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https://www.lyreacrompane.com/heritage

 

The Lyreacrompane Heritage Group is an umbrella for the following groups and activities.

• The Lyreacrompane and District Journal which researches,  records and preserves the story of the Lyreacrompane district. The deadline for the next Journal is October 1st, 2022 and articles and photos are welcome.
   

• The four day Dan Paddy Andy Festival of music and dance, Bog Walk etc. 
   

• The recording and publishing of the music and songs of the area.  The promotion of local traditional talent through the Irish Rambling House shows and trips to entertain the exiles England irishramblinghouse.com
   

• The upkeep and updating of this website.

 

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October 2022;

St Johns Theatre and Arts Centre, Listowel, Mary Culloty O’ Sullivan will present her One Woman Show ‘Fifteen’ a journey of song and dialogue back through the Eighties up to present day, Weds. Oct. 19th @8pm. Free Entry. Book your seat online or ring the Box Office.

MUSIC: Siamsa Tíre presents Cultúr, Fri 28th Oct. at 8pm.  Join the National Folk Theatre Choir and friends for a night of music, song, and dance. Call 066-7123055

ST JOHN’S Listowel: Concert- Luka Bloom on Friday 21^st; Classical- West Ocean String Quartet on 27^th at 8pm; Free event, Folk Saloon – with Megan O’Neill on 26^th, details from 068 22566.

info@stjohnstheatre.ie

BOOK: A new book on the history of the Crosbies, who were one of the leading landlord families of North Kerry for over 300 years, launched by Dr. Declan Downey at Kerry Writers’ Museum on Saturday 15th October at 8.00 pm. Written by Tarbert local historian Christopher Keane, this is his third local history book.

BOOK Written by Joe Harrington, of Lyreacrompane, has 364 full colour pages and 315 images, maps and photos is an account of the Butter Road from Kerry to the Cork Butter Market. Details from  Joe at 087 2853570.

 NEW children’s book called ‘Alana Rabbit Goes To The Circus’ is the third book in the Alana series written by Joe Enright from Alderwood Road, Tralee and illustrated by Tralee woman Ciara Maher.

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Bord na Móna worked the bogland here from 1949 to 1966 and used a train, the Lyre Locomotive LM12, which was American built and the only one of its kind in Ireland.

 

 

 

Lyreacrompane Church

 

 

 

The Lyreacrompane Mass path will take you on a nature inspired walk on the banks of the river Smearlagh, (a spawning ground for salmon), past the local church and two commerative stones to Fr. John O’Donoghue, author and poet, whose memory is held dear in the sentiments of the Lyreacrompane community.

 

http://www.gokerry.ie/index.php?action=locations&location_id=66

 

Irish Examiner 1841-current, Thursday, October 23, 1913; Page: 7

 

DASTARDLY OUTRAGE

 

NORTH KERRY PROTEST. INDIGNATION MEETING AT DUAGH.

 

On Sunday last a public meeting of very large dimensions was held in the village of Duagh for the purpose of condemning an outrage of a most unusual and and at the same lime diabolical character, which was perpetrated at Lyrecrumpane some weeks previously. The outrage, which aroused so much horror and indignation, consisted of a shot being fired through the window of one of the most highly respected members of the community, Mr. Patrick Moloney, R.D.C., where, for the want of a Chapel, the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass is being offered up weekly by the Rev. J. Beasley, P.P., in his house. The dastardly act of the abandoned miscreant, needless to say, carries with it the unspeakable abhorrence and condemnation of an indignant community, and the extraordinary numbers in which the outraged parishioners as well as many outside the parish, and the representative  character of the assemblage, very amply indicated their feelings, as well as affording practical proof if such were necessary—that their beloved and intensely popular Parish Priest the Rev John Beasley, will not be insulted or intimidated with impunity. It should be mentioned that, this demonstration was the result of the generous and spontaneous volition of the people themselves, who are almost to a man virile and enthusiastic members of the A.O.H., and who would on no condition whatever brook slight or insult offered their revered pastor. After last Mass, the whole congregation, headed by the splendid fife and drum band of the A.O.H., under the able conductorship of their instructor, Mr. Salmon, marched in procession to a substantially-built platform erected al the top of the village, and bedecked with National designs and greenery to a profuse extent.

 

The arrival of the Rev. Father Beasley was the signal for an enthusiastically and long continued round of cheers.

