The Tipperary Antiquarian
My blog looks at the archaeology and heritage of sites in Tipperary and surrounding areas. As many of these sites are on private property, it is important to request permission from the landowner before entering private lands so that access does not become a problem across all sites.
Saturday, 9 August 2025
The Lost Seal of the Hospital of St. John of Nenagh
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Books and Articles by Dermot F. Gleeson
From Danny Graces lecture on Dermot F. Gleeson for the Gleeson Clan Gathering.
GCG2016 - Dermot F. Gleeson "Father of Local History" (Danny Grace) - YouTube
Author Search Results :: Library Catalog
Gleeson, Dermot F.
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 1940. Vol. 45, No. 162, page(s) 135
Gleeson, Dermot F.
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 1940. Vol. 45, No. 162, page(s) 135-136
‘Sources for local history in the period,1200-1700’,
Gleeson, Dermot F.
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Vol. 46, No. 164 (1941),
page(s) 123-129
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Ath Soluis or the Ford of Light near Kilcommon in Co. Tipperary.
"There is a bridge in Foilmahonmore called Ái Solas, or the "Ford of the Light". In olden times there was no bridge there & there used be a watch fire there to help travellers to cross the stream in safety at night time. It is a historic place, as it was that way Patrick Sarsfield came, when on his way to Ballyneety. Sarsfield & his men, led by the famous Galloping O'Hogan, left Limerick & from that on to the valley of Glean Cúlú & Foildubh and Kilcommon. When they reached At Solius, they turned the shoes on there horses so as to deceive their enemies. They they continued on their journey thro' Foilmahonmore, Croughmarka, Glengar and on by Carnahalla. On their way there was a stream on the side of the road where some of the officers stood to give drinks to their horses. One of the men said to the other, "I'll sell the "pass" or something to that effect. That minute the other officer, fearing he would spy on the others loaded his gun and shot him dead. After that they continued on their journey to capture the siege-train at Ballyneety."
Faill Uí Chléirigh · The Schools' Collection | dúchas.ie
For more on Sarsfield's Ride - see the the Storymap I created of this amazing historic story.
Tuesday, 3 June 2025
Analysis of the Civil Survey for the half-barony of Arra
Link to the landownership and size of land holdings as per the Civil Survey of 1654 for the half-barony of Arra in spreadsheet form.
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
The Book of Survey and Distribution for Arra
I don't think this has ever been transcribed before into text (Currently a work in progress).
The Book of Survey and Distribution for Arra
https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/NAI-QRO-1-1-3-19-10-1
Thursday, 24 April 2025
Civil Survey Notes - Ballina
In the Civil Survey
Donnogh O Bryen of Beallanaha als mcI Bryen Arra Esqr
Is recorded.
It is interesting he is given his full title of mcI Bryen or
Mc I Brien. He was designated the Chief of the Mac I Briens.
The description in the Civil Survey also mentions his castle
“Upon ye id lands of Beallanaha stands the ruines of a Castle and Barbicon”
"Researches in the south of Ireland, illustrative of the scenery, architectural remains, and the manners and superstitions of the peasantry. With an appendix, containing a private narrative of the rebellion of 1798" by Thomas Crofton Croker, 1798-1854. The book was published in 1824.
Donnogh must have got himself into trouble as he is listed
to be transplanted to Connacht in O’Harts “The Irish landed gentry when
Cromwell came to Ireland”. Again it is interesting that the Chief of the Mac I
Briens must have been in rebellion.
His son seems to be Conor O’Brien of Knockane (Birdhill) as
also mentioned in the Civil Survey.
Interestingly in the HMR for Ballina there is a Conor
McDonnogh listed as paying tax there.
There are some O’Briens in the later records but really it is
such a common name that nothing can be taken from that.
https://thetipperaryantiquarian.blogspot.com/2025/04/hearth-money-rolls-ballina.html
Hearth Money Rolls - Ballina
In the Hearth Money Rolls 1665
The following names were recorded in Ballina townland (Ballinaghan / Ballinahoe / Ballana).
Edmond | Hogane |
John | O'Killane |
Hugh | O'Dwigin |
There is also this in 1665
Samuell | Barclay |
John | Barbar |
Thomas | McShane |
Maurice | McAward |
Jon | Casie |
Mahowne | McTeige |
Donnogh | O'Mullowny |
Sheeda | Mcnamarragh |
In the add-on 1666/67 return the following are recorded.
Samuell Berkeley
John Barber
Thomas McShane
Morrish McAward
Andrew Silley
Barnaby Rawlins
Connor McCough
Connor McDonnogh
John Casie
Sheedy McNamarragh
Don O'Malloony
I wasn’t 100% sure on Ballinaghan being Ballina but it seems most likely and I will leave it here for the time being. I had originally thought that Ballinahoe was Ballinamoe in Youghalarra.
Generally the first name in a townland seems to be the most important landowner. At least that is my impression so far.
The three surnames in the first list appear to all be Gaelic surnames. I’m not sure of O’Killane & O’Dwigin today. They could be Killane & maybe Dwan?
The 2nd and 3rd list are more similar. Berkeley / Barclay, Barber, McShane, McAward, Casey, McNamara & Moloney are common to both lists.
Berkeley, Barber, Silley & Rawlins may all be names of English settlers. Interestingly Barber is listed as owning an oven so may have been a Baker.
McAward may be Ward today, Casey, McNamara, Maloney, McMahon are all Gaelic names. McCough, McShane, McTeige & McDonnogh also. (There could also be an element of “son of someone else nearby”. Thomas McShane also is recorded as owning an oven so he too may also have been a baker.
The next available "Census" for the area is the Tithe Appointment Books 1824.
https://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/pagestab/Tipperary/Templeachally/
It is broken down into various parts of Ballina with 297 entries. With this amount of entries there are bound to be some “hits”. There are Hogans, Malones (possibly O’Mallooney), Wards & McNamaras.
Interestingly we do have a Maurice Ward in 1824, could he be a descendant of Morrish McAward in 1666-67?
In Griffiths valuation we still have a number of Hogans, Malones & Moloneys, Ward & McNamaras. (see pictures)
The 1901 census
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tipperary/Ballina/Ballina/
Hogans, Moloneys, Wards & McNamaras carry on in the townland. I don’t think any other Hearth Money Roll names resurface.
And again in 1911
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Ballina/Ballina/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Ballina/Ballina_Town/
Again Hogan, Moloney, Ward but not McNamara carry through. The surname Ward is probably the most promising of the names in terms of tracing it back to the Hearth Money Rolls in my opinion here.
My own analysis of the rolls highlighting the Arra records.
https://thetipperaryantiquarian.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-hearth-money-rolls-in-half-barony.html?