Category Archives: Mayo

Military Index, 1832

On the shelves in the National Archives of Ireland are some indices – books – and these books are indexed in a number of ways – the general title is ‘Index of Official Papers’. For most of the years, they have this title – but then for some of the years, there are Military or other indices with information separated from the general run of the mill official index for that year.

There is information in these as to the movements of various regiments – the simple fact of groups being overcome by cholera or some such gives us an idea of the times that diseases were present in certain places or all of Ireland. There are references to marriage records in here – requests from people for the effects of some other person, indicating relationships.

All the indices are indexed alphabetically – in the general indices then there may be a cross reference back to another letter of the alphabet in order to find the reference number.

The reference for any document is the number – what you see here has not been checked against the original and only covers items to ‘O’. As it stands, it simply gives you the researcher an idea of a resource that is not mentioned or rarely mentioned in lists of Irish genealogical resources.

Whilst the majority of th original documents may not be extant, the indices are still an extremely important resourse. To the best of my knowledge these have not yet been placed on microfilm.

Article: A

21. Anderson, John – Certificate of his services in 23rd Dragoons
45. Artillery Royal permitted to exercise in the Phoenix Park
79. Adj. Genl Depy. – respecting blank routes
011. Armstrong, Captn. – Soliciting appointment of District Adjt. At Cork
016 Artillery Royal – Passage to the Colonies of the Wives of Soldiers of.
114. Adg. Genl. Depy – Blank Routes
121 Adj Genl. Depy. – Requesting a list of names & stations of Yeom Brigade Majors
135. Armit & Boroughs – Franking of remittances &c.
319. Adjt. Genl. Depy – requesting a supply of blank routes
321. Antrim Mila (Militia) Jas. S. Moore, Esq., Junr., appointed Captain in.
332 Antrim Mila (Militia) Resignation of Ensign Di?ckey.
332 Antrim Mila – Appointment of A. Dunlop Esq., ?vied?

17 Bryen, Henry – Enquiry requesting Billets
30. Beard, Geo., a Deserter committed to the Bridewell at Newry
60. Brennan, M. D. Article in Tralee Mercury resp Mila allowances &c.
901. Benson, Lieut. – Representation respecting the 50th Regt.
104. Byrne, Mr. Gunpowder Vender – Robbery of
130 Beresford, Lt. Col., discontinued as Asst. Lr. Master General
133. Burdett, Mrs. Applying for copies of correspondence between her and Mrs. Goulbarn
144. Billeting of the Troops – Circular letter respecting
147. Billets to be provided by the Constables of Parishes
177. Bingham, M. Genl. Sir George to command the troops during Sir. H. Vivian’s absence
209. Brown, Mrs. Rebecca – Enquiry respecting the property of Capn. Phillips 44th Foot.
210. Brown, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
212 Basworth, Private John. Attendance required at the Kilkenny Assizes
213. Brannon, Private, Thos. Sentence of transportation passed
227. Borehan, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
241. Brereton, Private Martin, false information of, respecting Mr. Going’s murder
240. Boyle, Edwd. – Transported for Desertion
244. Brady, Lieut., respecting the delay in issuing his half pay
259. Burke, Bridget – respecting her son John Burke
261.Bulkankle, Jas. Sentence of transportation against.
267. Brannon, Private, Thos. – Struck off the ?52nd (or 32nd) Foot
2601 Blacke, Richd. Application for a commuted allowance &c.
2901 Brown, Private Fredk. Court Martial upon
305 Buchan, Major Gen. Sir John appointed on the Staff protempore
307 Bishop, Lieut. Respecting his Mila half pay in the event of his joining Don Pedro’s Service.
314 Bat?lie, John. Praying for a pension
327 Blakeney, M. Genl. Sir E. appointed to command the Troops pre temporare
347 Bishop, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of.

12 Campbell, Sir Guy 2nd Mr Genl. March of troops to Cashel & elsewhere
30 Corry, Trevor. Report respecting Geo Beard a Deserter
37 Carlow Militia. Arms to be conveyed to Dublin
301 Campbell, M. Genl. Respecting Mily accommodation at Carndonagh
43 Cavan Mila. Agreement for hire of accommodation of
50 Carlow Mila. John J. Cornwall to be Major in
51 Cork North Mila. Mr. Temple French Esq., to be Lt. Colonel in
91 Collins, Winifred. Praying for a passage for her husband a Soldier
99 Convicts. Escort for an Route to Kingstown
115 Callegy, John. Claim to a pension
119 Creagan, Eleanor. Praying for a free passage to her son at Woolwich.
120 Cork – Local inspr of the Gaol acknowledging Mutiny Act.
144 Circular letter respecting the billeting of the Troops – Mr. Bell
163 Carmichael, Jas. Claim against Thos. Sheridan Pensioner.
1014 Commissary Genl. Contracts for fuel and candles for Barracks
199 Cunningham, John. Enlisted and discharged without paying the smart money
200 Cope, Mrs. Marriage Certificate.
202 Chaloner, Rd. Conduct of Private Lavery, 28th Foot.
205 Caroll, Private ?Sth. Transportation of
206 Cooney, Michael Private. Transportation of
211 Cust, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
224 cain, Private ?Stm. Sentence of – Transportation
229 Circular respecting Forage Allowances
231 Connell, Mary – Application for her husbands pension &c.
2401 Cowan, Wm. Respecting the sale of his half pay.
254 Chartrs, Mrs. Marriage certificate of
256 Cavan Mila. Appointments of Majrs. Thompson & Waring in
260 Carey, Capn. Tyrone Mila – Retired Allowance of.
261 Campbell, Robert – Sentence of Transporting Against.
276 Circular respecting Chelsea pensioners to Magistrates at Petty Sessions
277 Circular Respecting Chelsea Pensioners to inspr. Gen. Of Police
281 Clare Militia – appointment of a successor to Col. Sir J. ?Birtan
292 Cormick, Pat. Claim against the Officers of the S. Mayo Mila.
293 Campbell, ?Ds. William – Hospital Asst. Question respecting
302 Connolly, Michl. Claim to the effects of Pat & Ml. Connolly
304 Clare Militia – Reps. Cane & Co. appointed Agents to
3001Cole, Edwd. Sentence of Transportation against.
310 Chadwick, Lieut Peter – sale of his Commission in the Tipperary Mila.
311 Clare Mila. Conduct of Lieutenant Hodges
318 Cavan Mila. Mr. Thos. Young appointed Ensign in
320 Chelsea Hospital, Conduct of Elliott a Pensioner
329 Carter, Revd. H., Claim for officiating for the Troops at Carrickfregus
334 Clare Mila. Poole Hickman appointed Capt vice Griffin
S.G. Purdon do Patterson
Augustine Buller do Blood
Michl Finnucane do martin
3401 cane, Rd. Accommodation for paying Chelsea pensioners
354 Cheshire, Private Thos. Enquiry respecting
356 Circular – Suspension of the operation of that part of the Royal Warrant dated 14th Novr granting under certain conditions the discharge of Soldiers to pension at their own request.
359 Circular respecting the conveyance of Soldiers and their families by coasting Steam or canal conveyance.
365 circular respecting the rates for Fuel, Candles, Straw and Wood for the Troops in Ireland.
367 Circular respecting the rates of Allowance to general and other Staff Officers of infantry Regts in lieu of Forage for horses required to be kept by them.