 

Amongst those present were noticed—Messrs F C O'Keeffe, R.D.C., President of the Duagh Branch of the A.O.H. (the fourth largest in the county), J J Sheehy, R.D.C., V.C. do; Patrick Moloney, R. D.C: Thomas Relihan, R.D.C; .James O’Sullivan, Trien; Patrick Stack, Thomas Daly, James Mahony, N.T; Thomas Molyneaux, N.T; John McCarthv, N.T; Edward Stack, N.T;  J Casey, N.T.; Jeremiah Lyons, Michael O'Brien, J. Gunn, D. Broderick, J Roche, M Mulcare, Murt Daly, James Hickey, M Gair, D Hayes, T. Dillon, John Dillon, J. Maher. Tom Faley, P. Larkin, James Harnett, P Mahony, Thomas O'Connor, P O'Connor, John Joyce, D Ambrose, James Moloney, Daniel Keane, R Finucane, J Halpin, J Scanlan, Stephen Stack, T Sheehy, C Sheehy, M Sheehy, Michael O'Connor, Jeremiah Relihan, T Roche, J. O'Connor, Tom Keane, John Stack, J Costelloe, John Molyneaux, Jeremiah McCarthy,  J O'Keeffe, J J  Dillon, J McElligott, Thade Galvin, Dan Mc-Auliffe, W McAuliffe, J Fitzgerald, John Flynn, George Fitzmaurice,  Thos. O'Brien, J H O’Sullivan, Michael Sheehy, J. Kelly, G Kelly, P Walsh, M Quill, James Stack, Neddy Stack. John Sheehy, Michael Sheehy, M Relihan, M Galvin, Michael Sheehy, J Sheehy, Batt Dillon, Jack Sheehy, Edward Dillon, Shaun, Darb, Davy Dillon, Jas Horgan, D Flynn, T Flynn, Batt O'Connor, W. J O'Connor, Con O'Keeffe, J Brosnan, Daniel Keane, J Moloney, Matt Dillon, P Lane, C. McAuliffe, Dan L Brosnan, Michael Keane, Maurice Keane, Jerh Brosnan, John Collins, Matt D Dillon, Michael Dillon, J Wiley, D. O'Grady, J Faley, D Brosnan, Tim Brosnan, F O'Carroll, Dan Brosnan, J. Brandon, Pat Keane. John Walsh, M Walsh, Jim Fitzgerald, James Corridan, Moss Corridan, Tady Corridan, etc.

 

Mr. W. L. Fitzgerald, U.D.C., P.L.G., Listowel, also occupied a prominent position on the platform.

 

On the motion of Mr. F. C. O'Keeffe, seconded by Mr. J. J. Sheehy,

 

The Rev. J. Beasley, P.P., was moved to the chair, and amidst enthusiastic cheers and addressing the meeting, said :—My dear people, I thank you for inviting me here to-day ("You are welcome"). I have to thank you also for the honour you have done me in asking me to preside over this large and important meeting. I am pleased to see you all consider it your duty to hold this meeting here to-day in order to protest against an outrage that has shocked and pained the people of the parish. If there is one thing more than another for which Irishmen are remarkable, and for which they may be pardoned in taking a legitimate pride, " it is for being kind and neighbourly (hear, hear). You all know how much our kind-hearted friend, Mr Moloney is respected for these qualities and for all the virtues that go to make a good Irishman (cheers for Mr Moloney). No man could he kinder, on man more popular—he is popular without seeking popularity (cheers); he is friendly to all, and always anxious to help his neighbours when necessary (applause). It was a particularly odious crime to attack the house of one who deserves nothing but the goodwill of his neighbours—one whom we, all so highly esteem (cheers). It was an outrage not against him alone, but against the whole community, especially against the good people of that part of the parish where it was committed (hear. hear). The outrage is blacker and more painful still when we look at it from a religious point of view. Here is a house which should be particularly sacred to every Catholic who loves his faith. In it Sunday Mass was celebrated for the people of the district. You are all aware of the sanctity of the Sacrifice of the Altar. It is the offering of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, Our Lord, for the salvation of the living and of the dead who shall suffer in Purgatory. The Mass is the great Sacrifice of the New Law, the bed-rock of our Faith. It was their love of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Hint made the Catholics of our country face privations and persecutions of every kind in the Penal days (hear, hear). For it they were ready to give up everything, even life itself (cheers). They gathered round the priest at sacred spots in the mountains and glens and whilst he offered up the Holy Sacrifice they knelt down in humble devotion round the altar. What would they say; what would those who have gone before us say if they were alive to-day of an outrage at a house in the mountains of a parish in which Mass was celebrated on Sundays for the people. Could they imagine how anyone could be so lost, so dead to the fear, of God and to the reverence due to Him as to commit such a crime? . If such an outrage were committed in France at the bidding of a French infidel, what would be your horror? How much worse is it not when committed at home at the  bidding of some person or persons who style themselves Christians? My dear people, we would be unworthy descendants of our Catholic- forefathers, who suffered so much for their Faith, if we did not condemn and repudiate this outrage in the strongest language at our command (hear, hear). Whilst we deplore and condemn it, let us be merciful; let us hope and pray that whoever has so given way to the temptation of the devil as to perpetrate it will repent, and resolve never again to be guilty of such a cowardly and disgraceful deed (cheers). We are upon the eve of a great triumph, for our country's victory is almost in view. The government of the country will be soon, please God in the hands of the people of Ireland (loud cheers). Let us show our fitness for it, and that we are worthy of it by our respect for God, for our neighbours, and for everything that would rebound to the credit of our race at home and abroad (loud cheers), The eyes of the world are on us at present; we are still on our trial; let us show that we are not what the enemies of our country represent us to be, but that we are patriotic, just, straightforward, honourable men (cheers). It is righteous men who should make our land a nation once again (cheers). Let us like good patriots and Nationalists, feel a pride in our native county—the good old Kingdom, and when Home Rule comes, let us be able to prove that amidst all the flags that shall be unfurled. The flag of Kerry shall be up unstained and unsullied (loud and prolonged cheers).

