Ballylahy

Bhaile Uí Fhlaithim / townland / town/ homestead

Ballylahy is in the northeastern region of the civil parish of Kilthomas, in the barony of Kiltartan. It is bounded by the townlands of Kilcorrooraun, Lissadulta, and Bullaanagh. 

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books recorded the following alternate spellings: Baile Lathaigh, Ballylaha, and Ballylahy. Ballylahy was recorded as arable land, about a third of the land was demesne, or attached to a manor, the rest was leased at £2 per acre. There were 2 Danish forts owned by Mr. Daly of Castle Daly. The county cess, or tax, was 1 shilling 3 pence per acre every 6 months. 

The Down Survey Map provided no townland information (25/04/20240).

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

The townland of Ballylahy in 1855, Mary Neilan, John Lyons, Patrick Carr Sen., and Patrick Carr Jun. leased from James Daly. Each leased a holding of a house, offices, and land with an area of 73 acres, 2 roods, and 6 perches. The rent for Mary was £12-5-0, £22-12-0 for John, £8-16-0 for Patrick Sen. and the same for Patrick Jun. Margaret Fallon leased a house from John Lyons for £0-10-0. James Daly owned land of 80 acres, 2 roods, and 18 perches valued at £36-10-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property paid overall in Ballylahy was  £89-9-0 for 154 acres, 0 roods, and 24 perches of house, offices, and land.

1901 Census 

Ballylahy in 1901 consisted of 2 households of 6 people. There were 2 males and 4 females, all of which were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway. 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. 

Mary Cunningham (35) was a widowed farmer who lived with her widowed grandmother, Bridget Carr (82), unmarried brother John Hynes (33), daughter Mary E. Cunningham (8), and son John J. Cunningham (7). Bridget was listed as a farmer’s mother, John (33) was a farmer, and the children Mary and John (7) were scholars. Mary (35) could read and write, Bridget and the children could only read, John (33) could not read. There were no language specifications. The house was a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 3 front windows. On the property was 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, and 1 barn. Mary owned the land on which her house was situated.

Mary Lynskey (62) occupied the second house. She was a widowed farmer who lived alone. She could not read and spoke Irish and English. She lived in a 2 bedroom, 3rd class home with 4 front windows. There were no out offices or farm steadings. Edward Cunningham owned the property.

1911 Census

In 1911, there was one household in Ballylahy. There were 2 males and 3 females, all of which were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway, with the exception of one individual, Marion Josephine O’Boy. The 2nd class house was built as private dwelling. The roof was made of wood, thatch, or other perishable material. The walls were made of stone, brick, or concrete. 

Mary Cunningham (50) was a widow who lived with her unmarried children: Mary Ellen Cunningham (17), and son John Joseph Cunningham (16), and unmarried brother Michael Hynes (45). They also lived with a boarder, Marion Josephine O’Boy, a teacher born in County Sligo. Mary (50) was married 19 years, the 2 children from  the marriage were still alive in 1911. John Joseph was a farmer, Michael was a farm labourer. All individuals in the house could read and write, Mary (50) was the only individual with Irish and English listed. On the property was 1 cow house and 1 piggery. Mary owned the land on which her house was situated.