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Duffy house in Cushlough?

MayoBallinrobe (Mayo)

I have this photo (see attached file) of my great-grandparents' home in Cushlough, Ballinrobe, I think. The photo was taken about ten years ago, decades after my grandparents died. I don't have an address. If you recognize it, please let me know.

My grandfather's name was Martin Duffy, and he was born circa 1866-1873 and died in 1936. His wife, Ellen Duffy, was born in 1877 and died in 1957. According to details on their children's birth registrars, the family was residing in Cushlough by 1910 (although the 1911 census has them in Cloonenagh). Questions:

  • Were Cloonenagh and Cushlough the same place around 1910/1911?  
  • Is there a way to search home owners in Ballinrobe in the early to mid-20th century? 

Thanks so much for your help!

afountas

6 replies

The full townland name is Cuslough Demesne, see the entry on the placename database (place of birth is Cuslough on Bessie's birth record), Cloonenagh is a separate nearby townland. The postal address for houses in rural areas was, and still is, the name, the townland, the postal town that mail is routed though and the county, only recently have post codes been assigned to addresses in the Republic of Ireland.

I believe I've located the house in the photo - same size and layout, even the same lamps and pattern on the upper section of the windows and front gate - see this photo.

See the location on Google streetview, and on Google Maps the map coordinates are 53.620975 degrees North , 9.282848 degrees West.

The house is located right at the boundry of the south west corner of Cuslough Demesne townland and on the borders of two other townlands - Curraghmore and Cloonenagh, also closeby was the village of Clogher

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Wow. Yes, that does indeed look like the same house on Google maps. Thanks so much for finding this and the information about Cuslough and Cloonenagh! Do you think I can assume that this is the house described in the attached 1911 census document (even though the townland is listed as Cloonenagh)? Martin Duffy is on the first line. My guess would be it's been renovated since 1911 if it is the same house.

Martin and Ellen's children born between 1900-1908 have Ballinrobe listed as birthplace, and those born between 1910-1916 have Cuslough (or Cushlough) listed as birthplace. The 1901 census places Martin, Ellen, and their firstborn son on Creagh Road. 

Thanks again,

Angela

afountas

That house is certainly consistent with the building as enumerator site 1 Cloonenagh townland on the 1911 census - same general size, and number of windows in the front, the roof was probably updated to tile at some stage, but the basics match. On the aerial view you can see further structure behind the cottage, likely also a later addition. The house is just inside Cloonenagh townland but right at the border...

I’m pretty certain that the photo you have matches the building at this location, but from the current clues I dont think it’s possible to be 100% certain that this is the same as that Duffy household on the 1911 census - how certain are you that the photo is of your Duffy house ?

The fact that this house is located in the area where there’s short border (~200 metres) between the townlands of Cuslough Demesne and Cloonenagh might account for the switching back and forth… if you walked out the front door into the middle of the road from the house in the google photo you would probably cross the border between the two townlands! i.e. Cloonenagh to Cuslough

Creagh road is on the western edge of the town of Ballinrobe, heads roughly towards Cuslough Demesne..

It should be possible to follow the household using the Valuation Office records, i.e Cancelled Land Books, these carry forward into the 20th Century from Griffith’s Primary Valuation and contain similar information, noting changes to occupier and immediate lessor, new buildings etc, there are also maps to go with these changes.  These Valuation records are available in their research room in Abbey Street, Dublin city, they are not available online. 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

I'm pretty certain the photo is my Duffy house. The photo was taken by a relative in Ireland whose mother was my grandmother's sibling, and she herself (the relative who took the photo) lives in Knockglass. The information you shared on the short border between Cuslough Demesne and Cloonenagh is very helpful. When I do make it to Ireland, I might try to do some research of the valuation records.

Thanks again for your help! Much appreciated. 

afountas

If this Martin Duffy was married to Ellen Duffy then we are talking about Ellen being my Grandfather (Michael Duffy) sister!  I am pretty sure the location is the same.  Let's talk!  You can email me at duffygirl51@gmail.com  I too, have a photo of the property.

 

Helen

 

duffygirl

Here is the photo that I have that was taken many many years ago.  I have been told it has been updated but I am almost certain it is the same house that Martin and Ellen lived in.

duffygirl

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