Today with the canal being a popular walking destination, you can see along the canals places associated with the townlands . Just outside Rhode, on the way to Edenderry, are the ruins of old windmills of the eighteenth century. These once had a wind shaft mounted in the cap (one is preserved at the Guinness brewery and was used by the Roe distillery). The wind turned the millstones in the tower below and were used to help ground grains for flour.
Seven windmills are known to have been constructed during this period in Offaly. By 1830, most of the windmills had gone out of service. The last windmill to be used was dated up to 1880, called the Fahy Windmill[1]. Tullamore had two in the eighteenth century on the hill behind O’Moore Street.
Along the canal line we come to Toberdaly in the Electoral Division of Ballyburly, in Civil Parish of Castlejordan, in the Barony of Warrenstown, in the County of Offaly. The Irish name for Toberdaly is Tobar Dálaigh meaning Daly’s well.
(02.The Grand Canal in east Offaly from William Larkin’s map of 1809
Toberdaly townland has a number of archaeological features, including an ancient burial mound, and in the same barrow two enclosures, now gone. The ruins of Toberdaly Castle can also be found on a hillside, which we talk about in detail next. Near this castle is a children’s Burial Ground (Cillin).
Toberdaly townland population and number of houses, 1841-1911
| Townland | Area | Pop. in1841 | Pop. in 1851 | No. of Houses in 1841 | No. of Houses in 1851 | Pop in 1871 | Pop in 1911 | No. of Houses in 1871 | No. of Houses in 1911 |
| Toberdaly | 1,552 acres | 297 | 250 | 48 | 39 | 118 | 151 | 25 | 31 |
In 1901 Toberdaly had one of the largest record of houses in the area, during this period the household returns and ancillary, shows us that there was 30 buildings all of Private Dwelling, with all 30 inhabited, with classes of houses between 1st , 2nd and 3rd . Here are some of the families that occupied these houes during this time:
| Class of House | Surname | Religion | Occupations in House | Family members |
| 3rd | Gill/Jackson/Henny Logan | RC | Farmer, Domestic Servant | 5 |
| 3rd | Malone/Dunne | RC | Agrl Labourer Labourers Wife | 5 |
| 3rd | Foy | RC | Farm Servant | 8 |
| 2nd | Cox | RC | Labourer Agrl Black Smith Servant | 10 |
| Jones | RC | Carpenter Servant | 3 | |
| 3rd | Hannify | RC | Gardener/HouseKeeper/Servant | 7 |
| 2nd | Sheeran/Mangan | RC | Carpenter | 3 |
| 2nd | Kiernan | RC | HouseKeeper/Dressmaker Labourer Agrl | 3 |
As you travel to Toberdaly Bridge you will be able to see the ruins of the Toberdaly Castle. This monument is only a short trip from the canal and is well worth a visit.
The Toberdaly Castle dates back to 15th, the castle tower stands tall beside the old Toberdaly house. Sadly tragedy stuck the area in 1923, when the mansions were destroyed in the process of the Republican IRA burning of the big houses. For more detail on Toberdaly and the story behind the burning check out “The burning of the Big House at Toberdaly/ Toberdaly, Rhode, County Offaly and the departure of E.J. Beaumont Nesbitt. By Michael Byrne” on Offalyhistoryblog.com
Historical references to the place name from Logainm.ie
Rebel Action along the Canal Line:
In the time of War and Revolution, the lines along the canal, has seen some historical events. Rebel activists took control of the canal along the Edenderry line, with the seizure of two chests of arms, in the early hours on December 1797. The arms were captured by the rebels and were never recovered[2].
General Cornwallis, used the Canal when arriving from England, he sailed along the canal with his forces via Edenderry to Tullamore. After hearing that United Irishmen were in talks for aid from Napoleon. Britain sent soldiers to deal with the situation, Urgent messages were sent to France, and on August 1798, French forces landed in Killala.
After a heroic fight, Humbert and his fleet along with a small group Irish rebels, won the battle of Castle bar. One of the key moments during the Irish rebellion, Lord Cornwallis was determined to take back control and with over 13,000 enforcements, intercepted Humbert in Ballinamuck.
After the Battle was lost at Ballinamuck in 1798, the French who had joined the Irish Rebels, were made prisoners of war, and were transported to Dublin, via the Canal line. People gathered to the banks of the canal to see the historical sight. The prisoners were reported to be in high spirits and sang Marseillaise to the people.
The battle at Ballinamuck, was known as Bliain na bhFrancach “The year of the French”. For any Irish who had accompanied them were pursed, captured and executed. The 1798 Rebellion was one of the most widespread of all the Irish rebellions[3].
Townland of Coole
Coole is in the Electoral Division of Croghan, in Civil Parish of Ballyburly, in the Barony of Lower Philipstown, in the County of Offaly
The Irish name for Coole is Cúil an Chnapaire meaning Corner of the strong person/place.
Coole, 1841-1911
| Townland | Area | Pop. in 1841 | Pop.in 1851 | No. of Houses in 1841 | No. of Houses in 1851 | Pop. in 1871 | Pop. in 1911 | No. of Houses in 1871 | No. of Houses in 1911 |
| Coole | 777 | 318 | 244 | 53 | 51 | 137 | 100 | 35 | 23 |
In 1911 Coole had an average record of houses in the area, during this period the household returns and ancillary, shows us that there was 23 buildings all of Private Dwelling, with 22 inhabited, with classes of houses between 2nd and 3rd. Here are some of the families that occupied these buildings during this time:
| Class of House | Surname | Religion | Occupation in House | Family members |
| 3rd | Greene | RC | Farmer | 5 |
| 3rd | Mahon/Dare | RC | Farmer/Servant | 10 |
| 3rd | Cullen/Harvey | RC | House Keeper | 2 |
| 2nd | Brien | RC | Farmer | 4 |
| Mahon | RC | Farmer/General Labourer/Insurance Agent | 7 | |
| 3rd | Tracy | RC | Farmer | 4 |
Historical references to the place name from Logainm.ie
Coole townland, is a lovely spot along the way to take a break, it has plenty of grass areas to just sit and enjoy your surroundings, if you’re lucky you might catch the sight of a crane along the bank, the canal has a good supply of fish and trees along the way that provides a roosting spot, all year round. You will find many different species of butterflies and insects that provided a food supply for smaller birds, like the Grey Wagtails, robins and if you’re very lucky you may spot a Kingfisher, These birds today are a rare find, if they are nesting nearby, then they will come out to feed on dragonflies and small fish.
With the construction of the canal along bog land, Soil had to be brought from different locations to help support and prop up the banks, with these came a variety of different seeds. As a result, a large selection of different vegetation have come up along the bankside, this with the hedgerow has created a number of habitats for much of the wildlife[4].
[4] See “Nature on Irish Canals” Brid Johnson and Marie Dromey, The stationery Office, Pp11-31
[3] See “Ireland’s Eye Magazine, Cheryl Devaney, Pp1-2
[2] See “Safe Harbour, The Grand Canal at Edenderry” Mairead Evans & Therese Abbott” Topic Newspapers Ltd, P1
[1] See “Did you know?” 100 quirky facts about county Offaly, Amanda Pedlow. Pub Offaly County Council 2013, p11.
offalyhistoryblog 