Beaghbeg (An Bheitheach Bheag)

The name Beagh Beg comes from the Irish An Bheitheach Bheag, meaning the little place of the birch-trees. It is situated in the civil parish of Donaghpatrick, Barony of Clare. It is located in the north side of the parish and is bounded on the east by Carheenard, on the west by Bellanagarraun, Bunnasillagh and Killamanagh, on the south by Ballintleva and Raheen and on the north by Beagh More. (Source: Galway Library)

Irish name: An Bheitheach Bheag

English name: Beagh Beg

Meaning: The little place of the birch-trees/ the small birch wood

Beagh: Place of the birch trees/ birch wood

Beg: Little

Area: 362 Acres, 0 rood, 32 perches

Field names:

Civil Parish: Donaghpatrick

Barony: Clare

 

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books

As part of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, from 1830 to 1842, John O’Donovan helped to collect and record the Irish form of townland names throughout the country.  Information for each townland was collected and written into the Name Book along with information relating to land quality, crops and housing.  (Source: Timeline Genealogy)

Other names: Beaghbeg, Beitheach Beag, Beagh Beg (By. Surveyors Sketch Map), Beaughbeg (County Cess Collector), Beaghbeg (County Map), Beaghe (Inq. Temp. Hen. VIII), Beagh (Inq. Temp. Jac. I), Beaghbeg (Inq. Temp. Jac. I), Beaghbeg (Rev. John Molloy, P.P.), Baughbeg (Tithe Ledger), Beitheach (O’Donovan) Beaghbag (1851 Census Search Forms)

Description: Proprietor Denis Kirwan, Esq., Castlehacket. No Agent. Rent from 20 to 25 shillings per acre. Soil stiff clay produces middling crops of wheat, potatoes and some oats. Farms from 2 to 11 acres. No leases. Co. Cess paid per acre is 14d. half yearly. Antiquities one fort called Sheawn and Beaghbeg village. 

Situation: A central townland bounded on the North by the townland of Beaghmore, West by Ballygurraun and Killimannagh, South by Raheen and on the East by Currynard and Beaghmore. In the Barony of Clare and County of Galway.

Information from the Ordnance Survey Letters: The Ordnance Survey Letters are letters between John O’Donovan and his supervisor, Thomas Larcom, regarding the work of compiling the Field Books. These letters provide further discussion on many of the places listed in the Field Books. References to this place can be found in the following letter.

“The O’Dubhans of Cluain ai,^(m) the O’Meallys of Cill na manach⁽ⁿ⁾ (and of Cill na gCaelán), the attendants on O’Flaherty to his public house {i.e. house of public assembly}. The following are the (hereditary) chiefs of Bogogi with their branches, viz (the) O’Doirigeans, (the) O’Caseys of Beitheach * with their correlatives O’Haingli of Derryhangli^(p) with his bally. Mac Beolain of Kill-leabbair,^(q) the herenach of the Clog dubh of S^t. Patrick, with his bally; the O’Doigreins and O’Dubhans herenachs of Kill-Ursa^(r) with their bally. Fursa cursed the O’Dooauns {now Divines}”

*Beitheach is now Beagh Beg/More

 

Other placenames in this townland:

Beaghbeg A village. Also known as Beaghbeg Local.

Sheaun Fort  Situated in the townland of Beaghbeg, a fort which had a Trigl Station on it. Translated to ‘A Fairy Mount’ it is also known as Sheaun Fort, Siodhán, Sheawn (Local).

 

The Down Survey

The first national-scale survey of its kind in the world, the Down Survey, taken in the years 1656 -1658, sought to acurately map the land in Ireland in order to facilitate its transfer from Irish Catholics to English Protestants after the Cromwellian conquest. (Source: Trinity College Dublin)

The townland is referred to as Baeghbegg in the Down Survey (Ballenabane in the Parish of Kilnamannagh and Donaghpatrick in the county of Galway, Barony of Clare). In 1641 (pre-Cromwell) states that the owner(s) of the townland of Beagh Beg was Dominick Darcy (Catholic). The Down Survey map of 1670 (post-Cromwell) shows that the owner was Robert Miller (Protestant).

