Drumgriffin / Droim Grifín

Compiled by Evelyn Stevens

Overview

Irish name: Droim Grifín

English name: Drumgriffin

Meaning: The Ridge of Grifín, Grifín is probably a personal name

Area: 233 acres and 7 perches

Information from O’Donovan’s Field Name Books

Description: Proprietor Captain Butler. All under tillage except a portion subject to Winter floods. A road forms its N. boundary. Ruins of Drumgriffin old Castle in its South angle.

Situation: It is situated 1 S. of Annaghdown Church. Bounded North by Carrowbeg (Unable to read). South by (Unable to read). Boundary. East by Creg and West by Thonaguraun.

Other Landmarks: Townland contains a castle in ruins:  ‘On a slight rise in an otherwise low-lying area. In existence in 1574 when it was in the possession of ‘Ullig Rewgh’. Only a short length of walling (L 5.8m, H 5.5m max.) survives; no architectural features are visible.  The above description is derived from the published ‘Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II – North Galway’. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). 

Down Survey

The Down Survey showed that the townland of Dromgriffin was owned by Sir Roebuck Lynch (Catholic) in 1641 and by Colonel William Legg (Protestant) in 1670.

Population Statistics

1841: 29 houses, 174 people (88 male, 86 female)

1851: 24 houses, 146 people (71 male, 75 female)

1861: 25 houses (incl. 1 uninhabited), 116 people (60 male, 56 female)

1871: 19 houses, 112 people (57 male, 55 female)

1881: 22 houses (incl. 1 uninhabited), 112 people (57 male, 55 female)

1891: 19 houses, 82 people (43 male, 39 female)

1901: 17 houses, 67 people (30 male, 37 female)

1911: 16 houses, 71 people (39 male, 32 female)

2011: 31 houses (incl. 3 vacant), 71 people (36 male, 35 female)

1821 Tithe Applotment Books

The Tithe Applotment books for 1824 list 21 tenants in Drumgriffin: Francis Linnane, Mich Greally, Redmond Hynes, John Connolly & Revd Mr Hardiman, John Killkelly, Pat Greally, Roger Kilkelly & H Gordon, Hugh Geoghegan & Th Linnane, Andw Moran, T Linnane, John Mitchell, Mich Glavin & Jas Burke, Bryan Neale, John Cavanagh, Pat Morris, John Linnane, and Wm Brennan

 1855 Griffith’s Valuation

Drumgriffin entries in Griffith’s Valuation (1855) 

In 1855 Griffith’s Valuation the following rented houses and land or land only from John Butler: Peter O’Hara, Denis Leaven, William Kavanagh, John Ford, James Rabbit, Mary Higgins, Mary Grealy, Patk. Kilkelly (carpenter), John Lennane, Francis Lennane, Malachy Kilkelly, James Burke, John Kavanagh, Martin Redington, Thomas Casserly, Andrew Gordon, Patrick Kilkelly, Rev. Thomas Keavny

The following rented from Francis Blake: John Griffin, John Keavy, and Patrick Wade (house, office, flour mill and land). 

