Gorteenfadda

 

Field in Gorteenfadda

Carmel O'Rourke

Civil Parish of Kilbegnet

An Goirtín Fada, long little field

Gorteenfadda is situated in the civil parish of Kilbegnet, Barony of Ballymoe, County Galway. Located at the South boundary of Kilbegnet parish, Gorteenfadda joins the parish of Killeroran, Barony of Killian, County Galway.

The Down Survey Map states the 1680 owner of Gorteenfadda, spelt Gorteenfaddagh, was John Bourke (Catholic). There were 213 plantation acres of unprofitable land, while 111 plantation acres were profitable. 111 plantation acres were forfeited.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books indicates a portion of bog and wood can be found in the South of Gorteenfadda, while the remaining land is tillage and pasture.

Census 1841-1851

According to the 1851 census, Gorteenfadda consists of 238 acres, 2 roods and 24 perches. The 1841 population was 102 people, 58 were male and 44 were female. There were 16 houses in 1841, all of which were occupied. By 1851 the population had decreased to 64 people, 32 of whom were male and 32 were female. The 12 houses in 1851 were each occupied. The poor law valuation rate paid in 1851 was £56-10-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864

According to Griffith’s Valuation, Allen Pollock was the immediate lessor of the land. Patrick Conneran rented house, office and land measuring 22 acres, 0 roods and 33 perches and another holding of house and land measuring 17 acres, 2 roods and 12 perches. Patrick paid £17-10-0 in total. William Carroll and Thomas Carroll jointly rented 14 acres, 1 rood and 20 perches on the same holding. William paid £3-10-0 for house, office and land and Thomas paid £3-5-0 for house and land.

Andrew Muldoon and Thomas Muldoon jointly rented 14 acres, 2 roods and 24 perches. Andrew paid £4-0-0 for house, office and land and Thomas paid £3-10-0 for land. John Muldoon rented 12 acres, 1 rood and 33 perches of house, office and land, 14 acres, 0 roods and 28 perches of land and another 1 acre, 2 roods and 6 perches of land on the same holding. John paid a total of £13-0-0.

Barthw. Fitzmaurice paid £5-0-0 for 11 acres, 1 rood and 24 perches of land. Owen Brandon paid £3-10-0 for 7 acres, 1 rood and 28 perches of house and land. John Mulryan paid a total of £3-10-0 for 8 acres, 0 roods and 8 perches of land and 0 acres, 1 rood and 0 perches of cottier’s house and garden.

Allen Pollock kept a portion of land measuring 14 acres, 11 roods and 16 perches and another 69 acres, 2 roods and 32 perches of bog and plantation in fee with a value of £11-10-0. John Mannion rented 4 acres, 1 rod and 15 perches of land for £1-15-0 from Allen Pollock. Patrick Carroll and William Conneran jointly rented 26 acres, 1 rood and 25 perches of land, each paying £4-5-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property was £78-10-0.

Census 1901

There was only 1 household in Gorteenfadda in 1901, occupied by Luke Tiernan. The house was listed as a private dwelling and there were no farm buildings. The census forms were collected on the 10^th of April.

Luke Tiernan (61) was a widower who lived alone. Luke’s occupation was listed as Army pensioner- service connery to range [sic]. Luke was born in County Galway and was a Roman Catholic. Luke could not read, and no language was recorded, suggesting he spoke English only. He lived in a 4^th class house with no front windows and just 1 room. The walls of the house were made of permanent material, while the roof was made of perishable material. Hubert Satchwell was the landholder.

Census 1911

Despite research, no Census Records for the year 1911 could be found for Gorteenfadda as of the 15th of May 2020.