Rusheen (sic) West

An Roisín Thiar

Teresa Philbin

Tomas O Flatharta

Standard Name: The standard name for the townland is Rusheen West

Irish form of the name: Ruisín which translates as a small point

The Down Survey:

In the Down Survey name for Rusheen (sic) west was Rosshine. In 1641 (pre Cromwell) the owners were Sloy, Moyler Mc Shane Sallagh (Catholic). In 1670 (post Cromwell) the owner was a protestant called John Brown. The profitable land was 6 plantation acres and forfeited land was also 6 plantation acres.

O’Donovan’s Field Name Books 1838:

According to O’Donovan’s Field Name Books 1838 the standard name for the townland was Rusheen West and the Irish form of the name was Ruisía. O’Donovan provides alternative spellings for this village such as Rusheen West ( By Surveyors Sketch Map), Rusheen (Co. Cess Collector), Rusheen (County Map), Rusheen West (Local), Rusheen West (Mearsman), Russena (Rental) and Rusheen West (Rev.Michl Heraty, P.P.(also spelled Heraghty).

Description:

The property of the established church. All held under lease by the agent Mr. Anthony Ryan of Rusheen for the bulked rent (please note no amount was given in original records) yearly. A small part sublet to tenants at about thirty shillings per acre. Only 13 ½ acres were held by four tenants under Mr. Ryan. The soil was reasonable for pasture and some middling crops of wheat, oats and potatoes. Two small streams issuing from a little bog in this townland are in Poulnagoluan (sic), the other in Pulathooya (sic). The county cess was 12 ½ d. per acre.

Situation:

Rusheen West is situated in the south east side of the parish, bounded by the townland of Kilbeg Lower. It is bounded to the west by Kilbeg Upper and Fahy; on the south by the parish of Cong; on the east by Rusheen East and Clonbur. Rusheen West is in the Barony of Ross and is in County Galway.

Griffith’s Valuation 1855:

Rusheen (sic) West can be found on Ordnance Sheet 27. It had an area of 123 acres, 3 roods and 37 perches exclusive of exemptions. The land had a Rateable Annual Valuation of £71.15.0., and the buildings had a Rateable Annual Valuation of £35.0.0.

(1) Earls of Leitrim and Charlemont were the occupiers of the townland and held land in fee with acreage of 21 acres, 2 roods and 37 perches with an annual valuation of £18.0.0.

(1a) There was an exemption on a school house that had an annual valuation of £4.0.0.

  1. Michael Higgins had land with an area of 26 acres, 1 rood and 23 perches with an annual valuation of £20.0.0.
  2. Michael Higgins had another plot with house, offices and land that comprised of an area of 10 acres, 3 roods and 14 perches. The land was valued at £8.0.0., the buildings at £8.10.0., making a total annual valuation £16.10.0.
  3. Patrick Mangan (sic) had a house office and land. The area had an acreage of 3 acres, 2 roods and 14 perches, with a total annual valuation of £8.5.0., the land was £2.5.0., and the buildings £6.0.0.
  4. Henry Mc Dermott had a house, offices and land with an area of 3 acres, 2 roods and 7 perches leased from Anthony Coyne. The land was valued at £2.0.0., the buildings at £10.0.0. The total annual payment was £12.0.0.

5 (a) was a vacant house with an annual valuation of £5.0.0.; the immediate lessor was Anthony Coyne.

  1. Martin Joyce had a house and land with an area of 7 acres and 3 roods. The land was valued at £3.10.0., the building at £1.0.0.with a total annual valuation of £4.10.0.

7(a) Thomas Joyce had land with an area of 27 acres and 3 roods; the land had an annual valuation of £8.10.0., the buildings were valued at £1.10.0.

7(b) Martin Joyce had 1 acre and 8 perches of bog land valued at £0.1.0.

8(a) Mary Mangan (sic) had land with an area of 3 acres, 3 roods and 22 perches that had an Rateable Annual Valuation of £2.0.0. for the land and 0.15.0. for the house. She also had a pound (a place of restraint for animals driven either for rent arrears or trespass), that was valued at £0.10.0. annually.

  1. Anne Hamilton had 12 acres and 2 roods with a rateable annual valuation of £5.0.0.

9 (a) Anthony Coyne had a piece measuring 1 rood and 20 perches with a value of £0.3.0.

9(b) Earls of Leitrim and Charlemont (sic) had plantation land in fee that measured 2 roods and 22 perches with an annual valuation of £0.4.0.

  1. A plot with an an acreage of 3 acres, 3 roods and 24 perches that was divided between seven people.

10(a) Margaret Moran had a house and land. The land had a value of £0.7.0., the house was valued at £0.8.0., with a total annual valuation of £0.15.0.

