Killedan Civil Parish and the Incidence of the Brennan Surname in Griffith's Valuation
Killedan Civil Parish falls within Gallen Barony and had 42 Townlands when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. Killedan Roman Catholic Parish, formed in 1834, covers Killedan Civil Parsh. (Mitchell, 1988, p. 89). This Catholic Parish is now referred to as Kiltimagh Roman Catholic Parish. The Church records for this parish are included on LDS microfilm number 1279231 and 926012 and cover the years 1834-1909. When the Griffith's Valuation was conducted for Killedan Civil Parish in 1856, there was a Roman Catholic Chapel in the Town of Kiltimagh that lies within the Townland of Cordarragh and a church of undocumented affiliation in the Townland of Ballinamore. Graveyards were present in the Townlands of Ballinamore and Oxford.
Samuel Lewis refers to a Thursday market being held in the Town of "Cultymough, or Newtown-Brown." It is my assumption that Cultymough is the same as Kiltimagh, a town that was incorporated into the Townlands of Cordarragh, Gortgarve and Kiltimagh when the Griffiths Valuation was conducted. (Lewis, 1837; 1984, p. 135). There was no mention of this market in the 1852-53 report according to W.H. Crawford's essay in the book "A Various Country, Essays in Mayo History 1500-1900. (Gillespie; Crawford, 1987, p. 89).
From an economic standpoint, the Town of Kiltimagh that is part of the Townlands of Cordarragh, Kiltamagh and Gortgarve appears to be the hub of most of the activity in Killedan Civil Parish. The Town of Kiltamagh within the Townland of Kiltamagh was the location for the "Tolls and Customs." James Jordan was the occupier and Geo Eakins Browne the Landlord for this economically important parcel. The Townland of Kiltimagh was home to a farmhouse and the Town of Kiltimagh, in addition to the Tolls and Customs, had a Constabulary Force Police Barracks, the Swineford Union Dispensary, three building grounds and ruins.
In the portion of the Town of Kiltimagh that lies within the Townland of Kiltamagh, there was the Constabulary Force Police Barrack and the Swineford Union Dispensary. The Town of Kiltimagh in the Townland of Cordarragh had a pound, building ground and Ball-alley. I have been unable to determine what a Ball-alley is at this point. The Town of Kiltimagh within the Townland of Gortgarve had a forge, farmhouse and ruins. The Townlands of Shanvally and Craggagh each had a forge; corn mills were present in Carrick, Carrahoor (as well as a kiln) and Gowelboy. The Townland of Oxford had a mill and kiln, Treankeel had a Corn and Tuck mill, Carrowreagh had a farmhouse, and the Townland of Ballinamore had a mill. Herd's Houses were present in the Townlands of Ballinamore and Craggagh. Ballinamore also had several Plantations. (Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Killedan).
As far as education goes, there was a Board of Education Female National School in the town of Kiltimagh that lies within the Townland of Kiltamagh, and schoolhouses in the Townlands of Canbrack and Killedan. (Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Killedan). All three of these schools were in the northeastern part of Killedan Civil Parish. I couldn't find evidence of any schools in the southwestern part of this parish. Samuel Lewis mentions "4 private schools" in his "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" but their location is not given. (Lewis, 1837; 1984, p. 135).
Killedan Civil Parish had numerous designated "bog" parcels in the Griffith's Valuation. They were present in the Townlands of Ballinamore, Balloorclerhy, Carrownageeragh, Carrowndangan, Cordarragh, Craggagh, Knocknaskeagh and Treannagleragh. There were four different lakes in this parish: Carrigeen Lough, Cuiltybo Lough, Lough Carrick and Lough Naspada.
There were numerous landlords represented in Killedan Civil Parish when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted. George Eakins Browne (a minor), the Earl of Lucan, Anthony Ormsby and Patrick Tuohy were probably the most prevalent.
George Eakins Browne resided in Brownestown, Ballinrobe and held 2809 acres in County Mayo; Anthony Ormsby resided in Ballinamore House, Kiltimagh and held 4492 acres in County Mayo; the Earl of Lucan resided in Castlebar House and held 60,570 acres in County Mayo. (Local Govt Board, Ireland; 1876, p. 307, 310, 311). I was unable to find a listing for Patrick Tuohy in either the Local Government Board publication of "The Landowners in Ireland -Return of Owners of Land of One Acre and Upwards, or in Hussey Deburgh's publication "The Landowners of Ireland." published in 1878.
