Eskermurray

Eiscir Uí Mhuirígh, O’Murray’s Esker or ridge

Eskermurry is situated in the civil parish of Killeroran, Barony of Killian, County Galway. Eskermurry is located in the extreme West of Killeroran parish. It is bounded by Cloonnabricka in this parish. The River Shiven separates it from the townlands of Islands and Thoancur in the civil parish of Killian and from Derrymore in the parish of Killosolan, Barony of Tiaquin.

The Down Survey Map indicates the 1670 (Post-Cromwell) owner of Eskermurry was Colonel John Kelly (Catholic). The Down Survey name was Killeinereagh and Agherahar.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books states that Eskermurry is owned by Dennis Kelly Esq. who holds it under deed forever. Approximately 2/3 of the townland is bog. It pays £1-3-3 County Cess.

Census 1841-1851

According to the 1851 census, Eskermurry consists of 51 acres, 3 roods and 31 perches. The total 1841 population was 36 people, 21 of whom were male and 15 were female. There were 7 houses, and each were occupied. The population had decreased to 20 people in 1851, 11 were male and 9 were female. There were 4 houses in 1851, all of which were occupied. The poor law valuation rate paid in 1851 was £5-0-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864

According to Griffith’s Valuation, John Cheevers was the immediate lessor of the land.

James Lawless, Patrick Lawless, Pat. Lawless (Larry), James Lawless (jun.), Pat. Lawless (Martin), Margaret Lawless, John Gavan and James Lawless (Thos.) each rented land on Holding 1 which measured a total of 51 acres, 3 roods and 31 perches.

James Lawless paid £2-3-0. Patrick Lawless paid £0-18-0. Pat. Lawless (Larry) paid £1-0-0. James Lawless (jun.) paid £0-10-0. Pat. Lawless (Martin) paid £0-18-0. Margaret Lawless paid £1-3-0. John Gavan paid £0-12-0. James Lawless (Thos.) £0-18-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property was £8-2-0.

Census 1901

There were 4 houses in Eskermurry in 1901 and all were occupied. The total population was 23 people, 14 of whom were male and 9 were female. The heads of the households were as follows: Patrick Naughton, Michael Kenney, Michl Kenney and Patrick Flynn. All inhabitants of Eskermurry were born in County Galway and all were Roman Catholic.

Each house was listed as a private dwelling. There was a total of 23 farm steadings, consisting of 5 stables, 1 coach house, 4 cow houses, 2 calf houses, 3 piggeries, 1 fowl house, 4 barns and 3 sheds. The census forms were collected on the 1^st of April.

Patrick Naughton (50) lived with his wife Bridget (48), their 2 sons Laurence (13) and Thomas (9) and his widower father-in-law Laurence Kelly (80). Patrick worked as a farmer and Bridget was listed as a farmer’s wife. Both Laurence (13) and Thomas were scholars. Laurence (80) was a retired farmer. All members of the family could read and write. Patrick and Laurence (80) spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for the others suggesting they spoke English only. The Naughton family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. The walls of the house were made of permanent material, while the roof was made of perishable material. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 barn and 1 shed.

Michael Kenney (60) was a widower who lived with his unmarried son Thomas (35), married son John (39), daughter-in-law Mary (37) and his 3 granddaughters, Margaret (18), Nannie (16) and Delia (14). Michael worked as a farmer and both John and Thomas were listed as farmer’s sons. Mary was listed as a farmer’s wife. Margaret, Nannie and Delia were farmer’s daughters. All members of the family could read and write, except Thomas who could not read. Only Michael spoke Irish and English, while the others spoke English only. The family occupied a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls of the house, while the roof was made of perishable material. Michael owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 barn and 1 shed.

Michael Kenney (80) was a widower. He lived with his 2 unmarried sons John (36) and Michael (34) and his 2 unmarried daughters Mary (30) and Nannie (25). Michael (80) worked as a farmer and both John and Michael were listed as farmer’s sons. Mary and Nannie were farmer’s daughters. All members of the family could read and write. Each person in the family spoke Irish and English. The family lived in a 2^nd class dwelling with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. While the roof of the house was made of perishable material, the walls were made of permanent material. Michael Kenney (80) owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 stables, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 shed.

Patrick Flynn (48) lived with his wife Mary Anne (50), their 3 sons, James (17), John (15) and Thomas (12) and their daughter Annie Mary (14). Patrick worked as a farmer and Mary Anne was listed as a farmer’s wife. James was a farmer’s son. John, Annie Mary and Thomas were scholars. All members of the family could read and write. Patrick and Mary Anne spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for their children suggesting they spoke English only. The Flynn family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. The walls of the house were constructed of permanent material, while the roof was made of perishable material. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house and 1 barn.

Census 1911

There were 4 houses in Eskermurry in 1911, each of which were occupied. The total population was 18 people, 10 of whom were male and 8 were female. The heads of the households were as follows: Pat Naughton, John Kenny, John Kenny and Patrick Flynn. Each person living in Eskermurry was born in County Galway and all were Roman Catholic.

Each house was listed as a private dwelling. There was a total of 29 farm steadings, consisting of 6 stables, 3 coach houses, 4 cow houses, 3 calf houses,4 piggeries, 3 fowl houses, 4 barns and 2 sheds. The date the census forms were collected is unclear but is perhaps the 4^th or 9^th of April.

Pat Naughton (63) lived with his wife Bridget (67) and their son Thomas (20). Pat and Bridget had been married for 37 years and had 6 children, all of who were living in 1911. Pat worked as a farmer and Thomas was a farmer’s son. All members of the family could read and write. Pat spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for Bridget or Thomas suggesting they spoke English only. The family occupied a 2^nd class dwelling with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. The walls of the house were made of permanent material, while the roof was made of perishable material. Pat owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 stables, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 barn.

John Kenny (50) was a married farmer. He lived with his wife Mary (47), their 2 daughters Ann (24) and Delia (22), his widower father Michael (78) and his unmarried brother Thomas (44). John and Mary had been married for 28 years and 3 children, all of whom were living in 1911. Michael was a retired farmer and Thomas was a farm servant. All members of the family could read and write, except Thomas whose education was not listed. Mary and Michael spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for the others suggesting they spoke English only. The family lived in a 2^nd class dwelling with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls of the house, while the roof was made of perishable material. John owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 shed.

John Kenny (49) was an unmarried farmer who lived with his 3 unmarried siblings, Michael (42), Mary (40) and Ann (36). Michael worked as a farm servant. All members of the family could read and write. Each family member spoke Irish and English. The family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. While the roof was made of perishable material, the walls of the house were constructed of permanent material. John owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 stables, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Patrick Flynn (60) lived with his wife of 33 years Mary Anne (60), their 2 sons Thomas (21), Patrick (18) and their daughter Annie Mary (22). Patrick and Mary Anne had 7 children, all of whom were living in 1911. Patrick worked as a farmer and both Thomas and Patrick (18) were farmer’s sons. All members of the family could read and write. Mary Anne spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for the others suggesting they spoke English only. The Flynn family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Permanent material was used for the walls of the house, while the roof was made of perishable material. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 shed.