Some Townlands and their Derivations

Some Townlands and their Derivations

by Rev B J Dean Mooney




Review

Journal of Craigavon Historical Society

Vol. 1 No. 2 - 1970


Modern Spelling Original Irish Name Meaning
BALLYHANNON Baile Ui hAnnachain O'Hannon's homestead
BALLYMACRANDAL Baile Mhic Raghnaill MacRandell's homestead
BALTEAGH Baile da fhiach Place of two ravens
BOCOMBRA Buaic iomaire Crown of the ridge
CLANROLLA Cluain drol Meadow of windings
CROSSMACAHILLY Cros Mhic Eachmhiliadh MacCaughley's Cross
DRUMGASK Droim gCasca Easter hill ridge
DRUMGOR Droim gabhar Hill ridge of goats
KNOCKMENAGH Cnoc muinngeanach Shaggy hill
LEGAGHORY Lag an chorraigh Hollow of the marsh
LISNAMINTRY Lios droim Min tire Fort of the hill of the smooth green spot
LISNISKY Lios an uisce Fort of the water
LYLO Cailleoc Little wood
MONBRIEF Magh an bhreagtha Plain of playing
MOYRAVERTY Magh Ui Raithbheartaigh O'Raverty's plain
TAGHNEVAN Teach nEimhin St. Evin's house (Monastery)
TANNAGHMORE WEST Tamhnach mor Big grassy field
TULLYGALLY Tulach Mhig Amhalghadha Magally's hill

Footnote

The historical booklet "The Parish of Seagoe", written by the Rev. Bernard Mooney B.D., first appeared in 1954. Then parish priest in Hilltown, Co. Down, as the Very Rev. Dean Mooney he later became the first Chairman of the newly formed Craigavon Historical Society in the late 1960s. Widely acclaimed at the time of its writing, after sixty years and more it remains an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the local history of this area. However the original printing had long since run out when Craigavon Historical Society decided to reprint it, thus making it available to a wider audience. The book is in two parts.

  • Part I "The place-names explained" was written by the Rev. Bernard Mooney B.D..
  • Part II "Some historical notes on Seagoe in ancient and modern times", by Padraic Keenan, includes a detailed record of the priests who had served in this Catholic parish over 250 years - including Dean Mooney himself in 1930-33.

This very brief article written for a very early edition of Review helps explain the derivation of some of Craigavon's place names.