Sweeney or MacSweeney

Sweeney is among the sixty most common names in Ireland. It is more or less equally distributed between Munster, Connacht and Ulster but is less numerous in Leinster.

The name in Gaelic is Mac Suibhne and the family descends from one Suibhne, a Scottish chieftain who flourished around 1200 in ArgylI. This chieftain’s surname was O’Neill, and at some time an elaborate genealogy was constructed to give the MacSweeneys a descent from the O’Neills. This is not now accepted, though it is plain that the MacSweeneys descend from a mixture of Irish Dalriadic Gaels and Norsemen; in short, they were of the Gall-Gaedhil. His two sons, Dougal and Maolmhuire, were seated at Skipness Castle and Castle Sween respectively, both on Kintyre.

The first on record in Ireland is Murchadh Mear in 1267, son of Maolmhuire. Murchadh’s nephew Eoin was the first of the family to settle in Fanad in Tirconnell. The MacSweeneys are one of the most famous of the Scottish galloglass families; they came to Ireland, and more than any other they maintained a distinct organisation. Branches, all descending from Murchadh, settled in various parts of Ireland, with the exception of Leinster, which was the sphere of English influence. Those that concern us most are the MacSweeneys of Fanad, of Banagh, and the MacSweeneys of the Battleaxes. However, MacSweeney of the Battleaxes is a mistranslation of Mac Suibhne na dtuath, which actually means ‘MacSweeney of the Territories’ (in Donegal), the word for ‘axe’ and ‘territory’ being similar in Gaelic.

The MacSuibhne or MacSweeney family of Scotland settled in Donegal or Tir Conaill in the thirteenth century as captains of Gallóglaigh, or hired mercenary fighting men, to the ODonnell kings of that territory. Very soon after their arrival they ousted the ruling OBreslin family from the lordship of the Fanad Peninsula in Donegal, and other branches of the family acquired the vast territories of Doe and Bannagh, also in Donegal. They married into the ODonnell family and in power were second only to them, until they were dispossessed after the Elizabethan conquest at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Again the need - not only on their own part but also on the part of their lords, the ODonnells - for their justification to rule their territories arose. And so the genealogists got to work on their behalf, making them descend from Anradhan, brother of Domhnall ONeill, ancestor of the ONeill kings of Tir Eoghain. Domhnall became king of Aileach after 1032 and Anradán disputed the kingship but finally surrendered to his brother. He then proceeded to Scotland and subsequently married the daughter of the king of Scotland, and their great-grandson was Suibhne, from whom descend, Clann tSuibhne or the MacSweeneys. All the evidence would point to the story being a fabrication and that the ancestry of Clann tSuibhne can only be traced in Scotland itself before their removal to Ireland in the thirteenth century. There is no mention of them in the Annals, for instance, before the twelfth century. But the genealogists provided them with a convenient pedigree which made them descend from the ONeills so making them join the ancient family of Milesius of Spain. Another day’s work well done and a handsome reward for the genealogists and historians, as well as, no doubt, a sigh of relief among the Milesian families of Donegal that such an embarrassing situation had been removed from their midst.

After the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland at the beginning of the seventeenth century and the subsequent flight of the northern lords, ONeill, Maguire and Rory ODonnell, Earl of Tirconnell, to the European continent, all of Tir Connell lay forfeit to the crown of England. In the subsequent plantations of Ulster, where most of the forfeited land in that province was granted to English and Scottish settlers, the heads of the three branches of MacSweeney each received 2,000 acres, a fraction of the territories they once possessed. By the mid-seventeenth century, however, they seemed to have lost possession of even these lands. One of them, Maolmhuire, the last inaugurated lord of the Tuatha, is reputed to have died in poverty sometime after 1630.

From the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries the MacSweeney septs of Tirconnell played an important part in the military history of Ulster. Together with the native Irish, they suffered after the seventeenth-century wars and many went into exile, becoming distinguished soldiers in the Irish brigades of the continent.

In 1835 John ODonovan, the antiquarian and Gaelic scholar, met a tinker, Toirdhealbhach MacSuibhne, in the ancient territory of the Tuatha who claimed descent from Maolmhuire and recited his genealogy to prove it. Apparently, this orally transmitted pedigree was known and generally accepted in Donegal at the time, and ODonovan was inclined to believe it.

The name is also recorded as MacSwiney and MacSwine and in Gaelic (Mac Suibhne) is the same as that of the Scottish Clan MacQueen to which they are distantly related.

