Your Irish Roots

Full Personal Genealogy Report prepared for JohnO'Shea

Reference No: 461333

This is your full Ancestor Report. It contains detailed information leading on from your Summary Report. If you have any difficultly understanding this report, or need something clarified, please contact the research team, research@youririshroots.com . Thank you for visiting Your Irish Roots.







Details Provided:
Surname : O'Shea

First Name: John

Religion: Roman Catholic

Occupation: Farmer

County: Limerick

Parish: N/A

Townland: Rathkeale
City \Town \ Village: N/A



Additional Information supplied:

We think John was born in about 1810 but can't be sure. His wife's name was Mary and they had one son called John, in 1855.







Contact e-mail : jshea_n@xrt.com









Griffith's Valuation
Given the loss of much of Ireland's Census records for the 1800's, Griffith's Valuation is probably one of the most significant Genealogical resources available for this period. It consists of a complete analysis of all those owning land in Ireland in the period between 1848 and 1864. The records are broken down by County, Poor Law Union, Electoral division, Civil Parish and Townland. If you provide enough information such as County and parish we search the index to the valuation which will confirm matches based on the information provided and give you the parish and location within it were your Ancestor lived. If you were not able to provide any more specific than county, we will instead give the number of households found in each parish of the County instead. Finally if you are not sure of the county matches below relate to the a breakdown of the number of households per County in Ireland. From here one would be able to look up the valuation itself.

The full valuation will provide a map reference for six-inch ordnance Survey Maps, name of occupier, name from who land was leased if applicable, description of holding (e.g.: House and Land), area of holding and it's value. (please note this specific information will not be given in our report).





Search Results





One exact match found for John O'Shea in Limerick 1851-2.

County Parish Location

John O'Shea Limerick Rathkeale Rathkeale Town, Main Street



Rathkeale town is in the Barony of Connello Lower, the Civil parish of Rathkeale and the Poor Law Union of Rathkeale.













Surname History
If a match is found you will be given a short history of the Surname and it's derivates. We will also show matches to books details the specific family History if found.



O Shea Coat of Arms: Per bend indented azure and or two fleur-de-lis counterchanged

O'Shea, Shea and (O')Shee are anglicisations of the Irish Ó Seaghdha, from the personal name Seaghdha, meaning either "Hawk-like" or "fortunate". The surname arose in south Kerry, on the Iveragh peninsula, where the family held power in the early middle ages. Despite the later decline in their influence, they were not displaced, remaining extremely numerous in their original homeland down to the present day. Many of the name (usually found as "Shee" or "O’Shee") were also prominent in the armies of the Catholic monarchs of Europe after the final defeat of Gaelic Ireland in the seventeenth century.

As "Shee" and "O’Shee", the surname is also found in some numbers in counties Tipperary and Kilkenny. These are the descendants of family members who migrated north as early as the fourteenth century. They became prominent in Kilkenny especially, where the name was more often anglicised (O')Shee and were one of the so-called "Ten Tribes of Kilkenny". The family is now known as the Poer O’Shees. The townland of Sheestown in that county records their influence.

The most famous bearer of the name in Irish history was Katherine ("Kitty") O'Shea, mistress and later wife of Charles Stewart Parnell; their love affair brought about Parnell's downfall and changed the course of Irish history.


The resumption of the O prefix, at least within Ireland, has been truly remarkable, from less than 16% of families in 1890 to over 97% in 1996.


Sir Martin Archer Shee (1769-1850) was President of the Royal Irish Academy for almost 20 years.
Jack O’Shea (1957 - ) and Paudie O’Shea (1955 - ) are two of the best Gaelic footballers the country has known, winning between them 15 All-Ireland medals with the Kerry team between 1975 and 1986.
John O’Shea (1944 - ) is the founder and director of the Third World development and relief agency GOAL. His passionate commitment to his beliefs has made him a national figure.



O'Shea surname dictionary: v numerous: all areas, especially Kerry-Cork-Limerick. Ir. Ó Seaghdha (Sé), (hawk-like). A sept of Kerry in mediaeval times and still concentrated there.