19 Dowans, Edwd. Enquiry respecting his Son 23rd Welsh Fusiliers
22 Donnolan, Patk. Alledged debt due by 2nd Master Cooper Clare Mila
59 Drought, G.E.A. Soliciting compensation as a retired Billet Master
70 Down South Mila. Accommodation for Staff of
013 Down South Mila. Agreement respecting said Accommodation
0101Duggan, Mr. King’s duty on cart horses sold by
95 Darnly, Earl of. Acknowledging Circular respecting billeting of Troops
97 Dillon, Captn. Expenses incurred by as a magistrate &c.
104 Dillon, captn. Robbery of a Gunpowder vender at Tullamore
1001 Dunne, Geo. 32nd Foot. Enquiry respecting
125 Doherty, John – Debt of Lt. Curey, Tyrone Mila
129 Down Mila South – Arms and Accoutrements of
1401 Dalzell (Darbyell?) Saml. Schoolmr. Serjt. (Informations against)
156 Durneen, Eleanor – Applying for the Admission of her children into the Hibernian School
160 Doyle, C. Claim against the 60th Regt.
176 Daunt, Mrs. Marriage certificate of
192 Down North Mila. Appointment of Mr. Knox as captain
193 Daunt, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
212 Duffy, Corporal – Attendance required at the Kilkenny Azzises
214 Darley, Ensign – Attendance required at the Kilkenny Azzises
221 Dublin Co. Militia – Baron de Robeck appointed Major of
2301 Dublin Co. Militia. Claim for the rent of the premises occupied by the Staff and Stores of
245 Dunphy, Edwd. Claim for acting as a Billet Master
247 Despard, Fras. Report on the conduct of the 28th Regt.
2501 Doherty, Sarah on behalf of her husband a soldier sentenced to be transported
261 Duggan Jeremiah Sentence of – Transportation against
Doherty, Dennis. Sentence of – Transportation against
280 Dempsey, Anne – Claim as a Relative of Miller, a Bandman
3001 Drake, John. Sentence of Transportation against
309 Down South Mila. E. Matthews appointed to Lt. Colonel
313 Dwyer, John. Claim as a Billet Master
316 Douglas, M. Genl. Sir. Jas. Placed on the Staff of Ireland.

33. Earl Robt, Wexford, Mila praying for a Pension
105. Early, John Enquiry respecting a balance due to his son a soldier.
10101 Eightieth Foot. Mssrs Cane & Co., appointed Agents to.
215Eighty First Foot or Eighty fourth Foot to be embarked from Liverpool to Dublin
246. Eighty First Foot. Mssrs. Armit & Co, appointed Agents to.
296. East India Co. Service – Question as to Pensions of the
320. Elliot, Robt., Pensioner. Refusal to take the oath of Allegiance.

16 52nd Foot. Mssrs. Cane & Co., appointed Agents to.
28. 47th Foot. Disembarkation of
39.Forbes, Visct. Report respecting an attempt to rescue a Deserter.
40.FitzHarris, Thos. Application for Geo. Jephson’s discharge from the Army.
55. 43rd Foot. Mssrs. Armit & Borough appointed Agents to.
56. 47th Foot. Mssrs. Armit & Borough appointed Agents to.
67. 47th. Major Sadleir – Transmissoin of Routes & Returns.
131. 4th Dragoon Guards. Mssrs. Cane & Co. Appointed Agents to.
146. Finlay Private, 6th Dr. Guards. Maintenance of a Child sworn to.
164. Ford, Peter. Enquiry respecting his marriage.
1015. Fintown. Misconduct of the Innkeeper at in refusing to accommodate a Military Escort.
215. 14th Foot. To be embarked from Portsmouth to Cork.
250 14th Foot. Mssrs. Armit & Borough & Co., appointed Agents to.
251. Floyd, Edwd., Soliciting a Pension as a retired Corporal of Militia.
261. Filly, Denis alias Bourke alias O’Donnell sentence of transportation against.
266. Fannon, John. Claim to Pension negatived.
281. Fitzgerald & Vesey, Lord. Vacant Colonelcy of Clare Militia
291. Feeney, John. Petition of the Widow of.
296. Fenton, J. Conduct of Pensioners of the East India Co. Service.
341. Forster, Major Wm. F. appointed as Asst. Adjt. Genl. Vice Harris.
344. Fannon, John. Col. Lindsay’s Certificate returned to
364. Fraser Mrs. Marriage Certificate of.

115. Gray, Saml., not considered eligible to a Yeomanry Commissoin
014. Gormley Revd., Mr. P.P. Claim for officiating in the Genl. Mily. Hospital
102. Griffith, Hugh. Private 66th Foot, application for relief.
161. Griffin, – convicted for having Fire Arms contrary to Law
161 also Gillespie, Joshua, recommending the disposal of said arms
167. Giddins, Thos. Applying for a Pension from the Chelsea Hospital
1016. General Order for granting Mily aid to Civil Power &C.
194. Griersan, Mssrs. Bill for ?Mutiny Acts &C.
196. Griffin, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
257. Goodwin, Mrs. Rebecca – Claim to the Pension of
263. Galligan, Bridget. Enquiry as to her marriage.
279. Gore, Patk., late Pensioner – respecting his pension.
2016. Good, S. Pensioner – Conduct of.
289. Granard – Conduct of the Chief Constable at – Escape of a Deserter.
323. Gibson, Revd. A., Claim for officiating for the Military.
331. Galway Mila. Mr. C. Le Poer French appointed Captain in.
353. Gordin, Henry, Respecting Corpl. H. Gordins’ effects.

23. Hanbury, SSm. Compensation as Billet Master in town of Galway
24 Hewt Corpl. 60th Foot. Enquiry respecting distribution of his effects
66. Hazlewood Geo.Soliciting compensation as a Militia Officer.
69 Hibernian School Excuse for Sir. Sm. Gossets non-attendance as a Governor of.
015 or 615. Hervey, Lt. 66th Foot, Claim for his Widow to a Pension
103. Heany, Robt. Claim for Rent due by a Pensioner
117. Heffernan Park. Claim for car hire for Provisions for 9th Foot.
152. Heyburn, John. Enquiry thro’ Recruiting Dept respecting.
153 Hemly, Captain. – Claim for expenses incurred as Magistrate.
165 Harvey, Lady. Case of as Washerwoman of the Royal Hospital
Hibernian School – Mr. Rays’ bequest to See. 110
1701. Hungate SSm. Enquiry respecting his being a Coll. In the Army.
1013 Hogan, Private, Henry – Confined for debt. – Liberated.
197. Hill – Jas. Claim as Billet Master of Kildare
206. Hawkins, John SSm. Private. Transportation of.
2001 Hall, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of.
222 Hughes John – Marriage of with Judith Robinson not considered legal.
225 Hales, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of.
264. Hart, Hugh – Certificate of his services required.
265 Hunt, Mrs. Marriage certificate of.
290 Hynes, Michael – Claim to pension
311 Hodges lieut. Ssm. Conduct of.
341 Harris Lt. Col. Asst. Adj. Genl. Succeeded by Major Forster
342 Hawkins SSm Trial before a Court Martial
343. Hizzard, Private Thos. Applicatino on behalf f the Son of.
350 Hare, Lt. Col. Military party required for the protection of Coroner & c.

I-J

40. Jephson , Geo. Requesting an application for his discharge from the army
73 Joyce, David – claim to property left by 2nd Master Lynch
169. Johnston, Alexr Meml to be restored to the ensoins List
203 Irwin Mrs. Marriage certificate of
216. Johnston, Private John. Attendance required at Clonmel Assizes
223 Jones Rees B? Laudable conduct in billeting troops &C.
273. Jordan, Wm. Claim for arrears of pay & Clothing
2015 Jones, Private J. Case of pistols sold by
322 Irvine, Jas. Requesting the half pay of the late Ensign Frederick
355 Johnstone, Mrs. Marriage certificate of.

