Gortnahown

Standard Name: Gortnahown

Irish Form: Gort na habhan

Translation: Field by the river

Other forms of the name: Gurtnahown

Gortnahown is situated South of Athenry and adjacent to the town. It is bounded on the East by Baunmore, North West by Prospect and Newford, South by Furzy park and Farranblankey East (i.e. Farnablake East)

O’Donovans Field Names Book 1838

Records from this source list the lands of Gortnahown as the property of Lord Oranmore containing 60 Statute acres all under tillage. It is bounded on the NE by the road to Loughrea. Its general surface varies from 94 to 134 feet above the level of the sea. On its SW angle is an Island, a part of which belongs to the townland

Gortnahown townland shares a border:

Baunmore

Farranablanky (farnablake)

Furzypark

Newford

Prospect

The Down Survey of Landowners (1641 pre-Cromwell;1671 post Cromwell)

This source names the owner as Martin Browne, a Catholic in 1641 and Oliver Browne, Protestant in 1670.

The map of this Barony was destroyed in 1711. No copies have, so far, come to light.

Griffith’s Valuation (1855) records one land occupier in the Gornahown townland:

James Perry “in fee”. In fee were freehold tenures, derived from a grant from the Crown.

This Griffith Valuation also gives the Area as 60 Statute acres and 2 perches. The total annual valuation of the rateable property at that time was £40. 00. 00d (old pence). Buildings were valued at £0. 0s. 0d. The currency was £ s d i.e. pounds, shillings and pence.

The Tithe Applotment Books (1823 – 37)

One entry for Gortnahown can be traced.

Domk Browne 35 Acres

Tithes £2.14s.8d¼ annually.

(Tithes were paid in Pounds (£) Shillings (s) Pence (d) and fractions of pence)

Gortnahown was not a listed townland for the 1901 or 1911 Census of Population.