James Houly and Mary Sullivan married in Drimoleague Catholic Parish on 16 November 1852. The Witnesses were Dan Sullivan and Cors Driscoll.
It is worth noting that the surname of James has a variety of spelling versions and indeed to this day the Wholley, Wholey, Whooly, Whooley, Whorly, Houley, Houly, Hooly, Howley and Hooley are among the ones to be found.
Frequently ages of people quoted in census returns and on death records may vary very significantly from the most accurate age.
James Houly (Wholey) was most likely a nephew of Ellen Wholey who married John Daly
James Houly was a son of John Houly and Kate Regan.
Children born in Garranes, Drimoleague and baptised on dates shown:-
John Houly, 17 Sep 1853. Sponsors: Daniel Sullivan, Kate Houly. John died at a young age
Patrick Hooly, 16 May 1855. Sponsors: James Sullivan, Ellen Spillane
James Howley, 17 July 1857. Sponsors: Michael Brien, Norry Sullivan
Catherine Whorly, 10 July 1859. Sponsors: Corneloius Hanrahan, Betty Whooly
Timothy Hooley, 7 July 1861. Sponsors: Tim Daly, Norry Donohue
Morgan Wholley, 14 June 1863. Sponsors: John Donohoe, Anne Brien
Jeremiah Wholy, 28 June 1866. Sponsors: John Sullivan, Margaret Donovan. Jeremiah was with Patrick in Census 1900 in Boston. He died on 22 May 1909 at Worcester, MA, aged 41 years on his death record.
Michael Whooly, 16 Sep 1868. Sponsors: Andrew Sullivan, Bridget Whooly
John Wholly, 17 May 1874. Sponsors: John Spillane, Margaret Leary. John was with his brother Michael in 1900 Census and with Patrick in 1910.
Deaths:
James Whooly died on 10 July 1884 at Skibbereen. From his death record he was married, aged 70 years, a farmer. Present at his death and the Informant to the Registrar was John Sullivan, his brother-in-law.
Mary Whooley died on 7 March 1894 at Garranes, Drimoleague. Her death record states she was 63 years, a farmer's widow. Kate Mahony was the Informant of her death.
Early records:
In the Tithe Applotment Books for Mill Lot, Gurrane, Drimoleague in 1826 we see the Widow Wholey had 37 acs of land.
In Griffith's Valuation of Ireland we see James Hooly and Denis Collins share Houses, Offices and Land of 31 acs 1rd 35pchs as part of Plot 4 in Garranes South, Drimoleague. This is just to the West of Drimoleague village.
