Many who read this will know me and my posts, you will know how long I have posted to the various newsgroups as Jane O'Brien and as Jane Lyons. Most of you probably realise that I try to help, that I am so aware of being here in Ireland with access to so much and how so many want access to what I have. Some of you like what I post, some of you don't. Some of you know how frustrated I can get at not being able to pass everything on easily and quickly, as well as other things. Many have told me that they have a folder or a file into which they put what I post or some of what I post. Many have told me that they love the bits of history and folklore which I post as well as whatever I post with names. There are people in various parts of the world who have asked my permission to pass something I have posted on to a particular newsgroup they are involved in, those who have asked my permission to use something I have posted in their local Genealogical Newsletter; people who have asked to put my posts on their web sites...... and then there are all those people who mail me and ask "can you help me?" - not realising that because I am subbed to so many groups that I get so much mail and can't take time to reply immediately if the answer isn't on the top of my head or in one of my databases. Believe me, I would like to be able to answer everything yesterday if not sooner - but it's not possible. There are those who know that I can talk too much once I begin, so I will just ask what you think of this idea. I am going to publish/produce a 'Newsletter' - in this newsletter, each of the thirty two counties on the island of Ireland will be dealt with. It will be published once every two months to begin with. Initially, it will simply be a document emailed to the recipients. Eventually, it is hoped that this will become a hard copy (paperback)or on-line publication. Every two months there will be an article on each of our thirty two counties, the article may be one of real 'hard-core' genealogical data - just names and addresses - these may include 5-100 names for a county; it may simply be a poem or a ballad specifically relating to that county; it may be a list of references for that county; it may be the original transcription of one graveyard in that county. The information may be held by the Family History Libraries around the world; someone else may have the information posted to some web site (unbeknown to us); it may be a list of URL's for a county; it may be the description/history of a parish in that county. The list of maybes is long. The 'Newsletter' will also contain Irish history, explanations of whatever documents are included, documents will be analyzed and the people found therein will be listed as being from a particular county, the document itself not being one that those searching for those people would be inclined to look at. The 'Newsletter' will contain information from unpublished sources, will abstracts, graveyard transcriptions, documents held by some archive here in Ireland and as yet not filmed by the LDS. It will contain stories as the various pieces of folklore which can be collected from different sources. I was talking to people last weekend who have and are collecting/documenting music/songs/stories here in Ireland and who when I said "That should be published" replied "how can this be published, who is interested in the different versions of this song or that song" or who said "You can't publish this kind of thing" We will ask those people to write articles for inclusion. The 'Newsletter' will try to tell people about life here in Ireland - as it is and as it was. The first edition of this newsletter will be issued in the month of January 2001. It will be sent to anyone who is interested free of charge, so that they may assess it. There is a magazine produced in Ireland called 'Set Dancing News', there are six issues in any year and the cost is USA$30, Canada - CAN$40, Australia - AUS$50, Britain - STG£15. It is believed that annual subscription to this Newsletter will be of a similar price. Currently what we have is 30 pages long (unedited) with the Province of Munster still to be dealt with in issue one. It is intended that this newsletter will be produced by people who are very much involved with all things Irish, our culture, our history. Those who never expect anything for what they do, those who would say "Who would appreciate this?", those who do what they do simply because they love it. We would like to know how many of you who do not live where we do, yet who do love things or the idea of these things as we do, would be willing to give us your support in what we are about to attempt, in what you know that I (personally) have done over the years, and that you would appreciate that I know others like me who say to themselves "There is no-one but me who likes this kind of thing........." We would like to know what those of you who would be interested in such a publication would like to see included in it. We would like to know if you would like to see some newsletter coming from Ireland, written by Irish people for you (mainly). We would like to try - and then, we would like to build - to learn as we go, to make what we can do now better than now,and be able to teach those who come behind us that there are those who want to know what we know, to make them want to find more and to share more. In the Ireland of today, we can only begin if we can show people that there are those outside who are interested. Thank you for reading this. Jane

Posted on: Ireland<br>County Monagahan<br>Bible-Baptism-Marriage & Family History Records Board Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/Ireland/MonagahanBibl/7 Surname: mccraren, harris, mooney ------------------------- Looking for info on the names adove at 1840 and back also any info onanyflaxs farmers in Co. Monaghan.

