The McDonald Family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore

Today, we are going to feature the McDonald family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Tracing members of this family proved difficult because the name has been spelled in numerous ways from McDonald to Macdonell. Special thanks to McDonald descendants Perri Williams and Sean McCarthy as well as Barbara Barden O’Donahue for the information they shared regarding their research. The McDonald family of Ballyfacey provides an excellent example of how members of large Glenmore families sought opportunities in Glenmore, adjacent parishes and on foreign shores.

Earliest McDonald’s in Ballyfacey, Glenmore

Glenmore was until the middle of the 19th century part of the parish of Slieverue. We are lucky that the parish records started in the mid-18^th century survive. Thus, we know that Patrick McDaniel (sic) and his wife Joane Murry were the parents of at least two children baptized at “Old Ballyfacey:” Margaret McDaniel (bapt. 4 Oct. 1769) and Catherine Macdaniel (sic) (bapt. 26 Aug. 1772).

A record of a wedding on 18 February 1798 was found in the Slieverue parish records where Margaret Macdonnell (sic) “Old Ballyfacey” married John Bardin of Lismategue, Knocktopher.

The parish records provide that other McDonald children were born during this era: in Kilbride, Glenmore (Patrick, bapt. 26 Nov.1776, son of Edmond O’Danniel and Margaret Joanes); and in Mullinahone, Glenmore (Anstice, bapt. 31 July 1771, daughter of Edmund Mackdaniel (sic) and Margaret Grant).

In the 1830 Tithe Applotment  Books for Lower Bally Facey (sic) John McDaniel was the lessee 22 acres plus leased about 100 acres in the townland in common with others.

The Last McDonald’s in Ballyfacey, Glenmore

The last McDonalds in Ballyfacey were two bachelor brothers. James “Jimmy Mac” McDonald (26 June 1909-21 Sept. 1990) and Patrick “Pat Mac” McDonald (11 Sept. 1918-22 March 1986). Both are buried in Glenmore with their parents Patrick McDonald (c. 16 Mar. 1868-14 Dec. 1952) and Margaret McDonald née Henneberry (22 June 1875-10 Dec. 1957).

Their mother, Margaret was baptized in Jamestown, Glenmore, to Patrick Henneberry and his wife Bridget Joice(sic) [Joyce] on 18 June 1875. Their father, Patrick Macdonald (sic)(c. 1868-1952) was baptized at Ballyfacey on 16 March 1868. He was the son of Thomas Macdonald, of Ballyfacey, and his second wife Anastatia Neill, of Mullinavat.

Margaret Hennebery (1875-1957) of Jamestown, married Patrick Macdonald (sic) of Ballyfacey at Glenmore on 22 November 1904. The groom’s father was recorded as Thomas Macdonald (deceased, farmer) and the bride’s father was Patrick Henneberry (farmer).

Patrick McDonald (1868-1952) and Magaret McDonald née Henneberry (1875-1957) had 9 known children.

[1] Thomas McDonald (c. 1906-1953) never married and died at the age of 46 at Ballyfacey after a 2 year illness. His death cert lists angina pectoris as his cause of death. His brother James was present when Thomas died on 20 February 1953.  A short death notice was located in the Munster Express ( Fri. 13 Feb. 1953, p. 12). “The death occurred rather unexpectedly at his residence, Ballyfacey, Glenmore, on Tuesday last, of Mr. Thomas McDonald, at the age of 44. He was eldest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Patrick McDonald, and was a prominent footballer and hurler with his native parish, as well as being a founder member of Glenmore’s Ploughing Association.”

[2] Anastatia McDonald (1908) married O’Sullivan of Ballyhale.

[3] James “Jimmy Mac” McDonald (1909-1990) never married.

[4] Bridget McDonald (1910-1 Nov. 1991) married John Kennedy (c. 1908-1970) of Ballinclare, Glenmore. The couple farmed at Ballinclare and raised 7 known children.

[5] Patrick “Pat Mac” McDonald (1918-1986) never married.

[6] Catherine “Katie” McDonald (23 July 1918—30 Mar. 2013) married Paddy Cororan (c. 1912 -1970) of Mullinahone. The couple had no children.

[7] Mary “May” McDonald (b. 11 May 1914) married Quinn of Ballyhale.

