Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 Irish Roots A few words from the editor Welcome to our Winter issue of Irish Roots. Where Issue No 4 2015 ISSN 0791-6329 on earth did that year disappear to? As the 1916 commemorations get ready to rumble CONTENTS we mark this centenary year with a new series by Sean Murphy who presents family histories of leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, page 6. We 4 News introduce another fascinating series featuring sacred sites of Ireland and we begin with a visit to the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath, a place of great significance in 5 And Another Thing the history and folklore of Ireland, page 8. Patrick Roycroft fuses genealogy and geology on page 16 and Judith Eccles Wight helps to keep you on track with researching your railroad ancestors 6 1916 Leaders Family Histories in the US, page 22. We remember the Cullen brothers who journeyed from the small townland of Ballynastockan in Co. Wicklow to Minneapolis, US, 8 Sacred Sites Of Ireland bringing with them their remarkable stone cutting skills, their legacy lives on in beautiful sculptures to this day and for generations to come, page 24. Staying in Co. Wicklow we share the story of how the lost WW1 medals of a young 10 Tracing Your Roscommon Ancestors soldier were finally reunited with his granddaughter many years later, page 30. Our regular features include, ‘And another Thing’ with Steven Smyrl on the saga of the release of the Irish 1926 census, page 5. James Ryan helps us to 12 ACE Summer Schools trace our Roscommon ancestors, page 10 and Claire Santry keeps us posted with all the latest in Irish genealogy, page 18. 13 Books Ireland We hope you find plenty of enjoyable reading from our mixed bag of article goodies in this issue and don’t forget if you want to share the genealogical goodwill a gift subscription always makes a useful and innovative present. 14 Society Notes Irish Roots magazine gift vouchers can be purchased from our website at www.irishrootsmagazine.com. 16 Genealogy and Geology Wishing you all a delightful festive season and I hope that your Christmas is filled with the gifts of many answers to your family history research questions at this joyful time of year. 18 What’s New? - Review Maureen 20 Back To Basics - An Overview Editor/Publisher Maureen Phibbs 22 U.S. Occupational Sources, Railway Irish Roots Media Ltd, Blackrock, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Workers Tel:-+ (0)87 9427815 Intl +353 87 9427815 Email:- [email protected] Website:- www.irishrootsmagazine.com 24 From Ballynastockan To Minneapolis Facebook.com/irishrootsmag Twitter@irishrootsmag 26 Australian Irish Connections Printed by Sculpture depicting Eriu, the sovereignty Boylan Print Group, Co. Louth, Ireland. Goddess of Ireland who gave her name to the International Distribution- 28 A Question Of Genealogy land. See Sacred Sites of Ireland, pages 8 and 9. Pineapple Media Ltd, Hampshire, UK. Photo by Julie Phibbs. 29 Letters To The Editor 30 WW1 Soldier’s Medals Returned To His Granddaughter IRISH ROOTS SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Simply fill out the order form below (or a photocopy of it) and send it together with the appropriate remittance to:- Irish Roots Magazine, Blackrock, Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/irishrootsmag Name:- or on Twitter @IrishRootsMag Address:- I enclose a cheque for payable to Irish Roots Media Ltd. Yearly subscription rate to Irish Roots (four issues, including postage): Ireland €25.00; Copyright ©2015 Irish Roots Media Ltd. All rights reserved. UK £25, USA $37, Australia $42, Canada $40, Rest of world €27.00. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in Make payable in draft or cheque (in your local currency) to Irish Roots a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording Media Ltd or subscribe online at www.irishrootsmagazine.com. or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. e-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/irishrootsmag 96 Personal views expressed in articles and letters are those of the contributor and are not necessarily those of the publishers. We reserve the right to delete from any article, material which we consider could lead to any breach of the law of libel. While we do not knowingly include erroneous information, the responsibility for accuracy lies with those who have submitted the material. 