Townland: Culfin
Civil Parish: Ballynakill
Barony: Ballynahinch
Church Parish: Letterfrack
District Electoral Division: Rinvyle
Area: 334.84 acres / 334 acres, 3 roods, 13 perches
Baptism and Marriage records for Letterfrack R.C. Parish 1821-1881
NUI Galway Digital Collections for Culfin
West Connemara men who lost their lives in WWI (Clifden and Connemara Heritage Society)
1911 Census for Culfin
Overview of Culfin in 1911.
The 1911 census shows that there were 17 houses in Culfin at that time and all of them were listed as private dwellings. All were built with stone, brick or concrete walls and thatch, wood or other perishable materials for roofing. House 2, 3, 4 and 6 were 2nd class dwellings and the rest were 3rd class. Houses 10 and 13 had 1 room and 1 window, house 12 had 2 rooms and no window, house 5 had 2 rooms and 1 window. Houses 1, 7-9, 11 and 14-17 had 2 rooms and 2 windows. Houses 2, 3, 4 and 6 had 2 rooms and 3 windows. The out-offices and farm-steadings return shows that there were a total of 21 out buildings in Culfin and they consisted of 3 stables, 8 cow houses and 10 piggeries. The enumerator’s abstract return shows that there were a total of 102 people in the townland, 57 male and 45 female. The enumerator was Assistant Sergeant Patrick Phelan.
The head of the family in house 1 was John (65) who had been married to his wife, Anne (60) for 34 years and they had had 11 children of which 8 had survived. Four of their children lived with them at that time and they were Michael (22), John (16), Bridget (14) and Norah (13). John (65) was born in England but all the rest were born in Co. Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John (65), Anne and Michael spoke both Irish and English while the others only spoke English. John (65) could not read, Anne could read only and the others could read and write. John (65) was a farmer with Bridget and Norah being scholars. The house they shared was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and a piggery. John Nee John (sic) was listed as the landholder.
The head of this Faherty family was the widow Annie (80). Living with her in the house were, her son, Darby (50) and her daughter-in-law, Mary (28) and they had been married for 8 years and had had 4 children of which all survived. Annie had 6 of her grandchildren in the house as well and they were Patrick (18), Kate (16), Thomas (7), Bridget (5), Annie (3) and Norah (1). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Annie (80), Darby, Mary, Patrick and Kate spoke both Irish and English and nothing was entered for the others which may indicate that they only spoke English. Only Darby, Mary, Patrick and Kate could read and write. Annie (80)’s occupation was listed as formally wife of boot maker, Darby was a boot maker and Patrick was a farm labourer. Their house was a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a piggery. The landholder was Darby Faherty.
The head of the Joyce family was Gilbert (56), who had been married to his wife, Anne (41) for 21 years and they had had 8 children of which 7 survived. Six of those children also lived with them and they were Michael (18), Mary (16), Patrick (13), Norah (11), Bridget (5) and Martin (3).All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Gilbert, Anne, Michael and Mary spoke both Irish and English with Bridget speaking only English and there was nothing entered for the others. All, with the exception of Bridget and Martin, could read and write. Gilbert was a farmer and Patrick and Norah were scholars. The house they shared was a 2 roomed, 3 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house and piggery. Gilbert Joyce was the landholder.
Coyne (additional surname: Nee)
The head of the family in house 4 was the widow Sarah Nee (84). Living with her in the house were her son-in-law Michael (58), Daughter Mary (60) and 5 of her grandchildren, Norah (22), Sarah (20), Michael (16), Thomas (14) and Mary (8). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Apart from Sarah Nee, who only spoke Irish and Mary, who possibly only spoke English (8), all spoke both Irish and English. Only Norah, Sarah (20) and Michael (16) could read and write. Sarah Nee was a retired farmer, Michael (58) was a farmer, Michael (16) was a farmer’s son, and Thomas and Mary (8) were scholars. Their house was a 2 roomed 2nd class dwelling with a cow house and piggery. Michael Coyne was the landholder.
