Keenaght (townland)

Keenaght (from Irish: Cianachta meaning "tribe of Cain") is a townland lying within the civil parish of Kilcronaghan, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies in the south of the parish on the boundary with the civil parish of Desertmartin, and it is bounded by the townlands of: Coolsaragh, Cullion, Gortahurk, Longfield, and Tintagh. It was apportioned to the Drapers company.[1]

The townland currently lies within Tobermore electoral ward of Magherafelt District Council, however in 1901 and 1926 it was part of Iniscarn District Electoral Division as part of the Draperstown dispensery (registrar's) district of Magherafelt Rural District.[2][3] As part of Kilcronaghan civil parish, Keenaght also lies in the former barony of Loughinsholin.

History

The origin of the townland of Keenaght's name is said to be the same as that of the barony of Keenaght. According to Alfred Moore Munn, they derive their name from "O'Conchubhair Ciannachta", and from him derived the O'Connors of the Ciannachta Gleann Geimin (roughly equating to the modern-day parish of Dungiven).[1]

Population
Year Pop.
1841 122 [4]
1851 77 [4]
1861 82 [4]
1871 83 [4]
1881 79 [4]
1891 73 [2]
1901 65 [2]
1911 61 [3]
1926 45 [3]
Size (acres, roods, poles)
Year a, r, p
1851 311, 0, 10 [5]
1881 310, 2, 18 [4]
1901 310, 2, 18 [2]
1926 310, 3, 2 [3]
Earlier recorded forms[6]
Year Form
1813 Keenagh (S.M.) [1]
(S.M.) - Sampson's Map

See Also

References

  1. ^ a b c Notes on the Place Names of the Parishes and Townlands of the County of Londonderry, 1925, Alfred Moore Munn, Clerk of the Crown and Peace of the City and County of Londonderry
  2. ^ a b c d HistPop; Area, houses, and population, Vol. III [Part 2, Ireland, 1901 Page 34]
  3. ^ a b c d HistPop; County and County Borough of Londonderry, 1926, page 24
  4. ^ a b c d e f HistPop; Area, population and number of houses, Vol. III, Ireland, 1881, page 698
  5. ^ HistPop; County of Londonderry, 1851, page 241
  6. ^ Place Names NI - Keenaght