County Limerick, Ireland Genealogy

Ireland County Limerick.

County Limerick is located on the western side of Ireland with the River Shannon forming its northern boundary and is part of the province of Munster. The name Limerick is derived from the Irish name ' Luimneach' meaning ‘bare ground.’ Its greatest length is 50 miles from the boundary at Galtmore to near Abbeyfeale and has an area of about 1030 square miles.

The Celts came to this area in 400 BC. Later in the fifth century, several Christian monasteries were established. The Vikings took control of Limerick City in the mid-ninth century followed by the Normans in the twelfth century. Limerick was formerly established in 1210. A large rebellion in the sixteenth century. To make the County more English, settlers came Limerick in 1598 as part of the Plantation of Munster, which wasn’t very successful. German settlers were brought to Limerick in 1709 from the Rhine Palatinate.

A local potato famine in 1820 followed by the great famine in 1845-47, had a terrible impact. In 1821, the population was 277,477. It increased to 330,029 in 1841, but began to decrease thereafter. In 1851, it was 262,132 and was only 143,000 in 1911. In 2006, the population was 184,055. Limerick is predominately Roman Catholic. In 1861, 96.4% of the population were Roman Catholic with 3.3% of the Church of Ireland, 0.10% Presbyterians and 0.2% Methodists. There were small variations over the years, but it remain fairly constant. In 1911, 97.08% were Roman Catholic with 2.44% Church of Ireland, 0.13% Presbyterians and 0.2% Methodists.

General County Research Information
Further information about County Limerick is available at the GenUKI Limerick site.

Civil Jurisdictions and Parish Research Information
A map of the Civil Parishes of County Limerick is available at Irish Times site.

Emigration
Dr. S. C. O'Mahoney. Emigration From the Limerick Workhouse, 1848-1860. This article gives an explanation of the Emigration process and the different schemes used to remove people from the workhouse, they were sent to Australia, Canada and New York. Names and means of the emigration are given. Covers years 1848-1860. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. XIV. no. 2, 1982, pages 83-94. Family History Library Ref 941.5 B2i.

Genealogy
De Breffny, Brian. The Family of Odell or O'Dell. Article is Genealogy of Odell Family including pictures of Thomas Bernard O'Dell with daughter Florence Barbara b. 1885. Thomas Odell 1822-1891. Charles O'Dell 1864-1935, It includes those who went to India, U.S.A. West Indies, Canada. Covers the various branches of Odell of the foloowing places - Ballyhahill &amp; Odellville, Ogonelloe, Co. Clare, O'Dell of Moyanna, Co. Leix, O'Dell of Listowel, Co. Kerry, O'Dell of Mahoonagn, and Mondellihy, Co. Limerick. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol.1.no.2. 1969 pages 114-144, also The Family of Odell or O'Dell Supplement. covers 1617 - 1953, in Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. pages 41-48, The Irish Ancestory VolIII, no. 1. 1971 Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i

De Breffny, Brian. Monckton of Co. Limerick. Genealogy of Nicholas Monckton of Limerick Market, Limerick including pictures. Covers years 1580-1918. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. IV, no. 1. 1972, pages 15-20. Family History Library Ref.941.5 B2i

contributed by Cantwell, Brian J. The Family Bible of John Ganley of William Street, Limerick. Genealogy of John Ganley and wife Bridget Molloy. Also transcription of Ganley headstone in St. Lawrence's Cemetery. Limerick, covering years 1817-1943, article in The Irish Ancestor, vol.XI.no.2.1979, pages 84-85, Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i vol.10-11.

Elliott, Bruce S. The Hopper Family. Arthur Hopper married Elinor Hart in 1754. They had at least 4 children. Arthur married 2nd Sarah Wilson, who in turn had 3 children. This article describes their descendants, some of who emigrated to Canada, Montreal. Article covers 1754-1980, in The Irish Ancestor, vol. XIV. no.2. 1982. pages 59-73, Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i

VIGNE, Randolph. A Daughter's Recollections of the Langfords of Kilcosgriff, Co. Limerick. The posterity of John Coplen and Susannah Langford, mostly name, a few dates. Portraits of Henrietta Sarah Coplen-Langford 1830-1925, Rev. Richard Coplen-Langford 1790-1856, Henrietta Coplen-Langford 1830-1925, Michael Fitzgerald 1827-1886, William Coplen-Langford 1796, and Cooper Crawford Langford in silohuette are given. covering 1745-1959. The Irish Ancestor, Vol. XVII. no.1. 1985 pages 18-23. Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i

Maps
1885 County Map: Courtesy of London Ancestor

Probates
Abstract of Wills. List of heirs of Symon White of Knockcentry 1704, Co. Limerick. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol.V. no. 1. 1973, pages 53-61, Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i v.5-6. Also list of heirs of Patrick Oliver ARTHUR, of Limerick City, dated 19 Feb. 1652, and Abraham VANHOEGAERDY of Limerick dated 20 Sept. 1665, Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. VIII,no.1, 1976, page 48, and page 52, Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i vol.7-8. also Abstract of Wills for Beatly, Brock, Geoghegan, Gordon, Kirwin, O'Neil, Phaire, Rakestrow, Sarsfield, Slator, Weekes and Wofe written and proved in various counties. Covers years 1686-1837. The Irish Ancestor, vol. XIII no. 1. 1981 pages 63-72.Family History Ref 941.5 B2i vXIII no 1.

Occupations
Bennett, Douglas, with biographical notes by Ffolliott, Rosemary. The Silvermakers of Limerick. Description of silvermakers along with biographical notes of each person, covering years 1693-1878, article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. X. no. 2. 1978. pages 99-107, Family History Library Salt Lake City Ref. 941.5 B23i vol. 10-11.

Ffolliott, Rosemary. Game Licences in Co. Limerick 1802-1821, List of persons and addresses who purchased Licences to kill game. List has come from the Limerick Chronicle. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. XVI, no.2. 1984 pages 98-106.

Voters
Contributed by Ffolliott, Rosemary. Gentlemen of the Counties Clare and Limerick Who Were in Favour of the Union in 1799. The Ennis Chronicle posted two lists of gentlemen in favour of the Union from Co. Clare and Limerick in autumn 1799. Article in The Irish Ancestor, vol. XIV. no.1. 1982, pages 30-35. Family History Library Ref. 941.5 B2i

Web Sites
To view a list of Limerick web sites, visit FHLFavorites.info for some great sites.