Ballinderreen

Ballinderreen is a townland located in the Civil Parish of Drumacoo, and the Barony of Dunkellin.

The standard name for this townland is Ballinderreen, with the Irish form of the name being Baile an doirín, which translates to: town of the little derry or oak wood.

Other Forms of the Name – This townland has been referred to in different forms, as well as the standard and Irish form, including; Ballinderone, in the county book, Ballindereen, on the 1832 County Register, Ballindirreen, when referring to the High Constable for the Barony, and Ballindeoreen on the 1901 census.

Records from various sources confirm that the proprietors for this townland were known as A.F. St George, and Agent John O’Hara. This townland is rented at £71, with the lease of one life. The land was made up of soil and light clay, which allowed the production of wheat, oats and potatoes. The R. C. Chapel stands on the E. boundary built by subscription 70 years ago. There is a straggling village, which is named after the townland and near this lies a fort. There is a School that was originally established in 1836.

Other Placenames in/near this townland are:

• Ballanderreen (village)
• Ballanderreen Fort
• Ballanderreen Lough
• Ballinderreen Bridge
• Tobercallagh

Bordering Townlands

This is a list of townlands that share a border with Ballinderreen:

• Ballyvullaun
• Crosheen
• Gortaroe
• Killeenaran
• Muggaunaugh
• Mulroog East

Griffith’s Valuation (1855)

Griffith’s Valuation has recorded the area of this townland to be 185 Acres, 0 Roods and 20 Perches.

The land value at the time would have been £68.15s.0d

The currency measures at the time was in the form of Pounds, Shillings, Pence (£.s.d)

In Ballinderreen, there was a total of 12 landholdings in the townland, with 15 different occupiers.

Plot 1 was shared between 2 occupiers, rented out to Christopher St George and comes to a value of £13.15s.0d.

1a. Walter Martin – a house, offices and land – £13.0s.0d

1b. Martin Kelly – a house and garden – £0.15s.0d

Plot 2 was owned by Michael Ward, who owned and occupied the 7^th plot also, which included a house.

2. Michael Ward – Land – £1.10s.0d

Plot 3 was owned by Hugh Martin, who also owned and occupied the 8^th landholding in this townland.

3. Hugh Martin – A house, offices and land – £9.10s.0d

Landholding 4 and 5 were both owned by Walter Martin, adding to a value of £8.15s.0d

4. Walter Martin – Land – £5.15s.0d
5. Walter Martin – A house and land – £3.0s.0d

Plot 6 came to a value of £11.0s.0d, and was subdivided into 4 separate landholdings.

6a. John Quinn – A house, office and land – £8.0s.0d

6b. Margaret Gorman – A house and garden – £1.0s.0d

6c. Patrick Cowan – A house and garden – £1.0s.0d

6d. Cecilia Ward – A house and garden – £1.0s.0d

7. Michael Ward – A house and land – £6.0s.0d
8. Hugh Martin – Land – £4.0s.0d

Plot 9 was owned by John Connolly, originally from Gortaboy, Galway.

9. John Connolly – Land – £3.10s.0d
10. Patrick Connor – A house and land – 4.5s.0d

Plot 11 was split into 2 subdivisions, both owned by John Fitzgerald, which was land, as well as more land and a Roman Catholic Chapel. The plot had a total value of £16.10s.0d

11. John Fitzgerald – Land – £2.10s.0d

11a. John Fitzgerald – R.C. Chapel and Land – £14.0s.0d

12. Patrick Connolly – A house and land – £4.0s.0d

1901 Census – Ballinderreen

The 1901 census for Ballinderreen (also noted as Ballindeoreen) is not divided into streets, but instead composed of all the houses found in the townland. The 1901 census was taken on 31^st March, and allows us to see who slept in each house on this particular night. The day after, these forms were collected and collated for future references. In Ballinderreen, there were 13 occupied houses recorded on the census, and 1 unoccupied unit, which is noted as being the national school. 36 people were recorded as living in Ballinderreen in 1901, 17 males and 19 females.

