Cloonacross

 

Cloonacross Townland Stone

Milltown Heritage Group

Cloonacross

Cluain na Croise, lawn or meadow of the cross

(cluain (ALSO: cluaine) meadow, pasture,

croise (ALSO: cros) cross; crossroad)

Cloonacross is situated in the south central of Parish of Addergoole, Barony of Dunmore in Co Galway. Bounded on the north by Coolecknaleagh, on the south by Milltown and Gortnaloura, on the east by Lauck and on the west by Drum.

The Down Survey Map 1641 (pre Cromwell) gave the townland name as ‘Cloonecrosse’ and states that the owner was Earl of Clanrickard (Protestant). The 1670 Down Survey Map shows the lands to still be in the possession of the Earl of Clanrickard.

O’Donovan’s Field Names Book, 1838, states the land of Cloonacross was the property of Mr. Kenny Handcock, Esq., Carrowantrilen. It contains 154 acres statute measure including 32 acres of bog and 53 plantation acres.

Census 1841 – 1851

The townland of Cloonacross in 1851 held an area of 154 acres 1 rood 36 perches. The population in 1841 was 66 inhabitants, 37 male and 29 female. There were 13 houses, 11 of which was inhabited, 2 were vacant. In 1851 the townland had grown to 71 people, 42 male and 29 female. there were now only 11 houses, all of which were occupied. The Poor Law valuation of the townland of Cloonacross in 1851 was £44.

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

According to Griffith’s Valuation 1855, the Most Rev J MacHale owned 154 acres 1 rood and 35 perches. Of this land he retained 13 acres 1 rood and 10 perches valued at £6 0s 0d.the remainder of the land (141 acres, 0 rood and 26 perches) was leased to the following tenants: Patrick Charles, Thomas Byrne, Martin O’Donnell, Aeneas Charles, Martin Charles, Aeneas Charles, Bernard Grehan, Aeneas Grehan and Tenants of Townland.

Patrick Charles paid a total annual valuation rate of £9 10s 0d for house, Cottier’s house and land, Thomas Byrne paid a total annual valuation rate of £6 0s 0d for house, office and land.  Martin O’Donnell paid a total annual valuation rate of £6 10s 0d for land, house and garden. Aeneas Charles paid total annual valuation rate of £7 5s 0d for house and land. Martin Charles paid a total annual valuation rate of £19 15s 0d for house, offices and land. Aeneas Charles paid a total annual valuation rate of £9 5s 0d for house, offices and land along with Bernard Grehan who paid a total annual valuation rate of £8 10s 0d for Workman’s house and land. Bernard Grehan rented out some of the land he leased to Aeneas Grehan with a total annual valuation rate of £0 8s 0d. The Most Rev J MacHale leased 15 acres 1 rood and 2 perches of bog to the Tenants of Townland, who paid total annual valuation rate of £0 5s 0d.

Census 1901

There are 11 households and 1 forge listed in the townland of Cloonacross in 1901. All the houses were built and are listed as private dwellings, the forge was listed as not being inhabited. All of the occupants in the townland were Roman Catholic. There was 27 male and 23 female. All the occupants were born in Co Galway with the exception of 3 individuals who were born in Co Mayo and United States of America. The heads of the households were: James Beirne, Mary Kerrane, Michael Silke, Catherine Garvey, William Kerrigan, James Charles, Thomas Charles, Martin O’Donnell, Honor Charles, Martin Grehan and Mary Charles. The census forms were collected on 09^th April 1901.

James Beirne was 43 years old, he lived with his wife Ellen, who was 33 years old. They lived with their 6 children, Thomas who was 13 years old, Martin who was 12 years old, Winnie who was 6 years old, Daniel who was 4 years old, Patrick who was 3 years old and 1 year old James. All residents in the household were born in Co Galway and were Roman Catholic. James and Ellen could both read and write, they both spoke English and Irish. James listed his occupation as farmer, while Thomas was listed as a farmer’s son, Martin, Winnie and Daniel were scholars. Thomas and Martin could read and write and also spoke English and Irish. Winnie and Daniel could only read. James Beirne and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 2 rooms. James owned the land on which the house was situated along with 3 out-offices or farm steadings.

