Hello notbob45
I too had a note stating that Williams father was Walter. Its unofficial, just my own observations from tracking down my own McHales. Assuming that Walter is the father, I have the following:
Walter McHale and Mary Catherine Ginnolly of Cuilacurrain:
Oct 23 1845 Walter, sponsors Pat Mulherin and Peggy Gilboy
Feb 25 1849 Catherine, sponsors Tho and Ellen McDonough
I could find no Walter McHale births in Crossmolina, but as I have warned many times, the register is in bad shape and there may very well be information there in the register but I could not read it.
There was a Walter McHale birth, Dec 24 1848 in Cum, which is in the neighboring parish to the south called Addergoole. Parents were William McHale and Bridget Moran.
Below are others born to this couple, all born in Cum. As you will see, there is a William and A Walter as siblings:
10 10 1856 Bap McHale, Martin
12 1 1850 Bap McHale, Michael
3 17 1847 Bap McHale, Pat
12 24 1848 Bap McHale, Walter
7 5 1859 Bap McHale, William
I could not find any marriage or christenings to a McHale & Jennings couple in Crossmolina.
Hope this is of some help,
Diski