Carlingford County Louth, circa 1841

An original illustration from: Hall, Mr. & Mrs S.C. Ireland: It's Scenery, Character etc, London 1841 [Hall's Ireland]

 

 

LOUTH COUNTY

 

Though in area, including the County of the town of Drogheda, only 201,618 statute acres, and the smallest county in Ireland, Louth deserves to rank among the most prosperous. The Eastern boundary is the Irish Sea, which gives to its commerce three outlets of considerable importance: Drogheda, Dundalk, and Greenore. These are also shipping points for Meath and Monaghan, the Southern and Western boundaries, and for Armagh, which with Carlingford Lough, bounds the county on the North.

 

For a long time previous to the entry of the English, Louth had formed part of Orgial, an independent Principality, consisting of a portion of the Province of Meath, and the entire of Armagh and Monaghan. The O'Carrols were Princes of Orgial. The barony of Louth was referred to particularly as their country. In 1183, John de Courcy conquered Orgial, and it was afterwards known by the English variously as Uriel and Oriel. The followers of de Courcy and de Lacy settled the portion of Orgial called English Oriel and in 1210 the County of Louth was formed from it by King John. Many castles were erected for the purpose of enabling the settlers to continue in possession. Their ruins are still to be found in every part of the county, adding greatly to the picturesqueness of the scenery. In 1315, Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish King, on condition that he should aid them in driving the English out, was offered the Kingdom of Ireland by the Ulster Chiefs. Having landed with an army of 6,000 men, he soon became master of Ulster, and was crowned on the 2nd of May 1316. Toward the close of the year following he was killed, and his army defeated by the English.

 

Louth was one of the counties of the English Pale, and had a small standing force in 1437, commanded by Sir Laurence Taaf, Mayor of Drogheda, and Richard Bellew. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Chiefs of Ulster, O'Nial and O'Donel, had become so formidable that they rejected a proposal to make Dundalk the frontier of the English possessions in Ireland. A conference was held at Faughart, in 1596, to arrange terms. Previous to that time Louth had been a part of Ulster. Soon afterward it was included in that of Leinster, and has so remained ever since. In the Parliamentary war of 1641, some fighting was done in the Northern and Southern portions of the county. Cromwell entered from Dublin at the head of 10,000 men in 1649, and having captured Drogheda, after two days' siege, marched through to Dundalk and received its surrender. In the Revolution, the armies of King James and King William traversed the County Louth, and finally struggled for the mastery on the banks of the Boyne, in 1690. The County of Louth and the County of the Borough of Drogheda returned twelve members to the Irish Parliament before the Union. Under the Redistribution Act of 1885, Louth is divided into two parts, North and South. Two members only will represent it in the Imperial Parliament.

George Henry Bassett, Louth County Guide and Directory, Dublin 1886 (Reprinted 1998)

                                                        POPULATION OF COUNTY LOUTH

                                                                            1660: 24,000*

                                                                            1821: 119,129

                                                                            1831: 124,846

                                                                            1841: 128,240

                                                                            1851: 107,662

                                                                            1861: 90,713

                                                                            1871: 84,021

                                                                            1881: 77,684

                                                                            1891: 71,038

                                                                            1901: 65,820

                                                                            1911: 63,665

                                                                            1926: 62,867

                                                                            1936: 64,339

                                                                            1946: 66,194

                                                                            1951: 68,771

                                                                            1961: 67,378

                                                                            1971: 74,951

                                                                            1981: 88514

                                                                            1991: 90,724

                                                                            1996: 92,166

                                                                            2001: 101,802

*Excluding Drogheda, estimated from 1660 Poll Tax Return for County Louth.

