Tag Archives: 1930s

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Armagh

Armagh an inland county in the province of Ulster,it is bounded in the north by Lough Neagh and Co. Tyrone; on the east by county Down; on the south by county Louth; and on the west by counties Monaghan and Tyrone. The length of county Armagh from north to south 33 miles; and it’s breadth from east to west is 21 miles.


Article

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name of the county is derived from the City of Armagh, and belongs to pagan times. The oldest form is Ard Mhaca, or Macha’s height – Macha being a semi mythical heroine, the foundress of the palace of Emania, 300 years B.C.
The county formed part of the ancient kingdom of Oriel. The eastern part of this kingdom called Oirthera (meaning “eastern people”) was the territory of the O’Hanlons, and the name is preserved in that of the Baronies of Orior. The old territory of Hy Niallain, is now represented in name and position by the Baronies of O’Neilland. On the shore of Lough Neagh, round the mouth of the Bann was situated the ancient district of Hy Brassil or Clanbrassil.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The northern part of the county is flat, with a good deal of bog. The greater part of the rest consists of gentle hills with fertile valleys between. Towards the south it becomes more hilly culminating in Slieve Gullion. Limestone was quarried plentifully round Armagh city, the finer part was good marble.

The chief mountains with their heights in feet are the following: Slieve Gullion (1,893). The highest points of the Newry mountains, 2 miles west of Newry are Camlough (1,385) separated from Slieve Gullion by a deep valley and Ballymacdermott (1,019). The Fews mountains form a long low range of which Deadman’s Hill (1,178), Carrigatuke or Armaghbreague (1,200) Darigry (1,093), Tullyneill (1,014) and Mullyash (in Co. Monaghan) (1,034) all lie near Newtown Hamilton. Vicar’s Carn (819) is 3 miles west of Markethill. Three miles south of Newry is Fathom Mountain (820); and at the extreme south east belonging partly to Co. Louth is Anglesey (1,349). The highest of the low hills on the south round Forkhill is Slievebrack (890).
The principle rivers are the Upper Bann, which flows for 12 miles through the county, from Carrick Blacker to where it enters Lough Neagh. The Blackwater, flowing into Lough Neagh, forms, for nearly all of its course, the boundary between counties Armagh and Tyrone. The Callan flowing by Armagh city and the Tall river join and enter the Blackwater below Charlemont. The Cusher formed by the junction of the Creggan and Blackwater, joins the Bann above Portadown. The White River flows through Newtown Hamilton, and in its course takes the names of Cullyhanna, Creggan and the Castletown (in Louth) , entering the sea at Dundalk.

North and west of Crossmaglen are the following lakes: Ross & St. Peter’s (both partly belonging to Monaghan); Lough Patrick, Kiltyban, Lisleitrim and Cullyhanna. Camlough lies between Camlough Mountain and Slieve Gullion. Clay Lake is near Keady; bordering on Lough Neagh are Lough Gullion, Derrylileagh, Derryadd and Annagriff.
The Newry canal skirts the county on the east.

FAMILIES AND HOUSES, 1911

There were 25,363, families in the county according to the 1911 Census for Ireland, the average number in each family being 4.23. The number of ‘inhabited houses’ was 25,532, with an average of 4.26 persons to each house. The Special Inmates of Public institutions are omitted from these figures.

There were in the county 17,955 ‘Occupiers’ or ‘Heads of Families’ who were in occupation of less than five rooms, this was 70.8% of the total for the whole county. Of these 281, or 1.1% occupied one room; 4,293 or 16.9% occupied two rooms; 6,061 or 23.9%, occupied three rooms; and 7,320 or 28.9%% were in occupation of four rooms.

There were 157 tenements in the county, in which the room had only one occupant at that time; 103 cases where the room had two, three or four occupants; 21 cases in which there were five, six or seven occupants and four cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including one case where nine persons occupied the same room.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY ARMAGH, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total
Pop.
1821 96,075 101,352 197,427
1831 107,521 112,613 220,134
1841 113,892 118,501 232,383
1851 95,717 100,367 196,084
1861 91,558 98,528 190,086
1871 86,117 93,143 179,250
1881 77,683 85,494 163,177
1891 68,370 74,919 143,289
1901 59,773 65,619 125,392
1911 58,578 61,713 120,291
1926 52,609 56,461 110,070

EDUCATION

In
1911, there were in the county 98,742 people aged 9 years
and upwards; of these 81,654 or 82.7% could read and write;
5,810 or 5.9% could read only; and 11,278 or 11.4% were illiterate.
As that census was the first for which the age for consideration
had been raised from 5 years to 9 years, no comparison can
be made with figures from earlier censuses. But – the percentage
of those of five years and upwards who were unable to read
and write in 1891 was 18.6%. By 1901 this figure was listed
as 16.0% and in 1911 had fallen to 14%.

IRISH
SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people		 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Irish
only		 2 2 0 36 21 249
Irish
& English		 3,484 4,485 2,792 6,851 3,903 8,716
Irish
Total		 3,486 4,487 2,792 6,887 3,924 8,965
%
of population		 2.3 3.6 2.4 4.2 2.2 4.7

RELIGIONS,
1871-1926(% of population)

Religion 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926
Presbyterian 15.8 16.00 16.00 16.02 15.77 15.4
Church
of Ireland		 32.50 32.70 32.20 32.64 32.45 32.1
Roman
Catholic		 47.50 46.40 46.10 45.18 45.33 45.4
Methodist 2.60 3.00 3.70 4.07 4.20 4.40
Others 1.6 1.9 2.0 2.09 2.25 2.7

EMIGRATION
(1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
29,496 17,674 19,603 20,577 7,208 8,408
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Tipperary

Description from Thoms’ 1931 Directory


Tipperary an inland county is the province of Munster is bounded on the north by Galway and Offaly (King’s county), on the east by Offaly, Laois (Queen’s county) and Kilkenny, on the south by Waterford, and on the west by Cork, Limerick, Clare and Galway. Length from the corner of the Araglin river on the boundary south-west of Clogheen to where the Little Brosna river enters the Shannon is 74 miles; breadth from the western boundary between Hospital and Emly and Carrickdoon Hill on the eastern boundary is 45 miles.

Name & Former Divisions

The ancient sub-kingdom of Thomond or North Munster, included portions of North Tipperary and Ormond, or East Munster, included in the middle and southern parts of the county. The ancient district of Muskerry Tire, part of Thomond, corresponds with the barony called Lower Ormond, and part of that called Upper Ormond both erroneously named. The Galtee mountains were originally called Crotta Cliach, or Slieve Grod, a name which survives in Dungrod, an old castle near Galbally. In ancient times there were four royal residences in Tipperary, one at Cashel which was the ancient capital, and is still the Ecclesiastical capital of Munster; a second at Cahir (Caher), on a rock in the Suir; another at Dungrod Castle; and another at Knockgraffon, the residence in the 3rd century of Fiacha Mullehan, King of Munster.

Physical Features

There was an extensive coalfield in Tipperary; it extended about 20 miles by 6 between Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, to near Cashel, and was about 6 miles broad. North east of Killaloe, in the Arra Mountains are the Killaloe slate quarries. Mines of lead with a mixture of silver were worked in the 18th century, in the Silvermine mountains near Kilboy.

