Roscommon Genealogical Records

Roscommon Birth & Baptism Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Births & Baptisms in Ireland (1620-1922)

A collection of almost 4 million birth and baptisms records from civil, Catholic and Church of Ireland registers.

Catholic Birth & Baptism Registers for Ireland (1763-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the birth and baptism of Catholic families' children. They record around 550,000 births and baptisms, which can be searched by a name index.

British Civil Service Evidence of Age Index (1752-1948)

An index to evidences provided to the British Civil Service Commission to establish the age of prospective and current civil servants. The index includes date & place of birth and provides a reference to surviving documents.

Ireland Birth & Baptism Index (1620-1881)

An index to over 5 million births and baptisms recorded in Ireland. These are predominantly from the 19th century.

Roscommon Marriage & Divorce Records

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Ireland Marriages (1619-1898)

Transcripts of more than 850,000 marriage records, including parents' names when listed in the original document.

Catholic Marriage Registers for Ireland (1775-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the marriages of Catholics in Ireland. They record around 150,000 marriages, which can be searched by a name index.

Diocesan & Prerogative Marriage Licence Indexes (1623-1866)

An index to over 210,000 licenses giving permission to marry.

Roscommon Death & Burial Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Titanic Deaths at Sea (1912)

Details of crew and passengers who died aboard RMS Titanic. Information given includes date, place & cause of death; gender; age; nationality; profession; and residence.

Marriages in Walker's Hibernian Magazine (1771-1812)

An index to around 13,000 marriages of the upper class of Ireland recorded in a magazine.

Registers of Deaths of Passengers at Sea (1854-1908)

Registers compiled from the logs of ships registered in Britain & her colonies. These records are indexed by named and are connected to original images of the registers. They list the name of the deceased, the date they died, their gender, age, cause of death and the name of the ship they died on.

Irish-American Death Notices (1845-1909)

Transcriptions of over 35,000 death notices of Irish who died in America and other parts of the world.

Roscommon Census & Population Lists

Censuses of Ireland (1821-1911)

An index to several million names in records delineating families and including important personal details, such as religion, occupation and place of birth.

Census of Elphin (1749)

A census listing the names of the head of each household, their addresses, details of occupations, numbers of children, adults and servants, by age and religious denomination. The census covers most of Roscommon and parts of Galway & Sligo.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

British Phone Books (1880-1984)

Directories containing over 275,000,000 entries. As well as name, address and phone number, occupations are often recorded. A useful census substitute.

Ireland Census Search Forms (1841-1851)

Over 135,000 surviving extracts from the 1841 and 1851 censuses of Ireland.

Newspapers Covering Roscommon

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Reynolds's Newspaper (1850-1900)

Originally founded as a chartist organ, the newspaper became a liberal platform.

Farmer's Gazette & Journal of Practical Horticulture (1845-1870)

Digital images of a newspaper that circulated through Ireland, promoting agriculture, gardening, commerce and manufacturing. It is fully text searchable.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (1842-1900)

A popular illustrated, liberal newspaper; one of the most popular in Britain.

Northern Whig (1832-1870)

Digital images of a liberal, unionist newspaper published in Ireland. Pages can be searched by article text.

Roscommon Wills & Probate Records

Irish Wills Index (1272-1886)

An index to over 100,000 Irish wills.

WWI Irish Soldiers Wills (1914-1920)

Transcripts of over 9,000 wills penned by Irish privates and non-commissioned officers during World War I.

Ireland Wills and Administrations Index (1858-1920)

A name index connected to images of Ireland's civil probate registers. It lists the name of the deceased, residence, status or occupation, type of probate, date of probate and names of the executors or administrators.

Diocesan & Prerogative Probate Indexes (1595-1858)

An index to around 365,000 documents relating to the distribution of deceased person's real and personal estate.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Roscommon Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

Irish Famine Immigrants (1846-1851)

A record of over 600,000 immigrants arriving in the United States; being predominantly those escaping the Irish famine. Records may contain numerous useful details, such as age or year of birth, native county and intended destination.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Irish Immigrants to Western Canada (1826-1847)

Details of over 700 poor Irish settlers in the Newcastle district of Canada. Contains details of the land they occupy, family and live stock.

