Introduction
The following entries are intended as notes for a biographical dictionary of the barony of  Lower Connello in County Limerick. Some of my readers will already be familiar with two of my previous books: Askeaton/ Ballysteen: Biographical Dictionary (Cork: Iverus, 2007) and Adare and the Barony of Kenry: Biographical Dictionary (Cork: Iverus, 2010). In the work dealing with Lower Connello, I intend to include the parishes of Askeaton/ Ballysteen, Cappagh, Croom, Croagh and Rathkeale. As my research progresses, I will post additional material in these pages. I include them here for the benefit of local history enthusiasts in the area, many of whom are not only friends but also research colleagues and collaborators.
John M Feheney

Notes for a Biographical Dictionary of Lower Connello, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Ashe, Rev William (1747-1836), Clergyman
William Ashe, son of Nicholas Ashe and his wife, Mary Smith, was born at Croagh, Co. Limerick, in 1747. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained an MA degree. He was ordained clergyman of the Church of Ireland and was appointed Rector of Kilfergus (Glin), before becoming Rector of Croagh, as well as Vicar Choral of St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, and Prebendary of Croagh. He married Elizabeth Jeffries, daughter of Rev Edward Jeffries, of Ludlow, Shropshire, and had issue, including, sons, Rev Edward, William and Henry, together with a daughter, Mary Anne. Rev Ashe died on 24 June, 1836. (Www.ashefamily.info/ashefamily/93.htm)
 

Barry, Rev David (1879-1937), Clergyman
David Barry was born in Effin, Co. Limerick, and baptised in his local parish church on 18 May, 1879. He attended Effin National School and entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, to study for the diocesan priesthood. He was ordained for the Diocese of Limerick at St John’s Cathedral on 28 June, 1903.  After ordination, he was sent to the Dunboyne Institute, Maynooth, for advanced studies (1903-1905). His first diocesan appointment was as curate in Parteen (1905-1907), after which he was appointed curate, successively, in St Munchin’s (1908); Templeglantine (1908-1911); Bruff (1911-1931) and Patrickswell (1931-1933). On 11 May, 1933, he was appointed Parish Priest of Cappagh, where he remained until his death on 10 January, 1937, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, at the early age of 57 years. He was buried in the church grounds, Cappagh, Co. Limerick. (Tobin, 2004, 2).

Bateman, John (d.1792), Landed Gentry
John Bateman, son of John Bateman of Killeen (now Oakpark), Tralee, Co. Kerry, and his second wife, Anne Evans, sister of Lord Carbery, was born in Tralee about 1725. He married, firstly, in 1745, Elizabeth Sadleir, with whom he had one daughter, Catherine. He married, secondly, in 1756, Grace Brooke, daughter of Henry Brooke of Colebrooke, Co. Fermanagh, with whom he had three sons, John, who inherited the family estate, Henry, who was ordained a Church of Ireland clergyman (qv), and George Brooke, who died unmarried in 1809, together with two daughters. One daughter, Laetitia, married Gerald Blennerhassett (qv) of Riddlestown, Rathkeale. The other, Frances, married Rev Thomas Lloyd (qv), of Beechmount, Rathkeale. John built Altavilla House, Cappagh, about 1746. It had a six-bay central block of three stories, over a basement, with flanking wings of two storeys. The house was burned at one stage but was partially restored by a later owner, Lord Daresbury. John Bareman died in 1792 and was interred in Rathkeale CoI cemetery.
( www.bomford.net/IrishBomfords/Chapter15/chapter15.htm )

Begley, Rev John (1861-1941), Clergyman
John Begley was born in the parish of Monagea, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, and baptised in his local parish church on 1 August, 1861. He attended the local National School, after which he attended St Munchin’s College, Limerick, followed by St Patrick’s Seminary, Maynooth. He was ordained priest at Maynooth on 24 June, 1888. Following ordination, he was sent on loan to the diocese of Argyll and the Isles in Scotland, where he was stationed in the island of Bute. On his return to Ireland, he held the following curacies: Coolcappa (1891-1893); Tournafulla (1893-1898) and St Munchin’s (1898-1915). On 14 May, 1915, he was appointed Parish Priest of Cappagh (1915-1917), after which he was Parish Priest of Dromcollogher/ Broadford (1917-1927), Kilmallock (1927-1932) and Bruff (1932-1941). He held the following ecclesiastical appointments: Canon (1915); Vicar Forane (1927); Archdeacon (1932); Vicar General (1937). He published three volumes of the History of the Diocese of Limerick. He died on 10 June, 1941, aged 79, and was buried in the church grounds, Bruff. (Tobin, 2004, 3)