The chief Mountain Ranges are Knockmealdown, the Galtees and Slievenaman in the south, the group of which Keepherhill is the principle in the west and the Slievedaragh Hills in the east. The Knockmealdown, the highest summit of which is Knockmealdown or Slievecua (2,609′) run east and west. The Galtees are separated from the Knockmealdown by a valley about 7 miles wide. The highest summits are Galteymore (3,015′) and Slievenamuck (1,215′). Slievenaman (2,364′) stands in the south east of the county, and is surrounded by several smaller peaks, the chief of which are Carrickabrock (1,859′), Sheegouna (1,822′) and Knocknahunna(1,654′). Knockshigowna (701′) near Cloughjordan, is associated with many fairy legends. The range of which Keeperhill (2,278′) is the chief, are situated in the west of the county. Mauherslieve (1,783′), Knocktiege (1,312′) and Knocknasceggan (1,296′) are the principle; a smaller group lies to the south east of these from which they are separated by the valley of the Bilboa river; the chief peaks are Knockalough (1,407′) and Laghtseefin (1,426′). The Silvermine mountains lie north of Keeperhill and are separated from it by the Mulkear river. North west of these are the Arra mountains (1,517′), rising over the Lough Derg opposite Killaloe. South of the town of Roscrea, the group known as the Devil’s Bit (1,583′) begins and runs south west. This mountain has a remarkable gap in its outline, from which it was formerly called Barnane Ely; the other peaks in the range are Kilduff (1,462′), Borrisnoe (1,471′), Benduff (1,399′), Knockanora (1,429′) and Latteragh (1,257′)

(NOTE: The directory does not explain that the Devil was on his way to Cork or that direction anyhow, and he felt a bit hungry, took a bite out of a mountain. Didn’t like the taste and spit it out. That’s how we have the Rock of Cashel :)

The middle of the county is occupied by a fine plain through which runs the River Suir. The “Golden Vale”, well known as containing some of the richest land in the country, is a branch of this plain; it runs west from Fethard into Limerick and is bounded by Slievenamuck on the south and Slievefelim on the north, and from this stretches towards Kilmallock and Bruree in Co. Limerick.

The chief rivers are the Shannon, the Suir and the Nore with their tributaries. The Shannon and Lough Derg form the north western boundary; the tributaries of the Shannon are the Little Brosna, the Ballyfinboy, the Nenagh (with its tributaries, the Ollatrim and Ballintotty), the Newtown river, the Kilmastulla river, the Newport river, the Clare river, the Bilboa river (with its tributaries the Gortnageragh, the Cahernahallia and the Dead river). The Nore rises in the Devils Bit Mountains, flows east-north-east for about 9 ½ miles through Tipperary, forms the boundary with Laois (Queen’s county), for about two miles and then enters Laois. The King’s river rises in Tipperary, near Ballingarry and flows first southward and then eastwards and enters county Kilkenny near Callan. The Munster river forms the boundary for about 8 miles between Tipperary and Kilkenny, entering Kilkenny where it joins the King’s river. The Suir rises at the foot of the Benduff Mountain near Moneygall, it flows eastward for about 5 miles, and then south for about 55 miles when it touches county Waterford and turns in a south east direction and after about 5 miles turns east again and forms the boundary between Tipperary and Watrford for about 1 ½ miles. It’s chief tributaries are the Drish (with its tributary the Black river), the Anner (with its tributaries, the Honor, the Clashawley and the Moyle) and the Lingaun on the left bank; the Clodiagh (with its tributaries the Cromoge and the Owenbeg), the Multeen (with a tributary also called Multeen), the Ara (with tributary the Aherlow), the Thonoge, the Tar (with tributaries, the Duag and the Burncourt) on the right bank.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 172,468 174,428 346,896
1831 197,713 204,850 402,563
1841 216,650 218,903 435,553
1851 160,024 171,543 331,567
1861 122,483 126,623 249,106
1871 106,499 110,214 216,713
1881 98,755 100,857 199,612
1891 86,807 86,381 173,188
1901 81,399 78,833 160,232
1911 78,584 73,849 152,433
1926 72,867 68,079 141,015

Families and Houses in 1926

The number of families in the county was 30,403, the average number in each family being 4.5. The number of inhabited houses was 29,425 showing an average of 4.7 persons to each house. The special inmates of public institutions are omitted from these calculations.

There were in the county 19,081 Occupiers or Heads of Families who were in occupation of less than five rooms, being 62.7% of the total for the county; of these, 1,004, or 3.3% of the families in the county occupied one room; 4,148, or 13.6% , 2 rooms; 5,856 or 19.2%, 3 rooms; and 8, 073 or 26.5%, occupied 4 rooms.

There were in the county 356 tenements in which the room had only one occupant; 450 cases where the room had 2-4 occupants; 163 cases in which there were 5-7 occupants and 35 cases where the occupants f one room exceeded 7 in number, including 4 cases where 10 persons and 2 cases where 12 or more persons occupied the same room.

Birthplace of Inhabitants

Of the population in 1926, 87.23% were born in the county, 11.22 % in other counties in Saorstat Eireann. 0.26% in Northern Ireland, 0.88% in Great Britain, and 0.41% were born abroad.

Education

In 1911 there were in the county 126,545 persons aged 9 years and upwards; of these 115,062 or 90.9% could read and write; 3,250 or 2.6% could read only; and 8,233 or 6.5% were illiterate. As this is the first census where the age was raised from 5 to 9 it is not possible to compare figures for earlier censuses. However, the report states that the percentage of those of 5 years and upwards who were unable to read and write was 15.1% in 1891, 10.9% in 1901 and had fallen to 8.9% in 1901.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people		 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911

Irish only		 680 675 248 68 15 3

Irish & English		 36,621 21,245 23,558 12,244 9,720 10,017

Irish Total		 37,301 21,920 23,806 12,312 9,735 10,020
% of
population		 19.6 10.1 11.9 7.1 6.1 6.6

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926 (% of population)


Religion		 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926

Roman Catholic		 93.8 94.2 94.0 93.82 94.57 96.86

Church of Ireland		 5.4 5.1 5.3 5.43 4.74 2.64

Presbyterians		 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.35 0.29 0.16

Methodists		 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.29 0.28 0.12

Others		 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.11 0.12 0.22

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)


1861
1871
1881
1891
1901
1911
81,068 47,269 26,465 32,762 19,050 12,307
.

Local Government, Co. Limerick, 1931

Former Administrative Areas


Before the passing of the Local Government Act, 1898, the county was divided for fiscal purposes into 14 Baronies, namely :- Clanwilliam; Conello, Upper ; Connello, Lower ; Coonagh ; Coshlea ; Coshma ; Glenquin ; Kenry ; Kilmallock ; Limerick (North Liberties) ; Owneybeg ; Pubblebrien ; Shanid ; Small County.

Under the Act of 1898, Baronies ceased to exist as administrative areas, and each county was divided into urban and rural districts. No alteration was made under this Act in the boundaries of the County, but there are two towns, Newcastle and Rathkeale – which have Commissioners under the Towns Improvement Act, 1854, the Council of the Rural District(R.D.) in which each is being the local Sanitary Authority within the town.

Administrative Areas with Statistics taken from census Returns

Rural
Districts 		Area
Statute Acres
Valuation 1926
Croom R.D.Glin R.D. (b)

Kilmallock R.D.

Limerick No. 1 R.D. (a)

Mitchelstown No. 2 R.D.

Newcastle R.D. (c)

Rathkeale R.D. (d)

Tipperary No. 2 R.D.

Total of the County

 83,36924,673

125,781

107,167

38,561

143,840

102,526

35,656

661,573 (e)

 64,1198,219

119,498

101,397

17,579

66,375

69,988

28,684

475,859

(a) See under Co. Borough of Limerick
(c) Includes Newcastle, a Town under the Towns Improvement Act, 1854
(b) See under County Kerry
(d)Includes Rathkeale, a Town under the Towns Improvement Act, 1854
(e) Exclusive of 16,938a. 2r. 8p., under large rivers and tideways

Population

Rural
Districts 		1926 1911 1901
Croom R.D.Glin R.D. (b)

Kilmallock R.D.

