Patrick McDermott : Short Biography

Although Canbo had long been a McDermott stronghold, by the time of the the 1749 Elphin Census, no McDermott was recorded in Canbo. However, there was a McDermott herd living in the neighbouring townland of Ballinvilla, at this time.

In or about 1790, Patt McDermott of Canbo married Mary Cryan. By the time parish records begin, we can see them baptising the last of their family: sons John 1811, Martin 1817 and Peter 1818 (whose godfather was Maurice Elwood of Canbo).

In 1829, the Catholic Relief Bill was passed. Catholics were admitted to Parliament and local government corporations (but still excluded from some of the higher offices). Only freeholders had the right to vote.  “Freeholders” were men who either owned their land outright (in fee) or those who held it in a lease for the duration of their life (or the lives of other people named in the lease). From 1793, Protestants and Catholics with 40 shilling freeholds had been allowed to vote. However, in 1829 the rate increased to 10 pounds for everyone (stripping 40 shilling freeholders of their right to vote and increasing the influence of landlords by confining membership to the propertied or monied classes). 

In May 1829, Patt McDermott 'of Canbo otherwise Lurgan' was listed among those seeking to register to vote. His annual rates were £10 (taxes exclusive of cess and tithes) which would suggest he may have had income from grazing land elsewhere as well (possibly Scregg near Drumlion, Rathallen, and beyond Elphin).  The land at Canbo, being so close to Canbo lough, was marshy in places. 

The Canbo farm passed to his son, John McDermott (1811-1895) whose name appears on land record searchess [TA1842; GV1857].  This establishes the McDermott farm at 1a on the hill in Canbo, overlooking the lough. John’s 52/3/1 acre farm (aka 22/2/11 Irish acres), to the west of Canbo, encompassed part of Lisdaly lough (to the north) and part of Canbo lough (to the south). He was the only McDermott occupier in Canbo, but closely related to the McDermotts of Drumlion and Rathallen. His brother, Peter Anthony McDermott took up a farm nearby in Scregg (p. Killukin).