BALLYNAHALLIA- Baile na h-Aille
The townland of Baile na hAille lies to the northeast of Moycullen village adjoining the townlands of Leagaun, Baile Dóite and Gortahalla. Its name Baile na hAille appears to have derived from the focal Gaeilge ‘aill’ meaning cliff or drop. The physical landscape is low lying, being close to Lough Corrib with limestone being the predominant bedrock. As a result, there is a mixture of some good grazing land, meadow, and rocky woodland consisting mainly of ash, hazel, holly, birch and beech.
Notable Features, Events and People
Some of the meadow would have been drained under the first Corrib Drainage Scheme in 1858. There were a good number of wells in the village although some were closed in the 1940s and 1950s due to water contamination. Two sinkholes, Poll na Déirce (Beggar’s hole) (beside Walsh’s) and Poll na Maidraí, were thought to be bottomless. Some field names in the townland include Garraí Driseach, Garraí Mhatias Mór, Gort Buí (Yellow Field), Garrai na gCártaí, Ceapach na mBratach, Bothrín Bríd Éamainn and
Garraí an Tobar.
Like other townlands in the Parish, much of the history of Baile na hAille is intertwined with its neighbouring villages. Baile na hAille people owned and farmed land, socialised and worked in neighbouring townlands, including Gortahalla, Leagaun, Baile Dóite, The Farm. It is difficult to guage how many houses were in the village but like elsewhere there may have been many more pre-famine. In the last century there would have been only a dozen or so houses along the road from Walsh’s field, down the Knockferry road, and on the village side of the Baile na hAille/Gortahalla bóithrín, as far as Johnny Connor’s.
Neighbours would have included Seán Mairtín and his son, Wattie Sean McDonagh, Walshs, Lydons, Jamesie Lardners and Michael Lardner (a famous postman), Ann and Willie Óg Mc Donagh. Jim Lardner, an uncle of Michael and Jamesie had a shop where Owen and Rose Kilduff’s house is today. Jim sold tea, oil, cigarettes etc. Walsh’s house was well known in the village as a visiting house. Delia (nee O’Malley) was a famous card player. Her husband Paddy Francis Walsh and brothers Jack J, Anthony and Cashel with family, Murty, Tommy, Nappy and Rosie provided great entertainment.
As with othertownlands in the parish, Baile na hAille has undergone much change and there are now in excess of fifty houses in the village. At the corner of the Baile na hAille road leading to Johnny Connor’s home and the bogland where the Baile Dóite people saved their turf, Captain Campbell the local landlord who lived in Moycullen House, built his hunting lodge in 1902. This house, recently demolished, was lived in until the very recent past by Paddy Devlin who retired as a warrant officer with 34 years distinguished service from the British armed forces. The lodge was also used by
Lady Campbell as a venue for lace making classes. Many of the local women were fine lacemakers as a result. It was not unusual to see bleached flour bags as pillowcases trimmed with very fine lace.
An Chreig, known locally as the Rocks Road is part of the townland of Baile na hAille. This is a magnificent stretch of burren heritage landscape of bare karst limestone and some limestone grassland, suitable for cattle grazing. It stretches from the sportsfield, or Baile Dóite GAA pitch, to Cloonabinnia. As described in an extract from ‘Moycullen’s Mini Burren’, (Dr Martin Feely, NUI Galway, 1997).
Moycullen is situated t between the 400 million year old Galway Granite and the ~340 million year old Carboniferous limestone. Older metamorphic rocks (~470 millions years) occur to the Northwest of Moycullen. During Carboniferous times, Ireland was situated south of the equator and was the site of a shallow sea. Sediments, e.g, mud, together with the remains of marine plants and animals, eg, crinoids, corals and brachiopods accumulated on the sea floor and were compacted to form the layered fossiliferous limestones that we see along the Rocks Road today. The limestone pavement exposed here is similar in age and character to the Burren limestones. Horizontal strata are cut by many deep vertical fractures that owe their origin to solution of the limestone by rain water and ground water. The fractures are widened and deepened by the water so that with time the water percolates freely into the limestone to generate and feed underground waterways. This process also inhibits soil development as the water carries soil forming constituents with it underground leaving the bare limestone pavement exposed at the surface. Furthermore, the bowl-like depressions and intricate sculpted patterns and shapes displayed by the limestone result from the solution of the rock by water. Boulders of coarsely crystalline Galway Granite occur in this area also, sitting on top of the limestone pavement, having been transported here during the Ice Age.
