My effort yesterday to send Part 2 of my message(s) was rejected by some sites as being to long. I have split it into parts 2a and 2b. If you received the previous message (Part 2) please forgive this duplication. The primary objectives of my research on this trip were to: - 1. Access original Keary/Carey, Treacy/Tracy and McDoole/McDuell records, in Dublin and Roscrea, for the Roscrea and Bourney areas of County Tipperary. - 2. 'Walk' the ground of my ancestors. - 3. Meet/visit with a 3rd cousin. Foremost in my research was the willingness, even approaching enthusiasm, of the 'person on the street' to respond to and give guidance on my efforts. You have got to love the Irish. On the advice of Geralyn Barry, I attempted to do as much research as possible before leaving for Ireland. In addition to online sites, I relied heavily on films obtained through the LDS. The major drawback of most online sites is inflexibility in search terms. The drawback of LDS films is the time required to order, receive and review the films, if what you want is even in their library. The advantage I find in seeing original documents is that I have a much better ability to recognize relationships (people, places, etc) that point/lead to other possible areas of research. Dublin. -- National Library of Ireland (NLI, www.nli.ie). As the repository of all pre 1864 microfilmed Church records, this is the place to start basic research, especially if the film you are seeking is not available through the LDS. One film that is particularly essential in my research is NLI Pos 2478 (Cournaganeen/Bourney). I have not been able to find this film ANYWHERE other than the NLI! As I did in 2008, I was able to review the films for Bourney (Pos 2478) and Roscrea (Pos 2480) for the families in which i am interested. I did not add to my data base here. However, the NLI did provide me with a printout and map of research agencies located in Dublin.-- Valuation Office(VO, www.valoff.ie), Irish Life Center. Records here are post-1855. I was able to review original books here. I found this particularly helpful as it allowed me to easily flip back and forth between the surveys of a given townland, thereby seeing changes of occupants over time. Thank you Anne Durkin. -- National Archives (NA, www.nationalarchives.ie). The Griffiths Valuation (GV) records, pre-1855, are located here. I was told that the records were on microfilm. I do not know where/if the original books are located. In that I arrived late in the day and was interested in Tenure/House/Field Books, I was not able to do any research here. Next trip? Roscrea/Bourney. By example, my Aussie brother introduced me to a 'new' method of research; by pub, by street, by shop. In other words, talk to the locals. The cost, an occasional pint. Three examples; -- O'Rourkes Pub. Rosemary Square. We started here because our grandfather's baptism said he came from Rosemary. The pub is also across the street from a house with Tracey written above the entrance. We learned that at one time it was Tracey's Pub. Here we met 'Alfie'. No last name as "everyone knows Alfie". After much speculation about the Careys and Traceys, Alfie suggested, that in addition to the Priest at St. Cronan's, Roman Catholic Church (RC), we contact the Rector of St Cronan's , Church of Ireland (CI). A few days later we meet with her and were able to review a computer printout listing of the records of that church. Some were older than those at the RC. We did not connect with anyone on the printout. -- Roscrea Public Library. The library was on my itinerary, from the outset, in case it had a local history section. Although it did not contribute directly to my family research, it did contain a small, soft sided book, Clonakenny and Bourney, A Local History, published by Adrian Hewson in 1982. It references many people, living and working in the communities during the early to mid 1900's. It could be of interest to anyone having connections to this area. A copy is currently available on ebay. I searched for a copy of this book at The Secondhand Bookstore, Main Street, but, was unsuccessful in obtaining a copy. I was able to purchase a copy of Shopfronts of Roscrea, published by the Roscrea Heritage Society in 1984. It contains 42 sketches and descriptions of the architecture of Roscrea dating from the 19th century. Some shop names that are consistent with researchers on COTIPPERARY are Ahearne, Ryan, Carey, Delaney, Madden, Treacy. While viewing the storefronts for E.J. Carey Pub and L. Treacy Pub at the intersection of Abbey and Limerick streets we engaged a neighbor who advised us that Carey and Treacy had died, but that their widows remained in the area. We were successful in meeting with Mrs. Carey. She told us that Eddie's father had purchased the pub in 1914, having moved from Coolderry, north and west of Roscrea. It appears we are not directly related. -- Tesco Mall. While shopping for Tipperary/Roscrea gifts, we were advised of a Carey who managed a shop in the mall. She lives in Knock and indicated that if our family had ties to Bourney/Derrymore there is a good chance that we could be related. I will be providing her with my research to see if there is a link. Continued in Part 2b. You must crack the nut before you can eat the kernel.