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Gallagher's of Achill

I am searching for information on the Gallagher's of Achill island. In particular, Neil Gallagher who was drowned in Achill Sound (date unknown around the time of the potato famine1843/44/45/46) He was married to Bridget Gallagher Born 1821.They had two sons.....James 1834 and John 1838. Bridget and her two sons survived, I think, by being taken into the Mweelin Colony, but may have also spent time in the Dugort Colony. Bridget was Housekeeper to somebody wealthy and at least one of her sons was given an exellant education. James went on to be a Schoolmaster. John,his brother was in the Crimean war. They ended their days in the Blackpool area. James's family were Anna Gallagher nee Stewart, Emily,Mary Jane,Elizabeth,Louisa,Bidelia and Robert James. John's family were Wife Sibina ans a daughter Rebecca. Any information would be of interest to me no matter how insignificant it may seem ......Thanks for taking the time to read this.....!!!

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6 replies

Dear Philip

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I have passed this to our Achill volunteer who will be in touch shortly

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

IrelandXO member

Hi Philip

I hope if you haven't already that you get an opportunity to visit Achill; you will be happy that your ancestors lived in such a beautiful place.

I'm afraid I couldn't find a birth or marriage record for Neil or the boys on www.rootsireland.ie/ or findmypast.ie

I'm not sure which sources you are aware of but the Tithe Applotments (free at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/) have 20 Gallaghers in Achill in the 1820's

The book Achill Island by Theresa McDonald mentions that the commonest surnames in the village of Achill prior to 1776 were Gallagher & Grealis.

I had a look on the cd Memorials of the Dead Galway & Mayo but couldn't find Neil or Bridget.

The early Irish Censuses (1821, 41 & 51) don't have any Gallaghers in Mayo!

Griffiths Valuation (free at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/) has 375 Gallaghers in Achill in 1855 including a Neill

Griffith's Valuation Record Information 

TenantFamily Name 1GALLAGHERForename 1NEILLLandlordFamily Name 2MCCUEForename 2PATRICKLocationCountyMAYOBaronyBURRISHOOLEUnionNEWPORTParishACHILLTownlandDOONIVERPlace NameDOONIVERPlace TypeTOWNLANDPublication DetailsPosition on Page29Printing Date1855Act15&16Sheet Number43Map Reference5

I notice this is different to the one you have on ancestry however

 

I thought this might be Bridget

 

Name:BridgetGallagherDate of Death:09-Sep-1884
Age:67Parish / District:ACHILL DISTRICTAddress:Achill BayCounty:MAYOStatus:Widow (Female)Denomination:Roman CatholicOccupation:FARMERS WIDOWSex:Female
GraveyardInformantGraveyard:
Relationship:Daughter In LawParish:
Name:Margaret GallagherCounty:
Address:Achill Bay

Not much luck on findmypast.ie except for this:

NealLast nameGallagherYear1848Petition dateOctober 19, 1848/October 23, 1AddressIsland of Achill, Co MayoPlaceMayoCountryIrelandPetition titleAchill Island Co MayoArchive referenceCRF 1848 O 16/2/098Sheet Number4Record setThe William Smith O'Brien Petition 1848-49CategoryMilitary Service & ConflictSubcategoryCivil war & rebellionCollections fromIreland

Bridget would only have been 13 when she had John which seems very young.

I'm afraid my findings are insignificant Phillip!

Col Cafferky

Achill Liaison

 

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks very much for your efforts all the same. James Gallagher b.1834. He was a school master educated at Trinity College Dublin. A story has been passed down that his school was burnt down by Catholics. Unfortunately I don't know where this was. It could have been on Achill Island where he had connections, or perhaps Galway or maybe even Dublin. I will carry on the search and if I find any more info will pass it on. I'm sure I saw a web site " Famine deaths Galway".  Will check that. Thanks for the time you have spent on this it is much appreciated.....!!!   Phil Roskell....

 

IrelandXO member

Sorry I may not have mentioned that Bridget died in Blackpool. Hope you didn't wast too m uch time on that one......

IrelandXO member

Hi. I have information on Gallagher family if you are still looking. Bridget and son John both.

IrelandXO member

Phillip -

 

My name is James Gallagher from Cleveland.  I am also researching the Gallagher's of Achill, but specifically the Sound area.

 

I would be glad to share anything I have.

 

Regards,

 

Jim Gallagher

Cleveland and Sraheens

 

Seamus Gallagher

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