Cloonnabinnia- Cluanin na Binne
Giada Solito NUIG
Cloonnabinnia Townland, located in County Galway, is a rural area steeped in the charm and tranquility of the Irish countryside. The name “Cloonnabinnia” derives from the Irish language, with “cluain” meaning a meadow or pasture and “binnia” possibly referring to a hill or pointed place, hinting at the natural landscape that characterizes the area. The townland is surrounded by fertile agricultural land, where farming remains an important part of local life.
In the Griffith’s Valuation for the townland of Cloonnabinnia, the immediate lessor or landlord was George E. Burke. The occupiers included Bartholomew Connor, Patrick Molloy, Michael Walsh, Patrick Dae, James Conneely, Patrick Hynes, John Barrett, Matthias Horsefield, Matthias and Mary Walsh, and Bartholomew Malia. They held houses, offices, land, and in some cases also water. The total area of the holdings was 440 acres, 2 roods, and 7 perches, with a total land valuation of £77-15s-0 and a building valuation of £2 16s, making an overall annual valuation of £80 11s-0.
In 1901, Nicholas Barrett, a 70-year-old farmer from Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway, was the head of his household. He was married to Ellen, who was 60 years old. Both were literate, able to read and write in both Irish and English. Their children, John (25), Mary (21), and James (19), were also literate and proficient in both languages. The family, rooted in farming, lived a traditional rural life, with their children unmarried and still living at home. Their young granddaughter, Delia (3), was also part of the household, though she had not yet learned to read or write. The family’s connection to the land and their heritage is reflected in their shared ability to speak Irish, alongside English.
In 1901, John Conneely, a 61-year-old widower, was the head of his household, working as a farmer. John was unable to read or write but spoke both Irish and English fluently. His children, William (20), Sarah (18), and Patt (15), were literate and also proficient in both languages. The family, though not wealthy, maintained a strong connection to both the rural farming community and their linguistic heritage. Despite John’s illiteracy, his children were well-educated for their time, all unmarried, and continuing to help with the farm or attend school.
In 1901, Patt Hefferan, a 40-year-old farmer from Cloonabinia, Tullokyne, County Galway, was the head of his household. His wife, Catherine, was 60 years old. Neither Patt nor Catherine could read, but they were proficient in both Irish and English. Their children, Martin (22), John (18), and Mary (20), were all literate, able to read and write in both languages. The family maintained a traditional rural lifestyle, with their children, who were unmarried, still living at home and helping with farm work. The Hefferan family, despite their literacy level, retained strong ties to their heritage, reflected in their knowledge of Irish and English.
In 1901, Margaret Hynes, a 77-year-old widow from Cloonabinia, Tullokyne, County Galway, was the head of her household. A farmer by occupation, she was literate in both Irish and English. Living with her were her two adult children, Michael, aged 32, and Ellen, aged 29. Both were literate in Irish and English, but neither was married. The family maintained their traditional rural life, with Margaret continuing to manage the household and farm, assisted by her children, who had not yet left home.
In 1901, the Melia family from Cloonabinia, Tullokyne, was headed by Patt Melia, a 55-year-old farmer. Despite being illiterate, Patt spoke both Irish and English and was a widower. His household included seven children, all of whom were proficient in both languages and could read and write. His children consisted of Mary (18), Bartly (16), Norah (14), Martin (12), Peter (10), and Ellen (8). All the children were unmarried and either attended school or helped with farm work. The family’s bilingualism in both Irish and English.
In 1901, James Mulvoy, a 43-year-old widower from Cloonabinia, Tullokyne, headed his household as a farmer. Despite his illiteracy, James was fluent in both Irish and English. His children, ranging in age from 19 to 12, all shared his bilingual proficiency and were able to read and write. The family included Anne (19), Martin (17), John (16), James (13), and Michael (12). All the children were unmarried and either worked on the farm or attended school. The Mulvoy family, though facing challenges with literacy, maintained strong cultural ties to both the Irish and English languages.
Patrick Murray, an 80-year-old widowed farmer, heads a household that balances tradition with a focus on education. While Patrick and his son Michael (40) cannot read, both are bilingual, speaking both Irish and English, reflecting the cultural blend of their community. Michael’s wife, Mary (23), and their children, Mary (2) and Margaret (1), are part of the younger generation who are still learning, with the young granddaughters unable to read yet. Patrick’s daughters, Ellen (44) and Margaret (42), are both educated, able to read and write in both Irish and English. Additionally, Julia Carter (14), a lodger, is also a scholar, further emphasizing the household’s value on literacy.