Blennerhassett, Gerald (), Landed Gentry
Gerald Blennerhassett, youngest son of Edward Blennerhassett and Mary Windall (sometimes spelled Windale), was born in Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. His family had come to Tralee from Cumberland in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and, initially, were aligned with, if not in the service of, the Dennys, who controlled Tralee Castle and the surrounding lands of the dispossessed Earl of Desmond. The Blennerhassetts came into possession of Riddlestown Park through marriage to Elizabeth Windall, whose mother inherited the Rice estate in Riddlestown. Gerald is regarded as the founder of the Riddlestown branch of the family and Riddlestown continued to be the principal seat of the Blennerhassett family in county Limerick, until it was inherited by the 27th Knight of Glin, who sold it about 1904.  Gerald married Christiana Bayly of Loughgur, Co. Limerick, and they had an only son, Arthur, and six daughters.

Blennerhassett, Arthur (1687-1758), Judge & MP
Arthur Blennerhassett, only son of Gerald Blennerhassett and his wife, Christiana Bayly, was born around 1687. He was educated in Dublin at Dr Jones’ private school, before entering Trinity College, Dublin, on 15 May, 1704, aged 16 years. He graduated with a BA degree (1708) and qualified as a lawyer. He was awarded the degree, LLD, honoris causa, by Trinity College in 1734. He was Recorder for Limerick in 1734 and became a Justice of the King’s Bench. He was MP for Tralee from 1727 to 1743. He built Riddlestown Park House about 1730. He married Margaret Hayes of Cahirguillamore, Co. Limerick, and they had a son, Hayes, who died young and without issue, and a daughter, Ellen. Arthur, like most members of the landed gentry, was a magistrate. He was a member of the Askeaton Hell Fire Club and his wife, Margaret, popularly known as ‘Celinda’, is reputed to have been the only lady member of this club. The story goes that, being curious to find out what the men did at the Club meetings, she hid behind the curtains. When she was discovered, she was enrolled as a member to ensure her silence. She can be seen, beside her brother, in James Worsdale’s portrait of the group, done in 1736. A portrait of her by James Latham may also be seen at Glin Castle. She was drowned in a tragic boating accident in the Lakes of Killarney in October, 1775. Judge Arthur was succeeded by his uncle, Gerald or ‘Garrett’ Blennerhassett.

         
Blennerhassett, Gerald (c1734-1774), Landed Gentry
Gerald (known locally as ‘Garrett’) Blennerhassett, who succeeded his nephew, Arthur Blennerhassett, as owner of Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, was born about 1734. He married Margaret Wilson, his cousin, from Bilbao Court, Murroe, Co. Limerick, and had two sons, Arthur and Gerald. He died in 1774.

Blennerhassett, Gerald (d.1806), Landed Gentry
Gerald, generally known as ‘Colonel’ Gerald, Blennerhassett, son of Gerald Blennerhassett and his wife, Margaret Wilson, was born in Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. He was colonel of the Riddlestown Huzzars and a magistrate for the Rathkeale area. He married, firstly, Mary Wilkinson, daughter of Joseph Wilkinson, of county Cork, and, after her death, he married, secondly, Laetitia Batemen, daughter of John Bateman of Altavilla, Rathkeale. He died in Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, on 19 September, 1806, and was succeeded by his elder son, Gerald.

Blennerhassett, Gerald (c1780-1845), Landed Gentry
Gerald Blennerhassett, eldest son of Gerald Blennerhassett and Laetitia Bateman, was born in Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, around 1780. He was High Sherif for county Limerick (1812-1813) and a member of the county Limerick Grand Jury (1831). He married Elizabeth Massy of Glenville, Co. Limerick, and they had two sons, Gerald Fitzgerald and William, and a daughter, Clara, who married the 25th Knight (the ‘Cracked Knight) of Glin. Gerald was Colonel of the Riddlestown Huzzars, a company of Yeomanry, and he was also first Master of the Limerick Foxhounds. Both he and his son signed a letter in the Ennis Chronicle in October, 1799, supporting the Act of Union. He also signed a petition opposing the repeal of the Act of Union in 1830. In 1821, together with other landlords, he offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of the men responsible for the attempted murder of Alexander Hoskins, in Newcastle West. Gerald’s wife, Elizabeth Massey, is notabe for the fact that she had 21 brothers and, on one occasion, 17 of them were mounted at a hunt led by her husband. Gerald died at Riddlestown Park, on 22 January, 1845. He had a reputation for generosity and hospitality. (Bowen, 1954, 48)

