Burial Records at Kilmacduagh Cemetery

Dear Theresa,

Your query has been passed on to me by our genealogist, Dr. Sinead Cooney. I was thrilled to get it because I have discovered that you and I are third cousins! My greatgrandmother, Mary Coen was a sister of your greatgrandfather, Michael Coen of Ballymaquive, Ardrahan. But first, the graves in Kilmaduagh. There are six Coen graves in a line in Kilmacduagh cemetery:

• Brigid Coen, aged 74, died 1891.  Erected by her husband Bryan.
• Nora Coen died 9th March 1942. Her husband Michael died 18th November 1980. Infant Coen died 12th April 1984.
• John Coen, Ballymaquive died 11th feb. 1929.  Wife Nora died 1st August 1977.
• This monument was erected by Bryan Cowen in memory of him and his posterity 1815. Denis Cowen and his wife Catherine Horty.
• Michael Coen of Ballymaquive died 10th October 1919. Wife Nora died 4th June 1927. Son Martin died 20th June 1968, aged 91. Their daughter Celia died 2nd march 1969, aged 78.
• Bridget Peirl, alias Cowen, died 5 Dec. 1817, aged 49. Erected by her husband Martin Coen.

Now Theresa, the fifth grave is the one that would have most interest for you. Michael who died in 1919 was Joseph Patrick's father and, therefore, your greatgrandfather. Martin and Celia were siblings of Joseph P. Perhaps you may have had that information already.

I found in the Immigration lists that Joseph P. or Patrick J. , as he was called, emigrated in 1907 to his brother Michael. I often heard my mother's people refer to the "Boston Coens". Wasn't there a Norrie/Norah also?

John Cowen, an uncle of Joseph P. emigrated to New Zealand in 1865 and I have copies of letters which Michael, his brother (who died in 1919) and Martin his father wrote to him. They are very moving. Actually, a greatgrandson  of John is coming from NZ to the Week of Welcomes, the last week of June. His name is Mick Hannifin. Wouldn't it be marvellous if you could come as well. We would have a Coen Re-union. I "googled" and found that you had a celebration last March in Boston.

I thought my e-mail went on Friday but it may not have gone. I'm really looking forward to hearing from you - and perhaps meeting you.I live in the Convent of Mercy, Gort.  I have loads of information and I look forward to getting loads from you!

With every good wish,

de Lourdes Fahy (Sister)

Dear Sister de Lourdes Fahy,

     Thank you so much for responding to my e-mail.  I just put together an e-mail to you and I hit a button and now I'm not sure if you received it or not.  Could you please let me know if you received a previous e-mail from me?   If not, I'll have to re-write it and send it again.

     I'm very excited to hear from you.  My direct e-mail address is tbarisano@aol.com if you don't want to send messages through this website.

Best regards,

Theresa Coen Barisano