1901 Census Research for Kilmeage North, Co. Kildare

Kilmeage North Electoral Division Population Changes 1841 to 1901

The Electoral Division of Kilmeage North consists of 6 townlands and 5,583 acres, the largest being the townland of Allenwood North with 1,873 acres, some of it bog. It includes the small village of Allenwood and is traversed by the Grand Canal and the River Slate flowing from Prosperous to Rathangan and onwards to the River Barrow.

The village of Allenwood developed in the 19th century as a coaching post on the Edenderry Road. The village lies halfway between Rathangan and Clane.

Sir Gerald G. Aylmer was the main Landlord in Kilmeage North in 1854

Griffith’s Valuations tell us that the main landlord in this area around 1854 was Sir Gerald G. Aylmer 8th Baronet of Donadea (1798-1878). The Aylmer’s were a wealthy Anglo-Irish landowning family whose Donadea Baronetage was created in 1622. They were active participants in the conflicts, from 1641 to 1798, and supported James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 but managed to retain their lands under the Treaty of Limerick. They built, and rebuilt Donadea Castle nearby, which is now within Donadea Forest Park.

Sir Gerald Alymer retained most of Allenwood North for himself, though he did lease a substantial holding to Margaret Cribbin. Other major under-tenants were:

1. Allenwood Middle: James Dowling and Loughlin Healy;
2. Allenwood North: Margaret Cribben, John Tierney, Patrick Logan, George Lowe, and Wilson Simmonds;
3. Allenwood South: to Margaret Cribben;
4. Ballyteigue North; to Redmond Hogarty Senior and a separate holding to Redmond Hogarty Junior. 

Excellent Book published on Farming and Society since 1700 in the barony of Carbury

At the end of 2024, as part of the Maynooth Studies in Local History, The Four Court Press has published an excellent book on this part of Co. Kildare that is worth purchasing. The title is “Farming and society since 1700 in the barony of Carbury, Co. Kildare, by Lesley Whiteside. Detailed farm records from the likes of the Holt family were used when researching this local study, and the book can be purchased from the publisher at this link. 

Population Decreased by 26% between 1841 and 1901.

The population of 1,140 in 1841 only declined by 8% during the famine decade to 1,053 by 1851. The population of Allenwood North increased from 194 to 264 during the 1840’s and Derrymullen’s population increased slightly from 152 to 160.

Despite the presence of the Bog within the area, the average of one person for every 6.6 acres is double and treble the density of other electoral divisions nearby. The population decline of 26% between 1841 and 1901 is also much lower than surrounding areas, some of which declined over 65% in the same period. 

Dunne was the most common surname in Kilmeage North in 1901

There were fifty-seven residents in the Kilmeage North ED with the surname Dunne in 1901, followed by Moore and Sullivan with thirty-eight each, Farrell with thirty-five, Doyle with twenty-five, Brereton with twenty-four and Callan with twenty.