Limerick No. 1 R.D. (a)

Mitchelstown No. 2 R.D.

Newcastle R.D. (c)

Rathkeale R.D. (d)

Tipperary No. 2 R.D.

Total of the County

 10,0873,712

19,610

19,165

4,672

23,884

13,511

6,252

100,895

 10,3724,016

20,806

20,257

5,045

23,594

13,863

6,598

104,551

 10,8064,301

21,430

20,271

5,501

23,891

14,991

6,756

107,947

Houses

Rural Districts 1926 1911 1901
Croom R.D.Glin R.D. (b)

Kilmallock R.D.

Limerick No. 1 R.D. (a)

Mitchelstown No. 2 R.D.

Newcastle R.D. (c)

Rathkeale R.D. (d)

Tipperary No. 2 R.D.

Total of the County

 2,305745

4,382

3,933

1,049

4,929

3,082

1,356

21,781

 2,394770

4,442

4,083

1,054

4,868

3,306

1,360

22,277

 2,395770

4,408

3,892

1,102

4,746

3,341

1,370

21,924
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Leitrim

Leitrim is a county in the Irish province of Connaught and it is bounded on the north by Donegal Bay. Here is has a coastline of 2.5 miles. It is also bounded on the north by Counties Donegal and Fermanagh, on the east by Fermanagh and County Cavan and on the south by County Longford. Lough Allen divides County Leitrim into two parts. The greatest length of this county from Donegal Bay to the boundary at Drumlish, Co. Longford is 51 miles and it’s breadth from east to west is 21 miles


NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name Leitrim is derived from a village which is located four miles from Carrick-on-Shannon. It signifies a grey hill or ridge. This county was the principality of the O’Rourkes until the 16th century and was known as Brefny-O’Rourke. Rosclogher Barony was known as Dartry and was the territory of the MacClancy family. The southern part of the county was known as Moy Rein, the territory of the MacRannalls or Reynolds.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The county is intersected by a canal which unites the river Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon with Lough Erne at Ballyconnell in Co. Cavan. The minerals of the county included iron and lead ores as well as coal. There were iron and coal mines at Slieve Anierin.

The chief mountain in the county is Slieve Anierin at 1,922 feet high and this is located on the shores of Lough Allen. Bencroy(1,707 feet)is a little to the north; Slievenakilla (1,793) stands on the County Cavan border. Benbo(1,365) is near Manorhamilton.

The river Shannon flows from County Cavan and forms the western boundary of county Leitrim for about 35 miles. The river Drowes forms the boundary between Leitrim and County Donegal and the Kilcoo river is part of the boundary with county Fermanagh. The Bonet rises in Glenade Lake and flows into Lough Gill, the Owenmore or Scarden is a tributary of this river (Bonet). The Yellow river, the Stoney river, the Diffagher, and the Owengar all flow into Lough Allen. The Arigna forms the boundary with County Sligo for a few miles before it enters the river Shannon. The Cloone River falls into Lough Rinn and from there flows into Lough Forbes. The Aghacashlaun flows down Bencroy mountain into Lough Scur.

Lakes: There are hundreds of small lakes lal over the county. Lough Allen is 8.5 miles long and 3 miles wide. Lough Melvin and Upper Lough Macneam belong partly to County Leitrim. Garadice Lough or Lough Finvoy is 2.5 miles long. Lough Rinn is 3 miles long. Belhavel is close to Drumahaire; Lough Scur, Carricaport, St. John’s , Gill, and Loughs Bofin and Boderg are on the Shannon river.

FAMILIES AND HOUSES, 1926

There were 12,703 families in the county according to the 1926 Census for Ireland, the average number in each family being 4.3. The number of ‘inhabited houses’ was 13,804, with an average of 4.4 persons to each house. The Special Inmates of Public institutions are omitted from these figures.

There were in the county 10,850 ‘Occupiers’ or ‘Heads of Families’ who were in occupation of less than five rooms, this was 85.4% of the total for the whole county. Of these 239, or 1.9% occupied one room; 1,564 or 12.3% occupied two rooms; 7,305 or 57.5%, occupied three rooms; and 1,743 or 13.7% were in occupation of four rooms.

There were 133 tenements in the county, in which the room had only one occupant at that time; 83 cases where the room had two, three or four occupants; 20 cases in which there were five, six or seven occupants and 2 cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including one case where there were nine people in the one room

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY LEITRIM, 1821-1926

Year
Males
Females
Total Pop.
1821 61,361 63,424 124,785
1831 69,451 73,073 141,524
1841 77,501 77,796 155,297
1851 56,111 55,786 111,897
1861 52,562 52,182 104,744
1871 47,724 47,838 95,562
1881 45,190 45,182 90,372
1891 39,715 38,903 78,618
1901 35,098 34,245 69,343
1911 32,759 30,823 63,582
1926 29,232 26,656 55,907

EDUCATION

In 1911, there were in the county 52,433 people aged 9 years and upwards; of these 45,940 or 87.6% could read and write; 2,021 or 3.9% could read only; and 4,472 or 8.5% were illiterate. As that census was the first for which the age for consideration had been raised from 5 years to 9 years, no comparison can be made with figures from earlier censuses. But – the percentage of those of five years and upwards who were unable to read and write in 1891 was 16.4%. By 1901 this figure was listed as 12.1% and in 1911 had fallen to 10.9%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people
1861
1871
1881
1891
1901
1911

Irish only		 82 341 49 23 – –

Irish & English		 13,745 6,514 9,551 5,599 4,004 3,923

Irish Total		 13,827 6,855 9,600 5,622 4,004 3,923
% of
population		 13.2 7.2 10.6 7.2 5.8 6.2

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926(% of population)


Religion		 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926

Presbyterian		 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.32 0.29 0.16

Church of Ireland		 8.8 8.6 8.2 8.00 7.39 5.88

Roman Catholic		 90.0 90.2 90.4 90.65 91.47 93.36

Methodist		 0.8 0.9 0.1 1.00 0.80 0.49

Others		 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.03 0.05 0.11

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
16,820 13,980 12,683 21,008 9,830 8,308
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Galway

BOUNDARIES AND DIMENSIONS


Galway, a maritime county, in the province of Connaught, is bounded on the north by the counties of Mayo and Roscommon, on the east by Roscommon, Offaly (King’s co.) and Tipperary, on the south by Clare and Galway Bay and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Its greatest length from near Eyrecourt to Aughrus point east and west is 94 miles, and its greatest breadth from near Gort in the south to near Ballymoe on the northern boundary is 53 miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The River Corrib which flows through Galway City was formerly called Gailleamh (from ‘Gall’ = a rock). This gave its name to the city and then to the county. A large portion of the western part of the county was anciently called Conmacne, which gave the name to Conmemacne-mara, or Connemara. The portion west of Loughs Corrib and Mask was called Iar-Connaught, or West Connaught, now applied to the Baronies of Ballinahinch, Moycullen and Ross. The portion of the county from the Shannon to Galway Bay anciently called Hy-Many, was divided between the O’Kelly’s and the O’Maddens, the latter occupying the coast portion called Sil Anmacada, and the former the baronies of Kiltartan and Dunkellin, called Aidne or Hy-Fiachrach Aidne. “Joyce’s Country” is called after a family from Wales, which settled in part of the barony of Ross, in the thirteenth century, and gradually spread over the territory between the western coast of Lough Corrib and Killary Harbour.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The finest range of Mountains in Galway are the Twelve Pins in the barony of Ballynahinch, which form a continuous range of conical peaks, extending for several miles and forming deep and fertile valleys, and many small lakes. The highest peaks are Benbaun (2,395’) and Bencorr (2,336’). Joyce’s Country consists mostly of wild and barren limestone mountains, and deep ravines. Maumtrasna (2,207’) and Devil’s Mother (2,131’) are the highest summits of the Partry Mountains, which form part of the boundary between Mayo and Galway, east of Killary Harbour. On the Clare side the Slieve Aughty range whch run for about 13 miles, the highest points being Cashlaundrumlahan (1,207) and Scalp (1,074’).

