I found a reference to a “Robins” family living in the townland of Kilmeen in a local history written by local schoolchildren in the early 20th Century. I believe I am related to this individual and I am interested in determining his identity, as well as the location of the home and land mentioned in the story. The story is as follows:
"There is an old house in Kilmeen where the Monahan’s are living now, it was built about 200 years ago.
There was a man named Robins living in it first, and he had a nursery in it. He used to sow eight acres of trees. When he died a man named Baker came to live in it. After that a man named Hynes came to live in it, and he had a public house. Then a man named Fahy came to live in it, and he had a shop. When he died, the Monahan’s came there.”
I am fairly sure that the “200 years” mentioned is an exaggeration and I believe that I’ve been able to trace the history of the home from the 1850s forward. There are no Robbins (or “Robins”) that appear in the Griffith’s Valuation for this townland, but a Terrence Baker is occupying a home in Kilmeen at this time. Baker died in 1871. Possible subsequent occupiers: Connor Hynes who died in 1885, Michael Fahy who died in 1894, and Patrick Monahan occupied the home during the 1901 Census. Does anyone know if the home mentioned is still in existence or where the eight acres of trees planted by Mr. Robins may be? I am visiting Kilmeen in May and would be very interested in finding the home.
The story and others can be found here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4583352/4582195/4591743?ChapterID=4583352
BradyLRobbins
Friday 8th Mar 2019, 04:14AMMessage Board Replies
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Dear Brady:
I have forwarded your query to one of our local volunteers.
You might also be interested in previous queries about this family listed below:
https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/message-board/robbins-or-moran-connections
and
Kind regards,
Jane
Jane Halloran Ryan