Martin Sarsfield, a 40-year-old farmer from County Galway, leads a household where education and language play significant roles. He and his wife Sarah, who is 30 years old, both possess the ability to read and write in Irish and English, reflecting the bilingual nature of their community. Their children, including Patt (14), Matt (12), and Mary (7), are all scholars, demonstrating their literacy in both languages as they continue their studies. However, their younger daughters, Honor (2) and Magie, are still in the early stages of learning, with Honor unable to read yet. This family’s composition emphasizes the continuing value of education while also maintaining the importance of Irish language and cultural heritage.
Mathias Walsh, an 84-year-old widowed farmer from County Galway, heads his household with a strong connection to both his land and his community. Despite his advanced age, Mathias has never learned to read, yet he maintains a fluent command of Irish, a language that binds him to his heritage. Living with his son John, who is married to Julia, Mathias’ household also includes several grandchildren, including Matt, Patt, Mary, Margaret, Bridget, and Michael. While most of the younger generation, like Matt and Patt, are scholars who can read and write in both Irish and English, the youngest members, Bridget and Michael, are still in the early stages of learning. This family dynamic highlights the passing down of cultural and linguistic traditions through generations, even as literacy and education become more prevalent in later years.
Patt Walsh, an 80-year-old agricultural labourer from County Galway, heads his household as a widower. Despite his advanced age, Patt has lived his life without the ability to read, and he speaks Irish fluently. He remains a part of the local Roman Catholic community, where his roots in the land are deeply embedded. Living in an era where education was not always accessible to everyone, Patt’s literacy remains limited, yet his connection to the traditions and language of his birthplace is strong.
In 1901, the O’Dea family, living in the townland of Cloonabinia in the Tullokyne district of Galway, consisted of the head of the household, Patt O’Dea, a 58-year-old farmer who could not read but was fluent in both Irish and English. His wife, Margaret (50), was literate and also spoke both languages. The family included their three children: Patt (19), a farmer’s son who was literate in Irish and English, and two unmarried children, Mary (16) and William (15), both of whom were also literate and proficient in both languages.
In 1911, the Heffernan family lived in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway. Patrick Heffernan, aged 56, was the head of the family and worked as a farmer. He was illiterate but spoke both Irish and English. His wife, Catherine, 71 years old, was also unable to read or write but shared the same language proficiency. They had one daughter, Mary, aged 28, who worked as a farmer’s daughter. Mary was literate in both Irish and English and remained unmarried at the time. The family was Roman Catholic, with Patrick and Catherine having been married for 30 years, though they had only one child who was still living.
In 1911, the Conneely family, residing in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway, consisted of John, a 62-year-old farmer, and his wife Kate, aged 50. John was unable to read or write, while Kate was literate, proficient in both English and Irish. They had a large family, including their 23-year-old son James, a general labourer, and their 18-year-old son Millie, who was literate. Their 15-year-old daughter Sarah, 13-year-old daughter Maggie, and 12-year-old son John were all scholars and could read and write. Their younger children included 10-year-old Thomas and 7-year-old Hugh, who were also scholars. Hugh, however, was noted as being an imbecile. The youngest child, Annie, was just 4 years old and could not yet read or write. The Conneely family was Roman Catholic, with Kate having been married for 31 years, and the family demonstrated a combination of literacy levels, from illiteracy in the case of John to educated children capable of reading and writing.
In 1911, the Murray household in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway, was headed by 79-year-old Patrick, a widowed farmer. Despite his age, Patrick was unable to read or write, though he was fluent in both Irish and English. Living with him were his 55-year-old daughter Margaret, who also could not read or write, and his 49-year-old son Michael, an agricultural labourer, who shared the same literacy level. Additionally, his grandchildren, 13-year-old Mary, 11-year-old Margaret, and 9-year-old Patrick, all of whom were scholars, could read and write in both Irish and English. The family was Roman Catholic.
In 1911, Patrick Melia, a 68-year-old widower and farmer, headed the household at House 4, Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway. Despite being illiterate, he was bilingual, speaking both Irish and English. His daughter, 28-year-old Mary, who was literate in both languages, lived with him, as well as his three sons: 26-year-old Bartley, 22-year-old Martin, and 20-year-old Peter. All three sons were listed as farmers’ sons and could read and write in both Irish and English. The Melia family was Roman Catholic.
In 1911, the Sarsfield family resided in House 5, Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway. The household was headed by 58-year-old Martin Sarsfield, a literate farmer who spoke both Irish and English. His wife, Sarah, aged 40, was also literate and bilingual, and the couple had been married for 25 years, with seven children, all of whom were still living at the time. Their children included 24-year-old Patrick, a farmer; 22-year-old Matt, a general labourer; 12-year-old Norah, 8-year-old Thomas, 5-year-old Barthly, and 3-year-old Maggie, all of whom were bilingual and listed as dependents. Norah and Thomas were scholars, while Barthly and Maggie were still very young. Also living with the family was 83-year-old Honor Lardner, a relative who could not read or write and spoke only Irish. The family was Roman Catholic, and the household reflected the typical rural life of the time, with strong ties to farming, bilingualism, and the presence of extended family.
