Hello from Northern Ireland.

**michaelbeeman** · 18th March 08, 01:36 PM

Welcome Neil!

**Ancienne Alliance** · 18th March 08, 05:10 PM

And a warm welcome from France !

**northernsky** · 18th March 08, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Ancienne Alliance

And a warm welcome from France !

and also from the left coast of Canada.

**DWFII** · 24th March 08, 02:55 PM

Quick question...are there any Sweeney's in Ulster?

**The Ulsterman** · 24th March 08, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by DWFII

Quick question...are there any Sweeney's in Ulster?

I would suggest that there are quite a few Sweeneys in Ulster.
There is a newsagent shop in my home town, and their family name is Sweeney.
There is also a solicitor's office aswell, called Sweeney McKenna & McKeown

Neil.

**SteveB** · 24th March 08, 08:35 PM

Neil,
I am planning a visit to Scotland and Ireland in 2009. Among the locations are a day in Belfast, with a trip through Ballyroney (again) and Rathfriland. I stayed in Banbridge as it was a little safer during the time of our last trip in 2000. A hire car with Republic plates could cause some to be nervous at the time. My mother's family names are McNeilly, and Spiers. The McNeilly's were big in Ballyroney and the Spiers were big in Rathfriland back in the 1870's. I will be visiting PRONI, and the National Library at Dublin to try tracing the family further back. The hospitality of all on our last visit made me feel very welcome and at home. We came through shortly after the guardhouses came down at the border. The tourist trade was really slow getting into the North, and many were delightedly surprised to have tourists in their shops and pubs. Again, welcome to our family at XMTS.

**DWFII** · 25th March 08, 06:49 AM

Neil,

Thanks for that info. I am looking at the 1196 Ulster (peat) tartan for my first kilt...maybe a box pleat kilt. I just really like the colours more than anything. But according to what I have been able to learn, all Sweeneys are descended from the original branch that went back and forth between Ireland and Scotland as political fortunes waxed and waned. The last migration, as I understand it, was when the MacSweens backed the wrong side against Robert the Bruce and all their lands in Argyll were given to the Campbells. Most then fled to Donegal...which I have just learned is also a part of Ulster, if not N. Ireland. So I think the Ulster tartan is a particularly happy choice as it not only is one of my favorites but it has legitimate ties to the family.