7 Kerry Militia – Augmentation Major Crosbie proposed to fill vacant Majority
31 Kemmis ?Mssrs. Report respecting debt of J.L. right
72 Keehan, Ml. Petition to be restored to the Penson List
107 Kelly Thos. Late of 15 Foot. Enquiry respecting his Effects.
1101. Keown, Fids. Claim against John Lappan 64th Foot
147 Kinnegad – Refusal of the Parish to nominate a Billet Master at.
155. Kelly Troop 2nd Mr. 4th Dr. Guards – statements of his services required
190 Kenna Thos. Out Pensioner of the Queens Co. Militia – Complaint of.
206 Kitson, George Private, Transportation of
214 Kay, Robert Sergt Major. Attendance required at Kilkenny Assizes.
220 Kelly, Mrs. Marriage certificate of.

14 Leslie, Major Cong. Bl. Rifles, requesting permission to parade in Lower Castle Yard
34 Lally, Edwd. 10th Foot. Sentence to Transportation
35 Lee, SSm 28th Foot. Sentence to Transportation
47 Leitrim Militia. Lodgement in Ordnance Stores of the spare arms of
74 Leitrim Militia. Escort for Swords to be returned into Store
701 Londonderry Militia. Imprisonment of a Drummer for debt.
017 Leitrim Militia, Charges against Adjutant Cox
90 Londonderry Militia, Liability of House hired for, to taxation
96. Larkin, Pat. Complaining of a Canteen for the Militia at Oughterard
110 Lappan, John 64th Foot, Claim of Fras. Keown against
122 Lamb, Rose. Praying for a passage to her husband serving in 75th Foot.
134 Lalor, Pat. 52nd Foot. Conduct of
202 Lavery, Wm. Private 28th Foot. Assault on a Police Constable
253 Lindesay, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
284 Leitrim Militia. Claim of Serjt. Rutherford
286 Lorinan, N or M. Conduct of Good a Pensioner
301 Liddy, Patk. Claim to the effects of ?Timy Liddy, East India Co.
3001 Leitch, SSm. Sentence of Transportation against.
317. Lloyd, Mrs. Marriage certificate of.

4 Murray, Revd. ?Wm. Additional Allowance granted to
5 MacLean Major Genl. To succeed M. Genl. Smith Bl. Artillery
11. McClintock, Lieut. Repost respecting debt alledged to be due by him
26 Mily Secy. Mily party required to attend a public whipping at Galway
44 McDonald, Bernard, respecting prize money due to his brother
46 M. Genl. MacLean recommended for vacancy at the Board of the Royal Hospital
48 Murray Michl. Memorial to be restored to his Situation in the Engineers Dept.
52 Monaghan Milia. Col. Madden to be Col. Commandant
57 Military promotions and appointments in Ireland since 3rd Jany 832
501 Military promotions and appointments since 24th Janey 1832
60 McCartie, Mr. Charge against respecting Mila Compensation
61 Moffit, John. A minor discharged from 84th Regt.
Mily Secy. Report from on the abovementioned subject (discharge of Moffit, John)
62 Mily Promotions and Appointments in Ireland since 13th Feby 1832
64 Mahan Margt. Claim on the Forage Contractor to the Troops at Athlone
65 McDonald B. Prize Money
601 Monaghan Milia. Accomodation for Staff
96 Mily Secy. Report respecting a canteen car at Oughterard
100 Molloy, ?Arthur, not entitled to a pension
106. McMahon, John. Enquiry respecting Captain Cradock
111 McDermott, Geo. Late Pensioner 1st Foot, applying for relief etc.
112 McCraith, Patk respecting an annuity granted on account of his mother
126 Mily Secy. Illegal marriages of Soldiers of 92nd Foot (See 143)
1201 Mily Secy. Subsistence &c. of Soldiers wives & Children attacked with Cholera
130 Mily Secy Discontinuance on the Staff of Lieutenant Cols. Vincent & Beresford
137 Mily Secy. Order for burning the clothing of Soliers dying of the Cholera
138 Mily Secy. Transmitting Reports from Major Menzies 68th Foot to Capt Dillon64th
141 Mily Secy . Inconvenience attending the billeting of 4th Dr. Gds. At Newry
142 Moore, Hugh. Requesting Act for guidance of Billet masters
143 Mily Secy. Prosecution of Mr. Allen for illegally marrying soldiers
145 Mily Secy Transmitting reports from Major Madden & Capt Des Veux 50th Regt.
149 Mily Secy. Accommodation of Soldiers wives and Children attacked with Choler
150 Mily Secy. Removal of Military from the Penitentiary at Cork.
1501 Mily Secy Respecting the circulation of the General Orders for aiding the Civil Power
170 Madden, Private, Jas. Rate of Pension
174 Martin, rs. Marriage Certificate of
179 Military Acts, Circulation of
1010 McClerahan, Jas. Acts respecting Billet Markers required
1015 Mily Secy. Misconduct of an Innkeeper at Finntown
186. Mily Secy. Genl Order for granting Mily aid to the Civil Power & c.
195 Montgomerie, Mrs. Marriage certificate of
199 Miott (??), Jas. Discharge of a recruit enlisted by him without paying the smart money.
206 Martin, Jas alias SSm Thompson, Private. Transportation of
216 Moody, David & Peter. Attendance required at Clonmel Azzizes.
240 Mance, Thos. Transported for Desertion
242 McGee, Patkk. Complaint of a non-payment of his Pension
269. Mily Secy. Conduct of a Private of the 28th Foot at Callan
2701 McLeod, John Private, Transported
2013 McDuff, rs. Hannah. Supposed fraud in receiving her pension
280 Miller, Private 87th Foot. Claim of Anna Dempsey as a relative of.
289 Mily Secy. Conduct of the police Officers at Granard. Escape of a Deserter &c.
294 McDonald, Michael. Struck off the Pension List &c.
299 McGran, Jas. Praying to be placed on the Pension List.
303 McEllice, Private Chas. Attendance required at the Quarter Sessions
306 Mily Secy Attendance of Soldiers required at Clonmel
3001 Magennis, Patk. Sentenceof Transportation against.
309 Mathews, Echlin. Appointed Lt. Col. Of the Down Militia
312 McDermot, Fras. Enquiry respecting his service in the German Army
328 Meehan, John a Pensioner – Conduct of.
330 Mayo South Milia. Appointments of Mssrs. Orm & Palmer in
335 Mily Secy Grant of an additional allowance of 2 lbs of oats per ration to flases in billet?
337 McCoy SSm, Claim to Pension
Martin, SSm. Cliam to Pension.
339 Mily Secy. Transmitting letters from Major Parke & Capt O’Neill
340 Mily Secy Refusal of the Parish Priest of Boyle to officiate at the funeral of a Catholic Soldier of the 34th Foot.
342. Miller, Geo. Trial before a Court Martial
345 McGray, John – Claim to a Pension
349 Moore, Garret, acknowledging letter and sating that he has forwarded t to the ordnance Department
363 Mily Secy Hire of a magazine at Derry for the ammunition of 30th Regt.
366 Mottram, P.C. Enquiry respecting the Cheshire Militia
3601 Mathews, Private George – Application for his discharge.