Many will remember the magnificent herd of feral goats that inhabited the Cloonabinnia end of An Chreig. Research has highlighted that the presence of feral goats in Burren areas has an important function in the prevention of shrub encroachment. In the 1950s when the Department of Agriculture and Forestry planted the nearby land, culling of this native herd was encouraged until it was completely wiped out. The re-greening of parts of the limestone area of An Chreig has now become evident. The area has deteriorated over the years. The bird population has decreased and the Burren wild flowers have vanished. Holly trees have been hacked down and the large stones vandalised and removed. There are still some boundary walls visible on this unwelcoming, barren and beautiful landscape, which may have been the only refuge of post eviction victims. Cloch Sgoilte or the Split Stone was used as a landmark to direct people who sought a priest in penal times. Messages were left under a stone
there. Poll na gColm is a sinkhole, named after doves. There are a number of funerary cairns in the same area and the legend of a battle between the O’Flahertys and the O’Connors leaving ‘blood’ stains on the stones which are still visible. In the 1960s the Land Commission striped the land of An Chreig for the people of Baile Dóite who donated their commonage to the Muintir na Tíre sportsfield.
Blake Census
The Blake Census was the work of Francis Xavier Blake, the parish priest in Moycullen between 1792 and 1825. This is unique to Moycullen and to note it was recorded before the Tithe Applotment Books (1828) and The Griffith Valuation Records (1847 –1864).
The Census commences in 1793 and includes the name of every married man then residing in the parish as well as unmarried men having a separate dwelling whether bachelor or widower. Notations are made for those who are new to the parish, have moved, married, died or becomes a widower.
Men recorded in Blakes Census for Ballynahallia were as follows:
Ballinahally: Ed. Hernan (D.’98), Martin Hernan, Michael MacDonogh, Theady Gaunane (W.’03), John Gaunane, Malchy Mulluoge (R.’ 12), Martin French, Walt. MacDonogh (D.’05), John MacDonogh, Jno. Kinnavy (R.’01), Jno. Connor (D.’00), Michael Barrett (D.’00), Martin Reilly, Patt Murphy (D.’96), Laurence Kelly, Jno. Kelly (D.’03), Patt Mulluoge (D.’99), Ed. Quin (R.’06), Laurence Barrett (R.’04), Owen Murphy, Murtagh Davern (D.’00), Hugh Davern, Patt Connell, Peter Lorrignan, Martin MacDonogh (M.’04), Martin MacDonogh Walt (M.’09), Jno. Reilly, Andrew Phelan (D.’02), Mathias Reilly, Mark Mulkirane (R.’09), Richard Halloran (R.’09), Michael Reilly (M.’09), Maths. Flaherty (D.’02), Ed. Walsh, Peter Walsh (R.’06), James Deey (D.’01), Martin Conry (R’03), Patt Mullan (D.’06), Richard Mullan (R.’03), And. MacDonogh Rd. (W .’ 12), Mathias Connelan (W. ’03), Connor Darcy (R.’12), Ed. Reilly (W.’12), John Reilly Edmd. (M.’10), Theady Mulkirane (D.’97), Thomas Mulkirane, Theady Mulkirane (M.’09), Thomas King, Myles King (D.’99), Patt Flynn (R.’96), Patt Barrett (N.’98), Andrew Connor (B.’93, M.’02, R.’06), Bart. Gormule (B.’93,M.’98), Patt King (M.’04, R.’10), John Walsh (M.’04), Patt MacDonogh (D.’98), Jno. Conry (M.’93, R.’03), Bart. Reilly (M.’05), Michael Davern (M.’94), Jno. MacDonogh junr. (M.’94), Mathias Gaunane (M.’96, W.’00, M.’01, R.’12), Mark Connely (M’04), Andrew Murphy (M.’97), Michael Lennane (M.’98, R.’09), Andrew Flaherty (M.’98, R.’01), John [prob. Glyn, poss. Flyn] (M.’10), Patt French (N.’04,), Mathias Reilly junr. (M.’99, W.’01, W.’03 sic, M.’04), Bart MacDonogh (R.’01), Myles MacDonogh (M.’09), Patt MacDonogh (M.’99), Michael Decy (M.’00), Jas. MacDonogh (D.’10), Patt Walsh (M.’00), Edmund Halloran (M.’06), Mark Decy (M.’01, R.’06), Richard MacDonogh (M.’02, R.’ 1 1), Owen Mulluoge (M.’02), George Leonard (M.’02, W.04), Roger Mulkirane (M ’02), Martin Gaunane (M.’03, R.’12), Laurence Toole (M.’03, W.’04), Patt Barrett junr. (M.’03, Peter MacDonogh (M.’03), Michael Barrett (M.’03), Ed. Decy (M.’04).
