Portent of the Great Famine in December, 1844

In December, 1844, the Limerick Chronicle† contained a portent of the Great Famine of 1845–1852. In that edition was issued one of the earliest warnings of that looming and terrible visitation of the potato blight, famine, and disease in Ireland. A serious rot had been detected in the potato pits in several districts. At this…

Kilpatrick family history :: Lislea, parish of Kilrea, county Derry

The red dot marks Lislea townland. Image credit. After thirteen years' study of a wide range of Irish, Canadian, and American records, I've decided, finally, that I'm as ready as I'll ever be to put quill to paper and write the Kilpatrick family history for our branch out of Lislea townland in the parish of…