dms, Emu and I have been in contact for some years. For several years I visited Longford town in County Longford for a festival, out of the blue Emu mentioned Longford, Bells rang! I went to the library in the town the following year and saw a town list from 1827, James McGowan the convict was living with his father James in Bog Lane, Longford town. All that is left in the area is the stone wall from around the houses. I did ask in the town about the McGowan's and was told to go to McGowan's pub in Newtown Forbes a few miles outside the town as he has a lot of history about the McGowan's. When Emu came over we took her there, sadly the guy was away and any time we are in the area we call in to see him but he is always away somewhere.
Emu, if you see this, I will email you soon.
Maggsie