Places: Understanding our ancestor's Townlands in Ireland

This is a wonderful article on understanding townlands!
What is a Townland?  (click to link to the article!)

Quick answer; a townland is the smallest geographical division in Ireland. Townlands have survived since medieval times and many retain their Gaelic names or a translation of that name. Their boundaries usually follow natural features such as rivers.

The Down Survey of Ireland (1656-8) was one of the first national surveys of land in the world. Its purpose was to measure lands which would be forfeited by the Catholic Irish and given to Cromwell's followers.  The Down Survey of 1656-8 (click to link to the article) Each townland was measured, and towns, houses, churches, and roads noted.

Griffith's Valuation again mapped Irish townslands for tax purposes.

Our ancestor's Townlands:

County Meath

Allen's and Sweeney's Townland- Great Umberstown
(Barony Lower Moyfenrath, civil parish Laracor)
Great Umberstown consists of .69 square miles, 439 acres
link with map- Great Umberstown