Lettercraff

 

Townland of Lettercraff highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Leitir Creamha

Translates to: “Hillside of the wild garlic”

Etymology:

This placename most likely dates from a time when the area was still covered in native woodland. This is because wild garlic aka Allium Vineale is commonly found in the shady, damp conditions that a trees canopy supplies. Although not necessarily rare wild garlic was and is nevertheless highly sought after given its flavour and medicinal benefits thus the name would have referred to an important aspect of the area. The term ‘leitir’ meaning hillside refers to the fact that Lettercraff contains a wide hill which slopes southward down to Glengowla East and West.

Size: 1374 acres, 1 rods, 6 perchs

Siting:

In the northern extremity of Kilcummin parish. Bounded on the north by Barnagurteeny and Newvillage, on the west by Derryglinne and Letterfore, south by Glengowla West and Glengowla East and on the east by Claremount.

Description:

A red heathy mountain, rocks and swamps. Contains 1,371 and a quarter acres of land about 60 acres of which are under tillage, and 3 acres of water, the remainder is mountain pasture. Two by-roads passed through the townland from east to west.

Placenames within townland:

Lettercraff Village – An abandoned clachan containing a cluster of buildings and field systems most likely dating from the 18th/19th century.

Lough Seecon – Translates to ‘lake of Con’s seat’.

Previous proprietor/landlord:

Patrick French (1641)

Sir Thomas Meredith (1670)

Thomas B. Martin of Ballinahinch Castle (c. 1850)

Land Value (1857): £ 30 s.0 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 0 s.15 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

Geoghegan