Contributed By Philip J. O'Rourke
Gallbally and Whitechurch, neighbouring areas to Raheennahoon in County Wexford, share a similar history during the 19th century. These small rural townlands experienced the same economic, social, and political challenges that characterized much of rural Ireland during this period.
Historical Overview: Gallbally and Whitechurch in the 1800s
1. "Agricultural Life and Tenant Farming"
- Like Raheennahoon, both Gallbally and Whitechurch were predominantly agricultural communities in the 1800s. Tenant farming was the primary economic activity, with most families relying on small plots of land for subsistence farming.
- Tenants in both areas would have been under the control of landlords, often absentee landlords, who collected rent but played little role in the day-to-day management of the land.
- The common crops were potatoes, oats, barley, and wheat, alongside livestock like cattle, sheep, and pigs. Due to the relatively small plots of land and the intense pressure to produce food for both rent and survival, the potato was a staple food, which would have made these areas particularly vulnerable to the potato blight and subsequent Famine.
2. "The Great Famine (1845–1852)"
- Both Gallbally and Whitechurch were hit hard by the Great Famine, just as the rest of County Wexford. The dependence on the potato crop meant that when the blight arrived in 1845, the entire rural community was devastated. The Famine caused a severe loss of life, disease, and forced emigration.
- Relief efforts, such as soup kitchens and workhouses, were overwhelmed, and many people from Gallbally and Whitechurch would have been forced into the workhouses. The Wexford workhouse, in the nearby town of Wexford, saw overcrowding, disease, and extremely harsh conditions.
- After the Famine, emigration was a common solution for families who could not recover economically. Many emigrated to the United States, Canada, or Britain in search of a better life, just as in Raheennahoon.
3. "Landlords and Estates"
- Land ownership in Gallbally and Whitechurch followed the same patterns as in much of Ireland. The land was owned by Protestant landlords, who often lived outside of Ireland and managed the estates through agents. Common absentee landlords in Wexford included families with ties to the Anglo-Irish aristocracy or gentry.
- The landlord-tenant relationship was often tense, with tenants forced to pay high rents. In the years after the Famine, many families struggled to pay rent, leading to evictions and increased poverty.
4. Land War and Agrarian Reform"
- By the late 1800s, Gallbally and Whitechurch were caught up in the larger Land War movement that was sweeping across rural Ireland. Tenant farmers demanded fair rents, fixity of tenure, and, eventually, the right to own the land they worked. The "Irish National Land League", founded in 1879, played a central role in organizing tenants and pushing for land reforms.
- In these areas, families who had suffered through the Famine and the harsh conditions of tenant farming began to see some hope for change. The "Land Acts" passed in the late 1800s allowed many tenants to purchase their land from landlords, marking the beginning of a more stable future for the rural communities in Gallbally and Whitechurch.
- The "Ashbourne Act" of 1885, for example, allowed tenants to buy their holdings with government loans, gradually reducing the power of landlords and giving tenant farmers more autonomy.
5. "Catholic Church and Parish Life"
- Religion and the Catholic Church were central to life in Gallbally and Whitechurch, as in most rural Irish communities. After "Catholic Emancipation" in 1829, the church was able to exert more influence in public life. Catholic churches in nearby villages or parishes like Whitechurch provided social and religious structure, acting as hubs for education, charity, and community gatherings.
- Parish records would have kept track of baptisms, marriages, and deaths, giving insight into the families who lived in Gallbally and Whitechurch. The "parish of Whitechurch-Glynn", part of the Diocese of Ferns, would have included these townlands and recorded the names of families who resided there.
Common Family Names in Gallbally and Whitechurch
The families in Gallbally and Whitechurch were likely to share similar surnames with those in Raheennahoon and Bree. Some of the common family names from the wider Bree area, often appearing in Griffith's Valuation, the Tithe Applotment Books, and parish records, include:
1. "Murphy"
- As with Raheennahoon, "Murphy" was one of the most common surnames in Gallbally and Whitechurch. They were typically tenant farmers, and many may have emigrated during or after the Famine.
2. "Doyle"
- The "Doyles" were another prevalent family name in Wexford, including in Gallbally and Whitechurch. Many Doyles were small farmers or laborers, working the land or serving the larger estates.
3. "Byrne"
- "Byrne" is a common Gaelic name that would have been widespread in this area. Byrnes in Gallbally and Whitechurch likely worked as tenant farmers, and some of their descendants would have benefitted from land reforms later in the 19th century.
4. "Whitmore"
- "Whitmore" is a name more associated with landed Protestant families in Wexford. The Whitmores may have had ties to local estates, though the tenant population was primarily Catholic.
5. "Redmond"
- The "Redmond** family, prominent in Wexford, might have had relatives in Gallbally and Whitechurch. Many Redmonds in this period were farmers, though the Redmond family produced some notable figures involved in Irish nationalism and politics.
6. "Kehoe"
- The "Kehoes" were another significant Wexford family, common across the county, including Gallbally and Whitechurch. Like the others, Kehoes would have been heavily impacted by the Famine, and some members likely emigrated during the 1840s and 1850s.
7. "Roche"
- The "Roche" family was another important surname in County Wexford. Similar to other families in the region, they were primarily tenant farmers, some of whom likely took part in agrarian agitation during the Land War.
Social and Economic Changes in the Late 1800s
By the end of the 19th century, life in Gallbally and Whitechurch began to stabilize after decades of hardship. "Land reforms" enabled many families to own their land, and while emigration continued, the economic conditions in rural Wexford slowly improved. Families who had been tenants for generations were now able to purchase their land, resulting in a more secure future.
The Role of Emigration
Much like the rest of rural Ireland, emigration was a major factor in shaping the history of Gallbally and Whitechurch during the 19th century. From the Famine onwards, emigration was often seen as the only viable option for survival, particularly for younger people. These emigrants helped shape the Irish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Their remittances sent back to family members often kept struggling relatives afloat.
Conclusions
Gallbally and Whitechurch, like many small rural communities in County Wexford, were deeply affected by the socio-economic and political forces that shaped Ireland during the 1800s. From the devastation of the Great Famine to the struggles of tenant farmers for land rights, these areas faced many challenges. However, they also saw gradual improvements through land reforms and the eventual stabilization of the rural economy. The family names common in the region, like Murphy, Doyle, Byrne, and Redmond, would have played central roles in this history, with many of their descendants continuing to live in the area or having emigrated to new opportunities abroad.
#Genealogy #IrishHistory #Wexford