148 plantation acres was fortified land

148 plantation acres was deemed profitable land

68 plantation acres was deemed unprofitable land

 

Tithe Applotment Book 1826

The Tithe Applotment Books were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount which occupiers of agricultural holdings over one acre should pay in tithes to the Church of Ireland. The land was measured in Irish acres, or plantation acres at the time. This equated to 1.698 English acres.

The Tithe Applotment Books show John Kirwan Esqu. as the owner of the lands and holding 80 acres of land including 1 acre of orchard.  Daniel Moran, James Monohan, James Burke and Pat Mullen were tenant partners on 80 acres of land plus 10 acres of bottomland and 30 acres of bog. The total occupied lands in the Tithe Applotment Book 1826 was 200 acres. John Kirwan occupied 79 acres of land with a valuation of £6 and 11 shillings and 2 pence. In addition, John Kirwan occupied a 1-acre orchard with a valuation of 12 shillings. Daniel Moran, James Monohan, James Burke and Pat Mullen were co-tenants in a number of parcels of land. The first parcel was 60 acres of land with a valuation of £4. The second parcel, described as “Better” measured 10 acres and had a valuation of 8 shillings and 4 pence. The final parcel held by the co-tenants was 30 acres of bog which had a valuation of 15 shillings. The total acreage of land recorded in the Tithe Applotment for Beagh Beg was 200 acres with a total valuation of £14 and 14 shillings and 6 pence. (Source: National Archives)

 

1841 and 1851 Old Age Pension Census Search Forms

Three names appear in the 1851 Old Age Pension Census Search Forms for Beagh Beg. These names are Hession, Holmes and Catherine Roche. No first name is given for either Hession or Holmes (the first name of Margaret is given for 1841 Census Search Form for Beagh More). Four townlands, including Beagh Beg are provided for Catherine Roche. Both Beagh Beg and Beagh More are provided for Holmes. For Hession, Beagh Beg townland is solely provided. (Source: National Archives)

The name Honor Hession appears for an 1851 search for the townland of Beaghbag which is most likely Beagh Beg. This may be the Hession individual named above, or possibly a relative of that individual. Details for Honor Hession in the 1851 census returns provided in the search forms show that she was aged 3, her sister Mary 20, and her brother Thomas 20. In 1901 Honor’s age is given as 40, Mary’s as 63 and Thomas as 55. In 1911 their respective ages were 60, 77, and 72. Assuming the 1851 returns are correct in 1901 Honor’s age should be 53, not 40. Mary’s age in 1901 should be 70, not 63, while Thomas’ age should be 62 and not 55. In 1911 Honor’s age should be 63, not 60, Mary’s should be 80 and not 77, while Thomas’ age of 72 would be correct.

Honor made the application dated 20 December 1916 when she would have been 68 years old, assuming the 1851 returns are correct.

 

Valuation Office Books 1824-1856: House & Field Books

The valuation of Ireland was a cadastral survey made for the purpose of levying tax on property.  A valuation price was put on every piece of property in the country and this became the basis on which local tax was charged, at a rate per pound of valuation.  (Source: National Archives)

The 1845 House Books show the following as a house occupier in Beagh Beg:  Bridget Roche. (11 June 1845). (Source: National Archives)

Bridget Roche occupied a house with a barn and stables, store and office which was given an initial valuation of £5 and 1 shilling and 4 pence by valuator Edmund Forrest. This was reduced to £3 and 11 shillings and 8 pence by another valuator, David Williamson. One of the valuators also notes that the house occupied by Bridget Roche was “near the chapel keeps a public house”. There was a chapel across the road from Beagh Beg in Ballintleva.

In 1854 the House Books shows the following as house occupiers in Beagh Beg: Bridget Roache, John Kyne, Michael Monoghan, Michael Hessian, James Burke, James Reilly, Walter Cravin, William Casey and Michael Casey (all 24 February 1854) (Source: National Archives)

John Kyne occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £1 and 19 shillings which was increased to £2. Michael Monoghan occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £1 and 16 shillings which was reduced to 18 shillings. Michael Hessian occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £1 and 8 shillings which was reduced to 15 shillings. James Burke occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £2 and 7 shillings which was reduced to £1 and 5 shillings. James Reilly occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £1 and 18 shillings which was reduced to £1. Walter Cravin occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £2 and 4 shillings which was reduced to £1. William Casey occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £2 and 3 shillings which was reduced to £1. Michael Casey occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £1 and 9 shillings which was reduced to 15 shillings. Bridget Roche occupied a house and offices with an initial valuation of £5 and 1 shilling and 7 pence which was reduced to £2 and 10 shillings.

