Gort [gart] field
Hedge hawthorn, thorn-bush
In County Galway in the barony of Kiltartan is the parish of Killinny. In the north west extremity of Killinny is the townland of Gortskeagh.
The Down Survey Map listed Turlo O’Hene (Catholic) as the owner in 1641 (pre Cromwell). There was no information listed for 1670 (post Cromwell). The townland was under the name ‘Cappomore.’
O’Donovan’s Field Name Books noted a few other spellings used: Gort Sgiathach,Gortskyagh, Gurtskeagh. The proprietor recorded was Mark Browne, Esq., Rockville, Athenry. The agent.. The 5 occupants were leasing at will for 10 to 16 shillings per acre per year. The farms were 16.5 acres each with wheat, oats, and potatoes as the main crop. The soil was rocky, stony, and gravel. The county cess or tax was 2 shillings 9.5 pence and the tithe was withheld by the tenantry. Keane was the primary family name in Gortskeagh. Michael Keane was the authority.
Gortskeagh in 1855 had 5 inhabitants according to the Griffith’s Valuation. Michael Quinn, Michael Kane, Michael Kavanagh, and Francis Corcoran all leased from Patrick M. Lynch. The final occupant, Michael Gorman, leased from Francis Corcoran. Michael Quinn was leasing one holding of land from Patrick at the time of the Valuation, it was worth £7-10-0. Michael Kane, Michael Kavanagh, and Francis Corcoran were leasing houses, offices, and land from Patrick. All four holdings leased by Patrick M. Lynch were 139 acres, 2 roods, and 5 perches. Michael Kane paid £8-15-0, Michael Kavanagh £8-10-0, and Francis £8-5-0. Michael Gorman was leasing a house from Francis Corcoran for £0-5-0.
The total annual valuation of rateable property paid overall in Gortskeagh was £33-5-0 for 139 acres, 2 roods, and 5 perches of house, offices, and land.
In Gortskeagh, 4 households and 16 inhabitants were recorded in 1901. There were a total of 10 males and 6 females. Houses in Gortskeagh were built as private dwellings. Houses were made of stone, brick, or concrete. The roof of the houses were made of thatch, wood, or other perishable material. The heads of the households were Winefred Cavanagh, Michael Corcoran, James Kelly, and Bartly Mogan.
Winefred Cavanagh (65) was a widowed farmer who lived with her daughter Bridget Quinn (35) and Bridget’s husband Martin Quinn (35), and the two Quinn grandchildren, Thomas (2) and Michl [sic] (6 months). Martin was listed as a farmer and Bridget was listed as a farmer’s wife. All members of the household were unable to read. Irish and English were listed for Winefred, Bridget, and Martin, there were no languages listed for the children. All five family members were born in County Galway and are Roman Catholic. The family house was a 2nd class house with 3 rooms, 3 front facing windows, 1 stable, and 1 barn.Winefred owned the land on which her house was situated.
Michael Corcoran (35) was an unmarried herd who lived alone. He spoke Irish and English and was able to read and write. Michael was born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. Michael’s 3rd class house had 2 rooms with 2 front facing windows and no out-offices or farm- steadings. Michael Corcoran owned the land on which his house was situated.
James Kelly (65) was a farmer married to Bridget Kelly (60). The two lived with their three unmarried children, Patrick Kelly (22), Bridget Kelly (21), and James Kelly (17). All children were listed as a farmer’s son/ daughter. All family members were born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. All of the Kelly family members spoke Irish and English, Patrick and Bridget (21) were able to read and write. James (65), Bridget (60), and James (17) were unable to read nor write. The Kelly home was a 2nd class house with 3 front windows, 3 rooms, 1 stable, and 1 barn. James Kelly owned the land and house.
Bartly Mogan (50) was a farmer who lived with his wife Honora Mogan (55). The couple lived with their three unmarried children, Patrick Mogan (18), Honora Mogan (16), and Bartly Mogan (12). Bartly (50) and Honora (55) were unable to read, all of the children were able to read and write. The entire family was born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. All children were listed as a farmer’s son/ daughter. There was no occupation listed for Honora (55). The Mogan family resided in a 2nd class house with 1 front window, 3 rooms, and 1 barn. Bartly Mogan was the owner of the land in which his house was situated.
In Gortskeagh, 4 households and 16 inhabitants were recorded in 1901. There were a total of 10 males and 6 females. Houses in Gortskeagh were built as private dwellings. Houses were made of stone, brick, or concrete. The roof of the houses were made of thatch, wood, or other perishable material. The heads of the households were Winefred Cavanagh, Michael Corcoran, James Kelly, and Bartly Mogan.
Winifred Kavannagh 1 (79) was a widowed farmer who lived with her widowed daughter Bridget Quinn (45) and Bridget’s 4 unmarried children, Patrick Quinn (9), Michael Quinn (7), Martin Quinn (6), and John Quinn (3). Bridget was listed as a farmer’s daughter, and all of the children were scholars. All members of the household were unable to read. Irish and English were listed for Winifred and Bridget, there were no languages listed for the children. All six family members were born in County Galway and are Roman Catholic. The family house was a 3rd class house with 3 rooms, 3 front facing windows, and 1 piggery. Winifred owned the land on which her house was situated.
Michael Corcoran (54) was an unmarried farmer who lived with his unmarried brother, Patrick Corcoran (46), who was an agricultural labourer. Both brothers spoke Irish and English and were unable to read or write. Michael and Patrick were born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. The house was a 3rd class house with 2 rooms with 2 front facing windows and 1 piggery. Michael Corcoran owned the land on which his house was situated.
Bridget Kelly (74) was a widower and a farmer. Bridget lived with her daughter, Bridget Noone (39) and servant John Malia (16). Bridget (39) was a farmer’s daughter, John was an agricultural labourer. All family members were born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. Only Bridget (39) was able to read and write. Bridget (74) and Bridget (39) spoke Irish and English, John spoke only Irish. The home was a 2nd class house with 3 front windows, 3 rooms, 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, and 1 barn. Bridget Kelly owned the land and house.
Bartley Mogan (64) was a farmer who lived with his wife Norah Mogan (72). The couple had 4 children, all living as of 1911. In 1911, the pair were living with one of their children, Bartley Mogan (26), an unmarried farmer’s son. Only Bartley (26) was able to read and write, Norah could only read. The entire family was born in County Galway and identified as Roman Catholic. There was no occupation listed for Norah (72). The Mogan family resided in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows, 3 rooms, 1 piggery, and 1 barn. Bartley Mogan was the owner of the land in which his house was situated.
1 It is noted that the Kavannagh family was recorded in the 1901 census under the last name Cavanagh.
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