Myles O'Dwyer Kiltormer Galway

Hi Jo,

Here's a record for a Myles O'Dwyer from the 1901 Census. I don't see any record for him from the 1911 Census.

I presume someone from the Kiltormer parish will logon soon and have more information for you.

Thanks for posting your message here.
Ireland XO HQ

Hello Jodwyer

I have just spotted your query re Myles O'Dwyer. His name crops up in the Land Commission Records which were published in our 2009 book, The Parish of Clontuskert - Glimpses into its Past, which was published by the Clontuskert Heritage Group. I have enclosed the chapter on Ballymanagh, where Myles once lived. I hope this will be of some assistance to you. I will help you with your research in whatever way you can. I will send you a picture of Ballymanagh Lodge, still standing though unoccupied, where Myles resided. if you ever return to visit this area, we will give you a good Clontuskert welcome and show you around.

Very best regards

joeclontuskert@irelandxo.com

The Townland of Ballymanagh, Clontuskert, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

Ballymanagh is a townland of 450 acres, situated in the north-eastern part of the parish of Clontuskert, on good agricultural land. The Cloonascragh River forms its northern boundary. Ballymanagh, from the Irish ?Baile na Manach?, means the ?place of the monks?. Perhaps the monks referred to are the monks in the Old Abbey adjacent to Ballymanagh.

In the 1838 map, the townland of Ballymanagh is divided into fields of varying sizes, some quite large. There are three ringforts marked on this map. The area of this townland as given on the map is 449 acres 0 roods 5 perches. Three sets of buildings are marked.

The 1892 map shows Whitehall bridge midway on the western border, adjoining the townland of Stream. Cloonascragh River forms the northern boundary and there is a bridge marked on this river called Clontuskert Bridge. There is a smithy on the southern border of the 1892 map. In all, on this map, there are six sets of buildings. The residence Ballymanagh Lodge is marked. A footpath crosses the townland from east to west, at a narrow part, towards the southern end. There are two ringforts on the 1892 map.

In the Tithe Applotment Books, the gross amount surveyed was 272 acres. Mr. Thomas Shadwell paid tithes of ?12 6s 1d on this land. According to Griffith?s Valuation of 1856, Allan Pollok was the landlord. Those leasing land were Peter Coolahan, John Coolahan who was leasing the largest amount of land, 221 acres, Bridget Kelly, James Kelly, Patrick Kelly Snr., Hugh Kelly, Patrick Kirwan, Patrick Curley, Michael Kirwan and Luke Kelly. The only other lessor was Patrick Kelly who leased a house, offices and four and a half acres of land to Patrick Kirwan. Those who leased houses with gardens, from Allan Pollok, were Bridget Kerrigan, Patrick Kerrigan, Michael Mitchell and Martin Molloy, who also leased a forge.

Up to 1867, the Valuation Records and Griffith?s Valuation contain the same information. Allan Pollok is the landlord for the entire townland except for forty-seven acres leased by Patrick Kelly Snr. and Luke Kelly to John Coolahan. Bryan Madden makes a brief appearance, leasing seventeen acres from Allan Pollok. Ellen Coolahan replaces Peter Coolahan as the occupier of fifteen acres leased from Allan Pollok. Martin Molloy is not mentioned. In the 1880s John Pollok replaces Allan Pollok as the landlord. In 1886 a Myles O?Dwyer takes over from John Coolahan as the major tenant, occupying 221 acres of land. John Goff leases a house and garden from John Pollok.

In the early 1900s, the Valuation Records no longer mention Myles O?Dwyer. Patrick Coolahan has replaced him. John Bell leased a house, offices and land from the representatives of John Pollok. In 1915 Richard Howard becomes the occupier of fifty-seven acres. Charles Coen takes over from Mary Kelly as tenant of land and house in 1921 and in 1925, James Madden replaces Michael Kelly.

We see in the Valuation Records that the Land Commission is beginning to acquire land in the early 1930s. William Alfred Howard follows on from Richard Howard as occupier of fifty-seven acres. Mary Coolahan is leasing land, while Mary Coen replaces Charles Coen. Thomas Lyons becomes the owner of twenty-five acres.