 

1855 Griffith’s Valuation

Between 1847 and 1864, Richard Griffith was responsible for carrying out the Primary Valuation of Tenements (generally referred to as Griffith’s Valuation because of his role in the project). The aim of the valuation was to produce a uniform guide to the relative value of land throughout the whole of Ireland in order to decide liability to pay the Poor rate (for support of the poor and destitute within each Poor Law Union). The project required Griffith and a team of valuers to determine the value of every piece of land and property in the country enabling every occupiers’ tax due to be assessed. The information they collated covering all 32 counties was compiled into over 300 volumes and published over a period of 17 years. (Source: Find My Past)

Griffith’s Valuation records the following occupiers in Beagh Beg as James Burke, Michael Casey, William Casey, Walter Craven, Martin Farrington, Michael Hession, Denis Kirwan, John Kyne, Michael Monaghan, James Reilly, Bridget Roche and Michael Roche. (Source: Ask About Ireland)

Denis Kirwan occupied land ‘In Fee’* totalling 86 acres, 3 roods and 8 perches which had a valuation of £6.

* Lands held ‘in fee’ were freehold tenures, derived from a grant from the Crown.

Michael Roche occupied land totalling 142 acres and 1 rood which had a valuation of £90. Martin Farrington occupied land totalling 10 acres, 2 roods and 32 perches which had a valuation of £7. John Kyne occupied a house and offices with land totalling 24 acres and 2 roods which had a valuation of £15 and 10 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of 15 shillings. In addition, John Kyne occupied a parcel of land totalling 12 acres and 3 perches which had a valuation of £6 and 10 shillings. Michael Monaghan occupied a house and offices with land totalling 3 roods and 17 perches which had a valuation of 10 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of 10 shillings. In addition, Michael Monaghan occupied a parcel of land totalling 2 acres, 1 rood and 20 perches which had a valuation of £1 and 5 shillings. Michael Hessian occupied a house and offices with land totalling 2 acres, 2 roods and 30 perches which had a valuation of £1 and 15 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of 10 shillings. In addition, Michael Hessian occupied two parcels of land, one totalling 1 acre and 23 perches which had a valuation of 10 shillings; the second parcel measured 5 acres and 13 perches which had a valuation of £2 and 15 shillings.  James Burke occupied a house, offices, cottier’s house with land totalling 28 acres, 2 roods and 23 perches which had a valuation of £15, the buildings had a valuation of £1 and 5 shillings. In addition, James Burke occupied a parcel of land totalling 1 acres, 1 rood and 3 perches which had a valuation of 10 shillings. James Reilly occupied a house and offices with land totalling 8 acres, 3 roods and 30 perches which had a valuation of £4 and 15 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of 15 shillings. Walter Craven occupied a house and offices with land totalling 2 acres and 10 perches which had a valuation of £5, the buildings had a valuation of £1. William Casey occupied a house and offices with land totalling 7 acres, 3 roods and 30 perches which had a valuation of £4, the buildings had a valuation of 15 shillings. In addition, William Casey occupied a parcel of land totalling 2 acres, 1 rood and 20 perches which had a valuation of £1 and 5 shillings.  Michael Casey occupied a house and offices with land totalling 2 acres, 2 roods and 28 perches which had a valuation of £1 and 10 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of 10 shillings. Bridget Roche occupied a house and offices with land totalling 4 acres, 1 rood and 21 perches which had a valuation of £2 and 10 shillings, the buildings had a valuation of £2. In addition, Bridget Roche occupied a parcel of land totalling 8 acres, 2 roods and 2 perches which had a valuation of £4 and 15 shillings. The immediate lessor for all the non-in fee properties recorded in the Griffith’s Valuation for Beagh Beg was Denis Kirwan.

