Summoning the Ancestors

On my first morning in Bunclody in search of information about the Levingstons, I woke to a gorgeous sunrise over the fertile rolling hills of the land where the ancestors have farmed for generations. My evening exploration took me along part of the spiritual Colombian Way walked by the sixth century monk St Columbanus and many pilgrims since. Accidentally, making a short deviation off the trail down a narrow lane I arrived at a very old but inhabited farmhouse so I quickly retraced my steps back to the main trail. Now my Air b&b host tells me that that house is the original farmhouse of the Livingstons (now Levingstones) who came from Scotland in the mid 1700s. What are the chances that I would be led there? That would be a very big coincidence if there was such a thing as coincidences! Newtownbarry (Bunclody) sunrise Our great grandmother Alice Levingston was born on the 11th of January in 1821 in Carnew, Wicklow.  She was one of 10 children born to John Levingston (born 1772, Ne

My accommodation for the last 2 nights was a "shepherd's hut" in Ballygarret. It was very peaceful and cosy with the fire going while it was "fair spillin'  a doun" outside for 2 whole days.  One of the things I miss when travelling is meaningful conversation, other than about the weather, and I certainly got my fix today. The hut's owner Angela and I spent 3 hours ranging over such diverse topics as what could have triggered the cows to moo unusually loudly last night; planetary influences and Pluto's responsibility for the unrest in the world right now; how she built a multi-million dollar business making natural hand sanitiser during covid,  how ancestral trauma manifests when passed down through DNA; to the healing properties of the herbs in her garden especially calendula, rosemary and cleavers, and many other topics in between. Now that the shining again in the clear blue Irish sky, I was able to paddle in the ocean and walk along almost desert

For the next week I will be  staying in the Wexford/Wicklow area researching the Levingston ancestors, who descended from the McDougall clan of Scotland.  Today I drove out around the beautiful Hook peninsula.  Ireland is so physically gorgeous and the history so interesting! I can't help but be in awe of the skill and expertise, not to mention the determination and perseverance, that went into the building of structures like Tintern Abbey and the Hook lighthouse in the Middle Ages. And that they were treasured and maintained by generations since.. This medieval lighthouse built in the early thirteenth century to help sailing ships safely navigate the dangerous Wexford coastline, is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. It is 4 stories high and the walls are up to 4 metres thick. It's believed that before it was built the monks of St Dubhan had kept a fire burning to warn ships. The lighthouse was commissioned by William Marshall, Lord of Leinster. (More about

The English market has been trading since 1788 so I'm sure many of our ancestors will have shopped here in the past. The covered building has architectural and heritage status. Some of the stallholders are from families who have traded there for generations. Its focus is on fresh local produce and traditional Irish food although now Ireland is part of the EU much of the food is imported.

I  have been staying at a centrally located and well equipped Air B&B with Elizabeth and Timothy while they are in Cork. It is on the site of a 14th century Augustinian Abbey which was named Red Abbey after the red sandstone that was used to build it. From the Air B&B we can see the bell tower of the abbey church which dates to the medieval walled town of Cork. I feel privileged to be sleeping in a location that at one time experienced such intense prayer and devotion. Red Abbey bell tower

A few days ago we went out to St Michael's church of Ireland in Blackrock to see the memorial to our great great great grandfather William Beamish (1760-1828). The large and rather dramatic sculpture was  carved by the famous Irish sculptor John Hogan. He has many magnificent carvings displayed in Cork and around the world.   The inscription reads: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM BEAMISH OF BEAUMONT WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE APRIL XVII MDCCCXXVIII AGED 68 YEARS THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY HIS WIDOW AND CHILDREN IN TESTIMONY OF HIS PRIVATE VIRTUES AND PUBLIC WORTH. William Beamish's widow was Anne Jane Margaret Beamish formerly De La Cour. She married William  15 September 1789 in Mallow, County Cork.  They had eleven sons and two daughters. They are both buried in the parish of Desertserges. William Beamish was the third son of another William Beamish (died 1772) of Willsgrove, Co. Cork and Alice Beamish formerly Bernard (died 1792) of Castle Bernard, Co Cork. This is John Hogan&

Bartholomew Cooke, son of William and Bridget Cooke, was born in Cork in 1818. He had one sister, Eliza. His first marriage was to Eliza Eccles who died June 28 1847 aged 22, when their daughter Anna Christina born August 1, 1847, was just over a year old. We were very fortunate to meet one of her descendants earlier this week; Patricia Sargent who still lives here in Cork. She makes amazing delicious rocky-road style chocolate squares! Bartholomew married Sarah Jane Kiely Connor in 1850 (no children recorded).  She died in 1856 aged 34. When he was 42 years old he married our great grandmother Alice Levingston and they had one son together, William Levingston Cooke born 13 July 1865 in Cork.  Bartholomew was a successful businessman but lost all his savings in the Munster bank crash. However he must have partially recovered financially by the time he died as his will held in the record Office, Dublin gives the value of his estate at 3064 pounds which would be worth about half a millio

Directly across the road from the Cork City library where I am researching is the building where our great grandfather (paternal) Bartholomew Cooke  had a cycle shop. By 1856 he was established as a plumber in Tuckey St. 2024  The Cooke's Cycle depot was in the yellow building over Michael Collins shoulder.  circa 1850.  Cooke's Cycle depot  Photo circa 1850? Cooke Cycle depot fifth building from right. They also had premises nearby at 12-14 Tuckey St Tuckey Street premises  in 2024 This award was achieved after Bartholomew had died and his son William Levingston Cooke was running the businesses.

Our father used to nostalgically recall from his Irish childhood the sound of the Shandon bells which rang out across the city from the landmark church of St Annes built 1772 Mural on Shandon street Shandon street scenes today St Annes in the background with a 4 metre long salmon up on the weather vane View from AirB&B