Hello Peter, 

My great-great-great grandmother was named Bridget Malone or Maloney. She was probably born around 1805 in or near Kilfenora parish. There are so many Bridget Malones I'm still really trying to sort them all out. The list of townlands you've posted includes many that I've been interested in either for the Malone family or the Grady family. Bridget married James O'Grady/Gready around 1830 and had one son named Patrick, my great-great grandfather. There were probably others, but I  haven't confirmed them. The family story says that they lived in Lisdoonvarna, but I have found records that show Patrick and his wife, Kate Quinn, living in Ballagh, Kilfenora from 1860-1866 and then Ballingaddy East, Kilmanaheen, until at least 1881. In 1891 Patrick and Kate emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts with all of their children. 

In 1861, James O'Grady, who gave his residence as Lisdoonvarna, was taken to petty sessions court in Ennistymon by Pat Walsh for money due on the hire of a horse. I believe this is my great-great grandfather, althoough I  suspect he actually lived in Tullagh or Ballyconnoe.

A cousin was in touch with  some of his relatives in Lahinch who passed on some memories from an older relative named Pat Conway, whose great uncle, James Conway, was best man for Patrick Grady's wedding. Mr. Conway listed the residents of 5 houses in Ballagh East at an unspecified date, but must have been in the 1860s. These included Patrick Grady, James Conway, and the Walsh and Maloney families. Patt Grady worked for a Mrs. O'Brien, who lived next door. These 5 families lived close by one another. Other Gradys who may be related are now living in Ennnistymon, Liscannor, and Fanta, Kilfenora.

Among the godparents of Pat Grady and Kate Quinn's childer were Dan Moloney and Margaret Moloney, who I expect are relatives on Patt's mothers side. I've found their last names spelled differently (and with or without a Y) depending on who was writing. 

If this is of any interest, I'd be glad  to  compare notes.

good luck with your research in any case.

Ellen

Dear Ellen

Thank you for your response. Given their similar birth dates, it certainly is possible that your 3X great grandmother Bridget Malone could have been the sister of my 2x great grandfather James Malone or at least related in some other way. I'm also interested in Kate Quinn, as Jame's wife was Bridget Quinn which gives some credence to the connection between Kate and Dan and Margaret Molone(y).

So yes I'm very happy to compare notes further, whichever way is easiest to do so. As you have no doubt dscovered ti's very hard to categorically confirm whether particular families are indeed directly related but as the saying goes: It's the thrill of the chase!

I hope you and your family are coping ok in these troubled times.

All the best, Peter

Dear Peter, 

Thanks for your message. Having poposed this, I now realize I need to think of a well-organized way to do it. Your townlands data are so clear, and I'm afraid that despite my best efforts my notes are a bit haphazard. So  let me print out what you  posted and see where it intersects with what I have about Malones. 

Meanwhile, I'm happy to share what I know about Kate Quinn and Judy/Joany/Joanna Quinn, who I believe to be her sister.

1. Catherine died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 27 December 1904. From her death certificate:

• Father's name - Thomas Quinn
• Mother's name - Ellen Kenneally
• Age 62, born in Ireland. So she was born around 1842, give or take. That's probably pretty close since she was married in 1861 and her youngest child Austin, my great-grandfather) was born in 1881. 

2. The Kilfenora RC Parish records document the marriage of "Pat Grady and Kate Quin" on 3 February 1861. Witnesses were James Conway and Anne Walsh. 

3. The Kilfenora RC Parish records also have baptismal records for their first children. Mary was bapitzed on 8 Feb 1863. Her godparents were Thomas Conway and Judith Quinn.  

4. You have no doubt seen the Kilfenora Parish record that has quite a detailed census of the parish recorded by the priest. Pat and Kate must have left Ballagh (and moved to Ballingaddy) just before that, but James Conway is still there, with his wife listed as Joney Quinn, with children James, Andrew, Patt, Honor and Anne. James is the first name on the list but with no age given; usually they seem to be  in order of age. Andrew is 12, so born around 1854. So Judy/Joany  would be a few years older than Catherine/Kate. 

There were clearly close ties between the Conways and Gradys, and if Joan were Kate's sister that  would be one explanation.

That's all for now. Would it be better to do this by email? 

I am at emshortell@gmail.com

Ellen

Dear Ellen

Thanks for the info on the Quinns. 

I will email you separately.

regards

Peter