Blennerhassett, Gerald (1809-1876), Landed Gentry
Gerald Fitzgerald Blennerhassett, son of Gerald Blennerhassett and his wife, Elizabeth Massy, was born in Ruthland Street, Dublin, his father’s ‘town’ house, on 8 February, 1809. He was a deputy lieutenant for county Limerick in 1834, in addition to being a local magistrate. On 13 June, 1840, he married Geraldine FitzGerald, eldest daughter of the 24th Knight of Glin. They had one son, Gerald, and two daughters, only one of whom, Clara, married. She married George Fosbery (1854-1939) of Clorhane, Adare. On the death of her brother, Gerald, in 1886, Clara became the last of the Blennerhassetts to live at Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale. When she died in 1904, the property was inherited by the 27th Knight of Glin, who removed some its historic paintings to Glin Castle and then sold the Riddlestown Park property.

Blennerhassett, Gerald Fitzgerald (1845-1886), Landed Gentry
Gerald Urmston Fitzgerald Blennerhassett, son of Gerald Blennerhassett and his wife, Geraldine FitzGerald, was born in Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, on 15 September, 1845. He was baptised in Rathkeale on 16 October, 1845. A local magistrate, he was also deputy lieutenant for county Limerick and an enthusiastic follower of the hunt. In 1876, he was listed as owning 1,142 acres of land. He died 15 August, 1886. He was the last male line of the Blennerhassetts at Riddlestown Park, Rathkeale.

Bouchier, Rev James (1815-1850), Clergyman
James Henry Bouchier was born in county Limerick about 1812 and educated in Mr Griffith’s private school. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 19 October, 1829, at the age of 17. He graduated with a BA degree in 1834. He then took orders in the Church of Ireland. He was curate in Rathkeale from 1836-1843. He was appointed prebendary of Ballycahane, Kilcornan, on 12 June, 1848. He resigned this post in 1850 to take up the post of rector of Ardcanny, Pallaskenry. He did not long survive this change, however, and died on 2 October, 1850, at the early age of 35. (Leslie, 1936, 99, 130, 301, 320).

Bouchier-Hayes, John (d. 1940), Physician
John Thomas Bourchier-Hayes, son of Thomas Hayes, physician, and his wife, M Bouchier, was born in Rathkeale in 18?. He qualified as a physician and joined his father’s medical practice in Rathkeale. He married Alice in 1891 and they had a family of one boy, Aubrey,  and three girls (Eva, Anna and Ethel). John died on 28 September, 1940, and was buried in the cemetery, attached to the Catholic church, Rathkeale. He wife, Alice, died on 30 March, 1930, and was buried beside her husband. 

Bouchier-Hayes, Margaret (   ), Physician

Bouchier-Hayes, Thomas (   ), Veterinary Surgeon
Thomas Bouchier-Hayes, son of Thomas Hayes, physician, and his wife, Ms Bouchier, was born in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, on ?. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon (MRCVSE) and established a practice in Rathkeale. He married Margaret and they had a family of three sons (Cyril, Thomas and Aubrey) and one girl, Irene. Margaret died in 1946, aged 74 years.

Bourke, Rev Robert ( ), Clergyman

Cappagh PP, 1835-1837

Bourke, Rev Joseph (c.1840-1892), Clergyman
Joseph Bourke was born in St Mary’s parish, Limerick, about 1840. He matriculated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 25 August, 1858, after which he entered the Rhetoric class. On completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained for the Limerick diocese in June, 1864. He became an important figure in the educational life of Limerick, founding Crescent College and Mungret College, both of which he owned and administered. These colleges, at the time, also catered for young men preparing for the priesthood. Both colleges were subsequently acquired by the Jesuits. Father Bourke served as curate in Bruff (1865-1867) and Rathkeale (1867) and as Administrator in the parish of Cratloe, before his appointment as Parish Priest of Askeaton on 2 October, 1886. On 25 March, 1890, he was transferred to Limerick as Parish Priest of St Patrick’s parish, where he died on 25 May, 1892. (Feheney, 2007, 7; Spellissey, 1998, 142-44; Hammell, 35).

