Roots Trip

While in Ireland we are tracing the roots of my Great Great Grandfather McDonald. Following on from my cousin Lisa's research, we traveled to Mallow and visited the Heritage Center. Susanne helped us identify a family that is similar to the details we have about our ancestor David McDonald. The names were different perhaps due to the Gaelic roots, but we did locate a family with similar names and dates and went to the general location where they were recorded. This is an area around Shanballymoore, Kildorerry, and Doneraile, 30 or so miles north of the city of Cork. We did find the names McDonald and McDonnell on gravestones in the Templeroan Cemetery outside Shanballymoore but they didn't seem to be related to our ancestors. From there we went down to Cobh where most of the people left to immigrate around the world. The Queen Victoria was docked there as it was the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania of the coast. We met many friendly and helpful people and saw a lot of fine countryside on the trip.

Helpful Center

Getting Close

Templeroan Cemetery

Another Spelling?

Meal at the Thatch and Thyme Kildorerry

Queen Victoria at Cobh Harbor

Heritage Museum Cobh

Potato Famine 1845-47

Great Great Grandpa was among them