31 Newport?Mssrs. Dividend on account of debt of T. L. Wright (see 89/33)
012 Needham, Henry. Enquiry from British War Office respecting
94 9th Foot not to be sent to Gibralter at present
107 Nowlan An. Effects of the late Thos. Kelly 15th Foot
159 New ?Ross, Sovereign of respecting the billeting of troops
215 90th Foot to b embarkd from Glasgow to Scotland
91st Foot To be embarqued from Liverpool to Dublin
232 Do Mssrs. Cane & Co. Appointed Agents to
274 Nowlan, Mrs. Marriage certificate of
3001 Noble John Sentence of Transportation against
360 Nester, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of

101 Ordnance – Cooking Material supplied to Guard Houses
20 Ordnance – Ammunition for Longford Militia Staff
63 O’Halloran, Lt. Marriage certificate of the Widow of
019 O’Brien Lieut., 2nd. Vr. Batt. Claim of his widow to pension
96 Oughterard, Complaint against a Canteen Car for the Military at
113 Ordnance – Reception into Store of the Arms and deposited in the gaol at Dundalk
124 Ordnance Issue of Pistols for persons employed at the Gaol at Maryboro’
132 Ordnance – Reception into the Store of the surplus arms &c of the South Down Mila
172 Ormond, Marquis of, appointed Aid de Camp to the King
205 Oakley, Private John, Transportation of
2101 O’Neill, John Late private 64th Foot, Claim of the Widow of
230 Ordnance – Bedding for the Provost prison Dublin
239 Owen, Mrs. Marriage Certificate of
366 Ordnance – Mr. Mothams ? enquiry respecting the Cheshire Mila was quartered in Richmond Barracks.

Revenue Officers, 1709

This is a list of people employed by the Irish Revenue Service in 1709. The surnames are for the most part English, those of Anglo-Irishmen. Some of these people would have been Englishmen who came to Ireland and settled down. Many will have been moved from one place of employment to another. This list simply shows the area in which they were employed on June 24th, 1709. Each name is found attached to a particular district, these districts may have covered more than one county. Districts may have had sub-groupings depending on the occupation of the person.

Fair Towns of Ireland, 1834

The Fair towns were very important towns and people walked for miles on a fair day to go to sell their produce. Until the Fair Day people would have no money and so once the produce or the animals were sold then the bills would be paid. The Fair towns in any county were major towns, places the population concentrated on, those that were important because of their fairs in the past may no longer be of any importance in a county today. Listed below are the names of the fair towns in each county as per Wilson’s Directory of Ireland, 1834. This list is also important in that it not only gives us the name sof the towns, but we can see variations on the way they were spelled in 1834 compared to the present spelling.

ANTRIM
Ahogill Antrim Ardmoy Ballyclare Ballinagobogh Bridge Ballintoy Ballycarry Ballycastle Ballymena Ballymoney Ballymure Belfast Bernice Broughshane Bushmills Carrickfergus Carmony Clough Connor Craigbilly Crumlin Cushendall Dervock Drimbar Drumadoon Dunloy Dunluce Glenarm Glenavy Kells Larne Lisburn Loughgill Mosside Mounthill Newtowncrommelin Oldstone Parkgate Portglenone Randalstown Rasharkan Roughfort Shanecastle Straid Stranocum Templepatrick Toome Tullamore

ARMAGH
Acton Armagh Ballibought Balnaglera Blackwatertown Camlough Charlemont Clare Crosmaglin Cullyhanna Culloville Forkhill Hamilton’s-bawn Jonesborough Johnstown’s bridge Keady Killileagh Loughgall Lurgan Mahery Markethill Middleton Newtownhamilton Pointzpass Portadown Portnorris Richhill Surgowny Tanderagee Tuskinpass

CARLOW
Ballon Borris Carlow town Hacketstown Kiledmond Knockan Knockmill Leighlinbridge Milford Myshall Nurney Orchard Palatinetown Rathvilly Sherwood Slyguff Staplestown St. Mullins Tennehinch Tullow Wells

CAVAN
Arvagh Bailieborough Ballinagh Ballinacarrig Ballyconnell Ballyhaise Ballyhighland Ballyjamesduff Bawn Belturbet Butlersbridge Cavan town Cootehill Crossdoney Crosskeys Doobally Kilcoguy Killeshandra Kilgola Kilnaleck Kilsub Kingscourt Largy Mountnugent Muff Mullogh Redhill Scraby Shircock Stradone Swadlinbar Tullyvin Virginia

CLARE
Annacarriga Ardsallas Ballindreat Ballyket Ballyludan Banroe Bodike Bridgetown Broadford Brodagh Bunratty Callaghans Mills Clare town Clonroad Cooreclare Corofin Cratilow Donass Doonbeg Doonmore Enagh Ennis Ennistimon Holyisland Jasper’s pound Jeverstown Killanteel Kilclaren Kildysart Kilfenora Kilkeshen Killaloe Kilmichael Kilrush Kilmurrybricken Kilmurrymacmahon Lisdeen Miltownmalbay Moyarta Moynoe (Ballyglass) Moynoe (Read’s cross) Newmarket O’Brien’s bridge Quin Rosmanaher Scariff Sixmilebridge Spancelhill St. John’s Well Tomgrany Tulla Turloughmore

CORK
Ahacross Annegrove Aughadown Ballinakelly Ballinamona Ballinavar Ballinhassig Ballinphellie Ballinspidale Ballybuy Ballnacarrig castle Ballyclough Ballydehob Balligurteen Ballyhooly Ballyheene Ballymacody Ballyvolane Ballyvorney Bandon Banlahan Bantry Barnagrove Bartholomew’s well Blarney Brigown Buttevant Cahirmee Cardriney Carrigalane Carrigtowhill Castlelyons Castlemartyr Castletown Castletownroche Cecilstown Charleville Clonakilty Cloyne Connagh Coolaguragh Cooldorky Coolymurrahoe (Cork city) Cork city Cottersborough Crookstown Currabegland Curras and Maun Dangan Donaghmore Doneraile Downderry Drimoleague Dromagh Dromdeer Droumalagree Duhallow Dunmanway Eirkmacody Enniskeane Fermoy Fivemilebridge Glangowra Glanworth Glenville Gooseberryhill Greenoghs Innishannon Insegeela Kanturk Kilbritton Kilcummer Kildorery Killacounty Killieagh Kilmurrahan Kilmacleran Kilmurry Kiworth Kinsale Knocknacroghery Knucknamariff Lepp Liscarroll Lisgoold Lisnacon Lough of Cork Macroom Magilla Mallow Maslacanlands Masseytown Milford Middleton Millstreet Mitchelsfort Mitchelstown Mogeely Monkstown Mossgrove Mountbeamish Nadrid Newcestown Newmarket Newmill Newtown Oldabbey Oldcastle Oldmillstreet Passage west Rathclare Rathcormuck Rockhill Ross Rostellan Rugsboro’ Shanballymore Shandrum Sixmilewater Skibbereen Timoleague Tracton Transtown Tullilease Youghal

DONEGAL
Aghygaults Ardara Ballintra Ballybofey Ballynass Ballyshannon Bonnyfobble Buncrana Burnfoot Cloghanbeg Carrigart Carndonagh Castlefinn Church-hill Convoy Culdaff Donegal town Dunfanaghy Dunkanally Fintown Glenties Killybegs Killigordan Laghey Letterkenny Machremore Malin Manorcunningham Mountcharles Muff Newbridgeglen Newtowncunningham Oldtown Port Pettigo Ramullen Raphoe Rashedog Rathmelton Redcastle Rosnakill St. Johnston’s Stranorlar Tullyodonald

DOWN
Annadoyne Ardara Ballinahinch Balamagarry Ballow Ballywalter Banbridge Bangor Bryansford Carrowdore Castlereagh Castlewellan Clough Comber Crossgar Donaghadee Donaghmore Down Downpatrick Dromore Dundrum Gilford Grayabbey Greencastle Hillsborough Hilltown Kilkeel Killileagh Killough Kilmore Kircubbin Loughbrickland Narrowwater Newry Newtownards Portaferry Rostrevor Rathfriland Saintfield Scarvaghpass Seaford Sheepbridge Strangford Warrenpoint