Bourke, Rev Patrick (1873-1899), Clergyman
Patrick Bourke was born in Rathkeale and baptised in his local parish church on 24 March, 1873. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on 11 July, 1897. After ordination, he was granted permission by Bishop O’Dwyer to go to South Africa for health reasons and he ministered in Port Elizabeth for two years (1897-1899). His health continued to decline, however, and he died in Port Elizabeth in 1899, aged 26 years. He was buried in Port Elizabeth. (Tobin, 2004, 4)

Brown, Rev John (1684- ), Clergyman
John Brown, son of William Brown and his wife, Elizabeth Rock, was born in Belfast in 1684. His father was a soldier in the army of William, Prince of Orange, and saw action in several counties in Ireland. John, the only surviving child of a family of six, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained BA and MA degrees. He was ordained a deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1708 and priest in 1709. In 1717, he married Ann, daughter of John Vincent, who became Mayor of Limerick. In 1732, he was appointed Archdeacon, and in 1740, Chancellor, of the diocese of Limerick. In 1740, he also became rector of Rathkeale. He inherited a farm in east Clare from his father, William, and he also held an appointment as turnpike commissioner. He lived at Danesfort, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. Among his children was John Brown (qv)

Brown, John (1724-1810), Land Agent
John Brown, son of Archdeacon John Brown and his wife, AnnVincent, was born in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, in 1724. He was the fourth of twelve children. He married Meliora Southwell of Stoneville, Rathkeale, and they had six surviving children. Meliora died on 3 November, 1767, aged 35 years. John married, secondly, Catherine, daughter of William Massey, but there was no issue from the second marriage. Catherine died in 1796, aged 65 years, and John was a widower from then until his death on 30 December, 1810. Initially, he lived at Danesfort, Rathkeale, before taking up his residence at Mount Brown (now Dromard House), Croagh, Rathkeale. He was succeeded by his son, from his first marriage, John Southwell Brown.

Brown, John (c1786-), Army Officer
John Brown, son of Henry Brown and Sarah Pierse, was born in Danesfort, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, about 1786. He obtained a commission as an officer in the British army, reaching the rank of captain. He married Constance Odell, daughter of Colonel William Odell and his wife, Alpha Crone, in 1801, and had issue, including four daughters (Aphrosia, Sarah, Meliora and Phoebe).

Brown, John Edward (1818-1894), Landed Gentry
John Edward Brown, son of John Southwell Brown and his wife, Margaret Vesey, was born in Mount Brown, Croagh, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, in 1818. He acquired the title of Colonel and is listed in 1874 as living in Dromard House (formerly Mount Brown) with 1,272 acres of land. He died in 1894.

Brown, Henry (   ), Army Officer
William Henry, elder son of John Brown, land agent to Lord Southwell, and his first wife, Meliora Southwell, was born in Danesfort, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, about 17.. He obtained a commission in the British army and was stationed in several barracks around Ireland. He married Sarah Pierse of Castle Harrison, Charleville, Co. Cork, who brought him a large dowry and they had a large family of six sons (John, Henry, Edward, Pierse, William, and Francis) and four daughters (Meliora, Ann, Sarah and Catherine). On his retirement from the army, Henry settled near Limerick. Among his children was Captain John Brown, who married Constance Odell, daughter of Colonel William Odell and his wife, Alpha Crone. Subsequently, Henry lived at Danesfort, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.

Browning, Jeffrey (c.1790-1845), Landed Gentry
Jeffrey Browning, son of Thomas Browning and Jane Norris, was born in Waterford about 1790. He purchased Carass Court, Croom, Co. Limerick, from Lord Carbery and his family became established there for about a century. He married Frances Roche of Carass, Croom, sister of Sir David Roche, 1st Baronet, and she became famous for being the mother of 19 children. Several of her children acquired lands in Limerick and other counties of Munster, either through marriage or inheritance. One of her children married a member of the Hayman family, which had large estates. Jeffrey died on 30 January, 1845, while his wife, Frances, was drowned in the river Shannon in 1836, following a carriage accident. (Www.landedestates.ie; www.thepeerage.com)