Ellen's Story- Part 3- Ellen Kinsella's childhood home and families living in Baronswood, Clogga Kilkenny

 


     (Google Maps photo of where the Kinsella farm was in Barronswood (based on Griffiths Valuation Map of 1853)

Ellen grew up on a small farm in southern Kilkenny in the townland of Barronswood. This is a beautiful area with lush green landscapes and fertile farms. The Walsh mountains rise in the distance. It is an ancient place, whose history goes back to 400 A.D., when Celtic farmers built fortified settlements which left subtle hints to this day of "fairy forts." By medieval Christian times, we have written records of the inhabitants- in 1220, the Bishop of Ossory owned woodlands in the areas- so Baronswood to this day is also known as "Bishops Wood" or Kileavaroon. 


Her father, John Kinsella, was, like all Catholic farmers, a tenant farmer who had a lease on the land from a Protestant landowner. In 1833, he farmed 28 acres of land (Irish plantation acres= 1.62 acres) and was forced to pay 10% of his yearly earnings- 1 pound 9 1/2 Pence - to the Protestant Church of Ireland vicar, in addition to his tithe to the Roman Catholic Church. There had been a great deal of civil unrest in the area due to this law, but Ireland was still firmly in the hands of English rule, with many restrictions on the local Irish population.

National Archives of Ireland Tithe Applotment Books, County Kilkenny, Civil Parish Pollrone, Townland Kileaveroon

Here we see that when Ellen was born, the neighbors in Kileavaroon (Baronswood) were Thomas Farrell (likely the husband of Mrs. Farrell that was Ellen's godmother,) John Delehunty, Denis and James Kinsella (likely first cousins of Ellen's father John Kinsella) and Michael Kilmartin (later Gilmartin.) 

The cluster of cottages formed a tight knit community of aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors. The thatched stone cottages were small and simple but neatly kept, and children were bustled outside to do their chores and play as soon as they were old enough, watched over by the older siblings. There was never a loss of someone to play with; groups of cousins and friends dotted the countryside, playing games, fighting, and running half wild around the countryside. Childhood was precious; school was limited and by their early teens they were assuming adult work roles. The babies came frequently; most of the young married women were either pregnant or nursing an infant. But the mothers always had family and neighbors to sit and have tea with, laugh with, commiserate with, seek counsel with as they raised their children,  and count on during times of illness and hardship. The fathers worked the fields together, voiced their troubles, and shared the occasional pint while they discussed the woes of native Irish society under the iron-clad yoke of the British.

Most families kept a cow, and perhaps pigs and a few chickens. The food was simple; most made due with buttermilk, potatoes, and some salt. There had been famines here even before the great famine; life was hard. Most tenant farmers barely got by.

Sunday was a day of rest; a bath the night before, clean "Sunday Clothes" and a two mile walk to Kilnaspic for Church. The Roman Catholic Church was their heritage and their foundation. The mass, conducted in Latin, connected them to both their God and their souls- reaching out to the heavens in a world sanctified by sacred rites and tradition. This was a time to gather with a greater community, give thanks for what blessings they had, and offer prayers. The sacraments were given here; baptism, marriage, burial, and weekly worship which brought them closer to God. The village priest, from Mooncoin Parish, oversaw his simple flock with purpose and dedication. They respected his office without question, and turned to him in their hour of need.









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