Person Page - 9

     John Diffley was born before 6 April 1851 at Clooncarreen, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland.^1,2
He was baptised on 6 April 1851. The sponsors were Michael Diffley and Mary Burbage.¹

John Diffley married Maria Mahon on 24 January 1878 at Chapel Lane, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. The witnesses were Edward O'Neill (probably of Clooncarn) and Ellen Mahon (probably a sister of the bride.)³ John Diffley and Maria Mahon had 10 children. According to the 1911 Census, all of them were still alive in 1911. Nine of these are known and listed. The other is currently unknown.⁴
He was listed as head of household in the 1901 census at Rosdoowaun, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. Also listed was his wife Maria Mahon. Also included: Son(s) James Diffley, Peter Diffley, Thomas Diffley, Michael Diffley and John Patrick Diffley. Also included: Daughter(s) Helena Diffley, Bridget Diffley and Elizabeth Diffley.⁵
He was listed as head of household in the 1911 census at Rosdoowaun, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. Also listed was his wife Maria Mahon. Also included: Son(s) Peter Diffley and Michael Diffley. Also included: Daughter(s) Helena Diffley.⁴
John Diffley died on 23 February 1922 at Rosdoowaun, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. John's stated age at death was 70 years and the cause of death was Endocarditis and Angina. He was survived by his widow Maria Mahon.⁶

     John Doyle was born circa 1745 at Laheen South, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. We know that Nicholas Doyle was born around 1818. Allowing for the 3 generations per hundred years rule, his likely antecedents are: Father of Nicholas born c.1780; Grandfather of Nicholas born c1745.
The Clements Estate Maps of 1750 show a Doyle and a Widow Doyle in Lagheen (Laheen South). Although either of these could have been in their early 20s at the time, by 1780 they would have been in their 50s. That would certainly rule Widow Doyle out as Nicholas' grandmother. It also makes it less likely than 'Doyle' would have been Nicholas' grandfather.
On this basis, therefore, I am assuming that Nicholas' grandfather was a child in 1750, and is thus the son of either Doyle or Widow Doyle, and am estimating his birth to be about 1745.^1,2
He appeared on the Tithe Applotment Books in 1834 at Laheen South, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. John Doyle held 2 Acres, 1 Rood and 20 Perches.³
John Doyle died before 1840? At Laheen South, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland. By before 1840? he was not listed on Lord Leitrim's rent records for Laheen South. He may have died or emigrated. A John Doyle was buried in Mohill R.C. Parish on 27th December 1846, no further details known.¹

     The Doyles of Clooncarne
This is the story of the Doyles of Clooncarne. It is important to state at the outset what is known and what is conjecture.
The first of this family for whom we have a name is Nicholas, who was born around 1818, married in Mohill Parish in 1845, and had four children baptised there. He lived in Laheen South in Mohill from at least 1850 until either 1866 or 1867, when he moved to Clooncarne, and he died in 1890. What is also known is that in 1750, in the area of Lagheen (later to become the townlands of Laheen South and Kildoo) could be found two distinct tenants: Doyle and Widow Doyle.
It is probable that Nicholas was born in Laheen South. It is also likely that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were named Doyle and that the name passed down through 'legitimate' births, and this is assumed to be the case. On that assumption, we can say that the people included on this history of great-grandfather of Nicholas, grandfather of Nicholas, and father of Nicholas all existed. By looking at likely timespans between Nicholas' birth around 1818 and 1750, we can make a guess that either Doyle of 1750 was Nicholas' great-grandfather or else that Widow Doyle was his great-grandmother. Either guess could be wrong. But if we are right about the generations, then comparison between the locations of the two 1750 holdings with those of later years suggest that Widow Doyle lived in what became Kildoo townland. And on this flimsiest of reasons, we are suggesting that Doyle of 1750 was the great-grandfather of Nicholas, and so our tree begins with him.
Where he came from is currently, and probably always will be, unknown. See entry for The First Doyle (#425).
MacLysaght, on Page 89 of The Surnames of Ireland, states that the name Doyle in County Roscommon is synonymous with MacDowell. This galloglass sept had, by the 16th Century, settled, fairly exclusively, there (see John Marsden, Galloglas, East Linton, 2003, Pages 65-7). Given the proximity of the two counties, the Doyles of Leitrim may be migrated (and renamed) MacDowells of Roscommon. Great-grandfather of Nicholas Doyle was born circa 1710 at Ireland. The Clements Estate Maps place a Doyle firmly in Lagheen in 1750. Applying the 3 generations per hundred years rule from Nicholas' supposed birth in 1818, we can tentatively set his great-grandfather's birth at around 1710. This would also tie in with it being likely he was old enough to be listed as a tenant in 1750.
The Estate Maps show a Doyle and a Widow Doyle living in Lagheen in 1750. From the evidence of the maps, Widow Doyle lived in what became Kildoo townland. James Doyle eventually can be found in Kildoo in the 1830s and onwards, until he was evicted during the Famine. As Nicholas Doyle was eventually found in Laheen South itself, although very close to the Kildoo Doyle site, I am tentatively assuming he was not descended from Widow Doyle, and that therefore his father was the 'Doyle' of 1750. It must be said, however, that it is possible that Nicholas was descended from Widow Doyle, and that this 'Doyle' of 1750 was not his ancestor.^1,2
Great-grandfather of Nicholas Doyle was living in 1750 at Laheen South, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland.¹ Great-grandfather of Nicholas Doyle died circa 1780 at Laheen South, Mohill, Co Leitrim, Ireland.¹

     Mary Beirne was born circa 1925 at Derryheelan, Killoe, Co Longford, Ireland.¹
She emigrated circa 1939 from Ireland.^2,3 As of 1952,her married name was Ryan.²
Mary Beirne died on 5 October 2017 at Lisserlough, Boyle, Co Roscommon, Ireland. The full text of the notice reads:
Suddenly, at her residence. Predeceased by her daughter Jean and son John. Sadly missed by her husband Christopher, son David and daughter Sylvia, sister Rosie, grandchildren Rory and Aidan, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends. R.I.P. Reposing at Mahon's Funeral Home, Boyle, Sunday October 8th, from 4 o'clock until 6 o'clock. Arriving for Mass of Christian burial in St. Attracta's Church, Killaraght, Monday, October 9th, at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Drumlish Old Cemetery, Drumlish, Co. Longford. Date Published: Thursday 5th October 2017 Date of Death: Thursday 5th October 2017.⁴ She was buried on 9 October 2017 at Drumlish, Killoe, Co Longford, Ireland.³

     Elizabeth Beirne was born on 21 February 1931 at Derryheelan, Killoe, Co Longford, Ireland.^1,2,3
Her common name was Lizzie.¹ She emigrated circa 1950 from Ireland.¹ Lizzie is said to have married in England and remained there. It is not known if she had children.¹
Elizabeth Beirne died before 2017 at England.⁴