The population of Killedan Civil Parish dropped during the peak famine years falling from 6,410 in 1841 to 5,158 in 1851. By the year 1911 there were only 4,887 people remaining in this Civil Parish. (O'Hara, 1982, p. 7).
There were Brennans documented in 21 of the 42 Townlands in Killedan Civil Parish when Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. In the Southwestern portion of the parish in the Townland of Ballinamore, Phelim Brennan had several parcels. Just north of Ballinamore in the Townland of Cuillalea there were four Brennans: Martin, Mary, Owen and Patrick. In the Townland of Carrownageeragh that borders Ballinamore on the east, Owen Brennan had a parcel designated as "bog." The Townland of Carrowreagh that borders Carrownageeragh on the east was the home of John and Owen Brennan. Bordering Carrowreagh on the north in the Townland of Cordarragh was Michael Brennan. Bordering Cordarragh on the northwest in Gortgarve were two Brennans, Patrick and Michael, and in two other Townlands that also border Cordarragh were Michael and Winifred Brennan in Kiltamagh; Michael, Catherine Felim, Michael Brennan (Woods) in the Town of Kiltamagh within the Townland of Kiltamagh (Michael Brennan was a landlord for two parcels here as well), and James and Patrick Brennan in Gowel Boy. In a cluster of nine Townlands in the eastern most part of Killedan Civil Parish were the following Brennans: (from South to North) in Derryinlough, Michael Brennan, Junior and Senior and Patrick Brennan; Michael Brennan in Carrick, Michael Brennan in Canbrack, Thomas Brennan in Cuilgar, John Brennan in Derleash, Charles, Phelim, John, and Anne Brennan in Balloorcleerhy, Patrick Brennan in Ballynamona, Felim, John, Patrick and Thomas Brennan in Lisduff, and John, Thomas, Mary (Michael), Mary (Domek?) and Walter Brennan in Shanvally. In the Townland of Shanvally you will notice that there are two Mary's who occupy parcels, Mary, daughter of Michael Brennan and Mary, daughter of Domek? Brennan. In the north-central portion of Killedan Civil Parish in three Townlands separated by other Townlands, were Patrick Brennan in Cartron, Daniel and Thomas Brennan in Cloondoolough and John, Thady, Mary and Thomas Brennan in the Townland of Killedan.
There is one caveat to keep in mind when looking at these findings from the Griffith's Valuation: The Griffith's Valuation only includes the individuals (occupiers) who own, lease or rent a parcel. For instance it will list a householder but not the individuals who live with him. It was common in County Mayo for individuals to share parcels, particularly of land (The Rundale system of communal land sharing). Sometimes the whole town shared one parcel of land. Shared parcels may or may not be with related individuals. Just because an individual is a lone occupier of a parcel does not mean that he is living in (house) or tilling (garden) this parcel alone. He may have numerous family members living with him, but they will not be listed unless they actually lease or own the parcel. Occupiers who sublet their acreage of land or houses to others will be listed as landlords.
For helpful details on how to interpret the following records, please take a look at the page I created on "Deciphering Griffith's Valuation."