I'm hoping to find someone else who is researching the DOHERTY family in Currin Parish. I'm especially interested in a Mark DOHERTY. He had a son, Thomas, born c. 1809 married to a Maria Cowan Sharp. I'm trying to match up Mark Doherty with my Doherty family in the same area. Pretty sure they are all one family.

Following up on my own request... I found information which would indicate that my gg grandmother might have been Mary Swanzy, born between 1783 and 1791. Her father, Samuel Swanzy (attorney in Swanville) and her mother, Lucinda Bolton (from County Wexford) were married in 1782... Does this scenario make sense to anyone ??? -----Original Message----- From: Dick and Mary Kiernan [mailto:rmalcolmk@prodigy.net] Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2000 10:24 PM To: IRL-MONAGHAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Family History on Kiernan, Swanzy and Malcolm Kiernan, Swanzy and Malcolm Looking for information on Keirnan or Kiernan family from County Monaghan (maybe County Femanagh or County Cavan)... My great-grandfather, John Swanzy Kiernan, left Ireland for Canada in 1860 from the Glasslough area (Parish of Trough) in County Monaghan. He had lived in the Parish of Drumsnat (County Monaghan) earlier. He was a farmer and a teacher... He was Church of Ireland . Also looking for Swanzy and Malcolm from Monaghan (and maybe Fermanagh or Cavan)... John Swanzy Kiernan (or Keirnan), Married Mary Malcolm (or Meaclem or something close) in Naghill Townland of Drumsnat Parish in 1834... It is possible (likely) that his mother's maiden name was Swanzy (maybe Mary Swanzy or Eliza Swanzy???) Thanks Dick Kiernan

Lace-making was taught to girls and women in the Carrickmacross area at least 100 years ago, as a means of earning some money for the family. It is still produced in the area as a cottage industry, and there is a Carrickmacross Lace Cooperative which oversees quality, etc. The lace is extremely fine and has been used by a number of well-known designers. Suggest the researcher contact the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, which is on the main street of Carrickmacross Town, and I believe there is a small lace museum connected. If the people there don't have info on the Martin Lace Factory, they probably would know who does. I don't have the exact address, but a letter addressed to the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, should reach it (or check out the Irish telephone book on the internet, which may have a more-refined address). Get two International Reply Coupons from your local US Post Office ($1.05 each) and send with your letter, explaining the coupons will pay for the return postage to you if taken to the Post Office across the street from the gallery.

From an 1820 Directory: Wilson's Dublin Directory for the year 1820: Bradshaw, John, Esq., 81 Dorset St.& Clones, Co. Monaghan Burgh, Rev. John Hussey, 13, Ely Place, ? Dublin & Lilliput, Co. Limerick & Tullycorbet, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan Benchers of the Hon. Soc. Kings Inns, Dublin: Same Directory. Slacke, John; assist. Barrister for Co. Monaghan. 19 Dominick Street & Monaghan Smith, R.,K.C.E.:Clerk Peace Co. Monaghan, 12 Blessington Street, Dublin ----------------------- A will transcribed and published in the Irish Ancestor (Genealogical Journal) 1979. Gordon, Thomas of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, merchant. Proved 6th June 1760 - Prerogative. £400 to wife Esther Gordon. £600 to son Alexander Gordon. £400 to son Thomas Gordon. £400 to daughter Anne Gordon. £400 to daughter Catherine Gordon. £100 to son John Gordon. £100 to son Samuel Gordon. £100 to daughter Esther Gordon. £100 to son James Gordon. Estate to be divided among my children. Executors: Hugh Jackson of Ballybay and Walter dawson of Devohaly, Co. Monaghan and my son Alexander Gordon. Witnesses: Arthur Rigden, John Merrin, Ha. Duffy. ---------------------------------- From a gravestone in Andover, MSS, USA: Stone No. No. 22 Phillips, Catherine; died Dec 5th 1857; aged 60 from Fegulear townland, Erigaul Parish, Co. Monaghan wife of James ------------------------------- Birth Marriage & Death Register of the Revd. Averall. Baptism: 1800, Sept 8th. Hamilton, William; father: William; Co. Monaghan

