Landlords in the Area

Reilly was the landlord of Lisheen, Sonnagh, Ballinastack and Creggane. His gatehouse was situated in close promixity to Boyounagh bridge. He resided in Glenamaddy (Jack Garvey's house). His agent was Kirwin from Milltown. Michael Reilly was considered to be a fair and just landlord. He was of a Catholic background.

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Browne was the landlord of the Glenamaddy area. Then he resided in the Mountkelly area (Danny Mulryan's house). He was of non-Catholic background.

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These two were absentee landlords (landlords who lived away from their estates) of the Dunmore (nearby town) and Athenry (town near Galway city) area. Their only interest in the estate was the rent they could extort from unfortunate tennants.

Could aptly be described as a merchant prince in those days. His premises included most of Bridge Street and Castle Street in Dunmore. His premises also included Cloonfad, Kilkerrin and Milltown. His shop sold everything the residing tenants could possibly want. He employed over a hundred staff whom became merchants in their own right, when "McDonnell & Co." closed down in 1912. He was landlord of Cloonkeen, Meelick, Boyounagh Beg, Middletown, Cashel, Ballinphuill and Esker.

McDonnell Family

From our research we know that Martin McDonnell was married twice. His family were originally from Glencoe in Scotland, they purchased Boyounagh estate 20th June 1859.His first wife was buried with her parents (this was the custom at the time). They had several children that included Martin Joe (Jr.) who was killed in a riding accident in Roscommon. The funeral procession stopped at Cashel Cross and gentry partook of alcoholic refreshments. The gentry were the only mourners as tenants who were not allowed to attend. Their son James died in Castlennill, Athenry. Martin (Sr.) was said to have fathered a child in his eighties.

References to McDonnell in the Tuam Herald:

"Mr. Martin McDonnell must consider himself a very fortunate man. He is an extensive landlord in this and in neighbouring counties. We learn that he has received his rents in full, and has not given a penny reduction"

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