My Pritchard and Wright lines have a history in County Cork that may have started in the late 17th century. Several of my ancestors appear to have benefited from Williamite Wars, obtaining land confiscated from Irish landowners that was sold or given to mostly English Protestants. The Pritchards and Wrights thrived as farmers and tradesmen, … Continue reading County Cork
In preparation for our trip to Ireland, we used this tool from BYU's Family History Lab to identify ancestors that possibly came from Ireland*. It brought several lines up that I hadn't explored yet. One of the lines identified was the Bryan family. FamilySearch identified Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Ormond, as my 12th great-grandmother. As … Continue reading Not Quite an Irish Princess
Between two hills sits the town of Bandon dissected by the River Bandon. Founded in 1604 during the Plantation of Munster, the town was originally called Bandon Bridge, the translation of the Irish name, Droichead na Bandan, or Bridge of the Bandon. Arriving in Bandon from the north. © Julie Medlock Flake The earliest known … Continue reading The Bridge of the Bandon
Just south of the center of the small village of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland, stands St. Colman's Cathedral, built in 1250 on the site of the monastery St. Colman founded in the 6th century. A few of my early Pritchard and Wright ancestors married, had their remains laid in the churchyard, and probably worshiped here. … Continue reading Wildflowers in the Churchyard
My Pritchard ancestors lived in Midleton (sometimes Middleton) Parish in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They were most likely of English descent, but it's not known when they first came to Ireland. They seem to be well established in Midleton, neighboring Rathcoursey, and Cork City before 1691. Records list members of the family … Continue reading The Rock at Midleton
My 9th great-grandfather was probably married at St. Finnbarr's Cathedral in the city of Cork, Ireland. William Pritchard was listed as a mariner on the marriage licence bond dated 1688. Ruth Wells was from Bandon, a town about 19 miles south west of Cork. They had at least five children: Paul, Henry, William, Margaret, and … Continue reading St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral
On a wooded section of road, an iron gate stands at the entrance of a driveway that climbs to the right, up a small hill. Peeking out behind trees and bushes stands Chequer Hall, a house built during the Plantation of Ulster during the 17th century and the home of my 7th great-grandfather, John Adams, … Continue reading Chequer Hall
