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Irish Chronicles - Co. Roscommon
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Derrinacartha School, 1826 to 1985
A newspaper article was written in the Derrinacartha National School Centenary, Summer 1985, about the History of Derrinacartha School. The first school in 1826 was reportedly a stone structure with thatched roof, replaced by a successor school about 1885. Several Toweys taught at and principled the school. The article may be seen by clicking Derrinacartha School. In closing, the article acknowledges replacement of Derrinacarha School with a new school in 1985 at nearby Dernabruck.
Another Derrinacartha School article that appeared in the same newspaper identifies Derrinacartha School children that later fought in World War II, including Major Hugh Towey
Derrinacartha Church
Six of
14 Stations of the Cross in Derrinacartha Church were donated by Towey's, so says an item from the Derrinacartha N.S. Centenary 1885-1985, by Jackie Henry and
Mary T. Geever.
Donors were: 1 and 2: Mary Towey NT (National Teacher); 3 - deceased friends of
Mary Towey; 4 - Pat and Mrs. Towey NT; 5 - Mary Towey of Ardcul; 6 - Pray for John Towey. Mary Towey NT was principal of the
girls part of Derrnacartha School from 1890-1915. Station 4's Mrs Towey might be Ellen Moran Towey who taught the school for 50 years before
retiring in 1925. One of her 6 children, daughter Mary
Towey O'Connor, also taught at the school from 1916-1949.
Castlemore
Siobhan Regan, a teenager in Castlemore, wrote an article in December 1990 about Castlemore history, particularly its flax mill (latter 18th Century) that was later replaced by the corn mill (mid 19th century). She describes the need, operation, ownership and closure of both. They were water powered and labour intensive. Siobhan Regan's chronicle may be viewed at the link Castlemore Mills.
Cloontia
Thomas Finn wrote about Cloontia, a townland about 5.1 miles (8 kilometers) northwest of Ballaghaderreen. He grew up and lived there, along with hundreds of families he personally knew. Thomas Finn was born in 1920 and wrote his chronicle in 1999, up to 80 years about Cloontia families. He names husbands and wives, their children including spouses and often the grandchildren. For spouses, Tom also identifies the townland he/she migrated from.
Tom estimated there were 131 homes around Cloontia in the 1920's. Given about 6 people per house (father, mother + 4 children), there could have been approximately 786 people. In 1999, he says there were only about 60 homes and given an average of 4 in every house that is approximately 240 people. What a decline in population!
Beyond names of the families, most interesting is Tom's summary of Irish living from the 1920s through entry of Ireland to the European Union. Therefore, his chronicle is presented in two parts as linked herein. Most interesting is Tom's summary of Cloontia Life. Second is his chronicle of Cloontia Families.
Among the hundreds of family names, he identifies 38 Toweys that lived in Cloontia homesteads, including original homestead of the Towey spouses. Cloontia and a couple of villages are on the general map of roads and towns surrounding the Ballaghaderreen area, and may be viewed and downloaded by right clicking Ballaghaderreen Area Map.
Townland or Village Total Families Towey FamiliesCrowhill Village 4
Slievemore Village 6 2
Islandmore Village 7 2
Ballahere Village 19 3
Shanwalla Village 13 11
Derryaraune Village 18 5
Tavnaghbeg Village 12 1
Cullgeragaurn Village 6 1
Inquiries may be emailed to one or more of these contact points:
Mike Towey, Taoiseach, toweymike@hotmail.com, Dublin
Edward Towey, Chairperson, etowey001@yahoo.com, Deephaven, MN
Dan Towey, Assistant Chairperson, toweydan@juno.com, Blaine, Minnesota
Janet Towey Mann, Secretary, jtafmn@snet.net Southbury, Connecticut
Dick Towey, Assistant Genealogist, toweylr@comcast.net Corvallis, Oregon
Bill Towey, Webmaster, wtowey5953@aol.com Stockton, California
Towey Clan Menu Home Page / About Us / Ireland Earth / Ballaghaderreen Town
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yDNA and mtDNA Testing / Links / Join the ClanDISCLAIMER: Towey Clan believes the information and references herein are
accurate, but users should check with genealogical sources for accuracy.