Sweeney coat of arms

A bounty to assist in the production of Linen by encuraging the planting of flax was paid in 1796 to

Sweeney, Neil	Addergoole
Sweeney, Patrick	Kilconduff
Sweeny, Daniel	Knock
Sweeny, Edmond	Kilbride
Sweeny, James	Neal
Sweeny, Laurence	Ballynahaglish
Sweeny, Luke	Robeen
Sweeny, Morgan	Ballynahaglish
Sweeny, Owen	Kilconduff
Sweeny, Patrick	Crossmolina
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilbelfad

These properties were held by Sweeneys in Mayo in the 1850's

Sweeny, Anthony	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Edward	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Francis	Achill	Dooega
Sweeny, Francis	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Francis	Achill	Pollranny	Sewer
Sweeny, Francis, Sr.	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, James	Achill	Tonatanvally
Sweeny, Margaret	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Mary	Achill	Tonregee, East
Sweeny, Michael	Achill	Dooega
Sweeny, Michael	Achill	Owenduff
Sweeny, Michael	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Neill	Achill	Slievemore
Sweeny, Owen	Achill	Cloghmore
Sweeny, Patrick	Achill	Pollranny
Sweeny, Patrick	Achill	Pollranny	Danl
Sweeny, Sibby	Achill	Derreen
Sweeny, Owen	Addergoole	Ballymacredmond
Sweeny, Michael	Aghagower	Mace North
Sweeny, Dominick	Aghamore	Carton, North
Sweeny, John	Aghamore	Tooreen
Sweeny, Michael	Aghamore	Tooreen
Sweeney, Elizabeth	Aglish	Town of Castlebar Castle St
Sweeney, Michael	Aglish	Town of Castlebar Tucker St
Sweeney, Patrick	Aglish	Town of Castlebar Tucker St
Sweeny, Mrs. ???	Aglish	Town of Castlebar Newtown
Sweeny, James	Aglish	Garryduff
Sweeny, Owen	Aglish	Drumshinnagh
Sweeny, Owen	Aglish	Lisnageeha, or Antigua
Sweeny, Owen	Aglish	Tully
Sweeney, Owen	Annagh	Carrowmore, West
Sweeney, James	Ardagh	Cloonagh More
Sweeney, Patrick	Ardagh	Cloonglasney
Sweeny, Patrick	Ardagh	Crannagh
Sweeny, William	Ardagh	Crannagh
Sweeney, Anthony	Attymass	Carrowkeribly
Sweeney, Edward	Attymass	Carrowkeribly
Sweeny, Anthony	Attymass	Bunnafinglas
Sweeny, Anthony	Attymass	Carrowkeribly
Sweeny, Margaret	Balla	Carrownahaun
Sweeny, Terence	Ballinrobe	Caher
Sweeny, John	Ballyhean	Cloonfert
Sweeney, Owen	Ballynahaglish	Corraveggaun, West
Sweeny, ???	Ballynahaglish	Ballymacredmond
Sweeny, ???	Ballynahaglish	Coolcronaun
Sweeny, Anthony	Ballynahaglish	Behybaun
Sweeny, Anthony	Ballynahaglish	Corraveggaun, West
Sweeny, Hugh	Ballynahaglish	Ballymacredmond
Sweeny, Edward	Ballysakeery	Cloonfadda
Sweeny, Edward	Ballysakeery	Cloonmaan
Sweeny, Edward	Ballysakeery	Knockaunderry
Sweeny, Richard	Ballysakeery	Cloonfadda
Sweeny, Thomas	Ballysakeery	Bathroeen
Sweeny, Owen	Bohola	Barleyhill
Sweeny, Alexander	Burrishoole	Derryloughan, North
Sweeny, Anthony	Burrishoole	Newport, George's-St
Sweeny, Anthony	Burrishoole	Newport, Newbridge-Lane
Sweeny, Anthony	Burrishoole	Newport, Town of Newport
Sweeny, Denis	Burrishoole	Newfield
Sweeny, Denis	Burrishoole	Rosgalliv
Sweeny, Hugh	Burrishoole	Knocknageeha
Sweeny, James	Burrishoole	Newport, Church-Lane
Sweeny, James	Burrishoole	Newport, Newbridge-Lane
Sweeny, James	Burrishoole	Newport, Town of Newport
Sweeny, John	Burrishoole	Camcloon Beg
Sweeny, John	Burrishoole	Islands in Clew Bay Rosmurrevagh)
Sweeny, John	Burrishoole	Murrevagh
Sweeny, John	Burrishoole	Newport, George's-St
Sweeny, John	Burrishoole	Newport, Newbridge-Lane
Sweeny, Michael	Burrishoole	Camcloon Beg
Sweeny, Myles	Burrishoole	Carrowsallagh
Sweeny, Owen	Burrishoole	Knocknageeha
Sweeny, Patrick	Burrishoole	Derrintaggart
Sweeny, Patrick	Burrishoole	Lettermaghera
Sweeny, Patrick	Burrishoole	Roskeen, South
Sweeny, Bridget	Cong	Houndswood, North.
Sweeny, Edmond	Cong	Carheens
Sweeny, Henry	Cong	Lislaughera
Sweeny, James	Cong	Lecarrowkilleen
Sweeny, John	Cong	Cordroon
Sweeny, John	Cong	Funshinaugh
