Local Placenames

SHRULE , COUNTY OF MAYO 1838

ORDNANCE SURVEY FIELD NAME BOOKS

Shruil Ph.

B.S.S.M. : 1
Sruthair, a stream. -- Four Masters.
Corrupted in Sruthail by the substitution of L for R a quite common substitution in the case of Irish place names.

• Shrule : J. 0'D,
• Shruel : Co. Cess Collector
• Shruel : Barony Map
• Shruil : County Map
• Shroule : Down Survey Maps
• Shroll : Inq. temp. Eliz

This parish occupies most of the southern portion of the barony of Kilmaine. It is bounded on the N. by the parishes of. Kilmainebeg, Moorgagagh and Kilmainemore; on the S. and E, by the County Galway, from which it is separated by the Black River; and on the E. by Lough Corrib and the parish of Cong.
It contains 11,600 acres 2 roods 32 perches, statute measure, which includes 151 a. 1r. 32p. of a detached portion, 738a. 3r. 20p. of Lough Corrib, and 143a. 3r. 20p. of small loughs. The soil is in parts very good, produce excellent crops of wheat, oats, potatoes, etc.; but in many parts it is light and very rocky, with much rough pasture and bog. The road from Ballinrobe through Cross to Headford passes across this parish from W. to S.E.
The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Tuam. The Tithes amount to ?264 2s. 8d.
A small detached portion of the parish of Kilmainebeg lies in the centre of this parish, and comprises the townlands of Ballisnahyny East and Carrowoughteragh.

More notes on Shrule Parish

This parish takes its name from the river. which flows under the bridge and separates the counties of Galway and Mayo there.
There is in this barony (Kilmaine) upon the extreme boundary thereof an ancient fair castle and Manor of Shrowle, now since the beginning of King James's reign belonging to the Earl of Clanrickarde, but till then, since the English Invasion, to another family of great note, called Burke of Shrowle and,of late years, of Cloghan, who is said to be the eldest of the Burkes of Mayo - Downey.
In 1570 Shrule Castle was besieged by the forces of the Crown, between whom and a relieving force a fierce battle was fought. The tradition of this battle is still vivid among the country-people, and has led to a false origin fabricated by them for the name Shrule. They say is signifies Sruth-Fhuil, the stream of blood, from the river of blood, that flows by the castle walls from the numbers slain in the engagement.
The building of Shrule Castle, as of its Church, is attributed to the Burkes.

Other Castles

In Kinlough are an old castle and church, also said to have been built by the Burkes. Ballisnahyny and Ballycurran are square castle; they, too, are attributed to the Burkes.

Miscellaneous Features Section

Gentlemen's Seats

• Ballycurrin House
• Dalgan House
• Glencorrib Lodge
• Lakefield
• Moyne Lodge

Islands

• Ballycurrin Rock
• Cornelian Islands
• Inchaquin
• Inishkeeragh
• Red Island
• Shanina

Rivers, Lakes and Wells

• Black River
• Lough Lee
• Loughnakill
• Pollaghkeeraun
• Toberkieraun
• Tobersharve
• Well of Lough Lea

Villages

• Shrule

Antiquities

• Cloghgortalegaun
• Kinlough Fort
• Ballisnahyny Castle
• Ballycurrin Castle
• Mocorha Castle
• Moyne Castle
• Shrule Castle
• Moyne Church and Graveyard

Miscellaneous Features

Gentlemen's Seats

Ballycurrin House

See Section 2 ,29
Situated in the south side of Ballycurrin td. The seat of Captain Lynch.

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Dalgan House

See Section 16.,30
In the east side of Dalgan Demesne. The residence of Patrick Kirwan, Esq. This is a large mansion of hewn limestone. Its principal feature is its spacious pillared hall surmounted by a dome. Attached to the residence is a large, well-timbered demesne.

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Glencorrib Lodge

See Section 16.,31
A fancy name. : J. O'D
In the west side of Bunnafollistran td. The seat of Arthur Browne, Esq.

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Lakefield

See Section 16.,32
In the N.E. side of Ramolin td. The residence of Mr.. Foy.

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Moyne Lodge.

See section 23. ,33
Situated in the east side of Moyne td. The seat of Mr. John Golding.

