Pullathomas Explained

Native Name:Irish: Poll an tSómais
Other Name:Kilcommon / Pollatomais / Pollatomish / Pollathomas
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Ireland
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Ireland
Pushpin Label Position:right
Coordinates:54.2491°N -9.811°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Ireland
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Type3:County
Subdivision Name1:Connacht
Subdivision Name3:County Mayo
Footnotes:Poll an tSómais is the only official name. The anglicised spelling Pollatomish and English name Pullathomas have no official status.
Native Name Lang:ga
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:(Townland) 2.7745
Area Total Acre:685.59
Pushpin Label:Pullathomas
Elevation M:49
Population:100
Population As Of:2011

Pullathomas (Irish: Poll an tSómais;[1] also known as Kilcommon, Pollatomais, Pollatomish and Pollathomas, meaning "hollow of comfort") is a Gaeltacht village and townland in northwest County Mayo, Ireland. In the barony of Erris and parish of Kilcommon, it lies close to the mouth of Broadhaven Bay next to Sruwaddacon Bay. Pullathomas townland has an area of approximately 685.6acres and,[2] as of 2011, had a population of 100 people.[3]

History

Early history

The townland is also called Kilcommon named for Saint Coman. The area is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters. [4]

In 1585, the Protestant Bishop of Killala is recorded to have owned the townland. In 1636, Michael Cormuck of Inver Castle leased Pullathomas from the Protestant Bishop. By 1770, the O'Donel family had taken over the lease of Pullathomas.

A community of Augustinian friars once resided here but were later expelled. In the 1770s, the O'Donels built Kilcommon Lodge, which became a residence for Catholic clergy.

19th century

The Society of Friends provided aid to people in Pullathomas during the famines of the early 19th century.

In 1847 Kilcommon Lodge was attacked by people seeking food.

Protestant proselytisation was attempted with chapels constructed. Pullathomas was connected by a road to Inver in 1842.

Later history

A Protestant schoolhouse, Ivy Cottage, used as a military camp for anti-treaty forces during the Irish Civil War was later burnt by pro-treaty forces.

The area around Dooncarton Mountain experienced intense rainfall causing a series of 30 peat landslides between Pullathomas and Glengad on 19 September 2003, causing damages amounting to €620,000.[5] A corner of the old graveyard was struck, sweeping graves into the sea.[6] Several million euros were spent in repairs.[7]

Geography

Pollatomish Bog NHA

Pollatomish Bog is a designated Natural Heritage Area of protected low lying blanket bog about 7 km south of the village. Grasses and sedges dominate the lower northern slopes with species like Cottongrasses recorded.[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Poll an tSómais/Pollatomish . 2023-12-30 . logainm.ie . ga.
  2. Web site: Pollatomish Townland, Co. Mayo . 2023-12-30 . www.townlands.ie.
  3. Web site: CD164 - Mayo Population by Private Households, Occupied and Vacancy Rate . Central Statistics Office . 31 December 2023 . data.gov.ie . en . Population [..] Townlands [..] Kilcommon or Pollatomish, Knocknalower, Co. Mayo [..] 100.
  4. Book: Noone, Fr. Sean . Where The Sun Sets . Erris Publications . 1991 . 0951817906 . 1st . Ballina . 221-232.
  5. Web site: Mayo landslides caused by freak weather event . 2023-12-30 . The Irish Times . en.
  6. Web site: 2003-09-27 . Bishop: 'The pain is felt worldwide' as landslides destroy graveyard . 2023-12-30 . Independent.ie . en.
  7. Long . Michael . Jennings . Paul . 2006-03-01 . Analysis of the peat slide at Pollatomish, County Mayo, Ireland . Landslides . en . 3 . 1 . 51–61 . 10.1007/s10346-005-0006-z . 1612-5118. 10197/3098 . free .
  8. Web site: Pollatomish Bog NHA National Parks & Wildlife Service . 2023-12-30 . www.npws.ie.