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Baptisms
St.Joseph’s R.C. church , Shrule
Shrule parish church (St.Joseph’s) records begin in 1831 and thanks to Fr. Michael Crosby they are now all computerised .The 19th century records are available on this website in a searchable format. The parish records from 1831 to the end of 1864 are recorded in a ledger which is essentially an accounts sysem for the parish as baptisms , marriages and certificates issued were subject to a fee. Some years (1847..1854) have no records at all , most likely due to the famine . People were too destitute to be in a position to pay for church services .
Shrule is incredibly lucky to have parish records of Marriages , Baptisms and other church related miscellania going back to the parish Church’s foundation in 1831 and doubly blessed to have a Parish Priest who is doing so much to preserve and make the heritage of the place available for future generations.
The church was built in the early 19th century , probably the 1820’s . There were 300 children confirmed there in September 1830 so it was built before this date ! The church was built due to Mrs Mary Kirwan of Dalgan Park who also furnished it except for the altar . Mary was Edmund Burkes daughter who married Patrick Kirwan Esq a protestant . Their daughter Julia married Thomas Barnwell Martin who owned a carpentry business in Shrule and who donated the altar for Shrule church. Mrs Kirwan died on 31 Dec 1836 and was laid in state in her church (and then buried in Shrule cemetary ).
A mention from Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary in 1837 reads :
In the R. C. divisions the parish is in the diocese of Galway, and is co-extensive with that of the Established Church : the chapel is a neat edifice in the ancient English style, with a square tower, towards the erection of which £1300. was contributed by Mr. Kirwan, of Dalgan Park, who also gave the ground.: it has a handsome marble altar-piece, presented by T. Martin, Esq.
Dear Fr Crosby ,
Please could you help me, my grandmother was Mary Lydon ,her father John was baptised on 11th February 1833 at Shrule parish church parents Patrick Lydon and Mary Biggins.I would be so grateful for any information you may have about my ancestors.Thank you,Ann Smith.