Sweeny, Michael	Cong	Lackafinna
Sweeny, Patrick	Cong	Ballymacgibbon, North
Sweeny, Patrick	Cong	Carheens
Sweeny, Patrick	Cong	Funshinaugh
Sweeney, John	Crossboyne	Drumady
Sweeney, Margaret	Crossboyne	Drumady
Sweeney, Michael	Crossboyne	Drumady
Sweeney, Patrick	Crossboyne	Lawaus
Sweeney, Terence	Crossboyne	Lawaus
Sweeny, Honoria	Crossboyne	Seefin
Sweeny, James	Crossboyne	Ballindine, North Town of Ballindine
Sweeny, James	Crossboyne	Roosky
Sweeny, John	Crossboyne	Seefin
Sweeny, Bridget	Crossmolina	Ballinloughaun
Sweeny, James	Crossmolina	Enagh Beg
Sweeny, Miles	Crossmolina	Gortskeddia
Sweeny, Patrick	Crossmolina	Enagh Beg
Sweeny, Patrick	Crossmolina	Knockbrack
Sweeny, Daniel	Doonfeeny	Ballyglass
Sweeny, James	Doonfeeny	Carrownisky, Town of Ballycastle
Sweeny, Michael	Doonfeeny	Ballyglass
Sweeny, Bart	Islandeady	Drumadoon
Sweeny, Bartholomew	Islandeady	Kilfea
Sweeny, Francis	Islandeady	Cornanool
Sweeny, Owen	Islandeady	Cornanool
Sweeny, Owen	Islandeady	Graffa Beg
Sweeny, Owen	Islandeady	Lappallagh
Sweeney, Martin	Kilbeagh	Gortanure
Sweeney, Michael	Kilbeagh	Barnacahoge
Sweeny, John	Kilbeagh	Cappulcorragh
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilbeagh	Brackloonagh, South
Sweeny, Roger	Kilbeagh	Glenmullynaha West
Sweeny, Penelope	Kilbelfad	Rathduff
Sweeny, Daniel	Kilbride	Castletown
Sweeny, Daniel	Kilbride	Muingrevagh
Sweeny, John	Kilbride	Castletown
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilbride	Killeen
Sweeny, John	Kilcolman	Garrywadreen
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcolman	Clare, Court-St
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcolman	Kilnagower
Sweeny, Richard	Kilcolman	Mace, Upper
Sweeney, John	Kilcommon	Roos
Sweeney, Patrick	Kilcommon	Rinnashinnagh
Sweeney, Patrick	Kilcommon	Town of Belmullet, William St
Sweeny, Anthony	Kilcommon	Bellaveeny
Sweeny, Anthony	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Anthony	Kilcommon	Dooreel		Manus
Sweeny, Anthony	Kilcommon	Dooreel		Ned
Sweeny, Bryan	Kilcommon	Town of Belmullet, Carter Square
Sweeny, Catherine	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Denis	Kilcommon	Aughness
Sweeny, Denis	Kilcommon	Carrowmore
Sweeny, Edmond	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Edmond	Kilcommon	Dooyork
Sweeny, Edmund	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Edward	Kilcommon	Attavally
Sweeny, Edward	Kilcommon	Roy
Sweeny, Francis	Kilcommon	Dooyork
Sweeny, Francis	Kilcommon	Tristia
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Bellagarvaun
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Lagduff More
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Roy
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Srahederdaowen
Sweeny, James	Kilcommon	Tristia
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Darraragh
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Doona
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Dooyork
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Islands, Inishbiggle
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Roos
Sweeny, John	Kilcommon	Srahmore
Sweeny, Malachy	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Manus	Kilcommon	Doona
Sweeny, Manus	Kilcommon	Dooreel
Sweeny, Margaret	Kilcommon	Tullaghanbaun
Sweeny, Mary	Kilcommon	Doona
Sweeny, Michael	Kilcommon	Roy
Sweeny, Michael	Kilcommon	Town of Hollymount
Sweeny, Myles	Kilcommon	Cloonanaff
Sweeny, Myles	Kilcommon	Oultauns
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Aughness
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Bellaveeny
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Darraragh
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Doohooma
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Drumsleed
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Illancroagh		Patrick and Thos.
