Newtown

Situation: the standard name of the townland was Newtown. It was in the east of the parish.

Description:

O’Donovon Field Name Books: the proprietor was Lord Gort of Loughcooter Castle with James Slater as the agent. It was let to 2 tenants at will at 40 shillings per acre yearly rent. The size of the farms were 3 acres each with rocky soil. There were two lakes in the townland with perch, pike and eel.

Down survey: the name of the townland on the survey was Gurtnshegory. The owner in 1641 was Sir Rodger O’Shawnussy and in 1670 was Sir Dermot O’Shaghnessy. There was 8 acres of unprofitable land and 75 acres of profitable land and 75 acres of forfeited land.

Griffith Valuation:

Map reference one was James Lahiff along with Bridget O’Dea. This was a herd’s house, office, house and land. This was worth 221 acres and 36 perches. This was worth 94 pounds and 20 shillings.

Map reference two was Michael Stephenson. This was a house, office and land which was 5 acres, 1 rood and 10 perches this was worth 4 pounds and 15 shillings.

1901 census:

In 1901 there were two households in the region. There were eleven people overall all of whom were roman catholic and born in County Galway unless stated otherwise. Both these houses had the same properties with stone or brick walls, rooves made of thatch or wood and 2 to 4 rooms.

The head of family of house one was Martin Nelly (40) who was a agricultural labourer who lived with his wife Bridget (30) and their children. Their daughter Mary (4), Christopher (3) both of whom went to school and infant Bridget. Martin and Bridget could read and write, and no language was listed for any of them. They had a piggery.

The head of family of house two was Patrick McGrath (40) who was an agricultural labourer who lived with his wife Bridget (38) and their children. Their son Martin (7), William (6), John (5) and Mary Kate (3). Patrick, Bridget and Martin could read and write, and William could read. Only Bridget is listed speaking Irish and English. They had a stable, calf house, fowl house and a barn.

1911 census:

In 1911 there were two households however the second was uninhabited. There was three persons overall living in the area with all being roman catholic and born in Galway. The houses features were the same as 1901.

The head of family of house one was Patrick Mc Grath (51) who was a herdsman and lived with his children. His daughter Mary (12) and Bridget (10) both of whom went to school. All could read and write, and no language was listed. They had no farm buildings.