We all know this one in one form or another Taken from Irish Local Legends by Lageniensis. John Canon O'Hanlon 1896 LEGEND OF ARDMORE COUNTY OF WATERFORD "Blessed that child of humanity, happiest man among men, Who, with hammer, or chisel, or pencil, with rudder, or ploughshare, or pen, Laboureth ever and ever with hope through the morning of life, Winning home and its darling divinities--love-worshipped children and wife, Round swings the hammer of industry, quickly the sharp chisel rings, And the heart of the toiler has throbbings that stir not the bosom of kings." Denis Florence MacCarthy's -Bell-Founder, part i. EVERYBODY knows, that a celebrated artist, the Gobban Saor, was the greatest builder of churches in Ireland. Among other great Works, he designed and erected that remarkable group, which rises over the sea at Ardmore, in the County of Waterford. The Round Tower and the churches there are well known as objects of curiosity to the antiquary and tourist; but few are aware, that after Gobban had built them, he chose to erect a house for himself and to settle in the neighbourhood. His fame for ingenuity and good workmanship soon extended to the most distant places; and wherever a great building was desired by any of the clerics, he was ever and always consulted about its erection, and most, generally employed to carry out the design. Moreover, he was skilled in all branches of the fine arts; especially in wood and metal work. He also kept a number of tradesmen and apprentices at the carpenters' bench, and quite as many at the smiths' forge. All of these he taught their respective trades, so that many of them became famous, and when they set up on their own account they got sufficient ernployment from the kings, and chiefs, and bishops, in various parts of Ireland. Although one of the most clever artists, however, the Gobban Saor found that whatever piece of work he executed, some captious individuals had objections to it. At length, like many an astute politician, he hoped to gage the tendency of popular opinion, and to steer his bark accordingly ; for as he reasoned, that two heads being admittedly wiser than one, by a still juster conclusion, the more opinions he heard expressed, and by a still greater number of people the more hints he should receive, and therefore profit most by such suggestions. He thought over a plan, which he deemed to be a capital expedient to put his theory to the test. Then setting to work with a will, and sparing no labour or skill on the object which engaged his attention for many weeks, the Gobban Saor made a grand box, in what he thought the best of taste, ornamented with fine carving, and painted in. the most attractive tone of colouring. Afterwards, he placed it on the middle of a cross-road, which the people would have to pass by on their way to Mass it being the Sunday he chose for that exhibition. Getting inside the box, he locked it, and waited to hear what comments might be made on it, by the people going by to attend their devotions. A crowd soon gathered round the box, when the general opinion prevailed, that it was the "finest" box ever they saw; only some thought that the legs were a little too long. Hearing this, Gobban waited until they were all gone into the church, when he got out, and, having his tools with him, he cut a small portion off the feet. "Now it must certainly please them," thought he to himself. Getting into the box again, he waited to hear what should he said by the people on their way from Mass. Then another crowd, collecting round the box, gave it as a pretty general opinion, that it was the "grandest box" ever made, only the legs were then too short; and others thought that it should look much better if these were removed altogether. Whereupon, Gobban took away the legs, to gratify his critics, and to learn again what effect that might have on the public taste and judgment. He resolved to try the experiment for another Sunday. Then he found the criticisms had taken quite another turn. Every one seemed to be of opinion, that the box was too long for its width, and that its proportions were not very good. Whereupon, the Gobban Saor, set himself anew to the task of shortening it considerably, and once more he ensconced himself within it. The following Sunday, he heard a different class of objections ; for all then agreed, that the box now looked too short, and that the sides should be narrowed to make it more shapely. The artist again remodelled his box, and once more he subjected it to inspection. He heard the first person that arrived state, that the box then looked worse than before, for its height was out of all proportion to its length and breadth, and that the lid ought to be lowered very considerably. This too seemed to be the opinion very generally entertained by all the bystanders. More disappointed and disconcerted than ever, the Gobban Saor spent that week in taking off several inches from the top, and now the box became so small, that he had barely room to squeeze himself into it, to learn what judgment the people might form of himself and his workmanship on the next Sunday. "Although there were faults in the box before" said one of the farmers, "the Gobban Saor might have let well enough alone ; for what with sawing it here, and hacking it there, scraping of the paint, and patching it together, every change has been for the worse. "I quite agree with you, neighbour," said one who was present, "and besides it is labour lost, nor does it increase the Gobban Saor's credit as an artisan." Several voices were then heard expressing various conflicting opinions, but all of these of a fault finding character, and hardly any were qualified in a favourable point of view. On hearing the foregoing remarks, Gobban could no longer restrain his patience, and got out of the box. Then, breaking it up, he said he would never try to please everybody for the future, but should have reliance on his judgment alone to plan and execute his own work.

