geography
Swanlinbar, County Cavan
Published 9 November 2025
Overview
Swanlinbar lies northeast of Drumshanbo, in a mountain pass linking Leitrim with Cavan and Fermanagh. It shared parish life with Kinawley, forming one extended Catholic community.
Parishes
- Civil Parish: Kinawley
- RC Parish: Kinawley (Diocese of Kilmore)
Online Resources
- NLI Registers – Kinawley (RC):
https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0858 - Griffith’s Valuation (1857): AskAboutIreland.ie
- Civil Registration District: Bawnboy
Historical Notes
Swanlinbar families often worked as blacksmiths, tanners, and quarrymen. Seasonal workers from Leitrim and Roscommon passed through this route on foot to Ulster fairs.
McManus DNA matches here suggest cousin branches who remained north of the border.
Research Focus
- Compare Kinawley baptisms 1825–1880 with Leitrim first-name patterns (James, Terence, Cornelius).
- Note godparents from Murphy or Maguire families—frequent interlinks with McManus households.