Cancelled Book Ballyvonnavaun 1855-1970

Griffiths Map - Ballyvonavan
AskaboutIreland -Griffiths
O'Connell Letter
Ballyvonnavaun Cancelled Book

Ballyvonnavaun

There are two townlands called Ballyvonnavaun listed in the Primary Valuation of Ireland; one in the parish of Clareabbey and the other in the parish of Doora. Both are in the Doora district electoral division (DED). The Clareabbey Ballyvonnavaun comprised 316 acres in the Griffith Valuation but has increased in size to 141 hectares or 357 acres in townlands.ie.[1] The adjoining Doora townland of Ballyvonnavaun had 109 acres in the Griffith Valuation and has reduced in size to 75 acres or 30 hectares.[2] The two Ballyvonnavauns adjoin one another and are located in the east of the parish of Clareabbey. Ballyvonnavaun borders the Clareabbey parish townlands of Carrowgar, Derren, Killow and Manusmore as well as the Doora townlands of Carrowmeer, Deerpark and Kilbreckan.[3] This transcription focuses on Ballyvonnavaun in Clareabbey.

William Armstrong was recorded as the immediate lessor of the two Ballyvonnavauns at the Griffith Valuation 1855. William Armstrong later William Edward Armstrong McDonnell (1826-1883) inherited the McDonnell of Newhall estate in the parish of Killone and adopted their surname. He sold some of his Clare estate to pay debts which also came with his inheritance.[4] The immediate lessor of both Ballyvonnavauns was listed as Wainright Crowe (1816-1878) of Cahircalla, Ennis in the 1856/57 Cancelled book.[5][6]

A handwritten letter dated 8 May 1858, addressed to John Cotter, Clerk of the Guardians of the Ennis Union from Daniel O’Connell, occupier of lot 9a was inserted in the second cancelled book (1857-59).  O’Connell’s letter sought a re-valuation of his forty-two-acre parcel of land.  The letter also provides some insight to recent changes to land tenancies during the period noting that he (O’Connell) now had possession of part of land previously occupied by Rev John Fahy.

The letter refers to the area as Jasper’s Pound a local townland name which was not included in the list of townlands from the Ordnance Survey.[7]  The outcome of O’Connell’s letter was unsuccessful as the valuation remained unchanged. Lot 9a was later occupied by O’Connell’s nephew Michael O’Dea with whom O’Connell was living at the 1901 census.[8] Of interest Jasper’s Pound is listed as the residence of Michael O’Dea when he died Dec 1916 and his wife Anne at her death in April 1924.[9]The farm passed to Margaret and later Bridget Liddy who was listed as niece on Anne O’Dea’s death record.

An interesting note was discovered in the Ballyvonnavaun Book. Daniel O’Connell died in 1847 so this is another of the same name:

Sir,

           Take notice that I do hereby inform you that the farm of Ballyvonavaun being part of Jasper’s Pound and situated in the parish of Doora, Barony of Upper Bunratty and County of Clare as lately held by the Reverend John Fahey is now in my ownership and possession. But which said lands I do hereby complain are overrated and excessively valued. And I do hereby call upon you to have the said lands revalued and fairly assessed. And to be cautious that no part of the said lands held by Mr. Charles Fahey shall be brought into said valuation. As a portion thereof was formerly held by the said Reverend John Fahey which he quitted and surrendered but which I fear has been included in the present valuation of my portion of said farm.

                                                 Dated this 8th day of May 1858

                                                 Dan. O’Connell

 To Mr John Cotter, Clerk

 of the Guardians of Ennis

 Union. And all those concerned.


[1] https://www.townlands.ie/clare/islands/clareabbey/doora/ballyvonnavaun/ (accessed 14 Dec 2022).

[2] https://www.townlands.ie/clare/bunratty-upper/doora/doora/ballyvonnavaun/

[3]( https://www.townlands.ie/clare/islands/clareabbey/doora/ballyvonnavaun/) (accessed 8 Dec, 2022).

[4] Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, 23 Aug 1856.

[5] Joe Power, A history of Clare3 Castle and its environs, Ennis, 2005 (pp 324-325).

[6] (https://landedestates.ie/family/1896) (accessed 14 Dec 2022).

[7] Refer to C Lynch Burkes and Jasper’s Pound, Doora, County Clare (Dec. 2013) in donated material on the Clare Library website for further information. (https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/fam_his/burkes_jaspers_pound.htm) (accessed 15 Dec 2022

[8] (http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Clare/Doora/Ballyvannavaun_East/1070528/) (accessed 15 Dec 2022).

[9] Michael O’Dea civil death record 20 Dec 1916.  Anne O’Dea civil death record 11 Apr. 1924 (Irishgenealogy.ie) (accessed 15 Dec 2022).

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