Posted on: Ireland<br>County Monagahan<br>Bible-Baptism-Marriage & Family History Records Board Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/Ireland/MonagahanBibl/6 Surname: McMahon, Smith or Smythe ------------------------- Hi, I am looking for birth records for my GG Grandmother, Mary McMahon b. 1838 in County Monaghan Ireland. Her parents names were Michael McMahon and Judith Griffith McMahon. She had at least 1 brother named James (Jimmy) McMahon. Her husband, my GG Grandfather, Thomas Smith or Smythe b. 1824 in County Monaghan Ireland. Mary came around Cape Horn and to San Francisco as a young girl around 13yrs old as a "domestic". She was sponsered by a family in San Francisco. Was this practice common in the 1850's, to send children to the US by themselves? Any information that can be provided would be very much appreciated. By the way, the McMahon family was Roman Catholic. Thank you, Elizabeth

I am seeking information concerning Peter and Anne (Flanagan) Martin, age 60 in the 1901 census in Mullaghboy, Carrickmacross. Peter is the son of Michael and Bridget (Keenan) Martin. The Martins by family history had a lace factory, the Martin Lace Factory in Carrickmacross. Does anyone know where I might find more information about this. Also, Mullaghboy has evidently had a name change in the last 20 or 30 years - new name is unknown. Any ideas? Thanks a lot. Anita Roberts Brush Prairie, WA aroberts@worldaccessnet.com Researching in Monaghan: Martin, Flanagan, Keenan Researching in Galway: Hansbury/Hansberry

Krisha, I would appreciate if you would do a lookup for Patrick McKenna b. 1826, Mary Monaghan b.1834. Patrick's parents were Lawrence McKenna and Margaret, no last name given. Patrick and Mary were married in Providence, RI in 1855. I noticed that Comiskey was also mentioned, is it possible that it might have been McComiskey. Thank you so much, Elizabeth McKenna Jutras

