Draft History Writing Winners 2024

2024 WINNERS HISTORY WRITING

INTRODUCTION

TheHistoryWritingcompetitionwasinauguratedbyCathaoirleach AidanCampbellin2021/22undertheDecadeofCentenaries Programmewiththeaimtoencourageyoungpeopletoexploreand learnaboutMonaghan’shistoryduringtheperiod1913-1923.

For2024,weaskedall6thclassprimaryschoolandsecondaryschool studentsattendingaschoolinCountyMonaghan,whohaveaninterest inhistorytoresearchandwriteaboutoneofthetopicslistedbelowin thecontextofCountyMonaghan.Thiscompetitionintendsto complimentthehistorycurriculumatbothprimaryandsecondary levels;toencourageyoungpeopletodevelopindependentstudyskills; andtorecognisethetalentsofaspiringhistorystudents. The competitionisentirelyoptionalandisnotintendedtoplaceany additionalburdenonschools,teachers,orstudents.

Topics:

PrimarySchool:

•TimeTraveller:IamachildlivinginCountyMonaghaninthe1940’s.

•Ahistoryofmytownland.

•Ahistoryofanoldbuilding,ruin,orgraveyardinCountyMonaghan.

SecondarySchool

•RevolutioninIreland1912-1923–apolitical/revolutionaryeventin CountyMonaghan

•TheEmergencyYears1939–1945inCountyMonaghan.

•Ahistoryofmytownland.

•Ahistoryofanoldbuilding,ruin,orgraveyardinCountyMonaghan.

Congratulationstoallofourwinnersandthosewhowerehighly commended. Wehopethisisonlythestartofyourwritingjourney.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dáithí Lynch,RackwallaceNS,Ardaghy

AoibheRobb,StDympna’sNS,Tydavnet

AbiCorrigan,UrbleshannyNS,Scotstown.

LilyConlon,ScoilEanna,Killanny

SpecialMention: NoahMcCahey,ScoilMhuire,Latton

HIGHLY COMMENDED

(InAlphabeticalorder)

AnnaDeBoinne,GaelscoilUltain,Monaghan

BethMulvanney,StTiarnach’sNS,Clones CaoimheBabington,MullaraffertyNS,Carrickmacross CarlaRoddy,St.Dympna’sNS,Tydavnet

ClaraghKellett,BallynagearnNS,Magheracloone DeanSteele,StJoseph’sBoysNS,Carrickmacross DonnchadhGroarke,UrbleshannyNS,Scotstown EmmaOBrien,ScoilMhuire,Latton

HollyMurphy,St.Mary’sNS,Threemilehouse

JamesCorrigan,ScoilNaomhPádraig,Corracrin MaeveReardon,ScoilnagCailini,Castleblayney MatildeFloresGuiterrez,StLouisGNS,Carrickmacross OwenByrne,DrumgossettNS,Carrickmacross RyanMcMahon,RackwallaceNS,Ardaghy SaoirseWilliams,ScoilEanna,Killanny

TeganFinnegan,KilleevanNS,Newbliss

Travellingbacktothe1940s

ByDaithíLynch

RackwallceN.S

HereIamwalkingthefieldsofInniskeeninthe1940swhen Ihearthevoiceofamanspurtingthewords'Monaghan hillsyouhavemademethesortofmanIam,afellowwho cannevercareadamnforeveresticthrills' Asateenager myselfIdidnotunderstandwhathemeantbutIwas mesmerisedbyhistongue. 'Goodday,whatisityouspeak?'Isaid,ashebowedhis headandholdingontohisbatteredhathepeeredupat mewithblackthickglasses

"IamPatrickKavanaghandInniskeenismyhome,thefieldsIlongtoseeasIhavenow madePembrokeshireasIcallitinDublinmyhome.Thatiswheremyworkisbutthehills ofMonaghanalwaysbringmehometomymother,togetinspiration,towhereitall began.

Iamawriter,butbeforeallthatIwasrearedherewithmybrothersandsisters.Mydad JameswasashoemakerandsmallfarmerandmymumBridgetQuinnlovedlooking afterthepigsandhens.

I leftschoolat13that'swasnormalforusbackthenbutevenwithallthehustleand bustleinmyhome,Iwouldalwaysfindaspacetoreadatanyopportunity,Ilovedtolook atanynewspapersorbooks.Istartedtowriteandlovedreadingmaterialsuchas, lrelandsOwn,OldMoores,AlmanacandtheMessengerbutmysisterlucythoughtIwas foolishbecauseoffmywriting,butthatdidnotstopmeasIwassopassionate.

