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Breen, Keane, Mahony and Young Ancestors From Aghavallen

KerryAghavallen (Kerry)

I'll be heading over soon from Annapolis, Maryland, USA to further my research into my father's maternal grandparents, all of whom are from this parish. They all left North Kerry in the 1890's and ended up in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

My father's grandmother was Elizabeth Breen (1876-1956), the daughter of Eugene Breen (1846-1882) & Margaret Keane (1844-1884). She was orphaned at age 7along with 2 brothers and 3 sisters (Pat, John, Mary, Kate and Nellie), whose age ranged between 4 and 11 years ago. They were living in Ballylongford when their parents passed.They were taken in by relatives in Lenamore and Lisroe (Duagh Parish) until they reached the age of 17. I will be visiting Margaret Breen in Lenamore to help sort through the tatters of their story.

Elizabeth Breen married George Joseph Young (1869-1922) in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was the son of George Young (1835-?) of Reenturk & Mary Mahony (1839-1926) of Saleen. It appears that all of the significant religious events involve St Mary's RC Church in Kilnaughton Parish inTarbert. George Joseph Young also had 2 brothers and 3 sisters (Charles, Michael, Mary, Jennie and Annie). All migrated from Ireland to the States in the 1890's. All except for Charles, who went to Ohio, USA, they all ended up in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

I do need more help with my father's maternal grandfather's side of the family. I have found most of the St Mary's RC Church records, Griffith's Valuation and a number of Petty Sessions Court records (that make me smile). Here is the marriage record that can help in the further search:

Marriage of GEORGE YOUNG of REENTURK and MARY MAHONY of SALEEN. St Mary's RC Priest: REV. Dan FOLEY. Fathers: Charles Young (Reenturk) & Michael Mahony (Ballybunnion). Witt: Robert Quinn & Michael McCarthy. Record: KY-RC-MA-77744.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Include in the help any suggestions on a week long stay for one, along with a car rental spot, in either Tarbert or Listowel. I believe that all of the places that I could visit for family reasons are within an 8 mile, 12.9 km circuit.

Thanks in advance,

John Patrick Sullivan

JSLOCAL602

7 replies

John:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I'm writing this note about 15 minutes from Annapolis. I don't have my files with me but I don't believe we have a parish liaison in Aghavallen parish. I assume from your note that you have been using www.irishgenealogy.ie for church records in Kerry and civil record images. The Kilnaughten RC records start in 1859 which will hamper some of your research for the Young ancestors.

I will contact another parish liaison in Kerry for suggestions for research and possible rental car locations.

Will you be in Kerry in July?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Listowel would be the best place to stay a little farther away the areas you are interested in but so much going on there all the time for your free time-I am from Ballylongford where the Breen family live but live in the us also-actually I think some of the Breen family are still in the south side of Chicago-enjoy your trip-it is a beautiful area.

IrelandXO member

John,

My name is Karen, I'm the great grand daughter of Catherine Benware (Breen) she is the sister to your great grand mother Elizabeth. My son and I are planning a trip to Ireland, have always wanted to visit the area where my great grand mother was born. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Karen

 

IrelandXO member

Visited Ballylongford this past September and stayed with the Dee family on Carrig Island (Connected by a causeway) with a great view of Carrigafoyle Castle. Nice place - nice people but yes it is a quiet rural area.

Local historian recommended to me was a Padraig O'Conchuir of Ballylongford though I didn't have the opportunity to touch base with him.

Enjoy your visit.

Best Regards from NYC,

Ed Stewart

P.S. - My family were Hickeys from Cloonaman and Kilelton, McElligotts from Cloonaman, and Curnanes.

Edward

What Dee did you stay with? I'm part of the Dee family in. Ballylongford- Well st.

IrelandXO member

Garret & Patricia Dee, Castleview House, on Carrig Island

Edward

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