DOYLES OF WESTMEATH

Hello

 I am researching the Doyle Family that came from Westmeath.(Kilcleagh parish and then Ballyloughloe parish ) Robert Doyle was born to James Doyle and unknown mother in @ 1840-1845.  (possibly Mary Larkin). I only found 2 children born to the couple.  James did remarry but not until @1854 to Brigid Monahan in Ballyloughloe.

They had Mary 1885, Margaret 1856, Bernard 1858, Brigid 1859, Ann 1861 James 1863.  Brigid died in 1867.

James remarried again to Maria OBrien in 1870 St Peters Athlone, Westmeath.  They had Edward 1871, Helena 1873, Eliza 1876, Thomas 1877, Bartholomew 1879, Mary Augusta 1880 and John Micheal 1881. 

The problem am having is positively proving Roberts parentage and the fact that there is a  12 year gap in children which is highly unlikely.  Also with the naming pattern I find it unlikely that there were no other children because according to James last marraige his father was Patrick. I see no Patrick in any of his children nor do I see a James until 1863.

Robert Immigrated and went by Robert Patrick so that goes with the above, however its a little odd that Robert would be the name of his likely first child.  

The family ended living on Connaught St in Athlone Westmeath from 1870 on.  James died in 1898 states he was 72 however that is off shich is not uncommon, St  because he is the father to Robert ( proven through his step sister Mary who sent her daughter to Robert in 1895 and she is listed as Mary Sweeney Roberts niece in the 1900 US census.  Her marraige records says her father was John Sweeney and mother Mary Doyle of westmeath). who was born @ 1840 that would have made James only @ 14 when James was born,

If this sounds familiar to anyone or I can get advice on how to fill in the blank between 1843 and 1855 I would be very grateful. I found most of my answers on rootsireland.ie and irishgenealogy.ie.

Thank you

Katie