From Galway to Cashla Bay on its west, the coast line is almost unbroken, but thence to Killary Harbour there are innumerable breaks and indentations, forming many rocky promontories and very many inlets, creeks and islands. From Clifden the scenery is very fine.

The chief Headlands are Renvyle Point and Aughrus Point, Slyne Head at the turn of the coast, Mace Head and Golam Head.

The Aran Islands outside Galway Bay in the Atlantic are well known and consist of three chief islands, Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, with a small group called the Brannach Islands. Along the coast of Ballynahinch Barony the small islands are almost innumerable. North of Inishmore are : Gorumna Island, 4 ½ miles long with Lettermullan and Lettermore on its west. St. Macdara’s Island contains the ruin of the church founded by the saint, and west of Aughrus Point is Ardoilen, which contains the ruins of a monastery founded by St. Fechin in the seventh century. Tawin island is in Galway Bay. The principal islands in Lough Corrib are Inishmacatreer, Inchnagael, Ardillaun (from which a member of the Guinness family chose his title in the peerage) and Castlekirk, which are on the ruins of an ancient castle.

Perhaps the most interesting island belonging to the county is Inishcaltra, or Holy Island in Lough Derg. This island contains a round tower, and the ruins of several ancient churches, one of which was erected or re-constructed by Brian Boru. St. Canice here founded a monastery, which became a centre of ecclesiastical learning and activity.

Bays and Harbours: Galway Bay lies between the counties of Galway and Clare. East of it are Oranmore and Aughnish Bay. West of Galway are Cashla Bay, Greatman’s Bay and Kilkieran Bay. Next are Bertraghboy Bay, Ballyconneely Bay and Mannin Bay. Near Clifden is Ardbear Bay and near Renvyle is Ballynakill Harbour. Killary Harbour and inlet, which forms part of the boundary between counties Mayo and Galway and Salrock Harbour, contain some beautiful scenery.

Rivers: The River Shannon with its expansion Lough Derg forms the boundary of the county for nearly 40 miles. The Suck which has as tributaries the Bunowen, the Clonbrock and the Shiven joins the Shannon at Shannon-Bridge. The Corrib which runs from Lough Corrib past Galway City into the Bay has good salmon fisheries. The Claregalway, the Cregg, the Black Rivers, the Owenriff and the Bealnabrack flow into Lough Corrib. The Dawros River runs into Ballinakill Harbour and the Owenglin into Ardbear Bay near Clifden.

Lough Corrib is after Lough Neagh, the largest of the Irish Lakes. Lough Mask, on the western boundary of Galway and Lough Derg on the eastern, have some splendid scenery. In Connemara there are innumerable lakes of various extents, among the largest of which are Inagh, Derryclare, Garroman, Ballynahinch, Kylemore, Shindilla, Ardderry, Anilaun and Bofin. In the south of the county lie Lough Cutra near Gort and Lough Rea near the town of that name (Loughrea).

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 169,503 167,871 337,374
1831 204,691 209,993 414,684
1841 219,564 220,634 440,198
1851 157,135 164,549 321,684
1861 134,057 137,421 271,478
1871 122,496 125,962 248,458
1881 120,609 121,396 242,025
1891 108,283 106,429 214,712
1901 97,923 94,626 192,549
1911 94,403 87,821 182,224
1926 88,462 80,849 169,363

Families and Houses in 1926

The number of families in the county was 29,177 the average number in each family being 4.8. The number of inhabited houses was 33,362, showing an average of 5.1 persons to each house. The special inhabitants of public institutions are omitted from these calculations.

There were in the county 27,367 Occupiers or Heads of Families, who were in occupation of less than five rooms, being 76.9% of the total for the county. Of these 988 or 3.4% of the families in the county occupied one room; 4,392 or 15.6%, two rooms; 15,229 or 52.2%, three rooms; and 6,758 or 23.1%, occupied four rooms.

There were in the county 378 tenements in which the room had only one occupant; 448 cases where the room had 2-4 occupants, 132 cases in which there were 5-7 occupants and 30 cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including 14 cases where ten persons, and 2 cases where eleven persons occupied the same room.

Birthplace of Inhabitants

Of the population in 1926, 91.7% were born in the county or city, 6.8% in other counties in Saorstat Eireann. 0.2% in Northern Ireland, 0.6% in Great Britain, and 0.6% were born abroad.

Education

In 1911 there were in the county 148,482 persons aged 9 years and upwards; of these 116,219 or 78.3% could read and write; 4,389 or 2.9% could read only and 27,874 or 18.8% were illiterate. As this census is the starting point where the age was raised from 5 years to 9 years; no comparison can be made with previous figures from other censuses. The report states that the percentage of those of 5 years and upwards who were unable to read and write was 33.9% in 1891, 25.4% in 1901 and in 1911 had fallen to 21%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No. of people 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Irish only 41,512 30,239 23,911 17,646 9,442 7,811
Irish & English 124,892 109,464 131,423 107,929 99,428 90,712
Irish Total 166,404 139,703 153,334 125,575 108,870 98,523
% of population 61.3 56.2 64.2 58.5 56.5 54.1

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926 (% of population)

Religion 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926
Presbyterian 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.32 0.27 0.12
Church of Ireland 3.0 2.9 2.5 2.39 1.95 0.98
Roman Catholic 96.6 96.7 97.0 97.23 97.64 98.81
Methodist 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.08 0.04
Others 0.1 – 0.1 0.06 0.06 0.05

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
50,838 38,758 23,665 51,121 36,820 26,464
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Roscommon

BOUNDARIES AND DIMENSIONS


Roscommon, an inland county, is bounded on the north by counties Sligo and Leitrim, on the east by counties Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath, on the south by Offaly (King’s county) and Galway and on the west by Galway and Mayo. Its greatest length is 60 miles and its greatest breadth from Rooskey to a point west of Lough Errit, is 33 ½ miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name of the county is derived from that of the town. In the beginning of the 8th century, St. Coman founded a monastery here and the place was called from his name “Ros-Comain” Coman’s Wood.

The district formerly called Moylurg, of which MacDermott was the chief, extended from the Curlieu Mountains on the north to Elphin on the south, from the River Shannon to Lough Gara; and is known in modern times as the Plains of Boyle. South of this Moy-Ai or Maghery-Connaught (the Plain of Connaught) extends from Elphin to the town of Roscommon and east and west from Strokestown to Castlereagh. The old territory of Hy Many originally included the part of Roscommon lying south of Lanesborough and the town of Roscommon, it also formed the territories called Delvin Nuadat. The portion lying between Elphin and the Shannon and extending north and south from Jamestown on the Shannon to the north part of Lough Ree was called the “Three Tuathas” or territories, i.e. “Keriel Dofa,” between Slieve Bawn and the Shannon; “Corcachlann” to the west and “Tir Briuin of the Shannon” north of these two.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The Arigna mines near the River Arigna are well known, and part of the Connaught coal field runs into this county.

