Dawros Lower

Civil Parish of Addergoole

Pauline Connolly

Dawros Lower Townland Stone
Milltown Heritage Group

Dawros Lower

Dhamhros Íochtarach, point of wood of the oxen

Dawros Lower is situated in the civil parish of Addergoole, barony of Dunmore, County Galway. Dawros Lower is located in the south end of the parish, bounded on the south by Dawros Upper, on the east by Russelstown, on the north by Lack and on the west by the townland of Milltown.

The Down Survey Map 1641 (pre Cromwell), under the name ‘Liscoyle’ states that the owner was a catholic called Moyler Bermingham. The Down Survey Map 1670 (post Cromwell) showed that ownership changed to a catholic man named William Higgins. 8 acres of unprofitable land, 55 acres of profitable land and 55 of forfeited acres are specified.

O’Donovan field names 1838 gives various spellings of this townland: ‘Dawros Lower’, ‘Damhros’ ‘Dawrus Lower’[1], ‘Dauris Lower’[2]. According to this source, Dawros Lower was property of W H Handcock, Esq, Carrowantrila, County Galway. It contains 103 acres including about 25 acres of bog. There is a triangulation station located on the east end of this townland.

Census 1841 – 1851

In 1841, Dawros Lower consisted of an area of 102 acres 3 roods 8 perches. There was a total population of 30 people, 14 were male and 16 were female who occupied 5 houses. The population decreased to 27 residents in 1851, 13 were male and 14 were female. There were 4 inhabited houses while 1 house was unoccupied. The poor law valuation rate paid in 1851 was £35-5-0.

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

According to Griffith’s Valuation 1855, Thomas Seymour leased a total of 102 acres 3 roods 8 perches to 5 tenants: James O’Donnell, Thomas O’Donnell Junior, Thomas O’Donnell Senior, John O’Donnell and Patrick O’Donnell. James O’Donnell and Thomas O’Donnell Junior paid a Total Annual Valuation rate of £8 16s 0d for 30 acres 2 roods 0 perches of land and 10 perches of house, office, garden and land. Thomas O’Donnell Senior paid a total annual valuation rate of £13 15s 0d for 18 acres 3 roods and 22 perches of land. John O’Donnell paid a total annual valuation rate of £4 5s 0d for 10 acres 1 rood 25 perches of land. Patrick O’Donnell paid a total annual valuation rate of £10 10s 0d for 42 acres 1 rood 20 perches of offices and land and 0 acres 1 rood 20 perches of house, offices and garden.

Census 1901

There are 5 households in Dawros Lower in 1901. All occupants were Roman Catholic. The residents were born in County Galway with the exception of Eddy Murphy. Eddy was born in America. There were 27 individuals, 13 were male and 14 were female. The heads of households were: John O’Donnell, Mary O’Donnell, Pat O’Donnell, James Burke and Catherine McGagh. The census forms which were collected on 6th April 1901 showed that all houses were built as private dwellings. House roofs were made of perishable material the house walls were made from permanent material (concrete, stone or brick).

John O’Donnell, a widower was 35 years old. He worked as a farmer. John spoke Irish and English. He also could read and write. He lived with his 3 sons: Michael, John and Matt. Michael, a scholar who could read and write was 7 years old. John, a scholar was 6 years old and he could read. Matt was 4 years old, he could not read at this stage. Mary Mulloney, a domestic servant who was unmarried was recorded on the census form. Although she could not read or write, she spoke English. The occupants lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and the house had 2 rooms. John O’Donnell owned the land on which his house was situated.

Mary O’Donnell a widow was 65 years old. She worked as a farmer. She spoke Irish and English. Mary could not read. Mary lived with her 2 unmarried sons: James and Thomas. They could both read and write and they spoke Irish and English. Their occupations are listed as farmer’s sons. Mary’s 2 year old niece Mary K O’Donnell was recorded on the census form. They lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and the house had 2 rooms. Mary O’Donnell owned the land on which her house was situated.

Pat O’Donnell, a farmer was 65 years old. He was married to Bridget. Bridget was 60 years old. They lived with their 3 unmarried children: Martin, Bridget and Kate. Martin was 25 years old. Bridget was 26 years old. Kate was 20 years old. Martin listed his occupation as a farmer’s son while his sisters recorded their occupations as farmer’s daughters. Pat’s nephew Eddy Murphy was recorded on the census form. Eddy, a scholar was 5 years old. He could not read or write at this stage of his life. All of the O’Donnell family could read and write. They also spoke Irish and English. They lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and the house had 2 rooms. Patrick O’Donnell owned the land on which his house was situated.

