Roman Catholic Parish - Dioceses of Cork and Ross, County Cork - Ireland

HOME >  History>O'Donoghue Document



Home
Newsletter
Directory
History
Maps
Links
Users' Page

List of Documents
O'Brien Notes
O'Mahony: History and Placenames
O'Donoghue: History and Placenames
Kilmichael Ambush - 28th November 1920
Famine Letters

Transcript of Chapter on Kilmichael Parish from
Bruno O'Donoghue's

PARISH HISTORIES AND PLACENAMES OF WEST CORK
Open as MS document Open as PDF
(Adobe Acrobat)
KILMICHAEL PARISH

CILL MHICHIL - Church of Saint Michael.
The church is dedicated to the Archangel Michael whose feast-day is 29th September. The parish was originally called Uibh Flann Luadh or Laoi (Ifflanloe) from Flann Luadh, son of Laoghaire.

TOWNLANDS
Dromlough (250 acres) Drom Loch - Ridge of the lakes.
The lakes were probably caused by flooding of the Caha River at south.

Farrannahineeny (231 acres) Fearann na hInghine - Land of the daughter.
An older spelling is Fearann Inghean an Ridire - Land of the knight's daughter.
In the centre is a children's burial ground. At the north side is a group of standing stones.

Crushterra (361 acres) Cros Doire - Crossed oakwood, cross-shaped probably.

Inchincurka (667 acres) Inse an Choirce - River inch of the oats or corn.
At west side is Cummernamart Bridge-Cumar na Mart (valley of the beeves). On east boundary are ruins of an ancient church. At south is a wedged grave.

Knockariblihane (29 acres) Cnoc a'Ribleachain - Hill of the sorrel.

Gurteen (175 acres) Goirtin - Little field. Often applied to a district of little fields.

Carrigdangan (620 acres) Carraig Daingin - Rock of the stronghold.
It might read Carraig Dhaingean - Solid or firm rock.
At the west side is Bealick - Beal Lice (flagstone crossing) and at east is Kilhanna Lough which was a place of pilgrimage. The townland of Moneygorm - Muine Ghorm (dark green shrubbery) which lay south of Carrigdangan is now absorbed in that townland.

Johnstown (640 acres) Cill tSeadna - Church of St. Seadna.
St. Seadna was a brother of St. Eltin and of St. Goban of Kinsale. In the centre is a disused burial ground as well as a ring fort. At the north side is Lough Derreenahirka-Doirin na Circe (little wood of the water-hen). It is written Kiltanna in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Commons (113 acres) Coimin - Commonage.

Haremount (647 acres) Cnocan a'Ghirrfheidh - Hillock of the hare. Haremount is the present local name. Two ring forts are in the townland. At the south side is Crushnageirr Cross-roads - Crois na Geire (crossroads of the sharp incline). It is written Knocnanegarrea in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Mamucky (225 acres) Magh Muice - Plain of the pigs. At the north side is Curraghboggaun Bog - Currach an Bhogain (marsh of the quagmire).

Cusduff (264 acres) Cos Dubh - Black foot, of hill. Cos is also a small land division and the word applies as well to land bordering a river. It might even read Cuas Dubh - Black or dark hollow.
At the south side is a ring fort called Lismangeen - Lios Muingin (fort of the morass or swamp).

Coolaclevane (615 acres) Cul a'Chliabhain - Recess of the shape of a basket or cradle.
In the centre is a Mass-rock while at the east side are a stone circle and a ring fort.

Dromleigh (87 acres) Drom Liath - Grey ridge or hill-back.

Clonmoyle (461 acres) Cluain Mhaol - Bare plain. It might read Cluain Maothaile - Plain of the soft, spongy land.
At the south side is Ahaneawarraga Cross-roads - Athan a'Mhargaidh (little road of the market). Probably passage to market.

Cooldorragha (946 acres) Cul Dorcha - Dark hill-back with northerly slope.
In the centre is the parish church of St. Michael. A hill at the east side of which is a ring fort is called Knockaunaveema - Cnocan a'Bhioma (hillock of the beam or plank) while further north at the same side is Carrigeenaneinean - Carraigin an Eidhneain (little rock of the ivy). On the east boundary is Ahaclar Bridge - Ath an Chlair (ford of the plank). At south-west is Cooldorragha Bridge. In the centre is Crushnamarv Cross-roads - Crois na Marbh (cross-roads of the dead).

