O'Keeffes of Carrigdownane

Kerri,

Per RootsIreland (subscription), Patrick and Ann were married in Castleroche, Cork. Feb. 12, 1831. The children I found were also born in Castleroche at different addresses- John 1833, Michael 1838 Creg, David 1840 Convamore, Mary 1843 Convamore, Timothy 1846 Ballymclaurence,  and Patrick 1854 Ballymaclane.

Regards- Mary

Kerri,

 I apologize, I meant Castletownroche, Cork

Regards- Mary

Kerri,

Their son David was present at both of their deaths. He was living in Carrigdownane....they quite possibly were living with him.The records show where they died, not where they were from. Not everyone had a marked grave during that era as it was costly to have a grave marker or headstone. 

Regards,

FYI, there were three Keefes mentioned in Carrigdownane in a census taken in the 1700s:

https://www.ginnisw.com/newpage64.htm

Thanks Mary, Patricia and Caroyln,

Sorry, I should have explained better. I do have all of those records already. We have done a very thorough search by all the regular means over meany years. I was just wondering if anyone had any knowledge through their own family of these O'Keeffes to supplement what we know and of Patrick in particular. it is possible that the family came from Donoughmore, As they were blacksmiths, those who stayed in Ireland spread out in Kilworth, Glanworth, Ballindangan to establish their own forges. My great great grandfather Thady O'Keeffe (Patrick's son) took over the forge in Glanworth when Cardinal Cushing's father left the village and immigrated with his family to the US. Thady's cousin Timothy (also Thady) had a forge at the cross road in Ballindangan across from the thatched house that's still there. Both Thadys were married in Ballindangan Church. 

Kieran,

Thank you also for your input. Patrick's son Thady, who I mentioned above (with the forge in Glanworth, his wife Ellen Quinlan and possibly others are buried in Kilathy. But while my cousins from Fermoy visit and maintain the grave, they have no idea if anyone else is in that plot. A couple of the marriage records of Patrick's children had Carrigdownane as  a residence, but Griffith's has Patrick's lease in Ballmaclawrence of a house and forge. I know they moved around for work probably and that they were at the mercy of the landlords. I also know that Thady (Glanworth) at one time worked for the forge at Garrett Gow. There is a small plaque out there and it is mentioned in Grove White. 

I didn't consider Convamore House. I wonder if the estate records might hold any details. 

In any case, thank you all again for your input. I guess there are no registers of burials fur such old cemeteries such as Kilathy?

Kind regards,

Kerri O'Keeffe

Carolyn,

I just saw your comments about Patrick's son David. Actually, he was blind and while he was present at the deaths of both parents, he later lived with his brother Thady in Glanworth. Sadly he had mental health issues and ended up in an asylum in Cork. 

Hi Kieran,

There is mention of the forge at Garrett Gow in the Grove White Notes. See below. I've been told by my cousins in Fermoy that my 2nd great grandfather was most likely working at that forge at some point before he took over the Cushing forge in Glanworth, but I don't have any other specific information about it. 

Hi Kerri and Kieran. I don't know that this will be of any help but my grandfather and great grandfather were the blacksmiths at Ballindangan and Glanworth. My grandfather, Daniel, worked with racehorses and mother grew up at the forge in Ballindangan. Her uncles Larry and Tim (aka Tadgh) lived with them.Here is a picture of the 1901 census entry for the Ballindangan forge. The family grave is in the old church at Glanworth. I think my great great grandfather was called Patrick but as I understood it, and as mentioned in an old book about the area, the O'Keeffes had been the blacksmiths at Ballindangan for centuries. How this ties into your research I don't know but perhaps it will give you a lead. The old church at Glanworth may be the key. All the best, Sheelagh

ps - Guy's postal directory for 1914 - Glanworth

https://www.failteromhat.com/guy/glanworth.php

Dear Sheelagh,

Thanks for your message. Yes, I have seen this census record for the Ballindangan O’Keeffes. As far as the 1914 Guy’s, the Timothy O’Keeffe in Glanworth listed there is my great great grandfather. He was known as Thady and Thady’s father was Patrick. I got a bit of the family history of the Ballindangan O’Keeffes from Tadhg O’Keeffe, professor at UCD. I’m guessing he’s a relation of yours? I have visited the house at the crossroads there in Ballindangan several times.

I organized an O’Keeffe reunion in Glanworth in 2019, along with our Murphy cousins from Fermoy who are also descendants of Glanworth Thady. We brought the group (US and Irish cousins) to the church in Ballindangan and the site of the old forge and home. The current owners allowed us a look inside. The Timothy O’Keeffe who was married to Hannah was I believe first cousin to my great great grandfather Timothy who took over the forge in Glanworth after Patrick Cushing left for the US. When Timothy (Thady) passed away in 1915, his youngest son Tim took it over. Tim left Ireland in 1926 for the US and Thady’s grandson Johnny Jones took over the forge for a time.  

We know quite a bit about the Glanworth Thady, a joint project worked on by several cousins in the US and Ireland over the years. I pieced together a good bit about the Ballindangan O’Keeffes too, thanks to Prof. Tadhg O’Keeffe and information that his mother remembered when I was in contact with him 6 or 7 years ago. I believe that Dennis O’Keeffe (died in 1874) was the father of Ballindangan Timothy who was married to Hannah O’Regan in the census there. What I don’t know for sure is who was the wife of Dennis. Any ideas? I think her first name could have been Margaret. 

Also, you mentioned an old book. Any idea of the title? Cork area studies library may know how to source it. 

Many thanks,

Kerri 

Dear Sheelagh,

By the way, Timothy O'Keeffe (Glanworth Thady) and Ellen Quinlan are buried in Killathy cemetery.