Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Query about Heybyrne family

I’m trying to trace my ancestors who came from Kilcullen.

My great, great grandfather, Martin Francis Heybyrne, was born in Kilcullen in April 1819 and his father James Heybyrne was born in Kilcullen in 1795. They were barbers and later moved to Dublin –- in the Corn Market.

The grandson of James Heybyrne was a Patrick Heybyrne who was jailed in 1865 for being part of a Fenian plot. There is a reference to him in the book 'The Wearing of the Green' where it describes a march through Dublin in 1867 to honour three Irishmen executed in Manchester. It states that the procession stopped outside Heybyrne’s shop in honour of Patrick Heybyrne.

I know little else of these Heybyrne ancestors –- who were their parents, where they lived etc. Are any records kept in local churches of baptisms, burials, wedding etc –- are there any local history groups who might help?

Michael Cox.