For methodology in reaching this figure see: Gurrin Brian, Pre-Census Sources for Irish Demography, Dublin 2002, p96

Sources:

Thom's Official Directory, Dublin 1929

Vaughan W.E. & Fitzpatrick A.J., Irish Historical Statistics, RIA Dublin 1978

McArt Pat & Campbell Donal (Editors), Irish Almanac & Yearbook of Facts, Derry 1997

Pender Seamus, A Census of Ireland Circa 1659, Dublin 1939 (reprinted by GPC, Baltimore 1999)

The Argus, 02 August 2002

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Baronies of Co. Louth

 

Dundalk Upper, Dundalk Lower, Ardee, Louth, Ferrard

 

[Please Note: Until the passing of the Local Government Act of 1898, Drogheda was designated 'The County of the Town of Drogheda', a County in it's own right, with its own local administration. Under the act, all judicial functions for the judicial County of the Town of Drogheda were absorbed into the judicial County of Louth.]

 

 

 

Civil Parishes of County Louth

(Per 1851 Townlands Index)

 

Ardee

 

Ballybarrack, Ballyboys, Ballymakenny, Ballymascanlan, Barronstown, Beaulieu

 

Cappoge, Carlingford, Carrickbaggot, Castletown, Charlestown, Clogher, Clonkeehan, Clonkeen, Clonmore, Collon, Creggan

 

Darver, Dromin, Dromiskin, Drumcar, Drumshallon, Dunany, Dunbin, Dundalk, Dunleer, Dysart

Faughart

 

Gernonstown

 

Haggardstown, Heynestown

 

Inishkeen

 

Kane, Kildemock, Killanny, Killincoole, Kilsaran

 

Louth

 

Mansfieldstown, Mapastown, Marlestown, Mayne, Monasterboice, Mosstown, Mullary

 

Parsonstown, Philipstown (b. of Ardee), Philipstown (b. of Ferrard), Philipstown (b. of Upr. Dundalk), Port

 

Rathdrumin, Richardstown, Roche

 

St. Mary's, St. Peter's, Salterstown, Shanlis, Smarmore, Stabannan, Stickillin

 

Tallanstown, Termonfeckin, Tullyallen

 

 

 

Roman Catholic Parishes in County Louth

(Per J. Grenham, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, Dublin 1992)

 

Armagh Diocese: Ardee, Carlingford, Clogherhead, Collon, Cooley, Creggan Upr., Darver, Dunleer, Dundalk, Faughart, Kilkerley, Kilsaran, Lordship, Louth, Mellifont, Monasterboice, St. Peter's, Tallanstown, Termonfeckin, Togher

 

Clogher Diocese: Carrickmacross, Inniskeen

 

Meath Diocese: St. Mary's

 

 

Townlands of County Louth

(Per 1911 O.S.)

 

Acarreargh, Aclint, Adamstown, Aghaboys, Aghameen, Aghnaskeagh, Allardstown (Dlk. Up. By.), Allardstown (Louth By.), Anaglog, Anaverna, Annagh (Bolton's), Annagh (McCann's), Annaghanmoney, Annaghminnan, Annaloughan, Annaghvacky, Annaloughan, Annies, Ardagh, Ardaghy, Ardballan, Ardbolies, Ardee, Ardlaraghan, Ardpatrick, Ardtully Beg, Ardtully More, Arthurstown, Arthurstown Little, Artnalevery, Artoney, Ash Big, Ash Little, Athclare

 

Babeswood, Baggotstown, Bailyland, Bailypark, Balfeddock, Balgatheran (Detached Portion), Ballabony, Ballagan, Ballaverty, Ballinclare, Ballinfuil, Ballinlough, Ballinloughan, Ballinreask, Ballinreask (Detached Portion), Ballinteskin, Ballinurd, Ballsgrove, Ballsgrove (Lower Duleer By.), Ballug, Ballybailie, Ballybarrack, Ballybinaby, Ballydonnell, Ballygoly, Ballygowan, Ballymageragh, Ballymaglane, Ballymakellett, Ballymakenny, Ballymakenny (Detached Portion), Ballymascanlan, Ballynagassan, Ballynagrena, Ballnahattin, Ballynamaghery, Ballynamony (Bradshaw), Ballynamony (Murphy), Ballyonan, Ballyoran, Ballyregan, Ballytrasna (Ardee By.), Ballytrasna (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Balregan, Balriggan, Balriggan (Detached Portion), Balrobin, Baltrasna, Baltray, Bankerstown, Banktown, Barabona, Barmeath, Baraveddoge, Barronstown, Battsland, Bavan, Bawn, Bawntaaffe, Beaulieu, Begrath, Bellcotton, Bellurgan, Belpatrick, Beltichburne, Beltichburne (Detached Portion), Benagh, Betaghstown, Bigsland, Blackhall, Blackhall (Detached Portion), Blackstick, Blakestown, Bogtown, Boharnamoe, Bolies, Boycetown, Braganstown, Braghan, Briarhill, Brittas, Broadlough, Brownstown, Broughattin, Bryanstown, Burren

