Bedlam
Bedlam is a little speck on the map of Tullaghobegly parish, Co Donegal, not far from Gortahork - its indicated only by the words Bedlam and Bedlam Bridge, and won't be found in any list of Irish townlands. This is a common problem in Donegal - an example of townlands found in Templecrone, but not in the townland list for that parish, can be found by following this link
.
From this tiny area at least three people emigrated to Australia, and most likely, some to America too. Its because of the ones who emigrated to Australia that I have put this page online.
So, where is Bedlam? The earliest reference I have to it is on an 1835 Ordnance Survey Map - it does not appear in the 1831 Tithe Applotment book as a separate entity. Bedlam is at the junction of four townlands - Keeldrum Lower, Ardsmore, Gortahork and Cashel. On the map (below) the word Bedlam lies within the top right of Keeldrum Lower townland, while the words Bedlam Bridge lie within Gortahork. Click on the map to view a larger version -
1835 Ordnance Survey Map
The map has been marked with the names of the heads of the households in 1857, according to the Griffith's Valuation. Although the earlier Tithe Applotment Book does not have a separate entry for Bedlam, the following table map be useful, as it has all the heads of the households in 1831 in the four townlands mentioned above -
1831 Tithe Applotment Book
| SURNAME FIRST, TOWNLAND | |
| BONER, Charles, Killdrim Lower | GALLAGHER John, Ardsmore |
| BOYLE Edward, Killdrim Middle | HARKIN, Sheli - Widow Killdrim Middle |
| CANNON Hugh, Killdrim Lower | HARKIN, Th***(Illegible) Killdrim Upper |
| CANNON Hugh, Killdrim Rockstown | MCCARROL Bryan, Killdrim Upper |
| CANNON James, Junior Killdrim Rockstown | MCCUE, Daniel, Killdrim Upper |
| CANNON Manus, Killdrim Rockstown | MCCUE John, Killdrim Middle |
| CANNON Michael, Killdrim Rockstown | MCCUE John, Killdrim Upper |
| COLL, Daniel, Killdrim Lower | MCCUE Unity, Killdrim Upper |
| COLL, Dennis, Ardsmore | MCELROY, Hugh, Killdrim Upper |
| CORRAN, Bryan, Killdrim Lower | MCFADDIN Manus, Killdrim Lower |
| CORRAN Cahill, Killdrim Middle | MCGEADY Dennis, Killdrim Upper |
| CORRAN Edward, Killdrim Upper | MCGEADY John, Killdrim Upper |
| CORRAN Nail, Killdrim Middle | MCGEE, Bryan, Ardsmore |
| CORRERAN Edward, Killdrim Middle | MCGEE, William, Ardsmore |
| COYLE, Brine, Gortahork West | MCGEE, William, Ardsmore |
| DOOGAN, Patrick, Gortahork West | MCGIEVER John, Killdrim Lower |
| DOUGAN, Bryan, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY Cornelius, Killdrim Lower |
| DOUGAN Catharine - Widow Killdrim Lower | MCGINLEY Cornelius, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN Charles, Killdrim Lower | MCGINLEY Daniel, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN Charles, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY Daniel, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN Collumb, Killdrim Lower | MCGINLEY Daniel, Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGAN Collumb, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGINLEY Dennis, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN Elinor, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGINLEY Hugh, Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGAN Henry, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY James, Killdrim Lower |
| DOUGAN Hugh, Killdrim Middle | MCGINLEY James, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN Hugh, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY John, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN John, Killdrim Middle | MCGINLEY John, Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGAN Manus, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGINLEY Michael, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGAN, Margaret - Widow Killdrim Lower | MCGINLEY Phiilip, Killdrim Lower |
| DOUGAN Matthew, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY Charles, Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN Michael, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGINLEY Daniel, Gortahork West |
