Derrywee

Derrywee is a townland in the southwest region of Kilthomas in the barony of Kiltartan. It is bound by the townland Derrawee West and Bunnergloss.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books documented alternative spellings and names used for Derrywee. These were Doire Bhuidhe, Doire a Bhuidhe, Derrawee East, and Derraghweebeg. Derrywee is primarily mountainous with little tillage. All of the property belonged to Mr. Galbraith, with let by allotment. There was no county cess.

The Down Survey Map recorded no townland information (26/04/2024).

Griffith’s Valuation 1855 

There is no record for Derrywee in this source (26/04/2024).

1901 Census 

Derrywee in 1901 consisted of 3 households of 17 inhabitants. There were 10 males and 7 females.  All occupants  were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway, unless specified otherwise. The houses were built as private dwellings. The roofs were made of wood, thatch, or other perishable material. The walls were made of stone, brick, or concrete. 

John Cleary (50) was a farmer living with his wife Mary Cleary (48) and their children: Martin (16), Peter (11), Annie (13), Bridget (9), Margaret (5), and Kate (1). They also lived with John’s brother in law, John Rielly (32), a farm servant. Martin, Peter, Annie, and Bridget were scholars. John, Mary, and Annie could read and write. Martin, Peter, and Bridget could only read, the rest of the family could not read nor write. John was the only individual with Irish and English listed. Their home was a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 3 front windows. On John’s land was also a stable, a cow house, and a piggery. John was the landowner. 

Michael Diviney (50) was a widowed farmer who lived with his unmarried children, Michael (24), Annie (17), Joseph (15), and Julia (13). Michael and Annie were farmer’s sons/ daughters and Joseph and Julia were scholars. Michael, Annie and Julia could read and write, Joseph could only read. Michael (50) could not read nor write. The family all spoke English, Michael (50) also spoke Irish. They lived in a 3 bedroom house with 3 front windows. It was a 2nd class house with a stable and piggery. Michael owned the land on which he lived.

John Fahey (40) was a farmer living with his unmarried nephews, Lawrence Fahey (20) and John Fahey (17). The nephews were farm servants and could read and write. John (40) could not. All 3 spoke English, John (40) also spoke Irish. They resided in a 2nd class house with 4 rooms and 5 front windows. They also had a cow house and barn. John was the landowner.

1911 Census

According to this source, there were 3 households and a population of 13 in Derrywee. There were 6 males and 7 females.  All occupants  were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway, unless specified otherwise. The houses were built as private dwellings. The roofs were made of wood, thatch, or other perishable material. The walls were made of stone, brick, or concrete. 

John Cleary (60) was a farmer living with his wife Mary Cleary (53) and their children: Peter (20), Nora (25), Bridget (19), Margaret (17), Kate (11), and Agnes (9). Mary and John were married 30 years and had 8 living of their 9 children born, as of 1911. Peter was a farmer’s son. Kate and Agnes were scholars. John, Mary, Nora, Bridget, Margaret, and Kate could read and write, Agnes and Peter could only read. All of the family had only English listed. Their home was a 2nd class house with 5 rooms and 3 front windows. On John’s land was also a stable, 3 cow houses, a calf house, a fowl house, and a piggery. John was the landowner. 

Michael Diviney (71) was a widowed farmer who lived with his unmarried children, Joe (26) and Julia (24). Joe was a farmer. Julia could read and write, Joe and Michael could not. Only Michael had Irish and English listed. They lived in a 5 bedroom house with 3 front windows. It was a 2nd class house with a stable, 2 cow houses, a calf house, a fowl house, and piggery. Michael owned the land on which he lived.

John Fahey (66) was a farmer living with his unmarried nephew, John Fahey (26), who was also a farmer. Neither could read nor write. John spoke Irish and English. They resided in a 2nd class house with 4 rooms and 3 front windows. They also had a stable, 2 cow houses, a calf house, a piggery, and a fowl house. John was the landowner.