Carrownea Upper

Carrownea Upper/ Ceathrú an Fhéa Uachtarach  

Irish Grid: M 67191 34669

Author: Mike Kelly/Galway Rural Development

The townland of Caranna Upper is in the civil parish of Ballymacward, in the barony of

Kilconnell and the County of Galway.

Description:

This townland is held by Lord Clancarty by deed for ever. It is a flat, dry country the land of middling quality. The houses in middling repair. It contains a.r.p. The County Cess is included with Carrana Upper.

Situation:

Is situated in the southern part of this parish in the barony of Kilconnell, bounded by White Park, Tullawicky, Carrana Proper and Carrana Upper in same barony and by Ballymacward in the barony of Tiaquin. It lies about 5 miles south West of Ahascragh.

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 8 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 all had roofs of thatch, wood or other perishable material with the exception of house number 7 which was slated. All dwellings were recorded as 2^nd class. There was a total of 24 outbuildings consisting of 5 stables, 7 cow-houses, 5 barns, 2 piggeries, 3 sheds, a calf-house and a turf-house. There was a total of 37 people living in the townland of which 23 were male and 14 were female. All were Roman Catholics. The heads of the households were also the landowners.

House 1: Daly/Farrell/Kelly

The head of the household was Patrick Kelly a 22-year-old unmarried and farmer who lived with his sister, Teresa (19) also single and for whom no occupation is recorded. Also in the house were re two lodgers – Conor Daly (58) a tailor and 39-year-old tea traveller John Farrell. All occupants were all Roman Catholic and all could read and write with the exception of Conor Daly. Three were from County Galway while John Farrell originated in County Mayo. 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 was thatched. The outbuildings consisted of a stable, a cow-house, a piggery and a barn. Head of household Patrick Kelly was also the landowner.

House 2: Madden

The head of the household was Daniel Madden, a 75-year-old married farmer who lived with his wife, Anne aged 71. They had been married for 50 years and had 67 children and four still living. Both came from County Galway and spoke both Irish and English. Also in the house was their unmarried son Thomas (33) whose occupation was labourer and their grandson Daniel Madden aged 5 described as a scholar. Neither Daniel could read or write while Thomas and his mother could do both. All were Roman Catholic and both Thomas and the child Daniel spoke only 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 thatched. There were 4 outbuildings – stable, cow-house, calf-house and barn.

House 3: Larkin

The head of the family and only occupant was 76-year-old a widowed agricultural labourer Peter Larkin. He could not read but spoke both Irish and English, was a native of County Galway and was Roman Catholic. The house is described as a 3^rd class private dwelling with 1 rooms and 1 window. The walls were stone or brick and the roof thatched. The only outbuilding was a shed. The census form was signed by Peter Larkin using his mark which was witnessed by Constable P. Kyne. The landowner was recorded as William Dowling of Carrownea.

House 4: Lally/Madden

This household was headed by 58-year-old married farmer, Martin Lally who lived with his wife, Mary (48) and family. They had been married for 20 years and had 6 children all still living. The family consisted of sons Michael (19) and Patrick (17) both unmarried and described as post boys as well as daughters Bridget (15), Kate (12), Mary Anne (9) and Winnie (6) who were all scholars. Also on the night the family had a visitor – 26-year-old shop assistant Mary Madden. All occupants were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway and all could read and write. Martin Lally could speak both English and Irish and is also recorded as the landowner. 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. The 4 outbuildings were stable, cow-house, piggery and barn.

House 5: Kelly

The head of the household was Michael Kelly a 73-year-old married and farmer who lived with his wife, Honor (55 They had been married for 12 years and had three children none of whom were still living. Both were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway but neither could read or write although Michael spoke both Irish and English. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were of stone or brick and the roof thatched. The 2 outbuildings were a cowhouse and a shed. The census form was signed by Michael Kelly using his mark which was witnessed by Constable Kyne. The head of the household was also the landowner.

House 6: Kelly

The head of the household is recorded as Thomas Kelly (44) who was a married farmer. He lived with his wife Margaret aged 40 and their four-year-old son Malachi. They had been married for 5 years and had one child still living. Thomas could read and write but Margaret could not. They were both Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. Margaret spoke only English while her husband could speak both Irish and English. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 2 windows. The walls were made of stone or brick and the roof was thatched and the outbuildings were stable, cowhouse, barn and turf-house.

House 7: Culkeen

The head of the family was 70-year-old married shepherd Peter Culkeen who lived with his wife Anne (44) and family. They had been married for 30 years, had ten children of whom nine were still living. The family consisted of sons, Patrick (27), Michael (22 and Thomas (17) who were agricultural labourers and William (15) Joseph (10) and James (8), listed as scholars. Their daughters were Teresa (20) and 13-year-old Jane, also a scholar. All of the siblings were unmarried. All occupants were Roman Catholic, came from County Galway and with the exception of Peter Culkeen, all could read and write. 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 was slated with outbuildings consisting of a cow-house and a barn. The landowner is recorded as Susan Parker.