Moneycusker (419 acres) Muine a'Choscair - Thicket of strife or slaughter.
It has been termed Moinfhear a'Choimheascair - Meadow of strife. Here are ruins of the old parish church and graveyard, built in a ring fort called Lisheenacluvane - Lisin a'Chlumhain (little fort of the hairy man). Nearby is Uaignasagart - Uaigh na Sagart (grave of the priests). At the north side is Leaca Molua - Maolmuadh's hillside, pointing, it is supposed, to the scene of the final stand taken by Maolmuadh, king of Munster, in the battle against Brian at Bealach Leachta in 978. At the west side is Parknakilla - Pairc na Cille (field of the church) in which is site of an ancient church. At the east side is Crossnalanniv - Cros na Leanbh (children's burial cross-roads). In the townland are a few standing stones. It is written Lackmalloe and Moneykoskir in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Cooldaniel (822 acres) Cul Domhnaill - Daniel's recess or hill-back.
At the west side is St. Michael's Well while at the south-west is a disused carding mill. At the south side is Carrigapoultalvun - Carraig a'Pholl Talmhan (rock of the souterrain).

Dromkeen (325 acres) Drom Caoin - Smooth or level ridge. It might read Drom Choinn - Conn's ridge.

Gortacurrig (151 acres) Gort a' Churraigh - Field of the marsh or bog.
At the west side is a ring fort.

Ballina (73 acres). Baile Ui Einigh - Heany's homestead.
At the north side is Keimeen - Ceimin (little track or pass).

Mount Music (502 acres) Cnoc Amhrain - Hill of song. It might read Cnoc an Fhuarain - Hill of the spring or well.
In the centre is Mullaghroe - Mullach Ruadh (red summit). At the north side is Carrigawaddra - Carraig a'Mhadra (rock of the dog or fox) while at the south-west is Carrigfadda - Carraig Fhada (long rock) which is also known as the Haunted Rock.

Rossnakilla (247 acres) Ros na Cille - Copse or shrubbery of the church.
Site of a church and graveyard is at the east and while at the south side is a burial mound. Nearby is a stone alignment. Further south is Crusheenliambue - Croisin Liam Buidhe (tawny William's cross-roads) while on the stream at the southern boundary is Ahanashanvullen -Athan an Seana-Mhuilinn (ford of the old mill) where stood a carding mill.

Teerelton (453 acres) Tir Eltin - Eltin's land.
The townland may have a connection with St. Eltin who lived in mid 6th century. Teerekeane was another name for the townland - Tir Ui Chein (Keane's land). A few ring forts are in the townland.

Ardaneneen (614 acres) Ardan Fhinghin - Fineen's hillock. It is Ard an Einin - Height of the little bird, according to Joyce.
At the east end on the Buingea River is Drohidfeerulagh - Droichead Fior Uallach (bridge of the very proud, impetuous stream). Here is a level patch locally termed the Gearagh - Gaorthadh (wooded glen) at the east side of which is Aghagearagh Bridge - Ath an Ghaorthaidh (ford of the wooded glen). It is written Ardamnine and Gearrynagawne - Gaorthadh na nGhamhan (wooded glen of the calves) in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Knockane (573 acres) Cnocan - Hillock. Here was fought a battle in 1822 following which five Whiteboys were hanged at Deshure. In the townland are traces of two ring forts. At the west side is Carrigeennadealidy - Carraigin na Diallaite (little rock of the saddle) with the unusual spectacle of two wedge graves close together. It is written Kilneknockane - Cull na gCnocan (church or burial place of the hillocks) in the Civil Survey of Muskerry and Knockanmurry - Cnocan Muirithe (Murray's hillock) in Petty's map.

Lisnacuddy (228 acres) Lios na Cuidighthe - Fort of entertainment or night's lodging.

Deshure (713 acres) Deiseabhar - Sunny side.
Here are two ring forts, Lismore - Lios Mor (big fort) and Lismoreen - Lios Moirin (Moreen's fort). Five Whiteboys were hanged at Deshure Cross in 1822.

