Ross (barony)
Barony in County Galway, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ross (Irish: An Ros) is a historical barony in northern County Galway, Ireland; part of it is in County Mayo.[1]
Ross
An Ros (Irish) | |
|---|---|
Slopes of Ben Beg | |
 Barony map of County Galway, 1900; Ross is in the northwest, coloured green. | |
  Ross | |
| Coordinates: 53°34′N 9°33′W | |
| Sovereign state | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Galway Mayo |
| Area | |
• Total | 313.0 km2 (120.8 sq mi) |
Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[2]
History
The name derived from Irish ros, meaning "promontory" or "peninsula."[3] This originally referred to the narrow strip of land between Loughs Mask and Corrib.[4]
This region was originally ruled by the Partraige (Partry) tribe. After allying with the Ó Flaithbheartaigh (Flahertys), the Anglo-Norman de Jorse (Joy, Joyce) family received grants of land here, and the area near here became part of Joyce Country.[5]
Ross barony was created before 1574 and was part of County Mayo; it was transferred to County Galway in 1585. In 1898 the county border was redrawn, putting about a third of Ross into Mayo.[6]
Geography
Ross roughly corresponds to the traditional Joyce Country, and is extremely hilly.[7] It is west of Lough Mask and Lough Corrib and east of Killary Harbour. Loch Na Fooey is near its centre.[8]