Donegal and west Ulster families in Mayo
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In reply to:
Re: James MCMANAMAN m. C. ENGLISH Achill Isl
8/17/00
Kevin,
I think there may have been a large migration of Donegal families to Mayo in the mid 17th century, which is why there are so many Ulster surnames there such as MCManaman, Gallagher, Sweeney, Davitt, Patten etc. there.
Some of this may have occoured in an organized migration headed by an O'Donnell chieftain when things were going very badly for the locals at the time of the Plantation of Ulster. I heard this years ago and have found very little reference to it since. If you ever see any mention of this migration I'd be glad to know of it.
Regards, Peter Patten,Vermont