History of the Tithe War and what gave rise to this Tithe Defaulters list

by

Con Kelleher

Cloghoula

I was very surprised when I first found this document in the internet and thought it might be of interest to some viewers of our website. Many of the names (people and places) are spelled as they were pronounced at the time, being greatly influenced by the Irish language.  Also some confusion with the letters P and D!

Click on link to view list: Drishane 1831 Tithes Defaulters : (Full list also below)

Tithes were taxes of 10% of income, mostly from tenant farmers but also from tradesmen, which were to be paid to support the Protestant Church ministers. This was the case because the Protestant Anglican Church was the established state church and continued to be so till it was disestablished in 1869.  As the vast majority of the population were Catholics they hated having to pay this and regarded it as an unjust tax and they also gave something towards the support of their own local Catholic priest. Even Protestants disliked paying as it was an excessive burden on all at this stage.
Originally it was a payment in kind but had been changed to a money payment in 1823,  The amount was based on the price of corn in the seven years leading up to November 1821, but prices had fallen greatly by the 1830s and also there were disastrously bad harvests in 1829 and 1830.  In addition to this Catholics had acquired a great self-confidence having gained Catholic Emancipation in 1829, seeing the last significant races of the Penal Laws disappear.

Tithes were collected by the Tithe Proctors.  These are the “men in our employment” mentioned in the first paragraph of the above Defaulters List.  When money was not paid some farm commodities were seized in lieu, usually cattle.  Some farmers took advantage of a loophole in the law which said cattle could only be seized during daylight hours and so housed them during the day and allowed them to graze at night.  But this was not always possible and there was often violence when the police and often soldiers came to support the seizure, as the neighbours came to support the people whose cattle were being taken. There were many deaths (over 200 in 1831) at such events and especially at the fairs where an attempt was made to sell the seized cattle.   The most violent incident in Co Cork occurred near Fermoy and became known as the Massacre at Rathcormac.  Here in 1835 Archdeacon Ryder wanted to collect a tithe of four pounds and sixteen shillings from the Widow Ryan.  Many came to support the widow and in the ensuing struggle at least nine people were killed, including one or two of the woman’s sons.  In the midst of the bloodshed the soldiers seized four stacks of corn to meet the minister’s demands.

This campaign of resistance to the tithes extended to 1838 and is known as the Tithe War.  It had started in Graighnamanagh Co Kilkenny in 1831 where the minister failed to collect the tax despite the support of 600 soldiers and police, and then spread quickly to many parts of Ireland.  This is when the above list of Tithe Defaulters (Drishane Parish) in Cork was compiled. From the first few lines of it, the phrase “the existing combination” refers to the individuals on the  list, many of whom had attended a public meeting and expressed their determination to resist  the payment. Many such meetings took place where big crowds attended, up to 200,000 is said to have been present at one in Co Cork.

The war ended with the tithes being reduced to a quarter and the proctor being done away with, the money to be collected instead by the landlord along with his rent.

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Cork Tithe Defaulters for 1831 – Drishane Parish

Affidavit: Drishane Parish

The Existing Combination against the Payment of all tythes due renders any effort on the part of the Incumbent totally abortive. The men in our employment are deterred by intimidation & threats from acting in our behalf and we cannot count on anything unless by the assistance of Government.

Co. Cork Tithe Defaulters for 1831

DRISHANE PARISH in West Muskerry, Duhallow & Mayonihy Baronies

Place of Abode                                  Occupation

AUGHBANE                                        Farmer unles given otherwise

Michael Tim Buckly
Cornelius Michael Buckley
Tim John Buckley
Denis Long
Hugh Brien
Daniel Donnahy
Michael Riordan

ADRIVALE

William Kealiher
Owen Riordan
Timothy Doody
Johanna Heir Widow

AUCHNAGLOOR

Dennis Donnahy
Timothy Murphy
Daniel Dannahy
John -Bryan
John Creedan
Denis Scully
Florence O’Sullivan

BALLYANKEEN

Jeremiah Connor

BALLYANSKILL

Margaret Wealsh Widow
Daniel Lehane
John Connell Stone Mason

HANOVER HALL

Daniel Riordan Gentleman

BALLYNATONA

Owen Riordan

COOLLE

Herbert O’Donnell Esq
Denis Coakly
Denis Kealiher
Daniel Kealiher
John Murphy

COOLINAIRE

Jeremiah Connor

COCK HILL

Denis Lucey
Owen Murphy
Daniel Sheehan
Edmond Sheehan
Charles Williams
Humphry Sullivan
John Kealaher
Roger HarYington
John Penis Kealiher
Cornelius Buckly
Penis Kealiher

RATHROE

Denis McCarthy Esq

KEELMIDDY

John Buckly

CLOUGHOOLYBEG

John Buckly
Darby Kealiher
Hugh Kealiher
Cornelius Kealiher
Darby Mahoney
Patt Mahony
John Lynch

CLOUGHOOLYMORE

Garratt Dannahy
Patrick Murphy
Denis Dannahy
Richard Wealsh
Daniel Dannahy
John Kealiher
Timothy Murphy
Timothy Sweeney
John Sullivan

KNOCKNACILLY

John Daniel Dannahy
John Harrington
Denis Kealiher
Margaret Dannahy Widow
Daniel Donnoflue
Charles Keefe

CARRIGCUILTEEN

John Dannahy
Timothy Callaghan                               Mason
John Callaghan
Qwen Riordan
John Riordan
Matt Shea
Margaret Connor
Patrick Kealiher
Joseph Riordan
Timothy Riordan

CAHIRDOONEY

Denis Leane
Cornelius Hugh Kealiher
Darby Kealiher
John Kealiher

BALLYANSKILL

Daniel Shea

CAHIRDUNEY
Cornelius Haily
Margaret Dannahy Widow
Patrick Hartnett

CURROVOORY

Cornelius Dannahy
Patrick Ford
John Dannahy
Patrick Murphy
James Danby
John Dannahy
Andy Casey                                      Labourer
Michael Corkeran                                Labourer

CURROCAHILL

Penis Kealiher
John Creed
John Sullivan                                   Labourer

CLARAGHBEG

Daniel Kealiher
Cornelius Murphy

CLARAGHMORE

Jeremiah Dannahy
Samuel O’Callaghan
Robert Pomroy
John Keily
Patrick Keily
Michael Cleashman
Richard Pomroy
Timothy Horgan
John Murphy
Patrick Horgan
Michael Murphy

CAHIRBARNAGHS

Daniel Riordan
Daniel Buckly
Patrick Callaghan
John Buckley
Owen Sullivan
Timothy Sullivan
Humphrey Sullivan
John Cunningham
Patrick Leary
Daniel Dannahy
John Riordan
Peter Murphy J
Timothy Lucey
Widow Cronin
Patrick Cronin
Darby Keeffe
Cornelius O’Connor
Patt Murphy
James Royan
Daniel Royan
John Donovan

KNOCKAKILLING

John Coakley

KNOCKNALUMAN

Jerry Sullivan
Darby Cronin
Michael O’Sullivan
James Tuohig
Humphrey O’Sullivan
Thadee O’Sullivan
Timothy Culloty
John Culloty
Patrick Johnston
Jeremiah O’Sullivan
Daniel Cronin

INCHES

Timothy O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan
Denis Murphy
O’Sullivan
Andy Howran                                     Carpenter
Darby Connor
Mary Leary Spinster
Timothy Leary
William Wealsh

COOLINARNY

Patrick Murphy
Denis Murphy
Michael Murphy
Patrick Hinchen
John Cronin
Patrick Sweeny
William Fitzgibbons
Daniel Lucey

COOLIKFRANE

Denis Murphy
Daniel Kealiher
Daniel Dannahy
Patrick Murphy
Denis Kealiher
John Murphy
Conor O’Connor
Conor Murphy
William Herelihy
Denis Murphy
Cornelius Kealiher
Timothy Corkran
Owen Murphy
Daniel Murphy

SHANACOCK

Timothy Connors
Cornelius Crowly
Timothy Crowly
James Connor
Daniel Connor

CLARAGHTLEA

James Sullivan
Denis Sullivan
James Luney
Timothy Murphy
Michael Breen
Patrick Regan                                   Smith

COOMELEGANE

James Kealiher
Jeremiah Maynahan                               smith
Mrs McCarthy O’Leary
Daniel Danely
Thomas Corkerry
William Buckly                                  smith
Denis Gallivan                                  pensioner
Darby Sullivan
Peter Riordan                                   gardiner
Cornelius Riordan                               weaver
Callaghan McCarthy
Patrick Collins
Denis Kealiher
Daniel Kealiher
Julian Corkran Widow
Thomas Corkran
Jeremiah Corkran
Daniel Corkran
Patrick Duggan                                  labourer
Widow Kealiher

DOONEEN

John Murphy
Cornelius Murphy
Daniel Maynihan
John Maynihan
Johana Murphy
Tim Ahern
Cornelius Murphy
Jeremiah Murphy
William Boyes
Cornelius Sweeney
Darby Hartnett
Patrick Sullivan
John Murphy
Darby Riordan
Illen Counihan
Timothy Corkran
Widow Leary
John Balster
Cornelius Townsend

DRISHANEMORE

Henry Wallis Esq

DRIMNIHILLY

John Murphy
Thomas Harty
Thomas Bryde Gentleman

LISATHANAGARY

Darby Corkeran
Daniel Sullivan
Timothy Sullivan
Cornelius Sullivan

LACKABANE

Thomas Byrde                                    process officer
John Green                                      mason or process officer
Cornelius Leary
John Mahony
John Keily                                      sawyer
Thomas Bryde
Rev Patrick Fitzpatrick P.P.

DRISHANEBEG

Mathew Fitzpatrick
Michael Murphy
Denis Donnoghue
Owen McCarthy
Daniel MisKell
William Kealiher
John MisKell

MOUNT LEADER

Henry Leader Esq

CARRIGLEIGH

Michael Mahony
Widow Man

INCHILEIGH

Matt Murphy
William Sweeney
Denis McAuliff
Phillip Dannahy

GERAROE

John McAuliff

FIRIM

Denis Sullivan

DIREEN

James Keily
Laurence Keily
Jeremiah Murphy
Cornelius Kealiher

GURRANDUIFF

Patrick Buckly
John Spillane
Maurice Spillane
Mortagh Lehane

GNIEVES

Patrick Creedan
Darby Mullins
Thomas Mullins

GURTIVEHY

Daniel Egan
Carberry Egan
Owen Sullivan
James Sullivan
James Shine
John Murphy
Charles Riordan
John Murphy
Patrick Murphy

KEELMIDY

Andrew Hicky
David Leane
Conor Haily
Timothy Murphy
Darby Linnihan
John Mahoney
John Callahan
Patrick Kealiher
Denis Corcoran

CURROVORY

Andrew Hicky

LISCAHANE

Timothy Kealiher                                Carpenter

KILLOWEN

Andrew Keily
John Keily

KNOCKNALUMON

Jeremiah Sullivan

LISREAGH
James Dannahy
Jeremiah Dannahy
Cornelius O’Connor
Owen Sullivan
Darby Gallivan
Michael Gallivan
Widow Hertnett & Sons
Patrick Leary

TURINBANE

Denis Kealiher
Daniel Kealiher

CLOUGHOOLYBEG

John Buckly
Cornelius Buckly

LISCAHANE

Daniel Kealiher                                 Labourer
Thomas Bulman                                   Post Master
James Murphy                                    Inn Keeper
Denis Murphy
Catherine Keefe Widow and Tenantry
Jeremiah Corkeran
James Fitzgerald                                Miller
William Barrett
Timothy Sullivan
Michael Clearkeran
Timothy Collins
Widow Riordan Callig
Thomas Radly
Timothy O’Sullivan
Denis O’Sullivan
Thadee Sullivan
Daniel Sweeny                                   Carman
Mr Denis O’Sullivan
Daniel Kealiher
Cornelius Murphy
Anthony Barrett
John Barrett
John Callaghan
Timothy Callaghan
Widow Hergan
William Murphy
Cornelius MeAuliff
Thomas Mantle
Darby Crimin

COOLLE

Mr Herbert O’Donnell

LACKATQLA

John Maynahan
Darby Doody
Darby Lehane
John Kealihor
Denis Desmond
John Long
Timothy Kealiher
Mathew Riordan
Batt Moyurty

RATHDUNE

Jeremiah McCarthy Esq

CITY OF CORK

Thomas Leader

TULLIG

Denis Buckly
Timothy Buckly
Cornlius Buckly
John Corkeran
Darby Corkeran
Honora Leary Widow
Nicholis Leader
John Keuble
Daniel Kealiher
John Kealiher
Timothy Shea
John Sullivan
Daniel Keily
Timothy Corkeran

FOUR BOY

Cornelius Buckly
John Sullivan
Daniel Leane

6 thoughts on “History of the Tithe War and what gave rise to this Tithe Defaulters list”

  1. From the list of Tithe Defaulters under Lackabane townland, there is a Rev Patrick Fitzpatrick P.P. Would anyone know if this priest was responsible for either building the first church in Millstreet or inviting the Presentation Sisters to the town.

    There is also a Tithe Defaulters list for the Clondrohid parish which includes all the townlands around Carriganima and Ballinagree. Its introduction gives a good account of events that were happening and the general hostile atmosphere that confronted the Tithe Proctors and their superiors at this time.
    The address to this link is http://www.failteromhat.com/tithes1831/clondrohid.htm .

    Here in the townland of Liscarragane there is listed a Jeremiah Leary. I think this is the father of An tAthair Peadar O’Laoire, the author of many books including his autobiography, Mo Sceal Fein. Again, it would most pleasing if someone could shed some light on this.

  2. This is a very useful website as it is one of the earliest lists of people in Millstreet outside the town. There is an earlier Tithe List of those who should pay the tithes but it is not yet on the web as far as I can see. It is good to see how many refused to pay this tax.

    It would be interesting to see how many of those listed whose families can be traced to today. The Denis Long of Aughbane is the great great great grandafather of the present Denny Long in Aubane – and of myself.

    Jack Lane

  3. Good job, Jack!!

    Students from Rathcoole School did a project recently on the history of that school. Is there any possibility that they would consider sharing it on this website?

    And YES….a concise, detailed history of Millstreet
    would be a best-seller.

  4. I am descended from a Patrick Callaghan (perhaps listed above under Cahirbarhaghs), who married Johanna Marie O’Shea and fathered Mary Elizabeth Callahan, my great grandmother, on 12 July 1867 (or ’68 or 9) in Millstreet. Mary emigrated at 12, and married Thomas Francis Bresnahan in Fort Wayne, IN USA. Thomas’ father John, of Maurice Brosnahan and Bridgett Connell, was baptized on 22 May 1836 in Borhebue, and his mother Mary Twoomey, of Thomas Twoomey and Catherine Burns, was baptized on 18 Nov. 1837 in Parish Killworth. While John was baptized at Boherbue, we believe the Brosnahans lived in or near Kanturk.

    I will be visiting with my daughter and expect to be traveling through West Cork on June 7 and 8, 2011.

  5. my grandmother was mc sweeney from carrigimina clondroid co cork her mothers name was o sullivan.my grandmother was married to goggin. i am seeking more info if anyone out there could help.thank you.

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