Drumminacoosaun

Droiminn an Chuasáin

Centrally located in the parish of Kilthomas is Drumminacoosaun. This is in the barony of Loughrea. 

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books recorded the following spellings used: Druimín a Chuasain, Druimin a chuasain, Drimminahoosaun, Drumacossan, and Drimnakausane. Most of this townland is bog and mountain, with a small area of poor arable land. The property owner was Mr. Galbraith. The rent was 5 shillings per acre with no county cess.

The Down Survey Map under ‘Clonrahin’ listed Teige McOwen McBryan O’Ffahy (Catholic), as the landowner in 1641 (pre-Cromwell) and Duke of York (Protestant) in 1670 (post Cromwell). 

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

This source reported James Galbraith as the primary landowner in 1855, with the exception of a house owned by John M. Hugo, leased by Michael Connor for £0-5-0. The remainder was owned by James. The following group leased 156 acres, 2 roods, and 33 perches of a house, office, and land, each paid different rent: Patrick Healy (£2-2-0), Michael Collins (£2-2-0), Patrick Hearne (£2-3-0), William Kenny (£2-4-0), Michael Kelleher (£2-4-0), John M Hugo (£6-5-0), Peter Fallon (£2-8-0), Martin Hanlon (£2-1-0), and James Fahy (£2-1-0).

The total annual valuation of rateable property paid in Drumminacoosaun overall was  £23-15-0 for 156 acres, 2 roods, and 33 perches of house, offices, and land. 

1901 Census 

The 1901 census documented 12 individuals in Drumminacoosaun. There were 7 males and 5 females.  All occupants were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway, unless specified otherwise. There were  4 households, 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 household heads were Margaret Collins, John Healy, James McHugh, and Thomas O’Donnell.

Margaret Collins (45) was a farmer and a widow living with her daughter Kate Collins (16). Kate was a farmer’s daughter. Only Kate could read and write. Irish and English were listed for Margaret.The two lived in a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 2 front windows. On Margaret’s land was a cow house. Margaret was the landowner. 

John Healy (65) was a tenant farmer living with his wife Anne Healy (63). Only John was able to read, both spoke Irish and English. The couple lived in a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 2 front windows. They had a stable, 2 cow houses, a piggery, and a fowl house. John owned the land on which they lived.

James McHugh (30) was a farmer living with his wife Bridget (25) and their children, Julia (3) and John (2). Julia and John were scholars. No family members could read, all could speak English. The parents also spoke Irish. The family occupied a 3rd class house with 2 rooms, 2 front windows, and a cow house. James owned the land where they lived. 

Thomas O’Donnell (70) was a farmer living with his wife Margret (60) and their unmarried children, Patrick (22) and Tom (20). The children were listed as farmer’s sons, and Margret as a farmer’s wife. Only Patrick and Tom were able to read. The entire family spoke Irish and English. The O’Donnells lived in a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 3 front windows. On their property was a cow house, a piggery, and a fowl house. Thomas was the landowner.

1911 Census

There were 4 households in Drumminacoosaun in 1911. There were 5 males and 4 females.  All occupants were Roman Catholic and born in County Galway, unless specified otherwise. There were 4 households, one of which was uninhabited. The uninhabited house was owned by Martin Fahy More, there were no out-offices or farm steadings. 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 household heads were John Healy, Bridget McHugh, and Thomas O’Donnell.

John Healy (81) was a retired farmer living with his wife Annie Healy (80). Only John was able to read, both spoke Irish and English. The couple lived in a 2nd class house with 2 rooms, a cow house, and 2 front windows. John owned the land on which they lived.

Bridget McHugh (42) was a widowed farmer living with her children, Julia (12) and John (10). Julia and John were scholars and could read and write. All could speak English, Bridget also spoke Irish. The parents also spoke Irish. The family occupied a 3rd class house with 2 rooms, 2 front windows, and a cow house. James owned the land where they lived. 

Thomas O’Donnell (82) was a farmer living with his wife Margret (72) and their unmarried children, Patrick (31) and Thomas (28). Thomas (82) and Margret were married 32 years as of 1911 and only had 2 children. The children were listed as farmer’s sons. Only Patrick and Tom were able to read and write. The entire family spoke Irish and English. The O’Donnells lived in a 2nd class house with 3 rooms and 3 front windows. On their property was a cow house and a piggery. Thomas was the landowner.