Share This:

I am fairly confused with the information on the marriage of my 2nd-g grandparents, William Neilan and Mary Lynch, 14 Feb, 1844.

Location of event: County Clare, Ireland.

Parish: Kilrush

Witness: John Neilan, Matilda Purtill (which was Mary's mother's maiden name, her father was Michael)

William's obit states he was borm in Maura, County Clare and Mary LYNCH was from Kilrush, County Limerick, Ireland. I am having trouble concerning the boundaries of Kilrush, Limerick & Kilmurry McMahon. I understand that thru the years the boundaries change. Is there a township, by the name of Derrynaeleka? I have some research that shows this might be the location of Williams family in 1844. I see some Cottages by that name in Kilmurry McMahon, so was there a town there?

My family there were Irish Catholic famine immigrants from County Clare,Ireland. I am planning a trip there in the next year and would like to have some idea how to pursue their lives and possibly some relatives still in their area. Mary LYNCH had sisters who married into families from there also: Anna ( BURNS), Catherine (McGuane),  a brother, either Michael or John. I need some clarification of the locations I really need to explore. I seem to be in a vicious circle.....

Thanks for your help and support in advance....Betty Dean-Bubrig

Thursday 5th Feb 2015, 01:48AM

Message Board Replies

  • >> I understand that thru the years the boundaries change. Is there a township, by the name of Derrynaeleka?

    There are two townlands named Derrynalecka in Co.Clare the first in Kilmurry civil parish, barony of Clonderalaw and the second in Kilfiddane civil parish barony of Clonderalaw.

    Kilmurry civil parish, in Clonderalaw barony is also known as Kilmurry McMahon. The extra McMahon/Clonderalaw used in the barony name is to differentiate it from the other Kilmurry civil parishes in Co. Clare) It's possible that this Derrynalecka townland is split across civil parish and even barony borders (*see note below).

    Townlands are the smallest land division, so next down from civil parishes, which in turn are in baronies, and then counties. e.g. Kilrush is a town, located in a townland of the same name, and both are located in the civil parish of also called Kilrush, and all these are part of the barony of Moyarta.

    The town and civil parish of Kilrush are located in the south west of Co. Clare on the Shannon estuary, and immediately to the east are Killimer and Kilmurry (McMahon) civil parishes, and to the east of these is Kilfiddane civil parish.

    EDIT : just to confirm - this Derrynalecka is a single townland divided across civil parish boundaries - see here (1st Ed. OSI map c1837 - townland borders are shown in red, civil parish borders in green  )

    Shane Wilson, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Thursday 5th Feb 2015, 08:41AM
  • Thanks, Sanew147 for your response on the boundaries. I now have something to look at and maybe decipher where my ancestors might have lived. It sure gives me some idea of where to go when I visit County Clare.

    Betty

    Thursday 5th Feb 2015, 10:12PM

Post Reply