MydaddiedwhenIwas25soIbecameheadofthehouseholdin1929.Thismeantalotof farmingandoutdoorworkandhelpingonotherfarmsbutIstillhadtimetoplayfootball. Itwasaroughsportinthe1930sandtherewasalotofrivalry,itwasn'tforthefaint heartedandyouwouldheartheshoutsofthesupporterssaying'gutyermanandbog intohim' Ibecameagoalkeeperforthelnniskeenteam Iwasstrong,tallandquickon myfeet.Ilovedrunningandthehighjump,Iusedtopractiseinthesefields.Iwentto dancesinbarnsandfarmhousesandwewoulddancethenightawayandthenjumpon ourbicyclestogethome.Oh,howIlovedthosedays.

Mywritingstartedtogetrecognised,whenIexperimentedwithpoetry.Threeofmy poemswhererunnersupintheIrishweeklycompetitionandatlastIfeltrecognised. GeorgeRusselknownasAEwhowasapoetandeditoroftheIrishstatement,paidmea guinea(21shillings)formypoemsTheploughmanandtwoothers

Ifyouhaveadreamalwaysfollowit,IdidsoIwalkedthreedaysfromlnniskeentoDublin inDecember1931topersonallymetAE.IwasdetermenttobeawriterandIlandedatAE's door,heshowedmehislibrary,hehadsomanybooksinhisprivatelibrary,itwaslike beeninadreamworld MyfavouritewasMobyDick

AEthenbecamemymentor Hehadintroducedmetoloadsofwritersandsupportedme untilhisdeathin1935.Thatwasasadday.IlossadearfriendthatdayoneI'llneverforget. In1937IwenttoLondonforthefirsttime,thesametimeaskingGeorgeVi'sCoronation I hadnomoneybutIfoundhelpinthepoetJohnGawsworth,whoImetbychanceina bookshop,notonlydidhegivememoneybutintroducedmetootherpoetsand publishers.ImovedtoDublinwhenIwas35asIwasunabletoearnalivinginLondon,this wasonlymeanttobetemporarybutithasbeenmyhomeeversince.

MyfirstaddressinDublinwasinaflatinDrumcondrawithmybrotherPeter,hewas alwaysthereformeandalwayssupportedme.Hewasaschoolteacherandweboth livedoffhissalary.

Ialwayswroteinthemorningandspentmyafternoon'slookingforworkandofcourse lookinginbookstoresanddrinkinglotsofcoffeeandhavingtheodddrink,hesaidwitha laugh.Therewasnotalotofworkduringthewartimebutwithmybrothershelpand somejournalismwritingreviewsfortheIrishtimesIgotby.

MybookThegreathungerwaspublishedin1942,aSoulforsalewaspublishedin1947and thenovelTarryFlynnin1948itwasbasedonmyfarmingdays.Thatismybiggestsuccess sofar,butIamadreamerandliketostayinspiredbythefieldsofMonaghan,letshopeI havemanymoreyearstoinspireandinfluencepeople,maybeevenayoungladlike yourself.

Gooddayyounglad,hesaidashelifted hishatandsaidhislastwordstomethat day1949.OnedayIwillreturntorestin thisbeautifulMonaghanplace" Itimetravelledforwardto2024asI wonderedwhateverhappenedtothis manPatrickKavanagh.IsearchedandI foundouthehaddiedonthe30thof November1969frompneumoniaandwas broughthometobeburiedinInniskeen. Hehadmarriedsixmonthsbeforethatto KatherineBarryMoloney.Hehad accomplishedsomuchmoreinhislife timeandhasacentresetupinhisname inInniskeen.

AsIkneltathisverysimplegravesidewith stonethatcamefromplacesthathe lovedaroundhishomeinEnniskillenand thefields,Iprayedaprayerofthanksfora manthathaddreamtbigandnevergive upwasnowatpeaceinhisverysimple restingplace.