Mary Kerrane was 52 years old, born in Co Mayo. She was Roman Catholic. Mary spoke both English and Irish, but she could not read or write. Mary was listed as married. Mary Kerrane lived in a 3^rd class house with 2 front windows and 1 room, Mary was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 2 out-offices or farm steadings.

Michael Silke was 48 years old. He lived with his wife Bridge, who was 46 years old, his son John who was 17 years old, his daughter Sebina [sic] who was 16 years old, his son William who was 14 years old and his son Michael who was 12 years old. All residents were born in Co Galway and were Roman Catholics. All members of the Silke family could read and write and all members could speak English and Irish. Michael Silke was listed as a Blacksmith along with his eldest son, John. Sebina is listed as a Blacksmith’s Daughter, while both William and Michael Jun., and were listed as Blacksmith’s Sons. All the children were listed as ‘Not Married’. Michael Silke lived in a 3^rd class house with 2 front windows and 2 rooms. Michael Silke is listed as being the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 2 out-offices or farm steadings.

Catherine Garvey was 50 years old, born in Co Galway. She was listed as a farmer in the 1901 census. Catherine could read but not write. She spoke English and Irish and was married. Catherine Garvey lived with her daughter Mary Garvey who was 20 years old. Mary was born in Co Mayo. Mary could read and write, she also spoke English and Irish, her occupation was listed as a farmer’s daughter. Mary was not married. Catherine Garvey and her daughter lived in a 2^nd house with 3 front windows and 2 rooms. Catherine Garvey was listed as the owner of the land in which the house was situated along with 3 out-offices or farm steadings.

William Kerrigan was 25 years old, he lived with his wife, Catherine who was 48 years old. Both William and Catherine spoke English and Irish, neither could read nor write. William was listed as a General Labourer. Both William and Catherine were Roman Catholic. William Kerrigan and his wife lived in a 3^rd class house with 1 front window and 1 room. William owned the land on which his house was situated along with 2 out-offices or farm steadings.

James Charles was 64 years old, he lived with his wife, Sarah who was 61 years old, his son Patrick who was 33 years old, his daughter Winnifred [sic] who was 24 years old, his son Michael who was 23 years old and his daughter Sarah who was 21 years old. All members of the family were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. They all spoke English and Irish and all of them were able to read and write. James Charles listed his occupation as a farmer, while Sarah was a farmer’s wife. Patrick and Michael were listed as farmer’s sons. Winnifred [sic] and Sarah were listed as farmer’s daughters. James and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. James Charles owned the land on which his house was situated along with 5 out-offices or farm steadings.

Thomas Charles was 66 years old, he lived with his wife, Winifred who was 60 years old, Thomas listed his occupation as a farmer, while his wife Winifred as a farmer’s wife. Thomas and Winifred had 4 children. Martin, 32 years old was listed as a Teacher, Michael who was 29 years old, his daughter Bridget who was 22 years old and his daughter Kate who was 20 years old. Michael, Bridget and Kate were listed as farmer’s son and farmer’s daughters. All 4 children were listed as ‘not married’. All member of the Charles family were born in Co Galway and spoke English and Irish. All members of the household were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. They all spoke English and Irish and all could read and write, with the exception of Winifred who could read but not write. Thomas and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 windows and 2 rooms. Thomas Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which his house was situated along with 4 out-offices or farm steadings.

Martin O’Donnell was 80 years old, he lived with his wife, Mary, who was 70 years old. Martin listed his occupation as a farmer. All members of the O’Donnell family were born in West Riding in Co Galway. Martin and Mary had 2 children and 1 servant. Edward O’Donnell was 39 years old, his occupation was listed as a farmer’s son, and he was not married. Kate O’Donnell was 28 years old and her occupation was listed as farmer’s daughter and she was not married. John Foy was 14 years old and listed as a servant. He was also Roman Catholic and was also born in West Riding in Co Galway, John Foy was listed as not married. They all spoke English and Irish and all could read and write, with the exception of Mary who could not read or write. Martin and his family lived in a 3^rd house with 2 front windows and 2 rooms. Martin O’Donnell was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 5 out-offices or farm steadings.

