Flaxgrowers Lists

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The art of linen cloth production was brought to the north of Ireland by settlers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Prior to that the main thread spun and used in garment-making was wool.

Lisleitrim Fort

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At the top of the picture are the townlands of Drumlougher and Kiltybane with Lough Patrick on the left.  On the right middle is the famous three-ringed Royal Fort of Lisleitrim.  There was once a souterrain on its top level but – though still existing – this has been filled in with soil. 

 

 






Redmond O’Hanlon

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Before the final defeat of the Gaelic chieftains [Kinsale 1601: Flight of the Earls 1607:  Plantation of Ulster 1609 on] the O’Hanlons were the primary clan in Orior …

Buying Cattle

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‘The winter of ’47 was very harsh’, Kevin McAllister told me.  ‘There was…

Leod Quarry

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This working quarry near Hilltown is interesting for a variety of reasons.  It contains a unique seam of rock that is currently very valuable in many aspects of the building industry.  Its rock is blocky, hard, sharp and slightly flinty in texture.  The homogenous blocks are contrasted with, for example, the fissilated [wafer-like] shales more common to the region.  Its grain size is smaller than the average.  It is under the ownership and excellent management of P Fitzpatrick Quarries who are fully aware of the valuable resource and practice good environmental control.

Travelling Woman

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Have you noticed the absence of street ‘characters’ over recent decades?  If it wasn’t for Bearded Marty, ever present at all hours of the day and night, we’d have totally lost all ‘local colour’ – as my schoolmaster used to put it!  Stop and chat with him some time – he’s got an interesting life style and a good line in craic.

Creggan Parish 1840s

Writing c.1840 as the incumbent of the Parish of Creggan (Protestant), the Rev Simon Nelson gives a remarkable insight into the ‘customs, manners, popular superstitions and amusements of the inhabitants’.