10(b) John Forde (Smith) had a house, forge and land. The land was valued at £0.5.0., the buildings were valued at £0.7.0., with a total annual valuation of £0.12.0.

10(c) Mary Murphy had a house and land. The land had a value of £0.2.0., the house £0.4.0.

10(d) Patrick O’Brien had a house and land. The land was valued at £0.7.0., the house at £0.8.0.

10(e) James Mangan (sic) had a house and land. The land was valued at £0.7.0., the house at £0.8.0.

10(f) Patrick Hynes had a house and land. The land had a value of £0.7.0., the house £0.5.0.

10(g) Mary Killeen had a house and land. The land was valued at £0.7.0., the house £0.5.0.

Census 1901 for Rusheen West:

The 1901 Census for the townland of Rusheen West was collected by the enumerator Constable Hugh Daly on the 6th of April 1901. There were sixty one persons living in the townland at the time. Twenty eight were female and thirty three were male. The majority were Roman Catholic, only seven were Church of Ireland. Form B.1., House and Building Return Form indicates that eleven dwellings were inhabited. One housed the Royal Irish Constabulary unit (R.I.C.) and Lord Ardilaun (sic) was the land holder. Six were private homes, three were shops and one was a hotel. The occupations of the inhabitants were varied; farming, R.I.C. constable, medical practitioner, trained nurse, coachman, domestic servant, cook, grocer/shopkeeper, merchant, baker, hotel assistant, parish priest, clergyman, scholar and housekeeper. The majority of the people could read and write and they were bilingual. There were six 1st class, two 2nd class and three 3rd class dwellings.

 

House 1: Was a Police Barrack under the ownership of Lord Ardilaun (sic). There were seven R.I.C. members attached to the Barrack. All except one were Roman Catholic, single men from a farming background. The property had seven out houses; a stable, a coach house, three turf houses, a store and a laundry.

1.1 W.D. William Duff (46) was born in Queen’s County (Co. Laois) and he was head constable of the R.I.C.   His wife Bridget (33) was born in Co. Cavan as were her children Anna M (12) and Laurence (10). Their other children Kathleen B (4) and Joseph P H (3) were born in Co. Fermanagh and the infant Nora Florence (1) was born in Co. Galway. The children with the exception of the two youngest were scholars and they could read and write. The family were Roman Catholic.

1.2 B.C. (32), a single man born in Co. Roscommon and he was a Sergeant.

P.Q. (28), a single man born in Co. Galway was a Constable.

E.K. (25), a single man born in Co. Kerry was a Constable.

P.Q. (31), a single man born in Co. Cork was a Constable and his former occupation was as national school teacher.

H.D. (it is likely these are the initials of Hugh Daly as his name was given as Enumerator on the Census Form). H.D. (26) was a single man born in Co. Roscommon and he was a Constable.

J H. F. (23), a single man born in Co. Fermanagh was a Constable and he was of Church of Ireland persuasion.

House 2: John Hegarty (sic) (51) was head of this household. He was a medical practitioner and was married to Blanche M (38) and she was born in Co. Dublin. They had a daughter Pauline Ruth (6) who was a scholar. This family were Church of Ireland. Thomas Davern (sic) (19) was a coachman and domestic servant to the family. Anne Connelly (18) born in Co. Mayo was a cook and general domestic servant in this house as was Maria Kerrigan (16) who was also a general domestic servant. All in this household could read and write with the exception of Thomas, and they were all bilingual. The house was 1st class and had eight windows in front. There were seven out offices on the property; a stable, a coach house, a cow house, a calf house, a fowl house, a turf house and a shed.

House 3: Bridget Joyce (62) a widow was a farmer and grocer. Her son Robert (32) was a baker and he was not married. Her daughter Mary (26) did not have an occupation listed, she was a single lady. Robert Joyce (13) Bridget’s grandson was born in Kansas U.S.A. He was a scholar. This was a bilingual household and all but Bridget could read and write. The house was 3rd class and had two windows in front. There were four out buildings on the holding; a stable, a cow house, a piggery and another building that did not have its use noted.

House 4: Joseph Whelan (52) was a pensioner from the R.I.C. and was born in Co. Kildare. His wife Mary was (30). They could read and write and Mary was bilingual. The house was 3rd class and had one window to the front. The couple shared two rooms. They had a turf house on the property.

House 5: Denis Ward (37) was head of the family. He was an acting sergeant with the R.I.C. and was born in County Clare. He was married to Catherine (27) who was born in County Waterford and she was a housekeeper. They had an infant son Michael who was 3 months old and he was born in County Galway. Bridget O’Brien (14) was a general domestic servant to the family. All in this household could read and write and Bridget was bilingual. The house was 3rd class and had one window in front. Four people occupied two rooms. They had a turf shed on the holding.

