Hello, I am still trying to pinpoint from where in Kerry my great-great grandfather was from - he was born approx. 1837. In the process of determining this, I've come across a curious bit of information - he was born in Kerry and lived there through the famine until probably about 1861 (he shows up in Wales in 1863 when he married my great-great grandmother, also from Kerry - but he's nowhere to be found on the Wales or England 1860 census so I'm guessing he was still in Ireland). In any event, when he married, he was able to sign his own name whereas his wife was not, indicating that he must have been educated - in addition, when he became naturalized as an American citizen in about 1887, he also signed his own name - (please note that his in both Wales and Pittsburgh he worked in the steel mills). My question is basically - how did he get educated in Kerry (most likely the southwestern portion) during famine? Please note that he was Catholic. I'm wondering if anyone has any information about what education for children living in most likely rural areas of southwestern Ireland might have been like during famine. Particularly, the places I've narrowed down are: Townland Civil Parish Church Parishes Ardmore Kilcrochane Caherdaniel Sneem Ballybane Molahiffe Molahiffe Firies Coolgarriv Aghadoe Fossa Part Glenfesk (see Killaha) Killorglin Killarney Coomnahincha Killinane See Caherciveen (Caher) Derreen Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Drom Glanbehy Glenbeigh aka Glanbehy aka Glanbeigh Dungeagan Prior Prior (Ballinskelligs) Garryglass Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Keeas Knockane Killorglin Tuogh Glanbeigh Killurly East Killinane Caherciveen (Caher) Reacaslagh Ballincuslane Knockagoshel Brosna Castleisland Shronaloughane Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Strandsend Killinane See Caherciveen (Caher) I'm wondering, for example, if any of the above locations might indicate a difference in terms of the educational resources available. Any information greatly appreciated! Thanks. -A

Amanda, I found this link http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/education2.htm In the CLARE library useful.. My ancestors come from Kerry and Clare Michael Amanda Clifford" <mave77@comcast.net> To: <IRL-KERRY@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:45 PM Subject: [IRL-KERRY] Education in Famine Ireland/Kerry > Hello, > I am still trying to pinpoint from where in Kerry my great-great > grandfather > was from - he was born approx. 1837. > In the process of determining this, I've come across a curious bit of > information - he was born in Kerry and lived there through the famine > until > probably about 1861 (he shows up in Wales in 1863 when he married my > great-great grandmother, also from Kerry - but he's nowhere to be found > on > the Wales or England 1860 census so I'm guessing he was still in > Ireland). > In any event, when he married, he was able to sign his own name whereas > his > wife was not, indicating that he must have been educated - in addition, > when > he became naturalized as an American citizen in about 1887, he also > signed > his own name - (please note that his in both Wales and Pittsburgh he > worked > in the steel mills). > My question is basically - how did he get educated in Kerry (most likely > the > southwestern portion) during famine? Please note that he was Catholic. > I'm wondering if anyone has any information about what education for > children living in most likely rural areas of southwestern Ireland might > have been like during famine. > Big Snip > > I'm wondering, for example, if any of the above locations might indicate > a > difference in terms of the educational resources available. > Any information greatly appreciated! > Thanks. > -A

Interesting question re education .. hadn't considered it myself. My Great Grandfather, Patrick McCARTHY, (c.1810 Kerry) apparently spoke only Gaelic, but his wife, Julia Bridget SULLIVAN, (c.1825 Kerry) could read, write and speak English as well as Gaelic. I'm certain neither of them had much education. "Velly intresting"! Mac McCARTHY -----Original Message----- From: Amanda Clifford [mailto:mave77@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 1:46 PM To: IRL-KERRY@rootsweb.com Subject: [IRL-KERRY] Education in Famine Ireland/Kerry Hello, I am still trying to pinpoint from where in Kerry my great-great grandfather was from - he was born approx. 1837. In the process of determining this, I've come across a curious bit of information - he was born in Kerry and lived there through the famine until probably about 1861 (he shows up in Wales in 1863 when he married my great-great grandmother, also from Kerry - but he's nowhere to be found on the Wales or England 1860 census so I'm guessing he was still in Ireland). In any event, when he married, he was able to sign his own name whereas his wife was not, indicating that he must have been educated - in addition, when he became naturalized as an American citizen in about 1887, he also signed his own name - (please note that his in both Wales and Pittsburgh he worked in the steel mills). My question is basically - how did he get educated in Kerry (most likely the southwestern portion) during famine? Please note that he was Catholic. I'm wondering if anyone has any information about what education for children living in most likely rural areas of southwestern Ireland might have been like during famine. Particularly, the places I've narrowed down are: Townland Civil Parish Church Parishes Ardmore Kilcrochane Caherdaniel Sneem Ballybane Molahiffe Molahiffe Firies Coolgarriv Aghadoe Fossa Part Glenfesk (see Killaha) Killorglin Killarney Coomnahincha Killinane See Caherciveen (Caher) Derreen Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Drom Glanbehy Glenbeigh aka Glanbehy aka Glanbeigh Dungeagan Prior Prior (Ballinskelligs) Garryglass Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Keeas Knockane Killorglin Tuogh Glanbeigh Killurly East Killinane Caherciveen (Caher) Reacaslagh Ballincuslane Knockagoshel Brosna Castleisland Shronaloughane Dromod Dromod (Waterville) Strandsend Killinane See Caherciveen (Caher) I'm wondering, for example, if any of the above locations might indicate a difference in terms of the educational resources available. Any information greatly appreciated! Thanks. -A