Bellavally Lower

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Bellavally Lower (Gaelic 'Béal an Bhealaigh Íochtarach', meaning The Lower Entrance to the Pass or Gap), is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. The local pronunciation is Bealbally. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw. [1]

Contents

Bridge across a deep gully on the R200 at Bellavally Lower (geograph 2703001) Bridge across a deep gully on the R200 at Bellavally Lower (geograph 2703001).jpg
Bridge across a deep gully on the R200 at Bellavally Lower (geograph 2703001)

Geography

Bellavally Lower is bounded on the north by Bursan townland, on the west by Corracleigh, Derrynananta Lower and Tullyminister townlands, on the east by Commas (Kinawley) townland and on the south by Bellavally Upper townland. Its chief geographical features are Cuilcagh mountain (on whose western slope it lies), the Owenmore River (County Cavan), mountain streams, waterfalls, swallow-holes, forestry plantations and spring wells. Bellavally Lower is traversed by the regional R200 road (Ireland), minor public roads and rural lanes. The townland is popular with mountain hikers and is also noted for geological formations such as the Dinantian (Asbian) Glenade Sandstone Formation and the Bellavally Formation. The townland covers 1,021 statute acres. [2] [3]

History

The earliest surviving mention of the name relates to the Battle of Magh Slecht in 1256 which took place in Bellavally between the O’Reilly and O’Rourke clans. The Annals of Connacht for that year state- The main army came up with them after some of their men had been killed: Diarmait O Flannacain, Mac Maenaig, Coiclid O Coiclid and a number of others; and the combined armies came to Alt na hElti and Doirin Cranncha, between Ath na Betige and Bel in Belaig and Coill Esa and Coill Airthir, on Slieve Anierin.

In 1339 the chief of the McGovern clan, Tomás Mág Samhradháin (died 1340), was released from captivity. Poem XXII in The Book of Magauran by the poet Maol Pádraig Mac Naimhin (or Cnáimhín) commemorates his release and refers to Bellavally. Stanza 15 states- Gabháil Méig Shamhradhán sheing do líon d'urchradhaibh Éirinn, bheith i láimh do bharr Bhealaigh tall a ngráin do Ghaoidhealaibh, (Graceful McGovern’s capture, the imprisonment of Bealach’s chief and some Gael being held in horror- these things fill Ireland with woe). [4] [5]

The 1652 Commonwealth Survey spells the name as Bealbaly and lists the proprietor as 'The Lord of Cavan' (i.e. Charles Lambart, 1st Earl of Cavan).

A deed dated 10 May 1744 spells the name as Bealbally. [6]

The Tithe Applotment Books for 1826 list sixteen tithepayers in the townland but this would probably include both Bellavally Upper and Lower townlands. [7]

The Ordnance Survey Name Books for 1836 give the following description of the townland- It is bounded on the south side by a large mountain stream which is joined by a great many minor ones from the north and south sides in its course towards the north-west. Iron ore, sandstone and slate can be procured but it is not quarried. This is the name of the narrow entrance into Glen-Gaibhlin on the east, signifying the mouth of the pass or road. Tradition says that Sliabh an iarainn and Cailceach were formerly joined together until the Glas-Gaiblin, that celebrated cow of Ireland, as she was deserting the Glen, which derived its name from her brake or pass between both, with her large udder which is since called Bellawally.

In his A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland published in 1837, Samuel Lewis (publisher) states- To the west of Swanlinbar rises the Bealbally mountains, through which is the Gap of Beal, the only entrance to Glangavlin. [8]

A local folktale occurred about 1838 in Bellavally. [9]

The Bellavally Lower Valuation Office Field books are available for August 1839. [10] [11]

Griffith's Valuation of 1857 lists forty-one landholders in the townland. [12]

In the 19th century the landlords of Bellavally were the Annesley and Blachford Estates.

Census

YearPopulationMalesFemalesTotal HousesUninhabited
18411395881210
18511205763200
1861904743151
1871965442140
18811035053150
18911085454170

In the 1901 census of Ireland, there are twenty-two families listed in the townland. [13]

In the 1911 census of Ireland, there are twenty-five families listed in the townland. [14]

Antiquities

  1. Stone bridges, stepping-stones and footbridges over the Owenmore River.
  2. Lime-kilns.

Related Research Articles

Moneensauran is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies within the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Altateskin</span> Townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellavally Upper</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Bellavally Upper, in Gaelic= 'Béal an Bhealaigh Uachtarach', meaning The Upper Entrance to the Pass or Gap, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. The local pronunciation is Bealbally. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Bursan, in Gaelic 'Bus-an' possibly meaning The Little Mouth, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Corracleigh, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Corr na Cloiche’ meaning The Round Hill of the Stone, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw. The local pronunciation is Curracliff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creea</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Creea, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, either ‘Críocha’ meaning The Territory or the Boundaries, or ‘Cré’ meaning Clay, or ‘Croí’ meaning The Heart or 'Criathar' meaning a Sieve, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curraghglass</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Curraghglass, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Currach Glas’ meaning The Green Moor, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrylahan</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Derrylahan, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Doire Leathan’ meaning The Wide Oak-wood, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrynananta Lower</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Derrynananta Lower, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Doire na Neannta Íochtar’, meaning The Lower Oak-wood of the Nettles, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrynananta Upper</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Derrynananta Upper, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Doire na Neannta Uachtarach’, meaning The Upper Oak-wood of the Nettles, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. The townland lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw. In the 19th century, it was also known as Derrynananta Lodge, after a shooting-lodge there called Glengavlen Lodge, which was owned by John Cole, 2nd Earl of Enniskillen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrynatuan</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Derrynatuan, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, either ‘Doirín an tSuain’, meaning The Little Oak-wood of the Rest or Sleep, or ‘Doire na Tóin’, meaning The Oak-wood of the Low Lying Land, or ‘Doire na Tamhan’, meaning The Oak-wood of the Tree-Stumps, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drumhurrin</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Drumhurrin, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic ‘Droim Shoirn’, meaning The Hill-Ridge of the Lime-Kiln or Furnace, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Garvalt Lower, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Garbhalt Íochtar’, meaning The Lower Rough Gorge, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Gowlat, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, 'Gabhla', meaning The Forks, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Knockgorm, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic 'Cnoc Gorm', meaning The Blue Hill, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Legatraghta, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic ‘Lag an tSneachta’, meaning The Hollow of the Snow, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Mullaghlea Glen, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

Mully Lower, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Mullach Íochtar’ meaning The Lower Summit of the Hill, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mully Upper</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Mully Upper, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Mullach Uachtar’ meaning The Upper Summit of the Hill, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tullynacross (Glangevlin)</span> Townland in County Cavan, Ireland

Tullynacross, an Anglicisation of the Gaelic, ‘Tulaigh na Croise’ meaning The Hill of the Cross, is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies in the Roman Catholic parish of Glangevlin and barony of Tullyhaw.

References

  1. "Placenames Database of Ireland" . Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  2. "IreAtlas" . Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  3. "Bellavally Gap".
  4. L. McKenna (1947), The Book of Magauran
  5. "The Book of Magauran".
  6. "Memorial extract — Registry of Deeds Index Project".
  7. Tithe Applotment Books 1826
  8. "Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Cavan". visionofireland.org. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  9. "Derrynananta | the Schools' Collection". duchas.ie.
  10. Ireland census National Archives
  11. Ireland census National Archives
  12. - Griffith's Valuation askaboutireland.ie
  13. Census of Ireland 1901 National Archives
  14. Census of Ireland 1911 National Archives