McNamara from Ballybreen Kilfenora

Hi Glenda:

Many thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out.  I note that there are McNamaras in the 1911 Ireland Census at Ballybreen and here is the link:  http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Clare/Kilfenora/Ballyb…

In addition, you might try looking through some of the resources available through the Clare County Library website.  Their link is:  http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/genealog.htm  There are emigration records, parish register transcriptions, etc. 

In the meantime, I will ask a local historian there that I know if he might have some information for you.  I will contact you directly via your email address if I hear or find out any more information. 

All the best,

Jane.

You can contact me at:  tulla@irelandxo.com

Hi Glenda, I'm also an Australian exploring my Irish past, with a particular interest in Hillarys and McNamaras, especially as located in or near the Kilfenora Parish. I can furnish you with the names of two Patrick McNamaras born in Kilfenora in 1865. They are:

Patrick Mack, baptised 25..12.1865. Parents Denis Mack and   Bridget Fahey, from the Townland (named geographic sub-division) of Lisdooney within Kilfenora. Please note that "Mack" was often used as a shortened version of McNamara.  In Clare, this shortened version was used exclusively in relation to the McNamaras  unlike in Australia where it tends to be used for all names beginning in Mc/Mac. This Patrick had a number of siblings (Mary bn 1863; Martin bn 1868; Bridget bn 1870; Kate bn 1872; Anne bn 1874; and Hanna bn 1876. When children died young,Irish families often assigned the same name to the next child born of the same sex. I suspect that might have been the case for Hanna born two years after Anne.  

Patrick McNamara baptised 23.03.1865. Parents Daniel McNamara and Mary Marinan, from the Townland of Ballybreen (Doon, in one instance). Siblings include Bridget 1867, Anne 1869, Mary 1870, John 1873, Honor 1875. 

You will likely find other related families in Kilfenora and surrounding parishes. In this respect, I suggest you follow the advice previously given to you to go to the County Clare Library holdings of genealogical and historical material. Here you will find a wealth of material for the county as a whole, including listings of Kilfenora baptisms and marriages, treasures made available to people like you and me by a team of volunteers that have laboured mightily to make previously inaccessible church records available to all and sundry.

I hope this information helps. All best wishes for the journey ahead.

Will Christensen, Fremantle, Western Australia 

Hi Will Christensen, just read your reply to Glenda. Am wondering if you came across Michael McNamara and his wife Bridget Cusack born c1810. Most of their children if not all came to Australia NSW between 1850's - 1860's period, but don't know what happened to the parents? The children appear to have been born in or near Kilfenora Co. Clare, Ireland between 1829 and 1846. Children's names are Thomas, Norah, Ann, Ellen, Bridget, Michael, John, Mary and Catherine, not necessarily born in that order. Any info could you reply to lance.dwyer8@bigpond.com  .Thanks  from Lance Dwyer, Launceston, Tas.