Cappard Demesne

Civil Parish of Kilthomas

Natalie Cyrkel / University of Galway / Galway County Heritage Office

Cappard Demesne

An Cheapach Ard / height / high

Cappard Demesne is slightly north of the centre of Kilthomas in the barony of Loughrea.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books noted other spellings and names used such as, Cappard, Ceap’ Árd, Ceap Ard, Cappaghard, Capard. This townland was described as largely compact and partially wooded. There is a Gentleman’s Seat, a Danish fort, and an orchard. The land was owned by Mr. Galbraith who leased for £1 per acre. The county cess or tax was 1 shilling 2d. 

The Down Survey under ‘Clonrahin’ listed Teige McOwen McBryan O’Ffahy (Catholic), as the landowner in 1641 (pre-Cromwell) and Duke of York (Protestant) in1670 (post Cromwell). There were no specifications on profitable or unprofitable land.

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

James Galbraith was the only landowner in Cappard Demesne in 1855. He occupied his holding of a house, offices, gate, and lodge (407 acres, 1 rood, 24 perches) that had a value of £290-0-0. The following leased a holding of a house, office, and land. Michael Minnogue rented his holding (2-1-20) for £2-10-0. John Hearne leased (7-0-20) for £2-5-0. Francis Shadwell leased (15-2-8) for £4-15-0. Thomas Fallon, Patrick Fallon, and Robert Fallon all leased holdings of house, offices, and land with an area of 32-1-2 for £7-0-0 for Thomas, and £3-15-0 for Patrick and Robert each. William Hearne leased a house from James Galbraith for £0-5-0, Michael Minnogue leased a forge for £0-5-0, and Martin Nolan leased a dispensary for £0-10-0. 

The total annual valuation of rateable property paid in Cappard Demesne overall was  £317-0-0 for 471 acres, 1 rood, and 13 perches of house, offices, and land.

1901 Census 

No results on the national archive website (04/04/2024).

1911 Census

The 1911 census recorded 9 households, 49 inhabitants, 25 which were male and 24 female. There were 2 other dwellings reported. The first was uninhabited private dwelling with 2 out-offices and farm steadings and was owned by Gort District. The second dwelling was owned by Rev. Fr. O’Dea, a Roman Catholic chapel.  All occupants 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. The out-offices and farm-steadings return was blank, therefore the number of out-offices for each household is unknown. 

Michael Hallison (39) was a farmer living with his wife of 5 years, Bridget Hallison (34). The couple had 3 children they lived with: Christopher (4), Thomas (2), and Mary (1). The family lived with a lodger, Leo Airey (22), a school teacher. The parents and Leo could read and write, the children could not. There were no language specifications. The family lived in a 2nd class, 7 room house with 4 front windows. There was 1 out-offices and farm steadings. Michael owned the land.

Thomas Cunningham (58) was a single caretaker living with his sister, Honor Cunningham (6). Honor was a farmer. Both spoke Irish and English and could read and write. They lived in a 1st class house with 5 front windows. The number of rooms listed is 29. There were 28 out-offices and farm steadings.  Edward Walsh was the land owner. 

Thomas Fallon (56) was a farmer living with his wife of 5 years, Mary Fallon (32). They lived with their children, Mary (3), John (2), and Bridget (1). Thomas and Mary (32) could read and write and spoke Irish and English. The family lived in a 3 room, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. There were 5 out-offices and farm steadings. Thomas owned his land.

Patrick Hayes (39) and his wife of 4 years, Nora Hayes (32) lived alone. Patrick was a farmer. Both could read and write and spoke Irish and English. The couple resided in a 6 bedroom, 2nd class house with 5 front windows. There were 3 out-offices and farm steadings. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated.

Patrick Hehir (65) was an agricultural labourer living with his wife of 22 years, Mary Hehir (41). The couple had 7 children, 6 of which were still alive as of 1911. They lived with their 6 unmarried children: Michael (20), Delia (18), Patrick (16), James (14), Margret (12), John (10). They also lived with Patrick’s (65) widowed mother in law, Mary Kelleher (79), who was a farmer. Michael, Patrick, and James were also agricultural labourers. Margret and John were scholars and the only family members who could read and write, Patrick (16) could only read. Mary (41) and her mother Mary (79) were the only family members with Irish and English listed. The family lived in a 4 bedroom, 2nd class house, with 2 front windows. There were 2 out-offices and farm steadings. The land was owned by Gort District.

Michael Kelleher (66) was a farmer living with his wife of 20 years, Margaret Kelleher (50). The couple had 9 children,8 of which were still alive as of 1911. They lived with their unmarried children: Michael (14), Mary (15), Margret (12), Martin (11), Thomas (9), and William (3). Margret, Martin, and Thomas  were scholars. Michael (14) and Mary were farmer’s sons/daughters. Mary, Margret (12), and Martin were the only family members who could read and write. Margret (50) and Michael (14) could only read. Michael (66), Thomas, and William could not read. Michael (66) was the only family member with Irish and English listed. The family lived in a 8 bedroom, 2nd class house, with 3 front windows. There were 2 out-offices and farm steadings. The land was owned by Michael Kelleher.

Patrick Moylan (40) was a national teacher living with his wife of 9 years, Alicia Moylan (33), who was also a national teacher. Alicia was born in County Tipperary. They had 7 children, 6 of which were still living. They lived with their unmarried children, Mary Kate (8), Monica (6), Helena Mary (5), Alice (4), Patrick Joseph (3), and Kathleen  (8 months). They also lived with Patrick’s unmarried sister, Bridget Moylan (21). Mary Kate, Monica, and Helena Mary were scholars. All of the family could read and write, except Alice, Patrick Joseph, and Kathleen. Patrick, Bridget, and Mary Kate had Irish and English listed. The family lived in a 2nd class house of 7 rooms and 4 front windows. There were 8 out-offices and farm steadings. Patrick owned his land. 

Michael O’Donnell (54) was a farmer and widower. He lived with his unmarried children: Fergus (30), Mary (28), Michael (23), Bridget (21), Patrick (19), and Timmity (11) [sic]. Fergus, Michael (23), and Patrick were farmer’s sons. Timmity was a scholar. The whole family spoke Irish and English and could read and write. The family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and 5 rooms. There was 1 out-offices and farm steadings. Michael O’Donnell owned the land on which his house was situated.

Catherine Helly (50) was a washer woman married 13 years. She spoke Irish and English and could not read. There were no out-offices or farm steadings. The land was owned by Michael Murphy.

This page was added on 12/05/2024.

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