My GGGrandmother was Mary Ann Shirley from Kells.On her marriage cert in 1845 to Samuel Watters at Cloydah,Co Carlow,her father is shown as Thomas Shirley.In the Tithe Applotment Books there is only one Thomas Shirley at Garrynaman. Are there any distant relatives of this family still in the area.?
Hello
I see that there are still Shirleys in Garrynaman on the 1901 and 1911 census.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kilkenny/Kells/Garrynamann_Upper/1445681/
There is a website for the Dunnamaggin, Kells & Kilmoganny parishes. You could consider using the parish newsletter to find out about Shirleys still in that area.
Best regards Michael.
The oldest pub in Kells village is Shirley's. (see the parish photo), so very likely founded by one of your kin.