Garde, Michael

Michael Garde is listed in the Griffith’s Valuation of 1855 as living in Ballynamona, Kilmahon, East Cork:

Here is the Griffiths Valuation Record Information:

Tenant
Family Name 1 GARDE
Forename 1 MICHAEL
Landlord
Family Name 2 DURDIN
Forename 2 THOMAS G.
Location
County CORK
Barony IMOKILLY
Union MIDDLETON
Parish KILMAHON
Townland BALLYNAMONA
Place Type TOWNLAND
Publication Details
Position on Page 39
Printing Date 1853
Act 15&16
Sheet Number 89
Map Reference 13

There are conflicting stories about the origins of the Garde family in Ireland. Some say the Gardes were Protestant Huguenots escaping from religious persecution in France. One version tells of seven brothers who set sail from France, headed for England, but landed instead at Garryvoe, East County Cork, after their ship was blown off course. Other Garde families claim descent from three Garde bothers that fled to England from France, settled in Kent, and later came to Ireland.

An article which appears in the Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society (1899) reports: “Garde- the stem of this family is supposed to be found in Kent, and the Gardes are said to have originally come from France, but at what time the migration from the latter country took place does not appear. In or about the year 1650, three brothers came from Kent, it is said, to Ireland, with the English Army, and tradition hands down the report that they were three of the largest men amongst those who drew the sword”.

Since descendants of these Kentish Gardes also claim Garryvoe as their Irish origin, it is possible that two different sets of Garde brothers arrived at Garryvoe at two different times. The first may have come earlier, direct from France, then the three brothers from Kent at a later date.