Surname Distribution
If you are unsure of the exact location of your Ancestors within Ireland, then this section may prove to be of particular interest. The births index of 1890 lists any name occurring five times or more. It lists the number of occurrences in each Province and each County. If the Surname is relatively unusual then this may unlock details of where your Ancestors were originally living at this time.





Surname matches found. This index shows 46 O'Shea births in 1890. Found in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

Leinster 3
Munster 36
Ulster 2
Connaught 3




Wills Index
A comprehensive index to wills from all over Ireland, 1400 to 1848, giving varying information such as address, year of probate and occupation.

Search of indexes from 1400 to 1848-

No matches found.





Landowners of one acre or more in Ireland, 1876
An index cover all of Ireland detailing owners of land of one acre or more. Can be extremely useful in pinpointing the location of an ancestor at this point in time. Gives the name, address, amount of land and it's value.

No matches found. The fact that no matches were found, though results were located in Griffith's Valuation shows that the O'Shea holdings would have been a single house, or land less than one acre in size.







'Pender's' Census of Ireland, 1659
Possibly the most valuable document for this period, giving access to a Country wide index of major inhabitants and distribution of population. This is the only known Country wide Census earlier than 1821. It is divided by County, barony, parish and Townland. For an area it gives the number of English, Irish and Scottish. It will give the names and occupation of some of the more prominent people in an area known as "Titulado". Also of great value is a index of the most popular names in a barony which can be of great use in locating Ancestor with a sufficiently unusual surname.

Search results from 'Pender's' Census of Ireland in 1659

No matches found



Poll Money Ordinances of 1660 and 1661
Organised for the collection of money to run the Army lists a large number of people appointed as official collectors by County of this Tax.

No matches found





Index to Parish records
Index reference to relevant parish Records along with National Library Index Reference to allow you to accurately access birth, marriage and burial records. We will also indicate the periods of time each of these records cover.

Denomination: Roman Catholic

Name: Rathkeale

Location:National Library of Ireland

Reference:Pos. 2428

Nature: Microfilm, Written permission from the local parish priest

Baptism:Jan. 6, 1842 - Mar. 11, 1868;
Mar. 22, 1868 - Dec. 23, 1880

Marriage:July 28, 1861 - Oct. 13, 1880



Denomination:Roman Catholic

Name:Rathkeale

Location:Limerick Archives

Reference:Database, Commissioned research only

Baptism:1826 - 1900

Marriage:1826 - 1900





Description of your Ancestors locality, based on village, town or parish if provided
By providing sufficient details in your form, we can provide a snapshot of life as it was in the area in the early 1800's. Including details such as number of inhabitants, key landowners, major churches and employers. This information can be extremely useful in your ongoing research and provide an image of life as it was for your Ancestors.



