Aghrane

Achadh Raithin, field of the ferns

Aghrane is situated in the North East of the civil parish of Killeroran, Barony of Killian, County Galway. It is bounded by the townlands of Lisheinteige, Tullyroe, Hermitage and Kilmore in this parish. Cloonruff located in the civil parish of Athleague, Barony of Killian, County Galway also bounds Aghrane.

The Down Survey Map provides no available information on the townland as of the 10^th of June 2020.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books states the townland is owned by D. Kelly Esq. who holds Aghrane under deed forever. The townland is made up of bog and pasture. It paid £14-5-9 ½ Co. Cess.

Census 1841-1851

According the 1851 census, Aghrane consists of 564 acres, 3 roods and 37 perches. The 1841 population was just 4 people, 2 were male and 2 were female. There was just 1 house. By 1851 the population had increased slightly to 9 people, 5 were male and 4 were female. There were 2 houses in 1851. The poor law valuation rate paid in 1851 was £162-10-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864

According to Griffith’s Valuation, Denis H. Kelly was the immediate lessor of the land. He kept 563 acres, 3 roods and 37 perches of gate-house and land in fee worth £191-10-0. John Dooly rented house and land measuring 1 acre, 0 roods and 0 perches from Denis H. Kelly, paying £0-10-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property was £192-0-0.

Census 1901

There was just 1 household in Aghrane in 1901. The house was headed by James Naughton. Both James and his wife were from County Galway and were Roman Catholic. The house was listed as a private dwelling. The census forms were collected on the 4^th of April.

James Naughton (31) lived with his wife Anne (28). James listed his occupation as ‘head’, while Anne was listed as the head’s wife. Both James and Anne could read and write, and they each spoke Irish and English. The family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls and the roof of the house. There was 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery and 1 barn. C. L. Bagot [SIC] was the landholder.

Census 1911

There were 2 houses in 1911 headed by James Naughton and Patrick Langan. The total population was 5 people, 2 were male and 3 were female. All were born in County Galway, except Anne Langan who was born in County Wexford and all were Roman Catholic. Each house was listed as a private dwelling. There were 5 farm steadings, 2 stables, 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 barn. The census forms were collected on the 13^th of April.

James Naughton (43) was a married farmer who lived with his wife Anne (41) and their daughter Mary Margaret (8). James and Anne had been married for 3 years and had 1 child. Mary Margaret was listed as a scholar. Each member of the family could read and write. No language was listed for any family member, suggesting they spoke English only. The family occupied a 2^nd class dwelling with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls and the roof of the house. James owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable.

Patrick Langan (31) was an unmarried farmer who lived with his widowed mother Anne (72). Anne had been married for 42 years and 4 children before being widowed. Each of her 4 children were living in 1911. Only Patrick could read and write. No language was listed for Patrick or Anne, suggesting they spoke English only. While Patrick was born in County Galway, Anne was born in County Wexford. Both Patrick and Anne were Roman Catholic. The Langan family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. The walls and the roof of the house were made using permanent material. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 barn.

Parish of Athleague

There were 2 houses which were headed by Hamilton Lowry and Peter Walsh. The total population was 6 people, 4 were male and 2 were female. Only Frank Murphy and Peter and Patrick Walsh were Roman Catholic. Hamilton and Adelaide Lowry were members of the Presbyterian Church. Charlotte Glover was a member of the Church of Ireland. There was a total of 19 farm steadings consisting of 2 stables, 10 cow houses, 2 fowl houses, 1 barn, 3 sheds and 1 building where the type is not known. The census forms were collected on the 8^th of April.

Hamilton Lowry (30) lived with his wife Adelaide (30), boarder Frank Murphy (24) and servant Charlotte Glover (14). Hamilton and Adelaide had been married for under one year and had no children. Hamilton was the superintendent of a factory, while Frank was listed as a forester. Each member of the household could read and write. No language was listed for any person, suggesting they each spoke English only. Hamilton was born in County Down, while his wife was from County Cavan. Frank listed his place of birth as County Longford and Charlotte was from County Fermanagh. Hamilton and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Frank was a Roman Catholic and Charlotte’s religion was listed as Church of Ireland. The house was a 1^st class dwelling with 20 front windows and 40 rooms. Permanent material was used to build the walls and the roof of the house. There were 2 stables, 9 cow houses, 2 fowl houses, 1 barn and 1 shed. There was another out building listed, however due to pencil writing the building type is not clear. The landholder is also not clear.

Peter Walsh (40) lived with his son Patrick (14). Peter was listed as married, although there is no record of his wife here. Peter worked as a mason and Patrick was listed as the attending of a mason. Peter and his son could read and write. No language was listed, suggesting they spoke English only. Peter and Patrick were born in Dublin. Both were Roman Catholic. The Walsh family lived in a 2^nd class house with 2 front windows and 8 rooms. The walls and the roof of the house were made using permanent material. There was 1 cow house and 2 sheds. The landholder is not clear as the writing is faded.