Introduction
The eminent Irish civil engineer, Sir Richard Griffith (1784 - 1878), is known as the father of Irish geology. His prolific career included the roles of mining engineer; Professor of Geology to the Royal Dublin Society (during which tenure he produced the definitive Geological Map of Ireland); Government Inspector of Mines; Chairman of the Board of Works; and Commissioner of Valuation. In the lattermost capacity, he is best known in genealogical circles and his name is associated with the post-famine property (land and buildings) valuation.
The land valuation was based on a technical examination and appraisal of the active soil and subjacent rock, and was used to determine the occupier's fiscal contribution to support government relief to the poor. The survey followed on the heels of the Ordnance Survey (mapping), the Geological Survey (mining), and the Tithe Applotment Survey (land area and grade), and the records normally include both the immediate lessors (landlords) and the occupiers (tenants), together with details of land and buildings. The valuation was ultimately printed in a standard format, thus providing an exceptionally high quality of presentation for the researcher.
The survey is not entirely comprehensive. However, despite its shortcomings, the survey is a useful source of information on post-famine farmers.
Some civil parishes are shared by more than one county, thus there are, of necessity, a few cases of duplication.
Click on a parish to view the transcription of individual entries.
Units of Measurement for Land and Money in the 19th Century
Land was measured in terms of acres (A), roods (R) and poles / perches (P). The acre was divided into four roods, which were, in turn, each sub-divided into forty poles.
1 acre (A) = 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres 1 rood (R) = 1210 square yards or 1012 square metres 1 pole (P) = 30.25 square yards or 25.29 square metres
Money was counted in pounds (£), shillings (s), pence (d), hapence (h) and farthings (f). The pound was divided into twenty shillings, which were, in turn, each sub-divided into twelve pence (pennies). A hapenny was half a penny, and a farthing was a quarter of a penny.
1 pound (£) = 20 shillings
1 shilling (s) = 12 pence
1 penny (d) = 2 hapence (h) or 4 farthings (f)
Index (alphabetical by Civil Parish)