There are no extensive or high Mountain Ranges in the county. The Curlieu Range runs along the boundary between Roscommon and Sligo, but the highest point is not much over 800 feet. The Slieve-bawn Hills, south-east of Strokestown, running parallel with the River Shannon, rise to about the same elevation. The highest point in the county, (1,377’) is on the Leitrim boundary at the extreme north.

The Lakes are dotted all over the county, but only a few of them are of any importance. In the north, is Lough Key, a very fine lake, 3 ½ square miles in extent, on the shores of which stand the beautiful demesne of Rockingham; on an island in the lake is the old castle of the MacDermotts, the proprietors of the surrounding district. The lakes on the River Shannon which extend into the county are Lough Ree, Lough Forbes, Lough Bofin, Lough Boderg and Lough Allen. Near the town of Lough Glinn stands the lake of that name, and in the same part of the county are Loughs Errit, Cloonagh and Cloonacolly. Near Ballinlough Lough O’Flynn is of considerable size. South of Elphin is Kilglass Lake, 2 miles in length. South of Strokestown are Loughs Clonfree, Ardakillen and Finn. In the south are Lough Funshinagh, Lough Croan and Corkip Lake.

The River Shannon forms the whole of the eastern boundary of this county. The Suck rises in Mayo and soon passes into Roscommon where it runs through Lough O’Flynn and passing by Castlerea, forms for about 50 miles the boundary between Roscommon and county Galway, till it joins the River Shannon near Shannon Bridge. The Arigna flows mostly through the northern part of the county, into the Shannon. The Boyle River flows through the “Plains of Boyle” from Lough Gara to Lough Key, and thence to the Shannon. Other rivers are the Breedogue and the Lung.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY, 1821-1926


Year
Males
Females
Total Pop.

1821		 104,519 104,210 208,729

1831		 123,031 126,582 249,613

1841		 127,016 126,575 253,591

1851		 86,411 87,025 173,436

1861		 79,841 77,431 157,272

1871		 70,647 70,023 140,670

1881		 66,657 65,833 132,490

1891		 58,000 56,397 114,397

1901		 51,233 50,558 101,791

1911		 48,522 45,434 93,956

1926		 43,283 40,221 83,556

Families and Houses in 1926

The number of families in the county was 18,902 the average number in each family being 4.3 The number of inhabited houses was 18,883, showing an average of 4.4 persons to each house. The special inhabitants of public institutions are omitted from these calculations.

There were in the county 16,295 Occupiers or Heads of Families, who were in occupation of less than five rooms, being 86.21% of the total for the county. Of these 403 or 2.13% of the families in the county occupied one room; 2,157 or 11.41%, two rooms; 10,657 or 56.39%, three rooms; and 3,078 or 16.28%, occupied four rooms.

There were in the county 204 tenements in which the room had only one occupant; 164 cases where the room had 2-4 occupants, 50 cases in which there were 5-7 occupants and 11 cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including one case where nine persons occupied the same room.

Birthplace of Inhabitants

Of the population in 1926, 88.62% were born in the county, 9.8 % in other counties in Saorstat Eireann. 0.35% in Northern Ireland, 0.69% in Great Britain, and 0.54% were born abroad.

Education

In 1911 there were in the county 78,148 persons aged 9 years and upwards; of these 68,012 or 87.1% could read and write; 2,440 or 3.1% could read only and 7,696 or 9.8% were illiterate. As this census is the starting point where the age was raised from 5 years to 9 years; no comparison can be made with previous figures from other censuses. The report states that the percentage of those of 5 years and upwards who were unable to read and write was 18.2% in 1891, 13.4% in 1901 and in 1911 had fallen to 11.9%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people		 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911

Irish only		 530 739 95 21 55 14

Irish & English		 32,616 17,364 21,494 11,864 15,317 10,099

Irish Total		 33,146 18,103 21,589 11,885 15,372 10,113
% of
population		 31.8 12.9 16.3 13.0 20.9 20.1

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926 (% of population)


Religion		 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926

Roman Catholic		 96.1 96.5 96.4 97.34 97.63 98.4

Church of Ireland		 3.4 3.1 3.1 2.23 2.01 1.37

Presbyterians		 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.25 0.21 0.13

Methodists		 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.10 0.07 0.02

Others		 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.08 0.08 0.08

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
27,756 21,393 13,790 23,128 16,322 11,070
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Carlow

Carlow county is in the province of Leinster. It is bounded on the north by Kildare and Wicklow, on the east by Wicklow and Wexford, on the south by Wexford and west by Kilkenny & Laois (Queen’s county). It’s length from the Pollmounty river on the south to the northern boundary near Rathvilly is 32.5 miles; and it’s greatest breadth from Black Bridge to Ballyredmond near Clonegal on the east is 20 miles.


NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name of the county is derived from the town of Carlow, whose old name ‘Catherloch’ means quadruple lake, the tradition being that where the town now stands, the Barrow river anciently formed four lakes of which there is now no trace. ‘Moy-fea’ was the old name of a plain lying in the Barony of Forth, and the name for this Barony was derived from Ohy Finn Fothart, who having been banished by his nephew Art, son of “”Conn of the hundred Battles”” proceeded to Leinster. The King of Leinster bestowed certain districts upon him and his sons. Hy Felimy was a tribe and district in the Barony of Rathvilly; the tribe of Hy Drona gave its name to a territory part in Carlow and part in Kilkenny now represented by the Baronies of Idrone.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The eastern half and parts of the west of the county produces fine granite for building. The Coal was mined in castlecomer in Co. Kilkenny which adjoins Carlow on the western side. ‘Carlow flags’ derived from a species of sandstone which splits into layers are ‘mined’ close to the Castlecomer coal fields. Nearly the whole county is level, and is generally fertile and well cultivated. On the south, east and extreme west, the county is skirted by mountains.These mountins with their heights in feet are as follows: Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains run for about 16 miles on the border of Carlow and Wexford. Greenoge (1,399) and Kilgrannish (1,335) are within the county. South of Kilgrannish is the Gap of Corrabut, running between this hill and Mount Leinster (2,610); Knockroe (1,746), is two miles farther south. South of this is Scullogue Gap, separating Mount Leinster from Blackstairs (2,409) which lies on the county boundary. The Rivers on the west are the Barrow, which for five miles forms the boundary between Carlow and Laois(Queen’s Co./Leix), and then flows through Carlow for 11 miles and for 19 miles more forms the boundary between counties Carlow and Kilkenny. On the east, the Slaney runs south for 18 miles through the county, and for 3 miles more it forms the boundary between counties Carlow and Wexford. It then enters Wexford. The Burren River rises north of Mount Leinster and flowing through the middle of the county joins the Barrow at Carlow from the county of Kilkenny. The Derreen entering Carlow from Wicklow, joins the Slaney 3 miles below Tullow. The Clody rises in Mount Leinster, and joins the Slaney at Newtownbarry, running the whole way on the boundary between Carlow and Wexford. The staple trade of county Carlow was corn, flour, meal, butter and provisions which were exported in large quantities.