Residents

House 1: Martin’s –The Martin Family occupied House 1 listed on the census. Patrick Martin, aged 60, who worked as a farmer, was the head of the household. He lived with his wife, Mary Martin, who was aged 55, as well as their two sons, Thomas and Patrick, aged 22 and 20. They all identified as Roman Catholic. In the household, all members were able to read and write, as well as speaking both Irish and English. Both son’s occupations are simply listed as ‘Farmer’s son’, while Mary has no occupation listed. Their house had stone-type walls and a thatched type roof, 2 front windows, and 3 rooms occupied by the family. It also had 3 outoffices, a stable, a cow house and a piggery, and was deemed to be a 3^rd class house.

House 2:Cloran’s – Mark Cloran, aged 32, was the head of the second household in Ballinderreen. He lived with his wife aged 28, Anne, their son, John, aged 4 and his mother-in-law, widow Marget Martin, aged 60. Mark was the only person in the household working, as a farmer. All the adults in the house could speak Irish and English, as well as having the ability to read and write. Their house was a private dwelling with 2 outoffices, noted as a cow house and a piggery. The house had stone-type walls, and a wooden or thatched-type roof with 3 front windows, and 4 rooms occupied by the family. It was categorised as a 2^nd class house.

House 3: Spelman’s – House 3 was occupied by husband and wife, Patt and Norah Spelman, aged 45 and 40. Patt worked a farmer, whilst Norah was a housekeeper. Both individuals were both in County Galway, were able to read and write, spoke Irish and English and were Roman Catholics. They lived in a 3^rd class house, which had a thatched or wooden roof, tone-type walls and 2 windows at the front of the house. 2 outoffices were also recorded, a piggery and a cowhouse.

House 4: Quinn’s The Quinn family lived in House 4, with Patrick Quinn, aged 40, who worked as a farmer, being the head of the household. He resided with his wife Mary, aged 30, and their 3 children. They had 2 daughters, Mary (5) and Bridget (1) and one son named John. (4) Patrick’s mother-in-law, Rose, aged 80, also lived with them, and was described as being deaf on the census, as well as being unable to read and write, unlike everyone else living in the household. Their house had 2 front windows, stone-type walls and a wooden roof, with their family occupying 4 rooms. They also had 2 outoffices which were a piggery and cowhouse. All these features deemed it to be a 3rd class house.

House 5: Kearney’s – Patrick Kearney was the head of Household 5, and lived alone. At the time of the census, he was aged 55 and worked as a farmer. He was able to read and write, speak Irish and English and was a Roman Catholic. He lived in a private dwelling with 2 outoffices, a cowhouse and a piggery. He lived in a 3^rd class house, occupying 2 rooms, which had stone-type walls and a thatched roof.

House 6: Warde – Three people occupied this residence, with Celia Warde, aged 25 being the head of the household. She was employed as a farmer, and resided with her brother Daniel, aged 18, who worked as a labourer on the farm. They also lived with their 15 year old sister, Mary, who did domestic work. All the siblings were Roman Catholic, able to read and write, and could speak both Irish and English. They lived together in a 3^rd class house with 2 outoffices, and occupied 2 rooms.

House 7: Newell/Clasby – In this 2^nd class parochial home, lived 2 residents at the time of census. William Newell was the head of the household, aged 45, and a parish priest for the Roman Catholic Church. Living with him was his servant, Minnie Clasby, aged 18 and originally coming from America. Her occupation, as written on the census, is ‘cook’. Both were able to read and write, and spoke Irish and English. Their house had 3 front windows, stone-type walls, and a thatched roof, as well as two outoffices, a stable and cowhouse. They occupied 5 rooms in the house.

House 8: Birmingham – Michael Birmingham was the head of the household, aged 60, living with his 58 year old wife, Mary. They were both employed, Michael as a stonecutter, and Mary as a housekeeper. Michael was born in the town of Galway, and Mary in County Galway.  Their house was classified as 3^rd class, as it had 1 front window, a wooden roof and walls made of a perishable material. 2 outoffices were identified, a cowhouse and a piggery, and they rented this property off of Patrick Kearney, who also lived in Ballinderreen.

