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Visiting County Longford 2022/ Granard

LongfordGranard (Longford)

Hello,

My name is Diane Dunleavy. My husband Michael and I were to visit in April of 2020. We have rescheduled our trip for this coming June. We will be staying in Granard for a couple of days to explore cemeteries, churches and towns. It has been challenging to locate burial records. We are hoping to explore some of the local church yards and cemeteries in hopes of locating some of his ancestors. I however have found locating burial records to be challenging. We have visited Clonbronney Church and located the tombstone of my husband's maternal great-grandparents. ( Michael Flynn, Cahterine and several family members).The church is where his grandfather was baptized. Needless to say we were ecstatic. We have visited St. Patrick's Catholic Graveyard, Granard and found a Michael Dunleavy's grave. After doing more research, I have found that a Mary Ultagh is also buried there. We are planning to visit Mullinalaghta Cemetery and also St. Mel's Ardagh. According to information I have found, The Dunleavy family buries in St. Mel's in Granard. According to my resource, my husband's great-great grandfather and grandmother are buried there beneath the stone marked "Uladh". Will be have access to these cemeteries in Granard? Are there any cemetery registers we may be able to research prior to our trip? Any information you may provide would be helpful. We want to have as much information as to what we need to do prior to arriving. Since we will be there for only a couple of days, we do not want to waste valuable time. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Diane

mdunleavy_940@…

12 replies

HI from NY,

 

I found my Wrenn ancestors buried in St. Patrick's Old Cemetery in Granard.  We walked through the cemetery for a long time, reading stone after stone, and finally found them. Then we discovered there was a huge panel at the back or side of the cemetery, listing all the burials and their locations.  So hopefully your husband's ancestors will be listed on it.  Good luck and enjoy the trip.

glanvil3@aol.com

Hi Diane,

There are Mullinalaghta Graveyard records on Findagrave.com.  There is a Dunleavy Family and a Mary Dunleavy there.  No photos and few details though.  Findagrave.com also has records for graveyards in Ardagh.

Clonbroney is on Historicgraves.com and St Patrick's Granard is on Findagrave.com, but you have been to both of these.  Granard is on Irishgraveyards.ie but I'm not sure if it's the graveyard you are looking for.

Hope this helps.

Mary

 

 

 

 

Mary.Connell1@…

 

Diane,

 

Do you have the names and locations as well as the approximate birth and death dates of the ancestors you are seeking ?

davidleahy@eir…IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello!

Thank you for the replies. We have been to St Patrick's Old Graveyard and were able to locate a Michael Dunleavy who died Feb 1966. We did locate the the stone with the list of burials. At the time of our visit, we had no idea that the "Dunleavy" surname was also known as "Ultagh". I located this information when researching the Roman Catholic Record Books for baptisms. What a find! We are planning on returning to St. Patricks to visit Mary Ultagh. She was born 1805 and had died in 1826. Baptismal record shows birth year of 1801. She is a direct ancestor of my husband. Her parent's were Patrick Ultagh and Bridget Malloy. Uncertain of birth, marriage or deaths. 

According to the book " Patick John Dunleavy Patriot, Philosopher, Family Man A Burst of Poetry" written by Mary Rita Donleavy, the family ( Christopher Dunleavy and Mary McManus ) are buried in St Mel's Cemetery in Granard, County Longford, beside a cathedral not far from the Granard Motte. ( pg. 30). According to Mary; Christopher and Mary are buried beneath a tombstone marked " Uladh". Christopher and Mary are my husband's Great-great grandparents. We definitely would like to locate this particular grave while visiting. I am not sure how well kept this graveyard has been maintained. We had visited an older cemetery in 2017, not far from Old St. Patricks where the graveyard was overgrown and the stones were unreadable. 

We would also visit Mullinalaghta Cemetery where I have found "Family Dunleavy" listed on Find a Grave. Does anyone know where we could locate the names of the family?

In addition we have visited the Clonbroney Cemetery and found my husband's maternal ancestors the Flynns.

Some surnames we would be interested in locating are: Ultagh, Dunleavy, Flynn, McKernan or McCarren and McManus. 

