Civil Survey Notes

Civil Survey Notes - Ballina

From - The Civil Survey A.D. 1654–56 vol. ii, county of Tipperary western and northern baronies - Irish Manuscripts - available to download here

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.

A map of the Ballina / Killaloe area dates to between 1779 - 1840.

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000302564

Ballina Castle on the Tipperary side of Ballina / Killaloe was still standing in 1838 according to this sketch in Ireland Picturesque and Romantic by Leitch Ritchie & Thomas Creswick.

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

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