Honor Charles was 50 years old, married and born in Co Galway. She listed he occupation as a farmer in the 1901 census. Honor could not read but she did speak English and Irish. Honor lived with her daughter Honor who was 24 years old, Patrick who was 20 years old, Sebina [sic] who was 16 years old and Ellen who was 12 years old. All of Honors’ children were born in West Riding in Co Galway and all members of the household were Roman Catholic. They all also spoke both English and Irish. None of the children were married. Honor (daughter), Patrick, Sebina [sic] and Ellen were listed as farmer’s daughters and farmer’s son. Honor and her family lived in a 2^nd house with 3 front windows and 1 room. Honor Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 3 out-offices or farm steadings.

Martin Grehan was 36 years old, he listed his occupation as a farmer, and he lived with his sister Maggie who was 34 years old, his brother John who was 30 years old and his nephew Farrell who was 5 years old. John was a farmer’s brother while Maggie was listed as a farmer’s sister. Farrell was listed as a scholar. All were born in Co Galway and all could read and write except Farrell who was born in United States of America and could only read. Martin, Maggie and John all spoke English and Irish. None of the Grehan family was married. Martin and his family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and 2 rooms. Martin Grehan was listed as the owner of the land on which the family home was situated along with 4 out-offices or farm steadings.

Mary Charles, was 47 years old, she listed her occupation as farmeress. She lived with her son Michael who was 24 years old, her daughter Mary who was 21 years old, Ellen who was 18 years old and Martin Charles, her brother-in-law who was 70 years old. Michael was listed as being a farmer’s son, while Mary and Ellen was a farmer’s daughters. All members of the family were Roman Catholic and all were born in Co Galway. All spoke English and Irish. And they all could read and write with the exception of Mary (mother) who could read but not write. All members were not married with the exception of Mary (mother) who was a widow. Honor and her family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 2 rooms. Honor Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which the family house was situated along with 3 out-offices or farm steadings.

There is 1 forge in the townland of Cloonacross in the 1901 census. It is situated on land which is owned by James Charles. In the census it is classified as a 4^th class building with 1 front window and having permanent walls. (Brick, stone or concrete).

Census 1911

There were 11 households in the townland in Cloonacross in 1911. All residents were born in Co Galway, with the exception of 2 people, who were born in Co Mayo and America. All were Roman Catholic. All buildings were built, with permanent walls (Brick, stone or concrete) and were classified as private dwellings. The head of the households were: Sarah Charles, Honor Charles, Ellen Byrne, Mary O’Donnell, Mary Charles, Thomas Charles, Martin Grehan, William Kerrigan, Catherine Garry, Mary Kirrane and Michael Silke. The census forms were collected on 19^th April 1911.

Sarah Charles, a widow, was 73 years old, who lived with her son Patrick who was 44 years old, her daughter-in-law Bridget who was 35 years old, her daughter Winifred who was 36 years old and listed as Single, her grandson Patrick, aged 4 years old and Sarah who was 2 years old. Patrick and Bridget had been married 5 years and had 2 children, both alive in 1911. Sarah Charles listed her occupation as a farmer, Patricks’ occupation was a farmer’s son. All members of the house could read and write, and also spoke English and Irish except for the grandchildren. All members of the Charles family were born in Co Galway and were Roman Catholic. Sarah and her family lived in a 2nd class house with 4 front windows and 7 rooms. Sarah Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which the family home was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cart house, 2 cow houses, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Honor Charles, a widow, was 72 years old, who lived with her son Patrick who was 30 years old and her daughter Ellen who was 27 years old. Honor listed her occupation as a farmer, Patrick was a farmer’s son. All member of the Charles family spoke English and Irish. Patrick and Ellen could read and write, while Honor could not. All members of the Charles family were born in Co Galway and were Roman Catholic. Patrick and Ellen are listed as single. Honor and her family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Honor Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Ellen Byrne, a widow, was 38 years old, who lived with her son Thomas who was 21 years old, her son Martin who was 19 years old, her daughter Winifred who was 16 years old, her son Patrick who was 12 years old and her son James who was 11 years old.  Ellen listed her occupation as a farmer. Thomas and Martin were farmer’s sons. Patrick and James were listed as scholars. All members of the family were Roman Catholic and all were born in Co Galway. All residents of the house spoke English and Irish and all were able to read and write except Ellen, who could read only. All of Ellen’s children were listed as single. Ellen and her family lived in a 3^rd class house with 1 front window and 3 rooms. Ellen Byrne owned the land on which her house was situated, along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 fowl house.