House 9: St George – 7 people lived in this house, James St George (37), his wife Delia (32) and their 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughters. James was employed as a fish merchant originally from Galway City, and Delia was a dress maker from Co. Galway. All their children were born in Co. Galway, with the eldest John (8), being the only child able to read and write. The names of their other children were; Thomas J (6), Mary Anne (5), Nora (4), and William (2). All of the St George children were noted in the census as being scholars, and their father is the only one in the household recorded to speak both Irish and English. They all lived together in a 3^rd class house, with 1 front window, and 1 outoffice, recorded as a cowhouse. They occupied 2 rooms.

House 10: Fitzgerald – House 10 was occupied by Honoria Fitzgerald, and her three children on the day of the census. It also indicated Honoria, aged 56, was married, and isn’t written as the head of household, so we assume her husband was away on the night of the census. She was employed as a publican. Her daughter, also named Honoria and aged 27 worked as a barmaid, while her other daughter Ellen, aged 21, was a general servant. Her son Thomas was aged 22 and worked as a general labourer. They were all able to read and write, as well as speak Irish and English. They all lived together in a public house, with 2 front windows, 2 outoffices and was deemed as 3^rd class.

House 11: Gorman – Bridget Gorman lived alone in the 11^th house identified in Ballinderreen. She was aged 55, unmarried and worked as a wash woman. She could read but couldn’t write, and she spoke both Irish and English. She rented a 3^rd class house off of Patrick Quinn, who resided in House 4, and in which she had 1 front window, occupying one room only, with no outoffices recorded.

House 12: Fitzgerald – Joseph Fitzgerald was aged 60, and the head of household occupying the 12^th house indicated on the 1901 census. He was a farmer, married and living with his wife Bridget, aged 65, who was also a farmer. They were both able to read only, and both spoke Irish and English, with the census also indicating that Bridget Fitzgerald was deaf. They also lived with Sabina Keane, Joseph’s cousin, who was aged 86 and unable to read. They had 2 front windows, a wooden-type roof and stone-type walls. They occupied 1 room, deeming their house 3^rd class.

House 13: Long – Kate Long lived alone in her house, aged 70. It wasn’t recorded that Kate had an occupation, but was originally from County Galway. She was able to read, but not to write, and it was also noted that she was deaf. She resided in a 3^rd class house, occupying one room, which she rented off Patrick Martin.

The last residence noted on the census was written as Ballinderreen National School, which remained unoccupied as a place of residence.

1911 Census – Ballinderreen

In 1911, the census was carried out on the night of Sunday 2^nd April, and represented who slept in each house on that particular night, It was found that there were 11 households noted on the census, as well as 2 non-residential buildings, Ballinderreen National School, and the Roman Catholic Church. The townland comprised of a population of 37, 19 males and 18 females, all of whom were Roman Catholic.

Residents

House 1 – Cloran – Mark Cloran was the head of the household, aged 50 and was employed as a farmer. At the time of the census, he had been married for 13 years to Anne Cloran, who was aged 43, and originally from County Clare. They had one child, 15 year old son, John who was a scholar. As well as this, the family lived with Mark’s mother-in-law, Margaret Martyn, who was a widower, aged 70. All of the household were able to read, with all but Margaret also being able to write. Their house had 3 front windows, stone-type walls and a thatched roof. 5 outoffices were also reported: a stable, cowhouse, piggery, fowl house and a barn. It was deemed to be a 2^nd class house.

House 2 – Martyn – This house was occupied by 4 people, all members of the Martyn family. Patrick was the head of the family, a farmer aged 70. At the time of the census he had been married to his wife, Mary (65) for 42 years. Together, they had 9 children, only 4 of which were still living. They shared House 2 with 2 of their sons, Patrick (30) and Thomas Martyn (32), both with the occupation of ‘Farmer’s son’. They lived in a 2^nd class house, with 5 outoffices: a stable, cowhouse, calf house, fowl house and a barn.

House 3 – Connolly – Patrick Connolly was the head of family, aged 35, working as a blacksmith and farmer. He was married to his wife Celia, aged 37, for 2 years, and they had 2 children, both boys together. The first was Patrick, who was 1 year old, and Christopher, aged 3 months. They also lived with 20 year old James Francis, who was a smith helper and special reservist, employed by Patrick Connolly. All the adults in the household were able to read and write. Their house had 4 outoffices, which were a forge, a stable, cowhouse and piggery. It was deemed as a 2^nd class house, with 3 front windows and stone-type walls.

