glasdrummonaghy

Population Decline

The following table sets out the number of houses and population enumerated in the townland in each of the 11 Censuses held between 1841 and 1951.

In the period of 110 years, the number of households declined by 40% but the population dropped by 54% - more than half. The largest drop (43%) was in the 60 years before 1901, reflecting the continuing effects of the Great Famine and lack of rural employment opportunities.

Family Connections

Devlins are recorded in this town land from the 1820's onward. At present I am not aware of any close connection with my grandfather (Owen Devlin's) family, although, so far, I have found the Devlin name only here, in Cregganduff (1837), in Tullydonnell (Nixon)-now Tullydonnell (O'Callaghan), Drumbally and Moybane. I recently (2004) discovered that my elder brother (Owen), who was born in December 1937 and lived only eight days, was born in this townland. In the 1935 Valuation records there were no living Devlins in the townland although land was still registered in the names respectively of Francis Devlin and Mary Devlin. My parents had been living briefly in the nearby townland of Drumboat in 1936 where my sister Anna was born in June 1936 in a house belonging to my McKenna ancestors. It is therefore possible that they may have been living in one of the Devlin houses in late 1937. Although far from conclusive it is possible that this brief residence may be family linked.

Names of House and Land Holders

The 1864 and 1935 Valuations distinguishes between those with houses in the townland and those living elsewhere while leasing or owning land there. The 1901 Census enumerated the houses in the townland. The following table reflects this.

Although the data is not strictly comparable since the information was gathered for different purposes and used varying criteria, the details provide a comparison of the names of house and land holders who were listed in the Townland at the different periods. While we can not discern the direct lines of descent it is clear that many are from the same families.