1871-1901 Deaths

DateTownlandNameSexConditionAgeOccupationCauseMedical AttendantCertifiedRegistered byLink
04/03/1871DrumgriffinJames KavanaghMBachelor20 yearsPeasant boyFever, 4 weeksNNMichael Kavanagh, occupierLink
14/05/1871DrumgriffinMary CahillFWidow70 yearsBeggarSuddenly from heart diseaseNNMary Higgins, PADLink
24/12/1871DrumgriffinHonoria HigginsFSpinster6 daysChild of a labourerWeakness after birth, six daysNNMichael Higgins, occupierLink
28/12/1871DrumgriffinThomas HigginsMBachelor10 daysChild of a labourerWeakness since birth, ten daysNNMichael Higgins, occupierLink
21/01/1872DrumgriffinAndrew GordonMWidower77 yearsLabourerCerebral apoplexy, two daysNNEllen Gordon, PADLink
01/05/1872DrumgriffinMargaret LeonardFWidow80 yearsLabourer’s widowOld age and debility, a long timeNNHonor Downey, PADLink
08/01/1873DrumgriffinJohn GriffinMWidower83 yearsLand StewardExhaustion from senile decayYNancy Monahan, PADLink
26/07/1873DrumgriffinMalachy KilkellyMMarried70 yearsPeasantHeart disease, some timeNNHonor Hession, PADLink
14/10/1873CrossroadsHonor CosgraveFMarried25 yearsServantPhthisis, one yearYMartin Higgins, occupierLink
29/06/1874DrumgriffinJulia LeonardFSpinster5 yearsLabourer’s childCroup, one weekYMary Leonard, PADLink
12/08/1874DrumgriffinMargaret KellyFWidow55 yearsPeasantProgressive paralysis, a long timeYMargaret Kelly, PADLink
23/10/1875DrumgriffinDenis LavinMMarried52 yearsTurnerAsthma & heart disease, for yearsNNBiddy Lavin, PADLink
13/12/1875DrumgriffinMary CahillFWidow86 yearsFarmer’s widowOld age and debility, a long timeNNThomas Scahill, PADLink
06/04/1876Mill House, DrumgriffinPatrick WadeMWidower70 yearsFarmerThe effects of a fall from his horse, causing inflammation of his lung which also increased the congestion of previously disease of kidneys, 1 monthYMary Greally, PADLink
23/07/1876DrumgriffinFrank LeonardMBachelor22 yearsPeasantPhthisis, 4 monthsYMargaret Leonard, PADLink
05/08/1876Drumgriffin CrossroadsEllen FordeFMarried79 yearsMason’s wifeBronchitis & debility, a long timeNNJohn Forde, occupierLink
22/03/1877DrumgriffinMichael LeonardMBachelor9 monthsChild of a labourerCroup, 2 daysNNMichael Leonard, PADLink
18/10/1878Drumgriffin BogMargaret ComminsFWidow92 yearsBeggarOld age & debility, a long timeNNJulia Walsh, PAD, Drumgriffin BogLink
08/05/1880Drumgriffin, CreggJohn GriffinMMarried56 yearsShopkeeperPhthisis, a long time, ulceration of bowel illium, 4 monthsYJulia Thornton, PAD, Cregg Gate HouseLink
24/01/1881DrumgriffinBridget FahyFSpinster23 yearsLabourerSmothering in the throatNNMichael Fahy, PADLink
14/04/1881DrumgriffinSabina KavanaghFWidow70 yearsPeasantPains in the bowels & constipation, 4 daysNNHonor Kavanagh, PADLink
08/12/1881DrumgriffinBridget LavinFWidow74 yearsPoor widowOld age and debility, some timeNNBridget Lavin, occupierLink
25/01/1882DrumgriffinKate O’BrienFMarried71 yearsHousekeeperFracture of pelvis, 9 daysYMartin Finnerty, DrumgriffinLink
09/01/1882DrumgriffinJohn MoranMBachelor30 yearsLabourerCongestion of lungs, fever, 6 weeksYCelia Moran, PADLink
28/04/1882DrumgriffinJohn FordeMMarried94 yearsMasonExhaustion from old age, a few weeksNNMary Forde, wife, PADLink
17/06/1882DrumgriffinHonor KavanaghFWidow74 yearsPeasantCold and exhaustion, a few daysNNWilliam Kavanagh, PADLink
20/05/1886DrumgriffinJohn O’BrienMWidower78 yearsLabourerChronic constipation and gravel, 8 monthsNNMartin Finerty, PADLink