House 6: Martin Mellet (sic) (59) born in County Mayo was a parish priest and was head of this household. John Hamilton (25) was a single man and was a general domestic servant. He could not read. Sarah Herward (sic) (18) was a housekeeper, cook and domestic servant. Kate Herward (15) was a general domestic servant and like Sarah she could read and write. All in this household were bilingual. The house was 1st class and had six windows in front. Four people occupied seven rooms. There was a stable, a cow house and a turf on the property.

No.7 was a hotel: John A Joyce (54) was a merchant and a farmer and was married to Margaret (50). Their son William (20) was a hotel assistant. Their other children; Mary (16), Tobias (14), Rita (9), Lily (6) and Eva (3) were scholars. Also in the household were; Bridget Lyons (22) who was born in County Westmeath and she was a cook and domestic servant. James Kavanagh (sic) (16) was a coachman and domestic servant. John Molloy (17) was a general domestic servant also. This was an Irish and English speaking household and all the members could read and write. John filled his own census form. The building was 1st class and had six windows to the front. Eleven people occupied twenty two rooms. There were eleven out offices that consisted of, three stables, two coach houses, a harness room, a boiling house, a piggery, a fowl house, a turf house and a store.

No 8 was a shop: Ellen O’Dea (45) born in County Mayo was a widow and she was a shopkeeper. Annie Moran (18) documented as a servant and her occupation was a telegraphist (sic). Margaret O’Malley (16) was a visitor and like Annie, she was born in County Mayo. Ina O’Malley (12) was also a visitor and she was born in County Galway. Bridget Burke was a general domestic servant and she was only (12) years old. All in this household were bilingual and they could all read and write. Ellen O’Dea filled and signed the census form. The house was 1st class and it had six windows to the front. Five people occupied eight rooms. There was a stable on the holding.

No 9 was a shop: Thomas O’Malley (48) was born in County Mayo and he was a shopkeeper. His daughter Margaret (25) was a shop assistant. Richard Waters (53) born in County Mayo was a RCC clergy man and he was a boarder in the house. All in this household could read and write and they were bilingual. The house was 1st class and had eight windows in front. Three members of the household occupied eight rooms. There were two stables and a piggery on the premises.

No 10 was a shop: Kate Higgins (56) a widow was a shopkeeper. Mary Heneley (sic) (32) was a cook and a domestic servant and she was a single lady. She could not read. Peter Curn (sic) (17) was a general domestic servant and like Kate, he could read and write. Kate and Mary were bilingual. Kate filled and signed the census form. The house was 2nd class and had six windows in front. Three people occupied six rooms. There was a cow house, a piggery and a store on the property.

No 11 was a private dwelling: Kate Kelly (40) a widow, was a farmer. Her son John was (22) and her daughter Letitia (sic) (21) had no occupation listed for them. Delia Brady (28) was a trained district nurse and she was a boarder in the house and she too was a widow. Bridget Mulroe (17) was a general domestic servant. Arthur Davis (16) was a general farm servant and he was born in County Mayo. Kate and her family were Church of Ireland practitioners. All in this household could read and write. Kate and her son and Bridget spoke Irish and English while her daughter, nurse Brady and Arthur were English speaking. The house was 2nd class with two windows to the front. Six members of the household occupied six rooms. There were eleven out houses on this holding; four stables, a coach house, a cow house, a calf house, a dairy, a piggery, a fowl house and a barn.

 Census 1911:

The census for Rusheen West was collected by the enumerator Constable William Walsh on the 4th of 1911. The enumerator returned the houses and population of the townlands of Clonbur and Rusheen West in one file to form a village. As this village contained less than twenty houses it should have been included in the townland on which it stands as was done in previous census. (MD.Gleeson.12/9/1911). There were eleven houses in Rusheen West; six were 1st class and five were 2nd class. They housed forty four occupants; fifteen males and twenty nine females. Five were members of the Church of Ireland and the remainder were Roman Catholic. The majority were bilingual and they could read and write. Their occupations were farmer, parish priest, general servant, domestic servant, shopkeeper, shop assistant, general medical practitioner, hospital nurse, trained nurse, butler, groom, scholar, lace instructress, carpenter, postmistress, assistant postmistress, principal national school teacher and assistant school teacher.

No 8: was a private dwelling. Rev. Martin Mellett (70) was a Roman Catholic parish priest and was head of this household. Bridget Joyce (17) and Ellen Conway (17) were general domestic servants. They could all read and write and were bilingual. The house was 1st class and had ten windows to the front. Three people occupied nine rooms. There was a stable, a coach house, a cow house, a piggery and a turf house on the premises. Rev Martin Mellett was the name of the landholder on whose holding the house was situated.