[8] Margaret McDonald (b. 31 Aug 1915) married at Glenmore in 1941, Thomas Fitzgerald of Glynn, Tullogher.

[9] John McDonald (b. 2 Feb. 1920) was married and resided in Ferrybank.

After Jimmy Mac died in 1990 the McDonald farm of Ballyfacey passed to his nephew Tom Fitzgerald.

The Previous Generation: The Two Families of Thomas McDonald

Thomas McDonald (c. 1808-1889) and Judith/Johanna Denieffe/Neiff (c. 1826-after 1857)

On 3 November 1852 at Glenmore, Judith Deniefe married John MacDonnell (sic). Although the father of the bride and groom are not recorded we believe Judith Deniefe was baptized at Bally Verea (sic) Glenmore on 9 August 1826, the daughter of John Deneff and Honor Donovan.

The Glenmore Deneiffes

John Deneef (sic) married Honor Donnevan (sic) on 8 February 1824 at Glenmore. They are recorded as residing at Ballivera. The note on the register records they were second cousins. There were several John Kneefe’s in Glenmore in the early 19^th century. Only one was born in Ballyveria. John Kneefe (sic) was baptized at Ballyverera on 10 July 1794 the son of Edmund Kneefe and Johanna Tromulty. (An earlier son bore the name John and was baptized 5 June 1792). There are multiple Honor Donovans in Glenmore, but only one was born at Ballyverera (sic) before the wedding. Honor Donovan was baptized 23 February 1795, at Ballyveria, Glenmore, the daughter of James Donovan and Mary Kennedy.

The Children from Thomas McDonald’s (c. 1808-1889) First Marriage

[1] Catherine Macdonald (bapt. 13 Nov. 1853-1931) was born at Ballyfacey. Family lore provides that Catherine emigrated to the US at the age of 9, soon after her mother died. She was with her sister Mary who was only 7. We did find a record that Cath McDonald, age 11 arrived in New York on 11 June 1866 aboard The Royal Standard. She was traveling with Bridget MacDonald (servant) aged 22; Patrick MacDonald (labourer) aged 20. It is not clear who Patrick and Bridget were.

Catherine McDonald married John Stack (1855-1923) on 10 June 1884 in Peoria, Illinois. John was a native of Knox County, Illinois and worked as an engineer on the railroad. The couple lived and raised their family in Peoria, Illinois. When Catherine died her obituary appeared in the Munster Express and her funeral was conducted by Msgr. Patrick O’Connor Culleton (1877—1960) a native of Kilbride, Glenmore. Catherine’s obituary from the Munster Express may be found on our S Surname page. For more information on Msgr. Culleton see our post of 26 August 2024.

[2] Mary Macdonald (bapt. 13 June 1855-16 Sept. 1937) was born at Ballyfacey. While it is correct that Mary emigrated to Peoria, Illinois she did not go out with her sister. Mary never married, and worked as a domestic in Peoria. Sometime before 1913 she moved from Illinois to Pasadena, California to work as a housekeeper for a priest. According to the naturalization petition she filed in Los Angeles on the 26^th of September 1913 she was born at Glenmore on 22 June 1859 (which is not correct according to her baptismal record.) She stated that she emigrated in May 1870 to New York on board a ship from Queenstown called the Queen. No record could be located.

[3] John Macdonald (bapt. 19 April 1857—3 Oct. 1906) was born at Ballyfacey. John McDonald was sent to Kilivory, Glenmore where his Aunt Brigid and her husband had a small holding. His aunt and uncle were childless. John married Honor Fitzgerald, of Newtown, at Glenmore on 25 June 1879.  The Civil Mariage Registry provides the fathers were Thomas Macdonald (farmer) and Patrick Fitzgerald (farmer). Two daughters were born to the couple Johanna McDonald (1881-1955) and Catherine “Kate” McDonald (1883-1958). Kate McDonald was a well-known Glenmore dressmaker.

John McDonald died 3 October 1906 . At the time of his death his profession was labourer, he was married and aged 48. He died “probably of bronchitis” without any medical attention. His daughter Johannah was present at his death in Kilmakevogue.