 

Mr F. C. O'Keeffe then proposed the following resolution—"Resolved,—That we, the people of Duagh, in public meeting assembled, desire to express in the strongest possible manner our condemnation and abhorrence  of the outrage committed at a house, in the parish at which the Holy sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated on Sundays for the parishioners and which is occupied by a gentleman who has earned and enjoys the respect of those around him; that we are sure that the conduct of the miscreant or miscreants has met with no sympathy, and that we trust this district will never again be disgraced by such a foul deed. (hear. hear). In speaking to the resolution, he said he felt sure he had the sympathy of every man present who professed to be a Catholic and a Christian, for he thought no more cowardly or diabolical act could be perpetrated by any person than to fire into a house where the  Holy Sacrifice of the Mass had been offered up for the consolation and benefit of the people of the district (hear, hoar). He paid a high tribute to Mr Moloney, into whose house the shot had been fired, and said that personally, or from a Nationalist point of view, there was no better or truer Irishman, and in the course of a vehement condemnation of the act, wound up an eloquent speech by assuring the respected Father Beasley that he had the full and practical sympathy of the whole community with him (loud applause).

 

Mr James O'Sullivan, Trien, in an able speech, also condemned the outrage.

 

Mr ,T. J. Sheehy seconded the resolution, which was passed amidst applause.

 

The Rev. Chairman introduced Mr. W. L. Fitzgerald and in doing so said he was one of Listowel's most popular citizens, and an orator of well-known standing, and he hoped they would give him the warm reception which his talents merited.

 

Mr. Fitzgerald, who was received with much enthusiasm then addressed the meeting. He said—Father Beasley, ladies and fellow-countrymen, it is not the first time that I had the pleasure of addressing a meeting of the people of this ancient and historic part of the old Kingdom at Kerry. Full  well-nigh twenty years ago I was received here in connection with the cause of Irish Nationality, and which I have since consistently and unwaveringly  advocated (hear. hear). But the occasion of my presence amongst you to-day is of a different and more disagreeable nature, for the object in which we are called upon to take part in is the denunciation of an act of a most un-Irish and un-Christian character (hear, hour).  During all the long chapter, the long, sad, and dismal chapter of our country's history,  the soggarth was always in our sorrow and tribulation, devotedly by our side (cheers), and it is painful to think that any man of, our race should be guilty of such an atrocious act (hear, hear). I am reminded of the  part our clergy played when the cloud of sorrow was hanging  over the land, in Wexford, When Father Murphy, the grand old-soggarth, led his gallant pikemen, who

 

"Fought like lions brought to bay,

 

And Wexford proved her powers well

 

In many a bloody fray " (loud cheers).

 

 ''Father Murphy," continued the speaker, was the guide, philosopher and friend of his people, and thus gained their undying affection, and the reception which you extended here to Father Beasley to-day, and the enthusiasm which pervades this assemblage of all that is good and noble in the parish, are signal signs of the deep regard and affection in which you hold your beloved pastor"(loud cheers for Father Beasley). Continuing the speaker said there  were that day on the platform some of the finest characters in the Listowel Board of Guardians; he referred to his friends, Pat Molonoy, Frank O’Keeffe, and Jack Sheehy (applause). They had been given the seal of public confidence, and he was glad to tell then, as a colleague of theirs, that that confidence was not misplaced, and was a guarantee of the genuine character of that large and representative meeting (cheers). In conclusion he expressed the hope and he knew they were all anxious he should give expression to the conviction that he, the beloved and kindly pastor of Duagh, would not be disturbed by the act that had been committed, and that he would live and enjoy  many happy years in the affections of his people, who know him long and  loved him well (loud applause).

 

Mr. J. J. Sheehy R.D.C., then proposed a vote of thanks in warm and felicitous terms to the Rev. Chairman for presiding, and it was seconded by Mr. P Moloney, R.D.C. in equally happy terms, and was passed amidst loud cheers.

