(Detail of Robert Horan Case below)

The Horan family of begins with a Robert Horan, born about 1690 - 1700, and was of Dublin and of Newcastle, Limerick.  Robert's father may have been Tobias or Thomas B Horan, who died in 1714, Limerick (Calendar of Wills) 

Robert Horan married Catherine Prestidge as from the Court of Chancery records for 1775 and 1777. Siblings to Robert is a sister, Miss Horan, who married a Mr. Heaphy (See Heaphy of Limerick & Kerry ) and possible brother, Tobias Horan, who died in 1791 of London and Newcastle, Limerick (Calendar of Wills). Robert Horan died on the 06 December 1770: 

Dublin Gazette, 19th January 1753: From the Dublin Society. The 18th was appointed to distribute premiums for Cyder. There appeared eleven candidates, Viz, Mess. Robert Horan, Timothy Duhigg, Toby Horan, Elias Horan, John Ledy; the five of the County of Limerick. 

Dublin Gazette, May 16th 1755: On Thursday last, the following premiums promised were determined viz: IV: the second premium for 61 for the next greatest [?] adjudged to Robert Horan of Newcastle in the co. of the city of Limerick, who planted 722. 

Hibernian Chronicle, Thrs 13th Dec 1770: Dublin, 11th: died at Templebar, Robert Horan Esq, of Newcastle, Co. Limerick.  

The following are listed for will (Betham Genealogical Abstracts):  

Horan, Robert, will dated 26th November 1770, p.b 09 March 1771. Daughter, Mary Duhigg otherwise, Horan, niece Margaret Heaphy. Son in law, Timothy Duhigg. 

Robert Horan had the following children: 

i Mary Horan married Timothy Duhigg, pre 1765. Mary Horan Duhigg died in 1797 (Calendar of Wills) and her husband Timothy was still alive at this time. 

Timothy Duhigg, is a possible relation to the following:  

• Matthew Duhigg, gent, died, 1730 (Calendar of Wills, 1733) of Kilcullen, Limerick.  He was married to Mary and had the following children: 

Johanna Duhigg, David Duhigg, John Duhigg, Richard Duhigg, Martin Duhigg and Arthur Duhigg (Ref: Calendar of Wills, 1769).  Arthur Duhigg converted in 1744 (Catholic Qualification and Convert). 

• David Duhigg, gent, calendar of wills 1737, of Ardgorth, Limerick. Administration granted to his wife, Maria Duhigg on 14 June 1737. David is the possible father of brothers, Matthew and Timothy Duhigg (Registry of Deeds, 1711). David may also be the father of Bartholomew Duhigg. 

• Thomas Duhigg, gent, calendar of wills 1741 (1749), Kilcullen, Limerick. 

Children of Mary and Timothy Duhigg: 

Matthew Duhigg, died in 1796, Limerick - Prerogative Court Wills. Ref in the Genealogical Abstracts:

Matthew Duhigg, p/b 23 Nov 1796. Brother in-law John Parker, his wife, Catherine Parker, otherwise Duhigg, sister of Matthew Duhigg. John Parker, Richard Parker and Mary Parker, children of same. 

Robert Duhigg, died 23 April 1775, will proved on 29 June 1791. Of Liberties, Limerick. Ref in the Genealogical Abstracts: 

Robert Duhigg, of Airhill, Liberties of Limerick, gent, dated 23 April 1775, proved 29 June 1791. Grandmother Catherine Horan; mother Mary Duhigg; sister Catherine Ann Parker; brother Matthew Duhigg; father Timothy Duhigg.  

Possible son of Robert is Robert Duhigg of Airhill, Liberties, Limerick, who died in 1819 (Calendar of Wills). 

Catherine Anne Duhigg, married Rev. John Parker. (Rev. John Parker, Freeholders, Limerick -  Cricora, 1768 & Fedamore, 1776) There is a record for the death of Catherine on the 06 March 1813, recorded as follows, however, this must refer to a Mrs. Parker, wife of a different Rev. John Parker as newspaper articles and court of chancery records show that Catherine Duhigg Parker was deceased by 1796 (See Case Notes below):  

Limerick Chronicle. 06 March 1813. Died at his seat, Ploverhill, in the Liberities of this city, aged 79 years, most sincerely lamented, Mrs. Parker, wife of the Rev. John Parker, Rector of Ballycahane; a Lady whose amiable qualities rendered her beloved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance; she discharged the relevant duties of wife, mother and friend, in the most exemplary manner.   

Rev. John Parker died in 1816, Limerick. Children of Catherine and John Parker: 

John Parker (Died Aug 1833, Clare Street, Limerick?)

Richard Parker

Mary Parker 

Note: Robert Duhigg (D.1775) was of Airhill, Limerick.  A previous reference to Airhill was under Tottenham Heaphy, for the marriage at Heafy Lodge, Rathkeale, of John O'Sullivan (Kerry) and Ellen Enright, daughter of Matthew Enright Esq, of Airhill, Limerick. 

ii Tobias Horan, was based between Dublin and Limerick. Tobias married Margaret Meredith in August 1772, daughter of Richard Meredith Esq (Kerry) & Frances Greene (daughter of George Greene, Abbey, Limerick) and the niece of Councillor Robert Fitzgerald of Dingle, Kerry. He was an attorney (Treble Almanack & Dublin Directory, 1783. Kings Inns Admission Papers, 1757.) and died 1795, of Newcastle, Co. Limerick, Esq. (Calendar of Wills). 