Christopher Ultagh( Dunleavy) 1812-1875 died Killasona

Mary McManus Dunleavy 1822-1896 Killasona

Patrick Ultagh death 1844 Killasona, Bridget date of death 1842, They were married 1793

There are also Patricks born in 1799 and 1843, no other death dates found. The family consists of the following names. Patrick, Christopher, James, John, Michael, Joseph, Thomas, Bridget, Mary, Anna. My husband's great grandfather was Michael Francis Dunleavy and I haven't been able to figure out if there was a Francis at one point. I get very confused as to which family is which due to the naming patterns at the time. 

James McManus born 1790 Westmeath? Married Mary Mcgaughran 1819 Castlepollard Westmeath, her date of birth 1795. Death dates unknown

Again, thank you all for your replies, we are looking forward to our trip and visiting. Any suggestions and additional resources we may look into would be appreciated.

Diane

mdunleavy_940@…

 

Diane,

 

Thanks for all the additional information. It appears as if your husband is from old County Longford stock and possibly related to the author J. P. Donleavy.

J. P. Donleavy (1926 - 2017) was the son of Patrick John Dunleavy, a native of Killasona Townland in Granard Parish, County Longford. His first novel "The Ginger Man" was published in 1955. He lived at Levington Park, just outside Mullingar, County Westmeath.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._P._Donleavy

 

According to James P. Farrell’s Historical Notes of County Longford and Edward MacLysaght’s Irish Families, the Leavys were one of the clans/septs holding territory in County Longford circa 1550. Leavy is an abbreviation of the Dunleavy/Donleavy surname. Have a look at the following website in relation to the Donleavy surname: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donlevy

In particular, I note that 'Some MacDonlevys in Donegal adopted the surname Mac an Ultaigh, meaning "son of the Ulsterman".

Also, Uladh is the Gaelic for Ulster, a province in the northern part of Ireland, containing County Donegal and eight other counties.

 

In the 1854 Griffith's Primary Valuation, I see:

Killasona Townland, Granard Parish, Granard Union, County Longford

Plot, Occupier, Immediate Lessor, Description, Area

15, Christopher Dunleavy, Christopher Nugent, House-Offices-Land, 18 Acres - 3 Roods - 0 Perches

https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/z/zoomifyDynamicViewer.php?fil…

 

In the 18th December 1834 Census of Granard Parish I found:

Townland, Number, Name, Sex, Religion

Killasona, 3897, Patrick Dunleavy, male, RC

Killasona, 3898, Christopher Dunleavy, male, RC

Killasona, 3899, Margaret Dunleavy, female, RC

Killasona, 3900, Bridget Dunleavy, female, RC

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632425#page/14/mode/1up

 

No Dunleavys were recorded at Killasona at the time of the 1833 Tithe Applotment Books of County Longford.

 

 

 

davidleahy@eir…IrelandXO Volunteer

Diane,

Thanks for all the additional information which is helpful.

It appears as if your husband is probably related to the author J. P. Donleavy, as both are descended from the Killasona Townland, Granard RC Parish, County Longford Dunleavys/Donleavys.

J. P. Donleavy (1926 - 2017) was the son of Patrick John Dunleavy, a native of Killasona Townland in Granard Parish, County Longford. His first novel "The Ginger Man" was published in 1955. He lived at Levington Park, just outside Mullingar, County Westmeath.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._P._Donleavy

 

According to James P. Farrell’s Historical Notes of County Longford and Edward MacLysaght’s Irish Families, the Leavys were one of the clans/septs holding territory in County Longford circa 1550. Leavy is an abbreviation of the Dunleavy/Donleavy surname.

 

Have a look at the following website in relation to the Donlevy surname: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donlevy

In particular, I note that 'Some MacDonlevys in Donegal adopted the surname Mac an Ultaigh, meaning "son of the Ulsterman". Also, Uladh is the Gaelic for Ulster, a province in the northern part of Ireland, containing County Donegal and eight other counties.