Australian Convict Transportation Registers (1791-1868)

Registers recording those who by their criminal deeds were sentenced to be transported to Australia. Records include name, date & place of conviction, term of sentence, ship sailed on, departure date and the name of the colony they were to be sent to.

Roscommon Military Records

British Army WWI Pension Records (1914-1920)

A variety military service, medical, award and general documents detailing WWI army soldiers who claimed a pension for disability. Contains a great deal of biographical and genealogical details, including physical description and disabilities. Digital images, searchable by a name and place index.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

Royal Artillery Attestations (1883-1942)

Detailed records of 858,171 Royal Artillery personnel. The records contain genealogical, biographical and military details.

Royal Tank Corps Enlistment Records (1919-1934)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of 88,096 records detailing biographical, genealogical and service details of the men of the Royal Tank Corps.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

Petty Sessions Order Books (1828-1912)

An index to millions of names occurring in minor Irish legal records. The index is linked to images of the original registers.

Ireland Poverty Relief Loans (1821-1874)

An index to and images to various records, including loan application forms. These may list name, residence, names of relatives, loan particulars and more.

Irish Prison Registers (1790-1924)

A index to over 3.5 million names occurring in Irish prison registers. Details provide vary, but may include: name, age, place of birth, abode, religion, occupation, education, physical description, next of kin and details of crimes and sentences Contains images of the original registers.

Famine Relief Commission Papers (1844-1847)

Digital images of thousands of letters and documents detailing the state of Ireland during the famine. The documents can be searched by a name index of over 10,000 people.

Roscommon Taxation Records

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Ireland Tithe Applotment Books (1814-1855)

Lists of occupiers of Irish land and tithes to support the established church; arranged by parish.

1831 Tithe Defaulters (1831)

A list of people who refused to pay an annual tax to the Anglican church in Scotland.

Roscommon Land & Property Records

Landed Estates Court Rentals (1850-1885)

Records detailing tenancies of over 500,000 Irish people. In some cases details may be provided back to the 18th century.

Irish Landowners (1876)

The name and address of people who owned two or more acres of land in Ireland.

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Reports from Committees of Fictitious Votes (1837-1838)

Essentially an electoral roll, listing those who were eligible to vote, their occupation, residence and entitlement.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Roscommon Directories & Gazetteers

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Thom's Official Directory of Ireland (1910)

A directory containing all manner of facts and descriptions of public and other important institutions. Contains various lists of the nobility, gentry and other Irish citizens. Searchable by an index of over 130,000 people.

Kelly's Clergy Directory (1909)

A directory of the Church of England, its institutions and ministers.

Slater's Royal National Directory of Ireland (1894)

A directory listing over 345,000 people in Ireland. Also contains details of public institutions, public houses, churches etc. as well as descriptions of settlements.

Thom's Official Directory: Ireland (1894)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in Ireland. Contains a directory of over 120,000 businesses and residents.

Roscommon Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Irish Records Index (1600-1874)

An index to around 100,000 various births, marriages, deaths, burials, cemeteries, wills, immigration, census extracted from Irish sources.

Roscommon Obituaries

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Irish Independent Newspaper Obituaries (2001-2002)

This database contains extracted genealogical information from the obituaries of the Irish Independent newspaper.

Roscommon Histories & Books

County Roscommon Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in County Roscommon.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

Lawrence's Photographs of Ireland (1870-1910)

An indexed collection of 21,000 photographs covering all of Ireland.

UK Photos (1857-2005)

A collection of 220,000 professional photos covering most towns and villages in Britain, and parts of Ireland.

Roscommon School & Education Records

Ireland National School Registers (1860-1920)

An index to and images of registers recording 100,000s of Irish schoolchildren. Registers may list name, year of birth, year of registration, age, religion, address, occupation of parent or guardian, name of current and previous school, parish, number of days attendance, class enrolled into, results of exams and date of leaving.

Alumni Dublinenses (1593-1846)

A register of faculty and students educated at Trinity College Dublin. Entries include the individual’s full name, date of entering the college, age of entering, father’s name and address, the degree they received and their graduation date.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Registers of Queen's Colleges Ireland (1849-1858)

Registers recording students who attended a series of non-denominational schools throughout Ireland.

British Army Schoolchildren and Schoolmasters (1803-1932)

Transcripts of over 27,000 entries from admissions, apprentice, and schoolmaster ledgers of the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea and Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin.

Roscommon Occupation & Business Records

Ireland Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in Ireland.