Newspaper - 03 Aug 1772: married Thomas Horan Esq of Newcastle Co. Limerick, to Miss Meredith, dau of the late Richard Meredith Esq and niece to Councillor Robert Fitzgerald, member near Dingle. 

Known children of Tobias and Margaret: 

Robert Fitzgerald Horan is this the Robert Horan, who died 1795, of Newcastle, Co. Limerick, Esq. (Calendar of Wills). His wife's death is recorded as follows: 

Mrs. Horan, wife of Robert Horan, Newcastle, near Limerick, died on the 30th of September 1819, Scariff, Co. Clare (Obituaries, Limerick Local Studies) 

Caroline Horan, married Rev. Ravon or Ravone and lived in France for a period. She became known as Madame Ravone. 

Limerick Gazette, 1809: Arrived at Friday, last at Green Park, the seat of William Monsell Esq, from France, Madame Ravon, daughter of the late Tobias Horan Esq, of Newcastle, near this city, where she has been detained since the revolution. 

Caroline was the administrator for Tobias Horan and was widowed at this time. Madame Ravone died on the 14 April 1819, Donogrogue, Co. Clare (Obituaries - Limerick Local Studies)

Tobias Horan (Possible son - there is a record of the death of Tobias Horan in 1810, calendar of wills)

iii Elias Horan married Mercy (Marcella) Drew, in 1774, at Drewsborough House, Killaloe, daughter of Ringrose Drew Esq (Ref: Dublin Hibernian Journal). Elias Horan died in 1778, at Santa Cruz in the West Indies (Ref: Dublin Hibernian Journal). Known children of Elias and Mercy Horan:

Ringrose Drew Horan - the eldest son of Mercy Drew Horan. Married Jane Buchanan in the 28 Aug 1795, in Portpatrick, Scotland (Ref: ROD). Jane Buchanan was from Offialy, and his wife died in 1814, at Frankfort, King's County (Ref: Limerick Chronicle 12 Feb 1814). 

Elias Horan (Possibly a son - still in research) 

Note: There appears to have been a connection/relationship between the Duhigg family and the O'Brien family - Brien O'Brien of Boskill, Limerick, who was the father of Margaret, who married John Heaphy in 1742.  A Bartholomew Duhigg, was a witness to the marriage agreement deed for Margaret's first marriage to Thomas McNamara in 1727. Margaret's sister, Honora O'Brien, married Cornelius Chlancy/Clanchy (son of Henry Chlancy) in 1728 - their granddaughter, Mary Chlancy, would marry Matthew Duhigg in 1784 (Ref: ROD). See Heaphy of Limerick & Kerry  and scenario 1 - was it John Heaphy, who was originally married to Miss Horan, and she may have died following the birth of Margaret Heaphy, 1741 - then John Heaphy married secondly to Margaret O'Brien, a widow, in 1742?

Research on the family is still being compiled.  Overview below of the case relating to the lands at Newcastle, Limerick. 

Detail of the Horan, O'Brien, Duhigg Case. 

Dublin Gazette, 29th March 1765

Notice is hereby given that on the first day of November 1763, the sum of 3,199 was due from Robert Horan, of Newcastle, in the Co. of the city of Limerick, to John Damer of Shronehill, in the County of Tipperary, Esq., for rent and arrears of rent, which incurred and became due to the said John Damer, out of the lands of Newcastle, North Kilbane, Ballyglasseen, Kilmurry, Coolbane, and Ballyryle, situate in the county of the city of Limerick, aforesaid under the lease bearing the date of 08 Day of August 1751, made to the said Robert Horan for lives renewable for ever, at the yearly rent of 304 10s, which estate and arrear of rent the said John Damer by deed dated 17th Day of April 1764, conveyed, granted, and assigned unto me, the Right Hon. Joseph Lord Milton, and I have filed the Bill in the Court of Chancery in this Kingdom, for recovery of said Arrear which still remains due, and to have the same decree a Charge on the said Seal and Covenant of Renewal, with Interest and to have the said Horan's interest under said lease fold for payments thereof and in the meantime to have rents deposited in court. The said Robert Horan also holds lands of Coolehenane in the county of the said city of Limerick by demise from said John Damer, out of which there was due rent at November 1758, above 1200, which remains still due with a great Arrear since incurred, and for the said Robert Horan is sued for Outlawry - Therefore to prevent impositions, which I suspect are intended, I think it but justice thus to give this public notice of the Arrears of rent due out of, and a Charge upon said lands, and I have instituted suits for recovery thereof, in a manner aforesaid. Dated 29th Day of April 1765, MILTON. 

