Searching for living relatives

Hello Brian,

Welcome to the Eyrecourt parish page. Before answering your query fully I need to do a small bit of research on your Cunningham / Early family connections in the parish.

I hope that we get a chance to meet when you visit in April. I am away for a week from 7th to14th April. However, even if we cannot meet up I will arrange for someone else to greet you.

I have a feeling that I may have a Cunningham connection in my own family tree. Cunningham is a relatively common name in the East Galway area. The Cunningham family found in Eyrecourt today only settled here in the mid 20th century. The Early name is not that common and does not jump out at me. I have never encountered the name here but it may survive in local memory. We can make an enquiry through our local parish newsletter. Eyrecourt is small village today but had a relatively large population in the 19th century. Many names have disappeared altogether from the area.- probably because of the Great Famine.

I will respond again shortly - hopefully with some useful information.

Regards,

Christy C.

Hello Brian,

I have since made contact with Des Coen an octogenarian from Eyrecourt who tells me reliably that he worked with a man called Tommy Early for Galway County Council some years ago. He told me that Tommy Early lived just outside the village of Eyrecourt. He also told me that brothers Stephen and Tom Kenny from Mayour, Eyrecourt are directly related to the Early family.

Therefore, I am delighted to be able to tell you that we appear to have two living relations of yours here in the parish. I just need to speak to Stephen (the brother that I know personally) to confirm all of this. You will enjoy the Kenny brothers when you get talking to them.

I also looked at my own family tree and do as I thought have a distant Cunningham and O?Brien connection but they appear to have originated from neighbouring Co Offaly.

Regards,

Christy Cunniffe

Hi Brian,

I have discovered both your Early and Cunningham relations on the 1901 census living in the townland of Derry outside Eyrecourt. By the time of the 1911 census the Early family have moved to the townland of Camus.

In the 1901 you will find Delia Cunningham entered as a niece of Thomas Early. In the 1911 you will find that the Early family are living with the O?Donnell family.

To view this material online yourself visit www.census.ie

Choose either the 1901 or 1911 census and enter the details that are required ie Surname, Personal name (Thomas), Under County enter Galway (use dropdown) and under Townland enter DERRY or CAMUS.  

I have attached the Pdfs of the original 1901 and 1911 census documents you can view the typed material online.