Share This:

Hello! I have baptism records for the children of Michael Keenan and Mary Brapson in the parish of Elphin, County Roscommon. My question is regarding the addresses listed on several of these records. Can you tell me where the following areas are located? 

Ratro  Rathra  Foxtail

Many thanks for any assistance!

Terry

tplizga

Saturday 17th Dec 2022, 09:57PM

Message Board Replies

  • Patricia

    Saturday 17th Dec 2022, 11:43PM
  • Terry: I found baptismal records for Michael 1823 an unnamed child 1826 John 1828 James 1833. The Michael record showed a location of Ratro, the John record showed Rathra and James showed Foxtail (as you listed in your message). All were in the RC parish of Elphin. On the subscription site Roots Ireland there were 82 baptismal records in the RC parish of Elphin where the family lived in Foxtail including your James Keenan. Except for one record, all of the baptisms were 1847 or earlier. There was one record in 1878 for a Joseph Coghlan where the baptismal record showed Foxtail but the civil record showed Ballyroddy. So I believe that Foxtail was/is a local place name/area within the townland of Ballyroddy. Ballyroddy is part of the civil parish of Shankill which is covered by Elphin RC parish. There is another townland in Shankill civil parish called Rathroe. I think your Keenan family lived in Rathroe until they moved to Ballyroddy/Foxtail before James was born in 1833. Rathroe and Ballyroddy are 1.3 miles apart. Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 18th Dec 2022, 01:17PM
  • May be of interest - the entry for Ballyroddy townland, Shankill civil parish on the Placename Database includes the following reference : "There is a R.C. chapel a .. mile &c on the N. boundary. Elmfield Lo. is on the S. boundary as is also a well called Tubber a chully. The west part is called Foxdale & the east Cartronlabogh in which latter is a well called Tubber a chuller....."

    See : https://www.logainm.ie/en/43060

    Foxtail is marked on the c1840 OS map - far south western part of Ballyroddy townland.

    Shane Wilson, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 18th Dec 2022, 03:29PM
  • Thank you so much Patricia, Roger and Shane! I very much appreciate the detail. Most of my Keenan family is closer to Hillstreet in Aughrim parish but this particular Keenan family keeps popping up. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Terry

    tplizga

    Monday 19th Dec 2022, 07:06PM

Post Reply