RATHKEALE, a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of LOWER CONNELLO, county of LIMERICK, and province of LEINSTER, 14 miles (S. W. by W.) from Limerick, and 93¾ (W.) from Dublin ; containing 8800 inhabitants, of which number, 4972 are in the town. It was a place of importance from a very early period, being the site of a priory of Augustinian canons of the order of Aroasia, founded and endowed with 12 marks annually by Gilbert Harvey, in 1289, and further endowed by Eleanor Purcell, a descendent of Harvey, who also caused it to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The town and neighbouring district formed part of the possessions of the Earls of Desmond, who had three strong castles in the town, one of which was intended to guard the passage of the Deel. After the battle of Monasternenagh, fought in 1579 between Sir Nich. Malby and Sir John Desmond, the latter fled to this place, whither he was pursued and forced to retreat to Askeaton, where he was again defeated by Sir Geo. Carew. On the landing of the Spaniards at Smerwick, in 1580, the queen’s forces, commanded by the Lord-Deputy Grey, the Earl of Ormonde, and others, assembled here ; and on the Lord-Deputy leaving the place, Capt. (afterwards Sir Walter) Raleigh remained behind in ambush and surprised a number of the Irish who had collected to plunder the deserted camp, for which gallant service the corporation presented him with the freedom of the town, and he in return repaired the castles of Rathkeale and Matrix. In 1654, the town was fixed on for the place of election for the member to represent the counties of Limerick, Clare, and Kerry in Cromwell’s parliament, into which he proposed to introduce 100 members for Ireland : but though the corporation is frequently noticed in history, nothing is known of its origin, charter, or constitution, further than that it was disfranchised by Cromwell, on the ground that the town had refused his army a sufficient supply of provisions, and its privileges were never after restored.
The town is situated on the mail road from Limerick to Tralee, on both sides of the river Deel ; in population it is second only to Limerick in the county ; it consists principally of a single street, a mile in length, with smaller streets and lanes branching from it. The river passes through the middle of the main street, and is crossed by a bridge now in a dilapidated and dangerous state. There are several large and handsome houses, most of which are uninhabited, and a few good shops ; but the town in general presents a poor and mean appearance : a number of Palatines settled in the town and neighbourhood, whose neat cottages and farm-steads form a striking contrast to most of the adjacent dwellings. The market, which is large and well supplied, is held on Thursday ; the fairs are on Feb. 7th, April 4th, June 1st and 19th, Aug. 5th, Sept. 18th, and Nov. 18th; those of June 19th, and Sept., which are chiefly for horses, are very much frequented ; those of April and Sept., are for horned cattle, great numbers being sold ; the remaining fairs are chiefly for sheep and pigs ; all the transactions in the market and fairs are carried on in the open street. The town is a chief constabulary police station ; the quarter sessions for the district are held in it in January, March, June and October ; and petty sessions every Thursday. The court-house is a large and convenient old building, but much out of repair. The bridewell is one of the largest in the county, containing three day-rooms, three airing-yards, and eight cells : it is under good regulations. The fever hospital, built in 1830 near the town, at an expense of £400, has accommodation for 25 intern patients ; and there is a dispensary.
The parish comprises 10,705 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £11,868 per annum. The surface is undulating : the soil in some parts light, in others a stiff clay. About five out of eight parts of the land are under tillage ; two in meadow, demesnes and plantations ; and one is rough pasture and marsh ; besides which there are about 120 acres of common, and 100 of exhausted bog. The system of agriculture is improving ; the principal crops are wheat, potatoes, oats, and barley, with some flax and clover. The population is almost wholly agricultural, the only manufacture being that of linen on a small scale for domestic use. The flour-mill at Castle Matras has been fitted up by the proprietor, J. Southwell Brown, Esq., in the most complete manner and with the most improved machinery, which is propelled by the current of the river Deel : the mill can grind 20,000 barrels of wheat annually, and gives employment to 100 persons. A lead mine at Curraghnadaly, a mile from Rathkeale, is about to be worked : there are indications of the same metal at Mount Brown, three miles distant. The surrounding country is highly interesting, presenting a number of rich and varied prospects embellished with numerous seats and flourishing woods and plantations : the most remarkable are Beechmount, the residence of T. Lloyd, Esq. ; Ballywilliam, of T. M. Maunsell, Esq. ; Mount Brown, of J. S. Brown, Esq. ; the glebe-house, of the Rev. C. Warburton, chancellor of the diocese ; Knocknakilla, of the family of the late T. Studdart, Esq. ; Rathkeale Abbey, the property of the representatives of the late Geo. Lake, Esq., and now the residence of J. Hewson, Esq. ; Wilton House, of W. K. Brown, Esq. ; Deansfort, of Mrs. Brown ; Mount Southwell, of F. Brown, Esq. ; Enniscoush, of J. Hewson, Esq. ; Stoneville, of H. Massy, Esq. ; the Glebe Castle, of the Rev. C. T. Coghlan, the incumbent of the adjoining parish of Kilscannel, the origin of the singular name of which has not been ascertained ; and Castle Matras, or Matrix, also of J. Southwell Brown, Esq. This castle, which stands about a mile from the town, was erected in the reign of Elizabeth, and is a square castellated building, 90 feet high ; it was besieged by Cromwell, but the only traces of injury it retains are the marks of a few cannon shot. It stands on a prominent situation on the banks of the Deel, forming a picturesque object in the landscape, and commanding extensive views of the surrounding country, including the Shannon, and the Clare and Tipperary mountains ; it has lately been put into a state of complete repair, in doing which due attention was paid to preserve its original character by its proprietor, who proposes to make it his permanent residence, All these are within the parish ; not far distant from the town are Altavilla, the residence of T. G. Bateman, Esq. ; Riddlestown, of Gerald Blennerhassett, Esq. ; Clonard, of J. F. Massey, Esq. ; Elm Hill, of I. Studdert, Esq. ; Glenville, of John Massey, Esq. ; Cahermoyle, of W. Smith O’Brien, Esq. ; and Nantinan House, of T. H. Royse, Esq.
The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Limerick, united from time immemorial to the rectories and vicarages of Kilseannel, Clounagh, and Clounshire, and to the rectory of Dundonnell, together constituting the union of Rathkeale and the corps of the chancellorship of the cathedral of Limerick, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £656. 6. 2., and of the benefice to £1247. 13. The glebe-house was erected in 1819, by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £1500 from the late Board of First Fruits : the glebe comprises 10 acres, in two portions, one near the church, on which the Glebe Castle stands ; the other a mile distant, on which the glebe-house is built, The church is a very handsome edifice, in the early English style, with a lofty square tower, embattled and crowned with crocketed pinnacles : it was erected in 1831, near the site of the former church, and is built of black marble raised from a quarry on the river’s bank near the town : it stands on a gentle eminence west of the river, close to the old site of Castle-Southwell, In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also part of Kilscannell parish, and the whole of the ancient parishes of’ Rathnasaire and Kilcoleman, The chapel, an ancient and plain building, with a new front, is in the town ; in which there are also places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists and Independents. There are two free schools under the London Hibernian Society, and a school supported by Col. White : in these schools are about 140 boys and 100 girls : there are also nine private schools, in which are about 200 boys and 70 girls. At the upper end of the Mainstreet are the ruins of the ancient priory, already noticed ; the tower and western gable are complete, and the side walls nearly so ; but the building was small and its architectural details are by no means interesting. Two miles to the north of the town are the fine ruins of Liosnacoille castle, built by the Mac Sheehys, who were introduced into this part of the country by the seventh Earl of Desmond in 1420 ; and two miles to the south is Ballyallinan Castle, on the eastern bank of the Deel, built by the O’Hallinans ; the Latter was taken in 1600 from Rory Mac Sheehy, by Dermot O’Connor, in execution of a plan for delivering the Sugan Earl of Desmond to the English, but he was shortly after besieged in it, and compelled by his own followers to surrender.