 

The Rev. Chairman, in acknowledging the vote of thanks - said—My dear friends, you have seen, no doubt, that notices have been printed calling this meeting; these notices are due to the action of our branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and I am sure you will agree with me that-we should not allow this opportunity to pass without thanking them heartily for their kind and prompt action in this case (cheers for the A.O.H.).  The Hibernians, as you are aware are bitterly assailed by the enemies of Ireland. Gentlemen, these are the circumstances in which, it is an honour to be attacked; they are assailed because they are in the foremost ranks of patriots (cheers), who, according to the   motto on their banner, fight for the cause of Faith and fatherland (cheers).  When you are advocating what is just and patriotic, when you are fighting for civil and religious freedom, you may feel proud of bring criticised and opposed by your enemies, for they are enemies of every movement for the amelioration of the condition of the people of Ireland (cheers). Gentlemen this is what the Hibernians have been doing; the Hibernians are undoubtedly a power in the country and a terror to the enemies of Ireland (cheers).  In using their deservedly great power to -chock and stamp out crime, no matter from what quarter it comes, they are only following the traditions -of their order and of the founders of their order (cheers). Gentlemen, in that way they are serving the" best interests of Ireland " (hear, hear) and helping us to prove that no race or people are  better fitted to govern themselves; than the people of Ireland (loud and continued cheers).

 

The proceeding then terminated, and the assembly dispersed, the band, led by their beautiful banner, returning to the fine hall of the A.O.H., where a most pleasant evening was spent by the members, together with a few outside friends who were invited to participate in the enjoyment

 

 

 

 

 

( from Jim Costelloe's Asdee)

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a hen turkey for service was a job for women, but, unfortunately, in our house the males had to do it. The bird was put into a canvas bag a hole was cut in the bag so that she could stick her head out in case she smothered. Dedending on the distance away to the cock, she was transported either by hand, on one’s back or on one’s arm, or taken by donkey and cart. Either way, it was a very embarrassing situation for us as boys to be seen by our school pals taking a hen turkey to the cock. We often went through the fields, which was a much harder journey, rather than meet one of the school peers. Being seen taking a hen turkey to the cock was nearly as bad as being accused of ‘trying" hens for eggs.

 

In general, the service did not take very long, but sometimes the cock would be slow, especially if it was a busy time and business was brisk. A cock turkey has very long claws and all breeding cocks have their claws trimmed, otherwise they would damage the hen turkey’s back during service. A well feathered hen would have some protection, but breeding hens are inclined to lose some of their feathers during the laying season. To protect them, a piece of a man’s jumper was often tied on their backs during mating. The male turkey, always referred to as a cock and not a cockerel often did a lot of prancing on the female during service so protection on her back during service was essential.

 

 

 

As a hen turkey generally laid fifteen to twenty eggs, she would have to be serviced three or four times to make sure all the eggs were fertilized. This meant more embarrassing trips for us. It happened that an odd young turkey, in her first breeding season, would not lie first but would lay without lying and consequently the egg would not be fertilized. That egg would be eaten by the man of the house. Turkey eggs are larger than duck or hen eggs, though smaller than goose eggs and they are speckled.

 

Lyre Bits

 

 

Lyrecrompane Family site for more information

 

BROSNAN-John Born Dec. 22, 1918, died peaceful on December 8, 2007. Native of Lyrecompane, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Retired member of Carpenter Union Local 608, NYC. Devoted husband of Bridget (nee Walsh). Beloved father of Cornelius (Anne), John (Elisa) and the late William. Loving grandfather of Patricia (Michael) Mancuso, Maureen (Sean), Kelly and Neil, Sean and Mark Brosnan. Loving great-grandfather of Nicholas and Ashley Mancuso. Fond brother of Andrew and Patrick and many cousins in Ireland. Reposing at SCHUYLER HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3535 E. Tremont Ave., Bx. until Tuesday 9:30AM. Mass of Christian Burial St. Frances de Chantal Church 10:00AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visiting Monday 2-5 & 7-9PM. James E. McQuade, Director.

 

 

06/07/2010

 

Sweeney Dillane

 

Hi,

 

Some time ago I contacted you looking for information on Ellie Sweeney from Gortcloghane.

 

Ellen Sweeney was born in Gortaclochane in 1868. When she was about 18 years old Ellie and her sister Catherine emigrated to Brisbane, Australia. They sailed from England about 1886 and both got married in Australia. Ellie married a Norwegian named Johan Hartvig Detre Jacobsen. In December 1896 the Jacobsens left Australia and returned to live in Norway. However in or about 1905 they left Norway again and went to live in Kimberley, South Africa. They had five children whose names were Elizabeth Marie, Ellen Josephine, John, Otélia and Jacob. Sadly Ellie died in Kimberley in January 1914 at the early age of 46. My mother, Nancy Hellet (nee Hicks), was the daughter of Elizabeth Hicks (nee Jacobsen). So Ellen Jacobsen (nee Sweeney) from Gortaclohane was my great grandmother. See photo below.