| DOUGAN Michael, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY Dennis, Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN Nail, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY Grace (Widow) Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN Owen, Killdrim Lower | MCGINLEY Hugh, Gortahork West |
| DOUGAN Owen, Killdrim Upper | MCGINLEY John, Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN Patrick, Killdrim Middle | MCGINLEY Manus, Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN Patrick, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGINLEY Miles, Ardsmore |
| DOUGAN, Edward, Ardsmore | MCGOWAN Dennis, Killdrim Middle |
| DOUGHAN Daniel, Killdrim Rockstown | MCGOWAN Dennis, Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGHAN Henry, Ardsmore | MCGOWAN Dennis, Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGHAN James, Ardsmore | MCGOWAN James, Killdrim Lower |
| DOUGHAN John, Ardsmore | MCGOWAN Michael, Senior Killdrim Rockstown |
| DOUGHAN Manus, Ardsmore | MCILWAIN Patrick, Ardsmore |
| DOUGHERTY Bryan, Killdrim Rockstown | MCLEAH, Nail, Killdrim Upper |
| FERRY Collumb, Killdrim Upper | MCLEAH Shaun, Killdrim Middle |
| FERRY Cornelius, Killdrim Upper | MOONEY Edward, Killdrim Lower |
| FERRY Hugh, Killdrim Upper | MULHERAN Elinor, Gortahork West |
| FERRY James, Killdrim Upper | MULHERAN Michael, Gortahork West |
| FERRY, Darby, Ardsmore | MULHERAN Miles, Gortahork West |
| FERRY, John, Ardsmore | MULHERAN Owen, Gortahork West |
| FERRY, Neil, Ardsmore | MULHERAN Patrick, Gortahork West |
| GALLAGHER, Bryan, Killdrim Upper | O'DONNELL, John, Ardsmore |
| GALLAGHER, Dennis, Killdrim Rockstown | O'DONNELL, Shaun, Ardsmore |
| GALLAGHER, Elinor - Spinster Killdrim Middle | SWEENEY, Daniel, Killdrim Lower |
| GALLAGHER, Elinor - Widow Killdrim Middle | SWEENEY, Daniel, Killdrim Middle |
| GALLAGHER, James, Killdrim Lower | SWEENEY, Manus, Killdrim Rockstown |
| GALLAGHER, John, Killdrim Middle | SWEENEY, William, Killdrim Rockstown |
| GALLAGHER, John, Killdrim Rockstown | SWEENEY, Hanna, Widow Gortahork Sweeney |
| GALLAGHER Edward, Meennagoppock | SWEENEY, Shaun, Gortahork Sweeney |
| GALLAGHER Francis, Ardsmore | WARD, William, Killdrim Lower |
| GALLAGHER James, Ardsmore | WHORISKY Patrick, Killdrim Upper |
| GALLAGHER James, Gortahork Burns | |
Then there's the Gortahork baptisms and burials to look at - only one noted to be in Bedlam though!
Pre-1864 Baptisms and Burials
| Baptisms Gortahork | |||||
| 17 August 1851 | Mary | Bonar Charles | Penelope Dugan | Keeldrum Lower | John Doohan, Catherine Coyle |
| 15 June 1851 | Dennis | Canon Hugh | Winifred McGinley | Keeldrum Lower | John Cannon, Sara Coyle |
| 2 December 1855 | Bridget | Curran Darby/Jeremia | Margaret Doogan | Middle Keeldrum | John Cannon, Bridget Cannon |
| 5 June 1850 | John | Curran Darby/Jeremia | Margaret Dugan | Lower Keeldrum | James Sweeney, Mary Dugan |
| 10 January 1850 | Sara | Curran Darby | Catharine Ferry | Keeldrum | Eugene & Margaret Sweeney |
| 7 June 1860 | Bernard | Doogan Bernard | Bridget Doogan | Middle Keeldrum | James McFadden, Bridget Curran |
| 17 February 1861 | Sara | Doogan Cornelius | Cecelia McGowan | Keeldrum | Dennis McGowan, Margaret Coyle |
| 11 December 1850 | Bridget | Doogan Dennis | Mary Curran | Keeldrum | James Collum, Grace McGinley |
| 27 July 1859 | Michael | Doogan John | Hanorah McGowan | Lower Keeldrum | Michael Doogan, Catherine Magee |
| 6 February 1859 | George | Doogan John | Rosa Gallagher | Lower Keeldrum | Bernard Mulheron, Mary McGinley |
| 19 May 1852 | Mary | Dugan John | Mary Ward | Middle Keeldrum | Michael & Sara McGinley |
| 27 February 1857 | James | Dugan Michael | Anna Doohan | Keeldrum | Michael Dugan, Catherine McG (?) |
| 4 December 1851 | John | Dugan Michael | Anna Doohan | Keeldrum Lower | Michael Dugan, Catherine McGee |
| 23 January 1850 | Daniel | Dugan Philip | Nabla O’Brien | Keeldrum | James and Catherine Ward |
| 21 October 1854 | Daniel | Ferry Cornelius | Sara McFadden | Ballynacregga | John Ferry, Cecilia Coyle |
| 4 December 1850 | Manus | Ferry Cornelius | Sarah McFadden | Keeldrum | Eugene Ferry, Cecilia Coyle |
| 5 December 1852 | Daniel | Ferry Daniel | Catherine Dugan | Upper Keeldrum | Nigellus Gallagher, Anna Ferry |