 

Calga, Callystown, Cambrickville, Cangy, Canonstown, Cappocksgreen, Cappoge, Cardistown, Carnalughoge, Carnanbregagh, Carn Beg, Carn More, Carnroe, Carntown, Carracloghan, Carrickacreagh, Carrickadooan, Carrickallan, Carrickalust, Carrickaneena, Carrickastuck, Carrickavallan, Carrickbaggot, Carrickcarnan, Carrickedmond, Carrickleagh, Carrickmullan, Carricknashanagh, Carrickrobin, Carstown (Ferrard By.) St. Peter's East Ward, Carstown (Ferrard By.) Termonfeckin E.D., Cartanstown, Castlebellingham, Castlecarragh, Castlelumny, Castlering, Castletate, Castletown (Dlk. Upr. By.), Castletown (Ferrard By.), Castletowncooley, Cavan, Cavananore, Cavanrobert, Chanonrock, Charlestown, Charleville, Christianstown, Churchtown, Cliven, Cloghanmoyle, Clogher, Cloghlea, Clonaleenaghan, Clonkeehan, Clonmore, Cluide (Ardee By.), Cluide (Ferrard By.), Collon, Commons (Drogheda By.), Commons (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Commons (Louth By.) Dromiskin E.D., Commons (Louth By.) Louth E.D., Coneyburrow, Cookspark, Cookstown, Coolcreedan, Coole, Coolfore, Coolrath, Corbollis, Corcreeghagh, Corderry, Cordoogan, Corlisbane, Cornamucklagh, Corradoran, Corrakit, Corstown (Ardee By.), Corstown (Ferrard By.) Drumcar E.D., Corstown (Ferrard By.) Dunleer E.D., Cortial, Cotlerstown, Courtbane, Crossabeagh, Crowmartin, Crumlin, Cuillenstown, Culfore, Cunnicar, Curraghbeg, Curstown

 

Dales, Dardisrath, Darver, Dawsonsdemesne, Deerpark, Dellin, Demesne, Derrycammagh, Derryfalone.Dillonstown, Donaghmore, Donnellystown, Doolargy, Dowdallshill, Dowdstown, Draghanstown, Drakestown, Dromgoolestown, Dromin, Dromiskin, Drumad, Drumard, Drumbilla, Drumcah, Drumcamill, Drumcar, Drumcashel, Drumgonnelly, Drumgoolan, Drumgooter, Drumgowna, Drumgur, Drumin (Ferrard By.) Dunleer E.D., Drumin (Ferard By.) Dysart E.D., Drumleck (Ardee By.), Drumleck (Louth By.), Drummeenagh, Drummullagh, Drumnacarra, Drumnasillagh, Drumshallon, Drumsinnot, Ducavan, Duffsfarm, Dunany, Dunany (Detached Portion), Dunbin Big, Dunbin Little, Dungooly, Dunleer, Dunmahon, Duryhole, Dysart

 

Earls Quarter, Edenagrena, Edenakill, Edenaquin, Edentober, Edmondstown, Emlagh, Essexford

 

Fairhill, Falmore, Farrandreg, Faughart Lower, Faughart Upper, Feede, Feraghs, Fieldstown, Finvoy, Funshog

 