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilcommon	Tristia
Sweeny, Thomas	Kilcommon	Bellaveeny
Sweeny, Thos.	Kilcommon	Illancroagh		Patrick and Thos.
Sweeny, John	Kilconduff	Cloonlara
Sweeny, Luke	Kilconduff	Kilbride
Sweeny, Luke	Kilconduff	Rathscanlan
Sweeny, Martin	Kilconduff	Ballydrum
Sweeny, Michael	Kilconduff	Cloonlara
Sweeny, Owen	Kilconduff	Rathscanlan
Sweeny, Thomas	Kilconduff	Ballydrum
Sweeney, Francis	Kildacommoge	Keeloges, Old
Sweeny, Anthony	Kildacommoge	Knockavrony
Sweeny, Edmond	Kildacommoge	Danganmore
Sweeny, Edmund	Kildacommoge	Bellavary
Sweeny, James	Kildacommoge	Bellavary
Sweeny, John	Kildacommoge	Bellavary
Sweeny, Mary	Kildacommoge	Corraun
Sweeny, Michael	Kildacommoge	Bellavary
Sweeny, Michael	Kildacommoge	Laghtavarry
Sweeny, Patrick	Kildacommoge	Laghtavarry
Sweeney, Anne	Kilfian	Rathnamagh
Sweeney, Edward	Kilfian	Barranarran, Lower
Sweeny, Edward	Kilfian	Ballinagavna
Sweeney, Alexander	Kilgarvan	Ellagh More
Sweeny, John	Kilgarvan	Ellagh More
Sweeney, James	Kilgeever	Loughnamucka
Sweeny, Arthur	Kilgeever	Bellakip
Sweeny, Edward	Kilgeever	Clooncarrabaun, Town of Louisburgh; Long-St
Sweeny, James	Kilgeever	Bunowen
Sweeny, John	Kilgeever	Bellakip
Sweeny, John	Kilgeever	Clooncarrabaun, Town of Louisburgh; Chapel-S
Sweeny, John	Kilgeever	Clooncarrabaun, Town of Louisburgh; Church-S
Sweeny, John	Kilgeever	Clooncarrabaun, Town of Louisburgh; Long-St
Sweeny, Michael	Kilgeever	Clooncarrabaun, Town of Louisburgh; Church-S
Sweeny, Thomas	Kilgeever	Bellakip
Sweeny, Luke	Killedan	Killedan
Sweeny, James	Kilmaclasser	Carton
Sweeny, Margaret	Kilmaclasser	Drumgoney
Sweeney, James	Kilmainemore	Knockroe
Sweeny, Edmond	Kilmainemore	Knockroe
Sweeny, Owen	Kilmainemore	Knockroe
Sweeny, Francis	Kilmeena	Clooneen
Sweeney, Thomas	Kilmolara	Caheremush
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilmore	Carn
Sweeney, Martin	Kilmoremoy	Ballina
Sweeney, Michael	Kilmoremoy	Ballina
Sweeny, James	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Upper Piper Hill
Sweeny, John	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Bridge St
Sweeny, John	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Garden St
Sweeny, John	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Old Garden St
Sweeny, Martin	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Arthur St
Sweeny, Martin	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Shambles St
Sweeny, Michael	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Garden - St
Sweeny, Michael	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Old Garden St
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Mill St
Sweeny, Thomas	Kilmoremoy	Town of Ballina, Bohernasop
Sweeny, Patrick	Kilmovee	Uggool
Sweeny, Daniel	Knock	Cloonlavis, Upper
Sweeny, Mary	Knock	Cloonlavis, Upper
Sweeny, Denis	Moygawnagh	Garranard
Sweeny, Owen	Moygawnagh	Garranard
Sweeney, Terence	Oughaval	Cloonmonad; Westport-Quay
Sweeny, Bridget	Oughaval	Drummin, West
Sweeny, Neal	Oughaval	Rossymailley
Sweeny, Richard	Rathreagh	Rathreagh
Sweeny, Bridget	Shrule	Brodullagh South
Sweeny, John	Shrule	Bunnafollistran
Sweeny, Martin	Shrule	Brodullagh South
Sweeny, Martin	Shrule	Cloonbanaun
Sweeny, Patrick	Shrule	Brodullagh South
Sweeny, Patrick	Shrule	Cloonbanaun
Sweeny, Patrick	Shrule	Glasvally
Sweeny, Patrick	Shrule	Mounthenry
Sweeny, Thomas	Shrule	Ballycurrin Demesne
Sweeny, Thomas	Shrule	Glasvally
Sweeny, Thomas	Shrule	Mounthenry
Sweeney, John	Tagheen	Cloonagh
Sweeney, John	Tagheen	Gortalavaun
Sweeney, Thomas	Tagheen	Garravlagh
Sweeny, James	Tagheen	Barreel
Sweeny, Thomas	Tagheen	Garravlagh
Sweeny, Anthony	Templemore	Redhill
Sweeny, James	Templemore	Knockafall
Sweeny, John	Templemore	Tawnagh Beg
Sweeney, Patrick	Turlough	Toormore, West
Sweeny, Patrick	Turlough	Toormore, West