DUBLIN
Balriggan Ballymore Eustace Balrothery Carrickmines Donnybrook Fieldstown Garristown Kilsallaghan Lusk Newcastle Palmerstown Rathmichael Rathfarnham Rush Saggard Skerries St. Margaret’s Swords Tallaght

FERMANAGH
Ballinamallard Belcoo Belleek Brookborough Calaghane Callowhill Churchhill Clubboy Derralin Derrygonnelly Donagh Ederneybridge Enniskillen town Garrison Irvinestown Kesh Lisbellaw Lisnacarrick Lisnakea Maguiresbridge Magheravooly Monea Newtownbutler Roslea Stragowna Tempo Wheathill

GALWAY
Abbeynockmoy Aghrimlands Ahascragh Ardrahin Athenry Ballinakill Ballinamore Ballinasloe Ballymoate Ballymoe Barna Caltragh Cappatogel Castleblakeney Castelhackett Claddagh Claranbridge Claregalway Claremore Clifden Clonbur Clonfert Creggs Derry Mcoughy Drumgriffin Doonmore Dunloe Eyrecourt Fairhill Galway square (East gate) Galway town Gort Headfort Isserkelly Kilconnell Kilcorban Kilcreest Killimore Kilnelag Kiltartan Kiltormerkelly Kinvara Laurencetown Loughrea Meelick Monivea Moylough Mount Bellew bridge Mount shannon Newtowneyre Newtownbellew Oranmore Portumna Renville Tuam Tubberbracken Tuberindonny Tubberpadder Tullindally Turlaghmore Tynagh Whitegate Woodford

KERRY
Ardfert Ballinclare Ballincleave Ballyheige Beale Beenmore Blenerville Cahirsiveen Castleisland Castelamine Currans Dromkeen Dromoroirk Gleneragh Granshaw Kilfin Kilgobnet Killarney Killorglin Lackeen Listowel Mallahuff Miltown Montanagee Mullahish Nantenane nedeen Rougtybridge Scortaglinny Tarbert Tralee

KILDARE
Athy Ballimaney Ballyonan Ballytore Calvertstown Castledermot Castle Carberry Celbridge Clane French-furs Hortland Johnston’s bridge Killballinerin Kilcock Kilcullen Kilcullenbridge Kildangan Kildare town Kilgowan Kildroughill Kilmeague Kilteel Leixlip Maynooth Monasterevan Moone Naas Narraghmore Newbridge Rathangan Rathbride Redlion inn Russelwood Timolin Tully

KILKENNY
Ballylinch Ballynamara Ballicallen Ballyhall Ballyhibbuck Ballyragget Ballytrisna Barrowmount Bawn Bennet’s-bridge Burnchurch Callan Castlecomer Castlemorris Churchland Rower Cloga Coolianta Durrow Fertagh Fiddown Freshford Gore’s-bridge Gowran Graig Graigstown Grayney Innistiogue Johnstown Kells Kilkenny Killiboy Kilmaganny Kilmurry Knockmoyland Knocktopher Listerlin Mullinahow Mullinavat Powerstown Rathbeagh Rathkerran Rosberkon St. John’s Well St. Canice Stroan Templemartin Thomastown Tullaroan Urlingford

KINGS COUNTY (OFFALY)
Ballyboy Ballicowan Banagher Bernagrotty Birr Ballycumber Brosney Charlestown Claranbridge Cloghan Clonbullock Conegown Clonony Creggan Cullenwayne Dunkerrin Edenderry Ferbane Frankfort Gallen Gleashill Kilcommon Killyon Killeagh Kinety Moneygall Phillipstown Rahillane Shannon Shinrone Tullamore

LEITRIM
Ballinamore Carrick-on-Shannon Carrigallen Cashcarrigan Cloone Drumahaire Drumkerran Drumod Drumshanbo Druinsna Jamestown Leitrim Longfield Lurganbridge or Lurganbuy Lurganby Manorhamilton Mohill Newtown Newtowngore Tullaghan Turagh

LIMERICK
Abbeyfeale Abbington Adare Almer Anglesborough Ardagh Ardpattrick Askeaton Ballingarry Ballingarrycramer Ballinvreeny Ballymagarrydown Ballybrood Ballyscanlan Bilboa Bruff Brury Caherconlish Cahirellywest Castleconnell Castletown Cluggin Court and Curraheen Croaghburgess Croome Drumcollogher Dromon Fedemore Galbally Glanogra Glin Herbertstown Hospital Kilfennycommon Kilfinan Kilmallock Kilmiddy Kilmore Kilteely Knockaderry Knockany Knocktoran Knocklong Limerick city Lismullane Mountpelier Murroe Nantenant Newcastle Pallasgreen Patrick’s well Portrenard Racahill Rathkeale Shanagolden Singland Spurreboy Stonehall Tubbermurry Tullow Turagh

LONDONDERRY
Bellaghy Castledawson Churchtown Clady Coleraine Cross Curran Desertmartn Dungiven Feeny Figivee Garvagh Killowen Kilrea Lisane Londonderry Moneymore Magherafelt Mahera Mahoolan Muff Newtown-Limavady Parke Portglenone Swatteragh Tubbermore Tryadd

LONGFORD**
Ardagh Ballymahon Barry Bonlahy Cullyvore Drumlish Edgesworthstown Granard Killashee Lanesboro’ Newt. Forbes Shanmulla St. Johnstons St. Johnstown Tashiny

LOUTH**
Annagassan Ardee Castletown Collon Drumcashel Dundalk Dunleer Foggart Lurgangreen Mulaghcrew Rochdale

MAYO
Aglare Ardnaree Aughagown Ball Ballaghaderin Ballina Ballincostello Ballindangan Ballinrobe Ballively Ballyhane Ballyhaunis Ballivary Bangorerris Bauceysbarn Belcarra Belmullet Binghamstownerris Bionneconlan Brize Bunfinglass Cappakerrane Caracastle Castleaken Castlebar Castletownlands Clare Classagh Crossmolina Donamona Fortfield Foxford Gallowshill Glarn Hollymount Keelogues Killala Kilmain Kilternagh Lisloughery Louisburgh Loughmask Melcomberegis Minola Moyne Neale Newtowngrove Newportpratt Rakestreet Rathfran Rues Shrule Straid Swineford Tallagherris Tulrahan Turlogh Westport

MEATH
Ardeath Armabrega Ashbourne Athboy Balliver Ballybogan Bectivebridge Belgree Carlanstownbridge Crossakeale Culmullen Drumconra Duleek Dunboyne Dunshaughlin Garretstown Grenanstown Kells Kildalky Kilmainham Wood Longwood Mulpheddar Navan Nobber Oldcastle Rathmolion Ratoath Skreen Slane Summerhill Trim Warrenstown

MONAGHAN
Ballinode Ballitrain Ballibay Carrickmacross Castleblayney Castleshane Clones Drum Emyvale Glasslough Knockboy Monaghan town Newbliss Rockcorry Scotstown Smithsboro’ Tedounet

QUEEN’S COUNTY (Laois)
Abbeyleix Aghaboe Ballicmoyler Ballinakill Ballybrittas Ballylinan Ballyroan Birchwood Borris-in-Ossory Castlebrack Castletown Clonaslee Castle Cuff Cullenagh Cullihill Donaghmore Dysart Errill Garindinny Graigue Maryboro’ Mayo Mountmellick Mountrath Pike of Rushall Portarlington Rathdowney Stradbally Timohoe Tinnehinch

ROSCOMMON
Ardsallagh Athleague Ballinagrave Ballimurry Ballinafad Ballinlough Ballintubber Ballyfarnon Ballylegue Belonlagh Boyle Brideswell Castleplunkett Castlerea Castlesampson Cootehall Croghan Dangan Elphin Frenchpark Fuerty Glinsk Grevisk Keadne Kilcorky Knockacroghery Leckcarrow Loughlin Miltownpass Mount-talbot Newmarket Rockfield Roscommon town St. John’s Well Strokestown Tarmonbarry Tulsk

