My ancestors - Mangan - Contents

The family of the poet James Clarence Mangan

• References:
  • "His Roots Were in West Limerick", article on the poet and his family, Limerick Leader, 18 June 1949.

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The origin of the poet's family

The poet's father was from Shanagolden, Co.Limerick.
There are many Mangans in the Shanagolden area and it is unclear where the poet's line was from.
[1949 article] found no agreement in Shanagolden on where the poet's father was from:

• One story was that he was born on the road beyond the Protestant church, "and that the house has now disappeared". This would correspond to Parkmore, N of Shanagolden, except Parkmore is still there.
• Another story was that he was born on Main St in the village, where the shrine was as at 1949. (Where is this?)

[Shannon-Mangan, 1996] says the Fitzsimons house (Parkmore, N of Shanagolden) was said to be the house the poet's father left.
It was said by someone (I have lost the origin of this) that the poet's family might be from Moig, Kilmoylan par (S of Shanagolden, beside Dunmoylan, see modern map and old map).
It was also said that the poet possibly descended from O'Neill who lived at the back of Shanid Castle, SW of Shanagolden.

Our Denis Mangan (of Dunmoylan, SE of Shanagolden) was said to be related to the poet.
The younger Denis Mangan said that his grandmother Ellen Nolan (born 1802 or 1803) remembered the poet and his family coming to a funeral in the Shanagolden area (before 1849). They wore long black coats.

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James Mangan, of Fishamble St, Dublin

James Mangan,
born 1765.
He was a native of Shanagolden, Co.Limerick.
Possibly a hedge-school teacher.
He came to Dublin.

He ran a grocery and pub at 3 Fishamble St, Dublin.
James Mangan, grocer, is listed at 3 Fishamble St, Dublin, in [Dublin directory, 1806].
Patrick Smith, grocer (Catherine's brother) is listed at 3 Fishamble St in [Dublin directory, 1814]. Mangan is no longer listed.
James tried many business ventures which failed.
His son the poet describes him as a tyrant at home, and yet generous with friends.
His burial record gives last address as Peter St.

He died 26 Sept 1843, age 78 yrs.
He was bur Mangan family grave, Glasnevin. See burial record.
Catherine's burial record gives her last address as Peter St.
She died 6 Aug 1846, age 75 yrs.
She was bur Mangan family grave, Glasnevin. See burial record.
They had issue:

1. William Mangan,
   bapt 22 February 1799 [St. Michael and John RC par records, Dublin].
   He must have died young (there is another William).

   
   

2. James Clarence Mangan,
   the tragic poet,
   probably born 1 May 1803, 3 Fishamble St, Dublin,
   bapt 2 May 1803, Dublin.
   Bapt entry is in St. Michael and John RC par records, Dublin. In fact he was bapt at the Catholic chapel in Rosemary Lane, Dublin (see below).
   He was born James Mangan.
   "Clarence" was a nom de plume adopted as an adult.

   
   

3. John Mangan,
   bapt 21 October 1804 [St. Michael and John RC par records, Dublin].
   His burial record gives last address as Charlemont St.
   He died unmarried, 5 May 1835, age 31 yrs.
   He was bur Mangan family grave, Glasnevin. See burial record.

   
   

4. William Mangan,
   bapt 20 June 1808 [St. Michael and John RC par records, Dublin].
   He fl 1849.
   He probably died unmarried.

   
   

5. (dau) Mangan.
   [McCall, 1882] got information from the Smith family saying there was "a daughter who .. died from the effects of a scald".
   However the poet's autobiography spoke of having a sister who apparently lived to adulthood. He says his tyrannical father "led my only sister such a life that she was obliged to leave our house".
   It may be that it was the first William who died young of a scald.

James Mangan, grocer, listed at 3 Fishamble St, Dublin, in [Dublin directory, 1806].
See full size.

Segment of 1798 map of Dublin.
Shows Fishamble St (birthplace of poet) and Rosemary Lane off Merchants Quay (baptism place of poet).

• The congregation of the Catholic chapel in Rosemary Lane moved in 1813 to their new church, the Church of St. Michael and John a little to the E at Exchange Street Lower and Essex Quay (area shown on map above, and see modern street view). So the poet's baptism is found in the parish records of St. Michael and John.
• Confusing matters, Adam and Eve's church was later (1834) built on the site of the Rosemary Lane chapel.