Desmond/Fitzgerald of Cork

I'm looking for any traces of this family...

Hello, can you provide a time frame?

When you say traces, are you looking for records? Which ones do you have so far?

Thanks.

I'm looking for any traces of this family...

Hello, can you provide a time frame?

When you say traces, are you looking for records? Which ones do you have so far?

Thanks.

My great great grandmother was Mary Desmond (nee Maher/Meagher). She married Thomas Desmond who was born at Passage West in about 1780. They lived in Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Mary always believed she was a descendant of the Earls of Desmond, the Fitzgeralds. Her husband Thomas was a sailor and was captured by the British Press Gang and forced to service in the Royal Navy. He took part in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 aboard the ship " HMS Prince". While he was away, Mary ran the Carrigaline Post Office and taught in the local school. Thomas and Mary Desmond had four children, Jeremiah, born at Passage West in 1805, Elizabeth (my great grandmother) born at Carrigaline in 1818, Ellen, born Carrigaline in 1823 and Mary, born Carrigaline in 1825. 

Thomas Desmond's father was also named Thomas. I have no idea of his wife's name. I am searching for traces of Mary Maher's ancestors and the graves of both Thomas and Mary (Magher) Desmond's graves. All four of their children emigrated to Australia around and after1840. I am visiting Ireland in June this year and hope to learn more. Could we be related?