Births

SWEENEY	Libby	1867	Aleck SWEENEY	Judy RUDY
SWEENEY	Daniel	1866	Alick SWEENEY	Bridget CAFFERKEY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1870	Alick SWEENEY	Judy RUDDY
SWEENEY	Edmund	1868	Anthony SWEENEY	Margaret CONWAY
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Anthony SWEENEY	Mary CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Anthony SWEENEY	Mary HEALY
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Anthony SWEENY	Catherine CONWAY
SWEENEY	Michael	1870	Anthony SWEENY	Margaret CONWAY
SWEENEY	Anthony	1870	Anthony SWEENY	Mary CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Catherine	1870	Anthony SWEENY	Mary GOONAN
SWEENEY	Loughlin	1870	Bryan SWEENY	Mary CONWAY
SWEENEY	Paul	1871	Charles SWEENY	Ellen MCLAUGHLIN
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Daniel SWEENY	Sibina CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	John	1867	Denis SWEENEY	Bridget CAFFERKEY
SWEENEY	Thomas	1866	Denis SWEENEY	Mary CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Mary Anne	1869	Denis SWEENEY	Mary FADIAN
SWEENEY	Loughlin	1869	Denis SWEENY	Bridget CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Mary	1871	Denis SWEENY	Bridget CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Edward	1869	Denis SWEENY	Mary CAFFERKY
SWEENEY	Thomas William	1868	Edward SWEENEY	Barbara WALSH
SWEENEY	Margaret	1867	Edward SWEENEY	Biddy MC NICHOLAS
SWEENEY	Biddy	1870	Edward SWEENEY	Biddy MC NICHOLAS
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Edward SWEENEY	Bridget LAVELL
SWEENEY	Frances	1870	Edward SWEENEY	Ellen MC HUGH
SWEENEY	Mary	1871	Edward SWEENEY	Julia GRIFFIN
SWEENEY	Patrick	1866	Edward SWEENEY	Mary MURPHY
SWEENEY	Anne	1869	Edward SWEENY	Julia GRIFFIN
SWEENEY	Patrick	1868	Edward SWEENY	Mary MANGAN
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Edward SWEENY	Sibby GAUGHAN
SWEENEY	Michael	1867	Francis SWEENY	Mary COSTELLO
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Francis SWEENY	Mary COSTELLO
SWEENEY	Catherine	1869	Frank SWEENEY	Anne KENEDY
SWEENEY	Anne	1868	Frank SWEENEY	Margaret FREEL
SWEENEY	Bridget	1870	Frank SWEENY	Bridget LENAGHAN
SWEENEY	James	1869	Frank SWEENY	Mary BARRETT
SWEENEY	Catherine	1871	George SWEENY	Winifred MC MANAMON
SWEENEY	Andrew John	1869	Henry SWEENEY	Ellen MC DERMOTT
SWENY	Sarah Anne	1871	Henry SWENY	Ellen MC DERMOT
SWEENEY	John	1869	James SWEENEY	Bridget GRADY
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	James SWEENEY	Catherine JENNINGS
SWEENEY	John	1874	James SWEENEY	Catherine JENNINGS
SWEENEY	John Thomas	1869	James SWEENEY	Ellen KYNE
SWEENEY	Patrick Joseph	1869	James SWEENEY	Margaret HOGAN
SWEENEY	Catherine	1871	James SWEENEY	Margaret HOGAN
SWEENEY	Catherine	1866	James SWEENEY	Mary SWEENY
SWEENEY	Mary	1867	James SWEENY	Bridget GOONAN
SWEENEY	Bryan	1871	James SWEENY	Bridget GOONAN
SWEENEY	Loughlin	1869	James SWEENY	Bridget GOONANE
SWEENEY	Patrick	1867	James SWEENY	Bridget KELLY
SWEENEY	John	1870	James SWEENY	Bridget KELLY
SWEENEY	Pat	1871	James SWEENY	Catherine GALLAGHER
SWEENEY	Patrick	1869	James SWEENY	Catherine JENNINGS
SWEENEY	Bridget	1871	James SWEENY	Catherine JENNINGS
SWEENEY	Bridget	1870	James SWEENY	Judy COYLE
SWEENEY	Ned	1871	James SWEENY	Judy COYLE
SWEENEY	Kate	1868	James SWEENY	Mary CUFFE
SWEENEY	Michael	1871	James SWEENY	Mary CUFFE
SWEENEY	Anne	1871	James SWEENY	Mary SWEENY
SWEENEY	Ellen	1867	James SWEENY	Sally JOYCE
SWEENEY	Martha	1870	James SWEENY	Sally JOYCE
SWEENEY	John	1871	John SWEENEY	Barbara KELLY
SWEENEY	Thomas Laurence	1871	John SWEENEY	Catherine LYDEN
SWEENEY	John	1867	John SWEENEY	Catherine MANGAN
SWEENEY	Michael	1870	John SWEENEY	Catherine MANGAN
SWEENEY	William	1870	John SWEENEY	Catherine MANGAN
SWEENEY	Thomas	1871	John SWEENEY	Catherine MANGAN
SWEENEY	Michael	1869	John SWEENEY	Margaret BOYLE
SWEENEY	John	1871	John SWEENEY	Margaret O BOYLE
SWEENEY	Myles	1867	John SWEENEY	Mary MULLAHY
SWEENEY	Thomas	1868	John SWEENEY	Sarah CANNAN
SWEENEY	John	1868	John SWEENEY	Winefred GRIFFIN
