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GIFT OF
GEORGE C. MAHON, Esq.,
TO THE LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
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A
STATISTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL
SURVEY
OF TUE
County of Ealway,
WITH
OBSERVATIONS ON THE MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT ;
DRAWN UP FOR THE CONSIDERATION, AND
BY THE DIRECTION OF
THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY.
BY HELY DUTTON,
LANDSCAPE GARDENER AND LAND IMPROVER; MEMBER OF
THE FARMING SOCIETY OF IRELAND; AUTHOR OF AN
ADDITIONAL SURVEY OF THE COUNTY OF DUBLIN, CON-
TAINED IN OBSERVATIONS ON A FORMER SURVEY, BY
CAPTAIN ARCHER; AND AUTHOR OF THE STATISTICAL
SURVEY OF THE COUNTY OF CLARE.
DUBLIN:
PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,
BY R. GRAISBERRY,
PRINTER TO THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY.
1824.
TO THE READER.
THIS REPORT is at present printed and circulated
for the purpose merely of procuring further informa-
tion respecting the state of husbandry in this district,
and of enabling every one interested in the welfare of
this country to examine it fully, and contribute to its
improvement.
The Society do not deem themselves pledged to any
opinion given by the author; and they desire that no-
thing contained in this Survey be considered as their
sentiments. They have published it only for the com-
ments and observations of all persons, which they in-
treat may be given freely and without reserve.
It is therefore requested, that the observations on
reading this work may be returned to the Royal Dublin
Society, as soon as may be convenient, and they will
meet with the fullest attention in a future edition.
ERRATA.
Page. Line.
XII. 14 Dele noć,
PREFACE.
SURVEY.
16 Dele, Westmeath.
4 31 for, to produce the bog. At a still earlier period, read
to produce the bog at a still earlier period.
5
5
8
8
8
11
13
10 for tribes of families, read tribes or families.
15 for Lilanckia, read Silanchia.
2 for their screens, read then screens.
5 for can only exist under the head of " plantation and
planting" read can only exist,
26 for Borna read Barna.
24 for Clane, read Clare.
2 for Monivue, read Moniva.
13 22 for Slienbrechten, read Slieubaughta.
19
19
8 for Ruins, read Rains.
19 lor poke, read poach.
22 22 for Killeny, read Killery.
24 28 for Easterly, read Westerly,
8 for Ardfroy, read Ardfry.
36
39
50
56
56
56
$7
59
63
65
73
80
9 for map, read mass,
18 for too, read two.
12 for marshy, read marly.
22 for Kilcogan, read Kilcolgan,
28 for Gardner, read Gardener.
11 for embarkment, read embankment.
4 for Knocknay, read Knockmoy.
9 for quality, read equality.
32 for Erins.root, read Eringoroot.
15 for Kinvora, read Kinvara,
13 for extended, read intended,
99 29 for moss, read grass.
101 22 for Armagh, read Annagh,
5 for often read after.
105
Page. Line.
116
5 for crop, read cross.
1167 for or,
116
118
130
134
145
151
161
165
7 for or, read on.
8 for or, read on.
20 for Gurbally, read Garbally.
8 for rank, read mark.
4 for saving, read sowing.
7 for bundles, read bandles.
26 for construed, read constructed,
11 for carricates, read carrucates.
7 for mending, read raising.
170 16 for then, read their.
373 30 for two, read ten.
412 28 dele (a minor)
414
414
426
454
I for Ballinamore, read Riversdale.
9 for Ballymurphy, read Mount-Bernard.
24 for crop, read cross.
9 for Killeny, read Killery.
472 28 for Gronone, read Gro. more,
497 20 for Long abbey, read Cong abbey.
500 33 for Trench's, read French's.
14 21 for Craghowell, read Craghwell.
16
508
31 for Potumna, read Portumna.
15 for Mr. John's, read Mr. St. John's.
524 33 for gritly, read gritty.
APPENDIX,
96 21 for French, read Trench.
109 3 dele make,
TO EARL TALBOT.
MY LORD,
ALLOW me to follow you into your
retirement with that small but sincere tribute
of respect, which you were so good as to permit
me to dedicate to you when his Majesty's worthy
Representative for Ireland.
To no one can a work professing to detail
the agricultural practices of a county in Ireland
be more appropriately offered, than to a noble-
man who has on every occasion manifested so
warm a regard for her agricultural interests and
general prosperity.
Your lordship has evinced this, by not only
giving liberal premiums for improving the breed
of Irish stock, but by affording that countenance
which your acknowledged skill in rural affairs
has rendered invaluable.
I trust your lordship will join with me in
regretting, that so good an example has not in-
A 2
iv
fluenced the landed proprietors. That it has
not, I am sorry to be obliged to point to the de-
plorable falling off from the cheering appear-
ance at the former shows of the Farming Society
of Ireland, and to contrast it with the late thin
attendance, which seems to have sordidly fluc-
tuated with the funds of that patriotic society.
That your lordship may long continue to
enjoy that otium cum dignitate which can only
be obtained by the influence of a good heart on
an enlarged understanding, is the very sincere
wish of your lordship's
Most obedient
And very devoted Servant,
HELY DUTTON.
PREFACE.
I MUST begin by returning the most heartfelt
thanks to my numerous friends in the county
of Galway, for their unceasing acts of kindness
in every respect, except in furnishing me with
written information; of that, I have not to
acknowledge the smallest, but from the late
Rev. Mr. Russell, Mr. D'Arcy of Clifden castle,
Mr. D'Arcy of Galway, Mr. Blake of Merlin
Park, Mr. Reddington of Ryehill, and the late
Mr. Edmund Costello of Galway, to whom I
feel particularly obliged: had every one to
whom I applied taken the trouble to make even
a small portion of Mr. Costello's research, this
Survey would have been much more worthy of
public approbation than I am but too conscious
it is of one thing I feel I can congratulate
myself; that in no instance have I knowingly
deviated from the truth. If I have been de-
ceived into the insertion of what is unfounded,
at their door who stooped to this meaness it
must lie; and if this humble attempt should
ever be thought worthy of a second edition, I
vi
PREFACE.
shall be delighted to expose the fraud, and the
author of it. At an early period I published in
the Galway newspapers, and I also distributed
many hundreds of letters with printed queries
of those matters of which I wished to receive
information, but I have unfortunately the same
complaint to make that I had of the gentlemen
and clergy of the county of Clare. In my Preface
to the Survey of that county I expressed my
hopes as follows: "I trust and hope I shall
"not have the same complaint to make of the
66
gentlemen of the county of Galway, amongst
"whom I expect a continuance of that polite-
"ness and intelligence which I have formerly
"experienced; I have no fears on this head
"from the inhabitants of that
Alas!
I reckoned without my host.
county."
Their "
Their "polite-
ever doubted,
ness and intelligence" no one
but except in the very few instances above-
mentioned, I could not get a line. I need
scarcely bring to the recollection of this county
the many gentlemen who from their local know-
ledge, and the resources of good libraries, could
easily have furnished me with even heads only
of the necessary information on each subject;
but I regret to state that I found a languor,
not to say a reluctance when I have pressed
them, and only as table talk have I been able
to extract any information. I need not remark
that the hours of conviviality are not in general
those of inquisitive research, except as to the
PREFACE.
vii
comparative excellence of different vintages, or
the merit of different racers or hunters. I feel
great pleasure in acknowledging that Mr. Bel-
lew's extensive and choice library was ever ac-
cessible to me.*
The account of the minerals of Conna-
mara from Mr. Nimmo's very scientific re-
port to the Commissioners for improving the
bogs of Ireland, will be found, I presume,
highly interesting. It must be evident that in
a work of this nature I could not dwell as long
as I wished on the improvement of our exten-
sive bogs, nor on planting, green crops, irri-
gation, draining, &c.; they would each require
a volume. It must be also equally evident what
an arduous task I have undertaken, and from
the little assistance I have received, how im-
perfect a work embracing such various subjects,
must necessarily be. With this conviction I
* Had not some of the gentlemen and clergy of the county
of Clare absolutely refused me the information I so often re-
quested, I had avoided probably many inaccuracies, and per-
haps some mistatements; they must be sensible that I could
write only from the information of others; if I was deceived I
cannot be accountable for what I published. I can solemnly
assure them I was not influenced by any party motives; a
stranger unconnected in the county, could have no party
views whatsoever to answer: on the contrary, as a professional
man, it has probably been of no service to me.
There are
some characters, I understand, who instead of feeling any
compunction for their ungentlemanlike behaviour, still pursue
the same rude and vociferous mode of recrimination. I leave
them to the laugh of their acquaintance.
viii
PREFACE.
have waited thus long, and trespassed so much
on the forbearance of the Royal Dublin Society,
in hopes that a proper and enlightened view of
the importance of the inquiry would have in-
fluenced the gentlemen of the county to have
given me such information as would have en-
abled me to lay before the public a much more
satisfactory view of the county, its manners
and resources, than their indolence has per-
mitted me to do. I am indebted almost en-
tirely to my own research, which has been
much retarded by a necessary attention to
the duties of extensive professional engage-
ments. When I reflect on the able re-
ports drawn up by the clergy of Scotland,
I turn with regret to the almost total neglect
of my queries by those of this county whom
I many years since applied to. They can-
not say they had not leisure; they cannot say
they had no information to give, for they
could have furnished me with a much more
perfect kind than a stranger can possibly be
supposed to acquire. I am at a loss to ac-
But I am not singu-
count for this apathy.
lar in this complaint, for in almost every Irish
Survey the same is made. In Scotland, where
those admirable surveys have been published,
the protestant clergy have arduous duties to
perform; here, from the majority of the
county being catholics, the protestant clergy
have not the excuse that might have been
PREFACE.
ix
made there. I am by no means inclined to
impute it to a want of intellect or less vir-
tuous propensities than their neighbours, for
I am happy to bear testimony to the full pos-
session of both by the clergy of every per-
suasion. We must then consider it to pro-
ceed from the same cause that has influenced
the other gentlemen of the county, indolence.*
Had they a proper feeling on this subject, the
survey should never have been committed into
my hands, and I had been saved a very irk-
some task, and one by which I shall probably
be a loser to an amount that I should be
ashamed to mention; but I was induced, at
an early period, by the solicitations of a par-
tial friend, to undertake it, and a regard to
the fulfilment of my promise alone has im-
pelled me to give it birth. I most heartily
congratulate the county that I have not much
to say on the subject of road jobbing; and I
trust the rising generation of Grand Jurors
will scout this disgrace to the names of Chris-
tian and gentleman out of their jury-room.
What a delightful thing it must be to the
proud feelings of Connaught men to be told by
a Judge "Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, I
"most heartily congratulate you on the total
* I was weak enough to think that every person to whom
I enclosed the list of queres would travel with it in their
pockets, and note down every thing they observed tending to
throw any light on such quere!
X
PREFACE.
"abolition of road-jobbing; and that you
66
I
seem now to feel that consideration for the
"distresses of your poorer fellow-subjects,
"which should actuate every gentleman.
"trust I shall always have to praise you for
making those roads, which are merely for
your own convenience and pleasure, out of
your own pockets. I most sincerely hope
I shall never hear of presentments for vi
siting roads, (as they are properly called by
"the country people) constructed from the
public purse."
66
66
As in the Survey of Clare, I have avoided
here a description of gentlemen's seats. The
reason must be obvious to those who know
that in very many of them I have been con-
cerned in the embellishment or improvement.
Were I to point out the defects of any place,
it would, independent of its rudeness, pro-
probably be said my motive was the hope of
being called in to amend them. On the other
hand, I could not stoop to flatter the proprie-
tor of a place 'into an idea that it possessed
picturesque merit, when perhaps it was com-
posed of tame screens and circular clumps.
If a man is satisfied with his hobby, it would
be very ungracious, not to say cruel, to put
him out of conceit with him; in fact, it would
be a difficult task. The only remark I shall
make is, that I have not seen any place, in
any part of Ireland, that could not be much
PREFACE.
xi
improved, especially by thinning. I wish that
any thing I could urge would induce the
landed proprietors to emulate those noble
plantings in Scotland. I imagine nothing of
this kind has as yet been attempted in this
county, though many parts of it are equally
adapted for it as those of Scotland. I trust
I have thrown some useful light on the
fisheries, a matter highly deserving of the
marked attention of not only those pro-
prietors who have estates on the sea-coast,
but of every landed proprietor, and more es-
pecially the merchants of Galway, who have
now the high road to wealth opened to them
by the legislature. I hope they will meet the
offer by energy, and not only in this branch,
but in the export of butter, and that trade in
beef and pork, which by some former misma-
nagement they lost. I have given copies of
the charters of Queen Elizabeth (rectifying
and confirming those of Richard the Second,
Richard the Third, Edward the Fourth, Ed-
ward the Sixth, and Henry the Eighth) and that
of King Charles the Second.
I have been favoured by a kind friend with
copies of several other charters, for, exclusive
* I am delighted that one enlightened merchant, Mr. Mac-
lachlan, has this year (1823) slaughtered a considerable num-
ber of cattle for exportation. It is to be hoped this renewal of
a former trade will not be damped by sending any but the very
best description of beef.
xii
PREFACE.
of those I have given, there are those of
Richard the Second, Richard the Third, Henry
the Sixth, Edward the Fourth, Edward the
Sixth, James the Second, and probably some
others, but I did not think myself warranted
in laying my friends under contribution for
what probably most of them would consider
merely literary curiosities, except by a few in
Galway. I trust it will be perceived that I have
avoided the insertion of much corporation mat-
ter with which I have been favoured, that would
be considered agreeable by those only engaged
in party, and any observations of mine must
not be in prejudgment of a question with the
merits of which I must be very imperfectly
acquainted, and I do not write to serve any
party. On the never-dying subject of tribes
and non-tribes of Galway, I have given the
arguments on both sides; professing a perfect
neutrality; I have, I trust, many friends of each
party.
I have given a specimen of Galway poetry,
that I flatter myself will be enjoyed by every
lover of genuine humour. Since that period,
we have had plenty of coarse satire, some
daubing, some rhyming, but no poetry. It
must be evident to every person of the least
reading, that though I have not stopped to
acknowledge it, I have drawn largely on several
authors, particularly on Dr. Ledwich, Butler's
Lives of the Saints, Grose, and any others
PREFACE.
xili
that were likely to enlighten my subject. I
trust therefore, that any living authors whom I
have quoted may not be offended, nor think I
could be mean enough to stoop to such acts of
piracy, or vain enough to think I could escape
detection. The fact is, that many of my notes
were taken at moments of such great hurry,
that the names of many of the authors have
escaped my recollection. I may say with great
truth, Non mi ricordo.
To Mr. Hardiman's admirable History of
Galway I am deeply indebted for many articles
that his indefatigable research has brought to
light, and which the difficulty of acquiring put
out of my reach. I must confess, had I seen
his excellent book at an earlier period, pro-
bably the town of Galway would have been
left entirely to him; but my Survey had been
so far advanced, and so much of the town af
fairs intermingled with those of the county at
large, that I had neither time nor indeed in-
clination to make a new arrangement. I flatter
myself that from the union of Mr. Hardiman's
book and mine, there will be found a more
perfect county report than has hitherto ap-
peared in Ireland. To Mr. Hardiman the
town of Galway, and indeed the literary world,
are highly indebted. To appreciate the intense
labour and expense of his research through the
different offices of record, a man must have
been an author and in a similar situation.
Xiv
PREFACE.
Most sincerely do I wish him that remune-
ration which a discerning and grateful public
should bestow; and I cannot think that any
person of this province, where such multitudes
are descended from the Galway families, can
be so destitute of taste, or even curiosity, as
to be without the book; and even to those who
are unconnected with the county I can promise
a high treat, if indefatigable research, exqui-
site arrangement, manly style, and unim-
peached veracity can deserve it.
To Mrs. Blake of Merlin Park I feel highly
indebted for procuring me an inspection of the
old map of Galway at Castle-Mount-Garret, (a
fac simile of which Mr. Hardiman has pub-
lished); also for communicating the old corpo-
ration book in her possession, from which much
useful and entertaining matter has been ex-
tracted.
I shall feel highly honored by receiving the
corrections of any person better acquainted
with the county than I can pretend to be; they
shall be gratefully acknowledged if this work
should ever be thought worthy of a second edi-
tion.
Mount Bellew, Castle Blakeney.
TTON.
HELY DUTTON.
ADVERTISEMENT.
FROM an extensive and very varied practice,
and an attentive study of the higher branches
of Landscape Gardening, the Author hopes he
may claim the notice of his countrymen.
His designs for Water, and its picturesque
accompaniments, he trusts, are more from
Nature than those usually executed in Ireland,
and perhaps even in England, if we may judge
from the tame frontispiece to Mr. Pontey's
new work" The Rural Improver," which, it
may be reasonably concluded, is a chosen speci-
men of his practice, and of English taste.
In thinning plantations, so little known or
attended to in Ireland, he endeavours to unite
future profit with picturesque effect, and gives
instructions for pruning plantations, which any
intelligent hedge carpenter can execute, and
thus spread this grossly and obstinately ne-
glected, but highly necessary practice, for those
who have a due regard for the interests of pos-
terity.
xvi
A very considerable experience in draining
and irrigation enables him in many cases to
lessen the expense, by making each contribute
to the benefit of the other.
The plan he has for some time adopted, of
giving occasional visits by the year, has been
found so very satisfactory, he is induced to ex-
tend it, by which a very considerable saving in
expence will be obtained by those who have
extensive designs in contemplation.
t
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
SECT.
GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
1. Situation and extent
2. Divisions
3. Climate
4. Soil and surface
5. Minerals
6. Water
SECT.
CHAPTER II.
AGRICULTURE.
1. Mode of Culture
Extent of it, and of each species of grain
sowed
2. Course of Crops
Page
1
57
11
27
50
Page
60
68
74
83
3. Use of Oxen-how harnessed
4. Nature and use of implements of husbandry 87
5. Markets for grain
6. Use of green food in Winter
b
95
97
xviii
CONTENTS.
?
SECT.
CHAPTER III.
PASTURE.
1. Nature of it
2. Breed of cattle-how far improved, and
how far capable of further improvement
Markets or fairs for them
List of fairs
C.5
3. General prices
4. Modes of feeding, and how far housed in
winter
5. Natural grasses
6. Artificial grasses
7. Mode of hay-making
b
0
8 0 0
8. Dairies-their produce and management
9. Prices of hides, tallow, wool, and quan-
tity sold
CHAPTER IV.
FARMS.
Pagé
104
110
118
120
122
125
128
134
136
140
144
1. Their size
146
2. Farm houses and offices
149
3. Nature of tenures-general state of leases,
and particular clauses therein
152
4. Taxes or cesses paid by tenants
158
5. Proportion of working horses and oxen to
the size of farms
159
6. General size of fields and enclosures
161
7. Nature of fences
-
163
8. Mode of draining
9. Nature of manure-Irrigation
169
174
1
CONTENTS.
XIX
CHAPTER V.
GENERAL SUBJECTS.
SECT.
1. Population
2. Number and size of towns and villages
3. Habitations, fuel, food, and clothing of
the lower ranks, and their general cost
. Prices of labour, wages, and provisions
5. State of tithe-its general amount
Page
192
196
$40
358
363
6. Use of beer or spirits, whether either or
which is encreasing
366
7. State of roads, bridges, &c.
0
369
8. Navigations and navigable rivers
$81
9. State of fisheries
-383
10. State of education, schools, and charitable
institutions
405
11. State of resident and non-resident pro-
prietors
411
12. State of circulation of money or paper
417
13. State of farming and agricultural societies
419
14. State of manufactures-whether encreasing
15. State of mills of every kind
16. State of plantations and planting
423
432
17. State of the effects of the encouragement
heretofore given by the Royal Dublin
Society, particularized in the annexed
list, and any improvement which may
occur for future encouragement, parti-
cularly for the preservation of trees
when planted
434
44:44
18. State of nurseries in the county, and ex-
tent of sales
448
19. Price of timber, and state of it in the
country
450
XX
CONTENTS.
SECT.
20. Quantity of bog and waste ground-the
possibility and means of improving them,
and the obstacles to their improvement.
21. Habits of industry, or want of it amongst
the people
Page
454
460
22. Use of the English language, whether ge-
neral, or how far encreasing
463
23. Account of towers, castles, &c. or places
remarkable for any historical event
464
24. List of parishes
474
25. Abbeys-ecclesiastical divisions--resident
clergy
478
26. Whether the county has been actually sur-
veyed
509
27. Weights and measures, liquid or dry;
in what instances are weights assigned
for measures, or vice versa
512
28. Morals, manners and customs of the
people
516
29. Concluding observations
525
APPENDIX.
Page
Tribes and non-tribes
3
The Pope's Bull
26
Charter of Queen Elizabeth
Charter of King Charles II.
Battle of the Chaunters
Petition of Cornelius O'Clummughan
Mr. Knight's directions for making cider
32
62
94
102
110
品
​A STATISTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL
SURVEY,
&c. &c.
CHAPTER L
SECTION I.
SITUATION AND EXTENT.
THE County of Galway is situated on the western
coast of Ireland: its greatest length is about seventy-five
miles, and breadth about forty. On the west it is
bounded by the great Atlantic ocean; on the north by
part of the counties of Mayo and Roscommon; on the
east by a part of the counties of Roscommon, West-
meath, and King's county; and on the south by a part
of the counties of Clare and Tipperary, and the bay of
Galway. It is generally estimated to contain 775,525
plantation acres; but probably, like that of other coun-
ties, it is an erroneous calculation, for by Mr. Nimmo's
estimate, the three baronies of Moycullen, Ballynahinch,
and Ross, alone contain 350,000. A map upon a large
scale has been lately published by the late Mr. Larkin,
at the desire of the Grand Jury. Amongst many other
useful purposes the true contents will be ascertained,
B
2
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and many false returns of lands paying cess will be rec-
tified: great abuses of this nature have been detected
by Mr. Davis of Hampstead, who has accepted the
troublesome office of high constable for this very pur-
pose. When the maps of each barony are published,
the best lines of roads will be easily pointed out, and
many jobs prevented; at the same time, I must confess
this county is far behind some of their neighbours in
this species of mean fraud, so disgracefnl to the charac-
ter of a gentleman.
The South Islands of Arran, at the entrance of the
bay of Galway, contain about 7000 acres, and are the
property of Mr. Digby; they let, or did let for about
£2000. per annum, and the rents well paid. The largest
island alone contains 4607 acres, Innismore 1338, and
Innis Leer 909. Their chief trade consists in fresh and
cured fish, feathers, a superior kind of yearling calves,
much sought after by the Connaught graziers: formerly
might be added great quantities of whiskey and smug-
gled goods of many kinds. Arran was anciently called
the blessed. No less than ten monasteries were built by the
pious Endeus, besides thirteen churches; and so great
were the number of Saints and Hermits interred here,
that the writer of the life of St. Kieran thus expresses
himself: “In qua insula multitudo virorum sanctorum
manet, et innumerabiles sancti, omnibus incogniti, nisi
solo Deo omnipotenti, ibi jacent !" The family of
Gore purchased these islands from Erasmus Smyth,
and derive their earldom from this island, which was
formerly in that of Butler; they are called South Isles,
to distinguish them from one on the coast of Donegal,
called the North Isle of Arran. A light house has lately
been erected on the large island. These islands are
called by Ptolemy Ganganii,-a corruption of the Irish
words Cean-gan: Cean signifies a head or promontory,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
3
and gan, external,-the people of the external promon-
tory. Burrin, in the county of Clare, opposite to these
islands, had the same appellation from Ptolemy. The
cattle on these islands are sometimes greatly distressed
for fresh water, in so much that, in 1810 and 1821 every
beast was brought to Cunnemara until the rains had
supplied the wells. There are vast numbers of black-
birds and thrushes, but no frogs (as I am informed) in
any of the islands. At a very remote period these is-
lands were inhabited by the Druids; many of their altars
and other remains are visible, and there are strong
proofs that they were at this period covered with
woods.
The late Mr. Richard Kirwan seemed to think that
the bay of Galway was originally a granite mountain,
shattered and swallowed up by some dreadful convulsion
that left a vast mass of granite, called the Gregory,
standing on limestone rocks, one hundred feet at least
above the level of the sea. This curious circumstance
occurs very frequently in the calcareous region in the
neighbourhood of Galway, probably occasioned by the
same convulsion that also gave entrance to the sea be-
tween the islands of Arran, according to O'Flaherty.
In the great island of Arran may be seen the remains
of a fort, called Dun Engus, so called from Engus of
the Huomarian family, who flourished a little before the
birth of Christ under Mauda, queen of Connaught.
This island was formerly the residence of St. Ende, and
afterwards of a multitude of Anchorites and holy men;
ever since it has been called, by tradition of the inhabi-
tants, the Down of Conquovar, the son of Huomar who
flourished at the same period with Engus. It is men-
tioned in the Ogygia that the bay of Galway was an-
ciently called Lough Lurgan, the sea broke through
between the islands of Arran, and formed it into the
B 2
4
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
present bay of Galway: this rests on the testimony of
Mr. O'Flaherty. He says also, that the Belgians gave
names to the following places: Lough Kime, at present
Lough Hacket, above the Moy-sneang, in the rectory
of Muntir-Moroghow, in the barony of Clare Galway;
Rhintumuin, in Madrigia, a peninsula on the south of
Galway; also Loughcoutra, near Gort; Lough Buadha,
Lough Baa, Loughrein, Loughfinney, Loughgrene,
Loughriach, in the barony of Moenmoy, now Clan-
rickard.
A very curious natural production occurs at Barna,
that would seem to countenance this assertion of the
Ogygia; many feet, probably ten, below high water
mark, may be seen on the strand a turf bog of several
feet in depth, in which are the stumps and roots of
large trees, and many branches of oak and birch inter-
mixed. On this bog there are rocks of many tons
weight. The same phenomenon occurs at the west side of
the island of Omey, which is very far advanced into the
boisterous Atlantic ocean. Probably few things in na-
tural history are more worthy of scientific investigation,
whichever of the following cases may be considered:
1st, The tides cannot formerly have risen so high on
this coast as at present; 2d, The land must have ex-
tended an immense distance into the Atlantic ocean
farther than at present, to enable trees of such magni-
tude as those at the island of Omey and at Barna even
to exist, or the winds from the west must have been of
a very different nature from those that prevail at present.
It must also be recollected that woods must have existed
to produce the bog. At a still earlier period.we might
cut the Gordian knot, by saying these bogs were formed
before the deluge; but I wish some of my scientific
friends to help me to untie it.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
5
SECTION II.
DIVISIONS.
THE County is comprised in the following sixteen
baronies:
Athenry,
Dunkellen,
Leitrim,
Ballynahinch,
Killconnel,
Longford,
Half Ballimoe,
Kiltartan,
Moycullen,
Clare,
Killyhan,
Ross,
Clonmacow,
Loughrea,
Tiaquin.
Downamore,
At a remote period this county was thus divided
amongst tribes of families:
amongst the Burkes.
Clankonow
Clan Fargail
Hy-maine
Maghullen (Moy-
cullen)
O'Hallorans.
O'Dalys & O'Kellys.*
O'Flahertys.+
Lilanchia (now the
barony of Long-
ford)
O'Maddens.
Hy-Fiacria Aidne
Clanrickard.
• At a still more remote period, the O'Layns were lords of this ter-
ritory, which was then called Moy-Sachnoly.
"
↑ Moycullen is the birth place of Roderick O'Flaherty who wrote the
Ogygia, where he says, "This is my native soil and patrimony, enjoyed
by my ancestors time immemorial. There was a manor exempted by
"a patent from all taxes; it likewise enjoyed the privilege of holding a
a market and fairs, and was honored with a Seneschal's court to deter-
"mine litigations; but having lost my father at the age of two years, I
"sheltered myself under the wings of royalty, and paid the usual sum for
my wardship. But before I attained the proper age of possessing my
fortune, I was deprived of the patronage of my guardian, by the detestable
44
6
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Conmacnemara, or the chief tribe on the great sea,
comprehending the western parts of the county of Gal-
way on the sea coast; it was also called Conmacne-Ira,
or the chief tribe in the west; and Iar-Connaught, or
West Connaught; likewise Hy-Tartagh, or the western
country, the chiefs of which were denominated Hy-
Flaherty, or O'Flaherty, that is, the chief of the nobles
of the western country. It contained the baronies of
Morogh, Moycullen, and Ballynahinch.
*
The meaning of the word Galway has been differently
construed. Some say it is derived from Gal, a stranger,
and Ibv, a territory; the country of strangers. It is
also called Galliv, rocky or stony; also, Galmhaith,
(Galway,) pronounced Galiv, a rocky barren country.
In Syriac, Galmitha; in Chaldean, Galmodh-durus
silex, figuratè, pro sterilitate solitudinis. At some former
period, in one of the Pope's bulls, it is called "the vil-
lage of Galway." Many think it took its name from
Gaillimh, or Galiv, the daughter of Breasail, who was
drowned here; and in the old map of Galway, pub-
lished in 1651, (of which a copy is given in Mr. Hardi-
man's admirable history of Galway,) the rock near
which she was drowned is delineated: the map, how-
"execution of my king. Having completed my nineteenth year, and the
"prince half a year younger, then I was compelled to take refuge in a
"foreign clime. The Lord wonderfully restored the prince to his crown,
"with the approbation of all good men, without having recourse to hostile
"measures; but he has found me unworthy to be reinstated in the pos-
"session of my own estate.-Against thee only, O Lord, have I trans-
gressed; blessed be the name of the Lord for ever!" The estate men-
tioned here, I am informed, is now possessed by Mr. Lynch of the Castle
in Galway. Note, Mr. Hardiman says he was born at Park, near Gal-
way, and died in 1718, aged eighty-nine.
44
There is no such barony at present. Mr. Nimmo mentions in his
Report," the hill of Mulrea in Morisk," and there is a parish called Moirus
in Connemara. In the county of Mayo there is a barony of Morisk.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
7
ever, is of little authority, as the publisher had the ac-
count only from tradition. The general opinion seems
to be, that the name is derived from the words Gail,
merchant, and ibh, pronounced iv, a territory; and
Tacitus and Ptolomy countenanced this idea. Mr.
Hardiman also says, that in all the ancient documents
down to the year 1400, it is invariably written Galvy.
"In process of time the word Gal-iva was altered into
"Gal-via, the literal translation of which, Gal-way,
"first occurs about the year 1400, and from that time
"it has remained uniform and unchanged, by any varia-
"tion to the present day." Campion, in 1571, says,
that "Connaught hath as yet but the county of Clare,
"the towns of Athenry and Galway, a proper neat
city at the sea side." At a very remote period the
county of Cavan was reckoned part of Connaught.
"6
SECTION III.
CLIMATE.
THE climate of this county is in general peculiarly
healthful; the strong and almost constant gales from
the Atlantic, though frequently productive of rain,
and unfriendly to the growth of trees exposed to their
influence, seem to agree with most constitutions. A
great improvement in the climate might be produced
by planting extensively, and by the drainage of the ex-
tensive bogs and moors which form so large a portion
of this county. The opinion entertained by many,
whose education should enlarge their ideas, that trees
will not succeed in situations exposed to the western
gales, is a very erroneous one, and frequently dictated
8
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1
by a want of spirit: how is it possible such patches and
their screens, as we see in almost every place, can stand
exposure; even where they are thrown into a more
extended form,, they are on so pitiful a scale that they
can only exist, under the head of "Plantations and
Planting." I shall enlarge on a subject peculiarly in-
teresting to a county like this, so subject to storms. If
there had been any meteorological observations made
and continued for a number years, the change of cli-
mate could be ascertained; but it seems to be the ge-
neral opinion of the oldest inhabitants, that for some
years past storms and rain have been more frequent
from the west than formerly. * As some corrobora-
tion of this idea, the encroachment of the sea near the
Recorder's quay on the west side of Galway, may be
adduced, where the marks of the potato ridges may be
seen, and which only a very few years ago were in cul-
tivation, though they are now covered at every tide.
This ground could easily be recovered from the sea, and
made more productive than formerly. There can be little
doubt the sea is encroaching on the land where it meets
resistance from rocks or high banks of earth: where a
gradual sandy shore occurs, the highest tides do no
injury. Those who make embankments against the sea
or rivers should imitate this. In Ireland they are
wretchedly constructed; at Borna instances may be
seen of both the above effects of the sea. Lately the
ground near the Recorder's quay, has been reclaimed
by Mr. Bulteel, and promises to remunerate his very
spirited exertion.
The medical gentlemen of Galway inform me
that the town is generally very healthful, and where
disorders do occur, they cannot be imputed to the
• It is a curious circumstance that rice was sowed here in 1585, and
was raised in England in the last century.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
9
climate or want of pure water, but to a want of
cleanliness in the inhabitants, and a total neglect of
every ordinance to enforce it by the magistrates. The
fish market, and the adjacent quays, are particularly
filthy at some seasons, when fish are very plenty. The
fishers are permitted to cut off the heads and gut the
fish in the market and on the quays, and leave them
there unheeded, until they rot and emit a most offen-
sive and dangerous stench. I cannot conceive what
sort of organs the magistrates must possess; it is as-
tonishing what nuisances indolence and habit will per-
mit some people to doze over or overlook. * Disorders
are sometimes caused by an immoderate use of fish,
especially by strangers not used to good fish, but more
especially from a too plentiful addition of melted but-
ter, and that frequently very indifferent. The poorer
inhabitants, who at certain seasons consume great
quantities of fresh fish, have seldom cause to complain;
butter is generally above their reach, and the more
wholesome potato is substituted. The water of the
town is also generally supposed to cause a disorder to
strangers usually called the Galway, and they are put
on their guard against its use; but if it is taken up
above the town, or at Nun's Island, I imagine there can-
not be better water any where; but whilst the inhabit-
ants through indolence permit their servants to take
up water near the fish market, they cannot be surprised
at its unwholesoineness, after passing through all the
sewers, slaughter houses, tan pits, and barracks in the
town. I assure the fair ladies of Galway I have fre-
Since I composed these strictures, several years ago, a most mate-
rial change for the better has been made in every respect by the present
Mayor, James Hardiman Burke, Esq. and many others are in a state
of progress.
10
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
quently seen their tea-kettles filling between the old
county gaol and the fish market; and within a few
feet of their servant I have observed one filthy drab
beetling dirty clothes, and another gutting fish. There
are several excellent springs around Galway, but few
make use of them, except those in their immediate
neighbourhood, chiefly from the difficulty of getting
their servants to go to them.
It is very easy to obviate much of the complaint
against impure water by procuring a tin filtering ma-
filled with fine and
chine of the annexed shape
clean sand, which must be taken out and washed oc-
casionally; the top or trumpet part should contain
about four quarts of water, and if it is covered with
canvass, it will prevent the necessity of washing the
sand so frequently; the expense eight or nine shillings.
There have been many machines for this purpose on a
larger scale invented lately, which no large house
should be without, but this simple one will answer for
a small family. Cunnemara is particularly healthful,
so much so, that I was informed by a respectable Ca-
tholic clergyman, that in a parish containing upwards
of 3000 inhabitants, only 40 died in 37 years, and of
that number only 3 under 90 years of age. Frost or
snow seldom remain on the sea coast of Cunnemara.
I was there in December 1816, when the inland roads
were impassible from the depth of the snow; here, it
was not more than three inches deep, and remained
only 3 or 4 days. Cattle of all kinds remain out all
the winter, and very rarely ever taste hay, for it is a
scarce article in Cunnemara. I do not know any part
of Ireland where watered meadows would so amply re-
munerate the proprietor, or where they could be so
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
11
easily and cheaply constructed. This shall be noticed
more fully under its proper head.
SECTION IV.
SOIL AND SURFACE.
THE greater part of this county, if we except that
immense tract west of Oughterard, is limestone; the
divisions between this and the granite are generally
well defined; even the superior verdure discovers im-
mediately the limestone. Almost the entire of the
county, beginning at either Bannagher or Ballinasloe,
and continued to Galway, is calcareous. From Galway
to Oughterard, in a western direction, the highroad
nearly marks the division between the two regions; all
the country to the north of that road and extending over
Loughcorrib into the counties of Mayo and Roscom-
mon, except the neighbourhood of Dunmore, is lime-
stone; that to the southward of this road, compre-
hending the baronies of Ballinahinch, Ross and Moy-
cullen, extending upwards of forty miles long and six-
teen broad, with the exception of some detached masses
of primitive limestone, and which occur frequently
near the road from Oughterard to Clifden, is all ei-
ther granite or other minerals of great variety of ap-
pearance.
All the mountains of Sliebhbaughta that divides this
county from Clane, beginning at Mountshannon, and
running by Dalyston and Roxborough, and ending
near Gort, are, I believe, silex. A remarkable tongue
of fine limestone runs boldly into the mountains at
12
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Ballynagrieve, the estate of Earl Clancarty, but no use.
is made of it by his tenants, as far as I was informed.
There is also a considerable bed of limestone with
large shells, in the river near Mr. Martin's at Oughte-
rard, part of which forms a charming natural cascade.
Limestone of various kinds has been discovered by the
late indefatigable Mr. Donald Stewart in the Sliebh-
baughta mountains, as shall be mentioned in the list
of minerals.
The soil of this county generally produces every
crop in abundance. The wheat, particularly that which
is produced to the southward of Galway, is amongst
the best in Ireland, producing that fine bread to be
found in Galway, Tuam and other towns, and in al-
most every gentleman's house.
The barley and oats, from the introduction of better
kinds than were formerly sowed, from the benefit of
an extensive export, and from the establishment of ex-
tensive breweries at Newcastle and Galway, have been
greatly improved in their quality, and the quantity as-
tonishingly multiplied: this shews plainly, if it could
be doubted, the incalculable benefit of a free export of
corn.
From the general mode of fencing in many parts of
this county, by dry stone walls, a stranger riding
through the country is at a loss to know where so much
corn as he sees in November around every village and
cotttage is produced; for where this fence is used, ex-
cept immediately under the eye on each side of the
road, he can perceive nothing but stone walls as far as
the sight can reach, but the building of those walls
enables the farmer to clear his land, and produce fine
crops of potatoes and corn on land that before this
improvement was not worth five shillings an acre.—It
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
13
ས་ ག་
must be confessed that the country between Gort or
Monivue and Galway is not calculated to impress a
a stranger with a favorable opinion of its tillage, yet
there is scarcely any part of the county so susceptible
of improvement as that extensive, and at present
dreary tract. It has been all formerly under tillage of
the most destructive kind, the usual running out one
of Ireland, and has in most instances reverted to its
original heath. If, on the contrary, limestone gravel,
which I am informed is in almost every field, was libe-
rally used, fences made with good hedges and ditches
(in which this county is very deficient), and a proper
rotation of crops pursued, followed by clover, ray grass,
and other green crops, it would change the face of this
desert, and instead of being, as at present, used for
winterage for a few cattle or sheep, would in a short
time become uncommonly productive of corn, and at
the same time maintain more cattle and sheep than at
present. I shall have occasion to mention this subject
again.
Compared to many other parts of Ireland, this
county, with the exception of Cunnemara and Slieu-
brechten mountains, is generally flat and uninteresting,
and requires considerable skill and patience to pro-
duce picturesque effect; it must almost generally be
effected by planting alone, without much assistance
from water or rocks; for though the first frequently
occurs, yet it is generally accompanied by flat, uninte-
resting ground, and requires more time, patience and
taste to produce picturesque effect by trees, than most
improvers posses; and the latter, though in many
places scattered over the ground in great profusion, are
seldom of that character, or so happily placed that a
man of taste would wish to introduce them into his
scenery.
14
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
A great quantity of ground has been cleared of
stones, which seems to be the favourite improvement
of this county, and it is astonishing the expense some
gentlemen go to, that would not lay out a guinea in
draining or improving their bogs, or planting; but it is
the Galway hobby horse, and it must be confessed, has
been rode frequently with great address and profit. I
only wish that my hobby should be occasionally rode;
if with skill, he will be found as pleasant and profita-
ble as the other; if not, he is apt to leave his rider in
the dirt.
There are very extensive tracts of ground too full
of rocks to be cleared with any profit, and which
at present rear only a few sheep, that could be planted
with infinitely more profit than can be made by
dwindled sheep or half starved cattle. They occur to
a large amount near Castle Taylor, that great range
of country beginning at Persse lodge, and running for
several miles into Burrin in the county of Clare; also
in the neighbourhood of Galway, Rahasane, Cregg-
clare, Menlough, Rahoon, Craghowell, &c. &c.
About thirty years ago one third of this county was
estimated to be bog, mountain or lake; but since this
calculation was made, great improvements have taken
place in the mountains, and some in the bogs, and
since the beneficial, but much abused practice of burn-
ing the surface in such situations has been adopted, a
still greater portion of our waste land must be added
to tillage; but I regret I cannot say any land has been
added by the drainage of lakes. An immense addition
could be made by lowering Lough Corrib, which could
be easily effected, I imagine, near Well-park. An at-
tempt was formerly made in a good direction to ac-
complish this, why it did not proceed I am to learn.
I should think the mill-sites on this outlet would
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
15
more than pay the expense of the work, as the fall
is so considerable, and the supply so abundant that
they might be near each other, and the materials for
building and supply of corn and fuel, &c. could be
brought by water from the counties of Mayo and Clare;
and, as a further inducement, there is fine limestone on
the spot. Amongst the many lakes or Turloughs that
could be drained, or at least lowered, Turlough-more,
near Tuam, that near Rahasane, and that extensive
chain from Castle Hacket to Shruel, are the most con-
spicuous: they are only occasionally flooded in winter,
and want chiefly an enlargement and deepening of the
outlet, or a confinement of the stream to a bed suffi-
ciently capacious to accomplish this. The proprietors
of these Turloughs have been wishing these fifty years
this had been done, but speak to individuals on the
subject, and they are unanimous in nothing but a de-
sire to throw the expence on any one but themselves.-
These Turloughs maintain about seven or eight sheep
to the acre for about four months, but in wet seasons
they are of little value.
The country about Ballynahinch, the seat of Tho-
mas Barnwall Martin, Esq. is extremely bold and highly
picturesque, totally different from any thing to be met
with in any other part of this county. I am grieved to
say, that nature has all the merit; she has had little as-
sistance, though an almost constant residence for up-
wards of fifty years would lead one to expect that a
small part at least of a large income would have been
annually expended in improvements.
Mr. Thomas
Martin, who is a young man, and has only lately got
possession of Ballynahinch, is, as I am informed, mak-
ing preparations to plant extensively, and may hope to
see his plantations of considerable size and value; but
the scale of planting here must be totally different from
16
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
that usually adopted; here it must be reckoned by the
hundred acres, by whole mountains; not like the tame
thin screens or belts of the followers of Browne, dis-
gracing many places in this county; the outline must
agree in character and extent with the bold and pic-
turesque one of the stupendous Twelve Pins, rising
majestically from the charming lake of Ballynahinch,
and connecting it with the other beautiful lakes and
rivers in its neighbourhood. What a paradise would
Ballynahinch be now, had the same spirit and taste.
that actuate the men of fortune in Scotland, or many
of the gentlemen of this county, been exerted here; but
from Mr. Thomas Martin's love for planting, and every
improvement, we may hope Ballynahinch may become
what it should have been.
The neighbourhood of Loughrea, before very beau-
tiful, has been greatly improved by a new line of road
to Dalyston, the noble seat of the late Right Honor-
able Denis Bowes Daly. The grounds around this
lake are most happily adapted for planting, and I am
not a little surprised they have not been long since
thickly inhabited.
A very fine vein of land begins at Gort, runs through
Roxborough and Castleboy, spreading for some dis-
tance chiefly in a northern direction; from thence it
proceeds towards Loughrea, and continues in a southern
tract to Dalyston. This line includes Coorine, the
estate of Earl Clancarty; Park, the estate of the late
Right Hon. D. B. Daly; and Grola, the estate of Sir
John Burke of Marble-hill: it continues in this line,
and comprehends the fine lands of Pallas, Potumna,
Eyrecourt, &c. and from thence with some variation
to Aghrim. It has been said that this is a continuation
of the celebrated golden vein of the county of Limerick ;
which, after running through the county of Clare, is
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
17
continued in this line. From Loughrea this fine vein
takes another direction, beginning at Ballydugan it
continues with little interruption to Ballydonnelan, Kill-
rinkle, Eastwell, Oatfield, Aghrim, and Ballinasloe; for
several miles beyond that, on the road to Athlone, it
is a miserable country. The lands just mentioned are
some of the best in the county, though there are many
others equally good, but they are more detached or
demesne lands; they will fatten cattle of any weight,
and bring a price in proportion. The principal part
of the lands of this county are, however, better adapted
to sheep feeding, chiefly to rearing for the Leinster gra-
ziers, who usually buy them at the fair of Ballinasloe
in October and May, and complaints are seldom made.
of unsoundness, the lands converted to this purpose
being generally light and rocky soil, or heathy moun-
tain. Between Clare, Galway and Tuam, the quality
of the ground is good, about Tuam still better, and
improves as you advance to Dunmore, about which
town the country is exceedingly picturesque, alternate
hill and dale, and almost all either rich pasture or til-
lage. The grounds between Oranmore and Monivae
are very indifferent; a steril surface, covered with short
heath and fern, but in general has, at two or three feet
beneath the surface, limestone gravel, yet I could not
learn that any use is made of it; if there was, the
scourging system would infallibly take place. This
kind of land extends for several miles on either side,
and is highly improvable.
In the neighbourhood of Shruel the land is very
fine, and lets for high rents. It is the property of Mr.
Kirwan of Dalgin.-Note. It is such land, such a cli-
mate, and a country containing upwards of seven mil-
lions of inhabitants, that Malthus has the candour and
C
18
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
geographical acumen to call a remote and inconsiderable
country.
The bogs of this county, occupying so considerable a
portion of the surface, have hitherto been too gene-
rally reckoned of little use, except for fuel; some im-
provements, however, have been made; the most ma-
terial are those of Woodlawn, made by Lord Ashtown
and his late father, of venerated memory, and by the late
Mr. French of Monivae,—both detailed in Mr. Young's
admirable Tour in Ireland upwards of thirty years
ago. Lord Clonbrock has improved many acres of
bog, and is every day adding to his improvements.
The late and present Mr. Burke of St. Clerans have
converted a large tract of bog into excellent meadow.
Mr. Burke, of Ballydugan, has also highly improved
some bog; Sir Ross Malion of Castlegar, and his bro-
ther the Rev. Dean Mahon, have also reclaimed much
bog. Mr. Bellew, of Mount Bellew, has made an ad-
mirable improvement of 20 acres of cut-away bog,
which, from not being worth five shillings per acre, is
now (1817) under a crop of oats, after a fine crop of
rape he is continuing his bog improvements with great
spirit. There are many other gentlemen who have re-
claimed bog, but, as far as I could learn, nothing has
been done on an extensive scale, or an unbroken pro-
gressive system. A few years since the celebrated Mr.
Elkington was induced, by very liberal terms (if I am
rightly informed 100 guineas a month, and travelling
expences), to come over from England. I have fre-
quently seen his works; they were excellent, but dif-
fering little from the practice of every experienced
drainer,* except in the use of the auger for tapping the
* It has been frequently asserted that Mr. Elkington was the inventor
of the method of draining by cutting off the springs: it might have been
so in England, where draining seems to be very little understood, espe-
cially clay soils, but in Ireland it has been practised time immemorial.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
19
springs; a very beneficial practice in many situations.
When he was in Ireland a bog-mania was very preva-
lent, but the paroxysm was too violent to continue.
There is not any species of improvement requires more
patience and skill; the evil has been accumulating for
centuries, the greater part, I apprehend, since the 9th
century, when, from the neglect of agriculture, and the
ruins of many centuries subsiding in the lower grounds,
many of our bogs have been formed, and cannot be at
once overcome. It requires higher powers of discri
mination than falls to the lot of an illiterate itinerant
drainer, one who mistakes neatness of execution for cor-
rectness of design. Many persons put themselves to
great expense (I have known it as high as £12. per
acre) in drawing what they call limestone gravel, with
little good effect; it should have been known by those to
whom I allude, that it was worth little. The bog was
imperfectly drained; cattle, for the sake of a scanty
pasturage, was permitted to poke it full of holes, which
were filled with rushes, and the gravel, bad as it was,
applied too soon. I have heard one of the gentlemen
whom I mean, frequently assert in large companies,
"that improving bogs would never repay the expense;"
certainly not by his erroneous method. I must here
remark that I have seen in this county little, if any,
of that black, slaty, rich limestone gravel that occurs
in some parts of the counties of Meath and Dublin;
there is, however, an abundance in almost every field
of that which is highly beneficial. From what I have
seen it is necessary to caution those that use this valu-
able manure, that almost invariably the surface, and in
some places to a considerable depth, the gravel in pits
is worth little; but from ignorance, indolence, or from
being generally executed by task, it is used, and must
always disappoint the hopes of the improver. I have
C 2
2.0
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
seen a good deal of this kind of bad gravel used, which
with shallow, open, surface drains, in a bad direction,
produced little beneficial effect. The process of im-
proving bog in skilful hands is so simple, the success
with good management so certain, and the profit so
considerable, that I am at a loss to account for the ne-
glect of the proprietors hitherto. The introduction of
Fiorin grass by the praiseworthy exertions of the late Dr.
Richardson, (who deserves a statue to his memory in
the Dublin Society's rooms,) and the knowledge of
burning unproductive clay to ashes, have added greatly
to the facility of improving bogs, especially those that
produce a small quantity of light white ashes, of little
use as a manure.
In all the mountains of this county fertile vales fre-
quently occur, and those are the parts that are chiefly
inhabited; but if a steady and liberal encouragement
was given, and an honest observance of promises, many
parts of those mountains, that at present return little or
no rent, would be made as productive as land which
seemingly has a better appearance. Lord Riverston,
by pursuing a liberal and judicious plan of letting his
lands, is rapidly reclaiming a large tract of the moun-
tains of Slieuboghta. Mr. D'Arcy is pursuing the
same plan in Cunnemara. The benefit of these improve-
ments has become so evident, that I trust they will stea-
dily adhere to them, and even extend them until they
make Cunnemara and Slieuboghta a home for those
mistaken people who cross the Atlantic; and I will
venture to assert, that the money spent even in their
passage, if they have a family and furniture, &c. &c.
would stock and cultivate a large farm; and if they have
a turn for fishing, they may add considerably to their
comforts and emolument. The ground immediately
about Monivae is good sheep walk, but between that
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
21
and Galway, especially beyond Cussane, it is a dreary
country of many miles square, and though at present
covered chiefly with short heath, it is highly improvable
by calcareous gravel, which abounds in almost every
field. That its value was formerly well known is evi-
dent, from the pits that have been opened at a remote
period in every field, but the scourging system has been
pursued, and as the surface of the pits was chiefly
used, it could not be expected that the usual beneficial
effects of destroying the heath could have remained to
this day. I have seen few places in Ireland where ca-
pital and skill would be more amply remunerated, and
instead of poor heathy pasture, rearing (not fattening)
only two sheep to the acre, would, under the improved
system in which green crops make a material part, pro-
duce abundant crops of corn, and fatten much more
stock than they at present barely subsist. If only eight
miles square were improved, (but I know it occupies
much more,) and only six barrels of corn to the acre,
the produce would be upwards of 30,000 barrels; but
under such a system as I mean, beginning with restricted
burning, much more than that average would be ob-
tained. I am informed by a person who knows Nor-
folk well, that this tract of land is much superior in
quality to the greater part of that country. It is evident
that almost the entire of the lands under consideration
have been in tillage at a remote period, but all in the
running-out system, which left it much poorer than it
was originally. There must have been a much greater
population there than at present, and more corn con-
sumed, which probably was the case before the intro-
duction of potatoes. It is also probable, that when the
scanty turf bogs in the neighbourhood were exhausted,
the inhabitants emigrated, as for several miles, indeed
to Galway, there is very little fuel to be had. As Gal-
22
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
way, at the period when these lands were under tillage,
did not export any corn, and the inland bounty had
not been established, we are at a loss to know how the
corn of ten miles square was disposed of. The land lets,
or did let, on an average, for about 10s. per acre; but
under an improved system, with ample capital and a
long lease, it would be well worth more than twice that
sum. The following extract from Mr. Nimmo's ad-
mirable Report to the Commissioners for improving the
bogs of Ireland, will, I trust, be considered a most va-
luable addition.
*
"The whole tract between Lough Corrib and the
Atlantic ocean, is frequently termed Connamara, and
for want of one general name, I shall sometimes call it
So. It is, however, subdivided into three separate dis-
tricts, which are nearly, if not exactly, conterminous
with the baronial divisions; of these, Connamara pro-
per, or the barony of Ballynahinch, is the most western,
having on the east a line drawn from the head of Kil-
kerran bay, by Lough Ourid, to Shanonafola mountain,
and from thence along the ridge by Mamturk to the
Killeny bay; the remaining boundary is the Atlantic.
The name signifies "Bays of the Ocean," and, in a
loose sense, is supposed to extend to Costello bay. The
remainder is again divided by a line from Shanonafola
mountain to the upper part of Lough Corrib. The
southern part is the barony of Moycullen, commonly
called Iarconnaught, or western Connaught. The north-
ern is usually called Joyce's country, (from the pre-
vailing family name,) or the half barony of Ross; the
Isles of Arran containing the other half barony. The
eastern part of Iarconnaught, ancient called Irras Dam-
* Since this was written, the fall in agricultural produce has made a
very material change for the worse in every description of land.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
23
non, to the distance of four miles from the town of Gal-
way, is included in the county of the town. This dis-
trict appears, not undeservedly, to be considered as one
of the most uncultivated parts of Ireland: on a general
view, indeed, it seems one continued tract of bog and
mountain, the quantity of arable land not amounting to
one-tenth, perhaps not one-twentieth of the whole.
Where cultivation has made the greatest progress, on
the south shore of Lough Corrib, the arable or dry
land is interspersed with extensive tracts of naked lime-
stone rocks of a most desolate aspect; and it appears
to be only after incredible labour that a few patches of
soil have been won from the general waste. Never-
theless, such is the general fertility of these spots, and
the value of the pasture amongst the limestone, that this
land, even including rock, produces a rent of 15s. per
acre, and where tolerably cleared, lets as high as in any
part of the kingdom. The other parts of the district
are for the most part bare moors, consisting of bog of
various depth, upon a bottom of primitive rock of dif
ficult decomposition, and affording little soil; but se-
veral strings or beds of limestone run through the
country, and are distinguishable by the verdure and
cultivation which have taken place in their vicinity.
Some conception of the present value of this district
may be formed from the following particulars: the po-
pulation amounts to about 30,000, of which one-half
is in Connamara proper, two-thirds of the remainder in
Iarconnaught of the Connamara population, more
than nine-tenths are settled along the sea shore; the
inhabitants of the interior do not amount to three hun-
dred families, and these chiefly along some of the bridle
roads that have been made through the country. In
Iarconnaught also, the population is either on the sea-
shore or on the northern slope of the hills next the lime-
24
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
7
stone country. In Joyce country the upland parts are
uninhabited. The rental of the whole district I find to
be about £50,000 per annum, of which the kelp may
produce about £6000, so that the land averages at
28. 7d. per acre: from this also should be deducted the
value of some salmon fisheries, and the export of turf.
The profit rents may amount to about £25,000. So
that each individual pays about £2. 10s.; but of this
£2. only can be in money, the remaining 10s. arising
from the sale by the landlord of manufactured kelp.
The soils of the three baronies may be thus ar-
ranged:-
Arable land,
Bog,
Mountain and Upland pas-
ture,
Rock, much of it limestone,
about 25000
120000
200000
5000
Total,...350000 Irish acres.
"Though the general improvement and cultivation
of Connamara would seem an undertaking of the most
arduous description, it is not without facilities, which
might, upon a candid consideration, make it appear a
subject more worthy of attention than many other of
the waste lands of the kingdom. The climate is mild,
snow being little known during the winter; the cattle
are never housed; the mountains on the north, and ge-
neral variety of surface, afford considerable shelter.
The summers, however, are wet, and it is exposed to
heavy easterly winds. Although Connamara be moun-
tainous, it is by no means an upland country like
Wicklow; at least, three-fourths of Connamara proper
is lower than one hundred feet over the sea. Great
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
25
part of Iarconnaught rises from the shore of Galway
bay, in a gently sloping plain, to about three hundred
feet, at the upper ridge of which there are some hills of
about seven hundred feet, and beyond them a limestone
country extends to the edge of Lough Corrib, and but
little elevated above its level, which is only fourteen
feet higher than the sea; but Joyce's country on the
other hand, is an elevated tract with flat topped hills of
1300 to 2000 feet, interspersed with deep narrow
vallies. This district is nearly surrounded by the sea,
on the south and west; and the great lakes, Mask and
Corrib, on the east, the latter navigable into the town
of Galway, and could easily be made so into the sea.
Various great inlets penetrate the district, so that no
part of it is distant four miles from existing navigation.
There are upwards of twenty safe and capacious har-
bours, fit for vessels of any burden; about twenty-five
navigable lakes in the interior, of a mile or more in
length, besides hundreds smaller; the sea coast and all
those lakes abound with fish. The district, with its
islands, possess no less than four hundred miles of sea
shore. On Lough Corrib it has about fifty miles of
shore, so that with Lough Mask, &c. there are as many
miles of the shore or navigable lakes as there are square
miles of surface. This extent of shore is particularly
important from its produce in sea weed, either for ma-
nure or the manufacture of kelp: the value of the last
article, a few years ago, amounted to about £50,000;
at present, from the low prices, it does not exceed
£16,000. There are extensive banks of calcareous
sand around the coast in almost every bay; and in the
interior there are numerous beds of limestone, nearly
all the navigable lakes having some on their banks.
The supply of fuel is evidently inexhaustible. Conna-
mara is very destitute of wood, a few scrubby patches
26
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
only being thinly scattered through it.
The coun-
try, however, possesses an extensive stool of tim-
ber, for in almost every dry knoll or cliff, the oak,
birch, and hazel, appear shooting in abundance, and
require only a little care to rise into valuable forests.
Several bloomeries, which were erected about a century
ago, consumed much of the timber, and copsing was
afterwards neglected. The sheltered vales, navigations,
and abundant water power, would form great advan-
tages in the cultivation of timber. On the whole, it
appears to me, that the improvement of this district, so
far from being difficult or hopeless, is a thing highly
feasible, and, if vigorously and steadily pursued, is likely
to meet with fewer obstructions, and greater ultimate
success, than perhaps in any other part of Ireland.
"The soils of this district may be ranged under four
grand divisions or zones, in each of which the style of
culture is tolerably uniform. In the first place we cut
off a triangle along the shore of Lough Corrib by a
straight line from the town of Galway to Oughterard.
The culture crosses the lake to near Cong, where it
turns westward by the north side of Ben Leva, and then
runs through Lough Mask. This is the western edge
of the great limestone field of Ireland, and in this di-
vision many hundred acres of that rock are laid bare.
Along the edge is a narrow stripe of fertile country,
with hillocks of gravel, partly calcareous, but much en-
cumbered with tumblers of Granite, &c. and not always
cultivated. The hollows are usually filled with bog.
The next, draw one line from Oughterard, westward to
the bay of Ardbear, leaving on the south, nearly one-
half of the whole district. Another line from Oughte-
rard through the hill of Glan, and by the north
side of Lough Corrib to the north side of Bally-
nakill bay.
Between those limits are found many
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
27
rocks of primitive limestone. The southern part is a
continued granite moor, covered with bog of various
depth. It contains no limestone; considerable quan-
tities, however, are brought from Arran and the county
of Clare, as ballast, by turf boats, and thrown out on
the shore. This supplies what is necessary for build-
ing; it has not been yet applied to agriculture, but
could be procured for that purpose, and burned on the
shore for somewhat less than one shilling per barrel.
There are banks of shell and coral sand on all the coast,
but especially in the bays of Kilkerran, Birterbuy,
Bunown, Mannin; &c. this sand is raised by dredg-
ing, and by beaching the boat on it at low water: that
of Kilkerran, Birterbuy, and Mannin, is pure coraline.
There are also dry banks of calcareous sand on the
coast, especially at the western extremity, which are
accessible by land; nevertheless calcareous sand is not
much applied to agriculture as yet, though its value is
generally acknowledged.
"A good deal of turf (peat) is cut on the shore, and
carried to Galway, or sold on the spot to boats from
Arran and Clare. Turf in Galway is worth about a
guinea per four ton boat load; price in the bags 1s. 1d.
per ton (of the boat). A man cuts in the day a six ton
boat load, or slane; two spread it, one foots, or drys it,
one stacks, and twelve take it to the shore, producing
1s. 1d. to ls. 2d. per day for wages."
SECTION V.
MINERALS.
By the annexed list of minerals, taken from the
Museum of the Dublin Society, it will appear that this
28
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
county is by no means deficient in mineral productions.
The numbers correspond with those on the specimens
of the Galway minerals in the Museum, if the arrange-
ment is the same as it was in Hawkins's-street.
No.
2740-Black limestone with shells in it, in great abund-
ance in the bed of the river at Cheviot Chase,
the estate of Robert Persse, Esq. near his
lodge. Before this discovery Mr. Persse's bro-
ther brought limestone a great distance to im-
prove his land.
2741-Grey limestone from the same place.
2742-Black limestone coated with calcareous earth
from the same place.
2743-Brownish limestone from the large flat mountain
adjoining to Cheviot Chase, on the estate of
Lord Gort, near the wood of Gortnacarnane.
2744-Reddish concretion of limestone from the same
place.
2745-Limestone with large pebbles of calcareous stone
in it, from same place.
2746-Red heavy limestone with fine clear pebbles in
it, from the mountain near where the remark-
able long stones are standing in regular order,
on Lord Gort's estate.
2747-Red, more compact limestone, from the same
place.
2748-Purple coloured concretion of limestone from
near the wood, on the same estate.
2749-A remarkable concretion of yellow and red lime-
stone from said estate.
2750-Black limestone coated on one side with black
calcareous earth, like coalsmute or coalslate,
from the rubbish where a small trial was made
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
29
No.
for coal in the face of the mountain at Rox-
borough, on black slaty soil; but this stone
was detached, and appeared to be round like
the balls the colliers call coal measures, on the
estate of Robert Persse, Esq.
2751-Remarkable heavy reddish limestone, in the
land of Gortnacarnane aforesaid; in the wood
are many strong Spas.
2752-Grey limestone coated with a concretion of
stones, in the bed of the river in the lands of
Killeen; in this river are beds of brown free-
stone on which the acid fermented.
2753-Pale yellowish earth, on which the acid ferment-
ed strongly; it is a good manure,—from the
same place.
2754-Crystal calcareous spar, from a large course of
it near the old Castle in the lands of Chirery-
orry; it runs in a right line across the road;
in a like course of it, near Drumoland, in the
county of Clare, pure lead ore was got.
2755-Black limestone with shells in it, from the bed
and banks of the large river that is the mearing
between the counties of Galway and Clare, in
the lands of Sliebh-an-oir, or the gold moun-
tain.
2756-Manganese, from a large bed of it in the bank of
the river in the lands of Gortnacarnane.
2757-Manganese, from the Eelweir; also, good pot-
ters clay in the flat land adjoining Lord
Gort's estate.
2758-Manganese, from the wood of Gortnacarnane;
same estate.
2759-Black heavy ocherish stone, coated with the ap-
pearance of Manganese, found in the rock in
30
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
No.
the wood, from whence Mr. Persse told me
he has often seen smoke rise, near the lodge
on Cheviot Chase.
2760-Manganese from said place.
2761-Strong blue clay, with a round hard earth in it;
from same place.
2762-Red heavy fire earth, from a large bank of it
in the large moor in the lands of upper Kil-
leen; it was proved to be as good painting
stuff as that which I discovered in the island
of Rathline in the year 1774; it was ap-
proved of by the painters of Dublin. Two
cargoes were sent to the grand canal as tarras,
but I believe it is better for painting.
2763-Iron stone from the same place, the estate of
Lord Gort.
2764-Lead ore from upwards of three tons of it, got
near the surface in the low flat lands on the
side of Lough Corrib, within a few miles of
Oughterard barrack, the estate of Mr. French,
where a small pit and open cast were made.
2765-Lead and copper in a greenish stone and spar
in the bed of the river near Oughterard, that
divides the estates of Mr. O'Flaherty and Mr.
Martin. A vein of it is in a rock near Oghter-
ard.
2766-Lead ore from a mine Mr. Chamber and Co.
were working on the shore of the bay of Gal-
way.
2767-Yellow and rose-coloured copper and lead, from
the river of Oughterard.
2768-Lead ore from a second mine Mr. Chamber and
Co. were working.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
31
No.
2769-Lead ore, from near the summit of the moun-
tain in Cunnemara, the estate of Robert Mar-
tin, Esq.
2770-Lead ore and sulphur, in a large course of
white spar, from the same moantains.
2771-Lead ore, iron and sulphur in spar, from the
same mountain.
2772-Lead ore in hard stone, with a small piece of
the spar of Terra ponderosa, from one of the
many trials made in those mountains by the
late Robert Martin, Esq.
2773-Lead ore, from the same mountain.
2774-Very uncommon lead ore, found in detached
pieces in the bed of a river in said moun-
tain.
2775-Green and yellow copper and lead intermixed,
from said mountains.
2776-Lead ore, sulphur and iron, from the same
mountains.
2777-Lead ore and sulphur, coated with a group of
pyritous crystals, from said mountain.
2778-Lead ore, from the same mountains.
2779-Blue, black, lamellar slaty stone, from a vein
of it in Gortnacarnane wood, the estate of
Lord Gort.
2780-Heavy red earth, with small shining particles,
from the large river from the lands of Gort..
nacarnane.
2781-Fine potters clay, from the demesne of Mo-
nivae.
2782-Manganese of a softer kind, from Sliebh-an-oir.
2783-Manganese, from various parts of Slebh-an-oir,
on the estates of Lord Gort and Mr. Persse.
2784-Blackish, heavy, porous iron stone, found near
32
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
No.
the long stones in the level dry mountain near
Gortnacarnane.
2785-Heavy micaceous red and yellow earth, in the
lands of upper Killeen.
2786-Dark purple coloured stone, coated red on one
side, from same place.
2787-Purple fine grained stone, from same place.
2788-Yellow ochre, from same place.
2789-Yellow ochre, made by strong spa waters.
2790-White marl in the demesne of Monivae, in the
canal near the house-good.
2791-Soft fine grained stone from a rock of it at Lady
Grove, near Gort; it lies nearly horizontally:
there is a stratum nine inches thick in this
rock like coal-bind.
ccc-Spar from Cong.
The limestone in almost every part of this county,
except the primitive one of Cunnemara, contains shells.
and other petrefactions of various kinds, and in differ-
ent quantities, from that at Oughterard, disfigured by
sections of large shells, to the beautiful marbles of
Angliham and Merlin Park, near Galway, which are
a fine black, nearly without shells, highly prized in
England and in Dublin, to which they are exported in
blocks, and a large quantity worked up into chimney
pieces in Galway: they are much superior to Kilkenny
marble, but until the quarries are worked, and the
chimney pieces executed by machinery, they can never
meet those of Kilkenny at market, as there, almost
every operation is performed by machinery worked by
water. I am informed a cubic foot of the Galway mar-
ble generally weighs 168lb.; the workmen say the
marble of Merlin Park is tougher than that of Angliham
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
33
or any
other in the county. At Ballyleigh near Gort, a
fine black marble has been long used, and some of a
fine quality has been lately discovered near Athenry.
A very beautiful grey marble has been discovered at
Woodbrook, the estate of the Misses Netterville, much
superior to any in this county, perhaps in Ireland.
I discovered a very beautiful red and blue coloured
marble at Merlin Park, greatly admired by the manu-
facturers, but all the trials that have been made are
very defective; the quarries have been worked only
near the surface, the deeper they go the better the
marble has been found, and probably will encrease
in goodness with the depth. A very beautiful green
marble has been discovered on the estate of Mr. Mar-
tin near Ballynahinch, which promises to excel any as
yet discovered in Ireland.
Iron ore was formerly raised in the neighbourhood
of Woodford, and after being mixed with that brought
up the Shannon from Killaloe by a Mr. Croasdale,
was smelted near that village, part of the estate of Sir
John Burke. The works were carried on so extensively,
that they devoured all the great oak woods with which
that country abounded, and were then abandoned.
Mr. Berry, I understand, at present raises ore on part
of Lord Clanrickard's estate; and indications of iron
are every where visible in the mountains between
Woodford and Mountshannon. The refuse of those
bloomeries has been used for making excellent roads.
by the late Sir Thomas Burke.
A very fine kind of grit stone is raised in consider-
able quantities near Dunmore, of every thickness, from
that of slates to the largest mill-stones, which are fre-
quently sold for ten guineas a pair, and when well
chosen, are esteemed for some purposes superior to
French burr stones at £30 or £40. a pair; but they must
D
34
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
be selected by a judge of their quality, or those of a
very inferior kind may be given.
On the mountains near Roxborough, a very fine kind
of whetstones, and for polishing marble, have been
found, nearly equal to the best hones, and are fre-
quently hawked about the country for Loughneagh
hones.
Marl abounds in many places, particularly in, and
on the banks of the Shannon, in a small lake near
Marblehill, which it is probable was formed at a re-
mote period by sinking for marl, as traces of ex-
tensive improvements may be seen in the neighbouring
mountains; it is also found in most of the low grounds
between Portumna, Marblehill, and Eyrecourt. For-
merly a great quantity of ground in the neighbourhood
of Mountshannon was improved by marl raised by
dredging in the Shannon: it is used in small quantities
near Loughrea, from some pits on the banks of the
lake near Cowreen. The late Sir Thomas Burke has
used it more extensively than I believe any other person
in this county, on a large tract of heathy mountain of
little value before; it has since produced fine crops,
is perfectly reclaimed, and a
very valuable farm.
Beds of marl several feet thick, and occupying many
acres, may be seen on the road between Hampstead
and Ballymackward, and has been formerly used in
large quantities, as may be seen by the extensive exca-
vations; but I could not perceive any traces of a recent
use of it a very large tract may also be perceived on
the side of the road between Ahaseragh and Lowville,
on the estate of Sir Ross Mahon; I believe little use
has been made of it: as Sir Ross is a very spirited and
intelligent improver of land, I suspect it is of inferior
quality; it is also in great abundance between Mylough
and Mount Bellew. This manure has been often tried
alone on deep bog with little effect, but whether from
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
35
not previously draining the bog, or using too small a
quantity, I could not ascertain. I understand from
those who have tried it on bog, that alone it produces.
but a trifling improvement, but that mixed with a very
small portion of animal manure, the effects were asto-
nishing; either manure or marl uncombined, very infe-
rior in their effects. I have frequently seen a patch of
deep bog that had formerly been marled, and after
cropping according to the custom of this county, was
let out without sowing grass seeds of any kind; though
the herbage was neither good in quality or quantity,
there was not the least appearance of heath, though the
surrounding bog was covered with it: certain I am,
that if this patch had been covered with either lime or
limestone gravel, it would have been covered with
white clover and other valuable plants. *
In the midst of a large bog and heathy mountain
near Marblehill, the property I believe of Lord
Riverston, an extensive bed of fine limestone pre-
sents itself; for many miles to the south and west
no such thing is to be found: what a treasure lies here
quite neglected, probably unknown to the proprietor,
where a profusion of fuel is on the spot, and the car-
riage next to nothing; but no advantage is taken of
this circumstance, whilst in the county of Wexford,
where fuel is very scarce, there is a competition for
limestone at 3s. 6d. per ton, and is in that state drawn
10 or 12 miles, frequently much further; but instead
of improving what they have, the monied men of this
county are more anxious to add to their unimprov-
ed rent-roll at an interest of 3 or 4 per cent. fre-
quently much less, when the improvement of the
D 2
* In the Statistical Survey of the county of Cavan, we find that marl
exposed to the influence of salt water becomes quickly petrified.
36
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
豐
​grounds they have, would produce from 10 to 20 per
cent. at least, if judiciously expended; and what too
many overlook, would give employment to their te-
nantry, and furnish them with a beneficial example.
It is probable that many of those who purchased at war
prices have not, from the sudden depreciation in the va-
lue of land, one per cent. for their money.
Near Ardfroy, and also in Mr. D'Arcy's demesne in
Cunnamara, large beds of oyster shells may be seen,
many feet above high water mark; lime has been some-
times made of those in Cunnamara before the disco-
very of limestone in so many places on Mr. D'Arcy's
In many parts of Cunnamara beautiful crys-
tals of quartz and felspar may be found, and I was
informed that on the banks of Lough Inagh, crystals
of various colours may be procured.
estate.
A crystaline sand of very superior kind for making
scythe-boards, occurs at Loughcoutra, the estate of
Lord Gort; mowers come for it upwards of 20 miles,
and prefer the riffles made of it to those imported from
England; the same kind of sand may be seen at Lough-
greene, in the county of Clare, and is held in the
same estimation for this purpose. That several trials
have been made for the discovery of minerals is evi-
dent, from the number of shafts which have been sunk
in many places; they may be seen in many parts of
Knockmoy, and the remains of some of the works for
melting the copper ore may be still seen. I have
been informed by an intelligent friend that the ground
at the foot of this hill (Knockmoy) to the southward of
Brooklodge, the estate of Mr. Blake, and close to the
high road, has every appearance of minerals, proba-
bly copper. A shaft was sunk near Lawrencetown,
the estate of Walter Lawrence, Esq. many years ago:
tradition says they did not discover any ore, but that
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
37
they threw up a considerable quantity of coal. A very
remarkable range of limestone runs along the river at
Oughterard; it projects over the river like half of a
broken arch, covered in a very picturesque manner
with ivy, juniper, &c. It continues to present this ap-
pearance for a considerable length along the river. It
seems probable that at some former period the river
was subterraneous, as remains of a corresponding part
may be seen at the opposite side near the inn, and in the
yard of this inn may be perceived another subterranean
cavern of limestone, and a very fine spring well. Near
this a very charming view of a waterfall may be seen
through the arch of a bridge in the demesne of Mr.
Martin.
The following is from MR. NIMMO's very scientific
Report.
"THE gealogical structure of Connamara, &c. from
the extent of rock which is exposed, and the connec-
tion which it exhibits between the primary and se-
condary formations of the island, possesses no small de-
gree
of interest. The various soils also, and the means
of their improvement, will be best understood by being
previously acquainted with the various rocks which
form their base, and with their particular position.
The country from Galway to Sline Head, is a sheet of
granite, or rather sienite, with few mountains of any
remarkable elevation. To the north of this tract, a
hollow valley runs through the whole extent of Conna-
mara, distinctly marked by a chain of narrow lakes,
from Lough Corrib to Mannin Bay; its greatest ele-
vation is only 164 feet above the sea; a cross valley
runs from near the middle of this over to Killery bay;
and various plains and vallies stretch southward from
38
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
it towards the ocean, across the granite country, and
forming at their mouths the several inlets that distin-
guish the mouth of the bay of Galway. The country,
strictly mountainous, is from Lough Corrib to Aghris
point, where the summits are from 1200 to 2000 feet;
they are composed of quartz; round their bases, and
in the valley aforesaid, they are gneiss and mica slate,
with bands of hornblende and primitive limestone.
Along the north side of Lough Corrib, and to Ballina-
kill, the mica slate and hornblende rise into mountains,
but the limestone disappears. From Lough Mask to
the Killery, a transition country of greenstone and
grauwacke slate, covered by the old red sandstone or
glomerate, which also forms the hill of Mulrea in Mo-
risk. The upper beds of this and of the green stone,
are frequently porphyritic; to the north of this in Mayo,
greenstone and clay slate, and to the mountain of
Croagh Patrick, the summit and west side of which are
quartz; the east side, slate and serpentine; but still
without any limestone, none of which is found until we
come again upon the secondary limestone field.
MOUNTAINS.
"Of the mountains of Connamara, the first place
belongs undoubtedly to the group of Binabola, com-
monly called the Twelve Pins; they are situated about
midway between the head of Lough Corrib and Aghris.
point, and between Birterbuy bay and the Killery, oc-
cupying a space of about five miles square; but with
the lesser connecting hills to the north and west, they
may be said to extend over seven or eight miles square.
This mountain consists of two distinct ranges or groups
of summits, connected together by the elevated pass or
neck of Maam Ina, from which the steep and abrupt
vale of Glan Ina, sending its waters to Lake Ina, de-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
39
scends on the east; and on the west, the stream of
Clifton, which after a course of eight miles, falls into
the bay of Ardbear. On the south of this pass, or
Maam, the deep hollow of Glen Hoghan sends its
waters to join the lake of Ballynahinch, and separates
the hills of Lettery and Derryclare, which, with a
lower ridge that descends gradually to the westward,
compose the front range of the mountain. To the
north, four summits surround the central map of
Knockonhiggeen, the highest of the group. The deep
vale and lake of Kylemore bound the mountain on
the north, as the lakes of Lough Ina, Derryclare, and
Ballynahinch do on the east and south; low ridges, or
tails, pass off to the westward, run in parts out into the
Atlantic, and re-appear in the small isles off the coast.
The component rock of this mountain (especially on
the south) is quartz, in general distinctly stratified, or
at least schistose. The position of its beds its various ;
they seem to lap on the swell of the mountain. At
Clifton, towards the western shore, and at Cleggan head,
the beds are vertical, and splitting easily by intervening
mica slates, afford a good, and not unsightly building
stone. In the mountain the quartz is usually grey or
brown, especially where the stratification is distinct, and
in some places reddens into sinople; but it is frequently
massive, and traversed by veins of milk quartz, or rock
crystal. The quartz hills are all steep-sided, and ex-
hibit much naked rock. The cliff on the south side of
Glen Ina is particularly grand, being a naked perpen-
dicular precipice of about 1200 feet; a consider-
able stream of water falls over it. The height
of the brow of Littery is 1930 feet above Ballynahinch
Lake, or 1955 over the sea. Bengower, the summit of
Littery, is about 2100 feet. Knockannahiggeen may
be about 2400 feet. Derryclare is 2000, and the other
40
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
summits about 1800. Limestone occurs in some places
along the foot of these mountains, particularly at Der-
ryclare. On the north of Glen Ina it appears in
patches, or shield-shaped formations, as they have been
termed, at very considerable elevation. There is a still
more considerable mass at Kylemore; and this for-
mation, which can be traced into and across the oppo-
site mountain of Mamturk, towards Lough Corrib,
seems also to pervade the north side of the Benabola,
since we find it at Miveel, Letterfragh, Ballynakill, and
Cleggan. It is probable, therefore, that some other
patches exist amongst the western arms of the moun-
tain. The northern side, along the lake of Poulacop-
ple, exhibits lofty cliffs of hornblende rock, large blocks
of which have detached themselves and tumbled into
the vale. The opposite mountain of Bencoona or
Poulacopple is also of hornblende, and the limestone
now ceases. This rock continues to the Lough Fea,
and is succeeded by a tract of brown slate (grauwacke)
at the little Killery, which I have not sufficiently ex-
plored. The insulated hill of Renville is quartz; at
the northern side on the shore, the mica slate passes.
into a very peculiar kind of porphyry. On the south
side we have a little limestone. The remaining hills
from this to Ardbear are mica slate, and seldom exceed
500 feet elevation. Omey island and Aghris point are
low fields of granite; some veins of granite are found
traversing the mica slate; but the particular situation of
that rock, and of its foreign beds, will be described
hereafter. On the east side of the Twelve Pins we have
the vale of Lough Ina, at the mouth of which stands.
the insulated hill of Coolnacarton, affording from its
summit, though only about 900 feet high, one of the
best views of these vales, the lakes, and mountains, that
is to be found. This hill is also composed radically of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
41
quartz, but on the west side cliffs of mica slate, in
nearly horizontal beds, occupy the greatest space.
Here is also a remarkable elevated patch of limestone,
under which is some green serpentine, and a regular
broad vein of granite directed towards the Binabola
mountain. The southern parts exhibit hornblende.
rock, and hornblende porphyry, which are also found
in the hill of Cashel, (about 1000 feet,) which is the
highest part of some rough but comparatively low
ground on the south of Ballynahinch. On the east of
the vale above mentioned a chain of hills runs along
the boundary of the barony of Ross or Joyce's country,
and terminates about one mile and an half down the
south side of the lake. This chain has no particular
name; the passes over it are known by the name of
Ma'am, a term also used in the highlands of Scotland.
The summit of Shanonafola is perhaps the highest, and
may be about 2000 feet. Those hills are round-topped,
with steep sides, exhibiting frequently naked sheets of
quartz, the component rock of the range: but on the
north side, beds of granular limestone run from near
the head of Loughcorrib, and penetrate the chain in
various places of these the most remarkable are, 1st,
at Eilen, opposite to Coolnacarton, where several
patches appear in the side of the hill, with various other
primary rocks; 2d, on the side of the road of Maa-
nean, descending into Joyce's country. It seems to
continue down through Cower, towards the river, and at
the point of the ridge Maamgawney it appears in large
cliffs, accompanied by hornblende slate.
On the op-
posite side of the quartz hills we have another great
bank of limestone, beginning in Derryvreeda, and
running through the farm of Finniesglen, along the
eastern side of Lough Ina. This limestone is very
tender and large grained: some more appears in Glen-
42
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
glass, and crossing the range in two or three places
descends into Letterbrickaun. At Mamturk it appears
a regular slate, being separated into very thin sheets
by intervening mica. None is found to the north of
that the mica slate and horneblende now predomi-
nate, and the chain quickly ceases at the hollow of
Glencraw; beyond which is a country of different
formation. At the eastern extremity of this chain we
have a low opening for about a mile along the shore of
Lough Corrib, then the hill of Glan, which rises to the
height of 1060 feet, steep to the west, and descending
gently on the other side to the village of Oughterard.
The northern base of this mountain, which is properly
called Glan, is tolerably cultivated almost every where,
else it is covered with bog. The structure of this hill
is particularly interesting, as it exhibits in a small
compass all the formations which occur in the district.
It is also very metalliferous; a particular description of
it, however, would be out of place here; I shall merely
observe, that the western end, like the hills in Joyce's
country, is composed of quartz; the north side is mica
slate, the middle is penetrated in a winding manner by
beds of mica slate, containing hornblende and granular
limestone, covered by thick beds of pyritous green-
stone. On the south and east are granite and syenite,
which runs under the sandstone conglomerate, to-
wards Oughterard, and this again passes under the fletz
limestone, which subsequently passing Lough Corrib,
occupies the greater part of the provinces of Connaught
and Leinster. The boundary of this rock, it has been
already observed, runs from Galway along the foot of
the hills, nearly in a straight line to Oughterard; boggy
hollows, with ridges of gravel constantly intervene
between it and the mountains. From Oughterard it
turns to the north, and crossing the lake appears on the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
43
tract.
opposite side, a little to the west of Cong, and occupies
the southern margin of Lough Mask, as far west as the
house of Petersburgh. The boundary now is lost in
Lough Mask, but re-appearing at the upper or northern
extremity, turns off towards Westport. It does not
however reach that town, but about three miles short
of it turns north east to Castlebar. The limestone of
Westport, though of the same kind as the great lime-
stone field, is unconnected with it. It is particularly
worthy of remark, that along the borders of the fletz
limestone there are series of vast caverns, usually with
subterraneous rivers traversing them. Though this be
a common occurrence in the limestone countries, there
are few instances, I believe, so remarkable as in this
A succession of lakes, having no visible outlet,
occurs in the same situation : of these Lough Mask is
by far the most considerable. The drainage of a coun-
try of 250 square miles sinks here in a bason of forty
square miles, and after a subterranean course of two
miles, rises in several magnificent fountains to join
Lough Corrib. On the south of Lough Corrib also,
the Ross lake has no visible outlet, though it receives the
waters of a large tract of mountain; a bog of 2000 acres
is thereby deprived of the advantage of applying these
streams over it. The waters of Lough Mask are visible
on the passage in several large caverns near Cong; but
those of Ross probably rise in Lough Corrib, by an in-
verted syphon: I never could trace them in any inter-
mediate situation. There are two or three other smaller
lakes to the east of Ross, and of a similar description.
The succession of the stratified rocks is very distinctly
seen at the waterfall of Oughterard. The fletz lime-
stone near that place having lost some of its upper
beds, from being perfectly horizontal, gradually be-
comes more elevated, and at length above the first fall
44
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
rises at an angle of about fifty degrees; it is immediately
succeeded by strata of sandstone, the upper parts of
which are somewhat calcareous, and effervesce slightly:
this stratum is a part of the great formation of red sand-
stone or conglomerate, (semi Protolite of Kirwan,)
which constitutes the immediate support of the lime-
stone strata throughout Ireland, and the component.
rock of the greater part of its interior mountains. This
rock rises in Slieve Meesh, in Kerry; the Gaulties,
Knocktopher, &c. in Kilkenny; the Keepers, Devil's
bit, and Slieve Bloom; Slieve Bogtha, between Galway
and Clare, and Fermnamore between Galway and
Mayo. It seems to appear uniformly skirting the ex-
terior edges of the great limestone field; forms also the
most common land stones on that base, and in all pro-
bability a chief component part of the soil. At the falls
of Oughterard, however, its thickness is but small, and
it is only by a careful examination that its connection
with the general mass can be perceived. A little way
to the north it becomes more distinct, and is then
readily traced in low ridges and knoles down to Lough
Corrib, and in some of the islands; beyond the lake it
is not so readily perceived in the isthmus between
Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, although the numer-
ous blocks attest its existence, until at length, near the
northern boundary of the county, it rises into an ele-
vated upland, occupying the country between Lough
Mask and the Killery bay, and again the mountain
Mulvea, on the north of that harbour in Mayo. Some
beds of this conglomerate or sandstone in the moun-
tains, assume a pophyritic appearance; it is then capa-
ble of receiving a polish: blocks of it are found at great
distances on the low lands. The lower beds of the sand-
stone are a complete congeries of rounded or flatted
pebbles, usually of white or brown quartz, frequently
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
45
interspersed with specks of shorl. Many beds of this
rock, and even of the granite, are intimately impreg
nated with iron pyrites, which decomposing on expo-
sure to the air, are evidently the cause of its redness.
Beneath the red sandstone are argillaceous strata, which
a little to the north of the falls have the aspect of the
plate or slate clay of the coal fields; but I do not find
the least trace of coal. I therefore suspect them to be-
long to the transition slate, which occupies so great a
portion of the south of Ireland, and of which a second
band seems to pass from this neighbourhood, and sink-
ing under the limestone, &c. until it reaches the Shan-
non, though there are not wanting traces of its ex-
istence; it rises near Newtown Forbes in Longford,
and passing along the north edge of the province of
Leinster, through Down, crosses the straight, and tra-
verses the south of Scotland. An argillaceous rock is
found generally skirting the limestone field, and im-
mediately succeeding the red standstone throughout
Ireland, but it is much more varied in its aspect; I
should be inclined to say, that the sandstone conglo-
merate reposes in uncomformable stratification over a
brown slate, (argillite of Kirwan, grauwacke slate,)
which is interbedded with greenstone of various grain;
for though usually fine, it is frequently large, and passes
into a very beautiful green porphyry, very fine masses
of which are found on the west of Lough Mask. The
schistus or grauwacke slate of this district is most dis-
tinct on the north shore of the south west arm of Lough
Mask, and we also find it on the south side of the Kil-
leny bay, near to its mouth. The slate on the north of
the Killery is regular clay slate, though much inter-
mingled with greenstone. The mountain Benleva,
between the arm of Lough Mask aforesaid and Lough
Corrib, is also composed of trap-rocks; at the south
46
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
side a kind of coarse serpentine or green porphyry is
found, which also appears in other places, and seems an
accompaniment to the grauwacke slate in Cavan,
Monaghan, &c. Towards the west this passes into
mica slate and hornblende, which forms the component
rock of the mountains along the north side of Lough
Corrib, (the peninsula of Doon excepted, where there
is granular limestone) and along the river of Bealna-
brack, Minterowen, &c. to Kylemore. This rock seems
to afford a fertile soil by its decomposition; some of the
best lands in Joyce's country are composed of it, as well
as a fine black mould at Glencraw. The mica slate
country is hardly, if at all visible at the falls of Ough-
terard; it occupies the north base of the hill of Glan,
the whole of the low grounds between the mountains
from Lough Corrib, westward, to Slyne head, and
Aghris point: it is particularly beautiful near Clifden
or Ardbear bay: in many other places the quantity of
mica is but minute, and it assumes the appearance of a
brown rubble stone or granite, as in most part of Ur-
rismore. This rock passes through the low land in
narrow ridges, and the troughs which are thus formed
become lakes, many of which are now filled up by the
accumulation of fibrous bog, though many hundreds
still exist. The plain of Urrismore, for example, in
the west of Connamara, is a complete labyrinth of bog
and water. The stratification of the mica slate is
usually east and west; several foreign beds run through
it, and in particular the horneblende and granular
limestone, which I have so often already mentioned.
The importance of this last, in an agricultural point
of view, is so great, independent of the metallic forma-
tion with which it is accompanied, as to require a
more particular description. I have marked on the
map the extreme limits beyond which this limestone
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
47
has not yet been found, and have already described the
various beds found in the mountain tract; a continuous
vein passes through the central vale of Connamara on
the south of those mountains. The most eastern is in
the form of Bunagippawn, about a mile south of Ough-
terard, and in the north front of the granite field, with
a hill of syenite to the north, towards the fletz lime-
stone; from this westward it is found in the farm of
Rusheens, where a ridge of it crosses the valley into the
farm of Glengowla, and, after some interruption, ap-
pears at Derryadglinne; it also arises through the farm
of Learwan, on the south of the river, in broken ridges,
to a considerable elevation, beyond Derryglinne; it
occurs again in Letterfione, and crossing the hill in
three or four beds, appearing on the very summit, it
descends into the farm of of Derrowra, where it forms
the mining field, and where I have shafted down upon
it at four fathoms, where it was not before suspected:
beyond this farm it is unknown, and does not reach the
lake; but on the north side it appears in Doon, &c.
singularly mingled with the hornblende; and to the
westward we have it in the vale of Bealnabrack, &c.
In the central vale we have an island in Lough Bofin,
and some ridges of limestone passing down the hollow
towards Lough Corrib; again along the lake of Ar-
derrow and Shindela; also in Lough Elan at Bunscanive
on the summit; on Lough Oured at Boheshul, Cappa-
hoosh, Garomin, to Ballynahinch; again at Imlagh,
Munga, and Ballinaboy, on Ardbear harbour, and at
the village of Clifden a little limestone also, though
much intermixed with silica; it occurs between Bally-
nahinch and Cashel hill in Cloonile: the name is ob-
viously derived from that circumstance, as is that part
of Eilan near Mameen. None of this limestone is ac-
cessible by water from the southern bays; and from
48
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the particular position of the strata it is impossible at
any reasonable expense to form artificial navigations to
extend the benefit of it to the southward; nevertheless
the existing navigable lakes will greatly facilitate the
transport of limestone whenever an extended agriculture
shall call for it. The position of this limestone is
usually vertical, with conformable beds of hornblende
slate, very irregular in its thickness, from the fraction of
an inch to 126 feet, and frequently contorted and inter-
rupted: it is in general white or grey, sometimes
striped green; grains of lead, copper, and iron pyrites
sometimes occur in it: it is granular and micaceous,
and sometimes there are thin plates of silica running
through it; the quantity of carbonate is various, ac-
cording to the portion of foreign matter, but is some-
times as high as 96 per cent. and it is in general
easily calcined. Where there is a choice, it is pre-
ferred by the country people to the secondary
limestone, for the purposes of agriculture. The only
other remarkable rock, is that occupying the great
granite field on the south of the district, and appears
under all the others at the falls of Oughterard. This
rock has little variety of structure, and contains few
foreign beds, excepting hornblende, though frequently
micaceous, yet the hornblende must refer it to the
syenite of the German mineralogists. The north part
from Oughterard runs in steep cliffs by Magheramore,
Doon, Drumcong, Woodstock, and Dangan, to Gal-
way, where it enters the sea in the east of the har-
bour. Low hillocks of silicious and limestone gravel
mark its separation from the great limestone field
on the north east; and in some places the successive
beds of intervening rock are also visible. The rock
is composed of quartz, felspar, (which is usually cream-
coloured in the western, and flesh-coloured in the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
49
eastern districts, rarely greenish,) and shorl or horn-
blende, black usually, but frequently green (actino-
lite). In some places the rock is of a porphyritic
structure, with large and very beautiful crystals of
felspar (as to the south of Drumcong, &c.) rivalling in
beauty the finest Egyptian specimens I have seen.
The western parts are more micaceous, and having less
hornblende have the aspect of a regular granite. At
Urid the shistose structure gives the appearance of a
true gneiss. Along the northern front occur beds and
veins of black hornblende, which rock also, with the
beds of limestone, distinctly rest on it at Bunagip-
paun. The hornblende is hardly to be found further
south: There are various metallic veins in this forma-
tion, which need not be here specified, but not an
atom of limestone of any description, some fluor only
excepted, in some of those veins. A few tumblers,
and some gravel of the fletz limestone, occur towards
the east end, as at Tonebricky, Corbally, Barna, &c.
in the county of the town.
"I have already observed, that the great granite field
contains no mountains of great elevation. The hill of
Killeginly rises to about 700 feet on the northern edge,
but the greatest part is a kind of platform, ascending
gently from the level of the sea to nearly 300 feet.
In this great moor are numerous lakes, being shal-
low basins in the granite, but in general the wells
are such as afford a free descent to the numerous
streams, and if the tract was well provided with roads,
there seems little to hinder the extension of its cultiva-
tion.
The map of Mr. Larkin does not give a faithful
representation of this moor, as it seems there inter-
posed with mountains. The only mountains of note in
the granite field to the west of Leam are, the ridge of
Leam, and Glentrasna, about 900 feet, which runs
E
50
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
along the eastern side of Glentrasna, from Lough Bofin
to the castle bog, gently descending as it passes south-
ward. From hence to Kilkerran, the hill of Commas,
and two hummocks in Letterfore island, about 500 feet,
are those only worthy of note. Urid, and a range be-
hind it, run to near Screeb, and are about 800 feet
high; a wide plain then intervenes to Knockmaiden,
a range which occupies the west of Kilkerran bay of
nearly 1000 feet; then the wide boggy plain of Orris-
annagh has only the hills of Glynsk and Culleen,
300 feet each, the whole still a bed of granite. Beyond
the bay, Urrisbeg rises to nearly 100 feet, and though
numerous granite blocks incumber its side, the moun-
tain seems rather a mica slate, passing into granite.
The remaining tract, to Slynehead, is a plain of simi-
lar composition."
SECTION VI.
WATER.
In winter many parts of the county have the ap-
pearance of large lakes; they are formed by two nar-
row or shallow outlets; they are called Turloghs; of
this description is that large body of water near Raha-
sane, and a much larger called Turloghmore, which
covers a great tract of land between Tuam and Clare-
galway it is a curious circumstance that horse and
boat races are held on the same ground, but at dif-
ferent seasons; and it has happened that at Christmas
the Turlogh has been completely dry, and on the 24th
of June a flood as great as that usually seen in winter.
There are many other Turloghs, which, though in-
dividually they cannot be compared to those two, yet
:
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
51
the aggregate covers a very extensive surface of the
county. An attempt to drain Turloghmore was made
about 50 years ago, by a Mr. Bodkin of Lackagh, who
had an idea of making a navigable cut between Tuam
and Galway: it is reported that the difficulty he en-
countered from the bed of rocks near the bridge of
Lackagh, on the road to Galway, frustrated this spi-
rited attempt. It is probable he undertook it without
professional assistance, and probably, like most country
gentlemen, totally ignorant of the probable difficulty or
expense of the undertaking. The Turloghs of Roha-
sane and Turloghmore alone cover many hundred.
acres of fine land from September or October, some-
times sooner, until May, often longer: when the wa-
ter subsides, the greater part is used as a common by
the adjoining tenants, who are greatly distressed for
food for their cattle and sheep if a continuance of wet
weather keeps the water on longer than usual, which
was the case in 1811, and many other years. The ex-
pense of draining these Turloghs by acreable assess-
ment would be a mere trifle to each individual, but it
is almost a certainty that this never can be accom-
plished without an act of parliament, as one stubborn
ignorant booby would render every effort of the other
proprietors nugatory. I must consider it a strange
neglect in the Legislature that they will not bring in
one comprehensive act, to prevent the necessity and
expense of getting an act which costs £500. for every
trifling improvement.
Lakes abound in this county, some very insignifi-
cant, but there are others very beautiful. In Cunna-
mara there are many picturesque lakes. Along the
road from Oughterard to Ballynahinch, a distance of
nearly 20 miles, there is a chain of lakes; some are
E 2
52
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
planted, and are very pretty, but they are generally
destitute of trees. The margins of those lakes are
mostly free from weeds, which adds much to their
beauty.
In
Lough Corrib is the largest in this county, occupy-
ing upwards of 30,000 acres. It originates in several
streams from Joyce's country, and assumes the form and
magnitude of a lake near Castlekirk island, and spreads
to a considerable breadth near Cong, where it has a
subterranean communication with Lough Mask, in the
county of Mayo, from which it is about two miles,
with a fall of above 30 feet. It gets narrow at the
ferry of Knock, and again suddenly encreases in size
until, about two miles from Galway it assumes the ap-
pearance of a river, which it preserves, to the sea.
the Annals of Donegal it is called Galvia or Galiva.
Ptolemy called this river Ausoba, probably from Lough
Orbsen. It receives many large rivers, and at its outlet,
under the bridge of Galway, seems to be fully equal to
the Shannon at Athlone, but much more rapid. It
possesses a multitude of islands, mostly inhabited, such
as Inishgile, Inishgan, Castlekirk, and several others.
Note, Inish is the Irish for Island.-To be able to na-
vigate it with safety, requires a considerable degree
of skill, for it is in some parts very shallow, particu-
larly near Galway. The Buachaly shoal, about four
miles from Galway, and some near Newcastle, are very
dangerous to those unacquainted with them; also some
sunken rocks and islets that should have buoys placed
on them. From want of a sufficient outlet it rises in
winter considerably above what is requisite for the dif-
ferent mills in the town of Galway. An outlet has been
proposed near Newcastle and Strawlodge, and former-
ly, as I have mentioned before, an attempt was made
to give it egress at Wellpark, into Lough Athalia, and
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
53
from ignorance of its utility was, and is to this day,
called Lynche's Folly. A considerable progress was
made in the excavation, and seems to have been sketch-
ed with judgment; a moderate sum would complete it,
and I imagine the mill sites would more than pay all
the expenses. I trust the idea will be revived; the ex
pense can be easily ascertained by an experienced en-
gineer. In the Ogygia it is asserted that this lake was
anciently called Lough Orbsen, from a merchant of that
name, who traded extensively between Britain and
Ireland; he was commonly called Mananan Mac Lir,
that is Mananan, from his intercourse with the Isle of
Man, and Mac Lir, i. e. sprung from the sea, because
he was a
an expert diver. He fell in the battle of Moy-
cullen, on the banks of Lough Orbsen, having been
run through by Ulinn the grandson of Nuad, the mo-
narch of Ireland, by his son Thady: the place of en-
gagement was denominated after Ulinn, therefore Magh-
Ulinn, the field of Ulinn, where the battle was fought;
it is now, by a small change, called Moycullen. Keating
says, Oirbhsion Lough was so called, " because when
“his grave was digging, the lake broke out !" Keating
was always fond of the marvellous, and it is not a little
curious that all the lower class of schoolmasters in this
county believe implicitly in his and other fabulous
accounts of Irish affairs.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing."
This lake, so highly interesting to the town of Gal-
way, has been hitherto most shamefully neglected; it
extends above 30 miles from Galway, communicating
with the most populous parts of Mayo, and presents
an extensive field for speculation; it is about 14 feet
above high water mark of the sea, and rises about three
feet in floods; this rise is chiefly caused by the want
54
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of proper mill weirs; at present they are only loose
stones piled up, and let so much water through, they
are obliged to raise them higher than they ought, to
make up the deficiency caused by their indolent ne-
glect; if, on the contrary, the weirs were substantially
built with hammered stone to the summer level, an im-
mense quantity of land on the banks of a lake like
this, occupying above 30,000 acres, would be reclaim-
ed. Probably there would be some opposition from
the millers; but if they do, as has been suggested, I
cannot perceive any ground for opposing an improve-
ment so highly beneficial to every party, as the ad-
ditional rise in winter is worse than useless. The oc-
cupiers of the mill sites are wealthy; they cannot
therefore plead poverty as an excuse. Mr. Nimmo,
an emminent engineer, has advised the adoption of
two large locks to admit a communication with the
sea, which, with the assistance of ample overfalls ad-
joining, and building permanent overfalls to the mills,
would not only give them water carriage to their mills,
but would prevent the expensive necessity of unloading
the great quantity of sea weed (brought up the lake)
on the sea shore, drawing it on cars through the town,
and reloading it into boats at the wood quay, which
chiefly causes an expense of at least six pounds an acre
for this manure, whose beneficial effect seldom lasts
longer than one crop, two at the most. Mr. Nimmo
states the expense of the locks, and the purchase of
property for this purpose, to be only £6000.; that they
would give to Galway all the advantages of wet docks,
and that by executing two weirs at the upper level, the
mills will be better supplied, and they will enjoy the
advantage of water carriage up the lake and down to
the sea.
There is an extensive tract of bottom, covered
with water in floods, to the east of the causeway leading
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 55
to Terrylan, the ancient seat of Lord Clanrickard; this
could be drained, and would make valuable watered mea-
dows. Loughrea, containing about 470 acres, viewed from
the town or from the road to Dalyston, has a charming
effect, accompanied by the wood of Coureen,* and en-
vironed on the opposite side by the picturesque and
ever verdant hills of Park, &c. &c. which are continued
almost round the lake until they touch the town of
Loughrea on the south. The view of Grouse lodge,
backed by the Slieubh Bogtha mountains, adds not a
little to the charming effect, and the mountains close
the scene in the happiest manner. It is not a little sur-
prising that these charming hills are not studded with
villas, surely a much more desirable residence than the
town of Loughrea for those whose business does not
confine them to the town, where the houses and accom-
modations for private gentlemen are by no means in-
viting, and where those who have been all their lives
used to good gardens and every comfort of the coun-
try, must suffer many privations of those things which
from habit are absolutely necessary to their health, es-
pecially fruit and vegetables. It has been said that
short leases are the chief obstruction to building on
those charming hills; if so, the proprietors must be blind
indeed to their own interest, for no grazier or farmer
can pay so large a rent as a man of property will for a
few acres to build on, and it is impossible that at any
future period they can come into competition.+ Great
loss is sustained by the proprietors of ground adjoining
the lake, by the water being kept above the necessary
This picturesque wood has been lately cut down.
† Since writing this I understand the minority of Lord Clanrickard has
prevented it, as that terminates in 1823. I hope to see my suggestions car-
ried into effect.
56
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
level in winter, by a board thrown across the arches of
the bridge near the Artillery barrack, which was evi-
dently intended as an outlet for flood water; surely this
board should be removed in winter, and only used in
very dry weather, as only at that period it is wanted for
Mr. Dolphin's mills. It is imagined by many that the
water of this lake is impregnated with copper, and that
the greenish hue it assumnes is caused by it; but that this
opinion is erroneous, is probable from its producing on
its banks a profusion of the best kind of grasses, on the
subsidence of the water in summer, It is caused by the
extreme clearness of the water on a marshy or rocky
bottom, that reflects the perpetual verdure of the hills.
It is very badly supplied with fish; pike, that lives in
every situation, being almost the only kind caught in
it; probably the chief cause of this is the extreme hard-
ness of the water. This lake empties itself by two small
outlets, one working a flour mill, and both taking a
westerly direction, after passing through the town of
Loughrea, adds considerably to the beauties of St.
Clerans, the charming and improving seat of James
Hadiman Burke, Esq. and joins the tide water at Kil-
cogan. Lough Coutra, the estate of Lord Gort, is very
beautiful; and when his magnificent house and pic-
turesque plantations are finished, will be amongst the
finest places in Ireland. This place, naturally pic-
turesque, has been greatly improved by the taste and
skill of Mr. Sutherland, a very celebrated landscape
gardner. The new approach is particularly well con-
ducted. Note, the house has been finished, and is an
additional proof, to many others, of the taste of Mr.
Payne, the architect. The river Suck* is the principal
It was from this river Mr. O'Kelly, a well known poet of this
county, in one of his poems elegantly calls the men of this county
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
57
river of this county. It rises in the county of Roscom-
mon, and after watering Castlerea, it begins to divide
the counties of Galway and Roscommon near Ballymoe,
runs by Athleague, Mount Talbot, Ballyforan, Balli-
nasloe, and adds very considerably to the waters of the
Shannon. Its course, in general is very sluggish and
consequently overflows its banks in many places, and
almost every year damages great quantities of meadow,
though at the same time it contributes much to their
fertility. This evil might be somewhat abated by ju-
dicious embarkments, and cutting off the water from
the higher grounds, especially the bogs, but chiefly by
levelling all the petty eel weirs on the river, which, in-
stead of walls, should be made entirely of wattles, that
would permit the water to pass through them. A canal
on this river from the Shannon, and carried to Galway,
has been in agitation. The canal is now (1823) ex-
cavating. It will be a means of improving the agricul-
ture of the surrounding country to a great extent.
trust it will not stop until it communicates with Tuam.
I imagined canal companies had long since seen the
impropriety of meddling with rivers. Keating says this
river was formed in the reign of Heremon. The Shan-
non touches only a small part of this county, beginning
near Clonfert, and ending at Mountshannon. The
river of Shruel, which divides this county from Mayo,
injures many acres of ground; its only discharge at
present is through apertures in the rocks under a hill,
and emerges again near Moycastle. If these apertures,
called swallows, were enlarged, and boys prevented from
throwing sods and stones into them to facilitate the
catching of cels, much injury might be prevented, but
I
ye sɔns of Suck." O'Flaherty says, about the year 2944, "the three
rivers Suc sprung up between the lands of Galway and Roscommon."
58
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the obstructions are every day increasing, and when
the river is completely stopped, then possibly the pro-
prietor will be sensible of his neglect, when he sees the
country for many miles inundated, and property to a
great amount destroyed, and perhaps many lives lost.
Formerly the mills of Shruel threw back water for se-
veral miles, and injured a great quantity of land, the
estate of Mr. Kirwan; but lately that gentlemen has,
with great judgment, run a back water drain parallel to
the river, which gives him a power of draining a great
tract of valuable land; but though executed for several
years, no assistance has been given by cutting off the
springs from the high ground, of much more conse-
quence than even the back water drain. It has been
proposed lately, by an eminent engineer, to prevent the
water from sinking through the swallows, by bringing
the river on the surface; but I understand one of those
petty objections so frequently made by ignorance, has
been raised to prevent it. The injury by the obstruc-
tions in this river, and which are very much encreased
by the mill at Shruel, extends through a great tract
of country as far back as Castle Hacket and Thomas-
town.
This county is almost every where blessed with springs
of the purest water; there is one at Eyrecourt, whose
water, I am informed, is six ounces in a quart lighter
than any other in the county; it is certainly excellent,
but I very much doubt the extent of its superiority.
Another at Oranmore, near the bridge, remarkably
fine, and from which a copious stream always flows; by
analysis it has been found two ounces in the pound
lighter than any other within twenty miles of it (that at
Eyrecourt is not twenty miles off); a very fine spring
near Killconnel Abbey; very fine springs near the
east suburbs of Galway, called St. Augustine's wells,
1
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 59
where people do penance by parading in their bare feet
round those wells a stated number of times.-See
Rutty on mineral waters. A spring well near the sum-
mit of the rocky hill of Knocknay; it is never dry, and
very fine water. Chalybeate wells abound,-the most
remarkable I shall mention. One at a short distance
from Woodford has been used with great success, and
has been analized by Dr. Donnelan of Portumna;
one of great repute near the white gate on the estate of
Mr. Burke of Tintrim. In the same neighbourhood,
at the village of Quose, on Lord Clanrickard's estate, a
well that instantly kills poultry that drink of it. A
chalybeate of great efficacy in the demesne of Kiltulla,
the seat of John D'Arcy, Esq. and on this gentleman's
estate at Kingston, in Cunnamara, there is one that
Mr. Kirwan, who often explored this country, con-
sidered as one of the best in Europe. Another at Ca-
hertinne, near Dunsandle, often used. A fine spa be-
tween Clonfert and Lawrencetown; it has been taken
with great effect in liver complaints; it is thought to
be at least equal to that at Castleconnel; one near
Athenry much frequented; another at Rathglass, near
Kilconnel, much used; another near Woodbrook has
been used; another at Killimor much used; one on the
road side, near Abbert, has been greatly used; another
of great repute near Hampstead; a far famed chaly-
beate spa at Oughterard, which induces many invalids
to take lodgings there. This well is badly built, and no
care taken, by a drain round it, to prevent the mixture
of rain water indeed the same neglect attaches to every
spa well; they are uniformly neglected and dirty. Pro-
bably there are many others that escaped my notice.
60
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
י
CHAPTER II.
AGRICULTURE.
SECTION I.
MODE OF CULTURE.
WHEAT is the crop at which almost every farmer
aims, and to which almost every other is subservient:
it must be confessed this predilection has one good ef
In Henry the Second's time, our wheat was so small and shrivelled as
scarcely to be cleaned by the fan; there was much straw but little corn,
probably from the richness of the soil and a defective tillage. It is thought
we had this grain from a Scandinavian tribe of Picts, called Cruthnii.
Cruthneach is the Irish for wheat, and it is likely we received an imper-
fect knowledge of the cultivation of it from them. Baron Finglass in-
forms us, that in the reign of Henry VIII. "No man having a plough
of his own buy any corn, upon pain of forfeiting 12d. for every peck he
shall buy, until his own corn be all spent. Also, that no man shall ex-
port corn out of Ireland, if the peck of wheat be above the value of 12ɗ.
and malt above the value of 8d. upon pain of forfeiting the same, and that
no license be given to any man for the exportation." By a statute of
Edward IV. " All persons were prohibited from exporting grain from
Ireland if the peck of grain exceeded 10s. upon pain of forfeiting the
grain, or the value thereof and the ship, half to the king and half to the
seizer. Likewise, that no merchant shall buy corn in the sheaf, upon pair
of forfeiting the same."
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
61
fect attending it-the inducement to cultivate potatoes
on a much larger scale than otherwise would be done:
too many fallow for this crop, but not near so many as
formerly, thanks to the potatoes for it. Wheat pro-
duced on fallow is usually sown in October. Where
potatoes have been the previous crop, seldom until De-
cember, and sometimes, if the season is wet, defer the
sowing until spring; twenty stones are usually allowed
to sow an acre, but some few, where the ground is in
high tilth, sow only ten stones, but always, less seed in
spring than in autumn. It is sowed both under the
plough and by shovelling; the latter mode generally by
cottiers. Oats are usually sowed after potatoes, pro-
duced by burning the surface, especially in moory soil
nct fit for wheat; but in ground adapted to it, wheat is
the favourite crop; two barrels, or twenty-eight stone
of oats, are generally sowed on the acre; some few sow
less, but usually the quantity allowed is more than is
neccessary. The general mode of those who have not
a sufficient quantity of manure for their potatoes, (and
which are by much the greater number) is to hire land
and pare and burn the surface; they pay various prices,
from three to ten guineas an acre, according to the
quality of the ground, but more frequently the price is
regulated by the demand. Where there is little ground
to be let for this purpose, it is astonishing the prices
they will pay, or frequently promise to pay, and when
the price of the seed and their own labour are added to
the rent, one is at a loss to account for it, except that
they must have the land at any price. Those who have
land to let often take advantage of this necessity, and
frequently suffer by it, for it is nothing uncommon to let
whole fields in this manner at a high rent, and after a
part is pared, some other person in the neighbourhood
advertising ground at a lower price, they abandon what
62
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they have pared, and the ground is left on hands at a
season too late to prepare for any other crop. The usual
mode of settling for this ground is, after the potatoes
have been planted, to get the ground surveyed, and
notes are taken payable at various dates, but usually
the 17th March following: frequently a considerable
time elapses before the notes are paid, and is the cause
of much litigation at every quarter sessions; for if from
any cause whatever the crop is unproductive, whether
from bad seed, too late sowing, or bad management,
they are ever ready to take advantage of it, and by
leaving the crop on your hands think they are ex-
onerated from the promised payment; and even if they
are willing they are often unable, the goodness of the
crop being often the only security for the rent. Amongst
the very few exceptions to demanding exorbitant rents
for ground let in this way, it would be an act of injus-
tice not to mention Mr. Daly of Dunsandle, who, though
he could easily get eight guineas or more, desired his
steward not to take more than six, and to give a pre-
ference to his own tenants. Preparatory to burning,
the surface of the ground is skinned by spades, (provin-
cially called scrawed,) which for this purpose are al-
ways sharp and broad at the end, with a considerable
bend in the blade, to prevent the necessity of stooping
too much. From sixteen to twenty men will skin an
acre in a day when they work for themselves; some-
times eight men have accomplished it; indeed any work
appertaining to the potato seems to be more cheerfully
executed than any other, as they say, "their heart warms
to it," and every person must be sensible of the warmth of
an Irishman's heart for any person or thing he likes.
Some of the better kind of farmers use the plough for
this purpose, but the general mode is by the spade,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
63
or loy. When labourers work by the day it may pro-
bably take from thirty to forty men per acre.
Potatoes are usually planted in ridges of about six
feet broad, the furrow about three feet; some few gen-
tlemen, but scarcely any fariners or cottiers, plant in
drills; the superiority of the practice only wants to be
known to make it general. It saves manure, seed, and
labour, and the produce is nearly equal; and as to
quality of size, greatly superior. It leaves the ground
in a much cleaner state and fitter for a crop. When
ground is to be laid down with grass seeds, it is the
only method; for it is almost impossible to level ground
after ridges, the unequal sinking at the ground alone
must prevent it: another material objection to ridges
is, that almost all the manure that should be retained
near the surface and equally spread over it, is com-
monly buried in the furrows.* This mismanagement is
always visible in the following year, in the superiority
of the crop where the furrows have been, and is still
further visible for many years by the poverty of the
herbage were the ridges were. There are various me-
thods of putting the potatoes into the ground; † they
• I have observed an excellent practice in the bogs near Athlone ;
when the potatoes are dug, they scrape all the surface into a sharp ridge
in the middle of the potato ridge; it lies dry all the winter, and is ready
to spread in a highly pulverised state in the ensuing spring.
+ The following, from the Horticultural Transactions by the late Right
Honorable Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. I imagine will be new to many of
my readers." The potato was brought to England by the colonists sent out
by Sir Walter Raleigh, under the authority of his patent granted by queen
Elizabeth, "for discovering and planting new countries, not possessed by
Christians," which passed the great seal in 1584. Some of Sir Walter's
ships sailed in the same year; others, on board one of which was Thomas
Herriott, afterwards known as a mathematician in 1585; the whole
however returned, and probably brought with them the potato on the
27th July, 1586. This Mr. Thomas Herriott, who was probably sent to
64
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they are usually spread by women on the manure, be-
fore the planters, at about 6 to 9 inches asunder, and
examine the country, and report to his employers the nature and produce
of the soil, wrote an account of it, which is printed in De Bry's Collec-
tion of Voyages, Vol. 1. In this account, under the article of roots,
p. 17, he describes a plant called openawk: "These roots," says he, are
round, some as large as a wallnut, others much larger; they grow in
damp soil, many hanging together as if fixed on ropes; they are good
food, either boiled or roasted.'
""
Gerard, in his Herbal, published in 1597, gives a figure of the potato,
under the name of potato of Virginia, otherwise called Norembega. The
manuscript minutes of the Royal Society, December 3, 1693, tells us,
that Sir Robert Southwell, then president, informed the fellows, at a
meeting, that his grandfather brought potatoes into Ireland, who first
had them from Sir Walter Raleigh. This evidence proves not unsatis-
factorily, that the potato was first brought into England, either in the
year 1586, or very soon after; and sent from thence to Ireland, without
delay, by Sir Robert Southwell's ancestor, where it was cherished, and
cultivated for food before the good people of England knew its value; for
Gerard, who had the plant in his garden in 1597, recommends the roots
to be eaten as a delicate dish, not as common food. It appears, however,
that it first came into Europe at an earlier period, and by a different chan-
nel; for Clusius, who at that time resided at Vienna, first received the
potato in 1598, from the Governor of Mons in Hainault, who had pro-
cured it the year before from one of the attendants of the Pope's legate,
under the name of Taratoufle, and learned from him, that in Italy, where
it was then in use, no one knew certainly whether it originally came
from Spain, or from America. Peter Cieca, in his Chronicle, printed in
1553, tells us, Chap. x p. 49, that the inhabitants of Quito, and its vi-
cinity, have, besides Mays, a tuberous root, which they eat, and call
Papas; this Clusius guesses to be the plant he received from Flanders
and this conjecture has been confirmed by the accounts of travellers, who
have since that period visited the country.
From these details we may fairly infer, that potatoes were first brought
into Europe from the mountaineous parts of South America in the neigh-
bourhood of Quito; and, as the Spaniards were the sole possessors of that
country, there is little doubt of their being first carried into Spain; but as
it would take some time to introduce them into use in that country, and
afterwards to make the Italians so well acquainted with them as to give
name (a) there is every reason to believe they had been several
them a
(a) Taratoufli also signifies Truffle.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
65
covered with spades; sometimes they are planted
under the manure, and where sea weed (Algæ of va-
rious kinds) is used, they are planted on the sea weed
after it has had time to dry, for they find by exposure
that if it is used fresh from the sea, it would injure the
potato-sets. If the season for procuring this kind of
manure has been protracted beyond the usual one for
planting, they put the sets on the land, and give them
a very slight covering of earth, and as fast as they can
procure the sea weed, they spread it over this covering
of the earth, and finish the covering by adding more
earth from the furrows. An experiment has been tried,
by throwing the sea weed in heaps to putrify, but it
was found that the fresh weed was much better, and
much time and labour saved. The method of dibbling
is used sometimes, but not often: the practice of using
small potatoes for seed, prevails too much, nor can
F
years in Europe, before they were sent to Clusius. The name of the
root in South America, is Papas, and in Virginia it was called Open.
awk; the name of potato was therefore evidently applied to it on account
of its similarity to the battata, or sweet potato; and our potato appears to
have been distinguished from that root by the appellation of potato of
Virginia, till the year 1640, if not longer. Some authors have asserted,
that potatoes were first discovered by Sir Francis Drake, in the south
seas, and others, that they were introduced into England by Sir John
Hawkins; but in both instances the plant alluded to is clearly the sweet
potato which was used in England as a delicacy long before the introduc-
tion of our potatoes; it was imported in considerable quantities from Spain
and the Canaries, and was supposed to possess the power of restoring de
cayed vigour. The kissing comfits of Falstaff, and other confections of
similar imaginary qualities, with which our ancestors were duped, were
principally made of these, and of Erin's roots. The potatoes themselves were
sold by itinerant dealers, chiefly in the neighbourhood of the Royal Ex-
change, and purchased, when scarce, at no inconsiderable cost, by those who
had faith in their alleged properties. The allusions to this opinion are very
frequent in the plays of that age. "Let it rain potatoes, and hail kissing
comfits. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act V. Scene 5."-Note, it is
curious enough that the potato has preserved the same character to the
present day in Ireland; but we add milk to make the charm complete.
