Joan,
The Great Blaskets are off the southwest coast of Ireland. They're part of
County Kerry. There were lots of Carneys living there, but the islands are
no longer inhabited. Michael Carney who was one of the last inhabitants to
leave is the one who told me that the Carneys on the islands spelled Carney
differently so others could find them easier. Michael also told me that there
were the red Carneys and the black Carneys. That was because of the color of
their hair.
A lot of people from the Blaskets who left settled in Springfield, MA in an
area referred to as Hungry Hill. These were not my Carneys though. My great
grandparents, John & Catherine were both born in 1808. I haven't been able
to verify where, but their children were born in Dingle, County Kerry so I
think John must have been born there too. They brought their family to America
about 1860.
I hope this helps you.
Teresa