Killasser Church

Mary Ginty was baptized on September 3, 1850 and married Lawrence McIntyre on March 1, 1877 both in this Killasser Church.

Killasser Church, County Mayo

For more information go to additional postings in this blog:

Killasser Civil Parish

Killasser Catholic Church

Mary Ginty Baptismal Record 

Mary Ginty and Lawrence McIntyre Wedding Record



Photos: Elaine Beaudoin, July, 2011

Killasser Civil Parish, Barony of Gallen, County Mayo, 1837

Mary Ginty was from Killaser Civil Parish.

Killaser, a parish, in the barony of Gallen, in county Mayo, and province of Connaught, 6 miles (E. N. E.) from Foxford, on the River Moy and the road to Swinford; containing 6,581 inhabitants.  This parish was the scene of a sanguinary battle between the native septs of the Jordans and the Rowans, at a spot since called Lugnafulla, or "the valley of blood". It comprises 10,000 statue acres, of which about 6, 000 are arable and the remainder principally bog and mountain; the land is of indifferent quality and is in many places covered with rocks of great size; some of the eastern portion is more productive, but agriculture is in a very backward state; there is a large tract of irreclaimable bog.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Achonry, forming part of the union of Templemore; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of the late Roger Palmer, Esq.  The titles amount to L512.0.4., which is equally divided between the impropriator and the vicar, there are two chapels, situated respectively at Calla and Boulebee, both well built and roofed with slate.  About 90 children are taught in a public school; and there are five private schools, in which are about 450 children.  There are several Danish forts in the western portion of the parish; at Calla is a small lake, in which is an island presenting appearances of fortifications, said to have been inhabited by the sept of the Rowans; at Erbull and are the ruins of an Old Castle; and there are ancient burial places at Killasser, Blackpatch and Calla.

Extracted from A Topographical Dictionary of Mayo, Samuel Lewis, 1837.

Madden - Ginty Marriage Record, 1867

Thomas Madden and Catherine Ginty (Genty), the sister of Mary Ginty McIntyre, were married on February 2, 1867 by Fr. John Finn in the Roman Catholic parish of Killasser.  They were both single at the time and of full age, i.e., 21 or over.  The register notes that Thomas Madden is a landholder and his residence at the time of marriage was Lahardane, which is also in the Civil Parish of Killasser.  Catherine's residence at the time of marriage is noted as Carrabeg, Killasser Parish, County Mayo.  Thomas' father was also named Thomas and Catherine's father was named John. Both fathers are listed as landholders.

Witnesses to their marriage were Michael O'Donnell and Mary Durcan.

Irish Civil Records, Page 673, line 17, February 2, 1867, Roman Catholic Chapel of Killasser, Registrar's District of Foxford, Union of Swinford, County Mayo

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Patrick

It is believed that John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Conway had a fourth child and a son.

Patrick Ginty

On the 1901 Irish Census for the Townland of Carrowbeg, Parish of Killasser in the entry for Edward and Bridget O'Donnell, in addition to their daughter Bridget, is listed a Patrick Ginty.  He is noted as Brother-in-Law. This would make him Bridget (Margaret) Ginty O'Donnell's brother.  It states he cannot read and his age is 40, giving him a birth year of approximately 1861.   It states that he is a farmer's son, not married and born in County Mayo. Further, it is noted that he is an Idiot. The form is signed by Edward O'Donnell.

County Mayo, Swinford, Cuildoo, Carrowbeg Townland, Parish Killasser

In the 1911 Irish Census for the Townland of Carrowbeg, Parish of Killasser in the entry for Edward and Bridget O'Donnell, again their daughter Bridget is listed along with the brother-in-law, Patrick Ginty.  However, this time his age is given as 69 giving him a birth year circa 1842.  This year is probably closer to an actual year.

It is noted in the report from the Mayo North Family History Centre report that the earliest records for Killasser are for the year 1847.  This most likely accounts for no baptismal record for Patrick Ginty.  He is believed to be the oldest of the children of John Ginty and Margaret Conway.

It is interesting that when Thomas J. McIntyre, CM was collecting genealogical information, no mention of the existence of Patrick Ginty was made.

In 2011, at a luncheon with Sally Ruane Gilger, I asked if she knew anything about a Patrick Ginty.  She said she thought he might have been a change-of-life baby for Bridget Ginty O'Donnell (her grandmother) and he possibly had Down's Syndrome.  So, perhaps the age given in the 1901 Irish Census was more accurate and he was born c1861, i.e., the last of the O'Donnell/Ginty children.  But, if so, there should be a baptismal record for him.

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Margaret

The third child of John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Convey:

Margaret (Bridget) Ginty O'Donnell

Margaret was baptised in the Roman Catholic Parish of Killasser on the 20th of March 1853.  Sponsors were James Ginty and Mary Cahill.  Margaret was known for most of her life as Bridget.

Margaret "Bridget" married Edward O'Donnell, c 1892.  They had at least one child: Bridget "Bea" O'Donnell born c 1897.  The child Bridget "Bea" married James Ruane.   

Margaret died c 1931 and her husband, Edward O'Donnell, died c 1946.

Sources: Mayo North Family Heritage Centre, December 8, 1998 and Family Tree produced by Thomas J. McIntyre, CM, c 1990.