| 25 April 1851 | Eugene | Ferry Hugh | Sara McFadden | Upper Keeldrum | Patrick & Catherine Ferry |
| 19 October 1851 | Anna | Foriskey Michael | Margaret Curran | Keeldrum | Nigel & Bridget Curran |
| 12 July 1857 | James | Forisky James | Winifred McFadden | Keeldrum | Neil & Elenora Gallagher |
| 28 January 1854 | Cornelius | Forisky Michael | Margaret Curran | ||
| 4 July 1853 | Bridget | Gallagher Charles | Cecilia Doohan | Keeldrum Upper | Francis Cannon, Margaret McAnulty |
| 30 August 1859 | Manus | Gallagher Dennis | Rosa McFadden | Keeldrum | Dennis Brogan, Susanna McFadden |
| 21 January 1861 | John | Kelly Patrick | Honora Kelly | Keeldrum | Patrick Crowley, Mary Byrnes |
| 8 October 1856 | John | McCauley Charles | Mabia Cannon | Keeldrum | Bernard McGeady, Elenora McGeady |
| 6 June 1856 | James | McCue John | Elenora Dugan | Keeldrum | Jon McElroy, Mabia Gallagher |
| 27 February 1859 | Thomas | McFadden Charles | Grace McCue | Upper Keeldrum | John & Sarah Gallagher |
| 25 March 1859 | Anna | McFadden Hugh | Sara McFadden | Upper Keeldrum | James Gallagher, Cecilia Ferry |
| 10 March 1860 | Michael | McFadden James | Bridget Curran | Lower Keeldrum | Bernard & Bridget Doogan |
| 9 July 1857 | Daniel | McFadden James | Mary Ferry | Keeldrum | Michael & Sara Gallagher |
| 5 October 1850 | James | McFadden James | Mary Ferry | Middle Keeldrum | James & Sarah Gallagher |
| 3 August 1851 | Grace | McFadden Michael | Penelope Heratty | Keeldrum Lower | John Coyle, Anna Ward |
| 16 June 1860 | John | McGeady John | Anna Cunaghan | Keeldrum | John McGeady, Cecilia Ferry |
| 2 October 1858 | Honora | McGeady John | Annie Connaghan | Upper Keeldrum | Hugh Ferry, Cecilia Coyle |
| 13 June 1855 | Michael | McGeady John | Annie Connaghan | Upper Keeldrum | John Ferry, Cecilia Coyle |
| 13 November 1850 | Hanorah | McGeady Michael | Catharine McAnulty | Upper Keeldrum | James & Bridget McAnulty |
| 5 December 1852 | Sophia | McGeady Michael | Catherine McAnulty | Upper Keeldrum | James & Bridget McAnulty |
| 17 February 1861 | Sara | McGeady Michael | Catherine McNulty | Keeldrum | Bernard & Catherine Gallagher |
| 8 February 1852 | Michael | McGee Thomas | Margaret Ferry | Keeldrum | John Ferry, Anne McGinley |
| 27 May 1854 | Anna | McGinley Eugene | Mabia Doogan | Lower Keeldrum | Eugene Gallagher, Bridget McGinley |
| 21 April 1852 | Cecilia | McGinley James | Mary McGinley | Keeldrum | George Sheridan, Winifred Gallagher |
| 27 May 1854 | Helen | McGinley James | Mary McGinley | Middle Keeldrum | George Sheridan, Finola Gallagher |
| 22 November 1857 | Hanorah | McGinley John | Catherine Dugan | Keeldrum | Michael McClean, Mary Curran |
| 1 July 1860 | Patrick | McGinley John | Mabia Doogan | Lower Keeldrum | John & Bridget McGinley |
| 15 June 1851 | Cecilia | McGinley John | Mabia Dugan | Keeldrum Lower | Henry O’Brien, Mary Ward |
| 20 February 1859 | Dennis | McGowan Michael | Catherine Dugan | Keeldrum | Daniel & Elenora Ferry |
| 4 May 1851 | Maeve | McHugh Edward | Grace Gallagher | Upper Keeldrum | Patrick Gallagher, Mary Gallagher |
| 18 May (June?) 1851 | James | Mooney Bartholomew | Catharine Duhan | Lower Keeldrum | (out of order) Charles Gallagher, Cecilia Duhan |
| 21 May 1857 | Eugene | Mooney Bartholomew | Catherine Doohan | Lower Keeldrum | John McGinley, Penelope Coyle |
| 24 June 1860 | Mary | Mooney Bartholomew | Catherine Doohan | Lower Keeldrum | Charles Gallagher, Cecilia Doogan |
| 10 February 1851 | John | O’Donnell Daniel | Winifred Dugan | Bedlam | Dan McGinley & Stephan Boyle & Mary McGinley & Catherine Boyle |
| 21 September 1854 | Mary | Sweeney Daniel | Catherine Coll | Lower Keeldrum | John McGeady, Mary McGeady |
| 19 October 1851 | John | Sweeney Hugh | Bridget Curran | Keeldrum | Bernard Coyle, Mary Curran |
| 16 November 1852 | Patrick | Sweeney Hugh | Bridget Curran | Lower Keeldrum | Andreas Brogan, Margaret Curran |
| Burials | |||||
| 15 Feb 1857 | Hanah | Gallagher | Bedlam | ||
| 10 May 1860 | James | Gallagher | Bedlam | ||
| January 20, 1862 | Anne | McFadden | Lower Kelldrum | ||
| 24 May 1863 | Hugh | Sweeney | Bedlam |
After these, there are the civil birth registrations, where Bedlam is noted alot more often.
