The February 3, 1845 baptism of my great-great-grandfather Patrick Harrington (1845-1915) is recorded in the parish registry of Rathmore RC parish. According to the register, Patrick’s parents were John Harrington and Catherine Crimmen, and the family’s residence was Knocknaloman. Rev. Eugene Murphy performed the baptism.
I am trying to determine the chapel in Rathmore RC parish in which Patrick’s baptism probably occurred. Lewis’s “Topographical Dictionary of Ireland” (1837) identifies several chapels in the eastern district of the parish as of 1837–one at Knocknacoppel, one at “Griorguillea” (I assume Gneevgullia?), “recently rebuilt”, one at Knocknagree, and one described somewhat mysteriously as being “attached to the establishment at Rathmore open to the public”. [ref]
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage website states that the current Roman Catholic church at Rathmore, St. Joseph’s, was not built until about 1865, but that there was an “earlier building” on the site, built in about 1800–presumably also a chapel. [ref]
My assumption is that if there was any kind of chapel at Rathmore in 1845, Patrick’s parents would have had him baptized there, since Rathmore was closer to Knocknaloman than the other Rathmore parish chapels.
If anyone is aware of other good sources of information about which chapels existed in Rathmore parish in 1845, or any other information that might provide a clue as to where Patrick may have been baptized, I would be very interested in hearing of it.
Thanks in advance for any possible help!
Bob Kenney, Potomac, Maryland <email>
[read more …] “Rathmore RC Parish: Location of Chapels in 1845”
