Margaret Sweeney's Relatives- Sweeney's in County Meath

Sweeney's in Summerhill Parish, County Meath- Likely relatives of Margaret Sweeney Allen

Sweeney is a fairly rare name to be found in County Meath. Sweeneys and Allens lived in the same area in Laracor parish, which is near Trim- 9 Allen families and 1 Sweeney family. Laracor parish includes Dangan, Summerhill, and Umberstown.


1823 Tithe Books

In 1828, there was a Pat Sweeney with 6 acres at Ballnirigg in Laracor Parish, Meath and a Michael Sweeney with 103 acres in Great Freffans, Laracor, Meath.
Michael Sweeney was living right next to John Allen, who had 108 acres. There was also another J. Allen with 47 acres in Great Freffans. Both of these townlands (Ballnirigg and Great Freffans) are listed near Dangan Park and Dangan Demesne.

In Umberstown is marked "Late Allen's farm" of 90 acres in Umberstown. In Ballinnrigg near Dangan was Francis Allen, 1 acre, and in Umberstown John Allen 22 acres. Nearby in Clondagan was Rich Byrne with 3 acres and Martin Byrne with 2 acres. Also near Dangan at Ballinngg was Widow Allen with 3 acres and William Allen with 8 acres.

In the Griffith's Valuation of 1855, there was only one Sweeney family living near Summerhill.

Patrick Sweeney farmed 12 acres of land, renting from Charles P. Leslie.

Patrick also shared 8 acres of land with James Mulary, renting from Charles P. Leslie.

Richard Allen had 17 acres of land (renting from Charles P Leslie) and John Allen had a house and garden on Richard's land.

1901 Census

In 1901, the Sweeneys were a household headed by Anne Sweeney, age 46, a widow and farmer,  Anne Sweeney her daughter, age 24, unmarried, and Patrick Sheils, 3, her grandson. In another house was Luke Sweeney, age 57, an unmarried nurseryman.

Living nearby was John Allen, age 62, an unmarried farmer, living with Jane Moran, 19, an unmarried cousin.

1911 Census

In 1911, Anne Sweeney, now 35, was farming,  living with Ellen McLeer, age 6, a niece who was in school. In another house was Luke Sweeney, now 70, living with his brother, Michael Sweeney, age 72, both single and  agricultural laborers.

Living next door was John Allen, now 76, and his nephew Thomas Byrne, age 37.

Another common name in this area is Byrne- and we know that in 1851 in Ireland,  Mary Allen married Patrick W. Byrne, born Aug 15, 1825, son of Patrick Byrne and Anna Murray.

Living in Great Umberstown was Joseph Byrne 60, wife Brigid 52, sons Thomas 22, Michael 14, John 11 and dtr Mary 4.


Church records for Laracor parish and summerhill- see ancestry and findmypast

Baptism, marriage records available for Summerhill from Apr 1812 to 1854
Death records from 1812 to 1836

Dangan, Summerhill- all children of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall

Hugh Sweeney b 2 March 1828
Ellen Sweeney b Apr 1829
John Sweeney b 3 Dec 1831
Catherine b 19 Feb 1833
Thomas b 1 Feb 1835
Patrick b 28 Nov 1836
Michael 12 Feb 1839
Luke Sweeney b 25 Jan 1841
Christopher Sweeney b 26 Dec 1843
Peter 28 Nov 1845 (address Mill Road)
Bernard 20 Mar 1848
Andrew b 24 Jan 1851



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