Mary McGuirk and Patt Byrne from Clune and Tonigara

Enniskerry wasn't a separate parish in it's own right until the 1850s, before that it was part of the Catholic parish of Bray (in more recent times Enniskerry chapel became part of the parish of Kilmacanogue). One of the Chapels for Bray parish was located at Curtlestown, which is located to the west of Enniskerry. The Enniskerry register included on the NLI films (plus Ancestry + FindMyPast transcriptions) covers records back to 1826, but the records for Bray cover earlier dates back to the 1790s, so worth checking these for your McGuirks also...

There are several McGuirk/ McGuirke baptisms before 1820 included in Bray records. Most of these early records do not include a residence so can be difficult to separate out relevant family groups. 

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  Margaret Blackburn in the office at St. Mary's RC Church in Enniskerry was able to find all of the records noted in my post (marriage of Mary McGuirk and Patt Byrne and the baptism records for their children).  I have also checked out the baptism records for Bray and have lots of info there, but as you noted, the address is not stated for the Bray baptisms.

Do you know if any website (subscription or non-subscription) has death records for Parish Enniskerry during the mid to late 1800s.  I think it would be helpful for me to "chase" death records, but have not found a source for them yet.

Thanks again,

Mike Lancor

Civil registration of deaths started in 1864, and an index is included on IrishGenealogy.com , this site currently includes images for deaths registered after about 1891. The GRO are working on adding register images for the earlier records. Most Catholic parishes did not keep death/burial records - I dont see any listed for either Enniskerry, or Bray.

It may be worth checking for Memorial (headstone) Transcripts online for the cemeteries in the area. I remember seeing one on a steep slope in the area..  likely near to  Curtlestown.

I presume you've seen to Griffith's details for Tonygarrow townland on Griffiths dated 1852 - about 9 of the 32 names, listed for the townland are McGuirk, quite likely related to your Mary.... so worth following up.  (If the Griffith's link does not work start a new search by placename, enter Tonygarrow as the placename, select Co. Wicklow and search.)

EDIT : just spotted that the townland of 'Tonygarrow' is just a short distance to the west of Curtlestown - see c1840 OSI map, Tonygarrow is to the west, and the townlands of Curtlestown Upper and Lower to the east with just the townland of Cloon in between.

Thanks again for the quick response and your suggestions.  I will follow up on your leads and get back to you again if I have any additional information or questions.

Mike Lancor

I found some details on that graveyard, it's named Curtlestown and behind the church, and transcripts of the readable headstone are included in Cantwell's work - I've attached the McGuirk entries below...

Hi Shanew,

Some how I missed the message above from February 2017.  Thanks so much for the gravestone information for Curtlestown Church.  I will check them out.  My wife Kate and I attended mass at the Curtlestown Church on Sun., Aug. 11 (this year, 2018).

Thanks for the info.

Mike and Kate Lancor

many thanks for the update - hope you enjoyed your visit to Co. Wicklow.

Here is a link that describes evidence of eviction in area that McGurik and McArdles lived.

http://www.christiaancorlett.com/blog/4564514201/Did-you-ever-hear-of-M…

Thanks shanew147 and Bobbi

Mike and Kate Lancor

Hi Mike and Kate,

may I ask how you got on with finding out information on Patt Byrne. I have just started researching my family tree and found Patt is my 4th great grandad.

thanks

Siobhan 

Not meant to cloud the waters but I have completed a Ydna test and the results indicate that my Bradner line and a numebr of McGuirkes share almost identical Yna. My Joseph Bradner b 1807 in Old Boleys had a daughter Margaret out of wedlock before Mar 4 1829. Margaret was Baptised Mar 4  1829 in Curtlestown. Margaret's mother was name Mary McGuirke on the batism. The baptism sponsorers were William McMoulty and Rebecca Harrison

Both the McGuirk(e)s and the Bradner lived in Toneygarrow and I suspect DNA result occured pre 1800.

Would appreciae hearing your comments

Bernie Bradner