Ballymagirril
In medieval times the McGovern barony of Tullyhaw was divided into economic taxation areas called ballibetoes, from the Irish Baile Biataigh (Anglicized as 'Ballybetagh'), meaning 'A Provisioner's Town or Settlement'.
The original purpose was to enable the farmer, who controlled the baile, to provide hospitality for those who needed it, such as poor people and travellers.
The historical spellings of the ballybetagh are Ballymackgawran & Ballimacgawran (Irish = Baile Mhic Shamhráin = McGovern's Town).
[5] The four polls comprised the modern day townlands of Ballymagirril, Greagh, Stranadarragh and Cornagunleog.
This is confirmed in a visitation by George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes in autumn 1611 when he states that Magauran had his own land given him on this division.
[6] 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 4 polls in Ballymagerrill, went to his son, the McGovern Chief Brian Magauran who was aged 30 (born 1592) and married.
The 1652 Commonwealth Survey lists the townland as belonging to Lieutenant-Colonel Tristam Beresford and a further confirming grant dated 3 November 1666 was made by King Charles II of England to the aforementioned Sir Tristram Beresford, 1st Baronet which included, inter alia, 157 acres-3 roods-26 perches of land in Ballinagurke or Ballinegerrill or Ballinegerry.
[11] In a marriage settlement made 18 Oct 1718 with his wife Katherine (née Lowther), the said James Kirkwood settled the lands, including Bullimaguerk, on his children.
The losing candidates were George Montgomery (MP) of Ballyconnell and Barry Maxwell, 1st Earl of Farnham.
[14] In 1804 Lowther Kirkwood of Mullinagrave, parish of Templeport, Co. Cavan, gentleman made the following will- 2 July 1804.
To his grandnephew Lowther Brien, city of Dublin, attorney, and his heirs his lands of Awengallis, Ballylenan, Ballymagirill, Stranadarragh, Carnagimlie, Cullagh, Drumleden, Leitry [Leitra], Corlagh, Lananleragh [Lannanerriagh], Gowlanlea and Drumlogher, Co. Cavan, held under lease from the Beresford family.
Recites that Edward Rutledge is seized of part of the lands of Ballymagirril (Ballimagirl), parish of Templeport, County Cavan, by virtue of assignment.
Noted that a memorial of the deed was entered in the Register Office, city of Dublin, on 19 May 1830, in book 859, page 258, number 573258.
[2] Archived 15 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Tithe Applotment Books for 1827 list ten tithepayers in the townland.
The commissioners having ordered a Sale of the Lands of Shanadaragh and Curnagunlogh, Cullegh, Drumlohgher, Drumledin, Sananaragh, and Drumledin, and Corlough, situate in the Barony of Tullyhaw, and County of Cavan, held under lease dated the 10th April, 1718, from the Bishop Raphoe, for lives renewable for ever, and which Lands are included in the denominations of Ballymagord, Owngally, Gortneglough, Drumedin or Ballylennin, in said lease mentioned: A distinguished native of the townland was William Rutledge who later became a politician in Victoria, Australia.
