History of Placenames: Winters Family

History of Placenames: Winters Family

The place names associated with the Winters family in Co. Limerick evolved over many years, as the old Irish Gaelic names became anglicised and before spelling became standardised. As a result, they can appear in the literature as different variants.

An invaluable reference to the changes in place names in Co. Limerick is Field Name Books of the County and City of Limerick with the Place-Names, English and Irish, as explained and fixed by John O'Donovan which was published by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1839-40.¹

The following entries from the Field Name Books record the evolution of some of the place names associated with the Winters family in early Co. Limerick, along with a brief description as of 1839-40.

Particles Ph.

* Particles - J. O'D.
* ditto   - Barony Map.
* ditto   - Down Survey.

Bounded on the N. By the phs. Of Ardpatrick and Kilbreedy Major; W by the phs. Of Ballingaddy and Ardpatrick; E. By the phs. Of Kilfinnan, Kilflyn; and S. by the the ph. of Ballingaddy and the phs. of Doneraile and Kildorrery, Co. Cork.

Contains S496a. 3r. 4p., statute measure. the principal part of the parish is arable and pasture, although there is a good tract of mountain towards the west, and the centre is boggy. There are several good roads through the parish, and some remarkable antiquities are found interspersed.

Ballyeagoag

Ballyeagoag - Baile Uí Gheagóig, O'Gegog's town.

* Ballygeagoge - J. O'D.
* Ballyagogue -Samuel Marks
* Ballygiagoge - Down Survey
* Ballygiagog - Civil Survey 1654-56
* Ballygigogee - Acts of Settlement &c.

In the N.E. of the parish. Bounded on the N. by Laurencetown S.; W. by Mortlestown; E. by Ballinanima and Ballyroe Lower (Kilfinnan ph.); and S. by Moneen and Clovers (Kilflyn ph.)

Is the property of Richard Oliver Gascoigne, Esq., and contains 349a. 3r. 25p. statute measure. There are a few small portions of rough pasturage interspersed; the remainder is arable. There are 2 roads bearing nearly E. and across the td.; one is about the centre, the other in the N, of the td. Between these two roads stands Ballybeg House. In the s. on the td. is an ancient fort, called Ballygeagoge fort. In the E. of the td., near ear the road about the the centre, stand the ruins of an old mill.

Castle Oliver

* Castle Oliver -- J. O'D.
* ditto   -- Barony Book
* ditto   -- Samuel Marks
* ditto   -- Sur. & Val. Report 1824

In the E. of the parish. Bounded on the N. by Moneen and Sunville Upper; W. by Fanningstown and Glenosheen; E. by Raheenroe and Ballyorgan (Kilflyn ph.); and S. by Coolfree (Kilflyn ph.).

Is the property of Lord Portarlington, Yorkshire, & contains 786a. 3r. 30p. statute measure. There is much ornamental ground in this td., in the centre of which stands Castle Oliver. In the north part of the planted portion are two ponds. The road leading to Kildorrery forms the southern boundary.

Fanningstown

Baile an Fhaininigh, town of Fanning.

* Fanningstown --J. O'D.
* ditto   -- Barony Book
* ditto   -- Samuel Marks
* Faningstowne -- Down Survey
* ditto   --Civil Survey 1654-56
* Fanningstowne -- Acts of Settlement &c.

Central of the ph. Bounded on the N. by Sunville Upper; W. by Toor; E. by Castle Oliver and Glenosheen; and S. by Glenanair East.

Is the property of Silver Oliver, Esq, Vienna, and contains 604a. 3r. 35p. statute measure. Nearly half, towards the south, is mountain. There is a good road which crosses the td. towards the N., which leads to Kildorrery. A stream on the W. divides it from Toor, and another on the E., running I. through the mountain, divides it from Glenosheen. There are several houses in the td., and on the top of a high mountain is a rock, called Black Rock.

Glenosheen

Gleann Oisin, Ossian's Glen.

* Glanasheen - J. 0'D.
* Glenasheen - Barony Maps
* Glenisheen - Samuel Marks, Cess Collector

In the S.E. of the parish. Bounded on the N. by Fanningstown and Castle Oliver; W. by Fanningstown and Glenanair East; E. by Castle Oliver and Coolfree; and S. by Glenanair East.

Is the property of Silver Oliver, Esq., Vienna, and contains 773a, 2Ir. 5p. statute measure. About ⅓ arable; remainder mainly mountain, with a portion of wood on the West. There are several roads and houses interspersed. Long Mountain on the S. and Seefin on the W. are the principal heights.

Sunville Lower

Baile na Gréine, town of the sunshine.

* Sunville &c. -- J. 0'D.
* ditto   -- Barony Book
* ditto   -- Sur. & Val. Report 1624
* ditto   -- Samuel Marks
* Ballingreny -- Down Survey
* Ballingrena -- Civil Survey 1654-56
* Ballgrony -- Sets of Settlement &c.

In the N.W. of the parish. Bounded on the N. by Ballynamoloogh; W. by Baunmore; E. by Mortlestown; and S. by Sunville Upper.

Is the property of Edwd. Sayers, Esg, Sunville. It contains 287a. 2r. 37p. statute measure. About one-fifth of the td, in the North, is a meadow pasture. In the the North, S. of the td. there is a Gentleman's Seat, a neat house with suitable offices, garden, etc. The front or south side of the house is beautifully ornamented with wood and water. The house is called Sunville House. To the west of it there is an excellent corn mill.

Sunville Upper

For name, see above.

Central of the parish. Bounded on the N. by Sunville Lower and Mortlestown; W. by Toor; E. by Castle Oliver; and S. by Fanningstown.

Is the property of Richd. Oliver Gascoigne, EsQ., and contains 554a. 0r. 6p. statute measure. All arable end pasture except a small portion of bog on the east side. There are 2 forts here, one near the N., and the other more west, near Knockbrack Hill, and called Knockbrack Fort. In the N.W. corner, near the cross-roads, stands a R. C. Chapel, and to the east of the chapel is St. Anne's well.

Toor

Tuar, a bleach green; a place where anything is spread out to dry.

* Toor _ J. O'D.
* Tour - Samuel Marks
* Teeremore - Acts of Settlement &c.

In the W. Of the parish. Bounded on the N. By Ardpatrick ph.; W. by Coombs (Ballingaddy ph.); E. by Sunville Upper and Fanningstown; and S. by Glenanair W.

Is the property of Silver Oliver, 492a. 2r. 24p. statute measure. It is the most western townland and contains a great tract of mountain towards the South and Greg Mountain on the West; the reminder is arable. The parish boundary is a lockspitted line along the mountain from Greg (Graig) Mountain to Castle Philip Rock. There are some old roads and a few houses in this td.

Down Survey Map for the Barony of Coshlea ca. 1657. Courtesy of The Down Survey Project

Citations

1. Field Name Books of Limerick; https://limericklocalstudies.ie/field-name-books-of-limerick/