Quinlivan - Blacksmiths of Ballinaguile

Greetings from New Zealand.

My wife and I are visiting Ireland in September/October this year and will be staying in Kilfinny for several nights. My great grandfather John Quinlivan, a blacksmith of Ballinaguile married Margaret Hannan/Hannon of Gortfadda at the Roman Catholic Chapel of Croagh in February 1876. Shortly thereafter they emigrated to New Zealand.

40 years ago we visited the area briefly and were shown the ruins of a Quinlivan forge on (probably) the Ballinaguile Road by a lady who lived nearby. I am fairly certain John's parents (who died 1876/1878) are buried nearby in the Ballynakill graveyard (using the surname Quinlan).

In the 1852 Griffiths Valuation and the 1901/1911 Censuses I have found Quinlivans as occupants, including references to forges on the properties. They are likely my ancestors or relatives. There is also reference to Jim Quinlivan's forge in the Kilfinny area in the Duchas.ie National Folklore Collection under the title "The Local Forge".

We would be interested to meet a local volunteer who might assist us in visiting sites of interest and possibly in meeting some locals with knowledge of the area.

Kind regards,

Paul