Michael, email me! I live in Albuquerque and I can tell you several ways to research right here, to be prepared before your trip. If you live near here, we can meet and I can show you the microfilm I've got on permanent loan through the LDS.
This is VERY kewl! If you've never been to Loughrea, it's GORGIOUS! I absolutely love that town!
If anyone is interested, the microfilms available through the LDS are 95% exactly what the parish office holds. The films are pictures of the original record books. I was able to copy almost 300 pages of records during 2008, while researching my ancestors of the Sweeney family. Every time I saw a last name "Sweeney", I copied the page, then when I got home, I put all my copies into piles, sorted by families. One of the several pages missing from the microfilm, was the baptism of my great grandmother. 2 or 3 years just weren't there on the film, but I was able to go to the parish office, and within minutes, the volunteers went right to her in their binders, and copied the page for me. Several years of marriage records are also missing on the microfilm, but the parish office has them.
That was how I was able to figure out how each family branch was connected. All the living Sweeney's knew we were related, but didn't know exactly how--- so I organized a Sweeney Family reunion in June 2009, in Loughrea at the Hotel/Spa. Over 100 Sweeney's came--- about 20 came from the USA. We had a blast! While the rest of the family went off touring, I stayed in Loughrea, for 2 weeks, and enjoyed roaming around, speaking to everyone, and learning the area.
(My offer of how to order these films, no matter where you live, is open for anyone interested.)
Let me know if you'd like to get together Michael. My email is: MNAJPA@aol.com
Mary
ps: Ripley, if you would let me know the birth dates for your family that went to Australia, I will try to make a point of looking for the Lally's these next couple of weeks, and I will let you know if I've found anything pertinent.
pss: Sally, while the older records (early 1800's) are very difficult to read, I will snoop for your Michael. The early records were written in very small handwriting, and the priest didn't leave much space between each entry. Also, since those pages are 200 years old, it's a little hard to read them sometimes. But, you can make out last names-- it just takes a little bit of staring!