Irish Homesteads

About the product/what we do

Every inch of Ireland has its own special name, an ancient name dating back into the mists of time. Ireland is divided in a unique way with land divisions known as townlands. There are over 64,000 townlands all of different sizes. Nobody knows exactly when these parcels of land were created or given their names. Unlike maps of the USA no townland has straight lines as its border or boundary. The boundaries of each townland are often rivers or streams or ancient pathways. Like placenames, in many cases the feature which denoted an ancient border is long gone. Local people are still very aware of the border of their home townland.

Each townland is a different size. Some are only a few acres while Ulster’s largest townland is Tullyvallan, County Armagh which covers 4,655 acres and includes the town Newtownhamilton within its boundaries. Tullyvallan is the second largest townland in Ireland. At one time it may have been larger, its neighbouring townlands are Tullyvallan Hamilton, Tullyvallan Tipping and Tullyvallan Macullagh. One of the smallest Ulster townlands is Acton, also in Armagh comprising only 22 acres.

Genealogical research in Ireland is helped when the researcher knows their ancestors townland. Each census and taxation etc. was based on townland

Ulster Homesteads is not devoted exclusively to the countryside. We can also research your ancestor’s village, town or even city street.