Carroll family reunion in Terryglass

A Carroll family reunion involving a large number of overseas visitors took place at the Derg Inn in Terryglass last month.

Music was provided by Flowing Tides and a great time was had by all as they caught up and discussed family connections down through the generations. Many of the American cousins and their Irish counterparts were meeting for the first time.

The event was a reunion for the descendants of Peter Carroll and Margaret Darcy. It was organised by the Carrolls from America, who, two years ago, much to their surprise, discovered that they still have relatives in Ireland.

John Carroll (brother of Peter Carroll) was born on February 23rd 1829 in Lissquillibeen, Coolbawn. He emigrated to New York in 1849 and arrived in Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York, and took up farming. 

In 1882 John gave up farming and moved to Rome, New York, and became the proprietor of the old Conger Hotel, afterwards known as Floyd Avenue Hotel. In the late 1880s three nephews and two nieces (children of Peter Carroll and Margaret Darcy) joined him in New York.

The Carrolls from America are the descendants of Jeremiah Carroll (1871 - 1951), one of the sons of Peter Carroll. Growing up in Syracuse, New York, the family knew very little of Jeremiah’s history. They thought he was an only child, and they never knew why he came to America. 

Jeremiah was a carpenter by trade and he established the first local carpenters' union in Syracuse, which has a large population of Irish people. He was also a very active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Jeremiah was married to Mary Doolan (also from Ireland) and had one son, John, born in 1914. John, who served as a lieutenant in the US Navy in World War II and died in 1958 at the age of 43, had eight children.

Jeremiah’s legacy includes eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. His youngest great-great-grandson is also named Jeremiah.  

Jeremiah Carroll's grandson Dick and his wife Betty began researching their Coolbawn ancestor's roots approximately three years ago. Thanks to the Ireland Reaching Out website, they found where Jeremiah was born and what parish he was baptised in. 

From this information, Betty was able to contact local researchers Bill Ryan and Helen Fox, who looked to see if there were relatives still living in Ireland. 

“Much to our surprise, there were many, and they were willing to meet us,” said Dick Carroll. “I must say I immediately felt like I had come home when my family and I visited in 2016.  

“We visited the family homestead and the cemetery where our distant ancestors are buried. When I returned home and shared my experiences with my extended family, they wanted to visit and have the same experience.

“My wife and my second cousin, Agnes Hallifax, owner of Whitewood Lodges in Coolbawn, planned this reunion for the American Carrolls to come together with the Irish Carrolls.”

Around 30 US Carrolls came to north Tipperary for the reunion, from New York, Oregon, Washington DC and New Hampshire. They would also like to acknowledge the work of Frank Moran for researching the Carroll family history and helping to make the reunion happen.

PICTURED:

First row (from left): Alexis Carroll and Jason Carroll
Second Row: Patricia Brannigan, Josie Carroll, Jon Carroll (holding Jeriamiah Carroll), Katie Ranieri Carroll (holding Jaxon Carroll), Ciss Carroll, Betty Stiner Carroll, Richard Carroll, Frank Moran, Diane McIntyre Carroll, Agnes Hallifax, Martina Carroll Brady, Ann Carroll, and Kate Corbett
Third Row: Rachael Nolan, Helen Fox, Mike Donnelan, Mary Carroll, Christina Carroll, Marie Comerford Cahalan, Ann Comerford Vaughn, Mary Brannigan Dolan, Nancy Carroll Wolfe, Marcia Carroll, Frances Corbett Conroy, Anthony O’Brien, Ber Comerford Donnelan, Angela Carroll McDonnell, Joan Comerford Bourke, Dermot Carroll, Jamie Carroll and Noel Comerford
Fourth Row: Martin Cahalan, Bill Ryan, Liam Carroll, Paul Moran, Timmy Carroll, Veroncia Carroll, and Michael Josephson
Fifth Row: Ger Carroll, Frank Brannigan, Nolie Comerford, Sheila Moran, David Moran, Georgina Carroll Moran, Peter Carroll, Heather Carroll, Becki Goal Carroll, Michael Carroll, John Wolfe, Pat Crotty, Shannon Wolfe, Ted Brady and Tony Hallifax.
Missing from the photo are American cousins Kelly and Mitch Ivers, and their children, Quinn and Kion, Kevin Carroll and John Storie.