Griffith Valuation
The Griffith’s Valuation for Ballynahallia, located in the Parish of Moycullen, lists a number of tenants holding land from Lord Campbell, including Patrick Walsh, John Barrett, Patrick Connolly, Bridget Malin, Maury Davern (junior), John Kelly, Mary M’Donogh, Patrick M’Donogh, Colm Hallownay, Marty Davern, Michael Davern, and Hugh Davern. The holdings varied between houses, offices, and land, with individual property valuations ranging from £110.14s.0d to £0.14s.0d for both land and buildings.
The total area of Ballynahallia amounted to 63 acres, 2 roods, and 17 perches, with a combined total annual valuation of £.668-2-33. Additionally, a section of land was held in fee by Lord Campbell, meaning it was under his direct ownership rather than leased to tenants. With a total of 117-8-0.
1901
Thomas Conneely, a 60-year-old widower, is the head of the family. He works as an agricultural laborer and is illiterate. He speaks both Irish and English. His daughter, Mary (25 years old), is unmarried and works as an agricultural laborer. She can read and write in both Irish and English. Thomas’s son, Patrick (17 years old), is also unmarried and works as an agricultural laborer. He is literate in both Irish and English. Thomas’s younger daughter, Kate (14 years old), is a scholar who can read and write in both Irish and English. Thomas’s mother-in-law, Margaret (75 years old), is a widow and works as a wool carder. She is illiterate and speaks only Irish. Thomas’s granddaughter, Mary (6 years old), is a scholar who can read in both Irish and English.
Anne Davoren, a 65-year-old widow, is the head of the family. She is a farmer from County Galway and cannot read, though she speaks both Irish and English. Her religion is Roman Catholic. Her daughter, Kate (32 years old), is unmarried and works as a farmer’s daughter. Kate can read and write in both Irish and English. Anne’s son, Martin (26 years old), is unmarried and also a farmer’s son. He is literate in both Irish and English. Anne’s grandson, Percy (15 years old), lives with the family and is a scholar. He can read and write but is not yet fluent in Irish.
Rodger Kineavy, a 68-year-old widower, is the head of the family. He is an agricultural laborer from County Galway. Rodger cannot read but speaks both Irish and English. His religion is Roman Catholic.
The Lardiner family, headed by 74-year-old Roman Catholic farmer Martin Lardiner from County Galway, consists of his wife Mary (68), who works as a housekeeper. Their son James (32) is a farmer, while their other son John (38), also a farmer, is married to Kate (34), a housekeeper. The household includes several grandchildren: Mary (5), Martain (4), Saraha (2), and Michael, all of whom cannot read. Additionally, Honor Rielly (92), a widow and lodger, also resides with the family. The family speaks English and Irish, with some members being illiterate, while others are literate in both languages.
The McDonagh family, headed by 60-year-old Martin, a farmer from County Galway, follows the Roman Catholic faith. Martin and his wife, Bridget (50), both cannot read or write and speak Irish only. Their children include John (24), a farmer’s son who is literate in Irish and English, Patrick (20), also a farmer’s son and literate in Irish and English, and Margaret (17), their daughter, who is likewise literate in Irish and English and helps with the farming. All of the children are unmarried.
Anthony Mulvoy, a 68-year-old Roman Catholic agricultural laborer from County Galway, is the head of the family. He is married to Margaret (65), who does not have a listed occupation. Both Anthony and Margaret cannot read but are bilingual, speaking both Irish and English. Their daughter Kate (30), a wool spinner, is literate in both languages, but she is a widow.
Mortimer Walsh, a 41-year-old Roman Catholic farmer from County Galway, is the head of the family. He is married to Rose Anne Walsh (29), who works as a housekeeper. The couple has five children: Patk F (10), Bridget A (8), Martin J (6), John J (4), and an unnamed son who is still very young. All children except for John J, who cannot read, are scholars and are literate in both Irish and English. The family lives in a rural setting typical of County Galway
1911 Census- nothing found
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