The O'Brien farm was transferred to James O'Brien in 1865. This was one year after his father, Michael died.
James and his wife, Mary had a large family and she died when she was only 36 years old leaving James with a young family.
James death certificate list him as a 75 years old widower. The cause of death was heart disease with a duration of seven days. There was no medical attention given and his son, James signed the certificate with his (X) on May 15,1899. His other son Michael had the tomb stone erected in Killernan graveyard.
It is one of three or four O'Brien gravestones in a small area. The inscription reads: "Erected by Michael O'Brien Kilernan in memory of his father James O'Brien who died 8 May 1899 aged 75 years and his mother Mary Moloney who died 11 March 1880 aged 36 years".
James was a neighbor to his cousins farm in Killernan. This family was referred to as the "Brogan O'Briens. The other O'Brien farm was referred to as the Stephen's O'Brien". I don't know how or where this term "Brogan" came from but I first heard James O'Connor the current owner of the Stephen's farm use this term.
He married Mary Moloney, circa 1865, in Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Co. Clare EIRE. Born, circa 1844. Died, 11 Mar 1880, in Killernan, Co. Clare EIRE. Burial: circa 1880, in Killernan GRAVEYARD, Co. Clare EIRE. Occupation: Farmer's-wife.
The marriage record may be in the records of Miltown Malbay Parish as Maloney family was from the Carroduff townland.
When my wife, Joyce and I were on vacation visiting in Miltown Malby in June 0f 1981 we met a young man named Michael Maloney. We gave him a ride to his home in Carroduff townland one night and met his elderly father. I told him my family was from Killernan and he remembered them well. He also said that he had a relation to the "Brogan O'Brien's". I told him that there was a Mary Maloney that married a James O'Brien and he said that was the relationship.
