Killasser Civil Parish, Barony of Gallen, County Mayo, 1837

Mary Ginty was from Killaser Civil Parish.

Killaser, a parish, in the barony of Gallen, in county Mayo, and province of Connaught, 6 miles (E. N. E.) from Foxford, on the River Moy and the road to Swinford; containing 6,581 inhabitants.  This parish was the scene of a sanguinary battle between the native septs of the Jordans and the Rowans, at a spot since called Lugnafulla, or "the valley of blood". It comprises 10,000 statue acres, of which about 6, 000 are arable and the remainder principally bog and mountain; the land is of indifferent quality and is in many places covered with rocks of great size; some of the eastern portion is more productive, but agriculture is in a very backward state; there is a large tract of irreclaimable bog.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Achonry, forming part of the union of Templemore; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of the late Roger Palmer, Esq.  The titles amount to L512.0.4., which is equally divided between the impropriator and the vicar, there are two chapels, situated respectively at Calla and Boulebee, both well built and roofed with slate.  About 90 children are taught in a public school; and there are five private schools, in which are about 450 children.  There are several Danish forts in the western portion of the parish; at Calla is a small lake, in which is an island presenting appearances of fortifications, said to have been inhabited by the sept of the Rowans; at Erbull and are the ruins of an Old Castle; and there are ancient burial places at Killasser, Blackpatch and Calla.

Extracted from A Topographical Dictionary of Mayo, Samuel Lewis, 1837.

Madden - Ginty Marriage Record, 1867

Thomas Madden and Catherine Ginty (Genty), the sister of Mary Ginty McIntyre, were married on February 2, 1867 by Fr. John Finn in the Roman Catholic parish of Killasser.  They were both single at the time and of full age, i.e., 21 or over.  The register notes that Thomas Madden is a landholder and his residence at the time of marriage was Lahardane, which is also in the Civil Parish of Killasser.  Catherine's residence at the time of marriage is noted as Carrabeg, Killasser Parish, County Mayo.  Thomas' father was also named Thomas and Catherine's father was named John. Both fathers are listed as landholders.

Witnesses to their marriage were Michael O'Donnell and Mary Durcan.

Irish Civil Records, Page 673, line 17, February 2, 1867, Roman Catholic Chapel of Killasser, Registrar's District of Foxford, Union of Swinford, County Mayo

Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo

The Ginty family were members of the Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo.  Some history of the Parish from its website:

"The rural parish of Killasser is situated north of Swinford in County Mayo. To the north of the parish lie the spectacular Ox Mountains, and to its south flows the River Moy. Killasser takes its name from Cill Lasrach, meaning “the church of Lasair”. St Lasair established a church here in the 8th Century, the ruins of which can be found in Killasser cemetery in the townland of Knockmullin. The richness and variety of archaeological monuments in the parish, with evidence of human activity here going back 5000 years, has made Killasser well known to many outside County Mayo.

"Today, Killasser is served by two fine churches. The parish church, dedicated to All Saints, and situated in the townland of Listernan, was built in 1832. Its anchor-shaped design is unique in Ireland. The church of St Thomas, in the “half parish” of Callow, was built in 1811. It is prominently situated overlooking the picturesque waters of Callow Lough Upper and Lower. The church has beautiful stained glass windows, including a window depicting St Patrick from the studio of Harry Clarke.

"Located near the parish church of All Saints is the Killasser Community Centre, with its many facilities, opened in 1980.  In recent years, the very fine Hennigan’s Heritage Centre has been established in the parish of Killasser. Here can be traced the archaeological and social history of the parish.

"Further information about the parish can be found at www.killasser.com. (This website has photos of the area and is worth a look.)  Also recommended are three publications “Killasser-a history” and “The Archaeological Heritage of Killasser, Co Mayo”, both by Bernard O’Hara, and “Callow School Reunion – A Celebration”, all currently out of print but available at local libraries.

"Ancient Ecclesiastical Sites: The ruined remains of a very ancient church are to be found in Cill Seisneáin in the townland of Graffy.  Other more recent remains are situated on the hill of Srón in nearby  Carrowneden. Mass is celebrated in alternate years at each church  site around mid summers day."