History of Boyounagh

The most historical spot in our Parish of Glenamaddy is Boyounagh. In 1683 it was spelt "Boyanagh". Our forefathers generally named places after some physical feature nearby, so Boyounagh probably got its name from the marshy land nearby or the yellow river as Boyounagh means "Yellow Marsh" (Buidh Abhainn).

Boyounagh was once mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters when in 1137 the church was burned. There is a tradition that St. Patrick founded the first church but there is no evidence to prove that as the first annals commenced in 1014. Many events in the west were not recorded. To the best of our knowledge, Boyounagh was a cell of the Dominican Abbey founded by Meyler de Bermingham in Athenry around 1241.

The old church is all destroyed but for a small fragment of the north wall (still standing today).

Dr. John 0’ Donovan, a great Irish scholar, accompanied the Ordnance Survey Team in 1855. He kept 2 notes books of the parish with reference to townlands etc. About two thirds of this townland is bog. In the East portion the village is called Middletown.

Households

1841 - 13 houses
1971 - 7 houses

Population

1841 - 76
1971 - 42

Lord Fitzgerald was leaseholder of the Boyounagh Estate until his death in 1843, then Martin McDonnell bought it on the 20th June 1859 at four o'clock in the afternoon for £5,850. The McDonnell family were originally from Glencoe in Scotland. The Boyounagh estate consisted of Cloonkeen, Meelick, Cashel, Middletown and Gortnaganny. These townlands consisted of 3,914 acres. McDonnell was the landlord of Bridge Street and Castle Street in Dunmore, he was also the landlord of Cloonfad, Kilkerrin, and Milltown. He was a merchant of Dunmore as well. It was said he was a fortunate man to own all of 12,000 acres, collecting all his rent. He was supposed to be a good landlord. He died in 1872. His tomb was built in the highest spot so as it could be seen from his house in Dunmore. It is alligned in an East-West direction.

The site of the old church is almost in the centre of pre Norman townland of Boyounagh. In the 16th-17th century it belonged to the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam.

Index

Boyounagh -
The Name

Graveyard

Nearby Historic Attractions

Old Documents

Committee & Restoration