British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Kelly's Leather Trade in Ireland (1915)

A database containing names extracted from Kelly's Directory of the Leather Trade. Contains name, occupation and residence.

Medical Directory for Ireland (1858)

A book containing details of the medical establishment in Ireland, with a list of over 2,700 medical practitioners in Ireland.

British Masters and Mates Certificates (1850-1927)

Records relating to merchant seamen of the British Isles. They may record, date and place of birth, address and details of their maritime career.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Roscommon

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Roscommon Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. II (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Roscommon Church Records

Irish Catholic Church Directories (1836-1837)

A directory listing all the members of the clergy and parishes in Ireland. Also includes details on clergy in the Empire.

Congregationalist Ministers Index (1650-1972)

Biographical details of around 32,000 Congregationalist ministers in the British Isles and further afield.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

Clergy List of 1897 (1897)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Clergy List 1896 (1896)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Biographical Directories Covering Roscommon

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Chalmers' General Biographical Dictionary (1013-1812)

Detailed biographies of thousands of notable Europeans with details on ancestry.

Dictionary of National Biography (1005-Present)

An index of names connected to over 60,000 biographies of notable British and Irish people from arguably the world's most respected biographical compendium. Gives details on ancestry, careers and personal wealth.

Kelly's Handbook of 1892 (1892)

Brief biographical notes on around 10,000 of Britain's foremost nobles, landowners and professionals.

Roscommon Maps

Ireland Ordnance Survey Maps (1824-1846)

Digitalised copies of detailed maps covering around 99% of the country.

Taylor & Skinner Road Map of Ireland (1777)

289 maps depicting routes through Ireland.

A Vision of Britain (1190-Present)

A sprawling website setting out and describing the historical divisions of Britain. Also contains countless maps of various sorts. Covers the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & has fleeting details of other localities.

Speed's Maps of Britain (1612)

County and national maps covering the British Isles, extracted from John Speed's landmark work, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Roscommon Reference Works

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Heraldry Clipart (1189-Present)

A growing collection of heraldic and related clip art that can be used to reconstruct a families' arms. Includes packs for British, German, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, French, Swiss and Dutch arms. Images are available in a variety of formats including vectors.

Trade Union Ancestors (1799-Present)

A sprawling site that lists British trade unions, histories of some unions and outlines how to locate records relating to trade union ancestors.

Measuring Worth - GBP (1245-Present)

A calculator measuring the changing value of the British Pound using two price indices.

Historical Description

ROSCOMMON, a parish and market and assize-town (formerly a parliamentary borough), in the barony of BALLINTOBBER, county of ROSCOMMON, and province of CONNAUGHT, 15½ miles (W. by N.) from Athlone, and 74¾ (W.) from Dublin, on the road to Sligo; containing 8374 inhabitants, of which number, 3306 are in the town. This place appears to have derived both its origin and its name, originally Ros-Coeman, or "Coeman's marsh," from the foundation of an abbey of Canons Regular in a low situation here, by St. Coeman, or Comanus, a disciple of St. Finian, about the year 540. This abbey was pillaged by the Danes in 807, and plundered and burnt by the people of Munster in 1134; it, however, was soon afterwards restored, and in 1156 its endowments were greatly augmented by Turlogh the Great, King of Ireland. In 1204, the establishment was plundered by William Bourke Fitz-Aldelm, one of the earliest English adventurers that penetrated into Connaught. A Dominican friary was founded here in 1253, by Felim McCahile Croovdearg O'Conor, King of Connaught, who was interred in it in 1265; both these establishments, at the dissolution, were granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Nicholas Malby, Knt., and his heirs, at a yearly rent of £30. 5. 10. In 1268, Sir Robert de Ufford, the English Lord-Justice, erected a strong castle here, which, four years afterwards, when. Maurice Fitz-Maurice, Earl of Kildare, was Lord-Justice, was razed to the ground by the native Irish. This castle was rebuilt, and in 1276 was again taken by the Irish, who on that occasion obtained a signal victory over the English; and in the following year, Thomas de Clare, who had retaken it, was, with his father-in-law, the Earl of Kildare, surrounded by the native forces, and compelled to purchase a safe retreat by the final surrender of the place. The De Burgos afterwards recovered possession of this fortress. The castle, on its first erection and also the town which gradually rose around it, paid a ground rent to the abbot of the older monastery.

