Coolkenno History

A Memorial Card for John Bowes of Killabeg (recorded on the card as Kilquiggan, but recognise that some of The Harbour - Kilquiggan Street, is actually in Killabeg townland). Today, after seeing this image, I did some research through the Clonmore Parish records and found that he was born in February 1852 to John Bowes and Catherine Hinch of Killabeg. John Snr is recorded in the 1876 Register of Tenants as having his holding by purchase and marriage with Cath. Hinch twenty years ago and that he gave £30 to John Hinch. It seems John Snr reclaimed and cleaned up his holding as it is mentioned in the above mentioned records as having buried one thousand load of stones. John Jnr, (the attached image) appears to have become a carpenter. Having married Mary Reilly, they moved to Coolkenno in the 1870s for a short while and then back to Killabeg where they raised their six children. In the 1901 and 1911 National Census', John's sons, James and Michael appear to be carrying on their father's trade whilst Patrick Neill of Kilquiggan was also learning the trade for a while. Both John and Mary were fluent Irish speakers, which is interesting as some Kilquiggan natives are recorded as bilingual at the turn of the century. Today, if you visit St. Finian's Church in Kilquiggan, you will notice the great timber doors and wooden interior, a fine example of the work of John Bowes of Killabeg from when the church was constructed in 1890-91. In November 1922, John Bowes passed away. May he rest in peace.