66
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
any thing convince them it is erroneous. A dry spring
always ensures a plentiful crop of potatoes, and a wet
one, which prevents the burning, on the contrary is the
usual forerunner of a scarcity; for a very great propor-
tion of the potatoes in this county, indeed I may say
of the province, are raised from burned ground; the
abolition of this practice (bad only from its abuse) is
under the present wretched state of agricultural know-
ledge, and capital, impossible: until better practices
are established, especially feeding in the house winter
and summer, and a total change in the mode of letting
land in villages, it can never take place. After po-
tatoes in burned ground, oats are frequently sowed,
and for which people are often charged six guineas an
acre, sometimes less; this, under their mismanage-
ment of late sowing, bad tillage, and generally very
indifferent seed, is frequently a losing speculation, un-
less the produce brings a war price; but the competition.
is generally so great, that they are induced to offer
more than the value of the land, and are sorely pinch-
ed to make up the rent, which is often done, in part
money, part labour, and perhaps part produce at a
low price. The proprietor of the ground, instead of
laying it down with grass seeds with this crop, often
sows repeated crops of oats, until the exhausted soil
will produce nothing but weeds of the humblest growth,
especially Fiorin grass of so diminutive a size, that by
those who had seen it in bogs, it would scarcely be
thought the same plant. In some places the ground is
fallowed after the oats, and a crop of wheat taken, fol-
lowed by one of oats without grass seeds, and left to na-
ture to produce them, which in our favored isle is ge-
nerally the case; but where the ground is of an inferior
quality, this does not take place for many years, and
in the interim the farmer suffers a loss proportioned to
his rent frequently, as soon as the suface is covered
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
67
sufficiently with the roots of grass to retain the earth,
this process is repeated preparatory to a renewal of this
scourging system. I beg again to repeat that in most
cases I am a warm advocate for restricted burning of
land. Did landlords pay more attention to their es-
tates, or did agents reside, and could be brought to
consider that they have more duties to perform than
the mere receipts of rents, much of this injury to land
would be prevented. It has been a practice with some
landlords to receive a large sum of money in hand for
permission to wealthy middlemen to let large farms
for burning, to poor people, at exorbitant rents; I do
not know a fairer ground for breaking a lease, by the
heir at law, and making this destructive tenant dis-
gorge some of his ill-got wealth; however, this prac-
tice is not so prevalent as formerly; the mother of in-
vention is often the mother of improvement.
On the sea coast, sea weeds (Algæ) and coralines of
various kinds, are their never-failing resources; on
this manure they plant potatoes, which are followed by
a crop of wheat, oats, and in sandy soils barley, * and
then potatoes with a fresh manuring again. Potatoes
produced from sea weed are, if planted early, as good
as those produced by any other kind of manure; but if
planted late, are generally wet, which is the case often
with other manures. In many places on the sea coast,
very fine early potatoes called Windeleers (the same I
believe as the county of Wicklow Bangers) are pro-
duced in several feet depth of pure sea sand, manured by
sea weed, and after that fine barley, which is all con-
sumed by the innumerable private stills of Cunnamara.
A considerable portion of the tillage of cottiers is
F 2
The Irish had not originally barley or rye.
68
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
effected by the spade, and they scarcely ever fallow:
their rents are too high, and their patch of land too
small, to admit that wasteful practice; it is also the
practice with some gentlemen to dig in oats in spring,
and where the ground is too wet to plough with safety,
or for those who permit such ploughing as I have
often seen, it is a safe practice, however expensive.
But why should any man of fortune have wet land, or per-
mit bad tillage?
On Mr. Lawrence's estate, and elsewhere, the te-
nants plant potatoes in furrows made by the plough;
they first spread a small quantity of manure on the sur-
face, and plough it in, then throw it into furrows, in
which they plant the potatoes; in a few days they se-
cond spit, and finish with a shovel; by this means they
avoid the necessity of bringing up a quantity of bad
earth; but in wet land the furrows between the ridges
should be well dug, without throwing any part on the
surface; this practice permits the wet to percolate, and
if steadily persisted in, would prevent the necessity of
throwing lac liagh (a clay) soils into high ridges, by
which means, on many estates, one-third of the soil is
unoccupied, and is a very material cause of the diffi-
culty of paying rents.
EXTENT OF CULTURE AND OF EACH SPECIES OF GRAIN
SOWED.
There is a vast deal more corn produced in this
county than a cursory view of it would lead one to
think. In the rocky districts, where walls are almost
exclusively the fence, and the enclosures small, the
corn is seldom seen from the road, yet in these patches
is produecd most excellent wheat; the flour millers
prefer it to that produced in deeper and stronger soils,
as having a thinner skin, and though not so large a
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
69
grain, producing more and better flour. The oats and
barley produced in these calcareous soils partake of the
valuable qualities ascribed to the wheat; but from a
general neglect of landlords in providing good seeds for
their tenants, are greatly inferior to what they would be
both in quality and quantity of produce. If the same
benign spirit actuated them that has so materially im-
proved the live stock of the county, by giving gratis the
best sires of each kind, an increase and improvement
beyond conception would be the result, more especially
as this county has lately become a considerable export-
ing one. It would be much for the advantage of the
corn merchants in Galway if they pursued the en-
lightened practice of Messrs. Persse, late proprietors of
the Newcastle brewery, of importing the very best of
each kind of grain, and selling them at first cost, there
can be little doubt it would be fully repaid to then in
a more ample and better produce to their stores, and
do away that disgraceful stigma we perceive laid on
Irish corn in every market note from Liverpool, where
it is rated even lower than that produced in Scotland;
and it must be highly gratifying to their feelings when
they perceive the beneficial effects of their exertions.
In the neighbourhood of Oranmore, parish of Kil-
colgan, Tartarian oats are very generally cultivated;
they are esteemed better for light impoverished soils,
and are said to give nearly half meal. In almost every
part of this county a variety of very bad black oats makes
a large proportion of the crop, and as the poor people
have not better for seed, the evil is increasing: they say
that the best potato oats become black in their ground;
this I very much doubt,-but that it proceeds from a
careless mixture of the corn. Crops of every kind in
the lands of cottiers are generally carefully weeded, as
I have often seen with pleasure in my rides through the
70
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
country; and if indolence forms any part of the charac-
ter of the inhabitants of this county, it is certainly not
in the lower ranks it will be found, when working for
themselves.
There have been few improvements made in agricul-
ture until very lately, indeed until Farming Societies
were established, and they are still too much confined
to the demesnes of men of fortune; to become general,
the smaller landed proprietors must be induced to shake
off their old prejudices, and turn their eyes to those
gentlemen's seats, where they will see two horses in a
plough without a driver, ploughing much deeper and
better in every respect than they do with four horses,
two leaders, and frequently a lazy fellow keeping or
pretending to keep the plough in the ground by pressing
on the beam with a pitchfork. I must confess were I a
landed proprietor I should blush at seeing such prac-
tises, and much more if some of our travelling agricul-
turists from Great Britain were witnesses of such dis-
graceful practices. Why should not every landed pro-
prietor have a little farming society on his estate?—
Could he lay out a very few pounds with more advan-
tage? I regret to state I have more than once heard,
"I do not care a damn what they do, or how dirty their
houses are, so I receive my rents." Can there be a
stronger proof of the little interest they take, than that
little or no advantage has been taken of the liberal offer
of the Farming Society of Ireland, of ploughs of the
best construction, iron and wood, at very reduced
prices, for the use of their tenants. Did a proper feel-
ing actuate them, a great addition of carpenters would
be necessary at the implement manufactory.
Like most parts of Ireland, tillage is despised in those
districts where grazing prevails; yet a doubt does not
remain on my mind, that the richest land would be
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
71
more profitably employed in a union of tillage with
grazing; but where tillage is practised, it is almost uni-
formly the scourging system that is pursued, without
the intervention of an ameliorating green crop; yet this
is the tillage which I have frequently heard put into the
scale against grazing, or in other words, the most ex-
ecrable tillage with the best grazing. How blind to
their own interest must those farmers be who pursue
this wretched system of deterioration, yet what better
can be expected when men of large fortune and liberal
education, seeing only through the eyes of an ignorant
prejudiced steward of the old school, permit their lands
to be scourged in this barbarous manner. How can it
be expected their tenantry will make any change, when
I assure my readers that more than once or twice I
have heard the hackneyed cant of the common labour-
ers used by those men of large fortune, and otherwise
liberal education, "I wonder how our fathers and
grandfathers did when these fine improvements were
not thought of." And sometimes from those men who,
by the industry of their ancestors, an extraordinary co-
incidence of fortunate circumstances, or from an un-
feeling disposition, taking every advantage of the dis-
tresses of the poor, have jumped into a large fortune,
and perhaps possess many rich grazing farms for a few
shillings per acre, men of a plodding penurious dis-
position, and so rich that their frequent losses can
never be known by the usual signs, those are the men
that are compared with your New light farmers, as they
are sneeringly called; men, who if they had the same
capital, and farms at the same rent of the drones, would
not only enrich themselves, but greatly improve their
country. Graziers are seldom improvers of land; they
are ready enough to build wall enclosures, but as to
draining, many of them laugh at it. The prosperity of
#
72
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
<6
many ignorant illiterate farmers has often been adduced
to prove their superiority over what they style book
farmers; it must, however, be allowed, too many of the
latter description have deserved this title, though a ra-
tional theory should be the foundation, yet too many
find, when too late, that experience gained by an ex-
tensive practice is also absolutely necessary. Dr. Hales
says: "Though I am sensible, that from experience
"chiefly we are to expect the most certain rules of
practice; yet the likeliest method for making the
"most judicious observations, and for improving any
art, is to get the best insight we can into the nature
"and properties of what we are desirous to cultivate
" and improve." Is this the case with Connaught
farmers? Certainly not; for how few take even the
Farmers Journal, though the annual expense is only
thirty shillings. It requires little argument to shew
that many of those rich farmers owe their success to
several causes-to their living little better than their
labourers, whatever their increase of income may have
been, an increase that has arisen from having rich lands
at very low rents, and a very great and sudden rise in
the price of every article of agricultural produce, and
not unfrequently they are money lenders to their poorer
neighbours, from whom they extort illegal interest,
which is often paid in labour at a low rate, &c. &c.
Little argument is required to prove that repeated corn
crops exhaust the soil; we see but too many proofs of it
in every part of Ireland. It requires as little to prove,
that alternate green crops, manured, give an increased
fertility to the ground.
It is too generally imagined that green crops pay a
very small proportion of what could be obtained for
corn crops. I shall endeavour to prove, under the
head" Course of Crops," that this opinion is the re-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
73
acre;
sult of ignorance of the subject. It is not an easy mat-
ter to give the quantity of each grain produced on the
but I imagine, from an increase of the potato
culture, the average is higher than when Mr. Arthur
Young, so very beneficially to this country, travelled
through it in 1779. I think it may be stated per acre,
wheat, six to ten barrels, of twenty stones each; oats,
twelve to twenty barrels, of fourteen stones each; bar-
ley, fourteen to twenty barrels, of sixteen stones each;
potatoes, thirty-two to eighty barrels, of thirty-two
stones each, sixteen pounds to the stone.
*
A considerable quantity of fine wheat is produced in
the baronies of Dunkellin and Athenry, also in the
neighbourhood of Ardrahan, Gort, Caeggclare and
Kinvara, which is mostly sent by water to Galway for iuvara
home consumption and for exportation; many other
By the following statement from Mr. Young, it is seen what may be
done by a high state of cultivation; it has been accommodated to the Irish
acre.
Barrels.
Eastern Tour,
Vol. I. p. 46,
Oats per Acre, 29 of 14 st. each.
Annals of Agri-
culture,
Agri-}
Vol. XI. p. 159,
Do.
29
Do.
9
Do.
Vol. V. p. 240.
Do.
30T
Do.
Eastern Tour,
Vol. I. p. 48,
Barley, per A. 25 of 16 st. each.
Do.
Vol. III. p. 19,
Annals,
Vol. II. p. 79,
Do.
28 +/
T6
Do.
Do.
29
Do.
Do.
Vol. II. p. 243, Wheat per A. 183 of 20 st. each.
Do.
Vol. XII. p. 45,
Do. 191
Do.
Do.
Vol. II. p. 95,
Do.
212-
Do.
In my survey of the County of Clare, it is stated from good authority
that Mr. Singleton and his father have had on rich Corcass lands 40 bar-
rels of Bere, of 16 stones each, and 30 barrels of Beans, of 20 stones
each, per Irish acre.
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
parts of the county also furnish a supply for exporta-
tion, as there are few gentlemen that have not some
tillage; but there is no such thing in this county, (at
least I have not been fortunate enough to meet him,)
as an extensive tillage farmer; many have occasionally
a large haggard, produced by lands thrown on their
hands, lands unset, or from some other accidental cir-
cumstance, but they are not what would be called
farmers in the counties of Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny,
or Fingal. Some of the greatest haggards I have seen
in this county were produced by a very wretched sys-
tem, that of fallowing a worn out soil, taking a crop of
wheat, preparatory to throwing it on the landlords
hands in that very impoverished state.
SECTION II.
COURSE OF CROPS.
THIS, although the most material branch of agricul-
ture, is in general the least understood; without a
change in our mode of cropping, little improvement can
be made; we may continue to import English and
Scotch ploughs, and ploughmen, but unless we import
at the same time their good practices, and resolve
steadily to pursue them, it only tends to bring them
into disrepute with those who are but too ready to
catch at every opportunity to decry practices they do
not understand, or are too indolent to adopt. It is
nothing uncommon to hear some gentlemen, after
having been a few months in England, enlarge with
rapture on the superiority of the agricultural practices
of Great Britain; this may, in some measure, be ac-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
75
counted for, from their associating only with those
English gentlemen who have made improved husbandry
their pursuit. But had they made excursions into some
of the remote counties, they would perceive practices to
the full as reprehensible as our very worst. I need only
desire them to read the Annals of Agriculture, and the
Agricultural Reports of Counties, &c. &c. to convince
them that we want English capital even more than their
skill; this shews how necessary it is for our travelled
countrymen to discriminate. That the improved prac-
tices of Great Britain are superior to any in the world,
will, I imagine, be readily granted; but cæteris paribus,
they are not universally so very far before us as their
improvement in other branches of science would lead
us to think, or as those who only take a prejudiced
peep at agricultural practices would have us believe. In
this county there is not much variation in the course
of cropping; that of the small farmer and cottier ad-
joining Banagher, is, 1st, Pare and burn, or manure
for potatoes;-2d, Rye ;-3d, Oats, and manure for
potatoes again. In the vicinity of the bay and coast
of Galway the usual course is, 1st, One, or perhaps
two crops of potatoes manured with sea weed of various
kinds;-2d, Wheat;-3d, Oats. Often, whether from
poverty of soil, scantiness, or bad quality of the sea
weed, only one crop of potatoes and one of oats are
taken, perhaps two of oats. The wheat produced by
this manure, added to the usual effects of a calcareous
soil, of which the southern coast consists, is generally
of a very superior quality, and in great estimation at the
flour mills; and the potatoes, if planted early, are usually
of the best quality, and produced in great abundance;
if planted late they are generally wet and soft, but are
reckoned best for seed. In every other part of the
county the too general mode is, to hire land if they can
76
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
get it, and pare and burn for potatoes, of which it is
customary to take two crops in succession; if the ground
is good, and every thing as they could wish, the second
is better than the first; then wheat or oats as they can
agree for the ground; it is then given up to the landlord,
who is generally a middleman, and he frequently takes
as many crops of oats as it will probably produce, and
in this impoverished state it is permitted to lie for several
years, until it in some measure recovers its former fer-
tility, which, if it has been originally of a good quality,
it will do in a period that would astonish an Englishman.
As to laying it down with grass seeds or clover, (which
must be done in most parts of England or they would
have nothing,) sowed with the last crop, it is scarcely
ever practised, especially as this ruinous system gene-
rally takes place during the last five or six years of the
lease.*
If this wretched course (if course it can be called)
was pursued only by small farmers or cottiers, they
might well plead ignorance of better practices in exte-
nuation; but when we see them constantly in use by
those who from their education and fortune have no
such excuse, they are, in their consequences, highly
pernicious and reprehensible: what improvement can
be expected from tenants, when landlords are guilty of
those wretched-modes of cultivation? I have frequently
expostulated with farmers on the ultimate ruin they
would bring on their families by such a system of de-
There are some great land sharks in this county who are all their
lives in a constant scene of bustle and litigation with their landlords, from
pursuing a knavish system of breaking up ground they have no right to
do; they lay their plans so dexterously, and they have their creatures so
very well trained, and so dependant on them, that they too generally suc-
ceed, especially where the land belongs to an absentee, or a non-resident
agent acts for him.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
77
terioration, and endeavoured to impress them with the
superior immediate and future profit of alternate green
and corn crops, but the answer has been almost uni-
versally here as well as in the county of Clare “what
will you have us do, when our landlord or rich neigh-
bours pursue the same system, though they pay their
stewards thirty or forty pounds a year." Until landed
proprietors see with their own eyes, or procure those
from whom the mist of prejudice has been cleared, to
conduct their affairs, this must ever be the case.
ignorance and consequent obstinacy of old-light stew-
ards, who maintain that nothing but corn or cattle can
pay any rent, I am perfectly convinced has tended
more to retard improvement in Ireland, than all other
causes put together.
The
For the information of those farmers who may not
have had an opportunity of seeing better practices, or
of reading those books where they are detailed, I shall
endeavour to suggest such a course, as will not only
give a superior immediate profit, but after any length
of time leave their land in still better heart then when
they began. The usual bad course I have before men-
tioned, is either to pare and burn the surface, or ma-
nure with black mud* and a little manure mixed, for
1st, potato-2d, wheat,-Sd, and 4th, oats, and frequently
this grain continued until the productive quality of the
ground is completely exhausted. After this it remains
for several years producing scarcely any thing but half
starved weeds of the worst kinds. Instead of this ex-
hausting course, I would advise the following course
* For the information of such as may not know what is meant by
black mud, it is necessary to inform them, it is part of the bog, usually
the surface, brought home in summer, and spread about their doors;
this is mixed with any manure they can scrape together, and remains an
offensive black puddle until spring. If they are near a road, the sides are
cut away to mix with it.
78
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
should be adopted in light soils (but not sandy) of
which the greater part of this county consists.-1st,
potatoes in ridges as usual, after burning, or with ma-
nure; 2d, wheat, barley or oats; 3d, clover and rye
grass, or clover alone sowed with the preceding corn
crop; * this to remain for two years if good; if not, it
should remain only one year. The ground should then
be broke up in autumn, and laid dry all the winter;
at the usual season it should be manured for potatoes in
drills, and the same course pursued as before; the
clover should be mowed every day, and should lie in
the swath until the following day, and given to stock.
of every kind in small quantities at a time; for this pur-
pose a good ass and small well formed cart will, where
the number of cattle is not very great, be found to an-
swer best, as there is not that temptation to storing
large quantities at a time, than which nothing is more
to be dreaded, as it would heat very soon, and be re-
fused by the cattle; then, indeed, the old-light stew-
ard, and the man who attended the cattle, would be in
their element. "There now my lord, didn't I tell
you the cattle never would thrive in the house in
"summer; it is against nature, &c." If the cattle have
been well littered with the straw produced along with
the clover, a vast heap of manure will be produced,
and will bring their ground to an uncommon state of
fertility; they will find that if this course is pursued for
any number of years, the ground will be in better heart
than it was originally. The introduction of rape,
vetches, turnips, mangel worzel, &c. &c. must be
66
* In general the quantity of clover seed is not sufficient; not less
than twenty-one pounds to the acre should ever be sowed, though the
ground may appear to be covered, yet when this crop has too much room,
and not cut at an early stage of its growth, it becomes woody, and un-
palatable to cattle.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
79
gradually introduced, when a taste for improvement
dawns on the mind, and the value of the soiling sys-
tem is better known; until that period arrives (and the
acceleration of it depends much on landlords), it would
only perplex, perhaps deter those for whose benefit
this course is suggested.
Whilst the small farmer or cottier is pursuing this
course, it is to be hoped that those of information and
larger income will lead the way in the introduction
and cultivation, on improved and steady principles,
of the best kinds of green crops, cultivated in a supe-
rior style, and consumed in the house by stock; then,
and not before, will be the time to expect such good
practices will be generally adopted. Irish farmers are
not that race of obstinate fools they are sometimes
called, they are not more wedded to the customs of
their ancestors than the inhabitants of any other coun-
try of the same rank and neglected education; I have
ever found them willing to be instructed, if gentle me-
thods are used, and they have reason to think they
shall not lose by their experiment; but the language
of petulance too often used to them, is not calulated
to make proselytes; for instance, within two or three
years, the practice of ploughing with two horses by
those who formerly used four, has been in many places
adopted, especially in the neighbourhood of those gen-
tlemen who practice ploughing with a pair, without a
leader; it is true, the boy to lead has been too gene-
rally retained; but lately I have in a few instances seen
even him discarded; probably he is oftener retained for
the sake of society than use. A gentleman in this
county asked his ploughman could he plough with
reins; to be sure I can, Sir, but the horses cannot
speak to me."-Example here, as in most cases, is worth
volumes of directions, and when it is furnished by one
"C
80
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of their own rank, it may be expected that other good
practices will be extended amongst the small farmers
and cottiers who stand most in need of it, to enable
them to discharge the high rents they usually pay, made
still higher by their own defective management.
Fallowing is still practised very much, but not to the
extent it was formerly; the encreased cultivation of
potatoes has, in a great measure, rendered it unneces-
sary; the great rise in rents too have contributed to
this desirable abolition; farmers will at length become
sensible of the loss they sustain by this triennial tax on
their profits, besides fallowing, according to the care-
less method generally practised, has not the extended
effect of cleaning the land, but quite the contrary, for
it helps to divide and transplant the roots of perennial
weeds; and we frequently see fallows covered with
thistles, ragweed, and other pernicious weeds in full
seed, blowing about the country; in fact they are ge-
nerally green fallows. Two crops of wheat are some-
times, but not often taken in succession; the want of
capital, even more than ignorance of the bad conse-
quence, is the chief cause of the defective tillage before
mentioned. It is by no means uncommon for a man
scarcely possessed of a guinea, to take fifty or an hun-
dred acres of land; if the land has been under grass
for some years, he is certain of setting almost every
acre of it for eight to ten pounds an acre, for burning
for potatoes for each of the two succeeding years; the
third year he gets perhaps five or six pounds per acre,
for sowing oats, and as long as he can get any one to
take the ground, and then perhaps leaves it on the
landlord's hands, in the wretched state I have before
mentioned. As the fondness for money generally en-
creases with possession, our landjobber becoming pos-
sessed of a sum he never had reason to expect, extends
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
81
**
his views to new and larger undertakings; to accom-
plish this, regardless of future loss, he grasps at pre-
sent gains, grows expensive in his living, becomes a
tippler at dram shops, and not unfrequently in a few
years gets an abatement in the rent (as a reward for his
good management) from his unthinking absentee land-
lord, or his Dublin agent, totally ignorant of country
affairs, and then lets the farm in small lots to poor
cottiers (who must have land) at an exorbitant rent,
and becomes one of those pests of society, an unimprov
ing middleman, + and a lender of money in small sums,
for which he exacts usurious interest in various articles
of produce and labour: if he wants the re-possession of
a piece of land, he lets the tenant run in arrear, and
then pounces on him with an ejectment, sells even the
bed from under him, and turns him out to beg: every
one acquainted with the county of Galway can easily
find the original of this picture.
The exertions made by small farmers and cottiers to
procure manure is extraordinary, often to the great
injury of the roads; this ascertains to a certainty that
a little attention on the part of their landlord, or his
agent, would accomplish this sine quá non of good til-
lage; most of them keep cows in the house in winter,
and frequently feed them with small potatoes, of the
value of which they are perfectly sensible; then how
easy would it be to induce them to cultivate a small
Ꮐ
* Mr. M'Evoy, in his excellent Survey of the County of Tyrone
coincide's most fully in this idea, page 128.—“ Agents not acquainted
with country business may be considered a great bar to improvement."
The improvement of land depends very much on the activity and know-
ledge of agents.
+
Ι I beg it may be understood that I consider the mau of substance and
skill who takes a tract of unimproved land for the purpose of improving,
and then reletting, is a blessing to his country.
82
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
portion of their land with rape, vetches, clover, or any
other of those green crops, so very beneficially intro-
duced into modern husbandry. It remains however
to be proved by experiment, whether the potato should
not take place of every other species of winter or spring
food for stock of every kind. If we advert to the va-
riety of soils in which it succeeds, to the intimate know-
ledge of its cultivation, which every person from the
peer to the peasant possesses, its ameliorating effects on
the soil, its fattening quality, and not like many other
vegetables, communicating a bad flavor to the meat, the
superiority it possesses over every other vegetable pro-
duction, of keeping perfectly good for upwards of ten
months; when all those advantages are added to their
freedom from being pilfered, their leaving the ground
free for another crop in October, whilst most other
plants remain until far in spring, and many others
which must occur to every agriculturist, they will per-
haps obtain a very high rank amongst vegetable pro-
ductions for stock. Long as we have had the root in
Ireland, and much as the public attention has been
turned towards its cultivation, I imagine from some
trials I have made of propagating it from seed (a
highly amusing pursuit) that we have yet but a very
slender knowledge of it, and are very far removed
from perfection.
The introduction of Fiorin grass in our bogs, or ra-
ther the extension, for it has been always there, has
caused a revolution in our agricultural system, that
promises to overturn many of our vegetable produc-
tions. In such soils its produce is, without almost any
trouble, superior to most others; is always ready for
use, and on ground frequently not worth two shillings
per acre.
I shall resume this subject in the section of
green crops. Nothing would elevate the poor man's til-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
83
lage more than sowing red clover with his crop of flax;
they both require ground in good heart and fine tilth ;
are sowed at the same time; the small leaves of the flax
permit the clover to flourish, and it is pulled so early
that it permits the clover to make such a growth, that
if the ground is rich, and the proper quantity of seed
sowed, there may be a cutting for green food obtained
before winter, but this is not a good general practice.
SECTION III.
USE OF OXEN-HOW HARNESSED.
OXEN are not generally used in this county in hus-
bandry. The following gentlemen, amongst perhaps a
few others, use them in most kinds of work :
Sir John Burke-Marblehill.
Lord Ashtown.
Lord Riverston.
Mr. Browne-Moyne.
Mr. Thomas Martin-Ballynahinch.
Mr. Bellew-Mount Bellew.
Though those gentlemen harness them properly,
they may be seen some times drawing very heavy loads
with yokes and bows, a most cruel method,* the poor
animals heads almost touching the ground, endeavour-
ing to avoid the galling pressure of the yoke on their
bare necks; how much easier must be the collar, or
even the sugan of straw. I have seen with much plea-
sure several pairs of oxen working for Mr. Martin at
G 2
* In 1610, Mr. Ledwich says, ten shillings were levied for every
plough drawn by the tail in Ulster; there were 1740 forfeitures, amount-
ing to £870.!!-Yokes without collars, are little less cruel.
84
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
:
Ballynahinch and Oughterard, much better appointed
than I have witnessed elsewhere.
Spayed heifers are sometimes used, and are gene-
rally allowed to be superior to oxen; they are much
quicker steppers, insomuch that the heifers belonging
to the Rev. Mr. Symes of Ballyarthur in the county of
Wicklow, which obtained the cup at the ploughing
match of the Farming Society of Ireland in 1804,
though very small, performed their work in much less
time than excellent horses that started with them.
am surprised the spaying of heifers that are intended
merely for fattening, has not been more practised; the
advantages they possess over those not spayed are ma-
ny. Every person who buys cattle at any of the fairs
in this county, must know how very frequently they
buy heifers in calf that they intended to fatten, which
obliges them to sell before they are fully fattened. If
on the contrary spayed heiffers were bought, there
can be no disappointment, and the grazier can take his
own time to sell; they are also much quieter both in
harness and in the pasture: as to the quality of their
flesh, they possess a great superiority, and produce
more inside fat at an early age, than those that are not
spayed. The question so long agitated, whether horses
or oxen are most economical for farming purposes, re-
mains still unsettled, The advocates for horses con-
tend, that though they cost more to purchase, require
more expensive keeping, and eat more than oxen, and
are of infinitely less value when past their labour or
are injured, yet the superior quickness of their move-
ments, especially in the hurry of spring work, they
think more than compensates for the small price,
cheaper keeping, and superior value of the ox when
past his labour.
Perhaps the comparison has not in general been
&
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
85
fairly made; it has been almost always between large,
heavy, sluggish oxen, ill fed, and middle sized, and quick
stepped horses; one purchased for from £5. to £7.
and the other from £20. 10 £40. Whoever thought,
when he went to a fair to buy plough oxen, of seeing
them moved before him; he only looks (or at least his
wise man) to those who are likely to grow to a large
size when fattened, without ever considering whether
they step quick or slow; on the contrary, the horse is
made to go through all his paces, and rejected if his
movements are not good. Put a pair of those heavy-
limbed, lubberly black horses, that were so injudiciously
endeavoured to be established in Ireland a few years
ago, into a field with Mr. Symes's heifers, and a more
forcible light will be thrown on the subject than from
my pen. An additional, and a still more forcible light
has been shed by the result of the ploughing match of
the Farming Society of Ireland in March 1821.-
25 pair of horses, 2 pair of mules, 3 pair of oxen, and
a pair of bulls, started for the prizes: we may rest sa-
tisfied that the horses were selected for the purpose. To
the astonishment of the prejudiced, a pair of oxen be-
longing to Richard Cotter, Esq. won the cup; the se-
cond premium of £10. was carried off by another pair
of oxen, the property of Joseph Atkinson, Esq. and
the third prize of £5. was awarded to the bulls, the
property of John Brown, Esq. In the present de-
pressed state of agricultural pursuits, it becomes a mat-
ter of the utmost consequence to compare the expenses
of horses and oxen, which every farmer can easily do,
and make up his mind to sacrifice the pleasure of the
eye to dictates of his judgment.
The proper feeding of oxen whilst working is gene-
rally most grossly neglected; if they get indifferent hay
they are generally esteemed well fed; no wonder they
86
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
are slow in their step; horses on the same bad hay
without oats would not be found very quick stepped.
I have observed at a very celebrated place near Dub-
lin, oxen fattening for the Farming Society's show,
pampered with every vegetable delicacy the farm af-
forded; within a few yards stood a parcel of miserable.
working oxen, nothing but skin and bone; they fre-
quently lay down in the plough; not a potato, cabbage,
turnip, or head of rape was given to those unfortunate
animals, nothing but the worst kind of hay, the leavings
of the fattening cattle. The steward, an Englishman
from a part of England where oxen are seldom used,
forsooth "understood all the best practices of England;
aye, that he did, knowed oxen never could stand work.”
The
consequence was, that instead of turning them out
to fatten in good store order, as they would have been
if well fed, besides performing twice the labour, they
were obliged to be kept two years before they were fat;
the first year barely recovered them. The expense of
feeding horses and oxen may be brought more on a
par, if horses get Swedish turnip, steamed potatoes, or
bruised furze (Ulex Europeus). I must not be under-
stood, however, to mean that they will perform hard
spring work without a portion of corn, but I am per-
fectly convinced that some of those vegetables should
make a considerable part of their food; for riding horses,
Swedish turnips or potatoes as a part of their food, will
be found very wholesome, and even for hunters, given
in small quantities (perhaps seven pounds) on the days
they do not hunt; they will cool the body and keep it
moderately open.
Mr. Young, in his Farmer's Calendar, page
263, says, "Swedish turnip is, next to carrots,
the very best food that can be given to horses."
Oxen are not so liable to be injured by accidents, nor
to be rode by lazy or vicious servants; where only one
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
87
beast is kept, a horse will be generally preferred, and
probably where many are necessary, some of each will
be found most useful, but the greater number should
consist of oxen. Those graziers who buy large lots of
store cattle have opportunities of picking out those
oxen that are most likely to step quick; if they do not
answer it is no loss, as they may at any time be turned
out to fatten. It is highly probable that long legged
lathy oxen are most likely to turn out light movers.
The slow step of oxen is frequently caused by the
laziness of the ploughman or drivers; I have often ob-
served them at work, and was surprized they did not
lie down and sleep, both ploughman and cattle.
SECTION IV.
NATURE AND USE OF IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY.
THE common ploughs of this county are very ill cal-
culated to perform good work; one of the greatest de-
fects is, the sole not lying flat on the ground, it has a
tendency to run out of the furrow, and small ribs of
hard clay are left unploughed ; these ribs prevent the
surface water from running into the furrows, which in
winter is very prejudicial, and greatly retards the sow-
ing in spring. It may may be set down as an agri-
cultural axiom, that when the ploughman does not pre-
serve an erect posture at his work, he is either a bad
ploughman, or his plough is defective or improperly set,
of course his tillage must be imperfect. What is ge-
nerally called the Scotch plough on improved prin-
ciples, seems to be one of the best we have yet adopted;
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
if well set and kept sufficiently sharp, it turns a sod
nine or ten inches broad and five or six inches deep in
stiff soils, with the assistance of only a pair of horses or
oxen without a leader, in a much superior manner and
with more ease than the same work is usually effected
by four beasts and a driver; frequently two drivers and
a man pressing on the beam to keep the plough in the
ground, and the ploughman's elbow almost touching the
ground. It very rarely happens that the furrows are
straight; the person who leads the horses cannot pos-
sibly guide them in a right line, and the furrow is, from
the faulty construction of the plough, generally so
badly defined the horses deviate from it, and form
curves not unlike some of those tame outlines for plan-
tations that have continued a reproach to the taste of
of Ireland. If on the contrary, the ploughman holds
the reins, his eye is constantly kept on some object on
the headland, which he sees between the horses heads,
and as from the cleanness of the furrow the horses can
scarcely deviate, the work is performed with the great-
est exactness. At ploughing matches, poles are set up
on the headlands, to which the ploughman runs his
furrow nearly as exact as if it had been cut by a line;
a leader to the plough would find it almost impossible,
as has been often (with no small share of ridicule on
those ploughmen who so obstinately used him) proved
at several ploughing matches.
The increase of ploughs with two horses without a
driver has been very rapid; even the farmers of Fingal,
who were as steadfast in the use of four beasts as those
of any other part of Ireland, now begin, thanks to
the Farming Society of Ireland, to see the superiority
of the new method, and have multitudes of two horse
ploughs at work. The old ploughman, backed by the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
89
steward of the old school,* have always endeavoured to
throw obstacles in the way, but by training up a few
young lads under an expert ploughman, this ha: been
in many places counteracted, and emulation between
the young ploughmen has done wonders, which must
be the result in every branch of farming if judiciously
and steadily directed. The rewards given by farming
societies for good ploughing have had the most bene-
ficial effects. The Scotch plough requires to be set for
working by a person acquainted with its use; a man
attempting to plough with it if set in the usual way of
the common ploughs of this county would be defeated.
It has frequently occurred, that many have imported
Scotch ploughs without providing proper persons to
use them, and they have been laid by with a total loss
of character, at the instigation of ignorance and
stinacy. But such attention has been lately paid to this
* The steward of the old school may be easily known by the following
description: he generally wears a large bushy wig, o is long uncombed
ringlets hanging down his shoulders; his stockings about his heels from
never buttoning the knees of his breeches, or a pair of old boots without
stockings; his frize great coat, worn in the warmest weather, hanging off
his shoulders, for he scorns to put his arms into the sleeves; he smokes
out of the same pipe, and drinks whiskey with the labourers, who always
accost him with “ Paddy" or "Phelim," &c. &c. He buys and sells
cattle, of the value of which he knows no more uan to ask much and offer
little, and laughs into scorn every attempt at improvement,
father did very well without all this new fashioned nonsense.”
tice prevails here, as in the County of Clare, of perinitting stewards to be-
come small farmers; it is impossible they can attend to their masters' bu-
siness;-the wages should be raised and this foolish practice abolished. I
have known a footman go home to plant his potatoes for a week, and
spend another in digging them ! ! !—Comparing the amount of what the
enlightened steward gets, with the wages, and, grass for cattle, house,
turf, &c. &c. besides the loss by the idleness of every one under him, it
will be found that the balance will be largely in favour of the first. The
generality of old light' stewards are mere lookers on of labourers.
your honor's
The prac-
90
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
interesting subject, that the importation of either Scotch
ploughs or ploughmen is no longer necessary. Leices-
tershire wheel plonghs are in use with a few gentlemen,
and are highly praised by those who have used them;
but from the comparative trials that have been made,
I could not perceive any superiority over the Scotch
plough, and as they are more complex, are not likely
to be used by small farmers. The general harrow of
this county is of very rude workmanship, and defective
in its operation, for the teeth are so fixed that several
follow each other in the same track, consequently it leaves
much of the ground untouched, which in seed sowing
is highly injurious, as it leaves much of the corn un-
covered. The double harrow, in which the rings of
the swingle-tree play on two iron bars, seems to be the
best that has been invented, from its hustling motion,
and from every tooth forming a separate small furrow,
it stirs the ground in every part, and lies better to cach
side of a ridge; a very material advantage arises from
each horse drawing his own share, a mode that should
be adopted as much as possible in all farming work, and
indeed in all kinds of draught. The couch rake, or
harrow, is also used by a few, and is an admirable in-
strument for gathering the roots of perennial weeds
and small stones; but particular care must be taken, that
the ground is previously well ploughed and harrowed;
I have seen sad work where it was expected that it would
answer for both plough and harrow. As few have had a
sufficient quantity of tillage to keep a threshing machine
constantly at work, very few are to be met with in the
hands of farmers. The late Mr. Lambart, of Cregg-
clare, was, I believe, the first who erected one; but
many have lately availed themselves of the benefits at-
tached to their use. As it has been well ascertained,
that a farm under the improved alternate system of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
91
corn and green crops, will produce more cattle than it
did whilst under grazing alone, we may expect to see
those admirable machines brought into general use,
more especially as I understand there has been one
lately contrived by an Irish artist, of which the expense
will not exceed twenty pounds. Where there is a suf-
ficient supply of water it should be applied to work the
machine; but if the levels are such that the water can-
not be used without injuring the watered meadows,
(if any,) horses should be substituted; the periodical
labour of two horses is of infinitely less value than the
water for irrigation. I mention this from the ex-
perience I have had of the bad consequence of their in-
terference at Marly, the seat of the late Colonel
Latouche; I finished about ten acres of watered mea-
dow, and made preparation to water many acres more ;
the stream that supplies them also turns the wheel of a
threshing machine, and the levels not answering to sup-
ply both at the same time, the meadows were defrauded
of their proper supply, and I understand have at the
instance of the then steward been sacrificed to the
threshing machine; two horses work the machine
equally well; now supposing they were constantly at
work, they may be rated high at sixty pounds per an-
num; and supposing that only fifty acres should be
watered, (but much more could be done, for the supply
could be increased from another river,) it is a very mo-
derate calculation to rate the produce, including feed-
ing in spring for ewes and lambs, and meadow and
feeding in autumn, at eight pounds per acre,-we can
easily perceive what a loss was sustained by such ma-
nagement. The steward understood tillage admirably,
but was ignorant of the value of irrigation. At the time
the machine was erected, the watered meadows were
made, but the millright never considered any one's ad-
92
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
!
vantage but his own.
Drill machines are used by very
few; drill barrows are more used. Carts are lite
used, except by gentlemen; they are too expensive for
small farmers, and inside cars (those with the wheels
under the body) are generally used, though very unfit
for farming purposes, as both from their weak con-
struction, and being shut up behind, a load of manure.
or any other substance must be taken out by shovels,
instead of throwing back the car to disengage the load
as practised in Leinster. Another objection to them
arises from the wheels not turning on the axis, by which
means in turning, one wheel makes a hole in the
ground whilst the other describes a circle; besides from
the clumsiness of the wooden axis, an additional share
of friction is caused. What are usually called Leinster
cars (the wheels without side the body) are a good deal
used, but generally so weakly and badly made they can
bear but small loads, and are seldom thrown back to
disengage the load, but must receive some assistance
from the shovel or pitchfork, which consumes much
time and labour; the wheel should turn on the axis,
and the line of draught should be nearly in a line with
the side of the cart or car; the observance of this, and
the proper proportion necessary to be thrown on the
horse's back, are the principal cause of the superiority
of the drays, which are now almost universally preferred
by carriers of goods, to the almost total exclusion of
the car; this formerly carried only at the utmost about
12 cwt., but the dray now, with the same horse, carries
with more ease from 20 to 25 cwt. To prevent the
injury the roads must receive from this additional
pressure on a wheel of only two or three inches, I ima-
gine a law should be enacted to oblige the proprietors
to use wheels eight inches broad. Probably from not
understanding the subject there might be an outcry
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
93
raised at first against the change, but it is well known
that the additional weight would be much more than
counterbalanced by the facility it would give them of
avoiding many ruts and shocks from the wheels getting
between stones that the broad wheels would roll smoothly
over, and a considerable share of friction on the edges
of the wheels would be prevented; at present, carriages
so heavily laden, and with such small wheels, do con-
siderable injury to roads, especially after hard frosts.
In Connamara and other hilly countries, slide-cars
shod with iron are used; they are the only kind that
could be used for carrying loads down a steep hill; in
this situation wheels would precipitate the horse down
the hill and destroy him. Wheel barrows are uni-
formly of bad construction, the weight is almost en-
tirely thrown on the hands instead of the wheel. That
simple and useful machine a potato washer, is scarcely
known; where much potatoes are used it saves much
time and trouble. Winnowing machines are much
used, but from not keeping them oiled you may hear
them grating and spoiling the wheels a mile off. The
machine for dressing flax, invented by Mr. Lee, intro-
duced here by the Farming Society of Ireland, had
better never have been introduced at their show, for from
the bungling exhibition at Ballinasloe it only helped to
confirm the prejudices against it; the person who
shewe the process had never worked it before, so was
excusable. From the result of a small trial I made, I
am almost convinced the process might be much short-
ened and simplified; I fear prejudice has operated
strongly against it. When I have leisure I purpose
making some further experiments on this, and a method
to avoid the troublesome and nauseous process of steep-
ing the flax, or provincially "bogging." There is
scarcely an implement in the county with a good and
94
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
light handle, or well and permanently fixed; they are
constantly running to a stone to fix them, for they sel-
dom ever think of repairing their tools at home at
night; a few examples of sending them home from
work, where it evidently appeared from indolence,
would soon cure the evil. Scythes are uniformly badly
set, especially when they mow for others, of course the
grass is left uncut and in waves; when they mow for
themselves they shave the grass to the earth. The
beaters of the flails are generally too long and too
light, and instead of being straight, as they should be,
are usually crooked. Scutching boards for flax are
always too long and too narrow, by which means at
every stroke the flax laps round the board, much of it
is torn off; they should be heart shaped and a foot
broad. The plough I have mentioned before. The
teeth of the harrow are usually too short as well as
those of hay rakes, and leave much of the hay behind.
Pitchforks uniformly too short in the prongs, and can-
not lift half the load they should do. Spades very un-
handy, and so slightly fixed to the handle cannot bear
the least effort of strength, and the head always loose
or coming off the handle; when worn they are most
unfit for moving loose earth, to the loss of many thou-
sands of pounds in this county.
Shovels in many
places are made of wood, edged round and pointed
with thin iron, and so easily broken, they are useless
for breaking hard lumps of earth, or properly beating
the face of a ditch, a thing, by the bye, I have never
seen done in this county. I once tried the experiment
of watering and hard beating, often repeated, on the
face of the ditch; the result was, that it became like a
hard flag and remained uninjured by frost, and quite
free from weeds.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 95
SECTION V.
MARKETS FOR GRAIN.
THE market towns of Galway, Loughrea, Tuam,
Ballinasloe, Gort, Eyrecourt, and lately a market es-
tablished at Mount Bellew, which promises to be of
great utility, are well supplied with grain, chiefly wheat
and oats, and when the distilleries are at work with a
considerable quantity of barley, but much less now than
when malt only was used at the distilleries and breweries.
The numerous flour mills which have been established
within a few years, have helped greatly to increase and
improve the cultivation of wheat, affording to the far-
mer a certain and ready sale for his corn; and as there
is always a smart competition between the millers, es-
pecially of Galway, he is certain of receiving the full
market price of the day. Tuam, Loughrea, Gort, and
Eyrecourt, have market houses, whilst Galway, where
there is so much grain sold, is without one; that at
Loughrea, from its small size, is almost useless. The
erection of one in Galway has been talked of these fifty
years past, but nothing has been done. Until 1810,
the market house was a cellar in Market-street; at pre-
sent a coach-house near Meyrick-square is thought suf-
ficient by the corporation, who, if ever they awake
from their doze, I advise to view the market house of
Drogheda, as particularly worthy of notice; it com-
bines utility with ornament. The exportation of grain
from the port of Galway was scarcely known before
the union, and was first carried on to any extent by the
late Mr. Thomas Appleyard, about the year 1804,
who continued this most useful traffick during his life.
It has been also greatly extended by the Mr. Joyces,
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Messrs. Clarke, and several other merchants during
Since that period it has declined much.
the war.
The mode of payment at the mills is generally cash;
sometimes notes at short dates, according to the credit
of the miller or the wants of the farmer, and until late-
ly, country bankers notes were preferred to those of
the Bank of Ireland. It was a common thing to hear
a countryman ask a friend to change a bank of Ireland
note for one of Lord French's. Corn is usually sold by
sample, and some caution is necessary when receiving
it at the mill. The millers generally send their flour to
Dublin by land carriage; they prefer this mode to
sending it by the canal, as the uncertainty of the time
of its arrival has been found inconvenient to many.
It has not been found, though often prognosticated,
that the want of the inland bounty formerly paid, has
in the least diminished the quantity of corn cultivated.
Whatever objections may have been made against the
act for granting a bounty on the inland carriage of corn
to Dublin, it cannot be denied that it caused the erection
of a multitude of very fine flour mills, of course promoted
the cultivation of corn in districts, that from want of this
encouragement scarcely produced as much as supplied
the home consumption: at the same time the good ef-
fects of either bounties or restrictions (with some ex-
ceptions) on any kind of produce, are at least doubtful,
the steadiness of the demand being a much better sti-
mulus than an act of parliament. How many exposed
themselves to ridicule a few years ago, when they pro-
posed acts of parliament to oblige farmers to bring their
corn to market, and to establish a maximum of price.
How indignant these wise heads would be, if a maximum
of rent was proposed, or a maximum on any commer-
cial production; but it seems they considered that agri-
culture was of less consequence than any other branch
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
97
of traffic; the plough, a less useful implement than the
loom or shuttle, or less intellect necessary than for
conducting manufacturing or mercantile pursuits.—
How totally ignorant of agriculture?
SECTION VI.
USE OF GREEN FOOD IN WINTER.
THE inestimable value of green winter feeding is now,
or at least ought to be, so well established in Ireland,
that it were almost needless to use any argument in its
favor, and nothing but the greatest perversity could
induce many who should know better to treat it with
neglect. It is a most fortunate circumstance that bog
or moor is peculiarly fitted for the production of seve-
ral kinds of green crops; under a proper system they
not only produce the best rape, potatoes, turnips, cab-
bages, mangle wurzle, &c. but carrots and parsnips,
as may or might have been seen at Woodlawn, the
seat of Lord Ashtown, at Lord Norbury's near Ne-
nagh, and several other places; but the vegetable
above all others that claims our notice is certainly
Fiorin grass (Gramen Richardsonium) whether we ad-
vert to the ease with which it is produced in soils of
otherwise little value, the certainty of a crop, the
quick return which takes place in producing a crop of
six to seven tons of dry hay to the acre in the course
of a few months after planting, which cannot be said
of any other vegetable fit for hay; the undoubted fat-
tening quality it possesses, from the extreme greediness
with which all animals devour it, and its capability of
being made into good hay in weather that would make
H
98
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
any other kind only fit for the dunghill; it also pos-
sesses the valuable quality of preserving the banks of
lakes or rivers from being disturbed by violent surfs,
which has been exemplified at Mount Bellew, espe-
cially where it had grown previous to the admission of
water into the new lake; it floats to a considerable
length on the water, and on the return of every wave
is doubled against the bank and preserves it: the pro-
pagation of this grass is so simple, that the most iguo-
rant labourer can do it. Where an extensive plan-
tation is in contemplation, the method is to set apart a
large piece of good ground, suppose an old potato
garden, for a nursery; an acre this way will give a sup-
ply the following season for a great extent of surface;
the ground should be well ploughed and harrowed,
and the grass scattered thinly over it, and as much
earth laid on as will just place the stolones in contact
with the earth, into which they emit roots like a straw-
berry at every joint: it has one quality which I do
not recollect any other vegetable production to possess,
that of growing freely after it has been made into hay
and stacked. The stolones can be easily procured from
the banks and margins of rivers and bog ditches, at a
very trifling expense. I saw in 1816, at Mr. Burke's,
at Killimore, the ground where a crop of above seven
tons to the acre of dry hay in the hay yard had grown;
it was part cut-away bog, of little value, and part was
the high bank of very wet red bog, worth little. Mr.
Burke left part of the crop uncut, to show to any per-
son doubting the goodness of it; it was remarkably
heavy, and in fine order for either hay or soiling. The
process, after levelling the bog holes, was to spread a
small quantity of manure for potatoes; shortly after
they were dug, the stolones were spread and very lightly
covered. This year he has made a considerable addi-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
99
tion to his plantations, and intends to extend it over
considerable tracts of bog; it was in February 1816, I
saw this additional plantation just finished; it was made
from hay that had been in stack in the yard, and had
a flourishing appearance. There were many parts of
the bog where a man would sink, if not prevented by
the Fiorin grass; and on the high bank of red bog,
that had been left as a proof piece, a heavy beast might
walk, though in its original state a sheep dare not at-
tempt it; there seemed to be uniformly the best crop where
the ground was wettest. If bog has been well drained,
the drains should be stopped in May, and the water
thrown back into the drains, to keep the bog moist in
dry weather. This will be found a useful practice in
most cases, in all kinds of land. It may be objected
that in many situations manure cannot be procured in
any considerable quantity, so many other branches of
agriculture and horticulture requiring a share: the ob-
jection would have some weight if success depended on
farm-yard manure alone, but where irrigation can be
practised, the objection falls to the ground, because
the water, if judiciously applied, obviates every diffi.
culty where irrigation is impracticable, recourse can
be had to clay ashes, which can be procured in almost
every situation, and the method of burning is known to
almost every Irish labourer.* Where Fiorin mea-
dows, from want of water or manure begin to fail, they
can be easily renovated, by burning the surface and re-
planting; for this purpose the moss should be mowed,
and brought to some adjacent land, not left too thick,
H 2
It is amusing enough to see the fuss that is made in England
about the method of burning clay into ashes, a process completely known
by the most ignorant Irish labourer. I trust the English agriculturists
will not adopt the abuse of so good a practice-over-cropping,
UorM
100
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and occasionally turned whilst the process of burning
is going forward; no apprehension need be entertained
of the loss of its vegetative quality for a much longer
period than will be necessary for burning the surface:
this process can be repeated as often as necessary in
boggy soils that will produce yellow ashes only; white
ashes are of little or no value. How must those igno-
rant sneerers in the sister country feel at Dr. Richard-
son's success? the value of Fiorin is now too well es-
tablished in every part of the world, to be injured by
sulky ignorance, or agricultural vanity; if it has failed
with some, it must have been from mismanagement, or
possibly the true Fiorin has not been obtained, for I
am well convinced there are many serninal varieties.
In the same soil and situation I could perceive some
that produced very scanty herbage, and the strings not
larger than a knitting needle, and quite different in co-
lour; I have also observed a variety that threw out
very few stolones, but grew almost in one close tuft.
It is highly probable if the seed was sown in drills, and
the plants singled out, many varieties might be per-
ceived, and perhaps better than that so generally cul-
tivated; for after all that has been said and done, our
knowledge of Fiorin is far from perfection. Several
gentlemen who have seen Mr. Burke's Fiorin grass,
are now planting it, so much more useful is example
than precept. I have not a doubt the practice will
spread rapidly; seven tons of hay, worth at least £14.
from ground scarcely worth any thing, speaks a lan-
guage that every man understands; it speaks through
his head to his pocket.
Except in some few extreme cases, I imagine Fiorin
should be preserved for soiling in the house, for which
perhaps no vegetable that we are acquainted with can
bear any comparison, still keeping in mind that it is
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
101
the produce of ground of little value, though no ground
can be too rich for it. The value of Fiorin has been
long known in the county of Mayo. Mr. Bellew's,
game-keeper, a native of that county, has been fre-
quently employed by poor cottiers, who value it highly,
to instruct them in its propagation. In the county of Gal-
way it is frequently called hare grass, from the decided
preference given to it by that animal. I understand a
very good ardent spirit has been distilled from it:*
I wish the experiment had been rather made on beer.
I perceive there is no getting away from Fiorin.- I
fear my readers will think it has multiplied under my
hands rather too much.
The following gentlemen, amongst a few others, cul-
tivate green crops:
Lord Clonbrock,
Lord Ashtown,
Lord Clancarty,
Archbishop of Tuam,
Bishop of Clonfert,
Rev. Dean Mahon,
Mr. Bodkin-Armagh,
Mr. Hen. Blake-Renville,
Mr. French,-Monivae,
Mr. St. George-Headfort,
Mr. Burke-Ballydugan,
Mr. Burke-Killimore,
Mr. Kirwan-Castlehackett,
Mr. Blakeney-Abbert,
Mr. D'Arcy-Kiltullagh, Rev. Mr. Kelly-Castle-
Mr. Daly-Dunsandle,
Rev. Archdeacon Butson,
Sir Ross Mahon,
Kelly,
Lord Gort-Loughcoutra..
I regret I cannot publish a longer list: through the
ignorance in which I have been left, from want of infor-
mation, I may have omitted the names of others who
know the value of green food, but I trust the good
sense of the gentlemen of the county will, before long,
I have been informed lately that the effects of the spirit produced
from Fiorin has not been such as to encourage repetition; but on the
other hand I have been told that the experiment was tried on green
Fiorin. What would the effect be if green barley had been used?
102
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
prompt them to pursue this very profitable branch of
rural economy. I wish I could add that the proper
rotation of crops steadily followed this good beginning,
but I have seen few instances in this or any other
part of Ireland, where the alternate course has been
undeviatingly pursued. Perhaps a rotation of three
years has been once or twice attempted, but either
from the supiness of the proprietor, or too often the
ignorance or perverseness of the old-school steward, has
seldom had a fair trial: it is something like the im-
provement of bog; a few years back a great splutter
was made;-Mr. Elkington was brought over from
England, paid one hundred pounds a month and his tra-
velling expenses, and we heard of nothing but the im-
provement of bogs, yet little was done; and now we
hear complaints made of the expense of reclaiming bog.
Improvers of bog are generally too impatient; they be-
gin to be a little sore when they have laid out some
money, and see nothing immediately coming in, and
frequently leave off just when they should go on with
spirit. Most of the gentlemen I have mentioned cul-
tivate Norfolk, Swedish, and other kinds of turnips,
generally in drills; they also usually plant rape, vetches,
and many have begun to propagate mangle wurzle,
but little or no carrots or parsnips for cattle: in bog I
should prefer Fiorin grass to any of them. At Mount
Bellew, the grass of the plantations, and after grass of
the lawn, are used for soiling through the winter, with
very beneficial effects, for dairy cows and other stock.
If any person should hesitate to admit that cattle to a
great extent can be not only fed but fattened, by soil-
ing in the house in summer, I must refer them to the
account of Mr. Muir in England, who fed to a state of
great fatness 240 oxen by soiling in summer, and by
the work of one scythe: considerable injury may arise
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
103
from the indolence of the feeder, who, if not closely
watched, will, to save himself trouble, lay in a large
quantity of green food at once; in a short period this
ferments, and is refused by the cattle. The proper
method is to employ one man with a small wickerd cart,
that will contain only as much as will give some to each
beast,-fresh and fresh, is the fattening principle of
feeding, and also prevents the danger of hoving; but
attention must be paid that even this is not carried too
far to save trouble. There is no farming servant so
difficult to procure as an attentive and intelligent herd.
I must also refer my readers to the soiling system, that
is now actually carrying on to a great extent, by Mr.
Curwen of Workington; he has successfully tried it
with all kinds and ages of stock; but every agricultu-
ral pursuit of that gentleman is on a great scale, and
carried on with a spirit and indefatigable activity that,
I fear, will have but few imitators in Ireland.
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
CHAPTER III.
SECTION I.
PASTURE.
PASTURE occupies by much the greater part of
the lands of this county, and varies infinitely from the
rich feeding grounds of Ballydonnelan and its vicinity,
to the light, heathy sheep walks which occupy so large
a tract of dreary country, ten miles square at least, be-
tween Monivae and Galway, and extending for many
miles into the county of Clare. Between Tuam and
Castlebar the land is light and sound, and lets, or did
let in 1814, on an average for about 34s. per acre. At
present, (1823,) probably from 15s. to 20s. would be as
high a rent as the present depressed state of agricul-
tural affairs would permit for those lands. Between
Cahir, Morris, and Shruel, mostly light sheep walk,
with a little very bad tillage. A considerable quantity
of pasture is obtained from the different Turloughs,
especially that of Turloughmore, which extends from
Claregalway to near Tuam; they feed seven or eight
sheep to the acre for about four months, the remainder
of the year they are generally under water. There is
also an extensive country of many miles between Athenry
and Ardrahan, and stretching down to the sea at Kin-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
105
vara, chiefly occupied by sheep, and a little tillage,
mostly wheat. Between Croghwell and Galway, for
several miles square, pasturage is the general occu-
pation of the ground; here too there are some spots of
tillage producing excellent wheat, but often a fallow.
Almost the entire of the baronies of Ballynahinch,
Ross and Moycullen is pasture; in the vallies there are
many patches of tillage, and about the town of Moy-
cullen a large quantity of excellent wheat is produced
for Galway market. There is also along the sea coast,
from Galway to Cunnamara, a good deal of tillage pro-
duced by manuring with sea weed chiefly, and some-
times by a very productive coraline sand; there is also
produced here, for Galway market, a large quantity of
very early potatoes, called windileers, resembling, if not
the same as the Wicklow bangors. The surface of the
three mountain baronies, before mentioned, is chiefly
covered with heath, intermixed with large proportions.
of a plant called black keeb, and another species called
white keeb, both I believe are carex; the first continues
green through the winter, the other does not; the
mountains where the first prevails are let much higher
than where the last predominates; the mountain that
produces black keeb, I understand, uniformly produces
white ashes when burned, the contrary takes place
where the white keeb prevails; here the ashes are red
or yellow, and produce excellent crops after burning,
but unfortunately the running-out system is always
pursued. The pastures of this county are greatly ne-
glected; if they are dry grounds they are frequently
covered with heath, small thistles, dwarf briars, (which
you will often see covered with sheeps wool,) and all
sorts of weeds usual in such soils. In moist pastures
they are delivered down from generation to generation,
full of swamps covered with rushes, and other per-
4D
106
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
nicious aquatics; and this shameful neglect is frequently
to be seen on the lands of very wealthy graziers. I
must confess, did I possess property in this county, I
would reject all proposals for a renewal from such cha-
racters; it would be a prudent method for landlords
when they have proposals for their ground, to look at
the farms of such proposer, and reject all negotiatiou
with him where his ground was not well drained, his
fences in perfect order, and his gates and farm build-
ings in good repair. It is very much the custom in this
county for graziers to add farm to farm to a great extent,
and much beyond their capital, and even without look-
ing at them; they send their wise man to view them, and
on his report they propose a rent; if possible they will
get permission to burn the land from weak, needy pro-
prietors, or their ignorant agents, (who should be called
receivers of rents,) and after taking crop after crop until
they completely exhaust the ground, they send a no-
tice of surrender, or expect an abatement of the rent:
though they have not liberty to burn they frequently
take it, and as perhaps the rent is regularly paid in
Dublin to an agent who never sees the ground, no dis-
covery is made until the mischief has been done, then
probably a lawsuit commences, and it is so difficult to
prove the burning, that the defendant, surrounded by
his own creatures, often succeeds; besides, even if he has
been obliged to pay the penalty, he is still in pocket
from the high prices he will receive during perhaps
five or six years.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 107
£. s. d.
The first year,
per acre,
11 7 6
Second year,
Do.
10 0 0
Third year, for Oats,
Do.
7 0 0
Fourth year,
Do.
Do.
600
Fifth year,
Do.
Do.
4 11 0
38 18 6
Deduct rent, penalty, and costs,….....25 0 0
Nett profit,......£13 18 6
So that he may very well pay the penalty, and then,
after taking all those crops, throw up the ground, as
few graziers take land without a clause of surrender.
That there are many who are above such mean shifts,
I have great pleasure in acknowledging, but on the
other hand, every one in the county knows who has
often sat for the picture he cannot be mistaken. That
many kinds of soils would not bear all this cropping
will be readily granted; but graziers of the above de-
scription seldom take poor land.
To many farms large tracts of moory bottoms are
attached, for which in the survey there is an abatement
of the rent. I have seen many of those that were con-
sidered by the proprietor as worth little, that would be
worth twice the value of their best land; in their pre-
sent state they feed cattle in very dry weather or hard
frosts; but if they were drained, burned and gravelled,
or limed, would produce more pasture at all seasons
than their best upland; but most graziers seem to have
an aversion to draining land, and if they do attempt it,
they do it so injudiciously, that, after incurring a great
and unnecessary expense, the land in a short period re-
verts to its original state. I had an opportunity, lately,
108
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of seeing an instance of money thrown away by bad
draining. A wealthy grazier accidentally met a Tip-
perary gentleman, who advised him to make sod drains.
at two perches asunder, and instead of being drawn
across the declivity, they were in its direction, down the
hill. They were accordingly made to the amount of
above thirty, though only about half of what was in-
tended; how they were made, by men who had never
seen a sod drain made, and without any person to in-
struct them, we may easily conclude. The wetness of
the ground (above 50 acres) proceeded from springs
from very high ground, and their natural outlet was so
accurately defined, that one intercepting drain, pro-
bably not more than three feet deep, would have
drained the whole; but it was a travelling opinion my
friend got, which is generally worth little. It is intend-
ed to plant the whole with fiorin grass, and as it can be
all irrigated, it will then be many times the value of
the adjoining upland, though at present it is esteemed
of little value, and indeed I believe rent free.
The pasture of cottiers is uniformly bad; it is gene-
rally ground converted to this purpose after a scourging
rotation of crops, without the benefit of any kind of hay
seeds, frequently wet and poached through the winter
by their starving cattle; they persist in this wretched
mode, though the ground is perfectly bare of any kind
of herbage. The ground they intend for meadow is ge-
nerally used in this manner until far in the month of
June, by which means, as well as from a wish to scrape
all they can, they seldom mow until September or Oc-
tober, consequently their land produces little or no after-
grass.
Some few pastures possess a peculiar fattening quality;
it seems to be the received opinion, that old pastures
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
109
only will give inside fat to animals in any quantity, and
that grounds newly laid down will not do so, though it
will make them fat on the outside of the carcass;
butchers are well aware of this when they buy.* I have
examined many of those famous fattening pastures in
this county, and that of Clare, and have uniformly found
a large portion of the herbage to consist of
Crested dogstail grass, (Cynosurus cristatus,)
White clover,
Perennial red clover,
Yarrow,
Small plaintain,
Ray grass,
Ladies' bedstraw,
Birds-foot trefoil,
Fiorin grass,
(Trifolium repens,)
(Trifolium pratense,)
(Achillea Millefolium,)
(Plantago lanceolata,)
(Lolium perenne,)
(Galium verum,)
(Lotus corniculatus,)
(Agrostis stolonifera,) a very
large proportion.
I have made many inquiries into the probable cause
of this peculiarity of old ground, and the only answer I
ever could receive was, "that it was so indeed." The
graziers knew no more the names of plants than the
cattle that fed on them. It seems to be highly probable,
that as new soils are laid down with clean hay seeds, in
which the seeds of many of the plants I have mentioned
are not permitted to mix, this fattening quality in the
soil does not take place until nature stocks the ground
with them. There are two of those plants (birds-foot
trefoil and yarrow) that never lose their verdure in the
driest weather, and seem to be highly valuable, especially
as they flourish in the sand banks of the sea coast, where
As there is no difference made in the sales, the profit lies with the
butcher.
110
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
I have traced their roots to ten or twelve feet deep, how
much further I could not ascertain.
SECTION II.
BREED OF CATTLE-HOW FAR IMPROVED, AND HOW FAR
CAPABLE OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENT.
THE breed of cattle are almost entirely long horned;
the produce of bulls many years since, and still con-
tinued to be imported from England. I am informed
by many who have seen the common stock of long horn-
ed cattle of England, that ours are much superior, and
if the practice pursued by sheep breeders, of reserving
the best always for breed, was generally followed, the
cattle of this country would be superior to any long
horns in the united kingdom; but the contrary prac-
tice usually prevails, and, except by a few amateurs,
the best heifers are all sent to the great May fair of
Ballinasloe, and other places. If a reserve of the best
was made, with the use of none but the best bulls, they
would rival the best of the sister country. With almost
every extensive grazier, a few favourites have been pre-
served in the family for breed, which shews what might
be expected if the scale was extended.
In the baronies of Ross, Moycullen, and Ballyna-
hinch, the original breed are middle horned, usually a
black or rusty brown colour; they are larger than the
produce of the mountains of Kerry, and I think not so
fine in their shape. The bulls generally have their
horns set wide like bullocks, and do not in general pos-
sess that peculiarity of appearance, especially about the
head, that the bulls of other breeds do. The cattle at
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
111
the fair of those baronies, particularly that of Clifden,
are generally very reasonable, and I am at a loss to
know why the graziers do not speculate in them. There
are a good many Devonshire cattle in the hands of dif
ferent gentlemen, but they are confined to them; the
graziers imagine a cross with their long horned breed
would not be beneficial; but the same objection cannot
be made by those who have estates in the baronies of
Ross, Moycullen, or Ballynahinch; I imagine for them
the Devon cross would be very valuable. The opinion.
of the inhabitants of those baronies of the long horned
cross, is, that there is little improvement, except in the
length of the horns; that their lands are too poor to
maintain them. It is highly probable that the Devon
cross would produce good plough cattle, as the native
Irish are very quick steppers.
The Hereford, or middle horned breed of cattle, is
also only in the hands of a few gentlemen; the Tees-
water, or short horned, in still fewer hands. Of their
comparative merits I shall not presume to judge, es-
pecially after the opinion so decidedly expressed by
Mr. Coke at one of his shows of cattle at Holkham;
who, after regretting that the late Mr. Bakewell had
not chosen a better breed than the long horned Lei-
cesters to display his great talents upon, asserted,
"that he really considered them rather the worst breed
in England." He called upon Mr. Child, and other
men eminent in their breed of cattle, who strongly cor-
roborated the justness of Mr. Coke's assertion. I
leave it therefore to the long horned breeders to fight
their own battles; but it will take many more and better
arguments to effect a change in Ireland. It must also
be considered, that probably the meeting at Holkham
were mostly breeders of Devonshire and short horned cattle.
A strange idea prevails in Ireland, that Devonshire
112
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
cattle are small; the fact is, that some of the largest fat
oxen in England have been of that breed. A few
Kerry cattle occasionally find their way to this county;
they are frequently good milkers, and their milk is pro-
ductive of much butter. Many gentlemen have at-
tempted to fatten them for killing in the summer months,
when a larger beast would be too much for most fa-
milies in hot weather, but have been generally disap-
pointed; they did not fatten, but continued to increase
in size; the reason is, that they purchased those that
were too young; they should be four years old, at least,
when they have done growing, and will then fatten
well.
Mr. Browne of Moyne, and many other graziers,
either go or send into the island of Arran to purchase.
calves, for which they generally pay high prices; the
calves are frequently bought in the market of Galway,
shortly after being calved, and are fed in Arran until
the jobbers buy them. In this island the enclosures
for feeding the calves are divided into very small parts,
well sheltered by stone walls; the grass, naturally very
early and sweet, is always kept very good, and they are
fed with boiled potatoes in winter. Cattle in Arran are
sometimes so much distressed for water, that every beast
has been sent to the opposite shore, until rains supplied
the wells; many say that Arran calves do not fatten
well, that they are tender, &c. &c. others, that they
fatten well and quickly, when of the proper age, but
that they do not produce tallow in proportion; the very
active competion of the buyers puts an end to all doubt
of the goodness. Cattle in the mountains are subject
to a disorder called "the cripple;" they are cured by
bringing them to the sea shore, or sandy beach of
rivers, or by feeding on bran; in other words, bring-
ing them from wet to dry ground, and good feeding.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
113
Formerly, in Cunnamara, the horse, cow, rabbit, and
rat, were all black. Cattle, in 1803, were much leaner
than in former years, from a general want of water. I
have often attempted to point out in many situations,
where water could be easily obtained; I have been more
than once answered, "I imagine Mr. Dutton if this
could be effected, my steward would have long since
perceived it!" There is a good deal of quackery about
the cure of many disorders in cattle and sheep; every
herd has his infallible nostrum, which is generally
handed down from father to son as a profound secret.
One of those very celebrated cow doctors, when applied
to by a gentleman near Eyrecourt, who had a sick cow,
said, “the cow had eaten a snail!" Probably, on a close
inspection, the snail might have been seen in the same
place that it appeared in the poor duck, in the old po-
pular ballad of Gossip Joan. It must be evident to every
person, that in dewy nights every cow must devour
myriads of all kinds of insects, especially slugs and
snails, and probably they contribute to their fattening,
as the richest soils are most productive of those kinds of
insects. Cunnamara has been long famed for its breed
of small hardy horses; but from an injudicious cross with
large stallions, they have lost much of their celebrity,
and it is now difficult to procure one of the true breed.
A few years ago I saw some stallions in the stables of
Mr. Martin at Oughterard, that were sufficient to de-
stroy the breed of any country, especially of Cunna-
mara; before he introduced such horses, he should have
shewed his tenants how to provide food for their pro-
geny. Mr. D'Arcy, of Clifden, has acted more ju-
diciously; he procured a very beautiful small sire, who,
I am informed, has left a very improved breed in Cun-
namara. It is thought that the general breed of horses
in this county is far from improving. That old breed
I
114
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of strong hunters, for which this county was famous,
has almost disappeared, and given place to a breed of
mongrel racers, who are not able to carry weights, and
who cannot bear to stand a moment without exercise,
they are so bandaged up with sheets and rollers, and
carefully shut out from all air in their stables. Pro-
bably it is not considered that within a few years the
speed of the hounds has been so much increased by se-
lection, that none but horses with a considerable share.
of blood can keep in with them, so much so, that the
hounds of Mr. French, of French Park, will not per-
mit so much as alighting to open a gate. No person,
I believe, will deny the necessity of blood; but they
will also I hope agree, that blood without strength will
not carry them to the end of a long fox chase in a heavy
country, with sixteen stone on their back. The breed
of horses in the hands of farmers and cottiers is a
wretched one; I do not know a greater want in this
county than good middle sized compact sires; those in
use at present are generally too large, and are usually
heavy, ill shaped animals, whose high condition blinds
the judgment of the poor countryman. I do not re-
collect to have seen a Suffolk punch horse in this
county, but I imagine they would be well adapted to
it.* Surely it is incumbent on every man of fortune to
furnish his tenants with the use of good sires of every
description; they may rest assured it will help to enable
them to pay their rents.
The improvement in the breed of sheep has been
most rapid. When I first came to Ballinasloe, having
Since writing this I have seen the breed with Mr. St. George of
Headford, and he has obtained premiums for the best stallion at Ballina-
sloe show in 1819 and 1820; and Mr. Blake of Renvyle, in Cunnamara,
I understand is very partial to them.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 115
always heard so much of Connaught sheep, I was not a
little surprised at seeing such multitudes with thick legs,
booted with coarse wool down to their heels, and such
a bushy wig of coarse wool on their heads, that you
could scarcely perceive their eyes; at present they have
nearly all disappeared, and given place to a fine breed,
not to be equalled by the general stock of long wooled
sheep in England; this must be imputed to the intro-
duction of Leicester rams, who, though they might and
did deteriorate the wool, from an injudicious, indeed a
ridiculous idea, that "so as the shape was perfect, no
matter if the wool was as coarse as goats hair, &c." I
recollect to have seen a ram at Ballinasloe, that was
purchased in England for three hundred guineas, and
he completely answered this description; he was of
the most perfect form, but what little wool he had on
was as coarse as goat's hair.
The
The wished-for shape has been obtained, but the
Farming Society of Ireland, perceiving the injury the
wool had received, are now anxious to cover that fine
form with fine wool; for this purpose they give pre-
miums for the best rams fleece, and so rapid a change
for the better has taken place, that I have little doubt
in a few years we shall export rams to England.
breed of Merino sheep is confined to a few gentlemen
in this county. The Rev. Dean Trench produced
two hundred and forty-six fleeces of Merino on Ryland,
of first quality, which sold for 1s. 11d. per pound;
also, twenty-one of third quality, at 1s. 8d.; Mr. Athy,
thirty-three fleeces pure Merino, which sold for 2s. 2d.
per pound; Rev. Mr. Vincent, twenty fleeces of pure
Merino, for 1s. 9d. per pound. I do not perceive that
any of those gentlemen have crossed with native sheep.
I imagine Lord Gort might cross with the native sheep
of his neighbourhood with good effect. We may per-
I 2
116
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
ceive the good effect produced by crossing the native
short wooled sheep at the last sales of short wool in
October 1821, at the Farming Society house in Dublin;
the Rev. Thomas Quinn received 2s. 7d. per pound for
the wool of the third and fourth crop of Merino on
Wicklow ewes; Mr. Wynne 2s. 5d. for South Down
on Leicester; Rev. Dr. Truel 1s. 10d. for South Down
or Wicklow, four pound each fleece.
There are a few deer parks in this county; some of
them ill calculated to produce high flavoured venison;
for they are deficient in that variety of browsing which
it seems is necessary to communicate that fine flavour it
should possess; most gentlemen think if they can en-
close any piece of good land with a high wall, every
thing is accomplished-there is nothing so difficult to
procure as a sufficient tract of land for this purpose.
Few parks are confined to the feeding of deer alone,
they are usually stocked in part with all kinds of cattle,
sheep, and horses; though cattle might be beneficial,
it can scarcely be deemed judicious to permit sheep or
horses, (except a few brood mares,) who bite too close
to leave any thing for deer; on the contrary, a mode-
rate stock of cattle helps to keep down the rank grass,
and permit the short sweet herbage, which deer love to
feed on, to spring up. Deer are frequently ne-
glected in winter; consequently the venison season
is either lost or protracted. Some few of the old
stock of red deer are still to be seen in the mountains
of Cunnamara; when they appear, however, the
hue and cry is raised, and they are frequently killed.
Mr. D'Arcy's deer park at Kiltolla, is said to produce
the best and earliest venison in the country, but is
greatly injured by the admission of horses. Some few
gentlemen procure males for the use of their tenants,
especially bulls, but the practice should be general for
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
117
their own sakes; for every improvement the tenant
makes in either cattle or land, ultimately ends in the
landlord's pocket, in either a rise of rent, or a certain-
ty of its payment: the interest of a good landlord, and
a good tenant, are inseparable; above all things, they
should procure good boars, for pigs are the poor man's
chief stock, and constitute a very material part of their
means of paying their rent: every person must be sen-
sible there is much room for improvement in this stock.
It has been often asserted that swine, left at their li-
berty to roam about, thrive better than those confined
in a stye: I grant that where they are kept in the usual
filthy state, and neglected in the quantity or quality of
their food, they certainly do, and probably whilst they
are young it may be useful to give them liberty. When
landlords are absentees, the procurement of good males
should be given in charge to their agents, whom I sup-
pose to be resident. The non-residence of an agent ap-
pears to me the most extraordinary mismanagement of
an estate: I should nearly as soon suppose the con-
ductor of an extensive manufactory or brewery, to live
in Dublin, or at any considerable distance from the
concern, as an agent; they should be called receivers of
rent, and not agents.
The South Down sheep are not much liked in Cun-
namara, they say, the wool is too short, and their own
wool longer and finer. If a selection was made of the
native breed, they might probably arrive to a high de-
gree of perfection; at present not the smallest is ever
made. In contradiction to this, many say that South
Down wool would be preferred, if a price adequate to
the fineness could be procured for their stockings, but
the women complain that they are at the mercy of the
pedlars, who are their only customers, and who often
enter into combinations to lower the price. Note-
118
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
I am informed a Mr. Mullarky in Cunnamara, is re-
markable for fine wooled sheep of the native breed.
In the 4th vol. of the 2d series of the Repertory, p.
461, it is asserted, that inoculation with the cow-pock
has succeeded completely in preventing the scab in
sheep. If this has any foundation in truth (which I
confess I very much doubt), it would be a valuable
discovery. Has any breeder tried it yet?
MARKETS, OR FAIRS FOR THEM, AND LIST OF FAIRS.
Ballinasloe is the chief fair for fat cattle, to which
the buyers from Cork, Limerick, all parts of Leinster,
and frequently from England and Scotland, repair in
October the fair usually continues for four days. The
Leinster graziers here also lay in their stock of sheep
for the winter and spring. This fair, though estab-
lished at a very early period for the accommodation, it
is imagined, of the Galway merchants, who had a con-
siderable export of beef, long before the cities of Cork
or Limerick had monopolized it, yet no patent appears
for it until 1757, when Richard Trench, Esq. of Gur-
bally, got one for holding a fair at Dunlo on the 17th
of May, and 13th of July. The great fair for fat cat-
tle in October, it is probable, was established long be-
fore this period. I regret I have not been able to pro-
cure a list of the number of cattle and sheep sold at
this fair. I wished to have ascertained the sales as far
back as any record could be procured. For this pur-
pose I wrote to Mr. Sinclair, Lord Clancarty's stew-
ard, who, from being Baron of the fair, was competent
to give me the information. I was so unfortunate as
not to have been thought worthy of the slightest no-
tice. There is also at Ballinasloe a very considerable
fair in May, at which many graziers from Leinster
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
119
lay in their stock of lean cattle: here may be seen
numbers of fine heifers, selected by graziers and job-
bers, for their size and fine shape, a practice which
has greatly retarded the perfection to which cattle
would be brought, if the best were selected for breed;
there are also a considerable number of sheep at this
fair, but bearing no comparison to those in October.
The fair in October, produces a good number of horses,
but greatly inferior in number and quality to those
produced 20 years ago. A very considerable number
of store cattle and sheep are sold at Loughrea on the
26th of May. In every considerable town there is a
market for a small number of fat cattle and sheep, once
a week. In Galway, there have been sold on one
market day in September 1808, 20 head of fat cattle
and 200 fat sheep. In several places there are fairs
chiefly for the sale of turkeys, to which the neighbour-
ing gentlemen usually send to lay in their stock for
winter and spring; they find this much cheaper than
rearing them at home, as the cottier's wife and children
take better care of them than it could be expected their
own servants would; they are usually sold full grown,
and frequently fit to kill, for from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 6d.
each; in 1821, they could be purchased in many places
for 10d. and a shilling: at the fair of Aughrim alone,
on the 14th of October, there are frequently 20,000
turkeys sold; they are greatly inferior, especially in
the breast and wings, to those produced in Meath, and
many other parts of Ireland, and also much smaller,
which probably proceeds from not getting corn at an
early period of the growth.
120
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
LIST OF FAIRS IN THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
Castle Blakeney, Jan. 2 Clonfert,
May 12
Ballymoe,
Feb. 1 Creggs,
do. 12
Clogheen Beg,
do.
1
Monivae,
do. 12
Barna,
do.
6
Woodford, 2 days, do. 12
Kilcreest,
do. 6
Cappataggel, do. 13
Loughrea,
do. 11
Caltragh,
do. 15
Portumna,
do. 15
Tubberbrackin,
do. 15
Clarun Bridge,
do. 16
Castle Blakeney,
do. 16
Ballymoe,
March 13
Claregalway,
do. 16
Ahascragh,
do. 27
Claran Bridge,
do. 18
Ballynasloe,
do. 27
27
Kinoura,
do. 18
Eyrecourt,
April 3
Ardrahan,
do. 22
Drumgriffin,
May
Ballymote,
do. 22
Kilcreest,
do. 1 Oranmore,
do. 23
Tynagh,
do. 4 Ahascragh,
do. 24
Athenry,
do.
5 Tullinadaly,
do. 24
Barna,
do. 6 Kilcorban,
do. 25
Newtown Eyre,
do.
6 Claremore,
do. 26
Portumna,
do.
6
Loughrea,
do. 26
Claddagh (Galway) do. 8
Kilnelag,
do. 27
Dunlo (Ballinasloe)do.
Lawrence-town, do. 8
8
Dunmore,
do. 29
Mount Shannon,
do. 29
Mount Bellew
Bridge,
}
Newtown Bellew,
do. 29
do. 8
Galway,
do. 31
Aghrim,
do.
9
Ballinakill,
June 1
Kilconnel,
do.
9
Mount Bellew
Gort,
do. 10
Bridge,
lew}
do.
Tuam,
do. 10
Creggs,
do. 12
Ballymoe,
do. 11
Kilnelag,
do. 20
Headford,
do. 11
Aghrim,
do. 21
Kiltarton,
do. 11
Isserkelly,
do. 21
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
121
Moylough,
June 21 Kilnalag,
Aug. 24
Ballymoe,
do. 24
Ahascragh,
do. 25
Kilcreest,
do. 24
Isserkelly,
do. 25
Clifden, (Conna-
mara)
}
Mount Shannon,
do. 28
do. 26
Tynagh, 2 days,
do. 31
Portumna,
July 1
Clifden,
Sept. 1
Athenry,
do. 3 Fairhill,
do. 4
Ballinasloe,
do.
4 Kiltarton,
do. 4
Tuam,
do. 4 Eyrecourt,
do.
8
Dunmore,
do. 10 Ardrahan,
do.
12
Eyrecourt,
do. 10 Derrymactoghny, do. 18
Tubberpadder, do. 10 Kilcorban,
do. 18
Tubberindoney, do. 12 Tubberindony,
do. 20
Dunlo,
do. 13
Caltragh,
do. 21
Caltragh,
do. 17
Galway,
do. 21
Mount Bellew
Claremore,
do. 26
do. 25
Bridge,
Mount Bellew
do. 29
Castle Blakeney, do. 26
Derrymacloghny, Aug. 1
Bridge,
Castle Blakeney,
Oct. 2
Kilconnel,
do. 4
Castle Hacket,
do. 2
Barna,
do. 5
Meelick,
do. 2
Claremore,
do.
9
Woodford, 2 days, do. 2
Moylogh,
do. 10
Ballinasloe, 4 days, do.
5
Gort,
do. 11
Dunmore,
do. 10
Clonfert,
do. 12 Tubberpadder,
do. 10
Creggs,
do. 12
Tuam,
do. 10
Newtown Eyre,
do. 12
Newtown Bellew,
do. 11
Claddagh,
do. 14
Monivae,
do. 12
Portumna,
do. 15 Aghrim,
do. 14
Claran Bridge,
do. 17
Headford,
do. 14
Abbey Knockmay, do. 21
Clifden,
do. 14
Ballynamore,
do. 21
Claregalway,
do. 17
Ballymoe,
do. 21
Kinvara,
do. 17
Loughrea,
do. 21 Portumna,
do. 17
Lawrence-town, do. 22 Ballinakill,
do. 20
122
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Oranmore,
Oct. 20 Kiltarton,
Nov. 21
Ballimote,
do. 21
Tullinadaly,
do. 21
Galway,
do. 21
Clonfert,
do. 22
Tubberbracken,
do. 23
Killimore,
do. 22
Ballymoe,
do. 25
Ahaseragh,
do. 24
Athenry,
do. 28
Mount Shannon,
do. 28
Kilcreest,
do. 30
Aghrim,
Dec. 1
Newtown Eyre,
do. 30
Loughrea,
do. 5
Barna,
Nov. 6
Dunmore,
do. 11
Gort,
do.
7
Newtown Eyre,
do. 11
Moylogh,
do. 8
Tynaglı,
do. 11
Kilconnel,
do. 11
Caltragh,
do. 14
Newtown Bellew,
do. 11
Lawrence-town,
do. 15
Ardrahan,
do. 13
Clifden,
do. 18
Claddagh,
do. 13
Creggs,
do. 19
Portumna,
do. 15
Claremore,
do. 20
Ballymote,
do. 16 Eyrecourt,
do. 20
Claran Bridge,
do. 16
SECTION III.
GENERAL PRICES.
It is almost impossible to ascertain the prices of cat-
tle at different periods; fluctuating with the quality, de-
mand, the prospect of peace or war, plenty or scarcity
of grass, and many other circumstances.
The war
which has recently closed, contributed chiefly to keep
up the prices for several years; peace has lowered them
considerably, (1816,) and probably they may be lower,
but not in the degree apprehended; for the prices of
fered for calves were so very low, that many fattened
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 123
but in 1820 it fell to 20s.
and killed those, which at a former period they would
have sold to graziers for stock: that this conjecture has
some foundation, may be proved by the great plenty
and cheapness of fat veal in all the different markets.
In 1807 cattle were uncommonly cheap, and an uni-
versal slaughter of calves and young cattle took place;
the consequence was, that in three years the prices rose,
and I have little doubt the same effect will take place,
though not I hope to a war price. The graziers, how-
ever, have no right to complain; they have generally
become purchasers of land, and it is now high time they
should share a little of their incomes with their neigh-
bours; those who speculated in land as if the war was
to be eternal, have been justly rewarded for their un-
feeling folly. There has not been any fall in the price
of sheep, but rather a rise, and wool sells now (1815)
for 26s. per stone. In 1819 it rose to 32s. per stone,
Horses have had a rapid
fall in price, and probably may be lower for a short
period. The high prices given for cavalry horses
helped greatly to improve the breed; from the general
neglect of most farmers to breed, it is highly probable,
in a few years there will be a considerable demand for
horses. Swine till keep up their price (1819); chiefly
caused by a brisk demand from jobbers from Water-
ford and other places, and also for exportation to many
parts of England, chiefly the neighbourhood of Man-
chester. In 1820 they have experienced a very sudden
and great fall in price. The great fall in the price of
cattle and sheep at Ballinasloe, in October 1820, spread
a general gloom over the province of Connaught; the
prices for cattle were from three to five pounds each
less than last year, and sheep from ten to fifteen shillings
under the last year's price; to those who had bred their
own stock this was not quite so disastrous as to the
124
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
jobbers who purchased in spring; many of those gentle-
men sold their stock at Ballinasloe for less than they
paid for them, consequently such as could not draw on
their banker were nearly ruined. Towards the end of
1820, and the beginning of 1821, the prices for stock
improved greatly. The demand for pigs in February
and March was extraordinary, consequently the prices
kept pace with it. The multitudes that have left this
province are astonishing, insomuch, that I am inclined
to the opinion of some author, (whose name I do not
recollect,)" that there are more pigs than sheep in Ire-
land." In October 1821 the prices fell again, even still
lower than before, but were something better in No-
vember. It is generally agreed, however, that though
the prices were low, the demand was still brisk. Not-
withstanding the former losses, many were induced,
from an idea that things could not be worse, to give
prices for stock in 1822 far above their value; the con-
sequence has been, that many who were much injured
in their property before, are now entirely ruined; even
an abatement in the rent has been a very partial relief,
as the capital has vanished.
In 1823 the prices for sheep at Ballinasloe improveď
much from the former year, but such as were kept over
from that fair have been since sold at a loss. Cattle at
that fair were rather better than it was expected they
would be, but paying very little for their feeding.
Many have been induced to send their fat cattle to Lei-
cester and other parts of England, which I understand
has succeeded well. Probably if there was sufficient
feeding, they would go to a better market in spring, but
few, if any, are prepared to feed in winter, consequently
they must sell. I imagine a few acres of early sown rape
or turnips would prevent this necessity, but I am aware
the great graziers in this province will join their wise
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 125
man in a laugh at this proposal; and yet in Scotland
such things are common. There has been a considera-
ble demand from England for horses fit for hunting and
carriages, and high prices given, which is likely to im-
prove the breed much.
SECTION IV.
MODES OF FEEDING, AND HOW FAR HOUSED IN WINTER.
THE mode of feeding is chiefly confined to what the
bounty of Providence furnishes; few cultivate green
food for winter, and as to soiling in the house in sum-
mer, the most beneficial practice that ever was follow-
ed, the person who proposed it would be laughed at
by the graziers: the answer of ignorance and prejudice
is always ready; "have not Mr. A. and Mr. B. &c.
made fine fortunes by the present practice?" the fact
is well known to be, that Mr. A, and Mr. B, and
multitudes of others, on the death of their fathers,
jumped into a large tract of rich grazing land, at a few
shillings an acre, and a large stock of cattle laid in at
low prices; a sudden rise in every article produced by
land elevated many, from being middle men (without
an acre of estate) paying £800. or £1000. a year rent,
to 4, 5, or £6000. a year; but the question here is,
what they might have made by better practices: let
any of those gentlemen begin at the present prices of
land and stock, and see what would become of them,
especially after the October fairs of Ballinasloe in 1820,
1821, and 1822. We have seen lately great tracts of
land given up, at a rent which would formerly have
created a fortune. In general hay is the only winter
126
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
feeding, except where winterage is kept; a beneficial
practice much followed: there are some rich lands on
which the herbage will not stand the severity of winter,
but there are extensive tracts of dry ground, possessed
by almost every extensive grazier, that preserves the
grass until the rich feeding lands are ready in May:
where they do not possess any of this description of
ground, they are obliged to use hay, as few, if any, of
those who may be called graziers, ever think of green
winter food. Cattle and sheep are seldom housed even
in the severest weather, and range about the land,
poking it full of holes; for not a grazier in a thou-
sand drains his land; even if he did, it would be by
shallow, open, surface drains. Cottiers always house.
their cattle at night in winter, and frequently give
them potatoes, hay, or straw, in small quantities. On
the 1st of June 1810, upwards of 6000 sheep were de-
stroyed in this county alone, by a severe storm of hail,
snow, and rain. The mornings of the end of May were
frosty; many lost upwards of 60, mostly ewes, that had
been shorn two days before: how highly beneficial
would a sheep house have been at this time? *I imagine
ewes with lambs should not be sheared until the lambs
are weaned. Near Galway, and any town possessing
a brewery, grains are very much used; they usually
sell for 1s. 8d. per barrel, and they carry them on their
backs into the mountains, west of Galway, upwards of
two miles; a barrel gives about eight feeds to a cow.
Under the article "use of green food in winter,"
the names of the few who cultivate green winter food
* A sheep house is a useful appendage to any farm for many pur-
poses; as dressing, sheering, branding, or examining, &c.; it might be
made highly ornamental, by being placed in the centre of a group of
trees, with the shepherd's house attached, and communicating with four
fields, &c. &c.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
127
66
may be found; but it will be perceived that this very
beneficial practice is confined to gentlemen, not a sin-
gle grazier being in the list: if I should through ignor-
ance have omitted any, I shall feel a singular gratifi-
cation in publickly acknowledging it. It must be here
understood, that I do not give the cultivator of a ran-
dom crop of rape to reclaim a bog, and whose chief
inducement is the value of the seed, the enviable title
of a cultivator of green winter food, it can be only a
steady systematic cultivator that can deserve it. In
the numberless advantages of soiling in the house in
summer, may justly be added the following opinion of
the enlightened and scientific Sir Humphry Davy:
"The plants are less injured when cut, than when torn
or jagged by the teeth of the cattle, and no food is
"wasted by being trodden down; they are likewise
66 obliged to feed without making a selection, conse-
"quently the whole food is consumed; the attach-
"ment or dislike to a particular kind of food, exhibited
"by animals, offers no proof of its nutritive powers.
"Cattle, at first, refuse linseed cake, one of the most
"nutritive substances on which they can be fed."
Almost every gentleman has a few stall-fed cattle for
his own use in winter; but, except in the distilleries,
few are fed for a market. Galway takes a good many.
There are very few, if any other markets, that would
encourage the feeding of any quantity, and Dublin
would be too great a journey for fat cattle. A few
years ago fat cattle and sheep were brought to Dublin
by the grand canal, in cattle boats, and seemed for
some time to be much approved of; for what reason
they have been given up, I am ignorant.
128
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION V.
NATURAL GRASSES.
THE natural grasses are the same in general pro-
duced in every part of Ireland, in similar soils and si-
tuations. A bountiful Providence provides the seeds,
and the constant feeding keeps it good, otherwise it
might be any thing else; the grazier takes no pains;
he neither drains, sows hay seeds, nor destroys weeds;
and his fences, if any, are bad. The plants that pre-
dominate in most lands remarkable for fattening, are
chiefly the following:
White Clover,
Trefoil,
Ladies bedstraw,
(Trifolium repens,)
(Medicago lupulina,)
(Galium verum,)
(Briza minima,)
Small Quaking grass,
Crested dogs tail grass,
{
(Cynosurus cristatus, or
thraneen, in Irish,)
Yarrow, very abundant,
Small Plaintain,
Red Clover,
Ray grass,
Sweet scented vernal grass,
Creeping bent grass,
Birds foot trefoil,
(Achillea Millefolium,)
(Plantago lanceolata,)
(Trifolium pratense,)
(Lolium perenne,)
(Anthoxantum odoratum,)
{(Fiorin Agrostis stolo-
nifera,)
(Lotus corniculatus.)
Meadow foxtail, (Alopecurus pratensis) is by no
means a common grass in this county; I perceived it
only at the Bishop of Clonfert's, Mr. Charles Seymour's,
Summerset, Mr. Bellew's, Mount Bellew, in very small
quantity, and in a field between Galway and Rahoon,
on the top of a granite rock, with scarcely any earth on it;
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 129
in each of those places it was produced in small quan-
tity, and looked as if it was not indigenous, but pro-
bably had been brought in hay seeds from Dublin, in
the neighbourhood of which it abounds in many fields.
In addition to the list I have given, there might have
been some other kinds, probably perennial red clover
(Cow grass), &c. but those I have mentioned were most
abundant, indeed, almost to the exclusion of all others.
I do not recollect to have met with any ground remark-
able for its fattening quality, that did not abound with
yarrow, and Birds foot trefoil :-except by the late Dr.
Anderson (whose works are not so much read as they
should be) they are not probably mentioned by any
agricultural writer as food for cattle, yet there are no
two plants that could be propagated with more ease by
seed, of which they are very productive. The few
fields that are sowed with hay seeds are too generally
stocked with what is sold in the seed shops as white
English hay seed, (Holcus lanatus) a small portion of
Ray grass, and a very small quantity of red clover.
Probably it will be found that there are few more
worthless grasses than the holcus lanatus, as it possesses,
amongst many others, the bad property of retaining,
nearly through the entire day, the rains and dews: it
is the kind usually sowed in reclaimed bog, and gene-
rally gives a great return of seed, but declines rapidly
afterwards; it is for this situation greatly inferior to
K
* Sir Humphry Davy says, “it appears to be disliked by all sorts of cat-
tle; the produce is not so great as a view of it in the fields would indi-
cate; but being left almost entirely untouched by cattle, it appears as
the most productive part of the herbage The hay which is made from
it, from the number of downy hairs which cover the surface of the
leaves, is soft and spungy, and disliked by cattle in general.”—After this
opinion from so competent a judge, I feel strengthened greatly in my
dislike to this unjustly fashionable grass.
1
130
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1
Fiorin grass, which has now established itself, aided
by the indefatigable exertions of Dr. Richardson, who,
(instead of the sneers of ignorance) for his unwearied
dispersion of it all over the world, deserves a statue to
his memory; and I must be permitted to suggest, that
the Farming Society of Ireland are not as much alive
to his merit as he deserves: though he is above all pe-
cuniary remuneration, they should rank their deep
sense of his merit, by a handsome piece of plate, made
still more acceptable, by a consciousness of deserving
it.* There is not perhaps in all the range of agricul-
tural improvement, any vegetable more highly deserv-
ing of encouragement, especially, when it is consider-
ed, that it thrives best on bog. It would be amusing,
if it was not disgusting, to hear the doubts expressed
of the truth of the statements of its produce by differ-
ent gentlemen: will those sagacious men tell the follow-
ing gentlemen they lie?-The Bishop of Derry 7 tons.
of dry hay per acre: in December 1812, the Rev.
Thomas Radcliffe, secretary to the Farmers' Society,
and well known for his scientific knowledge of agricul-
ture, sent in a report to the Farming Society of Ire-
land of Dr. Richardson's Fiorin meadows; it is in-
serted in the Irish Farmer's Journal of January the 9th,
1813, to which I must refer, as being too long for this
publication; and as I cannot possibly suppose any
agriculturist can be so stupid as not to possess this va-
luable publication;-I also publish the following state-
* Since I composed this eulogium, the subject of it has gone to that
place where virtue meets its reward. It is curious to see the opinion ex-
pressed of Fiorin grass, in his Elementary Treatise on the indigenous
grasses of Ireland.
"There is also a grass which grows in our low
"grounds, that I have heard some farmers talk of with much delight;
they call it Fiorin or Fioreen grass; I have taken pains to procure
some plants of it, but have not succeeded."
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 131
:
ment from the same Journal of the 27th May, 1815.-
The late much lamented Mr. Travers Adamson, near
Moate, county of Westmeath, received a premium of
£50. from the Farming Society of Ireland, for two
acres of Fiorin hay: it was stated by sworn viewers to
be perfectly well saved, for either rick or loft, (a doubt-
ful point with some wiseacres); it was planted only in
November 1813, on a dry pasturable bog, with ten or
twelve spit of turf under it;-the bog was pared and
burned; the crop was mowed between the 12th Sep-
tember, and 1st of October; it was weighed and ricked
in November and weighed 16 tons, 2cwt. 3qrs. and
16lb. it was weighed again in May, before Mr. An-
thony Robinson of Moate, and weighed 12 tons, 6cwt.
and 2qrs. and was, as he affirms, of prime quality;
this was equal to upwards of 31 Smithfield loads, of
4cwt. weight each, per acre. The expence of pro-
curing this very valuable crop (exclusive of burning,
probably forty shillings), was only £4. 10s. 2d. Every
person can appreciate the value of this immense crop,
on ground of very little value;. it must be also recol-
lected, that it was produced in one year from the time
of planting, which could not be accomplished from any
other plant usually made into hay.-Mr. Morley Saun-
ders, of Saunder's Grove in the county of Wicklow,
at the same time received the second premium of £30.
for the second best two acres; the produce, by the af
fidavit of Mr. James Critchly, appears to be 9 tons,
15cwt."the hay was remarkably dry, (if any thing
too dry.)” and on the 13th of May, 1815, it had been
weighed when it was fit to rick, and weighed 11 tons
per acre; it is necessary to remark, that this crop was
of spontaneous growth:* at the same time Mr. David
K 2
* I much doubt the propriety of giving a premium for spontaneous
growth.
132
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Watty received a premium of £20. for the third best
crop; the produce of well saved hay on two acres was
9 tons, 14cwt. and 2qrs.; the ground, a bog of little
value. The following extract, from the Caledonian
Mercury comes so strongly in aid of the above state-
ments, that I cannot refrain from re-publishing it :-
:
In the Caledonian Mercury of Thursday last, there is
an advertisement offering to let the farm of Penny-
land, part of the estate of Dalswinton, in Dumfries-
shire, Scotland, belonging to Patrick Miller, Esq. of
Dalswinton. The farm contains 1000 Scots acres ;
289 acres have been laid down with clover, rye-grass,
&c. and there are also 76 acres laid down with Fiorin
grass; and it is the intention of the proprietor to lay
down, in the course of the present year, 124 acres
more with that grass. The following extract from the
advertisement shews the great utility of cultivating
Fiorin grass, and is in the highest degree honourable
to our countryman, the Rev. Dr. Richardson.
"As Mr. Miller has cultivated Fiorin grass for five
years, upon all kinds of soil, and to a much greater
extent than any other person in Britain or Ireland,
he is now perfectly satisfied that the Rev. Dr. Richard-
son has been the means of calling the attention of agri-
culturists, by his persevering and patriotic zeal and
diligence, to the knowledge and value of a grass, which
will prove of the greatest importance to the United
kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. Although it
may not yet be known to what extent this grass may
become valuable; or to what purposes it may be most
probably employed, nor the number of sheep or cattle
that may be fed and supported upon one acre's pro-
duce of this grass; Mr. Miller is nevertheless happy,
that he can, without hesitation, declare, from his own
experience, that Fiorin grass is a most valuable ac-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 133
quisition in the way of agriculture. Upon grounds
which were let for twenty-one years, at one shilling per
acre, and for which he could not, after advertising the
same ground to be again let, obtain a higher rent, this
ground had been laid down by him with Fiorin at an
expence of about £10. per acre, which has produced
300 stones of excellent Fiorin hay, per acre, 24lbs. to
the stone, and he believes that there are many thou-
sands uncultivated acres in Scotland, of the same qua-
lity with his, which, if properly laid down with Fiorin,
after being inclosed and drained, would produce crops
equally good with his. Mr. Miller is also happy, that
he has it in his power to affirm, that the second and
third year's crops of Fiorin are superior to the first,
and require only a top-dressing the second year. For
how many years the Fiorin may continue to be equally
productive, he cannot from his own experience say;
but what he considers of the greatest importance is,
that sheep and cattle may pasture with great profit and
advantage, if not after the first, yet always after the
second year's crop, upon ground which, before being
laid down with this grass, would not have supported
their weight. All the sheep he has slaughtered, dur-
ing some weeks past, for the use of a numerous family,
have produced mutton, at twenty months old, after
seven weeks feeding upon the after math of Fiorin,
equal, if not superior to mutton of any age, however
fed, and he has no doubt of having mutton of the same
quality for some months to come, from sheep of the
same age fed upon Fiorin hay. During the three
months of last Autumn, Mr. Miller fed twenty-eight
work horses, at work every working day during that
period, upon Fiorin fresh cut, without any other kind
of food, and no work horses could go on with their
134
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
work, and be in better condition at the end of that
time."
SECTION VI.
ARTIFICIAL GRASSES.
THE use of those is confined to a few gentlemen ;
very few farmers ever think of saving artifical grasses;
if they sometimes do, red clover is the only one, but as
to soiling with it in the house, the only beneficial way
of using it, it is almost unknown; it is always pastured
on, a most wasteful practice, as, if the clover is good, a
great proportion of it is destroyed by the feet of cattle,
besides the danger of losing cattle by eating too much
at one time. Soiling, unless carelessly managed, is free
from this objection, and cattle are obliged to eat without
selection, for according to Sir Humphry Davy, “the
attachment or dislike to a particular kind of food, ex-
hibited by animals, offers no proof of its nutritive
powers." I have seen colts brought from the fair of
Hospital in the county of Limerick, toss about good
oats with their noses, and leave it behind them in the
manger. I have also frequently seen sheep refuse tur-
nips at first, but contrary to the opinion of Dr. Law-
rence in his Farmer's Kalendar, I scarcely ever knew
any animal refuse potatoes, though he says, page 424,
“I have given them in large quantities, with bran and
"wash, to large store pigs, in styes, without any good
"effect; also to young pigs, running the yard, with
"ill effect. I tried my stables round, with the same suc-
"cess that a certain German cultivator experienced,
"(see Annals of Agriculture,) I could only persuade
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
135
..
one old mare to bite a raw potatoe, and she spat it
“out again; so horses it seems, as well as doctors, dis-
"agree." That horses will not be able to perform hard
work, if fed on raw potatoes without corn, who ever
doubted? but that they injured young pigs running in
the yard, I shall not stop to remark on, but to state that
the best pork I ever have tasted, was fed entirely on
raw potatoes and grass; the general fact is, that pigs, as
well as most other animals in Ireland, (I do not know
how it might have been with Dr. Lawrence's epicures,)
except those put up for fattening, seldom get enough,
they are only kept alive; the same may be said of fowl.
I think it is incumbent on every proprietor of land to
try experiments, on a small scale, of every vegetable
for the use of cattle. Several of our young gentlemen
would find it a very pleasing antidote to ennui, they
would be more healthfully employed than lounging on
sofas, when they are not occupied in the sports of the
field: Lord Kaims says, " viclently active in the field,
supinely indolent at home:" and I should imagine, that
conversations on the comparative value and mode of
cultivating land and its produce, would be far more
useful than the general topic, and kept up for whole
nights, on the powers of different horses to leap walls,
and the short time it took them to ride a certain dis-
tance; the entire merit in both cases remaining with the
horse. I am, however, happy to state, that this worth-
less character is wearing out fast, and in nothing has
the benefit of the frequent intercourse with England
been more visible than the change of manners. Vetches
or tares are little known in this county; if they were
tried by farmers, they would be found to preclude the
expensive necessity of fallowing; they have been proved
to prepare ground for wheat much better than a naked
fallow; the one pays rent, the other adds a year's rent
136
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
to the expense of the wheat crop; but to make them
produce their best effects, they must be sowed thick
enough (four bushels to the acre) to be a smothering
crop, and consumed in the house by stock; the value
of the manure produced by this practice must be added
to the comparative account against the naked fallow.
There are two varieties of vetches, winter and spring;
the winter vetch, sowed in spring, frequently mildews
and is spoiled; the spring vetch, sowed in autumn, at
the same time with the winter vetch, has been entirely
destroyed by frost, whilst the other has escaped. It is
not very easy to distinguish the difference in the seed
or plant, and frequently one kind is sold for the other.
It is an excellent practice to sow with the vetches a
thin crop of rye, beans, or even oats; they help to sup-
port them. Where this crop is used for soiling, it is
seldom cut in time, by which means a great proportion
of the crop becomes too old, and the stalks too hard for
cattle; though many think they are most beneficial in
this forward state. Swine, and all kinds of fowl, es-
pecially geese, will fatten on them at this period of their
growth.
SECTION VII.
MODE OF HAY-MAKING.
THE general mode of making hay is very injudicious;
the meadow is usually cut at a very late period, when
much of its value is lost; with an idea of getting as much
as possible from the land it is frequently deferred until
October, especially by those who buy the meadows
standing; the evil of this practice is not confined to the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
137
crop,
injury the hay receives, but extends to the future
which is prevented from shooting as early or vigorously
in spring, as it would do if the after-grass covered the
ground in winter; for it will probably be found, that,
as a general practice, eating the after-grass is not a
good one, though in many rich lands, or those that can
be assisted by yard manure or clay ashes, it may be
done, especially where the mowing has been performed
at an early season; few, if any, ever think of using ma-
nure for this purpose; it is too much wanted for po-
tatoes, which generally consume all the produce of the
farm yard. When the grass is cut, it is generally
thrown out of swathe, be the weather wet or dry;
though certainly it would be much safer in the swathe
in wet weather. It is also usually turned so often, es-
pecially in hot sun, that it loses much of its value; even
after it is fit to put into field cocks, it is frequently
spread about the field, and often caught by showers,
and all the process of drying had recourse to again, to
the great injury of the hay. There are very few who
employ hands enough for this purpose, which requires
more than any other farming operation, as every thing
depends on catching the favourable moment.
The very
common oversight of 1.ot obliging hay makers to bring
spades and other tools, according to the work they may
have to perform, very frequently occurs here. Early
in the morning, whilst dew is on the grass, or after a
shower, whilst the hay is drying, much useful work
might be performed; cleaning and sinking ditches,
making drains, picking stones, and various other works,
of which there can be no want in any farm in this
county. It is a disgusting thing to see a number of
labourers, at such a season of hurry, sitting smoaking
under a hedge, waiting for the hay to dry, &c. The
usual lazy method of mowing is injurious to both crops;
138
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
it leaves much of the grass uncut, and the stumps that
are left, are worse than useless. When they cut mea-
dow for themselves, that they buy standing, they not
only shave it into the earth, but defer it to so late a
season the grass has not time to recover before the
winter sets in. In letting meadow on the foot, there
should be always a restriction as to the time of cutting;
in that case, if cut at an early period, the closer it is
cut the better; but not so low as to injure the crown of
the plant. There is a large portion of the hay of this
county produced on callows, (meadows near the banks
of rivers,) and though they are frequently lost by sud-
den floods, after being made into hay, yet so indolent
are the proprietors, that they usually procrastinate.
their removal until, though they are not caught by
flood, the bottom of each cock is much injured. Nothing
is more common than to see hay cocks standing like
small islands in the midst of water, especially along the
river Suck.
Hay should always be shaken out of swathe after
the mowers, by hand, and not in the customary lazy way
with forks, which leave it in wisps, impervious to wind
and sun; no grass cut after one or two o'clock should
be spread out until the following morning when the
dew evaporates, nor should any hay be left spread dur-
ing the night, except it has received wet.
"Oh never
fear, Sir!" has spoiled much hay in this county, and
in every other, for every thing is left to chance. Both
tramp cocks and grass cocks are always left on too
broad a base, they should be well pulled at the bottom,
and every handful frequently crossed over each other on
the top of the cock; the observance of this very simple.
process will, in a great measure, prevent the admission
of rain water. The northern method of making the
bay in lap cocks or muffs, is, I imagine, scarcely known
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
139
in this county, The fermentation of the hay is care-
fully prevented; if the cock gets the least warm they
are frightened, and it is instantly taken down. I cer-
tainly am no advocate for that excessive high fermen
tation that makes the hay of a foxy colour, and though
preferred in many parts of England, I agree with my
horse in preferring green hay that has undergone a
gentle fermentation. Although I am convinced our
hay generally receives too much making, yet the gene-
rally succulent state of our herbage, and a inore humid
atmosphere, compared to that of England, make more
time necessary than would be required in that country.
When the hay is fit to make into tramp cocks, (field
cocks of about a ton each,) if time will permit, it will
be found a beneficial practice to draw it home to the
rick yard, to be made into the same size as field cocks,
and so ranged as to be easily built into a rick or large
cocks, when sufficiently seasoned. It is nearly impos-
sible to give directions suited to every case for the best
method of making hay. Any one can make hay in
good weather; the only danger then is too much mak-
ing wet weather is what tries the skill of the farmer;
at this period an abundant supply of labourers, of all
ages and sexes, enables the farmer to take instant ad-
vantage of every favourable moment.
:
It is a very common practice to spread out more hay
than can be well made up the same evening; trusting
too much to chance, nine times in ten they are caught
by rain, or at least heavy dew, and have not sufficient
help to prevent the effects of a coming shower, which
in summer can be generally prognosticated by most
country people sufficiently early, if help is at hand. It
will be found a good general rule to spread hay as little
as possible after it has been made into grass cocks, but
frequently to re-make them from small into large, in-
140
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
creasing the size with the state of dryness; always care-
fully shaking with the hand, each time of re-making,
and pulling well the bottoms of the cocks, and spread-
ing it on the tops, and the hay smoothed neatly down
the sides of the cocks, so as to have the appearance of
being thatched.
It is needless to detail the process of making clover
into hay; he must be a wretched farmer that does not
consume it by soiling in the house; also, Lucern, St.
Foin, or any other green crop. The farmer should
watch his field cocks to prevent too great a state of fer-
mentation, which may easily be perceived at the lee-
ward side of the cock, not only by the hand, but by an
appearance of moisture, as if the cock was wetted on
the surface in one spot near the top. Sometimes a
hole made into the cock will check it, if not, it must be
well shaken and re-made.
SECTION VIII.
DAIRIES-THEIR PRODUCE AND MANAGEMENT.
DAIRIES, on the extensive scale they are in the coun-
ties of Cork, Limerick, Waterford, or Carlow, are, I
imagine, unknown in this county. Near Galway, es-
pecially on the west side, a large quantity of excellent
butter is produced, and near every town as much as
supplies the home consumption; any not used in this
way is salted, and generally sold in Galway. The
merchants of Galway have lately very laudably offered
premiums for the best butter, and I trust they will
shortly become exporters. Mr. Dodd, who was for-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 141
merly an eminent provision merchant in Dublin, and
who is now weigh-master and butter-qualifier of Gal-
way, has taken every pains to improve and extend the
butter trade; though it commenced with such favorable
prospects, that the butter brought the highest prices in
the London and Spanish markets, yet I understand it
has lately rather declined. The merchants are making
every exertion for its advancement. The butter made
at Barna, near Galway, is of very superior quality, and
its character so well established, that there is always a
competition for it by the inhabitants of Galway. Dare
I
say, that to my taste, (especially that made by one
woman near Barna,) it is superior to any I have ever
tasted elsewhere; it is made of the natural colour of
butter, and not spoiled by the addition of too much hot
water, which almost every dairy maid, from habit, uses
to hasten the process. Many seem to overlook the bad
taste caused by dirty vessels and hot hands,—which
should never (nor indeed any hand) touch the butter-
so as the butter looks nice, and floats in clear water in
a cut glass cooler.* In excessive hot weather, cold
spring water may be necessary to bring the butter to
the breakfast table, but surely not in cold weather.
I trust the use of turnips will not be established in
the dairies here, as they are beginning to be in the
county of Carlow, where, if the practice becomes gene-
ral, the merchants will have to regret it, in the loss of
that high character their butter has obtained at foreign
markets.
Almost every cottier near Barna has a cow, some
I have frequently heard "some bad weed that the cows eat," accused
I beg to point my readers at-
for the ill taste occasioned by dirty vessels.
I
tention to the Survey of Kilkenny, by Mr. Tighe, for the filthy method
of making Waterford butter.
142
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
perhaps two the temptation of so good and near a
market as Galway, frequently leaves little milk for the
children. In other parts of this county there are too
many cottiers without a cow, who endure great misery
where there are children, even of those who have a
cow, many are without milk great part of the year,
waiting most anxiously for the calving of the cow,
which generally does not take place until May or June,
which leaves them without milk in winter when it is
most necessary. It is an almost universal practice with
those even in good circumstances, to pursue this losing
method; frequently where four cows are kept, only
one gives milk in winter: where little land is occupied,
the cow should be sold out immediately when she grows.
slack in her milk, and replaced with one in full milk.
I do not think any cheese is made in this county, ex-
cept cream cheese, and that not as general at the table
of a man of fortune as it should be; it only appears on
state days. Butter may be preserved sweet for several
years, by the following receipt; it never becomes hard
or too brittle, but continues to look and taste like
butter fresh churned. It requires to be a month made
before it is used.
10 ounces of common salt,
2 ounces of saltpetre,
2 ounces best brown sugar,
}
made very fine;
they should be all intimately mixed; to each pound of
butter, put one ounce of the mixture, with which it
should be well incorporated, and packed close in tubs
or crocks in the usual way, and the sides of the vessel
well closed.
It is not a little extraordinary that the filthy custom
of permitting the calf to empty two teats, whilst the
dairy-maid is milking the other two, prevails in this
county: the economy is certainly praiseworthy, as no-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
143
thing is lost; the calf contributing to the milk pail any
thing that dribbles from his mouth. Will it be believ-
ed in other parts of Ireland, that the reason given for
this vile, lazy practice is, " that the calves would not
“thrive if fed in any other way." By this method
there can be only a guess at the quantity each calf gets,
the strong calf drinking more than the weak one. As
the calf is always permitted to finish the milking, the cow
habituated to this method often retains the strippings
or last milk, for the calf. It is well known that the
proportion of butter produced from milk drawn at this
period, and the first milk has been ascertained to be in
some cows from 16 to 1, and 8 to 1 in favor of the
strippings. It is highly probable that calves suffer
much from getting milk only twice a day, and even
then, the quantity is given at the discretion of the dairy-
maid. The method practised in some parts of Eng-
land of feeding them three times a day, seems to be
much better, and probably an extension of the plan
would be still more beneficial: I only allude to those
calves fed by hand, and not those by the cow, as those
can be fed only when the cows are milked; it is also a
good practice to milk cows three times a day, when
they are in the heighth of their milking. From the ge-
neral bad feeding that cows receive, they yield but a
small proportion of the quantity of milk they should
do; and it diminishes rapidly as winter approaches.
The cows that poor people are able to buy are of the
very worst description, they are wretched animals, half
fed from their infancy. Near large towns where there
are breweries, cows often get grains, which encrease
the quantity of poor thin milk. In winter there is fre-
quently a division made between the cow and pig of
small potatoes, but far from what either could consume.
In general the cows of this county are very far behind
144
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
other parts of Ireland as milkers, whether this pro-
ceeds from the breed, or want of early feeding, I am
ignorant, probably both causes may operate.
SECTION IX.
PRICES OF HIDES, TALLOW, WOOL, AND QUANTITY
SOLD.
THE prices of hides and tallow vary so much,
that it would require better information than I could
procure, to make any satisfactory statement. The
hides are all tanned in Galway and other towns; the
quantity tanned, bears but a small proportion to the
consumption of the county, for which purpose large
quantities of leather are brought from Dublin, Athlone,
and some from England, and esteemed much better
than that tanned at home, especially heavy hides:
the tallow is all consumed in the country by the chand-
lers. The price of wool varies with the quality, and
often with the period at which it is sold. A demand
from England raises the price, as this year (1818),
owing to a demand for woollen goods in the manufac-
toring towns in England, wool has risen to 32s. per
stone of 16lb. The great wool fair of Ballinasloe, that
used formerly to bring together all the graziers of three
or four counties, and buyers from Leinster and Mun-
ster, has dwindled to almost nothing, and now almost
all the wool is sent to Dublin to different commission
houses, where the most honorable dealings are ob-
served. Formerly above six weeks were ridiculously
lost, and great expence incurred by the competition
between buyers and sellers, which should name a price
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
145
first; to such extent was this carried, that the buyers
have made excursions to view the country, and the
sellers in the mean time have either gone home, or too
often have been tempted into habits of drinking or
gambling: the present mode is much better for both
parties. The wool is generally sent to Dublin in packs
containing about 7cwt.: each pack takes 21 bundles of
coarse home-made canvass, at about 10d. per bundle:
the expense of carriage, commission, &c. may be about
10d. per stone.
Except in Cunnamara, and a few places in the hands
of gentlemen, there is little short wool grown in the
county. In Cunnamara a very considerable quantity,
indeed I believe the whole, is worked up in stockings,
of which there is a very considerable sale. There may
be some flannel and frizes made, but I imagine not
much. The genius of the women seems to lean to
knitting stockings, which only wants encouragement to
make them superior to any in the world for the same
price: the usual retail price of the pedlars is twenty
pence per pair. What can be expected from so in-
adequate a price, when their profit is deducted?