Carrigboy (986 acres) Carraig Bhuidhe - Yellow rock, sunny rock.
At the north side are Carrigboy Wood and site of Carrigboy Castle. At the west is a disused burial ground with Tobernakilla - Tobar na Cille (well of the church) close by. On the north border is Knopogenacartan -Cnapog na Ceardchan (hillock of the forge) while at the south side is Knockaunnagorp (hillock of the corpses) probably indicative of a battle. Here are two ring forts.

Baulbrack (319 acres) Baile Breac - Spotted place.
At the north side is a ring fort. Part at south is termed Rea-Reidh (level, smooth place).

Barnadivane (215 acres) Bearna Ui Dhubhain - Devane's gap or defile.
It might read Bearna Damhan - Gap of oxen, cattle rearing place.

Barnadivane Gneeves (237 acres) Muine Reidh Gallan - Level copse of the standing stones. It is written Monyregillane in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Greenville (454 acres) Coill Ghlas - Green wood.
Samuel Swete, an attorney, got possession of Killglasse from Daniel Mac Sweeney and altered the name to Greenville. Swete's mansion at the east side is now in ruins. A large ring fort is at the west side. The name Tulach Ghlas - Green mound, appears in some Title Deeds.

Lackareagh (546 acres) Leaca Riabhach - Grey or furrowed hillside.
At the west side is a ring fort..

Garranereagh (1,138 acres) Garran Riabhach - Grey grove.
Here are a number of ring forts.

Reanacaheragh (438 acres) Reidh na Cathrach - Mountain plain of the stone fort.
The caher has disappeared. In the townland rises the River Bride.

Clashbredane (806 acres) Clais Braghaideain - Vale of the little neck or mountain pass.
It might read Clais Braighdean - Vale of prisoners or hostages. It is Clais Breadain - Bredan's trench, according to Joyce. At the west side is a dolmen called Bredan's Grave. At the south side is Raheen Bog. At the north is a ring fort called Lisheenroe - Lisin Ruadh (little red fort). Some years ago a staked annular wooden structure was brought to light during turf cutting.

Slieveowen (335 acres) Sliabh Eoghain - Owen's hill.
At the north side is Labbaowen - Leaba Eoghain (Owen's bed or resting place). At the south side is a standing stone in Parkeenagallaun -Paircin a' Ghallain (little field of the standing stone). The mother of Colonel Rickard Burke-O'Sullivan was born in this townland.

Knockanereagh (149 acres) Cnocan Riabhach - Grey hillock.

Shanacashel (754 acres) Seana-Chaiseal - Old stone fort.
In the centre are a disused burial ground and a ring fort. At east side are Keenleon Cross-roads - Coinnie Eoghain (Owen's stubble), Mill-lands Cross-roads and Mill-lands Bridge. Here was a corn mill. At the south side is Carraigacoghalane - Carraig a'Chochallain (rock of the hood or covering).

Shanacashel Gneeves (337 acres) Gort Greine - Sunny field.
On west border is a ring fort while at east end is a disused burial ground. It is written Gortgrenagh in the Civil Survey of Muskerry.

Gortroe (516 acres) Gort Ruadh - Red field.
In the centre is a stone circle. Nearby is a well called Tobernamna -Tobar na Mna (woman's well). At east side is a small ring fort.

Kilnadur (402 acres) Cull na dTor - Church of the pointed hills.
At west side is site of an old pre-Reformation church with disused burial ground while at the north is a Mass-rock in a part called Darreennafalee - Doirin na Failghe (oakwood of the pig-sty). At the east side are Aghagearaun Bog - Ath a'Ghearain (ford of the steep incline) and Aghagearaun Bridge.

Aultagh (293 acres) Ailtach - Wilderness.
Here is Aultagh Wood - Coil an Ailtaigh at the edge of which is an ogham stone. At the south side is Carrigmarcach - Carraig Marcach (rock of the horsemen) in a patch called Carrig Tota - Carraig Tuata (coarse rocky end). At the west side is Carrigageara - Carraig a'Ghaorthaidh (rock of the wooded glen). It is written Aultaghmore in 1659 Census.

