Menu

April 2021

Mahee Castle

0

The ruin of Mahee Castle on Mahee Island, County Down

The ruin of Mahee Castle on Mahee Island, County Down

On Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, guarding a bridge and the only land crossing to the island, stands Mahee Castle. The name ‘Mahee’ is derived from Mochaoi who was the saint traditionally considered to have founded the monastery at Nendrum, the ruins of which are just a short distance away.
 
Mahee Castle
 
The castle was built by Captain Thomas Browne, an English soldier, and is conventionally dated to c.1570.  Archaeological excavations were carried out at the castle during 2001 and 2002, which included detailed stratigraphic sequencing. This revealed remnants dating to the Late Mediæval period, meaning that the building could have existed before 1570. The archaeological finds consisted of shells and animal bones, knives and an array of pottery ranging over several centuries. Large quantities of modern glass were found, in addition to flint and pot shards.
 
Mahee Castle
 
By the early 17th century, the castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1923, H.C. Lawlor and the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society partly renovated the tower house which is three stories tall, although little remains of the upper floors. As part of this work, ivy was removed from the wall, cracks were grouted with cement, the top was waterproofed and a buttress wall was built to support the northeast corner of the tower.
 
Mahee Island is the largest island in Strangford Lough, and is situated five kilometres to the southeast of Comber.

The Martello Tower: Magilligan Point

0

The Martello Tower, Magilligan Point, County Londonderry.

The Martello Tower, Magilligan Point, County Londonderry.

The Martello Tower at Magilligan Point, is an important historical site in County Londonderry. Built in 1812, the tower was strategically positioned at the entrance to Lough Foyle, so that a 24-pounder cannon, mounted on the top, could be fired against any invading fleet. The round structure had massively thick walls and a flat top so that a gun could be pointed in any direction.
 
The tower was built to withstand a seige, being built on top of a spring, so that any troops trapped inside would at least have a supply of fresh water. There were living quarters below the gun platform and the ground floor was used to store powder and ammunition.
 
The tower is located in a picturesque setting looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, close to the lovely beach of Benone Strand. From here, there is a splendid view of Greencastle and the Donegal Hills on the other side of Lough Foyle. 
 
Martello Towers are named after a fort at Mortello Point in Corsica, which successfully withstood bombardment from the British Royal Navy in 1794 during the Napoleanic wars. The British were so impressed with the strength of the tower that they copied the design and built their own, placing them in strategic locations around the coast of England and Ireland. This one at Magilligan is one of the most northerly in Ireland. There is a similar tower in Greencastle, on the other side of Lough Foyle.
The tower was a defence against any invading fleet entering Lough Foyle

The tower was a defence against any invading fleet entering Lough Foyle

Just across the sand dunes, Benone Strand, a popular beach in Northern Ireland

Just across the sand dunes, Benone Strand, a popular beach in Northern Ireland

There were no further attempts to invade Ireland after 1798 and the garrison stationed here didn't ever need to fire a shot.

There were no further attempts to invade Ireland after 1798 and the garrison stationed here didn't ever need to fire a shot.

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

0

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum
Today’s post shows the ancestral home of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States. The original building was a traditional thatched cottage from the 1750s, which has been refurbished. It was the home of Andrew Jackson’s parents before they emigrated to South Carolina around 1765.
 
The site, at Boneybefore, close to Carrickfergus town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, also houses the US Rangers Museum, paying homage to the soldiers of the First Battalions of the elite US Rangers.
 
The cottage is a tourist attraction and open to the public five days a week, although currently temporarily closed to the public due to COVID restrictions.
 
Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

Andrew Jackson lived from 1767 – 1845 and was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman, before taking office as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837.

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

The plaque reads:

The parents of 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson emigrated from their cottage at Boneybefore to the Carolinas around 1765. They settled in the Waxhaw region. Arthur Dobbs, of Castle Dobbs, Carrickfergus, was governor of North Carolina at this time.