A friend was talking to me tonight and said that most people won't get the gist of these bits and pieces - that you have to read them with the accent in order to really appreciate them - so, spellings as are exactly as in the text, no changes or corrections. It also gives you an idea of how words were pronounced compared to how they are spelled. This is a story to be read thinking in terms of Maureen O'Hara an her Irish brogue. I've got notes in at the end to explain some of the terms used. Jane More on Paddy Welsh from Wildes Superstitions: It was said he had found a crook of gold in one of the towers of the old barns of Ballintober, which was not more than a mile and a half distant from his cabin, and where Paddy and his son were often seen in the twilight, looking, they said, for moths and wall-flies among the old ivy, or bats and starlings to manufacture fishing materials; at least, so they said, but the people thought otherwise. We often endeavoured to worm the story out of the cunning angler, but, drunk or sober, he was always on his guard, and generally passed it off with a joke, or - "Sure, Master Willie, you don't give into the likes-'tis only ould women's; talk. It's myself that would be glad to own to it if I got the goold, and not be slaying myself, summer and winter, by the river's brink, as I am." "Yes; but, Paddy, they say you made the attempt, at all events. Cannot you tell us what happened to you ?" "Oh, then, it's only all gollymoschought. But that's mighty fine parlimint* your honour has in the little flask; 'tis a pity it doesn't hould more, and the devil a tail we are rising to keep up our spirits." "Come now, Paddy, since you know very well it will be quite too bright and dull these two hours to stir even a roach, lot alone a trout - don't you perceive there isn't a cloud in the sky, and I can see the bottom as plain as my hand: look, oven the cows have left off feeding, and are standing in the ford switching their tails to keep of the clags ? - just stick the rods, and lie on your face in the grass there, and tell me all about the night you went to look after the money in the old bawne. Do, and you'll see I'll squeeze another mouthful out of the cruiskeen." "Well, but you're mighty 'cute and disquisitive after ould stories and pishogues. I suppose I may as well be after telling it to you while the breeze is getting up ; but keep an eye to the river, avourneen, and try could you see e'er a rise; and be sure you don't miss a gray coughlin or a merrow, if e'er a one flies past you; we'll want them coming on evening. But don't be tellin' on me, nor let on at the big house* that I told you the likes at all. Sure the mistress 'ud never forgive me for putting such things in your head; and maybe it's Father Crump she'd be after repatein' it to the next Sunday he dines; in Dundearmot; and if she did, troth I wouldn't face him for a month of Sundays. Maybe it's to St. Ball or to St. John's Well he' d send me for my night walkin'." "Oh, never fear, I'll keep your secret." "Well, then, avourneen, to make a long story short, I dhramed one night that I was walking about in the bawne, when I looked into the old tower that 's in the left hand corner, after you pass the gate, and there I saw, sure enough, a little crook, about the bigness of the bottom of a pitcher, and it full up of all kinds of money, goold, silver, and brass. When I woke next morning, I said nothin' about it, but in a few nights after I had the same dhrame over agin, ony I thought I was lookin' down from the top of the tower, and that all the flures were taken away. Peggy knew be me that I had a dhrame, for I wasn't quite asey in myself; so I ups and tells her the whole of it, when the childer had gone out. "Well, Paddy," says she, "who knows but it would come thrue, and be the making of us yet; but you must wait till the dhrame comes afore you the third time, and then, sure, it can do no harm to try, anyways." It wasn't long till I had the third dhrame, and as the moon was in the last quarter, and the nights mighty dark, Peggy put down the grisset and made a lock of candles; and so, throwin' the loy* over my showlder, and giving Michauleen the shovel, we set out about twelve o' clock, and when we got to the castle, it was as dark that you wouldn't see your hand before you; and there wasn't a stir in the ould place, barrin' the owls that wor snorin' in the chimley. To work we went just in the middle of the flure, and cleared away the stones and the rubbish, for nearly the course of an hour, with the candles stuck in pataties, resting on some of the big atones a wan side of us. Of coorse, sorra word we said all the while, but dug and shovelled away as hard as hatters, and a mighty tough job it was to lift the flure of the same buildin'. Well, at last the loy struck on a big flag, and my heart riz within me, for I often heard tell that the crock was always covered with a flag, and so I pulled away for the bare life, and at last I got it cleared, and was just lifting the edge of it, when--- "was that a trout I heard lep there abroad?" "No, Paddy, you know very well it wasn't. Go on with your story. Didn't you see a big goat with four horns and terrible red eyes, sitting on the flag, and guarding the gold. Now tell the truth." " Oh, what's the use in tellin' you anything about it; sure, I know by your eye you don't believe a word I am sayin'. The dickens a goat was sitting on the flag; but when both of us were trying to lift the stone, my foot slipped, and the clay and rubbish began to give way under us. "Lord betune us and harm," says the gossoon; and then, in the clapping of your hand, there wuz a wonderful wind rushed in through the dureway, and quinched the lights, and pitched us both down into the hole ; and of all the noises you ever heard, it was about us in a minute." M'anum san.Deowl! but I thought it was all over with us, and sorra wan of me ever thought of as much as crossin ' myself; but I made out as fast as I could, and the gossoon after me, and we never stopped running 'till we stumbled over the wall of the big intrance, and it was well we didn't go clane into the moat. Troth, you wouldn't three haypence for me when I was standin' in the road - the bouchal itself was stouter - with the wakeness that came over me. Och, millia murdher! I wasn't the same man for many a long day; but that was nawthin' to the turmintin' I got from every body about findin' the goold, for the shovel that we left after us was dishcovered, and there used to be daelers and gintlemin from Dublin, - antitrarians, I think they call them - comin' to the house continually, and axin' Peggy for some of the coins we found in the ould castle. "There now, you have the whole of it - wet the landin'-net agra and run after that beautiful green-drake that's just gone over us, while I see whether there is anything left in the bottle." NOTES: * Parlimint, used In contradistinction to potteen, or illicit whiskey. *The big house, or Teach more, is the term applied by the people to the residences of the gentry, except when they are of great extent or beauty, and then "the coort" is the word made use of. Old castles or ancient inclosures) are styled bawnes. *Grisset, a small narrow metal pan on three legs, used for melting grease, and dipping rushes in. Sometimes a fragment of an old pot is employed for the same purpose. The tongs are made red hot, and if there is no kitchen stuff at hand, a bit of fat of any kind is squeezed between the hot blades of the tongs into the grisset or its substitute, and the rushes, peeled of their outer green bark, all except one narrow stripe, are drawn through the melted grease, and laid across the stool to set. In order to permit the grease to exude with greater freedom, all the old-fashioned country pairs of tongs were made with holes In the flat of the blades. The dipt rushes were generally kept in a piece of badger's skin, hung to the roof. Rushlights are now scarcely known, nor the sconces in which they were fixed. Pieces of two dipped in resin are used instead. *The loy was the long, narrow, one-sided spade, with an unwieldy ash handle or feck, the only agricultural instrument known to the bulk of the western peasants twenty years ago.