 

Population Statistics

The following statistics are from the census return records from 1842 to 1891 and the National Archives census returns for 1901 and 1911. (Source: Histpop)

1841: 22 houses, 155 people (72 males and 83 females)

1851: 11 houses (incl. 1 unoccupied), 77 people (41 males and 36 females)

1861: 10 houses, 82 people (44 males and 38 females)

1871: 12 houses, 80 people (44 males and 36 females)

1881: 11 houses, 69 people (38 males and 31 females)

1891: 12 houses (incl. 1 unoccupied), 69 people (38 males and 31 females)

1901: 8 houses, 44 people (23 males and 21 females)

1911: 8 houses, 48 people (24 males and 24 females)

 

1901 Census

The 1901 Census of Ireland records the following 44 individuals living in 8 households in Beaghbeg. (Source: National Archives)

1. John Judge (77) lived with his wife Kate (60), sons William Jr. (37) and John (25), daughter Delia (20), daughter in law Bridget (31), granddaughter Josephine (2), grandson John Joseph (1 months) and servant Margaret Glynn (14). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John Sr. and John Jr’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Kate’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Wife. William’s occupation was listed as a Receiving Officer. Delia and Bridget’s occupation was listed as House Keeper. Josephine and John Joseph were listed as scholars. Margaret Glynn’s occupation was listed as a General Servant. All householders could read and write with the exception of Josephine and John Joseph. All householders could speak Irish and English with the exception of Josephine.

2. John Casey (55) lived with his wife Anne (50), sons Willie (22) and John Jr. (18). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John Sr’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Anne’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Wife. Willie and John Jr’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Son. All householders could read and write. All householders could speak Irish and English.

3. Honor Burke (61) a widow, lived with her son Patrick (29), daughters Celia (25), Delia (23) and Mary (20) and boarder Thomas McCarthy (40). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Honor’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Patrick’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Son. Mary and Delia’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Daughter. Celia’s occupation was listed as a Dressmaker. Thomas McCarthy’s occupation was listed as a National Teacher. All householders could read and write with the exception of Honor. All householders could speak Irish and English.

4. Michael Hession (45) lived with his sisters Honor (40) and Mary (63) and brother Thomas (55). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Michael and Thomas’ occupation was listed as a Farmer. Honor and Mary’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Sister. Michael and Honor could read and write and speak Irish and English. Under the Specified Illnesses heading, Thomas and Mary were listed as “Deaf and Dumb”,

5. Thomas Monaghan (60) lived with his wife Anne (48), sons Willie (22), Thomas Jr. (20) and John (12) and daughters Julia (18) and Annie (16). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Thomas Sr., Willie and Thomas Jr’s occupation was listed as a Black Smith. Anne’s occupation was listed as a Black Smith Wife. John’s occupation was listed as a Black Smith Son. Julia and Annie’s occupation was listed as a Black Smith Daughter. All householders could read and write with the exception of Thomas Sr. and Anne. Only Thomas Sr. and Anne could speak Irish and English.

6. Michael Burke (26) lived with his wife Mary (23), daughter Julia (9 months), brother Thomas (23) and brother-in-law James Roche (17). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Michael and Thomas’ occupation was listed as a Farmer. Mary’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Wife. Julia’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Daughter. James Roche’s occupation was listed as a Farm Labourer. All householders could read and write with the exception of Julia. All householders could speak Irish and English with the exception of Julia and James.

7. Anne Kyne (65) lived with her son Martin (37), daughter Winifred (34) and servant Thomas Martyn (33). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Anne and Martin’s occupation was listed as a Farmer, Winifred’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Sister. Thomas Martyn’s occupation was listed as a Farm Servant. All householders could read and write with the exception of Anne. All householders could speak Irish and English.

8. Bridget Farrington (60) a widow, lived with her son John (33), daughter in law Mary (26), grandsons Martin (1) and Pat (6 months). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Bridget’s occupation was listed as a Farmer, John, Martin and Pat’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Son. Mary’s occupation was listed as a Farmer’s Daughter. Only John and Mary could read and write. All householders could speak Irish and English with the exception of Martin and Pat.

All eight houses were second class houses, all houses had a roof of thatched, wood or other perishable material. All houses had walls constructed of either brick, stone or concrete. All houses had three front windows. There were seven stables, eight cow houses, six calf houses, eight piggeries, six fowl houses and seven barns.

