Eustace Families of Kilrush Parish,County Clare

By: Terry Shiely Diebel

KILRUSH EUSTACE RECORDS 1820 to present

The second branch of the Clare Eustace family lived in the Parish of Kilrush in the early 1800’s.  Until recently, this branch of the Eustaces has lived in the Townland of Gowerhass.  The families living in Gowerhass in 1824 were Patrick, John and Simon Eustace.  Michael Eustace farmed in the neighboring Townlands of Knockerry East and Knocknahooan.  The reason Michael farmed there may be because his wife, Mary Downes, and her family were from these townlands.    It seems as though John, Simon and Michael were brothers as they shared the same godparents for their children.  These godparents were Mary Eustace (believed to be their sister) and her husband Frank McMahon from Tullagower.  The relationship of Patrick Eustace (noted in Gowerhass in the 1824 Tithe Applotment) to John, Simon and Michael is unclear.  He may have been a father, an uncle, brother or a cousin. 

The 1855 Griffith’s Valuation shows five householders in Gowerhass: Simon, and John Eustace (likely the same Simon and John listed in Generation I).  Mary who may be the widow of either Michael or Patrick (listed in Generation I); and, Michael is listed who may be either married to Molly Miniter or who may be the Michael from Knockerry East  married to Mary Downes (of Generation I).  At any rate, it is believed that all those listed in the 1855 Tithe Applotment were from Generation I of Kilrush.

Kilrush Generation I:

John W. Eustace born about 1800 married his cousin Mary Cullinan in 1826 and their children included the following who were baptized at St. Senan’s Church, Kilrush:  James baptized April 20, 1828, Simon baptized January 29, 1829, Bridget baptized May 29, 1831, and Michael baptized April 11, 1833.  John farmed in Gowerhass.

Simon Eustace born about 1798 appears to have been married twice.  His first marriage was to Mary O’Keefe and they had a son John baptized January 6, 1828.  His second marriage was to Bridget McNamara.  Bridget died at the age of 88 on May 10, 1886 in Gowerhass. Their children included the following all baptized at St. Senan’s:  Michael baptized November 20, 1829, Simon* baptized April 21, 1831, Mary baptized February 18, 1833 and Bridget baptized December 18, 1839.  Simon farmed in Gowerhass. *(See notes for Simon Eustace born 1831 in Kilrush Generation II).

Michael Eustace born about 1799 was married to Mary Downes.  Their children included **John born about 1821, **James born in 1822, Thomas, Patrick, **Mary born about 1824, **Simon baptized December 27, 1827 and Michael baptized April 27, 1830.  Michael farmed in Knockerry East, Kilrush and Knocknahooan, Killimer.  Children of Michael and Mary Eustice Shiely immigrated to the US with some of them settling in Minnesota, Michigan, New York, US and Ontario, Canada.  Possibly, Michael born in 1830 remained in Ireland. ** (See notes for the family of Michael Eustace in Kilrush Generation II).

There was another Michael Eustace living in Kilrush at this same time who was a peer of the previous three Eustaces mentioned.  He married Mollie Miniter and their children included:  Mary baptized April 10, 1828, Bridget baptized May 18, 1831, Patrick baptized August 30, 1833 and Michael baptized August 9, 1836.

Thomas Eustace from Gower married Mary Leonard on February 1838 and their children included Bridget baptized on February 29, 1840.  This may be the Thomas listed on Chapel Street in the Town of Kilrush in the 1855 Griffith’s Valuation.

Kilrush Generation II:

*Simon Eustace born in 1831, married Bridget Crotty and had the following children:  Mary baptized December 9, 1870 (died 1871), Michael baptized January 15, 1871, Thomas baptized November 19, 1873, John baptized March 22, 1875 (died 1887), Catherine baptized April 9, 1876 (died 1877), Mary baptized July 26, 1877, Patrick baptized October 12, 1878 and (died 1917), Simon baptized January 16, 1880, James baptized July 1882, and Richard baptized January 5, 1887.  Simon and Bridget stayed on the farm in Gowerhass and are listed there in the 1901 Clare Census.  Simon died September 16, 1908 at the age of 77.  Bridget died October 8, 1903 at the age of 60.   In the 1901 Clare Census, Simon and Bridget Crotty Eustace are the only original Gowerhass Eustace family still living on the land that was listed in the Tithe Applotment of 1824.  According to Ellis Island records, at the turn of the century most of Simon and Bridget Crotty Eustace’s children immigrated to the US living on various streets in New York City, NY such as Clark Street, King Street and Dominick Street.  Their oldest son, Thomas, married to Delia Considine remained in Gowerhass. Thomas and Delia’s children were: Bridget (Bridie Cahill), Mick, Tom (Sonny), Simon and Mary (May Hennessy).   At this writing, it is unclear who Simon’s father was; however, his date of birth matches the Simon born to Simon and Bridget McNamara Eustace in Kilrush Generation I.

