Ballymary
Civil Parish of Addergoole
Trish O'Donnell
Béal Átha Máire, mouth of Mary’s fort
Ballymary is situated in the central part of the parish of Addergoole, Barony of Dunmore in County Galway. Bounded on the north by Coolecknaleagh, on the east by Cooladoon, on the south by Lauck and on the west by Cloonacrusha.
Ballymary was the property of John Birmingham, Esq., Dalgan, Co. Galway in 1838. It contains 41 acres statute measure, all arable land. John Bermingham is a member of the (Birmingham (Dalgin & Millbrook) family.
The Down Survey Map 1641 (pre Cromwell) gave the townland name as ‘Conjolta and Shanvallymore’, states the owner was Lord Bermingham (Protestant). The Down Survey Map 1670 (post Cromwell) states that ownership of the lands had changed and now belonged to Martin Kirrowman (Roman Catholic).
Census 1841 – 1851
The townland of Ballymary in 1851 held an area of 41 acres 0 roods and 19 perches. The population in 1841 was 69 inhabitants, 37 male and 32 female. There were 13 houses, all of which were occupied. In 1851, the townland had not changed much in the 10 years, the population was 61 people, 32 male and 29 female. There were now 12 houses, all of which were inhabited. The Poor Law Valuation of the townland of Ballymary in 1851 was £15 15 shillings.
Griffith’s Valuation 1855
According to Griffith’s Valuation, 1855, John Birmingham owned 41 acres 0 roods and 16 perches. Of this land he retained 1 acre, 3 roods and 20 perches as plantations, the total valuation rate being £0 15s 0d, The remainder of the land (37 acres, 0 roods and 6 perches) was leased to the following tenants: John Clarke, Thomas Gillen, Catherine McTighe, Michael Egan, John Connell, Thomas Connell, James Gillen, jun. and James Gillen, Sen.
John Clarke paid a total valuation rate of £2 5s 0d for forge and land. Thomas Gillen paid total valuation rate of £2 12s 0d for house and land. Catherine McTighe paid total valuation rate of £2 12s 0d for house, office and land. Michael Egan paid total valuation rate of £4 15s 0d for house, office and land. John Connell paid total valuation rate of £4 15s 0d for house and land. Thomas Connell paid total valuation rate of £2 12s 0d for house and land. James Gillen, jun., paid total valuation rate of £2 12s 0d for house and land. James Gillen, Sen., paid total valuation rate of £2 12s 0d for house, offices and land.[5]
The Total Annual Valuation of Rateable Property in Ballymary in 1855 was £25 10 shillings 0d (pence).
Census 1901
There are 8 households listed in the townland of Ballymary in 1901. All of the houses in Ballymary were built and are listed as private dwellings. All of the occupants in the households were Roman Catholic. There was seventeen male and sixteen female. All the occupants were born in Co Galway with the exception of 4 individuals, who were born in Co Mayo, Co Kildare and England. The heads of the households were: Michael Egan, James Egan, Bridget Flaherty, Honor Egan, Michael Clarke, Edward McDermott, Thomas Connelly, and Patrick McTighe. The census forms were collected on 04th April 1901.
Michael Egan was 55 years old. He lived with his wife Julia, who was 45 years old, his daughter Mary who was 12 years old, his son John who was 9 years old, his daughter Katie who was 6 years old and his daughter Sabina [sic] who was 3 years old. Michael listed his occupation as a Civil Bill Officer while his wife Julia was a house keeper. Both Michael and Julia could read and write. They both spoke Irish and English. Mary Egan was listed as a scholar, could read and write and spoke English only. John Egan was listed as a Scholar, he could read and write and spoke English only. Both Katie and Sabina are listed as ‘Not Attending School’, both spoke English and neither could read and write. All residents in this household were born in Milltown, Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Michael and his family lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and his house had 2 rooms. Michael Egan owned the land on which the house was situated along with 1 piggery and 1 fowl House.
