All right, let's let one of the Kirwans who can spell his name right get this going. My great grandfather Michael Kirwan was born in 1865 at Killeagh, in the District of Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. His father Thomas worked in the mines near Avoca. His mother Catherine (Byrne) also had sons Thomas (1864), James (1859), and Philip (1867). I have so far been unable to find a record of the marriage, death, or birth of Thomas Kirwan and Catherine Byrne. I do know that Michael and Philip emigrated to Boston in 1891, and that Thomas and James wound up in Foxrock, Co. Dublin. I also have learned that Philip returned to Ireland for a visit in 1926, to visit his brothers in Foxrock. I also know from photos which he took that he visited Shillelagh, in the South of Co. Wicklow, and took pictures of a cottage believed to be near there. I do have records of many "other" Kirwans that I've come across in my research (as well as a few of those poor relations, the Kirwins, Kerwins, and other lesser branches of the family). All kidding aside, I'll try to match the info I have with your postings to come. Chris Kirwan