Ballyvoneen

Ballyvoneen/ Baile Mhóinín                                             Irish Grid: M 66787 35998

Author: Mike Kelly/Galway Rural Development

The townland of Ballyvoneen is in the civil parish of Ballymacward, in the barony of Tiaquin and the County of Galway.

Translation according to P. W. Joyce:

Ballyvoneen in Galway, Kildare, Limerick, and Tipperary; Baile-mhuinin, townland of the little main or bog.

Description:

This townland is the property of Lord Clancarty by deed for ever. The land is flat and wet of middling quality. The houses are in bad repair. It contains a.r.p. The county Cess is £9. 16. 9. including Ballygreany.

Situation:

Is situated in the Southern part of this parish in the barony of Tiaquin, bounded by Mount Venture and Ballymacward in the barony and by Cave townland in the barony of Kilconnell. It lies about 6 miles S. West of Ahascragh.

This is a list of townlands that share a border with this townland.

• Ballymacward
• Cave
• Mount Venture

Census of Ireland (1821- 1911)

The first full population census of Ireland was taken in 1821 and the first four Irish censuses were arranged by county, barony, civil parish and townland.

1821: Only some fragments for small parts of county Galway survive. There are no records     for Ballymacward.

1831: The only surviving records are from Counties Antrim and Derry.

1841: There are no surviving records for County Galway.

1851:   There are no surviving records for County Galway.

1861: Census records for 1861 and 1871 were deliberately destroyed by the government

1881: The records for 1881 and 1891 were pulped as waster paper during the shortages of World War I.

1901:   Full Census records are available   See below.

1911:   Full Census records are available   See below.

1911 Census

Overview of townland

There were 3 houses in total in this townland, all of which were built and are recorded as private dwellings. All houses had stone or brick walls, and had roofs of thatch, wood or other perishable material. All dwellings were recorded as 2^nd class with the exception of number 1 which is recorded as 3^rd class. There was a total of 5 people living in the townland of which 3 were male and 1 was female. All five were Roman Catholics. The heads of the households were also the landholders. There was a total of 9 out buildings listed for the townland which comprised of 1 stable, 2 cow houses, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 barn, 1 turf house and 2 sheds

House 1: Kenny

The only occupant is listed as 75-year-old unmarried agricultural labourer John Kenny. He is from County Galway, cannot read or write and spoke Irish and English. The house is described as a 3^rd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 1 window. The walls were stone or brick and the roof was of thatch, wood or other perishable material. There was one outbuilding – a shed. The census form was signed by John Kenny using his mark which was witnessed by Constable P. Kyne.

House 2: Kelly

The head of the household is recorded as Martin Kelly, a 56-year-old married farmer who lived with his wife, Bridget aged 50. They had been married for 30 years and had no children. Both were Roman Catholic, could read and write, came from County Galway and spoke Irish and English. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were made of stone or brick and the roof of thatch or wood. There were 6 outbuildings consisting of a stable, cow-house, calf-house, piggery, a barn and a turf-house.

House 3: Kelly

The head of the family was 38-year-old unmarried agricultural labourer James Kelly who lived with his single brother, Michael (35), a carpenter and mason. Both were Roman Catholic, could read and write, came from County Galway. No details are recorded regarding languages spoken. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were stone or brick and the roof thatched and there were 2 outbuildings – a cow-house and a shed. Despite being able to read and write, the census form was signed by James Kelly using his mark which was witnessed by Constable Kyne.

1901 Census

Overview of townland

There were 3 houses in total in this townland, all of which were built and are recorded as private dwellings. All houses had stone or brick walls, and had roofs of thatch, wood or other perishable material. All dwellings were recorded as 2^nd class with the exception of number 3 which is recorded as 3^rd class. There was a total of 11 people living in the townland of which 7 were male and 4 were female. All were Roman Catholics. The heads of the households were also the landholders. There does not appear be any Outbuildings return ?

House 1: Kelly/Raftery

The head of the household is recorded as Martin Kelly, a 44-year-old married farmer who lived with his wife, Bridget (40) a house-keeper. Also in the house were Martin Kelly’s nephews Patrick (20), Thomas (18) and Matthew (13) Raftery as well as his 16-year-old niece Sarah Raftery. No occupation is listed for Sarah the elder two nephews as ‘farming’ and the younger is described as a scholar. All occupants were Roman Catholic, could read and write, and came from County Galway. All the Raftery siblings were single. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were made of stone or brick and the roof of thatch or wood. There is no Outbuildings return for this townland.

House 2: Kelly

The head of the family was 60-year-old widowed farmer, Bridget Kelly. Also in the house were her unmarried sons – farmer’s labourer James Kelly and Michael (35), a carpenter as well as her 23-year-old daughter Bridget who is listed as a house-keeper. All occupants were Roman Catholic, could read and write and came from County Galway. Bridget senior spoke Irish and English but no details are recorded regarding languages spoken by anyone else. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were stone or brick and the roof thatched. There is no Outbuildings return uploaded.

House 3: Kenny

The only occupant is listed as 60-year-old unmarried farmer John Kenny. He is from County Galway, cannot read or write and spoke Irish and English. The house is described as a 3^rd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 2 windows. The walls were stone or brick and the roof was of thatch, wood or other perishable material. There was no outbuilding return. The census form was signed by John Kenny using his mark which was witnessed by Sergeant Wilson.

Griffith’s Valuation