Marriage of Margaret McDonnell Hill's parents in 1821...so this would make them our great-great-great grandparents. They connect with our family through Liza Hill Ryan, whose mother was one of their children (see record below).
Above: Margaret McDonnell (our great great grandmother) Roman Catholic Baptismal Records. Between 1821 and 1835, we found four baptismal records associated with her parents in Dunkerrin. We knew enough information about Margaret to determine which records belonged to our family, e.g., her father's name was William, her mother's name was Mary Margaret, Margaret's birth year, etc. While we initially thought she was born in Newport Parish, as later records (e.g., Mary Hill's birth record) showed she lived a few miles south of Longstone, Tipperary (in Newport parish), we now realize that Dunkerrin is her place of birth.
As for William McDonnell's birth records, between the years 1780 and 1800, there are no records of a "William McDonnell" birth in Tipperary. We see 5 "William Donnells", on the other hand.
THE FOGARTYS
Éile Uí Fhógartaigh, aka Ely O'Fogarty or Desceirt Éle, was centered in the barony of Eliogarty in county Tipperary, apparently also including a portion of the baronies of Upper Ormond and Ikerrin. The Ely O'Fogarty region formed the southern portion of a more extended territory simply referred to as Éile (Ely). Thurles is located in the heart of Eliogarty, and O'Donovan (Four Masters) describes this place as Dúrlas Uí Fogarta. The barony of Eliogarty was the patrimony of the O'Fogartys, i.e. the Síl Echach Bailldeirg, as O'Donovan (Poems) refers to them as (click to READ MORE)
| Children of William McDonnell and Mary Margaret Fogarty |
| 1828. Catherine McDonnell. Only sister we find recorded in Parish Church records. |
| 1829. John McDonnell. Oldest brother found in Parish Church records. |
| 1833. Michael McDonnell. Dunkerrin Parish was mostly located in King's County (Present day county Offaly). The marriage of William and Mary (Fogarty) McDonnell suggests they farmed in County Offaly, but at some point farmed in the same district but on Tipperary soil. We don't know exactly when they moved to Longstone, Killoscully, Tipperary (or why), but we know that it was not earlier than 1833. Ten years later, Margaret married Edward Hill, and we find them living in Knockappul, Tipperary. |