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Catherine

John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Convey had four known children.  The oldest child was:

Catherine Ginty Madden

Catherine was born circa 1849 as per 1901 Irish Census of Population Returns.  Catherine married Thomas Madden, son of Thomas Madden from Lahardane in Killasser. They were married in Killasser Roman Catholic church on the 2nd of February 1867.  The ceremony was performed by Reverend John Finn and witnessed by Michael O'Donnell and Mary Durkin.  In the 1901 Irish Census, Catherine Madden (nee Ginty) is recorded as being a widow aged 52 years.

A Thomas Madden, a 55-year old married man was found dead in Crohan Lake on Monday morning the 1st of August 1898.  His death was registered by Edmond C. Kelly, coroner for Co. Mayo.  It is believed that this is the husband of Catherine.

Thomas and Catherine had eight known children:
1.  Mary, baptized on the 4th of December 1867.   Sponsors were Pat Madden and Mary Ginty
2.  Bridget, baptized on the 2nd of January 1869.  Sponsors were Thomas Ginty and Mary Kennedy.
3.  Michael, baptized on the 11th of August 1870.  Sponsors were James Madden and Mary Ginty.
4.  John, baptized on the 24th of September 1870.  Sponsors were John Ginty and Mary Kennedy.
5.  Thomas, baptized on the 24th of September 1871.  Sponsors were Michael and Mary Ginty.
6.  Pat, baptized on the 15th of January 1876.  Sponsors were Richard Madden and Mary Ginty.
7.  James, baptized on the 19th of November 1879.  Sponsors were unknown and Kate Sheeran.  James died on the 11th of December 1879 aged 1 month from convulsions.  His father Thomas registered the death.
8.  James, baptized on the 2nd of December 1880.  Sponsors were Michael Madden and Bridget Ginty.

Source: All information compiled by the Mayo North Family History Centre, December 7, 1998.

John Ginty, Griffith's Valuation, 1855-1857

In an effort to value Ireland's land to secure an unbiased and equitable tax base for the wealthy and poor alike, Richard Griffith completed his monumental undertaking in the mid-1800s to collect specific valuation details to enable grand juries and Poor Law Guardians to set their tax rates. During the plotting of a tenement, the surveyor asked the occupant or the landlord, "What is the rent?" and "How is the tenement held [i.e., by lease, by the year, owned]? and entered these details in his notebook.

The Tenement Valuation in county Mayo began in 1855 and was completed in 1857. In the Civil Parish of Killasser, Townland of Carrowbeg, John Ginty, Mary Ginty's father, is listed as leasing land, a house and office/she from Edward Baxter. Edward Baxter, the owner of the land, lived in Dundee, Scotland and owned a total of 2,151 acres of land situated in County Mayo. John Ginty, for his property, paid an annual valuation of £8.

Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo

The Ginty family were members of the Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo.  Some history of the Parish from its website:

"The rural parish of Killasser is situated north of Swinford in County Mayo. To the north of the parish lie the spectacular Ox Mountains, and to its south flows the River Moy. Killasser takes its name from Cill Lasrach, meaning “the church of Lasair”. St Lasair established a church here in the 8th Century, the ruins of which can be found in Killasser cemetery in the townland of Knockmullin. The richness and variety of archaeological monuments in the parish, with evidence of human activity here going back 5000 years, has made Killasser well known to many outside County Mayo.

"Today, Killasser is served by two fine churches. The parish church, dedicated to All Saints, and situated in the townland of Listernan, was built in 1832. Its anchor-shaped design is unique in Ireland. The church of St Thomas, in the “half parish” of Callow, was built in 1811. It is prominently situated overlooking the picturesque waters of Callow Lough Upper and Lower. The church has beautiful stained glass windows, including a window depicting St Patrick from the studio of Harry Clarke.

"Located near the parish church of All Saints is the Killasser Community Centre, with its many facilities, opened in 1980.  In recent years, the very fine Hennigan’s Heritage Centre has been established in the parish of Killasser. Here can be traced the archaeological and social history of the parish.

"Further information about the parish can be found at www.killasser.com. (This website has photos of the area and is worth a look.)  Also recommended are three publications “Killasser-a history” and “The Archaeological Heritage of Killasser, Co Mayo”, both by Bernard O’Hara, and “Callow School Reunion – A Celebration”, all currently out of print but available at local libraries.

"Ancient Ecclesiastical Sites: The ruined remains of a very ancient church are to be found in Cill Seisneáin in the townland of Graffy.  Other more recent remains are situated on the hill of Srón in nearby  Carrowneden. Mass is celebrated in alternate years at each church  site around mid summers day."

Mary Ginty, Baptismal Record, 1850

Mary Ginty was baptized on September 3, 1850 at Killasser Roman Catholic Church, County Mayo, Ireland. Her parents John Ginty and Peggy Conway (Convey) are noted as well as her sponsors Thomas Ginty and Mary Cahill. This entry is recorded in the early pages of the Baptismal Register of the Parish and therefore damaged due to age and wear.

Lawrence McIntyre and Mary Ginty Marriage Record, 1877

From the Killasser Roman Catholic Parish Marriage Register, County Mayo, Ireland, the entry for March 1, 1877 shows the recording of Law(rence) McEntire and Mary Ginty's marriage. They were married by E. H. Carrington, Catholic Curate.  Witnesses are John Conway and Maria Convey (Conway).  Following the marriage, Lawrence and Mary resided in Lislea, Kilmacteige Parish, County Sligo, Ireland, the townland from which Lawrence came.