WrittenbyAoibheRobb (St.Dympna’sN.S,Tydavnet)

24th May - Saturday

As I tied my brown hair into a ponytail, I looked at myself in the mirror. Thinking about what dad had told me last night. I remembered the exact words he had said “I need to help the British in World War 2”.I knew there was nothing I could do to make him stay, suddenly I heard heavy boots coming up the wooden stairs. Dad opened the door,”Hey, Hannah it’s time for me to go”. I tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn’t. I hugged my dad so tight I don’t know if he could breathe, “Martin, Barry’s here!” my mum called,” Coming Eliza!” my dad called back, he hugged me back and gave me my favourite chocolate bar a Crunchie! I am usually happy when I get Crunchie’s because I never really do often, but I wasn’t in the mood. I tried to smile though; he smiled at me and left the room with his big heavy boots hitting the floor again. I just about heard mum say “bye Martin, love you”. Then I heard nothing except the door closing and I saw Barry and my dad drive off. I slumped down onto my pink and white flowery bed and took a small bite out of my bar. I should have at least said thanks to dad for the bar, we aren’t wealthy like Barry; I know I should be grateful I have a mum and a dad and they have me. However, Barry always seems sad he doesn’t have a wife and kids, but I didn’t get why, I mean he’s so wealthy, why anyone would be so sad when they have so much money! We only have enough to buy food, occasionally clothes when ours don’t fit and I guess bills for our terraced house.Suddenlly mum called from the bottom of the stairs, “I’m going to head to the market for some food, you coming?” “Ok, yeah I’ll come” I shouted back grabbing my white T-bar boots and shoving my feet in them. I rushed downstairs smiling at my mum. Ready! “She just smiled back at me and grabbed my hand and fixed my hand knitted purple jumper and then we were off, I love walking through Monaghan town everything is so pretty,We arrived and my mum asked the man who worked there if they had any vegetables and fruit in stock. “Yes Mrs, right over there”. the man answered pointing at a sign saying fruit & veg.Mum picked up some carrots, apples and oranges, she picked some other things up for dinner and then mum grabbed my hand and we walked home together, well technically, I didn’t walk because I made her carry me but you get the point.

Mum turned on the wireless and it was talking about the war my dad was fighting in, “Two Irish men fighting for England have been shot one is in serious condition and the other is stable more coming up on this at seven o’clock.” I didn’t really understand the words at first since I am only ten but that’s when I realised. Mum just turned it off trying not to let me think about it, But I don’t think it was just for me I think she was upset too, I just went upstairs and got changed into my night dress, even though it was only four o’clock, I stayed in my room for quite a while, probably until five. Just looking outside my bedroom window looking at the people walking into their homes. The kind man, that showed us were the fruit and veg was, closing up the market and I saw people turning their lights off in the houses, I looked out into the distance praying to god. “Please god if that was my dad that got hurt make him better. Make him come home god please”. Mum called me for dinner so I said one last quick prayer and ran downstairs, Mum made meatloaf today. Usually dinner isn’t as quiet as it was, all that was said was “Thank you mum” from me and I just got a small nod back from mum. I just went up to bed early at around quarter past seven. Thinking about the Irish men who were shot. I sneaked downstairs to turn the wireless on to see if they were still talking about it and they were. “It has been confirmed the men were John Murphy and Martin Woods that were shot, luckily for John he was the one that’s shot wasn’t severe, He has been sent home and is okay but Martin has sadly not been able to make it”. Tears flooded out of my eyes. I turned around and saw mum sitting at the bottom of the stairs. “How long have you been there? “I asked sniffling and wiping some of my tears away. “Long enough” mum answered wiping her tears and putting her arms out for a hug. I ran into her arms and my tears fell onto her nightdress. Out of nowhere, we heard a knock on the door. We both went over to have a look. Mum opened the door and nobody was there except a letter on the doormat. Mum opened it and it said ‘Dear Mrs Woods and little Hannah Woods, I’m so sorry if you have heard the news about Martin. ‘He has been great help we all miss him as much as you do’. ‘We have a small gift at the back of this letter for you both’. ‘Martin told us he loves you both’. ‘Thank you, Winston Churchill’. I turned to the back of the letter and saw £500! We were overwhelmed with Joy and I knew from that day forward that now I know why Barry is always sad, but I know my dad still loves me and I love him!

