I am a proud Irish-Australian genealogist who loves to travel through the lands of my ancestors and walk in their footsteps to research our wonderful Prendergast ancestors.
I began research our Prendergast ancestors in 2014 and by joining the Whitsunday Family History group learned the importance of retaining, preserving and documenting important family possessions/literature.
In 2015, I travelled to Ireland and studied at UCC for the genealogy summer school in Cork, participated in an archival visit to Dublin and attended the re-enactment of the 1798 rebellion at Enniscorthy following a wonderful ‘Welcome Home civic ceremony’ held for me at Enniscorthy Castle. Returning to Australia following this study/archival visit I undertook the Strathclyde online family history certificate, the Book of Kels certificate online through Trinity college Dublin, and the Irish language online certificate offered by Dublin city University.
I am currently studying online for my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). I studied the Diploma of Family History at UTAS in 2020 and graduated in 2021. I enrolled for my Dip FH so that I could increase my genealogy knowledge and hone my skills in preparation for the next phase of my quest to find Prendergast Ancestors. As Covid lingers, I find that I am now studying (online) for my BA History major which I commenced in 2021, in order to place our Prendergast family in the global context. I have also been invited to study for my Bachelor of Philosophy concurrently with my BA, this I started in 2024.
By researching the conjuncture that led to wars, natural disasters, diseases, politics, and the economy, as well as customs and traditions that developed, I am gaining a greater understanding of what has happened throughout history. And, sure enough our Prendergast members are in the thick of it. I have commenced writing about our Prendergast heroes and delight in their achievements. Please click on each icon in the grid to discover another chapter in our wonderful Prendergast history. Enjoy!
Families of Ireland 
Hi Sean,
With your kind permission, I would love to add this story about your dad and your Uncle Eaimon to my blog. I will ensure that you get the credit for bringing this great information to light. We have a few stories of famous horsemen in the family, but I love this one in particular. Happy New Year, Jennifer.
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Hi Joanne,
I am so sorry that I have taken this long to reply to your comment. I contracted COVID for a third time and my eyesight has been badly affected. I am just starting to feel good now.
In answer to your question regarding the Tipperary Prendergasts. Yes, we are all related. When the two Prendergast knights arrived with Strongbow from Wales in Ireland, Diarmuid Macmurrough, King of Leinster was so grateful for their help fighting his battles that he rewarded them with land in Tipperary, Wexford and County Mayo. The Prendergasts built 15 castles in Ireland, some of which are still occupied by the Prendergast family.
The Prendergasts and Pendergasts buried in Omeo, Benambra and Bairnsdale are all beloved members of our family.
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Are your Prendergasts related to the Tipperary Prendergasts? I am descended from Mary Merrigan (nee Prendergast) born in Lattin, County Tipperary about 1808. She and her husband and children arrived in Melbourne in 1865. She died in Barnawatha, Victoria, Australia aged 73. I have seen a few Prendergasts buried in cemeteries in North East Victoria but I don’t know if they are related to Mary.
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Hi Sean,
Thank you for emailing me and telling me about your Prendergast connection.
What a brilliant story!
I have just watched a video that shows the race and how Foinavon at 100/1 won the race. That is incredible but a great story to tell the grandchildren.
Warmest Whitsunday wishes,
Jennifer.
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my grandfather Michael prendergast brought my dad too England from athy Ireland in 59 when my dad was 5 and subsequently was a jockey in the grand national along with my uncle eaimon in the great pile up when foinavon won, and the grand national still has a hurdle named after that horse, we live in Harrogate now x
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*not 9 children. My apologies.
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Thank you again Jennifer for your incredible work. As mentioned, I descend from my ggg grandfather John Pendergast (Minerva 1800) and his wife Jane Williams (The Nile) my ggg grandmother. Then my direct line is through one of their 9 children James Pendergast, then through Norbert Napleon, John Michael Prendergast, then to my late Father Leon Rhone Prendergast.
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Hi Mary,
Lovely to hear from you again. In answer to your question, no I have not published/posted the family tree of the generations before convict John Prendergast as this information is not freely available on line. The church where John was baptised does hold these records but as they rely on donations to help pay for the church, I feel it would not be appropriate for me to release this information without their permission. At present due to Covid, I have been advised by the Parish Priest of this diocese that the archivist is not available for consultation therefore no further information is available at present.
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Jennifer, have you posted a family tree of the generation/s before convict John P(r)endergast anywhere on line? I’m having trouble getting my head around it 😦
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Jennifer, have you posted a family tree of the generation/s before convict John P(r)endergast anywhere on line? I’m having trouble getting my head around it 😦
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Thanks Mary. Lovely to hear from you and to be of assistance. – Thank you also for all the great work that you have done over the years.
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Thanks for some fascinating stuff on the P[r]endergasts! – you have given me a few more avenues to explore in my research.
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Hello, my name is Hollie and I’m descended from John and Catherine Pendergast’s son John who married Elizabeth Dwyer. I have spend the last few years following my line of Pendergast’s and I’m very interested in finding out more about Catherine.
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Hi, Jennifer! My name is Kathleen Prendergast Heiling. My grandparents immigrated to New York from Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, two years apart. They married in the U.S. I plan to visit Ireland for the first time next year, and would love to meet my Prendergast relatives. My great-grandmother Prendergast was a Buckley from Innishannon. Any idea how I find out who they are? I have O’Connors from Kerry and Dalys from Cork. My great uncle was Daniel Prendergast, who immigrated to Australia.
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Hi Carmel,
Thank you for your comment. I would love to hear more about your Grandmother. What year would she have been born and when did she marry Jeremiah Fahey? You didn’t mention what country you live in. Would you like to share that information with me?
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This is interesting. My grandmother was Catherine Prendergast born Mount Mellery Cappoquin Waterford Ireland, married to Jeremiah Fahey. There were many Patricks and Johns in her family. Good luck in you research.
Carmel Young
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