The principal family in this parish at the time was that of John O'Neill (grand uncle of Con and Solomon) who owned Cratloe Mor Castle and the adjoining lands. As a result of the Famine they were forced to emigrate to Canada in 1846. One daughter married a Surveyor-General and another a Provincial Surveyor. The third (Margaret O'Neill) became a nun in France and did such wonderful work that steps were taken some four or five years ago by the church authorities, to petition for her beatification, but according to my informants, the full particulars necessary were not available. In the same townland (Cratloe) and within the space of half a mile on the old Wood Road, 33 families cleared out, some to the workhouse, others to Australia or Canada, there was little emigration to America in those days, while some joined the English army and this was considered a great disgrace. It was a common saying for a father or mother that they would rather see their sons in the grave than in the service of England. The idea of facing the workhouse was equally repugnant. They preferred to die in the old home, and it was only as a last resort that they went there. The ships which carried the emigrants were known as 'fever ships' also and were not so called without good cause. Con O'Neill mentioned one such which was driven by gales on to the rocky Newfoundland coast where it was lost with all on board. A memorial commemorating the tragedy was erected on the coast nearby. Emigrant ships sailed from Arthur's Quay, Limerick, and it was a common practice for relatives to travel as far as Kilrush. Con O'Neill's father did so on the occasion of his uncle's departure for Canada, and walked home, a distance of 40 miles. The banks of the Shannon used to be lined with people and the sights witnessed 'would break your heart'. The sailing boats were usually old hulks, anything but sea-worthy, often taking months to reach their destination. (Conchubhair and Solomon O'Neill, b. 1860s, farmers, Cratloe, Co. Clare in "Famine Echoes" by Cathal Poirteir. Gill & Macmillan, 1995) Thought this might be of interest, Nicola.