Hi Peter At least you are one of the few people out there who recognise and understand that Ireland is not an island with one parish, one town and one county. To read some of the mails you would think from reading them that that is all Ireland is and people expect you tell them where their ancestors were born when all they know is: 'My mother was born in IRELAND, can any one help me find her???' Any way down to business. BALLINAKILL is located about 4 miles south east of ABBEYLEIX on the main road between Portlaoise and Kilkenny. In the AA Illustrated Road Book of Ireland. (2nd Illustrated Edition 1966) the following information about BALLINAKILL is printed: BALLINAKILL, Laois. Baile na Cille; The Town of the Church. Marks the path of Cromwell's march by the slight remains of a Castle stormed by him in 1641. Heywood House, on the northern outskirts was an 18th century mansion (1773), which was rebuilt in 1950 following a fire, and is now a college. BALLINAKILL is also the name of the parish so when you are searching for your family you need to look at all the DUNPHY's who lived in this parish and then what location (village/town) within that parish. ABBEYLEIX is also a parish so you need to do the same with the MORRISSEY's until you find the right ones Both parish's are next door to each other ABBEYLEIX is about 9 miles south of Portlaoise and again on the main road between Portlaoise and Kilkenny. ABBEYLEIX, Laois. Mainistir Laoise; Monastery of Laois. This town can trace its history back to the 12th century when the Abbey was built in the town. Nothing remains of it to-day. I hope this helps. Once you have the village name if they were not born in either of the above towns let me know and I will try and locate them for you. Michael Brennan Kent England Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Hayse" <marhayse@tpg.com.au> To: <michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk> Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2000 5:31 AM Subject: DUNPHY RESEARCH > I am probably no clearer on where I should be looking though as there seems > to be no end of Parish, or County locations etc and us poor mortals who > don't know one end of Ireland from tuther...it's like where is that?? > Can I bother you for a little guidance on Ballinakill/Abbeyleix please. > Where exactly were Mary and her family located?based on these places. In > relation to major regions is there a precise area worth concentrating on? . > I don't appear to be getting to the right people judging by the general lack > of response/ or is that quite normal? > I know for instance that Mary's parents were married in Ballinakill in 1809, > Simon D. / Margaret Morrissey and that Mary was baptised in 1829 in > Abbeyleix. Whilst the Offaly Historical Society has acknowledged the > Baptism/the Ballinakill Parish Priest has acknowledged the marriage plus 3 > other children's births, it seems as though I just keep going around in > circles.