Townlands of Rockey

The island of Rockey is divided into seventeen townlands.

Townlands on Rockey have both Romic and anglicised names. Although the names are written using Romic spelling, they are almost all derived from the original names given to these pieces of land.

Status of townlands


On a national level in Rom, townlands are not recognised as a level of government and are purely administrative for e.g. mail addresses and censuses.

Originally, townlands were created to divide the land between different farmsteads. The edge of the townland would be fenced off, and the land within the fence belonged to a single farmstead, usually consisting of several farms, each with its own family and stock. Whereas the importance of townlands has mostly dwindled in Rom, smaller islands still use the ancient system, albeit without fences, using boundary stones instead.

On Rockey, each townland is led by an "administator of the proceedings" (Romic: riòtheair nan immeirrean), whose job it is to keep track of the livestock, crops, and finances. The administrators of the proceedings convene weekly with the Mayor of Rockey to discuss the proceedings and to decide on possible measures and proposals, thus functioning as a de facto communal council. Final votes on legislation, however, can only be made by an island meeting.

Abhàinn
Abhàinn or Awyn (population: 9) is located on the southern tip of the island and is located almost entirely on the South End Moor, with the notable exception of the small southwestern tip that stretches into the grasslands that would otherwise belong to Dalluir or Lilloch. It borders Dalluir in the north, Badhuirrmaed in the east, the sea in the south, and Lilloch in the west.

The name Abhàinn is Romic for "rivulet" and named after the Ceoirt Brook and O Brook that run entirely within the townland's borders.

Abhàinn contains two farms located along the stretch of road between the bridges that cross the brooks. Its main form of agriculture is sheepherding, with two small vegetable gardens also being tended for.

The stretch of the road between the two bridges is called Ràithad Dàidreòiceaidan (Two Bridges Road; anglicised as Road Dawdryckin); the stretch between the bridge over the O Brook and the eastern townland boundary is called Ràithad gu Bhadhuirmaed (Road to Badhuirmaed; anglicised as Road Gybhyrmead).

Aldmuirc
Aldmuirc or Old Mirk (population: 19) is located on the northern tip of the island, entirely within the Rockey Forest. It borders Nòirdhuirhàifhdhi in the north, the sea in the east, and Àmhuirstlegguir in the south and west.

The name Aldmuirc is derived from the Old Norse words aldinn, meaning "old", and mǫrk, meaning "forest". It is unknown why this part of the forest was considered older than the other parts.

Aldmuirc contains four farms along the island's road. One of these serves as a sawmill using a small, nameless brook that runs past it. The remaining three serve as foresters' huts. There is a communal vegetable garden and orchard, tended for by the inhabitants.

The stretch of road running through the townland is called Ràithad Muirc (Forest Road; anglicised as Road Mirk).

Àmhuirstlegguir
Àmhuirstlegguir or Owsteadleigh (population: 16) is located on the northern tip of the island, predominantly within the Rockey Forest. Within its borders are also located the Eoigheoin Brook and several small portions of the Camma Valley. It borders the sea in the north, Nòirdhuirhàifhdhi in the northeast, Aldmuirc in the east, the sea in the south, and Midlegguir in the west.

The name Àmhuirstlegguir comes from the Old Norse words Austri, meaning "east", and leggr, meaning "leg" or "limb". This is in reference to the fact that the Eoigheoin Brook springs and runs through the townland; as such, it is the eastern leg of the three valleys that culminate into the Camma.

Àmhuirstlegguir contains three farms along the island's road, two of which are located right across from each other. These two farms focus predominantly on herding sheep, whereas the farm further to the west focuses mostly on beekeeping. There are also two vegetable gardens and a number of orchards.

The stretch of road running through the townland is called Ràithad Àmhuirst (East Road; anglicised as Road Owyrst).

Badhuirrmaed
Badhuirrmaed or Byrmead (population: 13) is located on the southern tip of the island. It consists mostly of grasslands, although it also contains a sizeable portion of the South End Moor. Located just north of the centre of the townland is a small woodland which is the townland's namesake. It borders Dalluir to the north, the sea to the east and south, and Abhàinn to the west.

The name Bahduirrmaed comes from the Old Norse words baðmr, meaning "tree", and hæð, meaning "hill", thus meaning "Tree Hill" or "Hill of Trees". This is in reference to the small bluff of trees located centrally in the townland, which bears the same name.

Badhuirrmaed contains three farms along the island's road. Its main form of agriculture is herding; sheep are herded on the townland's portion of the South End Moor, cows are herded on the grasslands. There is a small herd of goats that mainly stay around the bluff of trees. The townland has a communal vegetable garden.

The stretch of road running from the farmstead towards the western townland boundary is called Ràithad gu nAbhàinn (Road to Abhàinn; anglicised as Road Gynawyn).

Còlla
Còlla or Colly (population: 5) is located centrally along the island along the Eogheoinneibhòiguir Bay and is the island's smallest townland in area. It is the island's only harbour, hence its name. It borders Nòiràmh in the north, Midhuir in the east, the sea in the south, and Trèiteich in the west.

