My home is situated in the townland of Esker. It is in the Parish of Kiltulla and in the Barony of Loughrea. Esker is so called for its numerous sandhills. There are nine families in the townland of Esker and in these there are thirty eight persons. The family name most common is "Hanniffy." Most of the old houses are thatched, but now they are being replaced by new slated houses. In days gone by there were more houses in the district but owing to the "famine" in 1847 many of the families emigrated. There are only three people who are native speakers, they have a thorough knowledge of the Irish language.Anaithnid