irish movements generally 1850s

[mbee]

I am trying to establish the movements of my ancestors around this time, my ancestor from Galway married in Lancashire England in 1855 aged 20 - he married a girl aged 20 from Ireland.  I am struggling to find them before that date.  How likely is it that they would have travelled to England alone at that age or are they more likely to have travelled with family and met in England.  I have tried searching records here and in Ireland but its difficult as I dont have the mothers names - only the fathers (from the marriage cert) who were both deceased at the time,  Also does anyone know what County the name McNulty was most popular.  Any ideas would be appreciated

[McKeown]

Try Donegal for McNulty. The Dunfanghy/ Creeslough area in particular.

The ones I know hail from this part of the County.

[Oaks and Acorns]

Try this site for general distribution of a surname:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/

You will find that McNulty is most common in Mayo and Donegal.

Dara.

[mbee]

Thanks for the replies

[california dreamin]

Hi -
From my understanding it was quite common for families or men to migrate annually for the harvest in England or Scotland.  There is certainly reference to this in the Ordance Survey Memoirs of Ireland series of books.

I specifically have two books which cover the area my family are from.  One example reads: "There are of persons in the habit of migrating to England and Scotland from Brackagh Rowley 27, Mormeal 9, Tobermore 5, Tamnyaskey 4, Keenaght 3, Granny 2, Calmore 2, Moybegkirley 1 total 53. Of these 11 Presbyterians, and 6 Protestants of the Established Church" .  Every parish seems to contain similar listings.

 I also have a good book about the Hiring Fairs in the North-West of Ireland, which gives a very interesting insight into the life of the farm labourer.

So in answer to your question I think it would be very likely for them to travel with a group from the same townland to work in England or Scotland for the harvest. (20yrs old doesn't seem that young to me....)

[mbee]

thanks turnerchimes