 

I see the following records in relation to the Donleavy/Dunleavy Family of Killasona Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford:

 

Granard Graveyard, County Longford - Plot No. 279, Section C

Michael Dunleavy, Killasona, died February 1966, aged 68

https://www.irishgraveyards.ie/plot.php?plotno=279&yardid=155§ion=C

 

1911 Census - Killasona Townland, Firry District Electoral Division, County Longford:

James Dunleavy (60) & wife Bridget Dunleavy (50) and their children:

Patrick (20), Mary Kate (18), Thomas (17), Michael (13), Bridget (11), John (10), Lizzie (6) & Rose Anne (5)

All RC and all born in County Longford

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002891325/

 

1901 Census - Killasona Townland, Firry District Electoral Division, County Longford:

James Dunleavy (49) & wife Bridget Dunleavy (38) and their children:

Christopher (15), Matthew (14), James (12), Joseph (11), Patrick (10), Mary Kate (9), Thomas (8), Anne Maria (7), Michael (5), Bridget (3) & John (4 months)

All RC and all born in County Longford

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001025989/

 

Death Certificate, 28 February 1896, Killasona

Mary Dunleavy, female, widow, aged 75, widow of farmer Christopher Dunleavy, old age - infirmity - no medical attendant

Informant: James Dunleavy - son of deceased - Killasona - present at death

Registered 25 March 1896 by Eugene Doherty, Registrar

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1896/05906/4675979.pdf

 

Marriage Certificate, 15 February1885, Granard RC Parish, County Longford by Rev. Eugene O'Reilly, Catholic Curate

James Dunleavy/Donleavy, full age, bachelor, farmer, Killasona, son of Christopher Dunleavy (dead), farmer

Bridget Connell, full age, spinster, -, Killasona, daughter of Matthew Connell (alive), farmer

witnesses: Joseph Donleavy & Lizzie Connell

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1885/10860/5965515.pdf

 

Death Certificate, 1 December 1875, Killasona

Christopher Donleavy, male, married, aged 63, farmer, bronchitis - 4days - no medical attendant

Informant: Bridget Donleavy - Killasona - present at death

Registered 11 December 1875 by C. F. Yorke, Registrar

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1875/020603/7229189.pdf

 

Birth Certificate, 24th January 1867, Killasona

Michael, son of Christopher Donleavy (farmer) & Mary Donleavy formerly McManus

Informant: Bridget Donleavy, Killasona, present at birth

Registered 2 February 1867 by Christopher F. Yorke, Registrar

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1885/10860/5965515.pdf

 

In the 1854 Griffith's Primary Valuation, I see:

Killasona Townland, Granard Parish, Granard Union, County Longford

Plot, Occupier, Immediate Lessor, Description, Area

15, Christopher Dunleavy, Christopher Nugent, House-Offices-Land, 18 Acres - 3 Roods - 0 Perches (in Statute Acres)

https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/z/zoomifyDynamicViewer.php?file=183109&path=./pix/183/&rs=2&showpage=1&mysession=2810692508208&width=&height=

 

18 December 1834 Census - Granard Parish, County Longford I found the following (unfortunately no ages or relationships are given):

Townland, Number, Name, Sex, Religion

Killasona, 3897, Patrick Dunleavy, male, RC

Killasona, 3898, Christopher Dunleavy, male, RC

Killasona, 3899, Margaret Dunleavy, female, RC

Killasona, 3900, Bridget Dunleavy, female, RC

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632425#page/14/mode/1up

 

No Dunleavys were recorded at Killasona at the time of the 1833 Tithe Applotment Books of Granard Parish County Longford:

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004587446/004587446_00062.pdf

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004587446/004587446_00063.pdf

However, I see Pat Dunleavy recorded at the neighbouring Rossan Townland which is in Abbeylara Civil Parish (Granard RC Parish), County Longford as follows:

1833 - Pat Dunleavy, 9 Acres - 0 Roods - 0 Perches (in Irish Plantation Acres, 1 Irish Plantation Acre = c1.62 Statute Acres)

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004239502/004239502_00077.pdf

I believe this could well be Patrick Dunleavy, the father of Christopher Dunleavy who was recorded at Killasona Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford in 1854, especially as Killasona and Rossan are neighbouring Townlands and no Dunleavys were recorded at Rossan Townland, Abbeylara Parish, County Longford in 1854.

