Tenants of O’Donel Estate in Cong, Co. Mayo 1790-1815.

Small Sources 62:   This is a list of leases granted to 344 named tenants by the O’Donel estate in the Civil Parish of Cong, Co Mayo from 1790 to approximately 1815.  Some tenants are parties to several leases so the total number of individuals involved is difficult to define precisely.  The area, although very picturesque (see above) is poor agricultural land usually used for raising sheep or for forestry.  The format of the document (see examples above and below) is a series of columns showing (for each lease) the:

1. Denomination (i.e. the property name or description)
2. Names of original lessees and date of original lease (with comments probably added around 1815)
3. Present tenants  (often the same as the original)
4. Term granted and lives (most leases are for ‘lives’, usually of the lessees or their children)
5. Area and description of the land (arable, bog etc)
6. Rent per acre and total rent
7. Observations   (often useful comments on the ‘lives’ cited above)

The columns headed ‘terms granted’ and ‘observations’ are particularly useful as they may list the names (and sometimes ages) of relatives whose lives are specified as the duration of a lease. Leases for the duration of the lives of named persons was a common practise – for a full description see here.   For example, lease 44 notes ‘..during the natural lives of … John Conway aged 79 years in July 1815...’ In summary, there is more information of family history relevance in this document than is presented below.

The O’Donels were originally from Ulster and acquired this estate in 1781. This and later purchasers made them major landowners in Mayo. A Maynooth University thesis by Peter Mullowney on ‘The expansion and decline of the O’Donel Estate in Newport, Co. Mayo 1785-1852’ is available here.  Athough dealing with a different O’Donel property,  it provides some interesting background on the O’Donel family and their estates. At the time of this record, the estate was owned by Sir Neal O’Donel (pictured above).   The original document is in the National Library of Ireland (Ms. 5821).   The list below (and Fig. 1) shows the content of columns 1, 2 and 3 described above;   i.e.  (1) the property rented, (2) the names of the original lessees and the date of the lease; and (3) the names of the current tenants.  We have established from various evidence that the document was compiled in 1815, although this  is not explicitly stated. In many cases the original and current tenants are the same.   Each lease was numbered, but a few are missing.  Some of the tenants may be sub-tenants or partners of the main lessees.  These rental practices are fully described in our article on rentals available here.

Note also that the author of this document seems particularly unconcerned about spelling. The same names are spelled differently even within the same line of the document (e.g. Jennings and Jenings, and Creevagh and Creevaugh).

Note that the names of the properties given are generally not the formal denominations used for place names.  They seem to be some form of division used by the estate to define rented properties.   In most cases a townland name is included within this description,  but even that does not use the accepted spelling form of the names.  Where available, the currently accepted spelling of the townland name is given in brackets.  The property locations listed are all townlands,  which are the smallest divisions of land in Ireland.  They are of ancient origin and hugely variable in size and shape.  Further information on townlands is in our blog ‘Know your place“.

The list contains family names which are rare and only found in the Mayo-Galway region such as  Narrelly,  Teerock,  Kinlaugh  (or Kinlough),  Kineavy and Feerick .   There are also names which are locally common but generally specific to the region such as  Hair  (a variant of O’Hare or O’Hehir),    (a variant of Nevin),  Jennings  (an Irish name derived from McSheonin),  Cormican  (a name specific to Galway),  Hessian,   Laffee  (variant of Laffy), MacTigue and Golden  (an Irish name derived from the Gaelic  Ó Góilín).  Some common abbreviations are used for christian names, including Patk or Patt =Patrick; Edm = Edmund; Danl = Daniel;   Anthy = Anthony ;  Michl. = Michael; Thos = Thomas; Geo = George; Wm. = William.  Note also that several tenants are listed as ‘Esq.’ meaning Esquire, which was a title of respect for men of higher social rank, e.g. landed gentry above the rank of gentleman.The images were made by Ancestor Network and reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.  Further information on some of these families may be included in our publication ‘Sources for Irish Family History 2021‘ which lists books and articles on over 2,500 Irish families.

