Drumminakill

Townlands of Oughterard

By Paul Gibbons

Townland of Drumminakill highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Droim na Cille /Droim na Coill

Translates to: “Ridge of the Church” / “Ridge of the Hazel Wood”

Etymology:

Although officially Drumminakill is said to be anglicised from the Irish Droim na Cille meaning ‘ridge of the church’ no evidence can be found that a church ever existed at the location. It is possible especially given the area’s topography with high hill near the shores of the lake as well as a narrow headland which protrudes out into the lake itself. These sites may have been attractive sites for churches and other ritual structures. Unfortunately, if any such structure did exist it had disappeared by the time of the first Ordnance Survey in the mid 1800s. Another possible translation could be from Droim na Coill meaning ‘ridge of the hazel wood’. This is a more plausible translation given the prevalence of hazel trees in Ireland. The ridge could be referring to the protruding headland known as Foorannagh or more likely could be the low hill ridge located just to the north-west in the townland of Gortdrishagh.

Size: 929 acres, 0 rods, 29 perchs

Siting:

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

Description:

N/A

Placenames within townland:

Foorannagh – Translates as ‘cold marsh’. Contains 3 and a half acres all under rough pasture. It is connected as headland to Drumminakill.

Annagh Island – A small island (1 rood, 28 perchs) covered with rough pasture. Situated east of Drimmanakill rock and north-east of Foorannagh.

Cormorant’s Rock – A barren rock situated in Lough Corrib south of Foorannagh and east of Drimmanakill townland. The rock has been noticed to be frequented by a bird called the Cormorant.

Drumminakill Rock – A barren rock situated in Lough Corrib to the north of the townland.

Previous proprietor/landlord:

Francis Burke (1641)

Francis Matthews (1670)

Land Value (1857): £ 102 s.10 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 6 s.15 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

Rabbit, Mon

This page was added on 18/07/2014.

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