My family, the O’Toole’s, were born in Accony/Roonah Point. We are in some way related to most of the names you will find around Louisburgh – Scott, O’Donnell, Prendergast, Lyons, Gibbons, Friel, O’Malley, etc…
John O’Toole (son of James O’Toole and Mary Moran) and his wife Sally Scott (daughter of James Scott and Catherine Prendergast) had at least twelve children, six of which sadly died as children. Their son’s John and James left Ireland for Chicago, while Maria (Owen O’Donnell), Patrick, Sarah (Edward Lyons) and Kate (Tommy Lannon Prendergast) stayed.
My grandfather John O’Toole Jr. came to Chicago in 1920 and married Margaret Joyce of Carramore, Louisburgh. They spent the remainder of their lives along with their children John, James, Alice and Sarah in the Irish enclave called “Canaryville” on the edge of the great Chicago Union Stock Yards, always longing for their homes by the sea.
John’s older brother James O’Toole became a Chicago Police Officer before and during the heyday of Chicago’s famous gangster crime bosses like Al Capone and Bugsy Moran. He and his wife Sarah had ten children.
Comments about this page
I am married to O’Toole from Connemara. My brother’s wife is also an O’Toole from County Mayo. I am doing the O’Toole ancestry and found her ancestry to be from Louisburgh. Which led me to connect her to Peter O’Toole the actor through Patrick O’Toole (deceased in Louisburgh, Co Mayo ca 1750). I am still trying to connect this family to my inlaws in Connemara.
I need to find Patrick O’Toole (deceased in Louisburgh, Co Mayo ca 1750) parents etc
I need to find Matthew O’Toole (father of Coleman O’Toole – born 1851 – , married to Kathleen Curran)
Happy to connect with anyone that wants to check out my ancestry findings! I am based in Ireland!
Hello,
Would anyone be able to assist me on researching my family on my Fathers side; My paternal Grandfather (Michael Toole b.circa 1900?) grew up in Louisburgh and his family home was close to the Morrison’s Hotel? I understand he was one of twelve? We have returned and never been able to find the house? We have been told it was bought/used by a BBC wildlife photographer? Any info would be appreciated so much. Thank you, Kate.
To Mary Kathleen….Yes. The farm in Ireland is still a working sheep farm. Still in the Lyons name. The farm and it’s owners are wonderful. If you go to site that says Accony school reunion, you will see a picture of Lyons twins walking with a pale of water up the road to a school house. Lyons farm is to their left. School house can be seen from the farm. You probably know this…but our great-grandfather bought a farm on the fox river that is now known as Lyons Prairie and Marsh. Also, My source shows that Mary Ellen’s grandfather was right. Great-great grandmother’s name was Mariah.
Celeste A Miller
To Mary Kathleen, we share the same great-grandparents. Your Grandpa was my great uncle Joe. I remember him and Aunt Irene well. Yes, the Lyons farm is still a working sheep farm. The Lyons family are wonderful people. It is a beautiful place on the ocean. See Accony School reunion site. A picture of Lyons twin girls walking with a pale of water towards school house (now a historical site). Lyons farm is to their left. You can see the school from the farm. Also, gg grandmothers name according to my paperwork is Mariah.
Celeste Harkins Miller July 15 2019
I was looking to find some information about my great grandfather Redmond Lyons. I read your post and to my surprise, discovered a picture of my great-great grandparents, Patrick and Maria.
Their names are Patrick and Maria McDonnell Lyons. I had already found out my great grandfather, Redmond Lyons was from Accony. Redmond came to Chicago and married Margaret Kearney. My grandfather, Patrick Joseph Lyons grew up Chicago, but ultimately lived in Crystal Lake, Ill. My grandfather had five siblings.
At some point in the past, I have seen an old picture of the Lyons farm. I am curious as to whether or not there is still a working Lyons farm in Accony.
Dear Mary Ellen Ryan, I may have some information about Maria or Mariah Lyons. Thank you Celeste Ann Miller
Thanks for posting this! It’s nice to finally see a picture of my Great-Great-Grandparents, Patrick Lyons & Maria McDonnell. My grandfather had told me her name was Mariah, but I haven’t found any proof of that bit of information.
Thanks Nancy for sharing these photographs and information. The photographs are in great condition despite the dates shown for when actually taken. I love looking at old photographs and these are amazing, the clothes, hair styles and even family features, some probably still identifiable in generations today.Thanks so much for sharing and in doing so you have recorded some history that would otherwise be forgotten.
Add a comment about this page