Connemara Genealogy Guide Launched
Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion, who launched the local Genealogy Guide 'Tracing Your Family Roots in North-West Connemara' in August 2011 with author and compiler Steven Nee.
A new local genealogy guide, the first of its kind in Connemara, has been launched in Clifden in a bid to encourage people to research their ancestry in the region on the West Coast of Ireland. The town of Clifden will celebrate 200 years since its founding by the enterprising John D’Arcy next year in 2012, and a dedicated local voluntary committee is busy at work planning a year-long series of heritage and history events to mark the anniversary.
‘Tracing Your Roots in North West Connemara’ was compiled and written by Ballyconneely native Steven Nee, who is a graduate of Heritage Studies and also holds an MA in Business. It offers a step by step guide to undertaking your own research into your family tree, with tips and hints particular to the Connemara region. The guide is aimed at anyone, anywhere in the world who would like to research their Connemara roots, and is available now as a downloadable booklet on the website www.clifden2012.org. If used through the website, you can click through directly to the relevant links online, or alternatively it can also be printed off and kept as a guide on an ongoing basis.
This guide focuses particularly on the parishes of Ballindoon, Ballynakill, Moyrus and Omey. It includes descriptions and explanations of the relevant administrative divisions, townlands and maps and the diverse range of records and sources that are available relating to these areas, including the 1901 and 1911 census and Griffith’s Valuation.
‘Tracing Your Roots in North West Connemara’ was funded by Forum Connemara and the LEADER project and also supported by Galway County Council and it is one of the key elements of next year’s Clifden 2012 events in genealogical terms. The Clifden 2012 group’s hope is that the guide will become an invaluable resource to individuals both at home and overseas, whose ancestry is here in Connemara. A comprehensive genealogical seminar will form a significant part of The Clifden 200 Festival which will take place from May 25th-June 4th, and it is anticipated already that there will be significant interest and attendance from overseas.
For more information on Clifden 2012 see www.clifden2012.org or contact Catherine Pryce at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ‘Tracing Your Roots in North West Connemara’ is now available to download free of charge from the www.clifden2012.org homepage.
Pictured at the launch of 'Tracing Your Roots in North West Connemara were (l-r): Clifden 2012 Committee members Charlie Bourke, Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill and Sheila Griffin, Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion, Author Steven Nee, Karen Mannion of Forum Connemara Ltd and Clifden 2012 committee members Michele Hehir and Declan Mannion.
