Mary Lou, and her husband Jamie, from New Hampshire USA, were tracing their ancestors in Carrigaline in Co. Cork. IrelandXO volunteer Joanne O’Sullivan met them and chatted for a while before setting off down Carrigaline's Main Street, where Joanne pointed out all the features still there since Mary Lou’s ancestor, Batt Connor, left in the 1850s. They also looked at some old photos that are on display in the supermarket foyer and show Carrigaline as it was c.1907, so not too far off Batt’s time! Then they strolled up Chapel Hill to see the site of the church where the Connors were baptised, etc. Then up the old avenue of Mountrivers House, the next door neighbour "big house" to the estate where her family worked. They got to the road where her ancestors lived and paused for a photo at the only remaining standing part of Ferney House where they lived - the limestone entrance pillars and gate. They also went a little further to the 1820s packbridge "The Dandy Bridge" where the Connors likely washed and sourced water, etc.
On walking back to Carrigaline they did some shopping for some local produce and had lunch. Over lunch Mary Lou asked about of a townland called "Ballinluska". After a quick Google search, it was only in the next parish, near Myrtleville beach! So, into the car and off (with a toddler in tow at this point!) to find another branch of Mary Lou’s family, the Flynns. Having located and visited their plot from Griffith’s map, very close to the old Templebreedy RC church (now a house!) and school, a trip to the nearby beach for a quick walk along the sand followed.
After all this touring, Mary Lou mentioned that they were trying to find yet another Cork link on the Bandon Road, in Cork, on the previous day, but couldn't find it. So off to the Bandon Road on the route back to their hotel!
A huge amount of detective work and leg work (!!!) was packed into one day, but lucky the sun shone and everyone was in great spirits. Joanne says, ‘by the time we parted, firm friends were made.’
Mary Lou was very appreciative of the support that IrelandXO gives to people endeavouring to trace their ancestry in Ireland.
