Hi Sheila,
Yes, I agree that the Rev. Charles Fahy has a very good chance of being from Doora-Kilraghtis parish or at least had extended family living there. Also, Sharon provided an important clue with regards to his uncle, with the discovery of the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon having a land holding at Ballyhickey, Clooney, in the Tithe Applotment book, dated 1 May 1825.
The Rev. Charles Fahy, when parish priest of Tulla Parish, got a brief mention for his efforts to try to resolve the 1831 Terry Alt conflict in North East Clare.
THE ARMY.
Seven officers and 100 men of the 74th are stationed at Moynoe house, near Scariff, which is converted into a barrack.
Dublin Evening Post, Thursday, 14 April 1831
SURRENDER OF ARMS.—On Thursday night, two guns and a bayonet, taken a short time since from the military stationed in Scariff, were delivered to the Rev. Mr. Fahy, P.P., as a peace-offering on the part of the people of that district. The reverend gentleman had them immediately delivered to Captain Manning, the officer commanding at Maynoe [Moynoe] barracks.
Freeman's Journal, Thursday, 5 May 1831
Still unresolved:
This research into the career path of Rev. Charles Fahy has now created a new mystery. Who was the parish priest of Kilnoe-Tomgraney (Bodyke) from about 1828 to 1831? Will the answer to this question provide any clues as to what happened to the missing Kilnoe-Tomgraney baptism and marriage registers which do not start until late 1832?
In 1828, the Rev. Patrick Tracy was reported as the curate of the Rev. Charles Fahy, the parish priest of Tulla Parish. The Schools' Collection on the duchas website stated that the Rev. Tracy became parish priest of Kilnoe-Tomgraney parish in 1832. I searched the newspaper archives for the promotion of the Rev. Tracy to parish priest, in the hope that it would name the priest who he was succeeding. Even with a wide range of years (1828 to 1836), and using Tracy / Treacy / Tracey, I was unsuccessful.
However, a search of "Kilnoe" in the same period brought success and the discovery of a mysterious Rev. J. F. McNamara:
RECEIPT OF CATHOLIC RENT FROM INSTANT, INCLUSIVE.
. . . [many names listed] . . .
Per Richard Scott, Esq. Secretary, from Mr. Thos Ryan, churchwarden of Kildysart, county Clare, including the subscription of Daniel O'Grady, Esq. £10.
Per ditto, from Rev. J.F. Macnamara, C. Rector of Tomgrany and Kilnoe, county Clare, including £1 each from the Rev. gentleman, Matthew Reddan, James Caulfied, James Hogan, Richard Power, and Michael O'Brien. £30, 14 shillings, 4 pence.
Dublin Morning Register, Saturday, 22 November 1828
O'CONNELL FUND.—COUNTY CLARE.
WE, the undersigned Clergy, Magistrates, and Inhabitants of the COUNTY of CLARE, request a MEETING of the Friends of Civil and Religious Liberty, at the COURT-HOUSE, in ENNIS, on SATURDAY, the 9th day of MAY, inst. at Two O'Clock in the Afternoon, to consider the most effectual proceedings to be taken, to forward the collection of the National Tribute to our esteemed and patriotic representative, Daniel O'Connell, Esq. Ennis, 2d May, 1829
. . . [long list of names, including] . . .
J. O'Shaughnessy, RCB (Roman Catholic Bishop)
P. M'Mahon, RCB
T. O'Shaughnessy, RCD
Rev. J. Murphy, PP
Rev. A. Bowells, PP
Rev. C. Fahey, PP
Rev. M. Ready, PP
Rev. M. M'Namara, PP
Rev. J. F. M'Namara, PP
Rev. Daniel Vaughn, PP etc
Dublin Morning Register, Thursday, 7 May 1829
Who was the Rev. J. F. McNamara? A search of the newspaper archives, revealed a Rev. Justin Foley McNamara in County Cork who often made the news. He was very popular in the Parish of Kinsale and known as a "patriotic priest". His widowed sister joined the Sisters of Mercy, and a convent was founded in Kinsale at the request of the Rev. Justin F. McNamara.
https://sistersofmercy.ie/2013/09/the-h ... ry-school/
https://sistersofmercy.ie/wp-content/up ... tory-1.pdf
However, he was in Cork at the same time as the Rev. J. F. McNamara of Kilnoe Parish, so there were definitely two different McNamara priests with the initials "J. F.". "Justin" does not appear to have been a very popular name for the McNamara's of County Clare, so I reckoned that the "J" stood for either "John" or "James". A search of the newspaper archives of "James F McNamara", with its variants "M'Namara" and "MacNamara", was successful:
County of Clare.
