McCormack Dwelling and Farmhouse is managed by the OPW
Recommending a visit if you are interested in Ireland’s History.
It isn’t the easiest place to find and access may be limited for large coaches. Follow the signposts from Ballingarry or The Commons depending on your direction. As you can see it is on the Cashel to Kilkenny Scenic Drive.
What to expect on your arrival. There’s plenty of space to park and there are conveniences but no cafe (yet!). Plans are in place for a groups resource centre.
The Curator is very knowledgeable about the story of this iconic building. The McCormack family home was the site of the 1848 Rising by members of the Young Ireland movement. The Irish Tricolour Flag which we use today was first raised here in the ensuing conflict.
The Tricolour is flown daily on site
Inside the family home may be viewed photographs of the house’s history and contemporary accounts of the 1848 Rising. The house is presented as it would have been in 1848. Internal photography is not allowed by the OPW.
The excellent information boards about the Young Ireland Movement and life in 1848 Ireland provide a wealth of detail for further research. Also view a short video which helps to give context to this important place.
Ireland’s Military Archives is one of its jewels for family research but is often overlooked unless family history tells us of our ancestral link to the events of 1916 to 1923. However, it is a very rich source of material for everyone who has ancestry in Ireland or is interested in the formation of the Republic. It also serves as a searchable twentieth century census substitute
There are two ways to access the Military Archives holdings.
A personal visit to the Archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin.
All access to the Military Archives whether in person or online is public and free.
Any documents stored online are free to download to your pc. However, the Military Archives hold copyright for all documentation. If material is to be published in any form, written permission must be sought in advance from the Officer in Charge, Military Archives.
What is the Military Archive?
The Archive was set up in the early 1920s by Col M J Costello and Thomas Galvin with the purpose of not only meeting the immediate needs of the new Military but as a ‘national memory’ and as a resource for historians. The Archive was purpose-built at Cathal Brugha Barracks. The early material includes documentation from the Civil War Intelligence Department, Kilmainham (19th century) and Dublin Castle’s War Office. It has sources for the Island of Ireland. However, some early material was destroyed before archiving.
What is the Military Service Pensions Collection?
This Collection holds applications for Medals and Pensions for service between 1916 and 1921. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are in the databases.It holds information provided by the applicant which includes addresses from 1916 to death, personal details, action in the War, death records, next of kin, details of military colleagues.
The Military Pension was awarded on application to registered combatants in The Oglaigh na hÉireann (IRA) The Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Éireann and the Irish Citizen Army from 1916 to 1921.
Every application has a file number.This is needed for further research.
NOTE; Further supporting material for 1916-1923 can currently be found in this section of the website.
Please note that each section of the website may be searched, but at the moment it is not possible to search across the whole Military Archives website.
The section we are searching here is called the [ Military Service Pensions Collection 1923-1988 ] which has its own section with other sources, though the core databases, although updated, stay the same.
Research Questions
“I know my ancestor had the 1916 medal and I would like to know more about them”
Use 1.’The Medals Database’. Confirm the File number and combatant information.
Search 2. ‘Organisation and Membership’ database.
Make an appointment to view their file at the Archive. See ‘On Site research’ and .’Contact details’.
Also see 5 ‘People and Places’ for new information.
“I think that my ancestor was involved in the Independence War but I don’t know much about them”
Use 3. ‘Pensions and Awards Database’ If you have found them, access their documents.
Use 2. ‘Organisations and membership Database’ for more information about their activity.
Use 5 ‘People and Places’ for an overview 1916 to 1921.
If their name is not there, search for family members and extended family.
Contact the Duty Officer to see if their file is in the archive see ‘Contact details’
“I don’t know if my ancestor was in the Independence War and I would like to find out”
Use the wildcard search boxes in all the databases. Recommending that you start with a known county and narrow the search. Also search for siblings and cousins.
Check 5 ‘People and Places’ for activity in your area.
Remember that some combatants chose not to make a pension application.
“I am interested in the Independence War in my homeplace in Ireland”
Start with 5 ‘People and Places’
Do the same search as the above query except this time, use location names as the wildcard
Identify the local Units and follow their stories in the new parts of the Pensions website.
Search
Medals Database
This is a database with the collection of applications for the 1916 Medal and the 1921 Truce Medal.Both successful and unsuccessful applications are included, including some with scanned application documents. File Number beginning with ‘M’ is quoted which is needed for further research in the Military Archives. Search by name, location etc.
For this database, you will need to know the Unit or a location for your ancestor. It includes IRA, Cumann na mBan and Fianna na hEireann members. Not searchable by individual person.
This database holds applications for the Military Pension. You can search by individual. If your ancestor is in the database, there may be information up to the mid 20th century which could include addresses, personal details. Successful applicants may have further family information through the death notice. Save the file number ‘M’ for further research in the Military Archive.
A general collection of scanned images of files connected to the Pensioners and Medal holders historical administration. Search by freeword. The images are not searchable and a general description (abstract) is shown by the folder.
A recent offering now under the Military Service Pensions collection is a set of resources clustered on the 1916 to 1923 timeline. This is useful for researching specific incidents or a timeframe and also includes links to members’ documents (administration files) and personal accounts (stories).
The Reading Room is open to the public by appointment. If you wish to view any material which is not online you will need to make an appointment with the Duty Archivist. Files belonging to ancestors may need evidence of your status as next of kin. Other research opportunities can be found in the Reading Room Collections webpage.
Thrilled and honoured to accept the 2019 Fellowship Award from Cork Genealogical Society . The Award is for services to Irish Genealogy ; for Cork research, particularly DNA for the Cork Diaspora.
A two hour guided walk of the Estate for #HeritageWeek gave the 800 year history through its buildings and families.
Today the 18th Century Boyle Manor House forms the core of the Hotel
Now a Holiday Complex with international visitors, the estate is open during daylight hours for non residents and there are two restaurants. Afternoon Tea is a speciality here!
The earliest surviving dwelling is the Hiberno Norman Tower House last used by the Fitzgeralds Much of the medieval castle survives as holiday lets and gardens.
Another surprise for the historian is the landscape laid out by the Salt family under the direction of Capability Brown.
The Serpentine Lake
The family most associated with Castlemartyr are the Boyles who lived here from the mid 17th century to the early 20th century. The researcher is well blessed with a significant holding of their personal and business papers held in the National Archives and National Library. Not forgetting that the “father of the filing system” Richard Boyle was born here!
Family Past & Place Genealogy Services 
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