Mrs. David Maloney reported in 1916 obituary of brother, Michael J. McNamara; living next door at 126 Laurel street in Fitchburg in 1910 census (three children).
...........................13.2.7 Daniel McNamara (1871 - ), baptized on 2 June 1871; sponsor Mary Clune.
...........................13.2.8 Bridget McNamara (1873- ), baptized on 17 January 1873; sponsors Michael Clune, Kate Molony. Delia McNamara, age 25, was living with her brother, Michael J. McNamara, a widower, and her niece at 130 Laurel Street, Fitchburg, Worcester in the 1900 census.

"Daniel Mack", of Rathclooney, age 65 years, married, farmer, died on 8 August 1882; informant "Anne Mack" of Rathclooney (Tulla civil registration, reported as Galway). This would have left Anne McNamara a widow with eight children. Her eldest son, Michael McNamara, had already left for America in 1880 and likely sent money back to Ireland for his widowed mother.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 834924.pdf

Daniel's son, "Thomas MacNamara", paid for a headstone for the McNamara family in the Clooney cemetery. "Beloved Father Daniel" was reported as "Died July 15th 1885" and "Aged 70 Years". The headstone was likely commissioned in 1916, upon the death of Michael McNamara in 1916 (in the USA, although not noted on the headstone). This delay would explain the incorrect year of death for Daniel McNamara by three years.

See McNamara headstone, photo #50, in Clooney Graveyard photo collection, contributed to the IGP Archives by: Jane Halloran Ryan; transcribed by Valerie Ackroyd.
http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/ ... looney.htm

If Daniel McNamara of Rathclooney had died in 1885, then he would have signed the petition in 1884 to the editor of the Freeman's Journal decrying the unjust "blood tax" levied on the residents of Rathclooney. Instead, it was "Mrs. Anne McNamara" who signed the letter. She died in Rathclooney on 20 April 1915 at the age of 78 years; informant her son Thomas McNamara.

13.3 Thomas McNamara (1823 - ), baptized on 21 May 1823; father reported as "Connor McNamara", and mother was left blank, residence Rathcloney; sponsor James McNamara.

A Thomas McNamara, age 45, died in the third quarter of 1867 in Tulla civil parish; on-line record not yet available.

13.4 Bridget McNamara (1825 - ), baptized on 3 June 1825; father reported as "Michael McNamara" in error, mother as "Anne Carney" was correct, residence "Rathcloney, Clooney"; sponsor John Carney.

13.5 Margaret McNamara (1827 - ), baptized on 1 March 1827; father reported as "Conor McNamara", and mother as "Nancy Carny", residence Raclouney; sponsors John Moloney, Nancy Hanrahan.

13.6 Jenny McNamara (1828 - ), baptized on 27 March 1828; father reported as "Conor McNamara", and mother as "Nancy Carney", residence Raclouney; sponsors John Torpy, Nancy Hanrahan.

13.7 Michael McNamara (1830 - ), baptized on 27 November 1830; father reported as "Conor McNamara", and mother as "Anne Carney", residence Raclouney; sponsors John Torpy, Nancy Hanrahan.


Griffith Valuation Plot 14, John McNamara; House, office, and land; 21 acres; valuation £10, 5 shillings.

John McNamara ( - died after 1864, prior to 1887 marriage of son) and Mary Sullivan ( - after 1864) were the parents of six children in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816-1855).

Both John and Mary McNamara were noted as still living when daughter Bridget immigrated to Australia in 1864. A "John McNamara" of Rathclooney signed the 1884 letter to the editor of the Freeman's Journal complaining of the exorbitant "blood tax" levied on the townland. I could not locate their civil death records in either Tulla or Scarriff registration districts (whose earliest civil death records are not yet available on-line).

14.1 Michael McNamara (1834 - ), baptized in March 1834, residence Rathcloney; sponsors Thomas Sullivan, Honor O'Connors.

14.2 Ellen McNamara (1836 - in Australia), baptized in May 1836, residence Rathcloney; sponsors Cornelius and Mary Doloughty.

When her sister Bridget McNamara arrived in Australia in 1864, a NSW assisted immigrant listing stated that Bridget, the daughter of John and Mary McNamara, of Rathclune, both still living, also had a sister named Ellen who lived in Sydney.

14.3 Patt McNamara (1838 - 1893), baptized on 18 March 1838, residence Rathcloney; sponsors Conor and Mary Doloughty. Patt McNamara, farmer, of Rathclooney, son of deceased John McNamara, married Mary Rodgers, of Derryveagh (sp?), daughter of farmer Michael Rodgers (living), on 16 February 1887 at Clooney chapel by the Rev. Daniel Corbett; witnesses Patt Clune and Bridget Halloran.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 937327.pdf

Patt McNamara, married, "age 57", of Rathclooney, died on 20 October 1893; informant Mary Mack, widow of the deceased.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 701481.pdf

The widow Mary McNamara, daughter of Michael Rodgers (living) married James Whelan, of Tyreda, son of Thomas Whelan (living), on 24 April 1894; witnesses John McMahon and Lizzie McMahon of Rathclooney [Tulla registration]. In the 1901 census, the Whelan household consisted of the parents, four Whelan children, and 10-year-old step-daughter, Bridget McNamara, as well as Mary McNamara, age 56, "servant" (the sister of Patt McNamara). <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 10; House 4>

...........................14.3.1 Bridget McNamara (1891 - ), of Rathclooney, born on 15 January 1891 (Tulla registration). <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 10; x> Whereabouts after 1901 are a mystery.

14.4 Denis McNamara (1840 - ), baptized on 1 March 1840, residence Rachcloney; sponsors Tom and Bridget Sullivan.

14.5 Bridget "Biddy" McNamara (1842 - in Australia), "Bidy Mac" was baptized on 1 June 1842, residence Rathclunadh, father reported by priest as "Michael Mac" in error (creating a "brick wall" as far as baptism for her Australian descendants), mother correctly reported as Mary Sullivan; sponsor Bidy Sullivan.

Bridget McNamara, "age 18", of "Clouna, Co. Clare", obtained sponsorship from Archibald Chisholm for her passage to Australia, along with a John O'Sullivan, also "age 18"; a character reference was obtained from the parish priest of Clouna. A remark stated that Bridget had arrived on the ship "Sir Robert Sale" which arrived in NSW on 29 October 1864. Indeed on the passenger listing, were Bridget McNamara, age 19, and John O'Sullivan, age 19, both of "Clouny, Co. Clare".

Bridget McNamara (age 19) appears to be travelling with an Ellen McNamara (age 18), but this is only because the Australian passenger listings are in alphabetical order. Ellen McNamara was from "Kilmore, Co. Clare" — see McNamara of Kilmore family trees on age 18. Although, on the "Deposit Journal" for the sponsorship of Ellen McNamara, it states that her sponsor was "Anne McNamara", and she was from "Kiltouily" or "Kiltouiby" or some such variation of spelling, in County Clare, and that she had arrived on the Sir Robert Sale.

Finally, a NSW government form for assisted immigrants (there are three documents associated with her sponsorship and travel), stated that Biddy McNamara (age 19), a farm servant of Clouny, Co. Clare; with parents John and Mary, both living; Roman Catholic; did indeed have a sister Ellen living in Sydney, who had obviously arrived prior to 1864.
HYLAND—M'NAMARA—On the 14th instant, at St. Augustine's Church, Balmain, by the Venerable Archdeacon Rigney, JOHN, the third son of Mr. MICHAEL HYLAND, of Darling-street, Balmain, to BRIDGET, the second daughter of Mr. JOHN McNAMARA, of Rathclune, county Clare, Ireland.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 February 1870 (per trove newspaper archive)
14.6 Mary McNamara (1845 - 1903), baptized on 20 April 1845, residence Rathclouney; sponsors Thomas and Bridget Sullivan. Mary McNamara, age 56, single, was reported as a servant in the household of James and Mary Whelan of Rathclooney in the 1901 census. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 10; x> But Mary was, in fact, the sister-in-law of Mary Whelan, who had previously been married to her brother, Patrick McNamara. She died on 26 March 1903 in Rathclooney, spinster, 60 years, and the informant on her death record was her sister-in-law, Mary Whelan, of Rathclooney (Tulla civil registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 593442.pdf


Not Reported in Rathclooney Griffith Valuation — John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy Descendants

John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy of Rathclooney were the parents of three children in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816-1855). A small family of only three children might indicate that one or both of the parents died young and thus are not reported in Griffith Valuation.

A.1 Bridget McNamara (1833 - ), baptized on 25 January 1833, residence Rathcloney; sponsors Terence Sweeny, Eliza MacNamara.

A.2 Mary McNamara (1833 - 1921), baptized in August 1834, residence Rathcloney; sponsor Mary Doloughny. Patrick McInerney and Mary McNamara had five children between 1869 and 1876 reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism register, however, I could not locate either the Catholic or civil marriage record (evidence that Mary was indeed the daughter of John McNamara).

In 1866, likely prior to his marriage to Mary McNamara, Patrick McIneney was a defendant in two cases in the Crusheen Petty Sessions, from the complainants Mary (McNamara) Clune as well as John Clune and Michael McNamara, all of Rathclooney, their witnesses included Anne McNamara, Daniel Sweeny, Anne Hehir, and Mary Healy. The two cases were similar, the second case:
That the defendant [Pat McInerney of Rathclooney] did maliciously attack the dwelling house of the complainant (Michael McNamara) of Rathclooney on the night of Sunday the 22nd of October 1865, by furiously pelting stones at said house on the above night with intent to harm one John Clune and the said Michael McNamara, and to injure said house.
Crusheen Petty Sessions, 13 September 1866
Patrick McInerney of Rathclooney signed the letter in 1884 to the editor of the Freeman's Journal complaining of the "blood tax" levy. He appears to have died between 1884 and 1901, although I could not locate his death record. Patrick McInerney ( - prior to 1901) and Mary McNamara (1833 - 1921) <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 8; House 3> were the parents of five children. Mary McInerney, of Rathclooney, widow of a farmer, age 86, died on 24 September 1921; informant daughter [in-law] Elizabeth McNamara of Spancelhill (Scariff registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 399077.pdf

Their residence in the Catholic baptism register was reported as "Clouneylough". In the 1825 Tithe Applotment book for Clooney (Upper Bunratty), similar to "Lavinee", "Clounalougha" has the remark "Part of Rathclooney per O.S.". All six leaseholders at "Clounalougha" in 1825 had the "McInerheny" surname.

...........................A.2.1 Mary McInerny (1869 - ), baptized on 21 February 1869, residence "Clouneylough"; sponsors John McInerny, Jane McInerny.
...........................A.2.2 Thomas McInerny (1870 - ), baptized on 31 July 1870, residence "Clouneylough"; sponsors John McInerny, Jane McInerny. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 8; House 3>
...........................A.2.3 Patrick McInerny (1872 - ), baptized on 2 February 1872, residence "Clouneylough"; sponsors Patrick McNamara, Bridget McInerny. Pat McInerney married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hope, daughter of Thomas Hope of Crusheen, on 24 February 1903 at Crusheen chapel by the curate McNamara; witnesses Thomas McNamara and Mary A. McMahon (Ennis civil registration). Patrick McInerney was a blacksmith in both the 1901 and 1911 census, who possibly learned his trade from his uncle, Michael McNamara, the iron molder. In 1912, Patrick McInerney of Spancel Hill was the informant on the death record of his uncle. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 8; Muckinish, Spancelhill, House 11>
.......................................................A.2.3.1 Patrick John McInerney (age 7 in 1911) <x; Muckinish, Spancelhill, House 11>
.......................................................A.2.3.2 Mary Ellen McInerney (age 5 in 1911) <x; Muckinish, Spancelhill, House 11>
.......................................................A.2.3.3 Daniel McInerney (age 3 in 1911) <x; Muckinish, Spancelhill, House 11>
.......................................................A.2.3.4 William McInerney (age 1 in 1911) <x; Muckinish, Spancelhill, House 11>
...........................A.2.4 Honor McInerny (1873 - ), baptized on 18 May 1873, residence "Clounalough"; sponsors Michael McNamara, Mary McNamara.
...........................A.2.5 Dan McInerny (1876 - ), baptized on 30 July 1876, residence "Clounalough"; sponsors Frank Cunnigam, Mary Mack.