 

Baptised, 5 June 1806, Granard RC Parish, County Longford

Christopher, son of Patrick Ultagh & Bridget Molloy

Sponsors:Matthew McCormick? & Margaret? Masterson

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632421#page/91/mode/1up

 

Married, 16 June 1793, Granard RC Parish, County Longford

Patrick Ultagh & Bridget Molloy

Witnesses: James Molloy & Michael Fanning

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632421#page/116/mode/1up

 

 

Dunleavys/Ultaghs were recorded at Killasona Townland, Granard RC Parish, County Longford from at least:

28 April 1826, Mary Ultagh, Killasona

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632422#page/169/mode/1up

Granard Graveyard, County Longford – Plot No.9, Section B

https://www.irishgraveyards.ie/plot.php?plotno=9&yardid=155§ion=B

According to this Irish Graveyards website she was aged 21

Mary, daughter of Patrick Ultagh and Bridget Molloy, above, would have been aged 24 as she was baptised on 25 October 1801, but she is still a possibility to be one and the same as this person.

 

Two further Ultaghs from Killasona appear in the Granard Parish Burial records:

5 April 1842, Bridget Ultagh, Killasona

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632422#page/182/mode/1up

4 January 1844, Patrick Ultagh, Killasona

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632422#page/184/mode/1up

The above Patrick Ultagh and Bridget Ultagh could well be Patrick and Bridget (Molloy) Ultagh.

 

2 Dunleavys/Ultaghs from neighbouring Rossan Townland appear in the burial records of Granard RC Parish, County Longford:

22 September 1792, Mary Ultagh, Rossan

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632421#page/153/mode/1up

12 April 1806, Thomas Ultagh, Rossan

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632421#page/159/mode/1up

The above Thomas and Mary Ultagh could possibly be Patrick Ultagh’s parents.

 

Rossan Townland in County Longford shares a border with Streete Parish and also with County Westmeath. There are Dunleavys buried in Boherquill Cemetery, Streete RC Parish, County Westmeath, but I do not have any details on them.

 

Another Christopher Dunleavy, who was married to a Mary Reilly, appears in Lough Gowna and Mullanalaghta RC Parish, County Longford baptismal records in the 1830's, at the same time as Christopher and Bridget (Molloy) Dunleavey were at Killasona in Granard RC Parish

And another Christopher Dunleavy was recorded at Clontumpher Townland, Killoe RC Parish, County Longford at the time of Griffith's Primary Valuation in 1854.

A Christopher Leavy was recorded at Cooleeny Townland, Longford RC Parish, County Longford at the time of the Tithe Applotment Books in 1823-1833.

 

Hoping the above is of interest,

davidleahy@eir…IrelandXO Volunteer

Dear David,

What can I say but "Wow!" ! Mike and I thank you  for the plethora of information you have shared with us. Some of the info we have, however the info on Patrick and Bridget was entirely new! The information regarding the  1833 Tithe Applotment Books was very interesting. I am going to look into Rossan Townland, this was entirely new info for me. In addition, the marriage records as well as death records are of great interest. I am going to check out each and ever link you provided as well as look into graveyards in Rossan Townland. Mike and I will be in Granard in June and would like to share a pint with you to express our gratitude! Let me know if you are interested and we can arrange. Thank you again for the information, we are very appreciative.

Have a good evening,

Diane

 

 

 

mdunleavy_940@…

 

Diane,

Great to hear that some of my information was new to you, I have more good news.

I was in Longford for the last couple of days and visited St. Patrick's Graveyard, Granardkille, Granard whilst I was there. I can confirm that there is a large notice board with all the names and summary details of those buried in the graveyard. It is located on the left as you enter through the Main Gate, to the left of an Oratory, which stands on the site of the old RC Chapel of Granard (built in penal times, and used up to 1867 when St. Mary's was built overlooking the Town of Granard).

The only Dunleavys/Ultaghs I found on the notice board were the two we previously had information on:

Mary Ultagh, died April 1826, aged 21 (Section B, No.9)

[Note: this is the same year that Granardkille Cemetery was consecrated i.e.1826]

Michael Dunleavy, Killasona, died February 1966, aged 68 (Section C, No.279)

I then visited Mary Ultagh's grave and looked at her headstone. The inscription was difficult to decipher, and I literally had to run my fingers over it to find the following (as best as I could make out):

I.H.S.