Gainstown Upper, Gallagh, Gallstown, Galroostown, Galtrimsland, Ganderstown, Garrolagh, Gibstown, Gilberstown (Ardee By.), Gilbertstown (Louth By.), Glack, Glaspistol, Glebe (Ardee By.), Glebe (Dlk. Upr. By.) Barronstown E.D., Glebe (Dlk. Upr. By.) Dundalk Rural E.D., Glebe (Ferrard By.) Clogher E.D., Glebe (Ferrard By.) Monasterboice E.D., Glebe Bog, Glebe East, Glebe South, Glebe West, Glenmore, Glydefarm, Gorteen, Grange, Grangebellew, Grange Irish, Grange Old, Grattanstown, Greatwood, Greenbatter, Greenlane, Greenmount, Greenore, Groom, Gudderstown, Gunstown

 

Hacklim, Haggardstown, Halftate, Hamlinstown, Hammondstown (Ardee By) Dromin E.D., Hammondstown (Ardee By.) Dunleer E.D., Harristown, Harristown (Detached Portion), Hasley, Heynestown, Hill of Rath, Hitchestown, Hoarstone, Hoathstown, Hunterstown, Hurlstone

 

Irishtown

 

Jenkinstown, Johnstown

 

Kane, Kearneystown, Keerhan, Keeverstown, Kellystown, Kilbride, Kilcroney, Kilcurly, Kilcurry, Killaconner, Killally (Dlk. Upr. By.), Killally (Ferrard By.), Killanny, Killartery, Killeen, Killin (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Killin (Dlk. Upr. By.), Killincoole, Killineer, Killyclessy, Killycroney, Kilpatrick, Kilsaran, Kiltallaght, Kircock, Knockaboys, Knockagh, Knockaleva, Knockatavy, Knockatober, Knockattin, Knockcor, Knockcurlan, Knockdinnin, Knocklore, Knockmore, Knocknagoran

 

Labanstown, Lagan, Lagavooren, Lambtown, Lannat, Lawlesstown, Liberties of Carlingford, Linns, Liscorry, Lisdoo, Lislea, Lismanus, Lisnawully, Lisrenny (Ardee By.) Ardee Rural E.D., Lisrenny (Ardee By.) Tallanstown E.D., Listoke, Listulk, Littlegrange, Littlemill, Longstones, Loughanmore (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Loughanmore (Louth By.), Loughantarve, Loughtate, Louth Hall, Lowrath North, Lowrath South, Lugbriscan, Lurganboy, Lurgankeel

 

Maddox Garden, Maddoxland, Maghereagh, Maine, Manistown, Mansfieldstown, Mapastown, Marlay, Marshallrath, Marshes Lower, Marshes Upper, Marsh North, Marsh South, Martinstown, Mayne, Meaghsland, Mell, Mell (Ferrard By.), Mellifont, Mellifont Park or Louth Hill, Milestown, Millgrange, Millockstown, Millockstown (Detached Portion), Millpark, Milltown (Dlk. Upr. By.), Milltown (Ferrard By.) Dysart E.D., Milltown (Ferrard By.) Termonfeckin E.D., Milltown (Louth By.), Milltown Bog, Milltown Grange, Milltown Old, Mitchelstown, Monascreebe, Monasterboice, Monavallet, Moneycrockroe, Moneymore, Moneymore (Drogheda By.), Monksland, Mooremount, Mooretown, Moorland, Morganstown, Mosstown North, Mosstown South, Mountaintown, Mountbagnall, Mountdoyle, Mounthamilton, Mountrush, Muchgrange, Mucklagh, Muff, Mullabane (Ardee By.), Mullabane (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Mullabohy, Mullacapple, Mullacloe, Mullacrew, Mullacurry, Mulladrillen, Mullagharlin, Mullaghattin (Dlk. Lwr. By.) Jenkinstown E.D., Mullaghattin (Dlk. Lwr. By.) Rathcor E.D., Mullameelan, Mullamore, Mullanstown, Mullatee, Mullavally, Mullincross

 

Navan, Newhall, Newhouse, Newragh, Newrath (Louth By.) Dromiskin E.D., Newrath (Louth By.) Louth E.D., Newtown, Newtown (Ferrard By.), Newtown (Louth By.), Newtownbabe, Newtownbalregan, Newtowndarver, Newtownfane, Newtown Knockaleva, Newtown Monasterboice, Newtownstalaban , Nicholastown (Ardee By.), Nicholastown (Ferrard By.)

