Riversdale

Coill na hEiscreach,

Riversdale is situated in the civil parish of Killeroran, Barony of Killian, County Galway. Located in the West of Killeroran parish, Riversdale is bounded by Cartronearl, Newtown and Cloonnabricka also in this parish. The River Shiven separates it from the townland of Ballybaun in the parish of Killian.

The Down Survey Map states the 1641 (Pre-Cromwell) owner of Riversdale was Edmund McDonogh McFfarriagh O’Kelly (Catholic). The 1670 (Post-Cromwell) owner was Colonel John Kelly (Catholic). The Down Survey name was Corncasky.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books is owned by D. Kelly, who holds it under deed forever. Approximately 15 acres of Riversdale was wood. The remainder of the land was arable and was under a state of good cultivation. It is stated the houses are in good condition. It pays £3-4-9 County Cess.

Census 1841-1851

According to the 1851 census, Riversdale consists of 116 acres, 2 roods and 2 perches. The 1841 population was 12 people, 6 of whom were male and 6 were female. There were 2 houses, both of which were occupied. The population had decreased to 8 people in 1851, 2 were male and 6 were female. There were 3 houses in 1851, 2 of which were occupied. The poor law valuation paid in 1851 was £82-10-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864

According to Griffith’s Valuation, James Kelly was the immediate lessor of the land. He kept the 116 acres, 2 roods and 2 perches of house, offices and land in fee worth £93-10-0. The total annual valuation of rateable property was £93-10-0.

Census 1901

There were 2 houses in Riversdale in 1901, both of which were occupied. The total population was 6 people, 4 of whom were male and 2 were female. The heads of the households were Patrick Tully and Emily Barrett. Each person in House 1 was born in County Galway, while Emily Barrett in House 2 was born in County Westmeath. All residents were Roman Catholic.

Both houses were listed as private dwellings. There were 10 farm steadings, all associated with House 1. There were 2 stables, 1 coach house, 1 harness house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 shed. The census forms were collected on the 5^th of April.

Patrick Tully (40) lived with his wife Bridget (29), their 2 sons Patrick (5) and Michael (1) and farm servant Patrick Geraghty (30). Patrick (40) worked as a farmer and both Patrick (5) and Michael were listed as farmer’s sons. Patrick (40), Bridget and Patrick (30) could read and write. No language was listed for any member of the household, suggesting they spoke English only. The Tully family lived in a 1^st class dwelling with 6 front windows and 12 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct the walls and the roof of the house. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 stables, 1 coach house, 1 harness house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 shed.

Emily Barrett (27) was a married seamstress, although there is no record of her husband here. Emily could read and write. No language was listed, suggesting she spoke English only. Emily was born in County Westmeath. She lived in a 2^nd class house with 2 front windows and 2 rooms. Both the walls and the roof of the house was constructed using permanent material. Patrick Tully was the landholder.

Census 1911

There were 2 houses in Riversdale in 1911 and each were occupied. The total population was 14 people, 8 of whom were male and 6 were female. The heads of the households were Patrick Tully and Patrick Mitchell. All inhabitants of Riversdale in 1911 were born in County Galway and all were Roman Catholic.

Each house was listed as a private dwelling. There was a total of 13 farm steadings, consisting of 2 stables, 2 coach houses, 1 harness house, 2 cow houses, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn, 1 turf house and 1 shed. The census forms were collected on the 7^th of April.

Patrick Tully (50) lived with his wife Bridget (38), their 4 sons, Patrick (15), Michael (11), Cormack (9) and Thomas (5) and their 3 daughters, Mary Kate (12), Bridie (7) and Margaret (3). Patrick and Bridget were married for 17 years and had 7 children. Patrick (50) worked as a farmer and his 5 eldest children were scholars. Patrick (50), Bridget, Patrick (15), Mary Kate, Michael and Cormack could read and write, while Bridie could read only. No language was listed for any member of the family suggesting they spoke English only. The Tully family lived in a 1^st class dwelling with 6 front windows and 12 rooms. Permanent material was used to construct both the walls and the roof of the house. Patrick owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 stables, 2 coach houses, 1 harness house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn, 1 turf house and 1 shed.

Patrick Mitchell (80) was a widower. He lived with his widowed daughter Kate Casey (54) and his 3 grandchildren, Mary (28), Patrick (25) and Joseph (21). Both Patrick (80) and Patrick (25) worked as tailors, while Kate was a seamstress. Joseph was a painter. All members of the family could read and write. Patrick (80) spoke Irish and English, while no language was listed for the others suggesting they spoke English only. The family occupied a 2^nd class house with 2 front windows and 3 rooms. The walls and the roof of the house were made using permanent material. There was 1 cow house. Patrick Tully was the landholder.