Milestones in Caherlistrane & Kilcoona

Before the construction of the Curraghline in the 1870s, the main route to Galway from the Caherlistrane Kilcoona area was via Claregalway.  Mostly introduced during the 18^th century, milestones were way markers erected along the route to indicate the distance from each point to the city.  Inscribed with a number, the milestones were usually freestanding limestone pillars, roughly a meter high.  There are four existing milestones in the Caherlistrane Kilcoona area, located at Abbeytown, Ballydonnellan, Manusflynn and Oltore.

 

Abbeytown

This small milestone is set against a wall about a mile from Queally’s Pub on the Shrule Road.  Overlooking the Abbey, it has recently been cleared of scrub and is inscribed with the number 15.

 

Ballydonnellan

Inscribed with the number 12, this milestone is set into a stone wall, heading south from the Manusflynn Road. It is located on the right-hand side of the road, across from the first house on the left.  Another such stone, nearer to Cahermorris Cross has been removed.

 

Manusflynn

This milestone is situated against a wall at the turnoff to Kilcoona.  Removed in 2000 during the construction of housing on the site, it has since been reinstated and, like the stone in Ballydonnellan, is inscribed with the number 12.

 

Oltore

Situated at Queally’s Pub in Caherlistrane, this tall milestone is set beside a gate entrance on the left-hand side of the Shrule Road.  Originally located at the T-junction, across from the pub on the R333, it was subsequently moved to its current postition. It is inscribed with the number 14.

 

Sources:

• Milestone Waymarkers Volume 2 – Milestone Society UK
• Travel to Galway from Cloonboo and the Annaghdown area before 1870 – Annaghdown Heritage Society