The O’Brien’s of Tromra Castle, Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish, Quilty, County Clare, Ireland

Tromra Castle is a townland in the Parish of Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Mullagh Parish) on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Western County Clare.   The Parish of Kilmurry-Ibrickane has a large number of O’Brien Families residing in the parish and many are related through a common ancestor that cannot be documented with a paper trail but has been proven by Y-DNA results.  The family of Thomas O’Brien and Margaret Breen were residing in Tromra Castle in the 1901 Census but the family was not originally from this townland.  At this time we do not have a male Y-DNA sample from this O’Brien family and have not connected them to the branch of O’Briens in the Mullagh Parish.

Thomas O'Brien was born just before the start of the infamous Irish Famine, (1845) He was born in Killard, County Clare, Ireland. The family story is the O’Brien’s were evicted from their house and land by the landlord.  They then went to live in Tromera Castle, Quilty Co. Clare, Ireland.   Their home was in Kilrush District that had the highest eviction rate of any district in all of the 32 counties of Ireland.  

The baptism records start in the Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish for the family of Thomas O’Brien and Margaret Breen with Mary O’Brien baptized 26 March 1882.  The two oldest sons, Patrick O’Brien born 1877 and Thomas O’Brien born 1880 are not in the parish records.  I believe Patrick and Thomas were baptized in Doonbeg, Killard, County Clare and it was shortly after this the O’Brien family went to live in Tromra Castle, Quilty, County Clare.

Killard Parish is the neighboring Parish to Kilmurry-Ibrickane and the Thomas and Margaret O’Brien did not have to move far away from their previous lands.   Thomas O’Brien and Margaret Breen were probably married around 1875 in Killard.  I have not found a church record or the civil marriage records for this marriage as of yet but if one is found the civil record will list the father’s name of the bride and groom and hopefully list their townland in Killard Parish where they resided.  The civil birth records for the sons, Patrick and Thomas O’Brien will also list the townland.

Thomas O’Brien died in March 1910 and was buried back in his home Parish of Killard in the Killard Graveyard.  Buried with him are some of his family members.

1901 Census Residents of a house 4 in Tromra Castle (Kilmurry, Clare)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
OBrien	Thomas	56	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Mary	42	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Patrick	23	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Thomas	21	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	James	13	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	John	11	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	William	9	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Francis	4	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Mary	18	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
OBrien	Maggie	7	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
OBrien	John	59	Male	Brother	Roman Catholic

Killard Graveyard

Killard Graveyard is situated in the townland of Killard, north west of Doonbeg village, Killard Parish.     

·         In loving memory of James O'Brien, Doonmore died 28th Oct 1957

·         Catherine Galvin, Kilclohane died 15 Dec 1963 R.I.P. 

In loving memory of Thomas O'Brien, Tramore died March 1910 aged 71 years

·         his son Pat died Feb 1941 and James, Doonmore died 28th Oct 1957 aged 71 years. 

In loving memory of William O'Brien, Kilclohane died 14th July 1972

·         Mary Ann O'Brien, Kilclohane died 10 Jan 1973

·         Bridget O'Brien 14-8-1953 her husband Thomas lost at sea 1918 R.I.P

I would be interested in sharing what information I have on this family.  If an O’Brien male family member is interested in submitting a Y-DNA test they can contact http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Obrien

If you have any questions please email me at kilmurryibrickaneobriens@gmail.com

Slan,

Kevin J. O’Brien