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Hi, I am putting together a story on Catherine 'Kit' Sheehy (1840-1902) who married Henry Shine (1833-1884) in 1859.

In a nutshell, they had 15 children (from 1860-1884) and then the dad died, 2 weeks after the birth of the 15th.

10 years later Kit came to Melbourne with the 6 youngest children and one older child.

Now the story is - the family lived on the outskirts of Shanagolden, perhaps in the Duncaha direction. The day before they emigrated, the kids went to the 'Pattern Day' in Foynes. They were meant to get holy water from the well but they tarried and the gates were closed - so as you would, filled up the holy water bottle from a spring / tap (ie not holy water) on Paddy Moore's farm.

The question, is which Holy Well do you think it might be.

I've an article from the Limerick Leader -

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/then---now---tom-aherne/655664/then-…

and also a discussion / research, back in the 1990s, carried out by family members -

It is not known which Holy Well the children visited but it was most likely St Senan's Well on the Shanagolden Demesne in the townland of Shanagolden. Another possibility was St. Patrick's Well situated on Knockpatrick hill. A less likely possibility was the Barrigone Well in the townland of Craggs near Rathkeale.

I am not familiar with the geographicals.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Brian B

 

 

 

 

 

 

BriBoy

Tuesday 12th Dec 2023, 12:25AM

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  • Shine family

    Looking at the tithe applotment records I see there is a  Shine family living in the townland of Sroolawn/Sroolane  in Shanagolden in 1830 this could be a relation , if this was the address this is about 45 minute walk from St Senan's well, St Patricks well would be too far

    Annemarie, IrelandXO Volunteer

    Friday 15th Dec 2023, 11:22AM
  • Attached Files

    Hi Annemarie,

    That sounds about right.

    Thanks so much.

    Now, looking at this a bit closer - Pattern Day at Foynes was in August whereas it looks like they departed in April!

    Maybe it was a story that grew legs over time.

    The Shine's were accompanied by family relations - the Perse (Pierce) and the Sheehy on the journey. Indeed it names a Bridget, but it turned out to be her sister, Nelly.

    Brian

     

     

     

     

    BriBoy

    Saturday 16th Dec 2023, 04:37AM

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