Cloongowna/ Cluain gamhna Irish Grid M 69180 36537
Author: Mike Kelly/Galway Rural Development
The townland of Cloongowna is in the civil parish of Ballymacward, in the barony of
Tiaquin and the County of Galway.
Situation:
O’ Donovan states that the townland is situated Lies in the eastern side of this parish in the barony of Tiaquin bounded by Alloonbaun townland in same barony and by Annagh and White Park in the barony of Kilconnel The townland shares boundaries with the following townlands:
Description:
O’Donovan states that it was the property This townland is held by Lord Clancarty by deed for ever, it is all under a good state of cultivation, except a small portion of bog at the eastern boundary. The houses are in good repair. The inhabitants live comfortably. It contains – arp of….. The County Cess is £2. 9. 8.
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 4 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. Two dwellings were recorded as 2nd class and two as 3rd class. There was a total of 16 people living in the townland of which 11 were male and 5 were female and all were Roman Catholic. The heads of the households were also the landholders. There was a total of 19 out buildings listed for the townland which comprised of 4 stables, 4 cow houses, 1 calf house, 4 piggeries, 4 barns and 2 sheds.
The head of the household was John Murray, a 74-year-old married farmer who lived with his wife Bridget (73). They had been married for 47 years and had 8 children, five of whom were still living. They were joined in the household by their 30-year-old unmarried son Patrick described as a farmer’s son. All the occupants were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. Both men could read and write while Bridget could not. Despite this, the census form was signed by John Murray using his mark which was witnessed by constable Kyne. The house is described as 3rd class having stone or brick walls and a roof of thatch. The house had 2 rooms and 2 windows. There were 4 outbuildings consisting of a stable, cow-house, piggery, and a barn.
House 2: Madden
The head of this household was 56-year-old John Madden, a married farmer who lived with his wife Ellen (48) and their family. They had been married for 21 years and had 3 children, all of whom were still living – sons Thomas (20), James (17), both farmer’s sons and 15-year-old scholar Patrick. All the occupants were Roman Catholic, came from County Galway and all could read and write. No language proficiency is given for anyone. The house was 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch and had 2 rooms and 3 windows. The family had 5 outbuildings – a stable, cowhouse, piggery, barn and shed. The census from was signed by John Madden using his mark which was witnessed by constable P. Kyne.
House 3: Varily
The head of the house was Bridget Varily, a 75-year-old widow. She had been married for 50 years and had 7 children, 5 of whom were still living. She lived with her unmarried sons John (34) and Patrick (32), both farmer’s sons. All occupants were Roman Catholic, came from County Galway and all could read and write. However, the census form was signed by Bridget using her mark which was witnessed by constable P. Kyne. The house was 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material. There were 4 outbuildings consisting of a stable, cowhouse, piggery and a barn.
House 4: Raftery/ Kitt
The head of the household was Thomas Raftery (72) a widowed farmer. Also in the house was Mary Kitt (35) and his son-in-law Thomas Kitt (35) a farmer’s son who had been married for 3 years and had 2 children both still living, Thomas’ grandchildren Mary Rose (2) and 4 months old Francis. All the occupants were Roman Catholic, came from County Galway and all three adults could read and write. Head of the household Thomas Raftery could speak both English and Irish but there are no language details given for the others. The house was 3rd class with walls of brick or stone and a roof of thatch and had 2 rooms and 2 windows. There were 6 outbuildings consisting of a stable, cowhouse, calf house, piggery, barn and a shed.
1901 Census
Overview of townland
There 7 houses in total in this townland, all of which were built and are recorded as private dwellings. One dwelling was uninhabited. All houses had stone or brick walls, and all had roofs of thatch, wood or other perishable material. Four dwellings were recorded as 2nd class and three as 3rd class. There was a total of 20 people living in the townland of which 10 were male and 10 were female and all were Roman Catholic. The heads of the households were also the landholders with the exception of house number 2 where the landowner is listed as Patrick Kelly
House 1: Murray
The head of the household was John Murray, a 60-year-old married farmer who lived with his wife Bridget (60), a housekeeper and their unmarried son Patrick, a 25-year-old farm labourer. All three were Roman Catholic, could read and write and came from County Galway. the parents are recorded as being able to speak both English and Irish while there is no language proficiency listed for Patrick. The house is listed as 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 3 windows.
House 2: Kelly/Wade
The head of the household is listed as 15-year-old housekeeper Fanny Kelly. Also in the house were her sister Johanna (8), a scholar and 65-year-old widowed lodger Bridget Wade who could neither read nor write. The Kelly sisters could both read and write and all 3 occupants were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. The house is listed as 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 3 windows. The landowner is recorded as Patrick Kelly.
House 3: Madden
The head of this household was 40-year-old married farmer John Madden who lived with his wife Ellen also 40 and their three scholar sons Thomas (11), James (8) and 6-year-old Patrick. They all were Roman Catholic, could read and write and all came from County Galway. The house is listed as 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 3 windows.
House 4: Quinn
The head of the household is Bridget Quinn (60), a widowed housekeeper and her unmarried children Martin, a 23-year-old farm labourer and housekeeper Ellen (20). Bridget Quinn was unable to read or write but both son and daughter could do both. She could, however, speak both English and Irish. All three were Roman Catholic and all came from County Galway. The house is listed as 3rd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 2 windows. The census form was signed by Bridget Quinn using her mark which was witnessed by Constable Byrne.
House 5: Varley
The head of the family was an illiterate widow Bridget Varley (40) who gives her occupation as farmer. She lived with her unmarried sons John (25) and Patrick (22) who were both farm labourers. Both men could read and write and all three were Roman Catholic and came from County Galway. Bridget is listed as speaking both English and Irish. The house is listed as 3rd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 2 windows. He census form was signed by Bridget Varley using her mark, duly witnessed by Constable William Byrne.
House 6: an unoccupied private dwelling owned by John Skelly
House 7: Raftery
The head of the family was Thomas Raftery, a widowed farmer aged 55 who lived with his unmarried daughters Mary (22) and 20-year-old Essie, both housekeepers. All three were Roman Catholic, could read and write and came from County Galway. Thomas could speak both Irish and English but no language details are recorded for his daughters. The house is listed as 2nd class with walls of stone or brick and a roof of thatch, wood or other perishable material and had 2 rooms and 3 windows.
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