SWEENEY	Ellen	1871	John SWEENEY	Winefred GRIFFIN
SWEENEY	James	1871	John SWEENEY	Winefred ROCHE
SWEENEY	Martin	1869	John SWEENY	Barbara KELLY
SWEENEY	Mary	1871	John SWEENY	Bridget CARNEY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1870	John SWEENY	Bridget MC HALE
SWEENEY	Patrick	1867	John SWEENY	Bridget MC LOUGHLIN
SWEENEY	Ellen	1870	John SWEENY	Bridget MC LOUGHLIN
SWEENEY	Catharine	1871	John SWEENY	Catharine DEVINE
SWEENEY	Anne	1865	John SWEENY	Catherine DEVIRE
SWEENEY	Bridget	1870	John SWEENY	Catherine GIBBONS
SWEENEY	Catherine	1871	John SWEENY	Catherine GIBBONS
SWEENEY	Bridget	1867	John SWEENY	Catherine LYDEN
SWEENEY	Hanna	1869	John SWEENY	Catherine LYDON
SWEENEY	Arthur	1871	John SWEENY	Catherine MC EVELLY
SWEENEY	Anne	1869	John SWEENY	Catherine MC EVILLY
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	John SWEENY	Ketty CALPIN
SWEENEY	Michael	1867	John SWEENY	Kitty DIVINE
SWEENEY	Mary	1867	John SWEENY	Margaret CANNON
SWEENEY	Anne	1869	John SWEENY	Margaret CANNON
SWEENEY	Thomas	1871	John SWEENY	Margaret CANNON
SWEENEY	Martin	1869	John SWEENY	Mary BUTLER
SWEENEY	Patrick	1866	John SWEENY	Mary BUTTER
SWEENEY	Anne	1870	John SWEENY	Mary MC NICHOLAS
SWEENEY	Mary	1865	John SWEENY	Mary MULLAHY
SWEENEY	Catherine	1868	John SWEENY	Mary WALSH
SWEENEY	Michael	1871	John SWEENY	Mary WALSH
SWEENEY	John	1871	John SWEENY	Sarah CANNON
SWEENEY	Thomas	1866	John SWEENY	Winefred GRIFFIN
SWEENEY	Lacky	1871	Lacky SWEENY	Catherine WALSH
SWEENEY	Mary	1871	Loughlin SWEENY	Honor CONWAY
SWEENEY	Edward	1869	Loughlin SWEENY	Mary SWEENY
SWEENEY	John Edward	1867	Martin SWEENEY	Catherine HOWLEY
SWEENEY	Peter	1871	Martin SWEENEY	Mary MC DONEL
SWEENEY	Edward	1867	Martin SWEENEY	Mary MC DONNELL
SWEENEY	Michael	1868	Martin SWEENY	Anne RYAN
SWEENEY	Patrick	1870	Martin SWEENY	Mary MC DONNELL
SWEENEY	Martin	1869	Martin SWEENY	Mary MCDONNELL
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Michael SWEENEY	Bridget CARNEY
SWEENEY	Pat	1871	Michael SWEENEY	Bridget GERAGHTY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1871	Michael SWEENEY	Catherine DOYLE
SWEENEY	Thomas	1868	Michael SWEENEY	Catherine SWEENEY
SWEENEY	Ellen	1871	Michael SWEENEY	Catherine SWEENEY
SWEENEY	Margaret	1867	Michael SWEENEY	Peggy MASTERSON
SWEENEY	Anne	1869	Michael SWEENEY	Peggy MASTERSON
SWEENEY	Catherine	1871	Michael SWEENEY	Peggy MASTERSON
SWEENEY	Catharine	1871	Michael SWEENY	Bridget CARNEY
SWEENEY	John	1867	Michael SWEENY	Bridget GALLAGHER
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Michael SWEENY	Bridget KEARNEY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Michael SWEENY	Bridget SWIFT
SWEENEY	John	1868	Michael SWEENY	Catherine DOYLE
SWEENEY	Michael	1866	Michael SWEENY	Catherine PHILBIN
SWEENEY	Anthony	1869	Michael SWEENY	Catherine PHILBIN
SWEENEY	Margaret	1868	Michael SWEENY	Catherine STANTON
SWEENEY	Michael	1871	Michael SWEENY	Ellen BURKE
SWEENEY	Anne	1868	Michael SWEENY	Kate SOLAN
SWEENEY	Patrick	1869	Michael SWEENY	Margaret CARNEY
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Michael SWEENY	Margaret CARNEY
SWEENEY	Peter Paul	1871	Morgan SWEENEY	Maria CAFFRY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Morgan SWEENY	Maria CAFFERY
SWEENEY	Francis	1867	Morgan SWEENY	Mary CAFFREY
SWEENEY	Myles	1871	Myles SWEENEY	Bessy REILLY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1869	Myles SWEENY	Maria CARNEY
SWEENEY		1866	Ned SWEENEY	Catherine CALVEY
SWEENEY	Martin	1871	Ned SWEENY	Mary MANGAN
SWEENEY	Owen	1868	Owen SWEENEY	Bridget HERAUGHTY
SWEENEY	Margaret	1870	Owen SWEENEY	Margaret ROCHFORD
SWEENEY	James	1867	Owen SWEENEY	Margaret ROCKFORD
SWEENEY	John	1871	Owen SWEENY	Bridget HERATY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1867	Owen SWEENY	Bridget O BOYLE
SWEENEY	Pat	1867	Pat Laughlen SWEENEY	Mary SWEENEY
SWEENEY	Miles	1867	Pat SWEENEY	Mary MC CANN
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Pat SWEENEY	Sibby GAUGHAN
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Pat SWEENY	Mary CUSICK
