Though it is not definite, there is a good probability that these three generations of the Dowling family of Freshford, Kilkenny are the ancestors of our Dooling family today. That probability is based on a series of indicative facts which combine to suggest a family connection. The facts are as follows:

The person from the earliest generation (C19,G1) known to be our direct ancestor and whom we know the most about is Elizabeth Dooling. Though I still await confirmation from the certificate of her second marriage, I believe Elizabeth's maiden name was Phelan. We know that Elizabeth's husband, dead by 1851, was called Thomas. The only official document that gives his name (his son Daniel's marriage certificate) lists it as Thomas Doolan. It is stated of Elizabeth more than once in census returns that she was born in Queen's County, Ireland (nowadays known as county Laois and formerly known as Leix). The only Elizabeth Phelan born within a reasonable time frame to fit Elizabeth's profile and born in Queen's county was an Elizabeth Phelan born in 1823, christened in Lisdowney, Kilkenny which includes in its parish the townland of Aherney, Laois. The only Thomas Dowling or Dooling born within a reasonable time-frame of this Elizabeth and within a close proximity is the Freshford Thomas mentioned above born in the neighbouring townland to Lisdowney. one last interesting fact that might confirm Elizabeth Phelan of Lisdowney (ecclesiastical) parish to be our ancestor is the listing of an Elizabeth Dooling, householder, in Lisdowney parish in the 1850 Griffiths Valuation.