Ireland XO News

Islandeady Graveyards are Mapped

The mapping of the graveyards in the parish is a great resource for those seeking to find out more about their ancestors. It means that those who can travel to the parish as well as those who are far away, can conduct research and locate a grave plot and headstone.

Islandeady Gathering

Anyone interested in or connected to the Parish of Islandeady is invited home for a weekend of celebration in May. Some of the events planned include a visit to the national schools as part of a trip down memory lane.

Church of Ireland Tulla Memorial Tablets Return to Tulla

These memorial tablets are family stones that honour and remember those that have passed away.  They are a wonderful resource for family research as well as for local history.  The tablets will be displayed on the webpage in due course.

Reaching Out from Australia to Ireland

The O'Brien family research by Christine has discovered roots in Donegal, Cork, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary, Clare, Laois, Offaly, Antrim and Derry so far..!

Christina Shaughnessy found new relatives in Galway

In late September the Ireland Reaching Out Office in Co. Galway had a visit from Christina Shaughnessy looking for assistance researching her family tree.

Finding Kellys in Ardrahan, Co. Galway

I started out searching for my long lost relatives in County Galway about nine months ago. I had little more than my great grandmother's name and the name of the village, Ardrahan, where she grew up between 1870 and 1890 before she went to to the US.

A thirty year search leads to the Carmelite Abbey of St. Mary's in Loughrea.

Margaret McKeown posted a message on the Loughrea parish message board from her home in western Australia asking for their assistance in gaining access to the locked Carmelite Abbey ruin in Loughrea, Co. Galway.

Award-winning National Community Programme Ireland XO set to expand in the Shannon Region

The Snow of Black 47

The spring of 1947, otherwise known as Black '47 saw the heaviest snowfall ever and it did not thaw for weeks. Late April and early May were very warm and the children had discarded their shoes and were going to school in their bare feet.

Sharavogue House

Sharavogue House, demolished 1920. Property of The Earl of Huntington .