FAMILIES AND HOUSES, 1926

There were 5,448 families in the county according to the 1926 Census for Ireland, the average number in each family being 4.3. The number of ‘inhabited houses’ was 7,420, with an average of 4.6 persons to each house. The Special Inmates of Public institutions are omitted from these figures. There were in the county 5,201 ‘Occupiers’ or ‘Heads of Families’ who were in occupation of less than five rooms, this was 95.4% of the total for the whole county. Of these 215, or 3.9% occupied one room; 1,394 or 25.6% occupied two rooms; 1,560 or 28.6%, occupied three rooms; and 2,032 or 37.3% were in occupation of four rooms. There were 96 tenements in the county, in which the room had only one occupant at that time; 98 cases where the room had two, three or four occupants; 18 cases in which there were five, six or seven occupants and three cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including one case where ten persons occupied the same room.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY CARLOW, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 38,821 40,131 78,952
1831 40,149 41,839 81,988
1841 42,428 43,800 86,228
1851 33,016 35,062 68,078
1861 28,139 28,998 57,137
1871 25,464 26,186 51,650
1881 23,078 23,490 46,568
1891 20,552 20,384 40,936
1901 19,009 18,739 37,748
1911 18,481 17,771 36,252
1926 17,802 16,702 34,476

EDUCATION

In 1911, there were in the county 30,138 people aged 9 years and upwards; of these 26,972 or 89.4% could read and write; 970 or 3.2% could read only; and 2,241 or 7.4% were illiterate. As that census was the first for which the age for consideration had been raised from 5 years to 9 years, no comparison can be made with figures from earlier censuses. But – the percentage of those of five years and upwards who were unable to read and write in 1891 was 15.4%. By 1901 this figure was listed as 11.3% and in 1911 had fallen to 9.8%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No. of people 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Irish only 0 3 1 0 0 0
Irish & English 124 127 192 123 222 1,008
Irish Total 124 130 193 123 222 1,008
% of population 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.6 2.8

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926(% of population)

Religion 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926
Presbyterian 0.3 0.20 0.30 0.44 0.34 0.28
Church of Ireland 10.9 10.8 10.9 10.45 9.93 7.97
Roman Catholic 88.3 88.5 88.3 88.48 89.15 91.34
Methodist 0.30 0.30 0.40 0.52 0.43 0.32
Others 0.20 0.20 0.10 0.11 0.15 0.19

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
10,713 5,405 5,440 8,064 8,408 2,428
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Wicklow

County Wicklow, extract from Thoms Directory 1931


BOUNDARIES AND DIMENSIONS

Wicklow, a maritime county in the province of Leinster, is bounded on the north by county Dublin, on the east by St. George’s Channel, on the south by county Wexford and on the west by counties Carlow and Kildare. Its length from Bray, where it joins Dublin county, to the southern corner near Clonegall is 41 miles; and its breadth east to west from Wicklow Head to the boundary near Ballynure, west of Knockdarrig is 27 miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name of the county is derived from its assize town. An ancient territory in counties Wicklow and Dublin was called Cualann; it comprised the Sugar Loaf Mountain, known as Slieve Cualann, and gave name to an ancient prebendal stall in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. The O’Tooles and the O’Byrnes, when driven from county Kildarre took possession of territory in this county – The O’Tooles in the territory known as Hy Mail, and the O’Byrnes in ‘O’Byrnes Country’, or in Irish ‘Crich Brannach.’ A branch of the O’Byrnes settled in the district around Glenmalur, which was called Gaval Rannall, which is still preserved in the Dublin suburb of Ranelagh. Early in the 6th century, St. Kevin founded a monastery in the Valley of Glendalough which contributed largely to the diffusion of religion and learning, and gave its name to the Diocese which has for centuries been attached to that of Dublin.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The highest point in the cluster called the Wicklow Mountains is Lugnaquilla (3,039’); south-west of it are Slievemaan (2,498’) and Lybagh (2,053’). Keadeen (2,145’) is separated from these by Ballinbarny Gap. Kippure Mountain (2,743’) is on the boundary with Dublin as also are Seefingan (2,364’), Prince William’s Seat (1,825’), Tonduff North (2,045’), Tonduff South (2,107’), and Maulin (1,869’). On the south of the Dargle river are War Hill (2,250’), Douce (2,384’) and the Little Sugar Loaf (1,120’) – this cluster ending in Bray Head (793’). In the north-west, near the boundary with county Dublin are Butter Mountain (1,469’), Dowry (1,060), Sorrel Hill (1,975’) and Bulbawn (1,190’). Separating the valleys of the rivers Liffey and Ovoco are Gravale (2,352), Buff Hill (2,964’) and Mullaghcleevaun (2,783’); near them is Moonbane (2,313’). Near Holywood village is Slievecorragh, and Slieve Gadoe is to the south of it. In the vicinity of Glendalough Lugduff, Mullacor (2,176’), Derrybawn (1,567’), Trooperstown Hill (1,408’), Camaderry (2,296’) and Tonglee (2,684’), Croghan Kinsella, is on the Wexford boundary, north-west of Coolgreany.

Bray Head, Wicklow Head and Mizen Head are the chief Headlands, and the Harbours of Arklow and Wicklow are the principal indentations of the coast.

The Ovoca River formed by the junction of the Avonmore and the Avonbeg at the beautiful place known as “The Meeting of the Waters” enters the sea at Arklow, receiving on its way the waters of the Aughrim River. As tributaries of the Avonmore, there are the Annamoe, which runs through Lough Tay and Lough Dan, Cloghoge Brook and Glenmacnass River, Glendason River and Glenealo River. The Vartry River rises at the base of Douce Mountain, is retained at Roundwood as the reservoir of the Dublin Water Supply, and eventually reaches the sea at the town of Wicklow. The Dargle River rises between War Hill and Tonduff, forms at Powerscourt the Waterfall so named, it flows through the Dargle, and enters the sea at Bray. The Glencree and Cookstown Rivers are tributaries of the Dargle. The River Liffey rises south of Kippure Mountain, 13 miles from Dublin and pursues a circuitous route, forming the boundary with Kildare for two miles before entering that county. The Slaney rises near Lugnaquilla, and three miles below Baltinglass flows into County Carlow.

The Lakes in the county are Lough Tay, Lough Dan, Lough Ouler and Lough Nahangan, the Upper and Lower Lakes at Glendalough and the Upper and Lower Loughs Bray beside Kippure.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY, 1821-1926


Year
Males
Females
Total Pop.

1821		 55,203 55,564 110,767

1831		 61,052 60,505 121,557

1841		 63,489 62,654 126,143

1851		 50,230 48,749 98,979

1861		 44,122 42,357 86,479

1871		 39,496 39,201 78,697

1881		 35,101 35,285 70,386

1891		 31,054 31,082 62,136

1901		 30,584 30,240 60,824

1911		 31,113 29,598 60,711

1926		 28,903 28,680 78,562

Families and Houses in 1926

The number of families in the county was 12,865, the average number in each family being 4.3. The number of inhabited houses was 12,731 showing an average of 4.5 persons to each house. The special inmates of public institutions are omitted from these calculations.

There were in the county 9,038 Occupiers or Heads of Families who were in occupation of less than five rooms, being 70.3% of the total for the county; of these, 544, or 4.2% of the families in the county occupied one room; 2,359, or 18.3% , 2 rooms; 2,981 or 23.1%, 3 rooms; and 3,154 or 24.5%, occupied 4 rooms.

There were in the county 228 tenements in which the room had only one occupant; 260 cases where the room had 2-4 occupants; 54 cases in which there were 5-7 occupants and 2 cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including 1 case where 9 persons occupied the same room.

Birthplace of Inhabitants

Of the population in 1926, 72.82% were born in the county, 23.23 % in other counties in Saorstat Eireann. 1.24% in Northern Ireland, 2.22% in Great Britain, and 0.49% were born abroad.

