Great-Great Grandad Mark Kearney of Arklow

[Runner55]

Hi Rootschatters

My maternal great-great grandad was a Mark Kearney who was born between c.1825-1828 in Arklow.

As a young man, he went up to Dublin, joined the Merchant Navy, married Bridget Kearns in 1847 (I have their marriage record from St Andrew's RC Church, Dublin), and settled there for the rest of his life.

Mark died in Dublin in 1885 (I have his death certificate) and I also have stacks of Irish merchant navy crew lists I obtained from Ancestry that show him on various voyages which all specifically list his place of birth as Arklow.

I have researched my Kearney family in Dublin extensively up to the present day, and I have all the information I need on them.  Very happy there 👍

What I'd really love to know now is great-great grandad Mark's history in Arklow - despite searching all the usual search databases, I have been unable to find any information at all on his parents or any other potential family members, although I am aware that the name Kearney is quite common in Arklow.

Even Mark's Dublin marriage record from 1847 doesn't give any details of his parents, so I've hit a big brick wall there.

I just wondered if anyone might be able to help me knock down at least the first brick. 

Any steer would be gratefully received!

Thanking you in anticipation.

Runner55

[aghadowey]

Have you looked through the baptisms for Arklow? Worth making a note of any other Kearneys for future reference.
https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0457

[LH]

Hi

When Mark Kearney (m) Bridget Kearns in Dec 1847, witnesses are written as Joseph Cunningham and Catherine Kearn**, with the final letter or two being unclear. 

I wonder if Catherine was a sister to Mark or Bridget?

Did Mark and Bridget have children and is there anything obvious in the naming pattern?  Clutching at straws I know, but might be a clue.

[Runner55]

Thank you very much aghadowey for that records register - I'm going to work my way through the appropriate timelines.  Much obliged!

And thank you too LH for your reply.  The children from the marriage were Mark, William, Patrick, Thomas (my great grandad), James, Mary and Bridget.  Those names also keep appearing down the following generations across all branches.  Yes, I can see what you mean about how at least one of those names might come from Mark's parents.  Good shout for me to follow up.  Thank you!