Mason Island

Oileán Máisean

Roger Harrison / Forum Connemara

Townland:                                Mason Island

Civil Parish:                              Moyrus

Barony:                                     Ballynahinch

Church Parish:                        Carna

District Electoral Division:   Knockboy

Area:                                        129.83 acres / 129 acres, 3 roods, 12 perches

Baptism and Marriage records for Carna R.C. Parish 1821-1881

Map

Galway Library for Mason Island

Logainm for Mason Island

NUI Galway Digital Collections for Mason Island

West Connemara men who lost their lives in WWI (Clifden and Connemara Heritage Society)

 

1911 Census for Mason Island

Overview of Mason Island in 1911

The 1911 census shows that there were 15 houses in the townland. House nine was the Mason Island National School and all the others were private dwellings. All the private houses were constructed of stone, brick or concrete walls and slate, iron or tiled roofs. They were all 2nd class dwellings. House 8 had 3 rooms and 2 windows on the front and all the others, except the National School, had 2 rooms and 3 windows in the front. The out offices and farm-steadings return form shows that there were a total of 13 out buildings, all of which were cow houses. The enumerator’s abstract return shows that there were a total of 68 people living in Mason Island, 33 male and 35 female. The enumerator for the area was Constable Gallagher.

Conneely

The widow Mary (53) was listed as the head of this family and she shared the house with her 5 children, Joseph (27), Patrick (25), Bridget (18), Kate (16) and Thomas (11). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Mary, who only spoke Irish. Mary and Patrick could not read but the others could all read and write. Mary was listed as being a farmer, Patrick, a farmer’s son and Thomas, a scholar. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house. Mary Conneely was the landholder.

Cloherty

John (70) was the head of this family and he was married to Mary (55) and had been for 35 years in which time they had had 7 children and all of those had survived. They shared the house with 3 of those children and they were Mary (29), Patrick (24), both of whom were listed as deaf, and Anne (19). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. John spoke only Irish and Mary (55) and Anne spoke both Irish and English. Anne was the only member of the family that could read and write. John was a farmer and Patrick was a farmer’s son. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and they had a cow house. John Cloherty was the landholder.

Conneely                           (additional surname: King)

The head of the family in house 3 was Mark (78) and he was married to Mary (68) and they had been married for 43 years and they had had 9 children and 7 of those had survived. Two of their children lived with them at that time and they were Kate (36) and Bartly (29) and also their niece Bridget King (15). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English but only Bartley and Bridget could read and write. Mark was listed as being a farmer and Bartly was a farmer’s son with Bridget being a scholar. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house. Mark Conneely was the landholder.

Curran

The head of the Curran family in house 4 was Michael (83) and he shared the house with his brother’s wife Mary (67), who was a widow and had had 8 children and all of whom had survived. Michael also shared the house with 2 of his nephews, Michael (27) and Bartly (25) and his niece, Norah (21). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Michael (83) and Mary spoke only Irish and the rest all spoke both Irish and English. Only Michael (27), Bartly and Norah could read and write. Michael (83) was a farmer and Michael (27) and Bartly were farm labourers. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house. Michael Curran was the landholder.

Curran

The head of the Curran Family in house 5 was Mark (30) and he was married to Mary (46) and had been for 10 years and in that time they had had 3 children, all of whom had survived. Those children also lived with them and they were Mary (5), Margaret (4) and Barbara (3). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Mark, Mary (46) and Mary (5) spoke both Irish and English and Margaret and Barbara spoke only Irish. Only Mary (5) could read and write. Mark was a farmer and the 3 daughters were all scholars. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and they had a cow house. Mark Curran was listed as the landholder.

Curran

House 6 was home to another Curran family and the head of this family was Patrick (60) and his wife Bridget (54) who had been married for 24 years and in that time they had had 9 children of which 7 had survived. Four of those children lived with them at that time and they were Bridget (16), Matthew (14), Mary (12) and Michael (6). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Patrick, Bridget (54) and Michael spoke only Irish and the others all spoke both Irish and English. Patrick and Bridget (54) could not read but the others could all read and write. Patrick was listed as being a farmer and Matthew, Mary and Michael were scholars. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and had a cow house. Patrick Curran was the landholder.

Casey

Dudley (38) was the head of this family and he had been married to Mary (42) for 10 years and in that time they had had 6 children and 5 of those had survived. Those 5 children lived with them and they were Michael, (9), Joseph (8), Mary R. (6), Delia (4) and Colman (9 mths). Michael, Joseph and Mary R. were born in U.S. America and the others were all born in Co. Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Mary, Michael and Joseph all spoke Irish and English and Dudley, Mary R. and Delia spoke only Irish. Michael, Joseph and Mary R. were only ones that could read and write. Dudley was a farmer and Michael, Joseph, Mary R. and Colman were scholars. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house. Dudley Casey was the landholder.