Ancestor Network will offer 1 free hour of research by a professional researcher to conduct further research on these individuals, or on other tenants of the estate. We can also obtain images of the original documents. Click here and quote ‘Mayo SS62’ in the subject line. We have also recently published the 3rd edition of  ‘A Guide to Tracing your Mayo Ancestors‘ by Brian Smith.

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The information below is (first line)  the property reference number, and name or description followed by the year of lease. Below that are the name(s) of the lessees in the year of lease and the tenants  in 1815 (the year in which the document was compiled).

4. House, Offices and orchard of Cong   1812

Lessees names
Patrick Jennings

Present Tenants
Patrick Jennings

5. Upper Creevagh 1790

Lessees names
Patk. Morriss

Present Tenants
John Donaghoo    (usually spelled Donoghue)
Darby Hair

6. Part of Upper Creevagh    1795

Lessees names
Edm. Berne

Present Tenants
Edm. Berne          (usually spelled Beirne)
Patk. Berne

7. Part of Upper Creevaugh Costello and Duffy 1790

Lessees names
Authy Duane
Michl. Murphy
Patk. Mally            (usually spelled Malley or O’Malley)
Patk. Hyland
Patk. Lally
Danl. Duane
Patrick Thornton

Present Tenants
Thomas Costello
Darby Duffy
Pat Mally
David Duane
Anthy. Duane (what appears to be Authy is presumed Anthy)
James Lally
Luke Narilly
Danl. Hyland
Thomas Moran
Michl. Murphy

8. Part of Lower Creevagh    1790

Lessees names
John Kean

Present Tenants
John Kean son (presumably son of original lessee)
Patt Kean
Darby Kean

9. Part of Creevagh    1790

Lessees names
John Wall   Smith    (the ‘smith’  may be his occupation)

Present Tenants
Bartly Wall

10. Part of Creevagh    1790

Lessees names
Patt. Donaughoo    (usually spelled Donoghue)
Darby Hair
Barbara Donaghoo

Present Tenants
Patt. Donaughoo
Darby Hair

11. Part of Lower Creevagh    1796

Lessees names
Peter Browne

Present Tenants
Austin Hagan
Thomas Mullen

12. Part of Lower Creevaugh 1790

Lessees names
Michl. O’Connor

Present Tenants
William Keddy ? Huddy ?

13. Part of Lower Creevaugh    1796

Lessees names
John Gildea

Present Tenants
Bryan Conray ? Connery?
Thomas Hyland

14. Part of Upper Creevaugh    1794

Lessees names
William Naven ?
Richard Anderson
Simon Cormickan
John Hopkins
Thos. Caen

Present Tenants
William Naven ?
Thomas Anderson
Simon Cormickan
Thos. Caen

15. Part of Lower Creevaugh      1801

Lessees names
Martin and Danl.  Mellot   (A common South Mayo name)

Present Tenants
Martin Mylott      (A variant of Mellotte) 
Danl.  Mylott

16. Creevaugh       1796

Lessees names
Walter St Leger

Present Tenants
James Gildea
Geo. Cottingham
Simon Cormickan
Thomas Anderson
Thomas Farragher
Bryan Conley

17. Part of the lands of Cross called the Castlepark East and West    1796

Lessees names
Richard Jennings

Present Tenants
Edm. Jennings

18. Part of Cross McHugh    1790

Lessees names
Gilbert Hessian

Present Tenants
Michl. Sweeny

19. Part of the lands of Cross… Castlepark East and West    1796

Lessees names
Richard Jennings

Present Tenants
Edm. Jennings

20. Part of Cross McHugh     1797

Lessees names
Thomas Hessian
Edmd. Hessian
Thomas Hessian jun.

Present Tenants
Thomas Hessian
Edmd. Hessian
Thomas Hessian jun.