Anyone know if there would be lists available of tradesmen in the late 1700's or early 1800's in Co. Monaghan? I'm looking for a list of tailors there. OIGHRIG@aol.com.

Kiernan, Swanzy and Malcolm Looking for information on Keirnan or Kiernan family from County Monaghan (maybe County Femanagh or County Cavan)... My great-grandfather, John Swanzy Kiernan, left Ireland for Canada in 1860 from the Glasslough area (Parish of Trough) in County Monaghan. He had lived in the Parish of Drumsnat (County Monaghan) earlier. He was a farmer and a teacher... He was Church of Ireland . Also looking for Swanzy and Malcolm from Monaghan (and maybe Fermanagh or Cavan)... John Swanzy Kiernan (or Keirnan), Married Mary Malcolm (or Meaclem or something close) in Naghill Townland of Drumsnat Parish in 1834... It is possible (likely) that his mother's maiden name was Swanzy (maybe Mary Swanzy or Eliza Swanzy???) Thanks Dick Kiernan

"......when Paddy carried off his bride; for Peggy was a Welsh too, and as a family might fairly be expected, and as everybody knows that the blood of the Welshes, as well as that of the Keoghs and Cahills, beats anything living except that of a black cat's tail or his lug, for the cure of the wild-fire, the gossips hoped that a Welsh, by father and mother, would soon be able to eradicate the disease from the whole country-side." "This was one of the most widely spread superstitions in Ireland. Cutaneous erypsipellias is known to people under the various names of the rose, wildfire, St. Anthony's fire, tene fiadh, the sacred fire, or tinne Diadh, God's fire, th esacer ignis of ancient authors; and it is believed to be cured by the means specified ine the text (marriage of two Welshes) or by having the part rubbed with a wedding ring, or even a gold ring of any description. There is another form of this malady, of a more fatal nature, which is believed to be the result f a blast, and is called the fiolun, or fellon, for the cure of which there are some extraordinary paractises." From a book written by the father of Oscar Wilde called Irish Popular Superstitions.

