Dartfield, Gort na Saighde, Field of darts or arrows

Dartfield is situated in the civil parish of Kilreekill. It lies south of the centre of the parish. It is bounded by the townlands of Coolinny, Droght, Emlagh, Wallscourt and Glanmeenn.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books give other spellings of this townland: Gort na saighead and Gortnasythe.

Down Survey Map shows this land under the name ‘Graige’ was owned by Laughlin O’Kelly, a catholic in 1641.It was owned by John Bodkin, a catholic in 1670. It states there were 74 plantation acres of unprofitable land. There were 29 plantation acres of profitable land and 29 plantation acres of forfeited land.

Census 1901

There were 4 houses in Dartfield in 1901. James North Hardy owned the land the houses were situated on. There were 28 residents in total: 10 were male and 18 were female. The heads of the household were: James North Hardy, Martin Duane, Thomas Forde and Martin Geraghty. The census taken on the 3^rd of April 1901 show the houses were built as private dwellings. The walls were built stone, brick or concrete. Thomas Forde’s roof was made with perishable material. The other roofs were made with slate, iron or tiles.

James North Hardy (49) was a farmer. He was married to Mary (40). She was born in Co Kildare. They had 3 children: Cecil Aylmer (9), Godfrey Vivian (8) and Enid Frances (3). They were born in Co Clare. Sarah O’Connell (60) was single. She was a nurse. Sarah and James North were born in Co Galway. Enid Frances could not read. The rest of the household could read and write. The entire household were protestants. They lived in a 1^st class house with 13 rooms and 11 front windows. There were 14 outhouses: 4 stables, 1 coach house, 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 dairy, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 1 turf house, 1 potato house, 1 workshop and 1 shed.

Martin Duane (55) was a shepherd. He was married to Catherine (54). They had 3 unmarried children: Winefred (22), Catherine (20) and Michael (16). Martin’s sister Mary (50) was single. All residents were Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. Martin and Michael could read. The rest of the family could read and write. They lived in a 2^nd class house with 2 rooms, 2 front windows and 1 piggery.

Thomas Forde (55) was a shepherd. He was married to Maria (50). She could speak Irish and English. They had 5 unmarried children: Mary Ellen (24), Kate (22), Delia (20), Johanna (18) and John James (14). Thomas could not read. The rest of the family could read and write. All residents were Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. They lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 rooms, 3 front windows and 1 stable.

Martin Geraghty (42) was a farm labourer. He was married to Mary (35). They had 7 children. John (16) was a farm labourer. Bridget (14), Patrick (12) and Catherine (10) were scholars. Bridget, Catherine, Mary Anne (8), Lizzie (6) and Theresa (5 months) could not read. Patrick could read. The rest of the family could read and write. All residents were Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. They lived in a 3^rd class house with 2 rooms, 1 front window and 1 fowl house.

Census 1911

There were 5 houses in Dartfield in 1911. Two of the houses were uninhabited. They were owned by James N Hardy and Thomas Farrell. The other 3 houses had 15 residents in total: 9 were male and 6 were female. The heads of the household were: Thomas Ford, James N Hardy and Martin Duane. The census taken on the 8^th of April 1911show the houses were built as private dwellings. The walls were built with stone, brick or concrete. Thomas Forde’s roof was built with perishable material. The other roofs were made with slate, iron or tiles.

Thomas Ford (69) was a farmer. He was married for 32 years to Maria (70). They could speak Irish and English. They had 7 children with 5 living in 1911. Listed were 3 unmarried children: M. Ellen (28), Lenora (24) and John James (23). Henery [sic] Burke (17) was single. He worked as a farm hand. Thomas could write. The rest of the household could read and write. The entire household were Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. They lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 rooms and 3 front windows. There were 4 outhouses: 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 calf house and 1 piggery. Thomas Forde owned the land the house was situated on.

James North Hardy (59) was a farmer. He was married for 22 years. He had 4 children with 4 living in 1911. His daughter Violet Maud (20) and his son Cecil Aylmer (19) were single. They were recorded as students. Florence Annie Nelson Keenely (35) was a widow. She was born in Co Tipperary. She worked as housekeeper and did needle work. She had 1 child. Oliver Francis Keenely (4) was born in Dublin City. William Miller (23) was single. He worked as a farm servant. He was born in Co Cavan. Cecil Aylmer was born in Co Clare. James and Violet were born in Co Galway. The 5 adults could read and write. The entire household were Church of Ireland. They lived in a 1^st class house with 18 rooms and 10 front windows. There were 15 outhouses: 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 harness room, 3 cow houses, 1 calf house, 3 piggeries, 1 fowl house, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 1 work shop and 1 store. James N Hardy owned the land the house was situated on.

Martin Duane (72) was married for 40 years to Catherine (70). They had 6 children with 2 living in 1911. Their son Michael (22) was single. All 3 occupants were recorded as farmers. They were Roman Catholic and were born in Co Galway. Martin could read. Catherine and Michael could read and write. They lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 rooms and 2 front windows. There were no outhouses recorded. James N Hardy owned the land the house was situated on.