Diaspora
In common with other parts of the country, the parish of Drumraney has witnessed high levels of emigration at various times across the centuries. The best-known exodus from Ireland is undoubtedly that which resulted from the Great Famine of 1845-1849. The settlement of Irish people abroad in the nineteenth century is well documented in sources such as ship passenger lists and census returns. Apart from Britain, the USA and Canada, a large number of locals emigrated to Argentina.
Emigration continued at a high level for much of the twentieth century, and it has increased again in recent years. As a result, there is a sizeable cohort of people in other countries who can trace their ancestry to Drumraney. A number of these have made contact since the launch of this website to seek or to share information about their families. Many other people born in the area are currently living abroad on a temporary or permanent basis.
The purpose of this page is to collate information about the Drumraney diaspora. Links to relevant material will be added below from time to time.