James Egan was 56 years old. He lived with his wife Mary, who was 50 years old, his son Patrick who was 28 years old and his daughter Sebina [sic] who was 24 years old. James listed his occupation as a Farmer while his wife Mary was a farmer’s Wife. Both James and Mary spoke Irish and English. Neither could read nor write. Patrick Egan was listed as a Farmer’s Son, he could read and write and spoke Irish and English. Sebina [sic] Egan was listed as a Farmer’s Daughter, she could read and write, she also spoke English and Irish. All residents of the household were born in West Riding, Co. Galway and all were Roman Catholic. James Egan lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 1 room. James owned the land on which the house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 fowl house.
Bridget Flaherty was 48 years old. She was born in Co Galway, Roman Catholic and lived alone. No occupation was listed for Bridget. Bridget could read but not write. She spoke English and Irish. Bridget Flaherty lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 1 room. Michael Thornton is listed as the land owner on which the house was situated.
Honor Egan was 43 years old. She was born in West Riding, Co Galway, she was Roman Catholic. Honor Egan was listed as being the only tenant of this household and listed as unmarried. Honor could not read, it is unknown if she could write. She spoke English and Irish. Honor Egan lived in a 3rd class house with 1 front window and 1 room. D.J Kirwan is listed as the land owner on which the house was situated.
Michael Clarke was 75 years old. He lived with his wife Bridget, who was 54 years old and his widowed mother-in-law Winifred Darcy, who was 92 years old. All 3 were Roman Catholic. Michael and Bridget were both born in West Riding in Co Galway, while Winifred was born in Co Mayo. All 3 spoke English and Irish but none could read or write. Michael Clarke lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 1 room. D.J Kirwan was listed as the land owner on which the house was situated. The Clarke family shared this house with the McDermott family. (See below).
Edward McDermott was 45 years old. He lived with his wife Mary, who was 40 years old and his stepson Thomas Smith was 14 years old, his son Michael who was 5 years old and his son Edward who was 3 years old. All members of the household were Roman Catholic. Edward (sen) listed his occupation as general labourer, he could read and write. He spoke only English. Edward (sen) was born in England. Mary McDermott was born in West Riding, Co Galway. She listed no occupation. Mary could not read. She spoke English and Irish. Thomas Smith was born in Co Kildare, he spoke English and Irish. Michael McDermott was born in Co Mayo. Edward (Jun) was born in West Riding, Co Galway. All 3 children were listed as ‘Cannot Read’ and ‘Not Married’. Edward McDermott lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 1 room. D.J Kirwan is listed as the land owner on which the house was situated. The McDermott family shared this house with the Clarke family. (See above).
Thomas Connolly was 50 years old. He lived with his wife Kate, who was 48 years old, his son John who was 18 years old, his son Patrick who was 16 years old, his son Thomas who was 14 years old and his uncle Thomas who was 87 years old. All residents were Roman Catholic and all were born in West Riding, Co Galway. Thomas Connolly listed his occupation as Farmer while Kate Connolly was listed as a Farmer’s Wife. Neither could read. Both spoke English and Irish. John, Patrick and Thomas Connolly (son) was listed as Farmer’s Sons, all three spoke English and Irish, and were able to read and write. All three were listed as Unmarried. Thomas Connolly (uncle) was listed as a Farmer, he could read and write, spoke both English and Irish and was listed as a Widower. The Connolly family lived in a 3rd class house with 1 front window and 2 rooms. Thomas Connolly owned the land on which the house was situated.