James Burke, a farmer was 55 years old. He could not read or write. James was married to Mary. Mary was 50 years old. She could read. James and Mary lived with their 7 children: Myles was 21 years old, Kate who worked as a national school teacher was 19 years old, Patrick was 17 years old, Ellen was 16 years old, Celia was 14 years old, Winnie was 12 years old and Julia was 10 years old. Celia, Winnie and Julia were scholars. Myles and Patrick recorded their occupations as farmer’s sons while their sister listed her occupation as a farmer’s daughter. All of the children could read and write. None of the children were married. James, Mary, Myles, Kate, Patrick and Ellen spoke Irish and English. The Burke family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. James Burke owned the land on which his house was situated.

Catherine McGagh, a widow was 50 years old. She listed her occupation as farmeress. She lived with her 2 unmarried sons: John was 27 years old and James was 25 years old. All of the McGagh family could read and write and spoke Irish and English. They lived in a 3rd class house with 2 front windows and the house had 2 rooms. Catherine McGagh owned the land on which her house was situated.

Census 1911

The census forms were collected on 15th April 1911 showed that 5 households remained in Dawros Lower in 1911. There were 30 residents, 16 were male and 14 were female. All occupants were born in County Galway and each individual was a Roman Catholic. The heads of households were: John O’Donnell, Catherine McGagh, James Burke, Bridget O’Donnell and Mary O’Donnell. The houses were built as private dwellings. The house roofs were made of perishable material and the house walls were made of permanent material. Overall, there were a total of 23 farm buildings (1 stable, 5 cow houses, 1 calf house, 5 piggeries, 5 fowl houses, 5 barns and 1 cart house).

John O’Donnell, a farmer was 49 years old. He could read and spoke Irish and English. He was married to Mary for 9 years. Mary was 40 years old. She could read and write and spoke Irish and English. 10 children were documented on the census form: Michael was 17 years old, Mathew was 14 years old, Mary Catherine was 12 years old, Norah was 8 years old, Patrick was 7 years old, James was 6 years old, Delia was 5 years old, Peter was 3 years old, Thomas was 2 years old and Myles was 4 months old. Michael listed his occupation as farmer’s son. Michael could read and write. Mathew, Mary Catherine, Norah, Patrick and James were scholars. Mathew and Mary Catherine could read and write and spoke Irish and English. Norah and Patrick could read and write. James, Delia, Peter, Thomas and Myles could not read at this stage of their lives. The family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. John O’Donnell owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Catherine McGagh, a widow was 74 years old. She could read only. Catherine worked as a farmer. She lived with her 3 children: Ellen was 43 years old, John was 41 years old and James was 40 years old. John and James listed their occupations as farmer’s sons. Catherine’s niece Annie Christina O’Donnell was recorded on the census form. She was 25 years old. Apart from the Head of Family, all occupants were single and they could read and write. All members of the household spoke Irish and English. They lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. Catherine McGagh owned the land on which her house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

James Burke, a farmer was 71 years old. He could not read. James was married to Mary for 42 years. They had 11 children, 11 of whom were still alive in 1911. They lived with their 3 children: Ellen was 28 years old, Patrick was 27 years old and Julia was 20 years old. All of the Burke family could speak Irish and English. James could not read. Mary could read only. Ellen, Patrick and Julia were single and they could read and write. All of the Burke family spoke Irish and English. The Burke family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. James Burked owned the land on which his house was situated along with 1 stable, 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 barn and 1 cart house.

Bridget O’Donnell, a widow, aged 72 years, worked as a farmer. Bridget could read. She lived with her 2 sons: Martin was 35 years old and Patrick was 30 years old. Martin and Patrick listed their occupations as farmer’s sons. They were both single men who could read and write. All of the O’Donnell family could speak Irish and English. The O’Donnell family lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. Bridget O’Donnell owned the land on which her house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

Mary O’Donnell, a widow was 75 years old. She worked as a farmer. Mary could not read. She lived with her son James and her daughter-in-law Mary. James was 38 years old. He recorded his occupation as a farmer’s son. James and Mary could read and write and spoke Irish and English. James and Mary were married for 4 years, had 2 children, 2 of whom were still alive in 1911: Margaret was 3 years old and Michael was 2 years old. They lived in a 2nd class house with 3 front windows and the house had 3 rooms. Mary O’Donnell owned the land on which her house was situated along with 1 cow house, 1 calf house, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house and 1 barn.

 

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This page was added on 24/10/2014.

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