A.3 Michael McNamara (1836 - 1912), baptized in August 1836, residence Rathcloney; sponsors John McNamara, Mary Hehir. Unknown location in 1901. In the 1911 Irish census, Michael McNamara, "age 64", a widower, occupation "iron moulder", was reported as a "boarder" in the household of Mary McNamara McInerney, "age 67". His later death record will prove that he was, in fact, the brother of Mary McInerney. <Unknown in 1901; Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 3> Unknown marriage, does not appear to have had any children. Had Michael McNamara returned to Ireland after working abroad? Michael McNamara, of Rathclouney, widower, "age 73", labourer, died on 25 February 1912; informant his nephew, Pat McInerney of Spancell Hill.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie ... 497877.pdf

***********************************************
Since James McNamara appears to have grown up in a shebeen house in Rathclooney, filled with music and song, it is easy to picture him having penned the "old song" about his "push bike" journey from Rathclooney to Derryowen.
Sheila, my above comment was clearly incorrect. However, I have another theory how James McNamara would have obtained a music education.

A search of "Rathclooney, Clare" on google maps, "Leen" will appear on the map where there is now a holiday home rental. The google street view was taken in 2009 when the owners appear to have been renovating the old cottage, but it is now available as a holiday rental. From comparing to the "historical map", the rental cottage must be the old home of the McCormick's at Plot 3 (valuation £7), and not their next door neighbors, the McNamara's of Plot 4 (valuation £2, 10 shillings), where James McNamara lived, whose home has likely been torn down.

Traveling due west from Leen, and crossing several townlands you will reach Ballyscanlan townland. On the satellite view, one farm has a ringfort. This was Plot 5 in Ballyscanlan townland in Griffith Valuation. In 1901, the farmer of this land was Michael McNamara (age 52), who along with his family had a visitor named James O'Shea (age 72), occupation "musiciner".

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1087131/

Shiela, you may recall that we discussed Jimmy O'Shea in the thread "McInerney 1898 Postcard from Killawinna to Belgium", which includes a biography of O'Shea as well as maps of Ballyscanlon with the ringfort. "When Jimmy arrived all the neighbours used gather in for a dance." Highly likely that James McNamara of Rathclooney would have met the musician Jimmy O'Shea, who, I reckon, might have even helped McNamara with his music education.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7101&start=15

Sheila, thank you once again for the additional "crumbs" of knowledge for the McNamara's of Knockreddan. I'll edit the Knockreddan with this new information another day. I had a look for the James O'Brien of Knockreddan who was reported to be a cousin on the civil death record for Patrick McNamara in 1947. The only James O'Brien in Crusheen in 1911 was the 23-year-old James living with his parents, Patick O'Brien and Mary O'Dea (per Crusheen baptism register), living in Gortaficka townland. However, I did not get far in this research as I could not find the marriage record for this couple who in 1911 stated that they had been married for 25 years.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... ka/352264/

In the 1851 Irish Census included with the family of Patrick McNamara of Knockreddan was a 14-year-old cousin named Margaret Heffernan. This Heffernan cousin connection might provide an important clue about the McNamara's of Knockreddan and where several of them ended up. And in 1878 at the trials of Patrick McNamara of Gortnamearacuan, the only witness to testify with a positive identification of Patrick McNamara was Thomas Heffernan of Crusheen. Could Heffernan have been settling an old score against the McNamara's over a land dispute from decades prior?

To be continued.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Feb 19, 2023 2:07 pm

Hi Jimbo

My first reaction is “Wow,” but I will have to read that posting a number of times in order to fully appreciate the work you have done. You are the only person on earth who would take on the task of sorting those six McNamara families who were living in Rathclooney at the time of Griffith's Valuation.

Good work finding that Leen is part of the townland of Rathclooney. Good work finding that Clooneylough is also part of the townland of Rathclooney. Good work finding that Ailynacull is yet another part of the townland of Rathclooney. And good work finding that the mother of James McNamara was a Mary McNamara who died in Rathclooney 2 December 1898. And I agree that those families who were living close to the boundary with Crusheen (Inchicronan) might have had some of their children baptised in that parish. Although the Crusheen parish baptism register doesn’t start until 1860, it contains plenty of evidence of this crossover between the two parishes.

That both parents were given in the Crusheen parish record of the marriage of Michael McNamara to Delia McNamara, in 1920, was a nice little bonus, which you certainly deserved, Jimbo. Or did giving both parents’ names become standard practice in the parishes? The only place I’ve seen both parents’ names is in the Rath-Kilnaboy marriage records 1862-1880 – does Ancestry give more marriage records with both parents’ names?
Looking at John McNamara and his wife, Anne [O’Neill] in the 1901 census for the townland of Derrymore (Rathclooney DED), I see that Anne gives her age as 40, which is too young for someone who was married in 1874, but her age in 1911 is 69, which is more realistic. Her son, Michael, has also aged by 20 years (from 22 to 43), but, if he was baptised in 1874, he should be only 36. In 1911, Anne stated the years married and the number of births in the marriage, which, as a widow, she was not obliged to do, so the enumerator blotted it out – it is a great pity that so many enumerators felt they should do this: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... re/370265/.
I was wondering how you decided that 4.5, Honor McNamara (c1841-1913) was a daughter of Michael McNamara and Mary O’Connor, and then I realised that I had, myself, decided that Honor was a sister of James, and of course you’d found that James’s mother was Mary, and then I saw that there was only one Mary, who was wife of Michael McNamara and mother to the McNamara children from Leen [Rathclooney] baptised post 1831, and she was Mary Connors/O’Connor.

Moving on to the Margaret McNamara in Rathclooney in Griffith’s Valuation: good work finding that the family of Thomas McNamara and Bridget Connors emigrated to New York and settled in Rhode Island. The civil record of Thomas’s birth in 1865 gives his address as Rathclooney (the parish record gave Ballyvrahane): https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 306803.pdf. Good work finding that newspaper report of his death in 1869.

Moving on to Michael McNamara in Rathclooney in Griffith’s Valuation: good work finding that John Clune was the husband of Michael’s sister, that John and Mary Clune were living were living with Michael and that this was the shebeen. The fact that it was Michael McMahon who was present at the deaths of John Clune (in 1908) and Mary [McNamara] Clune (1909) suggests to me that the Clune sons had all emigrated.

Moving on to Anne McNamara in Rathclooney in Griffith’s Valuation: I think you are probably right in thinking that Anne was Anne/Nancy Carney/Kearny, widow of Cornelius/Connor McNamara. As you say, Jimbo, the land records (i.e. Valuation Cancellation books in the Valuation Office, Lower Abbey St., Dublin) would help in finding who inherited plot 13. Also helpful would be the Rate Book for Rathclooney DED – that was a great help in the case of Glendree. But I don’t even know where the Rate Books are kept and if the public can view them. Both, or either, the Valuation records and the Rate Book would help in deciding that it was Daniel McNamara who inherited the plot, but, in the absence of those, the Rathclooney address is quite a good substitute. Good work finding the McNamaras in Fitchburg. And good work finding the headstone in Clooney graveyard.

Moving on to John McNamara in Rathclooney in Griffith’s Valuation: yes, it is a great pity that the 1864-1870 death records are still not available online, but there is a good chance that John is the John McNamara who signed the letter in 1884. Good work finding that John had a daughter, Ellen, who was already in Sydney when her sister, Bridget, arrived.
“Derryveagh”, the address of Mary Rodgers who married John’s son, Patt, in 1884, is usually spelled “Derryvogh” and is part of the townland of Derrycaliff, as far as I can ascertain. Some people living in Derrycaliff seemed to consider it to be part of the “sub-parish” of Ballinruan. Looking at the headstones in Kilraghtis graveyard, I noticed this one: “In loving memory of John Culligan, Derryvough, died 5th May 1953, and his wife Mary died 18th Sept 1960, their son Michael, Knockloaghan, died 21 Spet 1973”. Looking at the civil record of the death of John, I saw that his address was Derryvogh, Ballinruan, Crusheen: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 170581.pdf.
Good work finding the second marriage of Mary McNamara. I cannot imagine what prompted you to look for it! I had a quick look for Bridget/Delia McNamara, who would have been aged 20 in 1911, but failed to find her. I did not find her death or marriage either. If she emigrated, she might be listed in the Clooney emigrants going through Ellis Island, but there’s a difficulty with that site at the moment. Good work finding those Australian records for Bridget’s aunt, Bridget/Biddy McNamara Hyland (1840 - ?). And good work finding that Mary McNamara, living at Whelans in 1901, was another of the children of John McNamara and Mary Sullivan.

Finally, moving to John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy, who are not in Griffith’s Valuation, but who have at least three children baptised in Clooney parish: it is a pity that a record of the marriage of Pat McInerney to Mary McNamara, about 1868, cannot be found. Without that, we cannot be sure that Mary is the daughter of John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy. Good work finding that Michael McNamara, described as a “boarder” in 1911, was indeed a brother of Mary McNamara McInerney - that still does not tell us that they were the children of John and Catherine, but makes it more likely, and their ages at death are very much in accord with the dates of the baptisms of Mary, daughter of John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy, in 1834, and of Michael, son of John McNamara and Catherine Sheedy, in 1836.

Jimbo, I do, of course, remember Jimmy O’Shea who was described as “Musiciner” in 1901: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1087131/, and I’m sure he was an influence on James McNamara.

As for James O’Brien, who is described as cousin in the record of the death, in 1947, of Patrick McNamara, Knockreddan, it would be nigh impossible to establish the exact relationship and I suspect that he belongs to the next generation.