| Townland | Map Ref Number | Occupier | Landlord or his Rep | Property Type | Area in Acres, Roods and Perches - a-r-p | Total Valuation in pounds, shillings and pence | Shared with (other occupiers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballinamore | 21 | Brennan, Phelim | Ormsby, Anthony | Land | 3-3-8 | 10-15-0 (this and parcel below | none |
| Ballinamore | 22 | Brennan, Phelim | same | Land, House, and Office | 18-3-0 | same | none |
| Balloorclerhy | 2 | Brennan, Charles | Hilles, James | Land and House | 7-0-21 | 2-15-0 | none |
| Balloorclerhy | 3 | Brennan, Phelim | same | Land, and House | 6-0-16 | 2-15-0 | none |
| Balloorclerhy | 9 | Brennan, John | same | Land and House | 25-1-0 | 1-15-0 | none |
| Balloorclerhy | 20 | Brennan, Anne | same | Land and House | 7-2-22 | 2-17-0 | none |
| Balloorclerhy | 25 | Brennan, Phelim | same | Land and House | 8-2-25 | 2-7-0 | none |
| Ballynamona | 2c | Brennan, Patrick | Kirkwood, Joseph | Land, House and Office | 81-1-27 | 5-7-0 | 3 others |
| Canbrack | 1s | Brennan, Michael | Browne, Matilda | Land and House | 254-1-2 | 2-11-0 | 18 others |
| Carrick | 1u | Brennan, Michael | Burke, Dominick Jos. | Land and House | 404-2-37 | 4-10-0 | Thomas Brennan and 23 others |
| Carrick | 1v | Brennan, Thomas | same | Land and House | same | 4-10-0 | Michael Brennan and 23 others |
| Carrownageeragh | 18 | Brennan, Owen | Ormsby, Anthony | Land (Bog) | 15-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 5 others |
| Carrowreagh | 5 | Brennan, John | Roberts, Wm Watson | Land and House | 6-2-20 | 3-15-0 | none |
| Carrowreagh | 16 | Brennan, John | Roberts, Wm Watson | Land | 272-3-0 | 0-5-0 | 15 others |
| Carrowreagh | 26b | Brennan, Owen | Ormsby, Anthony | Land, House and Office | 27-2-35 | 3-3-0 | 5 others |
| Carrowreagh | 30 | Brennan, Owen | Browne, Geo. Eakins (a minor) | Land | 222-1-5 | 2-2-0 | 5 others |
| Cartron | 1j | Brennan, Patrick | Lucan, Earl of | Land and House | 131-3-21 | 3-0-0 | 11 others |
| Cordarragh | 15 | Brennan, Michael | Browne, George Eakins (a minor) | Land | 0-2-30 | 0-5-0 | none |
| Cordarragh (Town of Kiltamagh part of ) | 11 | Brennan, Mary | Carroll, Anne | House | - | 0-8-0 | none |
| Cloondoolough | 1d | Brennan, Daniel | Palmer, Sir W. H Roger, Bart | Land, House and Office | 230-0-38 | 3-13-0 | Thomas Brennan and 13 others (whole town) |
| Cloondoolough | 1f | Brennan, Thomas | same | Land, House and Office | same | 7-3-0 | Daniel Brennan and 13 others (whole town) |
| Cuilgar | 1c | Brennan, Thomas | Browne, G.E. (a minor) | Land, House and Office | 46-1-25 | 5-10-0 | 3 others (whole town) |
| Cuillalea | 5a | Brennan, Martin | Tuohy, Patrick | Land and House | 9-0-8 | 5-15-0 | none |
| Cuillalea | 5b | Brennan, Mary | same | Garden and House | 0-1-5 | 0-10-0 | none |
| Cuillalea | 6 | Brennan, Owen | same | Land, House and Office | 11-3-33 | 7-10-0 | none |
| Cuillalea | 7 | Brennan, Martin | same | Land | 2-1-31 | 0-15-0 | Owen Brennan |
| Cuillalea | 7 | Brennan, Owen | same | Land | same | 0-15-0 | Martin Brennan |
| Cuillalea | 8f | Brennan, Patrick | same | Land and House | 162-2-17 | 3-5-0 | 3 others |
| Devleash | 1c | Brennan, John | Ormsby, Anthony | Land, House and Office | 125-3-1 | 7-0-0 | 5 others (whole town) |
| Derrykinlough | 2b | Brennan, Michael, Jun. | Browne, G.E. (a minor) | Land, House and Office | 175-1-5 | 2-13-0 | Michael Brennan Sen, Patrick Brennan and 2 others |
| Derrykinlough | 2c | Brennan, Michael, Sen. | same | Land, House and Offices | same | 5-0-0 | Michael Brennan Jur, Patrick Brennan and 2 others |
| Derrykinlough | 2e | Brennan, Patrick | same | Land, House and Office | same | 2-12-0 | Michael Brennan Jun. and Sen. and 2 others |
