The journey to put flesh on the bones of my ancestors began many years ago, and it started with my links to the first King of Ulster, the U'Neill or King O'Neill, my sept hailed from Tyrone and that is where my mother's family is from, in fact born nearly on the spot where he is allegedly buried. But stories and legends collide with myths and fantasies and then we have genealogy !
I will separately blog of my O'Neills, McCanns and others on the Tyrone side of Ulster, this blog is dedicated to my dad's side from Knockbride and surrounds in County Cavan. I am blessed to have my dad still in my life and at 84, he is doing well, still full of the craic and stories that have to be drawn out. Born in 1935 in Bailieborough, Vincent Duffy was the baby of the family of six surviving children, the 2 after him did not survive, nor did his mother Margaret who passed giving birth to the last little boy, number eight. Patrick Duffy was a humble man who was born in 1898 in Drumkeery, Knockbride, County Cavan to Thomas Duffy and Catherine 'Kate' McDermott, he was the 4th of 5 living children.
It is through my Great Granny Kate McDermott that I am linked to the Tullys. Kate McDermott was born on the 18 Sep 1864 in Mullagh, County Cavan, located quite close to the border between Cavan and Meath. Also not far from Bailieborough.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Rantavan,+Mullagh,+Co.+Cavan,+Ireland
Kate McDermott was born to Matthew McDermott (1836-1889) and Bridget 'Biddy' Tully (28 Sep 1842 - 20 Aug 1910). Biddy Tully was born in Kilskyre, County Meath which according to Google Maps is about 16 minutes via the N3 by car to Mullagh and only about 28 minutes to Bailieborough, but I guess they were using a donkey or a ass and cart so a bit longer. My dad had a donkey and cart even in his time. Matthew and Biddy McDermott had 15 children and they are scattered all over the world, from Meath to Canada, Scotland, America, Australia, New Zealand and England.
Bridget 'Biddy' Tully was born to Hugh Tully born 1805 in Castlerahan, Oldcastle, County Cavan, this is about 4 hours via donkey and cart from Bailieborough. It seems the family moved about a bit looking for work ending up in Kells in Meath, south of Bailieborough and a few hours walk away. Biddy's mother was Bridget Lynch who was born in 1813 in a town called Fartah, Edenburt, County Cavan, it has since been renamed but I do not know to what but Edenburt straddles the borders of Meath and Cavan.
Hugh and Bridget were married on the 9th November 1828 in Lurgan, County Cavan (from Parish records at NLI). They had five children that I can locate on parish records:
Mary born 23 July 1832 who emigrated to Australia and married Hugh Henry Wallace, she died in South Australia 6 May 1901.
Patrick born in 1833 and who married Judith Clarke.
Henry 'Hugh' born 2 Apr 1835 who married Sarah Fleming and died in 1910.
Fergallus Joseph "Farrell' born 3 Sep 1838 and married Mary Nevin, died in 1894 in USA I believe.
Bridget 'Biddy' born 28 Sep 1842 and married Matthew McDermott, Biddy died in Oakbank, Kirkentown, Scotland. She was living with her daughter Teresa and her husband Joseph Doggett.
At this stage I cannot get any further back than Hugh Tully apart from I understand that his mother may have been called Eleanor. The Lynches have a long history around Bailieborough and surrounds.
My dad grew up among, Tullys, Lynches, Smiths, Clarkes, McDermotts, Dalys, Rogers, Carrolls, Carolans and Mahoods. All of these names can be seen around Franklin County, Malone, New York and Dutchesse NY, then in New Hampshire in early 1800s and then early 1900s. My great grandfather Daly was a bread carter for Cushman's Bakery in New York around 1901-5, and my granny was born in Lower East Manhattan in 1906.
This blog will follow the trek from civil wars to genocide and back again. To Canada, the USA and to here in Australia.