Cloherty                             (additional surname: Greene)

The head of this family was the widow Anne (69) and she shared the house with her son Bartley (40) and his wife, Elizabeth K. (27) and they had been married for 6 years and had had 4 children, Nellie (6), Anna Maria (5), John (3) and Patrick (9 mths) and also another grandchild, Colman Greene (14). All were born in Co. Galway except Elizabeth K., who was born in Galway City, and all were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English with the exception of baby Patrick. John and baby Patrick could not read but all the others could read and write. Bartley was a farmer, Elizabeth K. was a national school teacher and Nellie, Anna Maria, John and Colman were scholars. They all lived in a 3 roomed, 2nd class dwelling with a cow house and Anne Cloherty was the landholder.

Casey

The head of the family in house 10 was Matthias (40) and he was married to Mary (32) and they had been married for 9 years and in that time they had had 5 children, all of whom had survived. Those 5 children lived with them and they were John (7), Joseph (6), Mary (4), Bridget (1) and Colman (2) and also in the house was Matthias’ brother Joseph (26). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Mary (4) and Colman spoke only Irish and all the others, except baby Bridget, spoke both Irish and English. With the exception of Bridget and Colman, all the family could read and write. Matthias was listed as being a farmer, Joseph (26) was a boat builder and John, Joseph (6) and Mary (4) were scholars. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and they had a cow house. Matthias Casey was the landholder.

Mulkerrin                            (additional surname: Conroy)

The head of the family in house 11 was Tim (54) and he was married to Bridget (52) and they had been married for 14 years but there were no children listed. Bridget’s sister, Ellen Conroy (40) also lived with them at that time and she was listed as being deaf. All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Tim and Bridget could speak both Irish and English but only Tim could read and write. Tim was listed as being a farmer. They all lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and they had 2 cow houses. Tim Mulkerrin was the landholder.

Conneely

The head of this family was listed as being the widow Katherine (74) and she shared the house with her son Colman (37). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Katherine spoke only Irish and Colman spoke both Irish and English and only Colman could read and write. Colman was listed as being a farmer. They shared a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and they had a cow house. Catherine Conneely was listed as being the landholder.

Folan

Michael (52) was the head of the family in house 13 and he had been married to his wife Sarah (33) for 15 years and they had had 3 children, all of whom had survived. Those children lived with them and they were Mary (14), Colman (12) and Barbara (11). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English and all could read and write. Michael was a farmer and carpenter while Colman and Barbara were scholars. They lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class house and they also had a cow house. Michael Folan was the landholder.

Geary

The sole occupant of house 14 was the widower John (68). He was a Roman Catholic and was born in Co. Galway and he spoke only Irish. He could not read and was listed as being a farmer. He lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class dwelling and he was the landholder.

Curran

The widow Margaret (70) was listed as the head of the family in the last house in Mason Island and she shared the house with her son Bartley (37). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both spoke both Irish and English but only Bartley could read and write. Margaret was listed as being a farmer and Bartley was a farmer’s son. They lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class house and they had a cow house. Margaret Curran was the landholder.

 

 

1901 Census for Mason Island

Overview of Mason Island in 1901

The 1901 census shows that there were a total of 15 houses in the townland of Mason Island and all were occupied and were listed a private dwellings. All the houses were constructed of stone, brick of concrete walls and houses 6-11 had slate, iron or tiled roofs while the others all had thatch, wood or other perishable material for roofing. All the houses were listed as being 3rd class dwellings. Houses 11 and 13 had 1 room and no windows, houses 2, 5, 8-10, 12, 14 and 15 had 1 room and 1 window, houses 1, 3, 4 and 7 had 1 room and 2 windows and house 6 had 2 rooms and 2 windows. The out-offices and farm-steadings return (form B.2) shows that there were a total of 15 out buildings and they consisted of 7 cow houses, 5 piggeries and 3 barns. There were a total of 79 people living in the townland at that time and they consisted of 40 male and 39 female. The enumerator for the area was Const. Patrick Gaffney.

Note: The information of the families and house numbers on the house and building return form does not match that of the entries in the census listings. For that reason it is safer for the information from the house and buildings return to be left out of the following listings to avoid confusion.

Cloherty

The head of the family in the first house in Mason Island was John (50) and he was married to Mary (40) and they shared the house with their children, Mary (30)i, Michael (15), Pat (13), Peter (11) and Anne (9). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. John and Mary (40) spoke only Irish, Michael, Pat and Anne spoke both Irish and English but there was nothing entered for Mary (30) and Peter who were listed as being deaf. Only Mary (30), Michael, Peter and Anne could read and write. John was listed as being a farmer, Mary (30) and Anne were listed under occupations as daughters and Michael, Pat and Peter were listed as sons.

