The Griffiths Valuation was carried out in Ireland between 1848 and 1864 and provides detailed information on houses and land. It includes maps with numbered areas and corresponding textual information. The information below is from 1852. The farm occupied by Sean O’Sullivan’s three sons is listed at 8a with the occupier shown as Florence Sullivan(Island).
They share 13 acres, 3, Rods and 18 perches with two other tenants of the Earl of Bantry and are assessed for “House, Office and Land”. “
“’House’ covers all buildings used permanently as dwellings, as well as public buildings; ‘Office’ is used describe factories, mills and farm outbuildings such as a stable, turf shed, cow barn, corn shed, or piggery.
The combined theoretical annual income of this property was assessed at £1-18s. Tenants with a holding valued at less than £5 annually were exempt, but their landlord was liable for the tax. This liability was a powerful incentive for landlords to get rid of smaller tenants”
Image 1 shows the Griffiths Register for Kilcatherine. There is a reference at 8a to Florence Sullivan (Island). This is the land which was being worked by the brothers: Florence, Sean and Con. Image 2 shows the Griffiths map, overlaid on a current aerial photograph. Image 3 is similar but transparent and the present-day house can be seen circled within 8a of the Griffiths map. Image 4 contains only the aerial photograph, allowing a clearer view of the house. Image 5 shows the ruins of the house built by Sean O’Sullivan after he came from Whiddy Island. The ruin is adjacent to his grandson Quinlan’s house. Below is a modern map with the location of the farm pinpointed.
Tenant FLORENCE SULLIVAN (Island)
Landlord EARL OF BANTRY
County CORK
Barony BEAR
Union CASTLETOWN
Parish KILCATHERINE
Townland KILCATHERINE
Kilcatherine Griffiths Valuations 1847-1864
Position on Page 12
Printing Date 1852
Act 9&10
Sheet Number 101,102
Map Reference 8
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