Patrick Bourke and Peggy Harty from Limerick

Hi,

 Did you know many of the cemeteries in Ireland are online?

Old Pallas | Historic Graves

Templebredon | Historic Graves

Emly | Historic Graves

Patrick Bourke married Margaret Harty on Feb 23, 1830, in Pallasgreen and Templebredon. Patrick was living in Garranemore, Pallasgrean, Limerick at the time. A Laurence Bourke witnessed the wedding. They had the following children- Judith 1830, Laurence 1832, Martin Nov 9, 1834, Catherine 1837, Ellen 1839, Margaret 1842, Rodger 1845, and Patrick 1848.

Regards- Mary

Information above from RootsIreland (paid subscription)

I found Martin's marriage record on Ancestry

Regards- Mary

Mary _ I am so thrilled and happy to hear all this great information and I can't thank you enough! I felt like I had hit the proverbial brick wall, and now you have inspired me. I did not know about the cemeteries online, so have now checked through Old Pallas ones - there are many Hartys and Bourkes there but I cannot connect them with the ones that I do know about.  My understanding from my aunt, was that Patrick was a school master as indeed was his son, Martin and grandson, Charles. Do you think that the Laurence (witness at Patrick and Margaret Harty's wedding might be his father, or his brother? )  Once again - thank you so much for your help.  Pam

Pam,

It is wonderful, volunteers in Ireland spent time transcribing Gravesites in Ireland and putting them online.

Laurence was the eldest son of Patrick and Margaret. Irish naming patterns suggest that is Patrick's father's name. Laurence might have been his father, brother, or another family member??

Regards- Mary

Pam,

The teachers in your family might have been part of the secret Hedge School system.

Hedge school - Wikipedia

Hedge Schools in Tipperary Early 1700’s – 1860’s – Tipperary Studies

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/irish-hedge-schools

Regards- Mary

What a fantastic lot of information you have given me - it all makes fascinating reading. Thank you so much.

The Hedge School system obviously flourished until the National schools were set up then somewhat demised. I believe that my Gt grandfather, Martin Bourke began teaching at about 19 years old, in about 1853 and his records say that he "trained for 3 1/2 years at the church Education society's training school in Ireland" (perhaps from when he was in his mid-teens?) before teaching at various schools. His last known teaching position was in Ballyhorgan, near Kilflynn, Kerry where he met his wife, Sarah Keeling before they had children and left for New Zealand. Do you think he would have been part of the hedge school system?

Regards, Pam

Pam,

Sorry for the delay but the Message Board wasn't operational for a couple of days. I contacted a resource in Ireland who is familiar with Hedge Schools, and she could not confirm but gave me a resource if you're in Ireland.

"A lot of material on hedge schoolteachers in the Library in Thurles from a thesis done by Sr. Claude Maher. 

called Religious Education in Diocese of Cashel and Emly. Sr Claude's thesis was never published in book form."

Per RootsIreland

I noticed in 1834, in Pallasgreen, a MIchael Bourke married Julia Conway. Laurence Bourke witnessed. Their oldest son was Laurence b. 1835. Could your Patrick and Michael be brothers? I have nothing to support.

Also, I don't think I previously mentioned your Martin's baptismal sponsors were Laurence Bourke and Bridget Bourke.

Regards- Mary

Every time I hear from you, I get such a thrill!  You are soooo kind in helping me and I so appreciate it. 

And now you have told me who my Gt grandfather's baptismal sponsors were - Laurence and Bridget - I don't know the date of Martin's baptism.  Do you think that the Laurence and Bridget mentioned were married or are they perhaps siblings? 

I have finally had the time to go through all the gravesites you mentioned : surely some of those people are related to me, but I can't connect them yet.  

Next I am going to investigate the Michael Bourke and Julia Conway possibility; it does make sense that he may have been a brother to my 2 X Gt grandfather, Patrick - you have  already given me Laurence, William and Frances, but undoubtably there will be more!  They often had so may children in those days, didn't they.  

Kind regards,  Pam

Pam,

Martin was baptized Nov. 9, 1834. You can find on the Catholic Parish Registry. Note his mother's name is identified as Marie. All of his siblings show Margaret. I think it was a recording error.

Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI

02498/03, Pallasgreen and Templebredin - Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI

Regards- Mary