The head of the Keane family in house 5 was Dennis (74) and his wife Bridget (72) who had been married for 43 years and had had 9 children of which 7 survived. Two of their children lived in the house with them at that time and they were Margaret (23) and Dennis (25). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Margaret and Dennis (25) could read and write. The 2 Dennis’ were farmers. The house they shared was a 2 roomed, 3rd class house with a stable, cow house and piggery. Dennis Keane was the landholder.
The head of the Laffey family was the widower Martin (71) and living with him were his son, Martin (20) and his daughter, Catherine (18). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English and all could read and write. Martin (71) was a farmer and Martin (20) was a farmer’s son. They shared a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a stable, cow house and piggery. Martin Laffey was the landholder.
The head of the Laffey family in house 7 was the widow Mary (74) who lived with her son, Peter (20) and grandson, Patrick (6). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Mary and Peter spoke both Irish and English but Patrick spoke only English. Only Peter could read and write. Mary was a retired farmer and peter was a farmer. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a stable, cow house and piggery. Mary Laffey was the landholder.
Laffey (additional surname: Nee)
House 8 was also a Laffey household and in this family the head was Michael (43) who had been married to his wife, Norah (30) for 4 years and they had had 3 children, all of which had survived. Also in the house with them at that time were a step son, Patrick Nee (10), daughter Annie (9), son, Peter (6), daughter Mary (3) and twins, Michael and Joseph (10mths)[i]. All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Michael (43), Norah, Patrick and Annie spoke both Irish and English and Peter and Mary spoke only English. Only Michael (43), Norah and Patrick could read and write, although Annie could read only. Michael (43) was a farmer, Norah was a housekeeper and Patrick and Annie were scholars. The house the lived in was a 2 roomed, 3rd class house with a piggery. Michael Laffey was the landholder.
Head of the McDonnell family was the widow Margaret (58) and she lived with 4 of her children, Michael (23), John (16), Julia (15) and Patrick (12).All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Julia and Patrick could read and write. Margaret was a farmer, Michael was a fisherman, John was a farmer’s son and Patrick was a scholar. The house they lived in was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling and Margaret McDonnell was the landholder.
Head of the Conroy family was Thomas (43) who had been married to his wife, Margaret (34) for 9 years and they had had 4 children, all of whom survived. Those 4 children also lived with them and they were Julia (7), Michael (6), John (3) and Phil (1). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but none of the family could read and write. Thomas was a farmer and Julia was a scholar. They shared a 1 roomed, 3rd class dwelling and Thomas Conroy was the landholder.
The MacDonnell family consisted of 14 members and the head of the family was Anthony (50) and his wife Mary (47) who had been married for 27 years and had had 15 children of which 13 had survived. Twelve of those children lived with them at that time and they were Thomas (23), Michael (21), John (19), Patrick (17), Anthony (16), James (14), Kate (12), Philip (9), Festy (9), Julia (7), Mary (5) and Joseph (3). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Anthony (50), Mary (47), Thomas, Michael, John, Patrick and Anthony (16) all spoke both Irish and English and the rest all spoke only English. Only Anthony (16), James, Kate and Philip could read and write with Festy able to read only and the rest could not read. Anthony (50) was a farmer, Thomas, Michael and John were fishermen, Patrick and Anthony (16) were farmers and James, Kate, Philip and Festy were scholars. They all shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a piggery. Anthony McDonnell was the landholder.
House 12 was another Laffey home and the head of this family was the widow Bridget who had been married for 20 years and had had 3 children, all of which had survived. Two of those children lived with her at that time and they were Mary (46) and John (40). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only John could read and write. Both Bridget and John were listed as being farmers. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd third class dwelling and Bridget Laffey was the landholder.