Patrick Mc Tighe was 60 years old. He lived with his wife Honor, who was 57 years old, his son Patrick who was 20 years old, his daughter Mary who was 19 years old, his daughter Annie who was 17 years old, his daughter Winnie who was 15 years old and his son John who was 9 years old. All the residents of this household were Roman Catholic and all were born in West Riding, Co Galway. Patrick Mc Tighe listed his occupation as a Farmer while Honor was listed as a Farmer’s Wife. Neither could read and both spoke English and Irish. Patrick is listed as a Farmer’s Son, he could read and write and spoke English and Irish. Mary, Annie and Winnie Mc Tighe are all listed as Farmer’s Daughters, all three spoke English and Irish. Mary and Winnie could read and write, but Annie could not. John Mc Tighe was listed in the Census 1901 as a Scholar, he could read and write, he also spoke English and Irish. All Patrick Mc Tighes’ children are listed as Not Married. The Mc Tighe Family live in a 3rd class house with 1 front window and 2 rooms. Patrick Mc Tighe was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated.
Census 1911
There were 6 households listed in the townland of Ballymary in 1911, housing 17 inhabitants, 11 female and 6 male. All individuals were born in Co Galway. Every occupant was Roman Catholic. The head of the households were: Patrick Mc Tighe, Julia Egan, Thomas Connell, Mary Egan, Bridget Clarke and Bridget O’Flaherty. All houses were built with permanent walls and were listed as private dwellings. All the roofs were made from perishable materials i.e. thatch or wood. The census forms were collected on the 22nd April 1911.
Patrick Mc Tighe was 84 years old, married to Honor, who was 67 years old. In 1911 Patrick is listed as a Farmer/Shepherd, he could read and write. He spoke English and Irish. Honor has no listed occupation, she could not read or write, but she did speak English and Irish. They were married for 40 years. They had 7 children, 6 of whom were still alive in 1911. They lived with 3 of their youngest children. All 3 children are listed as Single. Annie, a farmer’s daughter was 24 years old, Winifred was 22 years old and their son John, an agricultural labourer, was 20 years old. Both Winifred and John could read and write and both spoke English and Irish. Annie spoke English and Irish although she could not read. All were listed as Roman Catholic. Patrick Mc Tighe lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Patrick was listed as the owner of the land on which the house is situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 fowl house.
Julia Egan, a widow, was 56 years old. Julia spoke English and Irish. She could also read and write. Julia Egan lived with 2 daughters and a son. Mary was 22 years old, John was 20 years old and Sabina who was 13 years old. All 3 could read and write. They also spoke English and Irish. John was listed as an agricultural labourer, Sabina was listed as a scholar and Mary had no occupation listed. All were listed as Roman Catholic. Julia Egan lived in a 3rd class house with 1 front window and 3 rooms. Thomas Connell was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 1 fowl house.
Thomas Connell, was 66 years old, he lived with his wife Catherine, who was 72 years old. By 1922 Thomas and Catherine had been married 23 years. They both spoke English and Irish, neither could read. Thomas was listed as a farmer whilst Catherine had no occupation listed. Their son John was 28 years old, single and was listed as an agricultural labourer. John could read and write. All residents were born in Co Galway and all were listed as Roman Catholic. Thomas Connell lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 3 rooms. Thomas Connell was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.
Mary Egan, a widow, was 72 years old, who lived with her daughter Norah who was 33 years old and her son Martin who was 30 years old. All residents were Roman Catholic and all spoke English and Irish and born and all residents were born in Co Galway. Mary Egan was listed as a farmer, she could not read. Norah and Martin could read and write. Martin listed his occupation as a farmer’s son. Both Norah and Martin were listed as Single. Mary Egan lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Mary Egan was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 fowl house.
Bridget Clarke, a widow, was 73 years old. She lived alone. She was listed as Roman Catholic and was born in Co Galway. Bridget could not read but she did speak English and Irish. Bridget Clarke lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and 3 rooms. Patrick Mc Tighe was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 1 Fowl house.
Bridget O’Flaherty, was 80 years old and was listed as Single. She lived alone. Bridget was listed as Roman Catholic and was born in Co Galway. Bridget could speak English and Irish, but she was unable to read and write. Bridget O’Flaherty lived in a 3rd class house with 1 front window and 2 rooms. Mary Egan is listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated. She had no out-offices or farm steadings on her land.
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