Killywillin

Geography

Killywillin is bounded on the north by Gortaclogher and Killymoriarty townlands, on the west by Killyran townland, on the south by Ballymagauran and Derryragh townlands and on the east by Porturlan townland. Its chief geographical features are Killywillin Lough, the River Blackwater, County Cavan, spring wells and a quarry. Killywillin is traversed by minor roads, rural lanes and the disused Cavan and Leitrim Railway.

The townland covers 202 statute acres.

Etymology

There was a medieval cornmill on the River Blackwater, from which the townland derives its name.

History

The earliest known mention of Killywillin is in the Irish annals for 1495 A.D. concerning the death of the McGovern clan chief, Feidhlimidh Mág Samhradháin, the First, who ruled from 1478 to 15 Feb 1495.

The Annals of Ulster state- Mag Samradhain, namely, Feidhlimidh, son of Thomas, son of Ferghal, son of Thomas, son of Brian the Bregian, namely, chief of Tellach-Eathach, was drowned at the crannóg of Killywillin Lough (loch crannoigi Caille an Mhuilinn), the feast day of Berach, Sunday, this year and his other brother, namely, Domnall Gapped tooth, was made Mag Samradhain.

The Annals of the Four Masters state- Magauran (Felim, the son of Thomas, son of Brian Breaghach), Chief of Tullyhaw, was drowned at the crannóg of Killywillin Lough (Loch Crannóicce Caille an Mhuilinn); and Donnell Bearnagh, his brother, took his place.

The Annals of Lough Cé state- Mac Samhradhain, i.e. Fedhlim, was drowned; and Domhnall Bernach was proclaimed Mac Samradhain in his place.

The Annals of Connacht state- Mac Samradain, that is Feidlim, was drowned and Domnall Bernach was proclaimed Mac Samradain in succession to him.

The 1609 Baronial Map depicts the townland as Kilmoylen.

The 1665 Down Survey map depicts it as Killicellin.

William Petty's 1685 map depicts it as Killcellcey.

In the Plantation of Ulster by grant dated 29 April 1611, along with other lands, King James VI and I granted one poll of Killemullane to the McGovern Chief, Phelim Magawran, but it is probable that the lands had been in the possession of the McGovern clan for several hundred years before this and it was just a Surrender and regrant confirming the existing title to the McGoverns.

An Inquisition of King Charles I of England held in Cavan town on 4 October 1626 stated that the aforesaid Phelim Magawrane died on 20 January 1622 and his lands, including one poll of Killemullan, went to his son Brian who was aged 30 (born 1592) and married.

The McGovern lands in Killywillin were confiscated in the Cromwellian Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652 and were distributed as follows-

In the Hearth Money Rolls of 1662 there was one person paying the Hearth Tax in Killiwillin- Hugh McCoy.

A grant dated 3 November 1666 was made by King Charles II of England to Sir Tristram Beresford which included, inter alia, the lands of Killmellin or Killywillin. By grant dated 11 September 1670 from King Charles II of England to said Sir Tristram Beresford, the said lands of Killmellin or Killywillin were included in the creation of a new Manor of Beresford.

In the Templeport Poll Book of 1761 there were three people registered to vote in Killywillin in the Irish general election, 1761 - Robert Johnston, Thomas Jones and Alexander Patterson. They all lived in Killywillin and were entitled to two votes each. The four election candidates were Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont and Lord Newtownbutler (later Brinsley Butler, 2nd Earl of Lanesborough), both of whom were then elected Member of Parliament for Cavan County. The losing candidates were George Montgomery (MP) of Ballyconnell and Barry Maxwell, 1st Earl of Farnham. Johnston and Patterson both voted for Coote and Montgomery. Jones voted for Newtownbutler and Coote. Absence from the poll book either meant a resident did not vote or more likely was not a freeholder entitled to vote, which would mean most of the inhabitants of Killywillin.

A map dated of the townland dated April 1794 is held in The County Cavan Archives (ref P017/0025). The description is-

Map of Killywilly (Killawilla or Killwilly), part of Ballymagauran, 'the coppy, and the commons,' held by Lancelot Slack from the Right Honourable Marquis of Waterford. Land surveyed is in the parish of Templeport, county Cavan. Survey completed by Nicholas Willoughby. Position of river, two lakes, an unnamed town and the 'Portarl. Road' are shown. Adjacent land occupier is named as Reverend Arthur Ellis. Total of land surveyed is 199 acres, 3 roods and 36 perches plantation measure.

The Tithe Applotment Books for 1827 list thirty two tithepayers in the townland.

Griffith's Valuation of 1857 lists twenty one landholders in the townland.

In the 1901 census of Ireland, there are sixteen families listed in the townland, and in the 1911 census of Ireland, there are seventeen families listed in the townland.

Killywillin School

The Second Report from the Commissioners of Irish Education Inquiry dated 1826 stated that Patrick McGuin, a Catholic, was the headmaster of the school which was a pay school with a salary of £15 per annum. The schoolhouse was built of mud at a cost of 6 guineas. There were 35 pupils of which 17 were Roman Catholics and 18 were Church of Ireland. 21 were boys and 14 were girls. [9] It was closed before 1900.

Antiquities

The chief structures of historical interest in the townland are:

1. A crannóg in Killywillin Lough 25 metres from the shore. This is the crannóg referred to in the above entry in the Irish annals for 1495.
2. An earthen ringfort.