House 8: Murray

The head of the household was Bridget Murray, a 53-year-old widow. She had been married for 29 years and had 8 children ,4 of whom were still living. She lived with her 2 unmarried sons, John (26) and Patrick (19), both described as farmer’s sons and 21-year-old daughter, Mary for whom no occupation is listed. They were all Roman Catholic, all came from County Galway and could all read and write. Despite this, the census form was signed by Bridget Murray using her mark which was witnessed by Constable P. Kyne. 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 the outbuildings were a stable and a cowhouse. The head of the household was also the landowner.

House 9: is a shed and the owner listed as Edward Nevin of Ballygreaney

1901 Census

Overview of townland

There were 9 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 all had roofs of thatch, wood or other perishable material with the exception of house number 6 which was slated. All dwellings were recorded as 2^nd class with the exception of house number 4 which was 3^rd class. There was a total of 40 people living in the townland of which 21 were male and 19 were female. All were Roman Catholics. The heads of the households were also the landowners except in the cases of house numbers 4, 6 and 9.

House 1: Breaden/Flannery/Kelly

The head of the household was 49-year-old widow Bridget Breaden whose occupation is given as a small farmer. Also in the house was her 11-year-old niece Tessie Kelly, a scholar and boarder Anne Flannery a widow aged 55. All occupants were all Roman Catholic and all could read and write with the exception of Anne Flannery who could do neither. Bridget Breaden could speak both Irish and English but no language proficiency is recorded for the other two occupants. All three were from County Galway. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 3 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were stone or brick and the roof was thatched

House 2: Murrey^[1]

The head of the household was 45-year-old married farmer William Murray who lived with his wife Bridget, a 38-year-old housekeeper and their family which consisted of sons John (17), Denis (14) and Patrick (9) as well as daughters Mary (11) and 7-year-old Catherine. John’s occupation is given as farming while the rest of the siblings are scholars. All occupants could read and write with the exception of William Murrey and all were Roman Catholic and originated in County Galway. Both parents are recorded as speaking both English and Irish. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 3 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were stone or brick and the roof was thatched. The census form is signed by William using his mark which was witnessed by Sergeant Wilson.

House 3: Madden

The head of this household was farmer Daniel Madden aged 60 who lived with his wife Anne also 60 and their family which was made up of sons John (32), a tailor, Thomas (25), a farm labourer ,18-year-old shop assistant, Daniel and Edward (20). Edward and his 23-year-old sister, Mary are both described as ‘idiot’. All the siblings were unmarried, spoke both Irish and English and could read and write. Neither parent could read or write but both could speak Irish as well as English. All the occupants were Roman Catholic and all were from County Galway. 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 was thatched. Daniel Madden was also the landowner.

House 4 : Larkin

The head of the family and only occupant was 60-year-old a widowed farm labourer Peter Larkin. He could not read nor write but spoke both Irish and English, was a native of County Galway and was Roman Catholic. The house is described as a 3^rd class private dwelling with 1 rooms and 1 window. The walls were stone or brick and the roof thatched. The census form was signed by Peter Larkin using his mark which was witnessed by Sergeant Wilson. The landowner was recorded as John Parker of Alloonbaun.

House 5: Lally

This household was headed by 48-year-old married small farmer, Martin Lally who lived with his wife, Mary (37) and family. The family consisted of sons Michael (9) and Patrick (7) as well as daughters Bridget (5) and Katie (2), The children except the younger two were described as scholars and could read and write. Also in the house was Martin’s widowed mother Wennie aged 81. Both Martin and his wife could read and write but mother Wennie could not. However, she and Martin both could speak English and Irish while English only is given for the rest of the household. All occupants were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. 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. Martin Lally was also the landowner.

House 6: Kelly

The head of the household was Michael Kelly a 50-year-old married and farmer who lived with his wife, Nora (537). Both were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway but neither could read or write although Michael spoke both Irish and English. The house is described as a 2^nd class private dwelling with 2 rooms and 3 windows. The walls were of stone or brick and the roof slated. The census form was signed by Michael Kelly using his mark which was witnessed by Sergeant Wilson. The landowner was Joseph Dowling of Carrownea.

House 7: Kelly

The head of the household is recorded as widow Bridget Kelly (50) whose occupation is given as laundress. She lived with her unmarried son Michael a 27-year-old farm labourer. Also in the house was boarder Mary Mannion (40), another laundress. Michael could read and write but neither woman could. They were all Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. Both women are recorded as speaking both Irish and English whereas there is no language proficiency listed for Michael. 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 was thatched. The landowner is given as Mary Bolton of Ballygreaney,

House 8: Nevin

The head of the household and sole occupant of house number 8 was 80-year-old Bartley Nevin, a widowed farmer. He was Roman Catholic, came from County Galway and spoke both Irish and English. He was not, however, able to read and write. 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 was thatched. Bartley Nevin was also the landowner.

House 9: Cuilkeen

The head of the family was 55-year-old married herd Peter Cuilkeen who lived with his wife Anne (40), a housekeeper and their family. The family consisted of sons, Patrick (17), a farm labourer, Thomas (7), William (5) and one-month old Joseph. Their daughters were Elizabeth (15), Ellen (8) and 4-year-old Jane. With the exception of the 3 youngest, all the children were scholars but despite this, Elizabeth was the only family member who could read and write. All occupants were Roman Catholic and all came from County Galway. 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 was thatched. The landowner is recorded as John Parker of Alloonbaun.

[1] Transcribed as Murrey but is clearly Murray.