 

By spending many hours trawling through the Sweeney name on the excellent Kerry genealogy website and with the help of some new found friends and relations of the Sweeney family I managed to trace Ellen Sweeney's parents to Gortaclochane. Her parents were Daniel Sweeney and Ellen Dillane. It appears she had five other brothers and sisters - Thomas (1859), Julia (1862), Catherine (1864), John (1869) and Timothy (1871).

 

I’m now trying to trace the families of both Daniel Sweeney and Ellen Dillane prior to their marriage in May 1859. It appears they came from the Lixnaw parish and lived in Gortaclohane. I hope to visit some of the churches and graveyards in the parish in July this year.

 

If anyone can help me with my research I would be delighted to hear from you. My e-mail address is noellebparr@gmail.com. I received one amazing contact recently. A Daniel Sweeney living in Spain contacted me having seen my Parr Family Tree on the website. It transpires that he is the great grandson of Thomas Sweeney who was one of Ellen's brothers. So now the search intensifies. I look forward to further surprises as I continue my search into my Kerry roots.

 

Regards

Noelle Parr

noelleparr@gmail.com

 

 

 

19/03/2010

 

Hi all,

 

I previously left a posting on 30/12 regarding the Lyons family asking for help with my research. At the time I didn't know my great great grandmothers name but now I have more information. Her name was Mary Dillane and she was married to John Lyons. They had children Hannah born 1844, John born 1848, Ellen born 1850, Patrick (my great grandfather) born 1856, Denis born 1860, Johanna born 1863. They were all born in Duagh parish. I think son John married Catherine Donoghue in 1876. Patrick was a policeman and I believe Denis may have been too. I think the surname Lyons was quite common in Co. Kerry. If anyone recognises the family can you please contact me.

 

Regards.

Janice Young nee Lyons.

janice.young3@ntlworld.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

09/01/2010

 

Hello,

Love your site and will be back often to look. On looking thru your messages, have found a few to comment on. Reidy/Dillon- I don't know if Knocknagoshel is near my Connell's from Lyre, Patrick and Julia Dillane Connell, married 1822 Lixnaw. Some of their children went to a small area in Connecticut, Jeremiah b. 1840, and John b. 1839. first lived in Washington, DC before moving to Norfolk, CT. I was there this last summer there are many grave inscriptions siting the parish they came from. I recall many Dillons and some Reidy's as i believe there is a connection to my O'Connells. A nearby town Winsted has William, Maurice, and Joseph Reidy plus others i am sure.

A Daniel Reidy was pallbearer at Lizzie O'Connell funeral 1908,Winsted

Father William Reidy of South Manchester, Connecticut was celebrant of Jeremiah O'Connell funeral 1930, Winsted, also Edward, and Daniel Reidy were pallbears of same funeral.

David D. Reidy, residing in Winsted had a son named Dillon.

 

On looking around for Julia Dillane, I have found a Baptismal record for julia Dillane Nov. 22, 1806. Parents David and Ellen Finucane. I noted some one else here looking for a Dillane/Finucane connection.

thanks for the great site.

 

T Stafford

 

tcobb@ptsi.net

 

 

20/12/2009

 

Hello, all.

 

I'm seeking information on Dillanes & O'Learys of Listowel/Duagh with connections to Duagh Finucanes. If anyone recognizes these lines, please do contact me.

 

My great, great grandparents were David Dillane, born about 1805-1810 in Listowel/Duagh, and Mary O'Leary, also Listowel/Duagh born, also born about 1805-1810.

 

The earliest Listowel baptismal records on line for any David Dillane date to 1807 and 1808:

1] David, son of John & Bridget Brown, sponsors Prenderville, Hogan[1807]; 2] David, son of Mathew & Bridget [1808]

 

I don't think that either of those is my David Dillane. At a guess, from naming patterns of their sons, David's father was probably an Edward/Edmund, or a Patrick or a Michael, in that order of likelihood.

And David's grandfather was probably a David Dillane. Other family given names include Timothy.

 

Most of the baptismal records for their children are missing from the on-line database. The ones that I've located are:

 

1] Patrick, bapt. 3/30/1830, Duagh;

2] Michael, bapt. 10/28/1832 , Duagh

3]Catherine, bapt. 1/7/1843, Dromin, Listowel

 

Sponsors of these children had surnames Finuscane, Lyons, Dillane (Michael). There seems to have been several lines of Dillanes who carried the given name David in this period in both Listowel/Dromin and Duagh. I presume that my David's grandfather was a David Dillane and all these lines with fathers named David whose children were baptized during the 1820s and 1830s were closely related.

 

This family immigrated to Pittsburgh PA, 1848, and settled temporarily in a neighborhood with Finuscanes who remained in Pittsburgh. The Dillanes went on to Iowa, where various Lyons served as sponsors in baptism to several grandchildren.

 

My great great grandfather's children spoke of themselves as being from Listowel.

