County Mayo

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Knocknareaslider jpg - Are You a Descendant of the Queen of Connaught?

Are You a Descendant of the Queen of Connaught?

Their letter contained many fascinating ancestral anecdotes, but one in particular caught my eye – it was a story about their ancestor, Helen Reynolds. You see, that surname suggests that she may have been a direct descendant of a very particular “strong woman” of ancient Ireland. Queen Maedbh of Connaught.  In last week’s letter, I…

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Irish Surnames

Irish Surnames That Say Where You Came From

I received the following last week from one of our readers, Nancy Ireland: The surname is Ireland.   It is so hard to research the name Ireland !   My husband has always wanted to know who was the first in his family to come to the United States from Ireland.  I have located his…

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Irish Civilisation jpg - How The Irish Saved Civilisation

How The Irish Saved Civilisation

Last week I was invited to a dinner at Dublin’s Trinity College on a beautiful summer’s evening. Have you been there? As dusk fell we went for a walk among the grounds before the formality of the speeches and dinner. A sign caught my eye: “This way for the Book of Kells”. There we were, just…

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Signposts in Ireland

An Ideal Trip to Ireland

Many of the emails I receive each week are concerned with planning a trip to Ireland. Often, it is a first trip – and the person on the other end are worried that they are fitting enough in, going to the right places etc. You know yourself how enjoyable – and stressful – holiday planning…

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slider1 jpg - The Brehon Families of Ireland - Is Your Surname Here?

The Brehon Families of Ireland – Is Your Surname Here?

Their letter contained many fascinating ancestral anecdotes, but one in particular caught my eye – it was a story about their ancestor, Helen Reynolds. You see, that surname suggests that she may have been a direct descendant of a very particular “strong woman” of ancient Ireland. Queen Maedbh of Connaught.  In last week’s letter, I…

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