| Gortgarve (Town of Kiltimagh- part of ) | 1 (179) | Brennan, Patrick | Burke, Michael | House and Garden | 0-0-25 | 1-2-0 | none |
| Gortgarve (Town of Kiltimagh - part of ) | 8 | Brennan, Michael | Browne, G.E. (a minor) | Land | 3-1-39 | 5-0-0 (for this and parcel below) | none |
| Gortgarve (Town of Kiltimagh - part of ) | 9 | Brennan, Michael | same | Land | 3-1-39 | same | none |
| Gowelboy | 1e | Brennan, James | Browne, G.E. (a minor) | Land and House | 91-3-16 | 1-13-0 | 8 others |
| Gowelboy | 1j | Brennan, James | same | corn mill | - | 1-5-0 | Patrick Brennan |
| Gowelboy | 1j | Brennan, Patrick | same | corn mill | - | 1-5-0 | James Brennan |
| Killedan | 2 | Brennan, John | Strong, Rev. Leonard | Land and House | 7-1-20 | 3-5-0 | none |
| Killedan | 15 | Brennan, Thady | same | Land | 5-3-10 | 4-15-0 (this and parcel below) | none |
| Killedan | 16 | Brennan, Thady | same | Land and House | 4-2-39 | same | none |
| Killedan | 25 | Brennan, Mary | same | Land | 7-3-0 | 4-0-0 (this and parcel below) | none |
| Killedan | 26 | Brennan, Mary | same | Land, House and Office | 3-3-0 | same | none |
| Killedan | 27 | Brennan, Thomas | same | Land and House | 10-3-20 | 2-0-0 | 1 other |
| Kiltimagh | 10 | Brennan, Winifred | Browne, George Eakins (A Minor) | Land and House | 2-2-6 | 1-10-0 | none |
| Kiltamagh | 30,31,32 | Brennan, Michael | Browne, Geo. Eakins (A Minor) | Land | 5-3-25, 0-3-0, 2-0-26 | 3-19-0 | none |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh - part of) | 49 | Brennan, Michael | same | Garden, House and Offices | 0-1-39 | 13-0-0 | none |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh - part of ) | 55 | Brennan, Catherine | same | House and Small Garden | - | 0-10-0 | none |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh- part of ) | 65 | Gill, Martin | Brennan, Michael | House and Small Garden | 2-0-0 | none | |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh- part of ) | 66 | Gill, Thomas | Brennan, Michael | House | 2-0-0 | none | |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh part of ) | 82 | Brennan, Felim | Jordan, James | Garden and House | 0-0-10 | 0-17-0 | none |
| Kiltimagh (Town of Kiltimagh part of ) | 154 | Brennan, Michael (Woods) | Browne, George Eakins (A Minor) | Garden and Ruins | 0-0-15 | 0-5-0 | none |
| Lisduff | 1a | Brennan, Felim | Tuohy, Patrick | Land and House | 141-1-37 | 4-5-0 | John, Patrick Brennan and 8 others |
| Lisduff | 1b | Brennan, John | same | Land and House | same | 2-5-0 | Felim, Patrick Brennan and 8 others |
| Lisduff | 1f | Brennan, Patrick | same | Land and House | same | 4-8-0 | John, Felim and 8 others |
| Lisduff | 2f | Brennan, John | same | Land and House | 146-1-20 | 4-8-0 | Thomas Brennan and 6 others |
| Lisduff | 2h | Brennan, Thomas | same | Land and House | same | 3-15-0 | John Brennan and 6 others |
| Shanvally | 1d | Brennan, John | Baxter, Edward | Land and House | 275-2-37 | 3-10-0 | Thomas, Mary (Michael), Mary (Domck), Walter Brennan and 12 others |
| Shanvally | 1g | Brennan, Thomas | same | Land and House | same | 2-5-0 | John, Mary (Michael), Mary (Domck), Walter Brennan and 12 others |
| Shanvally | 1h | Brennan, Mary (Michael) | same | Land, House and Office | same | 3-13-0 | John, Thomas, Mary (domck), Walter Brennan and 12 others |
| Shanvally | 1l | Brennan, Mary (Domck) | same | Land, House and Office | same | 3-10-0 | John, Thomas, Mary (Michael) and Walter Brennan and 12 others |
| Shanvally | 1q | Brennan, Walter | same | Land and House | same | 3-10-0 | John, Thomas, Mary (Michael) and Mary (Domck) Brennan |
(Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Killedan).