Callaghan Family from Murren, Fanad

Hi Dan and Robin,

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out.

I was asking recently about this Callaghan family in Murren, and unfortunately the Callaghans that lived there have either emigrated or passed away down through the years. There is so many different families living nearby they would  have been known locally as the Mickey Dan Vickey Callaghan’s.

I am sorry it is not better news, however what I will do is see if I can help connect to someone that would be related or would have known your Callaghan family in Murren. You mensioned that you happen to be travelling to Fanad between Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th  of May. Firstly I will create a map and post it here (Google maps) that will take you exactly to the Homestead in Fanad where they would have lived. Even before your trip it will give you a good idea of the surrounding arae and give you loads of time to plan your trip to Fanad and see all that is availble to enjoy while there.

I may advertise this message on a local facebook page, as somebody may come back to us who may be family or neighbours that would have known the Mickey Dana Vickey Callaghan's family back in the day, they could be even be living locally and wouldn’t mind meeting up you while you are there and tell you what they remember or stories that they know. I do have in mind someone to meet you already but I wouldn't want to get hopes up only to find out they are unavailable or away at the time. I will be get back to you again as soon as I can.

Regards, Seamus Callaghan (Kerrykeel)

Parish of Clondavaddog (Fanad & Glenvar)

Hi Daniel and Robin, 

This is a small bit of information regarding your grandmother Sarah Callaghan.

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Sarah Callaghan was baptised on the 2nd of November 1886 in St Columbas Chapel (Massmount), Tamney, Fanad.

Sarah's parents were recorded as Daniel Callaghan (Murren) and Hannah Carr. God-parents were recorded as being Bernard Carr and Grace Carr, which would possibly a brother of Hannah Carrs from Ballylar, in north Fanad.

As regards to the Civil Registering of her Birth, Sarah was recorded as being born a month later, on the 06 December 1886  in the Parish Birth Registry for Clondavaddog (registered in the Town of Milford) - Parents Daniel Callaghan & Hannah Carr .

This was quite common at the time to have discrepancies conflicting birth dates, as a hefty fine would be imposed on the parents of a child if the birth was not registered within al least two weeks of the actual birth. The distance to Milford Town to register a birth would have been a full day’s trek on foot, with very few modes of transport been available at the time, it was just easier to bend and manipulate the dates to suit, and sure no one would be any the wiser.

Birth Cert - Irishgenealogy.ie (Cert also attached Below)

The Marriage of Sarahs parents was also registered in the Town Milford in 1886 : Daniel Callaghan and Hannah Carr Callaghan m02Feb1886, Fathers Michael Callaghan, Murren and Antoin Carr from Ballylar

Marriage Cert - Irishgenealogy.ie (Cert also attached below)

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information!  We have actually decided to stay an extra day in Donegal to give us more time.  So, we will be there from 7 May - 10 May.  

The Google Map coordinates would be fantastic!  

Robin

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The first time Roman Catholic Births, marriages and deaths started to be recorded in St Columba’s RC Church (Massmount) was back in 1847.

Daniel Callaghan (who wass your grandmother Sarah Callaghan’s father) was baptised there in on 18th of April 1852.

Daniels parents were registered as Michael Callaghan and Sarah McCarron, it doesnt say in the register that they came from Murren, Fanad, but we know this from other siblings births:

www.familysearch.org - Daniel Callaghan b18April1852 Parents Michael & Sarah McCarron (CLICK here)

The good news is we know this Michael Callaghan can be tied down to a particular location when looking though the old maps of the 1850’s.

By transcribing the old maps using the Griffith Valuation Plot numbers it is possible to pin-point on Google Maps that very location as it is now in 2018.

Hi Dan and Robin, Thanks for adding the profile for your grandmother, I hope you didn’t mind but I edited it a small bit to add what we know now about the family in Murren for the benefit anyone that may be reading it locally. We are looking forward to meeting you when you take your trip down to see the home place. It will be nothing too fancy but I am sure you will enjoy everything Fanad has to offer as the people are very friendly and inviting and you also will find the scenery is unbelievable, Sláinte

Seamus 

Link to Ancestor Profile - Sarah Callaghan 

Link to Local Guide - only some ideas of what to see and do locally