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  • Munster genealogy
    • Main contributor: Craig Kanalley
    Munster on map of Ireland
    Munster on a map of Ireland

    Munster genealogy relates to the study of family history in the Irish province of Munster. It is located in the southern part of Ireland, including the entire southwest region.

    The province covers an area of 24,675 square kilometers. Today it has a population of 1.3 million.[1]

    Munster's capital city is Cork, and it is also known for the cities of Limerick and Waterford. Those three urban areas make up its largest population centers.

    Agriculture is a popular industry throughout the province.[2] Tech companies[3] and retail brands have established a presence in Munster, leading to a significant number of jobs for the local population.

    History of MunsterHistory of Munster

    The name Munster derives from the pre-Christian goddess "Muma" combined with tir ("land"). It translates roughly to the "Land of the Mumu."[4]

    When St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in the 4th century, he traveled west and spent considerable time in Munster. This led to the birth of countless legends about him in the region that were passed down for generations.[5][6]

    Blarney Castle in County Cork
    Blarney Castle in County Cork

    Munster is scattered with ruins of ancient monasteries and castles. It is home to County Cork's Blarney Castle[7], famous for its Blarney Stone.[8]

    Due to its proximity to water, the region was susceptible to Viking raiders, some of whom settled in Waterford and Limerick.[9] Several surnames in the Limerick area have Viking roots, such as McAuliff ("son of Olaf"), O'Loughlin (from the Irish Lochlann, meaning "Viking"), and Higgins (from the Irish Uiginn, a version of the Norse word Vikinger).

    After the Anglo-Norman invasion of the mid-12th century, the feudal families of Fitzgerald, earls of Desmond, and of Butler, earls of Ormond, consolidated power in the province.[9]

    Thousands of English settlers came to the province in the late 16th century with the establishment of the Munster Plantation, but many decided to return to England as they found the local population hostile toward them.[10]

    The Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s led to countless residents fleeing the region. Many traveled across the ocean to the United States and Canada for a new beginning.

    Munster has a strong heritage around sports, especially hurling and rugby.[11]

    Geography of MunsterGeography of Munster

    A large amount of Munster is coastal land along the Atlantic Ocean. Fishing is a huge industry along the western seaboard and in harbor towns.

    Cliffs of Moher in County Clare
    Cliffs of Moher in County Clare

    The Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's top tourist attractions, are located in County Clare in Munster, stretching about 14 kilometers (9 miles) and reaching a maximum height of 214 meters (702 feet).

    Another common attraction is the Ring of Kerry, a spectacular stretch of natural beauty with coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages.

    Munster's geography includes fertile plains and more rugged, hilly areas. Rivers that flow through the province include the Bandon, Blackwater, Lee, Shannon, and Suir.

    Administrative divisions in MunsterAdministrative divisions in Munster

    Cattle in County Clare
    Cattle grazing in County Clare

    The province of Munster is divided into 6 counties:

    • Clare
    • Cork
    • Kerry
    • Limerick
    • Tipperary
    • Waterford

    Identifying the county of origin is important as numerous records can be found at the county level. It may be useful to study neighboring counties for potential links, especially for families who lived near county borders.

    The counties are divided into more than 14,000 townlands and 700 civil parishes, which are listed in their entirety at Irish Townlands.

    Popular surnames in MunsterPopular surnames in Munster

    O'Connells Bar in Limerick City
    O'Connell is one of Munster's most common surnames. Limerick City has an O'Connell's Bar.

    The most common surnames in Munster are:

    A useful website to map the presence of a surname, down to the county level, is John Grenham's Irish Ancestors. It can be particularly useful when you are trying to identify the exact place of origin. After searching for a single surname, you have the option to search for parishes where that name appears alongside a second surname of your choice.

    Notable people from MunsterNotable people from Munster

    Brian Boru
    Irish High King Brian Boru (941-1014) was from Kincora, near Killaloe, in Co. Clare.

    Well-known people who are from Munster include:

    U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy has ancestral roots in Munster, as his mother's Fitzgerald family was from County Limerick.

    Types of records in MunsterTypes of records in Munster

    Church records and civil registration records are the primary sources of genealogical information for the province of Munster.

    St. Munchin's Church in Limerick City
    St. Munchin's Church in Limerick City

    Many church records do not begin until the middle of the 19th century, so tracing back before that time period can be challenging. Likewise, civil registration records only began in 1864.

    Civil records for all of Ireland, including Munster, are indexed at IrishGenealogy.ie. It is helpful to know the civil registration district or office to easily find records, but you can also search by name and date filters.

    Digitized images of Catholic church records in Munster are browsable by county level through the National Library of Ireland. Church records for County Kerry and County Cork are indexed at Irish Genealogy.

    Census records, land records, and public directories can also be helpful. Many of these are available through MyHeritage collections that include people from Munster:

    The following local resources can be helpful in research efforts:

    See alsoSee also

    Explore more about Munster genealogyExplore more about Munster genealogy

    References

    1. ↑ Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Munster population, per census, 2022: 1,373,346.https://data.cso.ie/
    2. ↑ Munster Agricultural Society. Curraheen, Cork. https://www.munsteragriculturalsociety.com/
    3. ↑ "Top tech companies in Cork, Ireland". TechFinitive. 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    4. ↑ Oxford Reference. Munster (Muma), Ireland. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001/acref-9780191882913-e-5004
    5. ↑ "Saint Patrick in Munster · Clochar na Trócaire, Maghcromtha · The Schools' Collection". dúchas.ie. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    6. ↑ www.ecatholic2000.com https://www.ecatholic2000.com/patrick2/untitled-157.shtml. Retrieved 2024-09-08. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
    7. ↑ "More about Blarney Stone | Family-Friendly". Blarney Castle. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    8. ↑ "Why Do People Kiss the Blarney Stone?". HISTORY. 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Munster | Ireland, Map, & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    10. ↑ "The Plantation of Munster". www.askaboutireland.ie. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
    11. ↑ "The story behind Ireland's four provinces". IrishCentral.com. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
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