Post 1864 Birth Registrations
| Date | Surname | Child | Father | Mother | Townland |
| 15/01/1864 | Gallagher | Margaret | Phillip | Sarah Gallagher | Bedlam |
| 16/12/1865 | Gallagher | Charles | Philip | Sarah Gallagher | Bedlam |
| 19/10/1867 | Gallagher | Edward | Philip | Sarah Gallagher | Keeldrum Lower |
| 15/02/1870 | Gallagher | Phillip James | Phillip | Sarah Gallagher | Bedlam |
| 24/12/1864 | McFadden | Edward | James | Ann O'Donnell | Bedlam |
| 20/08/1866 | McFadden | John | James | Ann O'Donnell | Bedlam |
| 9/11/1879 | McFadden | male | James | Ann O'Donnell | Ards More |
| 13/12/1866 | O'Donnell | James | Patrick | Mary McIlwaine | Ards More |
| 10/08/1869 | O'Donnell | Dolty | Patrick | Mary McIlwaine | Bedlam |
| 13/10/1870 | O'Donnell | Unity | Patrick | Mary McIlwaine | Bedlam |
Locations and the Families
Those in the births and baptisms:
Daniel O'Donnell and Winifred Dugan, birth of John in Bedlam in 1851 - their townland appears to be Ardsmore
Philip Gallagher and Sarah Gallagher - Sarah appears in the 1901 census Keeldrum Lower
James McFadden and Anne O'Donnell - Anne appears in the 1901 census Ardsmore
Patrick O'Donnell and Mary McIlwaine - Mary appears in the 1901 census Ardsmore
Those who emigrated:
Kate McFadden, who emigrated on the Nile in 1861
Her parents were Michael McFadden and Penelope (Fanny) Heraghty and her place of birth (in Australian records) is given as Bedlam. The passenger list has Keeldrum as her place of origin.
In 1857 there were 3 Michael McFaddens in the Griffith's Valuation - one each in the townlands of Fawnaboy, Keeldrum Lower, and Magheraroarty. The Michael McFadden household in Keeldrum Lower appears to be this family
Researcher: Ella - Email
Charles O'Brien, who emigrated on the Sapphire in 1859
His parents were James (decd in 1859) and Peggy Green and his place of origin (on the passenger list) is given as Cloughaneely.
Charles emigrated with his brother Edward and both were to join their sister Bridget (who arrived on the Chrowinghee in 1855) somewhere near Sydney. Two months after their arrival, their sister Mary joined them, having emigrated on the Lady Elma Bruce.
In 1857 there were 2 James O'Brien households in the Griffith's Valuation - one each in Killult and Meenacladdy - the O'Brien family in the latter townland appears to be accounted for in the 1901 census, which leaves a possibility of Killult, a townland on the east side of Gortahork. Though, there was a James O'Brien, with wife Mary Harkin, having a child there in 1859! See Townland Notes for Killult
Charles married -
Anne Duggan, who emigrated on the Sapphire in 1859 also.
Her parents were Hugh (decd 1859) and Fanny and her place of origin (on the passenger list) is given as Cloughaneely. She arrived with her mother and her brother, Bartley.
In 1857 there were 2 Hugh Duggan households in the Griffith's Valuation in Cloughaneely - one each in Ardsbeg, on the north of Ardsmore and one in Ballynacraig, on the west of Keeldrum Lower.
Both Charles and Anne were from Bedlam.
Researcher: Bill - Email
More to add - this is just a start!
If you can help in any way or add to what is here,
Please Email Me