SLIGO
Ardnaglass Ballasodare Ballinacarrow Ballinahatty Ballintogher Ballymoate Banada Bellaghy Beltra Bunnidane Bunninaden Carney Carricknagat Castlebaldwin Cliffony Collooney Curry Drinaghanbeg Dromore Easky Enniscrone Farinaharpy Jameswell Newtown Quiguboy Roslee Sligo town Templehouse Tobbercorry Tubberscanavan

TIPPERARY
Ardfinan Ballingarry Ballyclerihan Ballyporeen Ballysheehane Borrisoleigh Burrisokane Cahir Cappagh Clanoulty Cashel Castleotway Carrick-on-suir Clogheen Cloughjordan Cloneen Clonmel Cullen Drum Dundrum Dunhill Emly Feathard Glynn Golden Gormanstown Grange Grangemockler Graystown Holycross Kilcash Kilcooly Killenaule Kilfeacle Killenaule Kilnockin Knockharding Lisinisky Mulinahone Mullough Nenagh New Bermingham Newinn Newport Pallis Roscrea Roesgreen Silvermines Templemore Templetoohy Thurles Tipperary town Toomavara Tubberhaney Tyrone Williamstown

TYRONE
Altmore Ardstranbridge Augher Aughnacloy Ballygawley Ballinmagorey Ballinscally Balnakety Benburbe Beragh Caledon Carland Carnteel Carrickmore Castlecaulfield Castledergh Clady Cookstown Clogher Coagh Dergbridge Donelong Donoughmore Dromore Drumquin Dunaghy Dungannon Dunymana Fintona Fivemiletown Frederickstown Gorten Grange Killeter Killen Machrecregan Mounthamilton Moyne Newtownsaville Newtownstewart Omagh Orrator Pomeroy Seskinore Sixmilecross Stewartstown Strabane Trillic

WATERFORD
Affane Annestown Ballinamultina Ballyduff Ballygunner Ballykeerogue Cappoquin Carrickbeg Clashmore Clonagam Conna Drumana Drumcannon Dungarvan Faithleg Ferrypoint Gardenmorris Kilcomragh Kilgobnet Kilmacthomas Kilstownlaurence Knuckboy Lismore Modiligo Mountaincastle Newton at Silvermines Passage Stradbally Tallow Tramore Two-mile-bridge Waterford city Whitechurch Windygap

WESTMEATH
Athlone Ballinahown Ballymore Ballynacargy Balbarna Balnalack Castlepollard Castletowndelvin Castletowngeoghan Churchtown Clonmallon Collinstown Coole Coolnahay Dunower Empor Finea Fore Freemarket Glasson Grangemore Keney Kilbeggan Kilgarvan Kilkennywest Killear Killucan Kinnegad Killvalley Multifarnham Miltown Moate Moyvore Mullingar Noughwell Rathconrath Rathowen Rathwire Scartanpatrick Tyrellspass

WEXFORD
Adamstown Ballycannow Ballyhack Banoge Birchgrove Blackwatertown Broadway Camolin Cairn Castlebridge Clahaman Clonegall Clonroach Coolgrenny Couracloe Croshue Crosstown Curragraige Enniscorthy Ferns Fethard Gorey Harrow Killinick Killuran Kilmuckbrifge Kilener Lady’s Island Limric Mocorry Monamullin Moneyhore Nash Newross Newtownbarry Oulart Oylegate Ragorey Ramsgrange Scar Scarawalsh Scarvagh Taghmon Tintrin Tomhaggard Wexford town

WICKLOW
Aghrim Arklow Ashford Ballinacor Ballinderry Baltinglass Blessington Bray Calary Carnew Coolkenno Coolattin Coolboy Cronroe Donard Downs Dunlavin Hollywood Kilcoole Kilranelagh Kiltegan Macreddin Newcastle Newtownmountkennedy Rathdrum Rathsallagh Redcross Sevenchurches Shillelagh Stradford-on-Slaney Tinahely Togher Wicklow town

Bog Bursts, Ireland: County to County

Co. Londonderry

A.D. 1824, December 22.-Bog of Ballywindelland, Colerlaine.
A portion of this bog containing 80 or 100 acres gave way and passed into an adjoining valley: it gradually advanced on the firm land, during theday, at the rate of 2 feet per minute.

A.D. 1895, August 9.-Bog near Dungiven, Co. Derry
The site was in the townland of Briskey, at the east slope of Benbradagh; an extensive mountain bog 10 to 30 feet in depth, sloping at a gradient of about 1 in 12. Where the burst occurred a small stream runs underground for about a quarter mile, the ground above it being firm, so that cattle grazed on it.
On the evening of August 9th there, was a thunderstorm, but not accompanied by any excessive rainfall. The weather during the summer had been normal. In the night, probably, before midnight, between 2 and 3 acres of bog gave way. For some 40 yards length at its lower end, the bog burst out entirely. Over the rest a tapering area 300 feet wide by 600 long, the ground subsided about 10 feet, leaving great blocks of the solid crust, broken up in a fantastic way. A very considerable flood of water and peat poured down the stream, which eventually joins the River Roe. No damage was done, as the gradients are steep, and the land not under cultivation, but a cottage situated beside the stream 1 mile below the scene of the outburst narrowly escaped being washed away. A deposit of peat was left on the banks of the stream for a considerable distance. There is evidence of several similar slides having taken place in the district..

Ref: Information supplied by Mr. H.C. Moore, C.E., Dungiven (1897 – to Dr. Praeger)

Co. Galway

A.D.1745, March 28.- Bog of Addergoole, Dunmore, County Galway-
About mid-day, after a heavy thunder-shower, about 10 acres of bog, the front of which was being cut for turf, moved forward and down the course of a stream, and subsided upon a low pasture of 30 acres by the riverside, where it spread and settled, covering the whole. The stream thus dammed back, rose till it formed a lake of 300 acres, which, by the cutting of a channel, was subsequently reduced to 50 or 60 acres. This area, together with the 30 acres of meadow over which the bog spread, has been destroyed for purposes of husbandry.

Ref: Ouseley, Trans. R.I.A., vol. ii, Science, pp. 3-5, plate I., ?1887

A.D. 1821, September.-Joyce country, County Galway.-
“Upwards of a hundred acres of land, on which crops were growing and several families resided, were heard to emit a sound resembling thunder; the earth then became convulsed, and eventually this large tract moved down towards the sea, leaving the whole route over which it passed a complete waste.

A.D. 1873. October 1.-Bog 3 miles east of Dunmore, Co. Galway.
The bog was connected with the Dunmore river by the Carrabel, a small stream. It was considerably elevated above the surrounding country, its edges presenting the appearance of high turf banks. “A farmer digging potatoes suddenly observed a brown mass slowly approaching. Leaving his spade in the ground, he went for the neighbours, and on his return the mass of moving bog had half covered his potato field, and completely hidden his corn field from sight, except a few stacks which remained on a knoll, an island in the midst of a scene of desolation.” The bog slowly flowed down the valley of the Dunmore, burying three farm houses, and covering about 300 acres of pasture and arable land, 6 feet deep. The peat was cut along a perpendicular face, 25 to 30 feet in height, which extended down to the underlying gravel. It was from this cutting that the outburst took place, The flood of peat and water moved rapidly at first, but afterwards slowly, and continued in movement for 11 days. It carried away roads and bridges. The subsided portion of the bog extended eastwards from the face of the cutting for a distance of a quarter of a mile; its greatest breadth measured also a quarter of a mile, down the middle, a valley from 20 to 25 feet deep was formed, and about the sides the crust was torn asunder. The numerous crevasses so formed were fined to the top with black peaty fluid.