09/08/1887DrumgriffinMargaret GordonFWidow62 yearsPeasantChronic stomach disease and colic, two monthsNNEllen Gordon, daughter, PADLink
03/12/1887DrumgriffinJames BurkeMWidower98 yearsCarpenterDebility from old age, 12 monthsNNPeter Forde, son-in-law, PADLink
06/11/1889DrumgriffinBridget RabbitFMarried63 yearsPeasantSevere cough and smothering, 3 monthsNNJames Rabbit, son, PADLink
04/05/1890DrumgriffinMichael HughesMMarried55 yearsLandholderTyphus fever, 10 daysYAnne Hughes, daughter, PADLink
13/08/1890DrumgriffinMary HigginsFWidow81 yearsPauperBedridden, one year, cough and great debility, 3 monthsYMargaret Higgins, daughter, PADLink
27/03/1891DrumgriffinKate BurkeFSpinster67 yearsMendicantWeakness and pain in the heart, four monthsNNAnne Staunton, sister, PADLink
10/06/1891DrumgriffinMary FeenaghtyFWidow78 yearsHousekeeperWeakness, 3 months, great debility, 3 weeksNNMary Hughes, daughter, PADLink
22/05/1891DrumgriffinMargaret CasserlyFWidow88 yearsPoor housekeeperAnasarca, 3 daysNNMichael Casserly, son, PADLink
7/12/1891DrumgriffinMargaret FeeneghtyFWidow60 yearsHousekeeperGeneral weakness and no appetite, wearing away, two monthsNNPatrick Higgins, brother, PADLink
4/4/1892DrumgriffinWinifred HughesFWidow67 yearsHousekeeperSenile gangrene, 3 weeks and 3 daysYMichael Higgins, PADLink
06/01/1893DrumgriffinBridget KilkellyFWidow65 yearsPeasant’s widowSevere cough and cold, 8 weeksNNMichael Kilkelly, son, PADLink
28/06/1893DrumgriffinPatrick KellyMMarried88 yearsCarpenterOld age and weakness, 2 daysNNMary Kelly, daughter, PADLink
11/01/1894DrumgriffinPatrick GordonMMarried65 yearsLabourerLiver disease, 10 monthsNNMary Gordon, daughter, PADLink
25/10/1894DrumgriffinJames RabbitMWidower81 yearsMasonRheumatism and bronchitis, 3 yearsNNMary Rabbit, granddaughter, PADLink
07/05/1895DrumgriffinJames LenordMMarried36 yearsLabourerDecline, 18 monthsNNEllen Lenord, wife, PADLink
04/08/1895DrumgriffinJames LeonardMMarried86 yearsLabourerBronchitis, 3 yearsNNEllen Leonard, daughter-in-law, PADLink
07/05/1896DrumgriffinHonor WalshFSpinster55 yearsHousekeeperStomach complaint and vomiting, 14 daysNNMichael Walsh, brother, PADLink
02/06/1896DrumgriffinBridget LavelleFSpinster55 yearsHousekeeperParalysis, 1 monthNNMary Lavelle, niece, PADLink
01/01/1897DrumgriffinEllen GordonFSpinster74 yearsHousekeeperComplaining of severe cough, 3 yearsNNMary Gordon, niece, PADLink
06/05/1897DrumgriffinPatrick KilkellyMWidower84 yearsFarmerOld age and general debilityNNMichael Kilkelly, son, PADLink
07/09/1897DrumgriffinMary GriffinFWidow70 yearsWidow of shopkeeperGeneral debility, 2 yearsNNJohn Griffin, son, PADLink
17/11/1897DrumgriffinJohn GriffinMMarried31 yearsLandholder and shopkeeperPhthisis pulmonary, 6 monthsYWinifred Griffin, widow of deceasedLink
04/04/1898DrumgriffinMichael LavelleMBachelor7 yearsSon of landholderPain in abdomen, 1 dayNNPat Lavelle, father, PADLink
12/12/1898DrumgriffinThomas NewellMBachelor17 yearsBlacksmithConsumption, 1 yearYJohn Newell, brotherLink
31/01/1900DrumgriffinMichael KellyMBachelor15 yearsSon of farmerJaundice, 1 yearNNMaria Kelly, sister, PADLink
19/10/1900DrumgriffinPat StauntonMBachelor1 yearSon of labourerGeneral debilityNNJulia Staunton, motherLink
13/02/1901DrumgriffinEllen LeonardFWidow80 yearsWidow of farmerOld age and debilityNNEllen Leonard, PADLink
18/05/1901DrumgriffinWilliam ScullyMBachelor23 yearsSon of farmerPhthisis, 4 yearsNNMary Scully, sister, PADLink
Deaths in Drumgriffin, 1871-1901