King

House 2 had 2 occupants and the head of the family was listed as being the widow Noragh (sic) (60) and she shared the house with her Barbra (sic) (27). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both spoke both Irish and English but only Barbra could read and write. Noragh was listed as being a farmer.

Casey                                   (additional surname: Curran)

The head of the family in house 3 was the widow Mary (60) and she shared the house with 3 of her children, Patrick (39), Mathias (32) and Bridget (20) and also a niece, Mary Curran (3). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. The 2 Mary’s could only speak Irish but the others all spoke both Irish and English. Mary (3) could read only while Mathias and Bridget were the only ones that could read and write. Mary and Patrick were listed as being farmers, Mathias was a fisherman, Bridget was a farmer’s daughter and Mary (3) was listed as being a daughter.

Curran                                 (additional surname: Mulkern)

The head of this family was Patrick (50) and he was married to Bridget (70) and they shared the house with 7 of their children, John (14), Patrick (12), Valentine (10), Mark (8), Bridget (6), Mathew (4) and Mary (2). Also in the house at that time were Patrick’s sister-in-law, Mary Mulkern (56) and his mother-in-law, Bridget Mulkern (45), both of whom were widows. All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Patrick (50), Bridget (70), Mathew, Mary (2) and Bridget (45) spoke only Irish and the others all spoke both Irish and English. Only John, Patrick (12), Valentine, Mark and Bridget (6) could read and write. Patrick (50) was listed as being a farmer, Mary (56) was a dressmaker, Bridget (45) was a nurse and all the children were scholars.

Mulkern                              (additional surname: Conroy)

The head of the family in house 5 was Timothy (44) and he shared the house with his wife Bridget (42) and a servant, Ellen Conroy (32), who was listed as being deaf. All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Timothy and Bridget spoke both Irish. Only Timothy could read and write. Timothy was a farmer and Ellen was a farm servant.

Conneely

Patrick (50) was the head of the Conneely family in house 6 and he shared the house with his wife, Mary (40) and their 5 children, Joseph (15), Colman (12), Bridget (8), Katie (5) and Thomas (6 mths). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Mary and Katie spoek only Irish, there was nothing entered for baby Thomas and the others all spoke both Irish and English. Only Joseph, Colman and Bridget could read and write. Patrick was a farmer, Joseph was a farmer’s son and Colman, Bridget and Katie were scholars.

Curran

The head of this Curran family was Patrick (60) and he shared the house with his wife, Margaret (50) and 4 of their children, Bartley (26), Sarah (20), Mary (18) and Barbara (14). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Patrick, who only spoke Irish. All the children could read and write. Patrick was listed as being a farmer, Bartley was a farmer’s son and Sarah, Mary and Barbara were farmer’s daughters.

Folan                                   (additional surname: Curran)

The head of the family in house 8 was Michael (40) and he was married to Sarah (20) and they shared the house with 3 of their children, Mary (3), Colman (2) and Barbara (1) and also a servant Patrick Curran (20). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Mary, Colman and Barbara spoke only Irish and the others all spoke both Irish and English. Only Michael, Sarah and Patrick could read and write. Michael was listed as being a farmer, Patrick was a farm servant, Colman was listed as a son and Mary and Barbara were listed as being daughters.

Conneely                           (additional surname: King)

Mark (55) was the head of this family and he was married to Mary (49) and they shared the house with 5 of their children and they were Mary (21), Bartley (19), Edward (17), Colman (15) and Mark (12). Also in the house at that time was a niece, Bridget King (5). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Bridget, who only spoke Irish. Under literacy, Bridget was listed as a scholar, Mary (49) could not read and the others could all read and write. Mark (55) was a farmer, Mary (21) was a farmer’s daughter, Bartley, Edward and Colman were farmer’s sons and Mark (12) and Bridget were scholars.

Geary

There were 3 occupants of house 10 and the head of the family was the widower John (60) and he shared the house with his 2 sons, Martin (28) and Mark (20). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. John spoke only Irish and the boys spoke both Irish and English and only they could read and write. John was a farmer, Martin was a fisherman and Mark was a farmer’s son.

Conneely

The head of this family was Patt (60) and he was married to Catherine (50) and they shared the house with their son Colman (28). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Patt and Catherine spoke only Irish and Colman could speak both Irish and English and he was the only one to be able to read and write. Patt was a farmer and Colman was listed as being a farmer’s son.