In 1360, the town was destroyed by fire, and in 1498 the Earl of Kildare, then Lord-Deputy, in an expedition into Connaught, took possession of the castle, which he strongly fortified. It subsequently fell into the hands of the enemy, who kept possession of it till 1566, when it was retaken for the Queen by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord-Deputy, who placed Sir Thomas L'Estrange in it as governor, with a garrison of infantry and 20 horsemen. In the parliamentary war of 1641, the castle was held for the king by Sir Michael Earnley, with a detachment of the President of Connaught's troops; and in 1642 it made a brave defence against the assaults of the insurgent forces, but ultimately fell into their hands. The insurgents kept possession of it till 1652, when it was delivered up to Col. Reynolds, an officer of the parliamentarian army.

The town is principally built on the eastern and southern sides of a hill, at the base of which are the remains of its ancient and venerable religious buildings, and its once stately castle; it consists of one main, street, forming its chief entrance from the north, and expanding at the extremity into a wide open area, round which are some of the public buildings and the best of its more ancient houses. Several smaller streets of very inferior character diverge from the main street: the total number of houses is 581, of which 400 are merely cabins; of the remainder, several are handsome and well built, and a few are pleasing villas.

The inhabitants are but indifferently supplied with water from a deep well in the centre of the town, and from others near the base of the hill; in summer the supply is very inadequate. Five roads radiate from the town to different parts of the country. About half a mile distant are barracks for one troop of horse. Races, which are supported by subscription, are held annually on a course about a mile from the town; and a newspaper is published weekly. The principal trade is in grain, of which large quantities are sent to Lanesborough, whence it is conveyed by the Shannon; this trade has greatly increased since the improvement of the roads and the facilities afforded by the continuation of the Royal Canal; and a plan is under consideration for the construction of a line of navigation from the town, either to the Shannon or to the Royal Canal harbour at Tarmonbarry. A branch of the National Bank of Ireland was opened in the town in 1837: there are also a public brewery and a tanyard. The market is on Saturday, and is numerously attended and abundantly supplied with corn and provisions of all kinds; among various other articles exposed for sale are frieze, coarse woolen staffs, flannels, and a little linen, with coarse brown pottery made in the neighbourhood, for which the clay is brought in carts from the borders of the river Shannon.

Fairs are held on Whit-Monday and Dec. 5th, and are well attended. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town. The market-house, originally the old gaol, was afterwards used as a lunatic asylum, and since the removal of the patients to the district asylum, has been appropriated to its present use.

The town, received a charter of incorporation in the reign of Edw. I., and in 1310 the burgesses petitioned for a confirmation of it from Edw. II., who issued to the Lord Chief Justice, Chancellor, and Treasurer of Ireland his writ of inquiry for that purpose, but neither the return nor any subsequent proceedings to this writ are recorded. Jas. I., in the 10th of his reign, granted the inhabitants a charter of incorporation, under the designation of the "Provost, Free Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Borough of Roscomraon," with power to hold a court of record with jurisdiction to the amount of five marks, and to return two members to the Irish parliament. A new charter was subsequently granted by Jas. II., which increased the number of free burgesses from twelve to eighteen, and extended the jurisdiction of the court from five marks to £5, which latter alteration alone was adopted by the corporation. Under the charter of Jas. I., by which the town was governed, the corporation consisted of a provost, twelve free burgesses, and an indefinite number of freemen. The provost was annually chosen from the free burgesses by a majority of that body, by whom also vacancies in their number were filled up as they occurred, and the freemen were admitted solely by favour. The corporation continued to return two members to the Irish parliament till the Union, when the borough was disfranchised. Since that period it has become virtually extinct, and the only local court now held is that of the manor of Roscommon, held before the seneschal, at which debts not exceeding £10 are recoverable. The assizes for the county are held here, and the general sessions for the division of Athlone twice in the year; petty sessions are also held in the town every Monday. The new court-house, situated on a levelled space on the western brow of the hill, is a handsome and spacious structure with a Doric portico in front; and contains, besides two well arranged court-rooms for criminal and civil business, a superb room for the Grand Jury, an apartment for the use of the judges, a room for the barristers, refreshment rooms, and accommodations for persons having business at the assizes or sessions, with complete ranges of requisite offices. Near it is the new gaol for the county, built upon the radiating principle and of a polygonal form, containing eight wards, with airing-yards and work-rooms, and 91 sleeping cells, an hospital, a chapel, school, and tread-wheel.