Jimbo, you reminded me of the “McInerney 1898 Postcard from Killawinna to Belgium” and now I will remind you of “News items on Mealy/O’Malley of Tulla Parish”: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6907. Looking at the attachment “Malley of Tulla, 1882 conviction relief.pdf”, it is clear that many of those who contributed to the fund were from Clooney. On page 2 of that topic is my transcription of the list, and you will notice that a Jeremiah McNamara contributed 1 dollar. Of course we will never know if this Jeremiah is Jeremiah, son of Patrick McNamara (senior) of Knockreddan: The following is the list of subscribers’ names and the amounts subscribed: Matthew Clune, Dangan ($3.00); Michael Clune, Clooney ($2.00); James Clune, Clooney ($1.00); John Clune, Clooney ($1.00); Michael Clune, Clooney ($1.00); Thomas Clune, Quin ($.00); Michael O’Connell Kearney, Bryan’s Castle ($2.00); Tim Hehir, Carrahan ($3.00); Thomas Halvey, Bryan’s Castle ($1.00); Patrick Meers, Dangan ($1.00); James Connelly, Dangan ($1.00); John Lynch, Dangan ($1.00); James Lynch, Dangan ($1.00); Daniel O’Keeffe, Carahan ($1.00); Michael O’Donohue, Carahan ($1.00); James Maguire, Kilmanahan, Meath ($1.00); Michael Grogan, Derrynahilla, Tulla ($1.00); John Torpey, Carrahan ($1.00); Cornelius McMahon, Tulla ($0.50); John Finerty, Tralee ($1.00); Patrick Kernan, Westmeath ($1.00); J. Touhy, Kilkishen ($1.00); Ed. O’Malley, Loughgraney ($1.00); William Fay, Feakle ($2.00); John Conway ($0.50); Patrick Rodden ($0.50); Michael Rourke ($1.00); Peter McOwen ($2.00); John Quinn ($0.50); Thomas Welsh ($0.50); Michael Corren ($0.50); John Waters ($0.50); James Rodden ($0.50); Thomas Gafney (($1.00); Edward Branigan ($1.00); Mrs. Flannery ($1.00); Mary McGrath ($1.00); Bridget Moroney ($0.50); Mary Moroney ($0.50); Katie Hannigan ($0.50); Bridget Hurley ($1.00); Mary Anne Hurley ($1.00); Mary Hurley ($1.00); John Mannix ($1.00); Daniel Fahey ($1.00); Martin McNernan ($0.50); William Doyle ($0.50); Dr. W. H. Perrin ($1.00); Capt. J. E. Sullivan ($1.00); William Halvey ($1.00); Robert Price ($0.50); William Price ($1.00); Michael Lyons ($1.00); Thomas Early ($0.50); James Cullinan ($1.00); John McNamara ($1.00); William McInerney ($2.00); James Cooney ($1.00); John Molony ($1.00); Daniel Hanrahan ($1.00); Thomas Murphy ($1.00); Michael McMahon ($1.00); Pat Butler ($1.00); James Daffey ($1.00); Patrick Quigley ($1.00); John McInerney ($1.00); Lot McInerney ($1.00); James O’Shea ($1.00); Jeremiah McNamara ($1.00); John Manogue ($2.50); Matthew Manogue ($2.50); James Liddy ($1.00); Thomas Hehir ($1.00); James Flannigan ($1.00); Daniel McNamara ($2.00); George Byrne ($2.00); Daniel Naughten ($1.00); James Cunneen ($1.00); Michael Lynch ($2.00); Thomas Donnellan (($1.00); Bryan Clune ($2.00). Total – ($90.50).

I have not yet followed your suggestion that the death of Patrick junior’s (c1851 – 1947) wife, Mary (Clancy) McNamara, might have been registered in Ennis, but I think it is a good suggestion – more and more deaths were registered in Ennis as time went on, reflecting the growing tendency of people to go to hospital there, or to the County Home.

I almost forgot to say thanks for giving us that wonderful 1884 letter, from Rathclooney, complaining about Blood Money.

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:03 am

Hi Jimbo,

This is just a note on the “John Duffy, Michael Duffy, John Duffy” mentioned in the 1884 letter from Rathclooney, which you included in your last posting: I think “Duffy” must be a mistranscription of the surname, Daffy/Daffey. Both the Tithe Applotment book for Clooney (Barony of Bunratty) and Griffith’s Valuation give the name as Daffey and show no Duffys in that parish. The 1901 census shows four Daffy families living in the townland Rathclooney, but no Duffys: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... thclooney/
The 1911 census, however, has three of these families giving the name as “Duffy”: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... thclooney/. I suspect that these families were given to believe that the name should be Duffy.
Some Daffys are given as “Duffy” in the civil records – I do not know if all of these are mistranscriptions, or not. This record of the marriage of John “Duffy” to Maria McCarthy in 1879 is just one example of a mistranscription: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 050183.pdf. Tom McDowell, also, writes “Duffy” – see his list of emigrants from Clooney, who passed through Ellis Island: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... grants.htm. Henrietta “Duffy” was Frances Henrietta Daffy, who was born to John Daffy and Maria McCarthy in Rathclooney in 1899: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 780436.pdf
She is Frances Hally Daffy, aged 1, in 1901: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... y/1087084/ and Frances H. Daffy, aged 11, in 1911 census: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... ey/370230/

Edward MacLysaght says that Daffy/O’Daffy is “Essentially a Co. Clare name”.
The Surnames of Ireland, by Edward MacLysaght, sixth edition, p 73.

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:03 am

FEARFUL MURDER IN THE COUNTY CLARE.

A cold-blooded and diabolical murder was committed at Rathclooney, about a mile from Spancilhill on Saturday night. The victim was a respectable tenant farmer named Michael Molony. Between seven and eight o'clock p.m. he was sitting in the parlour of his dwelling house, after partaking of supper, when two shots were fired through the window, and he received the contents of both charges in the breast and neck, killing him at once. His son, who was sleeping in the next room, jumped out of bed when he heard the shots and ran into the parlour. He found his father lying on the floor, with his face slightly turned towards the window. He was then insensible, and expired in a few minutes. His wife had a most providential escape. She had only turned away from the window, after partly closing the shutters, when the shots were fired, and the slugs passed her face, not doing her any injury. Deceased was about sixty years of age, and a respectable man of his class. He was a tenant of Horace Stafford O'Brien, Esq., and had a valuable farm. He educated and brought up his family respectably, and has one son a Catholic clergyman, the Rev. John Molony, C.C., Lorrha, county Tipperary. There are several reasons assigned for the outrage. One is that he had paid his rent on Wednesday last, but this appears to be inconsistent with a resolution lately passed by the Clooney Branch of the Land League putting no restriction on the payment of rent where it was below the Government valuations. Others attribute it to a family feud. Moloney had not been on friendly terms with his neighbours for some time past, and he received a good deal of annoyance from them by throwing down his fences and his hay, for which he had them summoned, and fined at petty sessions. A notice was founds posted on the Moloney's gate on Saturday morning, stated that he had said some bad things of "Moonlight," for which he was to receive a visit at seven o'clock that night from the "sergeant," who would have a close eye on him. Mr. McTernan, R.M., and County Inspector visited the scene of the outrage on Sunday.

Weekly Freeman's Journal
, Dublin, Saturday, 29 October 1881
Sheila, the 1884 letter signed by the Rathclooney residents, stated that a "murder had been committed here three years ago", and one of those who signed was "Michael Moloney (son to the man shot in Rathclooney)"; these comments were referring to the murder of Michael Moloney in October 1881.

The above 1881 newspaper article mentioned that Michael Moloney "had not been on friendly terms with his neighbours for some time past" and that he "had them summoned, and fined at petty sessions".

The Crusheen petty session cases have a number of complaints by Michael Moloney of Rathclooney against his neighbors. These, in separate complaints for each defendant, stated that on the 1st of August 1879, Eugene Daffy, Daniel Daffy, James Daffy, John McNamara, and Daniel Hehir, all of Rathclooney, "did maliciously break the complainant's trees" at Rathclooney. That on the 8th of September 1879, James Clune and Daniel Daffy of Rathclooney assaulted the complainant on the public road, and that John McNamara "stripped off his coat and challenged to fight said complainant".

There were several others, but would these "petty complaints" be reason enough for murder? Or was there a completely different motive for the murder?

Catherine Molony, age 22, of Clooney (parish), daughter of James Molony, married Daniel Flanagan, age 24, of Clooney (parish), son of Daniel Flanagan (deceased), on 4 May 1881 at the Catholic chapel at Ennis by the Rev. Daniel Fogarty; witnesses Michael Kearney and Mary O'Dwyer (Ennis registration, transcribed as Ennistymon in error).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 023324.pdf
MUNSTER WINTER ASSIZES.
(Before Mr Justice Fitzgerald)
(From Our Correspondent)
Cork. Monday.


A STRANGE CASE FROM CLARE.
Daniel Flanagan and Edmond Flanagan were indicted for having on the 22nd October, at Rathclooney, county Clare, appeared together, armed, to the terror of her Majesty's subjects; and, on a second count with having assaulted the dwelling house of James Molony.

Mr Peter O'Brien, QC, in stating the case for the prosecution, said James Molony was a small farmer, and had an only child—Catherine—who was the wife of Daniel Flanagan, one of the prisoners. It appeared that on the night of Good Friday last Daniel Flanagan eloped with Catherine Molony. The marriage took place some weeks after, some negotiations having taken place previously as to the amount of "fortune" she was to get, with the result that she got less than Flanagan had expected. She went to live with her husband, but their relations were not of the happiest character; and, on the 1st of October, she went back to live with her father. On account of this and other quarrels a very bad feeling existed between the Molonys and Flanagans, and the latter were summoned and fined more than once. On the evening of the 22nd of October, about six o'clock, there were in James Molony's house James Molony himself, young Mrs Flanagan, and old woman named Mary Bourke, and a boy named Molloy. One of the windows of the house had a broken pane, which was stuffed with a little bag. Suddenly those inside felt the cold air coming in and saw that the bag had fallen out. Immediately after a shot was fired in through the door at James Molony. Now, if the shot had been fired in through the broken window, it would, in order to get at James Molony, have to pass through the body of Mrs Flanagan. The boy Molloy, when he heard the shot, immediately sprang to the window, and saw outside the prisoners at the bar. At seven o'clock the same evening, Michael Molony, the prosecutor's brother, and who had interfered against the Flanagans with reference to the "fortune," was shot dead in his own house. The prisoners were not now charged with that offence. The present charge against them was for attacking a dwelling house. The houses of Molony and his brother, who was murdered, were about a mile apart, and the prisoners lived close by. The next morning a threatening notice was found posted upon Molony's door.

Michael Molloy, a most intelligent boy, about 16 years of age, deposed that on the evening in question Mr Molony, his daughter, Mrs Flanagan, the wife of one of the prisoners, the old servant, Mary Bourke, and himself were sitting in the kitchen of the house. They felt a cold breeze coming in through the window, and Mrs Flanagan got up to replace the cloth in the broken pane. While doing so the shot was fired through the o cu [unclear] door. Witness, who was sitting by the fire, sprang to the window, looked out through it, and saw the two prisoners plainly coming towards the window; but when they saw him they fell back. Molony called out to have someone run for the pitchfork. Witness ran up to the room for it, and looked out of the window, when he saw the prisoners again.

James Molony was next examined, and he stated that his daughter was on the way to the door, from the window, when the shot was fired, and she would have been killed if the shot was not fired before she got there. When the shot was fired the boy (Molloy) ran to the window, and could not be put away from it. It was when witness was going to bed that night the boy told him who had fired the shot. About midnight, his nephew came and told him that his brother, Michael Molony, had been murdered the same evening.

Mary Bourke, and old woman who had been for 30 years in James Molony's employment, gave evidence as to the elopement and the marriage. She said that once Flanagan got the fortune of £100 he began to ill-treat his wife, who came home to her father, and was very ill for a month after.

No evidence was called for the defense.

His Lordship having charged the jury, they retired, and in half an hour returned into court with a verdict of "Guilty" against both prisoners.

His Lordship, in pronouncing sentence, said the prisoners had been charged with attacking a dwelling house, but he thought they should have been indicted for the higher offence of shooting at with intent to murder. Daniel Flanagan was sentence to seven, and to the other prisoner [Edmond] to five years' penal servitude.

Dublin Daily Express, Tuesday, 17 January 1882
The fact that "a very bad feeling existed between the Molonys and Flanagans, and the latter were summoned and fined more than once" was evidenced in the Crusheen petty session complaints.

In three separate complaints, dated 22 September 1881, James Moloney stated that (1) Edmond Flanagan of Ballyvrohane on the 2nd day of August, unlawfully and maliciously refuse to give the complainant his horse with the intent to defraud said complainant and did threaten to assault said complainant". (2) same charge as (1) against Daniel Flanagan of Ballyvrohane. (3) that Edmund Flanagan of Ballyvrohane on the 2nd day of August 1881, did cruelly beat, ill-drive, and abuse said complainants horse".

The conviction and sentence of the brothers Flanagan was raised twice as an issue in 1882 during the "Irish Questions" during British House of Commons:
THE BROTHERS FLANAGAN.