No 9: was a private dwelling. The building was 1st class and had ten windows to the front. The house was occupied by two different families. Three members of the Canny (sic) family occupied two rooms, and two members of the White family occupied another two rooms in the same building. There was a stable, a coach house, a cow house, a fowl house, a turf house and a shed on the premises. Lord Ardilaurn (sic) of Ashford was the name of the landholder on whose holding the property stood.

No 9 Family 1: Michael Canny (45) a coachman was head of this family. He was married to Maggie (24) for two years and they had a daughter Mary who was (1) year old. Michael could not read while his wife could read and write. They spoke both Irish and English.

No 9 Family 2: Annie White (26) a single woman, was head of this household. She was born in County Clare and was a trained nurse. Annie could read and write. Bridget Kyne (14) was a general domestic servant in the household. Bridget was bilingual but could not read.

No 10: Kate Kelly (53) was a widowed farmer. Her son John (32) was also a farmer while her daughter Frances (28) was a hospital nurse. Both of them were single. Kate and her family were church of Ireland. Patrick Higgins (18) born in County Mayo, was a servant. Mary Hayes (79) a widow was visiting the family. All members could read and write and were bilingual. Kate filled and signed the census returns form.

No 11: John Hegarty (61) was a general medical practitioner who obtained his degree from Queens University Ireland. . His wife Blanche (47) was born in Co. Dublin and they were married for twenty eight years. They   had four children who were not in the house when the census was recorded. John and Blanche were church of Ireland. Sarah Sullivan (25) was a general domestic servant and Martin Kinnevy (sic) (20), was a groom and a general servant. All in this household could read and write. Sarah and Martin were bilingual.

No 12: Bridget Joyce (71) a widow was a farmer and a shop keeper. Her daughter Agnes (35) was single and no occupation was listed for her. Bridget could not read or write while Agnes could do both. Mother and daughter were bilingual.

No 13: Robert Joyce (42) was a butler. His sister Mary (36) has no occupation listed. Both were single, could read and write and they were bilingual.

No 14: was a private dwelling. This building was 2nd class and had six windows to the front. It was occupied by three different families.   Two members of the Maguire family occupied two rooms; three members of the Whelan family occupied two rooms and two members of the Varley (sic) family occupied two rooms. There were five out offices on the property; three of these were turf houses, one a potato house and one a fowl house. Patrick Kyne (sic) of Clonbur was the name of the landholder on whose holding the property was situated.

No 14 Family 1: Ellen Maguire (26) was head of the household. She and her twin sister Margaret (26) were born in County Fermanagh. They were lace instructresses and they could read and write and they were both single.

No 14 Family 2: Joseph Whelan (62) an R.I.C. pensioner was born in County Kildare. He was married to Mary (38) for seventeen years and they had one son. Martin James (5) was a scholar. The family could read and write. Mary and her son were bilingual. Joseph filled and signed the census form.

No 14 Family 3: John Varley (sic) (73) was in receipt of a pension from the Birmingham City Police Force. His niece Julia Flanagan (28) was a dressmaker and she was single at the time. John and Julia could read and write and they spoke Irish and English. John filled and signed the census form.

No 15: was a shop.   Ellen O’Dea (57) a widow was a shopkeeper, born in County Mayo. Bridget Mahon (16) was a domestic servant and Mary Fox (24) was an assistant shopkeeper. All of this household could read and write and they were bilingual. Ellen filled and signed the census form. The building was 1st class and had six windows in front. Three persons occupied seven rooms. There was a stable and a cow house on the holding.

No 16: was a post office. Michael Gibbons (35) a carpenter was married to Mary (35) who was a postmistress, for five years. They had two children but only their daughter Mary Kate (3) survived. Bridget Joyce (22), born in County Mayo was an assistant postmistress. Catherine Conway (19) was a general domestic servant. All in this household could read and write and were bilingual. The building was 1st class and had six windows to the front. Five persons occupied eight rooms. There were five out buildings on the property; a stable, a cow house, a piggery, a fowl house and a workshop.

No 17: was a shop. Mary Conroy (44) was head of the household and was a shopkeeper. She was born in County Mayo and her son Thomas (13) was born in the United States of America. Mary could not read while Thomas could read and write. They spoke both Irish and English. The building was 2nd class and had four windows to the front. The family shared five rooms. There were two stables and a turf house on the holding.

House No 18: was a private dwelling. William Gavin (49) a principal national school teacher was born in County Mayo. His wife Julia (30) was an assistant national school teacher and they were married for six years. Their two sons; Joseph P (7) and William B (3) were scholars. Bridget Feerick (27) a farmer’s daughter was William’s sister – in law. Mary McGee (15) was a general domestic servant. All in this household with the exception of three year old William could read and write and all were bilingual. The house was 1st class and had six windows in front. Six persons occupied eight rooms. There was a stable and a shed on the property.

 

 

 

 

 

This page was added on 29/03/2018.

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