Visited Ballybunion October 2016

After much research, I finally found this lovely little seaside town where my great grandparents and family were raised before heading to American.  Jeremiah DeWan was born in 1850 to Jeremiah DeWan and Margaret Sheehy.  Jeremiah married Mary Lynch (dob 1855), 1873 in Doon Church according to the church records, also the baptism of their first child. Such a sad thing that the church sits and crumbles.  Mary Lynch was the daughter of Patrick Lynch and Mary Kennelly.  Their first son, Jeremiah (of course) was born in 1874 just prior to their sailing to New York in March 1875, into Castle Garden.  Ellis Island did not open until 1892. 

According to Griffiths Valuation, Jeremiah and his family were located in the Parish of Killehenny, Townland:  Gortnaskeha Commons.  The lessor was Reps. J. Crosbie, Esq.  Yes I did the running around in tiniest of rental cars with my google maps running looking for this location.  I think I was very close.  Saw many horses, dogs etc but not many people out to ask questions.  Other people listed with my family were Thomas Dee, James Gleeson, Thomas Gleeson, Timothy Lynch, William Ryan, Martin Fleming, Bridget Fleming, Patrick Mulvihill and Michael Joy. 

So much of the family history is located in this tiny town.  I just wish I had known the town closed down for the winter lol.  I stopped in the Visitors Center of sorts and had a wonderful conversation with the lady running the place.  Wonderful stories of the Ballybunion and the people there.  Already planning my return and hope the weather will be kind. 

Thank you Ballybunion for making me feel like I had returned home.