Brian Donnelly : Short Biography

Brian Donnelly c-1790 to c-1850 was my great, great grandfather and one of three brothers that arrived in the Townland of Greaghnadarragh in the 1820's or earlier. His name does not appear on any of the leasor or occupancy records but marriage records of both his sons, my great grandfather Patrick Donnelly 1829 to 1901 and great uncle John Donnelly c-1825 to 1886, show him to be their father and it is these links that lead me to believe that he was one of the three brothers that are recorded as John Donnelly 1770 to 1865 and brothers being leasors of three farm lots in Greaghnadarragh, Bailieborough in the Tithe Applotment record of around the 1830's. 

The Griffiths Valuation of 1855 shows Brian's wife Rose Donnelly nee Carolan my great, great grandmother as leasing his farm lot 10, known as The Blues so Brian had probably died by then.

The image shows him in 1865 on his son Patrick's marriage record as his father and Rose Carolan as his mother. It does not say that he was deceased.

I have a lot of records to track their history on Greaghnadarragh and a lot of family stories and knowledge handed down through the generations but would like to know if anyone has knowledge of the dates of birth and death of both Brian Donnelly and his wife my great, great grandmother Rose Carolan. Also the date of their son John Donnelly's birth and death and of his wife Bridget's birth, although her birth can be worked out from the census records for her. John Donnelly and Bridget Donnelly's marriage was recorded in the Moybologue parish book of marriages as having been in 1872. Brian's name as father of the groom was written as Brianne Donnelly from Greaghnadarragh. John and Bridget had two sons Peter 1873 and Bernard 1875. This branch of the Donnelly family was nicknamed Peter and Brian the Blues. Bernard was known as Brian after his grandfather. Bridget was known as Biddy the Blue.

Before their marriage John and Bridget had a daughter, Bridget Donnelly who in 1882 married Bernard Haughy from Kingscourt son of Bryan Haughy. The Moybologue parish record book of this marriage is attached, it shows Rose Donnelly ( Carolan ) her grandmother as witness. I have no more information on them. John and Bridget's marriage record from 1872 is also attached.