Kiltoon Roscommon

Lynn:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

There is a townland and civil parish in South Roscommon called Kiltoom. There is also an RC parish in the area called Ballybay/Cam/Kiltoom and records start in 1835. I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland but did not find the marriage reocrd or the baptismal records for the two children.  Did they emigrate soon after 1840? Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger, Yes, my husband & I have both done our DNA testing...they possibly came over 1851....other children John b.1832, Michael b.1836, Martin 1841 and maybe a Gilbert....we are traveling to Ireland this fall and hope to see the area....my family was also from Co Roscommon...not sure where...James Mcdermott b.1821....my Reilly's were from Co Meath.  Thank you for any info! Lynn

Lynn:

I also searched for a record for Martin with no success. I think that the Mees were from an RC parish which does not have records back to the 1830s/1840s. If they were from Ballybay/Cam/Kiltoom a record would have shown up. I looked on Roots Ireland for James McDermott from 1816-1826 and there were ten in that time period but none in 1821. He may have adjusted his year of birth or his parish no longer has records back to that period.

Have a great trip!

Roger

Thank you for checking Roger....on Ancestry there are trees that say my great, grandfather James Mcdermott was part of the Ballykiline Mcdermotts but, there is no source information and I know for certain he had a sibling named Catherine but, they don't show her so I think there is a combining of trees...oh well...probably I will never know....we will have a nice time...thank you, Lynn

Lynn:

I assume you are aware of this site  http://www.ballykilcline.com/   and the book Ballykilkline Rising  http://www.umass.edu/umpress/title/ballykilcline-rising

Roger

Yes I am....that is who I refer to....they don't mention a daughter named Catherine and James for sure had a sister named that...we very well could be related to the Ballykiline Mcdermott's...just not descended from Hugh Mcdermott who came over on the ship Roscius in 1847 with the rest of his family...I can not prove it either way.  The trees on Ancestry that have my great grandfather mixed in with the Ballykiline McD's give our James a different dob and another wife too...he had only one wife and farmed in Illinois....a lot of Mcdermott's did end up in Illinois but, don't think they are all from same family.

Roger maybe you know an answer to a question that I have....am I wrong to assume that most sponsors or witnesses at baptisms and weddings are most likely a sibling to the couple?  If that is the case, most times, than my James McD would have a sister named Mary, Winnifred and a Margaret.

      Anyway, thank you for your time/advice !  Lynn

       Anyone have any suggestions of a place to stay in Roscommon?  We do like B&B's...or any where in Ireland that we shouldn't miss?

Lynn:

Yes, in my experience most sponsors were a sibling or friend of the bride/groom.

I live in the States but my wife and I have been over to Ireland a lot. On our recent trips, we have migrated over time from B+B's to hotels. There is a small hotel in Strokestown that we liked called the Percy French. You would be very close to the Strokestown Park and the Famine Musueum. http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/about/what-we-do/strokestown-park/

https://www.thepercyfrenchhotel.com/

Your other question is very broad. In no particular order, we really like Kilkenny town, Killarney, Doolin area in West Clare which includes the Cliffs of Moher, Galway city, Co. Donegal, Dublin city. Let me know if you need further info.

Roger

Thank you Roger, you are very helpful...the Percy French seems like something I'ld like.  Do you have a place in Donegal that you like? Lynn

Lynn:

Are you up for a Castle?  We have stayed at Lough Eske Castle twice most recently last November.  https://www.lougheskecastlehotel.com/    They have package deals/specials and depending on when you go, you can get a great deal.  About a mile from Lough Eske, is Harvey's Point  https://harveyspoint.com/    Both hotels usually are on all top Ten lists for hotels in Ireland.

Lough Eske Castle is about five miles north of Donegal Town on the Ballybofey Road.  

If you are looking for more moderately priced hotels there are a good number of them including the Abbey in Donegal town. I would suggest that you check out a site like Trip Adivisor and get a lot more suggestions. Donegal is a very large county so you need to know where you want to go. Slieve League is comparable to the Cliffs of Moher and is located in southwest Donegal probably an hour out of Donegal town towards Killybegs.

Roger

Thanks again Roger, Lynn