Just a note of great thanks to all for your help on this! There is new information here. In general now I am trying to learn more about what life was like for Walter Duffy born 1817 and when he may have come into being a tenant farmer at Woodfield. I know he was there by about 1856 when his son Michael was born. Which probably means he was there during the peak famine years a decade earlier, and wondering how he would have survived and what he could have planted. I want to learn more about Lord Dillon who evidently owned much land in Mayo. The valuations also mention Francis O Grady as lessor of the land up to 1908.
My understanding is that Walter would have rented the land from Francis O Grady. But how was Lord Dillon and his estate manager Charles Strickland involved? I understand they treated their tenants well during the famine.
In short, I am just trying to understand as much about what life was like in that area for Walter, Micahel, and eventually Kate , my grandmother, who I was close to who came over in 1911. I am wondering why Kate needed to leave in 1911 when conditions I assume were much harder for Walter and Michael in Woodfield.
Any insights welcome, and again, thank again to all, you are so kind John Crotty
ps I am visiting the townlands on May 16 17 2024 and wondering how I go about getting permission to walk on the land. I note lot 8ab in Woodfield has a house on it now, and the ruins of my ancestors are not really visable on google maps.