The head of this Nee family was John (42) who had been married to his wife, Margaret (39) for 14 years and they had had 6 children, all of which had survived. Those children lived with them and they were Mary (13), Kate (9), Thomas (7), Michael (5), Patrick (3) and John (1).All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. John (42), Margaret, Mary, Kate and Thomas all spoke both Irish and English but there was nothing entered for the others so that may indicate that they only spoke English. John (42), Margaret, Mary and Kate could read and write while the others couldn’t. John (42) was a farmer and Mary, Kate and Thomas were scholars. The house they shared was a single roomed, 3rd class dwelling and the landholder was John Nee (Pat)
House 14 was also a Nee household and the head of this family was Peter (45) and his wife Mary (40) who had been married for 8 years and had had 3 children and they all survived. Those 3 children lived with them and they were Bridget (6), Mary (4) and Michael (2). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Peter and Mary (40) spoke both Irish and English and the children spoke only English. Peter could read but the rest of the family could not read. Peter was listed as a farmer.
The head of this family was Patrick (36) who had been married to his wife, Bridget (35) for 10 years and they had had 5 children of which 4 had survived. Also living with them were Patrick’s brother, Peter (34) and their 4 children, John (7), Mary (6), Michael (3) and Peter (1). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. With the exception of Michael and Peter they all spoke both Irish and English but only Patrick, Bridget and Peter (34) could read and write. Patrick was a fisherman and Peter was a farm labourer. They all live in a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and piggery. Patrick O’Malley was the landholder.
Coyne (additional surname: Coyne (more) (sic))
Head of this Coyne family was John Coyne (more) (sic) (72) who had been married to Anne (70) for 40 years and they had had 7 children but only 4 had survived. Their son Pat (30) also lived with them. All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. John and Pat spoke both Irish and English and Anne only spoke Irish. John was a fisherman and Pat was a farmer. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class house with a cow house and a piggery. The landholder was John Coyne More.
The last house in Culfin in 1911 was the home of the McNamara family and the head of the family was Patrick (55) who lived with his sister, Catherine (53). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both spoke both Irish and English but none of them could read. Patrick was listed as being a farmer. The house they lived in was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house. Patrick McNamara was the landholder.
1901 Census for Culfin
Overview of Culfin in 1901.
The 1901 census shows that there were 15 houses in Culfin, all of which are listed as being private dwellings and all were occupied. All the houses were constructed of stone, brick or concrete walls and had thatch, wood or other perishable materials for roofing. All the houses were classed as 3rd class dwellings. Houses 7, 10-12 and 15 had 1 room and 1 window, houses 4, 5, 13 and 14 had 2 rooms and 1 window and houses 1-3, 6, 8 and 9 had 2 rooms and 2 windows. The out-offices and farm-steadings return (form B2) states that there were a total of 21 out buildings consisting of 4 stables, 7 cow houses, 2 piggeries and 8 barns. There were a total of 85 people in the townland, 38 male and 46 female. The enumerator was Const. Edward Burke.
Head of this family was Darby (4) who lived with his wife Bridget (35) and 3 of their children, Mary (10), Patrick (8) and Kate (4). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English and Kate could not read but the others could read. Darby was a farmer, Mary was a farmer’s daughter and Patrick was a farmer’s son. Their house was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a stable and a cow house. Darby Faherty was the landholder.
The head of the Nee family in house 2 was John (28) who lived with his wife Maggie (24) and their daughter Minnie (2)All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only john and Maggie could read and write. John was listed as being a farmer. The house they shared was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and a barn. John Nee was the landholder.
The head of this Nee family was Peter (26) who lived with his sister, Honor (16) and his aunt, Sarah (65). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Peter and Honor spoke both Irish and English while Sarah spoke only Irish. Only Peter and Honor could read and write. Peter was a farmer and Honor was a housekeeper. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a barn. Peter Nee was the landholder.
Joyce (additional surname: Lyden)
The head of this family was Gilbert (35) who lived with his wife, Anne (30) and 5 of his children, Celia (10), Michael (8), Mary (4), Patrick (2) and Norah (3mths) and a visitor, Mary Lyden (70). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Gilbert, Anne, Celia and Michael all spoke both Irish and English, Mary and Patrick spoke only English and Mary Lyden spoke only Irish. Gilbert, Anne, Celia and Michael were the only ones to be able to read and write. Gilbert was listed as a farmer and Celia and Michael were scholars. The house they shared was a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and piggery. The landholder was Gilbert Joyce.