Royal Exchange Assurance Company of London,
vs.
James Butler, Esq., commonly called Lord Dunboyne.
PURSUANT to an Order made in this Cause, hearing date the 9th day of Feb. inst., I will, on Monday, the 12th day of March next, at Two o'clock in the afternoon, at my Chambers, on the Inns Quay, Dublin, set up and let, to the highest and best bidder or bidders, for three years pending this Cause, from the 25th day of March next, all that and those . . .
- . . .
and also all that part of the Lands of Ballyvannon, called the House Division, containing 51A. 1R. 8P now in the possession of the Rev. James F. Macnamara; . . . Lands of Tullyhara . . .; also that part of the Lands of Ballyvannon, containing 32A. 8P. now in the possession of John Crotty; also, . . .; All which said Lands and Premises are situate near the Town of Scariff, and county of Clare, and in said Order mentioned.
Dated this 17th day of February, 1832.
For further particulars application is to be made to Michael Murphy, Esq, the Receiver in this Cause, No. 5, College-green, Dublin. . . [other Dublin attorneys] . . .
Limerick Chronicle, Wednesday, 7 March 1832
Ballyvannan townland, while "near the Town of Scariff" is located in the civil parish of Tomgraney and the Catholic parish of Kilnoe-Tomgraney. I suspect that the "House Division" of Ballyvannon, was a reference to "Ballyvannon House" which on the old map associated with Griffith Valuation plot numbers was Plot 3. At 1855 Griffith Valuation, Plot 3 was held by James Crotty; lessor "Lord Dunboyne (in Chancery); and had a house rental of £3 (the nicest in the townland befitting a parish priest in 1832); and and land value of £72; total over 84 acres (51 Irish acres per 1832 advertisement x 1.62).
At Griffith Valuation, Plot 4 in Ballyvannan townland was also held by James Crotty, with lessor "Lord Dunboyne (in Chancery)"; Herd's house, office, & land. The GV 52 acres of Plot 4 reconciles to the 32 Irish acres advertised in 1832 multiplied by 1.62.
Ten years later, the ten various properties of James Butler had been let, except only for the lands of the Rev. James F. MacNamara:
County of Clare.
Charles Mulville, Plaintiff,
vs.
James Butler, commonly called Lord Dunboyne, Defendant
PURSUANT to the Order made in this Cause, bearing date the 23d day of November, 1841 . . .[similar wording to above] . . . that part of the Lands of BALLYVANNON, as now in the possession and lately held by the Rev. JS. F. MACNAMARA, containing Fifty Acres Irish Plantation Measure, subject to survey, being the Premises in said Order referred to, situate in the barony of Tulla, and County of Clare.—Dated this 2nd day of February, 1842
WILL. HENN.
For further particulars apply to PIERCE CARRICK, Esq. the Receiver in this Cause, Ennis, or to . . .
Clare Journal, and Ennis Advertiser, Thursday, 24 February 1842
Once again, we come across the name of Pierce Carrick, who was murdered in 1846, as noted previously on page one of this thread. While the motive for this murder is fairly clear, the person or people responsible is still a mystery.
"Lately held by the Rev. JS. F. MACNAMARA" in the 1842 advertisement, I believe, meant ten years ago. The Rev. James F. MacNamara was not included in the Catholic Priests of Ireland directory of 1836:
https://www.from-ireland.net/roman-cath ... ndex-1836/
Why for ten years, from 1832 to 1842, were the plaintiffs unsuccessful in letting the 50 Irish acres at Ballyvannon townland held at one time by the Rev. James F. MacNamara?
The property at Ballyvannon in the 1832 advertisement was described as "near the Town of Scariff", but was in Tomgraney civil parish, and in Kilnoe-Tomgraney (Bodyke) Catholic Parish, where we know the Rev. James F. MacNamara was parish priest in 1828 and 1829. And I highly suspect that the Rev. James F. MacNamara was also being referred to in this Terry Alt attack in 1831, as noted in a prior posting:
The priest of a parish near Scariff, on Monday, received a notice of death to surrender a farm of 30 acres, which he lately leased from Counsellor Fitzgibbon Henchy, E.C.; he accordingly obeyed Terry Alt's injunction, and the land in now lying waste.
