Galway - Slater's 1881 Directory of Portumna

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Galway Index
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File contributed by:  C.L.

1881 DIRECTORY OF PORTUMNA
Slater's Commercial Directory Of Ireland

A Small market and post town, in the parish of LICKMOLASSY, 
barony of Longford and county of Galway, is 99 miles w. by 
s. from Dublin, 18 S.E. from Loughrea, and 11 s. by w. from 
Eyrecourt, very pleasantly situated on the river Shannon, 
which here dividing into two channels, forms an island, 
through the centre of which passes the line of separation 
between the counties of Galway and Tipperary. The town which 
consists of two principal spacious streets, enjoys a good 
corn market and carries on a tolerable inland trade. About a 
mile from town, the river is crossed by a bridge erected in 
1841 by the commissioners of the Board of Public Works in 
Ireland. It is a very fine structure, composed of what may 
be termed three sections. The central portion stands upon 
the island and is built of native stone, the two wings are 
of iron, supported by strong wooden bearers or pillars, and 
in the western wing is a swivel arch, to allow steamers and 
other vessels navigating the Shannon to pass without 
lowering their masts. The entire length of the bridge is 
full 252 yards and it cost upwards of £22,000. At this part 
of the river is the harbour for Portumna. In close proximity 
to the Tipperary side of the bridge is a station upon a 
branch of the Great Southern and Western railway, whose 
terminus is here, but which, through want of traffic, is now 
closes. The town of late years has been much improved in its 
streets; the court house is a conspicuous object. The 
Marquess of Clanricarde is the spirited and liberal 
proprietor of the town. General sessions are held twice a 
year; and the magistrates who assemble in petty sessions 
once a fortnight superintend the municipal affairs of the 
town. Portumna is a constabulary station, and is the 
residence of a sub-inspector. The Protestant Episcopal 
church, rebuilt in 1832, is a handsome structure of stone 
with a spire. The Roman Catholic church, erected in 1826, is 
an elegant cruciform edifice (in an enclosed square), the 
sire for which and for a burial ground was the gift of the 
nobleman before named. A dispensary and a parochial school 
comprise the charitable institutions. Close to the town 
stands the ruin of Portumna Castle, the property of Lord 
Clanricarde, which was destroyed by fire in 1826, and only a 
portion of the building is now inhabitable. There are 
several handsome mansions in the neighbourhood, especially 
on the eastern side of the town, which, as they peep from 
among the foliage that fringes the water's banks, impart an 
air of real beauty to the scenery. The remains of the 
Dominican friary are beautiful and interesting. The market 
is held on Saturday, and fairs February 15th, May 6th, July 
1st, August 15th, October 17th, and November 15th. The 
population of the town in 1861 was 1,265, and in 1871, 
1,269.

POST OFFICE, Portumna, Martin Lavin, Post Master. – Letters 
arrive (through Eyrecourt) at seven morning and are 
dispatched at a quarter-past six evening.

Money Order & Telegraph Office and Savings Bank.

 
NOBILITY, GENTRY & CLERGY

Avonmore Lord Viscount, Belle Isle
Burke Mrs. Bedelia, Clandagoff
Burke Rev. Thomas, P.P. The Chapel
Cahalan Rev. Michael, Boula
Clanricarde, the Most Noble the Marquess of, Portumna Castle
Crawford Rev. John, rector, Portumna
Eyre Robert, Esq, Earlston
Featherston Lieut. Colonel William, Derryhiney
Galbraith Henry J Esq, Thornfield
Grace Robert, Esq, New st
Hemsworth Thos. Esq, J.P. Abbeyville
Kelly Edward Esq, Killeen
Kelly Patrick, Esq, Longford Lodge
Kenny George C, Esq, Longford Castle
M'Donogh Frank, Esq, Wilmount
Madden Rev. Thomas, C.C. Portumna
Mansfield Captain J.C.H. Palmerstown
Nugent the Hon. Anthony, The Palace
Nugent Arthur, Esq, Crane
O'Farrell Rev. Patrick, C.C. Portumna
Palmer Robert Esq, Santa Cruz
Sanderson George, Esq, Heathlawn
Smithwick Rev. Samuel P. Larrha
Stoney Thomas B, Esq, Portland
Yelverton Hon. Captain, Belle Isle

