Dear Mike:
That is interesting information as many families did emigrate close to not only neighbours from Ireland, but also relations.
I have found a reference to a Thomas Wheeler born about 1847 in Mullingar in the RC church there. The information is below:
Name:Thomas Wheeler
Date of Birth:
Date of Baptism:11-May-1847
Address:Not Recorded
Parish/District:MULLINGARGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Patrick Wheeler
Mother:Mary Woods
Occupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Not Recorded Not RecordedSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Not Recorded Not Recorded
Notes:
DAY OF BAPTISM NOT RECORDED
The above entry is taken from the Roots Ireland database which is a subscription site. You can also view the registers through the NLI (National Library of IReland) parish registers which are available for free online. The link to these registers is below:
https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0937
You had mentioned Bernard Wheeler. There is an entry for him on the Roots Ireland database also.
Name:Bernard Wheeler
Date of Birth:
Date of Baptism:11-May-1849
Address:Not Recorded
Parish/District:MULLINGARGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:John Wheeler
Mother:Elizabeth SheilOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Not Recorded Not RecordedSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Not Recorded Not Recorded
Notes:
DAY OF BAPTISM NOT RECORDED
I noted that you mentioned Gainstown. This is also part of Mullingar as is Walshestown. You might keep these places in mind with further research.
If you have any further quesitons, please let me know at: jhalloranryan@irelandxo.com.
The very best of luck with your research!
Kind regards,
Jane.