21. Same land – Part of Cross McHugh      1813

Lessees names
John Killeen
Patk. Killeen
Wm. Baughan
Thos. Mylott
Robt. Naughtin
Thos. Maughan
Patk. McTigue
Thos. Killeen
Richd. Mylott

Present Tenants
John Killeen
Patk. Killeen
Wm. Boughan
Thos. Mylott     (variant of Mellotte) 
Robt. Naughtin
Thos. Maughan
Patk. McTigue
Thos. Killeen
Richd. Mylott   (variant of Mellotte) 

22. Part of Upper Creevaugh     1796

Lessees names
Thomas Mulroe
Peter Jennings
Thomas Jennings
John Moran
John Wall
James Dolan

Present Tenants
Wm. Mulroe
Peter Jenings
Thos. Jennings
John Moran
Pat Narrily
Parkers
Thomas Crow
Cathn.  Swift

23. Part of Cross McHugh      1797

Lessees names
Wm. Hessian

Present Tenants
Wm. Hessian
.. Hessian
.. Nalty

27. Part of Cross McHugh       1790

Lessees names
Patk. and James Jenings

Present Tenants
Patk.  Jenings
James  Jenings

28. Lower Drumsheel     1813

Lessees names
Thos. Costelloe & Co.

Present Tenants
Thos.  Costelloe
Wm.  Costello
Patt Mullowny
Darby Duffy
Owen Mally
Martin Keasy ?
Patk. Mullowny
David Duane
James Lally
Thomas Moran
David Moran
Luke Narrelly
Luke Costelloe
Thomas Costelloe Jr.
Michl. Costelloe
Patt Casey
Pat Narrelly
Michl. Duffy
Martin Mullowny
Martin Keasey

28. West? Killdon –   (Kildun)

Lessees names
Michael Moran
Bryan Moran
Mark O’Brien
Geo. Lynaugh
Andrew Moran
Patrick McTige
Pat O’Mally
James Moran
Pat Shaughnessy
Bartly Moran
Patk.Moran

Present Tenants
Michael Moran ? Sen
Michl. do Jun
John Moran
Thos. Shaughnessy
Michl. Moran
Andrew Moran
Geo. Lynaugh
Patk. Lynagh
John McTige
Bryan McTige
Wm. McTige
Bryan Moran
Edmd. Moran
Ml. Moran long   (possibly a nickname to distinguish him from the other  Michael Moran listed)
Patk. Mally
Mark O’Brien
Thady O’Brien
Mark Golden
Th… Naven ?

30. Walsh’s Killdon     1794

Lessees names
Authy Walsh
Pat Walsh
Thomas Walsh
Michl. Walsh
James Walsh
Michl. Connor

Present Tenants
Pat Walsh
James Walsh
Authy Walsh
Michl. Connor
Michl. Walsh
Wm. Mahoe  (?  possibly Mahon)

31. Golden’s Killdon     1794

Lessees names
Patrick Moran
John Golden
Walter Golden
Patk. Golden
Martin Moran
Michl. Kenny
Authy Moran

Present Tenants
John Golden
Walter Golden
Patk. Golden
Martin Moran
Michl. Kenny
Anthy Moran

32. Killdon Gibson     1795

Lessees names
Thady Gibson

Present Tenants
Thady  Gibson

33. Killdon Cawfield

Lessees names
Denis Gormley? Snr.
Neal O’Donel
Wm. Cawfield

Present Tenants
James Donaghoo

34. Killogony Mulrae    1790

Lessees names
Pat Mulrae    (probably Mulroe which is a local name)
David Mulrae
John Mulrae
Domk. Hopkins

Present Tenants
Patt Mulroe
John Mulroe
Widow?  Mulroe
Dominick Hopkins
John Phillips
Martin Holleran
Bryan Connolly
Myles McDonel

35. Killogony Rowland    1794

Lessees names
Anthy Rowland (= Anthony?)
Anthy Feerick (= Anthony?)

Present Tenants
Anthy Rowland (= Anthony?)
Anthy Feerick (= Anthony?)

36. Upper Drumisheel    1813

Lessees names
Peter Jennings & Co.

