Ballymurphy

Ballymurphy

Civil Parish of Kiltartan

Dylan Reilly | University of Galway | Galway County Heritage Office

Ballymurphy is a townland In the South East of the parish of Kiltartan, Barony of Kiltartan and County Galway, North and East of a road leading from Gort to Loughrea.

The standard name for this townland is Ballymurphy, with the Irish form being Baile Ui Mhurchadha.

Other forms of the name with authority source:

Ballymurphy By. Surveyors Sketch Map

Ballymurphy Mr. John Bell, Barony Constable

Ballymurphy Rev. Patrick Fallon, P.P.

Griffiths Valuation

Griffiths Valuation recorded that there were 2 listed land and property owners; Peter Ward and Michael Nelly. All land was leased from Rep. Vicesimus Knox.

Peter Ward leased land of 15 acres, 3 roods and 26 perches worth £6.15s.0d.

Michael Nelly leased house, office and land of 10 acres, 2 roods and 37 perches worth £5.10s.0d.

The total annual valuation of relatable property of Ballymurphy was £13.0s.0d. for a total of 26 acres, 2 roods and 23 perches of land, house and office.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books

The proprietor was Walter Rosengrave, Esq., Gort. No agent. He let to Mr. Connolly, the middleman, on a lease at 21s. per acre yearly rent. The county Cess was 3s. per acre. Quit rent 2d. per acre. The tithe tax was withheld by the tenantry. The soil was rocky. The usual crops were wheat, oats and potatoes. There was no bog. Tenantry all Roman Catholics. Prevailing name was Connolly. Authority John Hanlon, townland Lavally.

The Down Survey

The Down Survey Map under ‘Balliene’ listed  Burke, John Oge (Catholic) as the landowner in 1641 (pre-Cromwell) Pigott, Allexander (Protestant) in 1670 (post Cromwell).

1901 census

From the 1901 census, it can be seen that there were a total of 1 households inhabited in the townland of Ballymurphy, hosting a total population of 2 individuals, 1 male and 1 females. 6 out offices were also recorded.

Houses

Nelly

Thomas Nelly (Aged 51) was the head of the family. He lived with his sister Catherine Nelly (Aged 49). Both were born in County Galway and were Roman Catholic. Thomas listed his occupation as ‘Farmer’, and Catherine was listed as ‘housekeeper’. Both could read and write, and both could speak Irish and English. Thomas and Catherine were both listed as ‘not married’ for their marital status.

The house was a built private dwelling inhabited by one distinct family. It had six out-offices and farm steadings listed which were a stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house, barn and a shed. The walls were made of stone, brick or concrete. The roof was made of thatch, wood or other perishable material. It was a 2nd class house that had three front windows. The house had three rooms occupied by the family. Thomas Nelly was listed as the head of the house and the landowner.

1911 census

From the 1911 census, it can be seen that there were a total of 1 households inhabited in the townland of Kiltartan, hosting a total population of 3 individuals, 1 males and 2 females. 4 out offices were also recorded.

Houses

Kelly

Catherine Kelly (Aged 64) was the head of the family. She lived with her niece, Kathleen Finnerty (Aged 25) and on the night of the census there was a visitor, Thomas Finnerty (Aged 45). Catherine was born in County Galway and was Roman Catholic. Kathleen and Thomas were born in County Clare. Thomas listed his occupation as ‘Farmer’. Catherine could read, while Kathleen and Thomas could read and write. Kathleen spoke English, while Catherine and Thomas could speak English and Irish. Catherine and Kathleen listed their marital status as ‘Single’, and Thomas was listed as ‘married’.

The house was a built private dwelling inhabited by one distinct family. It had four out-offices and farm steadings listed which were a stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house, barn and a shed. The walls were made of stone, brick or concrete. The roof was made of thatch, wood or other perishable material. It was a 2nd class house that had three front windows. The house had three rooms occupied by the family. Catherine Kelly was listed as the head of the house and Michael Finerty[sic] was listed as the landowner.