The O'Brien's of Bonavilla, Ballymackea Beg, Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish, County Clare, Ireland

John O’Brien is listed in the 1826 Tithe Applotment Books of Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish as “occupier”.  John O’Brien resided in Bunavilla a part of Ballymackea Beg Townland holding 7 acres.

1826 Tithe Applotment Book

(Tax to the protestant church)

John O’Brien was married to Honoria and had at least 5 children:

•           Mary O’Brien
•  
•            Callaghan O'Brien
•  
•          Thomas O’Brien
•          Anne O’Brien
• ·        Margaret O’Brien

Griffith Valuation 1855 Ballymackea Beg

Honoria O'Brien is listed as "occupier" of #44a with a House, offices and land and  9 acres.  On this same piece of property Honoria O'Brien is "immediate lessor" for a house at #44b.  Anne McGuane resides in this house and is probalby a widowed daughter of John and Honoria O'Brien.

1855 Griffith Valuation Map of Ballymackea Beg Townland

This map shows the two houses occupied by Honoria O'Brien and daughter, Anne O'Brien MCGuane in 1855.

Griffith Valuation Revision Lists 1870

Transfer of property #44 from Honoria O'Brien to Callaghan O'Brien

This transfer of property from Honoria O'Brien, widow of John O'Brien in 1870 to Callaghan O'Brien of Frehane, Knockanalban suggests that there may be a relationship between the two families.  Margaret Downes was born in 1871 probably at this house and she lived with her husband, John Downes until she moved with her son-in-law, Martin O'Brien to Kildimo.  This piece of property was transferred again cicra 1920 to Callaghan's son, Parick O'Brien. 

Callaghan O'Brien married Mary McCarthy of Frehane and raised their family in Frehane, Knockanalban where the farm was passed down to the generations.  The famiy of Callaghan O'Brien is buried in Kildimo Graveyard.  You can follow his family by looking at the "O'Brien Family of Knockanalban".

Mary O’Brien married James Walsh of Bonavilla on the 23 May 1840.  The witnesses to the marriage were Matthew Darcy of Mullagh, Thomas Meade of Rhine (Ballymackea Beg) and Mary O’Brien of Annagh.

The following children were baptized in Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish:

·         John Walsh                         02 Feb 1842        Sponsors:            Thomas O’Brien and Ellen O’Brien

·         Bridget Walsh                    18 Aug 1844        Sponsors:            John Walsh and Mary Fitzpatrick

·         Johanna Walsh                  31 March 1847   Sponsors:            Patrick Walsh and Peggy O’Brien

Thomas O’Brien married Catherine Kelly of Mt Scott on 1 May 1843.  The witnesses to the marriage were Patrick O’Brien, Daniel Kelly and Honora Murrihy.

The following children were baptized in Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish:

·         Bridget O’Brien               19 May 1844       Sponsors:            Thady Murphy and Bridget Kelly

·         Nora O’Brien                    07 May 1846       Sponsors:            Thomas ? and ? Lynch

·         Patrick O’Brien                21 March 1849   Sponsors:            Thomas Murphy and Bridget Honan

·         Thomas O’Brien              06 April 1850       Sponsors:            James Baley and Margaret Kelly

Anne O’Brien married Michael McGuane.   I could not find a marriage record in the Kilmurry-Ibrickane parish.  They could have been married before 1839 before parish records were kept.

The following Children were baptized in Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish:

·         Mary McGuane           04 July 1841        Sponsors:           Patrick & Honor McMahon of Bonavilla

·         Thomas McGuane      18 April 1844       Sponsors:           Patrick Donnelan & Honor McMahon

·         John McGuane            18 April 1844       Sponsors:            Bernard McMahon & Catherine Kelly

·         Nora McGuane            04 April 1847       Sponsors:            Patrick Donnellan and Honora O’Brien

Margaret O’Brien married John Downes Cahermurphy, Kilmihil Parish on 9 Feb 1869.  The witnesses to the marriage were Patrick Downes and Martin O’Brien.  Margaret was 28 years old and listed as Margaret Hehir, Widow.  This was her second marriage.

Marriage Record

9 Feb 1869

The following child was baptized in Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish:

·         Margaret Downes           07 Feb 1871        Sponsors:            James Walsh and Mary Walsh

 Baptism Record 07 Feb 1871

Margaret Downes married Martin O’Brien of Mullagh on 21 Oct 1893.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Murrihy and Mary Morrissey.  Martin O’Brien was the son of Joseph O’Brien and Julia McGuiness of Mullagh.

Martin O’Brien and Margaret Downes lived in Ballymackea Beg during the 1901 Census and then moved to Kildimo for the 1911 Census.   This family is described in detail in this blog in “The O'Brien's of Finnormore, Mullagh, Kilmurry-Ibrickane Parish, County Clare, Ireland”