BAKERS

Burke John, New st
Howard John, New st
Kavanagh John , New st

BLACKSMITHS

Byrne Patrick, New st
Hough Michael, Old st
Tracy William, Old st

BOOTMAKERS

Clarke Richard, Cross st
Hynes Francis, Old st
Lee James, New st
Whelan Thomas, New st

BUTCHERS

Hogan Philip, New st
Quinn Patrick, Old st

CARPENTERS

Corcoran Lawrence, New st
Galvin Patrick, Old st
Head Martin, New st

COOPERS

Muldoon Anthony, New st
Read James, Old st

FIRE &c., OFFICE AGENTS

CALEDONIAN - Thomas M'Donald, New street
LIFE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTLAND - Edwd Kelly, Red park
SCOTTISH EQUITABLE - Michael J. Rushe, Portumna

GROCERS

Marked thus * are also Spirit Dealers
* Baker Mary, New st
* Burke John, New st
* Gorman Mary, New st
Higginston John, Cross st
* Hough John, New st
* Kavanagh John, New st
Kelly John, New st
* Kennedy James, Old st
* Lambe John, Old st
* M'Donald Thomas, New st
Madden Fergus, New st
Molloy John H, Old st
* Muldoon Honoria, Old st
Nolan James, Cross st
* Shannon Daniel, Old st
Tuohy Bernard, Cross st

IRONMONGERS

Hynes James, Old street
O'Keefe Julia, New street

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS

Curley Daniel, New st
Faulkner John, Old st
Keighley John, New st
Kelly John, New st
M'Grann Michael, New st
O'Connell Daniel, New st
Quigley Dominick, New st

MASONS

Bollard John, Old st
Connor Joseph, Old st
Whelan John, New st
Whelan Michael, New st

PAINTERS

Bethel George, Old st
Lee Martin, New st

PUBLIC HOUSES

Connell Daniel, New st
Faulkner John, Old st
Lee John, New st
Molloy Joshua, New st
Taylor William (and posting establishment), New st
Weird William, Portumna

TAILORS

Coen John, Old st
Gantley Patrick, Old st
Quigley James, New st
Quigley Dominick, New st

MISCELLANEOUS

Briscoe John, nail maker, Old st
Connery Michael, pawnbroker, Old st
O'Keefe Julia, coal dealer, New st
Palmer Robert, miller, Santa Cruz
Russell John N & Sons, corn merchants, New st

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, OFFICES, &c.

PLACES OF WORSHIP
And Their Ministers

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, New street - Rev. John 
Crawford, rector
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - Rev. Thos. Burke, P.P.; Rev. Thomas 
Madder and Rev. Patrick O'Farrell, curates

POOR LAW UNION
Workhouse, Portumna
Master - Thomas Gordon
Matron - Mary Hickey
Schoolmistress - Bridget Coleman
Medical Attendant - Edmond Coates, M.D.
Clerk to the Union - Martin Lavin
Relieving Officers - Michael Hynes and Michael Donnelly

Barrack (Constabulary), New st - T.F. Singleton, 
sub-inspector; James Wade, head constable
Barrack (Military), Old st - Sergeant M'Cann, barrack master
Court House, New st - Robt Coghlan, keeper
Dispensary, Drummin - Edmond Coats, M.D. Surgeon
Stamp Office, New st - Martin Lavin, distributor

CARS
To EYRECOURT, a Mail Car, from the Post Office, every 
afternoon at half-past six
to ROSCREA, a Mail Car, from the Post Office, every 
afternoon at ten minutes before four

CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY
(Closed for want of traffic)
CONVEYANCE BY WATER
for Cattle and Goods
From the Steam Packet Harbour - Michael Collins collector

To KILLALOE (from Portumna), a Steam Boat, daily
To LIMERICK (from Shannon Harbour) a Steam Boat, daily