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A long stick or staff

This sparsely populated townland is adjacent to Craggaunowen and directly facing Cullaun townland and the entrance to the Cullaun demesne.

Placename confirmed to Ordnance Survey Boundary Surveyor in 1839 by Rev Daniel Corbett PP, R. Studdert, Rector. Recorded also as Cappaghnamadgh (Cappanamuddagh). Ceapach na Muide

Ceapach – tillage plot; na Muide – of the mud.

99.92 hectares / 0.9992 km²/0.39 square miles/246.91 acres

1825 Occupiers of land in Cant (Cappaghnamadgh) on 1st May eligible for tithe payment
Mr James Frost

 

1855 Griffiths Valuation – occupiers/property owners
1. Occupier James Frost, Owner Crosdale Maloney
2. Occupier Mary Fere, Owner Crosdale Maloney. John Bermingham, Freeholder

Richard Griffith began his work as a civil servant in the early 1820s and was appointed Boundary Commissioner in 1825. Griffith and his team of surveyors, draftsmen and spademen established the boundaries of townlands, civil parishes, baronies and counties for the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Griffith then became instrumental in the work of the Valuation Office, which surveyed land and buildings to ascertain their value for taxation purposes. The result of his work, the Primary Valuation of Ireland, was published for the entire island of Ireland between 1847 and 1864. Griffith and his team placed a rateable valuation on every piece of property in Ireland, which became the basis of a property tax called rates, which was used to fund the local Poor Law Union, including the Workhouse.

Census Records for Cant

1841 Census: Population 17; Households 3

1851 Census: Population 31; Households 8

1861 Census: Population 24; Households 7

1871 Census: Population 24; Households 6

1881 Census: Population 18; Households 6

1891 Census: Population 13; Households 4

1901 Census

Michael & his sister Marghet Phayer.

Mary McDonnell, sons Patrick, John.

1911 Census

Michael & his sister Margaret Fair.

Patrick McDonnell & his brother John.

1926 Census

Patrick McDonnell & his brother John (both single farmers)

Martin O’Brien & his sister Margaret.

1918 Quin Subscribers to Major Redmond Memorial Fund

John McDonnell, Patrick McDonnell DC.

Surnames found in this townland

Fere may be a variant of Fahy or O’Fearghail/Farrell. The Frost family was highly prominent throughout the broader Dangan and Quin area. Notably, James Frost of this wider clan was a well-known local historian who published The History and Topography of the County of Clare in 1893. Bermingham is an Anglo-Norman surname that became deeply integrated into Connacht and Munster (including East Clare) over the centuries. Other surnames found in records are Broggy, Coalman, Garvey, Lyddy, Lynch.

Death of Dr Patrick McDonnell, Quin Dispensary District

Right: Dr Patrick McDonnell pictured with his family in the late 1880’s. A medical doctor, he was originally from Broadford, but was then living in Cant.

Also in this photo is his wife Ellen nee Johnston from Clonlara to whom he married in 1877. Their four children were John, Catherine, George and Mary. Dr McDonnell died as a result of an accident in 1890.

EXTRACT FROM THE SATURDAY REPORTER OF APRIL, 28th. 1890

Death of Dr McDonnell. We regret to hear of the death, under particularly unusual circumstances, of Dr McDonnell of Quin, which occurred last Thursday night the 25th inst. He was attending a sick call on Wednesday last, and while returning, was thrown from his trap a short distance outside the village. From the nature of his injuries, he appeared to have alighted on the back portion of the bend, the skull being fractured on that spot. His servant boy was with him in the trap at the time, and the occurrence was also witnessed by a Mr Carmody, a neighbouring farmer, who was in an adjoining field, and they assisted in removing him to a house in the vicinity where he was attended by Dr Scanlon of Tulla and Dr Jennings of Ennis, who rendered all the aid that medical skill could give, but, though he rallied (?) at first, he succumbed on Thursday night. The deceased gentleman was a son of Mr John McDonnell of Broadford, and leaves a widow and young family, for whom universal sympathy is felt in their sad bereavement. He was, for several years, Medical Doctor of Quin Dispensary District, and was extremely popular on account of his generous disposition.