DiscoverUlsterScots.com

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum
Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

Tomorrow: William Allen White

0

The strange ruin encountered on a trail through Castlewellan Forest, turned out to be a 20ft diameter tea house, built by Hugh Annesley (5th Earl Annesley) for his family on his Castlewellan estate in County Down. It had spectacular views over the Mourne Mountains and a nearby lake which is also part of the Annesley Castlewellan estate. It forms part of a popular trail through the forest and gardens, enjoyed today by the public.
The strange ruin encountered on a trail through Castlewellan Forest, turned out to be a 20ft diameter tea house, built by Hugh Annesley (5th Earl Annesley) for his family on his Castlewellan estate in County Down. It had spectacular views over the Mourne Mountains and a nearby lake which is also part of the Annesley Castlewellan estate. It forms part of a popular trail through the forest and gardens, enjoyed today by the public.
Hugh Annesley's tea-house, built in 1844
Hugh Annesley’s tea-house, built in 1844
The Annesley family built up a substantial estate in the south of County Down over a number of generations including a castle and forest at Castlewellan. They held a lease on the estate since the 17th century, and bought the freehold in 1741.
 
Hugh Annesley, (1831-1908) was an Eton-College-educated professional soldier who became Colonel of the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1860. He became 5th Earl Annesley after the death of his brother, William Richard in 1874, inheriting the family seat of Castlewellan Castle. Here, as a keen gardener, he continued the development of the arboretum and gardens, and even published a book about the rare trees in his collection.
 
 
PNICstlwllnMoorhse3_1500op
PNICsrllnMoorhse4_1500op-3367
After his military career, Hugh became MP for County Cavan. The photos in today’s post show what remains of the 20 foot diameter tea-house, which he built in 1884 for his family. Constructed on high ground, it provided a panoramic view of Castlewellan Lake. On fine summer days the family would make the journey to the tea house, one of two in the demesne, by pony and chaise. A groom and footman would be in attendance. The task of the footman, described as ‘a tall Londoner’, was to brew and serve the tea.
 
Hugh Annesley was also a pioneering amateur photographer. Thirty-five albums of his photographs are in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. They include pictures taken during the wars in South Africa and the Crimea, (where he was severely injured) and during a visit to Japan, as well as photographs of his home at Castlewellan and the surrounding area. He became the third largest landowner in County Down, with about 25,000 acres, extending from the mountains of Slieve Croob to Slieve Donard.

Past/Future: Charles R Swindoll

0

A walker takes a stroll through Castlewellan Forest on an afternoon during lockdown.
A walker takes a stroll through Castlewellan Forest on an afternoon during lockdown.

With a view of the mountains and a nearby lake, this has become a favourite place for people to get away from it all during COVID restrictions and the current period of lock-down. Yesterday, (Tues 6th April) was the last day of the traditional Easter holidays. Here in Northern Ireland in normal times, many would have made a day-trip to the North Antrim coast or other seaside resort for a break.

This year, the Easter period has been much different. Travelling anywhere for leisure purposes where there are likely to be crowds, is discouraged; so thankfully, places like this forest exist. With statistics recording an increase in mental health problems during the lockdown period, it may help to spend some time in a different environment, preferably one that’s conducive to de-stressing.

2020 has been a most difficult year for many. Loss of life and livelihoods have been part of the package of the COVID pandemic. In today’s quote from Charles Swindoll, he advises us to put the past behind, and look to the future with hope. This may not be an easy thing to do, but thankfully there are natural resources that can help. Forests, lakes, the sea, and places of quietness and solitude can help de-stress the mind and give us hope for a better future.

Charles Swindoll is the former president of Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of more than 70 books. He is also the founder of the radio programme, “Insight for Living” which is aired on more than 2000 stations as well as being webcast.

Happy Easter

0

A Very Happy Easter to people of goodwill everywhere. The photo above shows the site of the very first Christian church in Ireland, founded by St Patrick in 432AD, making this the oldest ecclesiastical site in Ireland. It's located at Saul, County Down, in Northern Ireland, just a few miles from where St Patrick's remains are buried at Down Church of Ireland Cathedral, Downpatrick.
A Very Happy Easter to people of goodwill everywhere. The photo above shows the site of the very first Christian church in Ireland, founded by St Patrick in 432AD, making this the oldest ecclesiastical site in Ireland. It’s located at Saul, County Down, in Northern Ireland, just a few miles from where St Patrick’s remains are buried at Down Church of Ireland Cathedral, Downpatrick.