Cleary Family of Balline townland, Emlygrennan (now Bulgaden-Martinstown Parish), Co. Limerick
Ive been trying to identifythe parents of my 3G grandmother Margaret Cleary (abt. 1800-1858), who married attorney Patrick Molony, Esq. (1787-1848) of Tullybrackey House, Bruff, County Limerick in 1820.
I've already done a lot of research, but can't come to any final conclusions.I think my question could be easily answered by someone local or familiar with the Clearys in Balline.
I have Margaret and Patricks civil marriage record, as well as the 1820 Limerick Gazette announcement that the bride was from Ballyne in this county the townland Balline, about six miles from Bruff and near Kilmallock.
At that time, Balline would have been in Emlygrennan Parish, which is now part of the Bulgaden-Martinstown Parish.
First name Patrick corresponds to mothers father spot (2nd born son) in traditional Irish naming order of Margaret Cleary and Patrick Molonys children. There is a Patrick Cleary listed as 1822 baptismal sponsor of Patrick, 2nd son.
WILLS
A will dated 1809 lists Cleary, Patrick, Balline, Co. Limerick, Farmer, who may be Margarets father or relation.
Anotherwill dated 1828 lists Cleary, Patrick, Balline, Co. Limerick, Farmer, who may be Margarets fatheror relation.
Anotherwill dated 1874 lists Cleary, Patrick, Balline, Co. Limerick, Farmer, who left behind an unnamed widow, may be a brother or relation.
LAND RECORDS
Tithe records list a widowMrs. Clearyliving in Balline, Emlygrennan Parish, in 1832.
Estate Maps of Co. Limerick lists a Mrs. Cleary of Balline leasing from owner Gascoigne in 1845.
Griffiths (1848-1864) list Patrick Cleary in Balline, Emlygrennan Parish, possibly Margarets brother.
Theres an interesting,prosperous Cleary family that settled in the Gibbonstown,Ballinahinch and Kilmallock areas in the 1600s. At first glance, I thought they became Protestant because many were in the British army, but then I found that the Bulgaden Church was built by one of them, who was a priest, and daughters became nuns. I read that some started using the Clery spelling in the 1900s.
BALLINE HOUSE
There is a Balline House in Balline, in Emlygrennan Parish, listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. I can zero in on it on Google Maps.
I found reference to Balline House in the Cork Examiner 16 Jan 1878:
On Sunday, the 13th inst., at the Roman Catholic Church, Martinstown, Ballinavane, James MSweeney, son of Daniel MSweeney, Esq. of Bandon, to Mary Ann, second daughter of Patrick Cleary, Esq., Balline House, near Kilmallock. [Margarets brother or nephew?]
Then I found a caption to a photo of very unpretentious house on a Clery family website (see end of post*) that states Balline House. Daniel Geran Clerys uncle lived here.
Capt. Daniel Geran Clery (1835-1869, a soldier in the Kings regiment) had three uncles, Thomas Cleary, John Walsh OClery and Patrick. (No descendants of Patrick are listed on the 1890 tree by William John Clery, whos from another branch of the family).
(As I understand, Daniels uncles were the sons of Patrick Clery, who was the only son of James Clery of nearby Ballinahinch, buried in Athaneasy. James was the son of John Sean Clery, who acquired land now known as the townland of Gibbonstown in 1603.)
Since I think the first two uncles lived elsewhere (not Balline House), perhaps Daniels uncle in the house photo caption was Patrick.
QUESTION
In addition to identifying her parents, I would like to find out if my 3G grandmother Margaret Cleary was associated with Patrick Cleary of Balline House. The Patrick of Balline House in the 1878 Cork Examiner was also Catholic, as his daughter married in a Catholic church.
He is close enough to Margaret's generation to be a younger brother. According to traditional Irish naming order, Margarets father would have been named Patrick, the same name as this Patricks father.
Or perhaps Margaret is this Patricks relation who lived in another residence in Balline. Since Balline is such a tiny area (blink and you missed it), they had to have had some association.
Because Margaret married an educated attorney and lived in a lovely large house (owned by a Kirby descendant today) in nearby Bruff, she would be the right social standing to come from this Cleary family.
Has anyone else been researching or has Clearys in this area?
Thanks!
Joan in Los Angeles
*Some sources I've been looking at are:
Balline House photo and Old Family Tree 1890 by William John Clery found on http://clearyandcleryfamiliescolimerick.weebly.com
Above Cleary family tree info (with additional info) also found on:
Clan Clirigh DNA Project-Family Tree DNA website
Balline House, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/cgi-bin/viewsite.cgi?siteid=1650 ;