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Churchfield Farm

LimerickShanagolden (Limerick)

Hello,  I am researching the family of my Great Grandfather, Patrick Walsh. He left the family farm - only known as Churchfield - near Foynes, Limerick in about 1899 and moved to live with an Uncle and 3 other siblings in Bradford, West Yorkshire. His Father was called James Walsh and his Mother Bridget Sheehy. This information was passed down by word of mouth. I have since found the family in the Irish census' for 1901 and 1911, but I have no other information on the family, or whether the farm is still there. As a family we are travelling to Ireland at the end of July to do some family research and was wondering whether it would be possible to see parish records so we can complete this side of our family tree. Thank you for any help that can be given. Laura

IrelandXO member

7 replies

there are 3 parishes in your area of researsh,

foynes, robertstown & Shanagolden,

The Records of The 3 parishes are  

recorded in Shanagolden parish (RC).

 

james walsh & bridget sheehy, were married

in askeaton parish, 26 feb 1876.

the marriage in askeaton, would indicate that 

bridget sheehy is from the askeaton area.

 

look up Shanagolden Parish, in google search.

contact me at

tamerkine589@yahoo.ie

 

regards john

oconnelljohn1

I have only just noticed the mention of Walshes of Churchfield. My mother, Mary Kelly, referred to the Walshes (or Welshes) as close cousins of her father and I do have a photo of a Gerald Walsh taken with my uncle, Michael Kelly, in London, sometime in the 1950s to early 60s. I have struggled to find the connection but just now came across baptisms in 1829 for Patrick and Michael, presumed twin sons of John Kenny and Ellen Welsh in the Shanagolden parish records. My mother's grandmother was Mary Kenny from Aughinish, who was born about 1822 to ( I believe) John Kenny and Ellen O'Donnell. Could John, husband of Ellen Welsh, have been a much older sibling of my great grandmother Mary? A family story from my mother's uncle Denis claimed one of his grandmothers was an O'Donnell while details of another uncle, Michael, who came to Australia in about 1877 confirms an O'Donnell connection with an island in the Shannon- presumably Aughinish.

I would be interested to know if Laura Anne's family in Bradford is aware of any link to the Kelly or Kenny family?

Anne 

annemyh9@bigpond.com

Hi Ann.

Church Field is at the back of Robertstown Church, Roberts town to Aughinish 6 Kilometers 7 Minute Drive.

please email me at (Tamerkine589@yahoo.ie).

John

oconnelljohn1

Catholic parish rcds are available for FREE from: https://registers.nli.ie/

John O'Connell might be able to help you as he lives in the area you're researching in.

Patti Hacht

Shanagolden & Kilcolman Parish Liaison Ireland Reaching Out

phachtIrelandXO Volunteer

I believe I've found the location for the farm. In Every Fiend Had a Name by Gerard Curtain, a Limerick area local historian, he states on Page 98 that Churchfield was in Shanagolden Civil Parish (if it was near Foynes as there are other "Churchfields" in nearby counties.) It translates as "the field of the Church." In the Downe Survey of 1657 it was in Robertstown Parish. The site of the Robertstown Castle is part of Churchfield.  Gerards also states that in the 1770 map of the Mt. Trechard Estate, the part of the townland that was cut off was known as Acrenaha. 

 

I hope this was helpful. Gerard provided no further info in his book. 

Patti Hacht

Ireland Reaching Out Kilcolman & Shanagolden Parish Liaison 

phachtIrelandXO Volunteer
pat7evans@gmail.com

Our family are farming Churchfield, Ned Welsh was living there until he passed away in 2013. If you ever want to visit the place you are more than welcome. 
 

patricklenihan

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