My 2x great grandfather was Michael Joseph McDonald. He was born in Nov 1821 in Queen's County, according to U.S. various records. He married Elizabeth Kenna on 7 Mar 1848 in Athy, Kildare. Would that be the same as Athy, Laois?
Michael and Eliza's first son, Patrick, was baptized in Athy, Kildare in Feb 1849. Apparently, they came to the U.S. later in 1849, and the rest of their children were born in Newton, Massachusetts.
I believe Eliza's parents were Patrick Kenna and Mary Morrissey; and Michael's father was Patrick McDonald (mother unknown). I have found in Griffith's Valuation, records of a Michael McDonald and a Patrick Kenna, in Queen's County, Barony Slievemargy, Union Carlow, Parish Killeshin, Townland Graigue. I would like to figure out if these were my ancestors, and what their life was like.
I am having difficulty reading the Griffith's map. It seems to indicate tht Graigue was a town, with streets and houses, but I don't see them on the map. Does anyone know about Graigue?
I will be in the area of Laois and Klidare this July, andwould greatly appreciate any information about the history of the area.
Thanks, Eileen Flinn Burton
Tuesday 23rd May 2017, 12:16AM
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The town of Athy is in Co. Kildare but it is located close to the border with Co. Laois/Queen's County, however the Catholic Parish of Athy included parts of Co. Laois, so the parish of Athy can be listed under either county.
Griffith's Valuation took place in the Athy area during 1852, so would have been after Michael & Eliza left for the US.
There are a number of townlands named Graigue in different parts of Co. Laois, and also a town of the same name you mentioned in Killeshin civil parish which is located close to he border with Co. Carlow and also Carlow town, and some distance south of Athy - see placename database. As is the case with Athy, the town of Carlow covers parts of two counties, Carlow and Laois, and like many other towns has since grown to include the townland and town of Graigue. The Carlow/Laois county border which ran between the towns of Carlow and Graigue was moved slightly to the west in 1898 as part of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, and the townlands of Crossneen and Graigue, including the town of Graigue, were transferred to the District of Carlow town, and Co. Carlow.
There are some details of the town of Athy included in Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of 1837.
Shane Wilson, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Thursday 1st Jun 2017, 07:10AM