In 1911, the Walshe family lived in House 6, Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway. The head of the household was John Walshe, a 56-year-old farmer who spoke only Irish and was illiterate. His wife Julia, aged 44, also a farmer, could read and write and spoke both Irish and English. The couple had been married for 24 years and had nine children, all of whom were still living. Seven of their children were listed at home: Mary (18), Maggie (16), Bridget (13), Michael (11), John (9), Bartly (8), and Katie (5). All of the children could read and write and spoke both Irish and English, with the exception of the youngest who, despite her age, was already recorded as literate.
In the 1911 Census, Michael Hynes, a 48-year-old farmer from County Galway, is recorded as the head of the household residing in House 7, Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne. He and his wife Margaret, aged 37, were both Roman Catholics who could read and write and spoke both Irish and English. Margaret reported being married for three years, with three children born and all three still living. Their children—Margaret (aged 2), Patrick (1), and James (infant)—were all too young to read or write. The household also included two visitors: Peter Lee, an 85-year-old widowed labourer who was illiterate but bilingual, and Myles Hefferon, a 13-year-old scholar who was literate and also bilingual.
In the 1911 Census, Ellen Barrett, a 72-year-old widow from County Galway, was listed as the head of the household in House 8, Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne. A Roman Catholic farmer, Ellen was bilingual in Irish and English but unable to read or write. Living with her were her two unmarried children: John (37), identified as a farmer’s son, and Mary (30). Both were literate and also spoke both Irish and English.
In the 1911 Census, Michael Conneely, a 60-year-old farmer from County Galway, was recorded as the head of the household at House 9 in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne. He was married to Mary, aged 43, and both were Roman Catholic, bilingual in Irish and English, but unable to read or write. The couple had been married for 20 years and had four children, all of whom were still living. Residing with them were their children: Mary (18), listed as a farmer’s daughter; James (14) and Bridget (12), both scholars. All three children were literate and bilingual.
In 1911, Malachy Mulvoy, a 68-year-old farmer, was listed as the head of the household at House 10 in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne. He could read and write and was fluent in both Irish and English. His wife Mary, aged 62, was also recorded as a farmer. Although she was bilingual, she could neither read nor write. The couple had been married for 40 years. Living with them were their nieces, Nellie Melia (17) and Kathleen Melia (14), both of whom were literate and bilingual. Kathleen was a scholar, indicating she was still in school.
In the 1911 Census, the household of Malachy Mulvoy was recorded in House 10 in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne,. Malachy, a 68-year-old farmer, was the head of the family. He was literate and bilingual in Irish and English. His wife Mary, aged 62, was also noted as a farmer, although she could not read or write, yet she too spoke both Irish and English. They had been married for 40 years. Living with them were two nieces, Nellie and Kathleen Melia, aged 17 and 14 respectively. Both girls were literate and bilingual; Nellie had no listed occupation, while Kathleen was recorded as a scholar.
In the 1911 Census, the O’Dea family was living in House 11 in Cloonnabinnia, Tullokyne, County Galway. The head of the household, Patrick O’Dea, was a 70-year-old farmer who was bilingual in Irish and English but could not read or write. His wife Margaret, aged 55, was also listed as a farmer; she could read and spoke both Irish and English. The couple had been married for 34 years and had five children, three of whom were still living. Three adult children were present in the home: Pat (30), a general labourer; Mary (27), described as a farmer’s daughter; and William (24), a farmer’s son. All three were single, bilingual, and literate..
In the 1911 Census, the Conneely family was recorded living in House 12 in Cloonnabinnia, within the Tullokyne DED of County Galway. The head of the household, John Conneely, was a 34-year-old farmer who could not read or write but spoke both Irish and English. His wife, Mary, aged 30, was also listed as a farmer. She was literate and bilingual, and the census notes that she had been married for five years, during which time she had given birth to one child—who was still living. Their son, John, was just three years old. Also residing in the household was John’s 26-year-old brother, Pat Conneely, an agricultural labourer who could read and write and was also fluent in Irish and English.
The 1911 Census records show that the Mulvoy family resided in House 13 in Cloonnabinnia, within the Tullokyne District Electoral Division of County Galway. The head of the household, James Mulvoy, was a 55-year-old widower and a farmer by occupation. He was not literate but spoke both English and Irish. Living with him were his two sons, Martin (25) and James (22), both single and working as agricultural labourers. Like their father, they were unable to read or write, but were bilingual in Irish and English.
No Comments
Add a comment about this page