Hello Siobhan,

Thank you for your reply. I've just logged on and can't belive that Catherine actually knew my mum. Hence that late response a week later. I found this discussion board completely by chance as I was researching an old hunting lodge that is in Ballylow for my Uncle John (He still lives in Balinatona).

I thought it was rather a long shot that anyone might respond to such a random email. Thank you for your reply once again. I have Catherine's email address and will contact her in the morning. My mum left me some old family photo's which I will scan in work this week and send to you, I think they may be of her Aunt Ester, a relative of yours also.

Kind Regards,

Siobhan Canavan

Ah, yes, the hunting lodge that was burned down in the rebellion. I took my mom to see the ruins just a few months ago and got some pics although not great ones as it was twilight. Our ancestor, Robert Fitzsimons [brother to my direct ancestor, John, lived on that plot (John lived in the original part of the Ballylow house that's still standing, that my mother grew up in)]. Kathy Trant, who is currently secretary of the Blessington Historical Society, wrote a book called "The Blessington Estate." Have you read it? She talks about how Robert, his wife and children (I've tracked 7 kids thus far) were ousted in 1854, extremely poor but having survived the famine, so that the Marquis of Downshire could build the hunting lodge there. I've been quite unsuccessful trying to track down this branch of the family. They just disappeared, last seen, according to Kathy Trant, walking down the Dublin Road. No idea if the Marquis gave them any financial assistance, if they emigrated, went to the Naas workhouse or just starved on the road. If you know anything at all, can you share it with me?

Happy to share any info with you that I have, although Catherine, being a Murphy, knows a great deal more of the Murphy branches there. Do you know the Fitzsimons families who are still out there? I do, which is why I ask. Delighted that Catherine proved to be such a direct connection for you. It's always exciting to make such a connection!

cheers,
Siobhan Gallagher (I'm here in Ireland through October)

Hello Siobhan, It is a long time since I checked this message board and I am delighted to see yet another member of the extended family interested in researching the family history. I am in contact with both Siobhan G. and Catherine W.My daughter and I are travelling to Ireland in October and will be staying for a few days with Siobhan G.
I live in Coventry, England. My great grandmother, Maria/Mary Fitzsimons was a daughter of John Fitzsimons of Ballylow. She married a Henry Murphy and they had 5 children, Luke John, Martha, my grandmother, Laurence and Anna.They lived in Tinode until 1885. They disappear at this point to resurface in Dublin in 1891, for the marriage of their daughter Martha to Richard Fitzharris. One of their daughters was Marcella, my mother. She often spoke of Ballylow as apparently, as children, they stayed there during the summer, travelling to Blessington on the steam tram.
Maria's brother Owen(Eugene) married Anna Murphy and Owen became the game keeper at The Ballylow lodge( old hunting lodge), which was burned down in the troubles.
I am just beginning to write up the history of the Fitzsimons/Murphys and would love to hear from you.

Hi, Siobhan, seems I'm fielding lots of messages for you lately from our cousins! :o) Must be the first name.

See the reply trail to this and read the message from Bernardette, who if I'm understanding the connection correctly, she's your aunt Martha's daughter.

cheers,
Siobhan Gallagher

Sorry Siobhan, I must have replied to the wrong one. I hope you have now picked up my message. Siobhan G may be confusing you still further. My grandmother was Martha Murphy, daughter of Henery Murphy and Maria Fitzsimons. My mother, Marcella, was the daughter of Henry and Maria.

Hi Siobhan,

Please get in touch as i am dying to say hello,

Catherine

Hi, got your message. What's our connection and why are you 'dying to say hello'? :o)
cheers,
Siobhan

Hi Siobhan

I'm your mother's cousin Catherine, daughter of Harry Murphy. The first post i made was under another account.

Catherine

okay, so you'll resend this to Siobhan Canavan then? thx, Siobhan Gallagher

Hi Siobhan,

I have some photos of your mother which i will be scanning in. My mother (Jenny) says hello - she has very fond memories of Anna.

Catherine