O Lord have mercy

on the soul of Mary

Ultagh who depd this

life 28 April 1826

aged 21 years

Erected by her loving fatr

Patrick Ultagh

 

This confirms that she is indeed the Mary Ultagh, baptised 25th October 1801, daughter of Patrick Ultagh and Bridget Molloy of Killasona Townland and connects your Husband Mike to this exact location in Granardkille Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford, Ireland and to where his ancestral family gathered for her burial in April 1826.

Mary Ultagh's burial record confirms her date of death as 28 April 1826 and gives her address as Killasona.

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632422#page/169/mode/1up

 

I think I ran my fingers over her age a second time to see if 21 could have been 24, her actual age at death, and it felt more like 21, but you might do that also on your visit to confirm.

In relation to I.H.S. I see:

https://cemeterysymbolism.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/ihs/

 

Her headstone is about 25 yards in from the Main Gate on the right-hand-side, in the second row behind the graves of Dolans and Smiths.

 

Interestingly, I noticed a Molloy grave just to the left of Mary Ultagh's grave. Interesting, because Patrick Ultagh's wife was Bridget Molloy. The inscription on the Molloy headstone reads:

Patrick Molloy

Ballymoris

Died September 1907

Aged 31

I found his death certificate as follows:

Death Certificate, 22 September 1907, Ballymorris, Patrick Molloy, male, bachelor, aged 32 years, son of a farmer, heart failure - certified, James Molloy - father - present at death - Ballymorris, Registered 7 October 1907 by James Kelly, Registrar.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

 

I see a Patrick Molloy recorded at Ballymaurice Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford at the time of Griffith's Primary Valuation in 1854.

https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/z/zoomifyDynamicViewer.php?fil…

The next numbered plot (15) shows a James Dunleavy owning a house there.

https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/z/zoomifyDynamicViewer.php?fil…

 

I also see a John Mulloy recorded at Ballymaurice Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford at the time of the Tithe Applotment Books in 1833.

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004587446/00…

 

Perhaps Bridget Molloy (wife of Patrick Ultagh) was therefore from Ballymaurice Townland, Granard Parish, County Longford.

 

To the East of Granardkille Cemetery is Granard Castle and across the road from the Castle is the site of the Old Town of Granard which was razed to the ground by Edward the Bruce in 1315.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bruce

 

You will find information on the Normans and opening times for the Granard Heritage Centre on the following website:

Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre, Dublin St., Rathcronan, Granard, Co. Longford. N39 DE06

https://www.knightsandconquests.ie/

 

I was born in Edgeworthstown (Nursing Home), County Longford whilst my family were residing in Moxham Street, Granard Town and lived in Granard Garda (Police) Barracks again from 1972 - 1974, where my father was stationed, and have Happy Memories there.

Email: davidleahy@eircom.net

 

 

 

davidleahy@eir…IrelandXO Volunteer

 

Diane & Mike,

I meant to credit the 'Granard - Its History - Our Heritage' booklet with the historical references and dates in my last post

davidleahy@eir…IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello David,

Thank you again for all of your research and information. We are looking forward to our visit and appreciate you deciphering the tombstone of Mary Ultagh. 
I previously located a Patt Dunleavy in 1833 in the Tithe Applotment books from Melkernagh, Granard Parish, Longford. And Milkernagh.

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?county=Longford&parish=Granard&townland=Milkernagh&search=Search

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?county=Longford&parish=Granard&townland=Melkernagh&search=Search.    How would we know which one is our ancestor? I am very confused. LOL!  Regardless, we have the general location as to where they lived and walked. We are so excited to come back and hopefully find more information. I will email you regarding our visit as to when we will be staying in Granard next month. 
Where would we be able to purchase books on Longford and or Granard ? I looked online for Granard - Its History - Our Heritage', but it was sold out. Not sure if the historical society has books for sale.

Best regards,

Diane

 

mdunleavy_940@…

Hello, I am sorry I don't have enough information on this and that is why I can't help you with this. 

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