The remains were interred at Broadford yesterday, the funeral cortege being the largest ever witnessed in that part of the County.

EXTRACT FROM THE “SATURDAY RECORD’ OF APRIL, 28th. 1890.

Through the death of Dr. McDonnell, who was a former President of the Clare County Board G.A.A., the ties in the County Championships which were to be played on Sunday in Doora were postponed, as a mark of respect to his memory.

Extract from the “Saturday Record of May, 1st. 1890.

Quin Dispensary.

For the vacancy in the Medical Officership, held for a number of years by the late Dr. McDonnell, whose death it was our painful duty to announce in our last issue, the names of several gentlemen are spoken of as probable candidates for the office.

Dr O’Mara of Limerick, son of Mr James O’Mara, Dr Purceli, son of Mr Mather Purcell, Bauroe House, Feakle, a cousin of deceased, Dr Hannan, son of Mr P. Hannan, Killula, and Dr McDonnell, brother of deceased gentleman.

Drs. McDonnell, Hanna and Purcell are all in practice in England. The Committee of Management has not yet fixed the date of election. The salary is £100 with fees under various Acts which substantially increases it.

From ‘Vintage Lens’ Facebook November 2023:

Yesterday, I posted a photo of a family from Quin with their bicycles c.1888. The father of the family, Dr Patrick McDonnell, died not long after the photo was taken, in 1890. Sadly the mother, Ellen McDonnell, née Johnston, also died in the 1890s, leaving five children: George (1879-1939), John (1882-1915), Mary (1884-1948), Catherine (1885-1968), Hanora (1889-1956). John emigrated to New York in 1908. Mary and Hanora went to the UK and Catherine became a Sister of Mercy nun in Kilrush (Sister Aquinas).

The eldest, George Patrick McDonnell, is pictured here. He kept up cycling and won several competitions. He ended up as a civil engineer in Mullinahone in Co Tipperary. Not only was he a keen cyclist but an inventer too. He patented the ‘Tipperary Starter’ for cars in 1915. In a newspaper ad that year it was said: ‘Start your own car from the seat….without ratchets, free wheels, electricity or other trouble givers, and no possible danger from back fire.’ 

Previous to that, in 1913, he had also applied for a patent for a grass trimmer. This is how it was described in the ‘Cork Examiner’: ‘Apparatus for trimming grass edges of roads, sidewalks, grass plots, etc., comprises a special rotary cutter acting as a supporting wheel, an adjustable undercutting-knife, and means for discharging the cut turf at one side, or for elevating it into a cart. The ordinary wheel and cutting wheel are mounted on an axle, on which is pivoted a support for the seat, and a frame carrying the draught shafts. The undercutter, a continuation, and a guide-plate are connected by bars to the seat support, and are adjusted by rotating a screwed rod connecting the seat support to the draught frame. The plate discharges the material at the side of the machine or into elevating-apparatus. The cutting part of the wheel is preferably secured by screws, so that it may be detached for sharpening or shaping.’

National Monuments

CL043-010 Cappanamuddagh Ringfort Enclosure (Right)

CL035-086 Enclosure

Description: On a gentle S-facing slope, in improved, gently undulating pasture. A circular area (diam. 20m) defined by a well-formed sod-covered wall of stone (int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.15m; Wth at top 2m; overall Wth 7.25m). Thorn trees grow around top and sides of bank. There is no obvious entrance gap. The interior has a slight tilt downslope to E. An irregular heap of stones covered in vegetation is located within the centre and other loose stones are scattered around the interior. A linear limestone ridge (long-axis NE-SW) projects (L c. 55m) from exterior of monument at E and appears naturally formed. A laneway (long-axis NE-SW) flanks the exterior of the monument to N. A field fence (long-axis NW-SE) is located c. 2.5m to W and a stone wall townland boundary (long-axis NE-SW) is located c. 4m to N.

