Barraí Rua

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Barraí Rua or Barryroe is a townland of 95 hectares or 235 acres and in the early part of the 20th century, 53 individual fields were mapped in this townland. cansus

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

Barraí Rua is bordered by Ard Gaotháin (Ardgehane) and Rinn Dá Chosán (Reendacussane) to the south, An Bán Íseal (Bawnishal) to the east, An Bán Leathan (Bawnlahan) and Gleann an Gheimhil (Glannageel) to the west and An Leathardán Mór (Laherdane More) to the north

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

Barraí Rua possibly could be interpreted as the red summits/ridges from Borraidhe Ruadha. This is the interpretation offered by Bruno O'Donoghue. J.M.Burke also gave this as the red, swelling ridges in an article in the Southern Star in 1913. It should also be noted that locals pronounced it as Borraidhe Ruadha - this may derive from borr (swelling). According to Lankford, there is an alternate interpretation from 1909 that it may be called after a branch of the Barry family called the Red Barrys (An Barrach Ruadh) as it is sometimes called Red Barry's country.

It has been called either Barryroe or Barriroe since the Down Survey.of 1655

History

No history known for this townland. If you are aware of any, please contact us at [email protected]

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 (Pg 1, Pg 2) and a guide on how to interpret these can be seen here. These show that all six houses in the townland at the time were class 3. This means that they were all thatched houses with stone walls with mud or puddle mortar (as opposed to class 2 which were built with stone or brick and lime mortar). Within Class 3 there are three different categories. Half of the houses were old (more than 25 years) and out of repair at this time while the other half were old but in repair. All of the houses listed as being between 5 foot 6 inches (! ) and 6 foot 6 inches high so were single storey at this time.

By the 1901 census, there are 4 houses in this townland and all had walls of stone, brick or concrete. Two still have thatched roofs while the other two have roofs of slate, iron or tiles. All houses have two, three or four rooms with two windows in front which indicate that they are probably still single storey at this time.

When we advance to the 1911 census, there are still 4 houses in this townland and, not surprisingly all still had walls of stone, brick or concrete.However none are now thatched and all have roofs of slate, iron or tiles. All have either two, three or four rooms with two windows in front.

Places of Interest

Cnoc na nGabhar: This can be interpreted as the hill of the goats and it is said that wild goats lived here in the past. The highest point in Castlehaven or Myross parish is on this hill (156m).

Wedge Tomb: At the top of Cnoc na nGabhar, there is a small but very intact example of a wedge tomb. It contains five slabs and is shaped like an open-ended box. It is known locally as the Giant’s Grave and is situated in the townland of Barryroe - just on the border with Laherdane More.

The Giant's Grave - wedge tomb

Cill: There was a 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). This is no longer visible.

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

Interesting Placenames

Beside the hill and wedge tomb mentioned above, there is a road called Ard an Bhóthair that runs through this townland

While we do not have the exact locations, the Tragumna Schools collection lists the following fields on the farm of John Hegarty - Cúilín an Tobair (hollow with the well), Cúilín an Tighe (field behind the house), Mullach, Leath hAcra Coinnlín (half acre of stubble/withered grass?), Clais (patch of land between rock), Páircín an Tighe (small field beside the house)

If you want to see the actual locations 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

Giant's Grave: The wedge tomb on Cnoc na nGabhar is mentioned above. It is said that the cremated remains were placed in the tomb. It was also said that there were steps to higher ground to the south of the tomb and it was here that the cremations took place. As in other examples, the tomb faces west towards the setting sun.

Families and Notable Residents

The Tithe Applotment books of 1825 list the following family names: Driscoll, Noland (? - maybe Nolan), Donovan, Hegarty, Hegarty, Brickley?, Dwyer, Hegarty, Tegan (probably wrong - Regan?), Dwyer

Griffiths Valuation of 1853 lists the following family names: Donovan, Hegarty, Hegarty, Dwyer, Driscoll. The following families had land only: Connolly

The Census of Ireland of 1901 lists the following family names: Hegarty, Dwyer, Donovan, Driscoll

The Census of Ireland of 1911 lists the following family names: Mehigan, Dwyer, Hegarty (with Barry (grandson)), Driscoll (with Connolly (servant))

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	10	60 (est)		1825
1841	Census of Ireland	14	73
1851	Census of Ireland	7	41
1853	Griffith's Valuation	5	30 (est)		1853
1861	Census of Ireland	6	38
1871	Census of Ireland	4	30
1881	Census of Ireland	6 (difficult to read)	39
1891	Census of Ireland	4	24
1901	Census of Ireland	4	18		1901
1911	Census of Ireland	4	19		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 Teig McDonagh O'Driscoll. This townland was called Barriroe at that time.

The landlord in 1841 was Morgan O’Donovan of Mount Peleir, Douglas in Cork. It was all held under lease by William Ellis Knuckeen (Drumdillagee) and sublet to tenants without a lease

In 1841,the soil was described as mostly coarse mixed with some arable, producing light crops of oats and potatoes.