Curraghboy

An Currach Buí, yellow marsh

Curraghboy is located in the civil parish of Killeroran, Barony of Killian, County Galway. It lies in the West of Killeroran parish. The townlands of Shanballymore and Trihill West in this parish border Curraghboy. The River Shiven separates it from the townlands of Ballinlass and Cartronearl also in Killeroran parish. The townland of Ballybaun in the civil parish of Killian also bounds Curraghboy.

The Down Survey Map states that Colonel John Kelly (Catholic) was the owner of Curraghboy in 1670 (Post-Cromwell). The Down Survey name was Killeinereagh and Agherahar.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books indicates that the Honble. Martin Ffrench is the owner of Curraghboy and holds it under deed forever. It is stated that the townland is under good cultivation. The majority of the land is under the demesne of Captain Ireland. It pays £6-2 ½ County Cess.

Census 1841-1851

According to the 1851 census, Curraghboy consists of 167 acres, 1 rood and 21 perches. The total population in 1841 was 36 people, 16 of whom were male and 20 were female. There were 6 houses, and all were occupied. The population had decreased slightly by 1851 to 31 people, 10 of whom were male and 21 were female. There were just 3 houses in 1851, each of which were occupied. The poor law valuation rate paid in 1851 was £127-0-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864

According to Griffith’s Valuation, Hon. Martin Ffrench was the immediate lessor of the land. He kept house, offices and land measuring 145 acres, 3 roods and 11 perches in fee worth £130-10-0. Richard Burke rented 21 acres, 2 roods and 10 perches of land from Hon. Martin Ffrench for £9-10-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property was £140-0-0.

Census 1901

There were 3 houses in Curraghboy in 1901, 2 of which were occupied. The total population was 9 people, 4 of whom were male and 5 were female. The heads of the households were Mat Hughes and James Stephenson. The Hughes family in House 1 were born in County Galway. James Stephenson was born in County Leitrim and Sarah H. Stephenson was born in County Wicklow. James and Sarah H. Stephenson were members of the Church of Ireland, while the Hughes family were Roman Catholic.

Each house was listed as a private dwelling. Mrs Mulry was the landholder of House 3, which was uninhabited. There were 20 farm steadings, 15 of which were associated with House 3. In total, there were 5 stables, 1 coach house, 1 harness house, 2 cow houses, 1 piggery, 3 fowl houses, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 2 turf houses, 2 sheds and 1 store. The census forms were collected on the 3rd of April.

Mat Hughes (60) lived with his wife Kate (45), their 3 daughters, Nora (20), Bridget (15) and Scelia (8) and their 2 sons John (13) and Pat (6). Mat worked as a farmer. Both Nora and Bridget were seamstresses. John, Scelia and Pat were scholars. All members of the family could read and write, except Pat who could read only. Mat spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for the others suggesting they spoke English only. The family lived in a 2nd 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 stable, 1 fowl house and 1 turf house. Mrs. Mulry was the landholder.

James Stephenson (48) lived with his wife Sarah H. (49). James was an R.I.C. pensioner. Both James and Sarah could read and write, and as no language was recorded, it is likely they spoke English only. James was born in County Leitrim and Sarah was born in County Wicklow. They both listed their religion as Irish Church. The family occupied a 2nd class dwelling with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Both the walls and the roof of the house were made of perishable material. There was 1 piggery and 1 shed.

Census 1911

There were 3 houses, 2 of which were occupied in Curraghboy in 1911. The total population was 7 people, 5 of whom were male and 2 were female. The heads of the houses were Matthew Hughes and James Stephenson. Each person in House 1 was born in County Galway. James Stephenson was born in County Leitrim and Sarah H. Stephenson was born in County Wicklow. The occupants of House 1 were all Roman Catholic, while James and Sarah H. Stephenson in House 2 were members of the Church of Ireland.

Each house was listed as a private dwelling. House 3 was vacant, and Thomas Mulry was the landholder. There was a total of 3 farm steadings, consisting of 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 shed. The census forms were collected on the 8th of April.

Matthew Hughes (70) lived with his wife Catherine (56), their 2 sons John (23) and Patrick (15) and boarder Patrick Connelly (76) who was listed as being married. Matthew and Catherine had been married for 31 years and had 7 children, all of whom were living in 1911. Matthew was listed as a farmer and herd. John was a farmer’s son and Patrick (15) was a scholar. Patrick (76) worked as a general labourer. All members of the family could read and write. Patrick Connelly could not read or write. Matthew, Catherine and Patrick (76) spoke Irish and English, while no language was recorded for the other suggesting they spoke English only. The family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and 4 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls and the roof of the house. There was 1 cow house and 1 piggery. Thomas Mulry was the landholder.

James Stephenson (58) lived with his wife Sarah H. (64). They had been married for 15 years and had no children. James was an R.I.C. pensioner and Sarah was listed as a housekeeper. Both James and Sarah could read and write. No language was recorded for either family member, suggesting they spoke English only. James was born in County Leitrim and Sarah was born in County Wicklow. They were both members of the Church of Ireland. The family occupied a 2nd class dwelling with 2 front windows and 3 rooms. Both the walls and the roof were made using permanent material. There was 1 shed. Thomas Mulry was the landholder.