SWEENEY	Thomas	1871	Pat SWEENY	Mary MC CANN
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Pat SWEENY	Mary NESTOR
SWEENEY	James	1870	Pat SWEENY	Mary RUDDY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1868	Patrick SWEENEY	Anne DEANE
SWEENEY	Catherine	1870	Patrick SWEENEY	Birdget CASEY
SWEENEY	James	1869	Patrick SWEENEY	Bridget CASEY
SWEENEY	William	1867	Patrick SWEENEY	Bridget REAP
SWEENEY	Anne	1871	Patrick SWEENEY	Bridget REAP
SWEENEY	Bridget	1871	Patrick SWEENEY	Catherine CONNOR
SWEENEY	Peter	1868	Patrick SWEENEY	Kitty BRADLY
SWEENEY	Sarah	1868	Patrick SWEENEY	Margaret HARKAN
SWEENEY	John	1870	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary DUFFY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1871	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary MANGON
SWEENEY	Mary	1869	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary MC CANN
SWEENEY	Ellen	1867	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary MC HALE
SWEENEY	Patrick	1868	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary NESTOR
SWEENEY	Bridget	1869	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary ODONNELL
SWEENEY	Margaret	1869	Patrick SWEENEY	Mary RUANE
SWEENEY	Martin	1869	Patrick SWEENY	Anne KENNY
SWEENEY	Dominick	1870	Patrick SWEENY	Anne O BOYLE
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MAHONY
SWEENEY	Mary	1867	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MC DONNELL
SWEENEY	Catherine	1869	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MC DONNELL
SWEENEY	Peter	1871	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MC DONNELL
SWEENEY	John	1872	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MCNAMARA
SWEENEY	Thomas	1871	Patrick SWEENY	Bridget MULLAHY
SWEENEY	Daniel	1869	Patrick SWEENY	Catherine CONNOR
SWEENEY	Owen	1869	Patrick SWEENY	Catherine MORAN
SWEENEY	Thomas	1871	Patrick SWEENY	Catherine MORAN
SWEENEY	Michael	1871	Patrick SWEENY	Mary Anne FAUGHNEY
SWEENEY	Honor	1868	Patrick SWEENY	Mary BURKE
SWEENEY	John	1868	Patrick SWEENY	Mary CARNEY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1866	Patrick SWEENY	Mary FLYNN
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Patrick SWEENY	Mary FLYNN
SWEENEY	James	1869	Patrick SWEENY	Mary MANGAN
SWEENEY	Hugh	1870	Patrick SWEENY	Sabina GAUGHAN
SWEENEY	Catherine	1871	Patrick SWEENY	Sabina GAUGHAN
SWEENEY	Mary	1871	Patt SWEENEY	Mary CARNEY
SWEENEY	Owen	1867	Patt SWEENEY	Mary CUSACK
SWEENEY	Thomas	1865	Patt SWEENY	Ellen CONWAY
SWEENEY	Margret	1865	Patt SWEENY	Ellen CONWAY
SWEENEY	John	1871	Peter SWEENEY	Catherine MULLANY
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Richard SWEENY	Bridget DARCY
SWEENEY	Richard	1871	Richard SWEENY	Bridget DARCY
SWEENEY	Thomas	1866	Rodger SWEENEY	Mary TOWEY
SWEENEY	Ann	1869	Rodger SWEENEY	Mary TOWEY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1871	Roger SWEENEY	Mary TOWEY
SWEENEY	Richard	1869	Terrence SWEENEY	Mary GROURKE
SWEENEY	Catherine	1868	Thomas SWEENEY	Bridget FINN
SWEENEY	Bridget	1870	Thomas SWEENEY	Bridget FINN
SWEENEY	Bridget	1865	Thomas SWEENEY	Bridget KELLY
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Thomas SWEENEY	Bridget KELLY
SWEENEY	Honor	1869	Thomas SWEENEY	Bridget TUOHY
SWEENEY	Margaret	1871	Thomas SWEENEY	Judith MC LAUGHLIN
SWEENEY	Bridget	1865	Thomas SWEENEY	Mary KAVENEY
SWEENEY	John	1869	Thomas SWEENEY	Mary KAVENEY
SWEENEY	Martin	1871	Thomas SWEENEY	Mary KAVENEY
SWEENEY	Mary	1870	Thomas SWEENY	Anne BURKE
SWEENEY	Ellen	1865	Thomas SWEENY	Bridget CONWAY
SWEENEY	Winny	1871	Thomas SWEENY	Bridget TWOGHY
SWEENEY	Patrick	1867	Thomas SWEENY	Catherine CONLON
SWEENEY	Anne	1865	Thomas SWEENY	Ellen MC ENTIRE
SWEENEY	Mary	1868	Thomas SWEENY	Judith MC LOUGHLIN
SWEENEY	Patrick	1871	Thomas SWEENY	Judy WALSH
SWEENEY	Michael	1869	Thomas SWEENY	Margaret MOONY
SWEENEY	James	1867	Thomas SWEENY	Margret MOONEY
SWEENEY	Tom	1867	Tom SWEENY	Bridget TOUGHEY
SWEENEY	Bridget	1865	Tom SWEENY	Bridget TUOGHEY