Graveyards and Churches in specified locality.
Giving vital access to sometimes hidden locations that may reveal gravestones with information on number of family members. If a match is shown below it means a church or graveyard has been identified matching the location and religion you specified. It will not give the actual inscription on a gravestone. Matches to relevant books containing graveyard inscriptions will also be given if found which may help you further in your research.

Rathkeale, Loghill, OS No 34, Graveyard

Rathkeale, Town of Rathkeale, OS No 38, Roman Catholic Church

Rathkeale, Ballynahinch, OS No 34, Roman Catholic Church



OS Number relates to six-inch Ordnance Survey Map of Ireland







Emigration Ship Lists - 1600's to late 1800's
A database of sailings from Ireland & England to America ranging from the 1600's to 1800's. Information varies, but can provide details such as First & Last name, Religion, age, Occupation, place of origin in Ireland, year of sailing, ship sailed on, and point of debarkation.

We will also list publications and other lists which you yourself may be able to search to find out more.

Not searched




County Specific Information
Local Historical journals, local Histories, local newspapers, Estate Records and Census returns

A list of other key sources of information for the County if supplied in the original form. This can provide access to even more detailed information on your Ancestors. This may include Local Historical journals, local Histories and local newspapers which may help you further. We will also provide an index to county specific census returns and substitutes (lists of inhabitants) which you may find useful to search in your own time.