The parish comprises 7289 statute acres, of which 6345 are applotted under the tithe act. The land is of good quality and generally in a state of profitable cultivation, and the neighbourhood is rich in agricultural produce. The principal seats are Carrowroe, the residence of R. Goff, Esq., a substantial and handsome mansion of limestone, with a Doric portico in front, situated in a highly improved and richly wooded demesne, commanding fine views of the surrounding country; and Hazelbrook of R. Blakeney, Esq., pleasingly situated; and within two or three miles of the town is Moate Park, the seat of Lord Crofton, a handsome and spacious modern mansion, situated in an ample demesne richly wooded. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Elphin, episcopally united, in 1805, to the vicarages of Kilbride and Kilteevan, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Essex.

The tithes amount to £147. 13. 10., of which £73. 16. 11. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar; the gross income of the benefice, including a bequest by the late Lord Ranelagh of £18. 9. per ann., amounts to £292. 14. 11. The church is a neat edifice with a square tower, in which are a doorway and window of elegant design. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Kilteevan, in each of which is a chapel. The chapel in this parish being too small for the congregation, the old court-house was purchased from the Grand Jury by the Rev. John Madden, P.P., and converted into a chapel with galleries; there is a painting of the Crucifixion over the altar, and others on the walls; the building cost £2000; the former chapel is now used as a school. About 360 children are taught in six public schools, of which one is supported by a bequest of £52 per annum by the late Lord Ranelagh; and there are 12 private schools, in which are about 540 children. The county infirmary is a plain substantial building, consisting of a centre and two wings, erected, as appears from a tablet over the entrance, at the sole expense of Mrs. Walcott, sister of the late Lord Chief Justice Caulfeild, in 1783: it contains 50 beds, with a small detached fever hospital, and a dispensary for the relief of extern patients, of whom nearly 16,000 annually receive medical assistance; the number of patients received into the infirmary is more than 300 annually, and the annual expenses of the institution are about £1000; the income arises from an annuity of £92. 6. 2. bequeathed by Mrs. Walcott, donations and subscriptions, parliamentary grants, and presentments.

An equitable loan society was established in 1830, with a capital of £150; it has now a capital of £4000, circulating in small loans, raised chiefly by the exertions of Mr. Carson, who has built several neat cottages, to be occupied by the poor rent-free, and two for poor widows, who are supported by him and the Protestant curate.

There are some remains of the Dominican friary, consisting of the church, 137 feet in length, and 23 in width, with a northern transept, in which is an aisle separated by four pointed arches, resting on massive round pillars: over the principal entrance is a very beautiful window, with an enriched architrave decorated with pinnacles; the windows in the choir and other parts are lancetshaped and much mutilated; under an arch on the north side of the choir is a tomb with a mutilated effigy, said to be that of O'Conor, and on the base are four warlike figures in high relief, representing ancient gallowglasses.

Fragments of sculptured stones are scattered over the whole area, which, notwithstanding the shallowness of the soil, is still used as a burial-place. The ruins of the castle, on the north side of the town, have a grand and imposing appearance, as seen from various points of view; they occupy a quadrangular area, 223 feet in length, and 173 feet in breadth; each angle is defended by a round tower; two similar towers project from the eastern side to defend the gateway entrance, and on the western side is a square gateway tower of smaller dimensions; the lower stories of the towers are strongly groined, and the upper are of more airy character, with spacious windows of handsome design, and appear to have been connected with a rectangular edifice in the inner court, which contained the state apartments; the whole is surrounded with outer walls, defended at the angles with low round towers. Two miles to the northeast of the town are the remains of the abbey of Derhan, or Derane, said to have been granted to a party of monks from the abbey of Roscommon by O'Conor, at an early period, but the date of its foundation is unknown; they occupy the summit of a barren hill, but present few interesting details, except the mutilated remains of a large window, which appears to have been very highly enriched; adjoining is an extensive cemetery, still in general use. Roscommon gives the title of Earl to the family of Dillon.

Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) by Samuel Lewis; Courtesy & copyright of Mel Lockie

Most Common Surnames in Roscommon

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Roscommon
1Kelly711:362.37%1
2Gilleran501:5132.89%151
3Dolan401:645.54%14
4Connor321:803.67%12
5Flynn311:822.98%7
5Hannon311:8221.09%158
7Fannon301:8519.74%151
7Monaghan301:8541.67%307
7Murray301:853.25%11
10Fallon281:912.91%9
11Burke271:945.56%24
11Mannion271:948.26%46
13Hanly261:985.34%23
14Curley231:1117.57%58
14Geraghty231:11110.75%101
16Cooney221:11610.38%104
16Kenny221:1162.28%8
18Garvey211:12112.80%135
19Corcoran201:1276.41%53
20Beirne191:1341.18%2
20Smyth191:13412.26%146
22Harkin181:14290.00%707
23Kearns171:15010.83%143
24Brady161:1596.75%90
25Gillooly151:17016.48%244
25King151:1706.07%85
25Murphy151:1704.69%50
28Costello141:1825.60%82
28Flanagan141:1821.33%5
28Gannon141:1823.68%35
28Quigley141:18215.56%247
32Campbell131:19615.12%262
32Finn131:1965.73%98
32Fox131:1968.61%154
32Kennedy131:1964.63%64
32Larkin131:19613.68%235
32Lynch131:1963.08%31
32Lyons131:1964.80%71
32McDermott131:1960.88%3
32McGibney131:196100.00%916
32Raftery131:1964.96%75
32Ratigan131:19628.26%410
32Rogers131:1963.27%33
32Scally131:1964.94%74
45Carroll121:2123.77%52
45Devine121:2127.69%145
45Egan121:2121.51%13
45Fetherston121:21215.79%293
45Hudson121:21246.15%614
45Meterwich121:212100.00%964
45Neilan121:21213.64%255
45O'Malley121:21246.15%614
53Carr111:23228.21%458
53Finneran111:2323.86%61
53Hanley111:2327.69%165
53McGrath111:2324.68%93
57Brogan101:25550.00%707
57D'arcy101:25514.08%308
57Daly101:2553.26%55
57Dempsey101:25510.53%235
57Fahey101:25513.33%296
57Hill101:25531.25%531
57Hoare101:25512.66%281
57Mulligan101:2555.32%115
57O'Neill101:2558.93%202
57Walsh101:2553.28%56
67Dignan91:28311.69%290
67Doyle91:2833.16%61
67Fullard91:283100.00%1,157
67Gilbert91:28375.00%964
67Holien91:283100.00%1,157
67Keane91:2833.59%80
67Keegan91:2836.21%161
67Loftus91:2838.82%222
67McCormick91:2836.98%183
67Moran91:2830.96%10
67Morris91:2833.59%80
67Mugan91:28332.14%587
67Nevin91:28320.93%434
67Phillips91:28310.23%255
67Rielly91:28323.68%472
67Salmon91:28325.00%482
83Byrne81:3182.93%69
83Connolley81:318100.00%1,256
83Cooke81:31836.36%669
83Diffley81:3188.89%247
83Gavagan81:31847.06%795
83Gavin81:3186.67%193
83Keaveney81:31817.78%420
83McKeon81:3183.42%95
83McLoughlin81:3181.66%26
83Mullen81:3189.41%264
83O'Connor81:3184.15%111
83Sennett81:318100.00%1,256
83Thompson81:31817.78%420
96Brennan71:3640.63%4
96Conboy71:36418.92%473
96Conneally71:36477.78%1,157
96Feeley71:36415.22%410
96Gately71:3642.53%67
96Higgins71:3641.05%15
96Judge71:36412.28%353
96Keeffe71:36419.44%482
96Maguire71:36411.11%334
96McNamara71:3647.00%227
96O'Dowd71:36412.50%357
96Rafferty71:36411.11%334
96Regan71:3640.67%6
96Reynols71:364100.00%1,357
96Sheil71:36417.07%443
96Topping71:364100.00%1,357
96Watt71:364100.00%1,357
113Banahan61:4256.00%227
113Beaty61:42537.50%819
113Connolly61:4252.15%66
113Daire61:42525.00%640
113Diffiley61:425100.00%1,509
113Farrell61:4250.94%16
113Gill61:4253.51%127