There is a legend which says since Satan was once an angel he cannot be wholly excluded from Christian places of worship or graveyards, but is only allowed on the north side Men and boys were once employed to go up of churche towers and shout, making a lot of noise to drive him away. In time this system was found both troublesome and costly so stone heads with open mouths were used instead. Such heads are often found on church towers or old castles so they were evidently considered effective in keeping the devil at bay. Few people bury their dead on the north side of old graveyards.

Cathal Crovederg or "Charles of the Red Hand From Wilde's Superstitions of Ireland.- spellings as in text. The ruins of Ballintober Castle are amongst the most magnificent in Connaught, and are memorable as the last strong-hold of the O'Conors. The castle, which stands on an elevated ridge by the road-side, above the little village of Ballintober, four miles from the town of Castlebar, consists of a quadrangular inclosure, 270 feet in length, and 230 feet in breadth, with four flanking towers, and one upon each side of the great entrance, the whole surrounded by a deep fosse, portions of which still retain water. Mr. Weld has remarked upon the strong resemblance which the towers of this castle bear to some of those in Wales. "No one tower, it is true," he says, "is comparable to the Eagle Tower at Caernarvon. Nevertheless, the south-west tower at Ballintober is a superb piece of architecture, and, for its general effect, amongst the most imposing remains of antiquity that I can call to recollection in Ireland." There are two localities of this name in Connaught: Baile-an-tobhair-Phaidraig, the town of the Well of St. Patrick, in Mayo, and Baile-an-tobhair-Brighde, that of St. Bridget, now under consideration. This place is, among other things, memorable as the birth-place of the celebrated Cathal Crovederg, or "Charles the Red-Handed," the illegitimate son of Turlough-More O'Conor, the brother of Roderick, and last of the Irish monarchs. About this prince, who was born in the latter end of the twelfth century, -and who, says the Ulster Annals, was "the best Irishman, from the time of Brien Boroma, for gentility and honour; the upholder, mighty and puissant, of the country; keeper of peace; rich and excellent," there are many romantic tales and superstitious legends, still lingering with the people in the vicinity, which, were they woven into a novel, would far surpass most modern works of fiction. When we have a novelist not only acquainted with Irish history and antiquities, but possessing the power of fusing the ancient legend with the drama of modern life and impulse; making the feelings that influence the lover or the hero subservient to the chronicle; picturing the part, through the knowledge of the human heart at the present-then, and then only will Irish history be known and appreciated. Cathal of the Red Hand was the son of a beautiful girl of very small stature, named Gearrog Ny-Moran, of the Muhall territory. When the queen heard what had occurred, she, like Sarah of old, commenced a bitter persecution against the king's mistress, and had, as was customary at the time, recourse to witchcraft and Sorcery to prolong the sufferings of the unhappy maiden. Like Juno, before the birth of Hercules, she, with the assistance of a noted witch, set a charm, consisting of a bundle of elder rods, tied with a magic string, knotted with nine knots. This she hung up in her chamber and watched with great care. Stratagem, however, achieved what humanity could not induce. The queen, while walking on the terrace, was accosted by a female (the midwife disguised), who entreated alms for a poor women who had just been confined in the neighbouring village. On hearing who it was, she was so enraged, that she instantly rushed to her apartment, and cut the charm into pieces. The spell was broken, and the bond-woman's child was born. For several years after, the people protected Gearrog and her son from the jealous fury of the queen; and both were long harboured in the monasteries of Connaught. As time wore on, however, the Church was insufficient against the wrath of the offended queen, and Cathal was obliged to fly to a distant province, where, in the garb of a peasant, he supported himself by manual labour. At length the King of Connaught died; and the people declared they would have no monarch but his son, Cathal Crovederg, if he could be found. Heralds were sent forth, and proclamations issued, according to the fashion of the times, yet still no tidings of the elected king. One day, as harvest was drawing to its close, a Bollscaire, or herald, from the Court of Ballintober, entered a field in Leinster, where some of the peasantry were at work reaping rye, and told the oft-repeated tale of the missing monarch of Connaught. Cathal, who was among the reapers, heard the story, and stood for some minutes lost in reverie. He then, removing the cover with which he always concealed the mark, held up the red hand, and throwing down the reaping-hook, exclaimed- "Slan leath a corrain anois do'n cloideam" -i.e., "Farewell, sickle; now for the sword!" The Bollscaire recognizing him, both he, and the men who were along with him in the field, prostrated themselves before him, and proclaimed him King of Connaught. He was afterwards crowned at Carnfree, near Tulsk, by the chieftains and the coorbs of Sil-Murray, and "Cathal's Farewell to the Rye" is a proverb and an air still well known in Roscommon and Galway.

