Gortnaraheen, Gort an Riachain, field of the small forts

Gortnaraheen is situated in the civil parish of Kiltormer, barony of Longford Co Galway. It is bounded on the north by Cooleny East, on the east by Newtown Eyre and Motee, on the south by Attyker and Glebe, on the west by Ballooly McDermott in Killoran and Ballooly McDermott in this parish.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books give other spellings of this townland: Gort na raithin, Gort na raithinigh, Gurtarahan, Gort na raithinid, Gortrahane and Gurtalehan.

Down Survey map shows this townland under the name Gortrehane was owned by John O’Maddin, a catholic in 1641. It was owned by Ambrose Madden, a protestant in 1670. It states there were 12 plantation acres of unprofitable land, 81 plantation acres of profitable land and 81 plantation acres of forfeited land.

Census 1901

There was only 1 house in Gortnaraheen in 1901. The head of the household was Peter
Larkin.

Peter Larkin (29) was a farmer. His wife Mary (36) was Church of Ireland. Peter’s and his sister Katie (18) was Roman Catholic. Katie was single. She was born in Kings Co. Peter and Mary were born in Co Galway. The entire family could read and write. There was no information on provided on the House and Building B1 form in relation to any extra houses associated with this household.

Census 1911

There were 2 houses in Gortnaraheen in 1911. The heads of the households were: Peter Larkin and Delia Teresa O’Callaghan. The census taken on the 3 rd of April 1911 show the houses were built as private dwellings. The walls were built with stone, brick or concrete. The roofs were made with slate, iron or tiles.

Peter Larkin (39) was a farmer. He was married for 21 years to Mary (46). There were no children recorded. She was Church of Ireland. Peter was Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. They could read and write. They lived in a 2nd class house with 7 rooms and 5 front windows. There were 4 outhouses: 1 stable, 1 coach house, 1 cow house and 1 fowl house. Peter Larkin owned the land the house was situated on.

Delia Teresa O’Callaghan (54) was a shop keeper. There was no occupation recorded for her sister Nellie (40). They were both single. They were Roman Catholic. They were born in Co Galway. They could read and write. They lived in a 2 nd class house with 4 rooms, 2 front windows and 1 turf house. Patrick Egan owned the land the house was situated