Brennan Surname in Kilmovee Roman Catholic Parish Records, County Mayo, Ireland
The Kilmovee Roman Catholic Parish Records are covered in microfilm #1279230 items 7-9. The film is listed in the LDS film catalog as Parochial Registers of Kilmovee, 1854-1925, Catholic Church, Parish of Kilmovee. Item 7 of this film is listed as including Kilmovee Baptisms 1899-1910 and Kilmovee, Glann and Kilkelly 1910-1913. Item 8 of the Kilmovee RCP film covers Kilkelly and Glann Baptisms 1854-1910 and Item 9 covers marriages of Kilmovee Parish 1855-1925. There were many Grennans in this film, but most records were pretty clear to distinguish Grennan from Brennan
Summary of Findings for LDS Microfilm number 1279230 items 7-9: The Brennans I identified in this film appear to be living in three distinct clusters within Kilmovee Catholic Parish. In the western edge of this parish I found Brennans in the Townland of Derrynaleck (Michael Brennan and Maria Caisy). Neighboring Derrynaleck to the north in the Townland of Gowlaun I found the Pat Brennan and Ellen Morley Family; William Brennan and Catherine Kelly Family; Ellen Brennan and Joseph Fitzpatrick and a witness for the marriage of Michael Brennan and Mary Horan. Bridget Brennan and Thomas McKeon of Shammer (possibly Shammerbaun or Shammerdoo) were two townlands to the north of Gowlaun. Kilkelly borders Gowlaun and Shammerbaun and the noted in the following records: Harry Brennan and Anne O'Grady, the witnesses for the marriage of Pat Brennan and Ellen Morley were from Kilkelly and the witnesses for the marriage of Julia Brennan and Thomas Harrison were from Kilkelly. Culmore (Kilmore?) a townland bordering Kilkelly to the east was noted as the home of one of the witnesses for the marriage of Pat Brennan and Catherine Beirne. In the central part of Kilmovee I found Brennans in the Townlands of Urlaur, Tavraun, Sonvolaun, Glentavraun and Cloonnamna. Anne Brennan and Thos Flanagan were noted as being in Urlaur (the southernmost of these Townlands); Bordering Urlaur on the north in the Townland of Tavraun was Pat Brennan and Catherine Regan (when daughter Agnes was born). When this couple was married both of their witnesses were from Tavraun as well. Of note is the fact that 8 of their children's baptismal records list the Townland of Shanvaghera. There is a Townland mentioned in the Kilmovee Catholic Parish Records known as Shanvahara. Although there is a Town between Kilkelly and Knock by this name there is another area of Tavrane locals refer to as Shanvahara. See the explanation listed below!
Special Kudos to Bernie Courtney, a native of Derry Tavrane, for enlightening me about Shanvahara! According to Bernie: "there is an area of Tavrane which is known by locals by this name, it is along the road between Tavrane School, past Lough na Gower and along the road towards Aughadiffin." "There are three locally named areas along this stretch of road, Shanvaharra, Fithawn and Derry Tavrane, none of these appear on maps but they aer used by the locals and recognized by the postal services."
Northwest of Tavraun is the Townland of Glentavraun. Mary Brennan and Thomas Keane note this townland for witnesses at their wedding. The witnesses for the marriage of James Brennan and Bridget Horan are listed as being from Glan Willins and Glan Tavrane and three of the baptismal records for their children note Glan as the Townland. Other Brennans listing the Townland of Glan are: Bridget Brennan and Pat Horan (baptism of Anne) and the baptism of children Mary, Luke, Patrick and Catherine list the Town of Sinolan (I believe that this is Sonvolaun bordering Glentavraun on the east and Tavraun on the south). Hugh Brannin and Cath Gallagher list Cloonnnamna (borders Sonvolaun on the northeast. in the baptismal record of Thos. Further to the east in Kilmovee Civil Parish Brennans were present in the Townlands of Carrownlacka, Ballinrumpa, Kilmovee, Kilcashel and two townlands away on the far eastern tip of the parish in Clooncarha. Carrownlacka was noted in the marriage record of Patritius Brennan and Brigitta Grennan. South of Carrownlacka separated by Rusheens West was Ballinrumpa listing in the following records: Bt Brennan and Pat Moran (baptism of Bridget) and Honora Brennan and John Talbot (baptism of John). The Townland of Kilmovee is located on southern border of Ballinrumpa. Numerous records listed Kilmovee; the trouble is differentiating if they refer to the Catholic Parish or the Townland. The following families list Kilmovee in their records: Michael Brennan and Maria Cassidy; a baptismal record for a Mary Brennan in 1886; the marriage of Edwardus Brenan and Catherina O'Conner and the marriage of Patritius Brennan and Brigitta Prendergast. Kilcashel (Culcashel in the record), a Townland to the south of Kilmovee was noted in the baptismal record for John Frain, son of Anna Branan and John Frain. Clooncarha is east of Kilmovee and separated by two Townlands; it was noted in the baptismal record of Mary, daughter of Bridget Brennan and Pat Duffy.
I have done my best to correctly transcribe these records, but after five or so hours behind a microfilm reader, the likelihood of mistakes in both interpretation and transcription most certainly increases. I have the microfilm and item numbers on which the records were found so you can confirm the information. In an attempt to minimize download times I have limited the information presented on each family. The records in this section will document Baptisms (B) and Marriages (M). I also have documented all of the baptisms and marriages sponsored/witnessed by Brennans; although these are not included online, they can yield valuable clues such as "circles of friends" and possible townlands that might provide a missing link. There are additional details in these records such as date of birth, sponsors, priests, and at times notes in the margin detailing marriages and deaths. If you feel that your family is in this compilation, please feel free to contact me and I will share with you the additional details.
These records will be presented by spouse's surname:
| Surnames A-C | Surnames D-F | Surnames G-I |
| Surnames J-L | Surnames M-N | Surnames O-R |
| Surnames S-T | Surnames U-Z |