 

Karen e-mail kdalvarez@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

AHERN, Stack, Browne.

 

Although, long for a posting, I believe it is very important to thank all from this site who have responded with suggestions and assistance during my search. Even more importantly, I want to encourage all who might be interested in their own heritage to keep looking for your ancestral roots!

 

Several years ago, I commenced a search not knowing where it would lead. I had limited information but received encouragement, from my friend, ¡°Patsy in Redwood City, CA¡±. Keep looking!

 

My initial resources, for this particular search, included: The LDS site, Familysearch.org; Social Security Death Index; Ancestry.com; Ellisislandrecords.org; and rootsweb.ancestry.com.

These expanded with my search to include: County Kerry Genealogy (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlker/); Griffiths Valuation 1848-1864 (http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php); Kerry Library Tralee (http://www.kerrycolib.ie/local.asp); The Ahern Family (http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~aherns/).

San Francisco and California resources included: San Francisco Genealogy (www.sfgenealogy.com).

And in Ireland: The Irish Rambling House (www.irishramblinghouse.com).

 

In July and August, 2007, my wife and I vacationed in Ireland, for the very first time. We looked for records in Listowel relating to my Grandfather, Patrick Brown Ahern, but were unsuccessful. We were looking in Listowel not knowing Lyreacrompane was approximately 12 miles to the south. Prior to arriving my knowledge about my Grandfather was limited, to the following:

 

PATRICK (BROWN) AHERN, born 1879, Knocknaglaugh, Daugh, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland, and

 

ANDREW (BROWN) AHERN, born 1886, Knocknaglaugh, Daugh, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland

 

A third brother, name unknown, remained in Listowel, to tend the family farm near ¡°Knocknaglaugh¡±. That brother purportedly had a son who in turn had five children. Two of those children were Esther Ahern (who married Conner last name unknown and may have moved to England) and Mary Ahern Stark (a nurse),

 

We were looking for ¡°Knocknaglaugh¡± but nobody knew where it was located. The librarian in Listowel could not find the name among old townlands. Later we met a wonderful lady, near Moyvane. She translated it to mean ¡°Hill of the Ducks¡±. Still later we would learn a more correct translation was ¡°Hill of the Rocks¡±.

 

I purchased a book in Moyvane, ¡°Logainmneacha¡±, Place names of North Kerry, including Tralee and Ballymacelligot, by Dan Keane, also of Moyvane. His translation was ¡°Hill of the Rocks¡±. We had to continue on our trip and were not able to closely examine the contents of his book until arriving home.

 

The book, on page 43, under the heading LYREACROMPANE, lists ¡°Knocknaglough¡± (which has a one letter difference in the spelling we had). In the book it is translated as ¡°The hill of the stones¡±. With this new information I went back on the computer after returning home and refined my search.

 

I then began to post on several Genealogy sites, hoping someone might provide assistance. ¡°Kate from Chicago¡± read my posts and contacted me offering her assistance. Her knowledge and expertise led to Kate becoming my guru, mentor, and my friend! Her fundamental advice was as follows:

 

1. Acquire all US documentation available; death certificates/obituaries

2. Let the documents point the way

3. Don't get hung up on dates of birth -- only glance at them for about a 10 year range

4. Don't get hung up on spellings/middle initials/"reported" middle names, etc.

5. Work from the 1930 census backwards

6. Post, Post, Post!

7. Subscribe to lists!

8. SHARE your research!

9. Ask/don't tell a researcher what you need; include dates/places!

10. **Be open minded**

11. Put things aside and come back to them a few months later -- you may find new posts.

12. DON'T spend time on research someone has already done.

13. Be open to all distinctive names/similar given names

14. There are Gen pages for all US counties - start at usgenweb.com and click down

15. Take family lore with a grain of salt

 

A response, from IRL-Kerry@rootsweb.com, led to the Archivist, at the Kerry County Library, in Tralee, who in late January, 2008, provided the following critical, but condensed, information:

 

I have taken Knocknaglough as a starting point to search our available records. This is limited to the 1901 and 1911 census returns. "Ahern" was a pretty common surname in the townland (3 out of 6 family returns in the town land are Ahern¡¯s in 1901 & 3 from 7 in 1911), but there are some distinctions to be drawn.

 

1901:

FAMILY 1:

Johanna, aged 60, Widow & Head of Family.

Ellie, aged 30, her daughter.

Michael, aged 24, her son.

Andrew, aged 18, her son.

Mary O'Brien, aged 6, a visitor.

 

1911:

FAMILY 1:

Michael P Ahern, aged 35 & Head of Family.

Mary, aged 28, his wife.

Johanna, aged 71, his mother & a widow.

Ellie, aged 37, his sister.

Patrick, aged 2, his son.

James, aged 1, his son.

Joseph, aged 1 month, his son.

