Moneensauran

Moneensauran (from Irish: Moinín Samhradhain, meaning "Samhradhán's little bog"^[1]) is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It lies within the former barony of Tullyhaw.^[1]

Geography

Moneensauran is bounded on the north by Tullynacross and Curraghglass townlands, on the east by Derrynananta Upper and Derrynananta Lower townlands, on the south by Doon townland and on the west by Slievenakilla and Legatraghta townlands. Its chief geographical features are Benbrack Mountain reaching to an altitude of 1,600 feet above sea-level, the Owenmore River, Munter Eolus Lough and several waterfalls. The townland covers an area of 1,739 statute acres and is the third largest in County Cavan.^[2]

History

Samhradhán, who lived about 1100 A.D., was lord of Tullyhaw and the son of Conchobhar mac Fearghal and is the progenitor of the McGovern (name) clan. The earliest surviving mention of the townland name is "Moneenshawran" from a list of County Cavan townlands printed in 1790.

In the 19th century the townland was owned by the Earls of Annesley.

The Tithe Applotment Books of 1827 list the following tithepayers in the townland- Annesley, Magauran, Sheridan.^[3]

In 1841 the population of the townland was 222, being 122 males and 99 females. There were thirty-five houses in the townland and all were inhabited.^[4]

In 1851 the population of the townland was 185, being 91 males and 94 females. There were twenty-seven houses in the townland and all were inhabited.^[5]

Griffith's Valuation of 1857 lists forty-two occupiers in the townland.^[6]

In 1861 the population of the townland was 140, being 65 males and 75 females. There were twenty-two houses in the townland and all were inhabited.^[7]

In 1871 the population of the townland was 109, being 52 males and 57 females. There were eighteen houses in the townland and all were inhabited.(page 296 of census)^[8]

In 1881 the population of the townland was 100, being 45 males and 55 females. There were twenty houses in the townland, all were inhabited.^[9]

In 1891 the population of the townland was 107, being 60 males and 47 females. There were eighteen houses in the townland, all were inhabited.^[10]

In the 1901 census of Ireland, there are twenty-three families listed in the townland.^[11]

In the 1911 census of Ireland, there are eighteen families listed in the townland.^[12]

The Magauran family of Moneensauran was the predominant family in the parish. They produced many Roman Catholic priests through the centuries, including Dr. James Magauran who was bishop of Ardagh from 1815 to 1829. His brother Peter and sister Elizabeth Magauran were elected as the last King and Queen of Glan in 1815.^[13]

Antiquities

The historic sites in the townland include: a prehistoric cairn called "Cloghnacommerky" situate on the border of Moneensauran and Doon townlands;^[14] three medieval ringforts;^[15] a Sweathouse called the "duck house";^[16] and several gravel pits.

References

External links

• The IreAtlas Townland Data Base