Visiting in August -- Boyle and Oliver -- Donaghmore

Marsha:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

It is great that you and your family are coming to Ireland later this summer. I will alert our parish liaison for Donaghmore about your message and visit.

Let me know if you have not heard anything in about ten days or so.

Roger McDonnell

Thanks.  That would be fabulous.  I appreciate your efforts.

Marsha Thomas

Hi Roger -

We don't want to add burden to anyone's time, but as of today we have not been in contact with anyone.  We're just wondering how far of a drive it is from Donegal Town to Donaghmore and what we might like to see while we are there.  I was in touch with Anita at the Catholic Church there, but have not received a reply in some time.  Just curious as to what our agenda might be and how much time we should plan on spending. 

Thanks, Roger.

Marsha Thomas

Marsha:

Let me followup with our HQ.

The drive from Donegal Town to Killygordon village in Donaghmore parish should take about 50 minutes via the N15 according to Google Maps. You will go thru the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranolar.

I went on Trip Advisor and found this info on sites in the area. 

https://www.triphobo.com/places/ballybofey-county-donegal-ireland/thing…

Hopefully, we can get in touch with the aprish liaison in the area.

I tried to find the 1864 marriage record but was unsuccessful I was looking for the townlands where James and Margaret were from so you could visit those area. Likely farmland with some residential homes.

Roger

This is extremely helpful. Thank you!!!!

Marsha

Hello Marsha, just came across this conversation and thought maybe you could help. My name is Lou and I am the Great Grandson of Hannah Boyle. Sister of Margaret or as I remember Great Aunt Maggie.  We always looked forward to Aunt Maggie's visits from Chicago. Always by train. My grandparents were Peter and Rose Nolan.I have been working on my family tree and have reached a road block as you had at  my GG Grandparents, James Boyle and Margaret Oliver. How are you related to this tree? If you could assist me in any way it would be appreciated. I also remember a couple other ladies from the United States, an Aunt Bella and a lady we called Sis.   Looking forward to your reply.  Lou

Hi Lou -- It is nice to meet you.  This is exactly the same family.  My husband, Austin McGreal, is the great grandson of Margaret Boyle and Austin F. McGreal.  The Sis you know is Margaret Boyle McGreal's daughter (given name Margaret, called Sis, who married Frank Fisher), but I am not sure who Bella is.  I have heard, through the Foord (?) family, if I remember correctly, that there were visits (and pictures) of reunions in Canada.  I had been in touch with them, but not any longer.  Unfortunately, the roadblock does not clear up in Ireland -- even with a trip to Donegal.  When we met with a guide, we were told that Margaret Oliver was most likely Protestant.  This is as far as I got..  No definitive records.  I have a tree up on Ancestry.com if you would like to see it, please send me an email address and I can invite you to see the tree. 

Marsha Thomas

BTW, I have also made contact with Dean Boyle in Scotland through DNA.  I attach a random picture of the area that James Boyle and Margaret Oliver probably traveled from 200 years ago.

My grandfather was born in Castlefinn in 1856.  He came to Pennsylvania in 1870.  He and my grandmother were married in Eckley, PA on March 12, 1879.  The male witness was Robert Oliver, which seemed strange since there were many brothers,  My grandmother's sister was the other witness.  The Oliver family lived very close in Highland, Luzerne County, PA. in the 1880 census.  My family were Protestant, Church of Ireland., very likely Robert Oliver was the same.  They may have known each other in Ireland, they may have gone to school together.

Hi Marsha, I live in Donaghmore Parish and I’ll try help you any way I can! Basically, the parish boundaries are between the towns of Ballybofey and Castlefin and up along the border with County Tyrone. It’s an approximate 25 min drive from Donegal town through beautiful Barnesmore Gap to Ballybofey. There are three hotels in the area, Jacksons and the Villa Rose in Ballybofey and Kee’s Hotel in Stranorlar, which adjoins Ballybofey. For useful info on this part of Donegal, see www.donegaleast.ie and www.finnvalleyhistory.com, the website for the local historical society. You may also try the FREE www.irishgenealogy.ie for births, deaths and marriage records.

Best regards,

Cronan

Hello Marsha, thank yopu for your reply. Yes, Ann Marie is my first cousin from the Foord contact. I do have most of her info. Sorry you could not find much in Ireland. I looked up on Ancster.ca . Aunt Maggies name and saw all the related trees or parts of them. I would like to give you my email but it becomes public if its posted here. I think so anyways.  So if you could tell me the best way to see the tree let me know. There are many trees with the Bolyle /Oliver name. After looking I did realize that Monona also came up here often with her mother. I was a young child and did not realize the significance of Aunt Maggies relatiuonship to us. Be we all loved being in her company, as well as Sis and Monona. Three beautiful ladies from what I recall. So if you could figure out how to exchange emails in a different way I would be happy to see your family tree. FYI I am the son of Mona Nolan.  Thanks Again, Lou

Lou - feel free to contact me at thomas.marsha929@gmail.com  You can then send me an email address and I can invite you to view my McGreal tree.

Marsha