Ordnance Survey Letters of Galway

Dear Sir,

I visited Kill-Benen a second time, but could observe no trace of Dun-Lughaidh around the church or tower.

In the townland of Ballygaddy anciently Beul-atha bo, and nearly ½ mile due east of the round tower of Kilbannan is Leacht Phadruig, consisting of two heaps of stones, (of which) the southern one has a small rude fixture representing an altar. It is called Altoir Pharraig, and the tradition is that it was some years ago higher and more perfect: "Deir siad, a Athair Pádraig", says a countryman who was present, to the Revd. Patrick Joyce, "Go mbíodh naomh Páraig ag léigheadh Aifrinn annso".

There is a spot left untilled around these

two carns as it is considered unlucky to touch the theatre of the pilgrims. It is said however that one (man) was so rash as to attempt to wound this sacred spot with the plough thinking that it would be as blessed when bearing a crop of potatoes as when consigned to monastic sterility, but he took a pain in his big toe, which made him roar and desist from his sacriligious undertaking.

The well of St. Beneán, which lies near the tower, is frequented by pilgrims on Domhnach Chruim Duibh, the last Sunday in Harvest Summer.

What evidence is there to prove that the Benean of this place is the celebrated St. Benen of the Sencus Mor, and the successor of St. Patrick in the See of Armagh?

At Tulaigh na dala in the parish of Tuam is shewn the site of the castle of the family of Lally in Irish O'Maolalla, who passed over to France after the battle of Aughrim. One of them, the reputed head of the family according to tradition there obtained the title of Count Lally Tullindal (Tollendal). The first Count Lally was beheaded at the period of the French Revolution and buried like a dog, but it is asserted that his son was created Marquis by Napoleon. He was a celebrated orator, and undertook to prove that his father was unjustly put to death and dishonoured, and obtained permission to have his father disinhumed and re-interred with the usual honors due to a warrior of his dignity.

This Marquis of Tullindal frequently wrote

to his cousin Tom Lally of Tuam, who died about 15 months since. The Marquis of Tullindal died without male issue and the only representative of the French Lallys according to the people of Tuam is one daughter. She also often wrote to Tom Lally of Tuam requesting him to go over to France to see her, but he never did. He was in the habit of saying that she was too proud (for him) though he was perhaps more so himself, though an uncultivated Connaughtman.

Tom retained no part of the original property of the Lallys of Tulnadal which consisted of 18 townlands in the parish of Tuam, but he was nevertheless a rich man and looked upon with respect as being a gentleman and the cousin of Count Lally Tullindal.

In the townland of Ballytrasna in the parish of Tuam there is a monument

now in the middle of a field of oats with this inscription

PRAY FOR THE SOULES OF
JAMES LALLY AND
FAMILY 1673

He is supposed to be the chief of the family when they forfeited Tulnadal and its appurtenances. The family are not at all numerous about Tuam at present and the only representative of the family is a youth of no great "expectation" for future bravery or oratory.

What does O'Brien say of this family in his Dictionary? They were originally located in the territory of Moinmoy, and I do not know when they were

removed to Conmaicne of Kinel Dubhain. I should expect to find the Lallys numerous about Loughreagh, their original locality.

King Turlough O'Conor seems to have removed them and their relatives the O'Neachtains out of Moinmoy, the former to Feadh a Atha luain and the latter to Conmaicne Chineil Dubhain.

I want the Barony of Dunkellin and the liberties of Galway as soon as possible.