 

Family 1 seems to be the closest fit to your one. The presence of an Andrew in 1901 (even with a somewhat wrong age) would be a strong indicator of this. Michael would be the "third brother" that you refer to in your message. The addition of "P" to Michael's 1911 census entry would also indicate that his own father had the initial "P", which would tally with Patrick being his father's name. It was standard practice to use the father's initial to differentiate between landholders of the same name in a townland. Meeting 3 Michael Ahern¡¯s in the same place would be a bit of a nightmare otherwise!

 

As for church records, our notes here indicate that Knocknaglough would have been part of Kilshenane Civil Parish. This became a part of the greater Listowel Catholic Parish area, and records (if they survive for that portion of the parish) will be there.

 

About this same time, we discovered a concurrent computer search, on Familysearch.org, which indicated someone else had been submitting data on family siblings, a full 10 years older than my grandfather, Patrick Brown Ahern, and all derived from Patrick Ahern and Johanna Brown, Lyreacrompane, Duagh, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland. Those new names were: Honora Ahern, 5 Jan 1867; Johanna Ahern, 22 Jan 1869; Catherine Ahern, 14 March 1872; and Patrick Ahern, 2 Jan 1879. Clearly there was another person researching this same family. But there was a problem! The ¡°submitter¡± contact information was outdated. It became quite frustrating to see the ¡°family data¡± on Familysearch.org and yet not be able to find who had submitted it. Never give up! We did a Google search for the name of the submitter. This information would ultimately lead to newly discovered family connections in New Hampshire, Florida and Massachusetts and mail from a newly discovered US cousin, indicating:

 

¡°My Grandmother, Mary Josephine 'Minny' Ahern¡¯s birth was recorded in St. Bridget¡¯s Chapel at Duagh, Kerry (a stones throw from Listowel) on 4-Dec-1880. (Baptized 12-April-1880) She was the 11th of 13 children of Patrick Ahern and Johanna Brown. She had an older brother Patrick and a younger brother Andrew. Her father Patrick was born in 1829 to John Ahern and Honora Broder. Patrick and Johanna 'Ma' Brown were married 30-Jan-1866 their 13 children were - Honora, Elizabeth, Johanna, John, Catherine, Ellen, James, Michael*, Catherine, Patrick, Mary, Andrew, and Margaret. *(Michaels grandson Dan still lives on the farm at Lyreacontane townland earlier records have it as Knocknaglogh ) Family 'lore' has it that Mary immigrated to help care for her older brother¡¯s children when he was widowed.¡±

 

Next, out of the blue, I received mail, from Lyreacrompane, in response to a posting I had made on IRL-Kerry@rootsweb.com:

¡°A Chara,

 

I'm enclosing copies of articles that mention both the surname Browne and Ahern. I copied them from 'Lyreacrompane & District' Journals. I hope they are of some help to you. There are a couple of Ahern Families living in Lyreacrompane. Lyreacrompane has a web site www.lyreacrompane.com you might find it interesting. Lyreacrompane & Duagh are one parish with the same Parish Priest, Fr. Pat Moore, who resides at the Duagh Presbytery.¡±

 

Sl¨¢n,

Kay O'Leary

 

Kay O¡¯Leary, God bless her, provided the definitive information I had been trying to find. ¡°Dan James & Pat Ahern are brothers and reside in Knocknaglough¡±. I believed they were my second cousins. Kay then verified, ¡°They are related to you!¡± ¡°Pat said his grandmother¡¯s name was Browne. He remembers hearing about a granduncle/great granduncle going to California but he thought that he never married¡±. Their sister Mary Ahern Stack resides in Daugh. EUREKA!

 

Lyreacrompane is pronounced ¡°Lyre a crum pawn¡± and lies between the towns of Tralee, Listowel, Castleisland and Abbeyfeale. There is one Post Office/Shop (Nolan's), one pub (Roche's) and a Catholic Church, each of the buildings about a mile apart. The population is approximately 300. Lyreacrompane claims to hold Ireland's real rural Festival. They pitch a marquee next to the pub for a weekend. The ¡°Dan Paddy Andy Festival¡± takes place during the first weekend in August each year.

 

Now it is time for me to make the long journey home and pay my respects to my newly found family. I am the first male Ahern descendant to return home, to Lyreacrompane. And, to make this journey even more memorable, I will meet my new cousins for the very first time! On top of that, I have been invited to officially open the ¡°Dan Paddy Andy Festival.

 

To all who responded to my many postings, go raibh mile maith agat!

 

To Patsy, Kate, and Kay, each of you are dluthchara!

