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McConigley Family - Doughbeg, Rosskirk and Killhill

DonegalClondavaddog (Donegal)

I was 14 years old in 1986 when I first went to Ireland. I was on the ferry coming over from Scotland, and I was filled with excitement. I happened to be standing towards the front of the boat looking out at the Irish coast when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and was met by an elderly Irish woman who said, "pardon me young man, but I have to ask...you wouldna be a McConigley would ya?" I had never been asked such a question, so you could imagine my surprise. Being this was my mother's maiden name, I responded proudly by saying, "yes, I am!" She was pleased to have recognised the family resemblence and went on to ask who I was traveling with. I told her my aunt and grandfather...John McConigley. She asked me to take her to him. Turns out, this was a cousin of my grandfather's and they hadn't seen each other in over 30 years.

I've been back for visits a few times more since then. My grandfather, John McConigley, and my mother Anne McConigley have both passed on, so I'm trying to research the family lines for my own children. John's older brother, Mic - as of two years ago - still lives in the family house in Doaghbeg, and his younger brother, Paddy's (he passed in April 2008) family are still just down the road. It was Paddy's house we would always stay at when we visited.

I'mgathering as much information as I can regarding the McConigley family. It's great to have this site as a resource, and I look forward to learning more about the area and the family history. One aspect I am keenly interested in learning more about is the Black Irish. I've participated in the DNA testing of Ancestry.com and I demonstrate a 2% connection to the Iberian Penninsula. I've have always been led to believe that McConigley's were Black Irish, so I was quite intrigued to see this connection. I've heard different origins of this term ranging from derogatory name given to the poorest of the poor all the way through the ancient Celts who came from the Spain region to settle Ireland. Needless to say, I would love to learn more.

I appreciate all the help and look forward to utlizing the resources you have at this site.

Thank you,

Steve

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Steve:

I will alert our parish liaison in Clondavaddog that you have posted a message.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Steve,

Thank for getting in contact and Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I hope we might be able to add some small contribution regarding the McConigley past family history from the townland of Doughbeg, and possibly to the history of this area of Fanad also.

I will be very honest Steve, I wouldn’t entirely be up to speed with DNA testing being connected to the Iberian Penninsula or the Black Irish connection referring to any family names, but I am always open to learn more as we might go along.

I do have a name of a history book that was recommended to me recently, and I found it to be very interesting in that it tells of life in the Parish and Townlands of Fanad/Clondavaddog back in the early 1800's.

Todate I have yet to come a book about Fanad that goes so far back in local history, depicting a time predating that of the famine, the harsh unfair treatment handed out by landlords, how rural the country was, and the hardships families such as your own would have endured that would have led to so many heading off to join other family that have gone before them..

It is a bit heavy reading in parts but most of the chapters are very good...and I think you will find it of interest.

I am honestly up the walls busy just at this moment, but myself or some of our other volunteers will be in contact again soon..all the best

Seamus

Clondavaddog Donegal, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Steve,

Sorry on the delay, I only recently got a chance this weekend to spent a few hours looking what I could source about your grandfather John McConigley family from Doaghbeg and surrounding areas of Fanad. 

I started looking the Irish Census Records for 1901 and 1911 as they would be the most current and it took me to townland of Rosskirk and Killhill.

I’m sure you have probably seen these Census Records before but no harm to show it here. I find its easier to talk or make sense of family when records are easiler viewed at hand. I am thinking your family would have moved to Doughbeg sometime possibly early  to mid 1900's  this is why there would be no McConigley family present there in 1911. Mick McConigley born about 1898 mensioned in both Census would have been your G-Grandfather, would that happen to be right Steve

Clondavaddog Donegal, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Steve, I recently came across your Family Tree on ancestry. Its very well done. To help research further back, I started to add a few of your family, before and after the Census years of 1901 and 1911 to a Fanad Family Tree I have on there also to see what crops up in the earlier years for the McConigleys. This is what your family looks like and the location of the family in Rosskirk back in early 1900's..

Seamus

Clondavaddog Donegal, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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