The minor placenames of the townland of Cregboy, Claregalway, Co. Galway
The townland of Cregboy covers an area of approximately 676 acres, south of the village of Claregalway. At the time of the Ordnance Survey in the 1830s, Cregboy was recorded in the Ordnance Survey Name Books as being ‘the property Mr. Lynch, half the surface of this townland is covered with limestone rock, the remainder under tillage’. At the time of this survey Cregboy is recorded locally as Creg Buidhe meaning ‘yellow cliffs’ although the word Creig may also be translated as ‘rock’. The placename almost certainly makes reference to the rough rocky ground across large parts of the townland (Creige). Buidhe or Buí may refer to lichen or gorse that was present on this rocky ground.
Although the townland is well populated today, in the mid-19th century there were just two house clusters marked along Cregboy road on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 6-inch Sheet. The remainder of settlement was located on the Galway-Tuam Road at this time. Much of the townland is marked as rough grazing in small parcels of land. No minor placenames were recorded within the townland at this time.
Our work in the townland during 2020 identified 24 minor placenames and places of interest known locally within the townland. These are marked on the map below, and included in tabulated format. These placenames were collected by Pat Coen, Marie Dempsey and Seoirse Morris from John and Tom Fahy and from Martin Giles. The placenames collected refer to fields, wells, rocks, houses, trees, ringforts, sites associated with the War of Independence, and other elements of the local landscape.
This work is on-going. If you know of any other minor placenames in the parish of Claregalway that may be of interest, and you would like to contribute to our survey, please do get in touch.
Placename (Gaeilge) | Placename (English) | Collector | Informant | Details |
Páirc Na Searraigh | Field of the foals | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | A field in the middle of the ‘Creggs’ where foals were sent on weaning |
An Tuarán | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | A field beside the quarry which was always wet (swamp) due to the presence of a well | |
Garraí Gleanna | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | A field in the glen | |
The Mountain | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | An area of scrubland that was reclaimed | |
Gort na gCúilíní | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | An area comprising the farms of Paddy Shaughnessy and Ritchie Fahy and Paddy Fahy | |
Well | Pat Coen | John/Tom Fahy | Well with steps leading down and large stone slab for a roof | |
Gort Na Glasa | Pat Coen | Martin Giles | One of the few green fields in Cregboy where cows were sent to graze | |
Mass Path Steps | Pat Coen | Martin Giles | Two groups of stones reputedly part of a mass path | |
Well | Pat Coen | Martin Giles | A well that is now covered in | |
Well | Pat Coen | Martin Giles | A well in front of Rockwood House | |
Gortsmith | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | ||
An Chathar | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | ||
Páirc Uí Leas | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | ||
Maire Ní Mhainín | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | Containing the small ruin of an old house | |
Hiding Hole | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | A hole in the limestone rock used as a refuge by Charlie Quinn when on the run in 1921. From William Morris and Johnny Quiin, son of Charlie | |
Hiding Hole | Seoirse Morris | Seoirse Morris | An iron axle of a horse cart supporting the stone wall. Underneath was a hole (now filled) also used as a refuge by Charlie Quinn | |
Tobar Eorna | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | Well – No longer extant | |
Closh | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | A pool – Now filled in | |
Famine tree | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | An ash tree to mark the end of the famine planted by Celia Boyle, great grandmother of Marie Dempsey (Boyle) | |
Páirc an Ghiorria | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | Field of the hare | |
Field below | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | ||
Small Rock | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | ||
Well | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | Well, now closed in | |
Sean Teach an Phobail | Marie Dempsey | Seoirse Morris | House |
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