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My Great Grandfather was Michael Kiernan, born Oct 1st 1861. His parents were James Kiernan and Anne Farrell. The family lived in Ringowney (which might be in  Coolamber? ) Co Longford, Ireland. Michael and his siblings were all baptized in the Catholic Parish of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. His siblings were: Peter, born 1859. Mary, born 1863. Francis, born 1866. James, born 1868. Thomas, born 1868. John, born 1872. Anne, born 1874 and Elizabeth, born 1877. As they grew into adulthood some settled in Co Westmeath, Ireland. In the 1901 Census of Ireland, 4 of the brothers are listed - Michael, Thomas, James and Peter. Their address then was House 4, Ringowney, Coolamber, Co Longford.
Michael married Catherine Cheevers.
Mary mentioned above, married Michael Monaghan. Michael Monaghan’s father was James Monaghan. 
Mary Kiernan married Michael Monaghan in the Roman Catholic Church of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford 3rd July 1886. Michael Monaghan gave his “Place of Residence at the Time” as Newtownbond, Co Longford. Michael and Mary Kiernan settled in Ringowney and had a family there. However there is also mention of them living in Bracklon and Asnagh, at different times. 
 Their children were: James, born 1887. Mary Anne, born 1888. John, born 1890. Bridget, born 1891. Elizabeth, born 1892. Rose, born 1894. Michael, born 1895. Thomas, born 1897. Margaret, born 1899.

ROSE MONAGHAN ( Mollaghan, Monahan ) married  Peter Mc Clare in 1921 in Boherquill Catholic Church, Parish of Streete, Co Westmeath. Peter Mc Clare’s parents were Thomas Mc Clare and Mary Anne Smith. In the 1911 Census of Ireland, Thomas Mc Clare and Mary Anne Smith are living in House 18, Slieveboy, Kinturk, Delvin, Co Westmeath, Ireland. In the Civil Records of Ireland website, we see that Peter Mc Clare and Rose Monaghan ( Mollaghan ) had a daughter “Mary Bridget” born 1922. Peter and Rose were  living in Trumroe, Co Westmeath at the time of Mary Bridget’s birth. 
BRIDGET MONAGHAN ( sister of Rose Monaghan ) married Peter Farrell in 1911. They were married in the Roman Catholic Chapel of St Mary’s, Granard, Co Longford. Her residence at the time of marriage was “Asnagh.” Peter Farrell’ father was John Farrell, from Longford. 

JOHN MONAGHAN, brother of Rose and Bridget married Catherine Mulvey. Catherine’s father was Michael Mulvey. At the time of Catherine’s marriage, she gave her “Place of Residence” as Ballybren.In the website - civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie I have found 3 children born to John and Catherine - a son named John Mollaghan, born in 1915. He was born in Asnagh.  Thomas Mollaghan born in 1918, in Asnagh. In 1920 a son named Michael Mollaghan is born. Michael is born in Coole, Co Westmeath. Same parents, but different spelling of surname!! 

MICHAEL MONAGHAN ( Mollahan, Mollaghan, Monahan ) married Elizabeth Mulvey in 1915 in the Catholic Church of St Mary’s, Granard, Co Longford. At the time of their marriage, Michael was living in Asnagh and Elizabeth was living in Ballybren. Her father was Michael Mulvey. Quite obviously she is a sister of Catherine Mulvey above who married John Monaghan!! I have managed to locate in the civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie website a son named Thomas Monahan for Elizabeth and Michael, born in March 1916. He was born in Lisryan. A son Michael Mollaghan born 1918 in Firmount, Co Longford. Yes, same PARENTS, but BIG mistakes were made in the spelling of the surname! Simply UNREAL!!

I am just hoping that someone out there might be related to the above people!! I never knew my Great Grandfather Michael Kiernan, but hopefully his relatives listed above might help in FAMILY CONNECTION. If so, that would be marvellous!

Thanking you,  Maire

 

 

 

 

Maire

Friday 17th May 2024, 02:51PM

Message Board Replies

  • Maire:

    Great research on your family. Hopefully, someone will recognize a connection. Have you considered a DNA test? You might get some close matches.

    FYI. Ringowny is a large townland (727 acres) in the civil parish of Mostrim on the east side of Co. Longford close to Co. Westmeath. Coolamber was the District Electoral District.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 17th May 2024, 03:06PM
  • Dear Roger, thank you for your email. Much appreciated!  Yes that is a good suggestion of yours! In fact I did an ANCESTRY.COM “DNA TEST” this year and by so doing it has thankfully directed me to the correct JAMES KIERNAN. James was my Great Grandfather’s father ( My Great Grandfather being  Michael Kiernan ). Michael’s parents were Anne Farrell and James Kiernan, who lived in Ringowney, Co Longford. Initially I was directed to the wrong James Kiernan some years ago. Families in the past especially in Ireland considered it a rather noble idea to pass on the same family names down through the generations. Little did they realize what a bother it has become for those doing FAMILY RESEARCH. For example doing research on someone like “JAMES KIERNAN,” there are just so many to be had in Co Longford, Granard and Co Westmeath. Absolutely mind  boggling! It would have been a whole lot easier had his parents named him e.g. Alexander, Henry or Hector!! 
    I didn’t’ know where this place “ RINGOWNEY” was. I had never heard of it, so thank you Roger for that information. By the way, where is the place named “ ASNA/ ASNAGH? That is where Michael Monaghan’s family lived. Michael Monaghan married my Great Aunt - Mary Kiernan. What big Town in Co Longford is nearest to it? 
    Thanking you once again Roger,

    Kind regards, Maire

     

     

     

    Maire

    Sunday 19th May 2024, 11:42AM
  • Maire:

    Asnagh is close to Granard.

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Monday 20th May 2024, 05:34PM

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