Commas (Irish derived place name Cam Eas, meaning either ‘The Bend in the River’ or ‘The Crooked Stream’) is a townland in the civil parish of Kinawley, barony of Tullyhaw, County Cavan, Ireland.[1] Sub-divisions of the townland are- (a) The Strait - A name given to a hollow in the townland up near Cuilcagh mountain; (b) Knocknamaddoo (Irish derived place name Cnoc na Mada, meaning ‘The Hill of the Dogs (or Foxes)’; (c) Sruhan Doo (Irish derived place name Sruthan Dubh, meaning ‘The Black Stream’ because it is so coloured by the peat in the bog through which it flows), Easa Iarainn (Irish derived place name Easa Iarainn, meaning ‘The Iron Waterfall’) and Loinin (Irish derived place name Loinín, meaning ‘The Little Meadow’), are names given to streams flowing down the mountain in Commas.
Commas is bounded on the north by Alteen townland, on the south by Aghnacollia and Altbrean townlands, on the west by Aghatirourke, Bellavally Lower, Bellavally Upper, Bursan, Dunmakeever and Legnaderk townlands and on the east by Aghaboy (Kinawley), Binkeeragh, Monydoo (or Tonycrom) and Tullydermot townlands. Its chief geographical features are Cuilcagh mountain which rise to 2,188 feet above sea level, Binbeg mountain which rises to 1,774 feet, mountain pools, the River Cladagh (Swanlinbar), mountain streams, waterfalls, underground streams, river swallow holes, ravines, caverns and forestry plantations. Commas is traversed by minor public roads and rural lanes. The townland covers 2,551 statute acres and is the largest townland in County Cavan.[2]
In the 1609 Plantation of Ulster, Commas formed part of the mountain of Cuilcagh which were granted to John Sandford of Castle Doe, Co. Donegal (the father-in-law of Thomas Guyllym of Ballyconnell) by letters patent dated 7 July 1613 (Pat. 11 James I – LXXI – 38, ‘Quilkagh’).[3][4] It was later sold by Sandford to his wife's uncle Toby Caulfeild, 1st Baron Caulfeild, Master of the Ordnance and Caulfield had the sale confirmed by letters patent of 12 July 1620 (Pat. 19 James I. XI. 45 ‘‘Quilkagh’’).
The 1821 census states- Commas containing 500 acres of Black Mountain. There is Iron Mines in many parts.[5]
An 1834 map shows Commas as belonging to the Hassard estate.[6]
The 1836 Ordnance Survey Namebooks state- The Swanlinbar or Claddagh River rises in this townland, being the collection of a great many small streams which unite near the east side of the townland and runs towards the south-east.
Griffith's Valuation lists four landholders in the townland.[7]
Folklore relating to Commas was collected in the 1938 Dúchas collection.[8]
Commas National School, Roll No. 5270, was actually situated in Knockranny townland.
Year | Population | Males | Females | Total Houses | Uninhabited |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1841 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 0 |
1851 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
1861 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
1871 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 0 |
1881 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
1891 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
In the Census of Ireland 1821, there were two families living in the townland.[5]
In the 1901 census of Ireland, there was one family listed in the townland.[9]
In the 1911 census of Ireland, there was one family listed in the townland.[10]