In the House of Commons on Thursday night the following took place in reference to the conviction of Edward and Daniel Flanagan at the Cork Winter Assizes:—

Mr. Sexton—I beg to ask the Chief Secretary of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether two brothers named Edward and Daniel Flanagan were, upon the evidence of one Molloy, a farm servant about 16 years old, convicted in January last, at the Munster winter assizes, of having fired into the house of one James Molony, and were sentenced by Mr. Justice Fitzgerald to seven and five years' penal servitude respectively; whether the learned judge in charging the jury warned them that the case was one 'requiring considerable caution' on their part; that the whole case rested upon the evidence of Molloy; and that it was for the jury to examine with suspicion, with careful scrutiny the statement he had made; whether the said Molloy since the trial has been living in the Ennis police barrack, and, whether a few days since, he was accused of stealing a silver watch from a constable, and of representing to a local watchmaker that he had won it at a raffle, and of obtaining another watch in exchange; and whether the Government will examine the charge against Molloy, and review the evidence, verdict, and sentence in the case of the brothers Flanagan.

The Chief Secretary said that the Flanagans, who were brothers, were convicted at the winter assizes in Cork, of having fired into the house of a man name Molony in Clare. Molloy was not the only witness examined for the Crown, and no witness appeared to have been examined for the defence. It was a fact that the learned judge was reported to have made use of the words attributed to him by the honourable member, but after the prisoners were convicted he not only expressed his approval of the verdict, but he was reported to have said that the indictment against Daniel Flanagan could have been for the higher crime of shooting with intent to murder his father-in-law. It was a fact that Molloy stole a policeman's watch at the station.

Mr Sexton asked if it was not true that Molloy had since restored the watch to the constable.

The Chief Secretary said he had not heard that.

Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, Saturday, 1 April 1882
IRISH QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

MICHAEL MOLLOY.

Mr. SEXTON—I beg to asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland [Trevelyan] whether two brothers named Edward and Daniel Flanagan, of Rathclooney county Clare, were convicted at the last Cork winter assizes of firing into a dwelling house, and sentenced to penal servitude; whether the only witness who identified the prisoners was one Michael Molly, a farm servant, a youth of 17, upon whose testimony, according to the charge of the learned judge who tried the case (Mr. Just Fitzgerald) the case against the prisoners rested; whether the witness Molloy after the winter assizes was accommodated for some weeks in the police barracks at Ennis, and while there stole a watch belonging to the constable, and exchanged it for another at a pawnbroker's; whether, after the police authorities had become aware of this act of theft, they sent Molloy in charge of a constable to Gravesend, and shipped him to Australia at the public cost and whether Molloy, while in company with the constable in London, stole from a restaurant a gold-headed cane, which the constable, on discovering the theft, compelled him to return; whether the Government, having lately set at liberty one of the brothers condemned to penal servitude on the evidence of Molloy, will now release the other, and why the Government, instead of sending Molloy to Australia at the public cost, did not have him committed to stand his trial for perjury and theft.

The CHIEF SECRETARY said the first part of the question had already been answered, and he did not propose to repeat the reply. The constable who was with Molloy in London was in a distant part of the country, and no answer had been received from him. One of the brothers Flanagan had recently been released solely on the ground that he was in a delicate state of health, and that his life would be endangered by further imprisonment.

Weekly Freeman's Journal, Saturday, 8 July 1882
Daniel Flanagan (age 24) and Edward Flanagan (age 20), arrived in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin on 6 December 1881. Both convicted for a "whiteboy offence" and sentenced to 7 and 5 years, respectively, according to Mountjoy prison records. The far right remark for Edward Flanagan states that on 21 June 1882 he was "released on license medical grounds". For Daniel Flanagan it states that on 12 April 1884 "released on license + returned to Carrahan, Co. Clare".

Michael Moloney and James Moloney of Rathclooney appear to have been fairly wealthy tenant farmers with leases valued at Griffith Valuation of £14 and £13, respectively. Compared to the five McNamara families of my prior posting, only John McNamara of Plot 14 with a Griffith Valuation at £10 was anywhere similar in value. It is interesting to see how the children of Michael Moloney, a farmer, through education could obtain a higher social class and unlike the poorer McNamara's from Rathclooney did not have to emigrate from Ireland.

Rathclooney Griffith Valuation Plot 6ABC, Michael Moloney; House, offices & land; 33+ acres; valuation £14, 15 shillings.

Michael Molony (prior to 1816 - 1881) and Honora Considine (1818 - 1902) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; x> were the parents of four children baptized at Clooney-Quin parish.

Michael Molony was murdered on 29 October 1881; unable to locate civil death record. During the trial proceedings he was identified to be the brother of James Molony of Rathclooney. This James Molony of Rathclooney, I reckon, was baptized on 29 April 1816 (see Plot 18 way below), the son of John Molony and Catherine Daffy of Rathclooney. Michael Molony was likely the son of the same parents and baptized prior to the 1816 start of the Quin-Clooney baptism register.

Hanorah Considine Moloney, widow of a farmer, age 84 years, at Carrahan, died on 13 May 1902; informant, her grandson Dan Moloney of Carrahan (Tulla registration).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 602010.pdf

6A.1 John Moloney (1852 - 1888), John Molony was baptized on 3 December 1852, residence Rathclouney; sponsors Jerry Considine, Honora Daffy.

John Christopher Moloney, age 35, Roman Catholic clergyman, died on 24 January 1888, at the home of his brother, Patrick Considine Moloney, at 78 Kenilworth Square (Dublin South):

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 769452.pdf
DEATH OF REV. JOHN MOLONEY, C C, TOOMEVERA

With very deep regret we have to record the death of the Rev. John Moloney, C C, Toomevera, which sad event took place at Dublin on Tuesday, the 24th ult, owing to an attack of congestic of the lungs, which he got some weeks since. The deceased was not in very rude health. But no one seeing him travelling to Dublin on that Tuesday afternoon could suspect that death was so near. Disease of the heart was, we are told, the cause of his sudden death.

Father Moloney was in the very prime of life, being only thirty-five years old when he died. He was ordained in the year 1876, after having read a most distinguished course in Maynooth College. His first appointment was to the curacy of Castleconnell, where his name is loved and revered by a people who thoroughly appreciated the untiring zeal of the earnest young priest. From Castleconnell Father Moloney was transferred to the parish of Lorrha, where he laboured in the troublous days of the Land League, and proved that he was no less a sterling and whole-hearted patriot than an earnest and hard-working priest. The large numbers of Lorrha people who attended his funeral on Friday last is the very best proof of the estimation in which he was held in that extensive parish.

The Office of the Dead commenced at 11 a.m., but long before that hour the church of Toomevara was crowded with a sorrowing congregation. The Rev M Hogan, C C, Dunkerring, officiated . . . [long list of priests] . . .

Midland Tribune, Thursday, 2 February 1888

6A.2 Michael Moloney (1854 - 1936), Michael Molony was baptized on 18 August 1854, residence Raclooney; sponsors John Markaham, Mary Culligan.

Michael Molony, of Rathclune, farmer, age 23, son of Michael Molony, married Bridget Ryan, of Ballymacahill, daughter of Thady Ryan (deceased), on 5 March 1878 at the Catholic chapel at Barefield, by the Rev. John Moloney, C.C., [Michael's brother]; witnesses Michael Considine and Catherine McInerney (Ennis registration). <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>

Michael Moloney and Bridget Ryan were the parents of 11 children, 9 surviving at the time of the 1911 census:
...........................6A.2.1 John Molony (1879 - ), of Rathclooney, was baptized on 4 February 1879; sponsors John Considine, Ellen Considine. <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>
...........................6A.2.2 Patrick Molony, unknown birth year, was informant on 1936 civil death record for father.
...........................6A.2.3
...........................6A.2.4
...........................6A.2.5 Timothy R. Molony (age 13 in 1901), born on 13 March 1887 in Rathclooney <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>
...........................6A.2.6 James R. Molony (age 12 in 1901) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; x>
...........................6A.2.7 Daniel F. Molony (age 11 in 1901) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; x> Was informant at death of his grandmother, Hanorah Considine Moloney, in 1902.
...........................6A.2.8 Mary Kate Molony (age 9 in 1901) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>
...........................6A.2.9 Anne Matilda Molony (age 4 in 1901) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>
...........................6A.2.10 Bridget Francis Molony (age 3 in 1901) <Lassanagh, Clooney, House 2; House 1>
...........................6A.2.11 Hanorah Violet Molony (age 9 in 1911) <Lassanagh, Clooney, x; House 1>

Michael Moloney, of Carrahan, age 82 years, married, farmer, died on 18 June 1936; informant son Patrick Moloney of Carrahan (Scarriff registration):

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 288814.pdf


6A.3 Patrick Considine Moloney (1856 - 1898), Patt Molony was baptized on 26 October 1856, residence Raclouney; sponsors Daniel Considine, Cath Considine.

Patrick Considine Moloney, civil service, of 14 N. Sumnur street (sp?), son of Michael Moloney, a farmer, married Mary Jane Louisa Molyneux, of 10 Rathmines Road, daughter of George Molyneux, a gentleman, on 6 October 1881 in North Dublin:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 028905.pdf
MOLONY—September 27, 1895, at 78 Kenilworth Square, Mary Louisa, beloved wife of P C Molony. RIP. Funeral will leave for Glasnevin at 9 o'clock on Monday morning.
Dublin Evening Telegraph, Saturday, 28 September 1895
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 679531.pdf

Patrick Considine Moloney died 13 December 1898 at Carrahan House; informant his brother, Michael Molony:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 642057.pdf
DEATH OF P.C. MOLONEY, LATE G.P.O. DUBLIN

We regret to announce the death of Mr P C Molony, late of the G P O, Dublin, which took place last week at his residence, Carrahan House, County Clare. The deceased gentleman occupied an important position in the General Post Office, Dublin, and was most popular amongst his colleagues of all branches of the postal service. He caught a cold in July last, which developed into pneumonia, and in October he left Dublin for his native county, where, as stated, his illness came to a fatal termination. The funeral was one of the largest seen in the district. The chief mourners were:—Masters C and G Moloney (sons), Michael Moloney (brother), J O'Molony and P Molony, James Considine, Jeremiah Considine, P L G; John Considine, M McGee, ? Hanrahan, P Markham, P Ryan, P L G. There was also a very large attendance of the general public. The clergy present were:—Rev Father Kennedy, C C, Quin; Rev Father Grace, C C, Quin; Rev Father McMahon, P P, Clare Castle; and Rev Father O'Dea, C C, Doora.

Messrs Dagg and Sweeny, of the G P O, Dublin, attended as a deputation from the Post Office, bearing a magnificent wreath, which was place on the coffin.

Freeman's Journal, Tuesday, 20 December 1898
A google search of "Patrick Considine Moloney" led to the biography of one of his sons in "Clare War Dead: A History of the Casualties of the Great War" by Tom Burnell. See excerpt for Charles Frederick Molonoy in "Claremen and Women During WWI", also contributed by Tom Burnell, in below family tree.

