Galway - 1881 Directory of Eyrecourt *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Galway Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C.L. 1881 DIRECTORY OF EYRECOURT Slater'S Commercial Directory Of Ireland A small market town, in the parish of Donanaghta, barony of Longford, county of Galway, is about 90 miles w. by s. from Dublin, 44 E. by S. from Galway, 14 N.W. from Parsonstown, and 11 S.E. from Ballinasloe, and about 5 W. from Banagher, situated in the midst of a fine corn district on the road by Banagher to Loughrea. The town derives its name from the Eyre family, lords of the manor; and contiguous to the town is Eyrecourt Castle, a magnificent structure, the property of the family, at present occupied by John Eyre, Esq, J.P. a great patron of the town, and evincing a lively anxiety for its prosperity. The interior of the castle is eminently deserving the stranger's notice; the staircase, in particular, is supposed to be the finest in Ireland. Over the hall door is inscribed the following sentence: "Welcome to the House of Liberty." In the demesne, which is beautifully laid out, is a large fort, from which a cave is said to run two miles and a half, and to open near the beautiful and ancient abbey of Meelick. The trade of the place is quite of a local character. The government of the town is vested in the magistrates and a seneschal; the former meet in petty sessions once a fortnight, the latter holds a court every fortnight - both in the court house. The parish church of Donanaghta, erected in 1818, and rebuilt in 1869, is an elegant building in an ornamented style, with a tower and one bell. The Roman Catholic church is large and handsome, and will accommodate a congregation of one thousand persons. There is a National school. A dispensary here is supported partly by the county and partly by subscription. The market days are Tuesday and Saturday. Fairs: February 8th, the first Monday after Easter Monday, July 10th, September 8th, November 10th and December 21st. In 1861 the population of the parish was 1,255 and in 1871, 935, of which the town numbered 747. POST OFFICE, Eyrecourt, Patrick Mahon, Post Master Letters from Ballinasloe arrive at quarter past four morning and from Parsonstown at half-past three afternoon and at eight evening; and are dispatched to Parsonstown at a quarter-past four morning to Dublin and the South at ten morning, and to all parts at ten evening. Money Order and Telegraph Office and Savings Bank. GENTRY & CLERGY Abbott John Esq, Woodfield Butson the Venerable Archdeacon G. Clonfert Coen Rev Thomas, P.P. Fahy Cowan Capt Stephen J.L. Gartmona Daly Mr. John Clonnachaise Derry Rev. Wm P.P. Market st Eyre John, Esq, J.P., D.L. Eyrecourt Eyre Stratford Esq, J.P. Eyreville Garner John, Esq, J.P. Lisbeg Kelly Patrick, Esq, J.P. Longford House Kenny George C, Esq, Eyrecourt Kenny Mrs. Susan, Lismore House Killeen Mr. Martin, Keelough Lawrence Rev James, Bell Vue Mahon Patrick, Esq, Prospect Montgomery Mrs. Barbara, Main st Ryan Owen, Esq, Derry Lodge Seymore Thomas, Esq, J.P. Ballymore Walter Francis A, Esq, Shannangrove Watson John P, Esq, Queensborough Lodge SCHOOL NATIONAL SCHOOL, Main st - Patrick O'Neill, master BAKERS Grady Patrick, Main st Sweeney Patrick, Main st BLACKSMITHS Keavin Patrick, Main st Staunton Patrick & Lawrence, Main st BOOT MAKERS Bulfin William, Main st Hanley Patrick, Main st Watson John, Main st BUTCHERS Hogan Philip, Main st Hourigan Michael, Main st CARPENTERS Larkin Michael & Sons, Main st Pelley John, Main st GROCERS Market thus * are also Spirit Dealers Larkin Edward, Main st M'Namara William, Main st * Mahon Thomas, Main st O'Donnell Joseph, Main st Shiels Denis, Main st Sweeney Patrick, Main st HOTELS & PUBLIC HOUSES Coen John, Main st Cosgrove Edward (hotel), Main st IRONMONGERS Mahon Thomas, Main st Sweeney Patrick (& draper), Main st MISCELLANEOUS Banco James, whitesmith & coachmaker, Main st Larkin Denis, jun, nailmaker, Market st Mullen Patrick, tailor, Main st O'Farrell James, physician, Main st Staunton Patrick, cart maker, Main st Stone Henry, builder, Main st PUBLIC BUILDINGS, OFFICES, &c PLACES OF WORSHIP And Their Ministers SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH, Market st - Rev. James M. Aldridge, rector ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Main st - Rev. William Derry, P.P. Market st; Rev. James Byrne, curate Constabulary Barrack, Main st - Michael Johnston, constable Court House, Market st - Thos. Kelly, petty sessions clerk Dispensary - James O'Farrell, surgeon CARS From Patrick Sweeney's, Main street To BALLINASLOE, a Mail Car, at three afternoons To PARSONSTOWN, Mail Cars at fifteen minutes past four morning, and a quarter past ten morning To PORTUMNA, a Mail Car, at half-past four morning. CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY the nearest Station is at Ballinasloe, on a branch of the Midland Great Western Line, nine miles distant