3 Irish Roots 2015 Number 4 Ancient Sweet Donoughmore: Life in an Irish Ancient Sweet Donoughmore chronicles the growth of an Irish rural district in Mid Cork to the beginning of the twentieth century. Along this journey the archaeology, early Christian and medieval periods are explored; leading on to a study of the religious and agrarian aspects; the Rural Parish to 1900 Great Famine and development of education culminating in an examination of the economy and the land question. Donoughmore is an old and historic district with the richest storehouse of pre historic monuments in Munster. Its early Christian church is synonymous with the patron saint Lachtin whose reliquary is one of the fi nest examples of 12th century metalwork in Ireland. Through a long period of settlement, a story of cultural identity and fortitude Ancient Sweet Donoughmore:is unfolded relating to theLife people who inherited in that landscape.an PrimaryIrish evidence never Rural previously published gives the reader a direct and fascinating insight into the lives of people LIFE IN AN IRISH RURAL NEWS and transports them through a time tunnel of suspense and intrigue with some surprises. PARISH TO 1900 Parish to 1900 by author ForGerard example, a teacher who had O’Rourketo resign because of his part-time position chronicles as clerk of the Petty Sessions; how three ogham stones ended up in the National Museum of Ireland; the Holy Well that moved; a battle so brutal the location was called the Hill of Slaughter; how a the birth of an Irish ruralman lost three infantsdistrict and his wife in their effortsin to emigrate, mid how some poor creaturesCork in to desperation during the Famine stripped their clothing to pawn for food; the farmer who spent four years in Mountjoy Jail and strove to prove his innocence; an emigrant who befriended author Mark Twain; and how ten parish schools emerged by 1824. An ordinary rural parish, the beginning of the twentiethordinary people, now brought to lifecentury. and not forgotten. Along this The National Archives Of Ireland ‘A very interesting and informative piece of work which is well sourced journey the archaeology and andreferenced’ early Christian and John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus of Education National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Joins The Digital Preservation medieval periods are explored;‘The book enhances andleading enriches our understanding toof this storieda study of locality’ Coalition John A Murphy, Emeritus Professor of History UCC. the religious and agrarian‘A scholarlyaspects, and truly monumental bodythe of work thatGreat will be treasured for Famine future generations’ and development of educationMichael Galvin author and historian. culminating in an The National Archives joined the Digital examination of the economy and the land question. Preservation Coalition (DPC) on 22nd Through a long period of settlement a story of cultural September last. The DPC is an advocate ISBN 978-0-9933867-1-8 identity and fortitude is unfolded relating to the people and catalyst for digital preservation, who inherited that landscape.9 780993 386718 enabling its members to deliver resilient long-term access to content and services, Donoughmore is an old and historic district and helping them derive enduring value acknowledged in 1913 as being the richest storehouse of pre historic monuments in from digital collections. Munster. Its analogous link with St Patrick saw an early Christian church built and the patron saint Lachtin is synonymous with a reliquary that is accepted as being one The core mission of the National Archives of the finest examples of 12th century metalwork in Ireland. Its status is reflected by is to collect, manage, and preserve the the location of the reliquary in the Treasury room of the National Museum in Dublin public record of Ireland and ensure alongside such treasures as the Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch. its long term availability as a research resource and to underpin citizens’ rights. Further details at www.donoughmore.com or tel: 021/7337368. The book is available The long term availability of the public through local shops, in neighbouring parishes, Liam Ruiséal , Easons and Waterstones record demonstrates transparency and in Cork and from the website. accountability in the democratic process. John McDonough, the Director of the A special event was held at the IGRS And Cork Genealogical National Archives noted that ‘Joining the Irish Embassy in London for the Society To Host 2016 Family DPC will enable the National Archives organisations who are recipients of the History Conference to address matters such as the capture, ESP funding this year. The Minister curation and preservation of the public of State, Deenihan thanked the Irish A Family History Conference ‘Finding record which is increasingly generated in community organisations in Britain for Your Ancestors’ is to be hosted in a joint electronic format. The National Archives their contributions to the formulation of collaboration by the Irish Genealogical will be able to leverage experience, Ireland’s new Diaspora Policy and for Research Society and the Cork technical knowledge and policy their participation in the first ever Global Genealogical Society and will take place development from amongst the members Irish Civic Forum held in Dublin last June. in the Clayton Hotel, Silversprings, Cork on March 19th, 2016 next. of the DPC. Membership of the DPC will The Minister also paid tribute to the ensure the National Archives is better volunteers who are at the heart of Irish The one day conference will include placed to meet the significant challenges community organisations across Britain: lectures, workshops and consultations it faces in this area.’ “Without exception, I’m told by every with professional genealogists.