Included in the military documents (fold3 website) for Private Charles Frederick Moloney were his next of kin as reported by his brother, C.M. Molony, on 2 August 1919. Both parents were reported as deceased; living were five brothers and two sisters,

In the 1901 Irish census, the four youngest Molony orphan boys were pupils at the La Sainte Union Convent Boarding School in Banagher, King's County, run by the sisters of La Sainte Union de Sacre Coeur (founded in France) :
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... t/1460207/

...........................6A.3.1 Captain George Patrick Molony (1883 - 1944), age 36, Johannesburg, South Africa.
MOLONY—STEGMANN—June 1st, at the Catholic Church, Johannesburg, by the Rev. J.H. Schaug, O.M.I, George Patrick, eldest son of the late P. Considine Molony, of Rathgar, County Dublin, and grandson of the late George Molyneaux, of Belfast, Ireland, to Margaret, widow of the late Dr. C.J. Stegmann (Dr. Jrs.), sometimes Lecturer in Modern Languages at the University of Glasgow, and Advocate of Johannesburg.
Northern Whig, Monday, 3 July 1916
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183 ... eux_molony

...........................6A.3.2 Lieut. Capel Molyneux (C.M.) Molony, age 35, Star Hotel, Ennis

Capel Molyneux Molony, of Rathgar, Dublin, enlisted at Dublin on 16 April 1902 with the "Army Services Corp" under a "Short Service" attestation of "One year with the colours". He fought in South Africa for 355 days, from 16 April 1902 until 15 April 1903, partially during the Boer War which ended 31 May 1902, and received the South African medal (fold3 website). He reenlisted during the Great War:
Second-Lieutenant C.M. Molony, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, officially reported wounded, is the second son of the late P.C. Molony, Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, and grandson of the last George Molyneux, Belfast. He served in the Boer War, and received a commission in the Dublins last February.
Northern Whig, Monday, 27 November 1916
...........................6A.3.3 Miss Kathleen Molony, age 34, Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, Dunedin, New Zealand.
...........................6A.3.4 Miss Mary Molony, age 33, Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, Dunedin, New Zealand.

...........................6A.3.5 Charles Frederick Moloney (1890 - 1916)
Charles Frederick Molony: Born in Dublin lived in Ennis, killed in action 5th March 1916 age 24, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, D Company 8th Bn R/15572, 14th (Light) Division, G/M in France. Son of Patrick Considine JP and Mrs J W M Molony (nee Molyneux) Rathgar Dublin. (TB)

The 8th (Service) Battalion landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 41st Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division in August 1914 for service on the Western Front, and saw action the Second Battle of Ypres in May 1915, the Battle of Delville Wood in July 1916 and the Battle of Flers–Courcelette in September 1916. (See Profiles of the Clare War Dead L-M)

https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... _war_2.pdf
...........................6A.3.6 Patrick L. Molony (1892 - after 1919), age 28, Monastery.

Patrick Considine Lionel Molony, of 78 Kenilsworth Square, was born on 12 March 1892 (Dublin South, transcribed as Dublin North in error). Later whereabouts in 1911 and at the monastery are a mystery.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 881432.pdf

...........................6A.3.7 John Reginald Molony (1894 - after 1952), age 25, U.S. America, care of Star Hotel, Ennis.

John Reginald Moloney enlisted on 21 September 1915 with the King's Royal Rifle Corps ("KRRC"), 6th Battalion. According to a register of Silver War Badge recipients, John Reginald Moloney, reg #15577, had served overseas, and was discharged due to "wounds", on 22 October 1917, at the age of 22 years, 32 days (per ancestry website). A military index card for "John Molyneux" states "See John Moloney".

John Reginald Moloney, age 24, born in Dublin, last residence in Ennis, occupation "discharged soldier", missing toe on left foot, arrived in New York on the SS Carmania on 2 October 1918; Irish contact was his cousin, Maria Molony, of the Star Hotel, Ennis; USA contact was friend, Miss Hassert, of "183 St. 3rd Av., New York". He had previously lived in the USA for four years. His passage in 1918 on the SS Carmania was paid for by the British Government.

John Reginald Moloney, age 48, was living in Paso Robles, California at the time of his WWII registration in 1942. Like many who move to California, John R. Moloney reinvented himself. His birthplace was no longer Ireland but had become Bombay, India on 28 December 1894; and his name "John Reginald Romanoff-Molyneux-Molony" now hinted of Russian aristocracy. However, he was still "missing the 2nd toe of his left foot" according to the registration. John Reginald Molyneux-Molony, seaman, age 50, prior residence Paso Robles, born in Ireland, arrived in San Francisco from New Caledonia on 31 December 1944 on the USS General C. G. Morton, a military transport ship with the U.S. Navy.

...........................6A.3.8 M.E. Molony (1895 - 1922), unfit, age 24, care of Star Hotel, Ennis.

Michael Eric Molony, at 78 Kenilworth Square, Dublin, was born on 27 September 1895, the same date as his mother's death (Dublin South).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 829990.pdf

Per his military pension index card, Michael Eric Molony, Reg. No 14771, fought with the Irish Guards; discharged 1.6.21; "Died 10.4.22"; and also "File destroyed". Michael Eric Molony, of Ennis, bachelor, 26 years, private in the Irish Guards, died at Ennis District Hospital on 10 April 1922 (Ennis registration).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Guards
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 390543.pdf


6A.4 Catherine Molony (1859 - ?), baptized on 10 April 1859, residence Raclouney; sponsors Henry Ireton, Mary Ireton. Later whereabouts are a mystery.


Rathclooney Griffith Valuation Plot 18, James Moloney; House, offices & land; 27 acres; valuation £13, 10 shillings.

James Moloney was likely the James baptized on 29 April 1816, father John Molony, mother Catherine Daffy, of Rathclouny; sponsor Michael Rodgers (per Quin-Clooney baptisms, 1816-1855).

James Molony (1816 - died after 1881, prior to 1901) and Mary Houlihan ( - prior to 1901) were the parents of one daughter baptized at Clooney-Quin parish:

18.1 Catherine Moloney (1860 - 1936), Catherine Molony was baptized on 30 March 1860, residence Rathcluney; sponsors William Houlihan, Mary Houlihan. <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 4; House 15> Catherine Flanagan, of Carrahan, age 78 years, widow of a farmer, died on 3 August 1936; informant cousin [once removed] Patrick Moloney of Carrahan (Scarriff registration)

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 288814.pdf

...........................18.1.1 Patrick Flanagan (age 18 in 1901) <Rathclooney, Rathclooney, House 4; House 15>

****************************************************

Both the shooting into the home of James Moloney of Rathclooney in 1881, and the murder of Patrick Kearney of Ahish in 1878, through the evidence presented at both trials, highlight how dowries in Irish marriages could be a source of conflict. Given the importance of dowries, I may need to reconsider who Daniel McNamara of Rathclooney Plot 13 (valuation £6, 15 shillings) married on 16 February 1858. Was his bride, as I previously assumed in my last posting, the Anne McNamara, born in 1836, the daughter of Martin McNamara and Margaret Hehir of Plot 6Cd (total valuation only 14 shillings)? Or was the bride more likelier to have been the Anne McNamara, born in 1837, the daughter of Michael McNamara and Mary O'Connor of Plot 4 (valuation £2, 10 shillings)?

Sheila, thank you for the discussion on Daffy versus Duffy. I see that Michael Moloney, who was murdered in 1881, would likely have Daffy first cousins as he was the son of John Moloney and Catherine Daffy.

Thanks also for mentioning the fundraising subscription drive from New York organized by the Clunes which included a Jeremiah McNamara. As a reminder, the fundraising was meant to help Michael Malley who supposedly was married and "has a young family". Michael Malley was single and I doubt very much that he received any of these funds. This is not the only newspaper article where events described by this Clune family are more propaganda than reality.


Edit 1 on 27 Feb 2023: death of Mary Louis Molyneux Moloney in 1895; four youngest Moloney orphans at convent boarding school in 1901; marriage of George Patrick Moloney in South Africa in 1916; beefed up bio for "M.E." Moloney including military service with Irish Guards.
Last edited by Jimbo on Tue Feb 28, 2023 7:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Feb 26, 2023 11:53 am

Hi Jimbo,

Thank you for that very interesting account of the murder of Michael Molony and the attack on his brother James. And for the account of the descendants of both Michael and James.
I encountered Michael Molony, as the husband of Honora Considine, when I was writing “Considine Family Tree”: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6785 back in 2016. Honora was the sister of Daniel Considine. Your posting prompted me to add some more information on the Considines this morning.

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:24 pm

THE EXTRA POLICE TAX.
(BY TELEGRAPH)
Ennis, Friday.


At Ennis Petty Sessions to-day, Mr. Thomas Green presiding, Timothy Griffey and eleven others, farmers, residing in the townland of Cappamore, were brought before the court by the police for refusing to pay the amount of police tax levied for the maintenance of extra men located in the district consequent on the murder, near Spancil Hill, in August last, of John McMahon. The defendants, in every instance, protested against the injustice of the levy being confined to a limited area, and more than one of them complained of exemptions having been made of some of their richer neighbours. The chairman granted the decrees.

The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Saturday, 15 November 1884
The above article highlights that Rathclooney was not the only townland which protested against the unfairness of the "blood tax" in 1884. The Ennis Petty Sessions of 14 November 1884, under Justice Thomas Green, included dozen of cases with Sergeant Daniel Cronin as the complainant. For example, against Stephen Garvey of Cappamore: "The defendant is indebted to the complainant in the sum of five shillings and six pence half penny for Police Tax", with only the tax varying based upon the defendant's lease value. He was charged an extra shilling as a court cost / penalty. There were more than 11 defendants, and only five from Cappamore, others were from Tullyvoughan (Spancil Hill) and Ballycorrey (Ennis Rural) townlands.

On the very same day of the Ennis Petty Sessions, the issue of the unfair "blood tax" was brought up during "Irish Questions" during British Parliament in London:
PREVENTION OF CRIME (IRELAND) ACT, 1882—WARRANTS—EXTRA POLICE AT RATHCLOONEY, CO. CLARE.
HC Deb 14 November 1884 vol 293 cc1710-1


MR. KENNY asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if the townland of Rathclooney, county Clare, is charged with the cost of extra police stationed at Spancil Hill, some miles away; if these police have been stationed there in consequence of the murder of a man named McMahon, which occurred near Spancil Hill, in August last; if Rathclooney is in another parish from that in which the murdered man lived, and if two intervening townlands are not charged with the tax; and, if so, for what reason; and, if he will state upon what grounds the whole of the parish in which the murdered man lived is exempt from the Police Tax, while portions of an adjoining parish are compelled to contribute to it?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN : In consequence of the murder of M'Mahon, an extra police force is stationed at Spancil Hill to afford protection and prevent further outrage. The townland of Rathclooney, about one and a-half miles distant, is a part of the district taxed, which is that believed to be responsible for the murder and for the concealment of its perpetrators. One intervening townland—not two as alleged—is exempted, because it contains the houses and farms of the murdered man's widow and immediate relatives. The remainder of the parish is not included, because it is outside the usual area of taxation.

MR. KENNY: Is it not a fact that the land exempted from this tax is ground held by landlords, and is not that the reason that the Crown do not wish to tax it?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN: I have already stated the reason.

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hans ... olumn_1711
The first reporting by the press of the murder of John McMahon:
DREADFUL MURDER IN CLARE
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
Ennis, Saturday


Last night what appears to have been a deliberately planned murder was perpetrated on the highway between here [Ennis] and the village of Spancilhill, the victim being an old man of the farming class named John McMahon, a tenant on Lord Leconfield' estate. It appears that McMahon left Ennis for home about eight o'clock in company with three men named Flanagan, Hehir, and Keogh, all of whom were seated on a car. When about two miles outside the town, at a point known as Roslevan Cross, three men jumped from behind a low wall on the left hand side of the road. Having stopped the horse, one of them approached the back of the car, and, addressing the deceased, said, "Are you McMahon?" which, having been replied to in the affirmative, the speaker ordered him to get off the car, a request which McMahon firmly refused to comply with whereupon the other immediately drew a revolver and discharged it into his right side. McMahon then leaped from the car, and ran along the road for about 30 yards, when he fell and expired a short time afterwards. The murderers, it is alleged, did not leave the place until they had satisfied themselves that their victim was beyond human aid. They waited, it is said, to view the body, after which they decamped, taking the direction from which they approached the car in the first instance. Two of McMahon's companions [Pat Keogh and Pat Hehir, from the inquest], presumedly frightened at the report of firearms, ran away, while the third [John Flanagan] raised an alarm, and thus caused a report of the occurrence to reach the Ennis Constabulary. A number of men under Sergeant O'Sullivan immediately proceeded to the scene of the murder, but notwithstanding a searching inquiring and scouring of the country around, they have so far failed to obtain any information. Various reasons are assigned for the crime, among them being this, that McMahon had taken a portion of the lands of Toureen, the late residence of Mr. James Hynes, formerly a solicitor, practising in Ennis, and whose son Francis was executed in Limerick for the murder of the herd Doloughty in the year 1881. These lands, it appears, became encumbered, and ultimately passed into the possession of the Bank of Ireland, and were advertised by the Ennis agent to be let for grazing purposes. In all other respects McMahon is represented as having been on friendly terms with his neighbors, and the party who accompanied him on his homeward journey last night being unable to identify any of the miscreants, the inference is that the crime was the work of hired assassins from a distant part of the country. The body has been moved to Spancilhill, where it awaits an inquest.

Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Monday, 18 August 1884
The inquest was held on Monday, August 18th. The widow, "Bridget McMahon" ("Mary McMahon" per later newspaper accounts), deposed that she was notified of the murder by her husband's brother-in-law, Edward Howard. John Flanagan testified, and also Dr. Cullinan who arrived at the crime scene and the coroner. The jury returned a verdict "that John McMahon died from the effects of a wound inflicted on him by a shot from a revolver on the public road at Roslevin on Friday evening, the 15th of August, 1884" (Freeman's Journal, Tuesday, 19 August 1884).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 809958.pdf

After reporting on the coroner inquest, the Freeman's Journal reported on the current rumors for the motive of the murder:
The terrible crime in the theme of conversation on all sides, and various motives are assigned for its perpetration. In addition to that already placed before your readers [Toureen/Hynes theory] there appears to be a disposition on the part of many to attribute the desperate act to a family feud. It is also stated that McMahon, previous to starting for home on the night of the murder, was observed in the midst of a drunken brawl in O'Connell square, but whether as a peacemaker or combatant is unknown. No matter from what cause the unfortunate occurrence arose, the event is viewed with horror by all classes, and the announcement of the bloody deed was received with a feeling of awe, coming as it did to break the tranquility which has hitherto, at least for a considerable period, existed in the county Clare. Extraordinary vigilance is being exercised by the police, but up to the present no arrests have been made.

The agent of the Bank of Ireland wires:—"There is no truth in your report in to-day's issue that the murdered man McMahon had any dealings with Hynes' farm or the Bank of Ireland."

Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Tuesday, 19 August 1884
Several newspapers accounts noted that "a son of the deceased was recently attacked in his own house by Moonlighters, and severely beaten". Another newspaper stated that the "murder is the outcome of a family feud arising out of the taking of a farm [on Lord Leconfield's estate] from which a cousin of McMahon's had been evicted" (Kilkenny Moderator, 20 August 1884).

It appears that many Irish newspapers would simply make up motives and sensationalize any murder, perhaps with their own political motives (to continue the Coercion Act, for example), as noted by the Flag of Ireland:
THE ANCIENT EVIL.

Last week we referred to the revival in some quarters of the old system of lying distortion by local correspondents with regard to current events. This week we are compelled to revert to the subject by reason of a most shameless instance of the same unscrupulous spirit. There has, unhappily, been a murder in Clare, perpetrated under circumstances which are shrouded in mystery. Forthwith the lying correspondent appears on the scene, and telegraphs what appears to be a deliberately false statement to various newspapers and news agencies. The murdered man, a farmer named M'Mahon, had, he stated, taken a farm on Lord Leconfield's estate from which a former tenant had been evicted. This morsel the Express seized upon with the veracity of a jack-pike. Instantly the editor set to work to write a blood-curdling leader on the "agrarian outrage" and the necessity for retaining the Crimes Act as an instrument of British rule in Ireland. It made, however, when a couple days after the lie was printed it had to insert (buried away, by the way, in an obscure portion of the paper) a complete denial of the statement under the hand of Lord Leconfield's agent, Mr. Scott, no retraction or apology. This is the way they [be]have in Parliament-street Dublin.

The Flag of Ireland, Saturday, 23 August 1884
The murdered man, John McMahon, was stated in a few newspapers accounts as being from Kilvoydane. In the Crusheen baptism register (1860 - 1880), John McMahon and Mary Toole/O'Toole were the parents from nine children from 1861 through 1880. The widow Mary McMahon (age 61) was living with four of her children in the 1901 census in House 5 in Kilvoydane:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... h/1068809/

A newspaper account stated that Mary McMahon of Kilvoydane was left a widow with ten children, while only nine were included in the Crusheen baptism register. Their eldest son, Martin, was born prior to the 1860 start of the Crusheen baptism register. Martin McMahon, son of John McMahon (alive), married Mary Clancy, daughter of John Clancy (deceased), both of Kilvoydane, on 29 May 1883. In 1901, they are living in House 3 with six of their children:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 996328.pdf
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... h/1068809/

The newspapers published many rumors for the motive of the murder of John McMahon. One rumor was at least based upon fact. The son of John McMahon, Martin, was indeed attacked by Moonlighters just one month prior to the murder of his father.
ALLEGED MOONLIGHT OUTRAGE

The house of a farmer named Martin McMahon, a farmer residing at Spancilhill, about three miles from Ennis, was entered at 11 o'clock on Tuesday by an armed party, who placed him on his knees and without further ceremony began to belabour him about the head with sticks, inflicting some serious wounds, after which they decamped. M'Mahon came into town and had his injuries attended to by Dr Stamer at the county infirmary, and subsequently reported the occurrence to the police. A force was despatched to the scene of the outrage, but as McMahon was unable to give any clue to the identity of his assailants, whom he described as having been disguised, the matter is so far enveloped in mystery, and the fact that no motive can be assigned for the attack renders its solution still more perplexing.

Weekly Freeman's Journal, Saturday, 19 July 1884
Had the newly married Martin McMahon taken the farm from a McMahon cousin who had been recently evicted from Lord Leconfield's estate? Or, as with the shooting into the home of James Moloney of Rathclooney in 1881, and the murder of Patrick Kearney of Ahish in 1878, was there a conflict over the dowry? On a visit to Clare, I reckon it might be worthwhile to have a chat with the locals from these townlands and find out the inside scoop on these various occurrences. Maybe go to their local chapel for Sunday Mass and stick around afterwards for coffee and donuts (or the Irish equivalent) to casually interview some of the elderly parishioners. One hundred forty years have now passed, hopefully they would be more willing to say something.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sat Apr 01, 2023 9:20 am

Hi Michigan Paul (pmac7186@gmail.com)

It is now almost two months since you last posted (on 3 February) and you may not intend to search any more for the location of “Parish of Gland, County Clare”, the address* entered in the family bible for your ancestor, Patrick McNamara.
But just in case anyone else is interested in the location of “Parish of Gland”, I’m writing to say I’ve come upon a mention of a place called Glann near the town of Ennistymon . I was reading Sound Your A: The story of the Céilí and Dance Bands of Ennistymon: families, music and musicians, by Enda Byrt (2022), and found a mention of the death of Francis Murphy from Glann. Francis was aged 15 in 1919, so I found the record of his birth, hoping that this would give the official name of the townland, but it only gives “Glann”: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 719905.pdf. I found no record of his death. Finally, I found that the family had completed the 1911 census through Irish and that they were living in Glen South (Ennistymon DED): http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... th/356858/. Glen South is a townland in the parish of Clooney (Barony of Corcomroe): https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... louney.htm. It is generally called “Glann”. The Tithe Applotment books for Clooney give it as “Glann”. In the record of the marriage of John Murphy and Mary Curtin in 1892, the address is given as Glann: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 871807.pdf. However, Glen South is a very small townland and the adjoining townland of Glen North is also very small, so I’m doubting that Patrick McNamara would have called Glann a parish.

* see posting on page 44 of this thread.

Sheila

smcarberry
Posts: 1281
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:31 pm
Location: USA

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by smcarberry » Sat Apr 01, 2023 10:51 am

Sheila said:
However, Glen South is a very small townland and the adjoining townland of Glen North is also very small, so I’m doubting that Patrick McNamara would have called Glann a parish.
Your input on local usage of "Glann" for a location with a more formal name based on the spelling Glen is invaluable. Paul's dilemma is exactly at the heart of why so many in the Diaspora have a hard time with genealogy. The opportunity for confusion is abundant between the two languages (English and Irish), the multiplicity of formal and informal references to localities, the many ways to initially not match the old spelling to a "correct" spelling now in use 2022, etc.

Having faced a similar dilemma, albeit many years ago, I can only urge a family historian to keep collecting information until there is a level of satisfaction based on all the evidence: geographical, historical, sociological, and DNA. My family's immigration story likewise had our most important Irish reference written in 1855 in a French-speaking Canadian province as Clenlear/Glenlear for what was a settled spelling in English of "Clonlea." Handwriting can add another layer of uncertainty, and scarcity of comparisons for the really rural places that would not be discussed much or at all in writings of that era.

Every bit of data helps. Good for you, Sheila, that you are adding what you find as you continue in your extensive reading.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:37 am

Thanks Sharon, I am finding that many of the old place-names were still in use in the 20th century (instead of the “official” townland names), and maybe they still are*.

Another possibility for “Parish of Gland” (the address entered in the bible) is the parish of New Quay. The Catholic Parish Registers site (https://registers.nli.ie) gives the variant name for New Quay as Glanamanagh: https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0622.

Indeed the use of “New Quay” is the reverse of the practice of keeping the old name. The old name for New Quay was Burren, or Burrin, but “New Quay” was used after the new quay was built in 1837, as this piece tells us: https://www.burrengeopark.ie/discover-e ... /new-quay/. New Quay is in the civil parish of Oughtmama: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... htmama.htm

* Here is one example I came upon recently: The “official” townland of Coolbane is in the parish of Kilkeedy (usually called Tubber). But the old place-name, “Coolbaun”, was used by people living in the “official” townland of Ballymaconna in the parish of Kilraghtis (usually called Barefield) – see this 1909 record of the marriage of Johanna Hogan and Patrick Macnamara, for instance: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 644640.pdf. Johanna was living in Ballymaconna in 1901: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... na23_2.htm

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Tue Jun 13, 2023 1:58 pm

On page 43 of this thread there is a posting by Jimbo which tells us of the eviction of Mary Anne Stackpoole, widow, from a farm leased by her at Viewmount in Crusheen parish. In a further posting, Jimbo shows that Mary Anne Stackpoole was a sister of Denis O’Loghlen and gives some O’Loghlen family tree from the ancestry website, including that Mary Anne’s parents were Malachy O’Loghlen (1768-1852) and Anne Lynch (1772-1849). Mary Anne O’Loghlen married Philip Stackpoole in Viewmount in 1824, and they had a daughter (mentioned in the newspaper report on the eviction). There was also a niece who was living with Mary Anne at that time (1879). Jimbo found some further records, which show that the niece, Anna Maria Stapleton, died in Clontarf, Dublin in 1919. Jimbo adds that the daughter remains a mystery.

