In the group of Ireland Catholic Parish Registers released the National Library of Ireland in 2016, was found an entry for Patrick Hannigan being baptized on March 6, 1838. He was the son of Cornelius Hannigan and Mary Riordan of County Limerick in the parish of Bulgaden. Parish baptismal records also provided information showing at least two brothers were part of the family of Cornelius and Mary; Michael, who was baptized in August 1842 and John, having been baptized in June 1845.
A couple of weeks ago, in late September [2017], an inquiry about a possible family relationship was received, that included the possible connection of two brothers, Michael and Patrick. It indicated Pat(rick) was the witness {best man} at the marriage of Michael and Mary Ann Hannigan in 1864.
As a result of this information, there was additional research that revealed a Michael Hannigan purchased the final resting place for a John Hannigan, who passed away in 1879. That led to looking in old newspaper collections for a death notice for John which provided the following results:
HANNIGAN.–After a long illness, JOHN HANNIGAN, a native of Ballinvana, county Limerick, in the 31st year of his age.
The friends of his brothers, Michael and Patrick, are invited to attend his funeral, from 655 11th av., on Sunday, March 9, at two P.M.New York Herald
Sunday, March 9, 1879
Page 12
The New York City death certificate shows that John was a grocer and that he passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital on 54th Street. Based on the information on the certificate, he arrived in New York City in approximately 1866-67, about two years after his brothers.
Death Certificate for John Hannigan from Ballinvara, County Limerick, Ireland
John was buried at Calvary Cemetery in what is now Woodside, New York. Old Calvary, as the original cemetery is called, consists of 29 sections. John, and later his brother Michael, are buried in Section 1S.
Headstone Erected By Michael Hannigan in memory of his brother John Hannigan native of Parish Ballinvana, Limerick
This now provides evidence of the townland where the Bronx and Staten Island Hannigan clan originated in Ireland.