Education

In 1911 there were in the county 50,133 persons aged 9 years and upwards; of these 44,9302 or 89.6% could read and write; 1,241 or 2.5% could read only; and 3,962 or 7.9% were illiterate. As this is the first census where the age was raised from 5 to 9 it is not possible to compare figures for earlier censuses. However, the report states that the percentage of those of 5 years and upwards who were unable to read and write was 16.7% in 1891, 13.3% in 1901 and had fallen to 11% in 1901.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people		 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911

Irish only		 0 5 0 0 0 0

Irish & English		 182 89 243 176 631 1,054
% of
population		 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.0 1.7

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926 (% of population)


Religion		 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926

Roman Catholic		 80.6 79.9 79.3 79.05 79.06 82.71

Church of Ireland		 17.7 18.3 18.7 18.66 18.39 15.04

Presbyterians		 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.01 1.0 0.85

Methodists		 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.83 0.92 0.72

Others		 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.45 0.63 0.68

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
11,173 5,387 4,591 6,242 1,691 1,779
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Clare

Extract from Thom’s Directory, 1931


Clare a maritime county in the province of Munster. It is bounded on the north by Galway Bay and Galway, and on the east and south by the Shannon, which separates it from Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s greatest length from Loop Head to the boundary near Lough Atorick on the north east corner is 67 miles, and it’s breadth from Black Head to the shore west of Bunratty is 37 miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The county is named after the town of Clare (or Clare Castle), near the mouth of the river Fergus; and this got it’s name from a bridge of planks by which the Fergus was crossed in old times; the Gaelic word “”ciar”” meaning a board or plank. Clare once was part of Connaught but was annexed to Munster in the fourth century A.D.The old territory of Corko Baskin included the whole of the south west, being the portion occupied by the baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw. Hy Caisin, the territory of the McNamara’s lay in Upper Bunratty and Upper Tulla; Hy Fermaic, the district of the O’Dea’s, was in the barony of Inchiquin; south of Hy Fermaic was the district of Hy Cormac. O’Heihirs district, lay between the Fergus and Slieve Callan and comprised the whole Barony of the Islands except the parish of Clondegad, which belonged to Corco-Baskin. The old district of Corcomroe occupied all the territory now represented by the Baronies of Corcomroe and Burren. Kincora, the ancient place of Brian Boru, King of Ireland was at Killaloe, and the remains of old mounds and fortifications still remain.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The minerals in the county included sandstone flags, like the Carlow flags, which were produced around Kilrush, Kilkee and Ennistymon; slates were found at Broadford, near Killaloe; but the principle quarries of what are called ‘Killaloe slates’ are in Tipperary beyond the Shannon. The Barony of Burren in the north is an extraordinary region of limestone rock, rising into hills of bare grey limestone, the intervening valleys being composed of limestone with great blocks strewn over the surface.

The the highest mountain summit in Burren district is Slieve Elva (1,109); Cappanawalla (1,023) rises over Ballyvaughan Bay and in the east of the district is Slievecarran (1,075). Turkenagh and Cappaghabaun 91,126), offshoots of the Slieve Aughty range in Galway are on the north east. South of these the Slieve Bernagh range which includes the Glannagalliagh Hills (1,746 & 1,458), rising over Lough Derg and Cragnamurragh (1,729), a mile to the west. Slieve Callan (1,282) east of Milltown Malbay commands a view of the whole country. North west of Limerick are the Cratloe Hills.

The Headlands along the coast beginning on the north west are Aughanish, east of Ballyvaghan; Black Head forming the north west angle of the county; Doolin Point; Hag’s Head, on the north of Liscannor Bay; Cream Point and Spanish Point, near Miltown Malbay; Lurgan Point opposite Mutton Island; Donegal Point defining Farrihy Bay on the north; Fooha Point south of Kilkee; and Loop Head, forming the peninsula between the Shannon and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Islands include a group which belong to Clare, in the estuary of the Fergus, near Killadysert; in the Shannon, outside Kilrush is Scattery Island, once a celebrated seat of religion and learning, founded in the fifth century and containing the ruins of seven churches and a round tower, South of Kilkee is Bishop’s island, and outside Miltown Malbay is Mutton Island.

The Bays and Harbours include the estuary of the river Fergus in the Shannon, also Kilrush harbour and Carrigaholt Bay, between which and Loop Head are Rinevalla and Kilbaha Bays. On the Atlantic coast are Ross Bay and Moore Bay at Kilkee; Mal Bay is merely the sea west of Miltown; and Liscannor Bay at Lahinch is defined on the north by Hag’s Head. On the north is Ballyvaughan Bay to the east of which are the bays of Muckinish and Aughinish.

The principle Rivers are the Shannon and it’s tributary the Fergus. The Shannon bounds Clare for about 70 miles; and the Fergus, which rises a few miles from Corrofin, flows through Inchiquin and other lakes and opens out by a broad estuary into the Shannon. The river Graney issues from Lough Graney and passing through Lough O’Grady falls into Lough Derg at Scariff Bay. The Owenogarney issues from Doon Lake near Broadford, after passing Sixmilebridge it takes the name of the Bunratty River, and joins the Shannon at Bunratty. The Inagh or Cullenagh, rises south east of Slievecallan; at Ennistymon is falls over a ledge of rocks forming a beautiful cascade and 3 miles lower enters Liscannor Bay.

The county abounds in small Lakes, some of them being among the most picturesque in Ireland. Inchiquin Lake near Corrofin, has on it’s western side, a castle ruin, the ancient residence of the O’Brien’s, Earls of inchiquin. Lough Graney in the east, lies in the midst of hills and south of it is Lough O’Grady; 6 miles east is Lough Atorick on the boundary with Galway. Lickeen Lake lies 3 miles north east of Ennistymon.

FAMILIES AND HOUSES, 1926

There were 17,454 families in the county according to the 1926 Census for Ireland, the average number in each family being 4.6. The number of ‘inhabited houses’ was 20,883, with an average of 4.8 persons to each house. The Special Inmates of Public institutions are omitted from these figures.

There were in the county 14,595 ‘Occupiers’ or ‘Heads of Families’ who were in occupation of less than five rooms, this was 83.6% of the total for the whole county. Of these 678, or 3.9% occupied one room; 2,859 or 16.4% occupied two rooms; 7,158 or 41%, occupied three rooms; and 4,500 or 25.8% were in occupation of four rooms.

There were 250 tenements in the county, in which the room had only one occupant at that time; 308 cases where the room had two, three or four occupants; 104 cases in which there were five, six or seven occupants and sixteen cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including 2 cases where ten persons occupied the same room.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY CLARE, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 105,056 103,033 208,089
1831 128,446 129,876 258,322
1841 144,109 142,285 286,394
1851 103,953 108,487 212,440
1861 82,541 83,764 166,305
1871 73,442 74,422 147,864
1881 71,058 70,399 141,457
1891 63,138 61,345 124,483
1901 57,386 54,948 112,334
1911 53,877 50,355 104,232
1926 50,064 44,964 95,064

EDUCATION

In 1911, there were in the county 86,139 people aged 9 years and upwards; of these 77,041 or 89.5% could read and write; 1,744 or 2.0% could read only; and 7,354 or 8.5% were illiterate. As that census was the first for which the age for consideration had been raised from 5 years to 9 years, no comparison can be made with figures from earlier censuses. But – the percentage of those of five years and upwards who were unable to read and write in 1891 was 19.2%. By 1901 this figure was listed as 13.2% and in 1911 had fallen to 10.8%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No. of people 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Irish only 7,126 4,432 2,584 900 326 161
Irish & English 72,074 53,713 62,501 45,978 43,160 36,543
Irish Total 79,200 58,145 65,085 46,878 43,486 36,704
% of population 47.6 39.3 46.0 37.7 38.7 35.2

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926(% of population)

Religion 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926
Presbyterian 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.14 0.16 0.06
Church of Ireland 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.81 1.64 0.87
Roman Catholic 97.7 97.9 98.04 97.98 98.14 98.81
Methodist – 0.1 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.01
Others 0.1 – 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.25

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
50,033 31,667 18,796 32,421 18,031 13,597
.

Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Sligo

Description from Thom’s Directory of Ireland, 1931.


BOUNDARIES AND DIMENSIONS

Sligo, a maritime county in the province of Connaught. It is bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by county Leitrim, on the south by counties Roscommon and Mayo and on the west by county Mayo. Its length from the River Moy to the Arigna River is 40 ¾ miles and its breadth from Lough Gara to Donegal Bay is 38 ½ miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The name of the county is derived from that of the town, being a shortened form of the Irish word Sligeach, which means river of sligs or shells. This river is now called the Garrogue. The part of the territory of Hy Fiachrach of the Moy, which extended to this county is represented by the barony of Tireragh. The other baronies represent ancient territories : Carbury; Leiny, the ancient Luighne; Tirerrill, the ancient Tir-Oililla; Corran; and Coolavin, the territory of the Mac Dermott; east of Lough Arrow is the northern Moytura or Moy-tura of the Fomorians, where a decisive battle was fought between the Dedannas and the Fomorians, the latter being vanquished.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

Minerals: The eastern portion of the county near Lough Allen belongs to the Connaught coalfield, and there is also a district near Arigna where iron ore is found. In the Ox Mountains, lead and copper mines were formerly worked.

The Ox Mountains lie south-west of Ballysodare and run west-south-west to the confines of Mayo, and are continued by the Slieve Gamph Range. The chief summits of the Ox Mountains are from 1,200 to 1,800 feet high and Slieve Gamph is 1,363’ in height. The north-east of the county is the most mountainous. Truskmore (2,113’), between Sligo and Leitrim is the highest peak; Benbulbin (1,792’) is very precipitous on the side facing Sligo Bay; King’s Mountain (1,527’); Knockarea (1,078’), an isolated flat-topped hill stands about 4 miles west of the town of Sligo; Slish (967’) and Slievedaene (900’) rise on the south shore of Lough Gill; the Bralieve range (1,498) are on the east of the barony of Tirerrill; the Curlieu Hills are on the boundary of Roscommon near Ballinafad, the highest peak being Keishcorran (1,183’) and Carrowkee (1,062’) on the shore of Lough Arrow.

The Headlands are Lenadoon Point, at the entrance to Killala Bay; Aughris Point running into Sligo Bay; Killaspug Point is at the north-east of Balysodare Bay; Roskeeragh Point, separating Donegal Bay and Sligo Bay; and in the north of the county is another Roskeeragh Point near which is Mullaghmore.

The islands are few in number, the chief being Maguire’s Island off Killaspug Point; Coney Island at the entrance to Cumeen Strand, to the north of which is Oyster Island with a lighthouse; near Coney Island is Black Rock with a lighthouse. Seal Rocks lie near Roskeeragh Point; Conor’s Island and Dernish Island lie off the coast at Cliffony; Inishmurray, in Donegal Bay is a mile in length and contains the ruins of the ancient monastery of St. Laserian or Molaise.

The Bays and Harbours are Killala Bay, separating county Sligo from county Mayo. It branches into three inlets. Ballysodare Bay, a branch which runs up to the town of Sligo, and Drumcliffe Bay form part of Sligo Bay.

The chief Rivers are the Moy, which rises in the Ox Mountains, flows first south-east and then south-west and entering county Mayo it then turns northwards and touches county Sligo again about 2 ½ miles above Ballina, from which point to its mouth it forms the boundary between counties Sligo and Mayo. The chief tributaries of the river Moy in county Sligo are the Mad River and the Owenahar, the Lough Talt River, on the north bank and the Owengarve River and the Mullaghanoe River on the south bank. The Leafonny River flows into Killala Bay. The Easky River rises in Lough Easkey in the Ox Mountains and falls into the sea near Easky. The Ballysodare River flows into Ballysodare Bay, its chief tributaries are the Owenmore, the Owenboy and the Unshin or Arrow River. The Feorish flows through the south-east of the county into Roscommon. The Bonet river which for a mile marks the boundary between Sligo and Leitrim. The Sligo or Garrogue River issues from Lough Gill and falls into Sligo Bay. The Drumcliff River flows west into Drumcliff Bay. The Duff River forms part of the boundary between Leitrim and Sligo, and flows into Donegal Bay.

The principal Lakes are Lough Arrow, Lough Gara and Lough Gill in the south-east of the county. Lough Gill is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland. Other lakes are Glencar Lake, CLoonty Lake and Skean Lake all on the boundary. In the centre of the county are Lough Easky, Lough Talt, Templehouse Lake, Cloonacleigha Lake, Toberscanavan Lake and Ballydawley Lake.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 72,428 73,801 146,229
1831 83,730 88,035 171,765
1841 89,563 91,323 188,886
1851 62,881 65,634 128,515
1861 61,939 62,906 124,845
1871 56,984 58,509 115,493
1881 55,144 56,434 111,578
1891 48,670 49,343 98,013
1901 41,849 42,234 84,083
1911 40,060 38,985 79,045
1926 36,648 34,745 71,388

Families and Houses in 1926

The number of families in the county was 15,658, the average number in each family being 4.3. The number of inhabited houses was 15,644 showing an average of 4.6 persons to each house. The special inmates of public institutions are omitted from these calculations.

There were in the county 13,244 Occupiers or Heads of Families who were in occupation of less than five rooms, being 84.5% of the total for the county; of these, 711, or 4.5% of the families in the county occupied one room; 2,744, or 17.5% , 2 rooms; 7,414 or 47.3%, 3 rooms; and 2,735 or 15.2%, occupied 4 rooms.

There were in the county 264 tenements in which the room had only one occupant; 331 cases where the room had 2-4 occupants; 100 cases in which there were 5-7 occupants and 16 cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including 1 cases where 10 persons and 1 case where 11 persons and 1 case where 12 persons occupied the same room.

Birthplace of Inhabitants

Of the population in 1926, 88.61% were born in the county, 9.01 % in other counties in Saorstat Eireann. 0.77% in Northern Ireland, 1.22% in Great Britain, and 0.29% were born abroad.

Education

In 1911 there were in the county 65,164 persons aged 9 years and upwards; of these 55,333 or 84.9% could read and write; 2,909 or 3.4% could read only; and 7,622 or 11.7% were illiterate. As this is the first census where the age was raised from 5 to 9 it is not possible to compare figures for earlier censuses. However, the report states that the percentage of those of 5 years and upwards who were unable to read and write was 22.4% in 1891, 16% in 1901 and had fallen to 13.8% in 1901.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No.
of people		 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911

Irish only		 3,466 2,326 472 147 77 24

Irish & English		 36,263 24,263 31,458 21,189 17,493 15,903

Irish Total		 39,729 26,589 31,930 21,336 17,570 15,927
% of
population		 31.8 23.0 28.6 21.7 20.9 20.1

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926 (% of population)


Religion		 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926

Roman Catholic		 90.4 90.9 90.8 90.56 91.24 92.89

Church of Ireland		 8.0 7.4 7.5 7.63 6.96 5.94

Presbyterians		 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.79 0.86 0.43

Methodists		 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.61 0.58 0.44

Others		 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.41 0.36 0.30

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
13,328 12,049 11,708 23,594 14,065 9,157
.