CL035-090 Enclosure

Description: On a low rise, having a steep E-facing slope where there is a small valley (long-axis N-S), in improved gently undulating pasture. Not visible at ground level. Depicted on all historic OS mapping as an oval area (34m N-S; 31m E-W) defined by a single enclosing element. A small field and settlement is shown adjoining to S. According to local information this land was intensively improved sometime prior to the 1980s. Enclosure (CL035-095—-) is c. 65m to ENE.

CL035-095 Enclosure

Description: On a plateau on a low, gently undulating ridge, overlooking a small valley to the immediate W, in improved pasture. Depicted on all OS historic mapping as an oval area (33m N-S; 30m E-W) defined by a single enclosing element. Not visible at ground level. According to local information this land was intensively improved sometime prior to the 1980s. Enclosure (CL035-090—-) is c. 65m to WSW.

CL035-097 Enclosure

Description: On a low, yet distinctive knoll, in improved pasture, overlooking woodland to E and gently rolling pasture elsewhere. Depicted on the 1840 edition OS 6-inch map as a large oval area defined by a single enclosing element. The monument is shown as a sub-oval area (30m N-S; 19m E-W) defined by a single enclosing element on the 25-inch OS map and 1921 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Not visible at ground level. This knoll was clearly used as a well-drained vantage point with land sloping down steeply to N and E. According to local information this land was intensively improved sometime prior to the 1980s.

 

Descriptions courtesy of Mary Tunney, National Monument Services

Baptisms in 1800’s

 

Date Child’s name Father’s F/n Mother’s maiden name Sponsors
22.04.1826 John Broggy Lot Steele Anna James Hannin(Mannion?)
24.02.1822 Patrick Coalman Cornelius Ready Honora Michael Torpey, Margaret McNamara
??.05.1836 Ellen Fair Michael Baker Maria William Ready, Maria Liddy
13.04.1838 Michael Fair Michael Baker Mary Thomas Meany, Honor Baker
18.04.1840 John Fair Michael Baker Mary Pat McDonnel, Bridget (?)
05.07.1841 Margaret Fair Michael Baker Mary Pat Liddy, Mary Meany
12.01.1826 Briget Garvey James Birmingham Mary Maichael Cain
22.04.1826 Timothy Lyddy James Roughan Nancy Daniel Lynch
30.01.1835 Ann Lynch John Reddy Joan William Ready, Mary Meany
22.12.1845 Bridget McDonnel James Molony Mary Tom Hogan, Judy Donnelan
17.03.1850 Catherine McDonnel James Molony Mary Michael Murphy, Mary Meany
20.11.1844 Margaret McDonnell James Molony Mary Pat Hogan, Mary Hogan
25.07.1852 James McDonnell James Molony Mary Thomas Molony, Honora Molony
25.04.1855 Michael McDonnell James Molony Mary Michael Fa(?), Anne Fai(?)
30.11.1861 John McDonnell James Maloney Mary Patt Hallinan, Margaret Fair
06.10.1864 Winnifred McDonnell James Molony   Mary Cotter
08.11.1857 Thomas McDonnell James Moroney Mary Thomas McDonnell, Margaret McDonnell

 

 

 

Seán na Gealaí

Halloween is the direct descendent of Samhain. It was the night when the gap between this world and the spirit world narrowed.  Known as Oiche Shamhna or ‘spirit night’, the souls of the dead were expected to return to the family home. The Church introduced the Feast of All Saints (Nov1) and the Feast of All Souls (Nov 2nd) to counter Samhain. Evil spirits were also thought to be abroad and people avoided travelling alone on this night.

   “Deireann na daoine go mbíonn sidheogaí amuigh oidhche Shamhna”, Schools’ Collection (NFCS 249).

Origins of Samhain

Contender 1- Tulsk, County Roscommon

Oweynagat Cave, Uaimh na gCat, meaning the ‘Cave of the Cats’ in Rath Croaghan. The Book of Leinster names it as dorus iffrin na Hérend – Ireland’s Gateway to Hell. Demons and all kinds of creatures emerge from here on Oiche Shamhna.

 Echtra Nerai (the Adventures of Nera) is first mentioned in the 10th century Cath Maige Mucrama story,  happening at Samhain.

