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Strategy to do a research visit to Ireland in Spring 2023

Hello - I have completed several Meet & Greet pages for different counties but have never received responses so I'm assuming that there are no volunteers for those locations. I am planning a solo trip to Ireland and would like to visit the towns, churches, etc for the communities that I have identified so far: Limerick - Askeaton:Thomas Nash/Margaret Meskill marriage Aug 16, 1852. Migrated to Watervliet, Albany, NY, USA about 1862 Limerick - Kilcornan: children of Thomas Nolan and Margaret Kemp baptized 1827-1842. My ancestor Catherine was born about 1835-1836 and of course, her years are missing from the on-line records. Family migrated to Troy, Rensselaer, NY, USA about 1851-1852. Thomas died in a ferry boat capsizing in the Hudson River between Troy and Watervliet on Oct 13, 1854, so unfortunately there is no family unit in the 1855 Rensselaer County census and Nolan was quite common in Troy at the time so I can't be sure of which were the correct individuals. Cavan - Thomas Brady born about 1850 in the Cross Keys area of Cavan (based on probate records of his brother Edward). Thomas migrated to Troy about 1871 according to later censuses. Tipperary - John Corcoran born about 1832, possibly in the Graigue area. He had a brother James who also moved to Troy. John's death certificate from Nov 18, 1890 had no parents listed and only showed Ireland as his place of birth along with an approximate age. On the baptismal record on John's oldest daughter in 1859 in Troy, NY, it stated that he was from Limerick County. When he first arrived in Troy, his occupation was "laborer" a few years later his occupation was "baker". Possibly Galway - Family name is Hobbins and their father is listed as Francis on the death certificates. So far using the online records, I have only found a Francis Hobbins in Galway. What would be a good approach to setting up this whole trip? Should I concentrate on just one or 2 counties? Should I have a home base and then travel to each location or should I have multiple bases? Are there guides who work across counties? I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you Ellen Corcoran Daniello
ellendaniello

6 replies

Ellen, In regard to your query I make the following suggestions: 1. Limerick - for Kilcornan and Askeaton base yourself in Limerick City. Both are along the lower Shannon River. It depends on how much time you need for researching. 2. Tipperary - Graigue - There are a number of townlands called Graigue in County Tipperary. You will need to identify the particular parish that you are researching. 3. Galway - The surname "Hobbins" is common in the area of Killimor in East Galway. For location see Loughrea and Ballinasloe. You could transfer there on the evening of day 2. 4. Cavan is too long a journey to consider, unless you intend to stay 4 days at least. The best months for travelling are May to September, inclusive. Regards,
McCoy
Ellen Graigue and Graigue Upper are in the parish of Killenaule which is close to Birr and on the boundary of Tipperary North and Offaly. There are a number of "Corcoran's" recorded on Subscription site www.rootsireland.ie for Graigue and Graigue Upper. James Corcoran baptised in Killenaule on 23rd January 1827 - Father: Thomas and Mother: Margaret Maher. Baptismal Sponsors: Daniel Corcoran and Ally Maher. Address: Graigue John Corcoran baptised May 10th 1830 - Same parents and same address Margaret Corcoran baptised September 15th 1832. Parents: Thomas Corcoran and Margaret Meagher. Address: Upper Graigue You may be able to get the marriage or death record of James Corcoran which may give his parents names. Regards,
McCoy
Thank you McCoy. I have seen those records on RootsIreland and am keeping them in mind. The dates are roughly what I wasexpecting based on the US records. Unfortunately James died in the Troy about 1875/76 and there were no death records at that time. Both he and John married in Troy and they generally dont list parent's names in the records. I have found John's marriage record which didn't even give their ages. I would like to stay about 2 weeks and spend a couple of days in each community so that I can meet some locals and hopefully find some info in the local church or library. Many of the local libraries in NY have family tree information provided by communtiy members over the years. None of this is online so you have to visit the library or the town historian. I'm hoping that something like that might exist in the Irish townlands as well. Regards, Ellen
ellendaniello
McCoy - are there any organizations that have guides that travel with Irish descendants when they visit Ireland. Sort of like a tour guide but they would just work with me. I have no idea how expensive something like this might be and whether or not it's something I should consider. Regards, Ellen
ellendaniello
Ellen, I am not aware of any organisation that does such work, apart from hiring a driver. I suggest that you do as much research as possible before you travel to Ireland. You have the following who will do research for a fee which you can be done before you travel. You will need a companion when doing outdoor research in cemetries and rural churches. The various Centres will be able to arrange this. It may be a taxi or a retired person with an interest in genealogy. You can discuss this in advance. The surname "Hobbins" is in the area of Borrisokane, North Tipperary. Some are just "Hobb". They are probably connected to the "Hobbins" of East County Galway, across the river Shannon. 1. Limerick - research@limerickgenealogy.com 2. Tipperary - Nora O'Meara - tipperarynorthgenealogycentre@eircom.net 3. Galway - Woodford - Eastgalwayfamilyhistorysociety - galwayroots.com 4. Cavan - Cavan Heritage and Genealogy Centre - cavancountylibrary@eircom.net Best Wishes,
McCoy
Thank you McCoy. I'll outreach to the Heritage Centers.
ellendaniello

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