The head of the Coyne Family in house 5 was Michael (45) who, lived with his wife, Mary (40) and 6 of their children, Bridget (17), Ferdinand (15), Norah (11), Sarah (9), Michael (6) and Thomas (2). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Bridget, Ferdinand, Norah and Sarah could read and write although Michael could read. Michael (45) was a farmer, Bridget was a farmer’s daughter, Ferdinand was a farmer’s son and Norah, Sarah and Michael (6) were scholars. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house. Michael Coyne was the landholder.
The head of this Nee family was John (40) , who lived with his wife Anne (40) and their children, Mary (16), Patrick (15), Michael (12), Sarah (10), John (5), Bridget (3) and Norah (1). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except baby Norah. Mary, Patrick, Michael and Sarah could read and write, Annie could read and the reat could not read. John (40) was listed as a farmer, Mary was a farmer’s daughter, Patrick was listed as a farmer’s son and Michael and Sarah were scholars. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a barn. John Nee was the landholder.
House 7 was home to the Laffey family and the head of that family was Martin (54) who lived with his wife Mary (48) and their children, John (22), Thomas (18), Annie (16), Martin (14), Nappy[ii] (12) and Kate (8). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Kate who only spoke English. Apart from Martin (54), they could all read and write. Martin (54) was listed as a farmer, John, Thomas an Martin (14) were listed as farmer’s sons, Annie was a farmer’s daughter and Nappy and Kate were scholars. They shared a single roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a barn. Martin Laffey was the landholder.
Kane (additional surnames: Friel)
The head of the Kane family in house 8 was Denis (55) who lived with his wife, Bridget (45) and 5 of their children, Michael (18), Denis (14), Bridget (16), Margaret (12) and Kate (9) and also in the house at that time was a visitor, Bridget Friel (60). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English and Denis (55), Bridget (45) and Bridget (60) could not read but the others could all read and write. Denis (55), Michael and Denis (14) were farm labourers and Bridget (16), Margaret and Kate were scholars. They lived in a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a stable. The landholder was listed as Denis Keane.
Malley (additional surnames: Kane)
The head of this family was Patrick (23) who lived with his wife, Brigid (23), his sister, Mary (16), his brother, Peter (15) and his Grandfather, Peter Kane (80). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Peter Kane, who only spoke Irish. All, apart from Peter Kane, could read and write. Patrick was a farmer, Mary was a farmer’s daughter, Peter (15) was a farmer’s son and Peter Kane was listed as a farmer. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and a barn. Pat Malley was the landholder.
Head of this Coyne family was John (51) who lived with his wife Anne (40) and 3 of their children, Philip (20), Patrick (17) and Mary (13).All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Philip and Mary could read and write. John was a farmer, Philip and Patrick were farmer’s sons and Mary was a farmer’s daughter. They all shared a single roomed, 3rd class house with a barn. John Coyne was the landholder.
There were only 2 occupants of house 11 and they were husband and wife Philip (104) and Mary (50). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both spoke both Irish and English but neither could read. Philip was listed as a farmer. They shared a single roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a stable. Philip Coyne was the landholder.
The head of this Laffey family was Patrick (60) who lived with his wife, Mary (57) and 3 of their children, Peter (16) Belinda (18) and Bridget (14). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Bridget and only Belinda could read and write with Patrick being able to read only. Patrick and Peter were farm labourers. They shared a 1 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a cow house and a piggery. Pat Laffey was the landholder.
The head of this Laffey family was Michael (30) and his wife, Kate (25) and they lived with their son John (9mths). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both Michael and Kate spoke both Irish and English. Only Michael could read and write. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a barn. Michael Laffey was the landholder.
The head of this family was the widow Bridget (50) who lived with her daughter, Mary and her son, John (28). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but none of the family could read. Bridget was listed as a (?) farmer, Mary was listed as having no occupation and John was listed as a labourer. They shared a 2 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a barn. Bridget Laffey was the landholder.