1901 Census

There were 17  households listed in Drumgriffin in the 1901 census:

  1. John Kelly (60) lived with his wife Kate (44), daughter Maria (20), son Malachy, (18), daughter Delia (12) and daughter Margaret (4).
  2. Mary Kelly (80) lived with her daughter Mary (40) and her son Patrick (34).
  3. Michael Higgins (75) lived with his wife Bridget (70), and his son Timothy (28)
  4. Margaret Fahy (66) lived with her son Michael (40), daughter-in-law Margaret (31), grand daughter Mary (5), grand son John (3) and grand daughter Bridget (1)
  5. Bridget Leaven (72).
  6. Mary Scully (70) lived with her son William (23). 
  7. Ellen Leonard (35) lived with her daughter Mary (7). 
  8. William Leonard (73) lived with his wife Mary (75), son John (35), daughter-in-law Bridget (25), grand son William (2) and grand daughter Mary (8 months).
  9. William Kavanagh (75), lived with his wife Margaret (75), son John (25),  son Patt (20), daughter Margaret (18), son James (16) daughter Mary (12) and son William (10)
  10. Mary Gordon (76) lived with her daughter Mary (30).
  11. Michael Casserly (55) lived with his wife Mary (54), son Thomas (29) and daughter Bridget (17).
  12. Michael Kelly (45) lived with his wife Mary (35) , son John (9), son Patrick (7), daughter Mary (5), son Malachy (4), son Manus (2) son Michael (1) daughter Margaret (5 months), and brother Roger (46). 
  13. Michael Walsh (40)
  14. Mary E. Wade (50) lived with her brother Harward (46) and servant Mary Grealy (56). 
  15. Mary Lenihan (76), but number not fully legible) lived with her daughter Winifred Griffin (30) , daughter Maggie Lenihan (30), and grand daughter Nellie Lenihan (7).
  16. Peter Forde (85), lived with his wife Mary (67) and daughter Anne (20). 
  17. John Rabbitt (46) lived with his brother James (44) , and niece Mary (19).

There were ten second class houses and seven third class houses listed in the 1901 census returns. One house had a roof made of slate, iron or tiles, all the other houses had roofs made of thatch, wood or other perishable material and all had walls of stone, brick or concrete.  One house had five windows in front of the house, one had four, eight had three, four had two and  three had one window. Fourteen houses had two, three or four rooms,  one house had five or six rooms and  two houses had seven, eight or nine rooms. There were six stables, one coach house, nine cow houses, three calf houses, twelve piggeries, ten fowl houses, ten barns, two workshops, one shed, one store and six cart houses.

1911 Census

There were 16 households recorded in Drumgriffin in the 1911 census:

  1. Mary Leonard (85) lived with her son John (52), daughter-in-law Bridget (37), grand son Wm (13), grand daughter Mry (12), grand son James (10), grand daughter Nora (8), grand son Frank (4) and grand daughter Maggie (2).
  2. Peter Ford (84) lived with his wife Mary (75), son Patrick (51), daughter-in-law Mary (49), grand son Thomas (14), grand son Patrick (12) and grand daughter Mary (9).
  3. Ellen Leonard (45) lived with her daughter Mary (16).
  4. Micheal Kelly (56) lived with his wife Mary (46), brother Rodger (57), son Patrick (17), daughter Mary (15), son Malachy (14), son Manus (12), son Michael (11), daughter Maggie (10), son Martin (9), and daughter Ellen (7).
  5. Michael Higgins (83) lived with his wife Bridget (82) and son Timothy (30). 
  6. John Rabbitt (58) lived with his brother James (54).
  7. Winifred ORourke (40). 
  8. William Rabbitt (49) lived with his wife Annie (49).
  9. Patt Kelly (45),  lived with his sister Mary (listed as Relly) (47) and brother Michal (43). 
  10. John Kelly (73) lived with his wife Katie (56), son Malachy 29, and daughter Maggie (14). 
  11. Margaret Fahy (80) lived with her daughter-in-law Margaret (40), daughter Mary (15), son John (14), son Patrick (9), daughter Celia (8) and daughter Ellie (8). [the sons and daughters are probably Margaret’s grandchildren -ES]
  12. Mary Cassidy (68) lived with her son Thomas (42)
  13. Mary Gordon (86) lived with her son-in-law John Murphy (39), daughter Mary Murphy (43), grand son Patrick (8), grand son Willie (7), grand son John (5) and grandson Richard (3). 
  14. William Cavanaugh (68) lived with his wife Margaret (67), son John (37), son James (28), and daughter Mary (24).
  15. Harward Wade (65) lived with his wife Jane A (39), son Francis B (2), sister Mary E (68), and servant Raftery, John (16).
  16. Michael Walsh (72).

