Ordnance Survey Letters of Galway

Sir,

I visited the Parish of Killimer Daly from Monivea, when traversing the barony of Tiaquin; but not finding it in my power, to (go) see the (several) ruins in it, as the journey was very long from Monivea to the old building at (in) Killimer townland; and the rain fell as heavily, on the day I went to the parish, as it does in Loughrea to day, I postponed writing about it, expecting the opportunity of visiting the remains (of Killimer Church) from Athenry, to which they are nearer by some miles, than to Monivea.

Mr. O'Donovan was in Athenry a few days ago; but he did not touch upon Killimer ruins, whilst investigating the neighbourhood of that old town.

It appears however from the remarks in the Name book, that there is nothing of antiquity in the parish,

which could justly claim to itself, any greater portion of time, than that space in which a general observation of the entire of the parish might be taken, including particular attention to as many objects of interest, as presented themselves directly, or nearly so in one's Course. Indeed any quantity of time taken up in going to see those buildings in ruins, which are known, (each) by the name of Cill. &c. {Church &c.}, and many of which are (rather) modern edifices, built (as chapels of ease) by some local families for their (own) accommodation, or perhaps with the intention of forwarding the progress of religion, they being at the same time (immediately) annexed to the Cathedral of a Seignory, or to some principle [sic] Church connected with it, or perhaps to the abbey or nunnery of a Cathedral.

[464} One thing however is Certain that the age of such buildings cannot, be unless the (period of their erection) be ascertained from some records, be at all Calculated by any other means than a description from an ocular survey of the features that Characterise them as referrable to some certain period. I do not assert that such a process can lead to a knowledge of the exact period of their erection, if it be not otherwise known; but I say that it first brings one to the conclusion that such a certain edifice was not raised anterior to the introduction of the architectural features observable on it, the period of the earliest use of which in this Country must be decided by history; and (that) combined with the whole appearance of the structure, (it) affords the opportunity of forming a Conjecture,

that may very accurately point out the date of the building.

The progress of the traversing of the Country is frequently very much retarded by visiting the very localities in which, old churches are found to be; and after there is considerable time spent in going (sometimes) great distances, to see them, the age of some, may not be of sufficient interest to recompense for the examining of them. Notwithstanding all this, if every one of these old churches, be not visited and examined, some of the greatest importance for antiquity, might lie over, unnoticed; for if any were omitted (to be seen), it is most likely to happen to the oldest; because the most curious ones, are in general, the least remarkable in the opinion of most persons, who may be questioned about the state of them in ruin.

But omitting to make any further observations in this respect, I advert to the name of the parish of Killimer, which is pronounced in Irish, Cill Aomair (Iomair) {eem-wir}, the Church of S. Aomar(Imar) {now in English, I-mer}.

Is there a Saint of this name, in the ecclesiastical records?

Perhaps the name Aomar, is formed from Aobar; for, the former could have been easily made from Aobhair in Cill Aobhair; the bh when divested of the aspiration, running into the sound m, which is a frequent occurrence.

Is there not a Saint Ibar; and should not this name be Killibar, rather than Killimer?

It is remarked in the Name-book that the East gable of a Chapel, which was dedicated to St. Imer, is still standing in the townland of Killimer, where there is, as (is) remarked, also a holy well called Tubber-Imer (Tobar Aomair).

It is in like manner noticed that the Castle here, built by the Daly family, is in perfect repair. I was informed there is a tree at the (place), at which stations were performed heretofore.

Ardnabarra {Ard na Barra} Abbey, the site of which is still visible, stood South of the road that runs from East to West through the townland of Cappaghnanool {Ceapach na n-Úbhal}.

In Larhagh {Larthach (Leathrath)} townland, a Castle stood, the site of which, is still pointed out. The family of the Dalys were, it is said, the proprietors of this Castle.

The Inquisition taken at Galway 20th March 1608 &c., finds that Ulick, 3d Earl of Clanrickard was seized among several other lands, of the ould ruinous Castle of Galbolly {& 2 qr.}, Knockerdaly {1 qr.} Laragh {4 qr.} Killymur {1 q}, the Castle of Lysduff {& 1 qr.}.

Galbolly is now pronounced Gall Bhaile which is to be Anglicised Galbally, and is a townland in this parish. I have got no information as to the ruins of a castle, existing here.

Knockerdaly, is Cnoc a Dalla, properly Anglicised Knockadalla, according to the Irish sound. But for the adopted Anglicising of it, See Name book, where it is set down as a townland Name.

Laragh - See Larhagh in the beginning of the inner page.

Killimur - See what has been said of Killimer just now.

Lysduff - is in Irish, Lios Dubh, Anglicised Lissduff, the name of a townland in this parish. I have learned nothing as to the existence of its Castle.

PARISH OF ABBEY IN THE BARONY OF TIAQUIN

There is no local knowledge of this parish but in connection with, and as part of, the parish of Abbey Knockmoy. The names of the townlands given in the Namebook as lying in the parish of Abbey in Tiaquin By., are all well known, and are said to belong to Abbeyknockmoy parish.

There are no ruins, as far as I was able to ascertain, of any religious edifice within this Abbey parish placed in Tiaquin.