ballinasloe

I think it's Béal Átha (mouth of the ford) rather than Baile Na (town of the), so Mouth of the Ford of Crowds.

I'll bow to your greater knowledge on the subject:-) In my native place the Fairgreen which was still used up to the late '50's was also the place of public execution. It was contiguous to both the courts and the prison which probably helped!

I see 3 churches, the town hall and a school which are in the NIAH - but all are older than 1865, no help on dates.

Streetview

Aha, I think this is at the early end of the date range. We should see the gable of this building, the former Sisters of Mercy convent, behind the left end of the town hall, and we don't, we see a different building. The NIAH dates it to roughly 1860, but gives a wide range, meaning they aren't very sure.

National Library of Ireland on The Commons Yes, where the airport was.

Yes the more northerly Mutts started as an USAF base .... and a dog kennel

St. Brigid’s Hospital
“The Connaught District Lunatic Asylum at Ballinasloe, which opened its doors in November 1833, initially served counties Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, and was established under the Lunacy (Ireland) Act of 1821. It was one of 22 such institutions built between 1810 and 1870. The architect was William Murray, whose design was influenced by the panopticon concept devised by the Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham. The principle behind this layout was to enable the manager and his staff to occupy a central structure with radiating wings from which they could monitor and administer life within the institution. This arrangement allowed the wings to be viewed from the centre, while access was only possible from one wing to the others by passing through the centre.”

Isn’t that the same design used in many prisons, which of course this also was?

Why were there so many of these places back then, and so few today?
Were they really prisons for the unwanted?

Creepy.


More info here

www.ballinasloe.ie/news/st-brigids-hospital-a-history

You can enter, but cannot leave

maps.app.goo.gl/s35px1tQPFU4wR8t9?g_st=ic

Explore, if you dare

www.bcd-urbex.com/st-brigids-asylum-ballinasloe-ireland/

Pistol or light meter (see catalogue)??

William Mahon and Edith Mahon in the 1911 Census. Edith in the 1901 Census .

Their marriage certificate - dated January 25, 1905 in Ahascragh Church - here

Here is Sir William in shooting garb "ca. 1914" - NB different tie and shirt collar, so not likely to be the same day - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000523131

Their children: - Ursula Augusta Jane, 17 Jan 1906 - William Gerald Ross, 2 Sep 1909 - George Edward John, the 6th baronet, 22 Jun 1911 - Mary Edith Georgiana, 22 Jun 1911 - Luke Bryan Arthur, 12 Apr 1917