Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Griffins of Ennistymon

My Grandma was Mary Kate Griffin of Ennistymon, Co Clare.

The Griffin's of Ennistymon seem to be descended from Patrick "Patsy Un Uibh" (pron Patsy Enough, meaning Patsy an egg - he was an egg exporter), b. 1812 maybe came from Limerick, teough there is some dispute as to whether the Griffeys are in fact the same family, and of course the Brits kept the records and many Irish couldn't write.

Patsy did well and divided his businesses - Pub and import/export to James b 1852 (family still there) and the farm to Martin 1845, taken on by son Micheal in 1933.

I have much of the story of the Griffins, which Includes the James Griffin family of the Bridge Hotel (On Tea Towels, Postcards and Posters), and tragic Kate Griffin who married Michael Carrigg and who drowned in Ennistymon falls.

I have been in touch with Kate's Family - a whole bunch of daughters emigrated to USA.

My Grandma was Martin's son, executor of Micheal who died in 1950, couldn't find 3 of her brothers and 1 sister who emigrated, 2 to South Africa (fought in Boer War and stayed in gold mining) and one last known in Pennsylvania had fought for US in WW2. Kathleen to England last known as a nurse in Liverpool in the Blitz (c1941)

John b 1879, Patrick, Joseph 1886, and James known as 'Shomas' (not Seamus!) (One was killed falling under a tram in Glasgow, Joseph, I think)

John last contacted in 1950, eldest didn't want the farm.

Michael took it on and died a Batchelor. There are no Griffins from my side in Ennistymon, though Patsy also had other sons Patrick 1843 and Michael 1857, my Grandma never mentioned these great Uncles.

Martin had married Bridget O'Brien of Licheen and my Grandma Mary Kate was much closer to the O'B Licheen family which I have traced back to the 1700s - not quite to the Earl of Inchiquin.

So Ennistymon Griffins anybody?

Kevin Patrick Murphy, now of North Nottinghamshire

Kevin.Patrick.Murphy

4 replies

Dear Kevin

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out 

I hope someone researching the family name will be in touch with  you - you have such an interesting story. I take it you have already been over to the Clare Local Studies Library, it's a great resource for Clare records. 

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

IrelandXO member

Good afternoon - my name is Heather Anderson and I write to you from New Zealand.

My GGG Grandfather is John Patrick Griffin born County Cork, Ireland c 1849

He emigrated to NZ and married Jane Blackie Nicolson Dec 9 1875

There is some information on the web that states his parents were John Griffin b. Jan 1 1825 Ennistymon County Clare Ireland and Mary Ellen Griffin (born Maher).

Looks like John Griffin snr died 1960 and his widow Mary potentially came out to NZ.

Does this information tie into your Griffin family ties ??

I look forward to your reply 

Heather Anderson

Hi Clare - it is possible a (much) younger brother, but I don't have anything to go on. As I said above

Patrick "Patsy Un Uibh" (pron Patsy Enough, meaning Patsy an egg - he was an egg exporter), b. 1812 maybe came from Limerick, though there is some dispute as to whether the Griffeys are in fact the same family,

But I haven't been able to go back that far - 1812 is based on his age at death.

John is definitely a Griffin name, however, it is common in all Catholic cultures, so not something to bank on. NB - in searching the name, do not forget that most of the Irish were basically illiterate at this time, so a record keeper would guess at name spelling, AND anglicise all the names. I didn't delve into the Griffey Graves in Ennistymon, but was told that Griffins were in there. Also I searched high and low for my Grandma Mary Kate Griffin's sister Kathleen in England, who Grandma last heard of as a Nurse in Liverpool during WW2 - 1940s. I eventually found Kathleen GriffEn who I am positive is the one.

Please let me know if you do manage to find a connection. kpm2@talktalk.net

God Bless

 

Kevin

Kevin.Patrick.Murphy

Clare, I see Maher is also spelt Meacher

Kevin

Kevin.Patrick.Murphy

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.