Chancery Bill 09th January 1792. Cornelius O'Callaghan V Denis O'Brien, Bryan Kennedy, Philip Roche & Others.

Cornelius O'Callaghan Esq, attorney, of Kilgory, Co. Clare (Possible father of Cornelius and Hezekiah O'Callaghan), stated that "Robert Horan late of Newcastle in the Liberties of the city of Limerick, Esq, deceased, was on his lifetime and at the time of his death, seized of the freehold estate herein mentioned, that is to say, that part of Newcastle called North Kilbane, Ballyglasson, Kilmurry Cooltrane and Ballynial, situate in the county of the city of Limerick containing 406 acres upwards by virtue of lease therein made by the Hon. Joseph Lord Baron Milton, dated, 05 January 1766 for the lives with covenant for perpetual renewal at the yearly rent of £466.10 payable half yearly.  It was also further noted, that Robert Horan was also in his lifetime and at the time of his death, seized possessed of the and [?] that parts of Newcastle called one divided moiety of Newcastle, otherwise Lisbane, Ballyknock, Currahip Kilmurry, and Ballyglasson, amounting to 407 acres and upwards by virtue of lease to him therein made by Garrett Neveille, Esq, dated 12th Feb 1762, for the lives of Elias Horan, Robert Duhigg and Matthew Duhigg, and the survivor of them for the life of other person to be added pursuant to in the said [?] for that purpose for a yearly rent of £400 in case of said Elias Horan, Robert Duhigg and Matthew Duhigg, and one life to be added or the longest of them before the expiration of 42 years and half from the 01st November 1761 [?] then the remainder of said 42 years and a half [?] the yearly rent £150 all the said lands in the co. Limerick and the said Robert Horan being so seized and possessed became indebted to you [?] in £500 for the payment, where of he executed to you [?] his bond with warrants of attorney, for confessing judgement, therein the penal sum of £1,000 can [?] for payment of the said principle sum of £500 was upon a day long since past [?]. Further said, Robert Horan died 1770 [?] good estate of freehold in aforesaid several lands without having paid or satisfied the said judgement debt part therein" 

1770 Robert Horan Esq died of Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. (Templebar, Dublin).       

1770 Dated 26 Nov 1770 & 09 March 1771. Robert Horan – daughter Mary Duhigg and niece Margaret Heaphy, son in law, Timothy Duhigg. 

1771 Advert to let 900 acres (house and lands) in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick – proposals to Elias & Tobias Horan.  Any one indebted to Mr. Robert Horan to furnish accounts to Elias & Tobias. (Tobias and Elias – sons of Robert Horan)

1775 Advert, several creditors of Tobias & Elias Horan, late of Newcastle, in the Liberties of Limerick gentlemen, requested to meet with John Benn, Attorney.

1796 Advert, Rev. John Parker, admin for Catherine Parker, otherwise Duhigg, his late wife deceased, v Denis O’Brien Esq, Ringrose Horan & others in the High Court of Chancery.  The creditors of Robert Horan Esq, late of Newcastle, deceased are to come forward. (Catherine Duhigg married Rev. John Parker.  She is the dau of Mary Horan and Timothy Duhigg, granddaughter to Robert Horan Esq. Ringrose Drew Horan is the eldest son of Elias and Mercy Drew Horan)

1802 Advert, Rev. John Parker, admin for Catherine Parker, otherwise Duhigg, his late wife deceased, v Denis O’Brien Esq & others. Chancery sale of lands of Newcastle, Ballyglasseen, Kilmurry, Coolbane, and Ballyreal, and in the city of Limerick.

1811 - 10th May. Denis O'Brien V - Cornelius O'Callaghan, Simon Holland, Hezekiah O'Callaghan, Margaret Holland, Mrs. Holland, wife of Cornelius O'C and Mrs. H.H. O'C. 

Denis O’Brien of the city of Dublin Esq, states that Robert Horan Esq, deceased, being signed by lease for lives renewable for ever of the lands at Newcastle in the Co and city of Limerick made his wife in 1770, otherwise demised, the lands to his sons Tobias & Elias equally, subject to his debts of the legacies there after mentioned. That is to say, to his granddaughter, Catherine Duhigg, £300. To grandson, Robert Duhigg, £300. To his grandson, Matthew Duhigg, £300.  To his niece, Margaret Heaphy, £300. Which the said Catherine is married to Rev. John Parker and the said Margaret Heaphy is married with Rev. Simon Holland.

1811 Court of Chancery. Denis O’Brien, Defendant. Petitioners: Cornelius O’Callaghan (husband of Eliza Holland, daughter of Margaret (Heaphy) Holland), Simon Holland (Margaret Heaphy's husband), Hezekiah H O'Callaghan (nephew to Margaret Holland), Margaret (Heaphy) Holland. 

It should also be noted here, that Denis or Dennis O'Brien is a cousin of Margaret O'Brien, who married John Heaphy in 1742. Denis O'Brien Esq, died 1812, at his seat at Newcastle, Limerick, aged 76, eminent attorney. This concludes that Denis O'Brien took up ownership of the lands at Newcastle.