London Packet and New Lloyd's Evening Post, Wednesday, 27 April 1831
Was the 30 acres, noted above, Irish acres or the statutory acres used at Griffith Valuation? At the time of Griffith Valuation, Plot 5, land only, 30 acres, £21 valuation, was leased by James Crotty, lessor "Lord Dunboyne (in Chancery)", it was part of the combined Plots 3/4/5, with a valuation of £119. Was Plot 5 of Ballyvannon townland in Tomgraney Parish, the farm referred to in the above 1831 news article as having been "lately leased from Counsellor Fitzgibbon Henchy"?
This would only makes sense if there was some connection between "Counsellor Fitzgibbon Henchy" mentioned in the 1831 Terry Alt attacks, and "James Butler, commonly called Lord Dunboyne" mentioned in the 1832 and 1842 advertisements to let the land to the highest bidder.
Searching the British Newspaper Archives revealed that Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy was a famous barrister in Clare, and digging deeper had a connection, or possibly a legal conflict, with Lord Dunboyne:
On Monday the 12th inst at Abergele, by the Rev. Richard Jackson, the Right Hon. Viscount Frankfort de Montmoreney, to Georgiana Frederica, third daughter of Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy, Esq., of Movneu [Moynoe], county of Clare.
Sheffield Independent, Saturday, 31 January 1835
The Dowager Lady Ventry died at her lodgings last evening. The demise of this unfortunate lady will, we hope, enable a respectable citizen and a barrister of great standing and practice to resume his station in society, and entitle him again to take his place in his profession—Mr. Fitzgibbon Henchy. This gentleman's marriage with Lady Ventry, which made him liable for engagements of hers to an enormous amount—and of which he had not the slightest previous conception—eventually rendered it necessary that he should leave his home and country.—Dublin Mail.
Morning Post, Saturday, 21 January 1837
QUERIOT.—We believe Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy, and the far famed Irish barrister who made Ventryloquial love to a voluptuous Irish widdy of rank and vulgarity, is now living in Calais, in snug seclusion. His chief visitors are his daughter, Lady Frankfort, and a military officer. Apropos with his seclusion, "Peter," though not yet quite the hermit, "has suffered his beard to grow to a length that would enrapture Sibthorpe. On dit the hissute addition to his countenance, has forwarded his suite with the maiden sister of a wealthy stockbroker deceased, and that Peter will lead a third spouse soon to the altar. Mr. Henchy, has, we are happy to hear, reclaimed his large estates in the county of Clare, which the results of some unfavourable law-suits jeopardised when he left Dublin.
Satirist; or, the Censor of the Times, London, Sunday, 7 November 1847
Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy, the famed Irish barrister, has returned to his old residence, from Paris, with his family and his daughters, Lady Frankfort and Mrs. Colonel Brooks. Mr. Henchy, after many years of absenteeism from Ireland, is preparing to return to his fine estates in the county of Clare, which have so long been under the careful agency of James Blake Butler, Esq., in whom Mr. Henchy means to continue the management. Mr. Henchy is taking measures to pay off all his obligations, and will, probably, return to the bar in Dublin.
Satirist; or, the Censor of the Times, London, Sunday, 20 February 1848
Jan. 11, at St. Pierre les Calais, Calais, France, at an advanced age, Peter FitzGibbon Henchy, Esq., Q.C. and LL.D., formerly of Merrion-square, Dublin.
Saint James's Chronicle, Tuesday, 16 January 1849
The Landed Estates website has information of the Henchy family of Moynoe, including Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy. Moynoe House was noted above as having been turned into a military barrack for the 74th Regiment during the 1831 Terry Alt conflict for seven officers and 100 men.
https://landedestates.ie/family/2738
With the
Satirist newspaper as a source, it is difficult to know what was the truth in the above news articles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satirist
Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy appeared to have been involved in some lawsuits over his estates in Clare. And the above comment "careful agency of James Blake Butler, Esq." appears to show a connection, although this might have been satirical if the two were involved in a lawsuit. When James Blake Butler, commonly called Lord Dunboyne, "succeeded his father he found himself heir to an encumbered estate" according to
The Butlers of County Clare by Sir Henry Blackall at the Clare Library website.
https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... allagh.htm
And at the time of Griffith Valuation, the primary lessor of Ballyvannan townland, was "Lord Dunboyne (in Chancery)". "In Chancery" defined below (source: findmypast, GV definition of terms):
Lands were considered to be 'In Chancery' when they were under the control of the Law Courts and subject to their judgement. This might happen if the lands were in contention between two parties, or if the immediate lessor had died intestate, or there were other reasons for any of the courts to take control of the land.
