As part of our Counties in Focus series, we're taking a look at what Leitrim has to offer. Scroll down to read about some of the best Chronicles which we have collected from The Wild Rose County, as well as links to where you can learn more about your Leitrim Ancestry.
People
The Leitrim Diaspora has no shortage of interesting characters. Here are some highlights from our database of Leitrim Ancestors. Click on the images below to learn more about the lives of these individuals.
We love to see your Ancestors and read their stories. CLICK HERE to learn how to add your own Leitrim Ancestors to our Chronicles Database.
Better known as Lord Leitrim, this infamous Earl was murdered for the mistreatment of his tenants.
Margaret migrated to New Orleans where she became known as The Angel of the Delta as a result of her charitable work and dedication to helping the city's orphans.
Peter O'Reilly was a Cavan native who became the Dispensary Doctor in Carrigallen. His Chronicle has some great stories from his time in the medical field.
You may be surprised to learn that Australian actor and Hollywood star Errol Flynn had roots in Leitrim where his grandparents came from.
Buildings
Leitrim is home to some fascinating historic buildings. Here is just a selection of the examples on our Chronicles database. Did you know that you can connect your Ancestor to a Building? CLICK HERE for an instructional video which explains the process.
Carrick on Shannon Workhouse is one of three Union Workhouses located in Leitrim. All 163 Irish Workhouses are on our Database of Chronicles. Most people in these communities would have had some sort of connection to these institutions, either as inmates, staff, members of the board of guardians, or even having been born in the lying-in hospitals. The other two County Leitrim Workhouses are located in Manorhamilton and Mohill.
Built in the early 1830's, the fabulous Lough Rynn Castle is now open as a luxury hotel.
This building once served as the Workhouse Master's house for Carrick on Shannon, but is now in use as a hospital building.
Events
Leitrim has seen some very important and tragic points in history. The links below will take you to some notable events from the county's past.
Death Rate in Carrick Workhouse Increased
On the 5th of May 1847, in the most devastating year of the Great Hunger, the death rate at Carrick Workhouse was reported as having increased by 300% in one year.
After having some success with his debut novel, Leitrim author John McGahern ran afoul of the Irish Board of Censorship when they decided to ban his second book, The Dark.
Places to Visit
From its beautiful waterfalls to its rich heritage, Leitrim has no shortage of places to visit. Here is a snapshot of Heritage Centres and Museums in County Leitrim.
This Heritage Centre is mainly focused on telling the story of Leitrim native and 1916 Proclomation Signatory, Seán MacDiarmada.
Located outside Ballinamore, visiting this Folk Museum is like stepping back in time 100 years.
Find out more about your Leitrim roots
Whatever stage you are at with researching your Leitrim ancestry, we have the resources to help you find out more about your Wild Rose County Roots. Once you have tracked down your Leitrim Ancestors, be sure to add them to the IrelandXO Chronicles so that others can read their story. Who knows? You may even find a connection you never knew you had.
We highly suggest checking out our Leitrim Message Board where our wonderful team of volunteers are waiting to answer your queries and help you to solve your family history mysteries. CLICK HERE to get started.
In the meantime here are some pages that we have put together to help you on your genealogy journey.
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If you're not sure where exactly in Leitrim your Ancestors lived then CLICK HERE for information on how to Find Your Leitrim Parish.
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As always, your local library is an incredibly valuable resource. Contact the relevant Leitrim County Library to see what resources they have.
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In 1837 the Lewis' Topographical Survey was published. This provides detailed snapshots of life in each Civil Parish just before the Famine. CLICK HERE for more information on the Leitrim entries.
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You can find more stories and research relating to Leitrim in the News section of IrelandXO. You can find this by CLICKING HERE.
We hope you have found the information we have shared helpful. While you are here, we have a small favour to ask. Ireland Reaching Out is a non-profit organisation that relies on public funding and donations to ensure a completely free family history advisory service to anyone of Irish heritage who needs help connecting with their Irish place of origin. If you would like to support our mission, please click on the donate button and make a contribution. Any amount, big or small, is appreciated and makes a difference.