L
146
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
CHAPTER IV.
FARMS.
SECTION I.
THEIR SIZE.
THE size of farms varies infinitely from one acre (if
such can be called a farm) to those in mountain dis-
tricts of many hundred acres, set by the bulk. I ra-
ther think that any piece of land that does not give
constant employment to a plough, cannot be with pro-
priety called a farm. Those that do not, may be called
cottier holdings, a most wretched mode of occupation
if too large, for by aiming at crops which can be only
cultivated to advantage by the plough, they are gene-
rally the most distressed kind of tenants; a mongrel
race between farmer and labourer. It is not easy to
say what the size of a cottier holding, cultivated entirely
with the spade, should be; it depending much on the
quality of the land and the assistance that may be de-
rived from grown-up children. Probably six acres of
good land would be sufficient. That question, which
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
147
has been so often agitated about the proper size of farms,
and whether large or small farms are most advantageous
to the public, may be easily answered by considering
that every size will meet with a corresponding capital,
as in truth it should do; and as to the comparative
value of large or small farms, much depends on ma-
nagement; however, there is little use in arguing on what
always must subsist-farms of every gradation; and if
every farmer takes no more than he has capital to till
properly, I presume it is of little consequence to the
public what the size may be. It is well established that
four farins, of fifty acres each, will bring a higher rent
than if all let in one farm. We have been not a little
surprised to read in the public papers about the tenan-
try of Mr. Coke of Holkham, some having an interest
worth £2000. per annum, and upwards. We have
nothing to do with the motives of Mr. Coke, but I can
scarcely be persuaded that a much more useful tenan-
try, and higher rent, might not be obtained by dividing
those great farms into holdings of one to two hundred
a year rent.
If the tenants had obtained those great
interests by reclaiming the land, they would richly de-
serve any income they might have. I imagine our Irish
landlords will not be very ready to imitate Mr. Coke,
indeed, in any respect; in fact, very few have the in-
come. It is a very common error with Irish farmers to
take more land than they have capital for; the contrary
is the more prudent practice, and at the same time the
most profitable; for if he has spare capital, he can em-
ploy it profitably in various ways, until he feels his way,
and he is always ready for a bargain; for ready money
enables a man to purchase many things on low terms.
Farms in Cunnamara, and the mountain baronies.
west of Galway are generally very large, and set by a
bulk rent from perhaps fifty to three hundred pounds
L 2
148
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
a year, and are chiefly occupied in grazing young cattle.
On the sea coast, and in the valleys of this extensive
region, the farms are small, and generally held by oc-
cupying tenants from various parts of Ireland. Pro-
bably a labourer should have only as much land as will
give his family abundance of potatoes and milk, but he
should be certain of employment from his landlord when
not occupied by his own affairs, and his wages should
be increased; for I am convinced the rate of wages has
not kept pace with the rise in land and the late fall in
produce. Some humane landlords, I am happy to say,
have raised the wages of their labourers; but it is not
as general as it should be. I am aware, it will be said,
that labourers are paid sufficient for the small quantity
of labour they perform ;-I often regret their habitual
idleness; but what are stewards for? Probably on a
comparison of Irish labourers with those of other coun-
tries, taking into the comparison the difference of wages,
it will not be found so very much against them as some
of our travelled agriculturists seem to think: one gets
5d. the other 2s. per day!
The practice of taking many farms, and some very
distant from the residence of the tenant, is much fol-
lowed in this county. These cannot be so profitably
managed as by an occupying tenant, pursuing a good
system of alternate tillage and grazing. Every person
possessing distant farms must be well aware that he loses
much grass by trespass, either permitted or unheeded.
I recollect once being told by an extensive land jobber,
that he was convinced he lost upwards of £1000. a year
in his different farms by trespass: what a system this
must be! It is really astonishing that landed pro-
prietors do not perceive the losses they sustain by letting
to any but occupants. Formerly the great reputed
wealth those land jobbers possessed blinded the judg-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
149
ment of proprietors; but we have seen some of the
highest and most imperious heads brought very low
lately, by a fall in stock and other produce. It is the
practice very much of shopkeepers in county towns to
take large farms. I much doubt if they had not the
till to draw on, whether those farms could be kept. I
know several instances where money has been accumu-
lated by those shopkeepers, but it was at a period when
war prices were received for every thing. I imagine if
they had not other resourses the October fairs, 1820 and
1822, would try their bottom. I presume to think an
extension of the business they are used to would be
much more profitable.
SECTION II.
PARM HOUSES AND OFFICES.
As farmers generally build their own houses and
offices, they have commonly every defect, both as to
site and execution. The offices placed without any
previous plan; a stable here, a cow-house there, and
every thing so badly arranged and finished, that they
do not answer fully any purpose for which they should
be erected. The very general practice in Ireland of
placing almost every building below the level of the
adjacent ground, may be seen in great perfection in
this county; even the dwelling house has usually a step
down into it, by which means it is always damp; and
as pigs and fowl are usually permitted to range through
the sitting room, it adds to the general filthy state of
the dwelling. Though the pig is not in general per-
150
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
mitted to take up his lodging in the house at night, the
fowl almost universally do, with an idea that the warmth
and smoke of the house are beneficial to them. In con-
tradiction to this idea I know several instances where
the fowl sleep throughout the year in trees, and are as
productive, in every respect, as those kept more ten-
derly. Farm houses have often a sufficient number of
small windows, but the greater part are stopped up, and
frequently the only light comes in at the door; as to a
window opening to let in air to a room, it is a rarity,
and even disliked by the country people: even in houses
of the first rank, will it be believed that servants' apart-
ments have seldom this convenience. I regret to state
that the sleeping accommodation of servants is most
grossly neglected in many houses that have no excuse
but great indolence. This has been carried to such a
length, even in one of the first houses in the county,
that a physician was obliged to order the window of a
housemaid's room, ill of fever, to be broken open: the
house-keeper declared it had not been opened for
twenty years! High rank is no excuse for this cruel
neglect, but rather an aggravation. Make servants
comfortable, and make them do their duty. In many
parts of this county the cabins are built of clay, gene-
rally very badly tempered, on a foundation of a foot or
two of stone; but as the thatch seldom projects far
enough over the wall, the rains and frost melt it away,
and in a few years the house falls, or is propped with
sticks or a buttress of loose stones. If they were
originally built with a projecting roof of at least two
feet, this evil in a great measure would be prevented ;
but until landlords or their agents either build houses
or superintend their building, this must be the case. I
have been often at a loss to account for the callousness
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
151
of some landlords in this county, that could patiently
see around them such miserable dwellings for their
tenants, whilst their horses and hounds have every at-
tention paid to their comfort. The gentlemen of this
county have been accused by their neighbours of pos-
sessing a great deal of pride, if so, it certainly does not
consist in an attention to the superior accommodation
of their tenantry. Any person who has travelled from
Athy to Cork, or in many other counties, must be pain-
fully struck with the great difference, not only in their
houses, but in their general appearance. I am most
happy to say, however, that there are many exceptions
to this stigma. I only forbear to mention them from a
conviction that a speedy change in others for the better
will take place. There can be less excuse for it in this
county than perhaps any other in Ireland, as there are
very few absentees, and the properties are generally
ample; but it does not so much require property as
exertion and a proper feeling of its consequences; for it
will be found that those tenants who are remarkable for
any superior degree of cleanliness in their habitations
or family, are the most regular in their payments.
There is one office which should be indispensable in
every yard; yet it must be at the house of a man of
some rank only where it will be found! Very few
stables have racks with mangers so construed as to save
the hay seeds, and in many of those very places they
are often brought from Dublin at a great expense, and
not so good as those saved at home. I imagine it is
incumbent on every landlord or his agent to superin-
tend the plan, site, and building of every house on his
estate. As they generally contribute nothing else, they
may well contribute their advice.* I am convinced
• Lord Clancarty makes an addition to his tenants of two-thirds or
152
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
there is scarcely a tenant that would not conform to the
wish of his landlord: the chief objects to attend to are,
the site; levels of the floor of the house and yard; ar-
rangement of the offices; a prevention of dunghills in
front of the house; and the roof so contrived as to pro-
ject at least two feet beyond the wall of both house and
offices.
SECTION III.
NATURE OF
TENURES-GENERAL STATE OF LEASES——
AND PARTICULAR CLAUSES THEREIN.
LEASES are generally for thirty-one years, or three
lives; but lately leases for twenty-one years, or a life,
have become more general. Very few landlords are
now so blind to the interest of their children, however
imprudent their ancestors might have been, as to grant
leases renewable for ever. Formerly leases for thirty-
one years and three lives were sometimes granted, but
I imagine not lately. A good deal of land is held by
bishops' leases; an uncertain kind of tenure, that gives
rise to many bickerings between landlord and tenant,
and prevents all manner of improvement. A power to
plant is reserved by many landlords, but it is a power,
I fear, that is too seldom used. Too much of the land
of this county is let in partnership; this wretched mode
of letting land must have originated at a remote period,
when the state of agriculture was very low, and the
means of stocking a farm still lower. Whilst the war
more of any sum they choose to expend in building, and in many instances
expends the whole amount.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
153
continued, a high price for every kind of agricultural
produce enabled village tenants to pay their rents
punctually; and many landlords, not adverting to the
sudden fall there must be on the conclusion of the war,
nor on the taxes it must create, insisted it was the best
mode of letting land. Happily we are now at peace,
and they are convinced that this cause (the peace) and
an unthought of increase of population far beyond their
means of support, have rendered it the very worst mode
of letting land, and instead of being the most punctual
tenants they are the reverse. At the rate at which po-
pulation has encreased, if the land of many villages was
even given rent free, the tenants in a few years could
not exist. Surely landlords must, or at least ought to
have seen that the permission either openly or tacitly
given to villagers to subdivide their shares amongst
their children, or with strangers who tempted them
with a trifling profit rent, must ultimately have the pre-
sent effect. It is a very general custom with village
tenants, and indeed with those who hold separate tenures,
to give a part of their division of land as a marriage
portion with a son or daughter, and this so often re-
peated, that ground sufficient to maintain them has
not been had by any of the parties. On an estate that
I had the superintendence of in this county, I knew
many villages that originally consisted of six families,
now have above twenty: and on another estate, one
village has increased to six. There is another evil at-
tendant on this erroneous system, the great decrease of
bog for fuel on many estates. In the original lease
above mentioned, turf banks sufficient for six houses
were allced. Now there are twenty necessary, and
very frequently others from adjoining estates are per-
mitted to cut turf. This has been unobservedly de-
creasing the value of many estates. How many cir-
154
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
cumstances tend to prove the great necessity of a resi-
dent agent? Those who do not understand the nature
of turf bogs (Dublin agents) imagine they are inex-
haustible. According to the improvident mode of cut-
ting and managing bogs, the carriage every day be-
comes more difficult and expensive. Landlords too
often, instead of laying out the line for cutting with
some system of improvement in view, permit their
tenants to act at random; not adverting to the certainty
that bogs will hereafter, and probably at no distant period,
be some of the most valuable part of their estates. Very
few leases are taken, especially by graziers, without a
clause of surrender, to prevent a loss if the price of land
or produce should fall. At the same time I do not see
why a clause of re-assumption should not be inserted in
favor of the landlord; always making full remuneration
for any permanent improvements; and if to a certain
amount, probably the clause should be void.* I shall
probably be thought visionary by at least one party, but
I do not write for any party. I apprehend too many
took advantage of the late sudden depression of the
value of agricultural produce, and worked on the fears
of timid landlords to obtain a permanent abatement of
their rents; and some, I am informed, took advantage
of the pecuniary obligations their landlords were under
to them, to force them to give leases at a rent far below
the value of the land.
That any land taken within the last ten years at least,
was entitled to a temporary abatement was but fair;
• A farmer in this county waited on his absentee landlord, in West-
meath, to get a renewal of his lease, and, as an inducement, he stated,
that in addition to the other improvements he had made, he had planted a
great number of trees; his intelligent landlord curling up his nose,
I give you no thanks for planting trees, my agent tells me they only on-
courage sparrows to destroy the corn!"
"Sir,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 185
but why the proprietor of the land should not have a
reciprocal chance of a rise, is not consonant to my idea
of the compact that should exist between landlord and
tenant. Many, I am well aware, are biting their nails
that their surrenders were accepted. Fee simple estates
frequently sell for upwards of twenty years purchase ;
the rate depending on various circumstances. Free-
hold property much the same as in Clare, sixteen or
seventeen years purchase. A very large portion of the
county is let, especially to cottier tenants, without any
lease; they universally assign this uncertain tenure as
the principal cause for the non-improvement of their
farms and houses, and doubtless this, added to the rea-
sons I have before given, will account for the ruinous
state of the village system. As to the length of the
tenure which should be given, I apprehend twenty-one
years, or a life, a very fair term for any land that is de-
livered to the tenant in reasonable good order, with a
comfortable house and offices on it, always holding in
remembrance to give a decided refusal to the former
tenant leaving his farm, house, and offices in an un-
tenantable state. Nothing could ever tempt me to give
a renewal to the tenant that run the ground out of heart
the last years of his lease. Where improvements are
to be made, and an house and offices built, a term of
thirty-one years, or three lives, seems to be mutually
advantageous; this very much depends on the sum ex-
pended; in many cases a longer term would be ne-
cessary. The clause against burning is very necessary
in the present state of agricultural practices; but if the
clause was only against over cropping, the burning in
most cases would be highly beneficial. The clause also
against breaking up more than a certain proportion of
the land until that formerly broken up was laid down,
has been to my knowledge most shamefully ovaded :
156
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
in those cases there was unfortunately no restriction as
to the number of crops, nor the state of the ground
when laid down. I have seen the clause also evaded by
sowing hay seeds after the plough, without harrowing, and
with that most worthless of all grasses called in the seeds
shops white English hay seeds (Holcus lanatus). An at-
tention to those matters forms a very material part of the
duty of an agent. Dr. Lawrence says, "It is to be la-
"mented, both on public and private grounds, that
"estates are ever superintended and leased out by other
"than able judges of cultivation." I know many agents
that do not know the difference between St. Foin and
Lucern.
Many landlords exact the payment of their rents a
few months after it is due, some in a few days; but the
usual mode is to leave half a year's, often a whole year's
rent in the tenants hands, called the hanging gale, and
many are often obliged to take their rent in small
sums, as the tenant receives it at fairs or markets.
Non-resident agents cannot do this, and very often the
money is dissipated. Probably no money laid out by a
proprietor of land would make a more ample return.
than that laid out in the improvement of the farm pre-
vious to letting it. In most cases, at least in this coun-
ty, a tenant getting a farm in an impoverished state, is
neither able nor capable of improving it; and I have
no doubt many would be better able to pay an ample
interest annually, as an additional rent, than expend
the money the first year or two of his lease; besides,
the superior productiveness of the farm would give him.
such a lift, as would enable him to keep up his farm in
the good state in which he got it. It must be under-
stood I mean here that the landlord should fence, drain,
repair the house and offices, and leave a crop of clover
and grass seeds in the stubbles; a power to sow which
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
157
the year before the termination should be reserved in
lease. Cottier tenants should never be permitted
every
to alienate without a permission from their landlord.
From a want of this clause, or indolence in enforcing
it, many bad and turbulent characters have been intro-
duced into a peaceable country. I should be very
cautious in advising restrictions on the mode of crop-
ping, but really the ruinous practice of taking succes-
sive corn crops without any kind of manure or green
crop, has arrived to such a pitch, that a restriction
becomes necessary for the interest of both landlord
and tenant; also that they should be obliged to sow
clover and grass seeds with every spring corn crop.
No one practice would elevate the agriculture of Ire-
land from its degraded state more than this, considered
either as to its immediate effects on the land, or as
furnishing the means of future improvement by the
feeding of immense numbers of stock, without which,
improvement is nearly impossible. This system could
be greatly assisted by the use of ashes of clay, the ma-
terial for which every farm furnishes; but what can be.
expected from poor tenants, when rich proprietors do
not set the example?
*
A most extraordinary and oppressive power is claim-
ed by some landlords near Ballinasloe, of turning in
cattle and sheep on the 29th of September, into ground
he has let, at perhaps a very high rent, for corn acres.
I have seen cattle and sheep intended for the fair of
Ballinasloe on the 5th of October, turned into potatoes,
which were unfit to dig at that season, and were very
much injured by the treading of the cattle in wet
weather.
• It must be understood here that Corn acre, vulgarly called Con acre,
means land let for one or two crops;-it is not confined to that let for
corn, but includes potatoes or any other crop.
158
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION IV.
TAXES OR CESSES PAID BY TENants.
THE taxes are, a cess, generally called public mo-
ney, for repairing roads and various other purposes,
fluctuating almost every year from five to ten pence,
and sometimes eighteen pence per acre for the spring
half year; but in summer it is much higher, as provi-
sion must be made for the expence of roads, &c. ac-
counted for at the Summer Assizes; but the tax differs
in almost every barony. Formerly this tax has been as
high as six shillings per acre, when illicit still fines
were levied on the barony.-Quit rent is another tax
of two pence halfpenny per acre.-Vestry money for
church repairs, about three halfpence per acre. There
are several other heavy taxes which few grumble at,
because they are voluntary; for instance, the tax caus-
ed by the depredations of vermin of all sorts, is beyond
all calculation, but seems to be little noticed. I am
convinced however, it is much more than those neces-
sary ones imposed by the legislature. Another heavy
tax is the drunkeness which every fair, market, or fu-
neral induces. Many of those who take every oppor-
tunity to evade the tax of a few pence for custom at a
fair, would think little of spending five shillings in
whiskey. I do not know of any other taxes but the
usual ones of hearth, window, dog, horse and carriage;
to evade which many mean precautions are taken of
locking up, or sending away dogs, horses and car-
riages, and giving false returns of every thing taxable;
yet those men would send a message to any one who
should dare to express a doubt of their honor! what a
degrading idea for a man of fortune! "There are a
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 159
"variety of little meannesses of which persons, other-
"wise of reputation and credit, are guilty, to save tri-
"fles in expenditure; but surely none at once so sense-
"less and reprehensible, as the endeavour to defraud
66
government of the taxes legally imposed upon us. It
"is the same thing as defrauding a private individual,
"and indeed comes to that at last. It is bidding de-
"fiance to the law; hurting fair dealers; and robbing
our rulers of their due, to the diminution of those
"duties which must be made good by new levies on the
"public."
66
SECTION V.
PROPORTION OF WORKING HORSES AND OXEN TO THE
SIZE OF FARMS.
Ir is difficult to ascertain the proportion of working
horses or oxen to the size of farms; but I imagine in
general it is far below what a well cultivated farm would
require, where manure is to be brought from any dis-
tance; this indeed, except near large towns on the sea
coast, is very seldom thought of. It is true that many
use a good deal of limestone gravel, but the carriage of
this is usually done by hired horses or asses with baskets,
and seldom farther than the adjoining field or bog. A
farm of one to three hundred acres, may perhaps pos-
sess six horses, but frequently the farmer hires others.
when there is a press of work in spring: small farms
one or two horses, but they also hire or borrow addi-
tional horses. Where villages possess horses, they
generally assist each other. Oxen are not as much
used as they should be. Poor people sometimes yoke a
160
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
horse and a cow together in a plough or harrow. I
have often seen a very small heifer drawing three large
sacks of oats to Ballinasloe market; it were much to
be wished this practice was more general; of their su-
perior fitness for the work of a poor man, there can be
little doubt; for independent of many other advantages,
an ox or heifer will thrive and work on the food that
would not be sufficient for a working horse, and when
past their labour, they will probably bring more than
their original cost, whilst the horse is worth little or
nothing: I believe the cause of the preference is merely
custom; a powerful opposer to every kind of improve-
ment. A few farmers use oxen, but always four in a
plough for the slightest work; they are never fed as
they ought to be, either in summer or winter. In
summer, after a hard day's work, instead of being
turned into good grass, where they would fill their bel-
lies quickly, they are almost always consigned to some
bare pasture, where they can merely exist: instead of
this unfeeling mode, they should be soiled in the house
in summer with some kind of nourishing green food;
in winter with turnips, cabbage, potatoes, mangel
worzel, Fiorin grass, &c. &c. and plenty of the best
hay or good oaten straw fresh threshed: if they are
fed in this manner, they will be able to bear any work
that a horse would, and be always ready to turn to
fatten in forward condition; where this management
is observed, scarcely too many can be kept, as, if they
do not work, they are in such high condition, as always
to command a ready market, whilst on the contrary
idle horses would ruin a farmer.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
161
SECTION VI.
GENERAL SIZE OF FIELDS AND ENCLOSURES.
THERE is an endless variety in the size of fields:
those of graziers and the better kind of farmers vary
from five or six to twenty acres or more, but frequently
in the farms of graziers, especially those stocked with
sheep, several fields are thrown into one by gaps or
prostrate walls, though some are very careful in the
building, and maintaining the permanency of their
walls.
The ancient cantred of land consisted of thirty town-
lands, each as much as would pasture three hundred
head of cattle; every townland had eight carricates or Canad
plough lands of 120 acres each, so that a townland
contained 960 acres, and a cantred would pasture 9000
head of cattle. The name of cantred or carrucate is
now little used, but that of townland still subsists, but
not confined to any limited number of acres. The
size of fields appropriated to tillage, is also very va-
rious, running from one to perhaps thirty acres, but
fields of that extent do not frequently occur. The
fields that produce the fine wheat which supplies the
numerous mills of Galway, are generally small; those
also that feed the much prized calves in the island of
Arran are very small, and the ground rocky. On an
average, tillage bears but a small proportion to graz-
ing, but varies much in the different baronies; in the
mountainous baronies of Moycullen, Ballynahinch,
and Ross, beyond all calculation in favor of grazing.
There are many advantages attending enclosures of a
moderate size, not one of the least, is the shelter they
afford from westerly winds, which prevail most de-
N
162
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
CC
structively for the greater part of the year, especially
to the crops of potatoes; they were ruinously so in the
Autumns of 1816 and 1817, by breaking or bruising
the stacks so much, that the produce was far below the
usual quantity in favorable seasons. Contiguous to a
house, a few small enclosures are highly convenient,
more especially where the soiling system is pursued;
one of these used as a kitchen garden, cultivated by a
small iron plough drawn by one horse, or still better
by an ox or heifer, would be found one of the most
beneficial appendages to a farm. I am well aware of
the many objections that will be made against this prac-
tice: "
we are not in the habit of doing so in our
county," or, our cattle are not strong enough to be
used singly in a plough, where we find two insufficient."
As to the first, why do not the landed proprietors lead
the way; they cannot presume to say that the intellec-
tual powers of Connaught men are below the English
or Scotch standard. As to the other objection, no per-
son can be so stupid as to imagine that ground taken
from pasture, or a stubborn, wet, unworked soil, could
be at once tilled by one beast; but why not bring it
gradually into tilth equal to that of Mr. Ducket of
Esher, of which every kind of soil is capable; certainly
to accomplish this on a large scale would be beyond
the pocket or manure of most farmers in this county;
but the space of ground necessary for this purpose need
not in general exceed four acres, keeping in mind the
gradual extension of this plan, until the whole farm is
a garden. The short cut to this is by the liberal use of
the ashes produced by burning the substratum of clay
instead of the surface, or by burning into mountains
of ashes the margins of bogs, which generally produce
great quantities of the best ashes.—I shall mention this
very interesting subject under another head. No per-
•
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
163
son can suppose that the common run of weak ill fed
horses would be equal to the necessary exertion. If
improvements are intended, improved implements, and
proportional strength must be adopted; those mistaken
economists who sell all their good oats and keep the
bad for their working horses, had better follow their
old system than furnish additional arguments to those
who are rejoiced at the failure of experiments.
SECTION VII.
NATURE OF FENCES.
In the greater part of this county, stone walls prevail
as fences in many situations none other could be so
easily or beneficially procured, for the clearing of the
ground contributes the material for building the wall.
Formerly the usual wall was composed of stones piled
up without order, which may be called filligree work,
easily built up, but as easily thrown down, and a very
unstable fence for corn fields: within the last twenty
years, however, a very material change for the better
has taken place; the war prices for all kinds of agri-
cultural produce, and the facility which country banks
afforded of raising money, gave a powerful impulse
to every kind of improvement, very visible in the sub-
stitution of good double stone walls in lieu of the for-
mer, and in many cases accompanied by gravelling the
surface, but in few by draining or laying it down
evenly, or with grass seeds. In those districts where
stone walls are much used, the labourers are very ex-
pert, and will execute them well if the stones are rea-
M 2
164
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Prices vary;
sonably good and they are well watched.
sometimes double stone walls three feet wide at the
bottom and battering to 18 or 20 inches at the top,
and five feet nine inches high, finished with two sods,
are built for two shillings and sixpence per perch, the
stones brought to the place by the proprietor, and no
foundation to be dug, which in general, especially
where there is a sod, is an erroneous practice. The
prices vary much in different districts, much depend-
ing on the goodness of the stone. When the wall is
carefully built and dashed with good mortar, and in a
proper season, it makes an excellent and permanent
fence; but an eye must be occasionally kept on the
workmen, or they will not run stones long enough
through the wall to tie it. By much exertion a man
can earn about one shilling and four pence per day, if
the stones are good and not too small: in many places
the prices are much higher, as high as four shillings
and four pence per perch for double stone walls two
feet wide at bottom and six feet high. In other places,
where long thin stones can be procured, the longest
are placed upright on the largest end, and those of the
next size wedged in an upright position between the
first, and the wall brought to about four feet high by a
repetition of this operation with the smaller stones,
which key them like an arch, and render them very
difficult to be thrown down by a beast; for this reason
they keep out hunters, who though very allowable in
their proper place and season, are very unwelcome
visiters to a well improved place, or to a breeding sheep
farm. Those kind of keyed walls may be seen admi-
rably executed in the demesne of Creran, the seat of
Mr. O'Kelly, and a few other places, where the stones
are sufficiently long for the purpose. In some places
all the small stones are preserved to finish the top of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
165
the wall, whilst in others the better practice prevails of
placing the heaviest stones on the top, which are with
more difficulty moved by cattle. A great deal of the
expense of building walls may be saved by making them
only three feet high; and where they should act as a
fence on both sides, two drains, three feet wide and
three feet deep each, should be sunk about a foot from
the bottom of the wall: if it is necessary to fence only
one side, as for plantations, one drain only will be ne-
cessary; this will probably be found a much better fence.
than the generality of six feet walls, as no beast can
get near to disturb the stones, or take a leap on the
wall. The earth at the foot of the wall should be
sloped off, to prevent sheep leaping on it to graze;
where it surrounds plantations, it is not such an abo-
minable object as a high wall, as it may be completely
covered by mending the earth at the outside to a suf-
ficient height for this purpose, and if it obtains a gra-
dual inclination, and sowed with grass seeds, will not
be perceptible at any distance.
I regret I cannot commend either the number or
workmanship of the ditches of this county, indeed I
may say province. Except in the demesnes of a very
few gentlemen, they cannot be called either fences or
drains; few are deeper than two or three feet, and, as
in most cases, hedges are scarcely ever thought of, cat-
tle can so easily run them up or tear them down with
their feet, that they are usually bearded with either
thorns or furze, which never last longer than one year,
and must be renewed annually, to the destruction of
many a charming thorn; and this is not confined to their
own trees, they frequently encroach on their neighbours.
Where materials for bearding are not easily procured,
recourse is had to sods, which, if the fence joins the
high road, are cut from the sides of it.
This has been
166
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
a loss of many thousand pounds to the county, by the
necessity it occasions of obtaining presentments to widen
roads to the statute breadth, by filling up the chasms.
occasioned by the very culpable inattention of the ma-
gistrates and resident proprietors. A ditch less than
seven feet broad and six feet deep can scarcely be called
a fence; and they may be taken for axioms, that where
a ditch requires bearding, or that a beast can get into
the gripe to graze on the sides, it cannot be called a
fence. It may be some consolation to the Galway
ditch-makers to hear, that in many parts of England
practices equally bad prevail, and with a most com-
fortable obstinacy. Every ditch should be planted with
thorn quicks or other trees, and the back made so high
and sharp on the top, that a beast will be deterred from
walking on it. There is a necessary operation well
known in Meath and elsewhere, that I can scarcely get
gentlemen to comprehend, or their workmen to prac-
tice, that is, beating the ditch very hard with the back
of the spade; in fact, the spades called loys are of such
Alimsy construction, that a sufficient blow from a strong
man would demolish one of them: this practice is so
very necessary, that if (which does not often occur) the
earth is too dry, water should be frequently poured on
it during the operation of beating. The ditch should
be always faced with the lowest stratum, generally con-
sisting of limestone gravel, which should be preserved
for this purpose. If this simple process is observed, the
face of the ditch will be impervious to rain, consequently
little liable to be injured by frost; to prevent any dan-
ger from this grand enemy to new made ditches, they
should be planted with thorns or other trees in Fe-
bruary, and not finished until all danger of frost is over.
In many situations I should recommend, instead of
thorn quicks, to plant two years old bedded seedling forest
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
167
trees, disposed in masses of one kind, of considerable
breadth; indeed there are very few cases where I would
not exclude thorns entirely; indolence I know will say
they will be cropped by cattle and sheep; so they will if
the usual fences are obstinately made. I know that
they will succeed in this situation better than in many
others, especially if kept scrupulously clear from weeds.
Where double ditches are made, they are generally
too wide on the top, and as the ends are generally left
open, cattle graze on them and thrust out the banks
over the quicks, which they destroy by browzing on
them; independent of this cause the great breadth re-
ceives a large quantity of rain water, which runs in
gullys down the banks, and helps to destroy the quicks.
Instead of this method they should be brought nearly to
a point by hard beating, and particular care taken that
no beast can jump up upon them. In most parts of this
county, especially the barony of Killyan, where I have
made upwards of sixteen miles of ditches and drains on
one estate, it is necessary to leave a considerable set off
to the bank of the ditch, for the land is so overcharged
with water that when it gets vent it washes away the
stratum in which the chief supply originates, and ruins
the ditch. Where I have any apprehension of this, I
generally the first year cut the drain much less than it is
intended finally to be, and the following year cut off all
that has fallen in, which, with the widening, makes a
sufficient back to the ditch. As to paring a ditch so as
to look neat and workmanlike, as every one should be,
and as may be seen in Meath and other counties, it is
frequently impossible, as in most instances the ditch is
composed chiefly of lack liagh, a kind of earth that
slacks like lime with frost, and washes away with the
first shower. It is a very rare thing to see a well laid
or plashed hedge; it is not understood by any person of
168
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
this county that I have met with: those who may be
desirous of having this very necessary operation per-
formed, should apply to some friend in Meath or Fin-
gal, where the practice is known. There is a most
shameful want of field gates to almost every farm in this
county, even in the demesnes of many men of fortune,
though there may be a superb entrance gate, the de-
mesne is nearly destitute of this great comfort to any
man who has stock. Where some provident ancestor
had built gate piers, they are usually filled up with
loose stones, which must be taken down if stock are to
be viewed or moved; to prevent this becoming too
troublesome, the herd (proverbially lazy) generally cuts
down a fine thorn or two to stop the gate way; when
this becomes a little dry, it is stolen for firing, probably
by his own children, and new trees are substituted, to
the destruction of many a beautiful thorn, for the most
destructive animals that ever ruined hedges are the herd
and his family: speak to him, or indeed to any peasant,
against cutting thorns, and they are astonished at your
partiality to them; indeed where thorns or other trees
are attached to holy wells or any other remarkable
place, they are fortunately protected by the superstitious
veneration of the people.
Many object to furze (Ulex Europeus) on the backs
of ditches, but I confess the injury they may do to the
land by ejecting their seeds into it, is in my mind more
than counterbalanced by the shelter and security they
afford; even if they do appear in the land, such as
escape the teeth of sheep are easily pulled up after a
thaw or heavy rains in winter, when it may contribute
to the employment of some poor aged man, able to do
little else. In many parts of Ireland and Wales much
use is made of them, when bruised, for cattle in winter,
and are an excellent food. It is also highly probable
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
169
that they are an antidote to the rot and many other dis-
orders of sheep.
SECTION VIII.
MODE OF DRAINING.
HITHERTO draining has not been much practised in
this county: the general mode was by open surface
drains, which, except in bog, are the most useless and
disgraceful kind to an improver of land. A few gen-
tlemen of fortune have lately made considerable drain-
ages in their demesnes, but the practice is far from
being as general as its importance deserves. It would
be a happy day for Ireland if they extended this im-
provement to their numerous bogs and mountains.
Hitherto, from not understanding the subject, and from
Irish impatience, and often want of capital, little has
been done on an extensive and unbroken scale; a spirited
effort is sometimes made, but seldom continued with
that perseverance which the subject requires, and from
which only a beneficial result may be expected. A few
years since Mr. Elkington, nephew to the celebrated
drainer in England, came over to this country under
an engagement to a few spirited gentlemen, at (if I am
rightly informed) one hundred guineas a month and his
expenses paid; this gave such an impulse to draining
that hopes were very generally entertained that great
and permanent advantages would accrue to Ireland;
certainly his works were excellent, and more neatly ex-
ecuted than the general practice had been, but the di-
170
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
rection of his drains, depth of sinking, and mode of
covering, were little or nothing different from those in
practice by every other scientific drainer. His aux-
illiary mode of tapping the springs in the bottom of his
drains was almost unknown in Ireland before his arrival.
But the general idea at that time, that nearly the virtue
of the rod of Moses was attached to his auger, was found
to be much exaggerated, and in a multitude of trials it
was discovered that success was frequently very partial
and accidental; however, I deem it a very valuable dis-
covery, and in many instances it may be highly useful.
Since that period many itinerant quacks have started up
in this branch, as well as in irrigation, whose low terms
have blinded the judgment of some landed proprietors,
that in this, as in landscape gardening, have mistaken
neatness of execution for correctness of design, and then
parsimony has been justly punished by failure. Mr.
Hill, a native of North Britain, followed Mr. Elkington;
he was imported by the Farming Society of Ireland, and
as far as I can judge from what I have seen of his
works, is an excellent drainer, and a general good judge
of the value of work; as such I highly recommend him.
Since that period I have not heard of any person of
eminence; probably there may be many; if I knew
their names I would with great pleasure give them
publicity. A Mr. Howley, a native of the county of
Mayo, but many years a pupil of the celebrated Mr.
Webb in England, has executed a bog improvement at
Mount Bellew, with great credit to his professional ac-
quirements. I shall never imitate the illiberal remarks
Mr. Hill has thought proper frequently to make on my
works; I feel myself, from the partiality of my friends,
high enough to look down on them.* Some draining
* One of those itinerant gentlemen, I understand, has done me the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 171
by covered stone shores has been made, but the amount
has been trifling: when they are made in the proper
direction, sunk to the proper depth, and carefully
finished, they are very effectual; but I have seen much
money thrown away on those drains by ignorance and
carelessness. Sod drains, if properly executed, are very
useful as auxiliaries, but not for principal drains where
much water is to be conducted; they are scarcely known
in this county, and consequently there is little like-
lihood of their being well made; for this reason they
have been decried by those who have executed them
badly. I have discovered a method of draining in
these soils with an impervious substratum, that I pre-
sume to think will supersede every other kind in such
soils; the materials are to be had in almost every field, the
expense trifling, and it cannot be injured by the plough
or the tread of cattle. When the immense quantity of
land of this description in England and Ireland is con-
sidered, and that it is the most difficult of any to drain,
I presume to hope for parliamentary reward, which I shall
not claim unless I can prove my statement in the fullest
manner. An immense quantity of land could be re-
claimed in this county by draining, but there seems to
be an almost total neglect of it, except by a few, and
even many of those get tired after making a few efforts.
I venture to think I have made more ditches and drains
honor to assume my name in many places where I am not known, and
has arrogated to himself the designing of the lake at Mount Bellew, &c.
A letter to Mr. Bellew, Mount Bellew, Castle Blakeney, will immediately
detect the impostor. I never pay a professional visit without a previous
invitation.
• Some years since I mentioned this officially to the late secretary of
the Farming Society of Ireland, but was not fortunate enough to create
the slightest interest in my favor.-Alas! it was an Irish invention, and
probably may die with me.
172
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
in one estate in this county in two years (1816 and 1817)
than perhaps have been made in the whole county of
Galway, and they are only the outlets to other intended
drains. In two summers upwards of 5000 perches
were made, and they are still going on with the same
spirit; this is not the drainage of a demesne, but part
of a design to drain an extensive estate, the property of
three young ladies. Blush, ye landed proprietors, who
spend your property in countries where your vanity is
so frequently mortified, or who, more from fashion than
liking, fritter away your time and estate, and injure
your health in gaming houses!!-There is nothing so
easily drained as bog, nor is there any kind in which
more money has been thrown away, under an idea that
very deep draining was necessary. It has, to be sure, a
very imposing appearance to stand on the edge of a
bog drain neatly cut to the depth, perhaps, of sixteen
feet and eighteen feet wide, and probably of considerable
length; but it is frequently, alas! a great drawback to
this pleasure, to observe the bog within a few feet of it
still like a wet sponge; a drain, however capacious,
will have little effect, especially if drawn in the direction
of the fall, unless many surface drains assist it, and the
bog frequently stirred or turned to assist the rain in
washing out those acids that prevent its decomposition;
for this reason, the nearer to the approach of winter
the better, as alternate rains and frosts are powerful as-
sistants in the process. It is this frequent turning that
fits the turf mould usually brought to the door or yard
of every cottier near a bog for manure, (called black
mud or mooreen,) it cannot be supposed it is the very
trifling addition of earth or dung alone they are able
to add that produces this effect; it is to the washing or
steeping in a damp or wet situation that its effect is to
be attributed, for in too many instances they have
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
175
nothing to add to the heap. There cannot be a more
mistaken idea than making bog too dry; it may make it
into turf, but will never decompose it, on which de-
pends in a great measure the improvement of bog. In
nothing is this more clearly ascertained than the pro-
pagation of Fiorin grass; in very dry bog it is little
worth, but in that kept nearly in a state of pap it will
flourish, provided some manure has been previously
used; indeed even without this help we frequently see
it flourish in very moist situations. Surface drains in
bog should have but little fall, merely as much as will
give the water a gentle currency. I venture to assert
that our bogs, which are now a bye word or reproach to
our country, will, at no very distant period, have their
value properly appreciated. It may not be generally
known that Mr. Roscoe, the well known and ingenious
improver of Chatmoss in Lancashire, sold 1000 acres
of improved bog for £10,000. which he had held for a
lease of 99 years: this will scarcely be credited by those
gentlemen who cover their own want of industry, by
throwing doubts and difficulties in the way of this high
road to wealth.
Sir Humphry Davy, who has thrown a brilliant and
lasting light on every subject connected with chemistry,
says, "bog is a soil covered not only with fuel, but
"likewise with manure. It is the excess of manure only
"which is detrimental; and it is much more easy to
destroy, than to create it."-Speak of draining at any
public meeting, and you would think every demesne in
the county of Galway was perfectly drained; but view
them, and you will probably find that this improvement
has been confined to the ground immediately in view
of the house. Much money might be saved by using
the plough instead of the spade in making ditches and
drains, in soils not rendered unfit by too many stones.
174
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION IX.
NATURE OF MANURES.
THE principal manure of this county is what is ge-
nerally called black mud or mooreen, which is the sur-
face of some adjoining bog, brought home generally in
baskets or kishes, and spread about the yard, and up
to the very door of the dwelling house; on this is laid
any dung, clay, or gravel, they can scrape together; if
they are near the high road, they are sure to dig away
part of it, or the ditches on either side, for this purpose,
even where magistrates pass almost daily. This is mixed
with the black mud, and lies until used for potatoes in
spring. In some places they trench in hot dung stra-
tum super stratum, which is very near the practice re-
commended by Lord Dundonald. I have seen this
practised on the Miss Netterville's estate by one of their
tenants, who I am convinced had never heard of the
practice. The collection of this mud is highly inju-
rious to many estates, as it is taken away down to the
barren earth, called Lack liagh, that can, when thus
stripped, be with great difficulty ever reclaimed. This
practice, where there are extensive villages, is a serious
injury, and is one proof amongst many others, to show
how little attentive agents generally are to every thing
but receiving the rents. A remarkable instance of this
abuse occurs near the new school-house, between Clon-
brock and Ahaseragh. If tenants were obliged to leave
a foot at least of the bog over the earth, it would be
sufficient, when mixed with the gravel, which generally
lies under the lack liagh; a mixture of this last with
bog, or any other soil, I am inclined to think pro-
duces rushes. The next manure is ashes, produced
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
175
by burning the surface sod, and forms a very large part
of that used for potatoes. On many estates, as well as
by an act of the Legislature, this is prohibited under a
large penalty, but this should be on the over cropping.
Those who do not discriminate, shew a very limited
and prejudiced knowledge of the subject. A respecta-
ble and intelligent correspondent, though a little angry,
answers my query on burning, thus: "Burning is ge-
"nerally prohibited; but to my certain knowledge,
"not injurious, if the land be not over-croped Clover,
"&c. &c. has flourished with me better after it, than
"after dung or folding. Most of our landlords are
66
chymists, or think themselves so; theory and prac-
"tice are thrown away on them; they are above list-
"ening to such trash; experiments laughed at, and
"thrown into the keenest and wittiest ridicule, for we
"have such geniuses here, as you have mentioned in
"the County of Clare Survey, &c." Much attention
has been lately paid in England to the burning of clay,
that is, the subtratum, and as a general practice, is much
preferable to burning the surface; but in bogs or moory
ground, or that in which many perennial weeds predo-
minate, I should give a preference to burning the sur-
face. Burning clay has been long practised in the
north of Ireland; it is a highly valuable manure, if
not followed by too many corn crops. Mr. Curwen of
Workington Hall in Cumberland, has introduced it on
his extensive farms, and as he has very justly obtained
great celebrity as an agriculturist, the practice may be
expected to advance rapidly in England, or rather in
Scotland, as they are less bigotted to old customs than
the middling ranks of farmers in England. Great and
unnecessary expense and trouble were at first incurred
from not pursuing the simple mode of Ireland, and
help to show, that notwithstanding the advanced state
176
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of agricultural knowledge, how little one country knows
the practices of another; I might say, how little one
county knows of the practices of the adjoining one.
This ignorance, in a great measure, helps to confirm
bad practices. In the year 1815, it began to be prac-
tised to a great extent in Scotland, as the following
short extracts from the Dumfries and Galloway Courier
will plainly prove, and at the same time the enterprise
of Scotland, and our want of knowing the practices of
our own country. Mr. Alexander Craige, in a letter to
Mr. Boyd of Morton Hall, says, "last season, by way
of experiment, I manured part of my turnip field with
well rotted stable dung, which was ploughed in the
same day it was led out; the remainder with ashes;
that sown on the ashes sprung much earlier than that
on the dung, continued more vigorous during the sea-
son, and when I pulled them lately, the turnips pro-
duced from the ashes were more than double the size
of those from the dung." Again," Mr. Wallace has
a considerable quantity of ashes on land for his Swedish
turnip this season, and he means to have at least sixty
acres of turnips from ashes; so fully convinced is he of
the superior efficacy of clay ashes, that he has repeatedly
declared to me, he would not now be at the trouble of
carting dung from Kirkudbright to his farm, though
only one mile and half distance, even if he were to get
the dung as a present: to burn the clay ashes has cost
me one shilling the cart load." *
be laid down for regulating the size of the lumps of clay
thrown on the kiln, as that must depend on the state
of the fire, but I have found every lump completely
Again,
<<
no rule can
• There is a provoking inaccuracy in many English reports, where
the quantity is not mentioned. The cart load abovementioned, may be
a double or single horse cart. If the number of bushels had been men-
tioned, we would then have a datum to direct us.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
177
burned in opening the kiln, and some of them were
thrown on larger than my head. After a kiln is fairly
set a going, no coal, or wood, or any sort of combus-
tible is necessary, the wet clay burning of itself, and it
can only be extinguished by inattention, or carelesness
of the operator." I imagine limestone broken small
and burned with the heaps of clay, would be a material
improvement. To this mode of burning, landlords can
have no reasonable objection; if they have, it must
proceed from the grossest ignorance or obstinacy; on
the contrary, they should encourage it, especially in
this county, where the stratum of clay, which almost
invariably intervenes between the surface and a stratum
of calcareous gravel, is pernicious to vegetation. The
only difficulty in burning clay is at the commencement
of the process: it requires a good quantity of dry turf,
(peat) or some other convenient combustible, to set it
completely on fire, after that, if a little gradual atten-
tion is paid, clay fresh from the pit, if not absolutely
soaked in water, will burn without any further prepa-
ration, and the moister the earth is that is burned, the
better the ashes, as they will not be so likely to ap-
proach to the state of brick, for it is well known that
ashes should not be burned, if possible, further than a
grey colour.* I have seen a steward of great eminence,
who, totally regardless of the simple process pursuing
in an adjoining field by poor people, whose heaps were
probably not ten feet from each other, made immense
piles of sods, about four to the acre; independent of
N
* In some English publication lately, (I forget which) an author
gravely asserts that " he believes burning clay for ashes is an Irish prac-
tice." He will be astonished when he is informed that more than half
the potatoes of Ireland, especially the western part, are produced by this
But the practices of this "remote and inconsiderable island,”
as Mr. Malthus calls it, seem to be little known in the sister country.
manure.
178
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the expense of carrying the sods to those heaps and
wheeling out the ashes again in barrows on the field,
the ground did not receive near so much benefit, for it
is well known that the most luxuriant produce is where
such heap has been burned, though the ashes are always
carefully scraped off those places, and frequently the
heaps are removed to allow the ground to enjoy the
benefit of this torrefaction. I well recollect at the time
making those remarks to the proprietor. " Pooh !
"pooh! don't you think a man that I give fifty guineas
66
a year to, knows more than those poor people, and to
"tell you the truth Mr. D. I do not think you seem to
"have read the late publications on the subject !"
On the estate of Mr. Joseph Kirwan of Hillbrook,
near Tuam, a very singular practice takes place: for
at least thirty years past his tenants have burned their
ground every second year; they dig up the stubble in
winter into small sods, which they leave to dry until
March or April, when they burn them and have fine
crops, the last Mr. Kirwan informs me as good as thirty
years ago. A few years since I strongly advised the
burning of a heathy, moory mountain, worth about
two shillings per acre, to a gentleman in a neighbour-
ing county; he objected at once to the practice, and
said he could produce one of his tenants who had tried
it with every bad effect. To convince me of my error
the farmer, a keen fellow, was sent for; he informed me,
very gravely," that burning the surface was very pre-
judicial to land; that he had tried it, and the ground
"was much impoverished:" his course of cropping
was, after burning, 1st. potatoes, very bad, all stalks
and no potatoes ;-2d. potatoes, very fine; 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
oats," all excellent;" after this course, without sowing
any hay seeds, had good meadow, yet still he insisted
the ground was impoverished, "and he never would
66
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 179
advise any one to burn ground." I admired nothing
more than the patience of the landlord, that could listen
to such a farago of nonsense, except, that even after
this display of ignorance or roguery, he continued sted-
fast in his opinion of the "impropriety of burning
land." The fact is, he possessed great tracts of rich,
fattening lands, and did not discriminate between those
worth four pounds an acre and the mountain above-
mentioned, worth only two shillings.
In
A species of mauure called "oyster bank sand,"
(a coraline) has been used on the coast of Galway, es-
pecially in Connamara, with astonishing effect.*
one place, at Ballynakill, Mr. Lynche's estate, it had
been spread on a piece of wet moory land, worth little;
it immediately became rich meadow, mostly Fiorin
grass, and has continued for upwards of forty years to
produce meadow, though to this day, to the disgrace
of the proprietor, it remains undrained. Mr. D'Arcey,
of Clifton, has used it lately with very great effect, 20
to 30 tons to the acre, the expence from three to five
pounds per acre. A considerable quantity of lime is
used between Oughterard and Glan; it is brought by
water from Portacarron: on enquiring I was answered,
"Sir, we could have nothing without it:" but every
pains is taken to run the ground out of heart, by re-
peated crops. A ton of limestone, if very good, pro-
duces about 11cwt. of lime, weighed whilst hot before
it imbibes fixed air; when exposed to the air it en-
creases daily about lcwt. per ton, for the first five or
six days. Two cubic yards of good turf will burn one
of broken limestone; four pence per ton for burning
N 2
* There are inexhaustible banks of this manure, and calcareous sand
round the coast, and in almost every bay; and in the interior there are
numerous beds of limestone, which have been more particularly mentioned
under the head of minerals.
180
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
lime, the fuel and stone laid down at the kiln.* Lime-
stone gravel has been formerly used in this county to
such extent, that there is scarcely a field that has not
an old gravel pit, and in some there are several. A
very large proportion of the county was formerly co-
vered with heath, which has nearly all disappeared
where the land has been gravelled; but it is not a little
extraordinary that, though every person acknowledges
the beneficial effects of this process, yet at this day very
little use is made of it: where it is used, it is frequently
in the most slovenly manner, without previously levelling
the ground, and sometimes on bog, before it has been
drained, without which, it must be the grossest ignor-
ance of the subject to attempt it, for in a short time it
sinks into the bog, both by its own weight, and the
treading of cattle, and becomes of little use, and pro-
bably the proprietor comes to the Farming Society,
and complains that "he gravelled bog at a great ex-
pense with little permanent effect." This invaluable
manure abounds in almost every part of the county to
the south of Galway; beyond that, and into Connama-
ra, it is very rare, though I perceived very fine ma-
nuring gravel in the neighbourhood of Rahoon and
Dangan, where the use of it would be highly bene-
ficial.
When the carriage is short, land can be amply ma-
nured for two to three pounds per acre.
The greater
part of the demesne of Belview, the seat of Mr. Law-
rence, which formerly did let for £3. per acre, was so
completely covered with heath, that "when a cow lay
down, the horns could not be seen above it." The
* In page 331, Vol. 4. of Communications to the Board of Agricul-
ture, a Mr. Dodgson of Cumberland county, found out that lime could be
burned with peat,-wonderful !
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
181
late Mr. Lawrence gravelled it, and took two fine crops
of potatoes without manure, and laid it down with a crop
of oats.* It is well known that a great deal of land
will rear the largest ox, but will not fatten him, but if
gravelled will fatten him perfectly.
Irrigation is another manure that is little used in this
county. Formerly some ill conducted efforts were
made at Marble Hill, St. Cleran's, &c.; but have been
most unaccountably abandoned by the present pro-
prietors. There is scarcely any demesne that could not
be, in part, watered. A few years since upwards of
twenty acres were prepared for this purpose at Bally-
nahinch, which, after an expenditure, if I am rightly
informed, of £700. have been also neglected. If this
was expected to operate as an example to Mr. Martin's
tenants in Connamara, nothing could be devised more
likely to prevent it, as, independant of the enormous
expense, the kind of irrigation pratised there, (Trunk
work,) though it might be proper for that situation, was
little adapted to a hilly country, where an infinite quan-
tity of catch work could be cheaply effected; but I
have frequently perceived in many parts of Ireland,
that many professional men who come over here, bring
with them a decided aversion to any practices different
from those they have been used to. A strong instance
of this occurs on the banks of the grand canal, near
Salins, the property of Mr. Griffith. I was informed
by the ingenious Mr. Hamilton, formerly secretary to
the Farming Society, and whose death will be long de-
plored by agriculturists, that those meadows were for-
merly very productive as catch water meadows, but that
"that two crops
* I doubt much the accuracy of my information,
tatoes were produced without any additional manure."
the ground was burned.
of
po-
I think it probable
182
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Mr. Griffith was induced, from the suggestions of a man
who had but a very partial knowledge of the subject,
to throw them into Trunk work, which caused such a
quantity of bad clay to be thrown on the surface, that
they have never since recovered the injury, and they
remain as a strong auxiliary to the prejudices of those
who, obstinately ignorant of the subject, seize on every
opportunity to point out the failure of those meadows,
as decisive against the advantages of irrigation. I have
scarcely ever passed them in the canal boat without
having a battle to fight for them, and the rushes with
which they are covered generally decided against me.
I am convinced I lose many pounds in the year by
them; but I think worse of the manner in which I am
dismounted from, I confess, a very favourite hobby
horse, whom I wish to carry double. Lord Conbrock
and Mr. French, of Monivae, have lately had some
ground laid out for watered meadows by Mr. Chister-
man, a very celebrated irrigator from England, the
same who conducted those at Ballynahinch. Very ex-
tensive irrigation could be practised at Roxborough,
Castleboy, Gort, Woodlawn, many places near Tuam,
and others that I do not immediately recollect. It may
be safely assumed, that wherever there is running
water, or extensive bogs, or mountain, there can be ir-
rigation. But the most favourable place for the pur-
pose of extensive snd highly valuable irrigation occurs
between the 24 and 26 mile stones on the road between
Oughterard and Ballynahinch; several large streams
pour down from the extensive mountains in the course
of those two miles, and many more could easily be ad-
ded to them. I do not recollect ever to have seen any
place so well calculated for this purpose, nor any place
that capital could be so profitably expended on, and,
unlike many other speculations, there would be here a
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
185
return, in one year, of probably at least four times more
than the expenditure. Situations for this improvement
abound in Connamara, where meadow is particularly
valuable. I cannot account for that apathy, nay,
aversion to irrigation, that some of the gentlemen of
this county seem to feel. Few places I have seen to
offer more facilities for this improvement than Turo,
near Loughrea; Dunsandle also is very fortunately
circumstanced for it.
The next manure I shall notice is sea weed (Algæ, of
several varieties); it is much used on the sea coast,
and produces excellent potatoes, if planted early enough,
and vegetables of all kinds, particularly cabbage, of a
fine flavour. This manure must remain spread for a
few days to dry, otherwise it will injure the potatoes;
the quantity used for this purpose varies according to
circumstances. It seldom produces more than two
good crops; one of potatoes, and one of corn, mostly
barley, for the private stills. The weed mostly used
for this purpose is that torn from the rocks by Atlantic
storms, and washed ashore by a violent surf, when it is
gradually gathered into heaps, and carried on the land
at leisure times. The weed that is cut from the rocks
at low water is esteemed too valuable for this use; it is
generally reserved for making kelp. I am strongly of
opinion, however, with Mr. Nimmo, a most intelligent
civil engineer, that the most profitable use that could
be made of sea weed would be for manuring the moun-
tains of Connamara. In his luminous report to the
directors for improving the bogs of Ireland, he says,
"The great supply of manure on the coast is the red
(C
sea weed, which is cast ashore in considerable abund-
"ance, and frequently it is cut in the deep water by
"people in boats: two or three boat loads, of about six
"tons each, are usually applied as manure over an
184
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
acre of land; the usual course being 1st, sea weed for
"potatoes; 2d, oats or barley; 3d, natural meadows
"(without sowing any hay seeds) for four or five years,
"and then sea weed, &c. as before; the grass mostly
"Fiorin. On the second breaking up, the surface is
"frequently pared and burned: this, in a district where
"most of the soil is only a thin red bog upon bare gra-
“nite, cannot but be very destructive. It has pro-
"duced much naked rock amongst the cultivated parts
"Another manure is found in considerable abundance
"among the rocky creeks, the use of which might help
"to diminish this pernicious practice, that is, sea ouze,
"or sludge. It seems to be partly decayed marine
"vegetables, partly mud or bog stuff, which has been
"transported to the sea, and a considerable portion of
66
decayed animal substances mixed with broken shells."
This has never yet been used in Connamara, though
the shell sand is known to be considerably improved by
being near a river mouth, where it is, perhaps, impreg-
nated with this substance. Perhaps it might be even
worth while to float off bog into some of those creeks,
where the sea would convert it into manure.
The va-
lue of the sea manure is abundantly shown by the nu-
merous patches of cultivated ground which occupy the
shore from Galway westward, and where the soil must
have been originally of the most uninviting description,
being nothing but bog and rock: a vast extent of it is
now reclaimed, and seems fitted for crops of any de-
scription, even wheat having been tried with success. It
is commonly supposed that grain is apt to run to straw,
without filling the ear, on reclaimed bog; this must arise
from the want of manure or improper drainage, as I
• This will probably be adduced in favour of the anti-burners, but they
must not think I advocate the abuse of the practice.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 185
have seen in various parts of these shores as good bar-
ley as on any dry land in the kingdom; and it must be
observed that it is not the defect, but the excess of drainage
which is thus injurious; for as bog parts with its mois-
ture by evaporation, more speedily than almost any
other soil, unless a proper supply be preserved in the
sub-soil towards the latter end of summer, the crop runs
the risk of perishing from drought. In this quarter the
perpetual moisture from the Atlantic renders such an
accident less probable.
The original population of this district seems to have
been entirely confined to the sea coast. This is in a
great measure still the case. The old churches and
chapels are all on the shore, and the only occupation
was fishing: even now there are few persons who can be
considered as farmers alone. Farming and fishing, it
is well known, do not assort well together; and however
active the natives appear in the latter occupation, they
are little inclined to exertion in the former. The pur-
suit of the sun fish or basking shark, in the months of
April and May, employs a good many hands at a sea-
son particularly inconvenient. The usual size of boats
is about 9 tons, costs £40. exclusive of tackle, and the
number being considerable, (for scarce a farm but has
one or two of them, besides smaller,) shows that a con-
siderable capital is applied to navigation, though very
little in agriculture, for the only implement of husban-
dry is the spade. The manufacture of kelp from the
black sea weed is now very general, and though tole-
rably productive, abstracts a great quantity of manure
from the purposes of agriculture, insomuch, that it is
very questionable, the great advantage of reclaiming
the wastes being considered, whether it would not be
better for the proprietors to apply the whole of the kelp
used to the land. The quantity manufactured in the
186
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
whole of Connamara is about 4000 tons, which may re-
quire about 50,000 tons of the sea weed, and it is pro-
bable might suffice for manuring 4000 acres of land;
and this, after one course of cropping, would be let in
permanent pasture, worth five to ten shillings an acre
at least; whilst, during the cropping, the produce can-
not be reckoned at less than £12. to £20. and the rent
to the landlord at two to three pounds per annum.
The
present price of kelp is under £4. per ton, for, from
the inferiority of the manufacture, it does not bring so
much as the Scotch kelp: the expense of cutting, burn-
ing, &c. is reckoned at 30s. to £2. per ton, but in truth
cannot be ascertained, being combined with the rent of
the lands, for kelp burning is not a particular profes-
sion, but is always done by the cottagers and tenants on
the spot. They begin cutting in May, after finishing
the tillage, and employ on it all the time can be spared
from turf and potatoes until Michaelmas. An able kelper
may make three tons; the average is two, and three
men in one house may make from seven to eight in a
season; the number employed would therefore appear
to be 2000. About twenty days work are required to
cut and land the weed for one ton; the quantity of
weed which makes one ton and an half is amply suf-
ficient to manure an acre, which would be done at the
rate of forty-five shillings, seeing that the expense of
carrying out the weed to the field is as great as that of
drying and burning the kelp. In Galway, sea weed
for manure is usually sold at half a guinea per ton.
Though the red weed is equally fit for kelp making,
yet as it comes mostly in bad weather, when it cannot.
be dried, it is seldom made use of for that purpose. The
kelp in 1808 sold in Galway at £13. per ton; freight
thither from the bays 5s. per ton; at present the price
is so low as £3. 10s. to £4., so that many of the far-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
187
mers found it more for their interest to employ the
weed in agriculture. This disposition is likely to be-
come general in the present state of the markets, and
seems deserving of encouragement. The benefit that
would acrue to Connamara from the transfer of the ma-
nure and labour to the improvement of the land, is
perhaps not rated too high, when we say it would be
annually as much as the present rental, £50,000. Near
the town of Galway sea weed is so valuable that a small
space occupying only about a rood, sells for £10. 16s.
In some places about thirty yards in length of sea shore
sell for four guineas, but this is given for that only
washed in by the tide; they are restricted from cutting
any, but if they are not closely watched, they some-
times tear the weed from the rocks that it may be wash-
ed ashore, which greatly injures the future crop. It is
computed that in the town and neighbourhood of Gal-
way alone, upwards of £500. is expended in the pur-
chase of sea weed; great part is brought through the
town on cars, put into boats at the wood quay, and
carried some miles up Lough Corrib; the expense, be-
sides the buyer's labour and time, is at least seven shil-
lings each car load, which only covers about twenty
perches in length of a potato ridge six feet broad; this
amounts to at least six pounds per acre, and seldom
produces more than one or two good crops. In the
usual season the shore is covered with boats landing
sea weed, which is divided into heaps and sold by bulk,
according to the means or consumption of the buyer,
and almost always for ready money. Since writing
this section, I have found amongst my papers the fol-
lowing: it was written by me as an answer to a para-
graph in one of the Galway papers; it may serve as an
antidote to the dangerous, and I trust ill founded doc-
trine endeavoured to be established by that writer, who,
188
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
I regret to say, has sheltered himself under an anony-
mous signature.
'Having seen a paragraph in your paper from "a
respectable and intelligent correspondent," which from
the host of respectable writers he adduces, may tend to
injure a practice that in the present low state of agri-
culture, and encreasing population in this county is
absolutely necessary, permit me to make some remarks
on it. When your very industrious correspondent took
such pains to collect so many proofs of the injurious
tendency of the practice, he was not probably aware
that he was writing the severest satire against the ma-
jority of his friends in the county; for it is against the
abuse of this practice that all writers, except your cor-
respondent, have declaimed: I should imagine he has
suffered by this abuse. Whilst gentlemen will let their
lands for this purpose without restrictions, or whilst
they employ agents totally ignorant of rural economy,
who think they have no duty to perform but to receive
the rents, accept bills, and drive the tenants, they can-
not with justice complain of the injury their land re-
ceives. I am perfectly aware of the beneficial effects
of a union of chemistry with agriculture, which your
correspondent recommends, and have every degree of
respect for, and admiration of the abilities of Professor
Davy, who has thrown new and brilliant light upon
this subject, as he has upon every other, yet, when I
read in the Treatise on Manures of our celebrated and
lamented countryman Mr. Kirwan, p. 15. " white turf
“ashes have been found useful, red turf ashes useless,
"and generally hurtful." I may be allowed to doubt,
as the most ignorant countryman knows the reverse of
both positions is the fact. The recommendation of Mr.
Marshall to "men of landed property (quoted by your
"correspondent) to regard the practice with a watch-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
189
"ful eye," is precisely the advice, if worth any thing,
that I would give them; but I would not wish to see
them obstinately close their eyes on the proper use of
the practice. Sir Humphry Davy chiefly objects to
burning "sandy, dry, silicious soils, containing little
"animal or vegetable matter." Few, I imagine, will
deny the absurdity of burning sand. Dr. Anderson
(also quoted) in his Treatise on Peat Moss (our bog),
has denied the abuse of the practice as followed in Ire-
land.
"Your indefatigable correspondent has been at no
small pains to collect evidence; but like other evidence,
he has made all his selections lean to the side he has
adopted. Now permit me on the other side to adduce
a few arguments from practical farmers, writers, and
chemists, which I trust will turn the scale in favour of
the practice, under a judicious system of management.
"Every agriculturist knows this is an old subject of
"dispute in husbandry; but what I have seen, and the
"evidence I have read of the practice, inclines me to
"be its decided advocate, without, however, entirely
"condemning the conduct of those landlords who in-
"terdict it to their tenants, because being a great pro-
"vocative to fertility, farmers of a certain description
"make use of it to run the land entirely out of heart.
Paring and burning are, by the enemies of the prac-
"tice, supposed to diminish the staple of the soil; an
"idea purely chimerical. Mr. Young's arguments on
"on this head, with the facts he has adduced, appear
"to be entirely conclusive. It is admitted that some
"land in this country (England), as well as in Ireland,
"has been entirely exhausted and ruined by the prac
"tice, whilst large tracts of a staple equally thin, have
"been immemorially burned, not only without perceptible
"diminution of their staple, but to their obvious great
(6
190
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
"improvement. The exhaustion and ruin of the land
"after burning, have in all probability resulted from
"the unfair treatment of plying them with successive corn
crops without rest or manure, a method, in truth,
"fully adequate to the destruction of the richest lands,
"without the aid of paring and burning: but in order
"to prove fairly the evil consequence of the practice,
"it behoves the enemies of it to produce examples of
"lands injured thereby, which at the same time have
"been cultivated in a fair and husbandlike manner,
"namely, by having a single corn crop taken at first,
"to be followed by hoeing crops and grass seeds, a due
"proportion of manure being allowed to the succeed-
"ing corn crops." After detailing the mode of crop-
ping, &c. Dr. Lawrence resumes in p. 63. "Thus is
"finished the most beneficial operation, which, at a
"stroke, as it were, effects more than could be at-
"chieved in many laborious and expensive seasons.
"The soil is purified, and its natural fertility revived,
"by that grand destroyer and restorer of all things,
"fire. After all which has been said about the loss of
staple by burning, it is highly probable, or rather
"certain from experience, that the loss of substance.
"is not perceived, before it is recovered from the air,
"from the accumulating process of vegetation, and
"from the addition of manure. If the hoeing system
"be early and well pursued, burned land will remain
"clean and free from all weeds for many years, or
"indeed for ever, and the benefit of the original
"operation will be felt during half a long lease; but
"if in a few years a renewal of paring and burning
"should appear necessary, it evinces either very de-
"fective or shameful husbandry, or that the former
"operation was superficially and improperly con-
"ducted. Old hidebound meadow, or cold infertile
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
191
66
"clay, is recovered and improved by no other method
so effectually and speedily as by burning." Thus
far Dr. Lawrence in his New Farmer's Kalendar.-
Mr. Kirwan in his Treatise on Manures, p. 20 says,
paring and burning reduces the roots of vegetables
"to coal and ashes, and thus prepares both a stimu-
"lant and nutriment for plants." Page 80, "many
"have imagined that it diminishes and consumes the
"soil, but repeated experience has shown the con-
66 tray. I need only mention that of Colonel St.
Leger in Yorkshire, related by Mr. Young in the first
volume of his Eastern Tour, p. 182. "It is well
"known that clays and loams are rather hardened than
"consumed by heat; however, unless fresh seeds be
"committed, the soil will be unproductive for a num-
"ber of years; the coaly principle may also be ex-
"hausted by too many crops." I imagine I need not
pursue the subject farther.'
192
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
CHAPTER V.
GENERAL SUBJECTS.
SECTION I.
POPULATION.
THIS part of every Statistical Survey must remain
very imperfect, until the fears of the people are removed,
that some object of taxation is concealed under the
anxiety to obtain the amount of it. In a county so de-
cidedly catholic, any return given by the protestant
clergy must be very erroneous. To accomplish this
very desirable object the catholic clergy must be induced
to take an interest in its attainment; but even this
would fail, were their flock not well convinced that
nothing connected with taxation was intended. I shall,
however, give what information I have received, which
every person will have an opportunity of correcting or
forming an opinion on. In 1762 the population was
estimated at 14,000. By the census taken in 1782 the
population of the town of Galway was 14,000. By sta-
tistical tables in 1788 only 9000. In 1803 it was com-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 195
puted to be 20,000. In 1817 upwards of 40,000 in the
town alone. In the wardenship, which extends about
four miles round Galway, 100,000. In the Cloddagh
alone, almost entirely occupied by fishermen and their
families, it is computed there are between four and five
thousand inhabitants: what an increase since 1695, when
the fishermen were only 88! By the return of Mr.
Conolly, of the male population between the age of 18
and 45, the parish of St. Nicholas contained 2301.
That of Rahoon 1006. So that if we take the general
estimate of the twelfth part of the population as able to
bear arms, it will amount in those two parishes only to
39,684, and it may be fairly assumed that a census
taken for this avowed purpose must be considerably un-
der the truth. In the town and liberties of Galway,
1371 houses pay the hearth and window tax; this, at
only six to each house, makes but 8226; if this is cor-
rect, what a vast proportion pay neither of those taxes.
By the census taken in 1813, it appeared that the po-
pulation of the entire of the town and county of the town,
extending four miles every way round Galway, was only
24,684. I cannot conceive for what purpose the town
was put to the expense of making this census, so evi-
dently incorrect. When the census taken by Mr.
Conolly of those able to bear arms between 18 and 45
years of age, amounted to nearly 40,000, exclusive of
the parish of Oranmore, even this must have been be-
low the amount, though only for the two parishes of St.
Nicholas and Rahoon. This census gives not quite
five and an half to a house at Bohermore; every person
must be sensible how much below the real amount this
must be. Of what use were the tables also of Mr.
Bushe? they tended only to mislead; in 1788 he return-
ed the population of Galway as only 9470, allowing ten
to each house; in 1792 only about 12,000.
O
194
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
The islands of Arran contain a population of up-
wards of 2400 souls. Mr. Hardiman in his return of
the population of Galway, as given by Mr. William
Shaw Mason, though he says the persons who pre-
tended to take the census "were deterred by menaces from
venturing among the villages;" yet he says he gives it
"as a curious document, intimately connected with the mo-
dern description of the town." I am at a loss for what
useful purpose this census could have been given in his
publication, except to shew the arrangement by Mr.
Mason, which is excellent; the most curious thing is,
that the public should be put to such great expense for
a thing confessedly erroneous. The persons employed
to take this census were the laughing stock of every one
acquainted with the country. As to the population of
the county of Galway, I have not any data to guide
me, and I can venture to say, that any computation Mr.
Mason may give must be erroneous, if not corrected by
the catholic clergy. Whatever may be the amount of
the population, it is certain there has been unfortunately
a vast increase, and from the mode generally practised
of dividing farms, already too small, into very small hold-
ings, totally inadequate to the maintenance of a family,
this evil must rapidly increase. Many treatises have
been written on this momentous subject; the majority
of them tell us what we but too well know; some are
fanciful, some impracticable, and almost every plan that
has been devised helps the emigration of those that are
best able to stay at home. Some authors advise the
improvement of our bogs and mountains as a means of
employing our redundant population; but they forget
to point out from whence the fund is to come.
country gentlemen do their duty, there would be little oc-
casion for the interference of government. Their apathy
is most unaccountable, and they must, in a great mea-
Did
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
195
sure, be answerable for the riotous proceedings of the
populace that so lately disgraced this county: an em-
ployed population is always peaceable. An intelligent
correspondent informs me that he has known Galway
intimately for upwards of forty years, and it is now
twice as large and populous as at that period, but not by
any means twice as rich. The import trade has greatly
increased, and the export, except in corn, has decreased.
Of the populatiou of the other towns I have been left in
ignorance by those to whom I applied. Formerly great
apprehensions were entertained that population was
decreasing, but most unfortunately Mr. Young's pre-
diction, forty years ago, has been fulfilled:-" Let po-
pulation alone, and it will take care of itself.”
But those who were so anxious for an increase of po-
pulation, did not discriminate between an employed and
half employed one. It unfortunately happens that nei-
ther the parents or children are actuated by those pru-
dent feelings that govern the generality of the lower
classes of the English; there they consider how chil-
dren are to be provided for, and will avoid any contract
until they have some prospect of doing so in Ire-
land the same class think of little else but the means of
getting the children. I recollect many years ago being
astonished at the assertion of an old and very intelligent
clergyman, "The introduction of potatoes into Ireland
was the greatest curse she could have received." Every
day's experience helps to convince me of the truth of the
assertion. I know it is very generally said, "what
would become of our dense population without them?"
but I would much rather be told what is to become of
them with them? Until the practice of reletting and
portioning children with small divisions of land is cut
up, root and branch, it is vain to expect a change for
the better. It will be asked how is this to be effected?
0 2
196
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
By landlords considering an attention to the welfare of
their tenantry an imperative obligation, or by agents
recollecting that the receipt of rents is not the only duty
they have to perform. Many landlords have clauses in
the leases of cottier tenants, to prevent reletting, but
none against dividing their scanty farms with their sons
or daughters on their marriage. This is the prolific
cause of much of the wretchedness of Ireland. Unim-
proving middle men should be repulsed in every offer
they make for land, as they add considerably to the po-
verty of Ireland, by reletting to the poorest class of
tenants. It is imagined that the population of Conna-
mara and larconnaught double every ten years, very
much assisted by emigrants. If houses were built by the
landlords, Connamara would be soon found to hold out
advantages that would prevent emigration to distant
countries.
SECTION II.
NUMBER AND SIZE OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
THE town of Galway contains, within the walls, 21
acres, 1 rood, and 21 perches; but the town outside
the walls is of considerable extent, probably as much as
the old part, including Dominick-street, the Claddagh,
Meyrick's-square, Nun's Island, Bohermore, &c. &c.
It was a town of considerable trade so far back as 1280;
vessels of 400 tons can come up to the quay. They
traded with France, Spain, the West Indies, and North
America, very extensively; especially for wine and
brandy. Of the former article they imported so much
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
197
as 1200 tons a year, which they enjoyed for several
centuries, and supplied the entire of Connaught, Lein-
ster, and great part of Munster. The tradition is so
well preserved, that on my remarking to a gentleman
the resemblance of several doors in Athboy, in the
county of Meath, to those in Back street in Galway, he
informed me," they were anciently used as wine vaults
by the merchants of Galway, and from whence they
supplied Dublin, Drogheda, and several other
towns." Mr. Anthony Lynch still keeps up the credit
of the Galway wines. His port is much superior to the
generality of that to be had in Dublin, and much lower
in price. It is so well known in the counties of Galway
and Mayo, that several gentlemen buy from no other
merchant. They exported to the wine countries, beef,
pork, fish, butter, wool, &c. They also formerly sup-
plied the British navy with beef and pork of their own
curing, but by some means were tricked out of it by the
Cork and Limerick merchants. It is generally thought
that the fair of Ballinasloe was at a remote period es-
tablished there for the accommodation of the Galway
exporters. It may be cited as an instance of their for-
mer opulence, that a house which now would let for
£50. per annum, was then mortgaged for £14,000.
Before the year 1790 this town was in a state of great
decay; at the period of the union it began to flourish.
At this time Dominick-street was built; also houses
about Meyrick's square, some near the infirmary, and
in other places, began to appear, and gave an air of im-
provement to the town. The old useless town wall was
-nearly demolished, to make room for extensive stores
and other buildings, and helped to clear the town of
contagious disorders, to which it had been very subject
before. Galway is a county of a town in itself, the li-
berties extend upwards of four miles round it. It is
198
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
governed by a mayor, who is, by his office, a magistrate
of the county at large. A recorder, four magistrates,
aldermen,* and two sheriffs. No criminal or civil process.
from any other place can be executed here without
permission of the magistrates or sheriffs, enjoying the
same immunities as Cork, Waterford, and Limerick.
They levy their own taxes for bridges, roads, jail, and
other public works, by presentment. The Claddagh,
(in English, a dirty place,) a suburb to the west of Gal-
way, at present possessed, almost exclusively, by fisher-
men, was, it is generally imagined, inhabited by the
first settlers, who emigrated from Athenree, under king
John. It is a small town in itself, with well paved
clean streets. Previous to 1808 it was proverbial for
filth, as the name expresses, but the exertions of Cap-
tain Hurds of the Royal Navy, then commanding the
sea fencibles, overcame this difficulty; by his influence
he persuaded them to appropriate a small part of their
pay weekly, and under his inspection it assumed the
comfortable appearance it presents at present to the
traveller. In return for this they have cleared their
settlement of contagion, which, before that period,
swept away multitudes.
Their population is thought to exceed 3000. They
seldom permit a stranger to live amongst them, calling
them "transplanters," and despise them greatly. They
are exempt from the payment of all taxes whatsoever,
by what law, except that their houses in general are
not taxable, I am ignorant. They seldom marry out
At present we do not hear of aldermen; but that they were formerly
it is obvious, for on a tomb-stone in the Franciscan Abbey there is, "Pray
for the soul of Alderman Domnick Browne and his posterity:" he died
in the year 1596. I find also that in 1727 money was ordered to be
paid for the funeral of aldermen and other officers, &c. and at Alderman
Fisher's funeral, Sibby Lee received 6d. for rosemary.
:
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
199
of their own village, and generally at a very early
period of life: it is highly probable that they will shortly
feel the ill effects of a superabundant population. The
parents generally contrive between them to give a boat,
or at least a share of one, which secures a maintenance
for a more than ordinary share of children. In the
months of May (ever propitious to lovers) and Septem-
ber the young couples frequently elope, which always
concludes with a wedding, and a faithless Strephon has
never been known. St. Patrick's night is usually set
apart for weddings. They are lamentably ignorant, and
seem to have a very decided aversion to instruction,
scarcely ever sending their children to school, and few
speak any language but a harsh sounding Irish, scarcely
intelligible to the inhabitants of Galway. When not
out fishing they are usually repairing their boats and
nets, and they are generally so well prepared for sea,
that we seldom hear of lives lost. When not em-
ployed in this way, they are generally drinking, at
which they spend a great part of their earnings, and
often remain in this state until necessity obliges them
to go to sea again; preparatory to which, the strand
is covered in every direction with their wives and chil-
dren procuring bait of many sorts, but mostly what are
called lugs, the same name used in Fingal. Their sea
store consists of oatmeal cakes, potatoes, water, and
firing, but never any kind of spirits. When they are
longer at sea than usual, their return is hailed with
great joy by their families, ushered into the whiskey
shop by their wives, and in a state of intoxication put
to bed. The boat is then unladen, and the fish carried
to market by the women, who exclusively take posses-
sion of it, the husband never interfering, and it is sold
to hawkers and women who keep standings in the mar-
ket. The women pay for every thing, having the com-
200
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
plete control of the purse. An instance occurred of a
man wishing to keep his own money, but the indignant
companions of his wife threatened to burn his house,
and actually proceeded to such violence that poor Jerry
Sneak was forced to succumb.
The fishermen elect a mayor and sheriffs from
amongst themselves on every St. John's day. They
march in noisy procession through the town of Galway,
preceded by men carrying bundles of reeds fastened on
poles, which at night they set fire to at their bonfires;
it is always a scene of drunkenness and riot, but seldom
proceeds further. On St. John's eve it is the custom
to light immense fires of turf, bones, &c. in different
parts of the town of Galway; they are surrounded by
young people, mostly females, who ask some trifle from
each passenger; they are usually armed with bundles
of the seed stocks of docks, tied up like small brooms,
with which they touch lightly the passengers or lookers.
on, saying, "honor the bonfire," which every person is
expected to do by touching their hat, or if a woman, by
a slight courtesy. I have seen some of your mighty sen-
sible people refuse to do this, and I confess enjoyed the
touching they received with the dirty brooms. They
are tried for offences amongst each other, and always
submit to the decision of their mayor or sheriffs; and it
was not until very lately they would submit to the con-
trol of any other jurisdiction, but they are now gra-
dually losing that idea of exemption they formerly in-
sisted upon, and which has been exceedingly trouble-
It is a remarkable circumstance, that during the
rebellions of 1798 and 1820, and indeed at every other
disturbed period, not a single man has been found dis-
loyal, and I must say with great pleasure, it is the cha-
racteristic of the inhabitants of Galway. They have a
patron saint, to whom they pray on all occasions of
some.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
201
distress, such as storms, unproductive seasons, &c. &c.
and on their safe return make an offering of three fish
for the poor. It is remarkable that they never suffer
their parents to beg, but all their wants, and even whims,
are indulged. Very few have either a cow or potatoe
garden. The Claddogh is the estate of Mr. Whaley,
whose ancestor, a colonel of Cromwell's, also formerly
possessed Rahoon, near Galway.
There are three barracks for infantry, which can con-
tain about 900 men, and temporary barracks for about
600 more. There are few towns in which the military
can be better or more cheaply accommodated, of which
the general abundance of fish constitutes a very ma-
terial part; there is also a very abundant supply of po-
tatoes and other vegetables, especially cabbages, ex-
cellent butter, &c. &c. Until lately there was only one
bridge, which is upwards of 400 years built; at the sug-
gestion of General Meyrick a considerable increase in
the breadth of this bridge has taken place, but still in-
adequate to the great pressure at some periods; to ob-
viate this, and at the same time to open a communica-
tion between the new court house, and the two jails, a
very beautiful new bridge has been lately erected by
presentment, which does infinite credit to the taste of
Mr. Behan the architect. A handsome meat market
was built in 1802, by Mr. Francis Blake, which is well
supplied with excellent meat of every kind, except fat
fowl, which must be purchased lean from the country
people on every Saturday, and fattened by the con-
sumer; sometimes a fat fowl may be picked up, but this
is mere chance. Four or five women, forestallers, fre-
quently buy up the fowl to retail, again in the same
market, and often abuse the servants of those who send
to market. I am at a loss to conjecture why they are
not brought fat to market; there can be little doubt they
202
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
would pay well in a town where good living is so much
practised. Small, but fat and high flavoured mutton
from the neighbouring coasts and islands is generally to
be had in the market, weighing from ten to fourteen
pounds per quarter; larger mutton may be frequently
purchased, but much inferior in the flavour. The beef,
in general, is excellent. In the season, lamb and kid of
the best quality abound, and generally at reasonable
rates. Before this market was erected, the meat was
to be seen hanging in the most disgusting manner
against the walls of houses in different parts of the
town, and so blind were the butchers to their own
comfort and convenience, that it was at last necessary
to use military force! I regret to state that this market
is generally very dirty, and sheep and other animals
are permitted to be slaughtered in it. The vegetable
market kept near the main guard is generally well sup-
plied, and at reasonable rates; all kinds come to mar-
ket washed, by which means any imperfection is easily
detected. The cabbage raised near the sea side on sea
weed, is particularly delicious; those who have been
used to those cultivated on ground highly manured,
cannot form any idea of the difference. There are also
in the season, peaches, strawberrics, gooseberries, ap-
ples, pears, &c. In 1801 General Meyrick had a hand-
some square of two acres laid out and enclosed with
walls for a parade for soldiers; it is at present also the
principal walk for the beau monde, if they are content
to wade through puddle to get to it. Unluckily it is
also the fair green, which I hope may be changed to
some less objectionable situation. Under the same
auspices also, a commodious fish market was erected,
well supplied, in general, with fish on moderate terms.
To express their opinion of his meritorious exertions,
the inhabitants have inscribed over the entrance,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
203
66
"This fish market built by subscription, under the
patronage of General Meyrick, who during his re-
"sidence here acquired the praise of a grateful people,
"for his administration of justice and benevolence,
"1800" Several regulations were at that time made
and strictly observed; but latterly the fish-women have
returned to their old filthy practices of heading and
gutting their fish in the streets; they frequently throw
them over the quay wall into the river, and at every
ebb tide they emit a most offensive smell in warm wea-
ther, which may be perceived as far as the lower four
corners. The general also proposed to light, pave, and
clean the streets of Galway, but (as on a late occasion)
such opposition was given that he was obliged to aban-
don the idea. From those two circumstances, and from
the treatment experienced by the Honorable William
Le Poer Trench, who, from the most praiseworthy
motives, interested himself warmly to accomplish the
same business, it may be fairly concluded that the ma-
jority of the inhabitants of Galway are fond of dirt and
darkness; if not, why did they not step forward and
put down the sordid opposition of a few dirt-loving in-
dividuals?
The county gaol.-" This truly superb structure
has been erected on Nun's Island, in the west end of
the town; it is built in a plain manly style of architec-
ture; one is pleased with the arrangements and clean-
liness of this extensive prison, which for salubrity of
situation and convenience rivals any prison in the em-
pire, and as such may be truly termed a national in-
stitution. The form is a crescent of two stories high,
within an area exceeding two acres, surrounded by a
wall twenty feet high, strengthened by pillasters at
equal distances on the outside. The minor yards, which
separate the wards, unite and terminate in a point pre-
204
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
cisely in front of the Governor's house; the entire
within view of his windows, of course he may at a
glance, survey the state of the whole. Each ward has
its water closet, which is washed every morning by
means of a canal and conductors running under the
entire building: these wards enjoy at all times an
abundant supply of wholesome water. In the centre of
the crescent is a handsome chapel for the prisoners,
where both Protestant and Catholic chaplains regu-
larly attend in rotation. No intercourse is ever allow-
ed between the sexes, each being confined in separate
wards: the debtors have also comfortable apartments
separate from both. It is but justice to observe that
every attention has been always paid to their individual
comfort that the state of the prison can admit of. This
gaol is under wise and wholesome regulations, and the
whole are more comfortably lodged, as far as their re-
spective situations will admit, than any other prison in
the empire. No prisoner is ever ironed here, nor is it
necessary. The Governor's house, with suitable ac-
commodations, stands exactly opposite the centre of
the cresent; it is a handsome building of two stories,
with well finished apartments, where prisoners of the
higher order are lodged; also a guard house on each
side of the entrance gate, with accommodations for
turnkeys, &c. and on the outside the fatal drop. The
prison is at present under the government of Mr. Fitz-
simons, who unites great humanity to a steady observ-
ance of the useful regulations of the prison. On the
arrival of a prisoner, after being well washed and clean-
ed, he is equipped in the prison dress, which is num-
bered. They are allowed sufficient firing, and particu-
lar care taken by the inspector that their bread is of a
good and wholesome quality. Their beds are com-
fortable; they are of metal, and hung on swivels, about
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
205
two feet from the ground; there are at present about
75 beds: the entire building is vaulted; the doors are
of metal, and there is not any timber used in the build-
ing. A handsome gravel walk surrounds the prison,
where the debtors are allowed occasionally to recreate
themselves. In the intervening part of the yard, the
governor has generally a large supply of potatoes, ve-
getables, fuel, &c. much of which he humanely dis-
tributes gratis to the poorer prisoners: had an hospital
been erected here for the benefit of sick prisoners, it
would have completed the whole. The plan is said to
have been taken from York gaol, but greatly improved
by Mr. Morrison, whose great taste is well known in
this county; it was entirely finished under his inspec-
tion, and cost about 27,000."-It is a curious circum-
stance that there was no county gaol in Galway until
1686. It was established in Loughrea in 1585, when
the county of Connaught was divided into five counties.
Before the removal to their new county gaol, the pri-
soners were confined in an old castle near the fish
market, the property of Mr. Morgan of Monksfield:
Mr. Howard says, "in two long rooms, with dirty
floors, and no fire place." What a happy change has
taken place?
A new court-house has been lately erected; the de-
sign by Mr. Morrison; its appearance is very pleas-
ing, and it possesses convenient apartments for the
judges, jury, and all the officers attached to the court;
there has been also a tavern established, which is well
conducted by Mrs. Eddington, widow of the late go-
vernor of the county gaol, and is a singular conve-
nience to those who are detained late in court at the as-
sizes. Very extensive stores have been lately built
by Messrs. Joyce, Messrs. Clarke, Mr. Moore, Mr.
Fitzgerald, and other merchants, which have con-
206
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
tributed greatly to the good appearance of the town,
and tend to shew that business is encreasing. When
such intelligent, wealthy, and enterprising men as the
Messrs. Clarke establish themselves in a town, they
throw life and vigour into a decaying trade, such as
until very lately was possessed by Galway. The stores
of those gentlemen are well worth seeing, not only for
extent and superior arrangement, but for the variety
and magnitude of their contents. Mr. Wakefield, a
late traveller, has been so uncandid (from report) as
to impute the decay of the town of Galway to a want
of punctuality in the merchants. Before he made this
unfounded attack he should have been better informed
on the subject. There seems to be more want of ca-
pital than of faith in the mercantile part of the com-
munity.
Many of the old houses of this town are single, as
they generally surround a small square, to which there
is a common entrance under the houses next the street ;
on either side of this passage is the entrance to those
houses, for formerly, when this town was the great
mercantile depôt of several surrounding counties, and
even of Dublin, for Spanish wines and other commo-
dities, the under parts were stores, as may be seen by
the low pointed arch, which is so different from, and
inferior to the usual elegant style of those intended for
entrances, as not to be mistaken.* There are three
circulating libraries, and two booksellers. The Ami-
cable Society have a good library, and a large room
for newspapers and conversation; they consist of about
80 members. If I am rightly informed (I hope not),
* I am informed that the houses in Badajos, and other towns in Spain,
are built very much like the old houses in Galway, and here, like them,
a common entrance, and the kitchen at the top of the house.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
207
several men of large fortune are upwards of ten years
in arrear, though the subscription is only one guinea
a year; if so, I should venture to think that the society
must have been under a bad regimen, or, that men of
fortune and gentlemen are not synonimous. This so-
ciety was established in 1791: their chief object is the
discussion of the principles, improvement, and en-
couragement of agriculture, trade, commerce and sci-
ence. The arrangements are under the direction of a
president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary, a
committee of four members, and a librarian, all chosen
half-yearly; every person proposed for admission, and
seconded, must remain a week on the books previous
to a ballot, at which there must be at least twelve
members; two black beans are fatal: this difficulty of ad-
mission they say makes them select, but I apprehend it
might be used in so numerous a society to answer a
party, if such a thing could be found in an amicable
society. Their funds are ample: besides periodical
works, they take in several English and Irish papers,
but shame to say, (if I am rightly informed) they take
neither the English or Irish Farmer's Journals, or
Munster Magazine, &c. Before 1791, so far from a
reading room, there was not even a coffee room in Gal-
way. There is one very praiseworthy regulation that
is strictly adhered to in this society; not to introduce
either religious or political subjects for discussion. In
1641, a society called the Tribune Society, was estab-
lished, and continued for some years; their proceed-
ings were kept secret; they were armed horsemen, and
their avowed purpose was to keep down Papists: such
was the temper of that period in Galway! what a happy
contrast the present liberal feelings of Protestants and
Catholics present?
There is a ring of six bells in St. Nicholas' church;
JorM
208
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they have tongues in the usual way within side, and at
the same time have hammers, which are worked by a
wheel and strike on the bells; they chime some un-
intelligible tunes. The belfrey was built by Nicholas
More Lynch in 1561, and this munificent man also
gave two organs and a great bell to the church, but he
always kept the key in his own custody. Galway also
possesses an exchange, nearly in ruins, over which, at
the risk of their lives, the corporation affairs are trans-
acted; also elections for the town, and the assizes for
the town are held here. The situation is parti-
cularly inconvenient, it is in a very narrow part of the
street it formerly was ornamented with a lofty cupola,
but it was imagined the roof from which it sprung was
too weak to support it, and it has been removed: a new
one is much wanted, and probably opposite to Meyrick-
square would be an appropriate situation for it, and
also for a corn-exchange, which is equally necessary, as
in an old coach house the extensive corn trade of Gal-
way is transacted;-also four nunneries, three monas-
teries, and an infirmary, an institution that reflects great
credit on the country, and on Dr. Veitch, whose excel-
lent management and humane treatment of his patients.
have obtained universal approbation; it was opened in
June 1802.
As it may serve an useful purpose, I insert the follow-
ing rules and regulations, to be strictly adhered to in
the county Galway hospital.
I. No person can be admitted as (an intern) patient of
the hospital, who does not produce a letter of re-
commendation from a governor or governess of the
infirmary.
II. The hours of general attendance at the hospital are
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
209
from 11 to 12 o'clock every day. All out-patients to
attend at those hours. No out-patient to proceed
farther than the hall of the hospital, without orders
from the surgeon.
III. The days of admission (only) on Mondays and
Thursdays, except in cases of accident.
IV. The patient, upon his or her appearance in the hall
of the hospital, at the hours and days above-men-
tioned, and producing the recommendation, will be
immediately inserted upon the books of the hos-
pital.
V. Each patient, after being inserted on the books, to
be taken to the bath room to be well washed and
cleaned by the person appointed for that purpose,
and the barber directed to attend; afterwards to be
taken to the vesting room, and dressed in the hos-
pital clothing, and directed to the ward and bed ap-
pointed by the surgeon; and on his or her dismissal
their own clothing to be givem to them, and the
hospital clothing delivered up to the proper person
appointed, to be well washed and fumigated, and put
upon the proper number in the vesting room.
VI. The nurses to count over the bed clothes and cloth-
ing, &c. to the patient; and are to be responsible
that he or she leaves every thing in the same state,
allowing for necessary tear and wear; and no pa-
tient (except allowed by the surgeon) to visit the
other wards; if found in any but their own, to be
immediately dismissed the hospital.
VII. No patient to be allowed to spit or dirty the walls
or floor of the house, as spitting boxes and bed pots
are provided for the purpose; and no smoking of
pipes allowed on any account in the wards.
VIII. Immediately on the bell ringing, every patient
P
210
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
that is able (or who is ordered by the surgeon) are
to attend in the dressing room.
IX. Any patient who acts impertinent to the house-
keeper or nurses, to be immediately dismissed, and
to be reported to the governor or governess who re-
commended him or her.
X. All medicine to be given by the surgeon or nurses ;
and they are immediately to report, should they re-
fuse either medicine or diet as directed.
XI. The wards of the hospital to be washed and fu-
migated twice a week, and oftener if necessary.
XII. The housekeeper to visit the wards twice a day,
and to report any deviation from the above rules, as
she is responsible for the cleanliness of the whole.
hospital; and no filth or excrements of any kind to
remain one minute in the patient's ward.
>
XIII. The nurses or housekeeper are to see the pa-
tients take their meals, according to the dietary
annexed; and the patients to report any neglect or
deficiency in their diet:-first to the nurses, then to
the housekeeper, and if immediate redress is not
granted, to the surgeon.
XIV. The rules and regulations to be read to each
patient on admission to the house; and their name,
age, and disease, posted up on the head of their bed.
DIETARY OF THE PATIENTS.
FULL DIET.
Breakfast-One quart of good stirabout, with one pint
of new milk, or one quart of sour ditto ;-the same
at night.
Dinner-One pound of good household loaf bread, and
one quart of new milk, four days in the week ;—and
half a pound of boiled meat, one quarter stone of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 211
potatoes, with as much broth and vegetables as they
can eat, the other three days.
CONVALESCENT DIET.
Breakfast-One quart of flummery or stirabout, and
one pint of new milk.
Dinner-One pint of broth, with half a pound of boiled
meat; or one pint of milk, and a pound of loaf
bread.
LOW DIET.
Breakfast-One quart of flummery, or gruel, with half
a pint of new milk.
Dinner-One pint of milk, or two of gruel, half a
pound of loaf bread, with as much drink as ordered.
Drink-(When ordered by the surgeon) to consist of
milk-whey, barley-water, water-gruel, cream of tar-
tar-whey, (in proportion) as directed.
J. VEITCH, M. D.
Surgeon county Galway hospital.
There was formerly a Charter house, but it has been
discontinued for some years. Galway gives a title to
the family of Monckton. The armonial bearings of
Galway are an antique galley, or probably a herring
buss, and not the ark, as some fanciful people would
wish us to suppose. I imagine the tribes do not go
quite so far back as the deluge. The herring buss
seems to be much more appropriate, as the herring
fishery was the foundation of their former prosperity,
and also the foundation of many large estates in this
and the neighbouring counties, and if pursued with the
same spirit and intelligence, would still create many
more, for gambling and extravagance are daily making
opens for those who make a more prudent use of their
P 2
212
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
wealth. The old town gaol was formerly the town
court-house, and the market cross stood opposite to it.
It speaks highly for the morals of Galway, that before
the removal of this gaol to the main guard, the prison-
ers were confined in a small room under the old tholsel.
It was determined to remove the old gaol and guard-
house, and build a new town gaol; and in 1810, they
were removed to the new prison. It is under the same
good regulations of the county gaol; and every com-
fort consistent with safety, is afforded to the unhappy
inmates. A man died not long since who remembered
when there was neither tea-kettle or sash-window in
Galway; they were first used by Sir John Kirwan, (of
the Castlehacket family) in Middle-street, where Mr.
Fahy, an eminent architect, now lives; all others were
leaden lights. There was formerly a Foundling hos-
pital; it was converted to an artillery barrack in 1798,
but is now occupied by the nuns of the Presentation
order.
It is a curious circumstance that the separate apart-
ments of many houses are the estates of different pro-
prietors; this arose in a great measure from the former
opulence of Galway when a floor of apartments, or
even a single room, was given as a portion to a child.
Galway swarms with beggars, and frequently of high
pretensions, as they often ask for "half a crown.”
There are no lamps lighted in Galway, except a few
in Back-street. Formerly the streets were better
lighted, but it was obliged to be given up; "the smug-
glers broke them." The town wall was originally built
by the corporation about the year 1280, by a duty
on different articles of consumption. At a later period
another wall was built outside the former, and several
bastions added, on which cannon were mounted. The
ramparts, bastions, and other fortified works at the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
213
east side, were built by Cromwell. Some old people
remember the embrasures; many recollect when the
town wall was a favorite walk, and when the gates were
shut every night, and a chain hung across the street:
the place where it was fastened is still visible at
the house of a chandler at the upper four corners;
the date of the building of the house is 1558. It has
been said that this chain was originally intended to pre-
vent the clan of the O'Maddens from galloping into
the town, and plundering the inhabitants, which they
were in the habit of doing, even in day light. What
a situation those industrious people must have been in!
the O'Flahertys at one side, and the O'Maddens on
the other, always ready to pounce on them. The most
perfect part of the wall is near William's gate, and is
now a garden belonging, I believe, to Mr. Puxley; it is
very high, and was surrounded by a deep ditch, which
has been nearly all filled up, and at present occupied
by gardens or buildings. On several parts of the wall
may be seen the name of the mayor and sheriffs in of-
fice when they were erected. For repairing the wall,
the corporation in 1780 ordered one shilling and nine
pence halfpenny. It is evident therefore, that a mi-
nute attention was paid to its repair. On the west
gate, at the end of the present bridge, there was for-
merly a stone, which is still preserved; on it was in-
scribed "Oh! God deliver us from the ferocious
O'Flahertys;" and it was decreed that any person of
that name found in the town should be put to death: at
present some young ladies are the only dangerous per-
sons of that name, and I hope before long they may
be confined. It has been asserted that Galway for-
merly belonged to the O'Hallorans, from whom it was
purchased by a company of merchants-adventurers,
living at Athenry, which was a walled town long be-
214
STATISTICAL, &c, SURVEY
fore Galway, and, as before mentioned, this was not
walled until 1280, above a century after their ar-
rival, under king John. It has also been said that
the tribes settled first as fishermen at the Clod-
dagh, and moved from that to Galway at the opposite
side of the river. It would seen from such different
statements, that little better than conjecture can be
given. However one thing we are certain of, that they
were a wealthy and respectable colony of merchants at
a remote period. The Athys were of some note at an
early period, for "William D'Athy was appointed
treasurer of Connaught 8th December, 1388, with the
fee of £10. yearly." The Blakes, formerly called Cad-
dell, were also a very ancient family, for one of them
was sheriff of Connaught in 1306. The Bodkins are
also very ancient, and highly descended. At an after
period the Costellos and some other names were ad-
mitted, and were called half tribes. In the reign of
Edward IV. money was coined in Galway, for that king
made a grant to Gormyn Lynch of the office of warden
and master of the mint in Ireland, empowering him to
coin money for Galway.—Note, I had one of his groats,
which I gave to the late General Vallancy to add to the
collection of the Royal Dublin Society. It is also as-
serted that letters were directed to Galway, near
Athenry. St. Stephen's island, near the Wood-quay,
was anciently in the county, and the county court house
built there, on the same site occupied by Mr. Joyes
the distiller. The descendants of the original settlers
of Galway are called the thirteen tribes, from the num-
bers of each name that almost exclusively possessed the
trade of that town; and it is asserted that the appella-
tion was given by Cromwell's officers from this circum-
stance. In one list, with which I have been furnished,
the name of Morris is omitted, and in another that of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 215
There
Font; if both stand there must be 14 tribes.
were many other names of those living in Galway long
before the tribes, such as Valley or Wallin, Kerwick,
Call, Lawless, Dillon, Calfe, Verdon, Frehine, Tierney,
Coppinger, Moore, Brunt, Brannegan, Moylan, Bar-
don, Blundell, Conkeragh, Ffarty, Butler, Penrise,
Hoth, Fallon, Weider, Bermingham, Muneghan, Quirke,
Sage, Killery, Quinn, Develin, Biggs, Lemper, Le Fick-
hill, Lang, White. How the 13 tribes came to have
the exclusive preeminence I am to learn, and probably
the public will feel little interest in it. I have been
furnished with a voluminous statement, which may be
found in the supplement; but I must leave this weighty
affair between the tribes and non tribes. The thirteen
tribes (or according to my list the fourteen tribes) have
some whimsical attributes attached to their names, pro-
bably given at the time they received their name of
tribes from Cromwell's officers, such as
Athy-suspicious.
Blake-positive.
Bodkin-dangerous.
Brown-brave.
Faunt-barren.
Joyce-merry.
Kirwan-stingy.
Lynch-proud.
Dean -devout.
D'Arcy-stout.
French-prating.
Morris-plausible.
Martin-litigious.
Skerrett-obstinate.
The following verse seems to countenance the above
list:
Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Deane, D'Arcy, Lynch,
Joyes, Kirwan, Martin, Morris, Skerret, French.
It must be evident to any person who knows the
county, how much misapplied they would be at the pre-
216
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
sent day, one only being remarkable, Fonts-barren, the
family being nearly, if not entirely extinct. I have
been informed that only four or five of the Galway
tribes can claim a right of burial in the cathedral or
collegiate church, viz. Lynch, D'Arcy, Browne, French,
and Kirwan, though the privilege of the last has been
always disputed, and never allowed. If this circum-
stance is correct, how truly ridiculous to carry those
antiquated claims even to the grave. The blood of the
vulgar to mix with the Mirabels! However, I wish at
general prohibition to burying in churches extended to
every part of Ireland; it is a shocking and dangerous
practice. Formerly church-yards were on the outside
of every town, but Cuthbert, Archbishop of Canterbury
in 750, obtained a dispensation from the pope for mak-
ing church-yards within towns and cities. It is re-
markable that there is not one of the Society of Friends
in Galway: about thirty years ago there were a few in
Galway, but from some ill usage they deserted the
town, to the great disgrace and serious loss of that
town.
The first authentic account we have of Galway begins
in the year 1280. It will probably be the best method
to throw the history of Galway into the form of annals,
I shall therefore adopt that form.
1280 The youngest son of a Mr. Lynch of Castleknock,
near Dublin, came to Connaught, and married
the daughter and heiress of the Lord Marshal of
Galway, whence all the family of Lynch are de-
scended. They were originally from the town
of Lintz in Austria, where one of the family was
governor, and defended the town against a pow-
erful enemy whilst there was a blade of grass to be
had within his reach, and for that reason he
got
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 217
the trefoil as his coat of arms; the lynx, the
best sighted creature, for his crest; and the
motto, "Guarded by its own virtue." From
Lintz one of that family settled in Normandy,
where he was allied to some lords of that country.
From Normandy one of the same family came to
England as a general to William the Conqueror,
and from this family spring the Lynches of Gal-
way. Mr. Hardiman states, from the old volume
of pedigrees in the herald's office, that " William
"Le Petit came to Ireland in 1185 with Sir
Hugh de Lacy, who granted him by his char-
"ter, Macherithimar, &c. (now the barony of
"Magheridernan in the county of Westmeath,)
(6
66
except the Logh and town of Dysart; that
"they were palatine barons of Molingare, and
"that William Le Petit had a son, Nicholas,
"who was ancestor to the family of Lynch of
"Galway." "William, (or according to other
"accounts,) John de Lynch was the first settler
"of the name in Galway; he was married to the
(C
daughter and sole heiress of William de Mare-
"schall, and it is stated that the eldest branch
"of the family were called Mareschall until the
"male line became extinct." "Their mansion
"house occupied the extensive square on which
"the present lower citadel, or shamble barrack
“stands.”—Note, there are two families amongst
the lower classes, Linchee and Lynsky, that are
probably derived from the same stock.
1300 The town of Galway was built by a colony of
Englishmen of the names I have before mention-
ed, denominated tribes.-Note, there seems to
be some confusion in the chronology here, as in
the preceding article one of the Lynches was
218
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
said to have married the daughter of the marshal
of Galway in 1280. It will be perceived by the
following article that the marshal's name was
also Lynch, though under the date 1280 it is
said that the first of that name came from Cas-
tleknock, near Dublin.
1312 The great gate and the old works adjoining the
same were built by Nicholas Lynch, the black
marshal, or marshal dubh.*
1316 The 4th of August William de Burgo and
Richard de Bremingham encountered Phelimy
O'Connor, king of Connaught, and a numerous
army of Irish, near Athenry, with prodigious
success, for they slew the king and 8000 of his
men. The valour of Hussey, a butcher of
Athenry, was very remarkable on that occasion,
for he fought with O'Kelly and his squire to-
gether, and slew them both; for which he was
knighted, and is the ancestor of the reputed
Barons of Galtrim. It was said that Athenry
was walled with the plunder of this battle, and
that the brave Bremingham was made Baron of
Athenry for this noble service, and his heir is
now the premier Baron of Ireland.
1433 Two of the Burkes seized upon most part of the
estates of De Burgo, which by marriage had re-
verted to the crown, and divided it between
them; and knowing they could not hold it by
the law of England, they confederated with the
* In 1376 there were four cities in Ireland; Dublin, Waterford, Cork,
and Limerick; and five towns, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Ross, Wexford, and
Youghal. If so, where was Galway at this period, as no mention is
made of it as a town? In the Pope's bull in 1484 it is called “ the village
of Galway."
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
219
Irish, and changed their language, apparel, cus-
toms, and manners, nay, their very names were
altered into those of Mac William Eighter and
Mac William Oughter, (that is, upper and
lower,) and by these means they have made shift
to keep some part of that mighty estate for many
score years.
1442 The west bridge of Galway was built by Ed-
mond Lynch Fitz Thomas (commonly called
Emuin a Thuane) at his own expense. He pos-
sessed Newcastle, and was descended from the
eldest branch of the family, called in Irish
Cranmore, the great tree or head of the Lynches.
The great influence they possessed is proved very
plainly, by having in 169 years upwards of eighty
mayors of Galway.
1460 William Lynch Dubh, sovereign, enacted that no
houses or lands belonging to the town should be
set to Irishmen, without the consent of the coun-
cil and officers for the time being. This act was
confirmed in 1485, by the then mayor, Pierce
Lynch, and the commons.
1462 In the reign of Edward IV. money was coined in
Galway, by Gorman Lynch, who had a patent to
coin money in Dublin Castle, Trim, and Gal-
way of such consequence was Galway at this
early period; four-pence, two-pence, half-pence,
aud farthings.--Note, I was fortunate enough to
purchase one of those groats, which I presented
to the late General Vallancy for the Dublin So-
ciety's museum.
1467 Amongst other grants to Lord Dunboyne, he had
the prizage of Limerick, Cork, Ross, Youghal,
Kinsale, Dingle, and Galway, during his life.
1468 Edward IV. enacted a law against forestalling and
220
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
t
regrating in Galway. In this reign also it was
enacted that every Irishman shall take an
English surname of a town, as England, Ireland,
Scot, Kilkenny, Chester, &c.; or a colour, as
white, black, brown, grey, &c.; or an art or
science, as capenter, smith, brewer, baker, &c.;
or from his office, as cook, butler, servant, stew-
ard, gardener, &c.; which name their issue shall
use on pain of forfeiting his goods yearly until it
be done; to be levied twice a year, to maintain
the king's wars, according to the discretion of
the king's lieutenant or his deputy. How little
reason some of our high heads have to be proud
of their ancestry!
1473 Galway was almost entirely destroyed by fire.
Mr. Hardiman gives the following list of provosts,
portreeves, and sovereigns :
1274 Thomas De Lince, provost.
1290 Richard Blake, alias Caddell, bailiff or portreeve.
1353 Stephen Penrise, provost ; he was afterwards col-
lector of the new customs. He died in 1383.
1378 Richard Scared, alias Scaret, provost; now called
Skerrett.
1414 Walter Skeret, ditto.
1417 The same, ditto.
1434 Emund Lynche, sovereign.
1444 The same.
1448 William Allen, alias Den, provost.
1460 William Dubh Lynche Fitz-James, sovereign.
1461 James Develin, ditto.
1462 William Oge Allen, alias Den, ditto.
1476 Thomas Lynche, ditto.
John Skeret, provost.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 221
1484 William Lynch, sovereign.
1485 The same, last sovereign.
John Lynch Fitz-Edmund, last Provost.
Dominick Lynch, commonly called Black Domi-
nick, got a grant from king Henry VII. of letters
patent, authorizing a yearly election of a mayor
out of the corporation of the town of Galway,
and the first mayor was his brother.-Much of
the property of the Lynches is derived from an
intermarriage at a remote period, with an heiress
of the ancient Irish family of O'Halloran.
Pierce Lynch, first mayor of Galway.
Andrew Lynch Fitzstephen, and James Lynch
Fitzmartin, bailiffs.
The Bull of the college, which the corporation
bought, was published and read in the court-
house on the 3d and 6th days of November.
1486 Dominick Lynch Fitzjohn, mayor.
Richard Morris, and Jeffry Blake, bailiffs.
This year it was enacted by public assent, that
none of the corporation should be served with
any writ or process, until the matter had been
first tried by the mayor and council of the town,
under a penalty of £20. This mayor bequeath-
ed a great deal of money for charitable pur-
poses. He made several additions to the ca-
thedral, and left to every convent in Ireland,
13s. 4d.
1487 William Lynch Fitz Sandy, mayor.
No bailiffs.
1488 Jeffry Lynch, mayor.
No bailiffs.
1489 John Lynch Fitz John, mayor.
No bailiffs.
>
222
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1490 Robert Lynch, mayor.
No bailiffs.
1491 John Skerrett, mayor.
No bailiffs.
The Skerretts were originally called Huscared
or Scared.
One of that name was provost of
Galway in 1378. The estate of Ardfry, now
the property of the Blakes, belonged to him,
and also the lands on which the abbey of Clare
Galway was erected, now, I believe, the pro-
perty of Lord Clanmorris. They also possessed
the estate of Headford, now the property of
Mr. St. George.
1492 Thomas Lynch Fitz Edmond, mayor.
No bailiffs.
1493 James Lynch Fitzstephen, mayor.
No bailiffs.
This mayor built the choir of St. Nicholas' church
at the west end, and put painted glass in the
windows. "He hanged his own son out of
his window for killing and defrauding strangers,
without either martial or common law, to shew
a good example to posterity, so tender were they
of their credit." His fellow citizens seemed to
be sensible of his merit, by electing him to the
chair three times. The history of this more
than Roman act of justice seems to be, that he
sent his only son to Spain on some commercial
affairs, who returning with the son of his father's
Spanish friend, and a valuable cargo, conspired
with the crew to murder him and throw him
overboard, and convert the property to their
own use. One of the party, as providentially
happens in most such cases, discovered the hor-
rid transation to the mayor. He tried and con-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
223
demned his son to death, and appointed a day
for his execution. It was imagined by his rela-
tives that through their intercession, and the
consideration of his being an only son, he would
not proceed to put the sentence into execution.
He told them to come to him on a certain day,
and they should have his determination. Early
on the day appointed, they found the son hang-
ing out of one of the windows of his fa-
ther's house: it was commemorated by the cross
bones in Lombard-street. * It is not a little ex-
traordinary that the commemoration should not
have been put up until the year 1624, the date
on the stone, and that 131 years should have
elapsed. In another account of this affair it is
laid in the year 1526, when Stephen Lynch
Fitz-James was mayor. It is, I imagine pro-
bable, that the present front of the house where
those emblems are placed, was formerly the
back, for the windows of the back are orna-
mented, whilst those of the present front are
plain; and at and after the time it happened,
a street ran from Lombard-street into the pre-
sent church-lane, then called Boher-cran-more,
which from the circumstance was called dead-
man's-lane, at present taken into the church
yard, which may be seen by consulting the map
of 1651.—Another instance of this stern virtue
occurs in the person of Strongbow in 1172,
who executed his only son, by cutting him across
This is a flag with a skeleton head and cross bones; as it is inscribed
1624.
Remember death.
All is vanity of vanities.
224
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the middle, after having reproached him for
running away from the Irish at one of his bat-
tles in the county of Wexford.-Note, Mr.
Hardiman has worked up this melancholy trans-
action into a very interesting little tale, and to
give the better effect, has introduced a fair lady,
as the cause of this tragedy. But I am inclined
to think the cross bones allude to a horrid
murder mentioned in Archbishop King's collec-
tion, said to have happened in 1625.
1494 John Lynch Fitz-Edmond, mayor.
No bailiffs.
He contributed greatly towards finishing the col-
lege house opposite to the church.
1495 Thomas Blake, mayor.
No bailiffs.
No person to sue an inhabitant until the cause
be first heard in the tholsel by the mayor and
council-penalty £20.
1496 Walter Lynch Fitz-Robert, mayor.
Valentine Blake, and Thomas Bodkin, Bailiffs.-
Note, why there were no bailiffs for the last
nine years I am to learn.
The inhabitants were ordered to keep arms, each
according to his calling-penalty 12d.
It was enacted this year that no person shall
take part with any lord or gentleman, or uphold
any variances in word or deed, as in using the
words Cromaboo, Butleraboo, or such other
words, but to call only on Saint George or the
name of the King. The offenders to be com-
mitted to prison without bail, until they have
made fine at the discretion of the lord deputy and
council. At this time the country was kept in a
state of warfare by the factions of Fitzgerald and
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 225
Butler, whose parties used those words as the
warhoop of each party. It was the custom of
those turbulent times for every great clan to
have watch words, which may be more fully
seen in Harris. The word of the Clanrickards
was Gal-riagh-aboo, or the cause of the red
Englishman.
1497 Domnick Lynch-Fitz-John, mayor 2d time.
Walter Lynch and Oliver Lynch, bailiffs.
1498 Andrew Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Peter Martin, and Martin Fount, bailiffs.
This mayor began the work from Lough-a-Tha-
lia to Poulavourline, at the cost of the corpo-
ration. He was employed as agent from the
corporation to oppose the prisumes against
Pierce Butler, Earl of Ossory, and died in pri-
son. This year a considerable part of the work
from Shoemakers tower, was built out of the
king's customs. There is a continuance of said
work to the quay out of said customs. This
year Edmond Deane, son to William Deane,
came out of Bristol; of course he could not
have been one of the tribes to whom the pope's
bull in 1484 was directed. Also this year the
bell called Clogherafine, was begun to be rung
in this town, which was the curfeu first ordain
ed by William the conqueror in England.
1499 James Lynch-Fitz-Martin, mayor.
Peter French and Stephen Lynch, bailiffs.
1500 Jeffrey Lynch, mayor.
James Lynch and Nicholas French, bailiffs.
This year Galway was accidentally burned.
Richard Begge made free, on condition of keep-
ing an inn for strangers; and Donell Oge
&
226
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
O'Volloghan (O'Nolan) goldsmith, made free,
on condition of maintaining Andrew Fallon,
who is old and impotent.
1501 Roebuck Lynch, mayor.
David Kirwan and John Morris, bailiffs.
1502 John Lynch-Fitz-John, mayor.
Patrick Lynch and Walter Lynch, bailiffs.
1503 Edmond Deane, mayor.
Cornel Fallon, and William Kirwan, bailiffs.-
Note, the first non tribe elected into office.
1504 Walter Lynch-Fitz- Thomas, mayor.
John Bodkin and William Murtin, bailiffs.
After a most complete victory obtained by the
Earl of Kildare over Clanrickard and his con-
federates at Knocklow, the towns of Galway and
Athenry were surrendered to the Lord Deputy
and his associates, and the whole country de-
stroyed, and the conquerors overloaded with
booty.
1505 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Domnick, mayor.
Edward Athy and Robert Lynch-Fitz-Martin,
bailiffs.
This mayor built the poor house in High-street,
and his wife Margaret Athy, in his absence,
built the Augustinian Monastery on Fort-hill,
which he finished and endowed with rents of
lands. He paved part of the town: he also
founded an hospital. If any outlandish man or
enemy of the inhabitants shall take any of them
for any discord or words between any brother
or neighbour of Galway, so that one neighbour
shall procure for evil-will to his neighbour, so
be taken as aforesaid; that then he that pro-
cureth such taking, shall ransom and restore
again that person, rendering to him all his loss
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
227
and damages, and the remainder of the goods
to the prince and officers for the time being.
That no householder be an hostler, nor no
maintainer of the common horsse, or harlots,
on pain of 6s. 8d.
1506 Thomas Bodkin, mayor.
Richard Deane, and Leonard Lynch, bailiffs.
This family (Bodkin) were descended from Mau-
rice Fitz-Gerald, lord of Windsor, who came
to Ireland with Strongbow. He was the ances-
tor of the ancient Earls of Desmond and Kil-
dare.
This seems to be confirmed by their
motto (Cromaboo) being the same. In the reign
of Richard II. they possessed large property in
and about the town of Galway; and Richard
Bodkin was a burgess of Galway and provost of
Athenry in 1454. In the late history of Gal-
way it is stated, that the original name of this
family was Poiticin, and were descended from
Maurice Fitz-Gerald, the lineal descendent of
Otho, a noble prince of Italy. His descendents
intermarried with the families of Lynch, Burke,
D'Arcy, O'Flaherty, French, Blake, Athy,
O'Shaughnesey, Martin, &c.
1507 Arthur Lynch, mayor.
William Joyce and Anthony Lynch, bailiffs.
In November, 250 people, with the mayor, fell
over the bridge.
It was ordered in council that the warden and
bailiffs be first served at market.-Note, what a
watchful shepherd the warden must have been !
Ordered, that no butcher take no cnaye-goulle
nor skeingh-glac out of no cow that he selleth:-
2 2
228
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the first is probably the tripes, and last the
sticking piece.
1508 Stephen Lynch- Fitz-Domnick, mayor.
Richard Lynch and William Morris, bailiffs.
It was enacted this year, that every dweller
should make clean before his door once a week,
and that no dung heaps should be made in the
streets, under the penalty of 12 pence; also that
whatsoever man, woman or child be found
prouling the streets or walls, shall lose 2d.
1509 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
Edmond French and Adam Faunt, bailiffs.
Whatsoever man or woman have any kyne in
town, shall keep them in their houses both sum-
mer and winter; and if they be found on the
streets, to pay 4d.; and no swine or goat to be
kept in town above fourteen days, on pain of
killing.
1510 James Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
William Kirwan and Valentine French, bailiffs.
This mayor built at his own expense the chapel
of St. James in the new fort in Galway. In
this reign (Henry VIII.) it was enacted, that
none of the king's Irish subjects shall be shaven
above the ears, or wear the hair on their heads
like long locks called Glibbs, (I wish this act
was still in force,) or use hair on their upper
lips called a Crommeale, or wear any shirt,
smock, kercher, bendell, neck-kercher, mocket
or linen cap coloured with saffron, or wear
above seven yards of cloth in their shirts or
smocks; and no woman to wear any kirtel or
coat tucked up, or embroidered with silk or laid
with aske, after the Irish fashion, &c. penalty
for a lord spiritual or temporal £6. 13s. 4d.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 229
Knight or esquire £2.