Ref: Savage, ‘Picturesque Ireland’ pp. 234-235

A.D. 1890. January 27.-Bog at Loughatorick North, Co. Galway
The bog is situated in the townland of Loughatorick North, on the Slieve Aughty Mountains, nearly on the watershed, and 300 feet above Ballinlough Lake, which lies N .E., and into which the bog drains by a small river. The bog consists of two portions, separated by a narrow neck, where exposed rock was seen after the outburst. The upper and larger part is 70 acres in extent, the lower only 15 acres. The latter began to move 3 days before the upper portion; in its centre was a small lake to which an underground stream could be traced; after the outburst, this lake became dry. After a fall of snow, a sudden thaw set in on the 24th January ; three days later a movement of the bog commenced, and continued till 1st February. Great masses of peat were carried away by the black flood into Ballinlough Lake, which was nearly filled with peat and the outwashed trunks of trees. The lowlands were covered with peat over an area of 100 acres:, and for a depth of 12 inches. Traces of the flood were visible to a height of 6 or 7 feet on the trunks of trees which stood in its course. The upper part of the bog subsided from 10 to 15 feet ; its margins were much rent with fissures.

Ref: Report to the Board of Public Works, by Mr. A.T. Pentland, 24th November 1890.

Co. Limerick

A.D. 1697, June 7th. Kapanihane Bog, Co. Limerick, near Charleville:
Described in a letter dated June 7th, 1697:

“On the 7th day of June, 1697, near Charleville, in the County of Limerick, in Ireland, a great Rumbling, or faint Noise was heard in the Earth, much like unto a Sound of Thunder near spent ; for a little Space the Air was somewhat troubled with little Whisking Winds, coming to meet contrary Ways: and soon after that, to the greater Terror and Afrightment of a great Number of Spectators, a more wonderful thing happened ; for in a Bog stretching North and South, the Earth began to more, viz. Meadow and Pasture Land that lay on the side of the Bog, and separated by an extraordinary large Ditch, and other Land on the further side adjoining to it; and a Rising, or Little Hill in the middle of the Bog thereupon sunk flat.

This Motion began about Seven of the Clock in the Evening, fluctuating in its Motion like Waves, the Pasture-Land rising very high, so that it over-run the Ground beneath it, and moved upon its Surface, rowling on with great pushing Violence, till it covered the Meadow, and held to remain upon it 16 Feet.

In the Motion of this Earth, it drew after it the Body of the Bog, part of it lying on the Place where the Pasture-Land that moved out of its Place it had before stood; leaving great Breaches behind it, and Spewings of Water that cast up noisom Vapours : And so it continues at present, to the great Wonderment of those that pass by, or come many Miles to be Eye-witnesses of so strange a thing.”

This communication was accompanied by a map and detailed description by John Honohane.

Ref: Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ixi, pp.714-716, October, 1697; & Boate, Molyneux and others, a Natural History of Ireland, 1755, p. 113

A.D. 1708. Castlegarde Bog, County Limerick.- The Castlegarde bog, or as it was then called Poulevard, moved along a valley and buried three houses containing about twenty-one persons. It was a mile long, a quarter mile broad, and about 20 feet deep in some parts. It ran for several miles, crossed the high road at Doon, broke, through several bridges, and flowed into the Lough of Coolpish.

Ref: Dublin Evening Telegraph, 2nd January 1897

A.D. 1840, January.- Bog of Farrtindoyle, Kanturk, Co. Cork.
The bog was 10 feet in thickness, resting on a substratum of yellow-clay; the pent-up water underrmined a prodigious mass of bog, and bore it buoyantly on its surface; twenty acres of valuable meadow were covered, and a cottage: was propelled and engulfed ; a quarter of a mile of the road from Kanturk to Williamstown was covered 12 to 30 feet deep.

Ref: Freemans journal, January 3, 1840 (copied from the Cork Standard)

Co. Longford

A. D.1809,December 6.- Bog of Rine, Camlin River, County Longford.
“In the night during a thunderstorm, about 20 acres of the bog burst asunder in numerous places, leaving chasms of many perches in length, and of various breadths, from 10 feet to 3 inches. The rifts were in general parallel to the river, but in some places the smaller rifts were at right angles to it; not only the bog, but the bed of the river was forced upward; the boggy bottom filling up the channel of the river, and rising 3 or 4 feet above its former banks. In a few hours 170 acres of land were by these means overflowed, and they continued in that state for many months, till the bed of the river was cleared by much labour and at considerable expense.”

The bog had been an unusually wet one. It did not sink in any particular place. “Several earthquakes were felt in distant countries about 16th December, …and it is not absolutely impossible that a communication may exist between them ” (the earth quake and the bog-slide.)

Ref: Edgeworth, App. 8 to the 2nd Report of Bog Commission, p. 176, 1811

A.D. 1883. January 30- Bog near Newtownforbes, Co. Longford.
“A bog near Newtownforbes has commenced to migrate, covering turf and potatoes.”

A.D. 1819, January.- Owenmore Valley, Erris, Co. Mayo
“A mountain tarn burst its banks, and heaving the bog that confined it, came like a liquid wall a-down, forcing everything along boulders, bog timber, and sludge, until, as it were in an instant, it broke upon the houses [of a small village], carrying all before it, stones, timbers, and bodies; and it was only some days after, that at the estuary of the river in Tullohan Bay, the bodies of the poor people were found.”

Ref: Otway, “Sketches in Erris and Tirawley,” p. 14, 1841

Co. Offaly

A.D. 1821, June 26.Bog of Kilmaleady, near Clara, King’s Co. (Offaly)
The excellent report on the outbreak of this bog, communicated to the Royal Dublin Society by Sir Richard Griffith, may with advantage be consulted by those who are interested in the subject. It will be found in the Journal of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. I., pp. 14I-144 and map, 1858.

Sir William. Wilde gives the following additional particulars taken from the daily press of the time :~
At 7 p.m:, of the evening of the 26th June, the south front of the bog of Ballykillion, or Kilmalady, gave way to a depth of 25 feet, and with a tremendous noise, commenced to move down the valley at the rate of about 2 yards an hour, with a front 200 yards wide, and about 8 feet deep. It continued to move for more than a month,
“About the same time the Ferret bog, about 16 miles north-east of Kilmalady, was strongly agitated, boiling up to a great height.”

Ref: Census of Ireland for the year 1851, part v., vol., I, 1856, pp. 189, 190
Co. Sligo
A.D. 1831, January.- Bog, near Geevagh, Co. Sligo.
” After a sudden thaw of snow, the bog between Bloomfield and Geevagh gave way; and a black deluge, carrying with it the contents of 100 acres of bog, took the direction of a small stream, and rolled on with the violence of a torrent, sweeping along heath, timber, mud, and stones, and overwhelming many meadows and arable land. On passing through some boggy land, the flood swept out a wide and deep ravine, and a part of the road leading from Bloomfield to St. James’s Well was completely carried away from below the foundation for the breadth of 200 yards.”

Ref: Lyell, Principles of Geology’ 10th ed., vol. ii., p. 504

Co. Roscommon

A.D. 1870,December 14, 9 a..m.- Bog near Castlereagh, Co. Roscommon
The bog is situated 5 miles north-east of Castlereagh,on the watershed of the River Suck and the Owen-na-foreesha, a tributary of Lough Gara ; it overlies cavernous limestone. The eruption, took place from the face of a turf-cutting, which was from 12 to 15 feet in height. A very rapid flood of peat and water poured forth, bearing on its surface large masses or the crust of the bog; it rose 10 feet over Baslick Bridge, and left a deposit of peat, which covered 165 acres of low ground and extended for some 6 or 7 miles down the valley of the Suck; A valley was formed in the peat bog half a mile in length and 20 feet deep.