Oaktate, Oberstown

 

Paddock, Painestown (Ardee By.), Painestown (Ferrard By.), Palmersland, Parsonstown, Paughanstown, Pepperstown, Petestown, Philibenstown, Philipstown (Ardee By.) Dunleer E.D., Philipstown (Ardee By.) Tallanstown E.D., Philipstown (Dlk. Upr. By.), Philipstown (Ferrard By.), Piedmont, Piperstown, Plaster (Dlk. Upr. By.), Plaster (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Plunketsland (Ardee By.), Plunketsland (Louth By.), Point, Pollbrock, Port, Priest Town, Primatepark, Priorland, Priorstate, Priorstown, Priorstown (Detached Portion), Proleek, Proleek Acres, Puckstown, Purcellstown

 

Rahanna, Rampark, Raskeagh, Rassan, Rath (Dlk. Lwr. By.), Rath (Dlk Upr. By.), Rathbody, Rathbrist, Rathcassan, Rathcoole, Rathcor, Rathdaniel, Rathdrumin, Rathduff, Rathescar Middle, Rathescar North, Rathescar South, Rathgeenan, Rathgory (Ardee By.), Rathgory (Ferrard By.), Rathiddy, Rath Lower, Rathlust, Rathmore, Rathmullan, Rathmullan (Lower Duleek By. Meath), Rathneestin, Rathneety, Rathory, Rathroal, Ravanny, Ravel, Ravensdale Park, Reaghstown, Redbog, Redcow, Reynoldstown (Ardee By.) Dromin E.D., Reynoldstown (Ardee By.) Stabannan E.D., Richard Taaffes Holding, Rinkinstown, Riverstown, Roche, Rock, Rockmarshall, Roestown, Rogerstown, Rokeby, Roodstown, Rootate, Rosslough, Rossmakay, Roxborough

 

Salterstown, Sandfield, Scogganstown, Seecrin, Shamrockhill, Shanlis, Shanmullagh, Sheelagh, Sheepgrange, Sheepwalk, Shortstone East, Shortstone West, Silloge, Simonstown, Skeaghmore, Skibbolmore, Slieve, Slieveboy, Slievenaglogh, Smarmore, Spellickanee, Sportsmans Hall, Stabannan, Stameen, Stephenstown, Stickillin, Stifyans, Stirue (Ardee By.), Stirue (Ardee By.) (Detached Portion), Stirue (Ferrard By.), Stonehouse, Stonetown Lower, Stonetown Upper, Stonylane, Stormanstown, Stranacarry, Streamstown, Stumpa, Summerhill, Swinestown

 

Tankardsrock, Tatebane, Tateetra, Tatnadarra, Tates and Carrans Park, Tattyboys, Tattynaskeagh or Thornfield, Tawnamore, Templetown, Termonfeckin, Termonfeckin (Detached Portion), Thomastown (Ardee By.), Thomastown (Dlk. Upr. By.), Timullen, Tinure, Toberdoney, Togher, Toomes, Toprass, Townleyhall, Townparks (Ardee By.), Town Parks (Dlk. Upr. By.), Townrath, Treagh, Trean, Tullagee, Tullaghomeath, Tullakeel, Tullyallen, Tully (Ardee By.), Tully (Louth By.), Tullyard, Tullycahan, Tullydonnell, Tullydrum, Tullyeskar, Tullygowan, Tullyraine, Twenties

 

Verdonstown

 

Walshestown, Walterstown, Whitecross, Whitemill, Whiterath, Whiteriver, Whitestown, Williamstown, Willistown, Willville, Windmill (Ferrard By.) Dunleer E.D., Windmill (Ferrard By.) Dysart E.D., Woodhouse, Woodland, Woodtown, Wottonstown, Wyanstown

 

Yellowbatter (Drogheda By.), Yellowbatter (Ferrard By.), Yellowbatter

 

 

 

Local Names:

 

After Townlands there are Local Names. There is a substantial list of local names, some 700 in all, abstracted from the 1836 Ordinance Survey Map for County Louth, to be found in:

Mac Aodha, Breandan, 'Mionanimneacha Choltae Lú', in Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol XX, No. 2, 1982.

