Derreenmeel

 

Townland of Derreenmeel highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Doire Míol

Translates to: “Oak wood of the bald hill”

Etymology:

At the townlands southern boundary is a hill called Slievenavinnoge (trans. Mountain of the Scald Crows) which once contained an extensive tract of mountain bog. Nowadays Slievenavinnoge is covered in plantation forestry whereas Dereenmeel is mainly bog and rough pastureland which seems to be a complete reversal since the time when Dereenmeel was first named. Back then the townland covered in oak woodland ran to the base of a hill covered with blanket bog which would have lacked trees and any large plants hence from a distance it could be said to have looked ‘bald’ in comparsion. The townland may also be translated to ‘oak wood of the beast’ although no clear explanation or information exists for this translation.

Size: 426 acres, 3 rods, 1 perchs

Siting:

In the northern extremity of Kilcummin parish. Bounded on the north by Drumminakill and Gortdrishagh, on the east by Lough Corrib and Barrusheen, on the south by Tullyvealnaslee and on the west by Newvillage.

Description:

Contains 426 and three quarter acres about 100 acres are under tillage and pasture, the remainder is bog and montain pasture. A by-road forms the western boundary of this townland.

Placenames within townland:

Knockmanus (hill) – Translates to ‘Manus’ Hill’.

Slievenavinnoge (hill) – Translates to ‘mountain of the scald-crows (hooded crow)’. An extensive tract of mountain bog so called on account of it being the residence of scarecrows.

Previous proprietor/landlord:

Robert Martin (1641)

Richard Martin (1670)

Donnogh Kelly (1670)

Thomas B Martin of Ballinahinch Castle (c. 1850)

Land Value (1857): £ 32 s.10 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 1 s.5 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

Heraghty, Molloy, Tierney, Feerrick, McGawley, Lee, Kelly