Aughnanure

Townlands of Oughterard

By Paul Gibbons

Townland of Aughnanure highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Achadh na n-Iubhar

Translates to: “Field of the yew trees”

Etymology:

The name of this townland comes from the areas main historical location: Aughnanure Castle. This land or ‘field’ would have been once covered in yew trees. The yew tree is native to Ireland and may be found in old woodlands (although it is now often seen in the artificial surrounds of estates or graveyards). Some yew trees still exist in the area and it is said that t here is an old yew tree growing between two cliffs of rock overhanging the river from whence the townland/castle got its name.

Size: 244 acres , 1 rods , 11 perchs

Siting:

Situated in the northern extremity of Kilcummin parish. Bounded on the north and east by Ardnasillagh and the parish of Killannin, on the west by Knockkillaree and Moyvoon and on the south by Bealnalappa and the parish of Killannin.

Description:

The soil is good, but very rocky in parts. Contains 244¼ acres about 100 acres of arable land, the remainder is bog, and rough pasture. The road from Galway to Oughterard passes through the southern extremity of this townland. It contains the ruins of a castle.

Placenames within townland:

Aughnanure Castle (castle) – The ruins of the castle of O’Flaherty.

Ringfort – In an area of rough, scrub-covered terrain. Marked on the 1st edition OSI 6 inch map as a circular enclosure (diameter c. 30m). No visible surface trace remains.

Previous proprietor/landlord:

Richard Martin (1670)

Earl of Clanrickard (1670)

James O’Hara of Leanaboy House, Galway (c. 1850)

Land Value (1857): £ 83 s. 12 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 0 s. 0 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

O’Flaherty, McDonagh, Connor, Folan, Davoren, Curley, Ó Cumhláin, Ó Conchubair

This page was added on 06/03/2013.

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