James Burke brn 1813 Parish of Bulgaden, Co Limerick

David,

The Catholic Church in Bulgaden is Our Lady of the Assumption. It was built about 1860.

Bulgaden / Martinstown - Limerick Diocese

Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, CULLENDRAGH, Bulgaden, LIMERICK - Buildings of Ireland

Regards- Mary

David,

There is a site on the internet with more info on Bulgaden Parish. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to open.

limerickdioceseheritage.org

There is a church in Martinstown also called Our Lady of the Assumption. It was dedicated in 1834.

Martinstown | Our Irish Heritage

Regards- Mary

Hi Mary

Fantastic! Thanks for the update. James Bourke was born in 1813 before these two Catholic Churches were open. Are there any older Catholic Church's in the same area he would have been baptised at?

Thanks

David Brown

David,

 I am not aware of a Church, but you should probably use the link I provided and contact Killmolock Parish, email identified on the link.

Bulgaden / Martinstown - Limerick Diocese

Regards- Mary

David,

Were you able to contact Kilmollock Parish? I wanted to add that due to the Penal Laws, which restricted religious practices, in the 1700s many masses were held in secret, sometimes in barns or altar rocks in fields. In the early 1800s, some of those laws became less severe and wooden structures were built to celebrate the sacraments. Later, they were replaced by the churches that exist today. I know James Bourke was baptized in Bulgaden. His family might have been members of the churches I identified earlier.

Regards- Mary