Thank you for your reply. I doubt that we would find a DNA connection through autosumnal DNA, as any connection would be very far back. My Cowlings were in Pateley Bridge from about 1708 and yours were in Silsden.
I wouldn't be too surprised that your DNA shows Irish percentage. According to autosumnal DNA my own DNA is only 33% British, yet I've traced my family back at least a couple of hundred years in all directions and all were British. But I think it shows that further back most of them were invaders - Saxons, Vikings etc... Anyway I'm pleased to be a mixture!
I have found some definite connections through DNA testing - 4th and 5th cousins. Also the DNA shows the correct connection between myself and my uncle and my cousin, who have all tested their DNA - so I am confident in it. It is just quite difficult to interpret, but I joined one of the forums for the Cowling YDNA type (male line) and they are making a lot of progress lately in understanding where they came from. As more people get tested and they do more research on archaeological remains, I am sure it will become clearer.
So far my uncle is the only male Cowling I know of that has been tested, and he has a rare YDNA signature, so it would be very interesting if any other male Cowlings with Yorkshire roots got tested, to see if they match him.
I did my testing through "Family Tree DNA", and I found their "family finder" tool very useful. I'm not sure if ancestry have a similar thing to help you find cousins.
Anyway good luck.
Regards, Jenny