 

Thanks to all who have made this search successful!

go mbeannai Dia thu,

 

IF ANYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE INFORMATION ON THIS FAMILY IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

Bob Ahern

San Jose, CA, USA

Graeagle5@aol.com

 

 

 

Timothy Flaherty married Margaret Kelliher and had

 

Mary Flaherty in 1824 in Irremore

 

John Dillane of Dromada Mor married Mary Flaherty in 1841 and had

 

Michael Dillane in 1845

 

Michael Dillane married Joanna Ahern of Knocknaglough in 1873 and had

 

Mary Dillane in 1873

 

Mary Dillane of Craughatoosane married Daniel Connell of Dromclough in

in 1902 and had

 

Michael Connell in 1906

 

Michael O’ Connell married Hanora( Hannie) Moloney in 1938 and had

 

 

 

 

John Dillane and Mary Flaherty had Michael 1845, John 1849, Bridget 1850, married James Mahoney ( Curraghatusane), Honora 1851, Margaret 1855 married Andrew Nolan of Toureenard.

 

Michael Dillane and Joanna Ahern had 12 children, 10 lived.

Mary 1873-1912 ( married Dan Connell and had John (died aged 7-8 in Dromclough) Maggie, Mick, Bridget. Mary died shortly after birth of another un-named girl circa 1912.

 

Elizabeth 1873 ( died) Mary and Elizabeth were twins.

 

John 1875-1945, ( Sheffield),married Margaret Grogan and had Michael. Margaret died possibly after giving birth. John remarried Elizabeth Slack and they had 6 children, Edward, Mary,Terence, Jack, Bernard and Nora (Lynda’s mother)

 

Bridget 1877 (died ) twin to

 

Johanna 1877, married Maurice Cotter and had Ciss ( mother of Mary Gleeson) and Jerry ( father of Martina O’ Donoghue )

 

Helen 1880,( Have no data on her but is listed in photo of 4 grand aunts as aunt Nellie)

 

Margaret 1882-1965, Conn. U.S.,Margaret married Joseph Doyle and had 3 sons, John, James and Joseph and a daughter Peggy Doyle Connolly. Margaret and Peggy visited Ireland in the 50’s. Her grandson John Francis Doyle was killed in Vietnam aged 19.

 

Hanora (1884-1979) Sr. Mary Ann. Emigrated to Conn circa 1910, entered the Missionary Sisters of Blessed Trinity in 1915, professed in 1933.

 

Bridget 1886

 

Catherine 1889-1964 minded Mick and Maggie and Bridget with Dan in Curraghatusane after Mary died in 1912, after birth of a daughter who also died. Catherine then emigrated to U.S and in 1926 claimed Bridget out to N.Y Catherine who went by Kathleen Dillon then married Peter Davenportand lived in Highland Falls, N.Y They had no children.

 

Michael 1891 died same year

 

Mathew 1894 went to Sheffield and was killed in road accident in 1930’s.His remains were buried in Duagh

 

John Connell and Margaret (Peg) Casey had Michael 1862-1944, who emigrated to Conn. U.S. and Theresa Stafford’s great grandfather, Daniel 1864 ,Patrick 1866 and died same year, Catherine ( Kate ) 1869, who married Jack Moloney, Maurice 1871, married Minnie Connor of Coolaclarig, John 1874,married in Bunaghara, was a baker,

both he and his wife died young from TB and a sister of wife took children to U.S.James 1877.

 

Daniel ( Dan) and Mary Dillane had John 1902-1907, who died from Croup at his grandparents in Dromclough, Margaret ( Maggie)1904-1971) married Ned Sheehy, Knockane, Mick 1906 married Honora Moloney, Bridget 1908-1986, went to U.S. at 18, married Dave Cronin from Limerick, a baby girl died at birth with mother Mary, circa 1912.

Michael (Mick) Connell and Hannah Moloney married 1938 and

 

CRIB in Duagh;  December 2004 the idea was fleshed out by Tommy Healy and

Ita O’Connor of Rathorn offered 30 Christmas trees, which her son

John cut down to add to the atmosphere. Ita & John have done

that every year since, given free of charge. Every year a charity

has benefited from The Crib takings every single coin given straight to the

charity. This year, for the first time ourselves. The Tidy Towns who did

such great work in the last year and have great plans.

Kieran Quirke spearheaded the development of the crib. Animals were given, friendly household pets that tell all visitors of the care and gentleness of their owners. Mike Mangan of Lyre always supplies the fowl, Moss and Helen Keane the friendly sheep. Tom O’Connell of Foildarrig gives Shrek, the donkey, the goats are given by Teddy Finnucane of Knockanure; The Kunakuna Pig and the rabbits are given freely by Robert O’ Mahoney of Trieneragh.

Without this generosity nothing could happen. Larry O’Connor gave ration

and several local farmers gave free small bales. Johnny Kennelly has al-

ways taken responsibility for cleaning out and disposing of everything when

the animals leave.

This year the whole Tidy Town’s committee spent days planning and

working hard to set everything up and everyone seems to think it was

better than ever this year.

Thanks to everyone and apologies if anyone feels left out but it is a great

tribute to everyone in our Parish Committee