Galway - Slater's 1881 Directory of Portumna *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Galway Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C.L. 1881 DIRECTORY OF PORTUMNA Slater's Commercial Directory Of Ireland A Small market and post town, in the parish of LICKMOLASSY, barony of Longford and county of Galway, is 99 miles w. by s. from Dublin, 18 S.E. from Loughrea, and 11 s. by w. from Eyrecourt, very pleasantly situated on the river Shannon, which here dividing into two channels, forms an island, through the centre of which passes the line of separation between the counties of Galway and Tipperary. The town which consists of two principal spacious streets, enjoys a good corn market and carries on a tolerable inland trade. About a mile from town, the river is crossed by a bridge erected in 1841 by the commissioners of the Board of Public Works in Ireland. It is a very fine structure, composed of what may be termed three sections. The central portion stands upon the island and is built of native stone, the two wings are of iron, supported by strong wooden bearers or pillars, and in the western wing is a swivel arch, to allow steamers and other vessels navigating the Shannon to pass without lowering their masts. The entire length of the bridge is full 252 yards and it cost upwards of £22,000. At this part of the river is the harbour for Portumna. In close proximity to the Tipperary side of the bridge is a station upon a branch of the Great Southern and Western railway, whose terminus is here, but which, through want of traffic, is now closes. The town of late years has been much improved in its streets; the court house is a conspicuous object. The Marquess of Clanricarde is the spirited and liberal proprietor of the town. General sessions are held twice a year; and the magistrates who assemble in petty sessions once a fortnight superintend the municipal affairs of the town. Portumna is a constabulary station, and is the residence of a sub-inspector. The Protestant Episcopal church, rebuilt in 1832, is a handsome structure of stone with a spire. The Roman Catholic church, erected in 1826, is an elegant cruciform edifice (in an enclosed square), the sire for which and for a burial ground was the gift of the nobleman before named. A dispensary and a parochial school comprise the charitable institutions. Close to the town stands the ruin of Portumna Castle, the property of Lord Clanricarde, which was destroyed by fire in 1826, and only a portion of the building is now inhabitable. There are several handsome mansions in the neighbourhood, especially on the eastern side of the town, which, as they peep from among the foliage that fringes the water's banks, impart an air of real beauty to the scenery. The remains of the Dominican friary are beautiful and interesting. The market is held on Saturday, and fairs February 15th, May 6th, July 1st, August 15th, October 17th, and November 15th. The population of the town in 1861 was 1,265, and in 1871, 1,269. POST OFFICE, Portumna, Martin Lavin, Post Master. Letters arrive (through Eyrecourt) at seven morning and are dispatched at a quarter-past six evening. Money Order & Telegraph Office and Savings Bank. NOBILITY, GENTRY & CLERGY Avonmore Lord Viscount, Belle Isle Burke Mrs. Bedelia, Clandagoff Burke Rev. Thomas, P.P. The Chapel Cahalan Rev. Michael, Boula Clanricarde, the Most Noble the Marquess of, Portumna Castle Crawford Rev. John, rector, Portumna Eyre Robert, Esq, Earlston Featherston Lieut. Colonel William, Derryhiney Galbraith Henry J Esq, Thornfield Grace Robert, Esq, New st Hemsworth Thos. Esq, J.P. Abbeyville Kelly Edward Esq, Killeen Kelly Patrick, Esq, Longford Lodge Kenny George C, Esq, Longford Castle M'Donogh Frank, Esq, Wilmount Madden Rev. Thomas, C.C. Portumna Mansfield Captain J.C.H. Palmerstown Nugent the Hon. Anthony, The Palace Nugent Arthur, Esq, Crane O'Farrell Rev. Patrick, C.C. Portumna Palmer Robert Esq, Santa Cruz Sanderson George, Esq, Heathlawn Smithwick Rev. Samuel P. Larrha Stoney Thomas B, Esq, Portland Yelverton Hon. Captain, Belle Isle BAKERS Burke John, New st Howard John, New st Kavanagh John , New st BLACKSMITHS Byrne Patrick, New st Hough Michael, Old st Tracy William, Old st BOOTMAKERS Clarke Richard, Cross st Hynes Francis, Old st Lee James, New st Whelan Thomas, New st BUTCHERS Hogan Philip, New st Quinn Patrick, Old st CARPENTERS Corcoran Lawrence, New st Galvin Patrick, Old st Head Martin, New st COOPERS Muldoon Anthony, New st Read James, Old st FIRE &c., OFFICE AGENTS CALEDONIAN - Thomas M'Donald, New street LIFE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTLAND - Edwd Kelly, Red park SCOTTISH EQUITABLE - Michael J. Rushe, Portumna GROCERS Marked thus * are also Spirit Dealers * Baker Mary, New st * Burke John, New st * Gorman Mary, New st Higginston John, Cross st * Hough John, New st * Kavanagh John, New st Kelly John, New st * Kennedy James, Old st * Lambe John, Old st * M'Donald Thomas, New st Madden Fergus, New st Molloy John H, Old st * Muldoon Honoria, Old st Nolan James, Cross st * Shannon Daniel, Old st Tuohy Bernard, Cross st IRONMONGERS Hynes James, Old street O'Keefe Julia, New street LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS Curley Daniel, New st Faulkner John, Old st Keighley John, New st Kelly John, New st M'Grann Michael, New st O'Connell Daniel, New st Quigley Dominick, New st MASONS Bollard John, Old st Connor Joseph, Old st Whelan John, New st Whelan Michael, New st PAINTERS Bethel George, Old st Lee Martin, New st PUBLIC HOUSES Connell Daniel, New st Faulkner John, Old st Lee John, New st Molloy Joshua, New st Taylor William (and posting establishment), New st Weird William, Portumna TAILORS Coen John, Old st Gantley Patrick, Old st Quigley James, New st Quigley Dominick, New st MISCELLANEOUS Briscoe John, nail maker, Old st Connery Michael, pawnbroker, Old st O'Keefe Julia, coal dealer, New st Palmer Robert, miller, Santa Cruz Russell John N & Sons, corn merchants, New st PUBLIC BUILDINGS, OFFICES, &c. PLACES OF WORSHIP And Their Ministers PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, New street - Rev. John Crawford, rector ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - Rev. Thos. Burke, P.P.; Rev. Thomas Madder and Rev. Patrick O'Farrell, curates POOR LAW UNION Workhouse, Portumna Master - Thomas Gordon Matron - Mary Hickey Schoolmistress - Bridget Coleman Medical Attendant - Edmond Coates, M.D. Clerk to the Union - Martin Lavin Relieving Officers - Michael Hynes and Michael Donnelly Barrack (Constabulary), New st - T.F. Singleton, sub-inspector; James Wade, head constable Barrack (Military), Old st - Sergeant M'Cann, barrack master Court House, New st - Robt Coghlan, keeper Dispensary, Drummin - Edmond Coats, M.D. Surgeon Stamp Office, New st - Martin Lavin, distributor CARS To EYRECOURT, a Mail Car, from the Post Office, every afternoon at half-past six to ROSCREA, a Mail Car, from the Post Office, every afternoon at ten minutes before four CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY (Closed for want of traffic) CONVEYANCE BY WATER for Cattle and Goods From the Steam Packet Harbour - Michael Collins collector To KILLALOE (from Portumna), a Steam Boat, daily To LIMERICK (from Shannon Harbour) a Steam Boat, daily