THE ANCIENT DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GALWAY. BY REV. Patrick K. Egan
Iar Connacht
: That part of County Galway west
of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, comprising the whole of Conmacne Mara.
It included
A: Conmacne Mara
- The western portion co-extensive with the barony
of Ballynahinch, remained with the Conmacne, whose chief was O’
Caidhla until occupied by the O’Flahertys after the eleventh century.
- South Connemara,
from Galway to Lettermore, lying between Lough Corrib
(Loch Oirbsen) and Galway Bay
(Loch Lurgan) called Tír
Dá Loch and co-extensive with the barony of Moycullen was
wrested from the Conmacne at an early date and became
known as Dealbhna Feadha Thíre dá Loch.
- The Dealbhna Feadha divided into two groups:
- (a) Gnó Mór, whose chief was Mac
Conraoi, comprising the half barony of Moycullen (v. Omnasticum
Goedelicum), i.e. the parishes of Kilcummin and Killannin.
(b) Gnó Beag, comprising the remainder
of the barony i.e. the parishes of Moycullen and Rahoon. *
*It is difficult to know what period is being referred to. It is certainly at odds with the
definition of Gnó Beag as supplied by John O’ Donovan.
This may be resolved by some expert
who knows whether Fr Egan was referring to civil or Roman catholic parishes.
The Rev. Patrick. K. Egan is renowned
for his history of Ballinasloe and other
learned articles which were published in the journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~tbreen/Journals/Galway.html
History of Ballinasloe by Rev. Patrick. K. Egan
http://www.galwaylibrary.ie/history/chapter69.html