Recently, I read again an article, “The O’Loghlens of Drumconora”, by Michael O’Loghlen, in The Other Clare, Vol. 44, 2020. The most famous of those O’Loghlens was Sir Michael O’Loghlen (1789-1842), who made history when he became the first Catholic appointed a judge since the 1680s, in Ireland or in England. But the article goes back to Sir Michael’s forebears, who were among the O’Loghlen families forced to leave the Burren area in the 17th century and move to South County Galway. It goes back, in particular, to the family of Malachy O’Loghlen, who married Joan Daly of Raford, county Galway, about 1695. Malachy and Joan were the great grandparents of Sir Michael O’Loghlen. The article focuses mainly on Colman O’Loghlen, father of Sir Michael, and his descendants, but returns at the end to Malachy and Joan. Their grandson, also called Malachy, is the Malachy mentioned by Jimbo as the father of Mary Anne Stackpoole. The article goes on to speak of Anna M. Stapleton (1863-1919), who was a niece of Mary Anne Stackpoole (Anna was a daughter of Bryan Stapleton and Margaret O’Loghlen, who, it seems, was a sister of Mary Anne*). Anna M. Stapleton is of special importance to the O’Loghlens as the writer of letters to the second Sir Michael O’Loghlen (1866-1934) in Australia (he was a grandson of the first Sir Michael), giving valuable information on the family tree. According to the author of the article, these letters, written in 1913, are reproduced in “Some O’Loghlen Families in Burren, county Clare, Ireland”. I felt sure that the mystery daughter of Mary Anne O’Loghlen and Philip Stackpoole would be mentioned in those letters, but, when I read the letters**, I found no mention of her.

* See “Some O’Loghlen Families in Burren, county Clare, Ireland” by Michael O’Loghlen; Rosemary Gilligan; Edward O’Loghlen, in particular note 7, page 148; and a chart showing the descendants of Malachy and Joan on page 161. This tells us that Mary Anne’s daughter was Anna Maria [Stacpoole], b. 1852 [1852 is 28 years after the marriage in 1824, so there must be some mistake, I think]: https://olochlainn.files.wordpress.com/ ... t-2021.pdf

** Letters from Anna M. Stapleton 1913 begin on page 181 of the same document.

Sheila

Edited 14 Jun 2023 to amend "grandnephew" to "grandson"
Last edited by Sduddy on Wed Jun 14, 2023 9:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:58 am

I found the record of the death, on 29 Oct 1902, of Anna Maria Stackpoole, Lady, aged 63. The informant is A.M. Stapleton, present at death, 1 Killeen Road [Dublin]: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 600496.pdf.
If Anna Maria was really only 63 when she died in 1902, she would have been born in 1839 - many years after the death of Philip Stackpoole in 1827.

Here are Anna Stapleton, aged 37, and Maria Stacpoole, aged 49, living in Charleston Avenue, Dublin, in 1901: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... e/1291682/.

I've corrected a mistake I made in my posting above: the second Sir Michael O'Loghlen was a grandson of the first Sir Michael - not a grandnephew, as I'd said.

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Thu Jun 15, 2023 11:59 am

I think Anne Maria Stacpoole must have been fibbing about her age. I think the 1852 date for her birth is a typo and was meant to be 1825. And it seems her first cousin, Anna Maria Stapleton, was also fibbing about her age. The record of her death on 10 Mar 1919, at Vernon House, Clontarf [Dublin], gives her age as 80. If correct, she was born in 1839 - not 1863 as shown in the family tree chart: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 423541.pdf.
A Margaret Stapleton, widow, died in Drumaneen townland (where Viewmount house was situated) on 26 Feb 1872, aged 66; informant: Wm. Stapleton: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 277249.pdf. I strongly suspect that this is Margaret O’Loghlen, widow of Bryan Stapleton, and mother of Anna Maria. If so, her aged at death (66) would mean that she was too old to have a daughter in 1863 – it is much more likely that her daughter was born in 1839.

Anna Maria’s uncle, William Stapleton, died on 14 Aug 1899, aged 84: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 637571.pdf . William Stapleton and Anna Stapleton, were sponsors at the baptism of Bridget Mitchell in Crusheen parish on 28 June 1873: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 9/mode/1up. (When transcribing the Crusheen parish baptisms, I mistranscribed “Wm” as “M”).

Anna Maria’s father, Bryan Stapleton, is listed among the landowners (not tenants) at the beginning of the Tithe Applotment Books for Inchicronan (Crusheen) parish. He lived in the townland of Callura: http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... _00208.pdf. The Bryen Stapleton listed among the Tituladoes Names in the 1659 census must be a forebear of Bryan: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... cronan.htm. However, in 1901 and 1911, Anna Maria gives her county of birth as Galway, so her father may have lived in that county rather than in Clare.

Malachy O’Loughlin, the grandfather of both Anne Maria Stacpoole and Anna Maria Stapleton, is listed as liable for Tithes in Drumaneen, Inchicronan parish: http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... _00219.pdf

Anna Maria Stapleton is listed among the Landowners of Clare 1876 as owning 597 acres : https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... /lands.htm. If she was born in 1863, she would have been only 13 in 1876, but she was actually about 37. The landed estates site repeats the amount of land she owned and gives nothing more on her: https://landedestates.ie/family/2328.

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sat Jun 24, 2023 2:01 am

Hi Sheila,

Great job solving the mystery of the identity of the daughter of Mrs. Mary Anne Stacpoole, the widow who was evicted from Viewmount in 1879. Anne Mary Stacpoole, or more likely her cousin, Anne Mary Stapleton, didn't make the search easy with her reported ages on the census and civil death record.

As the daughter of Mary Anne O'Loghlen and Philip Stacpoole, who died in 1828, Anne Mary would have been at least 72 years old in 1901. Yet, "Maria Stacpoole" was reported as only 49 years old in the census — a difference of 23 years. Similarly, when she died in 1902, Anna Maria Stacpoole was reported as 63 years old — a difference of "only" 10 years.

Sheila, thanks for sharing the link to the website “Some O’Loghlen Families in Burren, county Clare, Ireland” by Michael O’Loghlen. At 229 pages it is an amazing piece of research with a focus on just one surname. I suspect that the reported birth year of Anne Mary Stacpoole was 1852 as their only evidence was that she was age 49 in the 1901 census. This was not a typo, they were not aware that her father, Philip Stacpoole, died in 1828.

Anne Stapleton ("age 37") and "Maria" Stacpoole ("age 49") were living in Dublin at Charleston Avenue, House 18; in the Dublin City Directory the actual address of "Miss Stapleton" was #19. This was the reported location on the civil death record of her uncle William Stapleton in 1899 (per Sheila's research, linked previously). "Miss Stapleton" was reported in the Dublin directory living on Charleston Avenue as early as 1891, although her address was at #8. Charleston Avenue appears to have been a nice address, many of the residents were professionals or like Miss Stapleton lived off "income from land" and Miss Stacpoole from "interest on money".

Sheila, it would appear that Anna Maria Stapleton, whose occupation was "income from land" in 1901, had held on to the 597 acres as listed among the "Landowners of Clare 1876". These 597 acres were in Calluragh townland, Inchicronan, held by William Stapleton (her uncle) and Margaret Stapleton (her mother) in the 1855 Griffith Valuation, Plots 5 through 23, with an annual valuation of about £125.

Miss Stapleton, who lived at Viewmount "since a child", was a very wealthy woman when she was evicted along with her aunt and cousin in 1879. She was a key witness, along with her cousin, when Mrs. Mary Anne Stacpoole brought a claim to be compensated for tenant improvements against J. Foster Vesey Fitzgerald (represented by two solicitors, also named Fitzgerald) at the Ennis quarter sessions in January 1880.
ENNIS QUARTER SESSIONS.

On Thursday last, before the County Judge, the case of
Stacpoole v. Fitzgerald,
being a claim for compensation for improvements made on the lands of Crusheenbeg or Viewmount.

Mr. Roche, instructed by Mr. Bunton, appeared for claimants.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald, B L, and Mr. Fitzgerald, B L, instructed by Mr. Moloney, appeared for Fitzgerald [James Foster Vesey Fitzgerald, ≈1845 - 1907]

Mr. Roche opened the case. He explained that Mary Anne Stacpoole, of Viewmount, in this county, was claimant in the case, and William Vesey Foster Fitzgerald [either incorrect or possibly an attorney for J.F. Vesey Fitzgerald of Moyriesk] was respondent. The lease was dated 10th October, 1858, between the late Lord Vesey of the one part, and Denis O'Loghlen on the other. The extent of land was 16½ Irish acres and it was for a term of 21 years, at a yearly rent of £11. The lease contained the usual covenants about keeping the place in habitual repair. The lease expired last May, and an ejectment was brought at the June Sessions, and in that ejectment William Foster Fitzgerald was plaintiff, and Mary Anne Stacpoole defendant, along with Miss Stapleton and a Mr. Flanagan. A consent for a decree was then given and an arrangement entered into by which a stay of execution was given. His client, Mary Anne Stacpoole, was in very poor health, and they hoped to have been permitted to reside there—paying the rent for some time longer—they made application to this effect, but it did not suit Mr. Fitzgerald's purpose, and they were turned out in mid-winter.

The claim of his clients amounted to £60.

Mr. John Lopdell, C E, was then sworn, and deposed item by item as to the estimate he had put on the various improvements.

At the conclusion of the evidence his Lordship suggested that it would be better if Mr. Lopdell was also examined at the end of the case, when witnesses could have been heard as to the improvements.

Cross-examined by Mr. Fitzgerald—The was not the first claim he prepared by Mr. Bunton but he could explain.

Mr. Bunton said if this matter were gone into Mr. Fitzgerald would not be pleased with himself. There was another claim prepared, but it was done to convenience Mr. Fitzgerald and for not other purpose, and if it were going to rely on it he would ask to be examined.

Mr. Fitzgerald said the matter was of no consequence, and withdrew it.

Is this map correctly delivered? It is; there is just a small corner coloured by mistake, but it is not included in the claim.

And is all the rest of it as correctly delineated as this? It is a correct map, Mr. Fitzgerald.

Witness [Lopdell] went on to give evidence of the flooring of the house. He had not lifted the boards. The avenue was seven feet wide.

Mrs. Stacpoole [should be Miss] deposed she was the daughter of the claimant [Mary Ann Stacpoole] and niece of the late Denis O'Loughlen; recollected that before he had got this lease about seven acres that he had himself reclaimed, and other worthless land had been given to him in return; the good land was given to the driver, Sampson, by the agent.

The Chairman—Yes, the drivers generally take care of themselves.

Witness [Miss Anna Maria Stacpoole] continued that they had paid the rent up to the last day; they had bid for the land, but had got a letter from Mr. Fitzgerald to the effect that neither she nor her mother would get the land under the circumstances; they had been promised by Mr. Fitzgerald to be left in till the spring, as the harvest was so late and as her mother was in very delicate health, so delicate that for the last two years she had not been to any place of worship; but Mr. Fitzgerald had put them out in the inclement winter time on a few hours notice and a very short time before Christmas; she did not know what she should have done only for Lord Gough, who had given them a handsome residence, and behaved in the kindest manner to them, though perfect strangers to him.

The chairman said they could not have gone into these matters, as it was not a claim for disturbance.

The witness said she wished to make known to the public the circumstances of the case. She then went on to go give evidence as to the improvements, many of which she had herself seen made. There were some things she had omitted from her claim, and she could have got evidence from the adjoining tenants of Mr. Fitzgerald, but she did not wish to summon them for fear of bad consequences to them afterwards. The farmers around had told her certainly the claim could have been made much larger. They always farmed the lands well, particularly her uncle [Denis O'Loughlen] who had never sold hay off the land, but had bought hay and fed cattle and sheep on the land.

Cross-examined by Mr. G. Fitzgerald—Since the year '24 her grandfather [Malachy O'Loghlen] had been tenant there; the rent might have been £35 a year at that time, but in any case it was paid to a middleman; certainly the farm did not pay it, because her uncle [Denis O'Loghlen] held a situation from the last Sir Michael O'Loughlin, and her mother had a property of her own. The witnesses further cross-examination was of the nature of her direct examination. When the witness concluded.

Mr. Gerald Fitzgerald commented upon the statement made by the witness with reference to Mr. Foster Fitzgerald's conduct towards herself and her mother. He wished to say that his client was willing to go into the facts if necessary.

