Cossaun is situated 3 miles North of Athenry, bounded on the North and West by Abbeyknockmoy and Lackagh Parishes, N.E. by Monivea Parish and on the South and S.E. by Carnaun, Castle Ellen and St.Ellen respectively.
The Down Survey map provides no record of this townland and indicates the map of the barony of Athenry was destroyed in 1711.
O’Donovan’s Field Name Books provide various spellings of this townland: Cossaun, Cosán, Cussaun B. S. Sketch Map, Cussane Barony Map, Cussane County Map, Mountain Farm Cusane High Constable 1838, Cussane Vestry Book 1826.
The Tithe Applotment books show that Thos Mahon occupied 8 ½ acres of land. He paid £0 8s 10 ¼ d in tax. Mich Lynch paid £0 11s 9d in tax for his 23 ½ acres of terrain. Thos Shanghnessy paid £0 12s for his 24 acres of terrain. John Flesk’s acre of land cost him 6d of tax. Widow Coen paid 3d for 1 acre. John Gardener paid 10d for his 1 ¾ acres of land. The tithes were calculated using pounds, shillings, and pence.
According to Griffith’s Valuation 1855, Thomas Mahon leased tenements to Mary Shaughnessy, Thomas Higgins, Thomas Blackball, and Michael Gardiner. William Kelly also listed tenements to Edward Mullins, Patrick Rabbitt, Thomas Madden, Michael Madden, Richard Jordan, John Jordon. Thomas Mahon was cited as being ‘in Fee’. In fee were freehold tenures, derived from a grant from the crown.
Mary Shaughnessy paid £13-0-0 in tax for 25 acres and 34 perches of land encompassing her house, offices, and land. Thomas Higgins paid £6-5-0 for 35 acres and 22 perches of land, offices, and a house. Thomas Blackball’s 30 acres, 2 roods, and 2 perches of house, offices and land cost him £5-10-0 in tax. Michael Gardiner paid £1-10-0 in tax for his 3 acres and 5 perches of house and land. Patrick Rabbitt paid £7-0-0 of tax for his £26 acres and 7 perches of land. Edward Mullins paid £5-0-0 for his land accumulating 16 acres, 3 roods, and 14 perches. Michael and Thomas Madden’s houses, offices, and land jointly amalgamated to 38 acres, 2 roods, and 24 perches. Michael Madden paid £6-10-0, and Thomas Madden paid £ 7-0-0 in tax. Richard and John Jordon jointly held 30 acres, 2 roods, and 39 perches of houses, offices and land. They paid £5-5-0 in tax individually.
There were 9 households in Cossaun in 1901. 9 individuals were listed as head of household. A total of 41 inhabitants were recorded, 17 male and 24 female. All the residents in this townland were from County Galway and Roman Catholic. The census forms which were collected on the 9th of April showed that all the houses were inhabited and were private dwellings. All of the walls of the houses were made from stone, brick or concrete. The roofs were made from thatch, wood, or another perishable material.
John Shaughnessy (70) was a widowed farmer. He lived with his single daughter Mary Bane (40), married son James Bane (30), and unmarried boarder who was a cook/ domestic servant. Norah Moloney (35). All 4 were able to read and write and spoke both Irish and English. They lived in a 4 roomed, 2nd class house, with 3 front windows. John Shaughnessy owned the land his house resided on along with a stable, cow house, piggery, and fowl house.
Thomas Jordon (60) was a farmer. He lived with his wife Julia (58), daughters Bridget Bane (25) who was married, Norah Jordon (23), Catherine Jordon (22) a dressmaker, and niece Katie Bane (6). Everyone was able to read and write and speak both Irish and English, but Katie. Thomas Jordon lived in a 7 roomed, 2nd class house with 4 front windows. Thomas Jordon owned terrain in which his house, stable, cow house, and piggery were situated.
Kate Mullan (60) was a married farmer. She lived with her married son Mike (30), daughter-in-law Maria (29), granddaughter Katie (5), grandsons Pat (3), Edward (1), and niece Noney [SIC] (11). Noney, Edward, Pat, and Kate (60) were not able to read and write but the rest of the household could. Noney, Maria, and Mike spoke both Irish and English while Kate (60) spoke Irish only, and the rest of the children spoke English only. All 7 lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class house, with 3 front windows. Kate Mullan owned the holdings his house, cow house, and piggery were situated.
Michael Mullin (74) was a single farmer. He was able to read and write and spoke both Irish and English. He dwelled within a 2 roomed, 3rd class house with 2 front windows. He owned the land his house, piggery, and fowl house resided.
John Gardiner (61) was a married carpenter. He lived with his wife Mary (63), married son Michael (30) a carpenter, daughter in law Nora (30). Granddaughters Sarah (3), Mary (1), and a farm servant John Flaherty (50). Sarah, Mary (1), and John Flaherty could not read and write but the rest of the inhabitants could. Everyone spoke both Irish and English but Sarah and Mary (1). John Gardiner lived in a 3 roomed, 3rd class house with 2 front windows. John Gardiner owned the land his stable, cow house, piggery, and house occupied.