Ref: Report to the Board of Public Works, by Mr. Forsyth, 26th & 28th January, 1871

A.D. 1883. .January 25.- Bog near Castlereagh, Co. Roscommon.
“The bog was situated between the villages of Moor and Baslick; in about two hours it moved a mile in a south-westerly direction towards the River Suck; after a short interval the movement continued, some 4,000 acres of land were covered, three houses had to be deserted, several roads were blocked; the Ballinagare road being covered 15 feet deep. Eleven or twelve years ago the Tulla bog, situated about a quarter of a mile from the scene of the present outbreak, burst and discharged itself to the river Suck.”

Ref: Report to the Board of Public Works, by Mr. Forsyth, 31st October, 1883.

Co. Tipperary

A.D. 1788, March 27. Bog near Dundrum, county Tipperary.
A large bog of 1500 acres, lying between Dundrum and Cashel, in the county of Tipperary, began to be agitated in an extraordinary manner, and to the astonishment and terror of neighbouring inhabitants. The rumbling noise from the bog gave the alarm, and on the 30th it burst, and a kind of lava issued from it, which took its direction towards Ballygriffen and Golden, overspreading and laying waste a vast tract or fine fertile land belonging to John Hide Esq. Everything that opposed its course was buried in ruins. Four houses were totally destroyed, and the trees that stood near them torn up by the roots. The discharge has been incessant since the 30th, and how far it will extend cannot at present be deter.

Gentleman’s Magazine, vol 1viii, p. 355, 1788

The Maid of Ballyhaunis

My Mary dear! For thee I die,
O! place thy hand, in mine, love –
My fathers here were chieftains high,
Then to my plaints incline, love.
O! Plaited-hair! That now we were
In wedlock’s hand united
For maiden mine, in grief I’ll pine,
Until our vows are plighted!

Thou, Rowan-bloom, since thus I rove,
All worn and faint to greet thee,
Come to these arms, my constant love,
With love as true to meet me!
Alas! My head – it’s wits are fled,
I’ve failed in filial duty –
My sire did say, “Shun, shun, for aye,
That Ballyhaunis beauty!”

But thy Cailín Bán I marked one day,
Where the blooms of the bean-field cluster,
Thy bosom white like ocean’s spray,
Thy cheek like rowan-fruit’s lustre,
Thy tones that shame the wild birds fame
Which sing in the summer weather –
And O! I sigh that thou, love, and I
Steal! Not from this world together!

If with thy lover thou depart
To the land of Ships my fair love,
No weary pain of head or heart,
Shall haunt our slumbers there, love –
O! haste away, ere cold death’s prey,
My soul from thee withdrawn is;
And my hope’s reward, the churchyard sward,
In the town of Ballyhaunis

Materials and Luck

Certain materials were considered unlucky and should not be used in building a house. Some types of white stones are included in this category (cloch scáil in Co. Kerry; cloch éibhir in Co.’s Galway and Mayo). A tale from Ballyferriter in the Dingle peninsula tells of a family who had nothing but bad luck until the ghost of a long dead grandfather appears to the head of the household and told him that a white stone was built into the house wall; once this stone was removed the families luck changed for the better. Some held that white stone’s attract lightening.

Also, the stones from an old ruined house could not be used in the building of any house although there was no objection to a house such as that being used as a byre or shed, and the stones from the walls of old houses could be unsed in erecting farm buildings. The use of stolen material would definitely bring bad luck!

A Galway tradition says that a stone which falls from the hands of a mason or his helpers, while they are at work on a wall must not be used in masonry, by fallingthe stone has become unlucky and if used may cause the wall to collapse. Should a wall fall down or scaffolding collapse, or any other untoward happening, while a house was being built then , doubts might arise as to whether the unseen-world had not in some way been offended, and a series of such minor disasters might even cause the abandonment of the building as something too dangerously unlucky to be continued.

Attainment of the highest point in the building often called for some special note or celebration. The highest point was generally considered to be either the top of the gable or the top of the main chinmey.

In northwest Connaught, the top of the gable was regarded as the highest point of the house and may have been because there were no stone chinmeystacks in many houses in the area in former times. The stone that crowns the gable was known as “”cloch an phréacháin”, the crow’s stone. When this was set in position the owner of the house called the workmen together and provided them with a drink of whiskey or póitín, or, at the very least, tea. In Louisburgh, County Mayo, the neighbours gathered on this occasion and were entertained by fiddlers. An informant from Co. Mayo reports: “”For some reason, which so far I have not found out the cloch phréacháin was never finished. The mason would leave some opening or space around it without finishing with mortar, he would deliberately use up the mortar so that he would not have sufficient to plaster around the stone, or if he had enough mortar he would, when the work was almost finished accidentally (mar dheadh!) tumble the bucket of mortar and say “”We must leave that!”” or some words to that effect.”” (From The Luck of the House, Information from Mr. Mícheál Mac Énrí, Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo.)

At Inistiogue in county Kilkenny, the mason marked a cross on the plaster of the highest point of the gable. A religious medal, a piece of blessed palm, or a little bottle of holy water, was tied to the ridge pole as soon as it was set in a number of places.

In some northern counties the custom was to erect a flag or a substitute for one when the building of a new house had reached the chimney stage. This reminded the owner that some incentives would speed up completion of the work. i.e. some refreshment or gratuity should be given to the builders. This custom was widely established in County Down, from where it appears to have spread to county Antrim, Derry and westwards to Fermanagh. Gailey (The thatched houses of Ulster, Gailey, Alan; Ulster Folklife, 7 (1961), 16-17: The Ulster Tradition, Folk Life, 2 (1964), 28-29) who recorded this custom in Ulster, concluded that it is of fairly recent origin in Ireland. The same Custom seems to have spread to other parts of the country. In Louth, a red flag was flown to indicate a victory for the men who were building the house and once it was up the owner treated the men.

An old shirt was hoisted on a pole in Sligo town, in Limerick an old piece of white cloth was tied on a stick like a flag and displayed on the highest point, and in Dublin an old pair of trousers was flown.

In other places where the main chimney was regarded as the highest point, the first fire was laid on the hearth, and the workers in places in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary expected to be treated to drinks or some other form of minor celebration. The same custom is reported from Beltra, county Sligo and Carrigtee, county Monaghan. From county Monaghan too we hear of the placing of a bone on top of the newly completed chimney.

From the Castleblayney district of county Monaghan we are told that ‘when a house was built up as far as the ridge board it was custom to have a party to celebrate the occasion. All the friends, family and neighbours were invited A night of feasting, dancing and story telling was spent. It was known as a ‘topping up party’. Another source from Monaghan says that this occurred when the wall-plate was reached.

Care was taken to begin the building of the house on a lucky day. Lucky days depended on local tradition, also in taking possession of a new house the timing was very important. This could not take place during Lent. It seems that Friday was a lucky day to move, and Monday in general an unlucky day, although there is an old saying which restricts this: “”a move to the north on Friday, to the south on Monday, or to the west on Tuesday never brought any luck in its train.”” While Dean Jonathan Swift says “”Friday and Childermas day are two cross days in the week and it is impossible to have good luck in either of them”” Irish tradition agrees with Dean Swift as regards Childermas Day: this is the 28th of December, the feast of the Holy Innocents, which in Irish is known as ‘Lá na Leanbh’ (Day of the Children), but also as Lá Crosta na Bliana, ‘the cross day of the year’ when no work of any kind should begin.

From-Ireland.net

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