Richard and Mansie Howard were given land in Ballymanagh and in the neighbouring townland of Cloonascragh. The local farmers objected and demanded land of their own. The Howard estate was divided and a number of farmers were allocated portions of land. They included Patrick Colohan, Jamesie Madden, Jim Curley, Pat Curley, Bernie Kelly and Tom Lyons. The Land Commission divided the land in the late 1930s and early 1940s. New names appear over the years that follow - names like Annie Silver, Michael Ryan, Peter Kelly, Ignatius Dolan, Eugene Nee, Patrick J. Campbell, Mary Agnes Cahill, John Burnell, Peter Poland and Maurice Muldoon.

Photo

Ballymanagh Lodge was built circa 1860. The first resident was John Coolahan; probably the John Coolahan who leased the largest amount of land, 221 acres at the time, from Allan Pollok. The second resident was John Bell. He appears in the 1901 census. John Bell was Scottish and was married, with two daughters. In 1913, he had an auction of farm machinery, which caused quite a stir in the area at the time. The next resident at the lodge was Dan Flattery an RIC officer who was stationed in Ballinasloe. He was married with three children Charles, Joe and Margaret. Tragically, Margaret who was a psychiatric nurse in Ballinasloe was struck and killed by a car at Rosgloss, Ballinasloe while cycling home from work on the 24th November 1935. Margaret was married to Michael Broderick and they had two children Kitty and Mikey. Mikey remained in the homestead and married Nora Kelly also from Ballymanagh. They had one child Marie who moved to Dublin. After Mikey?s death in 1982 the house and farm were bought by Fursey Whyte. Ballymanagh Lodge was a great house for card playing in the Broderick era and people came from a wide area to enjoy the card playing.

The Colohan family has lived in Ballymanagh since 1835. Peter built his house at that time and he married and had five children; Jim, Tom, Catherine Ellen and John. Tom emigrated to the United States and never returned to Ireland. Jim was working on the farm at home and is said to have thrown down his spade one day and headed for New York. From there, he travelled to Kansas where he purchased a ranch, married and had thirteen children. By a stroke of good fortune, oil was discovered on his land. He and his family became very successful. He returned to Ballymanagh on a visit in 1940. The remaining brother John stayed on the homestead. He married Bridget Carthy and had four children, after her death John married Nora Dayton and they had seven children.

In the Census of 1901, there are fifteen households with sixty-five people in the townland. The family names were Curley, Kelly, Lyons, Colohan, Kirwan and Bell. In the 1911 Census there was one household less and the family names remain the same.

Thanks for your info,

Myles married Catherine Donohue Dublin in May 1885.  Catherine is listed as widow of John Colohan.  They must have returned to Ballymanagh after the marriage.

 Myles Catherine and children left for America 1895, which may explain absence, however they returned to Kiltormer by 1901 Census.

Have you any idea if Kiltormer Churchyard records exist for Myles death in 20 Nov 1906.  Would love to know if he is buried in Catholic Cemetery in Kiltormer.

Thanks again for your research.  Jo.

I was very interested in this message as I also have relatives from this area and I was holding joeclontuskert could help me also.\\\

Perter Coolahan and Catherine Colahan married and were living in Ganaveen. They had 2 sons, Michael and Peter.They were evicted by Pollock and moved to Ballymanagh. Catherine died around 1847 and Peter remarried but I do not know to who.

Peter jr. became a policeman and moved to Limerick

Michael stayed in Ballinsloe and married a Bridget Kelly (from Crowsnest I believe)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Catherine Colahan

I think I was a little off on my dates.I am positive the Peter that was married to Nellie Murphy is my ggggrandfather. Nellie and the children would be his second wife. His first Catherine (also maiden name of Colahan) would have died between 1833 and 1835 and left 2 sons Michael and Peter Jr. I am looking for her burial plot and perhaps their marriage certificate. Peter hrs birth certificate lists them in Ganaveen with a spelling of Coolahan. Would Peter sr be buried in Clontuskert?

I think I was a little off on my dates.I am positive the Peter that was married to Nellie Murphy is my ggggrandfather. Nellie and the children would be his second wife. His first Catherine (also maiden name of Colahan) would have died between 1833 and 1835 and left 2 sons Michael and Peter Jr. I am looking for her burial plot and perhaps their marriage certificate. Peter hrs birth certificate lists them in Ganaveen with a spelling of Coolahan. Would Peter sr be buried in Clontuskert?