Gentleman and merchant £1.
Freeman or yeoman 10s.
That every cooper shall give two tun hoops for a
penny, three pipe hoops for a penny, three
hogshead and barrel hoops for a penny. That
the shoremen, or cottoners shall give five baunlac,
(bundles) six, seven baunlac of frize for two
pence; eight baunlac, nine baunlac, ten bunlac
for three pence, and a shore mantle for 10d.
subpœna 12d.
1511 James Lynch-Fitz-Gregory, mayor.
Stephen French
Arthur, bailiffs.
and Nicholas French-Fitz-
That all idle men and women not able to pay
watch tax retalladge, be expelled the town:
that the fishers of the lough shall bring into the
market three days in the week, and to give an
hundred eels for 2d. That no butter be sold
above one penny a pound, and no dearer, on
pain to lose 12d.; and his body to be put in
prison that doth the contrary.--Note, can we
be surprised at the hostility of the native Irish,
after this detail of oppressive restrictions, and
those that follow? D.
1512 James Lynch-Fitz-Martin, mayor.
William Athy and Laurence Bodkin, bailiffs.
1513 Walter Lynch-Fitz-Thomas, mayor.
Jonack Kirwan and James Skerret, bailiffs.
The house for poor and religious women near St.
Nicholas' church, which now belongs to the
nuns of the third order of St. Francis, was
given by this mayor; he had his daughter, a
virtuous and religious woman in it, where he
died.
230
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
It was ordered that no honey be brought to town
except it be good and merchantable; and that
no dweller shall become surety for any gent of
the country, nor ransom none of them.
1514 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Walter, mayor.
Robert Lynch Fitz-John and Edmond Athy,
bailiffs.
That none of the town buy cattle out of the coun-
try, but only of true men. That the mayor,
warden and bailiffs, shall be first served with
all provisions at market, and then who first
comes is first served.
1515 James Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor, third time.
John Lynch-Fitz-Domnick and John Morris,
bailiffs.
1516 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
John William Lynch-Fitz-Andrew and Thomas
Kirwan, bailiffs.
Ordered, that no man of the town shall lend or
sell galley, boat or barque, to an Irishman.
1517 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Domnick, mayor.
Martyn Lynch-Fitz-John and Gabriel Lynch,
bailiffs.
It was ordered that no person shall give nor sell
to no Irish, any munition, as hand porins, ca-
liones, powder, lead, nor salt petre, nor yet long
bows, cross bows, cross bow strings, nor yarn to
make the same, nor no kind of weapon, on pain
to forfeit the same and an hundred shillings.
That every ship that cometh a fishing within the
haven of Galway, shall pay half tithes to the col-
lege of all such fish as they shall take, if they
take fire, water, and service within the said town
or haven. Also, that every top man pay 40s.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 231
and every small man 20s. and four pounds of
gunpowder to the town and corporation.
1518 John Bodkin, mayor.
Domnick Deane and Martin Lynch-Fitz-James,
bailiffs.
It was ordered by the corporation that no free-
man should quit the town without leave from the
mayor, penalty 1s. 8d. Also, if any man shall
bring any Irishman to brag or boast upon the
town to forfeit 12d. Also, that no man of this
town shall oste or receive into their houses at
Christmas, Easter, nor no feast else, any of the
Burkes, Mc. Williams, (Burkes,) the Kellys,
nor no sept else, without licence of the mayor
and council, on pain to forfeit £5. "That neither
O'nor Mac shall strutte ne swagger through the
streets of Galway."
1519 William Martin, mayor.
Bartholomew Faunt and Richard Martin, bailiffs.
It was ordered that if any man, free or unfree, be
found by night in any man's house to give co-
pulation, or to do with the good man's servant
maid, or daughter, by way of advowtry, to lose
20s. and also to the man in whose house the same
person is found, to lose to that man 20s. That
no Irish judge nor lawyer shall plead in no man's
cause within this town or court; for it agreeth
not with the king's laws, nor yet the emperor's
in many places.-Note, until the reign of James
the First the Brehon laws only were in force, ex-
cept in the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare,
Louth, and the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick,
Waterford, Drogheda, and a few other places.
Also, that he that gets a freeman or merchant's
daughter with child, shall either marry her or
232
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
give her a sufficient portion with another man.
-Note, this was put in force in 1521.
1519 This year the town wall was brought so far to the
west, as forty yards beyond Michael's tower;
also part of the quay was built at the charge of
the king and the corporation. The young men
of the town began to go under bond, and to have
a company by themselves, which was approved
of by the corporation.
1520 Martin Faunt, mayor.
Richard Blake and Oliver French, bailiffs.
Ordered, that no priest, monk, canon, nor friar,
shall keep no we nor lemon in
-e nor lemon in any man's
house within this town, and that man which
keepeth or hosteth the said we or lemon to
forfeit 20s. Query lemon?
1521 Anthony Lynch, mayor.
Arthur Lynch and Ulick Lynch, bailiffs:
1522 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Domnick, mayor.
John French and John Fallon, bailiffs.
That no man of this town be free of the corpo-
ration unless he speaks English and shaves his
upper lip weekly. And that no man of this town
shall sell nor lend to any outlandish-man (poor
paddy!) no kind of armour or shirt of mail, nor
sell no harness, on pain of 20s.
1523 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
John Kirwan and Peter Lynch, bailiffs.
1524 Adam Faunt, mayor.
Richard Faunt and Ambrose Lynch-Fitz-James,
bailiffs.
The family of Faunt or de Fuente settled in Gal-
way in the fifteenth century, and came from
Athenry, where they had probably come with
the other English settlers of king John's reign.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
233
One of this name died in Galway in 1814,
aged 105, probably the last of the name.-
1 recollect seeing a man of this name (Jemmy
Faunt) many years since working in a nursery in
Drumcondra, near Dublin. The Faunts were
connected by marriage with many very respect-
able families in the counties of Meath, Mayo,
&c.
1525 William Martin, mayor.
Walter Lynch-Fitz-John and Henry Joyce, bai-
liffs.
The Martins are a very ancient family in Gal-
way. The first of the name was Oliver Martin,
who was one of Strongbow's invaders: some
antiquaries think they are derived from the Fir-
bolgs Martini. They were eminent merchants
of Galway, and branched out into different parts
of this county, and those of Mayo, Limerick,
Clare, &c.
1526 Stephen Lynch-Fitz James, mayor.
Marcus French and Thomas Blake, bailiffs.
Ordered, that no carpenter or mason shall have
for his wages but two-pence each day, with meat
and drink.
1527 William Morris, mayor.
Richard Bodkin and Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Stephen,
bailiffs.
This year Thomas Moore was made a freeman.
The family of Morris were originally called
Mares, and sometimes and still by the Irish
Moresh: they were very old settlers, for we find
Richard Morris was one of the bailiffs in 1486.
It was ordered that whoever plays at quoits or
stones, but only to shoot in long bow, short
234
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
+
cross bow, and hurling of darts or spears, to lose
at every time 8d.
1528 John Lynch-Fitz-Andrew, mayor.
Richard Kirwan and Jonack Lynch, bailiffs.
That in what house, shop, or cellar, there be
found players at cards, dice, tables, or other un-
lawful games for money, by young men, es-
pecially by apprentices or Irishmen, on pain to
lose the money they play for, and also where
they play to pay 20s.
1529 Richard Gare Lynch, mayor.
R
Edmond Lynch and Francis Blake, bailiffs.
When this mayor first went to sea, he set off
from the Black-rock in the middle of the bay of
Galway, and fired a gun there: he made a for-
tunate voyage; in testimony of which this cus-
tom was observed by his posterity, and to this
day every vessel that has one of that name on
board observes the same custom.
That whatsoever countryman shall spoil, rob, or
wound any of the inhabitants of this town, either
by land or water, shall have no privilege in any
man's house within the town, unless for debt.
1530 Jonack Kirwan, mayor.
Marcus Lynch and Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Arthur,
bailiffs.
It was ordered by the corporation that any priest
or vicar of the college found with any fault or
crime, to lose one hundred shillings and their
benefice; and also if he or they keep any w—————e
being with child, or bearing him children, to pay
the above penalty.-The clergy of the present
day, of each religion, are shining examples of
every virtue.-The Kirwans are a very ancient
and respectable Irish family. It is generally
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
235
thought they are the same with the family of
Kerwick or Keroyk, mentioned amongst the
original inhabitants; the name has been spelled
Kyrvan, Kerovan, Kirevane, O'Quirivan; the
pronunciation at present by the old inhabitants
is Kirovane, and from them the true pronun-
ciation is generally to be had of all names ori-
ginally Irish. One of this family, John Kirwan-
Fitz-Stephen, who was mayor in 1686, was the
first possessor of Castle Hackett, which originally
belonged to the Hacketts.
1531 James Skerrett, mayor.
Walter Skerrett and John Lynch-Fitz John,
bailiffs.
1532 Anthony Lynch, mayor.
Marcus Lynch and Jonack Lynch-Fitz-Stephen,
bailiffs.
1533 Richard Blake, mayor.
Anthony Blake and Thomas Martin, bailiffs.
Any inhabitant who should begin any strife, de-
bate, or quarrel, or draw out swords, dagger, or
knife, to pay 100s.; the weapon to be nailed and
put up in the pillory.-Note, the offender should
have been put there instead of the instrument.
1534 Thomas Kirwan, mayor.
Christopher Lynch-Fitz-Stephen and William
Lynch, bailiffs.
1535 Richard Martin, mayor.
Dominick Lynch and George Skerrett, bailiffs.
Upon a return from his voyage the mayor fired
a gun at the little castle on Multon island, which
is still observed by all the Martins to this day.
1536 Richard Martin, mayor.
Domnick Lynch and George Skerrett, bailiffs.
Whatsoever woman, of what degree she be, bear-
236
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
ing child, shall not make common bancks, and
great expense as in time past, but shall keep her
accustomed beads during her pleasure, without
any resort of common house haunters, save only
her friends, such as she list, on pain to forfeit
20s.; and also whatsoever man or woman goeth
into any such house, asking or seeking for
meat or drink, unprayed or bidden, to pay
6s. 8d.
Henry VIII. ordained that the town of Galway
should use the English language, order, and
habit, and not to forestal the market of Limerick,
nor correspond with the Irish. Also, that his
deputy shall receive the fee farm and customs of
the city of Waterford, and half the fee farm of
Cork, Youghal, Limerick, and Galway, and the
other half to the reparation of their walls, and to
their defence.
That no man of Athenry, although he bought his
freedom in this town, be free, unless it be a young
man having no house here or there.
1537 Martin Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
Nicholas Lynch and Patrick Lynch, bailiffs.
That no person under a penalty of 20s. shall send
any meat or drink to any that keepeth sanctuary
in the abbeys, east or west, fearing to come into
the town to pay their debts.
1538 John French, mayor.
Nicholas Blake and William Skerrett, bailiffs.
That any person or merchant of this town that
shall make any bargain or contract in Spain,
France, or any other lands, for wine, salt, yeone,
or any other kind of wares, shall, before he put
the said shop or wares in book or custom, find
to the mayor and officers of this town sufficient
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
237
and substantial sureties, that he or they shall well
and truly content and pay the stranger of his
payment, for the discharge and credit of the
town and inhabitants thereof.
This mayor was generally called Shane ne Sallin,
from the great quantity of salt he brought from
Spain into Galway. He built the north side of
St. Nicholas' church from the north pinnacle to
the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and the
great chapel which lieth on the south side of St.
Francis' abbey, together with the stone house
that stands over the river, annexed to the west
pinnacle of the said abbey, called John French's
chamber to this day.-The family of French
came to England with William the conqueror,
and to Ireland with Strongbow. They settled
first in the county of Wexford, from whence one
of the family came to Galway in the reign of
Henry VI. and another in the reign of queen
Elizabeth, from whom the Frenches of this
county and Roscommon are descended. I have
heard it asserted that the first of the Frenches
was a judge of that name, sent over from Eng-
land to try the Blakes for the murder of the
Athys. The lord deputy Grey came into Clan-
rickard from Thomond, and took the castle of
Ballyclare, and delivered it to Ulick Burke, and
on the eleventh day he came to Galway, where
the corporation treated the lord deputy and all
the English soldiers, gratis, for seven days, and
Ulick Burke did the same with the Irish. The
mayor and aldermen followed the example of
Limerick, and took the oath of the king's su-
premacy, and renounced the pope's usurped au-
thority. Here likewise O'Flaherty, O'Madden,
238
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and Mac Yoris made their submission. The
deputy was a violent reformer, and seized to his
own use the rich ornaments of the church of St.
Nicholas.
1539 Arthur Lynch, mayor.
Andrew Lynch-Fitz-Stephen and James Oge
Lynch, sheriffs.
This mayor died shortly after his election, and
Arthur French-Fitz-Geoffry was elected in his
place. It was enacted that widows should have
a third part of all such goods as were in the law-
ful possession of their husbands, and not disposed
of before their death, but not otherwise. This
year Andrew Browne of Athenry was made a
freeman of the town.
1540 Domnick Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
Ambrose Lynch and George Lynch-Fitz-Walter,
bailiffs.
Nicholas Browne, Robert Browne, and Domnick
Browne-Fitz-William, were made freemen of
the town. The lord deputy Grey on his return
to England was accused by his enemies, amongst
other things, with carrying the artillery in a
small vessel to Galway, and making the town
pay thirty-four pounds for that carriage. Like-
wise that he destroyed the castle of Lackagh and
Derry vic-Clogny in favour of Ulick Burke,
though the rightful possessor offered submission
and rent to the king.
1541 Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Peter French-Fitz- Waden and James Kervick,
bailiffs.
Richard Browne was made free of the town. It
was enacted that no sanctuary should be allowed
for debtors longer than twenty-four hours. The
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
239
Spittal, or St. Bridgid's house in the east sub-
urbs, was founded as a maintenance to some of
the poor members of this town falling to decay,
and upon each Sunday every burgess of the town
was bound to send a maid to collect alms for the
said house, which was usually observed after-
wards for many years. In this reign a law was
made that no merchants wife should use any
tavern or ale-house, upon pain of forfeiting
twenty shillings, toties quoties, as often as any of
them do the contrary, "but to let them be oc-
cupied in making of cloth and linen."
1542 Henry Joyce, mayor.
Edward French and Patrick French, bailiffs.
Ordered, that no person of this town shall buy or
sell with merchants of Limerick, Cork, Water-
ford, Dublin, or other towns or cities for any
goods, or cause the same to be transported by
land or sea, unless they come to this town as
other strangers and merchants in ships, on pain
of forfeiting the goods and £20.
About this time the bishops of Tuam and Clon-
fert, and Captains Wakely and Ovington, were
appointed commissioners to decide controversies
instead of the former Brehons.-The family of
Joyce, or Joyes, or Jorz, Jorse, is very ancient,
and allied to some of the British and Welsh
princes. The first of that name, Thomas Joyce,
came to Ireland in the reign of Edward I. He
acquired extensive property in Jarconnaught,
(since called Joyce country,) and from him are
descended the Joyces of that country; of whose
size and strength I have seen and heard many
instances. I saw an elderly man of that name
of uncommon stature and strength, whom, I was
240
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
informed, when in his youth and elevated with
the native, never was satisfied until he had driven
every man out of the fair green: those who knew
his humour, and also his strength, generally re-
tired beyond a certain small bridge: when his
whim was satisfied by submission, he permitted
them to return quietly, and no further notice
was taken on either side. Resistance would have
been not only useless, but almost certain destruc-
tion, for nineteen in twenty were of that name,
and all related. When I saw him he was the
remains of a noble figure, remarkably gentle and
kind to every one, and heard with great regret
the pranks of his youth mentioned.
1543 Jonakin Lynch, mayor.
Edmond Kirwan and Edmond Bodkin, bailiffs.
Nicholas Coin or Quin, and his son, Thomas
Coine, were admitted freemen.
1544 Edmond Lynch, mayor.
William Lynch and Thomas Lynch, bailiffs.
It was enacted that the warden and vicars should
not set any of the lands, tithes, or other reve-
nus of the collegiate church of St. Nicholas for
more than one year. Before this, longer tenures
had been given to friends and relations, to the
great injury of the institution.
The sweating sickness carried off numbers of
people.
On his submission to Henry VIII. Ulick Burke
was created Earl of Clanrickard, and his estate
was regranted to him, and the abbeys and
patronage of all benefices within his precincts.
The cocquets of Galway were excepted in the
patent; but in lieu of them the earl had a pen-
sion of £30. per annum, the third part of the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
241
first fruits, and the Abbey of Via nova, or Clon-
fert. He also gave to the earl a house and par-
cel of land, near Dublin, to encourage him to
make his appearance frequently at court.
1545 Thomas Kiwan, mayor.
Ambrose Lynch and Stephen Faunt, bailiffs.
1546 Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Arthur, mayor.
James Faunt and Walter Skerrett, bailiffs.
1547 Thomas Kirwan, mayor.
Ambrose Lynch and Stephen Faunt, bailiffs.
1548 Dominick Lynch-Fitz-John, mayor.
John Joyce and Domnick French, bailiffs.
Richard de Burgo, called Richard Sassanagh,
(English Richard,) for £1000. obtained from
Henry VIII. a grant of all Connaught, after the
death of the then king of Connaught; and on the
10th June a writ was issued to the Lord Justice
to seize on Connaught, forfeited by O'Connor,
and to deliver it to Richard de Burgo at the rent
of 300 marks for the first five years, and after-
wards for £500. per annum, except five choice
cantreds near Athlone, which probably were
designed for the support of that garrison. Shortly
after this period the earl intended to put all
larconnaught under contribution, or chief rent;
he took the whole prey of the country, and they
coming to Trabane, within two miles of Galway
westward, were set upon by a small party and
the prey taken from them, and they were forced
to turn their backs, and the most part of them
were either drowned in the sea or river of Gal-
way. Some got over the river, but such was their
apprehension of death, that they knew not how.
Tinor pedibus adidit alas.
1549 Thomas Martin, mayor.
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242
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Givane Faunt and James French, bailiffs.
For sundry and divers injuries and wrongs that
the septs of Clan Donze, Clan Mc. Conchour,
Clan Caleboy, the O'Hallorans Slought-Etag-
gard, and O'Flaherties, their chief captains, doth
daily to the inhabitants of this town, that when
any of the said septs with their captains be found
in town, to be taken and arrested until restitu-
tion be made for all hurts and damages as he or
any of his sept doth to the inhabitants; and that
the mayor or officers shall not licence nor par-
don any of the said septs to come within this
town, without licence of those on whom they
commit the trespasses, or owing debt.
This mayor built the west gate and tower at the
end of the bridge. In consideration of which
the corporation gave him the plot of ground
whereon the mill was built, and was lately called
Thomas's mill; over the gate was inscribed-
"This gate was erected to protect us from the
Ferocious O'Flaherties."
1550 Richard Kirwan, mayor.
Denis Kirwan and David Bodkin, bailiffs.
Ordered, that the mayor, for the time being, shall
have of the fishers of the lough or river every
fish day, betwixt Michaelmas and Hollontide,
but two hundred small eels, and every of the
bailiffs one hundred; and from Hollontide forth
it is ordered, that the mayor, for the furnishing
his table with fresh fish, shall have the election
of two fishers whom he list, and every of the
bailiffs to have in like manner a fisher to keep
their house with fish.
1551 John Oge Lynch, mayor.
John Lynch and Persse Lynch, bailiffs.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 243
1552 Jonack Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Andrew Browne and Robuck Lynch, bailiffs.
1553 Patrick Lynch, mayor.
Anthony French and Domnick Browne, bailiffs.
Ordered, that the mayor and bailiffs do sustain
four masons annually to work on the murage and
pavage of the town.
King Edward VI. granted a charter of incorpo-
ration to the reformed warden and vicars, and
annulled the pope's bull.
1554 Nicholas Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Henry Lynch and David Kirwan, bailiffs.
The mayor was also called Nicholas-more-Linchee.
At his own expence he built the work adjoining
his grandfather's work in St. Nicholas's church,
and is to this day called Lynche's aisle.
1555 Nicholas Blake, mayor.
Peter French-Fitz-John and Pierce Lynch-Fitz-
John, bailiffs.
1556 William Skerrett, mayor.
John Blake-Fitz-Robert and Martin French,
bailiffs.
1557 James Oge Lynch, mayor.
Richard Lynch and Walter Lynch, bailiffs.
This mayor built the south end of St. Nicholas's
church. The east end of the tholsel was built.
The Burkes of the county of Mayo, under the
conduct of Mac William Eighter, were defeated
at Shruel, by the Burkes of the county of Gal-
way, under the conduct of Richard Burke, Earl
of Clanrickard. In July the lord deputy made
an expedition against the O'Maddens, whose
country, called Silanchia, (now the barony of
Longford,) was last year, on the murder of John
O'Madden, divided between Malachy Modher
R 2
244
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and the murderer, Brasil Duff. The deputy
sent a summons to the castle of Meelick, but the
warder, though he boasted how stoutly he
would defend it, and threatened to hang the
herald if he brought any more messages, sneaked
off in the night.
1558 Ambrose Lynch-Fitz-Martin, mayor.
Domnick Lynch and Richard Lynch-Fitz-Patrick,
bailiffs.
A petition from the town of Galway was pre-
sented to queen Elizabeth, stating that they were
greatly oppressed by the O'Flahertys, who had
forcibly dispossessed the O'Briens of the island
of Arran, who had agreed for a stipulated tribute
to protect the town from pirates, and had so well
fulfilled the agreement for many years, that this
petition was preferred to restore them to their
ancient possessions. In June the lord deputy,
the Earl of Essex, marched into Galway, and
was well received by the archbishop of Tuam
and the bishops of Clonfert and Clanmacnois,
who with the clergy met him in procession. In
this reign Sir George Carew and Henry Sidney
had orders to destroy all the manuscripts they
could find, and which they too effectually ac-
complished. In this reign also the king of Den-
mark was anxious to have the Irish manuscripts
in his possession, which had been brought from
Ireland by his countrymen, translated. He ap-
plied to queen Elizabeth to send him a person
well qualified for this task; for this purpose one
Donald O'Daly, fit in every respect to engage in
this business, was chosen. But a council was
called, and a certain member opposed the scheme,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
245
lest it might be prejudicial to the English in-
terest.
1559 George Lynch-Fitz-William, mayor.
Peter Lynch and Robock French, bailiffs.
1560 Stephen Lynch Fitz-Arthur, mayor.
James Lynch and Nicholas French-Fitz-Oliver,
bailiffs.
1561 Nicholas Lynch-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Nicholas Lynch and Martin Lynch, bailiffs.
1562 Thomas Blake, mayor.
Patrick Blake and Walter Blake, bailiffs.
1563 Thomas Oge Martin, mayor.
James Lynch-Fitz-Arthur and Patrick Martin,
bailiffs.
1564 Nicholas Blake, mayor.
John Lynch-Fitz-Thomas and John Fitz-Henry-
Blake, bailiffs.
This mayor was fined £40. for issuing the queen's
writ against the warden and Richard Joyce,
"young man," his farmer, "without first suing
them before the mayor and council, according to
a law enacted by the corporation in 1486.
1565 Peter Lynch-Fitz-Vaden, mayor.
Nicholas Lynch and Andrew Morris, bailiffs.
1566 James Kyrvicke, mayor.
William Martin and Richard Browne, bailiffs.
1567 Edmond Kirwan, mayor.
James Lynch and Martin Kirwan, bailiffs.
1568 Domnick French, mayor.
William Lynch and George French, bailiffs.
1569 George Faunt, mayor.
Gregory Bodkin and Valentine French, bailiffs.
* I trust some of our Irish antiquaries will take advantage of this no-
tice. Probably many valuable documents would be obtained in Den-
mark,
246
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1570 Denis Kirwan, mayor.
John Martin and Ambrose Bodkin, bailiffs.
1571 Robert Lynch, mayor.
Roland Skerrett and Nicholas French-Fitz-Va-
dien, bailiffs.
1572 John Lynch, mayor.
John Lynch Fitz-William and Marcus Lynch,
bailiffs.
1573 Pierce Lynch Fitz-Oliver, mayor.
Charles Lynch Ulick and Oliver Oge-French,
bailiffs.
1574 Andrew Browne, mayor.
Anthony Lynch Fitz-Marcus and Nicholas Kir-
wan Fitz-Denis, bailiffs.
This mayor died in office, and James Kirwan was
elected. It is imagined the Brownes came over
with Strongbow. It is evident they were not
of much consideration at an early period in Gal-
way, for this is the first mayor of that name.
The Brownes of the county of Mayo settled
there in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and were
different families from those settled in Galway
at an early period.-Quere, do the Mayo
Brownes vote as tribes?
1575 Domnick Browne, mayor.
James Lynch Fitz-Stephen-Arthur and Michael
Lynch Fitz-Stephen-Arthur, bailiffs.
Seven of the family of the Clandonnels, and
Mac William Eighter, junior, who could speak
Latin though he could not speak English, sub-
mitted by oath and indenture, and agreed to pay
250 marks per ann, for his country, besides con-
tributions of men on risings out, and consented
that the clan of the Clandonnels should hold
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
247
their lands of the Queen; whereupon he was
knighted, and had some small present from the
deputy, and an English sheriff sent into his
country as he desired. The town of Galway at
this time was poor and disorderly, and the coun-
try destroyed by the Earl of Clanrickard's sons,
against whom infinite complaints were made.
Nevertheless they had the confidence to come
unexpectedly into the church of Galway in the
time of divine service, and upon their knees to
make their submission; and at the same time
they humbly begged pardon for their extra-
vagancies, which by the advice of the privy
council was granted to them. Although for the
present they were confined, and afterwards
carried to Dublin; and so the lord deputy hav-
ing staid three weeks at Galway, set out to-
wards Dublin, and kept sessions in every county
he marched into, and settled garrisons in all
places convenient. He finished his progress on
the 13th day of April, 1576.—In a letter of the
lord deputy he says, amongst other things, that
Athenry was the most miserable spectacle in the
world; the whole town was burned by the
Macan Earlas, and the church itself not ex-
cepted from the general ruin, although the
mother of one of those vipers was buried there-
in; but this was so far from mitigating their
fury, that the son being told his mother was
buried in the church, replied, that if she was
alive, he would sooner burn her and the church
together, than that any English church should
fortify there; that these Macan Earlas hated
each other, and yet like Herod and Pilate join-
ed together against any third person whom they
248
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
thought to be a common enemy. That the
deputy had laid a tax of two thousand pounds
on the county, towards rectifying of Athenry,
and took from the Earl of Clanrickard the
castles of Ballyclare and Ballinasloe.-That
O'Connor duh, and O'Flyn, submitted to him
at Roscommon, (their country being destroyed),
and desired the English laws and government.
That the whole province of Connaught was
much annoyed by the Scots whom the Macan
Earlas brought to their assistance. Shortly after
this the deputy received letters from the bishop
of Meath, and the mayor of Galway, which in-
formed him that the sons of Clanrickard,who
had lately submitted (with the connivance of
their father) passed the Shannon, changed their
English for Irish apparel, sent for their friends.
and the Scots, and being met went to Athenry,
sacked the town again, and set the new gates
on fire, defaced the Queen's arms, drove away
some, and slew others of the masons that were
building. The industrious deputy made such
haste, that in three days he was with them; at
the report whereof the rebels were amazed,
and fled to the mountains; but Clanrickard's
castles were taken, and himself sent close pri-
soner to Dublin, though he made many ex-
cuses, to no purpose; which done, the deputy
restored Castlebar to Mac William Eighter,
and went to Galway to comfort and save the
townsmen. Not long after this the Macan
Earlas, Clanrickard's sons, were up again in
Connaught, and had gotten 2000 Scots to their
assistance; they besieged Ballyriagh (Lough-
rea), one of the Earl of Clanrickard's castles
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 249
but Thomas L'Estrange and Captain Collier,
who lay in garrison there with fifty horse and one
hundred foot, defended the place so gallantly,
that they forced the rebels to raise the siege,
with the slaughter of six captains and 150 sol-
diers; whereat the rebels were so nettled, that
they immediately fell upon Mac William Ough-
ter and wasted his country; but upon the ap-
proach of the lord deputy the rebels dispersed,
and thereupon the deputy divided his forces,
and by the help and intelligence of Mac William
Oughter, he met with and defeated several
small parties of the Irish, and killed many, and
executed some; and so having restored Mac
William to most of his castles, and being in-
formed that the Scots were retreated to the
rocks and the glens, he knighted Sir Nicholas
Mulloy, and according to the Queen's orders,
left him governor of Connaught, and then re-
turned to Dublin. He also, during his time,
again repaired the town of Athenry, and built
the bridge of Athlone.
1576 Peter French Fitz-John, mayor.
Thomas Kirwan and George French Fitz-Ed-
ward, bailiffs.
1577 Pierce Lynch, mayor.
John Blake and Francis Martin, bailiffs.
This year John Burke, alias Shane-ne-shammer,
or Far-more, was put to death by his own cou-
sins at Ballyfenton, assisted by the country peo-
ple. He intended to be Earl Clanrickard, or
at least the head of his family.
1578 John Blake Fitz-Richard, mayor.
Christopher Lynch and James D'Arcey, bailiffs.
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
St. Nicholas' church was repaired and much beau-
tified.
1579 Martin French, mayor.
Marcus Lynch Fitz-Stephen and Richard Butler,
bailiffs.
An order was made that no grown timber should
be exported.
1580 Domnick Lynch Fitz-John, mayor.
Thomas Lynch and John Skerrett, bailiffs.
This mayor erected a school at the quay, which
was afterwards converted into a place of defence
called cean-a-walla, or head of the wall. He
had a chief rent in all provisions to be sold within
the town or exported: he also built the west
side of the town house. Sir William Pelham,
lord justice, marched to Galway, and confirmed
the privileges of the town: he thence marched
through Athenry, Ballynasloe, and Athlone, to
Dublin.
This year William Burke, younger son to the
Earl of Clanrickard, and the Earl of Thomond's
son, were apprehended near Galway, and were
both hanged near the king's walls, by William
Martin, marshal of the town, they being in re-
bellion against the crown; which act he did to
prevent the coming of the pardon, which was
procured by the said mayor.-This year died
Connor-mac-an-Righ (the son of a king), an in-
habitant of the island of Arran, who was 220
years old. He remembered when there were
but three stone houses in Galway, the Abbey,
the red Earl's house, now inhabited by Staunton,
a publican in Court-house lane, (formerly called
the red Earl's lane) next door to the old court-
house and Athy's castle; and that there was
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 251
only a small chapel where St. Nicholas church
now stands, and another at our Lady's chapel.
He remembered the building of Rosiella Abbey,*
and that he killed 180 beeves in his own house,
reckoning one for every Christmas.
Whereas many and sundry greedy, detestable
and inordinate gains of living of interests or Cam-
bies, after the rate of wheat, or a good hide for
the marke, by the year, has been taken up by
such as lent money; ordered that none be here-
after taken but by such as are authorised by her
Majesty's laws.
1581 Peter Lynch Fitz-Marcus, mayor.
Domnick Martin and Marcus Lynch Fitz-Peter,
baliffs.
A contention arose about this time between the
Mac-an-Earlas, Ulick and John Burke, on
the death of their father; but it was referred to
commissioners, who ordered that Ulick Burke
should have Loughrea and the Earldom of
Clanrickard, and that John should have Lei-
trim, and they both agreed that if either proved
a traitor the Queen the other should have all.
1582 Robuck French Fitz-John, mayor.
Walter Joyce and Edmond French Fitz-Ro-
buck, bailiffs.
1583 Nicholas French, mayor.
Anthony Lynch Fitz-Thomas and Oliver Browne,
bailiffs.
An addition was made to St. Nicholas church.
Any inhabitant comforting, lodging, or main-
taining in his house or otherwise, any bawdry
or harlots, shall forfeit every time 20s.
• I imagine this is Ross Abbey, called sometimes Ross-Traleg and
Ross-rielly.
252
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1584 Nicholas Lynch, mayor.
Richard Martin and Jeffrey Martin, bailiffs.
At this period the Earl of Ormond revived his
claim to the prisage of the wines of Galway,
from which they imagined they had been exempt,
and established his claim with costs.
1585 James Lynch Fitz-Arthur, mayor.
Stephen Kirwan and Thomas Browne, bailiffs.
Ordered, that no inhabitant henceforth pay any
cess, tax or tallage, but according to his ability
of goods and lands.-The province of Con-
naught was divided by Sir John Perrott into
the counties of Galway, Roscommon, Sligo,
Mayo and Leitrim. Before this period there
were only the counties of Connaught and Ros-
common. The following curious articles, touch-
ing reformations in the common-wealth, were
presented the 25th February, 1585, by the ad-
vice of Sir John Perrott, who was remarkable
for the kindness with which he treated the Irish
people.
That the young English tailors and their boys
be vagrants, the most in the town, using all un-
lawful plays and lascivious expences both by day
and night, yea, and withal playing the whore
whose names partly will hereafter ensue. That
none be suffered to use any kind of unlawful
games or plays to deceive and make the people
idle, and shun to earn their living by good and
lawful means.
That no young man, apprentice or otherwise,
shall wear no gorgeous apparel, nor silks either
within or without their garments, not yet fine
knit stockings either of silk or costly wise; wear
no costly long riffs thick and started, but be
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
253
contented with single riffs, and that also they
shall wear no pantwofles, but rather be con-
tented with shoes. That generally all artificers
in town do exact and take up for their works far
more than is allowed unto them by the assize of
the town, and beside that their exaction of mo-
ney, they exact and take aqua vitæ, wine, meat
and drink, bread, broth, flesh, candles, and
flax, with many other things.-That all sellers
of victuals do take of the people very unreason-
able gains, far beyond that reasonable allow-
ances allowed them by the assize of the town,
according to the rates laid by the market. That
many in town, and especially nurses, are en-
grossers and encroachers of the markets, and
also they who are better and most provided, be-
sides the market, and have most store of corn,
be the first that engroseth and encroacheth the
market there.--Great laches and slackness in
our watch and ward armour and weapon, and
worst of all, a great want in this town, viz. of
powder, match, and munition, which we protest
to be prevented as well by the governor of the
realm, as also by the corporation, so far forth as
the power corporations ability will reach, and that
the same be provided in time, fearing of any im-
minent danger.-That no fry of fish, viz. of eels,
be taken by no way whatsoever, beginning the
15th day of April to the spring following the
same; and also that no red salmon be taken,
nor crue of salmon as in the statute in that be-
half is provided, Aet-na-howly always excepted,
for that we found it so by antiquity; and fearing
the destruction of the fish, to prevent the same,
that no limed hides or flax be suffered to be put
254
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
into the river.-That all artificers, craftsmen,
and common labourers, do take more than they
should for their hire, both by the year, quarter,
month, and day, far over the assize set down by
the corporation.-That the shoemakers, glovers,
and skinners of this town do not well tan their
leather, nor yet utter the same according to the
market; and to prevent the same, it is good to
establish and order that they make good stuff,
and utter the same according to the market.-
That the new statute made by the goldsmiths,
concerning their own facultie or art, is com-
mendable, so as they shall observe the same, and
mend their former faults.-That many merchants
and handy craftsmen have relinquished their
mansions in town, and keep themselves in the
country, without answering tax and tallage, scot
and lot, within this town, from time to time, as
appeareth by the names in Nicholas Lynch, the
town clerk, his book; and, to prevent the same,
it is good to establish, that every of them do come
to dwell in town, or otherwise to order a fine
lesse their liberty as appertain.-That a more
stricter order be taken to bar the making of
aqua vitæ of corn than hitherto hath been used,
for that the same is a consumption of all the
provision of corn in the commonwealth.-That
no freeman within age shall have no utterance
in the trade of merchandize, until he come ap-
prentice to an householder that shall pay tax and
tallage, except only a man's heir.—No craftsman,
or, as it were, grey merchant, go abroad to buy
or sell (under pretence of being servants to free-
men) any kind of merchandize, cattle, or other
things, that shall not be of their own faculty;
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
255
and that no weaver shall weave either linen
cloth or single frize under the breadth of three
quarters of a yard, on pain of forfeiture.-That
neither porters, harpers, messengers, millers,
bakers, butchers, or any nurses, or any kind of
craftsmen, do at no festival times, or at any other
time, come to any man's house to crave either
for ben bridge, offering, meat, or any drink, by
any way whatsoever, in vayne, on pain of im-
prisonment and loss of a crown, as well of the
giver, as also of the offender.-That if any ho-
nest man's wife be convided, (invited,) that she
bring no more in her company but one, on pain
of a crown.—That none do presume to enter
into any house of banquet, without he be invited;
and if he be invited, to have his billet under the
inviter's hand, on pain of a crown.-That no
cow or bullock under the age of three years be
killed to be sold, upon pain of forfeiture.-That
no kind of salt, in respect of wages or gift, be
given to any boatman, either for sail of wages,
nor yet to any horseman, for his carriage or
sack, nor yet for the sack itself, but money.-
That none shall either cut truffs or dig the mea-
dows and pastures of this town, either by east or
west, especially Conssuckin to the crag of Castle-
gar, by Pollmorydine, and all about the salt
water lough, and in like manner in the meadows
and pastures of the waste, within our franchise,
in no place and in any wise; that the highways
be neither hedged or manured to encroach the
common way, on pain of forfeiture for every these
defaults, not only all the labour and manurance,
but also 20s. toties quoties.-That no seaman or
seamen, or, as I would say, fisherman or fisher-
256
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
men, do take in hand either the plough, spade,
or teithe, that would bar them from fishing, both
to serve themselves and the commonwealth with
fish; in consideration whereof that the said
fishers and their wives and family, be reasonably
served before others with all necessary sustenance
and food of provision as cometh to the market,
whereby they might be the better able to earn
their said livings that way, and have the better
hope. That, according to the ancient statutes,
the course of the running water, that is to say,
the little gate ditch water, all along that entereth
through Nicholas Lynch's mill, and the water
that entereth into the gut, all along to the is-
suing out of the same in Martin's mill, be always
kept clean, as well within the walls as without.-
That the aqua vita that is sold in town ought
rather to be called aqua mortis, to poison the
people, than comfort them in any good sort, and
in like manner all their beer; and all wherein
the officers, in reforming the same, have need to
be more vigilant and inquisitive than they be.-
There is no good bread made to be sold, neither
well made, nor well baked, nor yet good, cheap
as the market goes, but rather by half and half
to deceive the people for the reformation
whereof we find, that men and women of good
skill in making and baking of bread be thereto
appointed accordingly, and as the rates of the
market will be set down by the officers, so as it
be a penny, half-penny, farthing, always to be
found. That no victualling house, cellar, or
shop, where any victual, wine, or aqua vitæ is,
be not in any honest sort kept clean, wherein
there is neither sitting place, cloth, dish, or any
:
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
257
other service, which have great need of refor-
mation. That all the meat that is thought to
be either sodden or roasted by the bowcherous
cooks of this town is not worth the eating, and
therefore is not sufferable, which also hath need
of reformation, so as all to be clean, and re-
tailed by penny, halfpenny, farthing, and wear
their clean aprons; and that there be no horns
suffered to be where the meat is dressing.-
That, according to the ancient statutes, hogs
be not suffered to be fed within the town, and
especially upon the market place. That no man
shall draw, or cause to be drawn, the wool of his
sheep at no time, but rather shear them in due time,
and not otherwise.
That no mutton or sheep be burned with the skin
or wool, to the end that both might very well
serve their own turns otherwise.
That candle-makers have very great need of re-
formation, for that they sell neither light nor
sight, neither good tallow nor good thread, nor
yet any good stuff at all for candles.
That no artificer, or man of occupation whatso-
ever, not suffered to be idle, wandering and
wagginge abroad the streets, taverns, or other
places, upon working days, without a special
good cause; during which time they must go
either without cloak or mantle, having in their
hands some token of their own crafts tools.
That no woman shall make no open noise of an
unreasonable cry, after the Irishrie, either be-
fore, nor yet after, the death of any corpse,
much less in the house, street, and before all in
the church, the house, nor yet in the fields;
ら
​258
STATISTIAL, &c. SURVEY
we mean their singing songs, song to praise of
men, both dead and also alive, and not to God
everliving. That no woman shall wear no
gorgeous apparel, but as becometh them to do,
according to their calling; and in especial they
shall altogether forego the wearing of any hats
or caps otherwise coloured than black, and
upon them they shall wear no costly hatbands,
or cap bands, of gold thread; the mayoress only
excepted.
1586 William Martin, mayor.
Valentine Blake and Marcus Lynch, bailiffs.
1587 John Blake, mayor.
Walter Martin and Anthony Kirwan, bailiffs.
1588 Andrew Morris, mayor.
Patrick Kirwan and George Morris, bailiffs.
This year a piece of the wall near the point of
Cean-a-walla was built at the expense of the
corporation. One of the Spanish Armada was
wrecked in the bay of Galway, and upwards of
seventy of the crew perished; and several other
vessels were lost on the coast, and the greater
part of the crews that escaped were massacred
by order of Sir William Fitz-Williams, lord
deputy of Ireland, who had several beheaded
near St. Augustine's monastery.
1589 Richard Browne, mayor.
Oliver Kirwan and P. French Fitz-Valentine,
bailiffs.
1590 James Lynch Fitz-Ambrose, mayor.
John Martin Fitz-Patrick and William French
Fitz-Nicholas, bailiffs.
A bellfrey was erected this year, and several
bells added; one of them remains in use; on it
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 259
is engraved "renewed be Master James Linche,
mayor, and Hugh Butwall, founder of this bell,
1590 T. W."
1591 Ulick Lynch Fitz-Edmond, mayor.
James Lynch Fitz-Martin and Peter Blake, bai-
liffs.
The castle of Menlo demolished, for hindering
turf boats to come to Galway by Lough Corrib.
1592 Valentine French, mayor.
John Lynch and Geffry French, bailiffs.
1593 John Martin, mayor.
Roebuck Martin and Arthur Lynch Fitz-James,
bailiffs.
1594 Ronald Skerrett, mayor.
Pierce Lynch Fitz-Jonack and Patrick Lynch
Fitz-Ulick, bailiffs.
1595 Marcus Lynch Fitz-Nicholas, mayor.
Thomas Lynch Fitz-Domnick and Gregory
French, bailiffs.
1596 Oliver Oge French, mayor.
P. Oge French Fitz-Peter and William Lynch
Fitz-Peter, bailiffs.
This mayor married Margaret Joyce, daughter
of John Joyce; she had been formerly married
to Domingo De Rona, a rich Spaniard, who
had taken a liking to her, on seeing her going
to the water bare-legged to wash clothes. He
died and left her very rich, and without issue.
Whilst the mayor her husband was at sea, she
built the greater part of the bridges of Con-
naught at her own expense. One day reviewing
the workmen, an eagle flying over her head, let
fall a stone ring: the most skilful lapidary was
ignorant of the kind: it has been preserved in
S 2
260
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the family since! !*-Richard Martin was the
first recorder, and continued so for thirty
years.
1597 Anthony Lynch Fitz-Morris, mayor.
Patrick Kirwan and Andrew Blake Fitz-Patrick,
bailiffs.
1598 Nicholas Kirwan Fitz-Denis, mayor.
Marcus Blake and Patrick Blake, bailiffs.
1599 Michael Lynch, mayor.
Christopher Lynch Fitz-Richard and Patrick
French Fitz-Oliver, bailiffs.
John Quirke, and James Codegan or Conegan
were made freemen.
1600 Francis Martin, mayor.
Marcus Lynch Fitz-Martin and Edmond Lynch
Fitz-Pierce, bailiffs.
The fort of Galway was built at the King's charge.
1601 Christopher Lynch Fitz-George, mayor.
Robert Blake and Nicholas Lynch, bailiffs.
1602 James D'Arcy (Riveagh, or swarthy), mayor.
Robert Blake and Nicholas D'Arcy, bailiffs.
This mayor, who was also vice president of
Connaught, died in June following, and was
succeeded for the remainder of the year by
Christopher Lynch Fitz-George, who had been
mayor on the preceding year. †
Eagles, it secms, were very watchful of the affairs of this family
(Joyce), for one of the family who had been taken prisoner, and for many
years a captive by the Saracens, after many surprising vicissitudes of for-
tune, escaped after many years confinement, into Spain; where this
guardian eagle or angel led him to a place where immense treasures were
hidden. On his return to Galway he expressed his gratitude to Heaven
by building churches, the town wall, and other useful works!!!
+ This is the first mayor of that name, as the family did not settle in
Galway until the reign of Queen Elizabeth. They deduce their pedigree
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
261
Robert Blake purchased a patent from the king,
of the chief rent the Red Earl had in Galway.
The lord deputy kept his Christmas at Galway,
and there received into favor the O'Flahertys,
Mac Dermotts, O'Connor-roe, and others. He
ordered that the fort of Galway should be finish-
ed. At this time the county of Clare was taken
from Connaught and added to Munster.
1603 Marcus Lynch Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Martin Gauldy Lynch and Oliver Martin, bailiffs.
1604 Marcus French Fitz-John, mayor.
Martin Font and Christopher Blake, bailiffs.
This year, Andrew French, a native of Galway,
with his two sons Edmond and Geoffry, went
to Spain, where, through their good breeding
and education, his eldest son Edmond, was made.
receiver of the King of Spain's estate, and Geoffry
made governor of a considerable place in the
West Indies; he was very much honored and
respected there, and was knighted of the order
of St. Jago, and made general of the Spanish
fleet coming from the West Indies with the
king's plate and treasure, and his son Anthony,
made a page to his majesty, and a captain of
horse in the wars with France, and by them.
taken prisoner, and ransomed by the king of
Spain for £3000. He had been formerly mar-
ried in Spain, and died without issue, but left a
sister honorably married in Spain.-This year
the Roman Catholics repaired several abbeys
from Charlemagne. Sir John D'Arcey came over to Ireland as chief
justice to Edward II. in 1525. IIe married a daughter of De Burgo,
Earl of Ulster, from whom probably all the D'Arceys of Ireland are de-
scended. If this is correct, what claim can they have to the name of
Tribc?
262
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and monasteries; amongst others Kilconnel,
Loughrea, Knockmoy, and Clare Galway.-
At this time the circuit for judges of assize
commenced in the county of Galway, and for ma-
ny years was held alternately in Galway and
Loughrea.
1605 John Skerrett Fitz- William, mayor.
Geoffry Lynch Fitz-Domnick and John Lynch
Fitz-Marcus, bailiffs.
That every freeman, being a merchant, dwelling
in town, keeping crock and pan, and paying
tax and tallage, shall have a voice in electing
officers yearly, and also in all general matters
which shall happen.
1606 Edmond French-Fitz-Robuck, mayor.
Peter Lynch-Fitz-Marcus and Pierce Lynch-Fitz-
Jonack, bailiffs.
1607 Richard Martin, mayor.
Martin D'Arcey and Robert Martin, bailiffs.
The law to prevent the alienation of the church
property by the warden and vicars was renewed,
under the penalty of expulsion out of the college
house and church, as an unprofitable member,
and also forfeiting £20.
1608 Stephen Kirwan, mayor.
Martin D'Arcey and James Oge D'Arcey, bailiffs.
"This year there came to Galway a gentlewoman
called the lady Jacob, to look for her pedigree,
she being repulsed in England. She had a good
equipage, well attended, and much made of her.
She was the daughter of one Ulick Lynch of
Hampton in England, whither she returned with
her genealogy." Galway, because it had sub-
mitted to the king's pleasure, as to the customs
and poundage, his majesty did by letter of the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 263
3d March, 1608, order the lord deputy to renew
their respective charters, with the addition of
reasonable charters.
At this period there was a famous school, con-
taining 1200 scholars, kept in Galway by Alex-
ander Lynch.
1609 Oliver Browne, mayor.
Nicholas French and Domnick Browne, bailiffs.
This mayor, refusing to take the oath of supre-
macy, was deposed, and Thomas Browne elected
in his place; he also refused to take the oath,
was also deposed, and fined £100. and Ulick
Lynch was elected for the remained of the
1610 Richard Bodkin, mayor.
year.
Patrick Martin and Christopher Bodkin, sheriffs.
This year Geoffry French-Fitz-Domnick and
Patrick French-Fitz-Robert were sent by the
corporation to England, to renew their charter
and get further privileges from his majesty,
James I. which were granted to them, with an
extension of their liberties for four miles east and
west of the town; the corporation was made a
county; and the high sheriff of the county had
nothing to do with the town and liberties, and
the king's sword was brought hither. The cor-
poration at this time consisted of a mayor, two
sheriffs, twelve aldermen, a recorder, and common
council. Previous to this year the customs of
Galway amounted only to £72. 17s. 6d. ; for
for Dublin, £1890. 2s. 1d.; Limerick, 141.
9s. 6d.; Carrickfergus, £399. 6s. 7d. But it
it seems this was only the custom of prohibited
goods, and the three pence per pound for the
other goods due by common law.
Aldermen first mentioned; before this period
264
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they were called masters, and sheriffs were called
bailiffs.
1611 Val. Blake Fitz-Walter-Fitz-Thomas, mayor.
Andrew Lynch-Fitz-John and Thomas Blake,
sheriffs.
This mayor was deposed for refusing to take the
oath of supremacy, by Sir Oliver St. John, in
the presence of William O'Donnell, Archbishop
of Tuam, (who had shortly before translated the
New Testament and book of Common Prayer
into Irish,) and his place was supplied by Richard
Martin. He built a chapel in St. Francis'
Abbey, on the south side of the choir, where he
and his posterity were buried. This chapel was
afterwards converted to a sacristy.
October 2d, the Earl of Thomond, Sir Oliver St.
John, vice president of Connaught, Sir Thomas
Rotheram, knt. governor of St. Augustine's fort,
and Roger O'Shaughnessy, esq. were elected
freemen.
The company of young men got a charter from the
mayor and corporation, constituting them a body
politic of themselves, and empowering them to
make bye laws for the well governing of the
company, and their captain should sit next the
sheriffs of the town at all public meetings, and
should be an esquire for that year, and the whole
company exempted from the payment of any
taxes; in consideration whereof they were bound
to watch and ward.
1612 Sir Thomas Rotheram, mayor.
Marcus Lynch-Fitz-Christopher and Adam
Faunt, sheriffs.
This year no person eligible to the office of mayor
could be found in town, who would take the oath
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
265
of supremacy; in consequence of which, Sir
Thomas Rotheram, governor of St. Augustine's
fort, and privy counsellor of Connaught, was ap-
pointed. Many excellent ordinances were made
in this and the former mayoralties.
1613 Walter Martin, mayor.
James Oge D'Arcey and George Martin, sheriffs.
1614 Nicholas D'Arcey, mayor.
James Oge D'Arcey and Francis Martin, sheriffs.
Sir Valentine Blake, of Menlough, was returned to
sit in parliament for the town of Galway, and
for many years afterwards.-Note, in the list of
baronets in the almanack, the date of the creation
is 1622.
1615 Pierce Lynch-Fitz-Jonack, mayor.
Pierce Martin-Fitz-William and Jonack Lynch-
Fitz-Pierce, sheriffs.
Peter French-Fitz-Valentine was elected mayor;
but having refused the office was fined £100.
and Pierce Lynch elected in his place, as no
other would take the oath.-This year upwards
of 1200 tuns of Spanish wine was landed here
for account of the merchants of Galway.
1616 Pierce Lynch-Fitz-Jonack, mayor.
John French and Emond Lynch, sheriffs.
1617 Francis Lynch-Fitz-Peter, mayor.
Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Pierce and James Semper,
sheriffs.
1618 Nicholas Lynch-Fitz-George, mayor.
James Semper and Marcus Lynch-Fitz-George,
sheriffs.
Sir Charles Coote, knight, Sir John Burke of
Derrymaclaughney Castle, knight, John Bourke,
of Downsandle, esquire, and John Jacob, of Gal-
way, admitted freem
266
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
The work called the new work was begun by con-
sent of the merchants of Galway, intending to
make a more commodious place there for trad-
ing; which walls they were bound to finish within
a limited time. Forty families of Hollanders
offered to execute the work for thirty-five thou-
sand pounds, and undertook to finish the whole
in fifteen years; yet nothing was done.
1619 James D'Arcey-Fitz-James, mayor.
Marcus French- Fitz-Marcus and Peter Martin-
Fitz-Walter, sheriffs.
The town was burned on May day; it took fire
on the east side of the town, occasioned by a
shot from a musket, being a usual day for the
sports of the youth of the town.
1620 Andrew Lynch-Fitz-John, mayor.
Marcus French and James Semper, sheriffs.
1621 Robert Martin, mayor.
Luke Rawson and Manus Cunnine, sheriffs.
This mayor died in office, and was succeeded by
his father, Richard Martin, who had been mayor
in 1607, and was also elected in 1611 to fill
the place of Valentine Blake, who had been de-
posed for refusing to take the oath of supremacy.
1622 Patrick Martin-Fitz-Walter, mayor.
James Lynch and Pierce Martin, sheriffs.
1623 Marcus Oge French-Fitz-Marcus, mayor.
James Lynch-Fitz-Arthur and Geoffrey French-
Fitz-Arthur, sheriffs.
Donell Mc. Roebuck Bermingham, Edmond
Burke of Kilcornan, and Walter Bourke of Tur-
logh, in the county of Mayo, and their heirs,
were made freemen, they paying scot and lot.
Lord Falkland took his circuit and came to Gal-
way, where he knighted Sir Richard Blake-Fitz-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
267
Robert, and Sir Henry Lynch, baronets. He
left as a legacy three hundred pounds towards
building a college, and five hundred pounds
towards the preferment of fatherless children of
the natives of the town.
1624 Robert Blake-Fitz-Walter-Fitz-Thomas, mayor.
Geoffry French and John Blake, sheriffs.
Before this period the choice of the mayor was
only in the aldermen and sheriffs of the town;
the aldermen were those that had been mayors,
or in election to be such; and none were ad-
mitted to that dignity but Protestants, so that
for thirty years before this time all the mayors
were obliged to swear that the king was head of
the church. To avoid this, the corporation
thought fit to give every freeman of the town a
vote, and by this means Robert Blake was the
first Catholic mayor that had been elected for
upwards of thirty years.
1625 Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Nicholas-Fitz-Stephen-Fitz-
Arthur, mayor.
William Blake-Fitz-Christopher and Walter
Browne-Fitz-Thomas, sheriffs.
This year the fort of Ballymanagh, at the foot of
the bridge, was built; also new leaves to the
gate, at the expence of the corporation.-Or-
dered in council, that any person who shall
scandalize and unmannerly behave himself in
speeches to the mayor, shall forfeit £20. Also,
that no howling or shoutings be made in or out
of the streets of this town at the burial of any
deceased person; but that all such barbarous
courses be given over, on pain of five shillings
for each abuse; whereby all and every corpse
here be carried to his grave in a civil orderly
268
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
fashion, according to the form in all good places
observed.-Note, it would be highly desirable if
the present mayor would prevent the repetition
of this national disgrace. D.
1626 James Lynch-Fitz-Martin-Fitz-William, mayor.
Jasper Martin-Fitz-Nicholas and Marcus Skerrett,
sheriffs.
Murrough O'Flaherty, called O'Flaherty More,
died this year at Bunown Castle, in Connamara,
and was interred in St. Francis' Abbey in Gal-
way.
1627 Sir Richard Blake-Fitz-Robert-Fitz-Walter-Fitz-
Andrew, knt. mayor.
Edmond Kirwan and Nicholas Blake, sheriffs.
This year king Charles I. granted to the mayor,
for the time being, to be of his majesty's council
for the government of the county of the town
and the county at large; and likewise to join
him with the governors of the said county in
commission for the execution of martial law.
1628 John Lynch-Fitz-Richard, mayor.
Richard Lynch-Fitz-John and Stephen Martin,
sheriffs.
May 17. For as much as the grace of God is the
best revenue of this town, and his blessing our
greatest rents; and that charitable distributions
are, according to his divine promise, an hundred
fold rewarded, both in this and the other world;
it is ordained, that the collectors of the rents and
revenues of this town shall, once every year,
distribute £10. between the poor widows of the
birth and blood of the town, in imitation of that
good widow, commanded by our Saviour, who
cast her two mites into the treasury; and in hope
that the supplying the needful exigents of the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 269
poor may increase our comings in, and thereby
enable us to do works tending to God's glory,
and the good of the commonwealth. It was
also enacted, that sturdy beggars and poor scho-
lars be banished; and that such poor and needy
men, born in the town, as shall be allowed to
beg, shall have leaden tokens fastened to their
caps, to distinguish them from others. And for
as much as divers strangers, and some of the
town, do keep blind ale-houses, which are the
relievers of idlers and malefactors, who, by cheat-
ing, cozening, and villainy, do disturb the quiet
and peace of the town, it is ordered that the se-
veral constables of the several quarters and fran-
chises do, every quarter session, present the
names of such, and of all other persons selling
beer, ale, &c. that a certain number of select
men may be named and licensed to do the same.
1629 Nicholas Lynch-Fitz-Jonakine, mayor.
Martin French and Alexander Bodkin, sheriffs.
Aldermen Marcus Blake had been chosen mayor,
but died on the morning of the 29th September,
before he entered into office; "it pleased God
Almighty to call him out of this transitory life to
the everlasting, and out of the chief chair of this
town (whereof he was to take possession) unto a
better and more glorious one in heaven."
1630 Sir Valentine Blake-Fitz-Walter-Fitz-Thomas,
knight and baronet, mayor.
Francis Blake and Richard Kirwan, sheriffs.
It was stipulated that the mayor's salary should
not exceed £12. sterling, "the same being the
stipend all the old mayors had." And that the
recorder should have but £10. per year, "which
was all that our first recorder, Mr. Domnick
270
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Martin, and Sir Harry Lynch elected recorder
after him, received." Since the mayoralty of
Sir Thomas Rotheram in 1612, the mayor's sa-
lary amounted to £100. yearly.
On the 1st of August, Oliver Martin was chosen
mayor, and Andrew Brown Fitz-Oliver, and
Edward French-Fitz-Patrick, sheriffs; but Sir
Thomas Rotheram having on the 12th Septem-
ber following come into the tholsel and produced
a letter from the privy council, ordering that
the magistrates should take the oath of supre-
macy; the mayor and sheriffs elect, requested
until the 27th for consideration, upon which they
declined to take the oath, and the officers above-
mentioned were accordingly chosen. It was
then ordered that the mayor should have the
former stipend of £100. a year for his salary.
1631 Geoffry Martin, mayor.
Robert Kirwan and John French-Fitz-Stephen,
sheriffs.
This Robert Kirwan left £10. per annum, to re-
lieve the poor prisoners of Galway.
1632 George Martin Fitz-Walter, mayor.
Pierce Martin-Fitz-Walter and Jonick Lynch-
Fitz-Pierce, sheriffs.
1633 Patrick French-Fitz-George, mayor.
George French-Fitz-Patrick and Walter Blake-
Fitz-Andrew, sheriffs.
1634 Sir Domnick Browne, knt. mayor.
Michael Lynch-Fitz Stephen and Domnick
Lynch-Fitz-John, sheriffs.
This year the street from the great gate to the
cross was paved.
Thomas Wentworth, lord lieutenant of Ireland,
came in great state to Galway, where he was
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 271
honorably entertained in Sir Richard Blake's
house, whom he much commended for his hos-
pitality. He then knighted Sir Domnick
Browne. In this reign, when Lord Wentworth
was governor of Ireland, the sheriff and jurors
of Galway shewed so independent a spirit in op-
posing his wishes to establish the king's right to
some estates, that they were fined £4000. each,
their estates seized, and themselves imprisoned
until it was paid, which was the sentence passed
in the Castle chamber, at the same time saying,
"it was fit their pertinacious carriage should be
followed with all just severity;" they were also
to acknowlege their offence on their knees in
open court.
1635 Nicholas More-Lynch-Fitz-Marcus, mayor.
William Lynch-Fitz-Andrew and Christopher
Bodkin-Fitz-Thomas, sheriffs.
Carte, in his life of Ormond, (upon what authority
appears not,) says, that by the interposition of
the Earl of Clanrickard in England, the fines of
the sheriff and jury of Galway were afterwards
reduced, the plantation laid aside, and the in-
habitants confirmed in their estates, upon the
like terms as the rest of the kingdom, without
suffering the hardships, change of possessions,
and other disagreeable circumstances which at-
tended a plantation. This must be a misstate-
ment, for the sheriff and jury were imprisoned,
and on Lord Wentworth's making a report of
his proceedings to the king in council in 1636,
his majesty told him, "that it was no severity,
and that if he had served him otherwise, he
should not serve him as he expected;" and it
appears that they still continued in prison in
722
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1637. It was in Lord Clanrickard's house that
Wentworth held his court of inquisition; and
the death of that lord, which happened soon after,
inflamed the popular odium against the deputy.
It was imputed to the vexations conceived by
this nobleman at the attempt against his pro-
perty by an insolent governor, who possessed
himself of the earl's house at Portumna, and in
his hall held that court which impeached his
title to his lands. It may not be amiss here to
give the character of Lord Clanrickard from
Carte, vol. I. p. 212.-" He was a man of great
piety and strict virtue, regular in his devotion,
66
CC
exemplary in his life, and considerate in all
"his actions. His natural parts were very good,
"and much improved by study, observation,
"and reflection; but whatever were the accom-
CC
plishments of his head, the perfections of his
"heart were still more eminent. In a word,
"he was truly wise, truly good, and truly ho-
"norable, and ought to be conveyed down to
66
posterity as one of the most perfect and rarest
"patterns of integrity, loyalty, constancy, vir-
❝tue and honor, that the age he lived in, or any
"other, has produced."-Note, how gratifying
must this eulogium be to his present noble and
youthful descendant? I sincerely hope and trust
it may have due influence on his future progress
throughout that life which he is about to enter
on, and of which his present actions give such a
happy presage. D.
1636 Anthony Lynch-Fitz-James, mayor.
Geoffry Faunt and Domnick French, sheriffs.
1637 Sir Thomas Blake, bart. mayor.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
273
Marcus Lynch-Fitz-William and James Lynch-
Fitz-Stephen, sheriffs.
25th November Stephen Lynch-Fitz-Nicholas-
Fitz-Jonaken, recorder, died; he had continued
in office since 1624.
The lords justices, Viscount Ely and Sir Chris-
topher Wandesford, received orders to call
upon corporations for a return of their pre-
tended privileges; to issue money to finish the
fort of Galway; to suspend the Lord Courcey's
pension, and to quicken the admeasurement of
lands in Connaught.
This year the east town gate and the horolege, or
hour clock, were built at the expence of the cor-
poration.
1638 Sir Robuck Lynch, bart. mayor.
Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Ambrose and Peter Lynch.
Fitz-Peter, sheriffs.
1639 John Bodkin-Fitz-Domnick, mayor.
John Kirwan and Francis Athy, sheriffs.
This year the market-house near the church-
yard was begun at the charge of the corpo-
ration.
1640 Francis Blake, mayor.
Geoffry Blake and Martin Lynch, sheriffs.
1641 Walter Lynch-Fitz-James-Fitz-Ambrose, mayor.
John Martin-Fitz Geoffry and Matthew Martin-
Fitz-Nicholas, sheriffs.
1642 Richard Martin-Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
Domnick Skerrett-Fitz-Edmond and John Ber-
mingham, sheriffs.
This mayor was such a favourite in Galway that
he was chosen alderman and mayor in his ab-
sence; he refused the office, but was afterwards
prevailed on to accept it. He bequeathed £800.
T
274
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
to build a chapel in St. Francis's abbey, and
another in the church of St. Nicholas. He left
legacies to all the convents and abbeys in Con-
naught. An order was made, declaring the
right of precedency in station, and public meet-
ings within the town of Galway; wherein ne-
vertheless, it is meant and intended, that ba-
ronets and knights shall hold and enjoy the
places and precedencies to them of right due;
and that none shall challenge and enjoy any
place but such as go in gowns, except the cap-
tain of the young men. 1. the mayor. 2, the
recorder. 3. mayor of the staple. 4. aldermen
who bore office by their seniority. 5. sheriffs
for the time being. 6. captain of the young
men. 7. lawyers that were recorders, with their
gowns. 8. aldermen peers according to their
seniority, in their gowns. 9. the coroner, in
his gown. 10. the chamberlain and escheator,
in their gowns. 11. lawyers and barristers, in
their gowns, who did practise, according to their
seniority. 12. constables of the staple, or late
sheriffs. 13. all other sheriffs that bore office,
according to their anquity. 14. the four cap-
tains of the four quarters. 15. burgesses, ac-
cording to their seniority of house keeping.-
The aldermen were usually chosen on the even-
ing of the last day of July, at a meeting of the
mayor, recorder, and such aldermen as had
borne the office of mayor, commonly called
"short council;" and one or two were chosen
yearly, to supply the place of the new mayor,
and such aldermen as might happen to die.
In June, some regiments were dispatched for
Connaught by the lord lieutenant, who in that
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
275
expedition took Knock-Lynch, lord Clanrickard's
estate, a strong castle of Mr. Lynches. The be-
sieged, except women, not accepting quarter,
were put to the sword. Serjeant Redmond
Burke of Lord Clanmorris's foot company, and
two more, were hanged by the governor of the
fort of Galway, the said lord being then of his
majesty's army; for which action, no reparation
being made to his lordship, he alleged it to be
the occasion of his revolt from the lord marquis
of Clanrickard. A party of the garrison of the
fort murdered six people in Renville, amongst
whom one Geoffry Fitz-Thebot, aged about 170
years, and in a burning fever, with his wife, who
was also very old, were murdered in their beds,
which action provoked many of the neighbours
to stand on their guard against the fort. At
this time two protestants were murdered in the
county of Galway, whereof one was a minister;
and it is certain that the marquis of Clanrickard
caused the three men who murdered one of
them to be hanged in gibbets in three several
places; and by his lordship's order Sir Roger
O'Shaughnessy hanged the two cow herds who
murdered the other. Lord Clanmorris having
declared against the said fort for hanging his
sergeant as before expressed, took sergeant
Rowbright and two or three more of the soldiers
of said fort, pillaging a village near Galway,
and hanged Rowbright and the soldiers.-The
13th of February the inhuman massacre at
Shruel was committed on the English soldiers,
by the Burkes of Mayo. Until this period the
Irish had always a school for poetry alone, and
T 2
276
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
it seems it was in one of those that Dr. Keatinge
learned most of his real and fabulous Irish his-
tory: it seems before his death, from a convic-
tion of their falsity, he wished to have recalled
the few copies that had escaped into the world,
and requested they might never be translated
into any other language. Though there are
many authorities in Keatinge, yet the multitude.
of fables with which they are intermixed has
brought the whole, in the minds of those who
are disposed to doubt the great antiquity of our
country, into disrepute. It is astonishing with
what a ridiculous pertinacity schoolmasters up-
hold those fables.
In April, Galway submitted to the earl of Clan-
rickard, who was governor of the county, and
was by him taken into protection until the plea-
sure of his majesty (then expected over) should
be known; but the lords justices did not ap-
prove of that protection, unless the town would
admit an English garrison. However, Clan-
rickard made use of that opportunity to relieve
the fort of Galway, where the archbishop of
Tuam and thirty-six ministers, and many more
English, were in very great distress. The Au-
gust following lord Forbes came into the bay of
Galway, landed some guns, and seized on the
abbey, and being joined by the lord president
the earl of Clanrickard, they pretended to be-
siege the town; but they wanted necessaries,
and therefore the lord Forbes compounded with
the town for a sum of money, which was never
paid, and drew off from the seige, and proceed-
ed up the Shannon.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 277
1643 Sir Valentine Blake, junior, knight and baronet,
mayor.
Oliver French and John Kirwan, sheriffs.
This year the Catholics celebrated Mass in the
church of St. Nicholas, and continued in pos-
session of it until 1652, when it was possessed
by the Parliamentarians.
In August, the fort of Galway was surrendered
to the Irish; whereupon the rebels marched to
the siege of Castlecoote, to which the town of
Galway subscribed £300.
1644 James D'Arcey Fitz-Nicholas, mayor.
Domnick D'Arcey and Robert Martin Fitz-
Jasper, sheriffs.
1645 Edmond Kirwan Fitz-Patrick, mayor.
Domnick Browne Fitz-Nicholas and Martin Kir-
wan Fitz-Andrew, sheriffs.
This mayor was accounted a rich man, and left
£800. to the Jesuits to build a college. A little
before he died he was completely exhausted by
the excessive contributions, and drawn in a cart
to Loughrea for the same, being unable to hold
out. This year the strong bulwark about Shoe-
makers' tower was built, but not altogether
finished in his time. The 27th of April a war-
rant was issued to make Henry lord viscount
and Thomas lord viscount Dillon and the sur-
vivor of them, lord president of the province of
Connaught, except the county and town of Gal-
way, the government whereof, with 10s. per
day, were granted to the lord Clanrickard.
1646 John Blake Fitz-Nicholas, mayor.
Domnick Blake Fitz-Robert and Nicholas Bod-
kin Fitz-David, sheriffs.
The tholsel began to be built, but was re-built in
278
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Queen Anne's reign. Upon the taking of Ath-
lone, the Pope's Nuncio went to Galway, which
town had agreed to a cessation, and therefore
all divine offices were interdicted, and the
churches were shut, and the very ensigns of au-
thority were forced from the mayor's house; but
that insolence caused such a tumult, that if
those badges of office had not been immediately
returned to the mayor by the same hand that
took them, it certainly had come to blows and
blood in the very streets; as it was, two or
three men were slain in the suffle, when the
archbishop of Tuam caused the church doors to
be opened by force. The Nuncio also sum-
moned a national synod to sit in Galway on the
15th of August; whereupon the supreme coun-
cil sent him a letter, shewing the inconvenience
of that congress; but it had no effect on him,
for, as he was used to do, he persisted obsti-
nately in his own sentiments.
1647 Walter Brown, mayor.
Domnick Martin Fitz-Thomas and Peter Browne
Fitz-James, sheriffs.
At a general assembly of confederate Catholics
held at Kilkenny the 10th January 1647, we
find the following names for the county of Gal-
way:
John Bermingham, Galway,
Francis Blake, ditto.
Domnick Bodkin, ditto.
Edward Browne, ditto.
Jeffry Browne, ditto.
John Burke, Castle Carra.
Theobald Burke, Buolly Burke.
Ulick Burke, Glynsk.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 279
Patrick D'Arcey, Galway.
Christopher French, ditto.
James French, ditto.
Martin Lynch, ditto.
Nicholas Lynch, ditto.
Roebuck Lynch, ditto.
Anthony Martin, ditto.
Dermod O'Shaughnessy, Gort.
In the month of August, the Marquis of Clan-
rickard, assisted by the forces of the province,
and some English and Irish sent to him out of
Munster by the Lord Inchequin, blocked up the
town for the space of twelve or fifteen days; but
being paid £2000. raised his camp.
1648 Sir Walter Blake, knight, mayor.
Martin Blake Fitz-Andrew and James Blake
Fitz-Nicholas, sheriffs.
Sir Walter Blake was knighted by the Marquis
of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for his
Majesty King Charles I. who notwithstanding
the great power of the parliament party, and
the several ordinances made by them, and pub-
lished against his Majesty's succession and right
to the crown, was joyfully proclaimed as usual
with his predecessors within this town, King of
England, France, Ireland, &c. This
This year the
flanker about the work was built, and the new
flanker adjoining to Lyons' tower, together with
the wall and ramparts. "It may be well sup-
posed that these three ensuing things brought
no good success to the town; but rather ambi-
tion, discord, and discredit, viz. knights, law-
yers and bomery masters. The knights brought
pride; the lawyers intricacy and licentiousness,
where all matters formerly were tried and de-
280
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
termined by two honest burgesses or friends.
The bomery master's brought discredit in the
highest degree. In old times they would rather
hang themselves than break and discontent
strangers, which is now made a common trade,
to the great dishonour of the good and famous
report evermore held of the said town. Now,
the town is infested with pride, none being ac-
counted worthy of good marriage or portion,
however so well bred or educated except he had
a stone house or good estate. Likewise in the
said town the sin of lechery abounded.-Note,
I have given this curious article verbatim. D.—
Ordered, that lieutenant colonel O'Shaughnessy
(in consideration of his alliance in blood to the
whole town, and for the good nature and affec-
tion that he and his whole family do bear to it)
shall be hereafter freemen of this corporation.-
Note, this very ancient family possessed the
greater part of the present property of Lord
Gort, who has derived it from Sir Thomas
Prendergast, the son of the patentee.
1649 Thomas Lynch Fitz-Marcus-Fitz-Martin, mayor.
Stephen Lynch Fitz-Nicholas and Anthony
Lynch Fitz-John, sheriffs.
This mayor left £280. to the Dominicans, to
keep two of his own kindred of the same order
in Paris to study. He was appointed a judge in
Connaught in the mayoralty of Sir Oliver
French. This year a grant was passed by the
corporation to the nuns of St. Clara, of island
Altanagh, to build a convent.
1650 Sir Oliver French, knight, mayor.
James French Fitz-Edmond and Peter Lynch
Fitz-Anthony, sheriffs.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
281
Charles I. wrote a letter, dated 4th of February,
expressing his approbation of the loyalty of the
town of Galway.
The plague raged in Galway from the first of
July until the following spring; many thousands
lost their lives, and for a long time the town
was almost deserted by the inhabitants. The
citizens met in the country and voted 200 marks
to pay physicians and other persons, to purify
and clear the town. They exerted themselves
so well, that it was completely eradicated.
1651 Richard Kirwan Fitz-Thomas, mayor.
Thomas Lynch Fitz-Patrick and Arthur Lynch
Fitz-Stephen, sheriffs.
This year, in the month of May, Sir Charles
Coote was made commander in the province of
Connaught, after the rest of Ireland was re-
duced; he also possessed himself of Athlone,
Sligo, Loughrea, and other strong holds in this
province. The parliament forces having forced
a passage over the river Shannon, he besieged
the town of Galway on the east, and having
taken Terrylan, Oranmore, and Clare castles,
he pitched his camp between Loughathalia and
Suckine, about the 12th of August, and there
continued still, notwithstanding many sallies
and interruptions from the town, until the 12th
of April following, and then the town despair-
ing of any relief by sea or land, and much im-
poverished and exhausted in paying four hun-
dred pounds per week to soldiers, and making
various works, surrendered itself up on very
good and honorable terms; so, without com-
mitting any act of disloyalty, they became sub-
jects to the parliament of England in April
282
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1652. Upon the surrender, there was a dearth
in the country, by means whereof many thou-
sands died; and by a second plague that came
upon the town and country, God's severity pu-
nished their ill doings with death, plague and
the sword, and many that lived had no means
to support themselves. Colonel Peter Stubbers,
governor of Galway, upon the information that
multitudes of vagabonds and idle men were in
the county, obliged and ordered them to be
shipped to Barbadoes; whereupon there was
such a general press and taking up of the peo-
ple, that many a house-keeper going into the
fields to see their cattle, or from one field to
another, were pressed and sent on board, and
all others that were not entered in the contribu-
tion book were also sent; so that there were 800
persons sent to the island of Carabia, (I sup-
pose Barbadoes) and there sold as slaves, or as
Turks would use them, which brought such a
general scarcity of servants, that scarcely any
could be had for love or money, and were come
to that height that they rather became masters
than servants, which was a great addition to
their former miseries; for instance, a plough-
man's wages, besides meat and drink, being
£4. 13s. he being but an ordinary servant;
30s. to an ordinary maid servant; so, as the com-
mons of England bearing and holding the go-
vernment, so likewise the servants and commons
of Ireland did rule and bear sway over their su-
periors, lords and masters. The second plague
or pestilence abovementioned began in June, and
continued for two years, wherof a great many of
the natives and freemen died.
The old natives
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
283
in general being much impoverished by the in-
supportable contributions laid upon them, and
were so tired of their lives, that they did not
shun the infection, but submitted to its ve-
hemency, and withal not knowing where to go
from it, the country being totally ruined and
wasted. This year the east and west citadels
were built at the cost of the state, or rather of
the country. In September Captain Bond, being
governor of Arran, was set upon by the Irish
under the command of Murtogh O'Brien, who
took the island.
New troubles were also raised in Iarconnaught,
which occasioned great ruin. The marquis of
Clanrickard issued an order that Sir Robert
Lynch and 200 musqueteers, with three pieces
of ordnance and ammunition, should be sent to
the island of Arran. The duke of Lorrain of-
fered to lend £10,000. for king Charles the se-
cond's use, on a mortgage of any town or fort
that was considerable; whereupon the lords
Taaffe and Athenry, and Jeffry Browne, were
appointed to treat with him, and proposed to
mortgage Galway for that sum; but at length it
was found a juggle on Colonel Sinnot's part,
who was agent for the duke of Lorrain.
Commissioners of trust appointed by the marquis
of Ormond were desired to treat with the com-
mittee of congregation of Galway, and made se-
veral proposals to them, which they rejected.
The marquis complained, amongst other things,
that the corporation of Galway did, last summer,
unwarrantably assume to itself the power of ju-
dicature in maritime affairs; and that the mayor
for that time being (with what assistance we know
284
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
not) adjudged and accordingly disposed of a ship
and her lading as a prize, notwithstanding our
inhibition to him at that time, as the like power
had never been assumed before, but all prizes
were adjudged by commission from the supreme
council of the confederate catholics. They also
refused to admit their governor, the marquis of
Clanrickard, and a garrison. They likewise
published an excommunication and declaration
against any one that should obey or adhere to
his majesty's government; and that the mayor
and aldermen, with a multitude of others of the
said corporation, were present, countenancing
and abetting the said traitorous excommunica-
tion. Also, that the captain of the guard of the
town, commonly called Captain of the young
men, made search for the marquis, thereby en-
deavouring to bring contempt on him and his
majesty's authority.-Note, queen Elizabeth's
charter constituted the mayor of Galway admiral
of the bay and liberties of Galway. D.
1652 Michael Lynch - Fitz - Stephen - Fitz - Nicholas,
mayor.
Alexander Lynch-Fitz-Andrew and William
Martin-Fitz-Stephen, sheriffs.
On the 12th of May Galway surrendered to Sir
Charles Coote, and it was at that time considered
so very strong, that the loss of it carried with it the
fate of Ireland, and was the determination of the
rebellion. On the 15th May Lord Viscount
Mayo was shot to death in Galway for the mur-
ders at Shruel in 1641. The account of this
deliberate act of treachery is as follows: upon
the surrender of Castlebar, it was agreed that
the English should march away with their arms,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
285
and be safely conveyed to Galway; and though
they were deprived of their arms contrary to the
articles, yet the Lord Mayo and his son, Tibbot
Burke, with their followers, conveyed them safely
to Ballynacarrow, and the next day to Ballin-
robe, and the third day to the Neale, where they
left Sir Henry Bingham on pretence of his being
sick, but as was suspected to preserve him from
the subsequent massacre. The fourth day they
came to Kinlough, and the next day to Shrule,
(which it seems was two miles out of the road to
Galway,) where they lodged that night; and on
the next morning, the 13th February, 1641, an
ambush was laid on the other side of the bridge,
which, as soon as the English get over the
bridge, fell upon them, and by the help of the
convoy murdered about eighty of them; the
protestant bishop of Killaloe, and a few others,
only escaping. It was proved by four witnesses.
that the prisoner, Sir Tibbot Burke, was pre-
sent at the massacre, and did not oppose it; that
the convoy were the murderers; that the Lord
Mayo's fosterers, servants, and followers, were
of that number. It was also proved that the
Lord Mayo engaged by a capitulation to convey
the English safe to Galway; that they were dis-
armed by his command, and some of them were
stripped and plundered on the way by the con-
voy; that the convoy pricked forward the English
over the bridge, towards the murderers. The
old Mayo went to a little hill hard by to look
on; and that the prisoner, Sir Tibbot Burke,
*
* The scene of this horrid act of treachery is at present the estate of
Mr. Kirwan of Dalgin, to whom Shruel belongs.
286
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
was seen to come over the bridge from the mur-
derers after several Englishmen had been killed,
and had been actually amongst them with his
sword drawn. In his defence he said he had no
command of the party, but with two servants
only came to attend his father; that on the con-
trary he went over the bridge, and drew his
sword, with design to preserve the English; that
being shot at by one of the murderers, he got an
horse, having lent his own to the bishop of Kil-
laloe to make his escape, and rode away before
the murder was committed, and if he had not
fled, he had been killed himself, &c. &c. But
this defence, whether false, or from the temper
of the times, had no effect, and he was executed
on the 15th June, 1652. This year the island
of Bofin surrendered, and Arran was restrained.
O'Connor, Sligo, and many others of quality
were hanged at Boyle and Galway for several
murders in the beginning of the wars. There
were 2,500 soldiers sent to Spain and France,
and the great dearth continued, together with
the contribution; so that a full third of the peo-
ple of the province died of the plague, and their
goods, even their household stuff and body
clothes, were canted, and sold for very con-
siderable sums, being taken for the contribution.
Richard Burke, a colonel in his majesty's service,
had quarters given him by some of Colonel
Coote's men; he being taken in a skirmish be-
tween Colonel Grace and some of Cromwell's
party, and being a prisoner for some time,
Colonel Henry Ingoldsby ordered his head to
be cut off. It was a usual practice at this time
with Colonel Stubber, then governor of Galway,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
287
and others commanding in said county, to take
people out of their beds at night, and sell them
for slaves to the West Indies; and by compu-
tation he sold out of this county above 1000
souls.
1653 Arthur Lynch-Fitz-Anthony, mayor.
Nicholas French and Arthur Lynch, sheriffs.
"Shortly before this period, Colonel Richard
Grace, of Moyelly Castle, in the King's county,
(one of the bravest officers of his time, and also
one of the most stedfast adherents of the ungrate-
ful Steuart family,) while defending an important
pass in the neighbourhood of Galway, at the
head of 3000 men, was defeated in a sanguinary
engagement by Colonel Ingoldsby. This defeat
was followed by the speedy reduction of the en-
tire province."
1654 Thomas Lynch-Fitz-Ambrose, mayor.
Richard Lynch and Anthony French-Fitz-Peter,
sheriffs.
On a petition of the English protestant inhabitants
of the town, on the 29th September, it was or-
dered by the lord deputy and council, on the
25th October, that the mayor and chief officers,
as set forth in the charter, should be English,
and protestants; whereupon Colonel Peter Stub-
bers was elected mayor, and Paul Dodd and
Marcus Lynch - Fitz - Thomas* were elected
"This individual, according to tradition, was the only native of Gal-
way who changed his principles and religion, and joined the common enemy
of both; in consequence of which, all communication was denied him by
his friends during his life, and he is said to have died of a broken heart,
occasioned by remorse and shame for his apostacy."--- Hardiman's His-
tory of Galway.
288
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
sheriffs. The old corporation were disfranchised,
and the English soldiers made free, and also
coblers, butchers, bakers, tinkers, and all sorts
of mechanics. The pressing of people for
Barbadoes continued. The unruly crew of
soldiers garrisoned in the town under the com-
mand of Colonel Stubbers, broke down the mo-
numents and coffins of the interred, and taking
from them their winding sheets, expecting trea-
sure in the coffins. They also took down the
crucifixes and such spiritual and costly work,
engraved in fine marble, both in the church and
in the abbey. Amongst the rest Sir Peter
Frenche's tomb, or monument, guilted with gold!
and carved in fine marble, which stood in the
Abbey, and cost in the building thereof £5000.
(in 1653) by Lady Mary Brown, a virtuous
woman, wife to the said Sir Peter French, and
which monument was converted by the governor
of the town into a chimney piece, and the rest
of the stones sent beyond seas, and there sold for
money by the governor, and the said tomb left
open for dogs to drag and eat the dead corpse
there intered. They likewise razed down the
king's arms, and converted the churches and
abbeys to stables, and divine books were broken
up, and put under goods, wares, tobacco, &c. &c.
they being for the most part illiterate and co-
vetous to hoard money, to the great ruin of the
poor inhabitants, without regard to conscience
or observance of public faith; the sword being
then in lieu of the law. In June, Charles Fleet-
wood, lord deputy of Ireland, took his circuit
and came to Galway, where he gave a definite
sentence for removal of the old inhabitants of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
289
Galway; which order was immediately sent from
Dublin and executed, contrary to their con-
ditions and articles. One Hurd, deputy governor
of Galway, and Colonel Stubbers, issued an order
to prohibit the wearing of the mantle, which he
enforced (as was usual with Cromwell's officers)
with such severity, that it came to be every where
laid aside, and they cut a laughable figure, who
having nothing but the mantle to cover their
upper parts, ran half naked about the town,
shrouded in table cloths, pieces of tapestry and
rags of all colours and forms, so that they looked
as if they had escaped from bedlam. On the
24th December, a general assembly of the king-
dom met at Loughrea ; they declared their
obedience to his majesty's authority, and to that
of the marquis of Clanrickard, or any other
chief governor of the kingdom, duly appointed
by his majesty, but not to any governor whilst
under the influence of the presbyterian party,
and whose prisoner he then was.
At this time the town of Galway was divided be-
tween twenty-four of Cromwell's officers, but
much of it was afterwards purchased back by the
former proprietors. Some of the descendants
of those officers still have very considerable pro-
perty in the town; amongst others, that of
Whaley, who possesses, or did lately possess the
Cloddagh, inhabited by fishermen. Also, the
families of Eyre, Royce, Stubber, Atkinson,
Cottingham, Lawrence, &c. &c. One of the
family of Whaley was recorder in 1664 and af-
terwards. Of those of Eyre, many were mayors
and recorders in the reign of Charles the second,
William and Mary, and George the second;
IT
290
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and the family at this time have large possessions
in the town and county, exclusive of large estates
in other parts of Ireland. The earl of Uxbridge
has an estate in a house in lower Abbeygate-
street, nearly opposite to the new chapel; he
obtained it in right of Sir Nicholas Bayley,'his
mother's ancestor, and which he got as a deben-
ture from Cromwell. Thomas Deane, a shop.
keeper of Galway, (and one of the tribes too!)
was the only person who had power to sell to-
bacco and snuff in Galway, which he obtained
from Colonel Stubber, Cromwell's governor of
Galway, who was also a partner in the monopoly.
He was enabled to purchase the estate of Bally-
rubbuck, near Creggan. He was the great
grandfather of the late John Skerrett, of Ballin-
duff, near Headford. He paid Colonel Stubber
a large bribe for this monopoly.-Note, it is pro-
bable that about this period the name of tribes
was given to the families whom I have mentioned
before.
1655 Colonel Humphry Hurd, mayor.
John Campbell and John Mathews, sheriffs.
The mayor was a joiner, and Mathews a weaver.
This year the archbishop of Tuam, the bishop of
Killaloe, and many more of the clergy, were
banished, and sent over seas. A court of claims
was erected in Athlone to try the qualifications
of the Irish. On the 18th October Colonel
Richard Lawrence and Thomas Richardson,
esq. were deputed to value the castles and houses.
Their appointment was renewed on the 30th,
and they were directed to survey and appraise
the houses in Galway; and all the proprietors
that desired it, under their hands, were to have
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 291
liberty until the 10th November, 1656, to make
sale of their interests to any protestant that had
not been in arms or otherwise disaffected: the
third part of the purchase money to go to the
common wealth. Such houses as should not be
sold by the proprietors before the 14th of De-
cember, 1655, to be disposed of for a year's time
by the governor, to any protestant not having
been in arms against the commonwealth; pro-
vided that the governor "do engage such as
shall take the same, that no waste or spoil should
be committed on the houses that stand empty and
undisposed of, or suffer the same to be despoiled
or wasted by the soldiers."
1656 Paul Dodd, mayor.
John Peters and Mathew Forth, sheriffs.
This year the transplantation went forward, and
lands accordingly assigned to the Irish in Con-
naught and the county of Clare, the commis-
sioners sitting at Loughrea, which was carried
on with such partiality, that such as had but
coarse land, or no land at all, were best served,
and others that had great estates were postponed,
and for the most part had no lands at all. Those
that had most money and the best friends in
court carried the gain, and the poor Irish being
utterly beggared, attending them to no purpose,
sold their decrees to the English at a crown an
acre, who had lands assigned to them of that
value, by which means and other courses, and by
debts bought of the soldiers, the English vested
themselves of most part of the country.
"The town of Galway for the most part fell to
decay, so that at this time you might see whole
streets not having six families in them. The
U 2
292
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
soldiers and butchers, that would before content
themselves with cellars and cottages, had now
houses to live in, until they burned all the costly
lofts and wainscots and partitions, and then
would remove to other houses, until they almost
destroyed all the fine houses, and left them so
full of excrements and filth, that it was poisoning
to enter one of them, though formerly fit to lodge
kings and princes, being the best fitted town in
the kingdom, and the inhabitants thereof the
most gallant merchants in Ireland, for their hos-
pitality, liberality, and charity at home and
abroad, and accompanied with good education.
In the midst of frost and snow, after being turned
out, they were forced to shelter themselves by
hedges, and poor miserable smokey huts, and
brakes in the country, being all removed but
six families, who were forced to quarter the most
part of the garrison soldiers, and pay excessive
bribes, and at last were all turned out, with the
best of the catholic clergy, about fifty in number,
and committed to Arran and Bofin islands,
where they were almost starved to death, being
allowed but twopence a day, and that at last not
paid, and a strict proclamation against the lives
and goods of such as would entertain any clergy-
man. Images of our blessed lady and other
saints burned, and the chalices made common
drinking cups, and priests vestments turned into
secular clothes."
1657 Gabriel King, mayor.
Jervis Hinde and Thomas Hervest, sheriffs.
The north Abbey of Galway, belonging to the
order of St. Francis, was demolished. It was
built by Sir William Burke, as before mentioned.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 293
This year the prince of Burrin died.
1658 Sir Charles Coote, mayor.
John May and Richard Ormsby, sheriffs.
Sir Charles was Lord President of Connaught.
He persecuted the catholic inhabitants of Gal-
way, and so heavily taxed them, that most of
them were obliged to quit the town.
This year the usurper, Oliver Cromwell, died.
Also Ulick Burke, Earl of Clanrickard. It may
not be amiss to give, from Borlase, this noble-
man's character; who had been in such busy
scenes: "He was not a man of shining abilities;
but of great humanity, courtesy, and generosity;
strongly attached to his friends, a true lover of
his country; above all sordid views or motives
of private interest; he adhered to the crown
from principal, and had a particular affection for
the king's person; the English resorted to him
with as much security, and by him indeed were
relieved with great hospitality, to an incredible
charge to his own purse; hanging many, though
of his own kindred, whom he found imbrued in
blood, greatly resenting the barbarity and in-
humanity of the Irish, inasmuch as Hubert Boy
Burke and Sir Ulick Burke, his near relations,
preying on the English, he often frustrated by
discovering their designs, and furnishing Sir
Charles Coote from time to time with supplies
of arms to oppose them.
The Earl of Clanrickard mortgaged Galway and
Limerick to the Duke of Lorrain. The recorder
and principal inhabitants made over to him the
protectorship of Galway as long as his disburse-
It seems by this that he possessed the power of life and death. H. D.
294
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
ments remained unpaid, but this was so warmly
opposed by the Lord Clanrickard, that an end
was put to the negotiation, and the Duke of
Lorrain lost £26,000. that he had advanced.
1659 John Mathews, mayor.
Richard Bernard and William Speed, sheriffs.
This year Sir Charles Coote and the Protestants
seized all the garrisons in Ireland, and amongst
the rest Galway, and took and committed all
the Anabaptists, who were then and before in
the height of their power, and were chief com-
manders in Ireland.
1660 John Morgan, mayor.
George Scanderbeg Bushell and John Pope,
sheriffs.
A palace was erected by the citizens of Galway
for the reception of Charles II. who purposed
paying them a visit. It was, when entire, the
largest structure in Ireland under one roof: it
extended from the corner of Shop-street oppo-
site to Lyche's castle, generally called the upper
four corners, to the house where the amicable
society meet. It must be evident that it was
constructed of some materials easily put to-
gether, and as easily removed, as it was merely
to answer a particular purpose. A visit from
the king would have been only a just return for
the many miseries they endured from Crom-
well's officers and soldiers.
1661 John Eyre, mayor.
John Murry and Robert Brock, sheriffs.
1662 Henry Greenway, mayor.
Benjamin Veil and Walter Bird, sheriffs.
1663 Edward Eyre, mayor.
Richard Walcott and John Barrett, sheriffs.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 295
1664 John Morgan, mayor.
William Fleming and Thomas Semper, sheriffs.
1665 Colonel John Spencer, mayor.
Robert Warner and George Younghusband,
sheriffs.
1666 John Spencer, mayor.
George Davidson and William Jackson, sheriffs.
1667 John Spencer, mayor.
Christopher Sirr and James Berry, sheriffs.
1668 John Spencer, mayor.
Richard Barnard and John Pill, sheriffs.
John Spencer had been chosen mayor on his
journey to England, but John Peters was
sworn into office.
1669 John Peters, mayor.
William Hardiman and Robert Mathews, sheriffs.
1670 John May, mayor.
Robert Warner and Abraham Cowell, sheriffs.
1671 Richard Ormsby, mayor.
John Geary and John Vaughan, sheriffs.
27th March, proclamation was made that the old
inhabitants be restored to their freedom.
1672 Gregory Constable, mayor.
Thomas Andrews and William Hill, sheriffs.
They were appointed by the lord lieutenant and
council.
1673 Gregory Constable, mayor.
Thomas Revett and Thomas Cartwright, sheriffs.
Twelve aldermen were added, making in all
twenty-four; also as many burgesses added as
made them twenty-four, of which the common
council were to consist. This was done to bring
in money, of which they were in great want.
At this time the whole body of the gentry of the
county of Galway offered to surrender their
296
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
estates to the army, and for that purpose sent a
letter of attorney to the earl of Clanrickard, then
in London, signed by 125 persons of the best
quality in the county: at the same time the
sheriff and other persons who were still in prison
for acting uprightly, instead of seeking redress,
petitioned, but in vain for pardon, offering
to acknowledge the deputy's justice and their
own errors of judgment, upon conditions only
that they and the rest might be put upon the
same footing with the other planted counties;
for in these cases the general rule was, that a
fourth part of their land should be taken from
the natives, with an encrease of rent upon the
the remainder; but the county of Galway, on
account of its former refractoriness, was planted
at a double rate, so that they lost half.
1674 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Buck and Marcus Harrington, sheriffs.
1675 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
John Flower and Richard Poole, sheriffs.
1676 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
John Clarke and Richard Browne, sheriffs.
1677 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
John Clarke and Richard Browne, sheriffs.
The corporation received a new charter from
Colonel Russell, who made a bargain with Ma-
dam Hamilton for the grant she had from his
Majesty Charles II. for the part of the revenues
and town lands mortgaged by the natives in the
year 1647, to several forfeiting persons, by
which it was vested in the king, and so granted
as aforesaid.
1678 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Staunton and John Amory, sheriffs.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
297
A proclamation was issued, forbidding the papists
from coming into the castle of Dublin, or any
other fort or citadel, and ordering the markets
of Drogheda, Wexford, Cork, Limerick, Wa-
terford and Galway, to be kept without the
walls; and not long afterwards the lord lieute-
nant and council, by their letter, ordered the
popish inhabitants to be removed from Galway,
Limerick, &c. except some few trading mer-
chants, artificers, and others necessary for the
said towns and garrisons, and by virtue thereof
many were expelled, but by the stupidity of the
protestants, at their request and upon their se-
curity, the papists were readmitted into those
towns. When lord Wentworth, in the reign of
king Charles I. attempted to destroy the titles
to estates in Connaught, and throw them into
the hands of the king, he fined the jury of Gal-
way £4000. each, because they would not sub-
mit to his arbitrary measures. At this time he
ransacked and destroyed old records of state and
memorials of ancient monasteries.
1679 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Staunton and John Amory, sheriffs.
1680 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Simcocks and Samuel Cambie, sheriffs.
The corporation petitioned the lord lieutenant
and council that the assizes should be held in
the town of Galway; also that notice be forth-
with given to all persons that are not free of the
corporation, that they do not presume to trade
by retail within the town, either in shops or
houses, or their goods shall be seised and sold.
Alderman Mathews, for abuse given to colonel
Russell the mayor, was suspended from coun-
298
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
cil; and it was ordered, that such persons as
have borne offices in the corporation (masters
of companies excepted) shall, every Sunday in
the forenoon, attend the king's sword to church
in their gowns; every person neglecting, to pay
half a cob each time; and upon refusal be ex-
pelled the council; and that no person presume
to sit in the mayor's first seat without his gown.
1681 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Simcocks and Samuel Cambie, sheriffs.
1682 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Marcus Lynch and William Hoskins, sheriffs.
1683 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
William Hoskins and Thomas Yeaden, sheriffs.
That any of the council who shall depart without
taking leave from Mr. Mayor, shall forfeit a
cobb.
1684 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Yeaden and Thomas Wilson, sheriffs.
The steeple was raised, and two bells hung.
1685 Colonel Theodore Russell, mayor.
Thomas Wilson and Richard Wall, sheriffs.
Ordered, that no cattle be hereafter slaughtered
within this town, nor suffered to come into it;
that no milch cows be permitted in it; and that
2s. 6d. fine be imposed on any one throwing
garbage into the river. Every inhabitant was
ordered to pave before his door, in such man-
ner as the mayor and sheriffs shall direct.
1686 John Kirwan Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
George Staunton and Jonathan Parry, sheriffs.
He was the first Catholic mayor, after a lapse of
thirty-two years, and was the first proprietor of
Castle Hackett, which originally belonged to
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
299
the Hackets, who were driven to the county of
Mayo in 1641.
In this reign Sir Thomas Southwell and lord
Kingston were taken by the opposite party, and
sent prisoners to Galway, here they were
brought to trial by judge Martin, who per-
suaded them to plead guilty, assuring them of
the king's mercy, who had just landed. The
judge after having prevailed on them to confess
themselves guilty, passed sentence of death
upon them: after which they were closely im-
prisoned, and removed from gaol to gaol until
the victory obtained by king William many
months after. In that time they were once
summoned by lord Clanrickard to prepare for
execution (although he had no orders for it),
and the sheriff appeared with all the necessary
preparation for the same on the day appointed;
this the earl did by way of jest, giving them no
other reason for putting them into this terrible
fright, but that they were hereticks.
1687 John Kirwan Fitz-Stephen, mayor.
James Browne Fitz-Gregory and Marcus Kir-
wan Fitz-Domnick, sheriffs.
1688 Domnick Browne of Carra Browne, mayor.
Francis Blake Fitz-Andrew and Domnick Bodkin
Fitz-Patrick, sheriffs.
Galway received a new charter from king James
II. The quay and new pier were erected and
repaired at the charge of the corporation.
The church of St. Nicholas was again possessed
by the Catholics, and Father Henry Browne
chosen warden.
In the summer of this year vast numbers of beetles
300
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
destroyed the country between Galway and
Headfort.
1689 Domnick Browne, mayor.
Francis Blake Fitz-Andrew and Domnick Bodkin
Fitz-Patrick, sheriffs.
1690 Colonel Alexander Mac Donal, mayor, until the
9th of December, when Arthur French was ap-
pointed mayor.
William Clear and Oliver French, sheriffs.
A few days after the battle of Aghrim, general
Ginkle led his troops to Galway, which it was
necessary to reduce, before Limerick should be
attempted. The garrison of Galway consisted of
seven weak regiments, but they expected to be
considerably reinforced. D'Ussona, a French
officer of distinction, then in the town, assured
them of succours from his master the king of
France. An Irish partisan, known by the name
of Balderoy O'Donnel, promised to march to
their relief at the head of 6 or 7000 northern
rovers, and some assistance was expected from
the garrison of Limerick. With such hopes
lord Dillon returned a defiance to the sum-
mons of Gingle, and declared that he, D'Usso-
na, and all his officers, were unanimous in their
resolution to defend the town. But after a re-
sistance of a few days, it was found that the at-
tempt made to throw some troops into the town
from Limerick, was frustrated by the vigilance
and bravery of the besiegers. That O'Donnel's
followers, alarmed at the defeat at Aghrim, had
deserted him with the usual instability of the
old Irish; and that he, with the remains of his
wild troops, amounting to 600, were preparing
to make terms with the English government.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 301
main.
The townsmen and magistracy declared warmly
for surrendering, and though they were at first
imprisoned for their presumption, yet the gar-
rison quickly adopted the same sentiments.
The Irish had been busily employed in finishing
a fort at the south end of the town, which com-
manded a great part of the wall on that side.
A detachment crossed the river, and conducted
by a deserter, surprised and seized on the
fort. The governor parlied, a cessation was
granted, and a treaty of capitulation commenc-
ed. Talmash, and other officers, elevated by
success, were utterly averse to granting any
terms; but Ginkle wisely considered that the
season for acting was gradually wasting; that
the Irish war was a grievous embarrassment to
the continental interests of the king, and a dan-
gerous encouragement to the disaffected in Eng-
land. To prevent another year of bloodshed in
a country already wasted by distress, to extricate
the king at once from difficulties at once grievous
and dangerous, he resolved to grant, at once,
such conditions to Galway, as might convince
the whole Irish party of the infatuation of their
perseverance in a desperate cause, and dispose
them to an immediate submission. The garri-
son was allowed to march out with all the honors
of war, and to be conveyed to Limerick, with
liberty to those who desired it, to continue in
the town, or repair to their respective habita-
tions. A free pardon was granted to the gover-
nor, magistracy, freemen, and inhabitants, with
full possession of their estates and liberties un-
This fort may be easily traced, and the embrasures still in part re-
302
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
der the acts of settlement and explanation.
The Romish clergy and laity were allowed the
private exercise of their religion, their lawyers
to practise, and their estated gentlemen to bear
arms: nor was those favorable terms without
their effect; several considerable parties daily
revolted from the Irish, and were either enter-
tained in the army, or taking the oath of fide-
lity to the king and queen, or dismissed peace-
ably to their habitations at their option. Leland
says, that in the battle of Aghrim, and in a
bloody pursuit of three hours, stopped only by
the night, 7000 of the Irish were slain. The
unrelenting fury of the victors appeared in the
number of their prisoners, which amounted only
to 450.-" Ginkle gained reputation by the de-
feat of the Irish, but his army lost all claim to
humanity, by giving no quarter !”—At the bat-
tle of Aghrim above 2000 who threw down their
arms and asked for quarter, and several who had
quarter given them, were afterwards killed in
cold blood; in which number were lord Galway,
and colonel Charles Moore.
1691 Sir Henry Bellasise, mayor.
John Gibbs and Richard Wall, sheriffs.
The church was restored to the Protestants, and
has continued so ever since.
26th July, the town surrendered to general de
Ginkle.
1692 Thomas Rivett, mayor.
Richard Wall and John Gibbs, sheriffs.
1693 Thomas Revett, mayor.
John Gibbs and Richard Wall, sheriffs.
After the surrender of the town to king William's
forces, the catholic inhabitants were so ill used
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
303
by the soldiery and others, that such multitudes
left the town on this account, as to cause a meet-
ing of the corporation to devise measures to
prevent it. It was agreed that no pass should
be allowed to any person to leave the town, and
that measures should be taken to prevent the
licentiousness of the soldiers, which was by no
means countenanced by the government, who
allowed the full use of their rights as agreed at
the capitulation, and were acknowledged by par-
liament.
1694 Thomas Simcocks, mayor.
Thomas Coneys and Francis Knapp, sheriffs.
1695 Thomas Simcocks, mayor.
Francis Knapp and James Revett Vigee, sheriffs.
1696 Thomas Cartwright, mayor.
James Revett Vigee and Marcus Lynch, sheriffs.
It was ordered that no person but a freeman keep
open shop in Galway, or the liberties thereof,
(four miles in every direction,) or sell or expose
to sale any wares therein, except on market
days, and paying quarterage. "This oppressive
law was entirely directed against the roman
catholic inhabitants, none of whom were then
free. They petitioned the lords justices and
council against it, but without effect; it con-
tinued, therefore, rigidly in force for many years
after, and was one of the principal causes of the
decay of the town."
1697 John Gerry, mayor.
Marcus Lynch and Jervis Hinde, sheriffs.
On the 3d August their excellencies the Marquis
of Winchester and the Earl of Galway, Lords
Justices of Ireland, on their progress came to
Galway, and were on the following day enter-
304
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
tained at the mayor's house, at the charge of
the corporation.
Peace proclaimed with France 7th November.
A bill was prepared to remove the archiepiscopal
see of Tuam to Galway, and that £500. should
be granted to repair the cathedral, and £1500.
should be granted to provide a residence for the
archbishop a petition against it was presented,
and the measure was lost.
1698 John Gerry, mayor.
Jervis Hinde and Thomas Poole, sheriffs.
The mayor was allowed one hundred pounds of
his salary to pay debts.
1699 Thomas Andrews, mayor.
Thomas Poole and Samuel Simcocks, sheriffs.
This mayor gave a case to hold the king's sword
in the church of St. Nicholas.
1700 Richard Browne, mayor.
Samuel Simcocks and Robert Blakeney, sheriffs.
1701 Thomas Staunton, mayor.
Robert Blakeney and John Broughton, sheriffs.
It was computed that 1000 barrels of herrings
were taken by seventy boats, on the night of the
15th of September, and sold for four shillings
and sixpence per 1000. The following year
such multitudes were taken that they sold for
eight pence and ten pence per 1000. The winter
and spring before, so great a quantity of cod fish
were taken that they sold generally for one
penny each. So great a scarcity of money pre-
vailed, that good mutton sold on market days for
four pence to six pence per quarter, and ordinary
sorts for three pence.
It was ordered that the two last mayors do pay
£50. each (out of the arrears due to them)
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 305
towards building the exchange or the tholsel;
and that the present mayor shall have £200.
salary, allowing £50. for the same purpose.
At this time Mutton Island was fortified; the town
gates were repaired, and three companies of foot,
consisting of 250 men, were raised in the town.
Some progress was also made in building the
exchange.
1702 Thomas Staunton, mayor.
John Broughton and John Fouquiere, sheriffs.
The mayor gave one hundred pounds towards
building the exchange. Herrings sold this year
for a halfpenny per hundred.
1703 James Ribett Vigie, mayor.
John Fouquiere and George Gerry, sheriffs.
In the summer of this year so great a quantity of
cod fish were taken that they sold for one half-
penny each, and were very seldom taken at that
season before.
1704 John Eyre, mayor.
George Gerry and William Hinde, sheriffs.
It was ordered that no mayor should have more
than £150. until the tholsel should be built, and
that the number of aldermen should not exceed
twenty-six. Also, that all popish shop-keepers
do appear before council, and shew cause why
they should not pay quarterage.
1705 John Eyre, mayor.
Mark Wall and William Hinde, sheriffs.
This mayor allowed two hundred pounds out of his
salary towards building the exchange.
Ordered, that all popish shop-keepers do appear
before council, and shew cause why they should
not pay quarterage.
X
$06
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1706 John Eyre, mayor.
Mark Wall and William Fisher, sheriffs.
1707 Richard Wall, mayor.
William Fisher and Henry Lardner, sheriffs.
This mayor died the 3d July, and alderman Gibbs
was elected for the remainder of the year. Al-
derman Edward Eyre objected to Lardner being
sheriff for having a popish wife.
It was ordered that the mayor's salary should be
reduced to £100.
1708 John Gibbs, mayor.
Henry Lardner and Edward Barrett, sheriffs.
On the rumour of the landing of the Pretender
in Scotland, several gentlemen and merchants
were imprisoned, and all the other catholic in-
habitants turned out of the town, and several
priests also imprisoned; so great was the appre-
hension that the markets were held outside the
town walls, and no mass permitted. But shortly
after permission was given to them to return to
their dwellings, and the markets restored to the
town.
1709 Jervis Hinde, mayor.
George Staunton and Charles Gerry, sheriffs.
1710 Edward Eyre, mayor.
Robert Mason and David Tenant, sheriffs.
1711 Edward Eyre, mayor.
Edward Roads and Robert Coates, sheriffs.
1712 Edward Eyre, mayor.
Charles Morgan and William Moore, sheriffs.
May 12. The necessity and advantage to the
town and corporation, of having a spacious en-
trance open and unbuilt before William's gate,
leading to the east suburbs, and to Bohermore,
having been this day presented in council,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
307
alderman Edward Eyre, (whose father in 1670
obtained a lease of part of said ground, with
several other parcels,) declared that he would
agree to grant a piece of ground, containing
about thirty perches for that purpose; in con-
sideration of which the corporation, (himself
being mayor) on the 19th of May following, ex-
tended the term of his lease to lives renewable
for ever.
1713 Edward Eyre, mayor.
Bruno Browne and John Bird, sheriffs.
1714 Robert Blakeney, mayor.
James Lynch and Thomas Smyth, sheriffs.
1715 Robert Blakeney, mayor.
Samuel Blood and Doctor Hendron, sheriffs.
1716 Robert Coates, mayor.
John Gibbs and Doctor Hendron, sheriffs.
1717 Robert Coates, mayor.
Jeffry Cooke and Richard Hutchinson, sheriffs.
1718 Marcus Wall, mayor.
John Marmion and John Grindleton, sheriffs.
That the several persons who in November and
December last were elected members of the com-
mon council, having been so elected manifestly
with a design to evade the statute which on the
25th of said month of December was to be in
force, and in order to perpetuate the govern-
ment of this corporation in several gentlemen
and others in the county of Galway and else-
where, who have no interest or concern in the
town, or pay any scot, lot, or other contribution
therein, by means whereof the protestant inha-
bitants are greatly discouraged, and that part of
the statute whereby protestants are encouraged
to come and dwell in the town, will be frustrated,
x 2
308
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
if not prevented; ordered, June 30th, that these
persons be no longer members of the common
council.
1719 Samuel Simcocks, mayor.
Robert Andrews and John Hautenville, sheriffs.
1720 Samuel Simcocks, mayor.
Francis Wheeler and Thomas Holland, sheriffs.
In Bowle's Geographical description of Ireland,
he says at this period, " Galway an ancient cor-
poration, of good trade; both rich and popu-
lous."
1721 William Hinde, mayor.
Edward Roades and Howell Price, sheriffs.
1722 William Hinde, mayor.
John Marmion and James Ribott Vigie, sheriffs.
1723 William Hinde, mayor.
John Marmion and John Cox, senior, sheriffs.
1724 George Gerry, mayor.
Francis Wheeler and Richard Huchinson,
sheriffs.
1725 George Staunton, mayor.
Charles Rivett and Erasmus Irwin, sheriffs.
At this period the tolls for the market and gateage
were £418.; water bailiff, £20.
1726 Charles Gerry, mayor.
Robert French and Robert Mc. Mullin, sheriffs.
Two bells were hung in the church of St. Nicho-
las.
George Dollard gave a certificate that the organ
was in tune; by this the organ must be at least
ninety-four years in the church, and as organs
were first introduced into Irish churches in
1641, probably the present organ is in the church
since that period-179 years. At this period
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
309
£10. was allowed for the judges' lodgings each
assizes.
1727 Charles Rivett, mayor.
John O'Hara and Robert Cooke, sheriffs.
20th January. For celebrating the prince's birth
day the following articles were ordered by the
mayor :
S. d.
3 quarts of Rum,
5 0
24 Lemons,
4 0
Sugar,
1 0
6 bottles of Wine,
8 0
Bread, Butter, and Cheese,
1 8
Pipes,
0 1
5 mugs of Ale,
0 10
As they grew a little mellow there
was a second order:
5 pints of Rum,
4 2
20 Lemons,
2 4
2 bottles of Wine,
2 8
Sugar,
0 10
Tobacco,
0 1
£1 10 8
This is somewhat different from the present lord
mayor's feast in Dublin.
At this period, and afterwards, money was ad-
vanced to pay for the funeral of several aldermen
and other officers. At the funeral of alderman
Fisher Sibby Lee received sixpence for rose-
310
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
mary.-Note, I am to learn why we never hear
of aldermen at present.
1728 Richard Rivett, mayor.
Henry Morgan and Francis Simcocks, sheriffs.
The corporation made a present of the organ in
St. Nicholas' Church to the town. Henry Mor-
gan died in office, and was succeeded by John
Johnson, clockmaker.
1729 John Gibbs, mayor.
Patrick Blake and Andrew Holmes, sheriffs.
Oatmeal sold in Galway for twelve shillings the
bushel.
It was ordered on the 14th September, that
Richard Rivett, late mayor, have a donation of
£100. added to his former salary of £200. in re-
ward of his upright conduct.
Market and gateage, £474.
Water bailiff, £12.
1730 John Staunton, mayor.
Richard Fitzpatrick and Neptune Morgan,
sheriffs.
At this time the mayor's salary was £200. per
annum.
Sergeant at Mace, £3.
Exchange Porter, £2. 10s.
A box for the bishop of Clonfert's freedom, £1.
6s. 3 d.
10th February, the chamberlain, Samuel Sim-
cocks, was ordered to pay, for the encourage-
ment of the new fair at Bohermore, for a shift to
be run for, as follows:
s. d.
3 yards fine linen,
5 10
3 nails of muslin for ruffles,
0 9
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 511
s. d.
Thread,
0 1
Making the Shift,
0 8
1 yard of red ribbon for a knot for the
head,
0 10
Tape,
0 1
yards red ribbon for the sleeves,
0 8
Also,
A fine felt hat to be cudgelded for,
A yard of red ribbon for a cockade,
4 4
0 10
17th June, paid for the expences of getting a pa-
tent for fairs and market lately granted, £27.
1s. 5d.
Andrew Lynch and his sons were discharged
from gateage, customs, and taxes, for seven years,
for keeping the streets clean.
1731 Walter Taylor, mayor.
George Staunton and Henry Ellis, sheriffs.
Mayor's salary, per annum, £300.; town clerk,
£6. 10s. paid by the corporation in lieu of all
other emoluments.
14th June, 23. 3s. 91d. was ordered for three
boxes for Lord Muskerry, Lord Mountcashel,
and the Hon. Mr. Mac Carthy's freedom. Also,
a silver box for Lord Jocelyn's freedom,
17s. 101d.; for the fashion, 8s. 14d.; six yards of
blue, red, and white ribbon for a tassel for the
judges' freedom.
1732 Charles Morgan, mayor.
Nicholas Staunton and Patrick Blake, junior,
sheriffs.
At a common council held in Galway, the cham-
berlain was ordered to advance money to the
312
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1
mayor for prosecuting Simon Lynch and others
as popish inhabitants of the town of Galway, not
being registered, and that alderman Simcocks,
alderman George Gerry, and alderman Charles
Gerry do inspect the laying out of the money.
1733 Jeffry Cooke, mayor.
William Fairservice and Richard Barrett, sheriffs.
1734 John Bird, mayor.
John Simcocks and Hugh Wilkinson, sheriffs.
Simcocks died in office, and Edmond Staunton
was elected sheriff.
Ordered, that the recorder for the time being,
quatenus recorder, but no longer, shall sit and
vote in the common council, though not ad-
mitted a member thereof (repealed 27th July,
1772.) Also ordered, that £30. be paid to al-
derman Charles Rivett, apothecary, to furnish
his shop with drugs, proper for supplying the
Protestants and others.
1735 Domnick Burke, mayor.
Robert Cooke and Anthony Taylor, sheriffs.
Taylor died, and Henry Ellis was elected.
1736 John Staunton, mayor.
Henry Ellis and Patrick Blake, jun. sheriffs.
1737 Domnick Burke, mayor.
Robert Macmullen and Thomas Northeast,
sheriffs.
1738 Richard Fitzpatrick, mayor.
Richard Barrett and William Fairservice, sheriffs.
1739 Henry Ellis, mayor.
Henry Vaughan and Simon Truelock, sheriffs.
A great frost rotted almost all the potatoes in
Ireland in half an hour. The ice on the river
from the west bridge to Ferryland was so thick,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
313
that hundreds of people played football on it
from the wood quay to Newcastle.
1740 Thomas Holland, mayor.
Aston Swannick and Henry Lewin, sheriffs.
1741 Robert Cooke, mayor.
Croasdale Shaw and John Johnson, sheriffs.
A fever raged this year that occasioned the judges
to hold the assizes in Tuam. Numbers of the
merchants of Galway died this year, and mul-
titudes of poor people, caused partly by fever
and by the scarcity, as wheat was twenty-eight
shillings per hundred weight.-Note, in 1812,
wheat was thirty-two shillings per hundred
weight.
1742 John Disney, collector, mayor.
George Simcocks and John Hamlin, sheriffs.
1743 Thomas Shaw, mayor.
Michael Fairservice and Josias Sherwood, sheriffs.
1744 George Purdon, mayor.
Charles Hamlin and Thomas Sherwood, sheriffs.
1745 John Mills, mayor.
John Johnson and John Shaw, sheriffs.
A great fall of snow this year that smothered vast
numbers of cattle and sheep, which caused a
great many farmers to surrender their lands.
The best land in Connaught, after this period,
let for five shillings per acre, and numbers who
had courage to take lands enriched their fami-
lies. Wheat rose now from six shillings to
eighteen shillings per cwt.-Fourteen sail of
East Indiamen anchored in the road of Gal-
way; and in spring following, six sail of men of
war came to convoy them: they all sailed away
together, a glorious and unusual sight.
314
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
i
1746 Croasdale Shaw, mayor.
George Thomas and Francis Hardiman or Wad-
man, sheriffs.
1747 James O'Hara, mayor.
George Shaw and Edward Shields, sheriffs.
George Shaw died, and Thomas Sherwood was
elected.
Ordered, that £900. be granted to alderman
Richard Fitzpatrick, his heirs and assigns, by
mortgage of all the corporation lands and re-
venues, to reimburse him his expence for several
years, in assiduously supporting the rights, pri-
vileges and immunities of the corporation. Also,
that no succeeding mayor be allowed any salary
whatever, but by the appointment of the majo-
rity of the common council.
1748 James Disney, mayor.
Francis Hopkins and Henry Covey, sheriffs.
O'Hara, the former mayor, held over the office
until dispossessed by captain M'Kenzee and a
party of soldiers.
1749 John Eyre, mayor.
Elias Tankerville and John Mandeville, sheriffs.
1750 The honorable Francis Annesley, mayor.
John Morgan and John Softlawe, sheriffs.
The mayor died, and was succeeded by John
Eyre.
1751 James Staunton, mayor.
Richard Mathews and George Drury, sheriffs.
1752 John Hanlin, mayor.
Aston Swanwick and Joseph Seymour, sheriffs.
1753 Ambrose Poole, mayor.
John Mandeville and James Jones, sheriffs.
1754 George Simcocks, mayor.
John Johnston and Samuel Shone, sheriffs.
Wheat sold this year for six shillings per cwt.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 315
1755 John Shaw, mayor.
George Dunn and Hugh Wilkinson, sheriffs.
Wheat eleven shillings per cwt.
1756 Patrick Blake, mayor.
Charles Lopdel and Elias Tankerville, sheriffs.
