Ard Gaotháin

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Ard Gaotháin or Ardgehane is a townland of 75 hectares or 185 acres and in the early part of the 20th century, 42 individual fields were mapped in this townland.

It is in the Electoral Division of Castlehaven South, in Civil Parish of Castlehaven and the Roman Catholic Parish of Castlehaven and Myross.

Ard Gaoitháin is bordered by Barraí Rua (Barryroe) and An Bán Íseal (Bawnishal) to the north, An Chrois Liath (Crosslea) to the south and Rinn Dá Chosán (Reendacussane) to the west

OpenStreetmap contributors, with input from the Castlehaven & Myross History Society, have created a detailed townland map including all its minor placenames. Zoom in for further detail.

Etymology

Ard Gaotháin was interpreted by Bruno O'Donoghue as the height of the breeze. JM Burke interpreted it similarly as the hill of the breeze in his Southern Star article in the early part of the 20th century. The windy height is a similar description.

History

Housing

As part of Griffiths Valuation in 1853, a survey of house quality was carried out to calculate what rates were due by each household. These were issued in 1850 in the form of house books and a guide on how to interpret these can be seen here. These show that 6 of the 8 houses in the townland at that time were class 3. This means that they were thatched houses with stone walls with mud or puddle mortar. Four are described as being old (more than 25 years) and out of repair while one is old and in repair and the other is also old but dilapidated and scarcely habitable. The other two houses in Ardgehane at this time are class 1 which means that they were slated and built with stone or brick and lime mortar - one is described as being old, but in repair while the other is medium, deteriorated by age and not in perfect repair. All houses in the townland at this time are between 5 foot (!) and 9 foot 6 inches tall which indicates that most and maybe all are single storey at this time.

By the 1901 census,there are just three occupied houses but all have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Two houses have two, three or four rooms while the other has 5 or 6 rooms. One house has two windows in front (indicating that it is probably still single storey at this time) while the other two houses have four and five windows in front respectively.

When we advance to the 1911 census there are still 3 occupied houses in this townland and, not surprisingly, all three houses have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Two houses have two, three or four rooms while the other has 5 or 6 rooms. One house has four windows in front while the other two houses has five windows.

Places of Interest

Tráigh Leacach: This is one of three townlands which touches this beach. It can be interpreted as the Slatey Strand according to Parish Histories and Place Names of West Cork by Bruno O'Donoghue. Leacach also means “abounding with flat stones". There was a famous skirmish on this beach in 1823 and a policeman was killed on the beach while three others died in the vicinity. See Lickowen page for further detail ********

The Old Road: Although it no longer exists, the Old Road was used by horses and carriages in days gone by as the main road was too steep for the horses

Cill: There is a disused children’s burial ground in this townland. These were used for children who died before they were baptised (as they could not be buried in consecrated ground).

Lios: There is a ringfort (lios) in this townland. A ringfort is a circular fortified settlement that were mainly built during the Bronze age up to about the year 1000.

Ard an Bhóthair: This is the road that runs through Ardgehane and can be interpreted as the high road. This used to run all the way down to the Coast Road. It is marked on the British War Office map and was used by carriages and horses as the main road at that time was too steep. It is said to be the starting point of the Battle of Tráigh Leaceach in 1823.

Viewpoint: There is a Wild Atlantic Way marker in this townland. Get picture of board ****

The Historic Environment Viewer mentions both the ringfort and the children's graveyard mentioned above.

Interesting Placenames

Besides the places named above we have mapped the follow field-names in this townland: The North Meadow, The Long Clais (long field), Gairdín Beag (small garden), The Field Above The Meadow, The Meadow, The Game Sanctuary, The Horse's Gate Field, Gairdín Clover (the clover garden), Batty's Acre, Broad Lane (we are not sure if this is a field name or if there was a lane there - can you help?), The Strand Field, Bóna (we are not sure if this is a form of Póna (a pound field) - can you help?), The Beehives

There are also a number of coastal features in this townland. These are as follows: Cuas an Teorainn (cove of the boundary (between Ardgehane and Reendacussane)), Cuas na gCapall (cove of horses), An Góibín (meaning unknown), Carraig a' Ghalláin (standing rock/ pillar rock), An Charraig Mhór (big rock), Carraigín Bhéil na Trá (small rock at the mouth of the strand)

As well as Ard an Bhóthair (mentioned above), the coast road runs through this townland.

If you want to see the actual location of any of these, go to detailed townland map on Open Street Maps. If you know any other field names or placenames in this townland (or if you need to correct any or give further background information), please contact us at [email protected]

Folklore

Families and Notable Residents

The Tithe Applotment books of 1825 list the following family names: Connolly, Connolly, Glavin, Murphy, Croneen (?), Kiohane, Dwyer

Griffiths Valuation of 1853 lists the following family names: Connolly, Hegarty, Murphy, Connolly, Connolly, Connolly, Dwyer,

The Census of Ireland of 1901 lists the following family names: Connolly, Connolly, Hourihane (with Gorman (step-daughter))

The Census of Ireland of 1911 lists the following family names: Collins, Connolly, Connolly

Note: the term 'with' refers to a person or persons of a different family name staying in the house. This may have been an in-law or other relative, a guest, or a farm labourer/housekeeper or domestic servant.

Demographics and Landholding

		*Occupiers	Population	Change	Link to record
1825	Tithe Applotment	8	48 (est)		1825
1841	Census of Ireland	14	93
1851	Census of Ireland	6	49
1853	Griffith's Valuation	8 (Incl. 1 unoccupied)	56 (est)		1853
1861	Census of Ireland	7	36
1871	Census of Ireland	5	29
1881	Census of Ireland	3	28
1891	Census of Ireland	3	25
1901	Census of Ireland	3	16		1901
1911	Census of Ireland	3	15		1911

*Occupiers generally equate to households having a house and land but may also include households having houses but no land.

Between 1656 and 1658 the Down Survey mapped all areas of the country to track ownership of land after much had been granted to followers of Cromwell after the war of the 1650's. The most prominent proprietor (titulado) of this townland at that time was Charles McCarthy (also McCarthreagh). This townland was called Ardgehan at that time.

The landlords in 1841 were Rev. Michael Becher of Mallow and Rev. T Becher of England and the agent was James Connelly, Ardgehane. It was all held by tenants without a lease. Part of the townland was sub-let to cottiers.

In 1841, the soil was described as 2/3 coarse and rocky with 1/3 arable, producing light crops of wheat, oats and potatoes.