I'm looking at a mid-1800s baptismal record for my in-laws' family and I've come across a confusing record that is, I think, part of the family, but I don't understand what I'm looking at. The baptismal records for a Patrick McDonagh (links [here](https://registers.nli.ie/pages/vtls000632922_026), and [here](https://registers.nli.ie/pages/vtls000632924_020) from 1861 in Ballymacward and Clonkeenkerrill, Galway) don't list the mother. Just the father, Thomas. 

The confusing part is that later children from (I think) the same father *do* list the mother. For instance, Joannes (John) in record 555 [here](https://registers.nli.ie/pages/vtls000632922_044) lists both parents, Thomas McDonagh and Bridget Green. 

For what it's worth, I believe (based on a bunch of evidence I won't bother listing) that this is [the family](https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-census/census-record/#census_year=1901&surname__icontains=McD*&county=Galway&limit=30&surname=McDonagh&ded=Cappalusk&id=6241773) a while later in 1901. The other children show up in the parish baptismal records. And I believe [this](https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/view/?record_id=cide-6458695) is Bridget's death.

John is the ancestor, not Patrick, so it's not a big deal, but I'm still confused about the original record. What might be an explanation for the blank space?

Why would a baptismal record not list the mother?