Wheat fifteen shillings per cwt.
1757 Robert Cooke, mayor.
Edward Murphy and James Galbraith, sheriffs.
Wheat six shillings per hundred.
1758 Edward Shields, mayor.
Francis Tomkins and George Lewis, sheriffs.
An act passed this year to prevent the distillation
of spirits from grain for one year.
1759 Crosdell Shaw, mayor,
Richard Blake and Hugh Montgomery, sheriffs.
1760 Thomas French of Maycullen, mayor.
Henry Covey and James Foster, sheriffs.
1761 Charles Rivett, mayor.
John Mandeville and James Galbraith, sheriffs.
10th November, a petition was presented to par-
liament to prevent Catholic shopkeepers from
manufacturing or selling their goods, or em-
ploying journeymen for this purpose; it was
signed by the mayor, sheriffs, warden, and
Protestant inhabitants of Galway.-Such was the
temper of the times. How different from their
feelings at present.
1762 Charles Daly of Callow, mayor.
Richard Blake and Hugh Montgomery, sheriffs.
1763 Henry Ellis, mayor.
Edward Murphy and James Galbraith, sheriffs.
Andrew Carroll, spearing salmon at the west
bridge, was drowned, by the cord getting en-
tangled about his legs.
1764 John Eyre, mayor.
Elias Tankerville and Charles Lopdel, sheriffs.
316
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
There was a double return for mayor.-The can-
didates were Richard Fitzpatrick and Richard
Martin of Dangan. Neither being approved of
by the privy council, another election was di-
rected, when John Eyre was approved of, and
sworn.
1765 James Daly, mayor.
Hugh Wilkinson and Luke Dodgeworth, sheriffs.
1766 Henry White, mayor.
Hugh Montgomery and George Lewis, sheriffs.
1767 John Gibson, mayor.
Charles Davy and Edward Shields, sheriffs.
The infirmary outside Williams' gate began to
be built this year.
1768 Thomas Taylor, mayor.
Samuel Grace and Robert M'Mullen, sheriffs.
Francis Lynch of Rahoon, was the first Roman
Catholic sworn on a grand jury since the re-
volution.
1769 Denis Daly of Dunsandle, mayor.
Richard Blake and Edmond Fitzpatrick, sheriffs.
1770 Anthony Daly of Callas, mayor.
Elias Tankerville and George Drury, sheriffs.
1771 Patrick Blake of Drum, mayor.
Thomas Clutterbuck, who died in office, and Luke
Thomas, sheriffs.
From a remote period the judges had been en-
tertained free of expense, but this year the cor-
poration was possessed with a fit of economy,
and ordered that the payment for the judges'
lodgings should be discontinued.-This was
shortly after rescinded, and £10. per annum
has been since paid for that purpose.
At this period, and for some years after the town,
and indeed the county, was kept in a most un-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
317
pleasant situation between the partisans of Mr.
Daly and Mr. Blake. Some blood was shed, and
the ferment did not completely subside for many
years this was attributed to the choice of Mr.
Blake as mayor. To prevent any repetition of
such disgraceful proceedings, none but one of
the Daly family has been chosen since 1776.
1772 Denis Daly, mayor.
Thomas Bodkin of Carrabeg and John Thomas,
sheriffs.
1773 Charles French of Clogher, mayor.
John Morgan and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1774 Rev. Edmond French, mayor and warden.
George Thomas and Samuel Grace, sheriffs.
This year the immense granite rock called the
Gregory, on the island of Arran, was shattered
by lightning.
1775 Elias Tankerville, mayor.
Robert O'Hara and James Shee, sheriffs.
1776 James Shee, mayor.
Samuel Grace and James Burke, sheriffs.
1777 Denis Daly, mayor.
William Burnet and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1778 Peter Daly, mayor.
John Morgan and Michael Kelly, sheriffs.
1779 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
James Burke and Samuel Grace, sheriffs.
Ordered, that the freedom of this corporation
be presented, in a gold box, to the right ho-
nourable Walter Burgh.-31st of May, the
Galway volunteers were embodied, and the fol-
lowing officers elected:
Richard Martin, Dangan, colonel.
James Shee, deputy mayor, lieutenant colonel.
John Blake, Coolcun, major.
318
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
J. O'Hara, recorder, captain of grenadier
company.
Mark Lynch, captain of battalion company.
Michael Blake, Frenchfort, captain of light
infantry.
Jasper Lynch, adjutant.
1780 Denis Daly, mayor.
Samuel Grace and John Bradley, sheriffs.
1781 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Samuel Grace and Michael Kelly, sheriffs.
1782 Anthony Daly, mayor.
Michael Kelly and John Bradley, sheriffs.
1783 Denis Daly, mayor.
John Lynch and William Frazer, sheriffs.
A contested election for the county of Galway
took place between Denis Daly of Dunsandle,
William Power Trench, Edmond Kirwan of
Dalgin, and Richard Martin of Dangan, esqrs.
It continued fifty-two days, when Mr. Daly and
Mr. Trench were elected. It cost the parties
immense sums, and very much injured their
properties for many years after.
About this period Mr. Andrew French imported
the first cargo of flaxseed into Galway; it
amounted to 300 hogsheads, of which he sold
only 100. In 1789 the importation from 1500
to 2300 hogsheads. In 1815, 3000 hogsheads;
most sold into the counties of Mayo and Ros-
common, but very little in the county of Gal-
way: the greater part saved at home.
1784 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
John Morgan and John Bradley, sheriffs.
1785 Denis Daly, mayor.
Luke Thomas and John Bradley, sheriffs.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 319
1786 Ralph Daly mayor and warden.
John Morgan and Luke Thomas, sheriffs.
1787 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Michael Kelly and Charles Donnellan, sheriffs.
1788 Denis Daly, mayor.
William Frazer and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1789 Peter Daly, mayor.
Michael Kelly and Edmond Fitzpatrick, sheriffs.
The quantity of herrings taken this year was so
great, that they sold for 4d. to 6d. per 100.
1790 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
John Bradley and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1791 Denis Daly, mayor.
John Bradley and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
The mayor died in office, universally lamented in
the county of Galway. St. G. Daly was elected
for the remainder of the year.
1792 St. George Daly, mayor.
John Bradley and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1793 Richard Daly, mayor.
John Bradley and Robert Squib, sheriffs.
1794 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Thomas Browne and Charles Morgan, sheriffs.
1795 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Peter Daly and Edmond Fitzpatrick, sheriffs.
18 sail of East Indiamen, and five men of war,
anchored in the bay of Galway.
1796 St. George Daly, mayor.
Hyacinth Daly and Michael Burke, sheriffs.
1797 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Denis Bowes Daly and Edmond Fitzpatrick,
sheriffs.
1798 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Hyacinth Daly and St. George Daly, sheriffs.
St. George Daly resigned, and John Burke of St.
320
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Clerans served the office for the remainder of the
term.
The merchants in an hour collected fifteen hun-
dred guineas, which they presented to General
Hutchinson, who commanded in the town:
without this supply he could not have joined
General Lake to meet the French at Killala.
The yeomanry of the town joined in this unfor-
tunate expedition. This year the old charter
school was occupied as an artillery barrack, and
at present by the Presentation convent.
1799 Colonel Peter Daly, mayor.
Denis Bowes Daly and John Thomas, sheriffs.
1800 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Thomas Browne and John Thomas, sheriffs.
The Dominican chapel, near Galway, was built.
A few years ago the late alderman Patrick Bride,
a native of this town, enclosed the cemetry of
this abbey with a wall; before this it was subject
to great abuses by pigs, &c.
1801 Colonel Peter Daly, mayor.
Thomas Brown and John Thomas, sheriffs.
1802 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
John Strogen and Michael Dillon, sheriffs.
1803 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
John Strogen and Michael Dillon, sheriffs.
1804 James Daly, mayor.
John Strogen and Michael Dillon, sheriffs.
1805 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Michael Dillon and Charles O'Hara, sheriffs.
1806 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
Denis Bowes Daly was elected mayor, but not
attending, Hyacinth Daly held over another
year.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 321
1807 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
This year the foundation of the new town gaol
was laid, on Nuns' Island.
1808 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
1809 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
1810 James Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
1811 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Charles O'Hara and William Mason, sheriffs.
Charles O'Hara died, when John Strogen was
sworn into office.
This year the extensive burial ground on Fort
Hill was enclosed by Mr. Robert Hedges Eyre,
"As a mark of his respect and esteem for the
inhabitants of the town of Galway, in August
1811." In this place lies interred Mr. Thomas
Leggett, a very celebrated landscape gardener,
who, after beautifying almost every demesne in
the county, is most ungratefully suffered to lie
here neglected, without even a "Hic jacet !"-
I proposed some years since to receive subscrip-
tions to enable me to raise an humble monument
to his memory, but, alas! I felt a freezing in-
difference, except from one gentleman, who
would give twenty guineas, provided it was erected
in his own demesne.
I was much pleased with the following tribute in
this church yard, so creditable to the living as
well as to the dead: "Sacred to the memory
of Peter Rogier, native of France: this stone is
placed as a tribute to his memory, by his friend
Y
322
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and master, Charles Bingham. Galway, Octo-
ber 23, 1807.
1812 Denis Bowes Daly, mayor.
Francis Eager and Thomas Browne, sheriffs.
Thomas Browne died, when Jethro Bricknell was
sworn into office.
This year the foundation of the new sessions
house was laid at Newtown Smyth. Richard
Morrison, architect,
1813 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Francis Eager and Jethro Bricknell, sheriffs.
This year the governors and trustees of the will
of Erasmus Smith laid the foundation of a
school house in the east suburbs of Galway.
1814 James Daly, mayor.
Francis Eager and Jethro Bricknell, sheriffs.
1815 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Francis Eager and Jethro Bricknell, sheriffs.
The tolls and market set for £665.-N. B. The
kelp, butter, and potato cranes are not included
in the above sum.
A light-house, forty-five feet high, was erected on
Mutton Island, near Galway, which has been of
infinite use to all vessels entering the bay; es-
pecially fishing boats, which were frequently in
a most dangerous situation when adverse winds
prevented their entrance before night. The new
county court house was opened this year. It
stands on the site of the old Franciscan Abbey,
and is not included in the county of the town.
1816 Hyacinth Daly, mayor.
Jethro Bricknell and Francis Eager, sheriffs.
1817 Parnell Gale, mayor.
Michael Dillon and Matthew T. Smith, sheriffs.
1818 James Daly, mayor.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
323
Michael Dillon and Matthew T. Smith, sheriffs.
The foundation of the new catholic chapel of St.
Nicholas was laid on the 1st July, by the late
Hyacinth Daly, esq. mayor. It has been lately
finished, and is of the ornamented Gothic style.
1819 James Daly, mayor.
Michael Dillon and Matthew T. Smyth, sheriffs.
1820 James Hardiman Burke, mayor.
Michael Dillon and Matthew T. Smyth, sheriffs.
1821 James H. Burke, mayor.
Michael Dillon and Matthew T. Smyth, sheriffs.
1822 James H. Burke, mayor.
Matthew T. Smyth and Michael Dillon, sheriffs.
LIST OF RECORDERS.
1595 Domnick Martin.
1610 Damian Peck.
Domnick Martin.
1625 Sir Henry Lynch,
bart.
1630 Stephen Lynch.
1632 Marcus Martin.
1633 Stephen Lynch.
1636 Thomas Lynch Fitz-
Marcus.
1642 John Blake.
1654 Robert Clarke.
1655 Henry Greneway.
1657 James Cuffe.
1659 Edward Eyre.
1663 Henry Whaley.
1666 John Shadwell.
1670 William Sprigg.
1686 Sir Henry Lynch,
bart.
1687 Thomas Lynch-Fitz-
Isidore.
1691 Nehemiah Donnel-
lan.
1694 William Handcock.
1695 Robert Ormsby.
1706 John Staunton.
1717 Arthur Ormsby.
1718 Robert Shaw.
1725 John Staunton.
1730 Thomas Staunton.
1787 Robert Shaw.
1738 Edward Eyre.
1739 Domnick Burke.
1747 Eyre French.
1749 John Staunton.
Y 2
324
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1750 John Morgan.
1819 James O'Hara, jun.
1752 James Staunton.
1820 James O'Hara, jun.
1761 John Staunton.
1821 James O'Hara, jun.
1772 James O'Hara.
1822 James O'Hara, jun.
1773 John Morgan.
1774 James O'Hara.
1823 James O'Hara, jun.
TOWN CLERKS.
1679 Robert Shaw.
1674 Richard Revett.
1728 Robert Mc. Mullen.
1729 Richard Revett.
1736 Alexander Lynch.
1738 Robert Cooke.
1741 Robert Mc. Mullen.
1742 Robert Cooke.
1757 James O'Hara.
1774 Robert O'Hara.
1775 James O'Hara.
1777 Robert O'Hara.
1778 James O'Hara.
1789 Robert O'Hara.
1812 John O'Hara.
The town clerk was formerly called Notary, but by
the charter of Charles II. the title of town clerk was
given to this officer, and Jerome Russel appointed,
though it appears that in 1585 Nicholas Lynch was
town clerk.
A LIST
Of the REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT for the town
of Galway since the reign of Queen Elizabeth, before
which period there is no correct list.
1559 Jonoke Lynch, of Galway.
Peter Lynch, of the same.
(For the parliament of 1568 no list extant.)
1585 Peter Lynch.
Jonoke Lynch.
Robuck French Fitz-John.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 325
1613 Valentine Blake, of Muckenis, alderman.
Geoffry Lynch-Fitz-Domnick, of Galway.
1634 Sir Thomas Blake, of Menlogh, bart.
Nicholas Lynch, of Galway, alderman.
1639 Sir Robert Lynch, of Galway, bart.
Sir Valentine Blake, Menlogh, bart.
(Expelled 22d June, 1642, for the rebellion.)
1661 Edward Eyre.
John Eyre, of Eyrecourt.
1689 Oliver Martin.
John Kirwan.
(Parliament of James II.)
1692 Sir Henry Bellassyse, knt.
Nehemiah Donnellan.
1695 Richard St. George.
Robert Ormsby.
1703 John Staunton, of Galway.
Edward Eyre.
1713 John Staunton.
Samuel Eyre, of Eyrecourt.
1714 John Staunton.
Robert Shaw.
Edward Eyre.
(John Staunton miselected.)
1727 John Staunton.
Thomas Staunton, alderman.
1732 Thomas Staunton.
(Alderman Thomas Staunton, deceased.)
1735 Domnick Burke.
1747 Richard Fitz-Patrick.
1761 John Eyre.
Richard Fitz-Patrick.
1767 Denis Daly, of Dunsandle.
1768 James Daly, of Dunsandle.
326
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1773 Robert French.
Anthony Daly, of Callow.
1776 Denis Bowes Daly.
Anthony Daly.
1783 The same.
1790 Rt. Hon. Denis Daly.
Sir Skeffington Smyth, bart.
1792 Rt. Hon. Sir Skeffington Smyth, bart.
Peter Daly.
(Sworn 19th June, 1792, in the room of his bro-
ther, the Rt. Hon. Denis Daly, deceased.)
น
1799 St. George Daly.
George Ponsonby.
1804 Denis Bowes Daly.
1805 James Daly, of Dunsandle.
1812 Hon. Frederick Ponsonby.
1814 Valentine Blake, of Menlo.
(The Hon. F. Ponsonby miselected.)
1818 Valentine Blake, of Menlo.
1820 Mathew George Prendergast.
TUAM.—The residence of the Archbishop, is a hand-
some town, of considerable inland trade: it possesses
several fairs, and a weekly market well supplied with
excellent meat of every kind, especially veal in the
proper season; also with fish from Galway, which is
frequently to be had in this market when the inha-
bitants of Galway are without it, because the dealers in
fish called jolters or cadgers, are generally supplied
before the housekeepers, as being much better cus-
tomers. There is an extensive brewery kept by Mr.
Blake, who supplies the country for many miles round.
The bread is particularly good: this town possesses a
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
327
market house, and a billiard table and reading room
over it, which is a great relief to many shopkeepers, as
it takes away from them that great nuisance in country
towns, idle loungers, who fill their shops, and frighten
away many timid country people, especially women,
who cannot encounter the broad stare and second hand
wit of those idlers. The archbishop's palace, without
possessing much architectural beauty, is exceedingly
commodious and very spacious. It is highly ornament-
ed by a handsome and extensive demesne, and excel-
lent gardens. There is a dispensary, which, under
the skill, conciliating manners, and excellent manage-
ment of Dr. Little, has been of infinite use to the poorer
classes of society. There are also two newspapers well
edited, and uninfluenced by either religious or politi-
cal party.
The Roman Catholic archbishop has lately
erected a handsome house, which, with the Catholic
college of St. Jarlath (late French's bank) adds much to
the appearance of the town. An abundant and clear
stream of water runs through the town, supplying the
brewery, several tanneries, &c. &c. and after spoiling a
great deal of choice land by the grossest neglect of the
proprietors, turns an insignificant flour mill, that should
never have been permitted to be erected there, as throw-
ing back water on land of ten times the value of the
mill, and falls into Turloghmore, from whence it runs
to Lough Corrib, and through the town of Galway to
the sea.
There are two good inns, at which the mail
and canal coaches stop, which, as Tuam is the entrance
to the county of Mayo, is highly useful to the inha-
bitants of that opulent county. This town is built on
a low situation, yet I understand is very healthy. There
is a constant intercourse with Galway, from whence
the shopkeepers are supplied with many articles for an
extensive home trade. Much to the credit of this town
328
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
religious distinctions are almost unknown to have any
influence on their actions; from the archbishop to the
lowest inhabitant they live in the greatest harmony:
once for all, I must say this is the characteristic of every
part of this extensive county, and their firm adherence
to a monarchial government has from the earliest pe-
riod been conspicuous in every change, and for which
they have often suffered severely. A wretched attempt
has been made in the establishment of a meat and ve-
getable market; nothing can be more disgraceful than
the appearance and site; after every heavy shower of
rain it is flooded up to the stalls, and a pool of water
of some depth in the centre.
LOUGHREA IS a considerable market town, chiefly
the estate of the earl of Clanrickard; the agent to
whose extensive estates lives in the town.
There are
several very extensive fairs, and two weekly markets,
on Thursday chiefly for corn, and on Saturday for all
kinds of provisions, with which it is so well supplied that
many respectable families have settled here: the num-
ber of gentlemen's seats in the surrounding neighbour-
bourhood is another strong inducement, as they are.
mostly resident proprietors. This town is charmingly
situated on the lake from whence it derives its name;
it is more remarkable for its extreme clearness than for
its goodness, being extremely hard and unfit for drink-
ing. It is, I suppose, from this cause, nearly desti-
tute of fish, except pike, and of those I am informed
there are comparatively very few. It has been sug-
gested that its general green hue proceeds from a mi-
neral cause; this must be erroneous, for it possesses
neither this colour nor any mineral taste after being
taken from the lake. The colour probably may be
caused not only by the ever verdant hills which sur-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
329
round it on the east and south, but by the reflection
of a clear sky from a bottom of white marl; the marl
also may account for the hardness of the water.
Loughrea has a large linen and yarn hall, in a
wretched state of neglect and decay, but in which
there is a considerable quantity of coarse linens and
yarn sold once a week. The linens are mostly of a
coarse and narrow kind, of very inferior quality; a
small quantity also of coarse diaper is frequently ex-
posed for sale. A few years ago very fine diaper for
table linen was made by a weaver from the north, but
I imagine he has left the country, probably from want
of encouragement: there are about 120 looms in this
town. There is a large and commodious barrack for
cavalry, and one for artillery, which has been occupied
by infantry since the disturbances in 1820. There is a
walk called the Mall, much frequented on Sundays,
but in a state of gross neglect. It was laid out and
planted by the late Mr. Robert Power, a very intel-
ligent and extensive nurseryman, and was formerly
well kept, but seems to be at present totally neglected.
The greater part of the country round the town is very
beautiful, both naturally and from the number of gen-
tlemen's seats in its vicinity,--Dunsandle, Dalystown,
St. Clerans, Porsselodge, Holly Park, Kiltolla, Ruford,
Benmore, Woodlawn, Roxborough, Castle Boy, Ra-
hasane, Tyrone, Monksfield, Creggclare, Ballydon-
nellan, Ballydugan, Eastwell, &c. &c. and many in
the cottage style. I wish I could praise it for its clean-
liness, but it is generally, especially the suburbs, in a
most filthy state.
I recollect riding some years since with the then
agent to the estate, and wondering he did not make
the inhabitants keep the town clean, and put their
dunghills behind their houses, I was answered “ in-
330
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
deed I cannot get any good of them:" what an answer
from an agent and a magistrate! The principal street
is covered with loose stones, brought there by those
who keep standings; they are suffered to lie there, a
most dangerous nuisance, and seem to be entirely un-
noticed by the proper officer, the seneschal, and ma-
gistrates, several of whom doze in the town.
A very
beautiful new church, from the tasteful pencil of Mr.
Paine, has been lately erected. It is unfortunate that
a better site had not been chosen, and which I am in-
formed the Countess of Clanrickard offered, rent free,
and a large subscription. It would have been well in
this, as in many other public works, if the choice had
been left to professional taste and skill, and the inter-
ference of those who can have but a very superficial
knowledge of such affairs disregarded.
Since the Messrs. Clarke of Galway have become
such extensive exporters of corn, and frequently buyers
to the amount of above 200 barrels of oats on each
market day, the encrease has been astonishing; as they
nurchase none but oats of the best description, and
alway ready money (Loughrea usage), the farmers
have every lu-
nt for exertion, and the effect is
very visible.
HEADFORD, The estate of 1.
George, Esq. is a town of good inla..
d Mansergh St.
de, as it is
nd
the thoroughfare between the counties of
Galway into Cunnamara. Much to the credit of Mr.
St. George the streets are kept very clean and free from
swine, which, with the exception of Ballinasloe and
Mount Bellew, is an uncommon circumstance in this
province. There are several fairs, and a weekly market
held here, and Mr. St. George gives premiums for the
encouragement of the linen and flannel manufactures,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
331
which have been of infinite use. This town is improv
ing much in its appearance, under the auspices of an
intelligent and spirited resident landlord, who lives
near the town, and possesses a fine demesne, exten-
sively planted from his own designs, which have evinc-
ed a considerable degree of taste. This demesne is or-
namented by a small lake capable of being much en-
larged, and possessing a superiority over most others,
of having an abundant stream of the most limpid wa-
ter running into it on a high level, which gives a power
of not only an enlargement of the lake, but an exten-
sive scene of irrigation. The views of the mountains
of Joyce country and of those of Mayo, which assume a
sublime outline, with those of Lough Corrib, contribute
highly to the beauty of the environs of Headford; the
ruins of the abbey of Ross, near the town, is also a very
fine object. Ower, the seat of Mr. Burke near Head-
ford, possesses great capability, not only from highly
picturesque views, but from the shape of the ground
and water; it adds much to the cheerful appearance of
this neighbourhood. If every landlord possessed half
as much energy and taste as Mr. St. George, the
county would assume a very different appearance, and
how much more rational, healthful, and eventually
more pleasing, would their time be occupied than at a
gaming table!
BALLINASLOE.*-The estate of the Earl of Clan-
carty stands preeminent for cleanliness, and the re-
* In the inquest held before Sir Anthony St. Leger, then Master of the
Rolls, and Peter Palmer, second Justice of the Common Pleas, in which
the limits of the county Galway were accurately ascertained, it is stated
that "it goeth under the middle arch of the middle bridge of Ballinasloe,
"and from thence with the course of the stream it falleth into the Shannon,
"&c." I make this extract from Mr. Hardiman, because I believe it is
generally thought the mearing of the county is under the middle arch of
the North bridge, near Cuff's Inn.
332
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
gulations for maintaining a rare and effective system of
police. This herculean task has been accomplished
chiefly by the Hon. and Rev. Charles Le Power Trench,
brother to Lord Clancarty, in a very few years. When I
first saw Ballinasloe it was not outdone by even Galway
in either filth or a vicious police; the doors of the
houses were almost inaccessible through dunghills, as
high as the eves of the cottages, and an uncontrolled
ingress given to all kinds of vagabonds, male and fe-
male. In the day time, in even the best part of the
town, it was difficalt to pass from one house to another,
the foot path was so blocked up with cars, pigs, and
other nuisances. In the night you were obliged, from a
regard to your neck or your shins, to wade ankle
deep through puddle, in the middle of the street; even
here, you were lucky if you escaped a tumble over a
pig or a large stone, or escaped a Scotch salute, without
the Edinburgh caution of " 'ware heads." Now, what
a contrast! The foot path well paved, and swept every
day; not even a bowl of water permitted to be emptied
into the streets (what a hardship!) not a car or car-
riage, even those of gentlemen, permitted to stand in
the street without horses; not a dunghill or loose stone.
Every alehouse shut up at an early hour; not a shop
open during divine service; vagabonds and idle women
sent to bridewell; the footpaths well gravelled for a
considerable distance on every road round the town,
and posts fixed to keep off the wheels of carriages, &c.
&c. All this, and much more, has been accomplished
by a steady, yet discriminating adherence to regulations
calculated for the general good. They were at first
violently opposed, as lately in Galway, by those, who
blinded by prejudice and old habits were insensible to
the blessings of cleanliness; yet they now seem to be
sensible that the health and comforts they enjoy, have
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
333
more than compensated for the loss of any of their for-
mer imaginary and filthy conveniences. The change
has been effected by a well digested and impartial sys-
tem of rewards and punishments, and I think the
motto to Lord Clancarty's printed regulations might
very justly be "The wreath or the rod." Portarlington
has long been held up for a model of cleanliness, and
very justly; but the merit here is much greater; there
the inhabitants are composed chiefly of those in good
circumstances, who have retired on their fortunes; here
the number of that class is very trifling, whilst a great
part of the town and extensive suburbs are chiefly in-
habited by those of humble rank. I must confess that
I, who have seen Ballinasloe before its regeneration,
never go there without feelings of delight, which pro-
bably may be heightened by my mind always reverting
to Bohermore, the leading suburb to Galway, faugh !-
Ballinasloe possesses an excellent market for every spe-
cies of grain, usually of superior quality; also a well
supplied meat market, and generally fish from Galway.
A new and commodious market house has been lately
built by Lord Clancarty, which is a very desirable im-
provement for both buyer and seller, who before were
obliged to transact their business in the open street,
which was very injurious to all kinds of agricultural
productions. There are two extensive barracks for in-
fantry, and one for cavalry; they have been for some
time unoccupied, until in 1820 they were filled by
troops called in to quell the ribbonien. There are
fairs held on the 27th of March, 8th of May, 4th July,
and 4th October. That held on the 8th of May has
been long celebrated for a superior breed of store cattle
from the several adjoining counties; they consist chiefly
of heifers, and are usually purchased by the Leinster
graziers for fattening, a system, which though it shews.
334
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the superiority of the breed of Ireland over the general
breed of England, is contrary to that which should ac-
tuate the breeders. That system is, to select the best at
the different fairs for this purpose. If, on the contrary,
those were kept for breed only, to what a height of per-
fection they would arrive in a few years, I need only
mention the beneficial tendency of the contrary practice
in sheep, of whom the best only are kept for breeding.
The farming society are at length, (though it has been
often brought to their recollection) sensible of the na-
tional and individual loss sustained by this antiquated
and stubborn folly, and have offered premiums for this
very desirable purpose. As it has not been long in
operation, an opinion cannot well be formed on the
result, yet it is highly probable it only wants a little
perseverance to establish its superiority, not only pros-
pectively, but immediately. I shall have occasion to
speak of this in auother section more appropriate to the
subject.
The
GORT-The estate of Lord Gort, as it stands near
the county of Clare, to which it is one of the passes
from Connaught to Munster, has a considerable share
of inland trade; it possesses an excellent weekly market,
and several fairs; there are extensive barracks.
appearance of this town, naturally very cheerful, has
been lately much improved by the erection of a beau-
tiful church by Mr. Paine, which is a proof, amongst
many others, of this gentleman's architectural taste.
Lord Gort's residence in this town, accompanied by a
very picturesque reach of the river, gives a very favour-
able impression, on entering it from Loughrea, and with
the spaciousness of the streets, and the new houses that
have been lately erected, has changed its former gloomy
and neglected appearance into cheerfulness, and a pro-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
335
mise of increasing trade. The environs are very beau-
tiful, containing many natural curiosities. Ryndifin is
exceedingly picturesque. The river, which is consider-
able, runs against a very high and bold rock, nearly
perpendicular, and sinks so completely and quickly,
that one is at loss to know where it goes. It communi-
cates with the punch bowl and the churn, and breaks out
again at a very considerable distance under a fine natural
arch of considerable breadth, and again becomes a river.
The punch bowl is a large circular basin exceedingly
deep and always supplied with water, and grassed
down to the brink; it has every appearance of the cra-
ter of a volcano, but probably has been occasioned by
the same convulsion of nature that produced the churn,
at a considerable distance, and which is like a very deep
and large well. I do not know any part of this county
that will so amply repay the picturesque traveller a day's
stay at Gort, where there is a good inn, especially when
a view of Lord Gort's highly picturesque demesne of
Lough Coutra is included. A view of a magnificent
castle, designed by Mr. Paine, placed on the brink of an
extensive and charming lake (Coutra) surrounded with
wood, and a noble back ground of mountains, will add
to the pleasure. The recent improvements, including
a front and back approach, do infinite credit to the long
established taste and skill of Mr. Sutherland. An in-
spection of the ruins and round tower of Kilmacduagh
will add considerably to the pleasure of an excursion
from Loughrea, and an attentive view of the architec-
tural beauty of the columns of an ancient arch, between
the nave and altar of a chapel at some distance on the
north west, will, I imagine, be amply repaid. The coun-
try between Loughrea and Gort is highly beautiful,
comprehending Roxborough, Castleboy, Cool, Cap-
936
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
pard, and other seats, and fine hills, accompanying the
road the entire way.
ATHENRY,-In an old map is called Kingstown, and
was antiently called Athnery; it was at a remote period,
even before Galway, a town of some eminence, of
which some remains may be seen in the ruins of the
town wall and gate, and an old abbey, &c. An hun-
dred years ago it was reckoned the second town in the
county of Galway; at present it has every appearance
of decay, not possessing any kind of manufacture of
any note.
Mr. Grose, in his Antiquities, gives the fol-
lowing account of this town :-" Athenry was formerly
an handsome town, surrounded by walls by King John
in 1211. Meyler de Bermingham, second baron of
Athenry, granted land to build a Dominican monas-
tery on, and an hundred and sixty marks. St. Do-
minick, it is said, wrote to Bermingham for this pur-
pose, and a noble fabrick was erected in 1241. Flo-
rence O'Flin, archbishop of Tuam, Thomas O'Kelly
bishop of Clonfert, Walter earl of Ulster, William de
Burgh, and others, were great benefactors to this church.
In 1400, Pope Boniface the 9th granted a bull of in-
dulgence to those who visited and contributed to the
repairs and preservation of this monastery. An acci-
dental fire having consumed the church in 1423, Pope
Martin the fifth issued another bull for the reparation;
and in 1427, William Ryedymar and Richard Golber
and other Dominicans, having represented to the said
Pope Martin that there was a want of religious men to
instruct the natives in the Catholic faith, petitioned
him for a licence to found two chapels or oratories, with
a belfry, bell, cemetery, house, cloisters, and other
offices. Where these chapels were built is not well
known, but it is supposed they were at Tombeola, at
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
337
the head of Roundstown bay, in the barony of Bally-
nahinch, and at Ballindown in the county of Sligo.
Pope Eugene the fourth, in 1445, renewed the bull of
Pope Martin for the repairs of the church, at which
time it had thirty monks; and in 1644, it was erected
into an university (studium generale) with four others
for the Dominicans, by order of a general chap-
ter held at Rome. The little dependance to be placed
on Monkish inscriptions, where the honor or interest.
of their order is concerned, will evidently appear from
the following certificate: "We the underwritten do
by these presents testify to our posterity and future
ages, that we seen and read with our eyes this inscrip-
tion placed over the door of the refectory of the Domi-
nicans of Athenry. Carolus Manus rubræ me fieri fecit.
As time will eraze these letters, we have given this
testimony the 24th day of October, 1725.
Thomas Power Daly, Corrownakelly, esq.
James Browne,
Andrew Semper, Athenry.
Andrew Browne,
}
Michael Berny, deputy portrieve of Athenry.
R. P. Fr. Raymundus de Burgo.
R. P. Fr. Augustinus de Burgo."
Without doubt these respectable persons saw what
they testified, but the inscription is a palpable forgery,
and allowed to be such by the historiographer of the
Dominican order, for, says he, "how could Cathal-
croove-derg, the person alluded to, who was titular
king of Connaught, and died in 1224, cause this re-
fectory to be made in 1241, the true time of its build-
ing?" The cemetery of this monastery was a great
place of interment. In it were laid the De Burghos,
Mac Davoes, O'Heynes, Kilkellies, Moghans, Brownes,
Lynches, Colmans, and Dalies. In the 16th of Eliza-
Z
338
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
beth this monastery, with its appurtenances, thirty
acres of land in Athenry, and twelve in the town of
Balindana (quere Ballindona) were granted for ever
in capite to the portrieve and burgesses of the town of
Athenry, at the yearly rent of 26s. 4d. Irish money.
The remains of this monastery shew it to have been a
noble and extensive pile. Part of them are converted
into barracks, and the barrack yard was the ground
where the cloisters stood. The tower is unequal, the
lower being larger than the upper part. The eastern
window is in good style.--In 1295, Peter de Berming-
ham of Athenry sat in one of Edward I.'s parliaments.
This abbey is the burial place of many respectable fa-
milies, amongst others William de Bermingham, arch-
bishop of Tuam and son to the founder, was buried
here in 1289. In 1312 a charter was granted by Ed-
ward II. for walling the town.
There are a multitude of villages not possessing any
claim to a particular notice; with the exception of
Mount Bellew, they are uniformly dirty and ill built,
owing chiefly to that criminal indifference which too
many landlords seem to feel for the comforts of their
tenantry. In some few places an attempt has been
made by a few pennyworth of white-wash to imitate
the example set by Lord Clancarty, but a lamentable
difference subsists; his tenants have the entire of their
little cottages and concerns uniformly clean and comfort-
able; the others, though the front of their cottages may
be dabbed with white wash, the back and interior ex-
bibit every reality of filth and wretchedness. Lord
Clancarty's tenants are assisted by a contribution of
two-thirds or more of their expenditure, the other te-
nants must help themselves.
It would be unpardonable to omit mentioning Mr.
D'Arcey's infant town of Clifden in Cunnamara, which
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 339
promises at no very distant period to arrive at great
celebrity; it only wants a mercantile man with a capi-
pital and enterprize to accomplish this; such men as
Mr. Patterson of Kilrush, Mr. Patten of Wesport, or
the late Mr. Anderson of Fermoy. Clifden possesses
almost every material for cheap building; stone, sand,
lime, and cheap labour on the spot, and the sea open
for the carriage of timber and every other article. The
roads to it were formerly very hilly and difficult; at
present, by the unceasing and well directed exertions
of Mr. D'Arcey, they run for many miles nearly on
one level, and when the new line of road is finished,
the communication between Clifden and Oughterard,
a distance of upwards of thirty miles, will be nearly on
the same level, by conducting it in the valleys, instead
of the present dangerous one over and on the edge of
precipices. He has been ably assisted in those roads
by Mr. Thomas Martin, through whose estate the
greater part of the road will run. Mr. D'Arcey has
erected a very commodious hotel for the accommoda.
tion of those who may be induced by the desire for sea
bathing or pleasure. He has also built a very beauti-
ful gothic church from the picturesque pencil of Mr.
Coneys. A Catholic chapel and market house are in
a state of progress; also stores for salt, and all other
necessaries for either the fishery or for shipping in dis-
tress, are intended to be immediately built.
z 2
340
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION III.
HABITATIONS, FUEL, FOOD, AND CLOTHING OF THE
LOWER RANKS, AND THEIR GENERAL COST.
HABITATIONS.
THE habitations of the lower ranks, with the excep-
tion of Ballinasloe, Headford, Mount Bellew Bridge,
Woodlawn, Clonbrock, and, perhaps, a few others, are
wretched in the extreme. That attention to the com-
forts of their tenantry, which should actuate every li-
beral minded man, seems to be almost unknown, and
one is led to imagine that the idea I have heard ex-
pressed by more than one, is general: "What the
devil do I care how they live, so as they come to work
when I want them, and pay me my rent!” I regret
to have to remark here, that extreme hauteur of manner
that some landlords observe to their tenants; one would
be tempted to think that they did not consider them of
the same species; they can know nothing more of their
dispositions than of so many cattle. Did they relax a
little, and treat them with a dignified kindness of man-
ner, they would find a warmth and sincerity of return,
much dearer to a feeling mind than that heartless hat-
offering that seems to tickle their pride so much. I
would beg of them to look to the meetings at Holkam,
Wynnestay, and many others. Do they imagine that
those enlightened proprietors of estates, that would
equal half the estates of this county, lower themselves.
in the estimation of sensible men, when they collect.
around them at those meetings, their noble and humble
friends? In ancient Persia a festival was yearly cele-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
341
66
brated, in which husbandmen were freely admitted to
the king's table. "From your labours," said the king,
we receive our sustenance, and by us you are pro-
tected; being mutually necessary to each other, let us,
like brethren, live together in amity.”
Many landlords are attentive to the wants of their
cottiers, but too careless of their comforts; of which
they should be instructed that cleanliness is the very
first. There is scarcely a cottage that has not a step
down into it, and the dunghill uniformly near the door.
The common cant of many is, "they could not help it :"
the fact seems to be, they would not take the trouble to
help it. Are we to be told that a poor cottier, totally
dependant on his landlord, will not build on any site.
or level laid out for him, and keep the dunghill at the
back of the house, and sufficiently far from it as not to
incommode the family; but perhaps all this neatness would
be too far from the road to be seen by travellers, the chief
inducement, I fear, for the expenditure of much white-
wash; if this was not the inducement, why not, like
lord Clancarty, extend to it to the whole estate? If the
landlord is a non resident, his agent should take delight
in doing it; but I have had occasion before to remark,
that the generality of those gentlemen are mere receivers
of rent. My idea of an agent is, that he should consider
himself a working partner at a certain per centage, rising
or falling with the state of the concern, for farming must,
to all intents and purposes, be considered a manufacture,
and a very complicated one too, and I regret to say,
one of which many agents are deplorably ignorant.
* I dare say it will be said here by some of my sagacious friends
Aye, aye, Dutton wants an agency himself." I certainly would have no
objection to one where I could have an opportunity of practising what I
have suggested; but they will, perhaps, accuse me of arrogance, when I
assure them that no emolument that would be offered, could tempt me to
342
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
To the bad effects of a damp situation may be added,
the want of ventilation, (which occurs also frequently
in some great houses,) which in general is confined to
that between the doors; for if there is a hole in the
wall with a pane of glass fired in it, it is the most they
generally possess; as to a window that opens, that is a
undertake the management of the affairs of a distressed or extravagant
proprietor, nor indeed many others, though of great extent; I do not wish
to fish in troubled waters like those gentlemen whom we so often see in
the public papers, proposing to advance a sum of money to entitle them
to the agency of the estate. I know an estate in this county that has fre-
quently changed the agents, who are obliged to advance a sum of money;
the tenants have been ruined the rents have been screwed up so high
above their value. God help the unfortunate tenants, and indeed the
landlords that come under the claws of one of those harpies, whose practice
is to flay the tenant; mine would be, according to queen Elizabeth's ad-
At the same time
vice to one of her Irish lieutenants, only to shear him.
I am of opinion there cannot be a more ruinous or cruel practice than per-
mitting tenants to run in arrears. Here the resident agent has the su-
perior advantage of being able to distinguish between the tough rogue and
the industrious unfortunate; for he is not fit for this situation that cannot
form a near estimate of the circumstances of every tenant.
An agent
should be almost always on horseback amongst the tenants, laying out for
them where drains should be made, where and how they should irrigate
where plant, &c. &c. This could be accomplished by a steady and impar
tial system of rewards and punishments; in fact, every large estate should
have a little farming society for itself. Emolument with me is a se-
condary consideration; I have no pecuniary inducement; I have no person
to provide for but myself. It will be seen by the following advertisement,
which I inserted in the Farmer's Journal in September 1808, what my
wishes were at that period. "IIe wishes for a resident agency, and presumes
"to think that any person having extensive designs to execute, or waste
"lands to reclaim, will meet with a knowledge of rural economy, very dif-
"ferent from the generality of non-resident receivers of rent.
44
Those who
may wish for a more detailed statement of his acquirements, he trusts,
"will find that he can meet a liberal engagement with a very superior
"degree of exertion, and general knowledge of what should constitute the
"duties of a resident agent to landed property. Anonymous applications,
" or from any but principals, will not be noticed."
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
343
luxury possessed by very few except show cottages. In
too many instances, the cow and pig keep their places
in the house; certainly not so frequently as formerly.
The general mode of thatching in this province, with a
neatly twisted ridge of straw, is much superior to that
usually practised in the county of Dublin, where mor-
tar or road dirt are substituted, and occasions the thatch
to decay very soon. The mode of building cottages
here is nearly the same throughout the province; they
are usually of stone without mortar. In some places a
foundation of stone, and the remainder of the wall either
of sods or tempered clay, at which work the labourers
of this county are very far behind those of other parts
of Ireland. As a proof that they are conscious of their
instability, they put uprights of wood in building the
wall, on which the rafters rest, instead of a wall plate;
they are generally about six feet asunder; across those
there are ribberies stretched, consisting of branches of
trees, and on those, smaller sticks, (wattling,) which
support the scrates (sods cut thin) into which the straw
is thrust with an iron instrument, and neatly smoothed
with a rake; sometimes the straw is fastened on with
scallops, or with ropes stitched to the ribberies. Fre-
quently the roof is covered with heath or potato stalks,
which very soon decay, and as there is very seldom an
eve stone, and the thatch does not project far enough
over the wall, the rains are admitted, and in a very short
period the wall either tumbles, or is proped until it be-
comes so bad that a new patch must be built, and not
unfrequently the wretched inmates are obliged to place
their beds close to it in this wet state. What the con-
sequences of this are, may be perceived in the numerous
cases of colds, consumptions, and fevers, &c. that daily
occur at every dispensary, which, much to the credit of
many gentlemen, are becoming very general, and are
344
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
of infinite use. I must still think, however, that much
of the necessity for medical aid might be prevented by
an attention to the habitations of the cottier tenants, and
that if they even received the attention that the pigs re-
ceive in many places, much might be done. If the agent
lives too far from the estate, which is too frequently the
case, or that it would interfere too much with the amuse-
ments or indolence of the proprietor, a person might be
appointed for this sole purpose, a rural conservator, or
agricultural agent. I must confess when I reflect on
this culpable neglect, I probably feel too irritable to
think or write calmly; when I see the expence incurred
in erecting stables, dog-kennels, and piggeries, I cannot
help immediately thinking on the unfortunate man and
his family, lying in a wisp of damp straw by the side of
a new built mud wall. I am not so cynical as to deny
every comfort and cleanliness to those noble and beau-
tiful animals—horses; or those other animals that con-
tribute to our health or amusement; I think much
should be conceded to induce an occasional residence of
landed proprietors, for I do not think they should be
always cotting at home; they should see the world, es-
pecially the younger part. I also agree that architec-
tural beauty should accompany the arrangement of those
offices, according to a man's rank and fortune, but
surely a reflecting mind would conceive that a frequent
visit and close inspection of the condition of their tenan-
try would not be incompatible with their other arrange-
ments. How delightful would it be to extend the usual
visit after breakfast from the dog-kennel and stables, to
examine the stalls of those other animals that would not
be less grateful, and on whose prosperity depends the means
for the maintenance of every other. I presume to think
that lord and lady Clancarty, and their family, have a
delicious gratification when walking through their tenan-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
345
try, that can never be felt by those who think of no-
thing but an increase of their rental. Were I a landed
proprietor I should be ashamed to ask one of my tenants
"what his name is and where does he live ?" when at the
same time there is not a hound of forty couple whose
name I would not know, and from what dam and sire,
&c. In a late advertisement in one of the public papers,
a pack of hounds was advertised, "whose blood can be
accounted for during fifty years careful breeding." I do
not give this extract from any cynical motive, for I think
if hounds are kept they should have every attention paid
to their goodness and keeping; I pity the man whose
spirits are not raised by the cry of the hounds. On this
subject I am proud to have the countenance of Mr.
Kent in his hints to landed proprietors, page 206 :—
"Estates being of no value without hands to cultivate
"them, the labourer is one of the most valuable mem-
"bers of society; without him the richest soil is not
"worth owning; his situation then should be con-
"sidered, and made at least comfortable, if it were
"merely out of good policy. There is certainly no
"object so highly deserving the country gentleman's
"attention; his interest and his duty equally prompt
"him to do all he can to place him on a better footing
"than he is at present. The first point to be taken
"under consideration is, the state of the cottages which
"those useful people inhabit; and next, how far their
"condition can be improved by better regulations.
"The shattered hovels which half the poor of this king-
"dom are obliged to put up with is truly affecting to a
"heart fraught with humanity.*
Those who con-
It is a gloomy satisfaction to think that this is a description of English
peasantry. Some of our travellers would wish us to think the poor are (or
at least were) in the most enviable state of cleanliness and comfort.
346
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
"descend to visit these miserable tenements testify that
"neither health or decency can be preserved in them.
“The weather frequently penetrates all parts of them;
"which must occasion illness of various kinds, par-
"ticularly agues, which more frequently visit the chil-
"dren of cottagers than any others, and early shake
"their constitutions. It is shocking that a man, his
"wife, and half a dozen children should be all obliged
"to lie in one room together, and more so, that the
❝ wife should have no more private place to be brought
"to bed in. This description is not exaggerated, of
"fensive as it may appear. We are all careful of our
"horses, nay of our dogs, which are less valuable ani-
"mals; we bestow considerable attention upon our
“stables and our kennels; but we are apt to look upon
cottages as incumbrances and clogs to our property,
"when in fact those who occupy them are the very
"nerves and sinews of agriculture. Nay, I will be
"bold to aver, that more real advantages flow from
66
cottages than from any other source; for, besides
"their great utility to landed property, they are the
"greatest support to the state, as being the most prolific
"cradles of population. Cottagers are indisputably
"the most beneficial race of people we have; they are
"bred up in greater simplicity; live more primitive.
"lives; more free from vice and debauchery than any
"other set of men of the lower class; and are best
❝formed and enabled to bear the hardships of war and
“other laborious services. Great towns are destructive
"both to morals and health, and are the greatest drains
"we have." In page 216, "Almost every parish is,
"in a great measure, subject to some particular gentle-
66 man, who has sufficient power and influence over it
'to correct the present grievance, and to set a better
"example. Such gentlemen should consider them-
66
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
347
"selves guardians of the poor, and attend to their ac-
"commodation and happiness; it is their particular
"business, because they and their families have a last-
"ing interest in the prosperity of the parish; the far-
mers only a temporary one. If a gentleman's estate
"be so large that he cannot attend to objects of this
"sort, he should at least recommend the cottagers to
"the attention of his agent, and give him strict in-
"structions to act as their friend and protector; for un-
"less some check be put upon great farmers, (in the
"county of Galway middlemen,) they are very apt to
"contribute to the demolition instead of the protection
"of cottages." Page 254,
Page 254, "The landlord, tenant, and
“labourer, are intimately connected together, and have
"their reciprocal interests, though in different pro-
"portions; and when the just equilibrium between them
"is interrupted, the one or the others must receive in-
"jury. At present the balance is considerably against
"the labourer; and yet though it may seem a paradox,
"the other parties ultimately derive no advantage from
"it." Sir William Molyneaux, who lived in the reign
of Henry VIII., on his death bed gave this advice to
his son, "let the underwood grow; the tenants are the
"support of a family, and the commonality are the
"strength of a kingdom. Improve this fairly, but
"force not violently either your bounds or rents above.
your forefathers."
CC
The rent paid for a hovel, such as I have described,
with a very small garden, is in many places from thirty
to fifty shillings; and grass of a cow, badly kept, from a
guinea and an half to three pounds; this frequently on
ground that would be well let at fifteen shillings per
acre. A few years since I was delighted with the ap-
pearance of the tenantry of Mr. Lawrence, near Head-
ford. In the month of May there was scarcely one
348
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
without a stack or more of corn and hay, a small mea-
dow in good heart, neat gardens, and every appearance
of comfort: now, alas! (1822) we may look in vain for
them; they have disappeared. Mr. D'Arcey builds ex-
cellent stone cottages with a porch for his tenants in
Connamara, and they have every appearance and reality
of comfort.
FUEL.
THIS, with few exceptions, is turf or peat.*--In the
town of Galway a large proportion is sea coal. Also
in a district of country bordering on the southern coast
of the bay of Galway, and running for several miles
inland, coal is much used, as the country is possessed
of very little turf, and the greater part of what they so
burn is brought chiefly from the coast of Connamara.
*It is amusing to read a letter in the 4th volume of the Communica-
tions to the Board of Agriculture, from John W. Willaume, Esq. on this
subject. He says very gravely, "It has been rejected from the parlour,
the kitchen, the brew-house, &c. as being injurious to grates, and to all
sorts of vessels put on it; it cannot be employed in the roasting of meat,
as it will impart a disagreeable taste, and it is destructive of all sorts of
furniture by the effluvia which it emits, or by the dust or ashes that may
chance to be blown from it. If these disagreeable consequences could be
obviated, it might be made an article of general consumption, as a sub-
stitute for coal, much to the advantage of the seller and consumer.”
Every thing we read shews how little Irish affairs are known in England,
and to what a ridiculous pitch prejudice must have arrived in that en-
lightened country. Can it be necessary to inform Mr. Willaume, that at
least four-fifths of the noblemen and gentry of Ireland are obliged to
cook with peat, and probably Mr. Curwen can tell whether the roast meat
has a disagreeable taste. I do not know what kind of peat Mr. Wil-
laume used. It may possibly be highly sulphureous; but in Ireland I
imagine no such complaint can be made.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
349
In general, fuel is plenty and cheap, except in the dis-
trict before mentioned, and in that line of country be-
ginning at Galway and running to Athenry and Mo-
nivae, a distance of several miles, with scarcely a turf
bog. In some places the poor are obliged to gather
dried cow dung, and frequently may be seen piles of it
near their houses as large as turf ricks: this must injure
the land much, but necessity has no law. A good
workman will in two days, if the bog is good and deep,
cut as much turf as will supply his consumption for the
year: his family usually finish the process of drying,
&c. In many bogs, from want of draining, much of
the best of the turf is left uncut; in numerous instances,
this will hereafter become a treasure when the bogs are
cut out, which, notwithstanding the general plenty,
has really happened in many places. This great plenty
has hitherto caused great waste in the mode of cutting.
By the total neglect of many agents, bogs are fre-
quently cut into pits or holes, which retain the wet, and
add much to the expense of reclaiming them. In fact
there are many agents that have never set a foot on the
bogs of the estate. The verge of almost every bog is
inhabited by cottagers for the sake of easy carriage of
turf and black mud, which is an object of great conse-
quence to a poor man, who frequently possesses no
means of carriage better than two baskets on an ass's
back; sometimes the human back is obliged to bear
the burden, and often the female part of the family.
In the island of Arran, and all the other islands on the
coast, they are obliged to procure their fuel from the
opposite coast of Connamara, and the boats generally
bring back limestone as ballast, which answers for do-
mestic purposes, but not in sufficient quantity as to be
of use as a manure to a soil highly adapted for it.
350
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
FOOD.
In this county, as in many other parts of Ireland,
the potato constitutes the greater part of the food of
the peasantry; indeed this partiality is entertained by
every intermediate rank to the palace, no table being
without them. It would be in vain to attempt to pro-
duce evidence of the ruinous tendency of this propen-
sity of the lower ranks; the current runs too strong
against me; yet I imagine, on a candid enquiry, it will
probably appear that much of the misery of the lower
ranks of society in Ireland may be attributed to the
ease with which a family may be subsisted on this ve-
getable. Possibly it is not generally known that an
English acre of potatoes will produce food for one meal
for 16,875 men; whilst the same quantity of ground.
will not grow wheat for more than 2745; the ex-
penses of raising both crops nearly equal. I am
aware that it will be asked, what would become of our
dense population without potatoes, could they afford to
buy bread, &c. &c.? but the question is, why the in-
dolence of landed proprietors have permitted this en-
crease of a starving population, by permitting the mi-
nute subdivision of land? for to this chiefly is owing
this rapid encrease. How many wretched hovels do
we see in every part of Ireland, thrown up hastily
either in a dry ditch, or against a bank of earth, aud
with scarcely an article of even the meanest kind of
furniture. It is true on some estates a clause against
reletting is inserted in the leases, but in very few is it
strictly enforced. The proprietor, except it is near
the high road, never sees it, and the agent, perhaps of
a rank little higher than the tenant, overlooks it, as
he has the tenant as security for any undertenants who
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
351
may creep into the village. On an estate in this coun-
ty, of which I had the improvement, much of this kind
of reletting had occurred; some of the villagers, from
an increase of their family (to each of whom, when grown
up, some ground was allotted) had not sufficient to
support them comfortably, yet in many cases, from the
promise of a profit rent, they permitted runagates from
different parts of Ireland to occupy a part of their
little cottage, or perhaps converted a cow-house into a
wretched habitation for perhaps a murderer or a rob-
ber, and of this description many of the disturbers of
the peace of the country were composed.
A cottier has seldom less than from three roods to
an acre of potatoes; of this he plants as much as he has
manure for, the remainder he raises on land hired for
burning from some adjacent landholder, and generally
at exhorbitant rates; sometimes as high as ten guineas
an acre. For the setter of the land this is frequently
a most uncomfortable mode, as multitudes will take it
at this high price, that, if a bad season or other un-
toward accident happens, will leave it on his hands;
and even if they do take them, it is frequently on
credit, and payable at a distant period. If it is a ready
* I have great pleasure in stating, that a few years ago when Mr. Daly
of Dunsandle broke up his lawn by this process, he gave directions to his
steward to charge only six pounds an acre, and not to let to strangers
until his own tenants were supplied; for this ground he could easily have
got ten pounds an acre. Nor can I omit mentioning that the steward of
the late Mr. Andrew Brown of Mounthazel, having set a large quantity
of land near Ballinasloe for eight guineas per acre, Mr. Browne thought
it too high, and desired him to return a guinea per acre. With equal plea-
sure I have to state that in the year 1812, a very trying year for the poor,
lord Clonbrock sold all his pigs, and turned out his horses to grass to save
their food for the poor: in every respect his lordship is an excellent land-
lord, of course much beloved by his tenants, and very universally
esteemed.
352
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
money bargain, the potatoes are put into pits in dif-
ferent parts of the field, and frequently remain there
in the way of the plough; in few cases can they be in-
duced to dig their crop until the appearance of frost
compels them, and the proper season for wheat sowing
is lost. The letting is usually committed to some
wise man, a species of shark that many country gen-
tlemen have about them; he exacts money for earnest,
and as he is not generally answerable for the solvency
of the takers, he lets either to his favourites, or per-
haps to those who give most whiskey. If those kind of
people were always made answerable for the rent, they
would be more careful, and justice requires they should
be liberally rewarded for an attentive and honest dis-
charge of a very troublesome duty.
The quantity of potatoes used by a family consisting
of six people, is commonly about twenty-two stone per
week, and this may be about the average quantity
raised on about an acre of such ground as the pocr
generally occupy, allowing some for beggars, who
are seldom refused, and also for the pig, dog, cat and
fowl: frequently in winter the cow and horse get a
small share of potatoes, also reserving about 170 stones
for planting an acre in spring.
In many parts of this county the cottiers have a very
scanty share of milk with their potatoes; for as they
seldom have more than one cow, and too many not
any, they are for a part of the year without any milk.
In many instances they get nothing but the buttermilk,
as the butter is frequently sold to pay the rent, or clothe
the family, &c. In some places much use is made of
sheeps' milk, which is a great relief to many poor fa-
milies, but often at the lambs' expense: those useful
animals sometimes give four quarts of milk a day; on
this stirabout is made with oatmeal, very white and
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
353
nourishing. On the sea coast much use is made of
fish,* and in general the inhabitants are much more
comfortable than those more inland; those on the coast
of Connamara are particularly so, as few have less than
two or three cows, and many have from eight to twelve,
and both men and women are in their persons and dress
much superior to those of any other part of this coun-
ty; they look like another race of people: in Conna-
mara they call brandy and milk Cow-Cow, and to
which they are very partial in the morning. No cot-
tage is without a cabbage garden, but they seldom have
any succession, as they use almost exclusively the large
flat Dutch cabbage, which before winter they gene-
rally bury in the earth, a practice that universally pre-
vails in this province, producing a rank substitute for
what a little attention would give them abundance of.
Not one in an hundred ever think of having greens all
the winter, by sowing a pinch at a time of cabbage
or borecole seed, every month from March to Sep-
tember: even the sprouts from the cabbages are usu-
ally destroyed by the cattle or goats, these most de-
structive animals, that no landed proprietor should
permit, where there are trees or hedges. The kind of
potatoes cultivated in this county are:
Grenadiers.
Cork reds.
Turks.
Barbers wonders. Ox noble.
Bangors.
Red apple.
White apple.
Yams or bucks.
Black.
Red nose kidney. Coppers.
Early Prussians.
Leather coats.
Purple kidney.
Cups.
White eyes.
American dandies.
Lumpers.
Windeleers.
English reds.
Pink eyes.
A A
* I am informed that children that use this food, are never troubled
with worms.
354
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Lumpers are much used, as they are more produc-
tive from a little manure than any other kind, but they
are a wretched kind for any human creature; even
pigs, I am informed, will not eat them if they can get
any other kind. Cups are in great estimation, as they
stay long in the stomach, of course require strong
powers of digestion, especially as they are usually dres-
sed by the country people "with a bone in them."
That potatoes are a wholesome food, I believe there
can be little doubt; and I can have little feeling for the
distress of an English manufacturer that can procure
good potatoes and new milk for his family for at least a
part of each week; I say good potatoes, because in
general they are in England much inferior in quality
to those used in Ireland. I should strongly recom-
mend the opinion of Mr. Arthur Young, who has
always advocated the cause of truth, virtue, and loy-
alty. In his Irish tour, when speaking of the food of
the Irish, he says, "when I see the people of a country,
"in spite of political oppression, with well formed vi-
C
*
gorous bodies, and their cottages swarming with
"children; when I see their men athletic, and their
"women beautiful, I know not how to believe them
subsisting on an unwholesome food."
66
"
* But an English manufacturer has been so long used to his porter
and cheese, and gin every night at some ale house, and his wife to tea,
that they reckon potatoes and milk, starvation; and writers of a certain
kidney know well how to take advantage of this feeling. One of
this nefarious class says potatoes are only fit for swine;" a potato is
"the worst of all things for man; there needs nothing more to inflict the
“scrofula in a whole nation, (and the potato feeders in Ireland, where
"the lower classes exist on that vegetable, are a proof of this)! It dis-
"tends the stomach (wonderful!) it swells the heels (unless the eater
"labours hard) and it enfeebles the mind." If the potato has this last
effect, it were devoutly to be wished that writer had used them freely, since
he has turned his strong mind to the worst of purposes.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 355
One would imagine the libeller beforementioned had
been reading Mortimer, who wrote in the year 1721;
he says,
"the potato is very near the nature of the
"Jerusalem artichoke, but not so good or wholesome !
"they are planted either of roots or seeds, and may
"probably be propagated in great quantities, and prove
good for swine." How wonderfully opinions are
changed since the French revolution! then, they were
"food for republicans," now," they are only fit for
swine;" but any thing to serve a purpose.
66
We have seen lately in some of the public papers,
that potatoes are, in some districts in India, taking the
place of rice. It is a curious circumstance, that about
one hundred years ago, potatoes did not last longer
than about August; and only sixty years ago a boiling
was generally reserved to make calecannon on allhal-
lowed eve; since that we have obtained kinds that
continue good until the following season. In the
neighbourhood of Galway they use manure brought
from that dirty town, which for that reason is parti-
cularly fertilising. They pay about eight pounds for
as much as manures an acre of land; they spend usu-
ally four months collecting it on their ground. Most
of the crops, except oats, are sold in Galway.
CLOTHING.
THE majority of the population of this county are
clothed in frize, especially the elderly; much of it is
made at home by the females of the family; the re-
mainder purchased at the different fairs and markets in
country towns. Frize or coarse flannel jackets, and
350
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
petticoats of a muddy red, are much worn by the fe-
males, when occupied about their domestic concerns;
but in general, on Sundays they are dressed in coarse
cotton fabricks, but mostly accompanied by red petti-
coats. On the coast of Connamara the men are very
generally dressed in blue jackets and trowsers, as they
are mostly amphibious, which gives them an appearance
of cleanliness and neatness much superior to those of
any other part of the country. Any other articles of
dress the women may want are frequently received in
barter for the produce of their farms, or of their indus-
try: eggs are very much used in bartering for tobacco
and small articles, and coarse linens and yarn for those
of more value: sometimes they will come several miles
with a pennyworth of eggs, half a pound of butter, a few
greens or cabbage, chickens, &c. The men scarcely
ever go without shoes and stockings in winter; but
with the women the practice is almost universal; they
walk several miles to a fair barefooted, and in some re-
tired spot where they can have water they wash their
feet, put on their shoes and stockings, let down their
gown, comb their hair, settle their cap, and adjust every
article for the fair or market. Two pair of shoes,
* From the outcry raised against me in the county of Clare for meddling
with the ladies legs, and with whom the ladies of this county seem to have
joined, it is necessary to remark, that an attentive perusal of that part
of the survey of Clare, page 180, would have convinced them that I
touched their legs very gently. Some ladies seem to insinuate that I said
all the ladies of that county go bare legged. I only said, "I have seen
even some young ladies not averse themselves to appearing in shoes without
stockings." I cannot think of making a serious reply to this, but I can
assure them that since they seem to wish it, I shall for the future set such
ticklish subjects aside. The ladies I alluded to in the county of Clare,
though not of that rank that, by the rules of heraldry, entitled them
to that distinction, yet they were of a rank in life that should have placed
them above such a filthy custom, In no part of Ireland need the ladies
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
357
worth from seven shillings to half a guinea, are gene-
rally sufficient for the year, with the addition of two
pair of soles, at two shillings each. The stockings worn
by both men and women are generally of home manu-
facture, and, except in Connamara, very few are made
for sale: sometimes we may see a belle dressed in white
cotton stockings on a Sunday or at a fair. Hats are
usually of felt, made of wool, and low priced, from
three to five shillings each. Breeches worn by elderly
people are commonly of frize, the same as the coat and
waistcoat; but the young men are ambitious of getting
thicksets or cords of different fading colours; the beaux
are fond of black or pearl colour, made so very tight
about the knees that they get very little wear from them:
you will frequently see one at the top of the fashion
with his stockings gartered below the knee, and the
knees of his black breeches open, and a profusion of
long black tape strings hanging loose about his legs.
It seems to be a universal practice with most country.
tailors to make every article of dress too tight; pro-
bably it may be by the directions of the rustic dandies.
Whilst about their daily avocations they are frequently
in tatters, but on Sundays generally cut a very re-
spectable figure. The women of the Cloddagh, near
Galway, never wear any ribbons, but are very expensive
in lace for their caps. Most country women are che-
mists, and prepare different vegetable substances for
dyeing. With a species of bog earth, strongly im-
pregnated with iron, alder leaves or branches, and cop-
peras, they make an excellent and permanent black.
With briar roots, or elm or oak bark, and copperas,
red wood (I suppose logwood) and galls, a good brown,
and several intermediate shades.
less fear to show their legs; the more we see the more we would wish to
sce.
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Almost all kinds of clothes are washed by beetling,
which is usually performed by a woman standing up to
her knees or higher in water, beating on a large smooth
stone the article to be cleaned; this they frequently do
for hours, and often in winter, with seldom any worse
effect than spoiling the shape and colour of their legs;
for after this operation they run to the fire, which
causes their legs to swell and become discoloured. It
was from those, that 7wiss, several years since, formed
his idea of Irish legs, and probably knew no farther.
SECTION IV.
PRICES OF LABOUR, WAGES, AND PROVISIONS.
THE rate of wages varies in different parts of the
county; in some places, only five pence in winter, and
seven pence in summer; others sixpence and eight
pence; others eight pence and ten pence; a few give a
shilling in the harvest, but it must be understood that
those rates are for tenants who have land.
On one
estate the wages are sixpence half-penny per day, and
the rent for indifferent land from thirty shillings to
three pounds per acre. Where they are what are
called spalpeens or strangers they receive more, and
frequently get their diet, especially in harvest, turf
cutting, or potato planting; though in some few in-
stances, and they are very few, the rate of wages, and
the rent of land occupied by labourers may be on a
par, yet the general rate of wages is far below a re-
muneration for active services, and by no means keeps.
pace with the value of the inferior kind of land usually
occupied by labourers. Those who do not know the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
359
customs of Ireland must be on their guard when they
hear Irish gentlemen boast at the duke of Bedford's or
Mr. Coke's shows, that they charge only so much for a
house and garden, and an acre of land, or grass for a
cow, &c. &c. They must be told that the general run
of cottages (at least in the province of Connaught) are
damp houses, built by the poor cottager himself. Per-
haps some benevolent landlord may give him some of
the thinnings of his plantations for roofing it, and may,
as a compliment, permit him to quarry a few stones for a
foundation, but he is left to choose the site and levels.
himself, which, to save trouble, is generally built where
some advantage may be taken of either some damp hol-
low, or the bank of a ditch, &c. The garden is gene-
rally very small, merely sufficient for a few cabbages ;
the remainder of the acre is occupied with alternate
crops of potatoes and oats, manured by a scanty portion
of dung, made by an ill fed cow and a pig, mixed with
black mud; the grass for a cow almost universally on
the very worst part of the land, and often overstocked.
For these favors it is expected the most active exertions
shall be made. Can we be surprised that under those
circumstances labourers are indolent? Warner, who
wrote on Irish affairs many years since, gave good ad-
vice on this subject:-" Were the common people
once made warm and thriving by their industry, they
"might better spare their gentry than they can do
"now." Probably it will be found advantageous, first,
to raise the wages, or lower the rents, and then to exact
better attention to early hours and an increased ex-
ertion. It will be found that reward will be better than
coercion; it will take away from stewards that excuse,
which with some reason they make, for not obliging
labourers to perform more work than they usually do.
According to the present system, turning them home
66
L
360
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
by way of punishment produces little beneficial effect;
for the trifling sum they receive, when put into com-
petition with their own domestic occupations, is often
below their notice. In fact, except in the middle of
winter, it is frequently very difficult to bring them from
home, and recourse must be had to driving.* The
practice of task work is increasing much in this county,
and only wants to be better known to be generally
adopted. It requires some experience to ascertain the
value; but the simple method of devoting one day to
superintend the execution of a given number of perches,
or part of any kind of work, will enable any person to
estimate the value; but a resolution must be formed to
insist that the pattern, when properly arranged, shall
be implicitly followed, making ample allowance always
for unforeseen obstructions. In most cases it will be
necessary to enforce the accomplishment of the work in
a given time, otherwise it may be executed at a season
that will not only increase the difficulty of the execution,
but ditches or drains executed, or at least finished in
winter, suffer severely from frost or heavy rains. In
very few cases should a ditch be made at once; in land
that will run at the bottom, (and which is the general
case in this county,) if the ditch is intended to be seven
feet by six deep, it should be sunk only about three
feet deep and three feet broad the first year; the following
* As the meaning of the word driving, may not be generally known out
of Ireland, it is necessary to state, that from the general poverty of cottier
tenants, and I may say of most Irish tenants, half a year's rent, called the
hanging gale, generally remains unpaid; this, on failure of coming to
work, and frequently for some misdemeanor, is exacted, by driving some
beast to pound, which is usually released on coming to work, or some other
accommodation; if not, the animal is advertised and sold in a few days. I
fear in many cases this is a great source of oppression, but in many others.
highly necessary,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
361
year it may be finished, and in many situations it will
have run so much on the sides from the issue of water
long pent up, and the action of frost, that there will be
little more than paring the sides to make the ditch of
the intended breadth. A great extent of draining by
task has been executed at Mount Bellew; and on the
Netterville estate I had executed in two years upwards.
of fifteen miles of ditches and master drains, but in both
cases a statement of the value, owing to difference of
dimensions, and unforeseen obstructions, might only
tend to mislead. At some future period I may pro-
bably give a table of the rate of wages, and hope I may
be favoured with assistance from those who have pur-
sued this method of executing work. The wages of a
house carpenter is from two to four shillings per day ;
those of a plough or car maker, usually called a hedge
carpenter, from eighteen pence to two shillings and six-
pence, and his diet; a thatcher the same; other trades-
men usually by measurement, at the usual rates, or ac-
cording as advantage can be taken of his necessities.
Shepherds have usually a house, small garden, some
tillage ground, and grass for a cow and heifer, and ge-
nerally keeping for a brood mare. As they are ser-
vants of some responsibility, they have commonly many
indulgences, and no person would take a herd without
his possessing some stock, as they are frequently the
only security from neglect or misdemeanor.
PROVISIONS.
THE prices of provisions are so very fluctuating, that
I cannot see to what purpose I should give a list of
them; they not only vary almost every week, but in
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
different towns at the same period. The bread of this
county, in general, is excellent, which does no little
credit to the millers, for except in some particular dis-
tricts the wheat is very inferior to the growth of other
parts of Ireland, and where their flour frequently does
not keep pace with the goodness of their wheat. The
superiority of the flour of this county may be accounted
for by the millers being mostly practical men, and su-
perintending their own concerns; those, and their mills,
are the description that are useful to the tillage of a
country, (and I wish there were more of them,) as they
bring the market home to the farmer, who, where those
mills do not exist, loses, besides his expenses, two or
three days by bringing his crop to Galway; and as his
horses and cars are both generally very weak, the
quantity he can draw seldom exceeds two barrels (forty
stone) of wheat, or three of oats (forty-two stone).
This is a heavy tax on his profits, exclusive of the loss
of seasons for his different operations. The farmers.
have also adopted the useful practice of selling by sam-
ple, which saves them much trouble, and does not put
them so completely in the power of the miller as those
who bring their sacks to market. Formerly there was
a considerable export of beef and pork from Galway,
but for several years that trade has been lost. The
merchants of Galway have lately exerted themselves to
encourage an export of butter; I fear there has not
been much success attending their praiseworthy regu-
lations for its encouragement. I cannot understand
why it should not succeed, as a considerable quantity of
good butter is made to the west of Galway, and in many
other parts of the county, and I am informed has always
brought the highest price at foreign markets.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 363
SECTION V.
STATE OF TITHE-ITS GENERAL AMOUNT.
THERE can be no second opinion about the right the
clergy have to tithes; the right to estates cannot be
stronger; even those who are most adverse to this mode
of provision for the clergy do not deny this, but they
exclaim against the mode of collection, and as far as I
could collect their opinions, they seem to think that
every incumbent should, by immediate agents, collect his
tithe, and not let it to others, who again employ proc-
tors or inferior persons to view and set the tithe, and
those frequently of very questionable character. Another
great objection seems to be valuing tithe by the acre,
without making sufficient allowance for inferior or bad
crops. The prices charged for tithe, per acre, are very
various; in some parishes, wheat a guinea to one pound
six shillings; oats 12s.; barley 12s. to 20s.; sheep
45s. to 50s. per 100; lambs 50s. per hundred: in
others, 9s. 9d. to 11s. 4d. for wheat; oats 5s. to 7s. ;
barley and bere 8s. to 9s.; sheep a guinea to twenty-
five shillings: near Loughrea, 12s. to 14s. for wheat;
9s. to 10s. for oats and barley; 50s. per 100 for sheep: in
another place, 10s. for wheat; 7s. for oats and barley.
The late Rev. Mr. Russell, for the parishes of Ballin-
doone, Moyne, Omagh, and Ballynakill, charged no
more than he did fifteen years ago, and all by com-
position. The greatest hardship in my mind is, the ex-
emption of cattle. In 1735 the Irish house of Commons
(what a house of Commons !) passed a resolution against
tithe for cattle, called the tithe of agistment, which frees
the rich grazier, and lays the burden on the poor tiller
of the soil. Before this period it had been received by
364
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the clergy of Ireland as well as England; which appears
by the act of Henry VIII. 33. chap. 12, which enu-
merates and provides for the due payment of corns, hay,
pasturage, and other sorts of tithes and oblations com-
monly due. It appears that between the years 1722
and 1735, forty-three suits for agistment tithe were in-
stituted in the Exchequer in Ireland, and in all of which
that were decided, the judgment of the court was in
favour of the claims of the clergy. Surely the enor-
mity of this exemption must strike every thinking mind.
How praiseworthy would it be to take the tithe off the
crop of those who can so badly bear it, and lay it on
that which requires so little exertion; and on no other
terms do I wish it. I trust the legislature of the present
day will view this affair in a very different light from
their conscientious brethren of 1735. On the other side,
I am perfectly convinced that many who complain most
loudly of the hardships they suffer, have less cause than
many others: I recollect one extensive farmer com-
plained to me that he only paid formerly about £15. for
his tithe, and indeed, truly, the incumbent had the con-
science to charge him £60. I had heard the circum-
stance before, and a little cross examination at length
brought out, that he had broken up a large additional
quantity of grass land for corn, and increased to a great
amount his stock of sheep; yet he was so unreasonable
and uncandid as to expect his tithe at the old valuation.
It is ridiculous to suppose that if the land was made
tithe free the landlord would not increase the rent to
the full value of the tithe. In an examination of Mr.
Emmet by the house of lords in 1798, he says, "I am
"sure if tithes were abolished, the people taking new
"leases would be obliged to pay more in proportion for
“lands, than the value they now pay for tithes." There
have been many modes proposed for making the burden
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
365
of tithe lighter on the shoulders of the poorer class of
farmers, but they have been all found objectionable.
I shall not take upon me to propose any other change
in the present system than the one I have before men-
tioned, as I feel the subject too difficult to deal with;
but it must strike every person that something must be
resorted to that will do away a very general charge, that
as the prices of corn fall, and the farmers difficulties in-
crease, the rates of tithes increase.*
* From the following extract from Curry's Review, it will be perceived
that the mode of paying the clergy in the reign of king Charles I. was more
complicated than at present. "The bishops received 6d. per annum from
every couple, (holy water clerk); of every man that dies a muttue, by the
name of anointing money: but from a poor man that had but one cow,
they take that for mortuary money; from one that is better able, his best
garment for mortuary. If a woman, her best garment for mortuary; and
a gallon of drink for every brewing, by the name of Mary gallons; for every
beef that is killed for the funeral of any man, the hide and tallow, and they
challenged a quarter besides, 4d. or 6d. per annum from every parishioner
for soul money: a ridge of winter corn, and a ridge of oats for every plow,
by the name of St. Patrick's ridges: for portion-canons the tenth part of
the goods, after debts paid, &c. &c." In the time of the Anglo-Saxons,
besides a tithe of every thing, even merchandize, a silver penny was paid
for every hide of land at Easter, under the denomination of plough-alms.
At the feast of St. Martin a certain quantity of wheat or other grain was
offered on the altar; it was called kirk-shot, and was assessed on each
house according to its value on the preceding Christmas. Those who
refused to pay it were amerced forty shillings to the king, and twelve times
the value to the church. Thrice in the year was paid the lest-shot, or a
certain quantity of wax of the value of a silver penny for each hide of
land. There was also another tax, called soul-shot, for prayers in behalf
of the dead.-I have selected these few passages to shew our present
farmers, that the present rates of tithe are light, compared to those of an-
cient days.
And I presume to think an abolition of their ruinous, dirty
fallows, and wretched mode of running out the soil, would more than en-
able them to pay their tithes.
366
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION VI.
USE OF BEER OR SPIRITS, WHETHER EITHER OR WHICH
IS INCREASING.
THE use of beer has increased considerably, and if
beer or ale could be had of pure quality, brewed from
malt and hops only, the use would still increase; but the
brewers have been so long in the habit of using drugs
of various kinds, that all idea of drinking such whole-
some pale ale as we were used to in the days of yore
has been long abandoned. The brewers, I am aware,
allege, and probably many with truth, that although
they may use other ingredients than malt and hops,
they are quite inoxious. As I am not skilled in brew-
ing I cannot take upon myself to ascertain the fact, nor
am I individually concerned, as I rarely drink brewers
beer; I see too much vitriol passing by every day with
carriers, confessedly for their use. The fine ale that is
to be met with at some few private houses shews what
could be done. At all events the very idea of the
hurtful ingredients used in breweries, has made mul-
titudes of water drinkers. I am at a loss to know why
every private house does not brew as formerly, when
even small farmers brewed; the reasons generally given
by many are, that they do not wish to be liable to the
visits of guagers at all hours, and that they cannot get
good malt to buy. As to the first objection I have
never heard of any improper intrusion, nor need there
be any apprehension if an honest return is intended;
but I have heard of some mean practices, where an ex-
ample of a different tendency should have been set to
the tenants; at the same time I am convinced that the
principal was totally ignorant of what was going forward,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
367
and that many domestics would think the beer much the
sweeter if they could jink the guager. As to the second
objection, it would not cost much to erect a small malt
house, which might answer for several adjoining families,
and might be conducted by the brewer, who also might
brew for those families: the kiln would be highly use-
ful for drying corn, &c. In most cases I imagine in-
dolence to be the chief cause. There are several
breweries in Galway, and a very extensive one at New-
castle near Galway, where an imitation of pale English
ale is brewed, that is much liked by many people.
There are two at Ballinasloe, one at Tuam, two at
Loughrea, one in Gort, by a highly esteemed brewer,
and one at Oranmore, which I imagine are all the
breweries in this extensive county. One great induce-
ment to private brewing I omitted to notice; the pro-
duction of pure barm, so material an article in house-
keeping, and which in many situations it is difficult to
procure, and frequently, from the ingredients used in
brewing, of bad quality. I imagine the consumption of
spirits has not increased; at least of spirits paying du-
ty. The poverty of the whiskey drinkers has prevented
much of that drunkenness we had formerly to complain
of. There are a few licensed distilleries in the county,
but not at work in 1820. In spite of every exertion of
the excise officers, unlicensed stills abound, especially
in all mountainous situations. A very general idea
prevails that putteen whiskey is much wholsomer than
parliament whiskey; it wants something to counterba-
lance the detestable taste of smoke which it generally
possesses, but the palates of many are so degraded by
habit, that they think no whiskey pure unless it has
this smokey taste; and I am informed some distillers,
taking advantage of this depravity of taste, have imi-
tated it in their liquor. The unlicensed distillers add
368
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
considerable quantities of vitriol, soap, &c. and set all
the bad taste down to the account of malt dried with
turf, and their customers swallow this, as well as their
vile liquor. I understand in Cunnamara, where whiskey
is the staple, it is distilled from barley malt, or at least
barley brought generally from the coast of the county
of Clare, and that they never use vitriol: certainly the
best I ever tasted was in that country; it was nearly
without any taste of smoke, and comparatively mild,
though just taken from the still: that kept for two years
was excellent. Vast quantities of spirits from this part
of the county, and all along the coast, are consumed
in Galway. Drunkenness amongst the higher ranks of
society is now very rare; little of that mistaken hos-
pitality remains, which locked the door whilst it de-
prived you of your reason; a perfect freedom of action
prevails, and though the decanter is pushed about as
freely as ever, it is your own fault if you proceed to in-
toxication. In some fashionable houses care is most
kindly taken to prevent long sitting, by permitting the
fire in the dining parlour to go out, and by announc-
ing that coffee is ready. Indeed in general the ladies of
this rank possess every inducement to hasten a return
to their society in the drawing room. The effect that
was intended by the destruction of the small distilleries,
has not been produced, but rather a diminution of re-
venue; it also had the effect of spreading unlicensed
distillers through the country in every direction. No
advantage has been taken of the late act, permitting
stills of a smaller description to be worked. It has
been computed that in Ireland there is consumed, of
licensed and unlicensed whiskey, 3,650,000 gallons in
the year; of this quantity a considerable share is drank
in Cunnamara, where it is much the custom for all the
neighbours to attend when a still is run off, and never
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
369
quit the house until all is consumed, and another batch
announced: happy country! The distillation of spirits
from malt, was first practised in Ireland about the year
1590. Previous to this, a spirit was imported from
France and England called aqua vitæ, and from thence
our whiskey was called Uisge-beatha, the water of life.
The Irish had formerly a liquor called Piment, com-
posed of wine, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and other
aromatics, which was called by foreigners Irish nectar,
and was highly prized by them.
SECTION VII.
STATE OF ROADS, BRIDGES, &c. &c.
THE roads of this county are generally good: indeed
there can be little excuse for bad roads; for the best
materials, either broken stone or good gravel, abound
in almost every part of it. In many places, either from
indolence (the vice of this county) or ignorance, the
stone is not broken as small as it should be: on this
subject there seems to be some diversity of opinion.
One very intelligent gentleman, I am informed, insists
that for the mail coach roads stones should not be
broken small. The celebrated road maker in England,
Mr. M'Adam, seems to countenance the same idea in
his publication on this subject. A little discrimination.
would very probably enable us to account for this. In
those parts of England where Mr. M'Adam has ope-
rated, the stone is probably of a soft or brittle kind, but
in Ireland, especially in this county, the stone is usu-
ally a very hard limestone, bearing the chissel, and
the fracture almost as hard and sharp as a broken
BB
370
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
bottle; besides the mail coach seldom or ever deviates
from one track in the centre of the road, as the drivers
entertain an idea that every carriage must give way to
his Majesty's mail; and as the carriers generally follow
in the same track, the stones are soon ground down
sufficiently to answer the purpose of the mail coach
drivers, and they look no farther than their own con-
venience; but to others who travel, those roads are
most unpleasant and dangerous. Probably I shall be
able to prove that the idea is unfounded. It must be
evident to every person that the nearer any road ap-
proaches to a uniformly smooth surface, the easier the
draft on the horses; the iron rail ways prove this be-
yond any cavil; surely then, a road covered with
broken stones deviates from this axiom in proportion
to the size of the stones of which it is composed. Every
person who travels in a carriage must be a very com-
petent judge, and the hobbling of the unfortunate
horses speaks volumes on the subject, exclusive of the
loss of time. Though in a national establishment like
that of the mail coaches, where this may be overlooked
or disregarded, it may not be so apparent from their
weight and the rate at which they drive, yet it must
have an effect on the feet of the horses, and the wear
of the carriage.
I have invariably found that in proportion as the
stones were broken small, the road was good.* Another
practice recommended by Mr. M'Adam, and advo-
cated by several in Ireland, is to leave the stone un-
covered with any sort of clay or gravel. This has its
•
In my Survey of the County of Dublin, I gave an instance corrobo-
rative of this assertion. The best and most lasting road I ever saw was
made with the powder and very small broken stone that remained, after
the larger stones had been expended. It must be also known, that this
occurred where two roads intersected each other.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
371
origin from the same source: the stones generally used
in England are so soft, or easily broken down, as not
to require that covering which our hard, compact,
limestone does. I grant that the argument used by
many "that in process of time the stones will be worn
down," has some shade of reason; but what must the
carriages and horses suffer until this tedious process.
takes place? In roads much frequented by heavy car-
riages, and the stone broken very small, this should be
dispensed with, but surely the advocates for this cruel
omission, where large broken stones are used, do not
consider that the road does not become firm until
there is as much of the asperities of the broken stones
worn off as will make a uniting medium for them.
This may happen at no very distant period in roads
much used by heavy carriages, but in those not much
frequented, and the stones of a hard kind, they remain
for a long time in a most disagreeable state.
I must confess, on sufficient proof being given, I think
an action should lie against the maker of such road, for
laming a horse or breaking the spring of a carriage.
Probably it may not be adverted to generally, that
every obstacle the wheels of a carriage have to sur-
mount, gives a shock to the horses' shoulders propor-
tionate to the amount of the difficulty, and that there
are plenty of those in every rough road, need not be
enlarged on here. This may be very easily proved by
a man wheeling a loaded wheel-barrow alternately on
a newly made road of this barbarous construction, and
on a firm smooth surface, and the effect on the feet of
the horses by walking on them in very thin shoes.
Another very material objection to those uncovered
roads is, that where the stones can shift under the
wheels, the difficulty of the draught of wheel carriages
BB 2
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STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
must be greatly encreased, for the stones swell up be-
fore the wheels, and on the most level road produce
the effect of going always up hill; this effect is strongly
proved by carriages going down steep hills, where
roads are newly made with loose broken stone; there is
no occasion to lock the wheel. On the Tuam road we
have a strong proof that they do not wear well; there,
according to the idea that bare broken stones are most
lasting on mail coach roads, they are generally con-
structed in this manner. There it may be perceived,
especially as the broken stones are laid on the old hard
road, (a wretched practice) that the wheels of the
coaches in a short time wear a passage for themselves,
and purge out the stones on either side, leaving a firin
hollow in which the wet settles, and helps to wear the
road; but this answers their purpose. That there is
some jobbing in this county I fear we must admit, but
infinitely below the amount in some other counties ;
and I am happy to state that the practice is declining
fast, and I look to, and call on the rising generation of
grand jurors to scout this disgrace to them out of the
county entirely. In no part of Ireland are there bet-
ter grand jurors, and if they sometimes lend them-
selves to a job, it proceeds from a deception of some
favourite or wise man, the pest of this province. The
new road act, which empowers magistrates to hold ba-
ronial sessions previous to the assizes, to examine into
presentments, will tend much to lessen the frequency
of jobs. I am convinced that many who practise this
meanness, do it frequently from seeing their fathers
and others doing it when they were young and thought-
less, but they should consider, that putting this into
plain language, every man who knowingly practises, or
even countenances a job, is a rogue and a liar. One of
the greatest and most frequent abuses of the roads, is
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
373
the practice winked at, if not countenanced by many
landlords, of cutting away the sides of roads, and form-
ing large and deep ditches where none originally ex-
isted. I shall mention a few amongst multitudes of
others, that I have noticed. From Abbey Knockmay
to Galway; from Tuam to Shruel, particularly abus-
ed; not only ditches have been formed, but walls thrust
several feet into the road, and large and deep gravel
pits made near Shruel close to the road: here it is par-
ticularly disgraceful, as the road formerly, (much to
the credit of the maker,) was left very spacious with
fine hedge rows, and a level grass verge. The hedges
are all nearly cut down to stop gaps, and the sod either
cut away, or gravel pits made in their place. There
is the less excuse here, as the proprietor, a gentleman
of the most elegant manners and good taste, is almost
a constant resident. It shews what a dangerous thing
bad example is to the best informed minds.*
Between Tuam and Clare Galway the road is most
shamefully cut away, especially near the latter village,
where ditches ten or twelve feet wide, and six feet deep,
may be seen, and still going on. In some parts of this line
of road, where the road is fenced by stone walls, par-
ticularly near the seven mile stone, the tenants have made
ditches on both sides, totally disregarded by either
their landlord or the magistrates, who frequently pass
by them. Between Cahirmorris and Clare Galway,
the same bad practices are pursued. The road between
Tuam and Knockmoy greatly injured by ditches at
least two feet wide, where none formerly existed, as the
fence is a high stone wall. In short there are very few
Since I composed the above, I am gratified that an attempt has
been made to level these gravel pits. I fear we may thank English li-
berality for it, as I understand it was done for meal money, which per-
formed many other miracles.
374
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
[
exceptions to this gross neglect of the country gentle-
men. I am strongly persuaded, that where the roads
have been thus cut away, the proprietors of the ad-
joining land should be obliged to fill them up again ;
they may apply to their indolent agent, or those to
whom they have let their lands, and who generally are
the agressors. This most useful punishment could not
by any construction be called an ex post facto one, as
the road acts have been explicit on the subject. I
imagine those who have walls on the sides of any road
should be obliged to cope them with mortar, to pre-
vent the stones from rolling into the road; it is asto-
nishing how this nuisance is overlooked by magistrates;
it has however one advantage, the frequent shocks their
carriage gets keep them awake; and it affords fine
practice to the juniors of the whip to drive the wheel
of a gig to rub a stone without going over it. Amongst
other evils those abuses will tend, at some future period,
to bring into a multitude of broils with the country
people, any person who will have the honesty to insist
on an abolition of such disgraceful practices. Chiefly
to indolence, and a neglect of a steady, yet temperate
enactment of the existing laws, may be attributed that
systematic opposition to them amongst the lower or-
ders, that has continued for half a century to disgrace
Ireland. After being obliged to use the rod, I shall
with much more pleasure confer the wreath. On Mr.
Bellew's extensive estate, through much of which the
high road runs, not a ditch or any part of the road is
injured. The road between Galway and Oughterard,
wide and remarkably well made; but the loose stones
that are permitted to roll about the road are a serious
drawback on the pleasure of travelling through this
charming country. It is a common practice with the
tenants in many places to pick the stones off their field,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
375
*
and lay them on the sides of the roads; this has been
practised to such extent between Dangan and Rahoon
near Galway, that scarcely room for a carriage has
been left. Mr. Browne of Moyne has made a great
improvement by widening and enclosing the road along
his demesne wall, and has continued this road in a new
line, that instead of going over the high hill of Dangan,
runs on a level and communicates with the Tuam road
at Horse-leap. When Mr. D'Arcey went first to re-
side at Clifden in Cunnamara in 1816, he could
scarcely ride into the country; but now, in 1820, he is
enabled to drive a coach and four horses in hand from
Galway to Clifden, a distance of nearly fifty miles.
He has opened, at his own expense, a road along the
sea shore from Clifden to the intended quay, and from
thence to his house, worthy of an old Roman. He is
also now perfecting a new line of road from Clifden to
Oughterard, which, instead of going over steep hills as
at present, will run for nearly thirty miles with scarcely
any difference in the level.* Many others are making
good roads, and improving and shortening the old
lines, and are deserving of every encouragement from
the grand jury. I have heard some gentlemen boast
that they never ask for a presentment; they should ra-
ther boast that they made many good roads. The late
Mr. Arthur French of Monivae, who at that time re-
presented the county of Galway in parliament, was the
person who introduced a bill for making roads by pre-
sentment. Before that period the roads were made by
Many of the undertenants, who hold immense tracts of ground at
little rent, say that Cunnamara has gone to the devil since good roads
were made: the value of land is too well known. Villagers in general do
not wish for good roads to their villages; they say it only encourages
others to bid over them. What a strong argument in favor of good roads!
encreasing the value of lands: recollect this, landlords!
376
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
statute labour, as practised I believe at this time in
England; a wretched mode, that rendered them almost
impassable. The present representative of his house,
Mr. Robert French, has lost nothing of his energy,
as he is an excellent road maker, and a well known
enemy to jobbing. Like every other part of Ireland
many of the roads of this county are conducted over
steep hills, and the senseless and expensive practice re-
sorted to of lowering them instead of changing the
line to the base of the hill: amongst others, the most
prominent appears to be that leading over the hills
between Tuam and Dangan; if the line was changed,
and brought to the east of Mr. Kirwan's of Hillbrook,
and Killoreran church, and united to the present line
at Moylough, it would not only run nearly on a level,
but, what few alterations do, it would shorten the pre-
sent line by some miles. I beg it may be recollected I
speak only from very frequently viewing the line of
country from the high road; but the levels and line
could be easily ascertained. A very beneficial change
could be made in the road running over the hill of Lis-
copel between Ballinasloe and Aghrim; another at the
hill of Culliagh near Ballinasloe, and many others that
I do not immediately recollect. The benefit that would
result to the public from altering the line of road over
these and many other hills is so obvious, that I need
not enlarge on the subject farther, than to state that in
almost every hill the materials are within reach of
wheel-barrows. It is highly probable that when those
and all other roads on hills were made, the bogs or low
grounds adjoining were woody swamps, and in some
cases like the Esker near Banagher. The facility with
which gravel could be procured, might be a strong in-
ducement, nothing more being wanting than removing
the large stones, and the gravel of which they consist-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 377
ed formed the road. Formerly there were conserva-
tors in this county, but it was soon found it was a
needless expenditure of the public money, because they
did not do their duty. A very natural question arises
here, why did not the magistrates and country gentlemen
oblige them to do their duty? If they did their duty con-
scientiously, I do not know a more useful public of-
ficer, and the salary they were to receive was totally
inadequate to the duties they should perform. I hope
to see either them or some other officer encouraged by
a liberal stipend to undertake this arduous and dan-
gerous task, for I much fear he would be left as a scape
goat by some of the indolent gentlemen of the country.
Some time since it was proposed to appoint surveyors
of roads, with adequate salaries; but the acquirements
necessary, or thought so, to the situation, were so ma-
ny, that very few were found to be competent, and I
believe the idea has been abandoned, at least for the
present. Probably many applicants were mere young
civil engineers, little acquainted with the detail or ma-
terials for road making; others, perhaps, were well
acquainted with those requisites, but totally ignorant
of the use of a spirit level. If baronial surveyors are
ever appointed, probably it would be a useful regula-
tion to oblige every such surveyor to take an appren-
tice or pupil, which would keep up an eligible stock
of young men to fill situations in this department, sub-
ject to a yearly examination by a board of engineers,
whose certificate would be a necessary preliminary to an
appointment. Emulation here, as in most other af
fairs, would be a powerful stimulus to exertion, both
in master and pupils. Perhaps a medal of small va-
lue would be an useful auxilliary. I presume to think
that in the outset of a new project like this, perfection
should not be expected in the surveyors, but in a short
378
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
period there will be an opportunity of selecting. The
injury roads receive from the shade of trees is very
great. To cut those down that have been already
planted could not be expected, but an act to limit the
distance of all future plantations from the road would
be highly useful, and taken in a picturesque view, it
is a churlish method of preventing a view of the de-
mesne, and nothing can be pleaded in its favor but
custom. It is a part of those tame designs invented by
Browne, and was introduced into Ireland by his fol-
lowers. Nothing would contribute more to the pre-
servation of roads than an increase in the breadth of
the wheels of carriages heavily laden. The damage
done to the roads by narrow wheels after heavy
rains, or hard frost, is very great. The wheels of
carriers' drays, that usually carry upwards of a ton, and
are seldom more than three inches wide on the sole,
many much less, are particularly injurious to roads.
Probably it would be found a beneficial regulation to
oblige them, and mail and other public coaches, to use
wheels at least six inches broad, and private carriages
instead of two inches should be at least four inches wide.
I imagine, that so far from this unusual breadth adding
to the difficulty of the draft, by an increase of weight
and more friction, it would greatly ease it, by enabling
the wheels to avoid the many shocks they encounter
from slipping into ruts, and the extreme degree of fric-
tion and exertion to extricate them. This must be
manifest to every person travelling in a gig. On the
contrary, broad wheels, by rolling over those obstruc-
tions, will ease the draft on the horse, and add much to
the comfort of the traveller, and safety to the springs.
I am not prepared to say how far this idea might be
carried, but I trust the Dublin Society will take up the
subject, as they possess many members fully competent.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
379
to the task. It is a fine field for the attention of the
implement society, and I trust they will notice this. It
is not a little surprising that magistrates and country
gentlemen do not seem to be aware of the injury roads
receive from the narrowness of wheels. Frequently
may be seen upwards of twelve hundred weight on cars
whose wheels are not more than an inch and half broad.
The dishing of wheels adds much to the injury, as in
general the whole wheel does not roll on the road, and
to add still more to the injury, the wheels are frequently
shod with iron, from which the heads of large nails
project considerably beyond the periphery. After an
angry and stubborn opposition of many years, it is at
length found that cylindrical or upright wheels are best;
and they are now adopted by the mail coaches, and are
advaucing fast into use by carriers. I expect before
long to see the plough, harrow, and roller, a necessary
apparatus for every road. I cannot conceive why a
heavy metal roller has not been long since introduced.
As to the difficulty of ploughing roads, it is merely
ideal, for if a proper plough is used, at a proper season,
the difficulty vanishes. I had a road ploughed at the
late Sir Thomas Leighton's, near Dublin, much firmer
than the generality of roads, and it was ploughed at an
improper season, in summer, after very dry weather.
It has lately become a very general idea, that nothing
but broken stone will do for roads much frequented.
This idea has been carried to such excess on the Tuam
road, near Horse-leap, that close to a very fine gravel
pit, broken stone has been used. In one part of this
road, near Briarfield, some years since, a part for se-
veral perches was made with this gravel from Horse-
leap. It is to this day (1822) the very best part of the
road, and at either end of this gravelled part the road
has been twice repaired with broken stone, and at present
380
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
wants another coat, whilst the gravelled part is nearly as
good as at first, and so firm that a heavy wheel makes
little impression on it. On remarking this circumstance
to the person who keeps the road in repair, he ac-
knowledged it, but said he was not allowed to use any
thing but broken stone. I do not think I remember an
instance of a more stubborn adherence to an erroneous
system than this use of broken stone, close to an in-
exhaustible supply of the best gravel. It only wants
screening to separate the sand and large stones from
the proper sized gravel, neither of which should ever
be used on roads. It is the practice of the workmen
on this part of the road to place large gravel under
each heap of broken stone, and they are all measured as
broken stone. I find it difficult to quit this subject, but
many of my readers, I dare say, wish me off the road.
Many bridges are in a state of great decay, very much
owing to carelessness in building the parapet walls; they
are seldom coped with stones sufficiently large, nor are
they properly fastened, by which means, in a few years,
the entire wall is gradually taken away by the country
people, and seems to be unnoticed by the passing ma-
gistrates, until a new presentment is obtained for re-
pairing it. For what a parapet wall should be, I refer
my readers to that under the battery at Shannon bridge.
Many bridges are too narrow, especially those of Ath-
lone, Banagher, Ballinasloe, and indeed, in general, all
the old bridges of the county. I understand present-
ments have been granted for widening several of them.
The new bridge of Galway, opposite to the gaol, is a
beautiful structure, and does great credit to the archi-
tect, Mr. Behan. The first stone was laid on the 29th
June, 1818, by the Hon. William Le Poer Trench,
and was entirely finished in October, 1819. Formerly
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
381
such a bridge, and in such a rapid torrent, would have
occupied several years in the building.
In many parts of this county great inconvenience, and
often considerable danger, is suffered by travellers, from
flood water permitted to remain on the roads. At
Horse-leap there is a very prominent instance of this;
a few pounds would abate this nuisance, by lowering the
outlet. If, instead of going through the water, the road
had been brought round the foot of the hill to the west,
the expense of building a causeway of considerable
length would have been saved to the county, and then
the nuisance would only injure those who are too in-
dolent to use any exertion to abate it. If country gen-
tlemen would condescend to take professional advice,
many abuses of the public purse would be avoided.
Amongst many others, one occurs between Mylough
and Mount Bellew, that a few pounds also would lower.
Much to the credit of the Rev. Mr. O'Roarke a wall
has been built to prevent travellers from falling into the
very deep quarry holes on the north side of this water,
but it is still dangerous to strangers, for at night, and if
hard frost sets in, it will be impassible.
SECTION VIII.
NAVIGATIONS AND NAVIGABLE RIVERS.
THERE is at present a navigation on the Shannon
which runs along this county for about thirty miles.
Lough Corrib is also navigable for about the same dis-
tance; there is not any other water navigable for any
length. It has been proposed to make the river Suck
navigable from the Shannon to Ballinasloe, and from
382
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
thence to Galway, but I believe it has proceeded no far-
ther than conversation.* Some other lines have been
formerly proposed, but nothing further has been done.
Of their usefulness there can scarcely be any difference
of opinion, but whether the articles likely to be carried
on them would remunerate the undertakers, I am not
prepared to answer. I imagine the principle of using
rivers for water carriage is a very hazardous one; the
difficulties to be encountered in floods, and in making
track ways, are very considerable. However, the river
Suck has an advantage over many other rivers used for
this purpose; its course is very sluggish, and the supply
equal to any trade likely to be on it: under the head
"water,' I have more fully enlarged on Lough Corrib. The
advantages of water carriage over those of land are very
great, so much so, that one horse and three men to at-
tend a boat of sixty tons, will draw as much as one
hundred and twenty horses, carrying ten hundred
weight each day, even allowing one man to drive three
horses. The expense of drawing the boat will be about
£110. per annum, and going twelve miles each day,
the usual rate at which carriers travel, whilst the ex-
pense of one hundred and twenty horses and forty men
for the same distance will amount to £3,320.
"This
"is worth the serious attention of the landed propri-
"etors, for it is highly probable, that at no very remote
"period, grazing and tillage will be more united than
"at present; for nothing but the grossest ignorance
"and prejudice will maintain that they cannot be con-
"ducted more profitably on the same land, when ju-
"diciously blended, than according to the present in-
"dolent grazing system alone. Did the graziers read
“a little more, and see and know what is going forward
66
ટી.
* Sine. I wrote this the canal has been laid out, and men at work on it.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
383
"in the agricultural world, they would learn that by
"the improved practices of England and Scotland,
CC
more cattle are fattened on the same quantity of land,
"when united to tillage, than the same land formerly
"fattened when under cattle alone; they would then
"perceive the great benefit of having green food for
"their stock in winter and spring, and the superiority
"of the alternate green and white crops over the pre-
"sent wretched mode of running the ground out with
"repeated corn crops. Many may call this book farm-
"ing. The introduction of turnips and clover were
"once called book-farming; and I dare say Mr. Muir's
66
feeding, to a state of great fatness, five hundred head
"of cattle in the house in summer, by the cutting of
"one scythe, will be called book-grazing."
SECTION IX.
STATE OF THE FISHERIES.
THERE are few subjects of more importance to this
county than the fisheries, whether we consider the home
consumption, the supply for which is in general greatly
below the demand, or the exportation of a redundancy,
which could be infinitely increased. To begin with
the sun fishery. This usually commences in April, and
continues for about six weeks. Custom has established
this period, but they are found at various seasons.
Those fish are a harmless species of shark, called the
basking shark, and produce various quantities of oil,
from four to twelve barrels of about thirty gallons each,
which sells for from four to six pounds per barrel, but
the prices frequently vary from those rates, li'e every
384
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
article of consumption, according to the demand or
supply. As this fishery is carried on at present, it is
mere peddling, but might be greatly improved and ex-
tended by employing larger vessels, that could meet or
pursue the fish at greater distances from shore than
those usually employed, from their small size, dare at-
tempt; for it is well known that sun fish could be
caught long before April at greater distances from land,
for the best fish remain in deep water; and as the small
vessels must wait for good weather, the most favorable
season elapses, and they dare not venture out of sight
of land nor lie out at night. To fish with the best ef-
fect, vessels of 120 tons, at least, should be employed,
with at least 80 or 100 tons of cask; also, to attend
them there ought to be three boats with eight men each,
that is, six to row, one to steer, and one with a gun
harpoon, with plenty of ropes, twine, &c. &c. Small
boats could be beneficially employed in bringing the
liver* ashore whilst fresh, upon which depends the
goodness of the oil for burning, as producing a brighter
flame, and more free from any offensive smell.
frequently, from some mismanagement or carelessness,
the fishers lose their spears; or something has been
forgotten or goes wrong, and the season is lost before.
they can replace them. Mr. Young says, that in the
year 1799 there were 40 or 50 boats employed in this
fishery in Galway; at present there are not probably
more than five or six. In the year 1761 a Mr. Nesbit
killed, in one week, on the coast of Donegal, forty-two
sun fish, each of which yielded from half to one ton of
Very
* Many people think the oil is produced from the blubber, like whale
fishing, but it is the liver only which is used for that purpose. However,
it remains for future research to ascertain if some use might not be made
of the remainder of the fish, probably for manure.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
385
oil, whilst in the west of Galway it has often happened
that all the fish that were struck, either from bad, rusty
harpoons, or some carelessness, have escaped. Will it
be believed that many proceed on the fishery with their
harpoons so rusty and out of order since the former
season, that they frequently break or are inoperative;
even under this defective system upwards of £5000
worth of oil has been sold in a season at Westport and
Galway, from fish caught on this coast. The following
valuable document has been communicated to me by
Mr. D'Arcey, who has a considerable estate in Cunna-
mara, as it throws considerable light on this interesting
subject, its publication, I trust, will be deemed service-
able:-
"From the experience of a number of years it
66 appears, to an undoubted certainty, that the sun fish,
"white fish, and herring fishery, could be carried on
"with the greatest success on the north west coast of
"Ireland; the causes which have prevented its success
"to the extent that it might have been, will be detailed
"underneath, in which also is pointed out the advau-
66
CC
tages to be derived from the establishment of a com-
pany, the expense that would attend it, and the most
"convenient place for its establishment. To illustrate
"this, the following queries have been proposed, and
"the following answers given from the closest inquiry,
"and the fullest information that could be collected in
"the whole extent of the north west coast of Ire-
❝land :—
First quere. Why have not the fisheries on this
coast been hitherto carried on to any extent? *
Dr. Stokes in his admirable "Observations on the Population and
Resources of Ireland." These shores afford an inexhaustible mine of
"wealth—a fresh harvest at every season, without tillage, seed, or manure,
"free of rent, tithe, or taxes; many acres of that sea are more productive
СС
386
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Answer. The fishery on the north west coast of Ire-
land has been hitherto neglected, both from want of
means and of experience.
Second quere.-What would be the most probable
means for now carrying it on with the best effect?
Answer. -Twenty wherries, properly appointed, with
proper crews, would be an establishment befitting a
company with sufficient apparatus for the different qua-
lities in the different seasons. The herring fishery be-
gins about the first of February, and continues at various
intervals to the 15th March, as they never come into
any one harbour exclusively, but sometimes into one,
and sometimes into another; and as the extent from one
end of the north west coast to the other is spacious and
extensive, the vessels best calculated to take advantage
of the different situations are wherries, because they
can work round from harbour to harbour in weather
that vessels of another description could not stir, and
that the common boats of the country are afraid to go
out. The wherries to carry each of them two boats on
their deck, with their nets, such as would suffice to load
the wherry in case the take continued.
Third quere.--What would be the average expense
of carrying on an establishment sufficient to ensure suc-
cess?
Answer. The probable expense attending twenty
wherries, building, stores, residences for the families of
the crews of the twenty wherries, and such other ar-
tificers as such an establishment would require, and
such necessaries for the building and repairing of
" of nutritious food, than the same quantity of moderate land, and re-
quire only boats, nets, and hardy hands to reap the never failing crop
"which Providence has supplied.”
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 387
wherries, &c. &c. would amount, as per the following
statement.
Fourth quere.--What would be the probable profits
arising from such an establishment?
Answer. The probable profits arising from such an
enterprize would amount as per the following statement.
The cod and ling fishery commences at various in-
tervals, from the first of February, every year, near
the shore, where it is considered they come from the
bank that lies seven or eight leagues from the land, and
where they are considered always to be found, it stretches
along the north-west coast of Ireland. The quantity
that might be killed on the bank, and convenient to the
shore, are beyond calculation. The number of ling ex-
ceeds that of cod in the proportion of five to one.
When any of the Cunnamara boats (which is but sel-
dom) have ventured out on the bank, in a few hours,
with their hand lines alone, they have filled their boats.
In the year 1815, in the month of March, a boat from
Cunnamara, with only two spillards, in one day brought
in thirty-six dozen, killed near the land; very few ling
amongst them. Their hooks were so very small, and so
unfit for heavy fish, that they lost near a fourth part of
them, of course it may computed they lost an equal
number of cod as ling. Another boat, with one spillard,
in one day, brought in 160 ling and two cod. Last
summer a boat with one line and one hook brought in
nineteen dozen, and would have killed more had they
not, alas lost their only hook. Also in the same year,
(1815) some Galway boats, of seven or eight tons bur-
den, that were better appointed, returned, some on the
fourth, others the fifth day, loaded with split cod and
ling, not being able to carry the quantity they had un-
opened, and having no salt for curing them.
Last summer, and the summer before, a man came
CC 2
388
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
.:
from Malbay in the county of Clare, in his horse-skin
boat; he killed more fish than any six Cunnamara
boats; as fast as he filled his boat, he came ashore and
sold them, as they were killed near the land. Hence
it may be computed that a good wherry, and crew well
appointed, would kill ten times as much as any of the
common boats, and fish ten days for one that the Cun-
namara boats do, and that each of the wherries would
kill and cure forty tons for exportation, and to which
they would not be confined, having always the Galway
and Westport markets open, and particularly in the
spring of the year when fresh fish sells well. The sun
fishery begins about the middle of April, and is con-
sidered by the Cunnamara people to be over about the
first of June, at which time they discontinue looking
for them, and apply themselves to their country occu-
pations, though great sculls of them have often been
seen by vessels sailing along the western coast in the
months of July and August. Wherries lying out fish-
ing on the bank, when the fish returns from the land,
would always have a chance of meeting there the sun
fish, (for that is the place to meet them) and lose no
no time in quest of them until they appear, as they
would always have their boats, lines and spears ready
at every opportunity that would offer. The sun fish
liver produces from five to seven barrels of oil each,
some as high as eleven or twelve. The Cunnamara
boats generally come into harbour every night, by
which they lose the beginning of every day. When
they chance to kill one or two, they lose a week at
least, loitering and providing casks for the liver, be-
fore they go out again, which a wherry need not do,
as they would have a sufficiency of cask to hold the
liver. The sun fish generally come from the south-
ward, and sweep along the north-west coast of Ireland
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
389
northward, in the line of the Rosses, seldom close to
the land, and from thence along to the west of Scot-
land, as reported by the masters of vessels from that
country. On the 4th and 5th of May 1815, there
were such quantities of sun fish about the direction of
the bank before-mentioned, that the Galway and Cun-
nainara boats killed between one and two hundred of
them, with which they all returned to their respective
homes quite content with what they had got: whence
it may be computed that a wherry that would have con-
tinued out, would have killed three times the quan-
tity of any Cunnamara boat, having it in her power to
protect her men and boats in the worst of weather.
Fifth quere.-Where on the north-west of Ireland
would be the most convenient situation for such an
establishment?
Answer.--In order to carry this scheme into full ef-
fect, under the direction of a company, the first object
to be considered is the best harbour to secure in safety,
near the fishing ground, the wherries, and the place
best calculated for giving shelter and comfort to the
crews, their families, and the different tradesmen such
an enterprize would employ. M Kensey's drafts will
show that the bay of Ardbear in Cunnamara is the
safest, easiest of access, the best outlet, and nearest to
the fishing ground of any on the north-west coast of
Ireland. But M'Kensey did not point out all the ad-
vantages of that fine bay of Ardbear, which is capable
of securing the largest ships. He entirely omitted the
basin at the head of the bay, which dries at low water,
and where two hundred wherries may lie aground at
low water, on a fine even strand for repairing, or
loading or unloading, and remain there for safety in
the inclement season of the year. It is so well shel-
tered, that a three inch rope would hold the largest
390
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
wherry in Dublin bay in the worst of weather. This
basin comes up close to the new town of Clifden, where
there might be salt pans, and such stores and houses as
would be requisite for the building or repairing of
wherries, and such houses as would be required for the
accommodation of all the people concerned in the un-
dertaking. It has also the advantage of lying midway
between Galway and Westport, and lies most con-
veniently to the fishing ground. It also possesses the
superior advantage over an island, of being at all sea-
sons easily accessible. From the aforesaid observa-
tions it may be computed that each wherry may kill
five sun fish, and that each would yield five barrels of
oil, each to sell for £6. that is
£3000 0 0
That each wherry would kill and cure
forty tons of well cured cod and ling,
which if sold at 3d. per lb. would
come to
That each wherry would kill and cure of
black pollock, mackrell, and other fish,
as much as would bring, in the course
of the year
That each wherry would catch 180,000
of herrings, which if sold at £3. per
per 1000, exclusive of bounties
22,400 0 0
5,600 0 0
10,800 0 0
41,800 0 0
Cost of twenty wherries, with two boats,
herring and mackrell nets, spillards,
hand lines, sun fish spears, and lines,
with casks to hold the liver, computed
at £700. each
Buildings necessary to accommodate the
crews and their families of the twenty
14,000 0 0
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
391
wherries, (the ground will be given
free by the proprietor for the use of
the company)
Stores and other necessary buildings for
the use of the company
Sundry articles that may be wanting in
the course of the year for the twenty
wherries
£3000 0 0
2000 0 0
1000 0 0
Annual amount of wages and victuals for twenty
wherries.
To twenty captains at £50. each
1000 0 0
To eighty fishermen at £20. each
1600 ◊ ◊
The following bounties to the captains and crews,
on the proviso that the quantity killed would amount
to the within calculation, to be proportioned to the
different quality of each quantity:
To the twenty captains £50. each
1000 0 0
To eighty fishermen £30. each
2400 0 0
To extra men during the herring and
sun fish season
500 0 0
To annual wear and tear of twenty wher-
ries
2000 0 0
To victualling twenty wherries at £91.
10s. each
1825 0 0
To one of the captains to act as director
at sea
200 0 0
To one director on shore
300 0 0
To two clerks
200 0 0
To porters, splitters and salters
50 0 0
£11,275 0 0
392
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
N. B. It would be adviseable to grant further
bounties to all crews exceeding those quantities,
which most likely are underrated."
a very
The spear or harpoon used for killing sun fish is
curious instrument in its construction: it is
composed of a steel spear barbed; for almost half its
length it is grooved at one side; through the side of
the groove there is a strong rivet, on which an iron
handle turns; at the end of this handle there is a
socket for the reception of a wooden pole, to which a
strong rope line is made fast: the spear is launched.
with the handle closed up in the grove. When the fish
finds himself wounded he flies off, which disengages
the handle in the groove, and as it opens and turns
across in the wound, it forms a barb of the whole
length of the handle, from which no exertion of the
fish can extricate it. The sun fish finding himself
wounded, swims away rapidly, and tows the boat after
him, until being quite tired, they kill him, take out
his liver, and turn the carcase adrift, as food for
various kinds of fowls and fishes. The herring fishery
that it ought, and in
is not carried on to that extent
general is greatly mismanaged; there is almost always
something wrong or wanting. At one time there is a
want of salt to meet an extraordinary take of this va-
luable fish; at other times the nets are out of order,
or the boats are leaky, and a variety of other circum-
stances, proceeding often more from want of capital
than good management or industry. It has frequently
happened, that from want of salt immense quantities
have been thrown on the sea shore and left to rot:
sometimes a boat load has been sold for eighteen pence.
Herrings begin to be sold frequently at a guinea a
thousand, and when the vessels are full, or salt scarce,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
393
for fifteen shillings: what a field is here for capital and
skill?-To fish with the full effect for herrings, it is
necessary to have two sets of nets, as the meshes of
those used for the spring fishery would be too large for
those used in summer, and the fish would almost all
go through, whilst those not used for the summer
fishery would be too small to mesh them in spring. In
the winter and spring fishery the boats usually em-
ployed are so small, that the boatmen are afraid to
venture where they are most likely to catch fish. The
usual method of this coast, and I believe throughout
Ireland, is to let down the nets, and the fish mesh them-
selves; whilst, if I am rightly informed, on the western
coast of Stotland the nets are drawn against the scull
of herrings, by which means a boat is immediately
loaded. On enquiry in Galway why this beneficial
practice was not adopted, I was answered it would dis-
turb the fish, and they would leave the bay. It seems the
Scotch herrings are not so easily offended as our proud
Connaught ones. When the herring fishery begins
at Galway, almost the entire of the male population
of the neighbouring villages run to the shore to assist,
and have a certain share, amounting sometimes to a
guinea or more for one night's work. The small row
boats, that are generally used along the shore, frequent-
ly take upwards of 20,000 herrings in a night, which
sometimes sell for £1. 7s. per 1000, and they often
make two trips if the fish are in abundance, and near
the shore. Sometimes several men join in a boat and
nets for this fishery, many of them tradesmen of dif-
ferent branches, and at this period abandon their pro-
**
*
"On the coast of Norway, the cod are taken in nets, spread ver-
tically, and kept by weights and floats, at that particular depth at
"which the fishermen expect the shoal will move. The fish so taken
are in better order than such as take the bait, and all of one size."
DR. STOKIS,
44
394
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
fession; in this case they have an equal share of the
produce, according to the share of money they have
contributed. Sometimes the boat and nets belong to
one person, and are hired out; the owner gets a clear
half, and the remainder is divided amongst the crew.
When not employed in fishing, they are usually em-
ployed in gathering sea weed for manuring ground for
potatoes, or for burning for kelp. During the season
for catching herrings, all other fishing is almost aban-
doned, consequently other kind of fish are scarce in
Galway. Five thousand are reckoned a middling night's
take of herrings for one boat: all they get are sold to
supply the home demand, which is so far from being
answered, that many cargoes are brought from the
north west coast. The fish sells at from sixteen pence
to two shillings per hundred, sometimes much higher,
though often less. The fishermen say that the quan-
tity of fish has decreased for the last fifteen years, but
this may in some measure be imputed to their not be
ing aware that the fish are often to be found in great
abundance far below the usual depths at which they are
generally fished for; this has been ascertained by an
accidental breaking of the rope to which the corks were
attached, which caused the nets to be brought down
by the weight of the leads to a considerable depth: be-
fore this fortunate accident happened scarcely a fish
was caught, but to their great astonishment, when
brought up, the sunken net was found so loaded with
fish, they could scarcely with safety bring it into the
boat. Whether they have since taken advantage of
this providential hint I am ignorant, but I rather fear
they have not.
For some reason not ascertained, the herring fishery
commences at a later period than formerly; the fishing
at present not beginning until February or March,
though formerly it began in November, and generally
concluded at Christmas.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY
395
The approach of the herrings to the bay of Galway
is known by various signs, such as the appearance of
vast numbers of those fowls that feed on herrings, and
their making an unusual noise; by a great take of cod,
hake, or black pollock, who follow the herrings; by
the luminous appearance of the sea at night, and other
signs known to the fishermen. When the appearance
of the fish has been ascertained, the admiral of the
fishermen dispatches boats to prevent all the boats in
the bay from going out until his permission is ob-
tained. Any persons presuming to act contrary to his
orders are punished with the loss of boats and nets,
and probably a sound drubbing. When it is his plea-
sure, an evening is appointed, and all the boats in the
surrounding bay assemble at the Cloddagh, near Gal-
way, or meet them on the way to the amount of 500
or upwards, and all sail out together, and preserve a
profound silence until they arrive on the fishing
ground; and a charming sight it is. Upon a signal
given by the admiral's boat, they all at once drop
As the great scull of herrings divide shortly
after they enter the bay, and fill every creek and in-
let of it, much time is lost by this nonsensical and
tyrannical parade, for it is well known by the owners
of small boats in those creeks many days before the
admiral signifies his high and mighty pleasure, but
they dare not fish. In my Survey of Clare, I have
detailed the same silly regulations by the Shannon
fishermen. Government, well aware of this abuse,
have appointed an officer to prevent the ill effects of
such arbitrary nonsense, and they can now, I believe,
fish when it suits their purpose.
their nets.