The Chairman said that it was certainly hard that these things which had no reference to the case should go abroad.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald said he could show that his client had acted in no way discourteously to the ladies, nor did he mean to do so, and as to the statement made about the sheriff going out to the lands, the real fact was the Mr. Molony, sol. [solicitor], had written to sheriff on the 10th of November, telling him to write to Mrs. Stacpoole and ask her to name a day for giving up the possession.

Mr. Bunton—If you are going into these matters, we will go into them too. They say, your Worship, the sheriff was not sent out; why, here are Mr. J.F.V. Fitzgerald's letters threatening an action on the sub-sheriff for not doing his duty and evicting Mrs. Stacpoole.

Mr. Molony said it was the sheriff's fault and not Mr. Fitzgerald's.

Mr. Bunton—Well, let me go into the case.

The Chairman said the court was not at present sitting to hear these matters.

A witness named Molony, a process server, was then examined by Mr. Roche, and gave evidence with references to the improvements made by the claimants, particularly those in the avenue and the yard.

Miss Anna Stapleton, deposed to Mr. Roche, she was niece to the late Denis O'Loghlen, and had lived with him since a child; she remembered a good deal of work being done then, fence boundaries, gardens fenced in, &c. These were done at different periods, but they were all done since her uncle got a lease in '58; she perfectly recollected the timber flooring being put down, but could not speak positively whether the joints were forest timber or not.

On cross-examination she gave similar evidence regarding the improvements, many of which had been made to her own certain knowledge.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald, B L, stated the case for the respondent, and called upon the chairman not to allow a penny of the claim. He based his repudiation of any indebtedness on the grounds that even allowing that every penny of the claim of £60 had been expended on the place, it would not amount to more than £3 per year on the term of occupation, which was what they were bound to do under the covenant to treat the place in a husband-like manner. Mr. Fitzgerald had been made the subject of the strongest denunciation about this matter.

Mr. Roche—I beg your pardon, Mr. Fitzgerald, he___

Mr. Fitzgerald—I don't allude to you, Mr. Roche.

Mr. Bunton—We even avoided anything of the sort.

Mr. Fitzgerald—I don't mean you at all, I allude to the strong condemnation and denunciation he received in a local paper. He instructs me now to say that he courts the fullest enquiry into his conduct in this matter. There was absolutely no truth in these denunciations.

The Chairman—I cannot go into these matters, Mr. Fitzgerald, it is entirely outside the matter.

Mr. Roche then begged that his Worship would hear him on the various items of the claim.

The Chairman said he really did not see his way to granting any compensation which would about to anything.

Mr. Fitzgerald then proceeded to call as evidence.

Mr. George Millward, C. E., who differed from Mr. Lopdell in his estimate on almost every particular.

Mr. Roche, B.L., argued, with his usual ability on every item, and at considerable length. Those poor ladies could not give the necessary evidence, but he begged his Worship to take particular notice of one or two incontrovertible facts. It could not be denied that Mr. Fitzgerald was getting up the land in a far better condition than it had been leased to the out-going tenants, and that too in those bad years when people were even anxious to get rid of their farms. Furthermore, Mr. Fitzgerald would not take less than 32s 6d an acre now, which evidently was imposed upon improvements of poor Mr. O'Loughlen who was in his grave now. It was a very hard case when considered with all the circumstances, and besides he would suggest to his Lordship that beyond all doubts the late Mr. O'Loughlen would never had received his lease on the low terms which the other aide sought to make as much, if some valuable considerations had not been given there for him.

Mr. Molony—I tell you what we'll do, your worship, we'll forgive the half years' rent due since May.

Mr. Bunton—You may keep it, we'll have nothing by way of forgiveness.

Mr. Fitzgerald—We are not doing it by way of compliment, but to avoid expenses.

Mr. Bunton—Let his Lordship deal with this case whatever way it goes. There's been too much talk about forgiveness. There is nothing to forgive.

Mr. Fitzgerald—Well, we'll forgive you the costs as well.

Mr. Bunton—No; nothing by way of forgiveness.

His Worship then summed up the case, and finally announced that the utmost he could possibly allow under this claim was £27. Against this there should be set off £7 at least, for the length of time these improvements have been enjoyed. Then there was the half year's rent, and the sets off for repairs to walls, &c, which would have leave nothing to Mrs. Stacpoole. The claim was consequentially dismissed; both sides to pay costs.

Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, Saturday, 3 January 1880
The 1858 lease agreement of 16½ Irish acres would appear to be the same as Plot 3a in Drummanneen townland, Inchicronan parish, at Griffith Valuation of 27 acres (16.5 x 1.62 multiple). The Griffith Valuation of £18, 5 shillings, as of the lease agreement in effect in 1855, was likely "inherited" by Denis O'Loghlen from his father, Malachy O'Loghlen. Lessor was Lord Fitzgerald. The new 1858 lease agreement was much lower than 1855, with an annual rent of only £11.

In 1855 Griffith Valuation, plot 3b, was a small home and garden leased to Patrick Flanagan, by Denis O'Loughlin. This was the "a Mr. Flanagan" mentioned as a defendant in the June of 1879 quarter sessions. He was their herdsman and did not testify as a witness at the January 1880 quarter sessions. Patrick Flanagan, of Drumaneen, age 88, herd, died on 3 March 1881; informant Mary Flanagan.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 852386.pdf

Anne Stapleton stated in her witness testimony that she had been living at Viewmount since she was a child. So it would appear that Denis O'Loghlen (≈1802 - 1877) had at one time been living at Viewmount with both of his widowed sisters, Mary Anne Stacpoole (≈1807 - 1886) and Margaret Stapleton (≈1805 - 1872), as well as his two nieces, Anna Maria Stacpoole (≈1828 ? - 1902) and Anna Maria Stapleton (≈1839 per 1919 death record).

The three ladies living at Viewmount when evicted in 1879 appear to have been rather wealthy. Their rental per acre was only 12 shillings & 6 pence under the 1858 lease agreement, "a moderate sum, it must be admitted, and it was natural that the landlord should ask a rise" (per Weekly Irish Times of 20 December 1879). They offered to pay 25 shillings, but the landlord Fitzgerald demanded 40 shillings (£2) per acre.

While they were evicted in the winter of 1879 and also lost their claim of £60 for tenant improvements against J. Foster Vesey Fitzgerald, their living situation ended up just fine with their move to a nice residence in Dublin. The big loser ended up being J. F. Vesey Fitzgerald who due to perceived threats against him and his agent (Ned Kennedy) had to seek police protection. And the big winner in this situation, I reckon, was the Land League which now had a cause to rally behind and had set a precedent for any Irish landlord in Clare who wanted to increase their rent without consideration for land improvements made by their tenants.
MR. J.F. VESEY FITZGERALD
(Special to Bassett's Daily Chronicle)
Ennis, Thursday

The above-named gentleman has considered it necessary to apply for police protection, and four constables have taken up their quarters at Moyriesk. The only apparent cause for apprehension was the forced surrender by his bailiff [Ned Kennedy] of the farm of Viewmount from which the Widow Stacpool and her two nieces [one daughter, one niece] had been evicted this time twelve month, and their claim under the Land Act for compensation for improvements afterwards dismissed on some legal technicality. The bailiff, Kennedy, got a lease of the farm at a less rent than the former tenant had offered on paying a fine of £100, which he has now forfeited, having been compelled to surrender the land rather than expose himself to the terrible penalty of "Boycotting," with which he had been threatened by the League.

Bassett's Chronicle
, Friday, 3 December 1880
Sheila, thanks again, it's very good to clear up the mystery of the Widow Stacpoole's daughter.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:46 am

Hi Jimbo

Thank you for that extra interesting information.
I have only a couple of crumbs left to contribute now. In contributing these, I am quoting once again from Thomas Coffey’s book, The Parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen) and conscious that I may have overquoted from that book already. That book was published in 1993, by Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare, in pre-internet times. Coffey would have travelled to Dublin to conduct his research, whereas I am relying on what I can find online. The Name Books at www.askaboutireland.ie give the letters written by John O’Donovan on the antiquities he found in each parish. But these are not the Field Name Books that Coffey refers to, so here I am taking a liberty by quoting directly from his book, in particular: Chapter Nine: “Notes from O’Donovan’s Descriptive Remarks on the Townlands of Inchicronan ‘Field Name Books’” (pp. 28-46):
Drummanneen:
Proprietor: Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci, Moyriesk, Quin.
Agent: Ged. Sampson Esq., Ennis.
Middleman: John Carrig Esq., Ennis and Crusheen.
One principal tenant, Mr. James Blake Butler, on a lease of one life, 4 occupying tenants at will, year rent from 27s to 30s per acre. Co. cess from 3s to 3s 4d per acre. Tithes from 5d to 7d per acre. Soil, some heavy and some light clay. Wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, vetches and turnips, are the usual crops.
Prevailing Names: O’Loughlin and Tierney.
Drummanneen Lake on the south, another Drummanneem lake on the east boundary. Pike and eel in these lakes. Glenwilliam Cottage, the seat of Mr. Wm. Blake Butler built 1778, but much improved at different periods since, stands in this townland. Plantations, ornamental grounds, some ash trees, a garden and orchard here. A fine thatched cottage, seat of Mr. O’Loughlin stands in the west of this townland. 2 forts and Grania’s well here.
Authority: Mr. Patrick Liddy, Steward.

Calluragh:
Proprietor: Augustine Butler, Esq., Ballyline, Crusheen.
Middleman: for 1/3rd, Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci.
William Stapleton Esq., proprietor for two thirds, a purchase made by his father for ever. Let to from 60 to 80 tenants, some having lives on Mr. Stapleton’s property, and those on Mr. Fitzgerald’s at will. Yearly rent, £150 for the whole. Co. cess, from 3s to 3s 4d per acre. Tithes, withheld. Soil: rocky and gravelly and a great portion mountain. Usual crops: oats and potatoes.
Prevailing Names: O’Neal and Markham.
Mr. Stapleton’s house, in bad repair, stands in this townland, with a garden and orchard. Lough Naghagalish on south boundary. Doon lake on south west boundary, and Clogga lakes on west boundary. Trout, pike and eel in these lakes. Tobbernaneave holy well in this townland also.
Authority: William Stapleton, Esq., of Calluragh.
Thomas Coffey says, “He [O’Donovan] visited every townland in the county and submitted descriptive remarks on each”. Maybe these descriptive remarks have been made available online by Findmypast or Ancestry. I’m not a subscriber, so I don’t know. I’ve never known anyone to refer to them.

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Jul 02, 2023 8:44 am

As long ago as 27 Mar 2009, Sharon Carberry posted an example from Co. Galway of the descriptive remarks to be found in O’Donovan Place Name books – see her posting entitled “O’Donovan’s Ordnance Survey, Galway Library’s version”: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=494&p=1058&hilit=prevailing#p1058

The links in her posting are no longer working, so I did a search for “O’Donovan’s Field Name Books Galway Library” and found this link: http://places.webworld.org. Click on ” list of civil parishes in Galway”. This leads to a way of finding the descriptive remarks for any civil parish in Galway: http://places.webworld.org/parish/list. I tried using it for the parish of Beagh, and found that the remarks describe rivers, lakes and islands and places other than the“official” townlands that were eventually set down: http://places.webworld.org/parish/984

The “BeaghRootsGalway” site (https://beaghrootsgalway.weebly.com) gives helpful background information for the Ordnance Survey Name Books: https://beaghrootsgalway.weebly.com/o-d ... 1830s.html

It would be great if the descriptive remarks for the townlands of Clare were available too. All I can find, so far, is this piece on Sixmilebridge: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... enames.htm.

Where can I find the other Co Clare parishes? Help needed, please.

Sheila

Post Reply