Derrylaura

Townlands of Oughterard

By Paul Gibbons

Townland of Derrylaura highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Doire Lára

Translates to: “Oak wood of the mare”

Etymology:

Given the prevalence of oak woods in Ireland from ancient right up to early modern times the term Doire/Derry became commonplace in many townland names. Even in the Oughterard area alone there are four townlands containing some anglicized version of Doire. For this reason it was necessary to further distinguish them from each other, even using the smallest detail to set one townland apart from another. This could be said to be the case for Derrylaura. Quite simply the name may have arose due to the fact that mares and horses were routinely kept in the townland. Alternatively there may have been a well-known fictional story or folktale once attached to the area involving a mare which created or could help explain the name, unfortunately no semblance of it remains today.

Size: 86 acres, 0 rods, 6 perchs

Siting:

In the north-eastern extremity of Kilcummin parish. Bounded on the north by Newvillage, on the west and south by Claremount and on the east by Tonwee and Tonweeroe.

Description:

Contains 86 acres about half of which is arable, the remainder is bog. There is a large gravel pit near its centre.

Placenames within townland:

Slievenavinnoge – 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:

Daniel McMurragh O’Flahertye (1641)

John Eyres (1670)

Thomas B Martin of Ballinahinch Castle (c. 1850)

Land Value (1857): £ 9 s.15 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 0 s.5 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

Connor, Melia  

This page was added on 05/05/2014.

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