The bay of Galway, which extends from Black Head
to Sline Head, abounds with fish of various kinds, such
'as turbot, sole, johndory, plaise, flounders, flukes, hal-
lybut, skate, cod, haddock, hake, ling, whiting, salmon,
mullet, bass, white and black pollock (called black
396
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
nuns), bream, mackrel, horse-mackrel, red and grey
gurnard, nurse, scolobert, rock fish, sand eel, conger
eel, silver eel, and lobsters, cray fish, crabs, oysters,
cockles, razor fish, scollops, &c. &c. From the great
abundance of hakes, this bay has been called the bay
of hakes. There are at least 500 fishing boats be-
longing to this bay, besides those belonging to the Clod-
dagh fishermen, who have between 200 and 250, em-
ploying upwards of 2500 hands, who live almost entirely
by fishing of various kinds. Before the year 1790 their
boats were small, but since that period they have in-
creased them to fourteen tons, with which they are now
able to go to Limerick, Westport, Sligo, &c. Prior to
this enlargement they seldom ventured beyond the is-
lands of Arran, and on the appearance of a squall ran
into the first sheltered creek they could make, and fre-
quently lost their market. It is generally imagined
that the fishing bank extends from Cleggan bay, on the
coast of Cunnamara, to Newfoundland, and abounds
with cod; but the boats are too small to encounter that
part of the sea where the best fish abound. The late
Rev. Mr. Russell, who paid great attention to this sub-
ject, informed me, that a fisherman that he knew set
his lines for ling in the usual place near the island of
Bafin; he had so little success that he removed his lines
to a considerable distance further into the Atlantic
ocean; the consequence was the loss of almost all his
lines by the extraordinary weight of fish. He took ad-
vantage of the hint, and made a great deal of money,
whilst his neighbours still continued peddling near
shore. Vessels from England, Scotland, Cork, &c.
wait for cargoes of fish, which they cure and make a
great profit of. If the merchants of Galway possessed
a proper spirit of enterprize this profit should centre in
their pockets, and they would long since have formed
an extensive fishing company, and not see themselves
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 397
disgraced by frequent advertisements of "Scotch her-
rings just arrived." This is likely to be accomplished
in Cunnamara on an extensive scale, on Mr. D'Arcey's
estate; the report of which I have before given.-A
fishing company is in a state of progress, under a system
of regulations and bounties, that promise to reward the
great exertions made for this purpose by the late col-
lector, the Hon. William Le Poer Trench, whose un-
ceasing endeavours to promote every plan beneficial
to the town met with frequently an illiberal opposition.
Galway, in the year 1576, had a great import of wines.
and other commodites from Spain, all paid for in fish.
The Spaniards and Dutch also fished on our coasts at a
very early period, which caused an act to be made in
1465 to prevent them. Philip II. of Spain, agreed to
pay £1000. per annum to the Irish treasury for liberty
to fish on the Irish coast. In the time of Charles I. the
Dutch agreed to pay £30,000. for a similar license, as
a further proof of what value foreigners considered this
permission. In 1650, as a great favour, Sweden was
permitted to fish, provided she did not employ more
than 1000 vessels. At some seasons turbot are in great
plenty, and reasonable, and are, or were lately brought
by the mail coaches to Dublin; but soles and other
flat fish are not in that plenty they might be, if from a
ridiculous prejudice of the fishermen, trawling was not
prevented in the bay, which abounds with such fish;
they say that it disturbs the spawn upon which they feed.
If this is correct, they should encourage the disturbance
of it to induce turbot, soles, &c. to come after their food,
for it is generally agreed that the spawn is mostly of
black pollock, a worthless fish. It is well known that on
the coast of England, where trawling has been practised
for centuries, no diminution has taken place, and the
company now so laudably established at Dublin, show
the great advantages of the practice, for black soles, that
398
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
were formerly very dear, are now to be had for a trifling
sum. The Galway fishermen cannot suppose that the
spawn of all the fish in the Atlantic ocean is deposited
in the bay of Galway. Should they not rather consider
it as one of the bountiful dispensations of Providence as
a means of providing a delicate and nutritious article of
food. It would be probably of much more consequence
to enlarge the size of the meshes of their trawls, by
which the destruction of the small fish would be avoided.
To fishing in rivers and lakes with nets whose meshes.
are small, may be attributed the increasing scarcity of
trout and salmon: it is a well established fact, either
passed over or smiled at (as I shall probably be) by
gentlemen, that every countryman, and even their own
game keepers, will kill every fish in the net; trouts not
larger than sprats, and eels not larger than a straw.
They should pay particular attention to the nets of
their sportsmen, and never suffer them to kill at any
time more than is necessary for use, by way of amuse-
ment, and to shew their superior skill in catching fish.
In 1811 the fishermen of Galway, (a mulish race,
aided by those whose education should have placed
them on higher ground, petitioned the lord lieutenant
against Captain Morris, commander of the Townsend
revenue cruiser, who with several other gentlemen had
established a trawl boat for fishing for turbot in Galway
bay. It was referred to the commissioners of customs;
who, after investigating the business minutely, gave it
as their opinion, "That Captain Morris's conduct has
been productive of much public good, and that the
charges made by the fishermen are unsupported, and
that he is a most zealous, active, and attentive officer.''
In the Galway Weekly Advertiser we have the fol-
lowing strong proof of the indolence of the Galway
fishermen :-" We may consider that our herring
fishery is over for this season; our boatmen would not
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
899
go out until the take was over every where else, and
now that the weather is broke, and the nights getting
long, it will be impossible for the miserable craft they
go to sea in to stand the heavy seas on this coast.
These unfortunate people cannot be persuaded that it
would be wise to take herrings during the fine weather
in the months of May, June, and July; and even last
week, although the weather was favourable, they staid
at home; Monday, 4th September, being the fair day,
they would not go out, and having got drunk they lost.
the whole week. In any other part of the world the
boats would have gone out on Sunday night, and would
have had three or four thousand pounds worth of fish
to sell at the fair, and by that means have kept a large
portion of the money received here on that day in the
town, as many persons from the country would have
taken home a load of fish. We have long deplored the
loss we sustained for want of a protecting force for the
peaceable fishermen of this bay; but it seems in vain,
although we have commissioners of fisheries, with all
their subordinate officers, aided by new acts of parlia-
ment, still the pirates command the bay, and prevent this
town and neighbourhood from enjoying the blessings of
a free fishing. When we had Captain Morris stationed
here, he protected the fishery; and such persons as
wished to go out every night were secured against as-
sault; the consequence was, that fish in the greatest
abundance were taken, and many square rigged vessels
were loaded, and wealth flowed into the town, and no
fish were imported here that season; every shop was full
of business, and the demand for exciseable goods was
very considerable, and the whole population of the
town one busy scene of industry."-We do not know
in what terms to speak of the ignorance and bigotry of
those miserable creatures who follow the business of
400
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
fishermen in Ireland. In all countries, no doubt, those
engaged in seafaring pursuits are more superstitious
than any other class, but in Ireland they seem to be im-
mersed in the very depths of superstition. Exclusively
of fifty-two days in the year held as the Sabbath of
Christians, there are about sixty saints days observed by
the half starved fishermen of Ireland. No nation could
bear such a waste of time, and least of all can the peo-
ple of this country afford so much idleness. Where are
the Catholic clergy? What do they teach the ignorant?
Do they think that the road to heaven is through a life
of wretchedness, misery, and crime? It would really
seem that a doctrine of this kind has become the creed
of the lower classes of Irishmen. That crime accom-
panies the indolence of superstition is apparent from
the above statement. The Galway fishermen will not
catch the fish themselves, nor will they allow any others.
to do it; no, they destroy the nets and assault the crews
of the boats which come from other quarters to fish in
the bay, as if they had an exclusive privilege to the pro-
duce of the ocean. The fishermen of the villages on
the sea coast of Dublin attacked the boats of the Dub-
lin Fishing Company last year; but some notable ex-
amples were made of the ruffians, and the consequence
is, that fish of all kinds are sold in the markets of Dub-
lin at half the former price. It is thus that the whole
country is interested in the success of the fisheries. We
expected that the board of commissioners for fisheries,
with all their subordinate officers, would have taken
some trouble to fulfil their duties. We are confident
no blame attaches to the respectable and intelligent se-
cretary; but we shall say no more, than that it is a dis-
grace to hear of pirates commanding the bay of Galway,
or in other words, that the industrious part of the com-
munity should not be protected by British laws against
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
401
the outrages of the idle and worthless. The wealth that
Scotland annually acquires by her fisheries, is one of
the main sources of the prosperity of that country, and
at this moment there are several boats from Ireland
fishing on the coasts of Caithness. That every species
of fish may be found in the Irish seas in equal abund-
ance is certain, but saints days, superstition in its most
hideous aspect, and mismanagement of every kind, seem
to encircle Ireland with ignorance, poverty, and dis-
tress.”—Faulkner's Journal, 25th September, 1820.
Lobsters are generally in great abundance, and I am
informed that on some part of the coast they are put
into holes in the rocks that are covered at half ebb, and
fed to a large size with fish and other food. Muscles
are much used in Galway for soup on fasting days, and
if well made is a delicious dish. Cockles are used fre-
quently for sauce to fish, but, unlike those used in Dub-
lin, are a very insipid addition, because they are brought
to market ready dressed, and the liquor, the best of the
sauce, is thrown away. Some idea may be formed of
what extent the fishery of Galway might be, when it is
known that in the first three days of lent upwards of
five hundred guineas have been received for fish, mostly
cod. Black pollock (black nuns) are sometimes sold
for a penny or two pence, weighing upwards of ten
pounds, and it has been proved by the experiment of
an ingenious person in Galway, that the liver produced
in value more of oil than the whole fish cost at market.
There is a very extensive salmon and eel fishery at
Galway. The salmon fishery has been thought of
great consequence, so far back as the reign of Henry III.
It was for a long time in the possession of the De
Burghs family and several others. In 1520 the Fran-
ciscan friars had it. In 1521 Henry VIII. granted it to
Anthony Lynch, in partnership with a widow Lynch.
D D
102
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
A further grant was made by the same king to
them and their heirs for 13s. 4d. per annum. Se-
veral others received permission to establish fisheries.
upon the river. The families of Lynch and D'Arcy
possessed the fishery until dispossessed by Cromwell's
officers. In 1663 Sir George Preston became pos-
sessed of it, and had it secured by the act of settlement.
It descended to the Eyres of Eyrecourt, one of whom
had married one of Preston's daughters. Their son, in
1710, disposed of his interest to Mr. Edward Eyre of
Galway, whose family still possess it. For several years
much altercation, at the point of the sword and pistol,
and some litigation, has occurred about shutting or
opening a part of the stream called the king's gap or
main gap; the right to keep it constantly open has,
very much for the interest of the lessee, been established.
Surely it must strike every person in the least acquaint-
ed with the subject, that if all the fish were caught, the
fishery in a few years would be annihilated. This mis-
taken and avaricious practice, and above all, the de-
struction of them in every river at night, by millers'
servants and country people, when they are worth little,
have caused the increasing scarcity of salmon and trout.
Salmon are frequently speared from the battlement of
the bridge, a very curious but dangerous practice,
which has been time immemorial in one family, of whom
one, if not more, has lost his life by the entanglement of
the rope, which is fastened to the spear, and is thrown
with such force, and is so heavy, that it inevitably drags
any person about which the cord is entangled into the
river, which is here uncommonly rapid and deep, and
dashed with great force against large sunken rocks,
amongst which the salmon lie, and it requires an ex-
perienced eye and considerable practice to form the
curve that will fix the spear in the fish. Salmon also
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 403
abound in every river on the coast of Cunnamara, es-
pecially Ballinahinch, which are excellent, and almost
always in season. Sometime since very fine fish from
this weir were sent to Galway at an unusual season for
this fish; yet although fish of every kind was at that
time scarce, the epicures of Galway would not even be
tempted to make a trial. In Lough Corrib there are
a great variety of trout, especially the gillaroe, whose
gizzard is so highly prized. The number of sail boats
which are employed in the fishery of Galway may be
about 200 to 250; they are from four to fourteen tons
burden, and cost building about twenty to fifty pounds;
nets and tackle, &c. fifteen to twenty pounds more.
The nets are always of hemp, tanned with oak bark.*
There are usually five or six hands to a boat; they fish
for shares, divided into sixty. They have had this
fishery time immemorial, and would not permit a
stranger to settle amongst them.
there has been a great increase, for at that time there
were only 528; now the population of the Cloddagh
amounts to upwards of 3000. Oysters of very superior
quality abound on the coast of Cunnamara, and all
round the bay of Galway, and are in season almost the
whole year. Pearls of great beauty, but not very large,
have been taken from the pearl muscle in several rivers,
particularly near Oughterard, and some in Cunnamara.
Since the
Since the year 1695
I have lately seen in Faulkner's Journal some letters
on the fisheries of the coast of Galway, from the scientific
DD 2
* I cannot find that the following receipt for preserving nets or lines is
known in Galway. Five parts of tar and one of fish oil melted together
when quite hot, put in the nets or lines, and when they are completely
soaked, draw off the composition quickly by a tap in the bottom of the ves-
sel. Or if more are to be done, take out the first, and after well draining
set them out to dry, taking care not to put them on any thing that would
adhere to them.
•
404
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
pen of Mr. Frazer. If this is the gentleman who took
such pains to instruct the fishermen in the neighbour-
hood of Duncannon Fort and Ballyhack, in the county
of Wexford, in the proper method of curing fish for
exportation, it could not have fallen into better hands;
for if I was rightly informed, when in that neighbour-
hood, shortly after it was said to happen, a cargo of
dried fish was entrusted to the care of Mr. Frazer to
sell for the fishermen's account. A statement, therefore,
of the expenses and profit of the cargo would form a
very useful document for the guidance of those intend-
ing to engage in the fisheries of Galway. Probably the
introduction of some of those Wexford fishermen would
help to enlighten their Galway brethren; and I am
certain, from Mr. Frazer's ardour in the pursuit, he
could have no objection to make an excursion to Bally-
hack, from whence he might select some of those he had
instructed in the process of curing fish.
TABLE OF TIDES.

Galway
bay.
Arran.
Neap tides rise,
6 or 78 or 9 feet.
Ordinary spring tides,
12
15 feet.
Extraordinary spring tides,
15
18 feet.
High water on full and change H. M.
days,
H. M. o'clock.
4 15 4 15 o'clock.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 405
SECTION X.
STATE OF EDUCATION, SCHOOLS, AND CHARITABLE
INSTITUTIONS.
UNTIL within a few years, the state of education was
at a very low ebb, although 60 years ago there were
many celebrated Latin schools, where the sons of re-
spectable families were educated; but now many of
the gentlemen of the county seem to be sensible of its
importance, and several schools have been established
by individuals highly to their credit: I trust before
long we shall see one on every estate in the province.
The school established by the will of Erasmus Smyth
in the town of Galway stands preeminent; it is admi-
rably conducted by the Rev. Mr. Whitley. The trus-
tees have erected a handsome and very commodious
school house and extensive range of offices with a spa-
cious play ground. There is attached to the house
about 15 acres of excellent ground, and a large garden.
The house is built in an extremely healthful situation,
near Fort Hill, commanding a fine view of the bay of
Galway, Black Head, the Isles of Arran, &c.
"Eras-
mus Smyth was an Alderman of London, who came
over to Ireland with the army as commissary in the
year 1641 to suppress the rebellion. After it was put
down, he purchased at very low rates many of the for-
feited estates in various parts of Ireland, particularly
in the county of the town of Galway, and neighbour-
hood of Sligo. Well knowing that his titles and te-
nures were very precarious, and liable at a future pe-
riod to be litigated, he very cunningly made a grant
of part of the lands for the founding and en-
dowment of Protestant schools, and other charitable
406
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
purposes, for which he obtained a charter, dated the
26th of March 1669, appointing the bench of bishops,
the lord chancellor, the judges, the great law officers, all
for the time being, governors and trustees, well know-
ing that if any flaw should ever appear in the patents,
titles, or tenures, under which he got the estates, the
law officers would always protect and make the title
good to his heirs, and which has been really the case,
as his heirs have possessed their immense property un-
molested to this day." "The estate of Erasmus
Smyth in the county of the town of Galway may amount
to about 1400 acres, and may at a very moderate cal-
culation, including mills, houses, plots, &c. in New-
town Smith and Bohermore be valued at five guineas
per acre, or £7900 per annum; the tenants interest
may be well worth three times that sum; of which the
following statement, (contributed by an intelligent
friend who is intimately acquainted with the affair) is
strongly corroborative. Mr. Brabazon has about
£400. per annum profit rent; Mr. Cummin £350. per
annum profit rent: most of the old tenants have been
turned out, and few of the occupying tenants have
been left. Roscom, 232 acres, lately set, pays to
the charity two guineas an acre, and was immediately
let at four guineas to some of the former tenants, under
the exploded and unfounded idea, and which is the
bane of Ireland, that a middleman tenant is more se-
cure than the former small tenants; had this been the
case, it would not have been let to those very under te-
nants by the middlemen. The sea weed alone attached
to Roscom is worth about £300. per annum, which
brings down the rent to about a guinea an acre. The
eastern and western parts of Roscom, 264 acres, pay to
the charity about twenty five shillings per acre, and have
been relet to poor people at about four or five pounds per
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 407
acre. The sea weed of these two divisions is worth
about 200 guineas per annum, and reduces the rent
to about fifteen shillings per acre. Ballybanemore (west)
divided into five parts of twenty acres each, was let
at the same time from £3. 5s. to £3. 15s. per acre,
being of the same quality as the former, and without
the advantage of the kelp shore. Ballybanemore (north)
formerly occupied by resident villagers, who paid their
rent immediately to the governor's agent, were turned
out, to give compensation to the tenants who occupied the
western part, who pay the charity twenty-five shillings
per acre, and relet to three of the former resident te-
nants at about two guineas per acre. Mr. Burke of
Murrough, for 140 acres, pays about twenty-four
shillings per acre, with a kelp shore, worth about
£100. per annum: about 50 acres of this farm are
relet for three to four guineas per acre; the remain-
der is but indifferent land. Mr. Blake of Merlin
Park offered to give three pounds per acre for 100
acres of east Roscom, and to go security for the re-
sident small tenants, who offered £4. per acre for
western Roscom, but was refused: the charity now
receives but two guineas per acre; yet those small tenants
who were refused are the very tenants thought eligible by
the middleman tenant. Mr. Blake also offered to lay
out £1000. in improvements, and in building com-
fortable houses for the former resident tenants. The
five divisions of 20 acres each, would produce each
100. per annum profit rent if let to tenants. The
tenants to three of the divisions were entitled to some
preference, because they have laid out large sums in
improving lands belonging to the charity in the town
of Galway. If the lands had been let, according to ad-
vertisement, in small divisions, they would have been
all taken by the inhabitants of Galway, who are anxious
408
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
to get plots so near the town for building on, which
would not only have improved the property, but
would have added greatly to the beauty of the environs
of that town, for the situation of the ground is very
fine, commanding fine and extensive views of land and
sea. A committee of two or three, assisted by a pro-
fessional man perfectly acquainted with the nature of
land, should have been sent to view the ground and its
capabilities before the letting, and become acquainted
with the tenantry and their circumstances, and take
them from that scourge, a middleman, who takes ad-
vantage of that natural preference for their native soil,
which tempts them to bid considerably above the real
value of the land, and is one great cause of their ge-
neral poverty and distress."-There are two charity
schools established in Galway; the first was set on foot
by the late Rev. Augustine Kirwan, Catholic warden,
for the education of poor indigent boys, who are care-
fully instructed in the principles of their religion, and
in reading, writing, and arithmetic: the school is
chiefly supported by the occasional contributions of the
charitable, which has created a fund that, with re-
´ceipts of charity sermons, enable the trustees to take
in and instruct 150 boys; one hundred of whom they
are enabled to clothe yearly, and are also able annually
to bind out 12 apprentices to useful trades, by which
they are rescued from vice, and become useful members
of society. Their funds and concerns are managed by a
president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary,
annually chosen, and who are under the patronage of
the Catholic warden, vicars, and parochial clergy of
the town. In the year 1791 the late Mr. Kirwan, a
merchant of London, bequeathed £400. to be vested
in trustees, who were to divide the interest amongst
old decayed Galway families, (being tribes only) every
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 409
Christmas for ever; always giving a preference to his
own poor relations. The principal has been laid out.
in the purchase of an estate in the county of the town
of Galway, from colonel John Blake of Furbough,
which at the expiration of a lease in a few years, will
let for about £100. per annum: this will relieve many
poor decent families, room-keepers, who are ashamed
to beg.-The late Rev. Bartholomew Burke, who died
in 1813, one of the Catholic vicars of Galway, by his
last will and testament bequeathed £6000. (a great
part of which was given to him for charitable purposes)
for founding a nunnery of the Presentation order.
The nuns will be enjoined and obliged to instruct,
lodge, and teach a certain number of poor female or-
phans for ever: they have lately taken the house in
Galway formerly occupied as a charter school, and
laterly as an artillery barrack, for this purpose, and
have commenced their meritorious works with great
ardour. There are several private schools in Galway,
and very few villages are without a small school, but
generally of very inferior description. The diocesan
school of Tuam has been long celebrated, and what
will be considered extraordinary by many, several of
the sons of Roman Catholics have been educated there.
There is also in Tuam the college of St. Iarloth for the
education of Roman Catholics, under the superintend-
ance of the R. C. archbishop of Tuam. Many young
men are educated here for the priesthood, and are
sent to the college of Maynooth previous to their
taking orders. I am well informed it is admirably
conducted, and every person who has been often in
Tuam must bear testimony to the respectable appear-
ance and remarkable propriety of behaviour of the
students at such periods as are devoted to study.
In Cunnamara there are about a dozen schools, at-
410
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
tended only in summer: in winter, which is much the
custom elsewhere, the masters attend at the houses of
their pupils. To the west of Galway the inhabitants
do not wish that their children should learn English,
as they say, from their almost daily intercourse with
the town of Galway, the girls would be seduced fre-
quently by the soldiers, and the sons tempted to enlist
in the army. Formerly Mr. Eyre allotted the profit
of the salmon weir of Galway, and a large brick house
opposite to the exchange, for the maintenance of 20
poor men. I am at present ignorant if this bequest is
fulfilled. The state of education in Ireland at a re-
mote period must have been very high, and comparing
it with that of any other part of the world at the same
period, it would lose nothing; for we find from Dr.
Ledwich and other authors, that in the 6th century
the British clergy fled to Ireland to avoid the tyranny
of the Saxons, and opened schools here. The Irish
clergy also at this period frequently resorted to the east,
to receive episcopal ordination, by which their know-
ledge was much improved, and they were often ac-
companied on their return by the religious of those
countries, prompted by curiosity and that high reli-
gious character we had so justly obtained at this time.
From this cause the Greek language was well under-
stood in Ireland. Pope Gregory the First discoun-
tenanced profane learning, the more to encourage sa-
cred, and with that intent burned the Palatine library
and the works of Livy (what barbarism)! hence the
liberal and ingenious were necessarily driven to this
isle to acquire the rudiments of knowledge, as papal
injunctions had no force here.—Note, it was not until the
12th century that the discipline of the church of Rome
in Ireland was established by the council of Cashel. In
1652, the New Testament was published in Irish by
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 411
archbishop Daniel of Tuam, and the expense defrayed
by the province of Connaught, and Sir William Usher,
clerk of the council.
SECTION XI.
STATE OF RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT LANdlords.
THERE are very few absentees of large fortune in
this extensive county; though some may be absent, yet
still in most cases a small establishment is kept up, and
improvements are carried on; but this is very inferior
to the advantages to be derived from the cheering in-
fluence of the proprietor of an estate.
There is scarcely
a possibility of a man of fortune residing on his own
estate without making some kind of improvements, and
exclusive of the relief this affords to his cottier tenan-
try, the example is highly useful to the better class of
farmers. I trust before long to see the example of Lord
Clancarty followed by every landed proprietor, in the
establishment of a farming society for the encourage-
ment of his tenantry. I can venture to assure them,
that every shilling they expend in this way will return
them ample interest, exclusive of the delight they must
experience from seeing around them a cleanly and
happy tenantry. I wish much to impress this warmly
on the minds of my younger friends in this county. To
the old gentlemen I fear it would be too troublesome
for adoption. The day has long since passed away
when the pursuits of agriculture were thought to be
derogatory to the rank of gentleman. Happily it is
now cherished by men of the first rank in
the world. We may judge from what
every part of
Cicero says in
412
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
hís Offices, how highly it was esteemed in the most
polished period of Rome, when after discriminating
between professions that are mean and those that are
honourable, he says, "But amongst all the methods of
enriching oneself, there is no better, no one more profit-
able, pleasant and agreeable; no one more worthy of
a man and a gentleman than that of manuring and
tilling the ground." One of the beneficial consequences
of such a resident proprietary, is the number of excel-
lent grand and petty jurors it produces. Of grand
jurors I think there could be at least six sets selected, of
ample fortune and sound judgment; and petty jurors
are generally of a description and fortune rarely to be
met with elsewhere. In a debate in the House of Com-
mons in 1811, Mr. Fuller gave our absentees the fol-
lowing excellent advice:--" Let the great men of Ire-
land go home, instead of spending their money here;
let them regulate their own tenantry and estates, and
not hear of them through those secondary persons whom
they employ." Lord Kaims says very justly,
"It is
66
a strange sort of ambition that moves gentlemen to
spend their estates in the House of Commons, where
"most of them are mere mutes, instead of serving their
"country and themselves at home, which is genuine
66
patriotism." How many fortunes in Ireland have
been ruined by this mute propensity?
RESIDENT PROPRIETORS.
Lord Clanrickard (a minor), Portumna.
Lord Clonbrock, Clonbrock.
Lord Clancarty, Garbally.
Lord Riverston, Pallace.
Lord Gort, Loughcoutra.
Lord French, Castle Frencli.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
413
Archbishop of Tuam, Tuam.
Bishop of Clonfert, Clonfert.
James Daly, M. P. Dunsandle.
Malachy Daly, Riaford.
John D'Arcy, Clifden Castle and Kiltolla.
Richard D'Arcy, Newforest.
Robert D'Arcy, Woodville.
Burton Persse, Sen. Tallyho-Lodge.
Burton Persse, Jun. Persse Lodge.
Robert Persse, Roxborough.
Robert Parsons Persse, Castleboy.
Henry Persse, Persse Park.
John Blake, Belmont.
Pierce Blake, Holly Park.
Charles Blake, Merlin Park.
Walter Blake, Oran Castle.
Martin Joseph Blake, Brookelodge.
Sir John Blake, Bart. Menlo.
Valentine Blake, Menlo.
Edward Blake, Castle Grove.
James Blake, Waterdale.
Henry Blake, Renville.
Blake, Corbally.
Robert Blake, Killeen Castle.
Colonel John Blake, Forbough.
Michael Blake, Frenchfort.
Christopher Dillon Bellew, Mount Bellew.
Michael Bellew, Mount Bellew.
Hon. Arthur Nugent, Flower Hill.
Christopher Usher, Eastwell.
Michael O'Kelly, Creran.
Denis O'Kelly, Kelly's Grove.
Rev. Armstrong Kelly, Castle Kelly.
Denis H. Kelly, Castle Kelly.
William Kelly, Ashfield.
Francis Kelly, Liskelly.
414
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
James Kelly, Ballinamore.
George Kelly, Mucklow -
John Cuffe Kelly, Carrarea.
Festus O'Kelly, Licooly.
John Browne, Moyne.
Rev. Dean Browne, Ahascragh.
Michael Browne, Moyne.
Mark Browne, Rockville.
Bernard Brown, Ballymurphy.
Andrew Browne, Movilla.
John Blakeney, Abbert.
Sir John Ross Mahon, Castlegar.
Bernard Mahon, Beechhill.
Rev. Dean Mahon.
Walter Lawrence, Belview.
Christopher Reddington, Kilcornan.
Thomas Reddington, Ryehill.
Thomas Reddington, Glenlow.
Walter Lambert, Creggclare.
Walter Lambert, Lambert Lodge.
Walter Lambert, Castle Lambert,
Walter Lambert, Castle Ellen.
Henry Lambert, Aggard.
Giles Eyre, Eyrecourt Castle.
Thomas Knutford Eyre, Eyreville.
Edward Burke Eyre, Cloone.
John Kirwan, Castle Hacket.
Kirwan, Glan.
Kirwan, Blindwell.
Joseph Kirwan, Hilbrook.
Edward Kirwan, Ballyturn.
Edward Kirwan, Gardenfield.
Kirwan, Cregg.
Marcus Blake Lynch, Barna.
Mathew Lynch, Lavalley.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
415
Lynch, Drimcong.
Mark Lynch, Galway.
Lynch, Rathglass.
Lynch, Moycullen.
Lynch, Cartron.
Lynch, Shannon Bridge.
Lynch, Clough.
Robert French, Monivae.
Robert Joseph French, Rahasane.
French, Elm Hill.
French, Portacarn.
John Bodkin, Anna.
John Bodkin, Bengarry.
Domnick George Bodkin, South Lodge.
James Bodkin, Rahoone.
Burke Bodkin, Mount Silk.
Arthur French St. George, Tyrone.
Christopher St. George, Kilcolgan Castle.
Richard Mansergh St. George, Headfort.
Stepney St. George, Myer Hill.
Richard Martin, M. P. Clareville.
Robert Barnwell Martin, Ballynahinch.
Robert Martin, Ross.
Edward Martin, Tullyra.
Martin, Curraghmore.
Martin, Spiddall.
Edmond Henry O'Flaherty, Lemonfield.
Thos. Parker O'Flaherty, Derrymacloughy Castle.
John Burke, Tyaquin.
Sir John Burke, Marble Hill.
Hayacinth Burke, Killimor.
James Hardiman Burke, St. Clerans.
Robert Burke, St. Clerans.
John Burke, Tintrim.
Burke, Orver.
416
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Miss Cheevers Fallon, St. Brendon's.
Miss Nettervilles, Neterville Lodge.
Walter Joyce, Merville.
Walter Butler,
Richard Gregory, Coole.
John Blake Forster, Ashfield.
Edward Beatty, Cappagh.
Philip Lynch Athy, Renville.
Basterot, Duras.
Edmund Concannon, Waterloo Lodge.
Robert O'Hara, Rahine.
Hayacinth Cheevers, Kellyheen.
Cornelius Duffy, Ballinamore.
Anthony Donnelan, Ballyeighter.
Stephen Donnelan, Killagh.
Donnelan, Hillswood.
Richard Galbraith, Cappard.
Thos. Edward Hearn, Hearnsbrook.
John Athboy M'Dermott, Rathmore.
McDermott, Springfield.
Michael J. Aylward, Ballynagar.
Bernard Connolly, Shannonview.
Francis Davis, Hampstead.
Skerrett, Nutgrove.
Skerrett, Drumgriffin.
Skerrett, Ballinduff.
Skerrett, Carnacrow.
Samuel Wade, Fairfield.
Thomas Wade, Fairfield.
Christopher Lopdel, Athenry.
John O'Neil Geoghegan, Bunown.
Charles Morgan, Monksfield.
James Cuff, Esker.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 417
NON-RESIDENT PROPRIETORS.
+Lord Ashton, Woodlawn.
+Thomas Kenny.
+Colonel William Kenny.
+Sir John Burke, Glynsk.
Marquis of Sligo.
Earl of Charlemont, Joyce Country.
Earl of Leitrim,
do.
Lord Clanmorris, Clare Galway.
Martin Kirwan.
Smyth, Spring Lawn.
+
Kelly, Newtown.
O'Connor, Benmore.
Digby, Arran.
David Rutledge, Ballagh.
Matthew George Prendergast.
O'Connor, Colesmantown.
Malachy Donnelan, Ballydonnellan.
SECTION XII.
STATE OF CIRCULATION OF MONEY OR PAPER.
DURING the late extended war the circulating medium
was almost exclusively country bankers' notes, chiefly
those of Lord French and Co. and those of Messrs.
Joyce and Co. and such confidence was reposed in the
stability of both firms, that I have known a marked
NOTE. Those only who are marked thus † can be reckoned Absentees,
for though the remainder may not reside in the county, they either live
in some other part of Ireland, or some of the family keep up an establish-
ment on the family estate. As I have inserted both lists from memory,
I probably may have omitted many names.
E E
418
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
preference given to their notes by the country people,
to those of the bank of Ireland. Much of this might
arise from an idea that forgeries were more easily de-
tected, as at almost every fair one of the partners, or a
confidential clerk of each of the houses, attended to
discount bills, and exchange their own paper for bank
of Ireland notes; and such was their credit, and the
grateful recollections of favours received, that they found
little difficulty in this exchange. But, alas! this tide
of success flowed only for a limited period, and both es-
tablishments stopped payment for a large amount, and
spread ruin and misery through this county. The prin-
cipals of both establishments died a few years since. Of
Mr. Joyce's debts, I believe almost ten shillings in the
pound have been paid, and it was the general opinion,
that from his highly honorable character, activity, and
skill in business, had he lived, the remainder would in
a few years have been paid. Of the affairs of the Tuam
bank little is known. The estates of some of the part-
ners have been sold, but how far they will go to liqui-
date the large amount of the failure I am ignorant.
That the facility with which discounts were made gave
an extraordinary impulse to business in the province of
Connaught, will not be denied, but like all violent ef-
forts, the reaction debilitated the constitution. As the
affairs of the bank of Tuam are before the public, it
would be highly unbecoming in me to conjecture what
the result will be. Gold coin has nearly disappeared,
and all the minor concerns are transacted by bank of
Ireland tokens of different values. Those that are un-
der the necessity of taking bills, find a considerable dif
ficulty in discounting them. There are, I believe, only
two discounting houses in the county, both in Galway,
where bills on Dublin or bank of Ireland paper may be
had for such bills as are of undoubted solvency. A
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
419
want of attention to this very necessary qualification, I
have heard, was amongst the causes of the failure of
the two banks; but I think it more probable that the
same cause that operated on all the southern banks
lately, was the chief one, speculation beyond their capital.
Mr. Walter Joyce also, at the period of the failure of
his brother's bank, transacted a considerable share of
separate business in Galway, but was not affected by
those disasters. He has retired from the banking bu-
siness with a large independent fortune, and highly ho-
norable character.-At present scarcely any but bank
of Ireland notes will be taken in any money trans-
actions.
SECTION XIII.
STATE OF FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
SOME years ago there was a farming society estab-
lished at Loughrea; but from some mismanagement
(probably non-payment of subscriptions) it subsisted for
a very short period. At present there is not any local
society; probably thought unnecessary in consequence
of the great annual meeting of the Farming Society of
Ireland, which takes place in October at Ballinasloe.
This popular and numerous assemblage of the society
has been generally attended with great satisfaction to
the public. Here, exclusive of the encouragement of
fered for the improvement of breeding stock, from
which Ireland has received acknowledged benefit, the
most important advantage has accrued from the har-
monious and cheerful society which has uniformly pre-
vailed at those meetings, uninterrupted by the distinc-
EE 2
420
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
tions of religion, politics, and party, which seem to have
merged in a general wish to promote the objects of the
institution, as essential to the agriculture and prosperity
of the country. Many advantages have arisen from the
establishment of this society, in which the chief of the
nobility and landed proprietors are enrolled.
1st.—The increase and improvement of cultivation,
acknowledged by the select committee on the corn trade.
in the house of commons in 1813.
2d. The increased export of corn resulting from this,
and more than doubled since the date of the society's
institution.*
3d. The improved quality of corn, from the im-
proved culture, and the wide dispersion of imported
seed.
4th. The introduction and method of using all the
best implements.
5th. This method of using taught by persons em-
ployed by the society.
6th. The establishment of district ploughing matches
throughout Ireland, by which the improved plough
and its use have been particularly encouraged.
7th.—The distribution of premium ploughs amongst
the working farmers.
8th. The purchase and distribution of bulls, rams,
and swine. To all these, and many other branches of
agricultural improvement, has the society's attention
been directed, and to those objects have its premiums
been appropriated. Any person who recollects the
October fair of Ballinasloe previous to the institution of
the society, and who is now in the habit of attending it,
* Total barrels of corn exported from Ireland from the
year 1782 to 1799,
8,495,022
Ditto, Ditto, from 1801 to 1818, each period being 17 years, 19,223,671
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
421
can appreciate the great and manifest improvement
which has resulted from its exertion. I have been fa-
voured by an intelligent friend who possesses a con-
siderable landed property, with the following remarks
amongst many others :-"The Farming Society's shows
are not quite as judiciously timed as they might be.
Why not have premiums at the great May fair of Bal-
linasloe for fat cattle as well as in Dublin in March?
But of all the injudicious arrangements, the show at
October of horned cattle to obtain premiums for figure,
size, and shape, is the most absurd: take the following
reasons. In the first place, healthy cattle are too much
in flesh to afford the best view of their shape, make,
&c.; again, the breeding season for horned cattle is
then past. The purchasers of prize heifers, cows, or
bulls, must hold them over until the following month of
August before turning them to breed. The possessors
of prize bulls, or of those nearly of equal figure and
value, may, and probably will have disposed of them
before the breeding season following, and thus the far-
mer, already too indolent, and often taking his sires
from the nearest quarter, however inferior, has another
difficulty thrown in his way in the discovery of those
of the superior kinds. Ballinasloe May fair should
be the show period for breeding stock, whether bulls,
cows, or heifers."
It has been proposed some time since to establish a
Farming Society for this province, called "The Con-
naught Farming Society." If it was established under
judicious regulations, and the funds not jobbed away
amongst useless officers, totally ignorant of agricultural af-
fairs, I am persuaded it would be of infinite benefit, as
they might embrace several minor concerns not coming
within the range of the Farming Society of Ireland.
As a sine qua non their secretary should be able and
422
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
willing not only to give reports of the transactions of
the different meetings, but also encourage a corres-
pondence with agriculturists of all ranks.* In England
and Scotland several agricultural and horticultural so·
cieties have published their transactions, which have
been of material benefit; in Ireland, as far I am in-
formed, no such thing has ever appeared. One would
be led to imagine the officers of our societies were
merely actuated by the salary attached to their office.
At the same time this exertion should not be expected.
without remuneration, which should be ample, but it
should not be a sinecure. I recollect, some years since,
when the late Mr. Hamilton, the then secretary of the
Farming Society of Ireland, invited all descriptions of
farmers to meet him once a week to communicate and
receive information: I have often attended those meet-
ings with great pleasure and advantage; but with him
his salary was a secondary consideration, and I fear a
carelessness in his pecuniary affairs, and the difficulties
brought on by it, helped to hasten the effects of a weakly
constitution.
1
As I have mentioned elsewhere, I think every landed
proprietor should have a yearly show for his own
tenantry, when premiums should be given for cleanli-
ness, good husbandry, long service, &c.
"
I have been informed of a secretary of a Farming Society on being
asked a simple agricultural question, answering in the most pettish manner,
Really I know nothing about such things." If he had been asked a
question on the rate of exchange, his answer would have been quite pat.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 423
SECTION XIV.
STATE OF MANUFACTURES—WHETHER INCREASING,
THE manufacture of coarse linens forms the prin-
cipal one of this county. They are generally what are
called bandle linen; in some places the bandle is 30
inches, in others 32 inches; again, 28 inches, sheet-
ings 37 and 40 inches wide. In fact, though there
is a certain breadth prescribed by act of parliament, and
a power given to inspectors, who do or should attend
every fair and market, to seize those deficient in breadth,
yet little or no notice is taken of it, and they are gene-
rally any breadth the owner or the weaver chooses to
make them. There is a considerable quantity sold
every Thursday at the linen-hall in Loughrea; and a
great deal of sheetings are also disposed of at the inn at
Tuam; but I understand they are not of such fabric as
to do any credit to the makers, as they are of a very
flimsy texture, and too often bleached with lime. There
is little secret made of this by the country people, and
though now and then a little stir is made by the in-
spector, and perhaps a few pieces seized, it is only
laughed at. To make the regulations against this abuse
effective rests with the landlords, but they most unac-
countably neglect it, though under their nose.
If they
for a moment reflected that much of the means of pay-
ing rent is produced by the sale of linens, they might,
perhaps, pay more attention to this affair. At every
fair and market a considerable quantity of yarn is sold,
but I am informed very inferior both in the spinning
and mode of reeling. Many factors attend the fairs, and
buy the yarn on commission; and as the weighing rests
entirely with them by ouncels, which they always carry
424
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
with them, it is probable there are impositions prac-
tised on the sellers. The magistrates should look to
this. It is the duty of the person who receives the tolls
and customs, but in general I fear it is neglected; also,
particular attention should be paid to weights and mea-
sures, in which it is highly probable much fraud is prac-
tised, by using weights made of stone, which, though
frequently broken, still retain the original denomina-
tion. I am not aware of any woollen manufacture ex-
isting in this county, except that of flannels and frizes
for home use and sale, at from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. per
bandle of 30 inches wide, of which almost every woman
in the county understands the manufacture. It is not a
little extraordinary that so extensive a county, possess-
ing every facility for the manufacture of woollens, should
be without it. It possesses the best clothing wool for
both coarse and fine fabrics. In Cunnamara the wool of
the country is of very great fineness, and if a little pains
were taken by the proprietors of those extensive tracts
of pasturable mountain, a wool might be produced equal
to the finest manufacture. Probably the Merino cross
would be most profitable, and the shape of the native
sheep is more assimilated to that of Merino than any
other that I am acquainted with. A few years ago
South Down rams and ewes were introduced by some
proprietors of estates, particularly by Mr. Blake of Ren-
vyle; but of the result I am ignorant, except that I per-
ceive, by an advertisement of that spirited gentleman,
that he has near six hundred South Down fleeces for
sale. The benefit to be obtained by the cross I have
suggested, may be in some measure ascertained by a re-
currence to the annual sale of fine wool at the Farming
Society house in 1819, where it will be seen that the
Rev. Thomas Quin received for 177 fleeces of the third,
fourth, and fifth cross of Merino on Wicklow cwes,
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
425
three shilling per pound, whilst at the same time he
only received the same price for one hundred and five
fleeces of pure Merinos. As the N. B. at the end of
the report, "When the wools are delivered, the weight
of each parcel will be inserted in a future publication,"
has not, I believe, been fulfilled by the secretary of the
society, no opinion can be formed of the nett profit.
However, enough is proved to convince us that in the
fifth, or even the third cross, they are equally valuable,
and probably from a careful selection and crossing, an
additional weight may be addded to the fleece. I think
I cannot give a better description of the Merinos than
a few extracts from the excellent report (I wish we had
mere reports from the same pen) of the Merino sheep
at Messrs. Nowlan and Shaw's Merino factory, at Me-
rino cottage, in the county of Kilkenny, by the Rev.
Mr. Radcliff, secretary to the Farming Society of Ire-
land. In February 1820 they consisted of six hundred
pure Merinos; he says, "It is considered by the pro-
prietors of this flock, who must be competent judges,
being also principals of the Merino factory, that instead
of any deterioration being perceptible, the quality and
weight of the fleece has improved since the importation of
the flock." "The average weight of the clip of 1819,
per fleece, was 6 pound in the grease, rate of sale 3s.
per pound. The proprietors of the factory wish to en-
courage the sale of Merino wool in the grease; it suits
the operations of the factory; and three shillings in the
grease is a better remuneration to the grower than
3s. 6d. river-washed on the sheeps' back. From this,
and a former statement of the number of sheep sup-
ported per acre, a very flattering estimate presents itself
of the acreable value of the wool. It is ascertained that
each fleece of the entire flock weighed six and a half
pounds, and that it produced 3s. per pound, amount per
426
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
moss
fleece 19s. 6d. It is also ascertained that each acre
supports eight sheep. Gross value of wool per acre,
£7. 16s." "This flock consists almost exclusively of
pure Merinos. Nevertheless certain crosses have been
tried, and wool of each description of Merino cross has
been occasionally purchased for the use of the factory.
The opinion which they have formed from those dif-
ferent trials is, that with respect to wool the Merino on
Ryland is the most valuable. The Merino on Wicklow
mountain remarkably good as a general wool, even in
its first cross, and infinitely better in the deeper crosses.
The Merino on Leicester, contrary to the common
opinion, is considered by the proprietors of the Merino
factory to be a very good wool in its second and third
crosses, and very useful for general purposes. The first
cross sells for 1s. 6d. per pound; the second for 2s. ;
the third for 2s. 6d. to 3s. This admixture of blood
produces a greater weight of fleece than any other; and
if in a third cross, it becomes so valuable the proprietors.
of Leicester sheep might surely try the experiment.
The mutton would be improved, and the quantity of
loose fat increased."
How wonderfully opinions are changed since this
"It would
crop was first proposed some years since.
be of a description, neither long nor short wool, fit for
no kind of manufacture," &c. A considerable quantity
of white frizes and cadow blankets are made and sold
at Galway, Loughrea, the fair of Tubberbracken, and
several other fairs. In the neighbourhood of Galway a
considerable quantity of flannels are manufactured ;
some make upwards of 300 yards in a year, by which
they frequently pay their rents; they pay for weaving
about three halfpence per yard, and a good weaver can
make twenty yards in the day. Two women are gene-
rally employed to prepare the yarn for the weaver; they
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
4.27
receive at the rate of about two guineas per annum, and
their diet. A linen manufacture was established by the
late Mr. Lawrence at Lawrencetown; there were at one
time upwards of 30 looms that wove linen and fine diaper.
At present I am informed there are only four or five.
There was also a flourishing linen manufacture estab-
lished by the late Right Hon. Denis Daly, at Mount
Shannon, but when he sold that estate the linen manu-
facture went to ruin. A great deal of linens are made
at Woodford, which are esteemed better than those of
Loughrea. In Cunnamara there is some fine linen
made, but much more of a coarse quality; bandle linen
for home consumption. There are about one hundred
looms in Cunnamara, and are increasing very much.
Cottiers generally sow from 1 to 5 pottles of flax
seed, and probably there may be about 1500 hogsheads
of flax seed sowed each year in this county, the produce
of this is generally made into coarse linen and coarse
yarn for making canvas for sacks, &c.; and it is re-
markable that coarse canvas for bags sells for 10d. or
11d. per bandle of thirty inches, whilst a much finer
sort will only sell for 8d. because, as the farmer is
obliged to allow seven pounds for the sack in the sale of
any article it
article it may contain, he wishes for that which will
weigh the heaviest. About five bandles make a sack. A
large quantity of very coarse canvass is made from tow
near Tuam for packing wool, and a considerable deal
sent to Cork, Waterford, Ross, and Limerick, for the
purpose of packing bacon for exportation. Flax grows
tall and well on reclaimed bog, but must be pulled
green, or it is subject to have what is called glune-duh,
or black joint, and though it may be softer than that
grown in upland, there is more waste. It would be very
material to ascertain the cause of this disorder. There
is very little hemp seed in this county, though peculiarly
428
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
well calculated for reclaimed bog. By some late trials
also, it has been ascertained that a flax much superior
to that usually cultivated, can be procured from nettles.
It requires no watering or bogging, but simply to be
well dried previous to breaking, scutching, and hack-
ling in the usual way. It requires to be boiled for a
short time in water with soap and a little ashes, and
the water changed two or three times, when a flax is
produced beautifully white, without further bleaching.
It lasts much longer, when made into linen, than any
other kind, and bears frequent changes from wet to
dry better than that we usually wear. There can be
little doubt it will flourish in reclaimed bog, and as it
is a perennial, never injured by frost, it possesses a
very great superiority over either flax or hemp, only re-
quiring a little ashes once every year or two as manure.
Kelp is a manufacture of much consequence to those
possessing property on the coast. The manufacture of
this article was unknown here until about the year
1700, and the late Andrew French and his grandfather
were the first, and for a long time the only exporters.
At that period the price was 14s. to 20s. per ton. It
continued to rise gradually to £16. a ton in 1810, since
which is has fallen to £4. In 1810 great losses were
sustained by those who speculated in this article; it fell
from £16. to £. per ton. A considerable saving might
be made if the exportation of kelp was permitted di-
rect from the coast where it is burned, without being
brought to Galway; the saving, exclusive of loss of
time, expenses in Galway, and waste, would be 30s, per
ton. The craner in Galway gets 6d. per ion-1s. for
basket to weigh it in, and 1s. for each draught of the
scales of 5 cwt. In some years the amount of sales
has been upwards of £60,000. but lately has not ex-
ceeded £13,000. or £14,000. Except in a time of great
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
429
A
scarcity Galway kelp, from its bad quality, is in little
demand. It is generally thought to be inferior to
Scotch kelp. The Galway merchants say there is
much prejudice in this idea, and to prove it they
shipped a cargo for Scotland, and re-shipped it as
Scotch kelp, and received under that delusion £4. per
ton more than they would have had for it as Galway
kelp. The makers of the kelp say, that there is so
little difference made on the quay of Galway, between
good and bad, it is not worth their while to take any
pains; for they say, those whose business it is to appre-
ciate it are grossly ignorant and careless.
There is a considerable quantity of knit woollen
stockings sold in Cunnamara, to the amount of at least
£10,000. per annum; though possessing the finest wool,
they are of very inferior manufacture. The makers say
they are so completely at the mercy of the pedlers, who
are the only buyers, that they have no encouragement
to make them better. If proper encouragement by
some capitalist was given they would be superior
to any in the world at the same price. They possess
a softness and elasticity which no wove stocking, how-
ever fine, does; but from being made frequently with
only a single thread, they give very little wear. Some-
times they are made in a superior manner, are then ex-
cellent, but they are by no means the general manu-
facture of Cunnamara. I have the authority of a
very eminent stocking manufacturer in Dublin to
state, that "if a hall was established in some central
“situation, and an honest intelligent inspector ap-
66
pointed, and some persons of capital were to embark
“in the business, the manufacture would be brought
"to such a pitch of perfection as not only to supply
"the whole consumption of Ireland, but to open a
"trade to all other parts of the world, and enable us
430
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY.
"to undersel the English and Scotch manufacturers
"in their own markets.” One town alone in Scotland
exports knit stockings to the amount of above £100,000.
It is a curious circumstance, that in the mountains of
Cunnamara the sheep are gradually sheared as the wool
is wanted; frequently you will see one side only entirely
shorn-another sheep with one shoulder or a thigh
shorn. When a woman wants a little wool to finish
a stocking, she trips away to the mountains, claps the
sheep's head between her knees, and shears just as
much as she judges would complete her work. The
same sheep is often shorn three times in the year; as
this operation is not confined to the summer months,
and the shelter is so great, and the climate near the
sea so mild, that it is thought the animal suffers little
from this singular practice. This frequent clipping has
been assigned as a reason for the superior fine and soft
texture of Cunnamara stockings.
There is a paper mill in Galway, which supplies
Limerick, Ennis, and Westport, and some kinds are
sent to Dublin for printers' use. They find that mak-
ing those sorts are more profitable than the finer,
of those they manufacture a considerable quantity.
It has been well ascertained, that their paper has
been sent to Dublin, and after having been cut has re-
turned to Galway in the form of letter paper, and pur-
chased by those who would not use their own town's
manufacture if they knew it. There is a considerable
manufacture of black marble chimney pieces in Gal-
way from the marble quarries of Angliham, Menlow,
and Merlin Park. The two first quarries are worked
by Mr. Ireland, who exports a considerable quantity in
blocks to Liverpool, Bristol, &c. where they are highly
esteemed. This marble, if well-chosen, is perfectly
free from those white spots that so much injure the
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 431
66
appearance of that of Kilkenny, and the generality of
the marble of this county. Mr. Hardiman, who knows
the habits of the people of Galway so intimately, says,
in his history of the town of Galway, on this head,-
"The Merlin Park quarry was opened in 1814, and
"Mrs. Blake, the proprietor, exported a few cargoes;
"but the industry, perseverance, and resolution to en-
"counter not only preliminary expense, but even tem-
porary losses, to bring works of this kind to perfec-
"tion, do not seem to have attended these under-
"takings. There is, however, little doubt but that,
"if these quarries were worked with spirit and judg-
"ment, they would in a short time become a source of
"considerable emolument, and fully reward that atten-
"tion which they so much deserve." There is a manufac-
tory of tobacco-pipes in Galway, and another at Creggs;
also several potteries of coarse ware, one near Dun-
sandle, lately established, where they make excellent
garden pots at reasonable rates. There is a consider-
able quantity of feathers exported from the islands of
Arran, and the naked appearance of the poor geese
throughout the country shews how much they contri-
bute to the comfort of our weary bones; they are
plucked three times a year, and produce 3d. or 4d. for
each plucking; but as the buyer generally plucks
them, they are often greatly injured, especially in the
wings, which are frequently broken.-There is a con-
siderable manufacture of felt hats at Loughrea, and se-
veral other towns; they sell for 3s. to 6s. each. A good
deal of straw hats and bonnets are made in several
towns; the hats from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. the bonnets
from 2s. 6d. to 10s. perhaps more. Straw bonnets
have been lately manufactured at Castle Blakeney, as
high as three guineas each.
432
}
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
th
SECTION XV.
STATE OF MILLS OF EVERY KIND.
In the town of Galway there are about 23 flour mills,
6 oat mills, 2 malt mills, 4 tuck mills, I paper mill, and
1 bleach mill: there are also, in different parts of the
county, upwards of 12 large flour mills, and several of a
smaller though not less useful description, and several
oat and tuck mills. As the Galway mills are almost al-
ways at work, it may be conjectured what a quantity of
flour must be dressed annually, of which, after supplying
the neighbouring counties and the adjacent country,
the remainder is sent to Dublin. It is calculated that
even at a very low average there are at least 12,000 tons
annually manufactured by the millers of Galway alone.
This, even at the low rate of £20. per ton, shows what
an impulse must be given to the agriculture of the
country, by the expenditure of upwards of £200,000.
and, added to the great export of corn during the war,
and the liberal discounts of the banks at that period,
accounts for the high rents paid for land. If all the
mills are now at full work, I trust the distresses of our
farmers will be only temporary. The great encrease of
flour mills has been chiefly since 1790; previous to that
period there were but two; the late Mr. Patrick Ward
and Mr. Rickard Burke's, near the fish market. There
have been two capital mills erected a few years since
on Nun's island, one by Mr. Fitzgerald, and the other
by Mr. Regan, finished in 1814; they have every ad-
vantage of the late improvements in arrangement and
machinery. Mr. Regan's, I understand, is composed
entirely of metal, contrived and executed by Mr.
Macky, a very ingenious millwright from Scotland.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
433
This mill was begun in 1813; it is erected on five
arches, is 80 feet long by 41 feet broad, has 12 floors,
lighted by an hundred glass windows; it was finished
and ready for work in one year, and considered to
have cost £10,000. It has four pair of stones, which
can be worked either together or separately, with only
one undershot water-wheel. The power is so great,
and the machinery so complete, it can grind with one
pair of stones 20 cwt. in an hour. The machinery of
this mill is highly worth the inspection of the curious,
and reflects high credit not only on the ingenious man
who executed it, but the spirited individual who has
risked such property in the concern, and most sin-
cerely do I wish him every success. Such men are a
blessing to a country, as they assist the industrious
farmer, upon whose prosperity every other class of so-
ciety depends, an opinion, it were to be wished, pre-
vailed more generally amongst our legislators.* About
forty years ago a Mr. Waddlesworth erected the first
flour mill in Galway: he was opposed by all the bakers,
and at length they burned his mill, and from the in-
juries and insults he received, was obliged to quit Gal-
way. Before his mill was erected, each baker had a
large chest in the mill that ground for them, with a
lock and key, in which he usually kept as much wheat
as he judged would be sufficient until the next market
day. As he wanted it, it was ground in the mill.
When we compare this with the present number (23
flour mills) it must be with feelings of joy at the en-
couragement it gives to the farmer. Many of the mil-
F F
It must be sincerely regretted that this gentleman's speculations
have not been so fortunate as he deserves; but I trust his difficulties
will soon terminate. I fear (a very usual thing in Ireland) his capital
did not keep pace with his ardent mind.
434
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
lers of this county give a preference to the mill stones
raised near Dunmore; which, if well chosen, they say,
are for some species of the manufacture equal, if not
superior to French burr, though not more than about
one third of the price.
SECTION XVI.
STATE OF PLANTATIONS AND PLANTING.
PLANTING has long been a favourite pursuit in this
county, especially since the days of Shanley and Leg-
gett, who certainly gave a considerable impulse to it;
but there are scarcely any of such extent as to be called
a wood, much less a forest. The formal style of sur-
rounding the demesne with a screen, or called more
appropriately, from its narrowness, a belt, (in many
places it might be justly termed a thread) and the in-
terior blotted with circular clumps (they could not from
their general want of connection be called groups) pre-
vented, in a few years, when they admitted light through
them, all idea of extent. The designers of that period
are not to be much blamed, for such works were the
fashion of the day, and a tame copy of the Browne
school. Probably in the days of London and Wise, of
topiary memory, their works were esteemed of the
highest order of taste, until, with the assistance of
Addison and Pope, Kent and Nature prevailed over the
Sheers. It is however disgraceful to the present age,
that they obstinately pursue the same tame method as
their forefathers. Many gentlemen have planted ex-
tensively, but still they have not planted forests. I
have scarcely ever seen one that a quarter of an hour's
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
435
ride would not bring you from one end to the other.
The late Mr. Lawrence of Bellevue, planted a great
extent of screens and clumps, * upwards of 370 acres;
but from their narrowness, want of timely thinning,
and a deficiency of underwood, they admit the light to
be seen through them. This is the general fault of the
Irish planting, and if we may judge from different pub-
lications, of English planting too. When, some years
since, by an order from the court of Chancery, I thin-
ned the plantations of Bellevue, I advised them to be
carefully copsed, and an additional breadth, and more
varied outline to be given to the screens and clumps,
These would in a few years have shut out the light,
and relieved them from that wretched tameness that
Mr. Lawrence, in conformity with the fashion of the
day, adopted, and would have converted his clumps
into groups. I regret to say that none of these ideas
have been adopted; cattle have been admitted into
most of the plantations, and something like an Ameri-
can improvement has been pursued.
It was the late Mr. Lawrence's intention to have ad-
ded considerably to those screens, and I am informed
he often wished his demesne extended seven miles, that
he might have planted it all. The study of the demesne
of Bellevue would, however, be well worth the atten-
tion of the lovers of this charming art; exclusive of
those very general faults he would learn to avoid, he
would perceive some of the best oak trees growing in
several feet of turf bog, badly drained; whilst in dry
ground, apparently more appropriate to their growth,
they have made little progress. Here also may be
F F 2
"But ah! how different is the formal lump,
"Which the improver plants, and calls a clump."
KNIGHT'S LANDSCAPE.
436
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
seen (or might have been seen) some of the most beau-
tiful ash trees growing luxuriantly in upwards of three
feet of turf bog, completely surrounded by stagnant
water within a foot of the surface; and what is very re-
markable, there are Scotch fir and alder amongst them,
greatly inferior in growth and health. In the servants'
hall there is a table made of pineaster, planted and cut
down by the late Mr. Lawrence. The first length of
the tree was nine feet, cut into boards nineteen inches
broad; another length nine feet also, cut into boards.
sixteen inches broad, exclusive of a considerable top;
the wood beautiful, and of excellent quality. There
was a Weymouth pine of about forty-four years growth,
(planted by Mr. Lawrence,) cut down for a pump
stick; the circumference was four feet ten inches; the
timber was very fine, very red at the heart, and full of
turpentine: the top was decayed, which caused its con-
version to this use; until then, I had been always led
to think that Weymouth pine was a soft, white, worth-
less timber. Balm of Gilead fir uniformly decayed in
every part of this demesne when about fourteen feet
high. Indeed I do not recollect to have seen a flou-
rishing tree of this species of considerable age, in any
part of Ireland.
Pineaster invariably flourishing at the west side of
every plantation, whilst on the south and cast they have
mostly decayed. I cut down many hundreds in that
state. Larch, Scotch fir, and sweet chestnut, bent by
the westerly winds; but oak, spruce and silver fir, and
Weymouth pine, not bent; beech a little bent. The
following dimensions of trees, (if they have not been
cut down) will show, in a forcible light, the spirit of
planting Mr. Lawrence possessed; and, in addition to
what I have just detailed, the profit of planting. That
has been so often doubted by those who are eager to
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 437
lay hold of every excuse to hide their indolence, that I
give it with more pleasure than hope. They were all
planted by the late Mr. Lawrence. They were mea-
sured in 1808, and were in circumference, at three feet.
from the ground, and about forty-four years growth,
as follow:
Ft.
In.
Ft. In.
Acacia
5
4
4
Copper beech
5 4
Cedar of Libanus
6
8
Occidental plane
9 6
Scotch elm
10
0
Evergreen oak
5 0
Sweet chestnut
7 6
Horse chestnut
5 9
Oak
8 6
Scotch fir
4 4
Silver fir
7 3
Ash (sold for four
Portugal laurel
4 7
guineas)
6 1
Weymouth pine
50
Pineaster
5
7
Tulip tree (60 feet
Beech
7 5
high at least)
5 10
Hornbeam
6 2
Common laurel
3 9
&c. &c. &c.
Larch
6 3
The late colonel Hayes of Avondale, (dear to the
memory of every lover of planting and polished man-
ners,) measured the sweet chestnut in 1790; it was
then, at six feet from the ground, four feet eight inches:
as there is very little difference in the girth at six feet
or three feet from the ground, there has been an aver-
age of two feet ten inches in eighteen years, nearly a
foot diameter in so short a period. If this statement is
correct, what an immense loss must be sustained by
the premature and indiscriminate cutting at Bellevue
since the death of Mr. Lawrence. The late colonel
Hayes, in his admirable treatise on planting, sets this
in a very clear light. "The timber of an oak tree of
fifty years growth, is worth from twelve to twenty shil-
lings: a tree of seventy-five years growth may be worth
138
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
from four to seven pounds."-Note, I beg most earnestly
to recommend an attentive perusal of this treatise to
every person possessing woods. I cannot suppose any
one who has either a taste or a love of planting can be
without it. The mistaken idea of planting trees of
very inferior value for nurses, has been practised at
Bellevue, as well as in every plantation in Ireland,
England, and a recurrence to my Survey of the Coun-
ty of Clare, p. 279, will show it has been also adopted
in Scotland. When thinnings of plantations are to be
sold, the money received for those of larch, when com-
pared with that of beech, alder, and many others, will
throw a strong light on my position. The country
people are all perfectly sensible of the superiority of
larch over every other except ash, to which they are
very partial, that any quantity of those can be sold,
whilst beech, alder, or Scotch fir, may remain long on
hands.
Mr. Lawrence shewed great judgment in selecting
hardy trees for the west side of his plantations; they
are very much beech, hornbeam and sycamore. Ma-
ny people, I have been informed, thought him a little
deranged when he planted such a quantity of his de-
mesne as 370 acres; but if his views had been seconded
during the minority of his son, there would be an im-
mense property coming to him and his children. He
planted 100,000 oaks at the distance at which they
were intended to stand for timber, and filled up the
He calculated that
spaces with other trees for nurses.
•
each oak tree in forty years would be well worth at
least 20s.; and had they been properly thinned in time,
this calculation would have been greatly below the va-
lue. Some progress was made for this purpose when I
commenced the thinning; and if it had been gradually
carried on for a few years, his judicious intentions
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
439
would have been more than realised. If I am rightly
informed, since that period, oaks and nurses have
nearly all disappeared. I made a valuation of what
value the entire plantations of this demesne would be
at a future period of thirty years, when they would be
about seventy-four years old, and supposing the trees
to stand twelve feet asunder, which is sufficient for
trees not intended for ship timber, and even at twenty
shillings each, they would be worth £181,300. but
they would be more likely worth £3. each, when they
would be worth £543,900. besides the value of the
thinnings in the mean time. I am aware it will be said
that there must be deductions for failures; I grant it;
but I am convinced that it is more probable that many
trees of this age (seventy-four years), will be worth
from £5. to £10. each. It proves, amongst number_
less instances in Ireland, that one or more sworn su-
perintendants of the plantations of minors, under the
control of the court of Chancery, (as my operations
at Bellevue were) would be a most useful officer, and
would prevent the gross frauds and dilapidations com-
mitted frequently by guardians and executors on the
property of wards of chancery.*
Immense losses have been sustained at Bellevue, by
cutting, at a former period, the limbs of beech and other
trees, eight or ten inches from the stem; holes were
formed when the stumps decayed: if cut close at the
time, the wound would have been healed over long
since. I met another glaring proof of this erroneous
practice at Rossborough, the seat of the earl of Mill-
Several years ago a person of the name of
town.
• I took the liberty, some time since, to address a letter on this subject
to the Lord Chancellor. As I have never been honored with an answer,
I presume his lordship did not approve of the idea. I can only regret it,
without having had any reason since to change my opinion.
440
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Smyth, who had been a long time planter to the late
duke of Leinster and his father, commenced a pruner of
plantations, and probably a designer. He was unfortu
nately engaged at Rossborough, where he pruned with
a vengeance. To improve the body he cut off limbs
a foot diameter of beech trees (some of the largest I
ever saw). When I viewed them a few years ago,
there was a well hole, filled with water, reaching from
the mutilated timber to the ground in the centre of the
tree. It may be well supposed what havoc such an
improver must have committed at the duke of Leinster's
and other places, for I understand he was much em-
ployed, and I suppose he did this from experience, that
ignis fatuus of improvers of all descriptions. The pic-
turesque appearance of many plantations has been com-
pletely prevented in numberless places by mistaking
Mr. Pontey's excellent directions for pruning forest trees.
At Marble Hill, the seat of Sir John Burke, trees
have made a rapid progress in a soil by no means
favourable. They were planted in 1775, at four
years old, and in 1803, when I took the dimensions,
were as follows, at five feet from the ground:
Beech,
Ash,
Feet.
Inches.
3
5 in circumference.
3
5
do.
2
11
do.
Oak,
Which was a considerable growth for 28 years, and in
such a soil. An excellent practice was adopted by the
late Sir Thomas Burke, of planting two or three years
old forest trees like quicks in the sides of ridges, thrown
up like potato ridges; this practice is well worth the
notice of those possessing soils with a thin or wet sur-
face over clay,* I have had many opportunities of
* I regret exceedingly that I have not been honoured by Sir John
Burke with an answer to a letter I took the liberty of addressing to him
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
441
At
witnessing the extreme hardiness of pineaster.
Cnuck-a-Donagh, the estate of Mr. Martin, near Bushy
Park, two very flourishing pineasters may or might be
seen on a very exposed hill; the west side of the tree
as vigorous as the east, whilst Scotch firs in the same
situation are in a miserable state of decay. At Raha-
san also, pineasters are growing vigorously exposed to
the westerly winds; and in the same plantation Scotch
fir are only lingering out their lives. The largest oak
probably in this province may be seen here; it is a
noble tree, and spread with a charming canopy upwards
of seventy feet. The instances of the hardiness of pine-
aster almost convinces me that the immense fir trees
found buried in bogs in exposed situtions are pineaster,
and not Scotch fir. An immense pineaster may be
seen (1803) at Killeen, in the parish of Ballynakill, the
estate of Sir John Burke. It was brought there by one
Porter, one of Cromwell's soldiers; there is or was a
large Scotch fir near it, greatly inferior in every respect,
though tradition says they were planted at the same.
time. Great losses are sustained by permitting birch
to occupy the place of better trees. In my survey of
Clare, I have given an instance of it in the extensive
woods of Cratilon. At Woodpark, near Woodford,
consisting of about 40 acres, this mistake occurs. This
wood, like most woods in this county, is grazed, and in
a wretched condition, at least it was so when I saw it a
requesting the girths of those trees at the present period. It might have
been even an amusing document to Sir John or his son at some future
period. I feel great gratification in acknowledging the urbanity with
which the late Sir Thomas Burke acceded to my request for information.
Not content with his own information during a very delightful week spent
at Marble Hill, he not only favoured me with letters of introduction to
his friends, but sent intelligent men to show me every thing worth seeing
in his neighbourhood.
442
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
few year ago.
Miss Netterville's woods near Wood-
brook are under the same mismanagement; birch and
other inferior kinds incumbering the ground, the greater
part a swamp from want of draining, and, as usual, they
are grazed: to account for this ruinous practice, it is a
part of the wood ranger's perquisites. Occidental plane
stands the westerly winds at Merlin Park, the seat of
Mrs. Blake, close to the bay of Galway, better than
many trees that are esteemed more hardy; they shoot
late in the spring, when all danger from frost or winds.
is nearly over. Canada and Carolina poplars also stand
the western blast, and in a very dry, thin, limestone
soil. A very strong proof of the losses that are suf
fered by the indiscriminating predilection for oak, in
soils not adapted to them, may be seen near Craghwell;
oak of about 26 years growth not more than about
twelve feet high, whilst larch of the same age near them
may be sawed into boards. It is a general idea that
horse chestnut will not thrive in bog; I have seen
many instances of a contrary tendency; amongst others,
they are in a very thriving state in a bog at Woodlawn,
where indeed most kinds of trees are flourishing in im-
proved bog. At Clonfert also may be seen very fine old
ash trees in bog of several feet in depth. I am fond of
multiplying the proofs of the capability of drained bogs, to
produce many trees and crops, that stubborn ignorance
and the vanity of your mighty sensible people will not allow
them to do. There are probably more fine ash trees than
of any other kind in this county. An uncommon fine one
at Mount Bellew, called Cromwell's tree, as tradition
says it was planted when he was in Ireland. Also at
St. Clerans, some very fine ones may be seen. There
are multitudes of other fine ash that I do not imme-
diately recollect; I hope I shall be forgiven by those
who possess them. It would be unpardonable not to
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
443
mention the Doniry ash, on the road between Loughrea
and Portumna. When I saw it in 1803, it was in a
state of great decay. It was so large, that I was in-
formed a weaver worked at his loom in it, and his fa-
mily lived with him in it. It was surrounded with iron
hoops, which I hope have preserved it. When Mr.
Hardy saw it some years since, it measured at four feet
from the ground, 42 feet in circumference; at six feet
high, 33 feet round. About 25 years before Mr. Hardy
measured it, a school had been kept in it. At Kiltolla
there is an uncommonly fine and immense ash tree,
called De Ginckle's tree. Tradition says that General and
his officers sheltered under it after the battle of Aghrim,
on their way to Galway. A decided preference is given
to ash by buyers in general, and for this reason it is very
difficult to protect them at all ages; this has hitherto
prevented many from planting them, but latterly a
great number have been planted. When they are
plenty enough to be within the reach of the poor man's
pocket, this complaint will scarcely ever be heard. Their
value and scarcity must have been great even in the
time of Henry VIII. when every Irishman within the
English pale, having a plough, was obliged to plant
12 ash trees in the ditches and closes of his farm, on
pain of forfeiting two shillings; a large sum at that pe-
riod. There are very few orchards in this county that
produce cider for sale, and indeed, from the sample I
have tasted in most private houses, the less they make
the better, if the proprietors are determined to adhere
to their present system of mismanagement. I have
scarcely ever drank any cider made in this county that
did not require sugar to be added to make it palatable.
In the appendix I have given the method of making the
best kind of cider, from the scientific and practical direc-
tions of Mr. Knight; it seems to be the best that has
yet been published.
444
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION XVII.
STATE OF THE EFFECTS OF THE
ENCOURAGE-
MENT HERETOFORE GIVEN BY THE ROYAL
DUBLIN SOCIETY, PARTICULARIZED IN THE AN-
NEXED LIST, AND ANY IMPROVEMENT WHICH
MAY OCCUR FOR FUTURE ENCOURAGEMENT, PAR-
TICULARLY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF TREES
WHEN PLANTED.
THE following list of bounties paid by the Royal
Dublin Society, will prove the spirit of planting it gave
birth to. The bounties have very properly been dis-
continued for some years; in this, as in most other af-
fairs, the chief benefit to be derived is from pointing
the attention to the subject. To make men think for
themselves is the chief object to be obtained; in fact
whatever wants a bounty to support it is seldom worth
notice, and probably will be very short lived, if it has
not some intrinsic merit of its own.-How much money
has been jobbed away in Ireland formerly, by bounties
to individuals for the establishment of ill-judged specu-
lations?
Bounties given to nursery-men between the years 1768
To James Mullowney
Michael Madden
and 1795.
1
£. S.
d.
86 15 0
349 3 1
Francis Madden
618 6 1
Robert Power
228 0 6
Richard and Thomas Clarke
279 4 5
Francis Kelly
119 4 1
1680 13 2
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 445
Mr. Lawrence
Right Hon. D. B.
Bounties for the following number of acres, received
by gentlemen in the same period.
Acres.
39 Mr. Joseph Kirwan
Lord Riverston
Acres.
10
41
Daly
141
Mr. Charles Morgan
6
Mr. W. Taylor
20
Sir Thomas Burke
42
Mr. Michael Burke
53
Mr. Robert Dillon
10
Mr. Richard D'Arcey
10
Mr. Walter Lambert 20
Mr. Edward Kirwan 10
Mr. William Persse 3
Mr. Nicholas Martin 10
Mr. Chris. St. George 10
Mr. Mark Browne
Earl of Clanrickard
10
Mr. C. French
13
125
Mr. Conolly
10
Earl of Clancarty
21
Mr. William Nugent
10
Mr. Charles Blake
25
Mr. Richard Martin
10
Mr. Marcus B. Lynch 20
Mr. Robert French
10
702
Mr. Martin Lynch 23
The bounty to nursery-men was of infinite use, as
several extensive nurseries were established in this
county, that probably would not otherwise have been.
Since that period the nursery business has been at a
low ebb, as most gentlemen, as they should do, have
their own nurseries. The number of acres planted by
gentlemen amount to 702, a considerable quantity in 27
years, when it is considered that those were only such
as had obtained a bounty, for we cannot suppose that
there was not infinitely more than that number, that
did not obtain any, for nothing under 10 acres received
the bounty. At the same time the names of many
gentlemen occur here, that should individually have
Latterly a considerable improvement has been made in the sales at the
nurseries, as a spirit of planting has become very prevalent in this county.
446
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
planted more than the whole amount; such were, amongst
some others,
The Right Hon. Denis Bowes Daly.
Sir Thomas Burke.
Earl of Clanrickard.
Mr. Marcus Blake Lynch.
Lord Riverston.
Mr. Richard Martin.
All proprietors of extensive mountains, well calculated
to produce timber trees. It would have been a desire-
able condition, and I believe was intended in giving
those premiums, that they should be well fenced, and
thinned at the proper age, both of which, the last es-
pecially, have been grossly neglected. But the plant-
ing that calls loudly for adoption is, that of the exten-
sive mountains and bogs that occur so frequently in this
county, with the exception of Dalyston, Roxborough,
Portumna, and perhaps some few others, little has been
done in this way. If the same spirit actuated the landed
proprietors of this county, and. I may say of Ireland,
as those of Scotland, what a country would ours be!
In that enlightened country (Scotland) probably more
has been planted in that kind of ground by one noble
proprietor, than in the whole of Ireland. There they
reckon by the thousand acres, here by the acre.
I sup-
pose it was from a knowledge of this, that Mr. Loudon,
a very celebrated landscape gardener in England, esti-
mated the amount of Irish taste; for in his treatise on
improving country residences, page 683, he says, with
all the ardour of one solicitous for our improvement,
"What might not be done in Ireland, in the civiliza-
tion and improvement of the lower orders," (those wild
animals with wings and tails I presume he meant)" by
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 447
the introduction of taste amongst the higher and middling
classes." We cannot sufficiently admire Mr. Loudon's
knowledge of the taste of the higher classes, or his ad-
vice how to improve it. We are such a tasteless stupid
people, especially the higher classes, that it would fail,
unless administered by the picturesque superintendance
of Mr. Loudon in propria persona. Poor Ireland, how
little either her capabilities or her people are known!
I shall not follow Mr. Loudon further, or it might be.
said it was jalousie de metier, or two of a trade could
not agree; but probably we only differ in this one point,
for judging from his writings on this subject, I most
cordially join him in his reprobation of the followers of
Browne, of whom we have had too many, gentle and
simple, for the last fifty years in Ireland. I regret to
state, that their tame style has taken such firm posses-
sion, that any picturesque deviation from it is generally
designated whim, caprice, flights of fancy, &c. &c.
On the other hand, I have seen some gentlemanlike
sketching, that forcibly brings to my recollection some
appropriate lines in Knight's Landscape:
"All art, by labour slowly is acquired;
“The madman only fancies 'tis inspired.
"The vain, rash upstart, thinks he can create,
"E're yet his hand has learn'd to imitate;
"While senseless dash and random flourish try
"The place of skill and freedom to supply.
"To improve, adorn, and polish, they profess;
"But shave the goddess, whom they come to dress;
“Level each broken bank, and shaggy mound,
"And fashion all-to one unvaried round;
"One even round, that ever gently flows,
"Nor forms abrupt, nor broken colours knows;
448
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
"But wrapt all o'er in everlasting green,
"Makes one dull, vapid, smooth, unvaried scene.
"Shaved to the brink, our brooks are taught to flow
"Where no obtruding leaves or branches grow;
"While clumps of shrubs bespot each winding vale,
"Open alike to every gleam and gale;
“Each secret haunt and deep recess display'd,
"And intricacy banished with its shade."
SECTION XVIII.
STATE OF NURSERIES IN THE COUNTY, AND EXTENT OF
SALES.
THERE were formerly several eminent nurseries in
this county, as may be perceived in section 17, but
though they may not be diminished in number,
they certainly are in the extent of sales, owing very
much to almost every gentleman maintaining a nursery
of his own, and without this it is in vain to think of
planting extensively. Except very great designs are
in contemplation, I would advise a purchase of seed-
lings from the nurseries, in preference to sowing seed,
and in general never to permit forest trees, with some
few exceptions, to remain longer in the nursery if (as
it should be) it is rich ground, than one season; if in
poor soil they may remain two summers, but seldom
longer. At present there is an excellent small nursery
at Kilchrist, lately the property of a very ingenious
honest man, Martin Larkin. It is contiued by his wi-
dow in the same neat style. Two or three small
nurseries at Ballinasloe;-a small one at Mount Bel-
lew bridge;—one or two near Bellevue ;--one at Gal-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
449
way, and several small ones in the neighbourhood of
Loughrea. There may be some more that I do not
recollect. The demand for fruit trees or curious shrubs
is very trifling; those who want either, usually procure
them in the Dublin nurseries.. The nurseries, with
the exception of Mrs. Larkin's, are kept in a slovenly
state; this, though it may appear to hurt only the eye,
is very injurious to trees that are destined to bleak ex-
posures; for if high weeds are permitted to grow up
with them, they are rendered too tender to bear sud-
den exposure, and the roots of couch grass and other
perennial weeds are moved along with them, and are
highly injurious to small trees. Another very blame-
able practice of many nursery-men, is planting trees
too thick in the nursery; most kinds are planted out
at two or three inches from each other, and the rows
frequently not more than a foot asunder, often much
nearer. When trees are permitted to remain two years
or more in this crowded state, it is highly pernicious,
and is the chief cause of the failure in many cases,
where the fault is laid at the door of the poor planter.
It is very much the practice with nursery-men to put out
one year old seedlings at once into the rows where they
are intended to stand until four years old; by this prac-
tice, most kinds of trees, especially Larch and Scotch
fir (naturally inclined to have a scanty supply of roots,)
are very unfit to plant in shallow soils, as from want of
room to spread, and the roots of seedlings never shortened
when planting, as they should be, they run down per-
pendicularly, and when moved to shallow ground at an
advanced age, the roots are obliged to be cut short; if,
on the contrary, they were a second time transplanted,
and had sufficient room, they would be well worth twice
the price they usually sell for. The nursery-men say, with
some truth, that few, if any, would give a remunerating
G G
450
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
price for this additional trouble. Most of my friends,
when they are going to purchase trees, enquire only
where they can get the cheapest trees at the age they
wish to purchase: They in general look more to the
head than to the roots; to the length than to the
thickness of the stem.
SECTION XIX.
PRICE OF TIMBER, AND STATE OF IT IN THE COUNTRY.
THERE is very little of what can be called timber
sold in this county. The sale is mostly confined to
that of ash; even for this the market is soon over-
stocked, and water carriage is generally too distant to
assist the sale.* It is not easy to state the rate at which
timber sells, for it is usually by bulk. Where ash is
sold by the foot, it is frequently so low as two shillings.
per cubic foot; a few of a large scantling, for parti-
cular purposes, may be had as high as four shillings.
Firs of good size at about two shillings per foot.
Elm 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. Oak 3s. to 4s. 6d. but very few
of any considerable size in the county; of course the
quantity of bark is very trifling. It has been lately at
a very low price; birch and black sallow bark at about
half the price of that of oak; the first reckoned much
superior by the tanners. It is not a little extraordinary
that the use of larch bark is totally unknown; yet in
many parts of England it sells readily for about half
the price of oak bark, and in Scotland the duke of
• The immense quantity of large timber of all sorts blown down by
the dreadful hurricane on the 5th of December, 1822, has lowered the
price of it considerably.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
451
Athol sold 100 tons of this bark for £10. per ton.
Colonel Hays states that about 24 oak trees of 25 years
growth, badly managed, will produce a barrel of bark of
12 stones. Alder, when it can be procured of a good
size, is much esteemed for bolsters for cars, and for
bushing the eye of the lower mill-stone round the
spindle, as it never takes fire by friction. In handles
for tools it does not blister the hands. I have seen it
made into tables, and a side-board, &c. very beautiful.
Many are often distressed for laths that have Scotch fir
of their own fit for this purpose, but, from an idea
that none but foreign timber will answer, have never
tried them. I had the experiment tried at Bellevue, by
which it was ascertained that a piece of a tree four feet
long, and about ten inches in diameter, would make
upwards of 600 laths, besides the top and branches.
In general only one length can be procured from each
tree fit for the purpose, on account of the knots; but,
as many lengths as are free from this objection can be
used equally well as the best. I had larch tried for this
purpose, and contrary to the opinion of the workmen,
it split into excellent laths, which are probably of
much superior duration to those from Scotch fir.
Much use is made of kishes, which sell for about five
shillings each; some made of small sallows, 3s. 4d.
others of strong hazel rods, 6s. each; it takes about 200
sallow rods to make the kish. Rafters or couples for
Ribs, or stretchers over
cottages from 2s. 6d. to 6s.
the couples, from 4s. to 6s. per dozen. Rods for making
baskets 2s. to 3s. per 100. Scollops 6d. to 8d. Small
kishes or baskets for horses from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. or
3s. A hurdle, of which much use is made for floors,
from 2s. to 6s. Bog timber, such as is usually dug up
out of bogs, is in great request; it consists of oak or
fir; the first is greatly esteemed for any work executed
G G 2
452
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
A
in damp situations; and the fir for all kinds of carpen-
ters' work, for which it is excellent; also for laths,
which are thought to be much more lasting than those
from foreign fir. Sometimes this species of timber is
twisted into ropes, much used for supporting the beds
of the cottiers, as they bear damp better than hempen
ropes. On the verge of most bogs oak is usually found,
but further into the bogs fir is the kind mostly disco-
vered. Bogs on mountains generally produce more
timber than those in flat situations, which seldom fur-
nish any timber, but on their borders. Yew of consi-
derable size is frequently found buried in bogs. If it
can be procured without what the workmen term
shakers (cracks), it makes beautiful tables.* Timber
buried in bogs is discovered by going on them early
in a dewy morning, as the dew never lies on the bog
over the tree; they ascertain with a long spear if the
timber is sound and worth extricating from the bog.
Gross timber should be cut with a cross-cut saw whilst
standing; the handles to be turned for this purpose at
the forge. Where timber is sold by the foot, and very
gross, a material saving will be made, at least a foot
in length. In the progress of the work iron wedges of
different sizes are used to give freedom to the operation
of the saw, and a pit must be dug around the tree to
give the workmen elbow room. In the cutting of
• One of the most beautiful tables I have ever seen is of this wood.
at the Rev. Dean French's near Elphin. It is about four feet diame-
ter, and without the least flaw. I have lately been informed of an
immense yew tree, growing in 1808, at Grassford, in Denbighshire,
North Wales. At five feet from the ground the circumference was 27
feet 9 inches: it had originally eleven immense limbs; two are decay-
ed; two are advancing fast to that state, but seven are in a thriving state.
It has stood in the reigns of seventeen kings, three queens, and the com-
monwealth of Oliver Cromwell, from the reign of Henry IV. in 1399.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
453
every species of timber in Ireland, a very careless me-
thod is pursued. The hatchet-men, to prevent the ne-
cessity of stooping, generally leave much of the best of
the tree in the ground. In those that do not shoot
again, as larch and all the firs, it obstructs the scythe,
and in those from which it is wished to procure ano-
ther growth, it is particularly injurious, as, instead of
the shoots being produced from the roots, they are pro-
duced on the stump, in a brush; and to encrease the
evil, those, instead of all but one or two being rubbed
off (not cut) are all permitted to remain. This is the
chief cause of the wretched oak woods we generally
see in this county, indeed I may say all through Ire-
land, and probably in England. Many gentlemen are
now beginning to thin their oak woods, but when
they have grown up for 10 or 12 years in a thicket, it
is too late to expect much benefit from thinning. To
produce the full benefit of the practice I have recom-
mended, it must be commenced in the first, or at least
the second year, when the shoots, as I have mentioned
before, should be rubbed off, and not cut; for if not
cut quite clean to the bark the evil will be encreased
by the multiplication of the shoots. Nothing can be
more grossly neglected than the plantations of this
county, I may say of Ireland. They are, with the ex-
ception of Mount Bellew, Clonbrock, and a few other
places, scarcely ever thinned until they are like May-
poles, and the poverty of the original idea made mani-
fest by the admission of light. I recollect some years
since asking a wood-ranger at Dunsandle, why some
small trees, that I had marked two years before, were
not cut down, his answer, I imagined would be that
of most gentlemen and wood-rangers, "Lord, Sir, do
you think I am such a fool as to cut down my mas-
"ter's trees, when I could get nothing worth while for
454
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
them." Probably they have remained uncut to this day,
to the great injury of the standing timber.
SECTION XX.
QUANTITY OF BOG AND WASTE GROUND. THE POSSI-
BILITY AND MEANS OF IMPROVING THEM, AND THE
OBSTACLES TO THEIR IMPROVEMENT.
In this county the quantity of bog and other waste
ground is very great, especially in the baronies of Moy-
cullen, Ballynahinch, and Ross, occupying that ex-
tensive country from Galway to Killeny bay, a distance
of upwards of thirty miles, and nearly as much in
breadth from the sea to Cong. Of this vast tract,
containing upwards of 500,000 acres, very little is in
cultivation, and that chiefly near the coast. There is
very little of this country that could not be improved
by burning the surface, and manuring with either sea
weed or lime, as in many places there are quarries of
limestone, and at Oughterard limestone is in great
abundance. On the sea coast the means of improve-
ment are easily had, as great quantities of limestone
are brought from the coasts of Clare and Galway and
the island of Arran, as ballast; this could be extended
to any amount. A great extent of ground would be
improved by irrigation on very moderate terms. Sea
sand and a species of coraline also abound in almost
every bay, and when they have been tried, their fer-
tilizing effects have been astonishing. I have mentioned
those means of improvement under another head.
There is also a large tract of mountain between Lough-
rea and the county of Clare, that could also be easily
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
455
reclaimed by irrigation and planting. Of bogs there
are immense quantities, all reclaimable. In fact I have
scarcely ever seen a bog that could not be reclaimed at
a remunerating expense. Most of those who object to
this on account of the expense, seem to think that it is
all expenditure and no return; but this, though a too
It is true
common idea, is a very erroneous one.
there can be no improvement without a previous ex-
penditure of money; but what species of agricultural,
or any other pursuit, can be carried on without this
outlay? How much money must be expended before a
crop of wheat can be put in the pocket, or what can
be made of any kind of stock without it?-In many in-
stances where bog or waste ground is of such a nature
(as all the mountains generally are) as to produce red
or yellow ashes, the return by rape, potatoes, and ma-
ny other crops, is made the first year, and frequently
a large sum beyond the expense. In red bog that pro-
duces only white ashes, the return will be longer de-
layed, but certain.
Mr. Young, in his tour in Ireland, "Whatever the
means used, certain it is that no meadows are equal to
those gained by improving a bog; they are of a value
which scarcely any other lands rise to in Ireland; I
should suppose it would not fall short of forty shillings
an acre, and rise in many cases to three pounds."—If
those were the sentiments of Mr. Young at the period
he wrote, what would they be now since the introduc-
tion of Fiorin grass on bogs?—Again, " Many potatoes
are planted in bogs that are drained; they are the first
thing they plant, manuring with limestone gravel and
dung; the first will not do alone, very little dung will do ;
the crop is superior in quantity to those of any other
land; they will get fifty pecks more than from grass land,”
A remarkable instance of this species of improvement
456
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
in the county of Mayo is detailed also in this valuable
work. "A curragh of one hundred acres, that is, a
wet quaking bog or qua, which will not do for turf,
with a long sedgy grass on it, part of a farm at thirty
pounds a year, lord Altamont (late marquiss of Sligo)
took it into his hands with the consent of the tenant;
he drained it, at an expense of £30. by drains ten feet
wide and five deep at 7d. per perch; this simple thing
improved it so much, that without any other improve-
ment he set it to the same tenant at seventy pounds
per year, made so perfectly sound, that bullocks of
8 cwt. could graze on it."
Lord Kaims gives a remarkable instance of the va-
lue of improved bog. "At the seat of Mr. Burnet of
"Kemnay, ten miles from Aberdeen, a kitchen gar-
"den, a flower garden, a wilderness of trees indige-
(C
nous and exotic, are all in a peat moss, (bog) where
"water stagnates from one foot to two under the sur-
"face."
This subject has been so often and ably discussed,
and the proofs both here and in Scotland are so clear,
that I shall not dwell longer on it; which is no little.
self denial, as I confess it is a very favourite subject.
Much ground has been cleared of stones, with great
profit. An instance came under my own eye worthy of
the attention of the doubters; a very numerous class in
this county, indeed nearly as numerous as the sneerers.
The late Mr. Bartley, parish priest of Kilconickny near
St. Clerans, cleared two acres of ground, at an expense
of eighteen guineas: it was so very rocky that it was
not previously worth five shillings per acre. The first
year it was let for potatoes at six guineas an acre; the
second year, for the same purpose, at seven guineas per
acre. It was, when I saw it in 1803, under remarkably
fine barley and clover, and perfectly clear of stones.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
457
It would readily let at that period for three guineas an
acre on a lease.
Four years rent and expenses of clearing
Received for rent of the two crops
£. S. d.
27 6 0
29 11 6
Thus there was a profit of two guineas an acre on
the clearing alone, exclusive of the permanent value.
I fear there are few would have had so much spirit.
An embankment at Bunoun, the estate of Mr.
Geoghegan O'Neill, has reclaimed upwards of 80 acres
from the sea. Mr. Bulteel has also made a spirited
and valuable improvement, by reclaiming a large piece
of ground from the sea near the town of Galway. It
is highly probable that a large tract of land could be
taken from the sea near Oranmore; it has a rich muddy
bottom; also a large quantity of cut-out bog near`
Oranmore, the estate of the right honourable James
Fitzgerald, could be drained and reclaimed. There is
a great deal of ground near Tyrone and Kilcolgan
that could also be reclaimed. In many other parts of
the county vast quantities of land on the banks of rivers.
or arms of the sea could be easily reclaimed. A great
deal of money has been very unnecessarily expended in
making very deep drains in bogs. One deep drain
only is generally sufficient to intercept the water flow-
ing into the bog from higher ground. The chief im-
provement in bog is putting the surface, by frequent
turning in winter, into a state to be washed by the rains
of that season, assisted by alternate freezing and thaw-
ing. Nothing can be more erroneous than attempting
to cultivate red bog in hot weather, which, instead of
assisting in the decomposition, only converts it into turf
fit for burning, in which state it will remain undis-
solved and unproductive for many years. The objec-
458
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
tion generally made to cultivating bog in winter, of
not being able to get men to go on it at that season, may
be easily obviated by procuring wooden shoes, or ra-
ther shoes with wooden soles of birch, alder, or any
other light timber. These are a kind of shoes every
landed proprietor should introduce on his estate; they
are exceedingly cheap, last long, every countryman
can make them, and if properly shaped are as easy to
the feet as the generality of thick soled shoes worn by
country people: the chief art is giving the sole a turn
up at the toe like leather soles, instead of making them
to lye flat on the ground: they must be lightly shod
all round.
Much has been written on the subject of employing
the poor in the cultivation of bog by parliamentary
enactments. I have not seen any plan that is likely to
succeed; they have all failed to point out from whence
the funds for this purpose are to come, and many seem
entirely to forget that bogs are private property. Did
the landed proprietors consult their own interest, or
that of their posterity, it is with them the improvement
should originate.
In one of the public prints in 1820, it was with great
confidence stated that nothing could be made by
improving bog." This ignorant and presumptuous as-
sertion is so totally in the teeth of numberless proofs to
the contrary, that it would be waste of time to attempt
to refute it. I would advise the proprietor of that pa-
per to procure some person who is not so totally igno-
rant of rural economy as the editor seems to be, to write
for him on this subject.
Some years since I proposed the establishment of
a waste land company, and was authorised by some mo-
nied men to advertise for the purchase of waste land.
I had many proposals offering great tracts of highly
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
469
improvable ground on very advantageous terms, but
it vanished into thin air. After incurring a consider-
able expense in advertising and for postage, I found
that was all my reward. On stating, amongst other mat-
ters, the appointment of a person to conduct the im-
provements, I found that an affair of such magnitude
I was expected to conduct for a salary of fifty pounds a
year. I therefore retired in disgust, and the affair died
with Mr. Hamilton, the late secretary of the Farming
Society of Ireland. Notwithstanding the failure of this
attempt, I still think that, by a company with an ample
capital, is the only likely means to accomplish this very
very desirable object. It is unreasonable and unfeel-
ing to expect that the means for this improvement
should come from the public purse, that finds it so dif-
ficult to provide for those unavoidable demands on it,
that a long protracted war has necessarily occasioned.-
Note, it is a very curious thing to see algae of various
kinds, sea pink, and many other plants that usually
grow on rocks, flourishing in the banks of bogs, washed
by the sea, at high water mark, near Ardbear.
In Bartram's travels in West Florida, a work highly
esteemed for its veracity, we meet the following ac-
count of alluvial deposits, as difficult to be solved as the
formation of many of our bogs. "On our return
"home we called by the way at the Cliffs, which is a
66
perpendicular bank or bluff rising up out of the river
"nearly one hundred feet above the present surface of
"the water, whose active current sweeps along by it.
"From eight or nine feet below the loamy vegetable
"mould at top, to within 4 or 5 feet of the water, these
"cliffs present to view strata of clays, marle, and chalk
"of all colours, as brown, red, white, yellow, blue
"and purple; there are separate strata of these various
"colours, as well as mixed or party coloured; the
460
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
"lowest stratum next the water exactly of the same
“black rich soil as the adjacent low cypress swamps
"above and below the bluffs; and here in the cliffs we
66 see vast stumps of cypress and other trees, which at
"this day grow on those low wet swamps, and which
range on a level with them. These stumps are
"sound, stand upright, and seem to be rotted off about
"two feet above the spread of their roots; their trunks,
"limbs, &c. lie in all directions about them. But
"when these swampy forests were growing, and by
"what cause they were cut off and overwhelmed by
"the various strata of earth, which now rise above
"one hundred feet above the brink of the cliffs, and
"two or three times that height but a few hundred
"yards back, are enquiries perhaps not easily an-
"swered."
SECTION XXI.
HABITS OF INDUSTRY, OR WANT OF IT AMONGST THE
PEOPLE.
I HAVE had innumerable proofs, in my professional
pursuits, that the lower classes of this county cannot
with justice be accused of want of industry, when
working for themselves. When working for others they
do as little as they can, not only from a want of suffi-
cient remuneration, but from the lazy habits they are
permitted to grow up in from their boyhood, by the
indolent stewards of the country. I have had occasion
to mention this in another section. As there is no dif-
ference made in the wages of the industrious or indo-
lent, one of the chief inducements to exertion is with-
held. That they are extremely industrious may be
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
461
seen in numberless cases, in cleaning ground from
stones, of which they make immense piles and lose.
much land; if instead of this they could be induced to
bury them deep in the potato furrows, they would
find it a great improvement. If this practice is pur-
sued, the stones fit for building should be reserved.
In the improvement of bog they are also very indus-
trious, where they have any capital (which they sel-
dom have), and a sufficient length of tenure; but what can
be expected from a cottier that can scarcely exist, or
that, if he improves bog without having a lease, fur-
nishes the certain means of dispossessing himself, by
creating ground that will be measured on him by a
new agent ignorant of country affairs, or of the poor
man's exertions? Much bog has been reclaimed be-
tween Shannon-bridge and Ballinasloe by cottier te-
nants, and in many other parts of the county. Scarcely
a tenant near a bog that does not improve a little. In
Cunnamara a great change for the better has been
made in the habits of the people. When Mr. D'Arcey
went first to live in that country, he found it very dif-
ficult to find any person on his estate inclined to labour
for him. Indeed, prior to this happy era, there was
scarcely any demand for labourers; but now they are
at least as industrious as the inhabitants of any other
part of the county, and anxious to procure employ-
At a former period, smuggling alone occupied
the minds of every class, and their whole occupation
was either watching the approach of smuggling vessels
or revenue cruisers, or helping to unload the vessels
with singular despatch when they appeared, and dis-
tributing their ill-got ventures through the country.
Happily, at present, smuggling is little practised, and
a consequent improvement in manners has taken place.
The number of holy days which, from the way they
ment.
462
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
are usually observed, should rather be called idle days,
are a great drawback on industry. I have had occa-
sion to know frequently the sentiments of the Roman
Catholic clergy, and the best informed Catholic gen-
tlemen on this subject, and they were almost unanimous
in a wish, that they were translated to the following
Sunday; and it is not a little remarkable, that much
country work is performed on Sunday, that the lower
orders would scruple to do on some holy days, espe-
cially the lady days, of which I believe there are four
or five, and two of them in harvest. From the number
of holy days, the working days of Catholics cannot be
reckoned more than about 260, so that if we add the
Sundays, wet days, days at fairs, funerals, stations,
holy wells, patrons, weddings, &c. we may perceive
how few days are devoted to labour. Of the industry
of the higher ranks, I fear I cannot say much; many
are possessed of a "bastard industry, that prompts to
activity without ever thinking of consequences." In
the pursuit of any thing amusing they are wonderfully
active, but an industrious attention to the improvement
of their lands is rather a rare quality. There are
many praiseworthy exceptions to this character, even
of those of the highest ranks, and I trust we shall
shortly see many more; I ardently hope, that before
long they will feel the delights resulting from a system
of farming, combining pleasure with profit; and that
they will pay no attention to the unfounded assertion
of those who, wanting skill or perseverance, maintain
that a gentleman can make nothing by tillage farming.
The fact seems to be, that it requires more attention
than they are inclined to bestow; whilst the grazing
system requires little of either skill or trouble. I feel
great pleasure in noticing the praiseworthy encourage-
ment given to his tenants by Mr. Blake of French-
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY,
463
fort, and also the spirit and intelligence with which
this has been embraced by his tenant, John King (near
Merlin Park), whose farm is or was in 1812 conducted
in a very superior style of cropping and cleanliness.
Every thing about him comfortable and clean, his corn
and fuel drawn to the well-enclosed haggard long be-
fore others have their corn stacked, or their turf cut.
SECTION XXII.
USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, WHETHER GENERAL
OR HOW FAR INCREASING.
THE use of the English language is increasing ra-
pidly all through the county, but in no part more than
in Cunnamara, and generally with a good accent. Many
are emigrants from English and Scotch regiments, of
which the Scotch Fencibles furnished many highly use-
ful members. A considerable number are those who
have evaded the pursuit of their landlords or other cre-
ditors, from many different parts of Ireland, particularly
from the north, a few years since, when "to hell or
Connaught," was the charitable denunciation of that un-
happy period. It is somewhat curious that near Gal-
way, and particularly in the town (at the Cloddagh),
many do not speak English, but a harsh Irish, not very
well understood in general. It has been generally al-
lowed that the following scale may be given of the merit
of the different dialects of the Irish language:
"The
natives of Ulster have the right phrase, but not the
pronunciation. Munster the pronunciation but not the
phrase. Leinster has neither. Connaught has both."
Many understand English, who, from an apprehension
464
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they do not speak correctly, deny their knowledge of
it. A witness at an assizes at Galway was proceeding
to swear, in good English, that he could not speak a
word of it, he meant that he did not speak English suf-
ficiently well to give his testimony in that language.
English is always spoken in the country schools, as the
parents are anxious their children should speak it. I
may therefore safely assert that the English language is
gaining ground fast. In the next generation there will
not probably be a gentlemen that will be able to speak
Irish. It is remarkable that the most ignorant Irish-
man speaks in general the most correctly grammatical
in his own language, and I believe, on a comparison with
the natives of many shires in England, where they speak
the most unintelligible jargon, he has no cause for much
apprehension.
SECTION XXIII.
account of towers, castles, &c. or pLACES REMARK-
ABLE FOR ANY HISTORICAL EVENT.
THERE are many old castles, or rather castellated
houses, for of those that really can be called castle, I
believe Portumna, built by the Burkes, is the only one.
Before the arrival of Henry II. there were not more
than four or five, except those built in cities. Probably
the first building of this kind in Ireland of lime and
stone was the castle of Tuam in 1161, by Roderick
O'Connor, monarch of Ireland, and for that reason was
called Castrum mirificum. In Henry eighth's reign there
were upwards of five hundred of these small castellated
houses; and since that period, chiefly in the reigns of
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
465
Anne and Elizabeth, they multiplied exceedingly.
“Queen Elizabeth's ministers obliged every grantee to
construct a castle, fort, or bawn, for the protection of
his family and tenants. The common small square
castles were the residence of English undertakers, and
all those built before the reign of James the First were
executed by English masons, and on English plans."
They are, with few exceptions, small, gloomy, and un-
comfortable, and only calculated for defence by the
English settlers against sudden incursions of the op-
pressed natives, or in the warfare carried on by different
opposite chieftains who lived by plundering each other.
When Cromwell arrived here he demolished the greater
part of them, and a happy change in the manners of
the people prompting landed proprietors to advance
considerably in the comforts and appearance of their
houses, they have continued to advance in refinement,
not only in the mode of building, but in the arrange-
ment and furnishing of them. In Cunnamara are the
castles of Renvyle, Doon, Ard, Ballynahinch, and
Bunown, the ancient seat of the O'Flahertys, one of
whom, Murrough O'Flaherty, used to get on the hill
of Bunown, which hangs over the sea, and "declare.
war against all the potentates in the world, but especially
against that pitiful, pettyfogging (it seems even at a re-
mote period we have had pettyfoggers) town of Gal-
way;" and his dependants used to say "Murrough is
angry and there will be bloody work." Aghnenure,
within two miles of Oughterard, was a place of some
consequence; it was anciently a seat of the O'Flahertys,
and at a later period inhabited by the Earl of Clan-
rickard, who dates several of his letters from it; one on
the 20th October, 1651: it was of considerable strength,
according to the mode of attack of that early period
A river, communicating with Lough Corrib, runs under
H H
466
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the castle; and tradition says that there was a bell
attached to a trap in the kitchen for catching salmon,
which gave notice to the cook when the fish was caught.
Lord Clanrickard also dates some of his letters from
Ierrylan, a large ruined castle opposite to the town of
Galway. On the 7th March, 1650, the Marquis of
Clanrickard gave audience to the Duke of Lorrain's
ambassador at this castle. It is a curious circumstance
that this lord always, in his letters to the Irish commis-
sioners at Galway, used the words we and our. In one
of his letters from this castle, he says:-" Whilst I was
in treaty with lord Forbes, the commander of a parlia-
ment ship of war, and though lord Ranelagh, president
of Connaught, was then in the fort of Galway, I saw the
country on fire, my tenants' houses and goods burned,
and four or five poor innocent creatures, men, women,
and children, inhumanly murdered by Forbes's soldiers,
who having taken possession of Lady's Church in Gal-
way, the ancient burial place of the town, did, upon
their departure, not only deface it, but digged up the
graves, and burned the coffins and bones of those that
were buried there." It is said that the castle of Cregg
was the last erected in this county; it was built in 1648
by an ancestor of our celebrated countryman, Richard
Kirwan, who in Cromwell's usurpation received the
thanks of General Ireton, and a permission under his
hand and seal to carry arms, in consequence of the pro-
tection he afforded to the protestants in 1641. The
castle of Kinvara is in good preservation. There is the
remains of a round castle between Gort and Kilmac-
duagh: I mention it as not being common. The cas-
tle of Athenry was built by Bermingham, and seems to
have been of considerable magnitude. The castles of
Loughrea, Castleconnel, and Portumna were built by
the Burkes. There are a multitude of other castles
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
467
that I either do not recollect, or are not worthy of fur-
ther notice, except Lynch's castle at the upper four cor-
ners in Galway, inhabited by most respectable woollen
drapers of that name;-the ancient Fitzgerald arms,
and underneath, badly cut, the figure of an ape with a
child in its paws. In Cox's History of Ireland, page
85, it is written, that Thomas Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald,
lord justice, was nicknamed, "Nappagh, Simiacus, or
the ape, because when his father and grandfather were
murdered at Callan, the servants, on the news of it, run
out of the house as if distracted, and left this Thomas in
the cradle; whereupon an ape that was kept in the
house took up the child and carried it to the top of the
castle of Traly, and brought him down safe and laid
him in the cradle, to the admiration of all the beholders."
-On consulting Mr. Hardiman's drawing of this castle,
the ape and child may be plainly perceived under the
coat of arms.
ROUND TOWERS.
THOSE round towers, which have so much puzzled
antiquarians, are to be found in the following places :--
Ballygaddy, Kilbannon, Kilmacduagh, Meelick, Mur-
rough, and Ardrahan; of that of Kilbannon about fifty
feet remain, the door about twelve feet from the ground.
-Note, there is an uncommonly fine and copious spring
well near this tower.-The tower of Kilmacduagh,
which is of great height, leans, I am informed, upwards
of seventeen feet from the perpendicular, and I fear,
from the cracks in the wall in several places, we shall
lose one of the finest specimens of this curious archi-
tecture in Ireland. I discovered one at Murrough,
about two miles to the southward of Galway on the sea
coast; I believe it escaped the research of Dr. Ledwich
HH 2
468
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
and Dr. Beaufort. Also the remains of another very
small one near the church of Ardrahan, which I believe
also escaped their notice; it is the smallest I have ever
seen. About forty feet of that at Murrough remains;
it is only about ten feet in diameter in the clear; the
walls four feet thick; the door about six feet from the
ground: there are courses of stone to rest the timbers
of the floor on. To attempt to say for what purpose
those very curious structures were erected, at a period
so remote as to baffle all enquiry, would be in me very
great presumption. One eminent antiquarian thinks
they were erected long before the churches were con-
structed of permanent masonry, or covered with any
thing but thatch. Another antiquarian, of great cele-
brity, maintains they were built by the worshipers of
fire; this opinion seems to gain some countenance from
Hanway's travels in Persia, where he mentions four
temples at Sari, formerly belonging to the Gebers or
fire worshipers, who formerly inhabited all this coast:
these edifices are made of the most durable materials,
and are rotund, and about thirty feet in diameter, raised
to a point of near 120 feet in height.
Another very general idea seems to be, that they
were belfries; if this was their use, it must have been
at a period not so very remote as generally imagined,
for Strabo says, that bells were first suspended in the
ninth century; others say, that bells were invented by
Bishop Paulinus, of Campania, in the year 400. It is
probable, from their different size and finishing, those
towers were erected at different periods, and at some
after period, probably, were used as belfries. If they
were originally intended for this use, why make the
doors from 12 to 20 feet from the ground? There are
many who maintain that they were built for places of
penance, in imitation of St. Daniel the stylite, who
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
469
after the example of St. Simeon, determined to take up
his residence on the top of a pillar: for this purpose
a friend built him two pillars, connected with iron bars,
and on these another pillar, surmounted with a vessel
surrounded with a bullustrade. The lord of the
ground, about 463, built him another pillar, higher and
larger than the first, on which he lived until he was 80.
years of age, and died on it. The prince built a third
pillar, joined to the other two, and placed a roof over it•
That this pillar was of some size, and accessible, is evi-
dent from his saying mass on it, and from his receiv
ing visits from several, The Emperor Leo caused a
small monastery to be built for his disciples adjoining to
the pillar. It is probable that, from the fervour of their
piety, they might have exceeded each other in the
height of their pillars: at this day they are almost in-
variably contiguous to a church, and any that remain
at their original height are roofed, and holes for joists
are almost every where visible. I have thus thrown
together the different opinions on this subject, without
presuming to form any of my own, which could in
truth be worth little.
Raths, or as they are commonly called, Danish
forts, abound in this county; some are built of
large stones, but in general they are composed of
earth thrown up by digging a trench; in some few
instances a second and even a third trench was formed:
the bank was surmounted by a stake hedge. Though
they have been attributed to the Danes, it is more pro·
bable they were formed by the natives to protect them
from sudden incursions of the Danes, and from each
other; and as Ireland at that period was overrun with
wolves, many might have been used for protecting the
numerous herds of cattle, which constituted the chief
riches of Ireland, from those animals. The very mean-
ing of the word rath, security, shews for what pur-
470
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
pose they were constructed. Doubtless they were used
by the Danes to secure their plunder, and many might
have been thrown up for this purpose by them. " Dun
Engus, in the great island of Arran in the bay of Gal-
way, is seated on a high cliff over the sea, and in a
circle of monstrous stones without cement, capable of
containing 200 cows. The houses having been of
wood, have long since disappeared." The violence of
the surf is gradually undermining this highly interest-
ing monument of antiquity.-Note, it resembles very
much the Happahs or forts in the newly discovered
island in Hawksworth's voyages.
There are several Cromlechs,* or Druids' altars, as
they are frequently called; some of very rude work-
manship, which shews their high antiquity, and others
on which more pains have been bestowed. Some are
of one rude flag supported by equally rude pillars; in
others the flag is upheld by side flags; they are uni-
formly destitute of any inscription, which plainly
proves their erection at a very remote period. There
is a fine one in the demesne of Marble Hill, of one
stone 30 feet long by eight broad; it was much injured
by the hands of ignorance before the late Sir Thomas
Burke became possessed of the estate, as many of the
stones were taken for the purpose of building a common
well. It is strange the little interest many gentlemen
take in the records of antiquity, as to permit them to
be mutilated, or perhaps entirely demolished. Some-
times these Cromlechs are called Leabha Diarmuid is
Grane, or from some whimsical allusion, Darby and
Grane's bed. There can be little doubt they were
used for some religious ceremony of the Druids, and
* Grose says the derivation of Cromlech is from the Armoric word
Crum, crooked, and leh, a stone.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 471
in after times might have been imitated or used for
places of sepulture; but they are so different in their
form and workmanship as not to be mistaken. I do
not recollect to have seen any of those pillar stones
that are reckoned of such high antiquity, but that on
the Countess's hill near Dunsandle; tradition says it is
of a very remote period. A curious monument of an-
tiquity may be seen near the town of Loughrea, on
monument hill. There were formerly eight flat and rude
stones, about four feet high and two feet broad, ta-
pering to a rounded top; five are still standing, two
are lying flat, and one wanting; they are at equal dis-
tances, about seven yards asunder, in a circular mound
of earth raised about four feet above the adjoining
ground. In the centre there is a tumulus of earth
raised about two feet. There is a charming view from
this hill of Loughrea, the Shannon, Dalyston, the
Tipperary, Clare, Cunnamara, Mayo, and Burrin
mountains, Croagh Patrick, &c. &c. the foreground
uncommonly undulating and picturesque. There are
some vestiges of a circular entrenchment round the foot
of the hill. The interior of this stone henge should not,
I imagine, have been planted; the very shape should
have prevented it. About 300 yards to the S. W. of
this hill may be seen a very rude Cromlech, consisting
of two rude side stones, covered with a lozenge-shaped
stone about three feet broad and four long. I give this
from a note I made on the spot; but I have been since
informed, that there have been doubts about the anti-
quity of this fort, and it is asserted that it is of modern
date, and a mere imitation, a flight of fancy. If so it
does infinite credit to the designer; finding it in com-
pany of the Cromlech helps the idea of its originality.
472
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
PLACES REMARKABLE FOR ANY HISTORICAL EVENT-
"Lugad-Mac-Con, of the Ithian descent, being
vanquished in the battle of Kenfebrat by his father-in-
law and his forces, having spent some time in exile,
put into Galway with a great number of foreign aux-
illiaries; and seven days after his arrival, on a Thurs-
day (as Tigernach has accurately remarked), he ob-
tained a signal victory over king Arthur at Moy Mu-
croimhe, near Athenry, eight miles from Galway.
Forga, king of Connaught, amongst others, fell on
the side of Arthur; also on the same side seven ne-
phews of king Arthur. Lugadlaga, the brother of
Olill, but related to Lugad-Mac-Con by his mother,
and Ligum of the Fotharts (whom Arthur banished)
Lugad's companion in his exile, pursuing Arthur after
the battle, stood at a brook in Aidhnia, and attacking
him there, tumbled him to the earth, and as he lay
almost breathless, cut off his head, and brought it to
the conqueror. The brook has got the name of Turloch
Airt in commemoration of this action, which it retains
to this day, and is situate between Moyvacla and Kil-
cornan.
"Gno-more and Gno-beg, the two sons of Lugad,
fixed Delvin Feadha amongst the Cunmacnians, to
the west of Galway, (Cunnamara) between Lough
Orbsin (Lough Corrib) on the north, and Lough Lur-
gan (the bay of Galway) on the south, nine niles from
Thomond; their posterity have divided it into Gnonone
and Gnobeg, which are at this day comprehended
within the barony of Maycullen. The M'Conrys
(sons of the king), who are descended from Gno-beg,
within my recollection held lands in Gno-beg, under
the O'Flahertys, who for a series of 800 years past
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 473
have held the sovereignty of the Conmacnians and
Delvinians there."
*
About the centre of Lough Corrib is an island called
Innishgoile, about a mile in circumference, and thickly
inhabited. In the middle of this isle there is a very
ancient church yard, and the ruins of an old dwelling
house, which oral tradition and many corroborating
circumstances represent as the retired abode of the
heads of some monastic order in ages past. The island
contains also an old chapel, dedicated to the memory
of St. Patrick. The different arches and entrances into
these buildings were of the common Saxon order, and
the stones of which they are composed are carved into
human features, and one of a red gritty substance,
although there does not appear in the neighbourhood
a single vestige of any quarries of that description."
Such parts of these decayed edifices as now remain
are supported by woodbine and ivy, which entwine to-
gether, and forming a complete roof, present an un-
common picturesque appearance. The head stone of a
grave in the south west part of the island, having lately
attracted the attention of a military gentleman of much
information and research quartered near the spot, he
was induced to show it to an intelligent soldier of the
Tipperary militia, well acquainted with the Irish lan-
guage. The soldier, whose name is James O'Farrel,
has ingeniously decyphered and translated the inscrip-
tion upon it. It is written, he says, in the hard Irish,
or virgin characters (the Ogham), and is in English
"underneath this stone lye Goill, Ardan, and Sionan."
These three are supposed to have been brothers, and
* I think I have seen the same kind of stone in the door of Tuam
cathedral, in Dunbrody Abbey, in the county of Wexford, and many other
similar places. H. D.
474
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
the island it is believed was called after Goill, the eldest
of them, who was the chief in the religious order on
it, and esteemed for exemplary piety and devotion.
There is no mention made of Innishgoile in Sir James
Ware's Antiquities of Ireland, nor do we remember
to have seen any notice taken of it by Dr. Ledwich, or
any other writer upon the subject, although many ex-
traordinary traditions respecting this island are afloat,
the truth of which is in many instances strengthened
by strong corroborative testimonies: amongst others,
the following is rather singular (if true). The noise
of beasts and birds upon the island is said to have been
so loud and so often repeated, as frequently to have
interrupted the devotional exercises; in consequence
of which an earnest appeal was made to heaven, and
although the place still contains many of the quadruped
and winged species, the former is not heard to bellow,
nor the latter to warble. How unlucky that this ex-
emption was not extended further; what a demand there
would have been for wives from this island !-The
above was extracted from a Galway paper.
SECTION XXIV.
LIST OF PARISHES.
Ardagh, Rectory,
Athenry, ditto.
Addergoole, Vicarage.
Annadown, ditto.
Ardruhan, ditto.
Abbeygormagan, ditto.
Aghrim, ditto.
0
1
a Church.
Church.
Impropriate.
Church and Glebe.
Church and Glebe.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
475
Arranmore, Rectory.
Ballymacward, Vicarage.
Ballynacourtney, ditto.
Buiowna, Rectory.
Ballynakill, ditto.
Ballynakill, Vicarage.
Ballynakill, Rector and Vicarage.
Ballynakelly, Rector.
Church.
Impropriate.
Bellelare, Vicarage.
Ballane, ditto.
Beagh, Rectorage.
Glebe.
Ballindown, ditto.
Clonkeen, Vicarage.
Clonbraen, Rectorage.
Carrigin, ditto.
Clare, Vicarage.
Church.
Clonthuiscart, ditto.
Glebe.
Clonfert, ditto.
Church.
Clonish, ditto.
Drumacroe, ditto.
Dunmore, ditto.
Dunamon, ditto.
Donaghpatrick, Rectorage.
Duras, Vicarage.
Donenaghta, ditto.
Doneny, ditto.
Foghena, ditto.
Faghy, ditto.
Galway, ditto.
Isserkelly, ditto.
Inniscultra, ditto.
Innisbofir, Rectorage.
Innismain, ditto.
Innishere, ditto.
Killimordaly, Vicarage.
·
Church.
Impropriate.
Glebe.
Glebe.
Church.
Glebe.
Church.
476
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Kilconnel, Vicarage.
Kilcluny, ditto.
Kilgerril, ditto.
Killikineen, ditto.
Kilcolgan, ditto.
Church.
Killeroan, ditto.
Kilbegnet, ditto.
Impropriate.
Impropriate.
Kilconla, ditto.
Kilbennon, ditto.
Kilkerrin, Rectorage.
Kileroran, Vicarage.
Kilyhan, ditto.
Church.
Impropriate.
Impropriate.
Kilesolan, Rectorage and Vicarage. Church.
Killoscobe, Vicarage.
Kileroran, Rectorage.
Knockmay, ditto.
Kilmaglan, ditto.
Kilbennan, Vicarage.