 

 

Townland Searches

Visit the 'IreAtlas Townland Search Form' Web Site to determine the parish, size,  etc. of the above townlands: http://www.seanruad.com/

 

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STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY OF LOUTH 1917

 

LOUTH county, the smallest in Ireland, bounded on the east by the Irish Sea, on the west by the counties of Monaghan and Meath, on the north by Carlingford Bay and the county of Armagh, and on the south by that of Meath. Its greatest length in direction of south by west is twenty-eight miles; and its greatest breadth west by north is eighteen; comprehending an area of 202,731 acres; of which 80,216 are under tillage; 91,591 in pasture land; 4,317 plantations; 25,910 occupied by towns, waste, bog, mountain, &c.; and 697 covered by water.

 

Prior to the Union, Louth sent ten representatives to the Irish Parliament; two for the county at large, and two each for the boroughs of Ardee, Carlingford, Dundalk and Dunleer. At the period referred to, all the boroughs were disfranchised except Dundalk, which, until 1885, sent one member to the Imperial Parliament. The County is now divided, and named North and South. North Louth (including Dundalk) has 6 polling places:- Dundalk, Hackballscross, Ravensdale, Carlingford, Louth, and Dromiskin, with in 1915 a constituency of 5,701 Parliamentary Voters; total, including Local Government Voters, 7,066. South Louth (including Drogheda) has eight polling places. Viz: - Castlebellingham, Ardee, Dunleer, Collon, Mell, Termonfeckin, Drogheda and Reaghstown, with a constituency of 4,970 Parliamentary Voters; total, including Local Government Voters, 6,557. The Local Government Voters are principally women.

 

Representatives:

Mr. Augustine Roche, North Louth

Mr. Joseph Nolan, South Louth

Prior to the passing of the Parliamentary Registration (Ireland) Act 1885, the constituency for the entire County numbered only 2,128.

 

Population of each Parliamentary Division:

North Louth:

1901 - 35,242

1911 - 34,242 [decrease 1,000]

 

South Louth:

1901 - 30,578

1911 - 29,160 [decrease 1,418]

 

Total:

1901 - 65,820

1911 - 63,402 [decrease 2,418]

 

 

CENSUS - Population in 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911

 

Population:

In 1861: - males 44,241; females 46,472; total 90,713

In 1871: - males 41,033; females 42,988; total 84,021, a decrease of 6,692

In 1881: - 77,684, a further decrease of 6,337

In 1891: - males 35,242; females, 35,796; total 71,038 [decrease, since 1861 of 19,705; since 1871 of 12,983; since 1881 of 6,646]

In 1901: - males 32,666; females 33,154; total 65,820 [decrease since 1891 of 6,094 - 8.47%]

In 1911: - males 31,983; females 31,419; total 60,402 [decrease, since 1901, of 2,418 - 3.7%]

 

Houses Inhabited:

In 1861: - houses inhabited 17,654; uninhabited 951; and houses building 66;

In 1871: - houses inhabited 16,885; uninhabited 718; building 35.

In 1881: - families 16,329, houses inhabited 15,816; uninhabited 897; building 30.

In 1891: - families 14,868; houses inhabited 14,536, uninhabited 1,336, building, 42.

                Religions: - Roman Catholics 64,836; Protestants of all denominations 6,175; total 71,038.

 

In 1901: - families 14,260; houses inhabited 14,100; uninhabited 1,315; building 64.

                Religions: - Roman Catholics 60,171; Protestants of all denominations 5,649; total 65,820

In 1911: - families 14,047; houses inhabited 13,865; uninhabited 1,365; building 89.

                Religions: - Roman Catholics 58,124; Protestants of all denominations 5,272; total 63,402.

 

Total decrease in 10 years: 2,418 [3.7%]

                [Source: Tempest's Annual 1917]

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16 May 2005