HEHIR (?) OF BALLYHEIGH

[CPSdave]

SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT MATERNAL LINE THAT DESCENDED FROM MARY (MARIA) HEHIR OF BALLYHEIGH.  SHE WAS BORN IN THE 1870'S AND CAME TO THE STATES ABOUT 1895 TO SETTLE IN CHICAGO.  THE LAND LOOKED OUT ONTO THE BAY "WHERE SHE SAW THE MERMAIDS ON THE ROCKS" ACCORDING TO FAMILY MYTH/LEGEND.  ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAMILY, CONFIRMATION OF DATES, ETC. WILL BE APPRECIATED.

[Pat Reid]

Dave:
Ballyheigh is in County Kerry. And O'Hehir is the Irish form of O'Hare.
Look north from Tralee Bay on this map. http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlker/civparlist.html
As to the mermaids, well some say that they were really seals but what do they know?
Look at this. http://www.integrativespirituality.org/postnuke/html/static-docs_Books-LegendsandSagas-Celtic_Folklore-flat-flat29.htm


From Lewis http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/b2.php

BALLYHEIGUE. or BALLYHEIGH, a parish, in the barony of CLANMAURICE, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 10 miles (N. N. W.) from Tralee; containing 3/66 inhabitants. This parish is situated on a bay of the same name on the western coast, and includes within its limits the promontory of Kerry Head; it comprises 8100 statute acres, the greater portion of which is mountain, bog, and waste. With the exception of two farms only, the whole parish is the property of Col. J. Crosbie, who is resident; the farms are large and are held on old leases immediately from the head landlord.

Hope this helps.

Pat