Kilower, Rectorage.
Kilkilvery, ditto.
Kilfursa, ditto.
Kileny, ditto.
Kilcornagh, ditto.
Kilily, Vicarage.
Kinvaru, ditto.
Kilinvura, ditto.
Kileney, ditto.
Killartan, ditto.
1
Church.
Church.
Glebe.
Church and Glebe.
Glebe.
Kiltullagh, ditto.
Kilconiran, ditto.
Kilora, ditto.
Glebe.
Kilconickny, ditto
Church.
Kilogellan, ditto.
Kilchrist, ditto.
Glebe.
Kilnadeema, ditto
Glebe.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 477
Kilrickle, Vicarage.
Kilmeen, ditto.
Kilane, ditto.
Kilelaghton, ditto.
Kiloran, ditto.
Kiltormer, ditto.
Kilcooly, ditto.
Kilquane, ditto.
Kilinan, ditto.
Kilthomas, Rectorage.
Kilteskin, Vicarage.
Kilmolinoge, Rectorage.
Kilimore bulloge, ditto.
Kilmacduagh, ditto.
Kilcommon, Vicarage.
Killarmeen, ditto.
Liskeery, ditto.
Lackagh, ditto.
Lickrig, ditto.
Church and Glebe.
Church and Glebe.
Glebe.
Glebe.
Loughrea, Rectorage and Vicarage. Church and Glebe.
Leitrim, Vicarage.
Lickmolasky, Rec. and Vic.
Monivae, (no parish).
Moylough, Rectorage.
Meelick, Vicarage.
Moynes, Rectorage.
Church and Glebe.
Church.
Church and Glebe.
Moycullin, Vicarage.
Oranmore, ditto.
Ross, Rectorage.
Rahoon, Vic. (was formerly called St. James' parish.)
Stradbally, ditto.
Templetogher, Vicarage.
Tuam, ditto.
Church.
Teinagh, Rectorage
Church and Glebe.
Tienascragh, Vicarage.
Umond, Rectorage.
478
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION XXV.
ABBEYS-ECCLESIASTICAL DIVISIONS-RESIDENT CLERGY.
ARCHBISHOPS OF TUAM.
THE See of Tuam, containing 1,135,650 acres, was
united to Enachdoen or Annagh down in 1324, and the
see of Ardagh, formerly held in commendam with Kil-
more, held in commendam with it since 1742, at which
time the see of Kilfenora, which was held in commen-
dam with Tuam, was joined to Killaloe to be held in
commendam with that see. This see is valued in the
king's books, by an extent returned anno 28th Elizabeth,
at £50. sterling. The chapter consists of Dean, Arch-
deacon, Provost, and eight Prebendaries; there are five
Stipendiaries. The church is dedicated to St. Iarlath,
the son of Loga, who is looked upon as the first founder
of the cathedral of Tuam, anciently called Tuaim-da-
Gualand; it was afterwards dedicated to his memory
and called Teampul Iarlath, or Iarlath's church: the
time of its foundation is placed about the beginning of
the sixth century. In the year 1152 this cathedral was,
by the aid and assistance of Tirdalvac O'Connor, king
of Ireland, rebuilt by Edan O'Hoisin first archbishop of
Tuam, at least the first who had the use of the pall; for
some of his predecessors are sometimes called bishops of
Connaught, and sometimes archbishops by Irish his-
torians, although they were not invested with the pall.
Some of the succeeding bishops built a new choir, and
afterwards converted this church into the nave or body
of the present church. The bishoprick of Mayo was
united and annexed to Tuam in 1559.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 479
Anno.
St. Iarlath sat in (he died in 540)
501
St. Briacas or Baecain (commemorated in
Arran 1st May)
502
Ferdomnach,
died
781
Eugene Macclerig,
do.
969
Murchad O'Nioc,
do.
1033
Aid O'Hoisin,*
do.
1080
Erchad O'Molomair,
do.
1086
Cormac O'Carail,
do.
1092
Catasach O'Cnail or O'Conuil,
do.
1118
Murgesius O'Nisc,
do.
1122
Donald O'Dubhai,
do.
1150
Maurice or Muredach O'Dubhai,
do.
1150
Edan O'Hoisin, (succeeded in 1150)
do.
1161
Catholicus O'Dubhai,
succeeded
1161
Felix O'Ruodan, a Cistertian monk,
1201
Marian O'Loghnan, dean,
1235
Florence Macflin, chancellor,
1250
Walter de Salern, dean of St. Paul's,
London,
1257
Thomas O'Connor, translated from El-
phing
1259
Stephen Fulburn, translated from Water-
ford,
1286
William De Bermingham,
1289
Malachy Macaeda,
1313
Thomas O'Carroll, Archdeacon of Cashel,
translated to Cashel,
1349
John O'Grady, Archdeacon of Cashel,
1365
Gregory,
translated from Elphin,
1372
Note.-He was fined £100. for not ap-
* It is remarkable that several of this name (now called Hessian) live
in and near Tuam.
480
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Anno.
pearing upon summons at a par-
liament held at Castle Dermott in
1377. He was deprived in
1386
Willam O'Cormacain, translated against
his will to Clonfert,
1386
Maurice O'Kelly, translated from Clonfert,
1394
The See vacant from 1407 to 1410.
John Babynghe, Dominican friar,
1410
Cornelius, Franciscan friar,
1411
John Batterly, Dominican friar,
1427
Thomas O'Kelly, translated from Clonfert,
1438
John De Burgho,
1441
Donat O'Murry, Augustin Canon,
1458
William Shioy, or Ioy,
1485
Philip Pinston, Franciscan friar,
1503
Maurice De Portu, alias O'Fihely, Fran-
ciscan friar,
1506
Thomas O'Mullally, or Lally,
1531
Christopher Bodekine, translated from
Kilmacduagh,
1536
William Lally, Dean of Tuam, at the
Nehemiah Donnelan, (resigned in 1609,)
William Daniel,
same time he held Enaghdune,
Rodolph Barlow, Dean of Christ Church,
Richard Boyle, translated from Cork,
John Maxwell, translated from Killala
and Achonry,
He died in 1646; he was most barbarously
treated by the rebels both at Kil-
lala and Tuam. The See re-
mained vacant until the resto-
ration of King Charles II.
1573
1595
1609
1629
1639
1645
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 481
Samuel Pullen, Dean of Clonfert,
He also held the bishoprick of Kil-
fenora in commendam.
John Parker, translated from Elphin,
translated to Dublin,
John Vesey, translated from Limerick,
Edward Synge, translated from Raphoe,
Josiah Hort, translated from Kilmore and
Ardagh
He held the See of Ardagh in commen-
dam with this See, and it has gone
along with it in like manner ever
since.
John Ryder, translated from Down and
Connor,
Anno.
1660
1667
1678
1716
1742
1752
Jemmet Browne, translated from Elphin,
1775
Honorable Joseph Deane Burke, trans-
lated from Leighilin and Ferns,
Honorable William Beresford, (Baron
1782
Decies,)
1794
Honorable Power Trench,
1820
Note.-In Mr. Hardiman's history of Gal-
way, he says, "the late Archbishop
Skerrett of Tuam," was descended
from the tribe of Skerrett. By
the above list it does not appear
that one of that name ever was an
Archbishop of Tuam.
It has been said that in the year 487 an abbey was
founded here and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which,
in the beginning of the sixth century, was made a ca-
thedral by St. Iarlath, and a city was afterwards built
here in honor of this exemplary bishop, whose remains
I I
482
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
were preserved in a chapel called Teampul-na-Scrine,
or the church of the shrine. After the death of this
saint we find express mention made of three persons
who were abbots of Tuam, viz. Cellagh, son of Eochad,
who died in the year 808; Nuadat-Huo-Bolchain, ab-
bot and anchorite, who died 3d October, 877; and
Gonach, son of Kiaran, abbot of Tuam and prior of
Clonfert: he died in 879.
CLONFERT.
THE See of Clonfert," containing 270,000 acres, to
which the See of Kilmacduagh has been united since
the year 1602, is valued in the king's books by an ex-
tent returned, anno 28th Elizabeth, at £80. The chap-
ter of Clonfert consists of a Dean, Archdeacon, Sacrist
or Treasurer, and nine Prebendaries.
St. Brendon, the son of Finlogue, contemporary with
St. Brendon of Birr, and his fellow student, founded an
abbey at Clonfert, near the Shannon, A. D. 558, over
which he was abbot himself, and was buried in it after a
life of 93 years; he died at Enachdune on Sunday
the 16th May, 577, from whence his body was conveyed
to Clonfert, and there interred.+ His life is extant in
jingling monkish metre in the Cotton Library at West-
minster. In his time the cathedral of Clonfert, famous
in ancient times for its seven altars, was founded. Col-
gan makes St. Brendon the founder and first bishop of
Clonfert, and says that he abdicated and placed St.
Moana in his rooms; others again say that Moana
was the first bishop.
* Clonfert signifies, in Irish, a wonderful den or retirement. It was
also called Via nova. No female was permitted to enter into the abbey.
+ He had been principal of the abbey of St. Mary of Portpure, in
Galway, which was then a college much resorted to.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
483
We find in the Ulster annals under the year 571 or
572, the death of the first Bishop of this see, thus re-
marked: "Moana, Bishop of Clonfert; Brenain went
to rest." Brendon being yet alive, the day of Moæna's
death is placed on the first of March. His true name
was Nennius or Nennia, but it is common with the
Irish to add the monosyllable mio, which signifieth
mine, to the proper name of their saints, out of re-
spect and tenderness.
St. Moæna
Fintan Corach flourished about the close
of the sixth century.
Anno.
Died 571
St. Senach Garbh,
620
St. Colman, the son of Comgal,
620
Cummin Fodhu or long Cummin,
662
Rutmel, called Prince and Bishop of
Clonfert,
825
Cathald Mac Cormac,
861
Cormac Mac Ædain,
921
Gilla Mac Aiblin,
1116
Petero O'Mordai, Cistertian Monk, drowned
1171
Mætisa Mac Award, died
1173
Malcallen,
1181
Thomas,
1248
Cormac or Charles O'Lumlin,
1259
Thomas O'Kelly,
1263
The See vacant almost three years.
John, an Italian, the Pope's Nuncio,
1266
Translated to the Archbishoprick of
Benevento.
Robert, a Monk of Christ Church, Canter-
bury,
1296
Gregory O'Brogy, Dean,
1308
1 12
484
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Anno.
Robert Le Petit, Franciscan Friar, 1319,
deprived,
1321
John Lean, Archdeacon of Tuam,
1322
The See vacant almost 60 years.
Thomas O'Kelly, a secular Priest,
1347
Maurice O'Kelly, a secular Priest,
David Come, Franciscan Friar,
1378
1398
At this time the Pope translated Wil-
liam O'Cormacain, Archbishop of
Tuam, to this See; but the Arch-
bishop took this so much to heart,
that he neglected to expedite his
bull of translation in due time,
and was therefore deprived.
Thomas O'Kelly, translated to Tuam,
1415
John Heyn, Franciscan Friar, provin-
vincial of that order in Ireland
1438
Thomas De Burgo,
1444
Cornelius O'Mullady, Franciscan Friar,
translated from Emly,
1447
Cornelius O'Cunlio, translated from
Emly,
1448
Mathew Mac Raik,
1507
David De Burgo, a secular Priest,
1508
Dennis, a Franciscan Friar,
1509
Richard Nangle, Provincial of Augustine
hermits in Ireland,
536
Roland De Burgo, Dean of Clonfert
1541
Stephen Kirovan or Kirwan, Archdea-
con of Enachdune,
1582
Roland Lynch, Archdeacon of Clonfert,
He held this in commendam; he also
1602
most fradulently alienated much of
the lands of both Sees.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
485
(The See vacant for near two years.)
Robert Dawson, Dean of Down,
William Bayley, (he did not get pos-
session until the Restoration)
Edward Wolley,
(The See vacant from 1684 to 1691.)
The Episcopal revenues were seized into
the hands of King James, and
paid to the Bishops of the Catho-
lic Religion.
William Fitzgerald, Dean of Cloyne,
Theophilus Bolton, Chancellor of St.
Patrick's, and Vicar General of
the Diocess of Dublin, translated
to Elphin,
Anno.
1627
1644
1664
1691
1722
Arthur Price, Dean of Ferns, translated
to Leighlin and Ferns,
1724
Edward Synge, Chancellor of St. Pa-
trick's, translated to Cloyne,
1730
Mordecai Carey, translated to Killala
and Aconry,
1731
John Whitcomb, Rector of Louth, in the
diocese of Armagh, translated to
Down 1735.
Arthur Smyth, Dean of Derry, tran-
slated to Down,
1752
Hon. Willian Carmichael, translated to
Ferns,
1753
William Gore, translated to Elphin,
1758
John Oswald, translated to Dromore,
Denis Cumberland, translated to Kil-
1762
more,
1763
Walter Cope, translated to Leighlin and
Ferns,
1773
486
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
John Law, translated to Elphin,
Christopher Butson,
Аппо
1782
1804
In the reign of Cormac king of Ulster, who was
killed in 257, Dunlong, king of Leinster, the son of
Ennyniagh, and great grandson of Cathic, king of
Ireland, attacking with more than savage cruelty a
boarding school at Clonfert, most inhumanely butchered
30 young ladies of the first distinction, with their 300
maids; whereupon king Cormac put to death twelve
Dynasts of Leinster, who were associates in the assas-
sination, and exacted the Borian mulct of king Tua-
thal from the Laganians, with an additional encrease.
KILMACDUAGH.
Kilmacduagh was united to Clonfert in the year
1602, and held in commendam with that see.
This see is valued in the king's books, by an extent
returned anno 28th Elizabeth, at £13. 6s. 8d. Irish
money, amounting to £10. sterling.
num ;
The chapter of Kilmacduagh consists at present, as
I am informed, of a Dean, Archdeacon, Provost,
Chanter, Treasurer, and two Prebendaries; they have
no lands nor chapter seal that I could get any account
of, and one of the prebends is worth but £30. per an-
but in ancient books of visitation there are four
more prebendaries mentioned. The church of Duagh
is indebted for its original to St. Colman, the son of
Duagh. He was descended from a noble family of
Connaught, the ancient chiefs of Fir Malgaid, and
very nearly related to Guair king of that country. To
distinguish him from other Colmans, his contemporaries,
he was usually called after his father Mac Duagh, or
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
487
the son of Duagh. He was very fond of an ascetic
life, and is said to have lived in a wilderness in the
South part of Connaught seven years with only one
companion. From this life of retirement he was in the
end made a bishop, and fixed his see in a place which
from his surname was called Kilmacduagh, or the
church of the son of Duagh. This church was en-
dowed with large possessions by Guair king of Con-
naught, and his successors.
St. Colman flourished about the close of the sixth
century or beginning of the seventh; his festival is kept
on the third February. The following is a very im-
perfect catalogue of the bishops of Kilmacduagh.
*
Anno.
St. Colman, promoted about
620
Indrect,
died
814
Rugnad O'Ruadan,
1178
Odo, Chanter,
1227
Gelasius Mac Scælaga,
died
1249
Maurice Ileyan,
1283
David O'Ledaghan,
1290
Laurence O'Laughnan, Cistertian Monk,
1306
Luke,
1325
John
Dean,
1347
Nicholas,
1371
Gregory Ileyhan
died
1395
Nicholas Ileyhan, Dominican Friar,
1399
John Icomaid
1401
John Abbott, of Curcumore, confessed by the
Pope,
1418
An ancient Crosier, said to have belonged to St. Colman, is in the
possession of an old woman at Kilconnel; she makes a livelihood by
shewing it, and frequently disputed points are settled by an oath on the
Crosier, and it is said the veneration for it has hitherto prevented perjury
488
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Anno
Cornelius, resigned,
1502
Mathew, Archdeacon of Killaloe,
1503
Christopher Bodekine, translated to Tuam,
and held this See in commendam
1533
Stephen Kirovan, translated to Clonfert,
1578
Roland Lynch,
The See vacant for five years after his
translation.
In 1606 he was translated to Clonfert, and
held this See in commendam, and
they have ever since gone to-
gether.
1583
KNOCKMOY ABBEY.
THIS Abbey, about six miles from Tuam, was founded
in 1189 by Cathal O'Connor, surnamed Croove-derg,
or red hand. He was king of Connaught, and resent-
ing the imperious behaviour of Hugh De Lacey, Lieu-
tenant of Ireland, summoned the Irish chieftans to
attack the English in every quarter. Almeric St. Law-
rence, who had been informed of his danger by De
Courcy, marched to Ulster, but was intercepted by
O'Connor, and he and his men cut off, after having
killed about 1000 of the Irish. In the height of the
battle, O'Connor vowed to build an Abbey in his own.
country if he was successful, and he therefore erected
this abbey, in Irish Cnoc Mugha, the hill of slaugh-
ter, and by monkish writers called Monasteriun de
colle victoriæ. It was bestowed on the Cistertians,
the habit of which order the founder took on him, and
dying in 1224, was interred in his own abbey. The
most curious remains at Knockmoy are the fresco
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
489
paintings which adorn the monument of O'Connor ;
one compartment represents Christ on the cross, ano-
ther exhibits six kings, three deceased and three living;
of the latter he in the middle is Roderick O'Connor,
Monarch of Ireland. He holds in his hand the seam-
roge or shamrock, a plant greatly regarded by the
Irish, from a legendary tradition, that St. Patrick em-
blematically set forth to them the mystery of the Tri-
nity, by that three leaved grass (white clover). This
also expressed his being lord proprietor of the soil of
the kingdom. The princes on each side are his vassals;
he with the hawk on his fist is his grand falconer, the
other with the sword his grand Marshal; these held
their land by grand serjeantry. Below them sits a
brehon with his roll of laws, having pronounced sen-
tence of death on Mac Murrogh's son, for the crime
of his father having joined the English, (see Giraldus
Cambrensis, p. 770). The boy is tied to a tree, and
two archers are executing the sentence, his body being
transfixed by arrows. This supplied a good hint to
such Irish chiefs as deserted their natural prince.
do not believe these paintings are as old as the age of
O'Connor; they seem rather to have been executed in
the 17th century, when the confederate Catholics pos-
sessed themselves of the abbey, which they every
where repaired, and in many instances adorned with
elegant sculptures." "The fresco paintings were ex-
"ecuted in the 17th century, when the confederate
"Catholics repaired those abbeys and chapels, and
"when they had the aid of Italian and other foreign
"architects and artists to execute any history they
"should propose." Probably this conjecture is un-
founded; for it is scarcely possible that any Italian
would execute such daubing. It appears more likely
they only renewed the original, and as a proof of their
66 I
490
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
taste, left them unaltered from the rude pencil of an-
tiquity. They bear some resemblance, I imagine, to
the rude sketches of the Peruvians and Mexicans at
the period they were cursed with the civilization of
Cortes and his followers. The tomb of O'Connor has
been greatly injured by people at funerals, the fresco
paintings are growing very faint, and in a very few
years will be entirely obliterated. In the reign of
Henry VIII. Hugh O'Kelly, Abbot of Knockmay,
surrendered that abbey, and made his submission to the
king; he also covenanted to furnish the king with 60
horse, and a battle of galloglasses, and 60 kern, when
the Lord Deputy comes to Connaught, and with 12
horse and 24 kern any where out of Connaught, and
so that abbey was granted to him during pleasure. In
1620 Val. Blake held this abbey and its appurtenances.
It is now the estate of John Blake Forster, Esq. of Ash-
field. The masonry of this fine abbey is of superior
workmanship, and quite different in the ornaments
from any others I have seen; some beautiful remains of
capitals, &c. may be seen scattered about the church-
yard. The stone of which the columns are made seems
to be of a softer and finer kind of limestone than any
in the neighbourhood, and the mouldings seem to be
a composition of limestone. The wretched state in
which this fine ruin is permitted to be by the pro-
prietor of the estate, does but little credit to his taste.
Until lately there was for many years a skeleton ex-
hibited, (not much to the credit of family feelings) said
to be that of Lady Evelina French, whose tomb is in
the abbey. It has been very properly re-interred.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 491
ABBEYS AND MONASTERIES IN RUINS.
ABBEYS AND PRIORIES OF REGULAR CANONS OF
ST. AUGUSTINE.
Tuam Abbey-founded by St. Jarlath, or Hierlatius
(Iarlath, according to the Irish pronunciation)
in the 5th century. He was of the noble family
of the Dalfiatuses.
Tuam-Priory of St. John the Baptist, founded by
Terlogh O'Connor, king of Ireland, about 1140.
Cluan Fois-Abbey founded by St. Iarlath before
mentioned, in the 5th century.
Arran-In the great island of Arran in the bay of Gal-
way-Abbey founded by St. Endeus, A. D. 449.
Tradition says that Engus, king of Cashel,
about 490, granted the great isle of Arran,
called Arran Naomh, or Arran of the Saints, to
Saint Enna or Endeus to build ten churches on.
Another author says in 480.
Kill Conoil-Abbey founded by St. Conail in the 5th
century.
Clonfert-Priory of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded
by St. Brendon, A. D. 558.
Killmacduagh-Abbey founded by St. Colman Mac
Duagh, the first bishop of Killmacduagh in the
6th century.
Inis-Mac-hua-Cuin-(an island in Lough Corrib) Abbey
founded by St. Brendon of Clonfert, in the
6th century.
Rathmat, near Lough Corrib-Abbey founded by St.
Fursa, abbott in the same century. There is now
492
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
there a parish church in ruins called Killfursa,
from this Saint.*
Kill-Cuanna-Abbey founded by St. Cuanna in the
sixth century.
Imaidh or Immagh, (now called Omey,) an island on
the coast-Abbey founded by St. Fechin in the
seventh century.†
Ardoilen, (probably high island,) another island on the
coast, anciently called Iris Arthair-Abbey found-
ed by the same saint in the seventh century, St.
Gormgul was a monk here, and lived in great
veneration; he died in 1017.
Clountouiskart-O'Muny - Abbey founded by Saint
Broaden, Abbott of it, who died in 809.
Aghrim--Abbey of St. Catherine, founded by Theobald
Walter, first Butler of Ireland in the thirteenth
century.
Monaster O'Gormagan-Abbey of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, mentioned in a record of 1308; this Ab-
bey was founded by an Irish nobleman of the
name of O'Gormagan.
MONASTERIES AND NUNNERIES OF CANONESSES
OF THE ORDER OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
Enachdune (Anneighdown)-Monastery of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, founded by St. Brendan in the
sixth century.
* In Dr. Beaufort's ecclesiastical Map of Ireland it is called Killursa,
instead of Killfursa; it is situated near the confines of the Co. of Mayo,
on the East side of Lough Corrib.
✦ There is a curious rude altar near a burial place on the cast side of
this island; also a chapel in ruins, probably this abbey. It is now almost
covered with sand, and probably will totally disappear in a few years.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 493
ABBEYS AND PRIORIES OF THE ORDER OF THE
CANONS REGULAR PRÆMONSTRATENSES.
Tuam-Abbey of the most Holy Trinity, founded by the
Burkes in the thirteenth century.
PRIORIES AND PRECEPTORIES OF KNIGHTS HOS-
PITALLERS OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JE-
RUSALEM.
Kilnalekin-Preceptory of St. John the Baptist, founded
by the O'Flahertys, formerly kings of Iarcon-
naught, in the thirteenth century.
BENEDICTINE NUNNERIES.
Kilcreunata, alias De Casta Sylva-Monastery found-
ed by Cathaldus O'Connor, called Croovederg
in Irish, king of Connaught, about the year 1200.
Ardcane was a cell of this order.
CISTERTIAN OR BENEDICTINE ABBEYS, EXTANT AT
THE TIME OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE MONAS-
TERIES IN IRELAND.
Knockmoy-Abbey of St. Mary de colle victoriæ, found-
ed by Charles O'Connor, called Croovederg,
king of Connaught in 1189 or 1190; others say
in 1200. He there took the habit of a Bernardine
or Cistertian, and was buried there. This house
was a daughter of the Abbey of Boyle, of the
line of Clairvaux. In 1262 Thomas O'Connor,
Archbishop of Tuam, united the rectory of Ider-
494
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
mada to this abby, with the consent of the lord
of Idormada.
CONVENTS OF THE FRIARS PREACHERS, OR DOMI-
NICANS, COMMONLY CALLED BLACK FRIARS.
Athenry-Convent of St. Peter and St. Paul, founded
by Miler de Bermingham, the second Lord
Baron of Athenry, A. D. 1241. He died in
Munster, not far from Cashel, but was buried in
this church.
Portumna Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and
St. Peter and St. Paul, founded by the O'Mad-
dens, lords of the barony of Longford, before
1426.
Tombeola-Convent of St. Patrick, founded by the
O'Flahertys, kings of Iarconnaught, about 1427.
Galway-Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary given to
the Friars preachers of Athenry, by Pope Inno-
cent VIII. in 1488. It formerly belonged to
the Canons regular, Præmonstratenses of the
abbey of Tuam, and was founded by the O'Hal-
lorans.
CONVENTS OF THE FRANCISCANS, COMMONLY CAL-
LED FRIARS MINORS.
Clare-Galway or Clare-yn-dowl-Convent founded by
John De Cogan about 1290.
Galway-Convent in St. Stephen's island, by Sir Wil-
liam Leigh de Burgo, A. D. 1296. He was
Lord Warden or Custos of Ireland in 1308, and
dying in 1324 was buried in this convent. On
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
495
a tomb-stone on the left hand of the porch of the
Franciscan Monastery may be seen the following
inscription, which corroborates the above ac-
"Me-
count from Butler's lives of the saints.*
moriæ G°. Illmo. Dno. Gull. De Burgo Suæ
nationis Principi et hujus monasterii funda-
tori. qui obiit A 1324 posuit F-V-B-G (Fa-
ther Valentine Browne, guardian of this monas-
tery,) Frater venerabilis B. Guardias, 1645."—
This was found in 1779 under the place where
the high altar was formerly. It is a very large
flag with the family arms, and a very long and
broad sword, round the edge the above inscription
is well carved. The remains of the old monas-
tery were a few years since standing, but have
been taken away completely for building the pre-
sent chapel. The fees for burial here are part
of the income of the Protestant warden.
Kilconnel-Convent founded by William O'Kelly,
A. D. 1414. The O'Kellys were kings of Im-
many, where the chief families were seated at
Aghrim, Gallagh, and Mullogh. It was reform--
ed by the observants in 1467.
Rossrielly--Convent founded by lord Gannard, an
* In 1581 there being two popes at Rome, and the people of Ireland
being doubtful to which they should pay obedience, pope Urban, to fix
them entirely to his interests, empowered the guardians of the Franciscan
Monastery to excommunicate every person in the province of Connaught
who should adhere to Clement VII. who he assured them was antipope.
In the year 1722 the judges held their court here. Queen Elizabeth grant-
ed to the corporation twelve gardens, containing three acres, two parts of
a water mill, the ninth part of the tithes of two acres of land, called Port-
calle, near Galway; a salmon every Wednesday out of the great weir, and
three every Saturday out of the high weir, and one every Saturday out of
the haul net, and as many eels as shall be taken one day in every week
out of the county cel weir on the river.
496
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
English gentleman, A. D. 1498. I find in a
Monasticon, published in London in 1772, Ross-
Traily Monastery in the Diocese of Tuam; "it
was founded in 1431 and reformed in 1470," the
founder not known; the author adds, "that this
place is very lonesome, encompassed on all sides.
with water, and is only one way accessible, and
was, not many years since, preserved entire by
the interest of the earls of Clanrickard of the
family of the Burkes." By the description of
the site this must be the beautiful abbey of
Ross, near Headford.
Meelick-Convent founded by one of the O'Maddens,
lords of Longford, now a barony.
Kilnalechin-Convent founded before 1325.
Arran, in the bay of Galway--Convent, founded A. D.
1485.
Boilean-Clair-Monastery, founded in 1290; it was
formerly very rich.
Athenry-Monastery of St. Michael, founded by Tho-
mas earl of Kildare, and his wife, in 1464, and
built one part of the cloister, but other benefac-
tors finished it. Margaret Gibbon built the first
chapel, and earl of Desmond the second, and one
O'Tully the third. F. Raimund Burke, an ob-
servant, and bishop of Emly, was buried there,
anno 1562, and at last this house was destroyed
by queen Elizabeth.
CONVENTS OF THE EREMITES OF ST. AUGUSTINE,
COMMONLY CALLED AUSTIN FRIARS.
Galway-Convent founded, some say in the thirteenth
century, by one of the Berminghams, lords
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
497
barons of Athenry; others say in the year 1508,
by Stephen Lynch and his wife Margaret.
Dunmore--Convent founded by Walter Bermingham,
the ninth lord baron of Athenry, A. D. 1425.
CONVENTS OF CARMELITES OR WHITE FRIARS.
Loughrea Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary, found-
ed by Richard de Burgo, earl of Ulster, and
lord of Connaught, A. D. 1300. A Monasticon
published in 1722, says, this monastery was
founded by one Richard Harley, an English
gentleman.
Crevebane-Convent founded in the fourteenth century,
by the Burkes, ancestors to the earls of Clan-
rickard.
Ballynahinch Convent founded in 1356, by the
O'Flahertys, kings of Iarconnaught.
Galway Convent founded by the Burkes.
Kaltrane-Palace-A Monastery built by the Berming-
hams, lords of Athenree.
Long Abbey was anciently of great celebrity: the
abbott was mitred and sat in parliament, and the suc-
cession of abbotts has been preserved to the present
day by the Roman Catholics. St. Fechin founded this
abbey and Immey (Omey) and Ardoilon (High island).
In the 28th of Elizabeth's reign, amongst other be-
quests granted to Trinity College, Dublin, a part of
the revenues belonging to the canons regular of Cong,
founded under the invocation of the B. V. Mary, by
K K
498
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Donald Mac Æd, king of Ireland in 624, who kept
his court at Cong, where his successors resided; also
the priory of Lisduffe, which was a cell to Cong Abbey.
Near the west gate of the town of Galway, without the
walls, there was formerly the monastery of St. Mary of
the Hill: on the Nuns forsaking it, the secular clergy
entered into and kept possession of it for a long time;
but on the petition of the inhabitants of the town to
Pope Innocent VIII. it was granted to the Dominican
friars by a rule dated 4th December 1488.-There
are no remains of this foundation except the cemetery,
the whole building being demolished by the townsmen
in the year 1652, in order to prevent Cromwell from
turning it into a fortification against themselves: there
has been lately erected a new chapel here.
There was also an Augustinian friary on a hill near
this town, founded by Stephen Lynch and his wife
Margaret, in the year 1508, at the earnest request of
Richard Nangle, a friar of the same order, who after-
wards became archbishop of Tuam.
About the year 1300 Richard de Burgo, earl of
Ulster, founded a monstery in Galway for Carmelites.
or white friars, dedicated to the Virgin Mary; this was
granted to Richard earl of Clanrickard.-There was
also a chapel or leper house.
The priory of St. John the Baptist was founded at
Tuam about the year 1140 by Tirdcloane O'Connor
king of Ireland. It is not certain to what order this
house belonged, but it was granted to Richard earl of
Clanrickard. The abbey of the Holy Trinity was
founded here, either in the reign of king John or of
Henry III. for Præmonstre Canons.-Note, Tuam and
all its churches were destroyed by fire in 1244.
The monks of the Cistertian Abbey of Dunbrody, in
the county of Wexford, had for a long time a chapel
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
499
at Portumna, dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, but
having at length forsaken it, O'Madden, Dynast of that
county, gave it to the Dominican friars, who with the
approbation of the monks of Dunbrody, erected a friary
here, and a church which they dedicated to the blessed
Virgin Mary and the original patron saints; at the same
time they built a steeple and all other necessary offices.
Pope Martin granted a Bull to confirm their posses-
sions, dated 8th October 1426; and the 23d Novem-
ber following he granted indulgences to all who had
contributed to the building. The walls are still nearly
entire, and show that the monastery of Portumna was
by no means an ignoble structure. The ancient choir
is now the parish church.
There was formerly a small chapel of ease in Gal-
way, dedicated to St. Nicholas, where the cathedral
now stands. Quere, chapel of ease to what church?
The old free school in High-street, lately pulled
down, and new houses erected on the site by Mr.
Hynes, was formerly a nunnery or chapel; and some
years since part of a subterraneous communication
was discovered leading towards the cathedral. The
date on this old house was 1522.
In the 9th century the Ostmen (Danes) introduced
a new religious order, the Benedictines, into Ireland;
they first erected stone roofed Crypts.-Note, one of
these remains at Killaloe.
The Roman Catholic college or collegiate church of
Galway is composed of a warden and eight vicars,
and is, or has been possessed of a fund of about £3000.
obtained chiefly by charitable bequests. The late Rev.
Bartholemew Burke was treasurer. This fund has
been accumulating since the Reformation, and is en-
joyed by them in lieu of the tithe they lost at that pe-
riod: the interest is annually divided amongst them,
KK 2
500
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
i t
The warden receives about £36. and each of the vicars
about £23. They also had formerly a much larger
fund, which they transferred to France about the time
of the Reformation, from whence they had a handsome
yearly income, but this was seised at the period of the
French revolution, together with all their church plate,
worth upwards of £500. which they sent there to pro-
tect it from the rapacity of the reformers. They had
also several burses; one at Louvain, very valuable,
and in various parts of the continent, which they might
either let or bestow to the students they might send
there from Ireland. They have well-founded hopes
that now the affairs of France are settled, they will be
restored to them. The election of the Catholic war-
den and eight vicars is vested exclusively in the pre-
sentation or patronage of the thiricen tribes or Galway
families, for all the parishes that compose the warden-
ship, with the exception of a few families that they
liberally made free of the Catholic corporation a few
years ago. This right of election they arrogated to
themselves some centuries ago, alleging that they
purchased, for the sum of £1500. the ten royalties of
all the lands and parishes that at present form the
wardenship, from Donatus O'Murray, the then arch-
bishop of Tuam and Enaghdaen, which agreement
Pope Innocent VIII. ratified, and issued his bull
(which will be found in the Appendix), forming Galway
into a wardenship in the year 1484.* This £1500.
* I am completely at a loss here; it is said above that the tribes arro-
gated the right of presentation as far back as 1484, yet it is generally
acknowledged that several of the tribes came in at a much later period.
The Browns did not settle here until about the year 1540, and the
Trenches many years after 1484, when a judge of that name arrived here
from England to try the Blakes for the murder of the Athys. The fa-
mily of Morris did not settle in Galway until 1485, a year after the date
of the Pope's Bull.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
501
the tribes affirm was, from a conscientious motive, laid
out by Donatus O'Murray, in the purchase of lands
of equal value, and which now form the richest and
fairest patrimony possessed at present by the see of
Tuam. The lay corporation under which the Tribes
act for the return of their warden and eight vicars, are
composed of a mayor, recorder, sheriffs, and town
clerk, all of whom must be Catholics, as well as the
voters. On a vacancy for a warden or vicars, one or
more candidates usually offer themselves, each of whom
is supported by his friends. On the day of election
the most respectable of each party proposes his friend,
which must be seconded. If no opposition appears,
the sheriffs declare the candidate duly elected, and cer-
tify the same in an official form. The certificate is
signed by the mayor, recorder, sheriffs and town clerk,
and also by a few of the most respectable electors.
However if a contest should arise, which is usually the
case, a poll immediately commences, with the same
regularity and forms as a county member would contest
his election, and sometimes with as much animosity.
None are allowed to vote but tribes, (though living in
any part of Ireland, or the universe, their votes are re-
ceived, if Catholics) except three or four resident fa-
milies who got their freedom by special favour, viz. the
O'Flahertys, Costellos, and Keallys. After the elec-
tion a scrutiny generally follows, cautiously rejecting
the votes of any of the tribes that might be, or whose
ancestors were bastards, or whose real names were not
acknowledged real tribes, and various other equally
weighty causes, by which it may be perceived that the
election of a warden and vicars is vested solely in the
laity, being a domestic nomination without the interfe-
rence of any foreign power whatsoever. On the election.
of a warden by the people, as above mentioned, he is
502
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
presented to the dean-(Note. I do not recollect any
mention elsewhere of a dean)—and vicars, who ratify
and confirm the election. A warden of Galway is
armed with the same spiritual powers as any bishop,
except that he cannot ordain, confirm, or consecrate
the holy oil on holy Thursday in lent. He also exer-
cises the same jurisdiction over the convents and nun-
neries as any bishop in his diocese. By the bull of
Pope Innocent, he may be removed every third year if
the electors or tribes dislike him; he is therefore re-
elected every first day of August. No bishop can ex-
ercise jurisdiction within the limits of the wardenship,
except the Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Tuam,
who usually makes a triennial visitation, which he is
obliged to finish in a limited period, so jealous are they
of their privileges. The warden has a chair and a vote
in synod, as a bishop would, and can always have two
students at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
There are three convents and four nunneries. The
Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians, and Presenta-
tion, lately established by the V. R. W. French, for the
education of poor female children, of whom upwards
of 30 are dieted, clothed, and lodged, and upwards
of 300 day scholars are educated in useful works, and
reading, writing, and arithmetic, &c. How praise-
worthy would it be if every convent and friary in Ire-
land imitated their useful plan? Each of these con-
vents or friaries derive their support chiefly from the
interest of money given to them at different periods
by our pious ancestors, also by the daily masses, and
chaplancies to wealthy families; and is it not a little re-
remarkable, that several Protestant gentlemen keep
them as chaplains for the benefit of their servants, who
are mostly Catholics. They also, agreeably to their
vows of poverty, go questing or begging every year
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
503
through the country, for money, sheep, grain, hay,
potatoes, &c. &c. They also, in the fishing season, ob-
tain herrings and other fish from the fishermen of the
bay of Galway, who cheerfully share with them a part
of their best fish, being firmly persuaded they shall
have a blessing on their fishery that season. I am in-
formed the Dominicans obtain more in that way than
the other two orders. They also obtain some little
addition to their scanty pittance by high masses
chaunted for the dead, voluntary offerings, mortuary
money, remembrance masses, chapel rent collected an-
nually, candle money twice a year, with some other
little casualties, by which they contrive to live decently
in community, and when at home dine in refectory.
The three orders may amount to thirteen or fourteen.
Twenty years ago they were much more numerous.
Each of these convents had formerly large estates at-
tached to them, which were all swept away at the Re-
formation. The Dominicans and Augustinians are go-
verned by priors, the Franciscans by a guardian, all
annually chosen by their respective orders. The nuns
of the four nunneries are also decently and comfortably
lodged, and supported from the funds of their houses.
The mode of admission, time immemorial, or at least
since they were deprived of their estates at the Refor-
mation, is, on the admission of a novice, she or her
friends hand over to the community her fortune of
three or four hundred pounds at least, which is imme-
diately added to the stock purse of the house, and put
out at interest in safe hands for the support of the com-
munity at large. They are generally obliged to dine in
refectory except they dine out or are sick. The mother
abbess, who is chosen every third year, has the chief
care of the house, and provides a well supplied but
plain table. Each nun also will require to have a yearly
504
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
pension paid by their friends for breakfast, clothing,
&c. generally from twenty to sixty pounds a year,
which enables many to support and educate a poor
relation about them. They also have some little ad-
dition to their support from dieters and lodgers, females
of known respectability.
Each Nunnery retains a chaplain.-On being de-
prived of their estates at the Reformation, and in Crom-
well's usurpation, the Franciscans alone had the good
fortune, about eighty years ago, to get back five
or six acres of land, now called the Nuns' Island, op-
posite to where the town gaol stands; here they have a
small house for valetudinarians, and a garden that pro-
duces plenty of vegetables for their use, besides pas-
ture for a few milch cows to supply them with milk.
They petitioned George the Second's queen, by a de-
putation dressed in the costume of the order, stating
their grievances and request, to which the queen ac-
ceded in the most gracious manner, and ordered a pa-
tent or grant to be immediately made out to them of
these five or six acres, and which they still, and may
they always, enjoy.-The Dominican nuns purchased
the house they now reside in about the year 1806, for
the sum of £800. for ever: it is large and convenient,
with good yard and offices in the rere (an accommoda-
tion by no means common in Galway), and, I am inform-
ed, would conveniently accommodate thirty nuns.
lower part is let for shops, which adds something to
their comforts. It is a curious circumstance that the
back house at the rere of their house, (usually called
the slate nunnery) has been the estate of the nuns time
immemorial, and the front house, which they purchased,
was the estate of the late Robert Blake Forster. It
seems the back house was formerly the property of the
Kirwans of Castle Hacket, to whom the nuns lent three
The
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 505
hundred pounds, receiving the back house a security
for the money. Mr. Kirwan never paid the money,
and the nuns have retained quiet possession for upwards.
of 200 years.
The Protestant warden of Galway, who is appointed
by the member for Galway, has eleven acres of glebe
at Rosscom, (where the remains of an old abbey are
still visible,) valued at three pounds an acre; seventeen
acres of glebe at Royallen, between Galway and Oran-
more, valued also at three pounds an acre; forty acres
of glebe at Capanavagh, west of Galway, worth about
£120. per annum; a glebe house called the warden's
house, opposite the church of St. Nicholas, worth fifty
pounds per annum, besides burial money in each of
the church yards, and £10. for each corpse interred in
the church, the amount not known. There has been
an abatement lately of 10 per cent. on the value of the
tithes. Altogether his income, exclusive of £150. to
two vicars, is about £1000. per annum. Rahoon, or
St. James' parish, and all the parishes in the warden-
ship, are exempt from the payment of vestry money
except that of St. Nicholas, on paying an halfpenny
an acre, a commutation long since established, and
which they are very punctual in paying.-Note, a layman
may hold the office of warden for the space of one year,
by virtue of the original Bull appointing that office.—
There are only two vicars under the charter; they rank
as king's chaplains.
The vestry cess amounts to about £500. per ann.
for the following purposes, and for the repairs of the
church; it was formerly about £800. per. annum.
Organist,
Keeper of the clock and chimes,
£
s. d.
40 0 0
15 0 0
506
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
£
s. d.
Clerk of the vestry,
11 7 6
Clerk of the church,
34 2 6
Sexton,
20 0 0
Henry Banks and choristers,
9 0 0
Door-keeper,
2
5
6
Sacramental bread and wine,
8
0 0
Candles,
9
0 0
Fuel,
8 0 0
Head nurse,
6 16 6
Support of foundlings,
113 15 0
Coffins for paupers,
Cleaning the branch
36 16 3
2 5 6
Flannel for foundlings,
Repairing crown post, glazing, &c.
Constables collecting the cess of
the out parishes,
Of course the rates vary in some years.
10 0 0
30 0 0
800
The clergy of this county mostly reside, or procure
curates who do. Some have glebes, as the united
parishes of Killererun and Abbey have a handsome
glebe house, and 40 acres of good land. Lickerrigh
about 3 acres, no house; Killconiran 2 acres, no
house. A parish church has been lately erected near
Dunscandle. I am informed nothing can be more un-
comfortable and damp: a handsome church, with a
comfortable glebe house and 3 or 4 acres, has also
lately been erected at Moylough. Another handsome
church and glebe house near Ardrahan, with a good
many acres of glebe. A very beautiful new church at
Clifden in Cunnamara: another extremely handsome.
church at Gort: another at Ahascragh, very commo-
dious. I trust before long, that under the auspices of
the present archbishop of Tuam, there will not be a
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
507
parish, or at least an union, without a church, a glebe,
house and land, and an enforcement of residence by the
incumbent.
There has been a great improvement in many of the
Roman Catholic chapels; the generality of which, how-
ever, are disgraceful to the clergyman and his congre-
gation though the parish priest may not be able to
have his chapel fine, he may have it clean and dry. I
much fear it may be imputed to that indolence which
prevents them from having any thing in their gardens
but potatoes and cabbages, instead of setting an ex-
ample to their flocks, like the priests on the continent,
who generally have neat gardens, and every thing clean
and comfortable about them. I cannot conceive why
a priest may not say his prayers amidst good vegeta-
bles and sweet flowers, as well as amongst potatoes,
cabbages, and all sorts of weeds. I presume to throw
out a hint, that an arrangement in the College of May-
nooth for giving the students a taste for, and know-
ledge of the cultivation of a garden, would be useful
as well as healthful: probably an hour every day, would
not interfere with their duties. There have been lately
several handsome and comfortable chapels erected in
this county; one at Galway; two at Loughrea; one at
Oranmore; one at Laban near Ardrahan, towards the
building of which Mr. Lambart of Creggclare gave
£50. and the ground rent free; one at Mount Bellew,
in a very superior style of finishing and arrangement.
Mr. Bellew gives to the Catholic incumbent 10 acres
of land rent free. The old churches, and many of the
new, though the elevation may be beautiful, are most
uncomfortable in winter, both from want of studding
the walls, without which no building of limestone can
be dry, and from want of fires, and not frequently
opening the windows on every fine day; instead of this
508
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
they are usually shut up until a short time before ser-
vice, and though some have fire places, the clergyman
and church wardens seem to forget for what purpose
they were erected. I really think that country churches
are in general places of penance, especially in winter.
I can see no reason why a church, and a chapel too,
should not be as comfortable as any room in a private
house: a few hundred weight of Kilkenny coal would
obviate every cause of complaint, and it would not in
some measure countenance the hurried and incoherent
manner of performing the service, in which some young
gentlemen, and old ones too, indulge. I can not resist
the temptation, whilst on this subject, to give the fol-
lowing excellent advice to parents and guardians from
the Rev. Mr. John's introduction to bishop Massillon's
address to his clergy. "What possible advantage can
a congregation derive from having a young man, who
"is entirely unacquainted with the art of public speak-
ing, read for fifteen or twenty minutes an elegant
66
66
66
essay, or an ingenious disquisition equally adapted,
"with a few verbal alterations, to an assembly of Ca-
"tholics, Jews, or Mahometans, ashamed all the time
"of looking them in the face? Such a one might have
"been active as a shopkeeper, skilful as a farmer, di-
66
66
ligent as a tradesman, and may perhaps be dis-
"tinguished as a philosopher; but it is with difficulty
we can bring ourselves to believe that he was moved
"by the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel." I shall
only add, that the irritability of the congregation would
be much increased in some of our country churches
with wet walls and broken windows.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
$09
SECTION XXVI.
WHETHER THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ACTUALLY SUR-
VEYED.
In addition to the Surveys of Dr. Beaufort and Ma-
jor Taylor, made many years since, there has been an
actual Survey of the county of Galway made by the
late Mr. Larkin, under the auspices of the grand jury
of the county. It supplies many omissions and errors
of Dr. Beaufort's map, to which, as being chiefly an ec-
clesiastical one, it is probably liable, in the lines of
roads, &c. and the multitude of alterations and ad-
ditions made since the publication of the other, which
is principally a map of roads, makes that of little use
at present, especially on so small a scale. The map
by Mr. Larkin will be sufficiently large, not only to
supply the omissions of the former maps, but consi-
derably to facilitate any change in the lines of roads
and the adoption of new ones. As I have not seen the
map, which is now engraving in London, I can only
write from report.*
* It is intended by the grand jury
to have maps of each barony, which will be highly
useful in assisting in the detection of jobbing, if any
such thing exists in this county. If the different changes
in the mineral regions of the county, especially those
of Cunnamara, as delineated by the very scientific Mr.
* This
map has been finished, but, I regret to state, that there are so
many errors, that it is in contemplation to have another and more cor-
rect one made. It will require great circumspection in the appointment,
and particular care taken that the executive part of the Survey may not
be made by young lads, to whom, if I am not misinformed, the Survey
was mostly entrusted by the late Mr. Larkin, whose professional avoca-
cations probably prevented a more constant personal superintendance than
it received.
510
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
I un-
Nimmo, in his luminous report to the commissioners
for improving the bogs of Ireland, were distinguished
by colouring, it would be highly useful. Several maps
of the town have at different periods been published;
I have a very small one of ancient Galway, very cu-
rious. There is also a very large and extremely in-
teresting map of the town of Galway in the reign of
Charles II. in the possession of colonel Browne of
Castle Mountgarret; it would be highly desirous to
have it copied, as it had a narrow escape from the
flames when the house was consumed in 1812.
derstand there are but two copies in existence, this,
and another in a convent on the continent.* There is
a remarkable map in the possession of Major Prender-
gast of the Tipperary militia, of the soundings and an-
choring places on the coast of Ireland, taken from the
French at Ballynamuck, on the 8th of September 1798.
The place where they landed at Killalla is thus
marked, A Frenchman, Monsieur De Latocnaye,
published his travels through Ireland, and was in this
county; he says Loughrea is superior to Galway:
he mentions also near Ardrahan, a round fort, called
the palace of Dunderlass, where tradition says Goora,
king of Connaught, resided, and it was near the
celebrated city of Ardrahan. Also a Cromlech, near the
road of the plates, or Boher lac dana mias, of which he
published a ridiculous legend not worth repeating. In
another place," On digging the ground of a little emi-
nence, the only one in this stony place, a hideous statue,
supposed to be that of Baal, has been found." He says
• Mr. Hardiman discovered another copy in the College library in
Dublin, of which he has given a fac simile, on a reduced scale, in his his-
tory of the town of Galway, highly interesting. If the scale had been
the same as the modern map of Galway it would have been very de-
sirable.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
511
that he met more barbarians in Paris, London, and
Dublin than in Cunnamara. As a match for this mar-
vellous account, I was favoured by a friend with the
following, from the manuscript of a natural history of
the county of Galway intended to have been published.
"The islands in the lakes in Cunnamara are wooded
"with the largest timber trees;" again, "amongst which
68
may be ranked the twelve pins in the barony of Cunna-
"mara; they form what may be popularly called an
"Irish stone henge, much more stupendous than the
English; they stand at no great distance from each other,
"and are disposed in an irregular line; they are not
"strictly pyramidal, not being acute at the top, but
"ending in rather an abrupt manner; they have an
appearance of so many steeples when seen at a dis-
"tance; they are of so rude workmanship, that it is truly
"unaccountable, even miraculous, how such structures,
"monstrous as an Egyptian obelisk, or Roman column,
"each composed of a single stone, could be elevated by
"such ignorant artificers, and fixed so accurately on
"their centres of gravity, &c." What a public loss that
those enlightened and accurate travels were not pub-
lished! Baron Munchausen might have turned them
to some account; he might have tied his horse to one of
those steeples. Those who have never seen those stu-
pendous mountains called Binabola, or the twelve pins,
must be informed, that one of those structures, monstrous
as an Egyptian obelisk or Roman column, is a mountain
upwards of 2400 feet high, and the twelve pins alto-
gether occupy seven or eight miles square.
512
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
SECTION XXVII.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, LIQUID OR DRY-IN WHAT IN-
STANCES ARE WEIGHTS ASSIGNED FOR MEASURES, or
VICE VERSA.
THE weights of this county are of the same standard
as those used all over Ireland, but much use is made of
stone weights, nominally of equal weight with those of
metal; but although a stone may be throwing about the
ground, and even pavement, and of course must be
lessened by every collision, yet after suffering this for a
year or more, it is still used under the original denomi-
nation. Weights are assigned for measure in potatoes,
as in some places the barrel is forty-two stones weight,
in others sixty-four stones, and sixteen pound to the
stone. At Bunown forty stones of potatoes to the
bushel. The pottle of milk in Ballinasloe is three quarts;
in Eyrecourt four quarts; in Gort three quarts; in
Loughrea six quarts: how ridiculous this is! how much
better if the prices, as in the assize of bread, and not the
measure changed. In some places five quarts of ashes.
(at 64d.) to the pottle; eight quarts of oatmeal to the
pottle in Loughrea; five in Eyrecourt; seven in Wood-
fort, &c. &c.: butter also is eighteen, twenty, and
twenty-four ounces to the pound. Hay and straw is
usually sold by the hundred weight, though sometimes
straw is sold by the bundle.-Note, a cubic yard of hay
sometime in the rick generally weighs about lcwt. 1qr.
21lb. Turf kishes, and baskets for horse loads, are of
any size the owner chooses; but the statute turf kish, I
understand, should be four feet six inches long, two feet
and ten inches deep, and two feet and four inches
broad.*
• The ancient way of measuring was by the Cronnoge, which was a bas.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
513
Salt is the only thing, I believe, in which measure is
assigned for weight; it is usually sold by the quart.
The barrel of wheat is twenty stones; of oats, fourteen
stones; of barley, sixteen stones; of rape, sixteen stones;
but in general every thing is sold by the stone, for as
very few have scales, they put in any quantity the sack
or bag will hold: two of our barrels of wheat weigh
five hundred and sixty pounds, and the English quarter
five hundred and sixteen pounds; I mention this be-
cause many imagine the English quarter is equal to two
of our barrels. There are great frauds practised in the
measurement of lime; every person should get a box
made for this purpose. It would be highly desirable
that Edward the Third's statute was renewed; he enacted
that one weight, one measure, and one yard should be
used all through the British dominions. Richard I.
(1199) established one weight and measure throughout
his dominions; but this was dispensed with by the pro-
fligate King John, for money.
The following table may be useful to those agricul-
turists who keep accounts, which I fear is not a general
practice; I therefore publish it.
L L
ket lined with a skin, supposed to hold the produce of seventeen sheaves of
corn, and equal to a Bristol barrel. The ancient Summagiium, Sagmegium,
or Sauma, seems to have been a car or cart load, and is contradistinguished
from Onus, which was a horse load, called in this county an upload.
514
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
Relative Weight of produce per Acre, English, Scotch, and Irish, from one Ounce per Square Yard, to one Pound, calculated in Stones,
Pounds, and Ounces; and from one Pound to one Stone, in Tons, Cwts. Stones, and Pounds-the former answering for Wheat, Bar-
ley, and Oats; the latter for Cabbage, Turnips, Potatoes, &c. &c.
Per
Sq. Yd.
English Acre,
4840 Sq. Yards.
Scotch Acre,
6150.
Irish Acre,
7840.
Per
Sq. Yd.
English Acre,
4840.
Scotch Acre.
6140.
Irish Acre.
7840.
Oz.
Stones. lbs.
Oz.
Stones. lbs.
02.
Stones.
lbs.
Tons. Cwt. St. lbs.
Tons Cwt. St. lbs. Tons. Cwt.
1
21
8 8
27
6
6
2
45
3 O
54
12
12
3
64
11
8
82
5
4
86
6
109
11 8
5
108
0 8
137
5 14
ON N ∞ +
35
1
2
5 1 10
70
2
105
5
140
4
175
6
129
9
164
10 4
210
7
151
3
8
192
2 10
245
8
172
12 0
219
9 0
280
SLOG A CI 15
4
6
3
6
5
6
9
5 2
8
21 10 00
2 14
7 4
3
10
9
19 6
6 8
7
0
4
5 12
10
10
8
12
6 12
10
19
5
2
14
0
5
10
16
8
15
14
6
12 19
7
15
2
$
17
5
9
194
6
8
247
1
6
515
9
19
345
0 40 00
2
4
16
9
O
19
4
5
5 10
21
19
8 7 6
24 14
1
4 10 10 02 -
6
17
10
3 10
21
0
24
10
4
28
O
8
31
10
10
216
1
0
271
7
12
550
10
21
12
I
2
11
257
9
8
502
O
2
585
11
25
15
2 12
12
259
4 0
529
6 8
420
12
25
18
4
8
15
280 12 8
356
12 14
455
15
28
1
6
14
302
7
0
581
5 4
490
14
50
5
оо
CI LO LO to t
∞40
27
9
0 12
35
0
30
4
0 2
38
10
52 18
35 13
38
7 6
42
0
13 09
6 10 45
6 0 49
10
15
324
1 8
411
11 10
525
16
545 10 0
459
4 0
560
Example. If a Square Yard of Turnips weighs 60lbs. see that Figure in the first Column of the lb. Table, and the corresponding Line
gives the Weight per Acre, English, Scotch, and Irish. Where Ounces occur in the Weight, refer to the Table of Ounces in the same man-
ner, and add the Result to the Weight.
To ascertain the Weight-as a Square Yard is too minute a Division of an Acre, take a nine feet Rod, and measure a Square of nine Feet,
which is equal to nine Square Yards; weigh the Produce, and divide by nine-this gives the Weight per Square Yard. Or measure any Num-
ber of Squares in different parts of the Field, weigh the Produce of all, divide by the Number of Squares, which will give the Average, then
by nine, which gives the Produce of a Yard
This Table will also serve as a Guide in manuring Land, and may prove useful in other Processes of Husbandry, where the Relative Scale is
applicable.

OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
515
If the Value of 10
Square Yards be
The English Acre, The Scotch Acre,
of 4840 Yards,
will amount to
£. s. d.
£. s. d.
0 10 1
0 12 9
0
1 0 2
1 5 6
0
1 10 3
1
2 0 4
RELATIVE VALUE OF THE ACRE OF LAND IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND.
d.
The Irish Acre, of
7840 Yards, will
amount to
£. s. d.
The Irish Acre, in
Irish Money, will
amount to
£. S. d.
0 17
74
1 15 2/
2 12 9
3 10 5
of 6150 Yards,
will amount to
0 16 3
1 12 6
1 18 3
2 8 9
2 11 0
3 5 0
1
2 10 5
3 3 9
4 1 3
4
8
01
4
1/2
306
3 16 6
4 17 6
5
5 73
1/
مام
3
3 10 7
4 9 3
5 13 9
6
3
2
2
4 0 8
5 2 0
6 10 0
7 0 10
L L 2
This Table may also be used for ascertaining the Relative Expense of Labour, per Acre, in the three
Countries.
516
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1
SECTION XXVIII.
MORALS, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE.
THE morals of the people of this extensive county are
at least on a par with the best of any other part of Ire-
land. That they are not better must be imputed to the de-
plorable ignorance in which they are permitted to live;
they are merely the children of habit, for they owe little
or nothing to instruction, and it is very remarkable that
the inhabitants of every rank scarcely ever correct their
children. They are very frequently admonished from
the altar by their pastors,* but any advice they may re-
ceive that is at variance with their very irritable feelings,
dwells but a short time on their minds; they usually act
from the impulse of the moment, and from a people so
shamefully neglected by the landed proprietors, we
ought to be astonished it has not led to more crime than
can be attached to the character of the lower order of
the people of this county; and those who exclaim that
they are too much under the control of the catholic
clergy, generally saying they are priest ridden, &c. ex-
pose their ignorance of the subject; the fact is the re-
verse; the younger part, especially, pay very little at-
tention to their admonitions; if they did, we should hear
little of ribbonmen or any other disturbers of the public
peace. There is, however, a most material change for
the better since lord Chesterfield's administration, who
* Some years since on my way to Cunnamara I stopped at the inn
at Oughterard, at the time that mass was performing in the parlour;
some article of dress had been stolen from a female; a discourse was de-
livered from the altar by the parish priest, Rev. Mr. Martin, better cal-
culated to produce a repentant restitution than any I ever remember to
have heard. It spoke not only to the heart, but to the comprehension of
the audience.
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
517
says in one of his letters, "Let them make Connaught
and Kerry know that there is a God, a King, and a Go-
vernment, three things to which they seem to be at pre-
sent utter strangers." It speaks highly in their favor that
in the year 1798, and in the late ribbon business, they
were the last in Ireland that permitted themselves to be
influenced by demagogues and pedagogues, (a most dan-
gerous class of people,) and had not leaders from ad-
joining counties corrupted them, they had remained
peaceably occupied with their domestic labours. The
general mass of the people were averse from any dis-
turbance, but they were obliged, at the muzzle of the
blunderbuss, to join all meetings, and were urged for-
ward by a few desperate characters for their own emo-
lument, and many of whom have justly paid the forfeit
of their lives. Paticular attention should be paid to the
prohibition of strangers on every estate, and it would be
a very useful duty of every clergyman to assist in their
discovery and dismissal. A very lax observance of the
Sabbath is amongst the vices of this county, and in
many instances some holy days are observed more
strictly, as far as an abstinence from work, which I
much fear is the only duty thought necessary, except
going to mass, where I also apprehend they go more
from habit than from a feeling of what they owe to their
Creator.
MANNERS.
In the manners of the people there is nothing more
conspicuous than that universal wish to oblige; this is
not confined to their intercourse with each other, but
must be seen, and probably felt by every traveller; and
in many instances this is so perfectly disinterested that,
except amongst the very wretched, any attempt at re-
518
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
muneration for any trifling service would be considered
as a lessening. Their good humour also is very remark-
able; Mr. Young says, "they have none of that in-
civility of sullen silence in which so many Englishmen
seem to wrap themselves up, as if retiring within their
own importance." Any thing bad in Paddy's mind
will out, and probably end in a broken head, and there
is an end of it. In nothing is their gay humour more
remarkable than whilst they are at work; in so much,
that though their stories may be very pleasant and be-
guiling to themselves, they are a great obstacle to the
quick performance of any thing they may be doing: if
you ask one of them a question, he never answers with-
out looking you in the face, and stopping from his la-
bour, which, though the very pink of politeness, delays
the work greatly. It must be understood I confine
those remarks to the country people; in towns they
possess all the vices incident to such situations; and
when any of the first class take an improper bias, it can
be generally traced to a frequent intercourse with the
latter. The general but indolent practice of letting land
in villages, though latterly in most cases ruinous to
the tenants of this county, yet it tends to encou-
rage such strong attachments, generally strengthen-
ed by intermarriages, that though they may have
some bickerings with each other, they will, right
or wrong, keep their companions; this is frequently
the source of much disturbance at fairs or any other
public meeting. If Paddy gets a dose of the native
whiskey, it sharpens his recollection of any former real
or imaginary injury. This unhappy disposition, inci-
dental to warm feelings in untutored minds, has led
to the abolition of hurling matches (the Irish crickets),
at which some years since it was the custom of ladies
and gentlemen of the first rank to attend, to view feats
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
519
રા
of activity that would astonish those who think pota-
toes and milk are only fit for swine; but they have been
obliged to give them up, and they are now seldom
permitted to meet. The women of the county are
remarkable for their conjugal fidelity and a strong
and active attachment to their domestic concerns, and
frequently they take a very severe part in the labours
of the field. The unmarried women are also remark-
ably virtuous, especially if we consider the total ne-
glect of their education; for although the boys are
frequently sent to school, the girls, except in towns,
very rarely receive any education. Even if they do, it
is continued only until they are old enough to soften
the labours of their mothers, and is generally forgot-
ten in a short period. Where a female may have
erred it usually terminates in matrimony, and it
very seldom occurs that any impropriety can be at-
tached to their character after their amende honorable.
It must be confessed that an adherence to truth is not
amongst their virtues, and from not considering it any
crime, they are little concerned when detected. I re-
gret to have to state that, in some instances, the ex-
ample of breach of promise may be traced to those of a
much higher rank; slippery lads, that nothing will bind,
unless every agreement is in black and white; a mean-
ness, not to say worse, that no person, especially one
wishing to be considered a gentleman, should be guilty
of. I am happy to say, this is by no means a general
character; for in no part of Ireland can you meet
more honorable men; to make use of a common ex-
pression, "men with whom you might deal in the
"dark." Pilfering is another vice, I must needs say,
very frequently practised, but it is confined chiefly to
articles of timber, or some kinds of vegetables, espe-
cially onions and turnips; but as to robbing on the
520
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
high road, or in houses, it is never thought of by the
country people, and if they were the only part of the
population to apprehend, you might sleep safely with
open doors, which many really do, but not so in or
near town. A highwayman is unknown in the county,
and indeed a footpad, except near large towns. The
inhabitants of this county, of every rank, possess al-
most a veneration for those of what they call old fami-
lies, insomuch that though the lower ranks must be
sensible that they suffer every kind of injustice from
many of them in all their dealings, and the higher
ranks acknowledge that many are a disgrace to so-
ciety, from a swindling non-observance of promises and
other vices, yet if any person, not of the county,
observes on them, they generally answer, " Why, I
acknowledge that is but too true; Oh, but he's an old
gentleman of the county." The very recollection of
this should influence him to feel that a liar, though he
may be a man of large fortune, even £10,000 a year,
and trace back his pedigree as one of the tribes of Gal-
way to 1280, cannot be a gentleman. I have been in-
formed of a remarkable instance of presence of mind
in a poor woman. The cook was preparing to heat
the oven at the house of a man of large fortune, and
had, for this purpose, placed some burning turf in the
centre to kindle the remainder; this poor woman knew
that her master had placed, unknown to the cook, a
large quantity of gun-powder in a flower-pot in the
oven to keep it dry, instantly perceiving that the
property of her master and the lives of the family
were at stake, nobly devoted herself, and with the as-
sistance of some instrument she gradually stole the
flower-pot round the edge of the oven, and wrapping
it in her apron ran out of the house, threw it on the
dunghill, and what had happened was only known
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
521
when she recovered from a fainting fit. Her first
exclamation was "Oh, thank God, I have saved my
master." She had immediately a comfortable cottage
built for her, and a few acres of land and a cow,
with an annuity given to her, you will naturally say:
no such thing; she was lately a poor, feeble, rheuma-
tic old woman, living in a damp low hovel, superin-
tendant of the fowl, amongst whose filth she might
offer up her prayers for her kind master and mistress.
If this should meet his eye, I trust he may have the
grace to blush.
The disgraceful custom of loud crying at funerals,
though practised in every part of Ireland, and that it
may be traced as far back as holy writ, and to the days
of Homer, yet calls loudly in those days of refinement
for suppression. Another custom calls also equally
loud for suppression; the attendance on those meet-
ings where a corpse is laid out previous to interment,
generally called wakes, and sometimes corp house; they
are places where the young of both sexes meet, and the
night is generally consumed in drinking whiskey,
smoaking tobacco, and playing different games of
romps, &c. &c. and not unfrequently some of the
young couples contrive that the place of the deceased
shall be supplied in a few months by a young substitute
Those meetings are sometimes called Hono's, from the
words Ogh, hone, oh, so frequently used at funerals.*
*
ye
In the time of the Anglo Saxons this custom became so disgraceful
to Christians, that Bishop Elfric in his charge to his clergy says,
shall not make merry over the dead, nor resort to a corpse unless in-
vited. Then shall ye forbid the heathenish songs of the laymen, and
their loud shouts; and neither eat nor drink where the body lies, lest you
partake in the superstitions which are practised on such occasions."
Also in 1625, there was a fine of five shillings levied in Galway on any
person using those hideous dry-eyed yells.
522
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
1
In the island of Omey the men and women have se-
parate burial places; probably originating when there
were several religious residing in the island, many of
whom would not permit a woman to come into their
presence. In the parish of Moycullen there is, or was
in 1812, great emulation amongst the parishioners who
shall give most to their priest at a funeral or wedding;
they often say, that at such and such people's funeral
or wedding, so much was given; zounds, why should
not we give more? surely we can afford it better: by
this emulation the parish priest realised a good sum of
money, which he lent out interest free to his parishioners
• in distress, but they were obliged to be punctual in the
repayment at the stipulated period, or they received no
future assistance; this was so well known, and so
strictly observed, that they made every exertion to be
punctual. Those who attend funerals in Galway wear
crape in their hats for several days; if the deceased
died unmarried, the crape is edged with white. Se-
veral villages pay the pound-keeper by the year, and
the fences are so bad in general they are constant cus-
tomers; sometimes they pay in money, but more fre-
quently in grazing, or some other produce of the land.
Village tenants do not like tradesmen amongst them,
as they do not assist in the labours of the field. Tomb
stones are frequently called slates. Women almost
always ride to Galway market from the west, but the
men seldom do. The general improvidence of Roman
Catholics on fast days is very remarkable, even in the
houses of those of large fortune it is nothing uncom-
mon, if the fishman has disappointed them, that their
dinner consists of dry ling, potatoes and butter, eggs,
or buttered greens. A little forethought would never
leave them without
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY. 523
Potted lobster from 10d.
Red herrings.
to ls. each.
Pickled oysters.
scollops.
salmon.
Cream cheese.
Rice pudding.
Plum pudding without su-
et, excellent.
Apple pye and dumplings.
Cods sounds-to be had
in casks in Dublin.
Collard eel.
Slauke.
Oyster soup and pye.
Pancakes.
Apple fritters.
Jelly and blancmonge.
Spanish flummery.
Muscle soup, as made in
Galway a most excel-
lent dish.
And many other things to be found in every cookery
book. I cannot conceive why the table of a man of
large fortune should ever be without some or most of
those things on fast days; they are to be had easily in
Dublin. As to cream cheese it is a rare thing except
on gala days. It seems your very clever house keepers.
say it cuts too deep in the butter crock. Most Catholics
either have, or work themselves up to have, an aver-
sion to fish. They will, I hope, pardon me when I
say that much of this proceeds from the expressions
of disgust with which they always speak of fish before
their children and servants. I have more than once
or twice heard children not above six years old say,
"oh mama that nasty fish."-There is also a deplo-
rable want of winter fruit at the tables of most wealthy
families; nuts and unripe apples generally constitute
the desert. I am at a loss to conceive why every day
in winter and spring, until the first fruit comes in, their
tables should be without figs, raisins, almonds, chest-
nuts, wallnuts, oranges, French plums, &c. &c.
which are easily got in Dublin, and would contribute
materially to their health; they should consider them
articles so necessary for their table as not to be in-
524
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
troduced merely for parade. To Catholics on fast
days they would be particularly grateful and whole-
some, and might be well exchanged for the unwhole-
some second course, that grand source of bilious com-
plaints. As for those delicious fruits, winter pears, I
have scarcely ever seen them at any table in this coun-
ty. Indeed, for some years past, they have been much
neglected all through Ireland. Until within a few
years the gardners of this county were generally of that
rank that totally prevented any knowledge of their
proper management ;—they were too fond of the knife.
A few years ago I was walking in a garden with the
owner in the month of September. He went to several
fine winter pears, Beaure, Chaumentelle, Crasare,
Bergamotte, Colmar, &c. which had been brought into
Ireland from France; after biting one of each, and of
course finding them hard and ill tasted, like all unripe
pears, he called to his gardener, equally ignorant as
himself, and desired him instantly to throw all them
damned pears out of the garden; and if I had not been
there to explain the matter, several very fine trees, just
coming into bearing, would have been consigned to the
faggot yard. If gardeners could be prevailed on to plant
winter pears grafted on quince stocks, as those from
France generally are, they would have them in bearing
immediately, and they would ripen much better in wet
cold seasons than those on free stocks, which, though
they furnish the wall much sooner, yet they are fre-
quently many years before they bear, and run so much
to wood that none but the most intelligent gardener
can manage them. I am aware that it will be said that
the fruit of pears grafted on quince stocks are apt to be
gritly. In some cases this may occur, but it is better to
have plenty of ripe gritly pears than none, or a few
badly ripened from those on free stocks. The quince
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
525
stock throws out roots near the surface; the free stock is
generally badly furnished with long forky roots run-
ning down perpendicularly like an oak, and soon reach
the clay.
SECTION XXIX.
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.
I CANNOT Conclude my survey without bringing to
the reader's knowledge, that almost perfect freedom
from religious animosity that has disgraced some other
parts of Ireland. That there are some sour bigots to
be occasionally met with cannot be denied, but I re-
gret to say, they are not confined to Roman Catholics;
but a rapid and happy change for the better is taking
place every day. Although we may have heard that
some of this baneful ingredient was mixed up in the
late ribbon business, and in some instances it was the
case, yet from every thing I could learn it was by no
means a general feeling, for no sort of distinction was
made between Protestant and Catholic in the nocturnal
depredations of this banditti; and I am well as-
sured by Catholic gentlemen that the exhortations of
the Catholic clergy were unceasing, but the irresistible
torrent of turbulence carried those along that would
otherwise have remained quietly at home. In the in-
termarriages of the better ranks, there is seldom any
religious distinction made, and they unite as love or
interest dictate. There is no difference made in the
hiring of servants, for I have frequently seen Protes-
tant servants in Catholic houses, and vice versa.
to the majority of the servants being Catholics, this
must be the case in a county where the lower ranks
As
526
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
are so decidedly of that persuasion. In the houses of
Protestant clergymen the servants are mostly Catholics.
I have been well informed that on a Christmas day,
the Protestant rector of a parish, on asking where the
clerk was, was informed that he had not come from the
chapel yet. The hospitality for which this county has
long been celebrated, still maintains its place; but that
mistaken idea of constraining a person to act against.
the dictates of reason or his health, has been aban-
doned in most houses of any respectability; at the
same time the bottle is pushed about as fast, indeed
faster than ever, as long sitting has been most hap-
pily changed for an early visit to the drawing-
room; and in most genteel houses music or dancing
fill up the space between tea and the hour of re-
pose, for suppers have been very generally abandon-
ed, and scarce any house is without a piano forte and a
good performer: our Irish ladies are all musical. The
music of the lower ranks (the national music) is par-
ticularly sweet, but very plaintive. I have frequently
listened for an hour with a delight mixed with subdued
feelings to a young countryman whistling a plaintive
Irish air, whilst leading a horse and car, that taught me
to comprehend the feelings of the Swiss at hearing one
of their national airs played in another country-the
Kureiholan, or Ranz des Vaches. It also taught me to
appreciate what Mr. Walker says of our national music.
"The Irish music is in some degree distinguished from
"the music of every other nation, by an insinuating
66
sweetness, which forces its way irresistably to the
"heart, and there diffuses an extatic delight that thrills
"through every fibre of the frame, awakens sensibility,
"and agitates or tranquillizes the soul. Whatever
"passion it may be intended to excite, it never fails to
"effect its purpose; it is the voice of nature, and will
OF THE COUNTY OF GALWAY.
527
"be heard. Mr. O'Connor says the Irish harp was in-
"troduced hither by the Celto-Phoenician colony of
"Milesius, which arrived before the Christian æra."
I need not bring to the recollection of an Irishman the
effect of our sprightly airs; what youthful foot, or even
old one, remains quiet when "Patrick's day" is lilted
up by the bagpipes? Our women are all self-taught
dancers; and it is remarkable that an instance can
scarcely ever be perceived of the feet, even of the
youngest, not keeping time to the music. I have often
tried this, by frequently changing the time, but the mo-
tion of the feet uniformly changed with me. Probably
I cannot conclude better than by an extract from my
favourite author, Arthur Young's Irish Tour, to which,
on a former occasion, I had to acknowlege my ob-
ligations."That portion of national wealth which is
"employed in the improvement of the land of a state
"are the best employed for the general welfare of a
"country; whilst trade and manufactures, national
funds, banking, &c. swallow up prodigious sums in
England, but yield a profit of not above 5 to 10 per
"cent: the lands of Ireland are unimproved, upon
"which money would pay 15 or 20 per cent., exclusive
"of a variety of advantages which must strike the most
"superficial reader. Hence the vast importance to
(6
66
CC
England of the improvement of her Irish territory.
"It is an old observation that the wealth of Ireland
"will always centre in England; and the fact is true,
"though not in the way commonly asserted: no em-
ployment of an hundred millions, not upon the actual
"soil of Britain, can ever pay her a tenth of the ad-
"vantages which would result from Ireland being in
"the above respects upon that par, which I have de-
"scribed, with England. The more attentively this
"matter is considered, I am apt to think the more
528
STATISTICAL, &c. SURVEY
CC
66
"clearly this will appear, and that when old illiberal
"jealousies are worn out, which, thanks to the good
"sense of the age, are daily disappearing,* we shall be
fully convinced that the benefit of Ireland is so in-
timately connected with the good of England, that we
"shall be as forward to give to that hitherto unhappy
country as she can be to receive, from the firm con-
"viction that whatever we there sow will yield to us a
"most abundant harvest."
66
* One would be apt to imagine this idea is not so well founded as the
author seems to hope; for the celebrated Mr. Malthus permits himself to
be so far influenced by those illiberal prejudices, as to call Ireland “ a re-
mote and inconsiderable country." But I leave him to Mr. Say.
APPENDIX.
R
}
APPENDIX.
TRIBES AND NON-TRIBES.
THE following papers have been put into my hands
for publication. I merely state both sides of the ques-
tion, leaving this weighty matter to the decision of those
more immediately concerned. I did not intend to have
published these documents, for I considered the affair
of about as much consequence to the public as the fate
of the battle between Homer's frogs and mice, but I
was given to understand that it was expected I should
publish the state of the case as follows:-" The Galway
“tribes allege that they purchased their Bull for the
"sum of fifteen hundred pounds (an enormous sum in
"those days) from Donatus the then Archbishop of
"Tuam; for which sum he was induced to solicit the
"Court of Rome for the said Bull; and as the said
"Donatus is said to have purchased a large tract of
66 country for said money, which at this day comprises
"the best revenue of the See of Tuam, as an equivalent
"for the loss of Galway; by which act he conceived
"himself absolved or saved from his oath on his induc-
❝tion into the See, which was to support and uphold,
"&c. and not to dispose or alienate any of the tempo-
"ralities of his See; consequently the Roman Catholic
"tribes conceive that they alone have the exclusive
1 2
4
APPENDIX.
:
right of voting in and electing their warden and
"vicars."-N. B. It must be understood that the Pro-
testant warden and vicars have nothing to do with this
affair. The following is the answer to the above :—
OBSERVATIONS on the disputes existing between the
tribes and the non-tribes of Galway relative to the
right of presenting a warden and vicars for the col-
legiate church of St. Nicholas in Galway, submitted
to the consideration of the public by
Galway, July 1792.
A NON-TRIBE.
As the first of August is rapidly advancing, and will
probably be a day on which the election of a warden
will again bring to light, and to the people's recollection,
the disputes which have arisen on the death of the late
Rev. Augustin Kirwan, deceased, relative to the right
of election of a warden and vicars for the collegiate
church of St. Nicholas and town of Galway, and as
that right or privilege has been exercised for some time
past by a certain description of people, generally de-
nominated the thirteen tribes of Galway, to the utter
exclusion of their fellow citizens or townsınen, who are
of different names or families, I think it incumbent on
every person that wishes well to civil society; on every
person divested of narrow prejudices and bigotry; on
every person of a tolerant and enlightened mind; for
the public good; for the benefit and advantage of him-
self, his contemporaries, the rising generation, and their
posterity to the end of time, living in the town of Gal
way, to step forward and give whatever information and
assistance in his power for the elucidation of an affair
that has been buried in obscurity for so many years,
and by which, without the smallest shadow of reason,
APPENDIX.
5
LO
justice, or equity, the larger part of the inhabitants of
the town and parishioners of the said church of St.
Nicholas are excluded from a participation of the before-
mentioned privilege, which they undoubtedly have and
ought to exercise for the presentation of a warden and
vicars for the government of the said church.
Upon that presumption I have committed the follow-
ing thoughts to paper, without the smallest intention of
giving offence, for there are many individuals amongst
the tribes for whom I have the greatest respect, and
whose minds I am convinced are not narrowed by idle
and vulgar prejudices, but enlarged by the tolerant and
enlightened ideas of the age we live in. As some of the
other inhabitants of Galway only behold the hardships
and other oppressive circumstances of their situations,
without making any particular enquiries into the merits
of the case, some little explanation may be necessary to
shew them where the grievance lies, and if possible to
do away a distinction so odious and disagreeable in it-
self, the bane of all society and connexion amongst the
inhabitants of the same place, and to bring them upon
that equality with each other, which was the original
institution of Pope Innocent VIII. when he constituted
Galway with a wardenship; but we must first recur to
whatever knowledge may exist relative and prior to that
institution. Galway was built about the year 1300,
by a colony of Englishmen, whose descendants at this
day go by the name of the thirteen tribes of Galway, to
distinguish them from the posterity of the other in-
habitants of this county, but we have no account of its
being erected into a wardenship until the year 1484;
before that time (as is manifest by a Bull granted in the
said year by the abovementioned Pope Innocent) it was
commonly governed by vicars, but how they were elected
or constituted does not appear, nor is it necessary for the
6
APPENDIX.
present; however it is evident that a petition in behalf
of that part of the parishioners living within the walls
of the town was transmitted to the Pope, in which the
petitioners took every care to represent themselves as
modest and moral people, and to paint the inhabit-
ants of the country near the town in the most dread-
ful and barbarous colours, as "A parcel of savages
6.
brought up in woods and mountains, unpolished
"and illiterate; that they were disturbed in exercis-
"ing the divine duties of their religion, according
"to the English decency, right, and, custom by those
"barbarians; that they were often robbed and mur-
dered by them; that their lives were always in
66
danger, and that they were likely to suffer many
"other losses and inconveniences for the future if not
"speedily succoured by the Court of Rome. That
"they had made an application to the Archbishop
"of Tuam, who commiserating their deplorable con-
"dition, had by his own proper authority erected the
"said church of St. Nicholas into a Collegiate, to be
"governed by a warden and vicars, who must be all
"learned, pious, and well bred men, and should be.
"presented for institution to each other by the corpo-
"ration of the town, or mayor, bailiff, and their
"equals," &c. The prayer of their petition was,
"That his holiness would graciously confirm the said
"constitution of the Archbishop with his apostolic
"power, and protect them from the dangers those
above mentioned threatened them with, in
"respect to the privilege of electing the said warden
"and vicars." In consequence of a petition so spe-
ciously and pathetically put together, Pope Innocent
VIII. was pleased to grant a Bull, dated the sixth
of the ides of February, in the year 1484, in which
he confirms the continuation of the said Church of St.
66
APPENDIX.
66
Nicholas into a collegiate church, to be governed by a
warden and eight vicars, who must be moral, well bred,
and virtuous men; and to follow the English decency
rite and customs in celebrating the divine mysteries of
their religion. He confirms the right of presentation
to the corporation of Galway, or to the mayor, bailiffs,
or sheriffs, and their equals, for ever, or in the words
of the Bull "Superiori proposito, sive majori, ballivis,
"et paribus dictæ villæ." The petitioners are styled in
it "Dilectorum filiorum universorum parochianorum
parochialis ecclesiæ St. Nicolai villæ Galviæ," or
"Our beloved children, all the parishioners of the pa-
"rish Church of St. Nicholas, of the village of Gal-
"way." And the people who by it are deprived of
the right of franchise, are called in one part of the
Bull "Montani et Sylvestres homines," men who live in
woods and mountains, and in another place “indocti
illiterati." Only for the democratical word "univer-
sorum," the thirteen tribes might boast that they were
the only favourites of the Pope, and we might now
find a curious aristocracy in the town, embodied and
enabled by a patent granted 300 years ago in Rome;
but unfortunately the word is of such a comprehensive
signification as to prove that the Bull was granted at
the request of the whole, and not of a part of the pa-
rishioners of St. Nicholas, without any distinction or
compliment being paid to any particular names, tribes,
or families. It appears that the right of presentation
was settled with the mayor, sheriffs, and their equals,
who I conceive to be the common councilmen of the
town; and the corporation of the town, consisting of
the said mayor, sheriffs, bailiffs, &c. I consider to be
the bulwarks by which the inhabitants were to be pro-
tected from encroachments of their troublesome neigh-
8
APPENDIX.
bours; the people proscribed by the Bull are a parcel
of savages without learning or education, who were
brought up like wild beasts in the woods and mountains,
supporting themselves by rapine, plunder and robbery,
living on the prey they forcibly carried away from the
people of Galway. In short they are represented in a
greater state of barbarity than the Indians of North
America, only they had not refined in cruelty so much
as to scalp their unfortunate victims, and finish by de-
vouring them like cannibals. However, certain it is
that the Bull, in no particular part, makes the smallest
mention of granting the privilege of presenting a war-
den or vicar to any particular name, tribe, or family,
or any particular description of men whatsoever (the
mayor, bailiffs, and their equals excepted). It does
not even mention them at all except by the word
"Pares," which in my opinion signifies equals.-The
Pope meant the thirteen tribes of Galway, as I have
heard very humoursly remarked.
But those advocates of the dignity of the thirteen
tribes contend that their ancestors have been the ori-
ginal inhabitants of Galway, and that by right of in-
heritance they and no other are entitled to derive a
privilege from any grant made in favor of their pre-
decessors. Allowing them to be the Aborigines of the
town, does it follow that those other names or families.
who since settled in Galway are entitled to no other
privilege but that of occasional visiters? It cannot.
They settled in it with their families and fortunes, they
made it their place of residence and abode, and though
they may not boast of the same antiquity in the town,
its being a place of residence for themselves and suc-
cessors for many generations, gives them a claim to
the rights of naturalization. Will those advocates for
the thirteen tribes candidly declare, if on their first
APPENDIX.
9
arrival in Ireland they were prevented from settling in
it? If they were prevented from sharing the liberties,
privileges, and immunities of Irishmen, what would
the consequence be, what would they do? Resort to
other countries, perhaps to different parts of the world,
according to their different inclinations, and as the
custom is with all adventurers, ramble from country to
country, from clime to clime, until they discover a
place that would answer their wants and conveniencies.
But the Irish, noted all over the old world for past
ages, for their hospitality, generosity, and goodness to
strangers, opened an asylum to them in the bosom of
their country, and granted them a place of settlement
and rest.
The return they made them since their set-
tlement in Galway is a trait in their characters that
cannot bear the test of scrutiny or inquiry. By a sort
of Pacta conventa they have, for 800 years and up-
wards, deprived them of a participation of those pri-
vileges which they arrogate entirely to themselves with-
out justice or equity, and settled so long in Ireland
they must enjoy the rights of Irishmen, and still con-
sider themselves as an English colony, endowed with
privileges peculiar to themselves, and as a right in-
herent in their families. A person might reasonably
imagine that their remaining so long as five or six cen-
turies in a country, would make them the natural born
children of that country; but though they have been
born in it for generations innumerable, they still must
have the title of an English colony, with the annexed
privileges of the Pope. Had the descendants of the
first colonists of North America still assumed the names
of the countries they went from, we should find in the
new world a regeneration of all the nations of Europe,
France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Eng-
land, Ireland, Scotland, &c. &c. Like the Phoenix
10
APPENDIX.
from her ashes would each arise in America, and the
Americans, instead of being a united independent peo-
ple, a people who have enlightened the eyes of all Eu-
rope, would be different distinct nations, following
different customs, bound by different laws, similar to
the usage of their mother countries, and subject to all
the divisions and distractions of an unconnected peo-
ple. All those people that ever left one country and
settled in another have become subjects to the country
they settled in, and their posterity considered them-
selves as natural born subjects to it. Can the thirteen
tribes show any exclusive right to the privilege of elect-
ing the clergy of the collegiate church of St. Nicholas?
None, but a right of usurpation; they affirm it has re-
mained in possession of their families time immemorial,
that there has been an uninterrupted succession of
clergy presented by their ancestors, and handed down
inviolable to them; that their title before the present
time has never been disputed, nor can the prejudiced
part of them hear with any degree of patience any at-
tempt made at what they term encroachment or inno-
vation. "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong
"gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and
"raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of cus-
❝tom; but the tumult soon subsides; time makes more
converts than reason.”—Introduction to a pamphlet
called Common Sense, published in Philadelphia in the
year 1776.
66
The tribes are for many years in the above habit of
thinking; it is the cause of their outcry against breaking
through a privilege they imagine sanctioned by time and
possession. Allowing them that possession since Galway
was constituted into a wardenship, can that justify their
exclusive title? In law I grant it may; limitation would
then be in their favour, but in justice or equity it can-
APPENDIX.
11
not; for I say that no limitation or presumption can
justify what is wrong. They will appeal to the people
in general whether the clergy they have at all times here-
tofore presented were not proper persons to fulfil the
duties of their station; but that has nothing to do with
the question; it is only declaration or affirmation on
their side that they are more enlightened, and endued
with a more particular share of grace, and know the
pastors competent to preside over the church, direct
their consciences, and take care of the people's souls
better than the people do themselves. It is saying we
are a body in ourselves, we are as one family, though of
thirteen different names; we will make a monopoly of
the church livings to ourselves, and when there is a
child belonging to any of us, or of any of the name all
over the world in orders, we are determined, be their
qualifications what they may, they must be vicars of
St. Nicholas, to the total exclusion of any other names
or families, whom we consider as so many strangers
crept in among us, and as the descendants of those
dangerous people who put our ancestors to so much
trouble. Do the tries of the present day consider the
other inhabitants of the town to be such barbarians as
their ancestors represented the former inhabitants of
those parts to be to Innocent VIII? Do they imagine
that they are mountaineers, woodrangers, or illiterate
savages? They cannot. They know them to be a ci-
vilized people, as well acquainted with literature as they
are themselves. They know them to be a moral, in-
dustrious, and commercial people, rising into conse-
quence before their eyes, and enriching the town
with the rewards and blessings of industry and com-
merce. Some of the tribes behold it with eyes askew, and
view their encreasing prosperity with pain, malevolence
}
12
APPENDIX.
and envy. But the day is nearly arrived that will do
away every distinction. Tribes, tribunes, grumblers,
and the discontented party of every description, will
rank under the common title of fellow citizens. Dis-
tinctions so trifling, and all narrow and vulgar pre-
judices, shall sink into oblivion, to rise no more. We
shall not behold the children of the brother and sister
lose the ties of blood, kindred, and relationship, on
account of such distinctions, and be as aliens or strang-
ers to each other: Nature has made them cousins, but
by a strange perversion of the intentions of God, Na-
ture and the Church, the only cousins allowed a claim
to relationship in Galway are the descendants of the
thirteen families called tribes,-no matter if the de-
grees of kindred be as distant as the Poles; if the blood
of their families has not been mixed or connected since
the commencement of the Christian era, the name
gives them a sufficient title, let them be born where
they may, they are kindred souls to their Galway name-
sakes. Male and female are the distinctions of Na-
ture; good and bad the distinctions of Heaven: but
how a race of men, neither extraordinary in their size,
endowed with no particular marks to distinguish them
from their fellow creatures, should be so exalted above
their contemporaries, is a matter that cannot be pro-
perly explained, and is well worthy of inquiry. There
have been twelve tribes in Israel, who are scattered as
children of wrath all over the world; after their dis-
persion, thirteen must be found in Galway, but how
formed or embodied, is a question beyond my com-
prehension. I cannot think that the thirteen originals
of those names were the children of one father, and
that the thirteen names or tribes, are the descendants
APPENDIX.
13
of those thirteen children. However, if not ashamed
of humanity, they must positively be the descendants
of Adam, and as such cannot pretend to be of a supe-
rior race of beings, endowed with any superior facul-
ties; in fine, cannot have more sensibility, feelings, or
rational qualifications than their fellow creatures.
In the beginning of the present controversy I heard
some of the people, who now raise a great outcry against
innovation, declare that their pretensions to those pri-
vileges were as strong and as well founded as a man's
title to his family estate; that those privileges were pur-
chased from his Holiness the Pope at a very great price,
with the money of their ancestors, and that those people
who require participation of those privileges with them,
may put in as just and legal a claim to their properties.
It is a charge on the Holy See that I shall not take
upon me to justify; it is something akin to simony: it
is besides selling the rights and privileges of unborn ge-
nerations, and though not equally profitable with the
sale of indulgencies, the trade is equally bad. It is an
acknowledgment on our side of our being popish pro-
perty, and when we consent that the Pope shall sell our
liberties or priviliges, the next thing he may attempt is
to sell our persons and properties; the sale of one is as
justifiable as a sale of the other; it is like what poli-
ticians in this kingdom call a sale of peerages; it is
forming an hierarchy or church aristocracy in Galway;
it is an encouragement to disputes, controversies, and
civil distinctions; it is an encouragement to the spirit of
contradiction, malevolence, and ill will; it is forming
parties more detestable to each other than the whigs and
tories of England, the Guelphs or Gibellines of Florence,
or caps and hats of Sweden. But if those prejudiced
people of the thirteen tribes who reproach the other
inhabitants of the town with the vices,improprieties, or
14
APPENDIX.
irregularities of the ancient possessors of the neighbour-
hood, consider but for a moment on the impropriety of
such conduct, I am convinced they will for the future
drop it. The crimes of former ages are not to reflect
dishonour on the people of the present day. The cus-
toms or manners of ancient Britons may appear detest-
able now, and I believe that the thirteen tribes of Gal-
way would not be at all pleased if they were to be cen-
sured for those customs I mention of the Britons, be-
cause they were the predecessors of the English colony
that settled in this country. Julius Cæsar in his com-
mentaries gives the following description of the inhabi-
tants of ancient Britain :— -at the time of his invasion
the interior parts of Britain were inhabited by people
born in the country; the sea coast is inhabited by those
who past over there from Belgium, with the intention
of waging war and plundering the inhabitants, and they
were generally called by the names of those states in
which they lived, before they passed over into Britain,
and when they had finished the war they remained in
and began to cultivate that part of the country which
they had conquered; and describing the inhabitants of
the inland country, he says, most of the inland inhabit-
ants sow no corn, but live on milk and flesh, and are
clad with the skins of wild beasts; but all the Britons
stain their skins with wood, which gives them a bluish
colour, and makes them look more horrible in war;
they all have long hair, and shave every part of their
body but the head and upper lip; ten or twelve of them
have their wives in common, but more particularly the
brothers and fathers and sons; the offspring of such
connexions were considered to be the children of those
who first deprived the females of their virginity.-I
am convinced that the thirteen tribes of Galway are de-
scended from them, for the custom of shaving the up-
APPENDIX.
15
per lip was introduced by them into this country, and
was preserved in Galway for many years after the
building of the town. Let those people who consider
the present inhabitants of the town (lately dignified with
the titles of Tribunes or Grumblers) to be the posterity
of the mountaineers, plunderers, and murderers men-
tioned in the Bull of Pope Innocent VIII., but reflect
for a moment on the above passage in Cæsar, and I am
sure they cannot object the crime of the ancient in-
habitants of this neighbourhood to the people of the
present day. The characters of the ancients, in general,
seem barbarous to those of the present age, and man-
kind more enlightened behold with hatred and detes-
tation their barbarity, at the same time that they feel
for, compasionate, and pity their savage customs, fe-
rociousness, and ignorance; an ignorance the more de-
plorable, as it made them guilty of crimes which the
custom of the times and the laws of the country they
lived in sanctioned, privileged, and made habitual and
honorable to them, instead of branding them with any
degree of obloquy, detestation, or dishonour. My in-
tention for mentioning the passage from Cæsar, de-
scriptive of the customs of the Britons, is by no means
to offend any person who boasts of being descended
from the English colony who settled in Galway with
the barbarity, or with the horrid and incestuous cus-
toms of the ancient inhabitants of Britain; my reason
for it was to rescue the memories of the ancient Irish
from an imputation of being more wild, immoral, and
uncivilized than their neighbours of the sister kingdom.
Upbraiding people with the crimes or misfortunes of
their ancestors is unmanly, ungenerous, uncharitable,
and scandalous;-retaliations are generally the offsprings
of poor, vulgar, and narrow minds.
But to return to the dispute in question. Allowing
16
APPENDIX.
that the thirteen tribes were the only inhabitants of
Galway in the year 1484, and that it was at their re-
quest the Pope granted the present disputed privilege
to the corporation of Galway, and that for ever, does it
follow that if they were scattered all over the world as
the children of Israel, that they are the still existing
corporation of Galway? The people unfortunately
could not see so far into futurity as to consider them
to be the only parishioners of St. Nicholas, nor keep
them within the walls of the town shut up like a sor-
cerer in a magic circle; or does it follow that if any
other persons of different names or families should at
any time afterwards take up their residence in Galway,
that they are not allowed to share in the privilege an-
nexed to the inhabitants of the town. The laws of pro-
scription or possession may determine that case in favor
of the possessors, but the laws of God are most forcible
against them. Considering all the other inhabitants in
the light of neighbours, do not the commandments of
Christ order us to love our neighbour as ourselves?-
St. Mark, chap. xii. ver. 31. And the second is like,
namely this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy-
self." In chap. xvi. ver. 31, of St. Paul to the Romans,
we are desired to receive one another as Christ also re-
ceived us to the glory of God; and considering them in
the light of strangers, does not the Almighty, in the
laws laid down for the instruction of the Israelites, speak
most emphatically in favour of strangers? I shall men-
tion some passages in holy writ to prove the validity of
my assertion. Exodus, chap. xxii. ver. 21, "Thou
shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him, for ye
were strangers in the land of Egypt." Also, "Thou
shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a
stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Exodus, chap. xxiii. ver. 9, "And if a stranger sojourn
APPENDIX.
17
with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him; but the
stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as
one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thy-
self, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am
the Lord your God." Leviticus, chap. xix. verses 33
and 34. "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or who-
soever be among you in your generations, and will offer
offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the Lord,
as ye do so he shall do." Numbers, chap. xiii. ver. 14.
“One ordinance shall be both for you of the congre-
gation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with
you, an ordnance for ever in your generations, as ye
are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord." Num-
bers, chap. xiii. ver. 15. "One law and one manner
shall be for you and the stranger that sojourneth with
you." Numbers, chap. xiii. ver. 16. "And it shall be
forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel,
and the stranger that sojourneth among them, seeing all
the people were in ignorance." "You shall have one
law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for
him that is born among the children of Israel and for
the stranger that sojourneth among them." "But the
soul that doeth aught presumptuously, (whether he be
born in the land or a stranger,) the same reproacheth
the lord, and that soul shall be cut off from among his
people." Numbers, chap. xv. verses 26, 29, and 30.
“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor
and needy, whether they be of thy brethren or of thy
stranger that are in thy land within thy gates." "Thou
shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger nor of
the fatherless, nor take a widow's raiment in pledge."
Deuteronomy, chap. xxiv. verses 14 & 17. "Cursed be
he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, father-
less, and widow, and all the people shall say Amen,"
chap. xxvii. ver. 19. "Gather the people together, men
B
18
APPENDIX.
and women and children, and the stranger that is within
thy gates, that they may learn and fear the Lord your
God, and observe to do all the words of this law:"
chap. xxxi. ver. 12. Had the Bull of 1484 been in favor
of the thirteen tribes of Galway, had their names and
families been particularly mentioned in it, the above
passages taken from the Old Testament would be an
evident contradiction to the authority of his holiness the
Pope, or in other words, the Pope would act in direct
opposition to the law of God. Some learned caviller
may say that these laws were made for the instruction
of the Israelites, but not at all intended as a line of
conduct for the observation of the thirteen tribes of
Galway; but it is as easy and as just to say that the ten
commandments given on Mount Sinai to Moses were
not intended for them, and that is equally a matter of
choice with them to observe or reject them in toto. I
am sure the Pope was too well read in the sacred writ-
ings to form such an opinion himself, nor would he
wish it should be the opinion of those he flattered with
the title of "dearly beloved children." Any person
who wishes to know how the warden and vicars had
been elected for upwards of two hundred years after the
Bull of 1484, by referring to the corporation books of the
town we find that the privilege of presenting them for in-
stitution was exercised by the corporation. They will not
find them presented by the tribes as a right inherent in their
families, but by the mayor, sheriffs, and freemen, or
burgesses of the town, as a privilege annexed to their
corporate body. While the tribes declare that the
offices abovementioned were all centered in their fa-
milies, but by the said corporation books it appears that
there have been other names in the years prior to, at,
and subsequent to the revolution of the corporation of
Galway, that persons of other names and families ex-
APPENDIX.
19
ercised the privilege of presenting the clergy of the
collegiate church of St. Nicholas; while it also is ap-
parent that people of the thirteen names were not free
of the town, for their petitions to the corporation of the
town, praying for their freedom, are to be seen in the
books above mentioned. Will any man assert that the
tribes are the corporation of the town at this time?
I know it would show such an absurdity that (though
they may consider themselves the hereditary corpora-
tion) they will not venture to make the assertion. If
they are not, on what principle do they assume a pri-
vilege annexed to it? Some of them say that the cor-
poration, by renouncing the errors of the catholic
church, have abdicated all pretensions to the privilege
in dispute. I cannot imagine that by changing their
religious opinions they resign any civil rights, and
whilst they exercised the right in question without de-
triment to the catholic church, how ought they to be
deprived of it? They must be deprived of it at any rate,
and another set of people must become a body corporate
for no other reason but to usurp a privilege to which
they had no exclusive title, to the detriment of their
fellow townsmen. What difference would it make to
the people whether the tribes or protestant corporation
elected the warden and vicars above mentioned ?-The
greatest. For whilst the corporation elected them, and
let proper persons to preside over the church, they only
exercised a right annexed or granted to them by the Pope,
at the same time as a body corporate their actions are
the less disgusting; but the exercise of it by the tribes is
making a discrimination, and insultive to their under-
standings. If the corporation of Galway at present be
composed of the established religion of the country,
and that the Pope considered them as having no title
to the privilege in question, was it not easy for him
B 2
20
APPENDIX.
to issue another Bull, by which he could deprive them
of it, and settle it in any other body or description of
men he pleased? But that has not been ever done,
and the right, of consequence, has remained in the cor-
poration, till they lately surrendered it up in as full
and ample a manner as they possibly could to the other
inhabitants of the town, who claimed it from them,
and began to look for that privilege to which they had
as good a right and title as the thirteen tribes. In the
year 1733, there was a second Bull issued at Rome by
Urban VIII. then Pope, in consequence of a dispute
about a privilege which the Archbishop of Tuam
claimed in the wardenship. The parties were the
Archbishop on the one part, and the clergy and peo-
ple of Galway on the other. It is beyond a doubt,
that in the year 1733, there were a great number of
names and families living in the town besides the tribes,
and if the people wished to consider the tribes as the
people of the town, was it not as easy for him to men-
tion the word tribes, or thirteen names of Galway, as
the word people, which comprehends all names and
families. If he did it would prevent a dispute between
them who the people intended were; instead of that
we find by the second Bull, that the first was pretended
to be obtained at the request and for the benefit of the
thirteen tribes, who might be the first inhabitants of
the town; yet it is in the second Bull declared by the
Archbishop then existing, that the first Bull never ex-
isted, and that if it did it was surreptitiously obtained;
there was no proof produced to support its authenticity,
therefore I think that the word People, mentioned in
the second Bull, destroys all the pretentions of the
tribes. In the year 1733, it appears that a Rev. Mr.
Bermingham was warden of Galway, but it is very
surprising how he arrived at that dignity, as he could not
APPENDIX.
21
be considered as one of the Galway families. Prior
to that year Mr. Bermingham was parish priest of
Bohermore, a parish belonging to the wardenship or
collegiate church of St. Nicholas, although he never
was elected vicar of the town. But the above-men-
tioned dispute between the Archbishop of Tuam and
the clergy and people of Galway, happening to arise
at that time, at the same time that the other families of
the town began to discover the impropriety of the
tribes electing or presenting a warden and vicars to pre-
side over them, the tribes in the first place, to stop
the clamours of the people, gratified them by electing
one who was considered to be of their party. In the
second place they did it through a political motive, for
Mr. Bermingham had a property which he mortagaged
to defend the clergy and the towns people's privileges.
against what was considered the encroachments of the
Archbishop. It was on that account, and not to please
Mr. Bermingham, he was elected warden. I cannot
say that there is another instance of a name different
from the thirteen being warden of Galway. There
are many instances of clergymen being deprived of the
wardenship and vicarship, because they had the mis-
fortune of being of other names. There is at present
a clergyman in existence, and for upwards of twenty
years in the service of the collegiate church of Galway,
who was once proposed at an election for a vicar to fill
a vacancy that happened at the time. The gentleman
who proposed him, and the other who seconded his
motion, declared that they had no intention in pro-
posing him but the good of the church and the honor
of their religion. But alas! he was rejected, not
through any canonical faults, reasons or impediments,
not in a blunt opposition to the proposers, but because
his name was different from the thirteen tribes, and
22
APPENDIX.
that they did not wish the name of a stranger should
appear on the face of their books-to continue the
blood of the Mirabels! Peace be to the shades of the
honest men that proposed him, whose motives were so
pious and religious, who preferred what was honourable
to the service of the Almighty parent to all the selfish
and paltry considerations of prejudice, intolerance, and
family party. But that God who was capable of seeing
into their benevolent motives, is now rewarding them
for their good intentions. Another curious affair ap-
pears on all the elections of the clergy by the tribes.
Any one of their name, be he from what part of the
kingdom, nay, from what part of the world he may, if
he appears in Galway at the time of election he has a
right of franchise in consequence of his name; there
is no other qualification necessary, neither property,
rank, or fortune, his name alone is a sufficient title,
and by this means are wardens and vicars elected in
Galway. The greater part of the inhabitants of the
town, let their respectability or consequence be ever so
great, must patiently become spectators of an election
in which people from different parts of the country,
tribes by name, who have no interest in the conduct or
behaviour of the clergy of the town-who never con-
tribute to support or maintain them, who never con-
tribute to keep our places of divine worship in repair,
make their entry into the town with all the strut and
parade of superior beings, and appoint clergy to pre-
side over the people, who pocket the insult with the
greatest humility, patience, and christian resignation.
It is a most ridiculous absurdity to see a fellow well
dressed, and his chin new reaped, a fellow who per-
haps has seldom worn a tolerable coat in the country,
but bedizened out for the occasion, come to town with
his vote, whilst the man of property, wealth, or con-
APPENDIX.
23
sequence in town, because he has not the honor to be
of the thirteen names, is debarred a right to franchise,
although he lives in the town, and gives his aid and as-
sistance to support the warden and vicars of the tribes'
appointment. What can be a greater inconsistency
than for a people, a state, an empire, or government to
raise supplies and send these supplies to the enemy
that have declared open war against them, and are
even in the very act of invasion. People may say that
such inconsistency never existed, but I say it exists in
the present instance, whilst those people who are
looked upon as aliens or strangers, who are used worse
than the most inveterate enemies of religion, are
aiding, assisting, or contributing to the support of
clergy appointed by persons the most of whom are in
fact nothing but strangers. It is not many years ago
since a perambulating country tailor, at an election in
Galway, a creature that would remain in any country
cabin whilst he could be employed, for few chose to
trust their clothes out of their houses with him, passed
his vote as one of the Galway names, whilst a very re-
spectable merchant of the town's vote was rejected,
because he wanted that title. On the late election we
have seen the parish chapel crowded with strangers,
appointing clergy for us; a few days after the doors
have been contemptuously shut against us. It was the
act of the vicars themselves at the request of the tribes,
and whilst ever they consider themselves under obli-
gations to them for the places they hold, their conduct
will be much the same, it will be always influenced by
them. And when the people unanimously and spirit-
edly keep up to the resolutions they formerly made,
they may think proper to alter their conduct. It is in
the people's power to make their own terms, as the
defenders of a besieged fortress are often starved into a
24
APPENDIX.
capitulation it could be so done with them; withhold
the supplies, as had been before determined, and the
clergy may become neuter, at least they will not take
the active, open, and decided part they do at present.
They would not acknowledge those of the tribes who
do not contribute to support them as their parishion-
ers; but at present they seem to be the active interested
party themselves, and though the dispute originated
between the tribes and the people, the present contest-
ing party are the clergy of Galway on the one part,
and the people on the other. I address myself to the
tribes with the following:-If at the time the Catholic
Committee and other Catholic bodies in the kingdom
petitioned Parliament for a repeal of the penal laws,
or a relaxation of some part of them in their favor,
they had been the legislative body of the nation, in
what manner they would behave? They may say
that they would act upon the most tolerant princi-
ples; any other answer from them would be in-
consistent, for they have been petitioners themselves.
But their narrow, confined, and limited ideas relative
to the question at present in debate about privileges, ar-
gues the contrary. People that refuse a participation
of the elective franchise for a warden and vicars for the
government of the church of Galway, would most un-
doubtedly refuse a right of franchises to their fellow
subjects for returning members to serve in the grand
inquest of the nation. If they could have the govern-
ment of the kingdom in general in their possession, it
would be no easy matter to wrest any privilege from
them when they make such a difficulty of surrendering
to their fellow townsmen a privilege trifling in itself,
only for the curious distinctions it makes between them.
But the people have the means of redress in their own
power, and if they do not redress themselves, every
APPENDIX.
25
future election for a warden or vicars will bring to their
recollection their own littleness and insignificance.
They have discovered where the grievance lies, they
have found out the seat of the distemper, and may with
the more safety apply the remedy. There is no use in
protraction, whatever is to be done let it be speedily de-
termined on; the controverted affair must be settled one
time or other, and the sooner the better. If it is pro-
perly determined now it will be serving posterity, it
will be only recovering for them a right neglected by
our forefathers. They were, through necessity, obliged
tamely to suffer it to be exercised by a few of the tribes.
in the late persecuting and intolerant times, who pri-
vately withdraw into holes and corners to elect their
clergy, whilst they, not wishing to arrest the notice of
persecutors or fanaticism, bore it in silence. Those
days are now, thank God and a mild legislature, passed
away, and at the same time that we behave like peace-
able and thankful subjects for the favors we have re-
ceived from government, let us not passively submit to
have a civil right usurped from us by the few of our
fellow citizens who are called tribes. Rari apparent
nantes in gurgite vasto.-Virgil. If ye neglect it now
ye leave the work to be done by posterity, (for one time
or other other the distinction must be done away,) and
they will blame their predecessors who neglected to
complete a business they have began with such good
auspices, and for handing down to them the trouble of
rescuing themselves from the scandal and disgrace
caused by such idle, vulgar, and insignificant distinc-
tions.
Any person that can give a greater elucidation to this
subject, owes it to whatever party he is attached, if there
be such a person, (and I am confident there is, and
many of them on both sides,) he ought to publish his
26
APPENDIX.
opinions, either for or against the right of patronage
inhabitants in general, without respect to persons' names
or families, have to the presentation of their clergy; for
I am sure that if any of the right is exclusively in them,
according to the bulls and charters of the town, it would
be a great means of reconciling differences, though it
could never satisfy the non-tribes that they ought to be
excluded from an equal participation of rights and pri-
vileges in the town wherein they appear to be suffering
or aggrieved, as if in limbo patrum, rather than en-
joying the equal liberties of their fellow subjects in terra
patrum.
There is a list of voters names for a warden annexed
to the above, by which it appears that there were one
hundred and twenty-nine for the Rev. John Joyce, and
forty-four for the Reverend Patrick Kirwan; it consists
mostly of those gentlemen living several miles from
Galway, some in Loughrea, Castlebar, and other parts
of Mayo, &c. &c.
POPE'S BULL.
INNOCENT, Bishop,
Servant of the Servants of God, &c.
WE exercising the office of a watchful centinel, as it
is granted to us from above, over the Lord's flock, com-
mitted by the Divine Power to our vigilance, do willingly
mind those things by which Divine Worship is aug-
mented, and the salvation of souls is hoped to proceed
from, and we cheerfully add the strength of our power
APPENDIX.
27
to such measures as we have found out these providen-
tially to have sprung from, to the end that they may last
the firmer uncorrupted, by being the more strengthened,
and for as much as a petition hath been lately preferred
unto us on behalf of our beloved children, all the Pa-
rishioners of the Parish church of St. Nicholas of the
town of Galway and the diocese of Annadown, setting
forth, that our venerable Brother Donatius, Archbishop
of Tuam, who is known to be Prelate of the See of An-
nadown, perpetually united to the See of Tuam, has
seriously considered some time ago, that the parishioners.
of the said church of St. Nicholas were modest and
civil people, and that they lived in the said town sur-
rounded with walls, not following the custom of the
mountainous and wild people of those parts; and that
by reason of the impetration or provisions of the afore-
said mountainous and wild people to the vicarage of the
said church of St. Nicholas, commonly governed before
by vicars, they were so much disturbed, that they could
not assist at divine service, nor receive the holy sacra-
ment, according to the English decency, rite, or custom,
which the aforesaid inhabitants and their ancestors al-
ways used, they being much disquieted therein, and
sometimes robbed of their goods, and killed by those
unlearned men, and likely to sustain many other
damages and inconveniences, both in person and sub-
stance from them, and fearing to suffer more for the
future if not speedily succoured. This matter being
providentially considered, the said Donatius, at the
humble request of the aforesaid parishioners, has con-
stituted and created, by his proper authority, the afore-
said church of St. Nicholas into a collegiate, and therein
a college of one warden and eight vicars, and for their
support he hath applied the fruits, rents, and incomes
of the said vicarage, and the half quarter which the in-
28
APPENDIX.
cumbents of the said church of St. Nicholas had been
for a long time accustomed to have from our beloved
children the abbot and convent of Knockmoy, of the
Cistercian order, and diocese of Tuam, he has also ap-
propriated to the capitular table of the said church of
St. Nicholas, other good lands, rights, tithes, and ser-
vices there expressed, which have been bestowed and
offered to himself. And having providentially con-
sidered that the said premises were scarcely sufficient
to support decently four of the said priests, it is his will
that whatever any of the said parishioners might chance
to bestow for the future, should belong in full right to
the said church of St. Nicholas; and he has likewise so
united, annexed, and incorporated for ever to the said
church of St. Nicholas, the vicarage of the parish church
of Ballinclare, (Clare Galway,) of the said diocese of
Annadown, by consent of his vicar thereof, for the sus-
tenance of the warden and eight priests aforesaid, in the
said church of St. Nicholas. And by the same proper
authority, the archbishop (as it is said to be more amply
contained in certain authentic letters under his own
seal) has ordered that the said church of St. Nicholas,
erected into a collegiate aforesaid, should be governed
and ruled for the future, not by one vicar, but by the
said eight priests or vicars, who ought to be virtuous,
learned, and well bred men, and by one warden or
custos, who all must rightly observe the English rite
and custom in divine service; and he has likewise or-
dered that the said priest should be presented by the
chief magistrate or mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, or
equals, of the common council of the aforesaid town to
the aforesaid warden or custos, who is removeable every
year at the presentation of the aforesaid superiors, or of
the mayor and burgesses, and should be instituted by
the said vicars. And the said warden being thus in-
APPENDIX.
29
We
stituted, is to have power over all the said vicars and
parishioners, and exercise the care of souls, wherefore
there has been an humble address made unto us, on
behalf of the aforesaid parishioners, that we might be
pleased by our apostolical favor to add the authority of
our confirmation, will, and ordination, to the end, there-
fore, they may exist more firmly, and that we might be
further pleased to provide what may seem fit in relation
to the premises. We, therefore, who love the advance-
ment of the divine worship, and have been always wil-
ling that whoever would have ecclesiastical benefices
united to others, should, among other things, tell the
clear yearly value of the fruits, rents, and incomes of
the benefices, for which no union should be made other-
wise, and that always in case of unions, matters should
be made known to the parties concerned, as is observed.
in the confirmations of unions already made.
having an account of the true yearly value of the fruits,
rents, and incomes of the said vicarage of the said church
of St. Nicholas and college thereof, and of the other
donations and oblations, and of the manner of the last
vacation of the said vicarages of the churches of St.
Nicholas and St. James, and having before us expressly
the tenor of the letters of the aforesaid erection, dona-
tion, application, appropriation, union, connexion, and
incorporation, ordination and will, and in regard to the
aforesaid petition, We by our apostolical authority in
virtue of these presents, do confirm and approve, and
by force of this writing do strengthen the aforesaid
creation, donation, application, appropriation, union,
connexion, incorporation, will, and ordination, and all
and
every thing contained in said letters; and we supply
all and every defect, as well of law as of fact, and even
of any other solemnity whatsoever omitted; and if any has
happened therein, and for further security of the premises,
30
APPENDIX.
we, by the aforesaid apostolical authority, do erect de
novo without prejudice to any other, the said church of St.
Nicholas into a Collegiate, and therein do appoint one
wardenship, for one warden or custos, and eight per-
petual vicarages for so many priests, who as head and
members of the said Collegiate, do make a chapter,
having privilege of a common seal, a chest or burse,
a table and other Collegiate ornaments. We also for
ever unite, annex, and incorporate anew, the afore-
said vicarage of St. James, with all its rights and ap-
purtenances, and all other fruits, rents, and incomes
thereof, not execeding the value of six marks sterling,
according to the common estimation as the aforesaid
parishioners allege, to the said church of St. Nicho-
las, to whom the care of souls appertains; and though
the vicarage of St. James should be vacant for so long
a time, as that the collation thereof should lawfully de-
volve to the Apostolical See, according to the statutes of
the Lateran council, it is especially reserved to the afore-
said church, and by the same authority. We appoint
and order that the aforesaid church of St. Nicholas,
so erected into a Collegiate, according to the aforesaid
ordination of the said Archbishop, be for the time to
come, perpetually ruled and governed by eight priests,
who must be learned, virtuous and well-bred men, and
accustomed to the English rite and manner of divine
service; and that the aforesaid priests be presented by
the chief magistrate, or mayor, bailiffs and burgesses
of the said town, to the aforesaid warden or custos for
the time being, and that on the same presentation they
may be instituted by the said warden, perpetual priests
or vicars in the said college. But the aforesaid warden
or custos, who is every year removeable, ought to be
presented to the aforesaid priests or vicars by the said
superior or mayor, and burgesses, and at the said pre-
APPENDIX.
31
sentation to be by the said priests or vicars instituted
warden for that year in the said college; and the said
warden, after having obtained his institution, should
have during the year for which he is elected or insti-
tuted, power over all the said priests or vicars of the
said church of St. Nicholas, and over all the parish-
ioners, and exercise the cure of souls of both the said
priests and parishioners, without prejudice to the right
of any other parishioner, or any other. We by the
aforesaid authority, do grant for ever, to the aforesaid
chief magistrate or mayor, bailiffs and equals, of the
said town, a right of patronage, and presenting the
aforesaid priests to the warden, to be instituted vicars
by him, and of presenting the warden to the priests or
vicars to be instituted by them. And if any attempt hap-
pens to be made contrary to those, knowingly or igno-
rantly by any person of what authority soever, We from
this time forth decree the same to be void and of no
force, notwithstanding any other former will, or any
other apostolical constitutions or ordinations to the
contrary; and if any person that was to be provided for,
has obtained special or general letters of the said See,
or its legates, to this or the other annexed ecclesiasti-
cal benefices, and by the said letters proceeded to an
inhibition, reservation, and decree, or otherwise,
It is our will that the said letters, and the prosecutions
made by them, be not from henceforth extended to the
aforesaid united vicarages. But by this we would have
no prejudice done to them, as to their obtaining other
benefices, privileges, indulgencies, or any other apos-
tolical letters, special or general, of whatsoever tenor
they be, or that their effect may be any ways hindered,
or deferred in relation to any other matter but what is
expressed, or totally inserted in those presents, of
which, and their tenor, a special recital may be found
32
APPENDIX.
in our letters, provided by this union the church of
St. James be not deprived of the due service, and the
cure of souls be by no means neglected, but the accus-
tomed charges thereof be graciously supported.
Let it not be lawful for any persons whatsoever, to
break or by a rash boldness, oppose these letters of our
confirmation, approbation, communication, applica-
tion, union and connexion, incorporation, institution,
ordination, confession, decree and will; and if any one
will presume to attempt it, let him know that he incurs
the indignation of Almighty God, and of his blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul.
Dated at Rome, at St. Peter's, in the year of our
Lord's incarnation 1484, the 6th of the ides of Fe-
bruary, and the first year of our popedom.
L. GRIFUS.
CHARTER GRANTED BY QUEEN ELIZABETH TO THE
TOWN OF GALWAY.