Mulkern                              (additional surname: Conneely)

The head of this family was listed as being Martine (23) and he shared the house with his nephew, Patt Conneely (13). Both were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Both spoke both Irish and English and both could read and write. Martin was listed as being a farmer and Patt was listed as a son.

Curran

House 13 was home to the Curran family and the head of this family was the widow Mary (60) and she shared the house with 5 of her children, Bridget (27), Sarah (24), Michael (22), Bartley (20) and Norah (18) and also in the house at that time was an uncle, Michael (62). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English except Mary and Michael (62), who only spoke Irish. Mary and Michael (62) were listed as being farmers, Bridget and Sarah were farmer’s daughters, Michael (22) and Bartley were farmer’s sons and Norah was a scholar.

Curran                                (additional surname: King)

The head of the household in house 14 was Mark (21) and his wife Mary (42) and they shared the house with Mark’s mother, Mary King (70). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. All spoke both Irish and English and only Mark could read and write. Mark was a farmer and Mary (70) was listed as being a mother-in-law.

Cloherty                              (additional surname: Greene)

The widow Anne (54) was the head of this family in the last house on Mason Island and she shared the house with her son Bartley (29) and there was a visitor at that time and he was Colman Greene (5). All were born in Co. Galway and were Roman Catholic. Anne and Bartley spoke both Irish and English and Colman spoke only Irish. Only Anne and Bartley could read and write. Anne was listed as being a farmer and Bartley and Colman were listed as being farmer’s sons.

 

 

Old Pension Census (1841-1851) for Mason Island

John Geary – Application No. C/16 1495. The application was received on 22nd February 1916 and an address of Mason Island, Carna Co. Galway. John’s parents names were given as Martin and Mary Geary (Curran).The address in 1851 was Mason Island, Moyrus, in the Barony of Ballynahinch, Co. Galway. The search was returned on 23rd February 1916 and a copy was dispatched to the applicant on 26th February 1916.

Patrick Curran – Application No. C/22 1454. The application was received on14th March 1922. The address given for that time was Mason Island, Carna, Co. Galway. Patrick’s parents names were given as Andrew and Mary Curran (Greene). The 1851 address was given as Mason Island, Moyrus, in the barony of Ballynahinch, Co. Galway. A handwritten note in the left hand margin says “ Martin 2 yrs”. The search was returned on 16th March 1922 with a handwritten note saying “Found married 1844 no son Patt living 1851. Pat 5 yrs died 1849”.

Mary Folan – Application No. C/17 3603. The application was received on 8 May 1917 with an address of Mrs Mary Currane, Mason Island, Carna, Co. Galway. Mary’s parents were given as Michael and Barbara Folan. The address in 1851 was Mason Island, Moyrus, in the Barony of Ballynahinch, Co. Galway. The search was returned on the 10th May 1917.

Peter Connolly – Application No. C/17 2535. The application was received on 21st March 1917 with an address of Middle Street, Forresters Hall, Galway. Peter’s parent’s names were given as Bartley and Margaret Connolly (Tierney). The 1851 address was Finish Island, Carna, Moyrus, in the Barony of Ballynahinch, Co. Galway. The left hand margin “Barbara” was hand written. The search was returned on 31 March 1917 with the words “Not Found”

 

 

Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) for Mason Island

The Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) shows that the main immediate lessor on Mason Island was Michael J. Browne. He leased tenements on 92 acres and 26 perches of land to the following: Barthw Cloherty Jun. leased a house, offices and land for £12 for the land and £1 for the buildings, Barthw Cloherty Sen. leased a house, offices and land for £8 for the land and £1 for the buildings, Andrew Curran leased a house and land for £3 for the land and 15s for the house and Michael Curran leased a house on land for £3 for the land and 10s for the house. James King leased a house and land for £4 for the land and 15s for the house, Anne Cloherty leased a house and land for £4 for the land and 10s for the house, John Conneely leased a house and land for £6 for the land and 10s for the house, Cormack Curran leased a house and land for £4 for the land and 12s for the house and Timothy Mulkerrin leased a house, office and land for £4 for the land and 15s for the buildings. There was also a vacant house belonging to Barthw Cloherty Jun. with an annual ratable valuation of 10s.

 

 

1670 Down Survey for Mason Island

The 1670 Down Survey name for this island was Moyrish Island. The 1641 owner was Murragh OFlaharty, a Catholic and in 1670 the owners were Francis Matthews, Samuel Bull and Sir Roger Jones, all Protestant. There were 14 plantation acres of unprofitable land, 414 plantation acres of profitable land and 414 plantation acres were forfeited.

 

i Possibly john’s daughter from a previous marriage as Mary was only 40 at this time.

 

This page was added on 02/07/2018.

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