Gilkagh Features

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Abbert River.

The Abbert River, which flows by the western border of Gilkagh, measures 17.5 kilometres, or eleven miles, in length before it joins the River Clare at Anbally in Cummer which in turn flows into Lough Corrib. The river itself commences with tributaries from the Killaclogher River and other smaller rivers and streams. The river is transgressed at two points from Gilkagh – at an entrance to Abbert Bog and at Kavanaghs Bridge both of which connect to Abbert Demesne townland with the latter being named after a family that resided in Gilkagh in the 1800s and possibly before.

Kavanaghs Bridge.

Kavanagh’s Bridge, which transverses the Abbert River joining the townlands of Gilkagh and Abbert Demesne, takes its name from the Kavanagh family who, while residing in Abbert Demesne, were land tenants also in Gilkagh – about 42 acres. In Griffiths Valuation of the 1850s Thomas Kavanagh operated a corn mill, while the property also consisted of a house, a cottier’s house, out-offices and 57 acres of land in Abbert Demesne. He had also sub-let another house, out-offices and five acres of land to his tenant Honoria Connolly.

Esker remains.

Eskers, named after the Gaelic word, Eiscir, meaning a ridge, form key elements of our geology, biodiversity and social history. Eskers often formed the basis for growth of herbs and flowers used for medicinal purposes in earlier times, roadways (e.g the Menlough to Galway road), dense living areas (e.g. Derryglassaun and Skehanagh), rich farmland and as a source of sand and gravel for the construction of roadways, houses, walls and so on. It is these latter two items, farming and gravel supply, with which we best associate the Gilkagh portion of our local esker. As an aside the nearby townland of Esker gets its name from this same ice age deposit.

Glynn’s Well.

(1) As recalled by Tommy Hansberry, Guilka.

Reilly’s Well.

Finegan’s Well.

This well was widely used by local residents as well as families from the Windfield Road area. While it’s water was always extremely cold and most refreshing. it did become more flat or stale if kept overnight so it was inevitably a daily visit for most users. Martin Finegan is recorded in Griffiths Valuation, early 1850s, as being a resident and tenant in this area.

(1) As recalled by Tommy Hansberry, Guilka.

The Blocks

These were located at the end of a boreen leading from Mellody’s house to farming land at the northern end of the townland. The area got its name as it was erected to block stock as a means of stock proofing the opening. Each pillar had a series of three or four loops into which were inserted wooden poles to form the barrier which were removed and/or replaced as required.

(1) As recalled by Tommy Hansberry, Guilka.

Larry’s Lough

This lough was used as a local water supply for local horses and cattle and was also widely used by passing donkeys and horses to and from the nearby Abbert Bog. In Winter time, following a heavy frost, it was used by local children for sliding.

(1) As recalled by Tommy Hansberry, Guilka.