response to message posted by linda tuxon 27th Jan 1999 re Nora Keneally Shannon. we have not found Nora Keneally in our research. Our history is William Keneally and Ellen Maher, married Templemore Ireland 1839. daughter Mary born 1840 Bohernarude Tip Templemore--married John Stapleton 1866 they had son John born 1875 at Bohernarude civil records of marriage state Mary 23 yrs living at Barnanetta and John 32 yrs living at Killough. any information on this family appreciated. cheryl

(parker@shepparton.webnet.com.au)

Hello Cheryl,
My Maher family was from the Templemore area also of Tipperary. They married into the Peters family of Castleiny, Strogue Township of Co. Tipperary. Do you know anything about your Ellen Maher?

Thanks,

Mary O'Connor

oconnorw@phibred.com

Castleiney and Strogue were overrun with the Mahers, Brennans and Quinns during the 1800's.

My Great Grandfather Daniel E. Brennan was born in 1845 and baptized in Castleiney Parish, St John the Baptist. In 1997 my neice and I attended the re-dedication of the Church after 4 years of renovation.

Daniel's sister, Catherine, married a James Maher in the parish and baptised their daughter Ellen. They immigrated to Vernon Ct. Ellen married Jim Sheehan but they did not have children.

Daniel and Catherine's parents were Philip Brennan and Margaret Quinn. They were married in the parish. It is possible that Philip's parents were Andrew Brennan and Catherine Maher. The birthdate of their son Philip fits my Philip and the naming patterns match his children and grandchildren. I am looking to confirm and to find out what happened to a son Michael born in 1854 and another Andrew who may have been born around 1868.

In case it is useful, here is info on Strogue
Parishioners were generally buried at the Temple Re cemetary, however of the 10,500 baptisms in the 19th century only 2500 have tombstones. Philip and Margaret are not listed on the index.

The original church that Margaret and Philip belonged to was built in 1820. It underwent a massive renovation and was rededicated in June 24, 1997, which is the feast of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the Church. Much of the church is new but the original baptism font and votive light remain. Per Canon Bergin of the church. The church has original stain glass windows donated by Quinns, but it is doubtful if our family was rich enough to donate.

Strogue is a townland of 1 square mile, one eigth of which is bog.

In 1841 the population ws 39 families with 252 people. - more than 6.4 per family on average.
In 1851 the population was 27 families with 205 people - up to 7.6 per family but the devastation of the famine is starting to show.
In 1861 the population is 21 families with only 132 people = down to 6.3 per family. Famine and immigration have taken their toll. This is about the time that Daniel Brennan (1845-1926) immigrated.

In the whole of Loughmore (Loughmoe) Parish, several family names were prominent:

Maher 589
Brennan 224
Quinn 171

Hello Dorothea,

Thank you for your two messages. I appreciate your response. I have seen a list of some Maher and Peters Baptims from 1820s-1830s. I can't say for sure w/o looking in my files, but there could be a Quinn as a sponsor. I'm not 100% sure but I will look and get back to you.

Interesting info you sent on Strogue. I'm trying to find a way to print what you wrote.

You can best write to me at the following address:

oconnorw@phibred.com

Thanks,

Mary O'Connor

Mary to copy the Strogue info, highlight it then use edit Copy or Control C, then paste it into a Word document and print.

Hello Dorothea,

I was able to print both your messages. Thanks. I have the Baptisms from Castleiny I told you about. It's the Peters family who has connections to Mahers:

Baptism of Dan Peters, Nov. 26, 1830, son of John Peters
and Judy Maher. Spnosors: Ml Quinn and Judy Quinn.

Bapttism of Mary Peters, Dec. 26, 1838, daughter of
John Peters and Judy Maher. Sponsors: William Peters and Judy Quinn.

These Peters and Mahers are my family. Are you related to the Quinn sponsors?

Easier to write to me at:

oconnorw@phibred.com

Thanks,

Mary

I could be related to the Quinn sponsors because my Gr Gr Grandmothe was Margaret Quinn who married Philip Brennan. If you check my bulletin board postings or the Brennan board, I just posted the genealogy line of this group in response to another conversation.

Also my Great Great Aunt Catherine Brennan married a Jim Maher and settled in Vernon Ct.

However, Quinns, Mahers and Brennans are so prevalent in Strogue and Castleiney, it will be an effort to prove the relationships. Good luck!

Hello Dorothea,
Thanks for your response. I agree, there are so many people
with the same name that it is difficult to separate them.
My Mahers settled in southeast Iowa, Johnson Co, near Iowa City. I have not seen the Quinn name among them in Iowa so my Mahers may not have mixed with them in the US. I Ireland
the Quinns were sponsors.

I found your info on Strogue quite interesting. I didn't realize it was such a small townland. 252 people in 1841 is quite a few. Ireland has never recovered to the 8 million they once had pre-famine.

Thank you for taking the time to answer me. Good luck to you.

Mary O'Connor

Hello Dorothea,
I've finally found your address again. You and I exchanged info on Strogue/Castleiny a few months ago. I wanted you to know that I was in Castleiny in March. I saw the church and the windows. One of them was sponsored by a Quinn. I think it was Richard? I took a picture of it. Do you want a copy?

I have a new address:

mtdoc51@yahoo.com

Mary O'Connor
Minnesota