My great-grandfather was William Tierney, married to Brigid Connor, living in Knoockainey and Knocklong, co Limerick, from around 1850-1880, described as a schoolteacher, a fiddle player, and a noted wit. They had a large family, many of whom emigrated to Chicago. A couple of the sons became policemen there. A Margaret Tierney married twice there when her first policeman husband was shot dead. she was reported to have had a very bad temper. They must have many descendants in the US.