House 4 – Fitzgerald – This household was occupied by the Fitzgerald family, with Joseph Fitzgerald being the head of the family. He was aged 70, working as a farmer, and had been married to his wife Bridget for 40 years prior to the census being written. She was aged 78, and not seen to have an occupation, but was noted on the census as being deaf. The couple had no children, and also lived with cousin Margaret, who was a single 36 year old, who could read and write, but had no occupation listed. They lived in a 2^nd class house, occupying 3 rooms, with 3 front windows and 2 outoffices.

House 5 – Long – This household comprised of one person, Kate Long. She was aged 80, and a widow, with no children. She was originally from County Galway, spoke Irish and English and is recorded as being deaf. She rented a 3^rd class house from Patrick Martyn, with no outoffices.

House 6 – Quinn – 7 people lived in this house, all members of the Quinn Family. Patrick Quinn was the head of the family, aged 55 and working as a farmer. He lived with his wife and 5 children, 3 daughters and 3 sons. Mary Quinn was aged 45, and had been married to Patrick for 16 years, and doesn’t have a listed occupation. His daughters were named Mary (15), Bridget (12), and Marget, all born in County Galway. Their sons were John (13) and Peter (7). All the children except Marget, the youngest child, were listed as scholars under their occupation. All the family spoke English only, with Patrick being the exception. Their house has 3 front windows, and 3 outoffices recorded: a stable, cow house and a barn. It was deemed a 2^nd class house.

House 7 – Spellman – 3 people occupied this house, with Patrick Spellman being the head of the family, aged 62, working as a farmer. He had been married to his wife Nora, aged 48, for the past 26 years and they had no children. At the time of the census, they also had a boarder named Patrick Cleary living with them , originally from County Mayo, who was 24, working as a National School Teacher. Everyone in the household was able to read and write, as well as speaking Irish and English. Their house had 3 front windows, a slate-type roof, and stone-type walls. The household occupied 6 rooms, as well as having 4 outoffices: a stable, calf house, piggery and a barn. Their house was deemed 2^nd class.

House 8 – Fitzgerald – Honoria Fitzgerald, the head of the family, lived here with her 2 children, a daughter named Ellie, and her son, Thomas. They were aged 71, 24 and 28. It seems from the census that Honoria was once married, but separated from her husband, as she was indicated as married in 1901, but the word married has been scribbled out of this census. She worked as a shop keeper as well as a farmer, with her son Thomas simply having the occupation, ‘Farmer’s Son.’ Everyone in the household was able to read and write, but all only spoke English. They lived in a public house, which was deemed a 2^nd class residence.

House 9 – Kearney – Patrick Kearney was listed to be the only resident of this house. He was aged 75, single and working as a farmer. He was able to read and write, as well as speaking English and Irish. His house had stone-type walls, with a thatched/wood-type roof, and 1 front window. This deemed Kearney’s residence a 3^rd class house.

House 10- Birmingham – Two people occupied this house, Michael Birmingham, and his wife Mary. They were aged 71 and 72, and Michael was employed as a stone cutter. They had been married for 46 years, and had no children.  Mary was able to read and write, while Michael couldn’t. On the census, it indicated that Michael Birmingham was blind. They rented a third class house from their neighbour, Patrick Kearney, which they occupied 1 room.

House 11 – Burke – There were 4 people living in this house, with Patrick Burke, aged 38, being the head of the family. He was employed as a builder and contractor, and at the time of the census, had been married for a year to his wife, Johanna. Johanna was employed as a National School Teacher, and was 32 years of age. Also living with the couple were Patrick’s cousin, Kathleen Molony (19), also a national school teacher, and niece May Quinn (3). May was the only member of the household born in County Galway, with the others born in County Clare. All the adults could read and write, as well as speaking Irish and English.

Building 12 – Ballinderreen National School

Building 13 – Ballinderreen Roman Catholic Church

No further information is given on the census surrounding the National School and the Catholic Church, except for being included on the house and building return form.