Sonny Clancy, a grandson of James, on a horse-drawn mower in 1983

James Clancy from Burren is buried in Kilcreest. His gravestone records him as having died in 1912, aged 104 years. This lifespan must hold the record for the area. It is remarkable that it was achieved at a time of little or no health services and through the famine period.

James married Catherine Gavin and they had 9 children. The youngest, Bridget, was born in 1887 when James was almost 80 years of age. Four of his children emigrated to Australia and returned later to live in Ireland, while one emigrated to the USA. His son Denis married Mollie O’Neill and resided in the home residence. They had 5 children. One son, Peter, lives alone in this house now.

While James predates education in Lack, all of his 14 descendents who were born in Burren are registered in the rolls.