Present Tenants
Peter Jennings
Owen Narrelly
James Hartt
Thomas Higgins
Patt Narrelly
Thos. Jennings
John Wall
Michl. Wall
Patt Wall
John Jennings
Michael Walsh
Mick Walsh
James Dolan
Patt Moran
Michael Jennings
Patt Jennings
Wm. Narrelly

37. Lower Lishloherry     1790 (= Lislaughera)

Lessees names
Patk. Hopkins
John Laven     (variant of Lavin) 
Bartly Fox
Edmd. Cunningham
Martin Kearney
Thomas Walsh
Bryan Cunningham

Present Tenants
Bartly Fox
Martin Kerny
John Cunningham
Edw. Cunningham
David Macken
James Macken
Richd. Macken
Bartly Laffee     (variant of Laffy)
John Laffee
Patt Macken
Patk. Laffee

38. Upper Lishloherry    1795 (= Lislaughera)

Lessees names
Patk. Kinlaugh    (probably Kinlough) 
John Toerisk ??  (Probably Teerock)
Walter Butler
Thomas Murphy
Patk Murphy
Laurence Lallee
Michl. Murphy
John Shaughnessy
John McGuire
Michael Kenney

Present Tenants
None

39. Toneleeane     1795  (= Tonaleeaun)

Lessees names
Richd. Jennings

Present Tenants
Edwd. Jenings

40. Shraland      1790

Lessees names
John Hopkins
James McGragh     (variant of McGrath)
Edmd. McTige
Owen McTige

Present Tenants
None

41. SparrowGarden new lease

Lessees names
Patk. Laven

Present Tenants
Patk. Laven
John Laven Jun.

42. Fairgreen     1803

Lessees names
James Feerick
John Feerick

Present Tenants
James Feerick
John Flanagan

43. Greganes ?    1796

Lessees names
John Gildea

Present Tenants
None

44. Inchingill ? Islands   1796

Lessees names
Michael Conway
John Conway

Present Tenants
John Conway
Michael Conway
John Murphy
Thomas Butler
Denis Kineavy ?

45. Clougher    1795

Lessees names
Andrew McDonel

Present Tenants
None

46. Half Quarter of Cregg and Manor Mills of Cong    1810

Lessees names
Wm. Fair

Present Tenants
Wm. Fair

47. Cong House, Churchpark etc    1810

Lessees names
Wm. Fair

Present Tenants
Wm. Fair

48. Curnamona    1804

Lessees names
Michl. Joyce
Patk. Joyce
Michl. Joyce

Present Tenants
Patk. Joyce
Richd. Joyce
Thomas Joyce

49. Crump Island    1802

Lessees names
Connell O’Donnel Esq.

Present Tenants
None

50. Part of Daughty by the name Labby Dermot    1804

Probably Doughta – near Cornamona

Lessees names
Danl? Brown Esq.

Present Tenants
Danl? Brown
Patk. McDonel

51. Doughty Well park or Mellpark?     1808

Lessees names
Thady Shaughnessy

Present Tenants
Bartly Shaughnessy

52. Dooris 1809

(Probably Duros near Cornamona)

Lessees names
Thady Shaughnessy & Co.

Present Tenants
Hudy? Shaughnessy
Mark Thomas
Bartly Shaughnessy
Martin Narrilly
John Narrilly
Fras. Narrilly
Thos. Hyland
Denis Hyland

53. Dooris 1809

Lessees names
Michl. Burke & Co.

Present Tenants
Michl. Burke
Patk. Burke
John Mellot
John Mellot
Danl. Mylott
John Kineavy
Martin Laffee
Martin Shaughnessy
Lau. Shaughnessy
John Kineavy

54. Doughty Knockanbane    1806

Lessees names
Michl. Herward
Anthy Feerick (= Anthony?)

Present Tenants
Michl. Herward
Anthy Feerick (= Anthony?)

55. Doughty Well Division     1808

Lessees names
Patrick Sullivan
Patt Joyce
Thomas Walsh
Laurence Duffy
John Conway
..Holleran

Present Tenants
Patk. Sullivan

56. Toard ? Division or Lower Egool?     1809

Lessees names
Michl. Murphy
Patt. Joyce
John Joyce

Present Tenants
None

57. Upper Drumsheel    1813

Lessees names
Peter Jennings

Present Tenants
Peter Jennings
Owen Narrilly
James Hartt
Thomas Higgins
Patt. Narully
Thos. Jennings
John Wall
Michl. Wall
Patt Wall
John Jennings
Michael Walsh
James Dolan
Patt Moran
Michl. Jennings