 

1911 Census

There were 8 houses in Beaghbeg with a total of 48 individuals recorded in the 1911 Census of Ireland. (Source: National Archives)

1. John Judge (89) lived with his wife of 49 years Kate (74), son William (48), daughter in law Bridget (44), son John Jr. (37), daughter Delia (46), granddaughters Josephine (12) and Kathleen (6), grandsons John Joseph (10), Willie (4) and Vincent (3) and servant William Hynes (28). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John Sr. and John Jr’s occupation was listed as a Farmer, William’s occupation was listed as a Relieving Officer. Josephine, John Joseph, Katheen and Willie were listed as scholars. William Hynes was listed as a Farm Servant. No occupation was listed for the remaining householders. All householders could read and write with the exception of Willie and Vincent. John Sr., Kate, William, John Jr., Delia and William Hynes could speak Irish and English. John Sr. and Kate had 5 children, 4 of whom were still living in 1911. William and Bridget had been married for 13 years and had 5 children., all of whom were still living in 1911.

2. John Casey (72) lived with his wife of 40 years Anne (70), sons William (32) and John Jr. (27). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John Sr’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. William’s occupation was listed as Farmer’s Son. John Jr’s occupation was listed as a Postman. No occupation was listed for Anne. All householders could read and write. All householders could speak Irish and English. John Sr. and Anne had 4 children, all of whom were still living in 1911.

3. Honor Burke (72) lived with her son Pat (38), daughters Celia (31), Delia (29) and Mary (26) and boarder Thomas McCarthy (50). All householders were born in Co Galway with the exception of Thomas McCarthy who was born in Co Cork. All householders were Roman Catholic. Honor’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Pat’s occupation was listed as a Dairy Inspector. Celia’s occupation was listed as a Dressmaker. Edward, Thomas McCarthy’s occupation was listed as a School Teacher. No occupation was listed for Delia or Mary. All householders could read and write with the exception of Honor. All householders could speak Irish and English.

4. Thomas Monahan (76) lived with his wife of 40 years Anne Sr. (68), daughter Anne Jr. (30) and son John (28). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Thomas and John’s occupation was listed as a Smith. No occupation was listed for Anne Sr. or Anne Jr. All householders could read and write with the exception of Anne Jr. and John. All householders could speak Irish and English. Thomas and Anne Sr. had 5 children, all of whom were still living in 1911.

5. Honor Hession (60) lived with her brother Thomas (72) and sister Mary (77). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. No occupation was listed for any of the householders. Only Honor could read and write and speak Irish and English. Under the Specified Illnesses heading, Thomas and Mary are listed as “Deaf and Dumb”.

6. Martin Kyne (53) lived with his sister Winnifred (50), nephew Peter (11) and lodger John Brown (50). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Martin’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Peter was listed as a Scholar. John Brown’s occupation was listed as a Farm Servant. No occupation was listed for Winnifred. All householders could read and write with the exception of John Brown. All householders could speak Irish and English.

7. Michael Burke (39) lived with his wife of 13 years Mary Sr. (34), sons John Jr. (12) and Michael (6 months), daughters Delia (8), Mary Jr. (6), Maggie (4) and Kate (2). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Michael Sr’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. John, Delia, Mary and Maggie were listed as scholars. No occupation was listed for Mary Sr., Kate and Michael Jr. Michael Sr., Mary Sr., john and Delia could read and write, while Mary Jr. could read only. All householders could speak Irish and English with the exception of Michael Jr. Michael Sr. and Mary Sr. had 8 children, 7 of whom were still living in 1911.

8. John Farrington (48) lived with his wife of 14 years Mary Sr. (49), mother Bridget (80), daughters Mary Jr. (13) and Bridie (9), sons Martin (12) and Patrick (11). All householders were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. John’s occupation was listed as a Farmer. Mary Jr., Martin, Patrick and Bridie were listed as scholars. No occupation was listed for Mary Sr. or Bridget. All householders could read and write with the exception of Bridget. All householders could speak Irish and English with the exception of Bridie who spoke English only and Bridget who spoke Irish only. John and Mary Sr. had 4 children, all of whom were still living in 1911.

All eight houses were second class houses, all houses had a roof of thatched, wood or other perishable material. All houses had walls constructed of either brick, stone or concrete. Seven houses had three front windows with one house having four. There were eight stables, seven cow houses, seven piggeries, four fowl houses, four sheds and one forge.