Mary Cullinane (38) was a widowed farmer. She lived with her son John (18), daughters Mary-Kate, Elizabeth, and son Patrick (12). Everyone was able to read and write and spoke both Irish and English. They lived in a 3 roomed, 3rd class house with 2 front windows. Mary Cullinane owned the holdings his house, cow house, and piggery were situated.
John Allen (74) was a married herd. He lived with his wife Bridget (70). They both spoke Irish and English, and neither could read. They lived in a single roomed, 4th class house with 0 front windows. He owned the land his house resided along with a fowl house.
Pat Higgins (35) was a farmer. He lived with his wife Delia [SIC] (38), son Thomas Higgins (11), and servant Mary Hart (60). No one could read and write, and everyone spoke both Irish and English but Thomas Higgins who spoke English only. They lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. Pat owned the land his house resided on, along with a cow house, and piggery.
Bridget Madden (65) was a widowed farmer. She lived with her daughter Bridget (40), son Patrick (35), and servant Thomas Carrol (18). They all were able to read and write and spoke both Irish and English. They lived in a 3 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. She owned the land her house, stable, cow house, piggery, and fowl house resided.
There were 7 households in Cossaun in 1911. There were 41 inhabitants, 4 were male and 20 were female. All the occupants were Roman Catholic and originated from County Galway. The heads of households were: Patrick Madden, Mary Bane, Edward Tracy, Michael Mullin, Michael Gardiner, Mary Cullinan, and Pat Higgins. The census forms, which were collected on the 14th April 1911, showed that all the houses were listed as private dwellings. Each house roof was made of thatch, wood, or another perishable material, while all of the walls were made from stone, brick, or concrete.
Patrick Madden (49) was a farmer. He lived with his wife of 7 years Elizabeth (32). They had 3 children together but only 2 were alive in 1911. He also lived with his sister Winifred (56), sons Joseph M (2 ½) and James (1) and single domestic servant Margaret Foard (18). Everyone spoke both Irish and English except for Joseph and James who had no language listed for them suggesting they spoke English only. They lived in a 4 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. Patrick owned the land his house, stable, cow house, calf house, fowl house, barn, shed, cart home, and 2 piggeries resided.
Mary Bane (50) was a farmer. He lived with his sister Margaret (36), farm servant Martin Flaherty (35). All 3 were able to read and write and spoke both Irish and English. Mary Bane owned the land her house, stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house, barn, and cart house resided.
Edward Tracy (35) was a farmer. He had been married for 7 years to Mary (34) during which time they had 3 children together. They lived with their 2 daughters Mary (4) and Nora (3), son Martin (18 months) and niece Katie Bane (10). Nora and Martin could not read or write but the rest of the inhabitance could. Edward and his wife spoke both Irish and English, but the rest of the residents could not. They lived in a 2 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. Edward owned the holdings his house, stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house, and barn resided.
Michael Mullin (43) was the head of household and a widowed farmer. He resided with his widowed mother Catherine (73), sons Pat (12), Edward (11), sister Kate (36), and 3 daughters Kate (14), Mary (10), and Annie (5). Everyone was able to read and write and spoke English only but Catherine (73) who could neither read nor spoke English as she spoke Irish only. They lived in a 3 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. Catherine owned the holdings his house, stable, cow house, piggery, barn, and cart house resided.
Michael Gardiner (40) was a married farmer. He had been married for 15 years to Honor (41), during which time she had 9 children, 7 of which were still alive at the time of the census. He also lived with his sons Michael (5), John (3), Martin (6 months), widowed father John (71), daughters Sarah (14), Bridget (12), Mary (9), Honor (4), and a farm servant John Flaherty (69). Michael (40) and Honor (41) were able to speak both Irish and English. Michaels’ 3 sons and servant were not able to read or write but the rest of the inhabitants could. They all resided in a 3 roomed, 2nd class house, with 2 front windows. Michael owned the terrain his house, stable, cow house, piggery, and barn occupied.
Mary Cullinan (49) was a widowed famer. She dwelled with her sons John (29) and Patrick (23). Mary could read and write although both of her sons could not. All 3 spoke both Irish and English. They lived in a 4 roomed, 2nd class house with 2 front windows. Mary owned the holdings her house and stable were situated.
Pat Higgins (45) was a widowed farmer. He lodged with his sons Thomas (12), Pat (4), and John (2). Everyone was able to read and write but Pat. Pat was able to speak both Irish and English, but the rest of the inhabitants spoke English only. Pat lived in a 3 roomed, 2nd class house with 3 front windows. Pat owned the terrain his house, stable, cow house, piggery and barn occupied.
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