James Quirk [Quirke] 1770 : Short Biography

James Quirk [Quirke] 1770

Banagher (Offaly) County Offaly Lusmagh (Offaly)

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James Quirk [Quirke] - our 4th great grandfather

Born in Banagher, Offaly, about 1770.

A blacksmith by trade, after a public flogging, he was transported to Penal Colony for making pikes for the 1798 Rebellion. This was about the year 1800.

He left Ireland just about the time of the birth of his daughter, MARY QUIRK [1800-1899], who was the mother of MICHAEL LARKIN [1837-1867], of Lusmagh, one of The Manchester Martyrs.

As for James Quirk, we do not know if he survived the journey to the Penal Colonies; if his sentence was for life; if he was able to return to Ireland after serving his sentence; where he died and is buried.

There is a James Quirk buried in Kilmachuna graveyard, Lusmagh, death in June 1847, but we have no idea if it is our relative.

Additional Information
Date of Birth	1st Jan 1770 (circa)
Date of Death	1st Jun 1847 (circa)
Townland born	Banagher, Offaly
Names of Children	MARY QUIRK
Place of Death	Kilmachuna graveyard, Lusmagh

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Comments

Hello

I am just wondering if you every contacted Offaly Historical Society to see if they can help you with your research. Offalyhistory.com

Also have you done your DNA to see if you have any connections still in Banagher area

Geraldine

Geraldine Buckley-Smith, Ireland XO Volunteer

Saturday 11th December 2021 09:54AM

Thanks, Geraldine, for the good suggestions, all of which have been done. I am an Irish citizen, so family and cousins are known to us in Lusmagh, Banagher, and Birr.

Finding out about James, however, has been a stumbling block for many a generation of our family. Offaly Historical Society already make mention of him with regard to the United Irishmen and his participation; that his workshop was used to make pikes, and that he was transported. But even they have provided nothing further.

Regards,

Donnacha

Saturday 11th December 2021 02:57PM