Although uncertain of the nature of the lawsuit between Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy and Lord Dunboyne, I can come to the conclusion that the Rev. James F. MacNamara was the Catholic priest who, "near Scariff", was threatened with death by the Terry Alts in 1831. And also later in the advertisements to let this land to the highest bidder, as the Rev. James F. MacNamara of Ballyvannon townland, near Scariff, and reported "now in possession" in March 1832 and "lately held" in February 1842.
Since the Rev. James F. MacNamara, parish priest of Kilnoe, was threatened with death by the Terry Alts, I can see why he would not remain in the parish. His likely rapid removal would also explain why the Kilnoe-Tomgraney (Bodyke) parish baptism and marriage records start in late 1832.
Kilnoe-Tomgraney (Bodyke) Parish Priest Timeline (third draft):
1) Rev. Daniel O'Brien (1821 - 1825, his death at age 70). Buried Tuamgraney Churchyard.
2) Rev. Charles Fahey (1825 - 1828, his transfer to Tulla Parish). Buried in Newmarket on Fergus in 1839.
3) Rev. James F. MacNamara (1828 - 1831, until Terry Alt conflict). Later whereabouts unknown.
4) Rev. Patrick Tracy (≈1832 - until his death in 1848). Buried inside Bodyke Church.
5) Rev. John Gleeson (1848 - 1878, his death at age 76). Buried inside Bodyke Church.
6) Rev. Peter Murphy (1878 - 1893, his transfer to Quin Parish). Buried Quin Church.
7) Rev. John Canon McNamara (1893 - 1923, his death at age 76). Bodyke Church Yard.
8 ) Rev. John P. O'Gorman (1923 - 1930, his death at age 68). Bodyke Church Yard.
9) Very Rev. Michael Canon Dinan (1930 - 1949, his death at age ?). Bodyke Church Yard.
10) Rev. Denis Flannery (1949 - 1972, his death at age ≈71). Bodyke Church Yard.
The listing of parish priests on the Schools' Collection on the duchas website doesn't mention the Rev. James F. MacNamara as a parish priest at Kilnoe. They skip from "Father Fahey, P.P. 1827 - 1832" to "Father Tracy", P.P. 1832 - 1848":
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5177626/5 ... ID=5177626
Was this just a simple mistake? Mistakes are understandable since the Schools' Collection submissions were written in the 1930's, over a hundred years after the 1831 Terry Alt attacks. For example, Father Fahey was parish priest in Kilnoe starting in 1825 (at the death of his predecessor, the Rev. Daniel O'Brien), and not 1827.
Sheila, you previously commented upon the fact that the Kilnoe-Tomgraney parish records are a transcription of the original document, and you "suspect that transcriptions were made not just to preserve, which is so very laudable, but also to launder". So, I also have to wonder if the removal of the Rev. James F. MacNamara from the listing of parish priests from 1821 to 1938 was an effort to "whitewash" their local history. By removing the Rev. James F. MacNamara from their local history, they are also removing the ugly incident of their parish priest having been threatened during the Terry Alt conflict, presumably by his own parishioners, with death over his recent taking of land at Ballyvannon.
And who was the Rev. James F. McNamara, parish priest of Kilnoe between 1828 and 1831 / 1832? He does not appear on the 1836 Catholic directory of Irish priests, so he doesn't appear to have transferred to another parish. His 50 Irish acres, house and land, at Ballyvannon (84 statutory GV acres) was valued at £75 in 1855, so he was a very wealthy man. But he appears to have completely disappeared from the records. Unlike the Bishop Patrick McMahon and the Rev. Charles Fahy, no cousins or nephews or nieces lay claim to the Rev. James F. MacNamara (he is not referenced in later marriage notices or obituaries etc).
Who was the Rev. James F. MacNamara, the missing parish priest of Kilnoe? Speculation, of course, but I have to wonder if he had any family connections to
Michael McNamara (≈1810 - 1876) of Derrymore; or to
Margaret McNamara Walsh Whelan (≈1800 - 1887) of Ballinahinch; or to
Catherine McNamara Walsh (≈1792 - 1881) of Kilnoe/Ballinahinch?