Hello Gensearcher,
I came across your entry re Whelans of Emerald Square when doing some of my family research. Im researching my grandfather Edward Galligan who I believe was a cousin of the Whelans. My father still remembers going to Emerald Square to visit Bridgie and Lillie. That would be around 1945ish. Is the Michael you speak of, the Michael that is listed on the 1911 census? or a different generation. My grandfather was first cousin to Frances and John Whelan (cousins of Whelans in Emerald Square we believe). We are still in touch with the Whelans in Carlow, which we believe are decendents of the same family. We have more research to do but Id love to know if you have come across any mention of Bernard, Eliza or Edward Galligan?