O'Keeffes of Carrigdownane

Kerri,

Per RootsIreland (subscription), Patrick and Ann were married in Castleroche, Cork. Feb. 12, 1831. The children I found were also born in Castleroche at different addresses- John 1833, Michael 1838 Creg, David 1840 Convamore, Mary 1843 Convamore, Timothy 1846 Ballymclaurence,  and Patrick 1854 Ballymaclane.

Regards- Mary

Kerri,

 I apologize, I meant Castletownroche, Cork

Regards- Mary

Kerri,

Their son David was present at both of their deaths. He was living in Carrigdownane....they quite possibly were living with him.The records show where they died, not where they were from. Not everyone had a marked grave during that era as it was costly to have a grave marker or headstone. 

Regards,

FYI, there were three Keefes mentioned in Carrigdownane in a census taken in the 1700s:

https://www.ginnisw.com/newpage64.htm

Kerri,

Ballymaclawrence is in the civil parish of Killathy and church parish of Castletownroche. Many people would want to be buried in the parish graveyard, but Castletownroche is a good bit away. Killathy is the most obvious place for burial, but it is across the river. Ballyhooley is a possibility, but if there is a family plot in Killathy, then they are probably buried there.

Both Patrick and Ann died at Carrigdownane and their deaths were witnessed by their son David.  It is conceivable that David moved to Carrigdownane and that he looked after his elderly parents. 

I looked at the children's birth records  and the address given are Cregg, Convamore, Ballymaclawrence and Ballymacallen. Cregg, Ballymaclawrence and Ballymacallen are in the same area and could be interpreted as the same place in baptisimal records. Convamore is on the Castletownroche side of Ballyhooly. Patrick could have been working at Convamore House for a few years. You say that several of the children's records also have Carrigdownane listed as a residence. I'm just wondering what those records are?

Best wishes, Kieran

Thanks Mary, Patricia and Caroyln,

Sorry, I should have explained better. I do have all of those records already. We have done a very thorough search by all the regular means over meany years. I was just wondering if anyone had any knowledge through their own family of these O'Keeffes to supplement what we know and of Patrick in particular. it is possible that the family came from Donoughmore, As they were blacksmiths, those who stayed in Ireland spread out in Kilworth, Glanworth, Ballindangan to establish their own forges. My great great grandfather Thady O'Keeffe (Patrick's son) took over the forge in Glanworth when Cardinal Cushing's father left the village and immigrated with his family to the US. Thady's cousin Timothy (also Thady) had a forge at the cross road in Ballindangan across from the thatched house that's still there. Both Thadys were married in Ballindangan Church. 

Kieran,

Thank you also for your input. Patrick's son Thady, who I mentioned above (with the forge in Glanworth, his wife Ellen Quinlan and possibly others are buried in Kilathy. But while my cousins from Fermoy visit and maintain the grave, they have no idea if anyone else is in that plot. A couple of the marriage records of Patrick's children had Carrigdownane as  a residence, but Griffith's has Patrick's lease in Ballmaclawrence of a house and forge. I know they moved around for work probably and that they were at the mercy of the landlords. I also know that Thady (Glanworth) at one time worked for the forge at Garrett Gow. There is a small plaque out there and it is mentioned in Grove White. 

I didn't consider Convamore House. I wonder if the estate records might hold any details. 

In any case, thank you all again for your input. I guess there are no registers of burials fur such old cemeteries such as Kilathy?

Kind regards,

Kerri O'Keeffe

Carolyn,

I just saw your comments about Patrick's son David. Actually, he was blind and while he was present at the deaths of both parents, he later lived with his brother Thady in Glanworth. Sadly he had mental health issues and ended up in an asylum in Cork. 

Kerri,

I note you mention the forge at Garret Gow. Just wondering if you have any further information on that? My friend lives across the road from that plaque. I think that the plaque says 'the forge of Garret Gow', indicating that Garret was the blacksmith. I can check that and will let you know. I would be grateful to receive any information you have on it.

Best wishes, Kieran

Hi Kieran,

There is mention of the forge at Garrett Gow in the Grove White Notes. See below. I've been told by my cousins in Fermoy that my 2nd great grandfather was most likely working at that forge at some point before he took over the Cushing forge in Glanworth, but I don't have any other specific information about it.