Shigaunagh

Seangánach 

In the parish of Killinny, in the southeast area is the townland Shigaunagh. Killinny is in the barony of Kiltartan in County Galway. 

The Down Survey Map 1641 (pre Cromwell), under the name ‘Shenghan,’ listed Oliver Martin (Catholic) as the owner. The owner in 1670 (post Cromwell) were Walter Taylor (Protestant), James McCooge (Catholic), and the Earl of Mountrath (Protestant). There was 145 plantation acres of unprofitable land, 119 of profitable land, and 119 of forfeited land.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books noted General Taylor of Castle Taylor, Ardrahan as the proprietor and Captain Cuppage of Galway as the agent. The middleman was Henry Lahiff, Esq., Gort, who leases land for 9 shillings 4 pence per acre per year. The county cess or tax was 2 shillings 9.5 pence per acre and the tithe was 1 shilling 0 pence per acre on average. According to this source, the soil was rocky pasture and contained cattle and sheep owned by Mr. Lahiff. On the southern boundary of Shigaunagh is Lough Caherglessane which contains pike, trout, perch and eel. There was one fort recorded in this townland. Thos. [sic] Connelly of Killinny  East was the authority. 

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

Francis M.S. Taylor was the only occupant recorded in Shigaunagh in 1855. Francis owned a herd’s house and land, the area was 585 acres, 1 rood, and 14 perches. The value was £166-5-0. Additionally he owned a body of water with an area of 3 acres, 2 roods, 8 perches. The total annual valuation of rateable property paid was £166-5-0 for 588 acres, 3 roods, and 22 perches of house, offices, and land.

1901 Census

The 1901 census recorded 1 household in Shigaunagh. This was the Finnegan family and their servant. This was a 2nd class house, made of stone, brick, or concrete. The roof of the house was made of thatch, wood, or other perishable material. The house was built as a private dwelling. It is noted that there was no out-offices and farm steadings return form in the 1901 census for this townland, therefore the details of the out-offices and farm steadings is unknown.

Michael Finnegan (61) was a herd who lived with his wife, Honora Finnegan (51), and their three unmarried children, Michael Finnegan (21), Peter Finnegan (18), and James Finnegan (14). Their servant, Bridget Smith (19) also lived with the Finnegans. Michael (21) was a herd’s son, his two brothers, Peter and James were scholars. Bridget was a general domestic servant. All members of the house were born in County Galway,  identified as Roman Catholic, and could read and write. All individuals in the household spoke Irish and English. The Finnegan house had 4 front windows, 3 rooms, and 5 out-offices and farm- steadings. Michael Finnegan owned the land on which his house was situated.

1911 Census

Shigaunagh in 1911 had only 1 household according to the census. This was the Finnegan family. This was a 2nd class house, made of stone, brick, or concrete. The roof of the house was made of thatch, wood, or other perishable material. The house was built as a private dwelling.

Michael Finnegan (71) was a shepherd who lived with his son, Peter Finnegan (29), who was also a shepherd, Peter’s wife Bridget Finnegan (30), and their child Mary Finnegan (10 months). Peter and Bridget were married 2 years as of 1911, and had 2 children, only 1 was living according to the 1911 census. There were no occupations listed for Bridget or Mary. All members of the house were born in County Galway, identified as Roman Catholic, and could read and write. However, there was no birthplace recorded for Mary. Michael and Peter had Irish and English listed. The Finnegan house had 3 front windows and 4 rooms. Additionally there was 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, and 1 barn. Michael Finnegan owned the land on which his house was situated.