Toomore Civil Parish and the Incidence of the Gahagan (Goaghan, Geoghegan, Goghan, Gaughan) Surname in Griffith's Valuation, County Mayo, Ireland

Toomore Civil Parish (a.k.a. Towmore or Tuymore) is part of Gallen Barony and Foxford Roman Catholic Parish. The Catholic Church records for Foxford cover years 1833-1911. There were only 16 Townlands in Toomore Civil Parish when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. A Roman Catholic Chapel was present on Chapel Street in the town of Foxford (that is part of the Townland of Foxford). There was another church and a graveyard in the Town of Foxford as well. The only other graveyard was in the Townland of Toomore. (Griffith, 1847-1864, 2003, Toomore).

As far as education goes, Toomore Civil Parish had a Board of Education National Schoolhouse in the Townland of Bollerhallagh, a Male National Schoolhouse in the Townland of Foxford and a Church Education Society Schoolhouse, Female National Schoolhouse and Male National Schoolhouse in the Town of Foxford. Finally, there was a National Schoolhouse in Toomore. Samuel Lewis' "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" mentions the presence of three public schools, one of which is at Laragan. (Lewis, 1837;2005, p. 639). I have been unable to identify the location of Laragan.

From an economic standpoint, the Townland and Town of Foxford pretty much dominated Toomore Civil Parish. It was the most heavily populated area as well. John Bingham obtained a patent in 1812 to hold a Market and Fairs in the Town of Foxford. (Gillespie, 1987, p. 87). When the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856, Foxford Townland had a documented Dispensary and Military Barracks. The Town of Foxford had the Grand Jury of County Mayo Petty Sessions House, a Pound, Board of Ordinance Military and Constabulary Barracks, a Store and a "Tolls and Customs of Fairs." I have created a page with more details on the Town of Foxford in my Market Towns of County Mayo section. A Watch house, Salmon Fishery and Eel Fishery were listed among Lord Clanmorris' properties. There was a Corn Mill present in the Townland of Bolllerhallagh, a Corn and Tuck Mill in Creggagh and Herd's Houses in Belgarrew, Bollerhallagh, Foxford and Moorbrook. (Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Toomore).

The River Moy was documented in six different Townlands in Toomore Civil Parish, and a variety of lakes such as Lough Muck, Lough Akista, Toomore Lough and Arlogs Lough were noted as well. There weren't any designated "bog" parcels.

A variety of different landlords were represented in the Griffith's Valuation for Toomore Civil Parish, but Lord Clanmorris was dominant in the major Market Town of Foxford. Other landlords such as Lady De Clifford, Sir W H Palmer Bart and Francis R O'Grady were dominant in 2 or more Townlands.

(Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Toomore).

The Variation of the Gahagan Surname "Gaughan" was documented in one Townland of Toomore Civil Parish when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. William Gaughan held a parcel in the Townland of Foxford, Michael Gaughan held a parcel in the Town of Foxford that is part of Foxford Townland on Market Street as did Willliam Gaughan. William Gaughan also held several parcels on Pound Street. I believe this is the same William Gaugan in all four records as they are all in the same Townland and no differentiation was made in the name.

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)
Foxford 85 Gaughan, William Clanmorris, Lord Land 1-1-9 1-0-0 none
Foxford (Town of Foxford) Market Street 45 Gaughan, Michael McNulty, Martin House and Yard   0-18-0 none
Foxford (Town of Foxford) Market Street 47 Gaughan, William Clanmorris, Lord House, Office and Yard   2-14-0 none
Foxford (Town of Foxford) Pound Street 11 Gaughan, William same Garden 0-1-10 0-6-0 none
Foxford (Town of Foxford) Pound Street 28 Gaughan, William same Garden and Ruins 0-0-15 0-2-0 none

(Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Toomore).