Country Clare, Ireland

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Moher family history!

The Cliffs of Moher. Co. Clare, Ireland.

My 2nd Great-Grandparents, Michael M. Howe and Bridget Agnes Connellan arrived in a port in New York on April 28th, 1901. They had come from County Clare, Ireland...

Life in County Clare

Bridget's parents were John Connellan and Nancy Carny. Michael's parents were John Howe and Mary McMahon, born 1837 and 1852 respectively. McMahon being an important name in the history of Co. Clare.

The McMahons were one of the main clans in the region historically. However, like many people in the west of Ireland, the Great Famine meant lots of family leaving. Even though the famine took place around 1845, the effects were lasting. That is why some 50 years later, Michael Howe set off from America.

Home to the famous Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare lies on the beautiful west coast of Ireland, just below Galway. The name Clare comes from the Irish word, Clár, which means board or plank. A plank was placed across River Fergus at a place which would become known as Clare. Clare remains a picturesque county on the Emerald Isle to this day. (Irishcultureandcustoms.com)