Lewis, in 1837, described Ballysakeery thus:

BALLISAKEERY, a parish, in the barony of TYRAWLEY, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 2 1/2 miles (S. E.) from Killala; containing 5730 inhabitants.

This parish, which is situated on the river Moy, and on the mail coach road from Ballina to Killala, comprises 11,281 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £4705 per annum. The lands are principally under tillage; the system of agriculture is very much improved, and there is little waste land but what is very deep and irreclaimable bog, of which there are very large tracts, Limestone is found in some parts of the parish.

There are several gentlemen's seats, of which the principal are Reserk, the residence of Cowen Green, Esq, ; Broadlands Park, of P. C. Howley, Esq. ; Netley Park, of H. W. Knox, Esq, ; Ballybrooney, of J. Perkins, Esq. ; and Farrow, of T. Waldron; Esq.

The river Moy, which is celebrated for the abundance and quality of its salmon, is navigable on the border of the parish, and forms the pool of Ballisakeery, which is accessible to vessels of small burden.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killala, to which the vicarage of Rathrea was united by act of council in 1807, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is appropriate to the deanery and archdeaconry of Killala. The tithes amount to £368. 11 shillings 8 1/2 pence, of which £175.7shillings 8 1/2 pence is paid to the impropriators, and the remainder to the vicar ; the entire tithes of the benefice amount to £273. 4 shillings. The church is a neat plain edifice, erected by a loan of £1025 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1810 ; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £131 for its repair. The glebe-house, a handsome residence, was built by aid of a gift of £400 and a loan of £400 from the same Board, in 1820: the glebe comprises 29 acres.

The R. C. Parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; a chapel is now in process of erection in the village of Cooneal, and will be completed in a short time.

There are places of worship for Presbyterians, Wesleyan Methodists, and Baptists.

There are five public schools, of which a female school is supported by the Misses Knox, of Rappa, and in which about 200 boys and 200 girls are taught; also two hedge schools, in which are about 100 boys and 30 girls.

There are some remains of the ancient abbey of Rosserick or Reserk, near the river Moy, founded by one of the sept of Joyce, for friars of the Franciscan order; they consist of the ruins of the church and a burial-ground; in the centre of the gable end is a square tower, and in the monastery is a closet of hewn stone for two confessors.

In the parish of Ballysakeary, the townland of Cloonmaan in 1856, Edward Sweeney held 18 acres 3 roods and 10 perches of land.

In 1859, Michael Sweeney held this land. In 1861, Martin had the holding.

In the townland of Cloonlough, there were eight named tenants in common of 74 acres, 3 roods and 17 perches, held from Sir William H Roger Palmer. In 1869, Martin Sweeney held the share previously held by John Rogan.

In the townland of Cloonfadda, Edward Sweeney held land with a valuation of £35.0.0. In 1861 it was divided equally between Michael and Morgan.

Bridget, his widow, held Michael’s share in 1869

Morgan’s share went to James in 1885, to Patrick in 1912, and to James in 1916.

In the same townland, Richard Sweeney had a holding of £8.15.0 in 1856, and he had added an adjoining holding from Pat Scott by 1869. This holding had changed to Patrick by 1873, to Morgan by 1886, and to James by 1887. James held the other (£8.15.0) holding after Richard from this date also. It then went to Richard till 1912, and to James from 1917.

In the townland of Knockaderry, Edward had 84 acres and 25 perches in 1856. By 1861, Michael and Martin were in possession and had added the holding of John McKenna and Patrick Monelly.

Martin was in sole possession by 1873, and Mary his widow, held it by 1885.