The name Còlla is Romic for "harbour" or "port". This is in reference to the fact that it is the only place on the island where boats can land safely, thus making it the islands main and only harbour.

Còlla contains only one house, located along the road and near the edge of the island. The farmers herd a small number of sheep and maintain the island's supply of wheat.

The stretch of road running from the harbour to the eastern townland boundary is called Ràithad ò'n gCòlla gu'n Ear (Road from the Harbour to the East; anglicised as Road Uncollygynnar); the stretch of road running from the harbour to the western townland boundary is called Ràithad ò'n gCòlla gu'n Siar (Road from the Harbour to the West; anglicised as Road Uncollygynshire).

Dalluir
Dalluir or Delry (population: 7) is located on the southern tip of the island. It contains mostly grasslands, although it also contains half of the Ròidhrhaed Moor and two small bluffs of trees. Also belonging to the townland are three small uninhabited skerries, namely Sgèirr Eoigheoinn, Sgèirr Frèigha, and Sgèirr Balduir. It borders the sea and Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir in the north, Riòdhruir in the northeast, the sea in the far east, Badhuirrmaed and Abhàinn in the south, and Lilloch in the west.

The name Dalluir comes from Old Norse dalr, meaning "valley". This refers to the valley which runs through the west of the townland, carved out over centuries by a seasonal brook.

Còlla contains two farms located a considerable distance from each other. The main agricultural focus is the herding of cows. There is also a large field of cabbage and kale.

The stretch of road running through Dalluir is called Ràithad Dalluir (Valley Road; anglicised as Road Delry).

Fòirte nÈibheat
Fòirte nÈibheat or Fort Neat (population: 1) is located south of the main island and consists of one bigger skerry and five smaller skerries spread out over tens of kilometres. It borders the sea on all sides.

The name Fòirte nÈibheat is of unknown origin. It is hypothesised that "Fòirte" comes from Old Norse fort, but this is uncertain.

Fòirte nÈibheat contains one small house with a vegetable garden. It is home to a single inhabitant, and it is thought that the townland will be abandoned within half a century at the most as of 2015. If this were the case, the townland would merge with Lilloch.

There are no roads within the townland.

Hòigeiscùill
Hòigeiscùill or Hoggyschool (population: 5) is located on the northern tip of the island, near the edge of the Rockey Forest, but still within it. It borders the sea in the north and south, Mhestùirlegguir in the east, and Midhuir in the west.

The name Hòigeiscùill comes from the Old Norse words hǫfgi, meaning "to sleep", and skáli, meaning "sleeping-hall". This is in reference to the fact that the only building within the townland is the Nightingale Inn. The townland's name has been noted to have existed at least since 1328; it is therefore thought that there has been an inn at the location since at least that year.

Hòigeiscùill contains a single building, which serves as the island's inn. There is a small brewery for distilling beer as well as whisky.

The stretch of road through Hòigeiscùill is called Ràithad Òista (Inn Road; anglicised as Road Ostyr).

Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir
Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir or Lowtickelry (population: 9) is located centrally on the island. It contains within its borders grasslands, a sizeable portion of the North End Moor, and the entire length of the Nòirdhàmh Brook. It borders Nòiràmh in the north, Trèiteich in the east, the sea in the southeast, Riòdhruir and Dalluir in the south, and the sea again in the west.

The rather long name Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir comes from the Old Norse words lægja, meaning "to lower", þjóta, meaning "to flow", and dalr, meaning "valley". It is named after the valley of the Nòirdhàmh Brook, however, it is unknown why the name of the brook is different.

Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir contains two farms. Its main agricultural focuses are sheepherding and beekeeping.

The stretch of road running through Làmhthiòtteaichdhallùir is called Ràithad dTeioseoil (name of unknown origin; anglicised as Road Deashyll).

Lilloch
Lilloch or Lillock (population: 20) is located on the southern tip of the island, located predominantly in the South End Moor, but also covering a grasslands area. It borders Dalluir and Abhàinn in the east, and the sea at all other sides.

The name Lilloch is a combination of Old Norse lítt, meaning "little", and Romic loch, meaning "lake". This is in reference to the small lake located in a clearing within the moors, forming the only significant lake of the island.

Lilloch contains three farms. Its main focus of agriculture is sheepherding, with a small herd of cows and a communal vegetable garden being tended for as well.

The stretch of road running through Lilloch is called Ràithad a'deas (Southern Road; anglicised as Road Aydys).

Mhestùirlegguir
Mhestùirlegguir or Westerleigh (population: 11) is located on the northern tip of the island entirely within the Rockey Forest. Within its borders are also located the Làgàmh Brook and small portions of the Camma Valley. It borders the sea in the north and south, Midhlegguir in the east, and Midhuir in the west.

Midhuir
Midhuir or Mirr

Midlegguir
Midlegguir or Midleigh

Nòiràmh
Nòiràmh or Nurrow

Nòirdhuirhàifhdhi
Nòidhuirhàifhdhi or Northerhuweigh

Ròidhruir
Ròidhruir or Rowdryre

Trèiteich
Trèiteich or Treysick