The head of the family in the last house in Culfin was Patrick (50) who lived with his wife, Margaret (45) and 7 of their children, Mary (20), Margaret (12), Michael (10), Honor (8), John (7), Julia (3) and Patrick (2). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Margaret (12) could read and write with Honor and John being able to read only. Patrick (50) was listed as a farmer, Mary and Margaret (12) were farmer’s daughters, Michael was a farmer’s son and Honor and John were scholars. They shared a 1 roomed, 3rd class dwelling with a stable and cow house. Pat McDonnell was the landholder.
Old Pension Census (1841-1851) for Culfin
Mary Conry – Application No. C/17 762. Mary’s application was received 22/01/1917 and the address that was given at that time was Rev. P.J. Forde P.P. Leenane, Co. Galway. Her parent’s names were given as Rodger and Mary Conry nee Faherty. The address in 1851 was given as Culfin, in the parish of Ballynakill, in the Barony of Ballynahinch, Co Galway. The search was returned on 26/01/1917 with the hand written note saying “ Rodger and Mary Conry married 1837. No return of Mary. Pat13, John 10, Anne 6, Bridget 3/12 Sheet 13”
Patrick Joyce – Application No.: C/17 2922. Patrick’s application was received on 11/04/17 with an address at that time of c/o Mrs Elizabeth Flaherty, No. 18 Edward Street, South Shields, Co. Durham. Patrick’s parents were Patrick and Bridget Joyce nee Faherty, This was Bridget’s second husband as she was married first to Austin Coyne. His address in 1851 is given as Culfin, Glassillaun Co. Galway. The search return is dated 16/04/1917 with the wording “Family of Patk and Bridget Joyce not found. Found two families of Patk and Bridget Coyne see other side” Patrick was granted a pension of 2s on 17/04/1917.
On the other side of this application were some hand written notes:
Sheet 5 Glassillaun
Pat Coyne 45 Head married 1843
Bridget “ 45 wife
Pat “ 16 son
Mary “ 11 dau
Kate “ 6 “
Anne “ 2 “
John “ 7 son Died 1843
Bridget “ 2 dau “ “
Anne “ 2mths “ “ 1847
Sheet 8 Salrock
Bridget Cain 40 Head Married 1836
Martin “ 13 son
Patk “ 9 “
Mary “ 7 dau
Catherine “ 2 “
Patk Cain 40 husband absent in America
John “ 5 son dies 1849
Thos “ 1 “ “ 1849
Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) for Culfin
According to Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) the land in this townland was owned by Alexander Thompson and he leased a number of tenements to people in the area. He had for himself, 284 acres, 1 rood and 15 perches of land and leased houses on that land, some with small gardens, to the following people. John Coyne had a house, office and small garden for 7s, Patrick Conrey had a house and small garden for 5s, Michael Heany had a house for 5s and Michael McNamara had a house and small garden for 5s. There was a vacant house that had an annual ratable valuation of 5s. Francis Gibbons leased a house for 5s, Richard Joyce leased a house for 7s, Patrick Faherty leased a house and small garden for 5s, Charles McNamara leased a house for 8s and Martin McNamra leased a house for 5s. Anthony Diamond leased 9 acres and 16 perches of land with a house from Alexander Thompson for £2 10s for the land and 10s for the house. Michael and John Conrey jointly leased an area of 7 acres, 1 rood and 4 perches including a house each for £1 for the land and 5s for the house each. Roger Conrey leased a house on 13 acres, 1 rood and 30 perches of land for which he paid £2 for the land and 10s for the house. Finally, Denis Nee leased 10 acres of land with a house for £1 for the land and 5s for the house. All these leased land and property from Alexander Thompson.
1670 Down Survey for Culfin
Other names for this area in the 1670 Down Survey were Keilemore, Glancarbdemore, Gortnefunshine, Rossynelee and Shanaharaghane. The 1641 owner was the Catholic Edmund O’Flaharty and in 1670 James Darcy was the owner and he was also a Catholic.
[i] A little confusing as it states that Michael and Norah only had 3 children so some may have been from previous marriage?
[ii] The name Nappy is a shortened name for Penelope.
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