Griffiths valuation

[wildwitch]

Hi
I wonder if anybody can help me understand the Griffiths valuation. I was able to find my ancestor in the Griffiths valuation 1857 in a little village near Laghy in Donegal. I know he was a farmer and died in this village some 30 years later. I find him now in this same village in the Griffiths valuations under the category 'townlands & occupiers.' He is recorded for 2 properties (both being 'house, office and land'). The 'immediate lessor'  however is somebody different and for 1 of the properties seems to be a relative (due to having the same surname). I cannot however find my ancestors name as a lessor in this village. My questions now:
1. Was the occupier the owner of the property or does it mean he held a long term lease and sublet the property?
2. Could he still have lived in the village even though he doesn't appear as a lessor in that particular village?
3. Does 'house, office and land' refer to a farm?
Thank you for any help

[hallmark]

http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Richard-Griffiths.html

[hallmark]

http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Griffiths-Valuation.html

[wildwitch]

Thank you that was very helpful

[hallmark]

Easier than trying to explain.....