Oweynagat Cave is also said to be the home of the Morrigan. She is portrayed as a goddess of battle and war, with the power to transform into crows or ravens. Her dreaded cry was frequently heard over battlefields.

Echtra Nerai, the Adventures of Nera

An Irish text taken from the Ulster Cycle, dating to the tenth century entitled ‘Nera and the Dead Man’, tells of the warrior Nera who accepts a dare during a dark and stormy Samhain night to tie a withy around the ankle of a hanging dead man. As he does so, the corpse suddenly comes to life and asks Nera to carry him on his back. Nera complies. After some adventures Nera gets the dead man back to his tree. All of this takes place at Samhain at Rath Croaghan/Cruachan, hence its association with Halloween.

Contender 2 – Tlachtga, Meath

The original Tlachtga was a druidess of considerable power and importance, the daughter of Mug Ruith who lived on Valentia Island in Kerry. He is said to have lived through the reign of nineteen kings, with his lifespan stretching back to the time of Christ on earth. Tlachtga and her father could travel the world on the Rath, a fabulous spinning wheel of fire that easily transported them. Mug Ruith sought out knowledge and learning like few before him and it was in this manner that he and Tlachtga travelled to study under Simon Magus (Simon the Sorcerer), who is mentioned in the Bible.

Simon Magus and Mug Ruith sent Tlachtga out into the world to gather as much knowledge as she could find. Upon her return they realized that her knowledge far surpassed their own!
They were outraged and such was their jealousy that they set the three sons of Simon Magus upon Tlachtga, who defiled her. She returned to Ireland where she gave birth to three sons, Dorb (Doirb), Cuma (Cumma) and Muach.

It was on the hill of Ward in county Meath that Tlachtga brought her three sons into the world, and it was there that she died, unable to sustain her life in the face of the utter grief and despair she felt at the indignity she had endured.

In recent years a renewal of the annual gathering on the hill of Ward now attracts hundreds of people at Halloween. A walk from Athboy up towards the Hill itself culminates with a celebration, with elaborate ceremonies and an acknowledgement of the cultural gift to Ireland and the world that Tlachtga represents.

In the ancient kingdom of Mide, Tlachtga was considered an important assembly place alongside Tara, Teiltun and Uisneach. These four ‘corners’ are recorded as having been the location of fortresses constructed by high king Tuathal Techmar at the foundation of Mide in the early decades of the first millennium AD.

‘Much of the (archaeological) evidence points towards a long history of ritual activity. Large quantities of animal bones – a sign of large scale feasting have been found throughout all phases of the site. The lack of evidence of any residential or day to day activity strengthens the idea that it most likely it was set aside purely for ritual or celebratory activity.

There have been finds in all three phases of the site, including scattered Bronze Age human remains and the skeleton of an infant between seven and ten months old… The child burial, next to a ritual deposit of cow bones, dates to AD 450 – around the time of the arrival of Christianity.

“The child was clearly buried with care and having not found any evidence of burials on the site, we’d have to guess that This child belonged to someone significant”.

Harvest knots and Guises

 

 

Homemade masks made by village boys calling to local houses on Oiche Shamhna

Outdoors

Unlike May when the fairies are active, November Eve brings malevolent spirits. It is the night for community bonfires, especially in housing estates in the cities and towns. Collecting the last handful of fruit and nuts.

Indoors

Families would attempt to have a celebratory supper on Oiche Shamhna. Family supper might be colcannon or pandy. They would first secure the house by sprinkling Holy Water and possibly placing a religious object in the thatch near the front door.

Typical Samhain Food included pancakes, stampy (a potato and apple cake, crusted with barley, enhanced with sea spinach and rock samphire & cooked with oil) apple cakes, nuts, blackberry pies.

An bairín breac/the barmbrack or the ‘speckled loaf’, containing oodles of dried autumn fruits is still a favourite treat, with lashings of butter.

Tokens inside the traditional loaf included the ring as a symbol of love and marriage,  a thimble (spinsterhood); a button (bachelorhood); a stick (to be beaten by the spouse); a rag (poverty); a coin (wealth) and a crucifix (the taking of religious orders).

Future Reading