St. Mary’s Church in Sessiaghoneill townland, just outside of Ballybofey, County Donegal, was built in 1828 as a satellite chapel of St. Patrick’s in Crossroads. It serves parishioners in the western reaches of Donaghmore Parish (Derry Diocese). The chapel was renovated in 1988.
St. Mary’s, Sessiaghoneill
Dear Rev Father ,
I am trying to obtain my wife Geraldine Hannigan’s grandfathers birth certificate .
name JOHN HANNIGAN
married 21 July1898 at St Mary’s Stranorlar .
He DIED 14/05/1951 in Scotland AGE 79
He was born and baptised in Ballybofey.
I believe that he was born in your parish around 1872 or 1871 as I don’t know his D.O.B.
We would be grateful if you could help please [reason is my wife wants to have an IRISH PASSPORT].
From Seamus and Geraldine O’Baoighill
I’m sorry to say that there are no records online for Stranorlar parish (St. Mary’s) at http://registers.nli.ie/ . You’ll have to try other sources. If you are on facebook, try to join one of the groups for Ballybofey and Stranorlar and pose your questions. P.S. I am not a priest.
Seamus :
I suggest that you contact secretary [Mrs. Pye] at St. Patrick church, Killygordon [Donaghmore] for info on Hannigan. Sacramental books start in 1840 — an exceptional find!
Sponsors for my grandparents wedding were Denis Hanigan & Mary Ann Murtaugh — May 16, 1886.
Years back, I knew Mr. Hanigan, shoemaker. Family is still in district.
Stranorlar parish is Diocese of Rap[hoe. St. Mary, Sessiaghoneill, diocese of Derry.
Another possible source is MR. KEVIN CASSIDY. SUITE 503 / 6001 VINE ST./ VANCOUVER
BC/ CANADA V6M4A4. ALL THE BEST!
First law for Genealogy : “speling duzn’t cownt!”
Friend :
Check Donegal Genealogy Resources —
Headstone Inscriptions, St. Patrick, Killygordon, Co Donegal.
There is headstone : Hannigan / Bonner / Gallen.
I belong to Genealogy Club. Brick walls are not unknown!
There is a John Hannigan born 16/06/1873 Sessiaghoneill to Patrick Hannigan a farmer and Hannah Martin
that date is wrong, 1845 is more like it….
I disagree. The plaque in the church gives the date as 1828 (see photo in post). In an article by Rev. Walter Hegarty in the Derry Journal (April 1934), he states that “the date of the church is 1829.” It seems that it was not completely finished until 1834 (same article). The ordinance survey (1836) states it was built as a cost of 500 pounds and holds 800 people.