Michael O Keeffe

"Big Mike" of Lisnabui married Mary Keeffe of Cnockduff.

On the marriage of his son Daniel, Michael signed over Lisnabuy to him on Jan 23 1878, a few days before the wedding. This land consisted of 17 acres 2 roods (or 28 statute acres approx). (Cf Indenture). Michael had renewed the contract on this land renting it from Thomas George French for a period of 21 years on March 11 1865.

Despite the opposition to the Land League Michael later (around 1880) took over land in Scrahan which had been untenanted The result was a boycott of the O’Keeffes by Locals.

[see ‘Report of Boycotting in Co Cork’ 1886; also evidence of Alice O’Connell who recalled that her “Aunt Mary used to come home crying that the neighbours would not speak to her in Scrahan. Also letter of John O’Keeffe, NY. Again the 1901 Census lists a RUC constable residing in a hut in the year of the Scrahan Property]

Between 1880 - 1901 Michael aka "Big Mike" passed Scrahan to his son Daniel who in turn passed Lisnabui to his own son Michael. - 1901 Census