Aultaghreagh (207 acres) Ailtach Riabhach - Grey or cold fastness.
In the centre is a disused burial ground. On the north boundary is Ahanalack Bridge - Athan na Leac (flagstone ford) and at the southwest in the Caha River is Poulasliogan - Poll a'Sliogain (scooped or spoon-shaped hole).

Shanlaragh (374 acres) Sean Lathrach - Old habitation or old ruin.
At the north side is a ring fort with Purtalassa - Port a'Leasa (bank of the fort). At the south side is a small ring fort.

Curradrinagh (597 acres) Corra Droighneach - Round hill of the blackthorns.
At the south side is a disused burial ground.


MACLONEIGH PARISH
MAGH CLUAIN EICH - Plain of the dell of the steed.
In a Decretal of 1199 the spelling is Cluanachad. In another Papal Document of 1493 the spelling is Maghluaneythe.


TOWNLANDS

Inchisine (380 acres) Inse Saighne - River inch of the attack or charge.
Grave markings have been unearthed. It might read River inch of the seine net. At the west side in the River Lee is Poulnapeista - Poll na Peiste (hole of the worm or insect).

Annahala East (221 acres) Eanaigh Gheala - White marshes, probably from the outcroppings of limestone.
At the north side the now disused Annahala Bridge crossed the River Lee.

Annahala West (438 acres). At the north side are disused lime quarries.

Annahala Bog (266 acres) Currach Eanaigh Gheala - Swampy part of the white marshes.

Gearagh East (67 acres) Gaorthadh - Wooded glen, old river bed.
At the west side is Illaun More-Oilean Mor (large island) while at east is Illaunshaunroe - Oilean Sheain Ruaidh (Sean Ruadh's island) which derives its name from a rapparee of mid 18th century named Sean O Murchadha.

Gearagh West (37 acres).
Here on the Lee are Bealahy Ford-Beal Lathaighe (miry passage) and Aughnagaushee Ford - Ath na Gaisidhe (ford of the bog deals).

Tooms East (607 acres) Tuamacha - Hillocks or burial mounds.
At the west side is Crossnalanniv - Cros na Leanbh (children's crossroads), burial place of unbaptised infants. At the east in the River Lee is Pouleenfoda-Poillin Fada (long little sump).

Tooms West (597 acres).
At the east side is site of an ancient church which, according to Canon Lyons (Local Names), was the primitive parish church of Macloneigh and was dedicated to St. Finbar. It was situated in what is still known as the 'cill field' - Pairc na Cile (field of the church) and on a knoll of the more ancient name of Tuaim Muscraighe. Between this towniand and Mount Music is Clais na Caillighe-Hag's hollow.

Tooms Bog (124 acres) Currach na dTuamacha - Bog of the burial mounds.

Kilnarovanagh (396 acres) Cill na Romhanach - Church of the Romans, as distinct from the churches of the native clergy.
At the south side stands a gallan marking the site of Kilnarovanagh church and graveyard. In the centre is a Mass-rock. At the north side is Athnabologee Bridge - Ath na Bolgaighe (ford of the bubbling stream).

Inchinashingane (505 acres) Inse na Seangan - River inch of the ants or pismires.
Locally the townland is sometimes termed Antfield. At the east side on the River Lee is Bealahaglashten Bridge - Beal Atha Glais Tuinne (ford mouth of the rapid rivulet). The west side is termed LeathFhearann na Manach - Joint farm of the monks and in which is Tobar Fearainn - Well of the farm. Here also is Cros Gaithin - Cross-roads of the little spear or gaff.

Farranavarrigane (172 acres) Fearann Aimheirgin - Aimheirgin's holding.
The name is believed to be associated with Aimheirgin, father of St. Finbar, who had a holding here from the chieftain of Raithleann. The townland belonged to the See of Cork. At the west end are ruins of the old church of Macloneigh with graveyard attached. It was, according to Canon Lyons, originally dedicated to St. Finbar but was termed simply An Teampull while the old ford on the River Lee at the north side was called Ath an Teampuill - Ford of the church. The north end is termed Macloneigh from which probably is derived the name of the parish. It may have been used for exercising or training in horses.