The Lands of Cloonyquin, Co. Roscommon [Gen-008]

The lands are mentioned in the Books of Survey and Distribution being abstracts of various surveys and instruments of title 1636 - 1703. (Vol 1 - Co. of Roscommon, edited by R.C. Simington has been published by the Stationery Office, Dublin on behalf of the Irish Manuscripts Commission.)

There is no mention of "Toolan" or a similar surname in the  index. This is not surprising as the family only migrated from Co. Donegal in the seventeenth century and it would have taken considerable time for them to re-establish themselves in view of the draconian laws against the Irish, which were in force at the time.

On Page 79 of Vol. 1 of the Books of Survey and distribution Clunyquin (sic) is described as 4qtrs. "arrable meadow and pasture" totalling 284 acres, the property of Sir Thomas Nugent. He was the owner in 1641. The land was apparently forfeited in 1688 and passed to William Connelly. Later it came into possession of the French family. The estate was purchased from Christopher French by the Irish Land Commission and vested in the tenants. The names in the Vesting Order of 23rd July, 1897 include

• Owen Rorke Cloonyquin
• John Toolin (Senr.) Cloonyquin
• John Toolin (Junr.) Cloonyquin
• Bartly Devany Cloonyquin
• Bridget Deveny Cloonyquin
• Winifred Conroy Cammoge, Tulsk
• Martin Cassidy Cammoge, Tulsk
• Peter Feeny (sic) Cammoge, Tulsk
• Winifred Owens Cammoge, Tulsk
• Michael Feeney Corracreigh, Tulsk.

According to Land Commission Records (Estate of Christopher French. Record No. L.C. 1802) a farm of 22a. 1r. 24p. was leased by Christopher French, Landlord, to William Toolin (sic) for term of 31 years or two lives. Date of lease 7th March, 1866. Area as stated on lease is 22a. 2r. 15p.

Editor's addition, 2025
Land measure at the time was expressed as, for example, 22a 1r 24p, meaning 22 acres, 1 rood and 22 perches. 40 perches equal 1 rood and 4 perches make up an acre.
The metric equivalents in square metres are: 1 perch = 25, 1 rood = 1012, and 1 acre = 4047. The lands in question measure 90,650 sq m or slightly more than 9 hectares.

On 8th October, 1887, John Toolin, Senior, (son of the William Toolin referred to in the preceding Paragraph) as the Lessee in bona fide occupation of the holding made application under the Land Law (Ireland) Acts 1881 and 1887 to have a fair rent fixed thereon and by order of the Land Commission dated 24th June, 1890 No. 6185 he was deemed tenant and a fair rent fixed at £16.

Among the improvements claimed by John Toolin, Senior to have been made in the holding was the erection of a new slated house (apparently an outhouse) in 1887 (See Fair Rent application). He also claimed to have reclaimed two Irish acres of bogs in the preceding twenty years (i.e. prior to 1887).

In the application for a Fair Rent Order the following particulars were also given

    Landlord: Christopher French, Cloonyquin, Tulsk.
    Laadlord's Agent: Talbot, Crosbie and Holmes, Estate Office, Roscommon.
    Landlord's Solicitor: J. Burke, Cloonyguin.
    Tenant's Solicitor: Mr. Mac Dermott, Cloonyguin.

The holding was inspected by an Irish Land Commission Inspector on 11th and 12th June, 1890 and the following are extracts from his report:

"Tenant has managed his holding well and it shows traces of improvement all over"
"Land is in two divisions."
"In 1881 landlord and tenant arranged that rent should be £17 10s. but no agreement was filed."
The inspection was attended by Bryan Murray, bailiff, on behalf of the landlord.
The number of the relevant Ordnance Survey Sheet is 22.

On the 13th February, 1897, John Toolin (described in the agreement as John Toolin, Senior) signed, by his mark, an agreement to purchase the holding from the landlord through the Land Commission. Dated 23rd July, 1897, an order was made by the Land Commission vesting the holding in him and he was registered as owner. The purchase price was £320 and the land purchase annuity was fixed at £12. 16s. per annum.

A report by Thos. Roberts, Land Commission Inspector, dated 10th April, 1897, said "nearly all the holding is good grass land - a very small portion in tillage - plot 2 acres peaty." "Buildings: a very good thatched dwelling. Offices, slated and thatched."

On 7th June, 1918 Winifred Toolin was registered as owner and on 27th July, 1918, William Devany was registered owner of the holding. (He was a nephew of Winifred Toolan.) The Devaney family are still (1984) in occupation of the holding.

Editor's addition, 2025
The following information is copied from the page relating to Killina (Tulsk) Cemetery, Co. Roscommon:

The Townland of Cloonyquin (168 acres) is in the Electoral Division of Cloonyquin, Union of Strokestown, Barony of Roscommon.
Neighbouring Townlands were: Flaskamor, Flaskabeg, Boyanagh, Tullintuppeen, Cammoge, Toberrory, Kilnanoona, Carrowgobbadagh and
Knockavarrce.
Ordnance Survey Map Reference: O.S. 22.

The estate of the French family of Cloonyquin totalled 1,278 acres.