ELIZABETH, by the grace of God, of England, France
and Ireland Queen, defender of the faith, and so forth,
to all unto whom these present letters shall come, greet-
ing, We have inspected letters patent of our most dear
brother, our Lord Edward VI. late king of England,
to the mayor, bailiffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the
town of Galway, in our kingdom of Ireland, the tenor
whereof follows in these words:
EDWARD VI. by the grace of God, of England,
France and Ireland King, defender of the faith, and
of the Church of England supreme head on earth, to
all unto whom these present letters shall come greeting,
We have inspected into the letters patent of our Lord
APPENDIX.
33
Henry the Eighth late King of England, our dearest
father, made in these words:
Henry by the grace of God of England, France
and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, and of the
Church of England and Ireland supreme head on
earth, to all unto whom these present letters shall come
greeting; Know ye, that whereas Lord Richard, late
King of England, the second after the conquest, hav-
ing taken it into consideration the town of Galway
in Connaught, which is the key of those parts of his
lands of Ireland (in which town all his faithful and
loyal people, as well foreigners as others coming into
the said parts, were received, saved, comforted and
relieved) lay exposed as well to Irish enemies as English
rebels on all sides, and the burgesses of said town and
others dwelling therein, and coming thereunto, dare
not without great conduct come to the said town either
by land or by water, nor go out of the same to exercise
merchandizing or other necessary affairs, and that the
said burgesses, for the safe custody of the said town,
have against the malice of the said enemies and rebels.
continually, by day and night, maintained and supported
men for defence in the said town at their own proper
cost, to the manifest impoverishment of their state,
hath towards the assistance, relief, and comfort of the
said town, that merchants and others may be the more
encouraged and comforted to dwell and inhabit in the
said town, for the better resistance of the malice of the
said enemies and rebels; by his letters patent, dated at
Dublin the 26th day of January in the 19th year of
his reign, of his special grace granted and given li
cense for him and his heirs, as much as in him lay, to
the portrieve and common burgesses of the said town of
Galway, that they and their heirs and successors, com-
mon burgesses therein, may from thenceforward, per-
C
34
APPENDIX.
petually every year, from year to year, by their com-
mon consent among themselves, be able to choose one
chief or sovereign, of the said town, and that the said.
chief or sovereign when he should by them be so chosen,
viz. after the first election of chief before the said pro-
vost of the said town, should from thenceforward
every year take his corporal oath before the chief or
sovereign of said town, for the year last past, to rule
and govern well and faithfully the said town, and to
maintain the laws of the said late King and the good
and usual and approved customs of the said town, and
all other things whatsoever concerning the office of
such chief or sovereign rightly, for the good govern-
ment and profit of the said town; and he hath further
granted for him, and his heirs to the said co-bur-
gesses, their heirs and successors burgesses therein,
that no merchant or other person whatsoever, whether
foreign or native, of what state or condition soever he
should be, who continually residing in the said town,
and as co-burgess of the said town should not be
sworn to support and sustain from time to time all
burthens in the said town, as the burgesses themselves.
would or should do within the liberty of the said town,
by land or by water; buy nor sell any merchandize or
victuals for retail after any manner whatsoever, except
only in gross; and likewise that they, their heirs and
successors fellow burgesses of the said town, from
henceforth for ever freely have, enjoy, and use in the
said town, and wheresoever the government, power,
and dominion of the said late King should reach,
all and singular such liberties, franchises, and juris-
dictions, privileges, cognizances, pleas, customs, and
free customs, as freely and quietly as the burgesses of
his town of Drogheda, on both sides of the water, have
hitherto enjoyed and used, and by their ancestors char-
APPENDIX.
35
ters of confirmation, had or of right were accustomed to
have so freely and quietly, and after the same manner as
the said burgesses or town of Drogheda have used and
enjoyed them, saving unto the lord of the town of Gal-
way aforesaid, and unto his heirs, his and their rents,
services, fine, amercements, issues, and other profits to
him and them the lords of the said town, out of the
said town and the commons thereof appertaining and
belonging, and after such manner as they and their an
cestors, lords of the said town, have more freely and
quietly had, or of right were accustomed, ought and
were wont to receive and enjoy them; and he hath like-
wise granted for him and his heirs to the said burgesses.
of the town of Galway, that also if they or their heirs.
or successors, burgesses of the said town, should upon.
any emergency whatsoever, from thenceforward, have
abused or not used the liberties, franchises, jurisdictions,
privileges, cognizances, customs, and free customs of
the said town or any of them, that they may from
thenceforth freely use and enjoy the liberties, fran-
chises, jurisdictions, privileges, cognizances, customs,
free customs aforesaid, without the impeachment or
hindrance of him, his heirs, or ministers whatsoever, as
in said letters is more fully contained. And whereas
our said Lord, Richard II. late King of England, hath
on the 18th day of November in the 19th year of his
reign, (1396,) by other his letters patents to help the
said town of Galway, which trade among divers enemies
and rebels, both English and Irish, and being exposed
to their daily assaults was reduced to great poverty, to
be for the safety of his faithful people of the said town
enclosed with a stone wall, and to help the paving of
the said town granted to his beloved the portrieve, the
bailiffs, sheriffs, communities, and corporation of the
town of Galway, and to their successors, that they may
09
36
APPENDIX.
by themseves, or by those who shall be by them thereto
deputed, take for goods to be sold coming to the, or
going from the said town by land or water, the customs
or tolls under written, viz. for every pound of ginger to
be sold, 1d., for every pound of saffron to be sold, 2d.;
for every pound of pepper to be sold, d.; for every
pound of galengale to be sold, 1d.; for every pound of
cloves to be sold, 1d.; for every pound of grains of
paradise to be sold, 1d.; for all other sorts of spices of
the value of twelve pence to be sold, 4d.; for one hun-
dred pounds of wax to be sold, 6d. ; for one hundred
pounds of allum to he sold, 3d.; for every hyde tanned,
fresh, green, or salted, and put or to be put into juice in
the said town, or without as far as the island which is
called Inniskeragh, ¿d.; for every pound of silk to be
sold, 3d.; for every piece of English cloth to be sold,
3d.; for every piece of Irish linen containing twelve
yards, d.; for every hundred of iron to be sold, 2d. ;
for every bend of pieces of iron to be sold, 1d.; for
every hundred sable skins to be sold, 1d.; for one hun-
dred stones of Spanish iron to be sold, 4d.; for every
fuder of lead to be sold, 2d.; for one hundred pounds of
ceruse, 1d.; for a thousand nails spikeings to be sold,
1d.; for every fayel or battery to be sold, 8d.; for every
great cauldron or grann to be sold, 4d.; for every hun-
dred of barley to be sold, 4d.; for every tun of wine to
be sold, 6d.; for every pipe of wine to be sold, 3d.; for
every short small curnock, four bushels, of malt to be
sold, 1d.; for every capital large curnock of malt to be
sold, 2d.; for every ditto of wheat to be sold, 2d. ; for
every sumage horseload of blade, any sort of corn that
grows in blade to be sold, d.; for sumage of batery,
1d.; for every lest or load of butter to be sold, 1d.; for
every stone of tallow to be sold, d.; for every mease
(500) of herrings to be sold, d.; for every curnock of
APPENDIX.
37
salt to be sold, 1d.; for every curnock of barley, bere,
beans, and peas to be sold, 1d.; for every curnock of
oats and other corn to be sold, 1d.; for every stone of
wool to be sold, 1d.; for every sack of wool to be sold,
4d.; for every hyde tanned fresh or salted to be sold,
d.; for all sorts of hydes of the value of twelve pence,
and of other skins of shorlings to be sold, 1d.; for one
hundred wooled skins to be sold, 1d.; for one hundred
lamb skins to be sold, 2d.; for the value of twelve pence
of other skins, d.; for every horse worth forty shil-
lings and upwards to be sold, 6d.; for every plough
horse or plough bullock, ox and cow to be sold, 1d.,
for every calf to be sold, d.; for every large hog, 1d.;
for every sheep or goat to be sold, d.; for every small
hog or pig to be sold, d.; for every hundred of rabbit
skins, 2d.; for one hundred skins of woolfells to be sold,
3d.; for every horse load of fish to be sold, d.; for one
hundred dry fishes to be sold, 2d.; for every salmon to
be sold, d.; for every thousand eels and merlings to
be sold, 1d.; for every sort of timber, and also carts,
chairs, and tables of the value of four shillings, 1d.; for
every falcon or hawk to be sold, 1d.; for every tercil or
tercillet to be sold, d.; for every mill quern, 1d.; for
two hand querns, d.; for twelve curnochs of coals to
be sold, 1d.; for every stone of butter, tallow, and
cheese to be sold, id.; for every tun of honey to be sold,
8d.; for every pipe of salmon to be sold, 1s. 6d.;
for every hundred of glass to be sold, 1d.; for every
hundred of scollops, or other fish, salted dry, or
hard, to be sold, 1d.; for two thousand onions to be
sold, 1d.; for 8lb. hemp and flax to be sold, 1d.; for
every new chest or ark, and every 1000 dishes and
platters of wood, d.; for 100 pounds of pitch or
rozen to be sold, one halfpenny; for 100 gads of boards
or planks to be sold, one halfpenny; of all sorts of
38
APPENDIX.
wares of the value of 12s. of which there is no mention
made above one farthing; for all wares of the value
of 6s. 8d. to be sold, not expressed above, one half-
penny; for all wares of the value of 13s. 4d. to be sold,
likewise not mentioned before, 1d. And therefore,
the said portrieve shall command the bailiffs and cor-
poration of the said town of Galway to cause and
order the said customs and tolls, and every of them,
to be from day to day levied, collected, received, and
had in the said town in manner aforesaid; provided
always, that the money pence arising from thence be faith-
fully laid out towards the walling and paving the said
town, and not otherwise, as in the same letters is more
fully contained, both which letters patent, and all
grants in them contained, our Lord Henry, late King
of England, our predecessor, hath by his letters pa-
tent, dated at Westminster the 12th day of March,
in the third year of his reign, accepted, approved, and
ratified, and hath granted and confirmed unto the
aforesaid portrieve, bailiffs, sheriffs, burgesses, and
corporation of the said town, as the said letters shall
reasonably testify, and as the said portrieve, bailiffs,
sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation have always rea-
sonably used and enjoyed, the liberties, franchises, ju-
risdictions, privileges, cognizances, custom and free
customs aforesaid, as in the said letters of confirma-
tion is likewise more fully contained: And whereas af-
terwards our Lord Edward the Fourth, our grand-
father, late King of England, hath by his letters pa-
tent, dated at Woodstock the 28th day of August,
in the fourth year of his reign, accepted, approved,
ratified and granted, and confirmed unto the said chief
magistrate, bailiffs, burgesses, and corporation of the
said town of Galway, and their successors, all and sin-
gular the letters patent aforesaid, and all and singular in
APPENDIX.
39
them contained, and hath also pardoned, remitted, and
released unto them all, and all manner of actions and
demands which appertain or may appertain unto him,
our said grandfather, against the said then chief ma-
gistrate, bailiffs and corporation, or their successors,
upon account of the premises, or any of them; and he
hath further, for the greater security of them the then
chief magistrate, bailiffs, burgesses, and corporation of
the said town of Galway, and their successors afore-
said, of his more bountiful grace granted unto them,
that they and their successors may have all and sin-
gular the said customs and tolls in said letters patent,
dated the 18th day of Nov. aforesaid, specified to the
said chief magistrate, bailiffs, and corporation, granted
as is aforesaid, concerning goods to be sold coming
into or passing from said town of Galway by land or
by water, by themselves or their servants, for that pur-
pose to be deputed herein, from time to time, to take,
receive, levy, have, and raise freely, quietly, well and
peaceably for ever, without the impeachment, impedi-
ment, contradiction of his heirs or other his officers
or ministers whatsoever; provided always, that the money
pence from thence arising be laid out in the walling and
paving of the said town, and not elsewhere, as is afore-
said; and further, for the greater security and safeguard
of our said town, our said Lord Edward, our grand-
father, hath willed and ordained that no power of
what state, degree, or condition soever, his lieutenant
and chancellor of our said land only excepted, should
after any manner whatsoever enter into our said town
but by the licenses and consent of said chief magistrate,
bailiffs, and corporation of said town, as in said letters
of confirmation of our grandfather is likewise more
fully contained. And whereas afterwards Richard the
Third, late King of England, by his letters patent,
40
APPENDIX.
dated at Westminster, the 15th day of December, in
the second year of his reign, having previous conside-
ration, and that the said town of Galway might the
better resist the enemies and rebels aforesaid, of his
special grace ratifying and agreeing to all and sin-
gular the letters patent above mentioned, and all and
singular in them contained, hath for him and his heirs,
as much as in him lay, accepted, approved, and rati-
fied, and hath to the then chief magistrate, bailiffs,
and burgesses, and corporation of the said town, con-
fined all and manner of actions and demands, and hath
pardoned, remitted, and released unto them all that
which doth or may appertain unto him the said King
Richard against the said chief magistrate, bailiffs, bur-
gesses, corporation, and their successors, upon account
of the premises, or any of them; and he hath further,
for the greater security of the then chief magistrates,
bailiffs of said town, and their successors aforesaid, of his
greater grace granted that they and their successors may
have all and singular the said customs and tolls in said
letters patent of the 18th day of Nov. aforesaid to the
chief magistrate, bailiffs, burgesses, and corporation
granted and aforesaid specified, concerning goods to be
coming into or passing from said town of Galway by land
or by water, by themselves or by their servants for that
purpose, to be deputed herein, from time to time, to
take, receive, levy, have and raise, freely, quietly,
well and peaceably for ever, without the impeachment
or contradiction of him the King, his heirs or ministers
whatever; provided always, the pence money from thence
arising be laid out on the murage and paveage of said town,
and not elsewhere, as aforesaid; and further, for the
greater security and safeguard of the town of Galway
aforesaid, the late King hath willed and ordained, and
and by his said letters patent given and granted li-
APPENDIX.
41
cence unto the chief magistrate, sovereign, portrieve,
bailiffs, and corporation of said town of Galway, that
they may yearly for ever, by their common consent,
choose one mayor and two bailiffs, sheriffs, within the
said town of Galway, as is accustomed to be done in
the town of Bristol, for to rule and govern well and
laudably the said town of Galway, and the laws and
good customs therein, antiently used and approved,
to maintain and administer in all things as becometh;
and also for the greater security and safeguard of the
said town of Galway, he hath willed and ordained that
no one of what state, degree, or condition soever he
should be, for the future, in any manner whatsoever,
enter the said town of Galway except by the license
and consent of said mayor, sheriffs and corporation of
said town: besides of greater grace, and for the greater
security and safeguard of said town of Galway, he hath
willed and ordained, and hath for him and his heirs as
much as in him lay granted, that from thenceforth that
neither lord M'William of Clanricard, nor his heirs,
should have any government or power within the said
town of Galway to act, perceive, exact, ordain or
dispose of any thing therein, by land or by water, in-
asmuch as he, the said lord and his predecessors were
antiently accustomed to receive and exact, without the
special license, and by the consent and survizal of the
mayor, sheriffs, and corporation of said town of Gal-
way, unto whom he hath given, granted, and attri-
buted plenary power and authority to rule and govern
said town well and laudably in all things as becometh,
as in his said letters patent is more fully contained:
and we likewise considering the premises as for the as-
sistance and relief of our town of Galway aforesaid,
that merchants and others may be the more encouraged
to inhabit and dwell in said town, and be he better
42
APPENDIX.
enabled to resist the malice of all enemies and rebels
whatsoever, and especially of other ports, of our special
grace, ratifying and approving of all and singular the
letters patent above recited, and all and singular in
them contained, do for us, our heirs and successors,
as much as in us lyeth, accept, approve, and ratify
them, and now do, by the tenor of these presents give,
grant, and confirm unto the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses
and corporation of said town of Galway, their heirs
and successors, and have pardoned, remitted and re-
leased, and by these presents do pardon, remit and
release unto them and every of them all and all man-
ner of actions and demands, and all and every thing
which did or may appertain to us against the said
mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and corporation, or any of
them, their or any of their heirs or successors, by rea-
son or upon account of the premises, or any of them;
and further, for the greater security of said mayors,
sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation of our town of
Galway aforesaid, their said heirs and successors, we do
of our further grace, certain knowledge, and mere
motion, give and grant unto the said mayors, sheriffs,
burgesses and corporation, their heirs and successors,
all and singular the liberties, franchises, customs, ad-
vantages, profits, things tollable, and all other things
whatsoever, or any of them notwithstanding; we have
likewise granted, and do by these presents give and
grant unto the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and cor-
poration, our port of Galway aforesaid, and the bay
or arm of the sea which enters between the islands of
Arran, and from thence runs or flows into our town
of Galway aforesaid; and that all ships and boats
which enter the port, bay, or arm aforesaid, whether
loading or unloading at our town of Galway aforesaid,
and no where else within the port, bay, or arm afore-
APPENDIX.
43
said, in any land adjacent, or being nigh the bay or
arm, or any water or rivulet running into, or from
said bay or arm; and that the said burgesses and cor-
poration, and their heirs and successors for ever, to be
eased of the toll, lastage, passage, portage, murage,
pavage, poundage, and all other customs throughout
all our kingdoms and powers; and that every mayor
of said town to be elected for the future, shall effec.
tually take and perform the oath accustomed to be
taken in that office before that person who hath been
next before him in the office of mayor of the said town,
or before two others who have before bore that office
of the said town; and that no person or persons who
shall for the future import wines in any ship or boat to
the quay or port of Galway aforesaid, and there unload
the said wines, shall not pay prizage for said wines,
because prizage hath not hitherto been accustomed to
be paid there; and that no merchant or merchants,
foreign or native, who shall import into, or unload,
or export from, or load at the said town, or the port
or quay
of the said town, any merchandizes or wares,
shall pay any custom, poundage or tonnage, nor any
other thing for the said wares or merchandizes, except
such customs, poundage or tonnage, as were men-
tioned to be paid there in times past for such mer-
chandizes or wares; and that the said mayor, sheriffs,
burgesses, and corporation of said town, their heirs
and successors, and every of them, shall and may
load and transport whithersoever they shall please, all
and all manner of merchandizes and wares, as well
staple as otherwise, (woollen and linen only excepted),
any statute, act or ordinance to the contrary hereof
made notwithstanding: we have moreover granted, and
do by these presents give and grant to the said mayor,
sheriffs, burgesses and corporation of our town of Gal-
44
APPENDIX.
way aforesaid, to their heirs and successors, and every
of them, all and singular such liberties, uses, jurisdic-
tions, privileges, customs, cognizances and pleas, as
the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and corporation of our
town of Drogheda, on both sides of the water in our
kingdom of Ireland aforesaid, have or have had, or
reasonably used and enjoyed, as freely and quietly,
and after the same manner as the said mayor, she-
riffs, burgesses and corporation of our said town of
Drogheda have used and enjoyed them, without the
impeachment, occasion, disturbance,
disturbance, molestation,
hindrance or grievance of us, our heirs or successors,
or of the lieutenant or deputies of our kingdom of Ire-
land aforesaid, of our justices, sheriffs, executors, co-
roners, seneschals, bailiffs, or other ministers or of
ficers of us, our heirs or successors whatsoever, or any
other whatsoever, saving to us and our heirs the rents,
fees, farms, services, amercements, issues and other
profits to us and our ancestors lords of the town, out
of the said town and county thereof issuing, belong-
ing, or appertaining, as we and our ancestors lords of
said town have freely and quietly, or of right ought
and were accustomed to have claimed them; saving
likewise to us, our heirs and successors, the custom of
every castage of cockets in the port of said town, which
is called the cocket, which we have, or of right ought to
have received the same; saving likewise to the portrieve
or burgesses of the town of Athenry, and their successors
in our said town of Galway and port thereof, and all and
singular such liberties, franchises, and privileges as the
said portrieve and burgesses of Athenry aforesaid, or
any one or more of them were accustomed or were used
to have in times past in our said town of Galway, or in
the port thereof, these our letters patent, nor any thing
in them contained, specified in any wise notwithstand-
!
APPENDIX.
45
ing, and that express mention of the true yearly value,
or any other value, or of the certainty of the premises,
or any of them, or of other gifts or grants made by us or
by any of our progenitors or predecessors to said mayor,
sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation of Galway aforesaid,
or to any of them before these times, is not made in or
by these presents, or any statute, act or ordinance, pro-
vision or restriction to the contrary made, published, or-
dained, or provided, or any other thing, cause, or matter
whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding. In witness
whereof we have caused these our letters patent to be pass-
ed, witness myself at Westminster, the third day of July,
the 36th of year of our reign; and we ratifying and ap-
proving the said letters, and all and singular in them
contained, do for us and our heirs, as much as in us
lieth, accept and approve them, and they are by the
tenor of these presents ratified and confirmed unto our
beloved the present mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and cor-
poration of Galway aforesaid, and their successors of
the said town, as the said letters do reasonably testify.
In witness whereof we have caused these our letters
patent to be passed for us and our heirs, witness myself
at Westminster, the 18th day of November, in the
third year of our reign. Know ye that we, of our spe-
cial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have
given, granted, confirmed, ratified, and approved, and
as by these present letters patent for us, our heirs and
successors, as much as in us lyeth, give, grant, confirm,
ratify, and approve unto Peter Lynch, now mayor of
our said town of Galway in our said kingdom of Ireland,
to John Blake and Francis Martin, now sheriffs of our
said town of Galway, to the burgesses and corporation
of said town and their successors for ever, by what name
or names soever of corporation or corporations, or other
name, they or any of them is, are, or shall ever, or at
4.6
APPENDIX.
any other time, be incorporated, named, or called in
any letters patent of any of our progenitors or pre-
decessors, or in or after any other manner, all and sin-
gular the privileges, franchises, liberties, advantages,
jurisdictions, customs, emoluments, forfeitures, pre-
scriptions, uses, customs, cognizances, pleas, honors,
dignities, elections of dignities, denominations, grants,
annihilations, fines, redemptions, amercements, issues,
and all other profits and hereditaments whatsoever in
said letters patent, and in all and singular the other
letters patent, in the same inspected and recited, con-
tained, granted, specified, and expressed in such ample
manner and form, and so freely, fully, and entirely as
the said letters patent do testify, and also in so ample
manner and form as they or their predecessors have or
ought to have at any time had, held, occupied, used, or
enjoyed by reason of any prescription, use or custom,
or by reason or pretext of any other thing, cause, or
matter whatsoever, though they or their predecessors,
or any one or more of them have or hath ill-used or
abused the premises, or any of them. And further of
our greater special grace, of our certain knowledge and
mere motion, we have given and granted, and by these
our letters patent do for our heirs and successors, as
nuch as in us lyeth, give and grant unto the said
mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation, and their
successors for ever, full power and authority to choose,
make, constitute, and create yearly on the Monday next.
after the feast of St. Michael the archangel, in the court
hall or tholsel of the said town, a recorder, coroner,
escheator, customer, comptroller of customs, gauger, and
all other officers and ministers whatsoever, necessary and
convenient in said town, and the franchises and liberties
thereof; and that the said recorder, coroner, exacter of
custom, comptroller and searcher of customs, gauger,
APPENDIX.
47
and all other officers and ministers whatsoever, so by
said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, corporation, and their
successors from time to time, chosen, made, constituted,
and created, and every of them, have full power and au-
thority to do and exercise all and singular the things
which may or ought to appertain or belong to said
office and officer, and every of them, and to receive,
have, and levy for their proper use, all and singular
fees, records, advantages, and profit whatsoever, apper-
taining and belonging to said office and officer, and
every of them, as fully, freely, and entirely, and in as
ample a manner and form as any other recorder,
coroner, exacted of customs, comptroller, searcher of
customs, gauger, or any other such officers or ministers,
or any of them, can or may make, exercise, have or
receive, levy and enjoy in any town, city, or other place
within our said kingdom of Ireland; and that no other
recorder, coroner, exacted of customs, comptroller, and
searcher of customs, guager, or any other such officers or
ministers of us, our heirs or successors, enter or in any
wise intrude themselves to exercise, or have said offices
within said town, the franchises or liberties thereof.
And moreover of our greater grace, certain knowledge,
and meer motion, we have given and granted, and by
these our present letters patent, we do for us, our heirs
and successors, as much as in us lyeth, give and grant
to said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation,
and their successors for ever, full power and authority
to give and grant, with the license of our deputy or
governor of our kingdom of Ireland, from time to
time, in writing first obtained, as well in time of war
as in time of peace, to all and singular foreign mer-
chants coming from time to time, willing to come to
said town, for the sake of merchandizing, or with
merchandize, a safe and secure conduct and protection
48
APPENDIX.
to come into and go back from said town safely and
securely with their ships, boats, goods, and merchan-
dize, as freely and quietly without the hindrance, im-
peachment, calumny, molestation, and grievance of us,
our heirs or successors, or of any lieutenants, deputys,
justices, or other officers or ministers of ours, our heirs
or successors whatsoever. And further of our greater
grace and certain knowledge and meer motion, we
have given, granted, and by these our present letters
patent we for us, our heirs and successors, as much
as in us lyeth, give and grant to the aforesaid mayor,
sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation of our said town,
and their successors for ever, that the said mayor of
our said town, whosoever he be, during the time he
shall be mayor of said town, be our Admiral for us,
our heirs and successors within said town, and the li-
berties and franchises thereof, and within and over the
islands of Arran, and from the said islands to Galway
aforesaid, on both sides of the water, there as well by
sea and as by land, and fresh waters, and that all and
singular the other mayors of our said town, who for
the time being, as long as they shall be mayor of said
town, be our Admirals, their heirs and successors, and
every of them, who shall be for the time being mayor
of said town, be our Admiral, and that of our heirs
and successors, within the port, bay, town, liberties,
franchises, and suburbs of Galway aforesaid, and
within and over the islands of Arran, and from the
said islands to Galway aforesaid, on both sides of the
water there, both by sea and land, and fresh water,
and that the said mayor who is now, and every other
mayor, who for the time being shall be in said town,
have full power, authority, and jurisdiction from time to
time to enquire, hear, determine, exercise, execute,
all and every thing appertaining and belonging to the
APPENDIX.
49
1
office and jurisdiction of Admiral within the port, bay,
town, liberties, franchises, suburbs, islands, and places
aforesaid, both by sea and by land, and fresh water
aforesaid, in as ample manner and form, and as fully,
freely, and entirely as our admiral of our heirs and
successors for the time being in any place within our
kingdom of England, or within our kingdom of Ire-
land, can or may enquire, hear, determine, do, exer-
cise or execute; and that no admiral of ours, our heirs
or successors, have or exercise any power, authority,
or jurisdiction within the port, bay, liberties, suburbs,
islands, and places aforesaid, by sea or land, or fresh
waters, nor intrude nor concern himself, nor can or
may intrude or concern himself, in any manner what-
soever, in or concerning any thing which appertaineth
or belonging to the office of Admiral within the port,
bay, liberties, franchises, suburbs, islands, and places
aforesaid; and that the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses,
and corporation, and their successors for ever, have,
enjoy, receive, and levy, for the common use of said
town, all and singular, the wrecks of the sea, forfei-
tures, fines, amercements, redemptions, issues, com-
modities, advantages, emoluments and prescriptions
whatsoever within the port, bay, and town, liberties,
franchises, suburbs, islands, and places aforesaid, both
by sea and by land, and fresh waters, forfeited, accru-
ing, or arising, or to be for the future forfeited, accru-
ing, or arising to him, by reason of his admiralty or ju-
risdiction of admiral; and that the said mayor, sheriffs,
burgesses, and corporation and their successors for
ever, can and may from time to time, put themselves
in full possession and seisin of, and in all and singular
the said wrecks of the sea, forfeitures, fines, amerce-
ments, redemptions, issues, advantages, emoluments
D
50
APPENDIX.
and profits whatsoever, and the same to raise, receive,
take, collect, and have by themselves, or to employ
some officer for that purpose, without account or other
thing to us, our heirs and successors, or to any admi-
ral of ours, our heirs or successors, to be rendered
paid off or made. And further, of our greater special
grace and certain knowledge and meer motion, we do
for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto
said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and corporation, and
their successors for ever, that no burgesses, inhabitants,
dwellers, or residents within the town, franchises and
liberties of Galway aforesaid, nor any of them, be at
any time to come, drawn or compelled to come with-
out the town, franchises, and liberties of Galway afore-
said, nor any of them be at any time to come, drawn,
or compelled to come without the town, franchises,
and liberties of Galway aforesaid, before any justices,
barons, commissioners, and other our officers what-
soever, to any assizes, sessions, enquiries, juries in the
city of Dublin, or in the county of Dublin, or else-
where within our kingdom of Ireland, to be held con-
cerning any thing or things, cause or causes, matter
or matters, risen, done or committed to arise to be
done or committed within our said town, the franchises
or liberties thereof; nor shall the said burgesses, inha-
bitants, dwellers or residents, nor any of them within
the said town, the franchises and liberties thereof, be
put, impannelled, returned or sworn without the town
of Galway aforesaid for any thing or things, forfeit or
forfeitures, cause or causes, matter or matters, arisen,
done, happening or accruing to arise to be done, com-
mitted, happen, or accrue within said town of Galway,
the franchises and liberties thereof, before any justices,
barons, commissioners, or other our officers whatsoever,
in any assizes, juries, attaints, recognizances, or other
APPENDIX.
51
enquiries whatsoever, to be taken, arraigned, or re-
turned in said city or county of Dublin, or elsewhere
within our said kingdom of Ireland aforesaid, though
they should touch or concerns us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, or any others whatsoever, but only within our
town of Galway aforesaid, the franchises and liberties
thereof, before our justices, barons, commissioners, or
other officers whatsoever, when we our heirs and suc-
cessors shall from time to time see expedient. Fur-
ther, of our special grace and certain knowledge and
meer motion, we have given, granted, and by these
present letters patent do for us, our heirs and succes-
sors, as much as in us, our heirs and successors lyeth,
give and grant unto our said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses,
and corporation, and their successors for ever, that no
merchant or merchants, foreign or native, who shall
import or unload, transport or load any merchandizes,
goods to be sold, or wares whatsoever, into or from
said town, or port or bay of the said town, by land or
by water, shall pay, give, or be compelled to pay or
give custom, poundage, tonnage, or other burthens,
things, or duties whatsoever to us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, or to any other person or persons for said
merchandises, goods to be sold, or wares, or for any
part thereof except only the customs and burthens
following, viz.—for every pound of ginger to be sold,
1d.; for every pound of saffron to be sold, 2d.; for
every pound of cloves to be sold, 1d.; for every pound
of grains of paradise to be sold, 1d.; for all other kinds
of spices of the value of 12d. to be sold, one farthing;
for an hundred pounds of wax to be sold, `6d.; for an
hundred pounds of allum to be sold, 3d.; for every hide
tanned, fresh or salted, put or to be put in ouze or
juice in said town, within or without, as far as the is-
land called Inniskeragh, one halfpenny; for every
D 2
52
APPENDIX.
pound of silk to be sold, 3d; for every piece of Irish
linen containing twelve yards, one halfpenny; for
every hundred of iron to be sold, 2d. ; for every bend
of pieces of iron to be sold, 1d.; for every hundred of
sable skins to be sold, 1d.; for every hundred stones
of Spanish iron to be sold, 4d.; for every fodder
of lead to be sold, one halfpenny; for an hundred
pound of ceruss, 1d.; for all sorts of anodynes of the
value of 12d. to be sold, one farthing; for an hundred
nails of spikings, one penny; for every trayl of barley
to be sold, 8d.; for every large cauldron and pan to
be sold, 4d.; for every hundred battery to be sold,
4d.; for every tun of wine to be sold, 6d; for every
pipe of wine to be sold, 3d.; for every small curnock
of malt to be sold, 1d. ; for every large curnock of malt
to be sold, 2d.; for every curnock of wheat to be sold,
2d.; for every summage (horse load) of corn to be sold,
one halfpenny; for every summage of butter to be sold,
one penny; for every last of butter to be sold,
Id. ;
for every stone of tallow to be sold, one halfpenny; for
every mease of herrings to be sold, one halfpenny; for
every curnock of salt to be sold, 1d.; for every stone
of wool, 1d.; for every sack of wool, 4d.; for every
hide tanned fresh or salt to be sold, one halfpenny;
for all hides whatsoever of the value of 12d. or other
skins of shorlings to be sold. 1d.; for an hundred
wooled skins to be sold, 1d.; for an hundred lamb
skins to be sold, 2d.; for the value of 12d. of other
skins to be sold, one farthing; for every horse of the
value of 40s. sterling, and upwards to be sold, 6d.;
for every plough horse or plough beast, bull or ox or
cow to be sold, Id.; for every calf to be sold, one far-
thing; for every large hog to be sold, 1d.; for every
sheep and goat to be sold, one halfpenny; for every
small hog to be sold, one halfpenny; for an hundred
>
APPENDIX.
53
rabbit skins, 2d.; for an hundred skins of woolfells,
3d.; for every summage of fishes to be sold, one half-
penny; for an hundred of dry fishes to be sold, 2d.;
for every salmon to be sold, one farthing; for a thou-
sand eels and merlins to be sold, 1d.; for all sorts of
draughts, cars, &c. of the value of 4s., 1d.; for every
falcon and hawk to be sold, 1d.; for every tercel or
tercillet to be sold, one halfpenny; for every mill-
quern, ld.; for two hand querns, one farthing; for
twelve curnocks of coals to be sold, 1d.; for every
stone of butter, tallow, and cheese to be sold, one
halfpenny; for every tun of honey to be sold, 8d.; for
every pipe of salmon to be sold, 18d.; for every hun-
dred of glass to be sold, 1d.; for every hundred of
scollops or other fish, salt, dry, or hard, to be sold, 1d.;
for two thousand onions to be sold, one farthing; for
eight pounds of flax or hemp to be sold, 1d.; for eight
hands of garlick to be sold, one farthing; for every
new chest and ark, and every thousand of dishes and
platters of wood to be sold, one farthing; for an hun-
dred pound of pitch and rosin to be sold, one half-
penny; for a thousand of gads of boards to be sold,
one halfpenny; for all wares of the value of twelve
pence, of which mention is not above made, one far-
thing; for all wares of the value of six shillings and
eight pence to be sold, not expressed above, one half-
penny; for all wares of the value of thirteen shillings
and four pence to be sold, likewise not contained above,
one penny: all and singular which custom, burdens
and uses aforesaid, we do of our special grace, and of
our certain knowledge and meer motion, give and
grant for us, our heirs and successors, to said mayor,
sheriffs, burgesses and corporation, and their succes-
sors, that they shall cause and order the usance, bur-
thens and customs aforesaid, and every of them, to be
54
APPENDIX.
from day to day raised, collected, received and had in
said town, in manner and form aforesaid; provided
always, that the pence money, from thence arising, be
faithfully expended on the murage and pavage of said
town, and not elsewhere nor otherwise; moreover, we
have of our special grace and certain knowledge, and
our meer motion, given and granted, and by these our
present letters patent for us, our heirs and successors,
as much as in us lyeth, give and grant unto the afore-
said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and corporation, and
their successors for ever, that they the now mayor,
sheriffs, burgesses and corporation of the aforesaid
town, and their successors, and every of them, may
and be able, from time to time, to assemble, prepare,
and gather themselves and every of them; and all and
singular the other inhabitants of said town, together
with all and singular their friends, servants, tenants
and adherents, and every of them, at their and every
of their wills and pleasures, with defensive arms, or
otherwise, as to them or any one or more of them shall
seem most expedient, within the said town, the liber-
ties and suburbs thereof, or without in any other
place whatsoever, as well by sea as by land, and fresh
waters, to assist, repel, recover and vindicate all and
singular the robberies, spoils, depredations and other
injuries, losses, damages and crimes whatsoever made,
perpetrated, offered or committed, or for the time to
come to be made, perpetrated, offered and committed
against them, or any one or more of them, by any
Irish neighbours, or by any rebels, malefactors and
disturbers of our peace, or of that of our successors;
and all and singular the other inhabitants of said town,
and every of them, together with their friends, ser-
vants, tenants and adherents, from time to time for
ever, to pass, ride, sail, and go beyond the seas, ei-
APPENDIX.
55
ther with arms, ammunition, with double flags in hos-
tile manner or otherwise, as they and every of them
shall please, to any country, island, arm of the sea,
or any other place whatsoever, to prosecute, take,
recover, vindicate and claim all robberies, felonies,
spoils, depredations, injuries and crimes whatsoever
made, offered or committed against them or any of
them; and to have, recover, distrain, make and re-
ceive recompense, distresses, restitution, evictions for
said robberies, felonies, spoils, depredations, injuries.
and crimes aforesaid, against the said rebels, robberies,
depredations and malefactors, and every of them, law-
fully and unpunished, without the impeachment, ca-
lumny, molestation, grievance, disturbance or vexa-
tion, disquieting or hindrance of us, our heirs or suc-
cessors, lieutenants, deputies, justices, sheriffs, or other
our officers or ministers, or those of our heirs or suc-
cessors whatsoever, any statute, act, ordinance, re-
strictions, law, proscription, proclamation or other
thing, cause or matter whatsoever in anywise notwith-
standing. Further, we have of our great grace and
certain knowledge and meer motion, given and grant-
ed, and do by these our present letters patent for us,
our heirs and successors, as much as in us lyeth, give
and grant unto said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and cor-
poration, and their successors for ever, that every
mayor, and every recorder of said town for the time
being, during the time which they severally and every
or any of them, or their successors, shall be mayor and
recorder of said town, or they or any of them shall
bear and exercise the office of mayor or recorder of
said town, they and every of them shall be, and are
keepers and justices of our peace, and of our heirs and
successors, and justices for our gaol and gaol delivery,
of our heirs and successors, from time to time for ever
56
APPENDIX.
within said town, the franchises, liberties and suburbs
thereof, as well by sea as by land and fresh waters,
for felonies and other misdeeds committed within said
town, the franchises, liberties, and suburbs thereof.
And we do for us, our heirs and successors, as much as
in us lyeth, give, make, constitute, create, and ordain all
and every mayor and mayors, recorder and recorders
of the said town for the time being, and every of them,
for ever, keepers and justices of our heirs and suc-
cessors gaol delivery from time to time within said
town, the franchises, liberties, and suburbs thereof, as
well by sea as by land and fresh waters for the felonies
and misdeeds aforesaid; and that all and singular the
mayors and recorders of said town for the time being,
and every of them for ever have, and shall have full
power and authority and jurisdiction to enquire and
examine by oath of good and lawful men of said town,
the liberties, franchises, and suburbs thereof, concerning
all and singular and every felonies, murders, rebellions,
transgressions, riots, routs, conventicles, ambuscades,
conspiracies, outcries, misprisions, and other crimes,
offences, and misdeeds whatsoever made, committed,
or perpetrated, or for the future to be made, committed
or perpetrated within the said town, the franchises, li-
berties, and suburbs thereof, as well by sea as by land
and fresh waters, and concerning all and singular en-
tries to any lands and tenements by strong hand, and
also concerning entries into such lands or tenements
peaceably, and afterwards held or to be held by force,
power, or strong hand made or to be made within said
town, the franchises, liberties or suburbs thereof, con-
cerning all singular articles, statutes, deliberation of
clothiers and inn-keepers, and concerning labourers,
servants, vagabonds, carpenters, artisans, weights, mea-
sures, victuals, tanners, carriers, slaters, ostlers, huxters,
APPENDIX.
57
and concerning all and singular the articles and pri-
vileges contained in any statutes whatsoever already
set forth, and also concerning all and singular articles
and things whatsoever, concerning which any justices.
or keepers of our peace, or any justices of the gaol de-
livery in any other place within our kingdom of Eng-
land, or within our kingdom of Ireland, can enquire or
examine, and to do, exercise, and execute the premises,
and all and singular other matters within said town, the
franchises, liberties, and suburbs thereof, as well by sea
as by land and fresh waters, which appertaineth or be-
longeth to the office of a keeper or justice of the peace,
or justice of the gaol delivery, or to any of them, and
to hear, determine, and adjudge them all according to
the law and custom of our kingdom of Ireland, and
that no keeper or justice, keepers or justices of our
heirs or successors' peace, or our heirs and successors'
justice or justices for our heirs or successors' gaol de-
livery, assigned or to be assigned in any county or any
other place within our kingdom of Ireland aforesaid,
shall enter, nor in any wise intrude or concern himself
to enquire or examine concerning the premises or any
of the premises, or to hear, determine, or adjudge
them or any of them, or to do, exercise, or execute any
other thing which appertaineth or belongeth to the
office of a keeper or justices of the peace, or to the
office of a justice of gaol delivery within the said town,
franchises, liberties, and suburbs thereof, by sea, land,
or fresh waters; and that if any enquiry, or any indict-
ment to be presented, or any other thing whatsoever
within the said town, the franchises, liberties, or sub-
urbs thereof, before any other keepers or justices of our
heirs or successors' peace, or before our heirs or suc-
cessors, justices of our heirs or successors' gaol delivery,
or before any of them, assigned or to be assigned in
58
APPENDIX.
any other county or place, such enquiry, indictment,
and other thing whatsoever, it shall be made, deter-
mined, or adjudged within said town, the franchises,
liberties, and suburbs thereof, before the said other
keepers or justices of our heirs or successors' peace, or
before our heirs or successors' justices for our heirs
and successors' gaol delivery, shall be, and are void and
of no virtue or force, and to be accounted for void and
null, and every of them shall be and are void, and of
no virtue or force, and to be accounted as void and
null. And moreover we have of our special grace,
certain knowledge and mere motion given and granted,
and do by these our present letters patent, for us, our
heirs and successors, as much as in us lyeth, give and
grant unto said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and cor-
poration, and their successors for ever, that no sheriff,
executor, or other our officer or minister, or our
heirs, or successors, nor any of them, except the bailiff
or sheriffs, or other officers of said town shall enter in
any manner whatsoever within the said town, the fran-
chises, liberties, and suburbs thereof, in any manner
whatsoever, nor shall they or any of them intermeddle,
or they or any of them in any thing or manner what-
soever within the said town, the franchises, liberties,
and suburbs thereof. And that the mayor, sheriffs,
burgesses, and corporation, and their successors for
ever, have and hold a gaol or prison within the said
town, the franchises, liberties, and suburbs thereof,
where they shall think expedient, and that they have
and hold for them and successors for ever, a keeper of
the gaol and prison aforesaid, to commit to gaol, and
imprison in said gaol or prison, from time to time,
prisoners for what cause or crime soever they or
any of them shall be taken, attached, or arrested
within the said town, the franchises, liberties, and
APPENDIX.
59
suburbs thereof, and likewise to secure, detain, and
keep them, and every of them by themselves, or by
their ministers thereto deputed, and also to give up
and deliver or enlarge them so committed to gaol, and
imprisoned according to due form of law in bail, or
otherwise, according to their direction. And further,
of our greater grace, certain knowledge and meer mo-
tion, we have given and granted, and as by these our
present letters patent, for us, our heirs and successors,
as much as in us lyeth, give and grant unto the said
mayor or sheriffs, burgesses and corporation of our
said town of Galway, and their successors for ever, all
and singular such and such like other liberties, fran-
chises, and privileges, preeminences, jurisdictions, au-
thorities, easements, immunities, profits, commodities,
advantages, customs and usances, forfeits and for-
feitures, fines, redemptions and other hereditaments
and things which the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens of
our city of Waterford in our kingdom of Ireland afore-
said, or the mayor, sheriffs and corporation of our town
of Drogheda in our kingdom of Ireland aforesaid, and
every of them have, hold, enjoy or use, or ought to
have held, enjoyed or used, by reason, virtue or pre-
tence of any grant or letters patent of ours, or any of
our progenitors or predecessors whatsoever, or by rea-
son, virtue or pretence of any use, custom, statute, or
any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever, within
our said city of Waterford, the franchises, liberties
and suburbs thereof, and within our said town
of Drogheda, the franchises, liberties and suburbs
thereof. And that the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses
and corporation of our said town of Galway, and
their successors for ever have full power and au-
thority to do, receive, deliver, administer, exercise
and execute all and singular and every thing which
60
APPENDIX.
appertaineth and belongeth to the said liberties, fran-
chises, privilege, preeminences, jurisdictions, au-
thorities, easements, immunities, profits, commodities,
advantges, customs, usages, forfeitures, fines, issues,
redemptions, and other hereditaments and things what-
soever within our town of Galway aforesaid, the fran-
chises, liberties, and suburbs thereof, as well by sea as
by land and by fresh waters, in as ample manner and
form, and as fully,
as fully, freely, and entirely and un-
punished as the said mayor, sheriffs and citizens of
our said city of Waterford, within the said city of
Waterford, the franchises, liberties and suburbs
thereof, or the said mayor, sheriffs and corporation.
of our said town of Drogheda, within said town,
the franchises, liberties and suburbs thereof, can or
ought, or any of them can or ought in any manner
to do, receive, deliver, administer, exercise, and exe-
cute. And further, of our special grace and certain
knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted,
and do by these our present letters patent for us, our
heirs and successors, for ever, as much as in us lyeth,
give and grant to the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses,
and corporation of our town of Galway aforesaid, and
their successors for ever, that all and singular the ar-
ticles, clauses, sentences and grants in these letters pa-
tent, and in all and singular the other letters patent
by us, or by any of our progenitors or predecessors, to
said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and corporation of our
town of Galway aforesaid, or to their or any of their
predecessors granted, be excepted, judged, understood,
interpreted and construed in as bountiful and favour-
able a manner as may be, and not otherwise, nor in
any other manner, to the advantage and profit of the
said mayor, bailiffs, burgesses and corporation of our
said town of Galway, against us, our heirs and
APPENDIX.
61
successors, in all our heirs and successors' courts what-
soever, and before all our heirs and successors,
judges, justices, barons of the Exchequer, and others
our heirs and successors ministers whatsoever; and
that express mention of the true yearly value, or of
the certainty of the premises of any of them of
the other gifts or grants by us or by any of our ances-
tors aforesaid, made to said mayor, sheriffs, bur-
gesses and corporation of our town of Galway afore-
said, or to any of them from time to time, is not made
in these presents, or any statute, act, ordinance, pro-
vision, proclamation or restriction to the contrary
made, published, set forth, ordained or provided, or
any thing, cause or matter whatsoever, in any wise
notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused
these our letters patent to be passed. Witness myself
at Grainbury the fourteenth day of July, in the twen-
tieth year of our reign.
Copy of Mr. Cole's certificate of the translation.
I do hereby certify that I have carefully translated
the above charter from the original, with due circum-
spection, correction, and to the best of my skill and
knowledge in the Latin tongue. Witness my hand,
this 27th day of June, in the year of our Lord God,
1693.
(Copia Vera.)
ELISHA COLE.
62
APPENDIX.
CHARTER GRANTED BY CHARLES THE SECOND TO THE
TOWN OF GALWAY.
CHARLES the Second, by the grace of God of Eng-
land, Scotland, France, and Ireland King, Defender of
the Faith, &c. to all whom these presents shall come
greeting. Whereas by letters patent under our royal
signet and sign manual, bearing date at our court at
Whitehall the 16th day of August, in the three and
twentieth year of our reign, directed to our right trusty
and well beloved councellor John Lord Berkelly, our
lieutenant general and general governor of our said
kingdom of Ireland, and to the chief governor or go-
vernors there for the time being, we did signify our
royal will and pleasure therein, that whereas many of
the charters of the several cities and towns formerly
corporate in our said kingdom of Ireland have been by
reason of the several misconducts and misdemeanors of
the said cities and towns during the time of the late
horrid rebellion in that our kingdom forfeited unto us,
and other of the said corporations are dissolved or
otherwise determined, so that we may justly seize all
the said liberties and franchises that have been by any
of our royal ancestors granted to the said corporations
if we would take the full and utmost advantage that we
legally may against them. And that whereas we were
graciously pleased, for the encouragement of trade in our
said kingdom of Ireland, to extend our favour to such
of the said corporations as our said lieutenant general
and general governor of our said kingdom of Ireland
shall judge best meriting the same, &c. to grant unto
them new charters, with such lands and other privi-
leges, liberties, and advantages formerly belonging unto
them, as should appear unto our said lieutenant general
APPENDIX.
63
and general governor of Ireland to be fit and reason-
able to be granted unto them, we did therefore, by our
said letters, declare our royal will and pleasure, and did
thereby give unto our said lieutenant general and ge-
neral governor of our said kingdom of Ireland full
power and authority to make due inspection unto the
several charters formerly granted by any of our royal
ancestors to the several cities and towns corporate in
our said kingdom of Ireland and upon humble suit
made unto our said lieutenant general and general go-
vernor of our said kingdom of Ireland, by the members
of the said cities and towns, to cause new charters, by
the advice of our learned council in that our kingdom,
or some of them, to be passed unto the said cities and
towns formerly corporate, respectively, and the great
seal of our said kingdom of Ireland, in such manner as
our said lieutenant general and general governor of our
said kingdom of Ireland should think fit, and thereby to
grant unto the said cities and towns formerly corporate,
respectively, such of the lands, tenements, and heredi-
taments formerly belonging unto them, and also such
liberties, franchises, privileges, and advantages formerly
granted unto or conveyed by them, and also such re-
strictions, limitations, and exceptions as our said lieu-
tenant general and general governor of our said king-
dom of Ireland should think fit and most conducing to
our service and the better support of the corporation.
And whereas the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and com-
monality of our said town and county of our town of
Galway, taking notice of our princely grace and favour
intended to our cities and towns corporate in our realm
of Ireland, by our said letters of the 16th day of Au-
gust in the twenty-third year of our reign, have hum-
bly petitioned our right trusty and right well beloved
cousin and counsellor Arthur Earl of Essex, our lieu-
61
APPENDIX.
tenant general and general governor of our said king-
dom of Ireland, that we would be graciously pleased to
grant unto them a new charter, and thereby incorporate
them and their successors to be one body corporate and
politic within our said town and county of our said
town of Galway, in succession for ever, and to have and
enjoy such lands, tenements, and hereditaments, royal-
ties, franchises, liberties, and privileges as our said lieu-
tenant general and general governor of our said king-
dom of Ireland should think fit for the encouragement
of trade and the advantage of our service there; and
have also since made it their humble and express desire
that we should be graciously pleased to make some pro-
vision in our said new charter for securing the disburse-
ments and charges which Theodorus Russell, esq. their
present mayor, hath been at in laying out serviceable
great sums of money to redeem them from their lost
condition, by purchasing it from Elizabeth Hamilton,
the widow and relict of James Hamilton, esq. lately de-
ceased, the estate, right, title, and interest in and unto
such charter, market, and petty duties formerly belong-
ing unto the said corporation, which were forfeited unto
and granted by us unto the said Elizabeth, by letters
patents and our great seal of Ireland, bearing date the
5th of December in the twenty-fifth year of our reign,
and for a further compensation of his great pains and
favour therein shewed unto them. And whereas we
have graciously pleased, for the better improving the
said town and settling of trade and manufactures therein,
to condescend to the humble desires of the said petition-
Now know ye that we, of our special grace, certain
knowledge, and mere motion, by and with the advice and
consent of our right trusty and well beloved cousin and
counsellor Arthur Earl of Essex, our lieutenant general
and general governor of our said kingdom of Ireland
ers.
APPENDIX.
65
and according to the tenor of our said letters and our
royal signet and sign manual, bearing date at our court
at Whitehall the 16th day of August in the 23d year
of our reign, and enrolled in rolls of our high court of
Chancery in our said kingdom of Ireland, have willed,
declared, and constituted and granted, and by these
presents do will, declare, ordain, constitute, and grant
that our said town of Galway, and all and singular cas-
tles, houses, messuages, tufts, mills, edifices, structures,
curtilleges, gardens, waste grounds, lands, tenements,
and hereditaments situated, lying and being within the
town of Galway, shall be at all times hereafter one en-
tire and free borough of itself, by the name of the town
and borough of Galway, and shall from thence be called
and known by the name of the town and borough of
Galway, and all and singular the premises, into one en-
tire borough of itself, by the name of the town and bo-
rough of Galway, we do erect, constitute, make, and or-
dain by these presents and of our special grace, certain
knowledge and meer motion, by and with the advice
and consent aforesaid, we have willed ordained and
constituted, and by these presents for us, our heirs
and successors, we do will ordain and constitute, that
the said town of Galway, and all castles, messuages,
waters, rivers, lands, tenements and other heredita-
ments whatsoever, lying and being within the space of
two miles from every part of the town of Galway,
in a direct line from henceforth, to be one entire
county of itself, corporate in deed and in name, and
shall be for ever distinct and altogether separate from
the county of Galway, and that the said county of the
town so corporate, distinct and separate from the said
county of Galway, shall for ever hereafter be called,
taken, and known to be the county of the town of Gal-
way; provided always nevertheless, our will and plea-
E
66
APPENDIX.
sure is, and we do hereby declare, institute and ap-
point, that our justices of assize and goal delivery, and
our justices of the peace in the sessions for business
touching the county of Galway at large, and also the
sheriffs of the said county at large, for the time being,
in holding his terms or other his courts, and also their
commissioners, enquiries, and other offices of us our
heirs and successors, and every of them, who have
heretofore held their courts within the county of Gal-
way at large, and shall and may have free ingress and
regress into the town of Galway, and there hold their
sessions of all matters or things whatsoever, which
shall or may happen to be done or arise without the
said county of the town of Galway, and within the
county of Galway at large, in such place as they shall
think fit, and in as ample manner, to all intents and
purposes, as they did heretofore hold the same in St.
Francis Abbey, or any part of the county of Galway
at large, or as they might have held the same in case
the said town and precincts of the same were not
hereby made an entire county of itself, but remained
part of the said county of Galway at large, any thing
in our letters patents contained to the contrary thereof
in wise notwithstanding. And further of our spe-
cial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, by and
with the advice and consent aforesaid, we have given
and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs
and successors do give and grant, that in our said town
and county of our said town of Galway, there shall
be for ever after one new body corporate and politique.
in deed and name, consisting of one mayor, two she-
riffs, three burgesses and commonality of the said
town and county of said town of Galway, and that the
said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality
of the said town and county of our said town of Gal-
any
APPENDIX.
67
way, and their successors, be one body corporate and
politique for ever to endure, we do by these presents
fully make, create and establish, that the same body
corporate shall for ever be called and known by the
name of the mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and com-
monality of the said town and county of the said town
of Galway, and that by the same name they and their
successors shall have perpetual succession, and shall
have, and shall be able and capable in law to have, pur-
chase, receive and possess lands, tenements, liberties,
privileges, jurisdictions, franchises, and heriditaments
whatsoever, of what kind or nature soever, unto them
and their successors in fee or perpetuity, and also
goods and chattles and all other things whatsoever, of
what nature or kind soever, and also to give, grant,
demise and assign lands, tenements, and heredita-
ments, goods and chattles, and do and execute all
other matters and things by the name aforesaid, as any
other person or natural body politique lawfully could
or might do in anywise; and likewise that they and
their successors, by the name of the mayor, sheriffs,
free burgesses, and commonality of said town and
county of the said town of Galway, may plead and be
impleaded, answer and be answered before us, our
heirs and successors, and before any of the justices,
coroners, and judges, as well ecclesiastical as secular
of us, our heirs and successors, or else wheresoever,
of and in all manner of accounts, real, personal, or
mixt suits, quarrels, and demands whatsoever against
them or by them to be prosecuted; and further, of our
like especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion,
by and with the advice and consent aforesaid, we have
given and granted, and by these presents, for us our
heirs and successors, we do give and grant unto
the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and common-
E 2
68
APPENDIX.
alty of the said town and county of our said town of
Galway, and their successors for ever, shall and may
have full power and authority to choose, send and
return in full and effectual manner, to all intents and
purposes, as formerly they did, or at any time here-
tofore have done, two discreet fit persons to serve and
attend in every parliament hereafter to be held in our
said kingdom of Ireland; and that the said persons so
elected, sent and returned, shall have full power and
authority to treat and consent upon such things and
matters as shall be to them there proposed, or de-
clared, and thereupon freely give their votes and
suffrages, and to do and execute all other things what-
soever, as fully and freely as any other burgess of any
antient borough in the said realm of Ireland, or in our
said realm of England, in the parliament there are
wont to do and execute; and to the intent that in time
to come it may appear that the said new charter was
granted unto honest discreet men, we do by these
presents make, nominate and constitute Theodore
Russell, Esq. to be the first and modern mayor of
said town and county of said town of Galway, to
continue in the said office until the feast of Saint
Michael the Archangel, which shall be in the year of
our Lord God 1678; and we do likewise by these
presents make, nominate and constitute and appoint
John Clarke and Richard Browne to be first and mo-
dern sheriffs of the town and county of the said town
of Galway, to continue in the said office until the
feast of Saint Michael the Archangel which shall be
in the year of our Lord God 1678; and likewise we
do by these presents make, nominate and constitute Sir
Oliver St. George, Bart. Sir James Cuff and Sir
Thomas Newcom, knights, Vere Essex Cromwell,
Esq. Richard Coote, Esq. Sir Henry Waddington,
APPENDIX.
69
Sir Charles Holecraft, John Eyre, Edward Eyre, John
Mayort and William Hamilton, Esqrs. George Hull,
gentleman, and George Lesson, Esq. and such other as
the mayor and sheriffs, and the major part of the free
burgesses for the time being shall choose to be the first
and modern free burgesses of the said town and county of
the said town of Galway, to continue in the said offices
of free burgesses, during their respective lives, until
they shall, in the mean time, for their misbehaviour, or
any other reasonable cause, be removed from the said
office or offices, and also all such inhabitants of the
said town, and so many others as the said mayor, she-
riffs and free burgesses of the said town and county of
the said town of Galway for the time being shall
admit into the freedom of the said town and we do by
these presents make and ordain to be of the com-
monality of the said town of Galway. And further,
we do by these presents make, nominate and constitute
William Sprigg, Esq. to be recorder of the said town
of Galway, and to continue the said office until the
feast of Saint Michael the Archangel which shall be
in the year 1678; and Jerom Russell, Gentleman to
be sworn clerk of our said town of Galway, and to
continue in the said office until the feast of Saint Mi-
chael the Archangel which shall be in the year 1678;
and further, we will that the said Theodore Russell,
whom we have by these presents constituted mayor of
the said town of Galway, and the said William
Sprigg, whom we have constituted recorder of the
said town, shall, within one month after the date of
these our letters patent, come before Sir Henry Wad-
dington, knight, Charles Holecraft, Esq. now high
sheriff of the said county of Galway, and John Eyre,
Esq. or any two of them, and in due manner take the
oath of supremacy established by act of parliament
70
APPENDIX.
second Elizabeth, in our said kingdom of Ireland,
and the oath of allegiance, and also this ensuing
oath (viz.)" I, A. B. do declare and believe that
it is not lawful, upon any pretence whatsoever, to
take up arms against the king, and that I do abhor
that traiterous position of taking arms by his authority
against his person, or against those that are commis-
sioned by him, so help me God,"-shall likewise res-
pectively take the several oaths heretofore usually
taken for the due execution of the several offices of
the mayor
and recorder of the said town and
county of the said town of Galway, and that the
said John Clarke and Richard Browne, whom we
have by these presents constituted sheriffs of the
the said town and county of the said town of Galway
and their successors; and the said Jerom Russell, whom
we have constituted town clerk of our said town of
Galway, and his successors, and the said Sir Oliver
St. George, Sir James Cuff, Sir Thomas Newcom,
Vere Essex Cromuck, Richard Coote, Sir Henry
Waddington, Charles Holecroft, John Eyre, Edward
Eyre, John Mayort, Williem Hamilton, George
Hall, and George Lesson, whom we have made present
free burgesses of the said town, as also their successors,
in the place and places of free burgesses at all times,
to come before they be admitted to execute their re-
spective offices, places and employments; and likewise
all and every such person and persons as shall be of
the said common council of the said town and borough,
as also their successors in the place of common coun-
cilmen, at all times to come before they be admitted
into their respective offices, places and employments,
shall severally and respectively take as well the seve-
ral oaths particularly mentioned, as also the other
heretofore usually taken for the due execution of their
APPENDIX.
71
several offices, places or employments; the said to be
administered by the mayor and recorder, or by the
mayor and two of the burgesses of the said town and
county of the town of Galway for the time being, whom
we do by these presents authorise and require to ad-
minister the same in the tholsel, or in any other con-
venient place within the said town: and it is our fur-
ther will and pleasure that said office and offices of
mayor, recorder, sheriffs and town clerk of the said town
and county of the said town of Galway, be for ever
hereafter elective. And we do by these presents for us,
our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said
mayor, sheriffs, and free burgesses and commonality
counsel of the said town of Galway, and their succes-
sors, that the said mayor, sheriff, free burgesses and
commonality, counsel for the time being, yearly, for
ever, at the feast of St. Peter ad vincula, commonly
called Lamass day, from and after the five and twen-
tieth day of March next ensuing the date hereof, shall
and may assemble themselves in the tholsel of the said
town, or any other convenient place within the said
town of Galway, and being so assembled may, or the
greater part of them, before they depart thence, choose
one of the discreet free burgesses of the said town to
the office of mayor of the said town, who being pre-
sented, approved and sworn in manner as hereafter is
expressed, may hold, exercise, and enjoy the same for
one whole year, from the feast of St. Michael the
Archangel then next following, and until another of
said burgesses shall be duly elected, presented, approv-
ed, sworn in the said offiee in manner and form as
hereafter is set forth, and may also then and there
elect some discreet person learned in the laws to be
recorder of the said town, as also some discreet per-
son to be town clerk of the said town, who being re-
72
APPENDIX.
spectively presented, approved and sworn in manner
and form as hereafter is expressed, may hold, exercise
and enjoy the same for one whole year from the feast
of St. Michael the Archangel then next following, and
until two others shall be duly elected, presented, ap-
proved, and sworn into the said offices respectively, in
manner as hereafter is set forth and appointed; that
it shall and may be lawful for the mayor and recorder
of the said town for the time being respectively, in
case of sickness or any urgent and important occasion
of their own to be absent from the said town, to ap-
point their respective deputies during the time of his
or their sickness or absence from the said town, who
taking the several oaths herein formerly appointed to
be taken by the mayor and recorder of the said cor-
poration respectively, shall and may execute the place
and office of deputy mayor and deputy recorder of the
said corporation in all things during the time of such
mayor's and recorder's sickness or absence respectively,
as fully and amply to all intents and purposes as such
sick or absent mayor or recorder might have done if
he or they were well and personally present; such de-
puty mayor and deputy recorder respectively, first
taking all the several oaths formerly mentioned to be
taken by the mayor and recorder of the said town be-
fore the sheriffs of the said town for the time being,
and any three or more of the free burgesses of the said
town, whom we do hereby fully authorize and require
to administer the same unto them respectively, on
the Holy Evangelists; and our will and pleasure is, that
the mayor and recorder of our said town of Galway,
and their deputies for the time being respectively, shall
be justices of the peace of said county of Galway at
large, during their continuance in their respective of
fices and further, of our abundant grace, certain
APPENDIX.
73
knowledge, and mere motion, by and with the
the advice and consent aforesaid, we will, and by these
presents for us our heirs and successors, do give and
grant unto the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses, and
commonality of the said town and county of the said
town of Galway and their successors, that when and so
often as it shall happen that the mayor of the said town
of Galway, for the time being, shall die, or the said
office become void within the compass of the same year
after he shall be elected, presented, approved, and sworn
as aforesaid, that then in such case it shall and may be
lawful to and for the sheriffs, free burgesses, and com-
mon council of the said town and their successors,
within fifteen days after such death or vacancy, to choose
some other fit person out of the number of free bur-
gesses to the office of mayor of the town, and that such
person being so elected and chosen, and taking the se-
veral oaths before mentioned before the sheriffs, and
any seven or more of them, free burgesses of the said
town for the time being, whom we do hereby authorize
and require to administer the same on the Holy Evan-
gelists, shall and may execute the said office of mayor of
the said town and county of the said town of Galway
until the feast of St. Michael archangel next following,
until new election business. And further of our
abundant grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion,
by and with the advice and consent aforesaid, we have
granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and
successors, do give and grant unto the mayors, sheriffs,
free burgesses, and commonality of the said town of
Galway and their successors for ever, that the said
mayors, sheriffs, and common council, and their suc-
cessors for ever, shall have full power and authority from
time to time every year at the feast of Lamass, to choose
and nominate two honest discreet free burgesses of the said
74
APPENDIX.
town to be sheriffs of the said county of the said town of
Galway aforesaid, to continue for one whole year from
the feast of St. Michael the archangel then next fol-
lowing such election inclusive; and that such persons so
elected, presented, approved, and sworn in manner as
hereafter is set forth, may take upon them the execution
of the said office of sheriff, and may hold, execute, and
enjoy the said office of sheriff of the county of the town
of Galway for one whole year, from the feast of Saint
Michael the archangel, then next following, until others
be elected, presented approved, and sworn in the said
office in manner as hereafter is expressed, and that such
sheriffs of the county of said town of Galway shall and
may have and exercise all manner of instructions,
powers, authorities, liberties, and other things what-
soever to the said office of sheriff belonging or apper-
taining within the said town and county of the town of
Galway, and the limits, means and bounds of the same,
as other sheriffs of us, our heirs and successors within
our said kingdom of Ireland have, or ought to have
within their bailiwick; and that our heirs and successors
from time to time, for ever hereafter, shall and will direct
and cause to be made to the sheriffs of the said county
of the said town of Galway for the time being, all and
singular writs, bills and precepts, warrants, summons,
attachments, distresses, estreats and mandates of us, our
heirs and successors; and the summons, attachments and
distresses of the exchequer of us, our heirs and successors,
and other the courts of us, our heirs and successors, aris-
ing from any matters and things within the said town
and company of the said town of Galway, or within the
precincts or limits of the same for the future, which
ought to be directed to and executed by the sheriffs of
the county of Galway if the town of Galway and pre-
APPENDIX.
75
cincts of the same were not made in an entire county of
itself, so that no other sheriffs in our said realm of Ire-
land, or bailiff, or sergeant of any sheriff in said realm
of Ireland, except the sheriffs of us, our heirs and suc-
cessors of the said county of the town of Galway, and
their bailiffs, ministers, or sergeants, shall for the future
enter into the said town or precincts of the same (except
as before is excepted) to exercise or execute any thing
that belongs to the office of the said sherif, nor shall any
way enter or meddle therein. And we do further will,
institute and ordain, and our royal will and pleasure
is, that upc. ll elections to be hereafter made after the
25th day of March next of any person or persons to
serve in any of the offices of mayor, sheriffs, recorder,
or town clerk of the said corporation, the names of the
persons so elected to serve in the said several offices of
mayor, sheriff or recorder, shall be by said corporation
forthwith presented to our lieutenant or the chief go-
veri.or or governors of the said privy council of our
said kingdom of Ireland, to be approved of by them;
and that the said persons so elected for any of the said
offices shall be for ever hereafter incapable of serving
in the said several offices, or any of them, until they
shall be respectively approved of by the said lord lieu-
tenant or chief governor or governors of the privy
council of our said kingdom of Ireland, by order, or
under their hands; and in case the persons, or any of
them whose names shall be presented to our lieutenant
or other chief governor or governors and council of
our said kingdom of Ireland shall not be so approved of
within ten days after their names shall be so presented,
then in such case the said corporation shall, from time
to time, proceed to a new election of fit persons for the
said respective offices for which the said persons so pre-
76
APPENDIX.
sented shall not be approved of, and shall in like man-
ner present their names to the said lieutenant or other
chief governor or governors and council of our said
kingdom of Ireland until they shall have chosen such
persons for the said respective offices as shall be ap-
proved of as aforesaid; provided always, that this shall
not extend to the elections of any persons that shall be
elected in the place of any the said officers annually
chosen who shall die within the year of their election
of the said respective offices, or within one month be-
fore they are to enter upon the execution thereof; and
our further will and pleasure is, that no person shall be
hereafter chosen warden of the said town of Galway
but such person as shall be nominated to the said of-
fice by our lieutenant or other chief governor or go-
vernors of our said kingdom of Ireland for the time
being. And our further will and pleasure is, and we
do hereby declare and ordain that no person or persons
that shall be hereafter elected either mayor, recorder,
sheriffs, aldermen, town clerk, free burgesses, or one of
the common council within the said town or cor-
poration, or master or wardens of any corporation,
guild, or fraternity within the said town and cor-
poration, shall be capable of holding, enjoying, or
executing any of the said offices, places or employ-
ments, until he or they shall take the oath of supre-
macy established by Act of Parliament second Eli-
zabeth in this kingdom, and the oaths of allegiance,
besides the oaths usually taken upon the admission of
any person unto the said respective offices, places, or
employments, and also the ensuing oath, viz. "I, A.
B. do declare and believe, that it is not lawful upon any
pretence whatsoever to take up arms against the King,
and that I do abhor that traiterous position of taking
arms by his authority, against his person, or against
APPENDIX.
27
those that are commissioned by him, so help me God:"
the said oaths to be taken before such person or per-
sons as shall admit them to their several offices and
employments, who are hereby empowered, authorised,
and required to administer to them the said oaths; and
upon any such person or persons refusal to take the
said oaths, the election of said such person or persons
unto any of the said offices, places, and employments,
is hereby declared to be absolutely null and void, such
persons only excepted, with whose taking the said oath
of supremacy, our lieutenant or other chief governor
or governors of our said kingdom, for the time being,
for some particulars shall think fit, by writing under
his or their hands by name to dispense; and for the
avoiding of such tumults and discords, wherewith po-
pular election of magistrates and other officers are
often attended, we do hereby further order and direct,
for ever hereafter, the mayor, sheriffs, recorder, and
town clerk, shall be elected and chosen by the mayor,
sheriffs, and common council of the said town, or the
greater number of the votes of such of the common
council of the said town that shall be present at the
days whereon such election are and ought usually to
be made; and that no freeman of the said town, or
other person who shall not be of the common council
of the said town, shall at any time hereafter have any
vote in the election of any mayor or sheriffs, recorder
or town clerk, or other officers in the said town of
Galway; and that no matter or thing relating in any-
wise to affairs of said town shall be hereafter pro-
pounded or abated in the tholsel or general assembly
of the said town until the same shall have first passed
the common council of the said town, and the persons
offending against the rule to be defranchised by the
mayor and common council of the said town, any law
78
APPENDIX.
usage or custom of the said town to the contrary not-
withstanding. And further, we will and ordain that
the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses, and commo-
nality, for them and their successors, do accordingly
covenant and agree to and with us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, that "all foreigners, strangers, aliens, as well
"others as protestants, who are or shall be merchant,
"factor, artifice, artificers, seamen or otherwise skilled
“or exercised in any mysteries, craft or trade, in work-
"ing or making any manufactory, or the art of navi-
gation, who are at present residing and inhabiting
"within the said town of Galway, or who shall at any
"time after come unto the said town of Galway, with
"intent and resolution there to inhabit, reside or
"dwell, shall upon his or their reasonable suit or re-
CC
<<
66
quest made, and upon payment due or tendered of
"20s. sterling, by way of a fine unto the chief magis-
gistrate or magistrates, common council or persons
"authorised to admit and make freemen of the said
'town of Galway, be admitted a freeman of our said
"town of Galway and if he or they shall desire it of
"all or any guild, brotherhood, society, or fellowship
"of any trade, craft, or other mystery within the same
"during his or their residence for the most part, and his
"and their families constant inhabiting within the said
"town of Galway, and no longer, and shall have, exer-
"cise and enjoy all privileges and immunities of trad-
"ing, working, buying and selling in as large and
ample manner as any freeman of said town of Gal-
way might have, exercise and enjoy, by virtue of his
"or their freedom; and that every such person or per-
66
<<
sons who shall be admitted to be free as aforesaid,
"shall henceforth be deemed, esteemed, and taken to
"be denisen and denisens within this kingdom, any
"law statute, charter, usage, or custom of this king-
APPENDIX.
79
"dom, or of any city, walled town or corporation of
"the same, to the contrary in any wise notwithstand-
"ing; provided always, that all such strangers, arti-
"ficers, and others to be admitted freemen as afore-
"said, shall take the oath of allegiance, and also all
"such oaths as are accustomably taken by all or any
"freeman or members of the said town of Galway, or
by all or any such guild or brotherhood, society or
fellowship of the traders crafts or other mysteries
"which he or they shall occupy or exercise, in case he
"or they shall desire to be incorporated into any such
"guild, brotherhood, society or fellowship aforesaid,
"and shall pay all such and like charges as all free-
"men or subjects of the like trade, craft, or any mys-
tery shall do use to pay, and no other nor no more;
"and that if the chief magistrate or magistrates, or
66
CC
66
any person authorised as aforesaid of the said town
"of Galway, or any master, warden, or other governor
"of any brotherhood, society or fellowship, or any
"trade, craft, or mystery within the said town of Gal-
way, shall refuse to admit any such stranger, being
"a merchant, trader, artificer, workman or seaman,
"residing or coming into our said kingdom of Ireland
"with intent as aforesaid to be a freeman of our said
"town of Galway, or to be a brother or member of
any brotherhood, society, or fellowship within the
<<
CC
same, every such chief magistrate or magistrates,
"masters, wardens, or other governors respectively,
"shall upon complaint and due proof made of such
"refusal before our lieutenant or chief governor or
governors and council of our said kingdom of Ire-
"land, be by their order disfranchised, and from
66
thenceforth, incapable, without their licence, of being a
"freeman or member of the said town; and every such
"stranger being a merchant, trader, artificer, work-
80
APPENDIX.
"man or seaman, upon tender made by him of twenty
"shillings by way of fine as aforesaid, and taking
"the oath of allegiance before any justice of the peace
"of the county of Galway, who is hereby authorised
"and appointed to administer the said oath, shall there-
"upon by virtue hereof, be deemed, reputed, and
"taken to all intents and purposes to be a freeman or
"member of our said town of Galway, and of the
"brotherhood, society, and fellowship of any trade,
"craft or mystery where he or others shall be denied
"admission as aforesaid, and from henceforth have,
“exercise, and enjoy the liberty and privilege of trade-
ing, working, buying and selling of any commodities.
"whatsoever in as large and ample manner as if he
"had been admitted a freeman of the said town of
"Galway, a brother or member of such brotherhood,
66
society, or fellowship, or trade or craft, or mystery
"within the same, taking the usual oaths of such free
"brothers or members, which oath any one justice of
"peace of our said county of Galway is by these pre-
"sents empowered to administer, and paying all such
charges as aforesaid, any law, custom or usage to the
"contrary in anywise notwithstanding; and in case
(6
any person or persons shall give any disturbance or
interruption to any such stranger, being a merchant,
"trader, artificer, artisan, workman or seaman as afore-
"said, to the hindering of him in his trading, working,
"buying or selling as aforesaid, contrary to the intent
"and meaning of these presents, all and every such
66
person or persons so offending shall, upon the com-
"plaint and proof made of his or their offence therein
"before our lieutenant or other chief governor or go-
66
vernors and council of our said kingdom of Ire-
“land, for the time being, by their order be disfran-
"chised, and from thenceforth incapable without their
APPENDIX.
81
"licence of being made a freeman or member of our
"said town of Galway." And further, of our abund-
ant grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion,
by and with the consent aforesaid, we have given,
granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs
and successors, we do give and grant unto the
said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and commona-
lity of the said town and county of the said town of
Galway, and their successors for ever, that there be
within the said town and county of the said town of
Galway, and the franchises of the same, one guild of
merchants of the staple consisting of one mayor, two
constables, and of such number of merchants of the
said town as the said mayor and constables of the
said guild of merchants of the staple for the time being
shall think fit; and therefore we will, and by this our
charter we do for us, our heirs and successors, make,
constitute and ordain Charles Holecroft, esq. mayor
of the said guild of merchants of the staple of the said
town of Galway, to continue from the date of these our
letters patents to the feast of Saint Michael the Arch-
angel which shall be in the year of our Lord 1678; and
also we do by these presents make, constitute and ordain
John Flower and Thomas Poole constables of the said
guild of merchants of the staple of the said town of
Galway, to continue until the feast of Saint Michael
the Archangel which shall be in the year of our Lord
1678; and that after the feast of Saint Michael the
Archangel in the year 1678, the mayor and constables
of the said guild of merchants of staple to be yearly
ordained in manner following; that is to say, the
mayor of said town of Galway for the proceeding year
shall be, and is hereby appointed to be mayor of the
said guild of merchants of the staple for one year then
next following; and the sheriffs of the said town for
F
82
APPENDIX.
the proceeding year shall be, and are hereby ap-
pointed to be constables of the said guild of merchants
for one year then next following, and no longer; and
that the mayor and constables, and mayor and one
constable of the said guild of merchants of the staple
of the said town for the time being, for ever, shall have
full and absolute power and authority, from time to
time, to take and receive all and singular statutes, re-
cognizances of the staple taken, or to be taken within
the said town and borough, and thereupon to certify
the same into the high court of chancery in our said
realm of Ireland, and further to do and execute all
and singular other matters and things which do any-
wise belong or appertain to the office of mayor and
constables of the guild of merchants of the staple,
according to the form of the statute in that case made
and provided, in as ample manner and form as the
mayor and constables of the staple in our city of Wa
terford, or any other town or city within our said
realm of Ireland do use or execute, or heretofore
might or could do or execute in any wise. And fur-
ther, of our more ample grace, certain knowledge, and
mere motion, by and with the advice and consent
aforesaid, we will, and by these presents for us, our
heirs and successors, do grant unto the said mayor,
sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality of the said
town and county of the said town of Galway, and
their successors, that they and their successors for ever
shall and may have and use such several vestments,
ensigns and ornaments within the said town and coun-
ty of the town of Galway, and the franchises of the
same, for honour and dignity of the said town and
county of the said town of Galway, and the mayor and
sheriffs, free burgesses, and commonality of the said
town, as the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and common-
ality had used, or might or could have had or used
APPENDIX.
83
:
within the said town of Galway at any time before
the said 23d of October which was in the year 1641.
That the said mayor of the said town of Galway may
have a sword-bearer before him at all places within the
said town of Galway and county of the said town of
Galway, and all the franchises thereof, for the greater
eminence of the mayoralty or office of mayor of the said
town, and authority thereunto belonging: and to this
end we will, and by these presents do grant that the
mayors, sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality of
of the said town, and their successors from time to
time for ever, may constitute and have one officer or
sword-bearer to carry the sword before the mayor of
of the said town for the time being in manner and form
aforesaid and further we will, and by these presents
for us, our heirs and successors, do grant unto the
said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality
of the said town and county of the said town of Gal-
way, and their successors, that they and their successors
shall and may have, for ever hereafter, within the said
town of Galway, or the liberties and precints thereof,
one house of common meeting or convocation, which
shall be called the Tholsel of said town of Galway; and
that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said
mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality, and
their successors, and to and for the recorder of the
said town for the time being, or the major part of
them, as often as to them or the major part of
them shall seem meet or requisite, to meet and assem-
ble themselves in the aforesaid house called the Tholsel,
or in any other convenient place within the said town,
the liberties and precincts thereof; and that the said
mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality of
the said town, or the major part of them so as-
sembled, whereof the said mayor and recorder of
F 2
81
APPENDIX.
the said town of Galway for the time being to be
two, may and shall have full power and authority from
time to time, then and there to ordain, make, con-
stitute and establish such reasonable laws, statutes,
constitutions, decrees and ordinances whatsoever, as
they or the major part of them shall, in their discre-
tions, see good, wholesome, profitable, honest and
necessary as well for the good rule and government of
our said town and county of Galway, and the liber-
ties and precincts thereof, and of all and singular the
officers, members and ministers of the said town and
liberties and precincts thereof, as also for the declaring,
setting down, and appointing in what order, manner
and form the said mayor, sheriffs and free burgesses
and commonalty, and other officers and ministers of
of our said town and county of our said town of Gal-
way, the liberties and precincts thereof, shall and may
from time to time demean and behave themselves in
their several and respective employments, and also for
the common profit, advantage and good government
of the said town and liberties and precincts thereof,
as also for the better preserving, governing and dis-
posing and placing, selling, or letting of all or any
lands, tenements and hereditaments within, and by
these presents or otherwise are and have been granted,
assigned, or confirmed, or which at any time hereafter
shall be given, granted, assigned or confirmed to the
said mayor, sheriff, free burgesses and commonality of
our said town and county of our said town of Galway,
as also for the better governing, ordering and dispos-
ing of all and singular other matters, causes and things
whatsoever touching or concerning the estate, right or
interest of said town of Galway. And that it shall
and may be lawful to and for the said mayor, sheriffs,
free burgesses, recorder and commonality of our said
APPENDIX.
$5
town and county of our said town of Galway for the
time being, or the major part of them, whereof the
mayor and the recorder of said town for the time
being to be two, at such time and times and places as
they, or the major part of them shall think fit, to make,
ordain, and establish such iaws, statutes, and ordi-
nances, as aforesaid, and to impose and cesss
upon all and every person and persons that shall
offend against the said laws, statutes, ordinances, or
any of them, such reasonable payments penalties and
punishments as to the mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses,
recorder and commonality for the time being, or the
major part of them as aforesaid, shall seem requi-
site and expedient in that behalf; all and singular which
said laws, statutes, and ordinances for to be made, con-
stituted and ordained as aforesaid, we will and com-
mand to be observed, obeyed and performed under
the payments, penalties and punishments therein to
be contained as aforesaid; provided that the said
laws, statutes, ordinances, payments, penalties and
punishments be reasonable, and not repugnant nor
contrary, but agreeable to the laws, statutes, cus-
toms, rights and usages of our said kingdom of Ire-
land, and unto the rules, ordinances and directions.
made and established by our lieutenant and council of
our said kingdom of Ireland, bearing date the 23d day
of September in the year 1662, for the better regu-
lation of the said corporation of our said town of Gal-
way, and the electing of magistrates and officers there.
And we further will, and by these presents for us, our
heirs and successors, do grant unto the said mayors,
sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality of our said
town and county of our said town of Galway, and their
successors, that they and their successors shall and may
for ever hereafter have, hold, and keep in the tholsel
86
APPENDIX.
of our said town of Galway, or any other convenient
place within the said town, the liberties and precincts.
thereof, a weekly court of record on every Tuesday
and Friday in the week before the mayor or his de-
puty and the recorder of the said town for the time
being, or his deputy; and that in the same court they
may hold and may have cognizance of all and all
manner of pleas and actions upon the case, deceipts,
debts, accounts, detinues and traspasses, taking and
detaining of goods and chattels and other contracts
whatsoever, for any causes, matters or things arising,
happening, or growing within our said town and
county of our said town of Galway, the liberties and
precincts thereof; and that in the said court the said
mayor and recorder of the said town for the time be-
ing, and their respective deputies as aforesaid, and
may cause all and every person and persons against
whom such suits, plaints, actions and demands as
aforesaid shall be brought, sued or demanded to be
attached, according to the due course and process of law,
by their goods and chattels within the said town and
county of the said town of Galway, the liberties and
precints thereof, or shall and may cause the bodies of
such persons to be arrested, and the bodies of such
persons so arrested, to be committed and sent to pri-
son, and by and according to the like due course.
of law shall and may have and determine all and sin-
gular such pleas, actions, plaints, suits and demands,
and cause execution to be thereof made in as ample
manner and form as hath been done, used, and ac-
customed in any court of record now, or at time here-
tofore held or kept within our said town and county
of our said town of Galway, or any court of record
now, or at any time heretofore holden or kept in
any other city or borough or town corporate within
APPENDIX.
87
manors,
J
our said kingdom of Ireland; and our further will and
pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our
heirs and successors, grant, restore, ratify, and confirm
to the aforesaid mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses, and
commor. lity of our said town and county of our said
town of alway, and their successors for ever, all the
essuages, houses, chantries, lands, tene-
ments, wastes, waste grounds, common pastures, pur-
prestures, reversions, rents, services and heredita-
ments whatsoever, which in and upon the 22d of
October 1641 were lawfully held and possessed or
enjoyed by the mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and
commonality of the said town and county of the said
town, in their politique capacity; and also all and all
manner of such and the same liberties, franchises, free
customs, immunities, usages, exemptions, easements,
jurisdictions, fairs, markets, courts of pypowder,
weyers, fishings, waters, wharfs, keys, customs, tolls,
pickage, stallage, passage, pontage, paveage, goods
and chattels wayved, strayes, treasuretrove, profits,
commodities, advantages, benefits, emoluments, liber-
ties, powers, authorities, privileges, duties, rights and
hereditaments, lawfully had, held, used, received,
possessed or enjoyed by the mayor, sheriffs, free bur-
gesses, and commonality of the said town and county
of the said town of Galway, in or upon the said two
and twentieth day of October 1641, by force and vir-
tue of any charters or letters patents heretofore made
or granted, or confirmed by any of our royal prede-
cessors, late Kings an Queens of England, by what-
soever name or names, or by whatsoever incorpora-
tion they have been incorporated or known, or by force
of or virtue of any lawful right, title or acquisition,
purchase, usage, custom, prescription, or other law-
ful means whatsoever, although they or any of them
88
APPENDIX.
have been abused, disused and discontinued: Where-
fore we do will, and by these presents for us, our heirs
and successors, do strictly enjoin and command that
the mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses, and commonality
of the said town and county of the said town of Gal-
way, and their successors for ever, shall and may freely
and entirely have, hold, use and enjoy all the liberties
and free contents, privileges, authorities, jurisdic-
tions, freedoms, manors, messuages, chantries, lands,
tenements, and common pasture, fishings, wiers and
hereditaments aforesaid, according to the tenor, effect,
true intent and meaning of these our letters patents,
without the least impeachment or hindrance of us, our
heirs and successors, or any of the officers or ministers
of us, our heirs and successors whatsoever, willing that
the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgessers, and commo-
nality of our said town and county of our said town of
Galway or their successors, or any of them, be not at
any time hereafter impleaded, molested, vexed, ag-
grieved, or in any ways troubled for or by reason of the
premises, or any of them, by us, our heirs, and successors,
or the sheriffs, escheaters, bailiffs, coroners or other
officers or ministers whatsoever for us, our heirs and
successors; saving nevertheless to every person or per-
sons, their heirs and assigns, who have or claim any
lands, tenements, or hereditaments formerly belonging
to the said corporation of Galway in their politique ca-
pacity, by force and virtue of any letters patents under
our great seal of Ireland, grounded on any certificate past
by our late commissioners of our court of claim sitting
at Dublin, all such estate, right, title, and interest as
they and their heirs and assigns have or ought to have
in law or equity, of, in, and unto such lands, tenements, or
hereditaments, by force and virtue of any such certificates,
and letters patents made unto them in manner as afore-
APPENDIX.
89
said; saving also unto Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton, the widow
and relict of James Hamilton, one of the grooms of our
bed chamber, lately deceased, her heirs and assigns, all
and such estate, right, title, and interest as she and they
have in and unto any the lands, tenements, and here-
ditaments formerly belonging unto the said corporation
of Galway, and which were lately given by us unto the
said Elizabeth Hamilton, her heirs and assigns, by
certain letters patents under our great seal of Ireland,
bearing date the 5th day of September which was in
the 25th year of our reign; saving also unto Colonel
The dore Russell, his heirs and assigns, all such
estate, right, titie, and interest as the said Theodore
Russell, or the assigns of the said Elizabeth Hamilton.
hath, or ought to have in law or equity in and unto the
duties, fees, and perquisites of the market of Galway,
together with the market-house lately mortgaged by the
corporation of Galway to John Blake, esq. late recorder
of Galway, for the sum of £400. sterling, and in and
unto the charter and petty customs of Galway lately
mortgaged by the said corporation unto Nicholas Blake
and Gregory Lynch, and others, for the sum of £2000.
sterling, all which said charter, market and petty duties
and customs, were to be amongst other things granted
by us to the late Elizabeth Hamilton, her heirs and
assigns as aforesaid, and by her assigned or articled,
and agreed to be assigned unto the said Theodore Rus-
sell, his heirs and assigns, for a great and valuable con·
sideration laid out and paid by him for the same at the
instance and desire of the said corporation; and there-
fore we do hereby ordain and appoint the said mayor,
sheriffs, free burgesses and commonality of our said
town and county of our said town of Galway, do ac-
cordingly for them and their successors covenant, pro-
mise, grant and agree to and with us, our heirs, and
90
APPENDIX.
successors, that neither they the said mayor, sheriffs,
free burgesses and commonality, nor their successors or
any of them, nor any person or persons whatsoever
claiming the premises, or any part thereof, by freedom.
from them or any of them, or by or with their privity or
procurement, shall or will by virtue of these presents or
otherwise, demand, levy, collect, or recover the charter,
market and petty duties or customs aforesaid, or any of
them, or wittingly or willingly interrupt, molest, or dis-
turb, or give any interruption or disturbance at any
time unto the said Theodore Russell, his heirs and
assigns, or his or their agents and receivers in having,
collecting, and receiving the aforesaid charter, market,
and petty duties and customs, and every of them, until
he and they have first levied, collected, and received out
of all and singular the issues, perquisites, and profits
that shall arise out of the said charter, market, and petty
duties and custom of the said town of Galway to his or
their own use, the full and entire sum of £2500. sterling,
which hath been expended by him by purchasing the
said charter, market, and petty duties from the said
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton in manner as aforesaid; and
also all such other sum or sums of money as he the said
Theodore Russell shall upon oath account to have ex-
pended and laid out in and concerning the same, and
until the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and com-
monality of the said town and county of the said town
of Galway shall likewise have satisfied and paid to the
said Theodore Russell, either out of the issues and
profits of the said charter, market, and petty duties and
customs aforesaid, or otherwise the full sum of £300.
sterling over and above his disbursements, as a rea-
sonable composition for his great pains and trouble
undergone on the behalf of and for the good of that
corporation; and from and after such satisfaction of the
APPENDIX.
91
same aforesaid, to the said Theodore Russell, his heirs
and assigns, the said charter, market, and petty duties and
customs of the town, to remain to the mayor, sheriffs, free
burgesses and commonality of the said town, and their
successors, to such uses whereunto the same were by any
former charter of the said town granted or designed. And
our further will and pleasure is, and we do hereby
will and require our lieutenant general, or any other
chief governor or governors of our said kingdom of
Ireland, and our privy council there for the time be-
ing, that they and every of them do take care that
the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and common-
ality of our said town of Galway, and their succes-
sors, do hereby and truly observe, fulfil and perform
and keep the several articles and agreements by them
made with us for satisfying the said Theodore Rus-
sell in manner as aforesaid; and that they pursue all fit-
ting means for his security, and keep him in the quiet and
full possession of the said duties and customs, either by
an annual electing him unto the office or place of mayor
of the said corporation in succession, until he is satisfied
in all and singular the aforesaid sums and engagements
or otherwise by such other reasonable and fitting ways
and means as they shall judge to be most expedient
and conducing to the ends and purposes aforesaid.
And further, of our more ample grace, certain know-
ledge, and meer motion, by and with the advice and
consent aforesaid, we do by these presents for us, our
heirs and successors, grant unto the mayor, sheriffs,
free burgesses, and commonality of the said town and
county of the said town of Galway, and their succes-
sors for ever, that these our letters patents, or the
emoluments thereof, and every clause and covenant
therein contained, shall be construed, interpetred, and
read to the greatest advantage, benefit and favour of
92
APPENDIX.
the said mayor, sheriffs, free burgesses and common-
ality of the said town of Galway, and their succes-
sors, against us our heirs and successors, as well in all
our courts in our said kingdom of Ireland, as elsewhere-
soever, without any other confirmation, licence or to-
leration hereafter to be procured or obtained, notwith-
standing any defect or default whatsoever in these our
letters patents, or any other clause, matter or thing
whatsoever to the contrary whatsoever, although no
express mention, &c. And we further will, &c. with-
out fine in our hanaper, &c. Provided always, that
these our letters patent be enrolled in the rolls of our
high court of chancery in our said kingdom of Ire-
land, within the space of six months next ensuing the
date of these presents; any statute, &c. In witness
whereof we have caused our letters to be made patent
unto our aforesaid lieutenant general and general go-
vernor of our said kingdom of Ireland, at Dublin,
the 14th day of August, in the twenty-ninth year of
our reign.
The words of the charter of Richard II. after enu-
merating the tolls and customs, are," Provided al-
ways that the "money pence" arising from thence to
be laid out towards the walling and paving of the said
town, and not otherwise. Those tolls and customs
were first granted by Richard the Second's charter, the
18th of November 1396; Henry the Sixth's charter,
12th of March 1425; Edward the Fourth's charter,
granted 28th of August 1464; Richard the Third's
charter, granted the 15th of December, 1484, confirmed
and enlarged the former charter of Richard the Se-
cond. But Richard the Third's charter says,
" Pro-
APPENDIX.
93
vided always, that the pence money from thence aris-
sing be laid out on the murage and pavage of the said
town, and not elsewhere or othewise."
The last charter
The Lord Mac
gave the title of Maya and Courts.
William of Clanrickard is deprived of all authority in
Galway, and first uses the words murage and pavage.
Henry the Eighth's charter, granted the third of July
in the 36th year of his reign, greatly enlarged the for-
mer charters, which he has all respectively confirmed.
Edward the Sixth did the same. Elizabeth's charter,
granted the 14th of July and 20th of her reign, great-
ly enlarged the former charters, and as to the tolls
and customs, expressly says, "Provided always, that
"the pence money from thence arising be faith-
fully expended on the murage and pavage of the
"said town of Galway, and not elsewhere or other-
"wise."
CC
I have been favoured with copies of many other
charters; but as they have been all recited in the sub-
sequent charters of Elizabeth and Charles the Second,
they would be merely literary curiosities, for which I
did not think myself warranted in laying my friends
under contribution.
The following poems I give as a specimen of county
of Galway poetry. I fear the talent has died with their
author.
94
APPENDIX.
THE BATTLE OF THE CHAUNTERS.
BY DR. DOMINICK O'KELLY OF BALLYGLASS,
A CELEBRATED PHYSICIAN.
(Fought near Castle Blakeney, in the county of Galway,
27th July, 1767.)
Now shield with shield, with helmet helmet closed,
To armour armour, lance to lance opposed;
To Greece and Troy the field of war divide,
And falling ranks are strewed on either side.
None stoops a thought to base inglorious flight,
But horse to horse and man to man they fight.
Not rabid wolves more fierce contest their prey.
Each wounds, each bleeds, but none resign the day.
POPE'S HOMER.
THE sun was set, the busy fair was o'er,
And hawkers strained their weary lungs no more,
With tents well stor'd each neighb'ring road was lin'd,
And ev'ry ale-wife was exceeding kind.
Of these, Black Moll the purest liquor sold;
Rich, ripe, and clear, although not five days old.
Her spacious tent had seats for soft repose,
And from her pots a grateful steam arose.
Before her door she sate, with gracious air,
To greet her friends returning from the fair.
Hard task her tongue was not a moment mute,
For who could pass without a kind salute?
Scarce could the tent her crowding guests contain,
Scarce could her hands supply the chearful train :
From friend to friend, while foaming cups went round,
In songs the music of the drones was drown'd.
APPENDIX.
95
Ah, how Tom Tip taught ev'ry note to thrill,
While Munster Jack exerted all his skill!
Both pipers, both well known o'er all the land,
For cards and dice, low wit, and slight of hand.
Both drunkards, am'rous, vers'd in ev'ry art,
To drain a cask, or wound a female heart.
Tom's softer strains young simple maids allure,
And Munster Jack no rival can endure:
Hence discord and disdain. The greatest wits
Are oft tormented with these jealous fits.
What wonder, then, if Jack should swell with pride?
Hear how he spoke; and how Tom Tip replied.
MUNSTER JACK.
On thee, Clonmell! sure ev'ry blessing falls,
And joy for ever dwells within thy walls;
Nor less delightful are thy neighb'ring bow'rs,
Where merry sportsmen pass their careless hours,
Where sprightly notes set youthful hearts on fire,
And ev'ry shepherd dances like a squire.
There, bred with gentle folks, I learn'd my trade;
Nor were my fingers harden'd by the spade.
Yield now, ye bagpipes! to the noisy drum,
And let spring water be prefer'd to rum ;
Let th' ace of hearts, the clubs' black knave defy,
Since poor Tom Tip with Munster Jack can vie.
TOM TIP.
Thy praise, Loughrea let ev'ry stranger tell,
Whose maids in beauty as in wealth excel;
Whose air no clouds, nor morning fogs obscure,
Whose bread is wholesome, and whose drink is pure.
96
APPENDIX.
Within thy walls, to priest-catchers unknown,
All things are safe but M-d-n h―ds alone.
'Tis there my pipe for ranting bucks I sound;
How shillings jingle when the plate goes round.
Sure low mushrooms like mountain oaks may rise,
And Eyre from Daly snatch the Galway prize;
Yon moon so pale, may teach the sun to see,
Since Munster Jack pretends to cope with me.
MUNSTER JACK.
An iv'ry flute, with silver tip'd I boast,
A fairy brought it from Arabian coast:
How straight and smooth! this, while my breath
inspires,
Old wives grown youthful, feel their former fires.
TOM TIP.
My drone, 'tis true, no silver rings embrace,
Nor is my chaunter of the fairy race;
Yet honest maids, whose hearts to truth incline,
Will swear no music is more sweet than mine. (Bra-
vissimo)
MUNSTER JACK.
To me young Ross a dainty nag bestow'd,
Fit for the plough, but fitter for the road.
French gives me wine, nor is the wine misplac'd,
The good old colonel is a man of taste.
While men like these my lofty notes admire,
Poor Tom sits tip'ling at an ale-house fire.
APPENDIX.
97
TOM TIP.
On Lombart's ground three pye-bald cows I feed,
And three young heifers of Nic Lynch's breed.
Nor think my bags are dry for want of wine,
For know Tom Garret and young Persse are mine.
If with Black Moll I pass an idle day,
For Moll what piper could refuse to play?
MUNSTER JACK.
Gods! how Pegg Walker fills my heart with glee,
So kind, so fond, and of her punch so free!
Yet more than Pegg her servant maid I prize,
For smooth as doe skin are her legs and thighs:
And sure no doe with greater speed can run,
A smock she ran for, and the smock she won.
TOM TIP.
A butcher's niece was once my soul's delight,
But out of mind, soon follows out of sight.
To good Kate Kearney my respects I paid,
And now I love the miller's blooming maid,
Whose limbs in beauty with her face agree;
No Munster lass hath lighter heels than she.
MUNSTER JACK.
I grant her heels were lighter than her head,
When Lambart found her with his groom in bed,
And when the cook— Alas! no more he sung!
Against the floor his guiltless pipes were flung:
The chaunter perished with a mournful sound,
And half the reed was buried in the ground.
G
98
APPENDIX.
Ah whence this civil rage? Ah Tom forbear!
And let a knave, a brother knave revere.
Up rose Black Moll, the rising fray to quell,
And as she rose, her pipe in splinters fell;
Tom's arm she seized, and while she held it fast,
An earthen jug the Munster piper cast,
But missed his aim; for rolling as it went,
On a poor cobler's cheek its force was spent:
Two pond'rous grinders from their seats it tore,
Ah! doomed to stretch a bullock's hide no more!
The crowd stood up, men, women, took th' alarm
All wedged together like a clust'ring swarm;
The graver sort restrain, reproach, advise,
And trembling maidens join their feeble cries.
When lo! the Cobler from his seat arose,
The blood yet gushing from his mouth and nose,
All pale with rage, he rushed upon the crew,
With head, hands, feet, and friends and foes o'er
threw.
Then all alike with thirst of vengeance burn'd,
The seats were shatter'd, and the pots o'erturned;
With one loud crash, the bulging tent was broke,
Tho' formed of canvas, and strong ribs of oak.
Reeling and tumbling o'er each other's heads,
Wide o'er the green the mad battalion spreads:
So waters gather'd on a rising ground,
Rush through their dams, and float the vales around.
And now the Cobler lifts a pond'rous stone,
Which with full force at Munster Jack was thrown;
But while to earth the cautious piper bends,
The rough, round bullet on a cask descends;
The vessel bursted with a dreadful sound,
Like yawning ice when heedless boys are drown'd,
The beer, that pleasing cordial of the poor,
In frothy torrents pour'd along the floor.
APPENDIX.
99
Black Moll beheld, and felt more grief no doubt,
Than if her husband's brains were dash'd about.
As Indian dames, their sons, or brothers slain,
In frantic gestures to their gods complain,
So to the skies her plaintive paws she spread,
Her eyes with fury starting from her head;
Then seized a tankard, which by chance was full,
Resolved to crush the crazy cobler's skull,
The tankard flies, but erring as it goes,
Falls like a bomb, on George the taylor's nose.
Ill fated youth! the darling of the fair,
For snuff, white stockings, and well powder'd hair;
In vain alas! the useful art he found,
To pinch his hat, and circumcise it round:
In dust he lay, the fustian frock he wore
Was drench'd with beer, and stained with purple gore :
Now Munster Jack to his associates cries,
See where my drone, unhappy victim! lies.
So great a conquest shall a scoundrel boast?
And shall my chaunter unrevenged be lost?
As thick as watchmen to a rising flame,
His dear comrades (all dear to mischief) came :
At Tom they flew, (so dogs a bull surround)
On his broad back their rattling cudgels bound.
While Tom defenceless, for assistance calls,
Full on his arm a ponderous cleaver falls;
Down drops his chaunter, (once so soft and sweet)
And the bag squeaks beneath its master's feet.
'Twas then Kate Kearney felt the dreadful fray,
Where stretch'd at ease beside the road she lay,
Not spent with too much toil, but overcome,
By treach'rous Hermes, in the form of rum.
With hair disorder'd in a thrice she rose,
And saw Top Tip encompassed by his foes;
G 2
100
APPENDIX.
Tom once so dear! henceforth ye nymphs be brave!
And learn, like Kate, your lovers' lives to save.
With strength endued, tho' frail about her waist,
A beggar's crutch she snatched with furious haste,
Fierce as a bitch, whose whelps are stolen away,
The young virago mingled in the fray:
Her stiff strong arms the jostling crowd divide,
And strokes on strokes she deals on ev'ry side.
First Nic the barber felt her vengeful ire,
Nic the gay cricket of each neighbour's fire;
Whose merry tales make mournful faces bright,
The miller's solace, and the smith's delight.
Next on a pedagogue her fury fell,
Who thought Alecto was let loose from hell.
No trope nor figure could her rage withstand,
And sure each neighbour schoolboy blest her hand.
As Dick the dancer rolled his watchful eye,
Trembling with fear, and yet ashamed to fly,
Prostrate he sunk beneath a thund'ring stroke,
His arm was batter'd, and his strings were broke.
Who now alas! shall charm the vulgar crew,
With strains which Handel or Duburgh ne'er knew;
Ah can his labours be so soon forgot?
Spare him O Kate who taught thee first to trot.
Nor could Black Tim, without a wound escape,
A fresh young shepherd of a comely shape,
Whose lungs are strong, although his arms be weak,
And on his lips the Jew harp seems to speak.
What grief, Black Moll! thy tender bosom tore
To see thy brother welt'ring in his gore?
Yet not in fruitless tears that grief was spent,
To sweet revenge her rising wrath she bent.
With all her might she struck the unguarded foe,
The cudgel cracked, Kate reel'd beneath the blow,
"Till, like a tree that struggles with the blast,
And falls uprooted by the storm at last,
APPENDIX.
101
Headlong she fell before the gazing crowd,
O! had the moon been hid behind a cloud.
Now Moll exulting urged her friend to rise,
And chear'd the rest with animating cries.
Not sturdy Sancho in a blanket tost,
Nor e'en Don Quixote when his teeth he lost,
Felt such resentment as this warlike band,
All sorely wounded by a female hand.
At helpless Kate a shower of dirt was thrown,
And all their rage was aim'd at her alone.
Straight th' adverse party to her rescue flew,
The tumult spread, the battle blazed anew,
Shouts follow'd shouts, taught ev'ry throat to roar,
And those engag'd, that shun'd the fray before.
Thicker than fops that for precedence strive,
Thicker than bees, when crowding to their hive,
They mix'd in fight, a wild tempestuous throng,
Stick clash'd with stick, and clown drove clown along.
Kate roar'd for help; (not sailors half so loud,
When the red lightnings flash from shroud to shroud,)
Nor cries nor tears her brutal foes could charın,
One seiz'd her leg, one fasten'd on her arm.
To Heaven at length, with upward eyes she pray'd,
And Heaven sure loves a charitable maid:
For lo descending from his steed appear'd
The rough good priest, whom all his people fear'd.
His lash he whirl'd amidst the warring crew,
The clamour ceas'd, the combatants withdrew.
With wrathful eyes he view'd the dismal scene,
Hats, hoods, cloaks, cravats, scatter'd o'er the green!
Then fir'd with zeal, the list'ning crowd he charg'd,
And chose a text, and on that text enlarg'd:
"Beer makes young men the foulest crimes commit;
“Ah! think what Lot did in a drunken fit!”
102
APPENDIX.
Moll broached a cask.-The man of God drew nigh,
For after preaching ev'ry pipe is dry.
Around their guardian flock'd the wounded swains,
And beer and music banish'd all their pains.
The social pipe diffus'd a grateful smoak,
The milk-maid laugh'd, the ploughman crack'd his
joke.
Tom Tip and Jack, eternal friendship swore,
And Moll embrac'd her gossips o'er and o'er.
The skilful Dick, once more his art display'd,
While Tom with Kate a tuneful concert made.
Each am'rous heart was tickl'd with the sound,
And kisses strait, instead of kicks, went round.
At length the cask was drain'd of all its store,
(How Moll was curs'd, when she could give no more)
Each guest departed with an aching head,
And rising Phoebus lighted all to bed.
Quis talia fando
Temperet a lacrymis?
The humble petition of Cornelius O'Clummughan,* the
famous poor scholar, to the priest of the parish.
Humbly sheweth,
That I went to Ballynahan th'other day ('twas Sunday
morning I remember,
For I was not there you must know, before, since the
latter end of September,)
There was a desperate fire in the kitchen; so myself
sat down very snug,
'Till Miss Peggy (God bless her) came down, and
brought me the bracket jug.
* Clummughan is a rough, ugly, fellow.
APPENDIX.
103
"Is that Cornelius," says she, " 'tis good for sore eyes
to see the stranger."
"'Twas the want of health, madam," says myself, “that
made me become a ranger,
"I travell'd many a weary step between Caltragh and
Kinclare,
"And went to Ballinlass itself, but Doctor Dillon was
not there."
"He's here in the house," says she, as good a man as
ever trod in leather,
“For he cures all the common people without asking a
feather."
"Common people!" says myself, "I know what that
expression means:'
"Pardon me, Cornelius," says she, "to be sure there
is good blood in your veins :"
"The O'Clummughans, madam," says myself, "are the
most populous people in the land;"
“Indeed I meant no harm,” says Miss Peggy, so with
that she shook my hand.
Then I went up to the parlour; and to be sure they
were all very glad,
"Your welcome," says Master Lacky, (indeed a very
courteous lad.)
Then the doctor looked at myself, as who should say,
"what brought you here?"
"Most noble sir!" says myself, "I'm sick these three
quarters of a year:
"My father wore cloth of gold, although myself be
clad in a homely frize,"
"That's not the thing," says the doctor, "but tell me
where your disorder lies."
"Why, sir, you must know," says I, "that I was three
years and a half with Mr. Dunn;
"As stout a scholar, by St. Bridget, as ever saw the
noon day sun;
104
APPENDIX.
“But now the small of my back is weaker than an ozier
twig,
"And I cannot go to school, nor read, nor write, nor
dig."
So the doctor looked at Mr. Fallon, and began to smile
and wink;
"Ah! gentlemen," says myself, "I'm not such a man
as you think,
"It was reading Horace very fast, and lying often on
the ground,
"That gave my constitution, at last, a mortiferous
wound."
"Well," says the doctor, "bathe in cold water, 'tis the
best thing you can do ;
"And I'll engage your back will be strong enough in a
month or two."
"Celeberrime vir !" says myself, "is it safe to dip in the
frigid wave!"
"Yes, yes," says he, "my good lad," so with that my-
self took leave.
'Twas then at Clunagh house I saw the chimnies greatly
smoking:
"Well, well," says I to myself," that I'll dine there is
past all joking."
So I went in at the kitchen door, and being a lad of an
excellent shape,
I bowed down my head, as you understand, and made
a very courteous scrape.
Then I took out my book of knowledge, and fell a read-
ing very loud,
'Till all the servants gathering round me, look'd like a
fair day crowd.
"O Gemni!” cried the cook maid, "I'd give my green
(C
gown to read so gay;"
Pugh !" says the tea boy, "that lad would speak Latin
with a face of clay.”
APPENDIX.
105
"Pray, sir," says Molly Walsh, "what's it you read in
Arristottle ?"
"That you'll be married to a taylor," says myself,
"without cow, sheep, or cattle."
"To a taylor?" says the tea boy, "pray, friend! what
trade do you follow?"
"I'm no mechanic," says myself, "but a true son of
Apollo."
"What Pollo?" says he very fiercely, " damn me, you
look like a goose”.
"Harkee, sirrah," says myself, "do you know to whom
you give that abuse?
"I'm none of your greasy grooms, nor your lick plate
liv'ry fops"-
So I up's with my fist, and gives him a lick across the
chops.
"Murther!" says he, "murther!" says myself; so to
it we fell clutter, clatter,
'Till Mrs. Fallon herself run down, and asked what was
the matter?
But when she saw myself over head and ears in a pot
of broth.
“O God!” says she, "the scholar's drown'd, 'tis a pity,
faith and troth.”
"Faith, madam," says Molly Walsh, "'twas himself
struck Jack across the pate"-
"Jack is a rogue," says she, "by the same token he
ne'er shall taste my meat."
So getting a short discharge (now this is truth as I'm a
sinner)
He went off with a flea in his ear, and, as the saying is,
without his dinner.
At length Miss Betty came down (to be sure I never
saw her such)
"O Lord!" says she "Mr. Scholar! I admire your
courage very much."
106
APPENDIX.
"Fie, Molly, do not weep; sure you can take himself
for a spark;
"'Pon my honor he'll write a ballad with any man
from this to Cork."
"Bright goddess!" says myself, "who art much fairer
than Britomartis,
"I adore thy worshipful face, opus naturæ non artis."
When Mrs. Fallon heard the Latin, as she's always very
discerning,
And extremely civil to lads (such as myself) of polite
learning;
"Come, Tom," says she, "lay the cloth: may the
weavers steal my yarn,
"If I don't respect him more than one with gold lace,
hounds, and horn."
So when myself had done my best, and found that I
could do no more,
I put my leavings in my satchel, as I often did before.
Then I went to the river's side; the Suck was full up to
the brim,
I strip'd off what clothes I had, and so I began to
swim.
But little did I dream that all my substance could be
taken,
When I saw the great house dog running off with my
books and my bacon.
"O Hector !" says I, "O murther!" says I, "what's
this your going to do?"
So he turned about his angry nose, as who should say,
"what's that to you?"
Myself was in such a fright, I did not know where to
sit or stand,
So at length I met John the clerk, with a pole in his
hand.
APPENDIX.
107
"Well John," says I," it can't be help'd, to be sure
'tis a desperate case,
"Do you know that Hector took my satchel, and eat
it up before my face?"
"I knew that rogue" said John, " since first he wore
a leathern collar,
"And I'll take my Bible book, he plundered many a
ragged scholar."
"A ragged scholar!" says myself, "'pon my soul
John I never liked your prate,'
""
So then I went to a shepherd's house, for you must
know 'twas very late;
The woman prepared a supper that was fit for the lord
of the manor;
"Mr. O'Clummughan," says she, "your learning
deserves a greater honor,
"But what you'll do for a bed, is a thing myself does
not know;
"For the cows eat all our straw last week, in the
time of the snow.
"But sure you can lye with ourselves, as Tom won't
come to night from the mill,"
"Quid tibi vis mulier ?" says myself, "have you a
mind to try my skill?
"Odi profanum vulgus—don't you know that I'm a man
of letters?
"And therefore, good woman," says I, "you should
never think of your betters."
Then I stretched my weary limbs by the fire side, and
fell asleep in a thrice,
For my satchel, as you know, being lost, I was not
afraid of the mice.
So I dream'd the house of Clunagh was full of ladies
and people,
And that ev'ry candle in the parlour was higher than
any steeple.
108
APPENDIX.
Myself stood gaping at the door, when Mrs. Fallon
bounced up from the table,
"Gentlemen and ladies," says she "'upon my honor
I'll tell you no fable.
"Behold that worthy youth; although he cannot
dance or caper,
"He'll write a verse with any man that ever set pen
to paper.
"But Hector eat his satchel, (for which I'll hang the
nasty thief,)
"And four or five shillings from you would be a very
great relief."
So when the ladies felt their pockets, and each brought
out a goodly piece,
Myself was as proud as if I got Jason's golden fleece.
And now if you would speak to Mrs. Fallon to make
this my vision true,
Poor Cornelius, as in duty bound, would ever pray
for her and you.
The author of the two foregoing poems was in his
early days a physician of the county of Galway, well
remembered for his satirical wit, eccentricities and
misfortunes. No man who has a strong feeling of the
vices or follies of the inhabitants of a country, and is
also weak enough to publish them, can expect to be a
favorite. This operated against poor Dr. O'Kelly,
and he lived long enough to feel the effects of it. Ma-
ny anecdotes of him are still remembered. He called
at a house near Caltra, the lady of which was not as
liberal of her strong beer (of which the Doctor was
very fond,) as he wished: after being regaled with
APPENDIX.
109
some eatables and very weak small beer, he left behind
on the table at his departure, a slip of paper, with
Your ale to make small beer next akin,
Is like yourself, sour, spiritless and thin.
The apprehension of his satirical pen was so great,
that tradition says a propitiatory fat sheep was sent to
him the following day. The Battle of Chaunters loses
something of its point at this distance of time, from
the characters being almost unknown to the present
generation; but sufficient I imagine remains to place
his talent for genuine humour on such high ground,
as none since his day could reach. The petition of
Cornelius O'Clammughan is founded on a humorous
fact of the day, and also loses something by time; but
enough remains to shew the rich mine from which it
was attracted. There are many other things of the
same author floating about the country, that escaped
my research, particularly another battle of the chaun-
ters between two other pipers at a much later period,
of which I have not been able to procure a copy.
It would be unpardonable to omit mentioning Cor-
mac Common, celebrated by the elegant pen of Mr.
Walker in his Irish Bards, as probably the last of
the order of minstrels called Tale-tellers.
He died at Sorreltown near Dunmore, in the county
of Galway, where he lived with one of his daughters.
"It was in singing some of our native airs that he
displayed the powers of his voice; on these occasions.
his auditors were always enraptured. I have been as-
sured that no singer ever did Carolan's airs or Ossian's
celebrated hunting song more justice than Cormac.
His musical powers were not confined to his voice; he
composed a few airs, one of which Mr. Ousley thinks
110
APPENDIX.
extremely sweet. It is to be feared those musical ef-
fusions will die with their author." "But it was in
poetry that Cormac delighted to exercise his genius.
He has composed several songs and elegies, which have
met with applause. As his muse was generally
awakened by the call of gratitude, his poetical produc-
tions are mostly panegyrical or elegiac; they extol the
living or lament the dead. Sometime he indulged in
satire, but not often, though indued with a rich vein
of that dangerous gift." His moral character was un-
stained; his person was large and muscular.
MR. KNIGHT'S DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING CIDer.
"THE merit of cider will always depend on the pro-
per separation of the fruits: those only whose fruit is
yellow or yellow mixed with red, are proper to make the
fine cider; those whose flesh and rind are green are
very inferior. The fruit should remain on the tree
until a slight shake will disengage them from the tree.
Each kind should be kept separate in layers eight or
ten inches thick, exposed to the sun and air, and not
pressed until they are perfectly mellow without being
decayed. Except the fruit can be exposed to a free
current of air, they had better not be put under
cover; but where this can be effected it is an improve-
Fruit improves as long as it continues to in-
crease in colour without decaying, and before grind-
ing they should be carefully examined, and any grecn
or decayed fruit carefully separated from them; this
will not only greatly improve the flavour of the cider,
but prevent too great a degree of fermentation. Each
ment.
APPENDIX.
111
kind of fruit should be ground separately, or mixed
only with such as become ripe at the same time. By
a judicious mixture of fruits, the requisite qualities of
richness, astringency, and flavour are obtained; which
seldom can be had from one kind. In grinding, the
fruit should be so reduced that the rind and kernels
should be scarcely discernable. In such a complete
mixture, it seems probable that new elective attractions
will be exerted, and compounds formed, which did
not exist previously to the fruit being placed under the
roller. The process of slow grinding, with free access.
of air, giving the cider good qualities it did not possess
before, probably by the absorption of oxygen. To
procure very fine cider, the fruit should be ground and
pressed imperfectly, and the pulp spread as thin as
possible, exposed to the air, and frequently turned
during twenty-four hours, to obtain as large an ab-
sorption of air as possible. The pulp should be ground
again, and the liquor formerly expressed added to it,
by which the liquor will require an increase of strength
and richness. Whilst fermentation is proceeding the
casks should be kept in the open air, or in airy sheds,
and racked when it becomes clear; before this it is use-
less to rack, as the fermentation begins again. The
The instant fermentation stops, which may be known
by the clearness of the liquor, it should be drawn off
into a clear cask, and the lees put into flannel bags,
the clear liquor from those should be returned to the
cask; but it must have great attention paid to it that
it has not the least tendency to become acetous, which
it will frequent do in forty-eight hours; if so it must
on no account or added to the cider in the cask. If
the cider after being racked remains bright and quiet,
nothing more is to be done until spring; but if a scum
collects on the surface, it must immediately be racked
112
APPENDIX.
off into another cask; as this would produce bad ef-
fects if suffered to sink. If a disposition to ferment
with violence again appears, it will be necessary to
rack off from one cask to another as often as a hissing
noise is heard. When cider is not disposed to ferment,
it is probable that a small quantity of yeast or the lees
of good cider will produce that effect, which is desire-
able before the commencement of cold weather. In
April the cider should be racked into the casks in
which it is to remain. They should be previously well
scalded and dried, and filled nearly to the bung, and
stopped closely if all danger of fermentation is over,
but not so tightly as to endanger the casks in case of
a renewed fermentation. Cider, which has been made
from good fruits and properly manufactured, will re-
tain a considerable portion of sweetness in the cask
for three or four years. It is usually in the best state
to be bottled at two years old, when it will become
brisk and sparkling, and if it possesses much richness.
will remain with scarcely any change for twenty or
thirty years if well corked. The specific gravity of
the juice of any apple recently expressed, indicates
with very considerable accuracy the strength of the
future cider."
Every person knows that few if any of those di-
rections are observed in the county of Galway, there-
fore the cider is very inferior.
FINIS.


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