Catherine SHANNON

I am trying to trace my Great Grandmother, Catherine Shannon back to Ireland.

She emigrated to New Zealand and the first paper trail is when Catherine had a child in 1883, aged 20.  Subsequent age statements point fairly consistently to c1862 birth in Ireland.

Do not know if she emigrated with her parents Peter Shannon and Catherine (Kate) nee Saunders or if she left Ireland as a young woman on her own.  Peter was a storekeeper.

Always stated she was born County Cavan, but on the 4th child's birth certificate, place of birth is given as Ballymena.  However as this was probably her husband giving the info, maybe there is a place in Co. Cavan that sounds like Ballymena?

Her death certificate states she arrived in NZ as a 10 year old, but this info is only as good as the informant!

Her children's names were John, Henry Alfred (after husband), Catherine, Emma Matilda and Rosina.  I do not know if she had any siblings.

We are visiting Ireland next year and I would love to be able to see where she came from and if there are any distant relatives still there!  Many thanks for any information at all.