Biggera More / Bigire Mór

Compiled by Paul Greaney

Overview

Irish name: Bigire Mór

English name: Biggera More

Meaning: great/big furrow

Area: 306 acres, 3 roods, and 37 perches.

Field names in this townland: None yet recorded.

Information from O’Donovan’s Field Name Books

Note that no distinction is made between Biggera More and Biggera Beg here.

Names: Bigeire, Biggera (B. S. Sketch Map), Biggary (County Books), Biggerybeg (Crampton Esq., Cahermorris), Bigarrey (High Constable 1838), Begery (Inq. Temp. [Unable to read.] I), Biggery (Inq. Temp. [Unable to read.] I), Biggery (Inq. Temp. Eliz.), Biggory (Local), Buigary (Rector of Anaghdown).

Description: Proprietor (Martin Blake, Esq., Ballyglunin[Unable to read.]) newcomers. All [Unable to read.] tillage except a portion of rocky ground in the South end of the townland.

Situation: It is situated 2 miles North of Cahermorris House. Bounded North by [Unable to read.]. South by Cluidreevagh. East by Biggaramore and West of [Unable to read.].

Population Statistics

1841: 3 houses, 18 people (9 male, 9 female)

1851: 2 houses, 14 people (5 male, 9 female)

1861: 1 house, 4 people (2 male, 2 female)

1871: 1 house, 4 people (2 male, 2 female)

1881: 1 houses, 4 people (2 male, 2 female)

1891: 1 house, 4 people (1 male, 3 female)

1901: 1 house, 4 people (2 male, 2 female)

1911: 1 house, 3 people (2 male, 3 female)

2011: 7 houses (incl. 1 vacant), 16 people (8 male, 8 female)

1821 Tithe Applotment Books

The Tithe Applotment Books record B. Newcomen Esq. as occupier of 200 acres in Biggory (sic.). No distinction is made between Biggera More and Biggera Beg.

1853 Griffith’s House Book & 1855 Griffith’s Valuation

Biggeramore entry in Griffith’s Valuation

The December 1853 house book shows John Dennis Esq. as occupier of a herd’s house and office at Biggera More. Griffith’s Valuation also shows John Dennis as occupier of a herd’s house, office, and land, held from George Newcomin.

1901 Census

One household is recorded in the 1901 Census: Patrick Fahy (33), shepherd, lived with his wife Julia (29), daughter Mary (8), scholar, and William Morriss (50), servant.

All were born in County Galway and all of the adults spoke Irish and English. All but one could read and write.

The house, recorded as being of the second class, was constructed of stone, with a thatched roof, and three front windows. The landholder was listed as C.D. O’Rorke.

It appears the Fahy family may have moved to Bullaun, in Kilmoylan Electoral Division, by 1911.

1911 Census

One household is recorded in the 1911 Census: John Hogan (38), shepherd, married, lived with his sister-in-law Margaret Forde (13), and brother-in-law John Forde (18). All spoke Irish and English, two could read and write and one could read only.

The house was recorded as being of the third class, constructed of stone, with a thatched roof and one front window. One out-office is recorded – a cow-house.

A 1908 marriage record for John Hogan and Mary Forde in the Parish of Killererin suggests that both were from Clogherboy in that parish. It appears that the Hogan family lived in Killeelaun, in Tuam Rural Electoral Division, in the 1901 Census. Mary Hogan (23) appears in the 1911 Census with two children, James (2) and Norah (under 1 month), in the townland of Cahergal, Electoral Division of Killererin.

Biggera More / Bigire Mór

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