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Islands

Ballycurrin Rock

In Lough Corrib. Contains 0a. 1r. 26p.

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Cornelian Islands

These are 3 islands in Lough Corrib.
The largest island contains 2a. 2r. 3p.
The smallest contains Oa. Or. 39p.
The medium-sized island contains Oa. 1r. 16p.

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Inchaquin

Inse Ui Chuinn , 0'Quin's island.
Inchaquin : J.. 0' D
An island in Lough Corrib.

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Inishkeeragh

Inis Caorach, island of the sheep. In Lough Corrib. Contains Oa. 1r. 13p.

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Red Island

A large island in Lough Corrib. Contains 6a. 2.r. 39p.

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Shanina

In Lough Corrib small island containing Oa. Or. 35p.

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Rivers Lakes and Well's

Black River

• Local 40 : Abhainn Dubh, black river.
• Owenduff : J. 0'D
• Owen-Duff -river : Co. Map

This river runs by the east and south sides of the parish, forming the County, Barony, Parish and Townland boundaries. It falls into Lough Corrib.

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Lough Lee

B, S. S, 41
Loch Laoigh, the lake of the calf.

• Lough Lee : J. O' D,
• Loughanlee : Inq. temp. Jac.

The lake is situated on the north boundary of the parish, and is common to the townlands of Ramolin and. Dalgan.

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Lough Kill

Local 42
Loch na Cille the lake of the church.

• Loughnakill : J. 0'D

Situated on the north boundary, partly in this parish and partly in Moorgagagh parish. This lake is almost dry in the summer season.

Pullakeeraun

Local 43 : There is a Pollach Riabhach also.
Pollach Ciarain , St. Kieran's hole.

• Pollaghkeeraun : J. 0'D

In the east side of the td. of Mocorha. spring well.

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Tober Keraun

Local 44
Tobar Ciaráin , St. Kieran's well

• Toberkieraun : J. 0' D,

Spring well.

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Tubbersharrue

CO. Map 45
Tobar Searbh , bitter well.

• Tobersharve : J. 0'D
• Tobernaveeragh : Local

In the north side of the td., and adjacent to the parish boundary. spring well in Shrule td.

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The Well of Lough Lee

See Section 41 ,Local 46
Tobar Locha Laoigh , well of the calf's lake.

Well of Lough Lee : J. O'D

In the N.W. side of the townland. of Dalgan Demesne, and adjacent to Lough Lee. This is a spring well, considered sacred.

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Villages

Shruil

Co. Map 47
See Section 27 and the remarks therein.

• Shrule : J. 0' D
• Shroule : Down Survey
• William Burke of Shruell : Compossicion Book of Conought

In the south side of Shrule td.

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Antiquities

Cloghgurtalegaun

Local 48

Gort a' Liagáin ,field of the standing-stone.

• Clogh Gorta legaun : J.O'D

In the north side of Mocorha td. This is a Liagan, or Standing-stone, about five feet above the surface of the ground

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Kinlough Fort

Local 49

• Kinlough Fort : J. 0'D

See townland name Section 20 : On the boundary common to the townlands of Kinlough and Brodullagh South. This is a very large fort, having a diameter of about 8 1/2 chains

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Ballisnhiney Castle , Ruins of

See Section 4. : Co. Map 50

• Ballisnahyny Castle : J. 0'D,

In the east centre of the td. of Ballisnahyny East, on the north end of the site of a fort by the side of a lane. A massive tower, 32 feet by 42 feet at the base of the batter. The walls are still over 40 feet high.

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Ballycurran Castle

Co. Map 51

• Ballycurrin Castle , the Ruins of : J. 0' D,

See Section 2. Situated in the south side of Ballycurrin td.

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Mocorha Castle

J. O'D. 52

See Section 24
In the central part of R Mocorha td. In ruins.

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Moyne Castle, Ruins of

J. 0'D : Co. Map 53

See Section 23.
Situated in the east side of the townland of Moyne, near, the parish mearing.

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Shrule Castle

54, See Section 27.

The ruins of what was once a very formidable stronghold. It consists of. a massive tower, some 50 feet high.

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Moyne, Old Church and Graveyard

Local 55

Situated in the N.W. side of the townland of Moyne.