Aghadoe Parish (Co. Kerry)

Thanks Paddy - feel free to email me or clink on the link below if you would like to volunteer with us

http://www.irelandxo.com/get-involved/volunteer

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

Paddy I was interested in your scholarly article I have visited the cemetery at Aghadoe in search of Sulllivan graves - and found the area very interesting I am descended from "double" Sullivans which I am sure is not uncommon in KerryMy great grandfather Denis, a butcher fought in the Civil War in the US before coming to Victoria Australia.His wife Maria was the daughter of Humphrey Sullivan who had been in the British Army in New South Wales in the early days  very adventurous people. I do have quite a bit about the family but am fascinated by the recurring Christian names Cornelius Humphrey Jeramiah  and wonder why these names seem so common in the family? Any thoughts on this.cheers Julie

Hello Paddy, I very much enjoyed your history and descriptions of the churchyard at Aghadoe, which I have visited several times. My great grandmother, Mary Noonan (1863-1914), was the daughter of Cornelius Noonan (c1820-1870) and Honora Dwyer (c1830 - still living 1870 but no subsequent death record found) of Barleymount West. In 1850, in the house study done just before the final Griffith's Valuations, there were 6 Noonan houses in Barleymount West.                                                       My earliest visit to Aghadoe was back in 1978 when Fr. Galvin of Fossa sent me to see Jack Myers at the Isolation Hospital in Killarney. Mr. Myers knew of the Noonans (also called Neenan) of Barleymount and ultimately referred me to his cousin, Daniel Myers of Barleymount West, whose grandmother was a Nora Noonan. Over the years I have become quite friendly with Daniel's son Daniel, wife Kitty, and daughter, Anne Buckley.                                                                                                                           Jack Myers told me that the Noonans were buried within the west side of the old church wall at Aghadoe but there was no marking of the grave nor was I able to find one. If I correctly identified where he was referring. With your knowledge of the churchyard would you know whether I would be able to erect a stone for the family. Anyway, thanks so much for the wealth of interesting information.       Warm Regards, Ed Stewart

Hi Moranding,

As you found out, until recently, graves were not well marked in the Aghadoe cemetery. But then, this cemetary has been in constant use since at least the 10th century and, possibly, a few hundred years prior to that. Until around 1800, only a simple wooden cross marked a grave.

If you want to erect a memorial, you would have to get permission from the Kerry County Council which is the controlling body.