The surname Leary is also found as MacLeary, McLearly, McCleary, OLeary, O'Leary, Lary, and others. It is an Irish surname of great antiquity. It derives from of the pre 10th century Old Gaelic O'Laoghaire and as such translates literally as the 'keeper of the calves'.  However, it could have a more spiritual origin.

Joan Daly was a daughter of Timothy Daly and Ellen Coughlan of Kilnahera.

Timothy Leary and Joan Daly, both from Drimoleague Parish, married in the Catholic Church in Drimoleague, Co. Cork on 3 February 1818.  The marriage witnesses were Timothy Daly and Denis Collins.  The family lived in Mullaghmesha townland but it appears their address at the baptisms of the children was recored as Glanaclogha (adjoining townland - see below notes).

From the Drimoleague Church Register children born in Glanaclogha townland and baptised on dates shown were:-

John Leary, 2 Mar 1819.  Sponsors: George Leary, Joan Collins

Mary Leary, 18 June 1820.  Sponsors: George Leary, Kate Leary

Daniel Leary, 29 June 1821.  Sponsors: Timy Leary, Julian Flinn

Denis Leary, 18 Nov 1823.  Sponsors: Timy Leary, Joan Daly

Bridget Leary, 4 Feb 1826.  Sponsors: Timy Kealiher, Joan Daly

Julian Leary, 13 Apr 1828.  Sponsors: Mathew Kellerher, Julian Leary

Nelly Leary, 8 June 1830.  Sponsors: John Leary, Mary Kealiher

Timothy Leary, 12 May 1836.  Sponsors: Tim Daly, Ellen Houly

Note: Glanclogha is the townland lying immediately to the South of Mullaghmesha.  In the Tithe Applotment Books for this area we do not find any records for Mullaghmesha but we do for Glanaclogha.  However the acerage (area of land) for Glanaclogha shown in the Tithe Applotment of the year 1826 is over double what it should be.  Let us look at the table below:

Clearly in the Tithe Applotment Books of 1826 around 800 acres was credited to Glanaclogha and adjoining Mullaghmesha seems to have contributed to that in part.  So we don't know who the tenant farmers were in Mullaghmesha but likely Leary name based on the fact that the Tithe Applotment for Glanaclogha has all Leary names as below:

Location map from osi.ie