There were eleven second class houses and five third class houses listed in the 1911 census returns.  Fifteen of the houses had roofs made of thatch, wood or other perishable material, one had a roof made of slate, iron or tiles.  All had walls of stone, brick or concrete.  Three of the houses had five or six rooms, the others had two, three or four rooms. One house had six windows, one had four windows, eight had three windows and five had two windows. There were 12 stables, 15 cow houses, one calf house, 12 piggeries, two fowl houses, 11 barns, one turf house, one workshop and eight cart houses.

Further Information

Drumgriffin Post Office: A Post office was opened in the townland of Drumgriffin in 1851. The Post Mistress was a Mary Griffin and the Post Office remained in the Griffin-O’Rourke family for the remainder of the century. Further information on the local Post Office can be found here.

The former Drumgriffin Post Office

In the 1901 census Mrs. Winifred Griffin is listed as Postmistress and her sister Maggie as Assistant Postmistress. Michael Fahy is listed as Postman. In the 1911 census Mrs Winifred O’Rourke is listed as Postmistress and Patrick Kelly as Postman.

Information from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

Cregg Mills: Five-bay four-storey watermill, built c.1780, having attic, and with three-bay two-storey miller’s house attached at north end. Served by Cregg River. Twentieth-century flat-roofed addition, and recent two-storey pitched roof addition, to rear. Pitched slate roof to main block. Ashlar limestone façade to front, coursed rubble elsewhere. Windows of façade are grouped towards centre. Middle floors have taller windows than other floors, all windows being replacement timber, and having tooled limestone sills. Round-headed windows to attic level of gables. Segmental-headed doorcase to middle bay with channelled tooled limestone surround, cut-down keystone and with round relieving arch above. Miller’s house has pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystack, rendered walls, square-headed openings with tooled sills and replacement timber windows and timber battened door. Mill race, wheel and leet removed.

Cregg Bridge: Two-arch limestone road bridge, built c.1775, over Cregg River and adjacent to Cregg Mills. Walls of coursed rubble stone with elliptical arch over river and flood arch to north. Much altered and widened recently.

Dúchas: The Schools’ Collection

There is a story in the Schools’ Collection called ‘Fear Maith Siubhail. 28 adh Eanair 1958

Bhí fear in a chómhnuidhe i Drumgriffín go dtugaidís Seán O Treamhal air. Lá dár tharla agus é ag deanamh a bhealaigh go Gaillimh. Is gearr go dtáinig fear suas leis ar an mbóthar agus “jaunting” cárr aige . Shíl Seán bocht go dtiubhradh an Tiománuidhe maruidheacht dhó acht níor tug. Núair a chuaidh tiománuidhe an chárr tairis bhain Seán a chasóg dhe agus tosuigh sé ag siubhal go mear agus bhí sé i nGaillimh i chun tosaigh ar fhear an cháirr.

Collector Eibhlín Ní Ghaoithinn, Mása. Fuair sí an faisnéis seo ó Padraig Ó hArgadán, Mása, Aois 40.

Drumgriffin / Droim Grifín

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