Thomas McDonald (c. 1808-1889) and Anastatia O’Neill (c. 1837-1902?) of Garrandara, Mullinavat

Thomas McDonald (c. 1808–1889) married his second wife, Anastatia O’Neill (c. 1837-1902?) on 4 February 1863 at Mullinavat. Their fathers names are not recorded in the records nor is the fact that Thomas was a widower.

The Children from Thomas McDonald’s (c. 1808-1889) Second Marriage

[1] Margaret Macdonald (21 April 1864-1939) of Ballyfasy (sic) married John Williams (1867) (farmer) of Miltown, Kilmacow, at Glenmore on 18 February 1896. The marriage records provide that their fathers were William Williams and Thomas Macdonald. John Williams was born 14 November 1867 to William Williams and his wife Ellen Gaul of Miltown, Kilmacow.

[2] Rev. James J. McDonald (1866-1902). We hope to do a post on Fr. McDonald, and are awaiting requested information from the Diocese of St. Paul, Minnesota, where Father McDonald ministered and died.

[3] Patrick McDonald (1868-1952). As outlined above, Patrick married Magaret Henneberry (1875-1957) in 1904. They farmed the McDonald farm of Ballyfacey, and it was passed on to their son James “Jimmy Mac” McDonald (1909-1990). Patrick McDonald visited his brother James in the US in 1900 and appears to have visited his kin in Peoria, Illinois.

[4] Bridget McDonald (b. 1870) when 29 married Philip Walsh, of Ballyfacey (farmer, aged 32) on 6 March 1905. Their fathers were Richard Walsh (c.1821-1893) and Thomas McDonald. Richard Walsh (c. 1821-1893) was married to Margaret Murphy (c. 1831-1894). It is believed that Bridget McDonald & Philip Walsh only had one child Richard Walsh (c. 1913-1988) who married Kathleen Mullins (c. 1915-1985) of Flemingstown. Bridget McDonald and Philip Walsh were the paternal grandparents of the current Andy Walsh of Ballyfacey.

[5] Thomas McDonald (1874-1958) was born 17 February 1874 at Ballyfacey the son of Thomas Macdonald (farmer) and Anastatia Neill. Margaret Neill, of Garrandara, was present at his birth and registered the birth on 6 March 1874. As a young man Thomas was sent to Garrandara to work the Neill farm where his mother came from. According to his obituary Thomas was a footballer for his native Glenmore. Thomas McDonald (farmer) of Garrandarra married on 30 April 1918, Mary Henebery (c.1884-1953) of Buckstown at Mullinavat. The father of the groom was Thomas McDonald (farmer) and the father of the bride was James Henebery (farmer). Witness were Wm. Williams and Brigid Knox.

Mary McDonald née Henebery died on 16 September 1953 of myocardial degeneration. She was ill for 18 months. Five years later Thomas died. A copy of Thomas McDonald’s complete obituary can be found on our M Family Surname page.

The Deaths of Thomas McDonald (c. 1808—1889) & Anastatia McDonald née O’Neil (c. 1837-1902?)

Thomas McDonald (c. 1808-1889) died 11 October 1889 at Balllyfacey at the age of 81. He died of senile decay “gradual” and he received no medical attention.  His sister-in-law, Margaret O’Neill, was present at his death. His second wife, Anastatia, died we believe in 1902 under the name Statia McDonald, aged 65. Unfortunately, the link to the death register is corrupted, so no further information was available at this time.

The last official record we could locate was the 1901 Census which provides that at Ballyfacey, Anastatia McDonnell (sic) was 65, a widow and head of the household. Her sister, Maggie Neill was 38, her daughter Bridget was 26 and single. Thomas McDonnell, her son was 24 and single. Also present was William Williams, her grandson, aged 4, and Patrick Murphy, aged 24, a servant, tailor, who was “deaf and dumb.”

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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The feature photo above was shared by Sean McCarthy, the date of the photo is unknown, but it had to be taken prior to 1953. Photo back row left to right: Sean’s grandmother, Mary “Mollie” McDonald née Henneberry (c. 1884-1953), his mother Anna McCarthy née McDonald, William Williams (of Milltown, Kilmacow)(nephew of Thomas McDonald)  the next lady he thinks is Margaret Williams née McDonald (William’s mother). His grandfather Thomas McDonald (1874-1958) is seated holding the child. Sean is not certain regarding the identity of the others in the photo. If anyone can identify the children or the nun please send on their names.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh