The Clearys of Illaun, Miltown Malbay
Select this link for more information about Miltown Malbay.
A "townland" is the smallest rural division of a Parish. The Cleary family lived in a townland called Illaun (shown on some old documents as Illane). The word "illaun" is a Gaelic word which translates as "the island". The townland of Illaun was situated just over one mile north of the town of Miltown Malbay. According to the IreAtlas townland database, Illaun covered an area of 413 acres .
an old ordnance survey map showing the Illaun townland,
just over one mile north of Miltown Malbay
Family Tradition
According to family tradition, the Clearys originated in Donegal and that they were related to the authors of the Four Masters! The likelihood is that they spent a few centuries in Gort, Co. Galway from whence three brothers travelled further south and acquired land in Illane (or Illaun), Miltown Malbay. These three were reported to have been: Peter Cleary (born approx. 1770), John Cleary (also born approx. 1770) and Thomas Cleary (born approximately 1780 or 1789).
In the year 1825
In the Tithe Appointment Books for the old Civil Parish of Kilfarboy (Miltown Malbay), dated 1825, the Clare Heritage Centre identified three Cleary holdings at Illaun :
- Thomas Cleary who was shown as holding 1.25 acres of first quality land, 2 acres of second quality land, 4 acres of third quality land and 3.5 acres of 4th quality land which brought his total holding to 10.75 acres.
- Peter Cleary who was shown as holding 4 acres of first quality land, 9.75 acres of second quality land, 4 acres of third quality land and 2 acres of 4th quality land which brought his total holding to 19.75 acres.
- John Cleary who was shown as holding 3 acres of first quality land, 3 acres of second quality land, 3 acres of third quality land and 3 acres of 4th quality land which brought his total holding to 12 acres.
These records are not very detailed and do not mention age, marital status or other identifying information but provide either a basis for, of corroboration of, some local family traditions.
In the year 1855
The Griffith Valuation of 1855 was undertaken to determine the amount of tax each tenant should pay towards the support of the poor within his Poor Law Union. In addition to giving the name of the occupier or tenant, the Griffith Valuation Book of 1855 provides the name of the immediate lessor, the name of the townland or city location, the area and the value of holding and value of the house. In this valuation, four persons named Cleary are recorded at Illaun and these would have been undoubtedly related but available records are not old enough or detailed enough to learn the connections. These people were
- Anthony Cleary who occupied the "first house" shown in the picture below
- Thomas Cleary who occupied the "second house" shown in the picture below
- Martin Cleary
- James Cleary
It is presumed that Martin and James occupied the "third" and "back" houses to which reference is made below.
Local history in Miltown is that many years ago the Clearys moved from somewhere further north to settle in the Miltown Malbay area. There was one house. At a later time, the farm was divided : three houses were built at the front and the original house became known as the "back house". The original Cleary "back house" no longer exxists but a new house is located very close to the original site. The three front houses still stand and they became known logically as the first, second and third Cleary houses (in order as one travels from the town).
The above photographs were taken in July 2002.
Further information may be found by following the links to the names of the abovenamed members of the extended Cleary family.
Missing Links
Two Clearys are reported to have come from Miltown Malbay but it has not yet been possible to place these two in the context of available information.
- Matthew Michael Cleary, believed to have been born in Miltown Malbay in 1834. Emigrated to Australia and then New Zealand where he became Governor of Lyttleton Gaol. See The Cyclopedia of New Zealand
and - Daniel Cleary, believed to have been born in Miltown Malbay in 1835; married Ann Clohessy (born approx 1831); emigrated to the United States of America. Information about his family in the USA can be found at ancestry.com but access to this information requires payment of a membership fee.
If anyone can assist in providing any further information, particularly clarifying links to them, your assistance would be appreciated.