Mary O’Donnell, a widow, was 77 years old, she lived with her son Edward who was 54 years old, her daughter Catherine who was 40 years old and her grandson John Foy who was 25 years old. Mary O’Donnell listed her occupation as a farmer. Her son Edward was listed as a farmer’s son and John Foy was listed as a farm servant. All members of the household were Roman Catholic and all were born in Co Galway. All residents spoke English and Irish and all were able to read and write except for Mary. Edward, Catherine and John were all listed as being single in 1911. Mary and her family lived in a 2^nd house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Mary O’Donnell was listed as the owner of the land on which her house was situated, along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Mary Charles, a widow, was 72 years old, she lived with her son Michael who was 37 years old and her daughter Ellen who was 31 years old. Mary listed her occupation as a farmer, while Michael was listed as a farmer’s son. All members of the household were born in Co Galway and all were Roman Catholic. Everyone spoke English and Irish. Michael and Ellen both could read and write. Michael and Ellen are both listed as being single in 1911. Mary and her family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 4 rooms. Mary Charles owned the land in which her house was situated, along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery and 1 fowl house.

Thomas Charles, was 79 years old, he lived with his wife Winifred who was 74 years old, his son Martin who was 44 years old, his son Michael who was 41 years old and his daughter Bridget who was 35 years old. Thomas listed his occupation as a farmer, Martin was a unemployed national school teacher and Michael was a farmer’s son. Thomas and Winifred had been married 52 years. During which time they had 5 children born, in 1911 all 5 children were still alive. All members of the household spoke English and Irish and all members were born in Co Galway. All residents could read and write. Martin Michael and Bridget were all listed as being single. Thomas and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Thomas Charles was listed as the owner of the land on which his family home was situated, along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 cart house.

Martin Grehan, was 45 years old, he lived with his sister Margaret who was 43 years old and his nephew Farrell who was 15 years old. Martin listed his occupation as a farmer, while Farrell was a scholar. Martin and Margaret both spoke English and Irish. All member of the household were Roman Catholic and all were able to read and write. Martin and Margaret were both born in Co Galway, while Farrell was born in America. All members were listed as single. Martin and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Martin Grehan owned the land on which the house situated, along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

William Kerrigan, was 48 years old, he lived with his wife Catherine who was 72 years old. William and Catherine had been married for 15 years in 1911. Both William and Catherine spoke English and Irish, neither could read nor write. William was listed as a General Labourer. Both William and Catherine were Roman Catholic. William Kerrigan and his wife lived in a 3^rd class house with 2 front window and 2 room. Catherine Garry owned the land on which William’s house was situated.

Catherine Garry, a widow, was 70 years old, she lived with her daughter Mary Diskin who was 32 years old, her son-in-law Michael Diskin who was 40 years old, her daughter Catherine who was 30 years old and her granddaughter Mary Margaret who was 5 years old. Catherine Garry gave her occupation as a farmer.  Michael and Mary Diskin had been married for 6 years and had 1 child born and she was still alive in 1911. Catherine (daughter) and Mary Margaret were listed as single. All members of the family spoke English and Irish except for Mary Margaret, and all were born in Co Galway. All residents could read and write except Mary Margaret and all 5 from the household were Roman Catholic. Catherine and her family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Catherine Garry was listed as the owner of the land on which her house was situated, along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 cart house.

Mary Kirrane, a widow, was 74 years old, born in Co Mayo. She was Roman Catholic. Mary spoke both English and Irish, but she could not read or write. Mary Kerrane lived in a 3^rd class house with 2 front windows and 2 rooms. Ellen Byrne was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated, along with 1 fowl house.

Michael Silke, was 69 years old, he lived with his wife Bridget who was 71 years old and his son Michael who was 22 years old. Michael and Bridget had been married 39 years, had 13 children born, with 4 of those still alive in 1911. Both father and son were listed as blacksmiths. All members of the household were Roman Catholic and all spoke English and Irish. Bridget and Michael (son) were both able to read and write, while Michael (father) could read only. All residents were born in Co Galway. Michael and his family lived in a 2^nd class house with 3 front windows and 3 rooms. Ellen Byrne was listed as the owner of the land on which the house was situated, along with 1 fowl house and 1 forge.

Monuments

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