Today was the sunniest day since I arrived in Ireland, and a lovely day to be driving around in Fermanagh. I was determined to find Aghavoory townland where James Beatty of Ballina/South Yarra must have been born in 1842. I drove over to Fivemiletown, found a house on what would once have been Farmer James Beatty’s land in Aghavoory, and knocked on the farmhouse door, not sure what to expect. To my astonishment, our relations are still farming there! James’s half sister from the second marriage of Farmer James, Eliza Ann Beatty, married Samuel Hall in 1886. Today their descendants were very kind and interested. They showed me an aerial photo of the old house (demolished in the 1990s) and fed me tea and pikelets.
-
- Looking from site of James Beatty’s 19th century home at Aghavoory across Fivemiletown, Co. Fermanagh. Friesian dairy cows in the foreground
-
- Aerial photo of the home (in among modern sheds) built on his farm at Aghavoory by James Beatty mid nineteenth century. It was demolished in the 1990s
-
- Looking over old house site towards Brookeborough
The homes (both new and old) are beautifully situated on a hill with pleasant views over Aghavoory and neighbouring townlands. I forgot to ask the current farmer about farming on the townland, but you can see the Friesians in the photo.
This afternoon I couldn’t resist a tour of Coole Castle, built and furbished about 1800. The servant’s quarters were fascinating! Very Downton Abbey! Off to Dublin tomorrow.
taggerty 
Fantastic.
LikeLike
That’s a quaint custom / policy to provide rental car with no fuel . Remember the Beatty’s of “Enniscrone” in Victoria found that petrol/diesel don’t mix well. You should headline “aerial photography ” for B’s of Bygate Hall. Sent from ipad (Via Kensington wifi!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Young Bushmaid dont fall over its me!!! (guess who) John is standing holding a gun at my head. Anyway how are you? Galivanting around Europe they say. John if off to a team sports event today – a short walk from Bellair St.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tez!!! How lovely to hear from you! I”m deeply honoured, knowing that it’s against your principles even to look at web pages 🙂
LikeLike
How exciting to have met some rels, Sue! And glad you’ve had some sun at last. Ireland is not really the climate for Aussies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi bush aid, swoald and I are sitting here in dull isn Autumn light. We had a pretty swish meal last night in nth Fitzroy with pegs friends. Jen not there as the. Car did some funny things and locked all her gear inside without her.
John off to Canberra in a few minutes. I am off locally and then back to my wall.
Love tez
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must have been an amazing experience to be where he actually lived! I’m currently doing a family history course and the topic this week is adding context to names and dates with things such as newspaper articles. Reading though the work you have done so far I can see how well you have done this. Thank you for bringing the history to life so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind comment Anne! Actually some of those newspaper articles also provided vital clues to putting the names and dates for this family together, given the dearth of official records in Ireland.
LikeLike