I enjoyed reading the article on Irish naming and baptismal traditions and have a question that wasn't addressed. My grandfather, who was born in Boston in 1850 to Irish immigrant parents, had two sisters named Mary Ann and Mary Josephine, who were referred to my their middle names in subsequent records. He also had 2 first cousins, who were sisters, named Mary Ann and Mary Agnes. I've heard this tradition was done in honor the Virgin Mary and have wondered if the selection of the middle name followed the same pattern based on birth order as the selection of other first names for girls, ie maternal grandmother, then paternal grandmother, etc.
Thanks for your help!
Beverley Downing Penzien