**John Eustice son of Michael Eustace and Mary Downes married Ellen Gorman at Senan’s Church, Kilrush on January 21, 1845 and they baptized two children at St. Senan’s Church:  Michael baptized October 27, 1845 and Mary baptized February 23, 1848.  They immigrated to the US and were thought to be in Ontario, Canada.  However, the following children were born in NY; Honora born about 1854, Patrick baptized March 9, 1856, John baptized March 7, 1859 and Simon baptized January 31, 1863.  These baptisms occurred at St. Mary of the Cataract Church in Niagara, NY. 

**James Eustice son of Michael Eustace and Mary Downes was born in County Clare June 24, 1821.  He married Mary Gorman born September 22, 1822 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Burlington, VT on September 28, 1848.  James and Mary settled in Glanford, near Hamilton, Ontario after a brief time in Montreal.  They had twelve children all born in Canada except their son, John.  Their son, John born (in Vermont) December 26, 1849 married Celina Russell.  They lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and raised a family there; son Simon born in Ontario April 15, 1853 lived in Erie, Pennsylvania; James and Mary’s son, Patrick, was born December 14, 1861 in Ontario, Canada and married Margaret Peaire.  They lived in St. Ignace and Cheboygan, MI. Sons, James born August 15, 1863, Michael born October 23, 1865 and Thomas born November 24, 1867 (in Ontario) also immigrated to the US living in Warren County, PA. Eventually, Thomas’ family along with Michael’s descendants moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  James and Mary Eustice’s daughter Mary (Holihan Duke) was born in Ontario August 15, 1857 and lived in Union City, PA.  James Eustace (born 1821) died in Erie at the home of his son Simon’s house.  He is buried in Warren, PA alongside his wife, Mary, and his sons James and Michael.  Today, Maurice Eustice and his daughter Sally Eustice Humphrey both live in Cheboygan, Michigan and they descend directly from this Kilrush branch. 

**Simon Eustice son of Michael Eustace and Mary Downes was baptized at St. Senan’s Church, Kilrush December 27, 1827.  Simon married Margaret Cronan in Indiana, US in 1852 and farmed within a mile of his sister Mary Eustice Shiely in Washington Lake, MN from the 1860’s to the 1880’s.  Simon Eustice and his family eventually moved to Minneapolis, MN.  Simon Eustice died in Minneapolis, MN on October 10, 1906.

**Mary Eustice daughter of Michael Eustace and Mary Downes was born about 1824 and married Michael Shiely (Sheely, Shealy) in County Clare about 1845.  Mary Eustice Shiely with her husband, Michael and their two daughters, Margaret (Shaughnessy) born in 1846 and Maria (Haugh) born in 1847, arrived in the US on June 28, 1848.  Daughter Johanna (Duffy) was born in 1850 in NY, and son John was born in Ellensburg, NY on May 22, 1852/3.  Another daughter, Jane (Murphy) was born in NY March 4, 1855.  Bridget was born 1853; twins Patrick and Michael were born March 17, 1857; James was born January 12, 1860; Simon was born January 16, 1865; and the twins Will and Matt were born May 8, 1868.  The family farmed in Washington Lake, MN, and eventually moved to Faxon, MN.  Mary died September 16, 1871.  During her lifetime, Mary Eustice Shiely and her brother Simon searched but in vain for their brothers in the US.  They placed advertisements in the Boston Pilot Newspaper in 1855 and 1863 looking for their brothers: John and James who were thought to be in Ontario, Canada and brothers, Patrick and Thomas who were thought to be in New York.  After Mary’s death, Michael and his sons moved eventually to St. Paul, MN.  Today, most of Mary Eustice Shiely’s descendants live in St. Paul, MN and her great, great granddaughter, Therese (Terry) Shiely Diebel is the author of this paper. 

