Hello Mel55,
Thanks for posting. It's difficult to say if there's a connection, as I have tantilisingly little to go on.
My great-gf was James Walton (1836 - 1909), his father was James Walton, who must have therefore been born prior to (say) 1816.
They appear in censuses starting at 1861 so it is feasible to think they migrated at the time of the potato famine or just after; g-gf James gave his birthplace as Dublin in one census and Kilkenny as another. His father's occupation is listed as soldier on marriage certificate, and there is a barracks in Kilkenny.
I'm not familiar with the places you mention, are they within Kilkenny?
I'm not sure where to go from here, can you suggest any avenues to investigate?
Best regards,
Richard