Joseph Murphy, Avoca miner, 1850s

Patrick

I was interested to see your email about mining links between Cronebane and Cleator Moor.  My partner and I are presently researching the mining history and mining heritage of Co. Wicklow for publication in a book.  Recently we have discovered a close link between the copper mines at Avoca and the lead mines of Glendalough with Cleator Moor to where many miners emigrated from Wicklow.

We are also compiling a database of miners in Wicklow which will available on the Glensoflead website in the next few months.  We hope that any descendants of Wicklow miners can help by adding information to this database.  In the meanwhile if you are interested in mining in Wicklow see out Facebook page www.facebook.com/glensoflead

Martin Critchley

Hello Martin,

Many thanks for your post. I had a look at the Facebook page and it looks really interesting. I notice you already have a link on there to Tom Duffy's site http://www.cleatormoorblog.co.uk which carries a wealth of information on Cleator Moor (my home town) and its iron and coal mining heritage. I'd be delighted to add information to your Wicklow miners' database if I can. Let me know when it's up and running.

Is the Glensoflead website the same as the Facebook page, or will there be a separate site?

I'd also be interested in your book when that is published.

Patrick

The Glensoflead will be a separate website.  Should be live in the next few weeks.

There are mining related events in Co. Wicklow for "The Gathering" at Avoca and Glendalough.

See: http://www.thegatheringireland.com/Attend-A-Gathering/individual-gather…

and http://www.thegatheringireland.com/Attend-A-Gathering/Individual-Gather…

My partner, Dr. Sharron Schwartz, is presently tracing the mining links between Wicklow and Cleator Moor and would like to correspond with descendants of Wicklow Miners.

Martin

HI Patrick

I have details from the church register for you, tried pasting it here but it was distorted so I deleted it, if you send me your email address I can forward it to you. files attached below, let me know if I can be of further assistance . Cherrybandb@eircom.net

Bernie

Patrick,

     Frank Cullen, my ggf, mined copper and sulfur, and married Catherine (Kate) Murphy. Frank was born about 1833, Catherine ab out 1834 or 35. I'm wondering if Joseph could be Catherine's father? Frank mined in Cronebane and lived in Kilmacoo Upper.

    Paul

Hello Paul

Thanks for your message and sorry for the late reply. My Joseph did have a daughter called Catherine but she was baptised in Avoca on 15 January 1852, so she cannot be the same person as your Catherine (Kate) Murphy. Also, my Catherine left for Cumberland and married there.

Regards

Patrick

Hello all. I live in the US and am working on my geneology. I've been able to trace my roots to the Murphys in Wicklow, specificially to The Valley of the Avon and the Avoca. I'm interested in the information on the Miners during the late 1600's. Was this website published? or book? 

Hello Kathy,

Good to hear from you on the board. Do you happen to trace back to Joseph Murphy (ca. 1820 - 1901)?

I myself have not heard about any information on Wicklow miners in the 1600s. Perhaps others on the board might know.

Patrick Murphy

I have a SINNOTT family who were miners in Avoca Valley and emigrated in about 1847/8 (first four children born Ireland, and next child born in Whitwood Yorkshire in march 1848).  Joseph SINNOTT and Julia Ann RYAN were married in Templerainey RC Chapel 14 sep 1840.  Joseph had converted to RC, and had been born at Kilmacoo, and baptised at Castlemacadam CoI 16 dec 1816 (to James and Mary).  Four children baptised at Templerainey Chapel: Winifred Sinnott 25 mar 1841; James 22 jan 1843; Francis 28 jul 1844, and Julia Ann 18 jun 1845.  Winifred and Francis died young.  James married and raised his family in Allerton, Yorkshire, but later emigrated to Illinois USA to join three of his daughters; Julia Ann married James McGowan and raised her family in Normanton Yorkshire.

Edward Sinnott (bapt 4 oct 1813 at Castlemacadam CoI, parents James and Mary) also emigrated to Whitwood Yorkshire and married Bridget Quin in 1853.  They didn't have any children.

There is also James Sinnott (born about 1810) who married Martha White in Rathdrum in 1827 who emigrated to Whitwood Yorkshire with his family, but died soon after. He had probably 12 or 13 children (only the last being born in Yorkshire) but all three sons died fairly young - two without getting married, and one before producing any living heirs.  I believe James is a brother of Joseph and Edward, but don't have any confirmation of this.   There is also an Elizabeth Sinnott born Co Wicklow about 1825 who may be another sibling or other relative.

Almost all the men in these families were miners or worked in an allied trade.