Mary Eustice Shiely

Patrick Eustace married Bridget Kean and their children included Patrick baptized February 15, 1844 and Patrick baptized April 6, 1849. His parentage is unknown at this time.

Michael Eustace married to Kate Larkin had children that included: Ellen baptized October 27, 1854, Honora baptized November 24, 1856, Catherine baptized February 27, 1859, Mary baptized February 13, 1860 and Patrick baptized January 2, 1862. His parentage is unknown at this time.

Simon Eustace born about 1835 married to Catherine Halloran was a grocer in Kilrush (according to the Bassett’s Directory 1880).  They leased property for their store on Henry Street in the 1870’s and 1880’s.  Simon died April 3, 1886 and his wife Catherine died July 21, 1891.  They are buried in Kilmihil.

Kilrush Generation III:

Patrick Eustace born about 1873 and died January 1, 1938, son of John Eustace (born 1834 and died September 20, 1918 and is buried with his grandson, Gerrard age 6, in the Shanakyle Graveyard), married Kate Carthy in April of 1894 at St. Senan’s Church in Kilrush.  Patrick and Kate had at least 12 children some of whom are: Martin baptized October 18, 1895, Thomas baptized December 8, 1896, Christina baptized December 26, 1897 and Mary baptized September 19, 1899, Frank born in 1900, and Patrick who was born 1911 and died in 1988 in Cooraclare.   In the 1901 Census, Patrick and Kate Eustace with their family live in Kilrush Urban, Parish of Kilrush.  Patrick was a tailor.  Patrick’s son Frank immigrated to Chicago, IL, US and had a tailoring shop there.  Christina (McCarthy) immigrated to Brighton, MA on March 25, 1921.  Today, Bernard Eustace of Cooraclare, County Clare Ireland whose father Patrick Eustace was born in 1911 descends from this Eustace branch.

In the 1901 Census, John Eustace age 70, and his wife Catherine age 70 lived in Knockerry West, Parish of Kilrush.  In the 1901 Census, James Eustace age 63 and his wife Anne McNamara, age 54 and their children also live in Knockerry West, parish of Kilrush.  In this census, James and Anne are living with their children: James a post office sorter, 30, Edward a groom 26, Ann 22 and Simon a postman, 21.  According to the 1901 Ellis Island records, Edward visited his cousin, Nora Flaherty at her home on Hulst Street, NYC, NY.

In 1901 in the Townland of Coolmuinga lived another John Eustace who was married to Mary O’Donnell.  Although they had thirteen children, in 1901 there were only four children living with them in Coolmuinga.  They were: James 28, Ellen 20, Catherine 18, and Margaret 24.  Their son, John Joseph married and immigrated to Australia in 1886 as did several of his siblings. Information about the Australian Eustaces from County Clare includes the following:  Bridget 1859 died in infancy; Thomas married Annie O’Donnell who was his first cousin and they lived in Bulimba; Bridget married William Deel; Mary born in 1866 married Neil Anton Anderson and they farmed in Brisbane; John Joseph married Cecelia Mary Smith, Townsville; James born 1871; Margaret born 1875 and married Phillip Edward Brady and they lived in Townsville; Ellen born 1877 married Jackie Pearce, and lived in Townsville; Nora married John Douglas and lived in Townsville; Catherine married Colin and lived in Townsville; Michael was born in 1884.  Today, some descendants of this Eustace family live in Queensland, Australia.

In the Town of Kilrush on Burton Street in the 1901 Census is James Eustace 19, a draper.  Bridget Eustace age 69 also lives in the Town of Kilrush, and another Draper’s assistant lives with her so there appears to be a connection with James, and at the very least, this kind of work.

In the 1901 Census, Michael Eustace age 17 is likely related to the Coolmuinga family as he is a cousin to Margaret O’Donnell and living with her in Garraunnatooha which borders Gowerhass.  Also Nora Eustace age 19 lives in the Townland of Carrowfree, Parish of Kilrush and is likely related to the Coolmuinga or Knockerry West family.

The Index to Biographical Notices 1935-1985 lists the following in Kilrush:  The death of Patrick Eustace living on Kilrush Road dated  November 2, 1984; from Cooraclare, Paddy Eustace’s death October 14, 1988; Michael Eustace’ marriage April 1, 1977 in Kilrush.

Eustace Families of Kilmihil

Eustace Families of Kilrush

Eustace Families of Kilmaley

Other Clare Eustace Families