113Gilligan61:4254.14%161
113Govern61:42533.33%768
113Hanson61:42519.35%545
113Lally61:4258.82%317
113Lavin61:4251.24%25
113Lohan61:4259.84%342
113McDonagh61:4251.97%56
113O'Brien61:4252.22%72
113Quinn61:4251.01%18
113Rourke61:42510.34%350
113Scannell61:425100.00%1,509
113Tahey61:42546.15%916
113Ward61:4251.80%45
133Bartrum51:509100.00%1,663
133Blacke51:509100.00%1,663
133Burgoyne51:509100.00%1,663
133Burns51:5095.15%233
133Collins51:5092.30%100
133Conry51:5091.83%69
133Cronin51:50917.86%587
133Dooley51:50914.29%496
133Elmes51:50971.43%1,357
133English51:50923.81%687
133Feehily51:50914.29%496
133Frazer51:50916.67%552
133Gannan51:509100.00%1,663
133Gillespie51:5099.80%385
133Glennon51:5092.51%108
133Gogarty51:509100.00%1,663
133Hagan51:5097.25%313
133Igo51:50962.50%1,256
133Keogh51:5097.94%334
133Luke51:50983.33%1,509
133Malone51:5096.76%300
133McDonnell51:5090.95%20
133McEvoy51:50955.56%1,157
133McNeill51:5097.25%313
133Mulvehill51:5098.47%346
133O'Farrell51:50920.83%640
133Reddington51:50921.74%655
133Rush51:5095.26%235
133Simon51:50955.56%1,157
133Staunton51:5098.93%357
133Warde51:50925.00%707
164Cochrane41:63757.14%1,357
164Conniffe41:63744.44%1,157
164Cooghan41:637100.00%1,843
164Croghan41:6372.92%174
164Dawson41:637100.00%1,843
164Donnellan41:6374.00%227
164Doolan41:63733.33%964
164Doran41:6377.27%364
164Duffy41:6370.67%17
164Eadie41:637100.00%1,843
164Feely41:6371.72%96
164FitzMaurice41:6375.88%317
164Gurn41:63720.00%707
164Harlow41:6379.09%429
164Harly41:63766.67%1,509
164Hayden41:6372.48%138
164Henican41:637100.00%1,843
164Hoban41:6379.09%429
164Hogge41:63780.00%1,663
164Keher41:63730.77%916
164Kinsley41:63736.36%1,012
164Loney41:637100.00%1,843
164Lynagh41:63744.44%1,157
164Mayberry41:637100.00%1,843
164McCaurt41:637100.00%1,843
164McGarry41:6371.25%49
164McTernan41:637100.00%1,843
164Mitchell41:63711.76%513
164O'Keeffe41:63730.77%916
164Rafterry41:637100.00%1,843
164Reynolds41:6371.65%86
164Sandes41:637100.00%1,843
164Sharkey41:6370.90%29
164Stephens41:63721.05%740
164Trimble41:63723.53%795
199Banks31:84933.33%1,157
199Barnett31:849100.00%2,049
199Boland31:8492.56%198
199Broderick31:8493.06%232
199Casey31:8490.61%22
199Caulfield31:8492.22%178
199Cox31:8490.63%27
199Crawford31:8499.09%521
199Cullen31:8491.72%125
199Duffily31:84912.00%626
199Garvin31:849100.00%2,049
199Gilmartin31:84913.04%655
199Grealy31:8495.26%353
199Grogan31:8493.66%275
199Harding31:84960.00%1,663
199Hauly31:84916.67%768
199Hevican31:8495.66%371
199Hicks31:8498.82%513
199Igoe31:8493.33%247
199Jones31:8495.77%376
199Keefe31:84923.08%916
199Kempston31:849100.00%2,049
199Kilroe31:8497.50%447
199Leonard31:8491.80%132
199Lynam31:84918.75%819
199Maffett31:849100.00%2,049
199McCann31:8492.07%161
199McGawley31:84915.00%707
199McGovern31:8492.05%159
199McManus31:8490.69%30
199McMullen31:849100.00%2,049
199Minor31:84960.00%1,663
199Mullooly31:8494.35%313
199Nally31:84912.50%640
199Nixon31:84914.29%687
199O'Reilly31:8497.14%439
199O'Rorke31:84911.11%598
199Robinson31:8497.69%458
199Walshe31:8497.50%447
199Watson31:8492.19%174
199White31:8491.94%146