I just happened to be looking through the British Isles Index last night and noticed the following RUSK entries in Co. Monaghan: LUNDY, Margaret Letitia, female, b. 28 Mar 1869, Carrickmacross, Mon, Ire, parents: James LUNDY & Sarah RUSK, FHL#10186 EAKINS, female, b.12 Dec 1864, Raferagh, Mon, Ire, parents: John EAKINS & Margaret RUSKE, FHL#10196 EAKIN, Joseph, male, b.22 Jun 1869, Raferagh, Mon, Ire, parents: John EAKINS & Margaret RUSK, FHL#10186 EAKINS, Samuel, male, b.29 Sep 1871, Raferagh, parents: John EAKINS & Margaret RUSK, FHL#255833 I am researching the LUNDY & EAKINS/AIKENS names. Also HUNTER, HAMILTON, BROWN, ANDERSON, NELSON, OLIVER & SCOTT. Joan Hunter, Essex, Ontario Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: DEBORAH ANNANDALE <ANNANDALE@tiree-ek.freeserve.co.uk> To: <IRL-MONAGHAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 8:12 AM Subject: Re: Anyone home? > Hi Jane, Sorry, i just sent this to you when i mean't to send it to the > list. > I am a newcomer to the list. > If anyone out their is researching the name Rusk / Ruske or has come across > anything on the name, I would love to hear from you. > > Thanks, > > Debbie > > > > > >

Hi Jane, Sorry, i just sent this to you when i mean't to send it to the list. I am a newcomer to the list. If anyone out their is researching the name Rusk / Ruske or has come across anything on the name, I would love to hear from you. Thanks, Debbie

There were 15 Patrick Durnin's listed on Griffith's and none for Co. Monaghan. There were also other spellings.... Durnan, Durnane. But, in "Patrick Durnin" those 15 were listed in various counties and parishes. From County Meath and Nobber Parish To Louth and Clonkeen parish & County Louth & Drumcar Parish Meath and Philipstown Meath & Siddan Armagh & Newtownhamton County Fermanagh & Enniskillan Parish (This one Patrick Durnin is listed w/ Owens Durnin Sr.) Hope this helps, Beverly Pinehurst, NC

Hello Listers- I wonder, is there anyone able or willing to do a Griffith's lookup? Patrick Durnin (my gggrandfather), according to his grandchildren, was born in Monaghan. The Durnin name is more common in Fermanagh and Louth (not all that far away, of course). Can anyone tell me if there are any Durnins listed for Monaghan? I very much appreciate any help. Thank you, Nancy Palmer Researching: PALMER MORRIS (Birmingham, ENG- NJ- CT) BUSHELL (Birmingham, ENG) GENALLI (Italy- CT) FIERRO (Italy- CT) GARDNER (CT) ROOD (CT) DURNIN (Co. Monaghan- ME- MA) TROY (Co. Waterford- MA) HATTON (MCELHATTON)(Co. Tyrone- PA- MA) LEDWICH (Camburyshire, ENG- MA) JEPSON (ENG- MA) BOSSIDY (Co. Waterford- MA) WHITE (Co. Waterford) CASHEL (Co. Waterford) _______________________________________________________ Tired of slow Internet? Get @Home Broadband Internet http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html