The townland of Knocknagoug is centred around the road to Tulla, on leaving Quin. The hill after which it is named sits to the right of this road.
There are two translations for this townland name. Cnoc na gCabhóg which means hill of the jackdaws, or Cnoc na gCuag/gCuach meaning hill of the cuckoos.
The first is the translation recorded on Logainm.ie, the second is that conjectured by John O’Donovan and later by James Frost. Townland names in Clare have not been fully researched and legally authorised so the jury is still out on this one!
Knocknagoug has an area of 0.5451 km² or 0.21 square miles (134.69 acres)
This townland is not mentioned in Cromwellian records, Down Survey maps or the 1659 Census. The name may have referred only to the hill and the area contained within another townland. It appears to have been the home of the O’Guerin family before the conquest and subsequent transfer of lands. It is later very much identified with the adjoining Quinville townlands and much of it is later recorded as being in the ownership of the Singletons of Quinville Abbey.
1825 Tithe Applotments (residents eligible to pay tax to CoI): John Singleton, Thomas Hogan.
1855 Griffiths Valuation of rateable property owners: Patrick Gorman, John Singleton, Patrick Keefe, Daniel Cummin, Patrick Carmody, James Moylan, Mary Moylan, Cornelius Halloran, William Vance.
1891 Census: Total 17 residents/3 families.
1901 Census residents: William Bridgeman plus 3 sons, 2 daughters; John Gorman plus 1 son, 1 daughter; Patrick & Ellie O’Meara plus boarder/farm labourer. Total 12 residents/3 families.
1911 Census residents: Thomas & Susan Bridgeman plus son Walter; John Gorman plus 1 son, 1 daughter; Ellie O’Meara plus 1 son, 1 daughter. Total 9 residents/3 families.
National Monument – Ringfort CL034-133
This ringfort sits at about 150’ above sea level and is the highest point of the townland. This low hill and the ringfort is likely to be the inspiration for the townland name.
Closing Comments
Knocknagoug was one of the parishes smaller townlands, spatially and by population. Its proximity to the village has changed that and a lot of development has taken place within it in the past 30 years. It is devoid of any Manor house or estate, squeezed as it is between others. The hillfort or ringfort would have been the largest man-made feature from the early medieaval times. This would have been surrounded by man-made fields if other similar sites are a guide to us. Why would the hill be called after a bird, whether jackdaw or cookoo, rather than this imposing feature?
Historical references/Reference websites:
A_1640_register_of_the_Thomond_Papers.pdf
537 Knocknagoug in Quin parish. The Girons, or O’Guerins, continued to occupy lands in Quin parish into the 1640s. See Simington (ed.), Books, 142, 144.
Fr. John, Seamus & Donal O’Dea
Fr. John O’Dea. Birthdate: March 07, 1878. Birthplace: Knocknagoug, Quin, Bunratty Upper, County Clare, Ireland. Death: January 02, 1934
https://clarechampion.ie/missionary-celebrates-60-years-in-the-philippines
National Monument & Heritage map
Townland/Placename information:
