It will certainly be worth looking in the 1901 census for Ireland once it is online at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/a ... plans.html1901, with all data transcribed, will be launched towards the end of 2009.
In the 1901 you should then be able to find confirmation on the place of birth of Francis, which should help a bit, and with any luck his first wife may still be alive and with him, maybe even children too. Not too long to wait if the census is rolled out on schedule!
Don't worry about posting the later dates - we've all done it at some point when the family history detective side of us takes over!
Best wishes
Lesley