20 Census returns

Date, Name, Location, Reference, Comment


1569 Freeholders National Library of Ireland Pos 1700


1570 Freeholders & Gentlemen Published


1586 Survey of leaseholders on the Desmond estates National Archives of Ireland M.5037


1641 Book of Survey and Distribution National Library of Ireland Ms 973


1654 Civil Survey, Vol. lV Published


1659 Pender's 'Census' Published


1660 Rental National Library of Ireland Ms 9091 Rental of lands in Limerick City and County


1761 Freeholders National Library of Ireland Ms 16092; Ms 16093 Limerick city (16092) and county (16093)


1776 Freeholders National Archives of Ireland M 1321-2 Freeholders entitled to vote


1776 Voters National Archives of Ireland M.4878


1816 Freeholders The Genealogical Office GO 623 Also LDS film 100224


1821 Government census National Archives of Ireland Thrift Absracts Some extracts


1823 Tithe Books National Archives of Ireland Also Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Ulster counties); National Library of Ireland (microfilm), and Derry Genealogy Centre (database)


1829 Freeholders The Genealogical Office GO 623


1840 Freeholders National Library of Ireland Ms 9452 Barony of Coshlea


1843 Voters National Archives of Ireland 1843/66 Limerick voters


1851 Government census National Archives of Ireland Thrift Absracts Some extracts


1851 Griffith's Valuation National Library of Ireland Copies widely available. Searches of a database transcript can be commissioned from Heritage World in Dungannon. A full name index is available on microfiche from All-Ireland Heritage Inc.


1901 Government census National Archives of Ireland Earliest full surviving census for the entire country. Also LDS microfilm


1911 Government census National Archives of Ireland Second earliest full surviving census for the entire country

4 Local Historical Journals

Title, Reference, Comment, Sample, location


Journal of the North Munster Archaeological Society Ir 794105 n 1 National Library of Ireland


Lough Gur Historical Society Journal


Limerick Field Journal Ir 794205 l 1 National Library of Ireland


Old Limerick Journal Ir 94144 o 2 National Library of Ireland

7 Local Histories

Author's first name(s), Author's surname, Title, Place of publication, Date of publication, Reference, Comment, Sample location, Publisher


Cromwellian Settlement of Co. Limerick "Limerick Field Journal,
Vols 1 8, 1897 -1908, IIr 794205 l 1" National Library of Ireland


John Ferrar The History of Limerick, Ecclesiastical, Civil and Military, from the earliest records to the year 1787 1787 Limerick


P. Fitzgerald The history, topography and antiquities of the city and county of Limerick 1826-7 Co-author: J.J. McGregor Dublin


Maurice Lenihan Limerick, its history and antiquities 1866 Ir 94144 l 1 National Library of Ireland Dublin


Roisín Nash A bibliography of Limerick 1962 Limerick


Westropp Westropp Manuscripts, Royal Irish Academy Will abstracts mainly for Cos. Clare and Limerick.


Rev. P White History of Clare and the Dalcassian Clans of Tipperary, Limerick and Galway 1893 Dublin

1 Landlord Estate record

Landlord:Tuthill

Location:National Archives of Ireland

Nature:Rental

Dates:1806 - 1806

Comment: Rental of the Tuthill Estate, recording townland names, occupiers and rents.

Reference M. 5825 (15)


Landlord:Tuthill

Location:National Archives of Ireland

Nature:Rental

Dates:1841

Comment: All tenants. Rental recording townland, occupiers, and payments of rents.

Reference M. 5825 (38)





Landlord:Tuthill

Location:National Archives of Ireland

Nature:Rental

Dates:1813

Comment: Principally major tenants, A Map Survey of the lands of Ballytige in the barony of Upper Connelloe, recording names of tenants

Reference M. 5825 (36)





Landlord:Tuthill

Location:National Archives of Ireland

Nature:Rental

Dates:1793

Comment: Principally major tenants. A map of Ballytige with references to names of major tenants.

Reference M. 5825 (8)











Full Report prepared by Your Irish Roots for John O'Shea on 14th June 2002.

Reference No: 461333



info@YourIrishRoots.com

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