Welcome to The Tinvane Dowleys This site's purpose is to share the story of the Tinvane Dowleys
and allow others to continue it through their contributions. I think it
is a good story – rich and fascinating in detail – a story worth
sharing. I
took a personal interest in the Dowley family history when I was 17 and
my father, David Dowley showed me a family tree (produced by Tony
McHugh) of the Dowleys stretching back a number of generations.
Growing up in Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland, the Dowley name was a rare one. I knew
of Dowlings, Downeys and Dooleys, but no other Dowleys. Seeing this
tree triggered for me a curiosity about whom I am descended from, of the
other Dowleys gone before me and where the existing Dowleys might be. Over
the subsequent months and years I had some minor successes in finding out
more about the Dowleys and our heritage. However as pressures for time
from activities such as university, work and career took over, this
hobby was put to one side. Years later my interest and energy in the
family’s history was rekindled through conversations with my uncle,
Mark Dowley of Palo Alto, California. I realised we had a shared
passion for collecting and documenting the Dowley family history, in
particular the Dowleys of Tinvane, County Tipperary. Mark
and I undertook to collect, sort and document information on the
Tinvane Dowleys. This website and the accompanying family tree is the
culmination of our efforts to date. It gives me great joy to share this with you.
It is my vision that this site: - Provides a place of learning, discussion and fun for all interested in the story of the Tinvane Dowleys
- Continues to grow through the collaboration and contribution of family members and friends
- Pays homage to our ancestors
I dedicate this site to all Dowleys and in particular to my father David Dowley, b. 25th March 1929 – d. 17th Feb 2006.
Shane Dowley
Bristol, UK
November 2009 |