Gortnacargy

Gortnacargy (from Irish Gort na Carraige meaning The Field of the Rock) is a townland in the civil parish of Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland.

[4][5][6] 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.

[12] By a deed dated 10 May 1611 between the said Connor McCahir O’Relly of Cargeagh-Callne in County Cavan, gent and John O’Relly of Gortingarge, County Cavan, gent by which they divide between them the 6 poules of land gotten at the last Plantation of the county, viz, the poules of Gortinesimonie, Tirenavan, Dinrewelle, Dune, Dongary and Cornahagh, of which Connor obtained the three first; who is to pay John 10 shillings English yearly in satisfaction of a gallon of land.

An Inquisition held at Cavan Town on 31 March 1626 found that the said Cornelius O’Rely, recently of Gortincarge, County Cavan deceased, was seized of said townland of Gortincarge containing 4 polls of land, namely Gortinshemore, Downe and Tyrenewonagh and 2 polls of land in Downe and Corneha.

[13] The aforesaid O'Reilly lands in Gortnacargy were confiscated in the Cromwellian Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652 and were distributed as follows- The 1652 Commonwealth Survey depicts the townland as Gurteensheemon with the proprietor being William Brampson.

A grant dated 30 January 1668 was made from King Charles II of England to William Bramston for the 46 acres and 2 roods in Gortmcshinan at an annual rent of seventeen shillings.

Probate granted July 1796) stated- To be buried in the vault I made at Temple Piert.

To my granddaughter Isabella Simpson twenty pounds to be paid by her uncle William Betty when she marries or comes of age.

The bequest to my wife also includes the peninsula of Rus and Francis McTaggart’s houses to enable her to support my daughters to whom I bequeath an additional £200 each.

Memorial witnessed by: John Farrelly and Hugh Bannan 503, 380, 324301 William Betty (seal) sworn at Cavan 12 July 1796.

[19] The 1836 Ordnance Survey Namebooks state- The soil is light, being intermixed with limestone...the townland is bounded on the south side by a large lake.

[23] In 1851 the population of the townland was 24, being 14 males and 10 females, the reduction being due to the Great Famine (Ireland).