My great-great-grandmother.

Mary Hickey is listed as the mother of James Loughnan in the Roman Catholic Parish Records for St Brigid’s, Tomacork, Co. Wicklow[1]. She married Philip Loughnan some time before 1834, and raised at least three children with him in the townland of Kennystown, Kilcavan, in the Parish of Carnew.

The only record that I can find in Wicklow for Mary Loughnan is for a woman of that name who died in the first quarter of 1900 in the Registration District of Shillelagh[2], aged 96. Although the Barony of Shillelagh is in County Wicklow, the Registration District covers parts of Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow. Whilst I cannot be absolutely certain that she is my g-g-grandmother, it is likely on the balance of probabilities:

1. James’ mother was called Mary

2. Loughnan / lin / man was an unusual name in Shillelagh. In fact, I can find only one Loughnan family in this area - Philip's family.

3. Her approximate date of birth (c.1803) would be consistent with that of her possible husband, Philip Loughnan (born in 1790).

4. She lived in the right area.