James O’Connor from Cahera, Glin andMary Cregan from Tullyleague, Glin were married on Feb 4th, 1862. Family from that union as follows –

1.Brigid O’Connor 1863-1899. Married James Lynch, Chapel Lane, Rathkeale and had the following family – Catherine, Hannah, Mary, Patrick & James Lynch.

2.Mary O’Connor born 1864.

3.Catherine O’Connor born Jan 19th, 1866.

4.Ellen O’Connor born Oct 30th,1867-1941. Married Matthew Dillane b April 18th, 1867 Killeaney, Glin, son of Patrick Dillane and Margaret Cregan and had one son Patrick Dillane 1903-1988. (see Mathew Dillane above)

5.John O’Connor 1869-1906 John married Mary (Moll) Sheahan and had the following child – James Frances O’Connor, born Aug 3rd 1908. Moll (Mary) Sheahan b1877. (Daughter of Ned Sheahan & Mary Mulvihill) Moll was baptised on January 13th 1877 at Glin RC Church her sponsors being Patrick Sheahan (her uncle) and Catherine Morgan (sister of John (Jack) Morgan, Glenagragra. On Feb 22nd, 1906 at Glin church Moll married John O’Connor from Cahera, Glin, son of James Connors & Mary Cregan, the witnesses being Thomas Cregan & Ellen Sheahan. John who was nicknamed ‘The Buachaill’ got killed following an accident with his horse and cart somewhere near Aughrim cross, Moyvane. They had one son in family – James Francis O’ Connor 

6.Margaret O’Connor 1870-1951. Margaret emigrated to New York, married Timothy Dillane, born 1869 in Killeaney, Glin, brother of Matthew who was married to her sister Ellen. (see Timothy Dillane above)

7.Thomas O’Connor 1871-1955 married Johanna Scanlon 1871-1955, Kinard, Glin, daughter of Patrick Scanlon 1832- and Margaret (Peg) Aherne 1832-1916 from Dirreen, Athea. Margaret (Peg) Aherne’s father was William Aherne1807-1874 and her mother was Johanna Shine 1810-1907. William Aherne’s father was James Aherne. Johanna Shine’s father was John Shine 1789- and her mother was Margaret Kelly 1789-1874.

Thomas O’Connor & Johanna Scanlon had the following children –

i.Mary O’Connor 1908.

ii.Margaret O’Connor 1909.

iii.James O’Connor 1910.

iv.Patrick O’Connor 1912.

v.Johanna O’Connor 1913.

vi.Bridget 1915.

vii.Thomas O’Connor 1916-1994 who married Margaret Lynch 1929-2019 from Tarbert, Co. Kerry. Their son Tom (Tony) O’Connor is in regular contact with me and has given me much information on his family.

8.James O’Connor 1875-1953, James married Lawlee from Glin, no children.

9.Edward Edmond (Ned) O’Connor 1877-1956. On Sept 11th, 1906 at Athea church, Edward, aged 25 years, a tailor, married Elizabeth Butler aged 33 years, the witnesses being – John & Katie McGrath. The Butler’s lived in Athea, on the same laneway (rear of Griffin’s butcher’s) as Dr. Philip McGrath. Elizabeth’s father was Francis Butler born 1828 and died from pneumonia in Athea on Nov 20th,1883, his wife Ellen Butler present at his death. Francis was a shoemaker by trade and his line of work must have brought him to Athea, from whence he came I have no idea. Francis was married twice, his first wife was Mary Riordan from Athea. Mary lived lived where Mikie McMahon had his butchers stall, formerly Moran’s, Mikie was married to a daughter of Mick Moran from Clash, Athea. Francis’ second wife was Ellen Keane from around Knockanure/Gale bridge area.  Elizabeth was born on Nov 4th, 1879, which would indicate that the age given on her marriage certificate (33 years) is incorrect.  Ellen Butler died from senile decay on Nov 21st, 1923 at Athea, aged 88 years, her daughter Johanna Danaher present at her death. On Sept 26th, 1903 at St. Michael’s church, Limerick city, Johanna Butler, Athea married John Danaher, aged 38 years, a shopkeeper from Athea, son of Maurice Danaher, a deceased farmer, the witnesses being – Michael Riordan, Athea and her sister Elizabeth (Lizzie) Butler. Johanna Butler was born on April 15th, 1867 in Athea to Francis Butler & Ellen Keane. There was a son John Butler born on Oct 4th, 1864 to the same parents which means Francis was married firstly to Mary Riordan and by all accounts they had a family, all of whom must have emigrated. The only family of Riordan’s that I can locate in Athea is a Martin Riordan, his wife Johanna and their son Michael, who must be the Michael Riordan who was a witness to the marriage of Johanna Butler & John Danaher, as above and 1901 Census hereunder. Martin may have been a brother to Francis Butler’s first wife Mary Riordan.

Census Year 1901 for Riordan’s, Athea.

Residents of a house 36 in Athea (Rathronan, Limerick)

Show all information

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Riordan	Martin	71	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Riordan	Johanna	64	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Riordan	Michael	20	Male	Son	Roman Catholic

1901 Census for Butler’s, Athea.

Residents of a house 7 in Athea (Rathronan, Limerick)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Butler Nee Keane	Ellen	54	Female	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Butler	Lizzie	19	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic

1911 Census for Butler’s & O’Connor’s, Athea.

Residents of a house 17 in Athea Town (Pt. of) (Rathronan, Limerick)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Butler Nee Keane	Ellen	74	Female	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
O Conner	Edward	35	Male	Son in Law	Roman Catholic
O Connor	Lizzie	30	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
O Connor	James	4	Male	Grand Son	Roman Catholic
O Connor	John	3	Male	Grand Son	Roman Catholic
O Connor	Mary	1	Female	Grand Daughter	Roman Catholic

Edward O’Connor & Elizabeth Butler  had the following family –

i.James O’Connor. James born on July 11th, 1907, emigrated to Philadelphia, U.S.A. He was married twice without issue, firstly to Dolores Walsh and secondly to Anne Lyons from Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.

ii.John Joe O’Connor. John Joe born Nov 1st, 1908, married Ellen Barry from Brosna, Co. Kerry without issue. They ran a drapery shop in Athea, namely, ‘The Reliable’. John Joe was known locally by that name.

iii.Marie O’Connor. Marie born July 19th, 1910, emigrated to Philadelphia, U.S.A. where she married Jim Carroll and had three children. From what I can gather Jim wasn’t Irish born.

iv.Ellen Ita O’Connor born on July 11th, 1912.

v.Thomas Patrick O’Connor born on Nov 9th, 1913

vi.Margaret (Pig) O’Connor born on Nov 17th 1915, married Joe Healy, Glin.

vii.Edward (Edsie) O’Connor. Edsie born June 11th, 1918, married Margaret (Peg) Griffin from Glenagragra, grand daughter of Mary Feury. They had a shop in Athea and later ran the Post Office there. (I spoke with Peg and her daughter Majella today, Jan 12th, 2023)

viii.Patrick (Pa) O’Connor. Pa, born post 1921, remained single in life, had an electrical shop in Athea. He was very much involved in the Gaelic Athletic Association. (G.A.A.)