TheHorribleBangin1942

WrittenbyAbiCorrigan (UrbleshannyN.S)

ByLilyConlon ScoilEanna,Killanny

Theyearis1941.Ihavejustgotoutofanothertorturousdayatschool.Onmywalk homeIseenhundredsofpeoplegettingoffatrain.Ididn’tevenknowthattraincould holdthatmanypeople.Confused,Icontinuedthelongtrekhome.WhenIgothomeI wasquicklypulledinthedoorbymymother “QuickgetinhereIdon’twantanyof themnewpeoplethinkingI’mgoingtoletthemin.”“Whatnewpeople?”Iquestioned. “Belfastwasbombedlastnightandnowthereishundredsofthemtryingtofinda placetostay,”shereplied.“They’redefinitelynotinvitedintothishouse,Icouldn’t copewithanothermouthtofeedandI’mnotsuremanyotherpeoplecouldeither.” Wedidn’thearanythingmoreaboutthenewpeopleforalongtimeuntiloneday therewasaloudshoutingoutsideourhouse.“Iknowyoutookit!”Iheardthefamiliar voiceofourneighbour,Mrs Finnegan,shout “Ididn’t,IswearIdidn’t,crossmyheart,” John,oneofthenewpeopleshehadletstaywithher.“Youdid,Iknowyoudid,so leaveandnevercomeback.”Shesatdownonherfrontdoorstepandbegantocry. Mymamhurriedovertoseeifshewasalright.Istoodoutsidepretendingtocleanthe windowswhileactuallylisteningtotheirconversation.“What’swrong?”sheasked.“I hadallmymoneysavedinabucketundermybedandthismorningwhenIlooked forit,itwasgone.”“OnlymyfamilyandJohnknewaboutit,”shesaid.“Ohthat’s awful,”mymamreplied.

AfewmonthslaterMrs Finneganandherfamilyweretoldtoleavetheirhouse They protestedbutgaveinquitequicklyastheyhadbeenexpectingthismessagefor quiteawhile.Theyhadbeenrunninglowonmoneyforsometimeanditwasquite evidentastheirclotheslookedlikeragsandtheirhouselookedabandoned.The wholeroadgatheredtosaytheirfarewells.Therewasasolemnandsadatmosphere hangingaboveeveryone’sheadsfortherestofthatday Soonwealsostartedtorun outofmoney.Mydadwasunemployedandcouldn’tfindanywheretowork. Eventuallyhehadtoturntohislastresort,theBritishArmy.Hetriedtofindan alternativeashefelthewasbetrayinghiscountry,buthehadnochoice.He managedtogetintoitandforweeksIdreadedthedayIknewwasinevitable,theday hehadtoleave ThatmorningtheskywasdullandgloomyexactlylikehowIwas feeling.Thedaywenttoofastandbeforeweknewit,itwastwelveo’clockandhehad togo.Weallcriedaswesaidgoodbye,nomatterhowmuchmydadtriednotto.

“TakecareofyourmotherandsisterwhileI’mgone,”hewhisperedinmyearbefore walkingovertotheothersoldiers.Noonespokeonthewaybackfromthevillageand whenwegothomemysisterandIjustsatinourroomuntilthesoundofhercrying brokethesilence.“It’llbeokay,”Itriedtoreassureheramilliontimes,whilealsotrying toreassuremyself “Heknowswhathe’sdoing”Thatnightweatedinnerinsilenceall tryingtoovercomethegreatsadnessofhimleaving.

Wedidn’thavetoomuchtimetodwellonitthoughasthatnightsomeonecame knockingonourdoorsayingtherewerebombssettoblowupthebigbridgebesideus Weallwentoutsideandstoodinalargegrouptogetherwithallofourneighbours.I wasterrifiedbutItriednottoletmysistersee.“Whatifourhousegetsblownup,”she cried.“Itwon’t,”Itoldher.“Howcanyoubesosure,”shesaidandthenbegantocry. “Quityourwhingingit’snotgoingtodoanything,”mymamscolded.Icouldseethough shewasscaredtoo Afterafewhourswegotworditwasafalsealarmandweheaded backtoourhouses.Mymamwasnothappy.“Whataretheydoinggettingeveryone outofbedinthemiddleofthenightandscaringthemjusttotellusit’safalsealarm?” shecomplained.Turnsouttherewerebombsbuttheyweren’tsettoblow.Mostpeople blamedtheGermans.Alotofpeoplewerescaredweweregoingtobeinvadedand thatthiswasjustawarning Afterthatalltheroadsignswereremovedtoconfuseany possibleinvaders.

Forthenexttwoyearsmymam,mysisterandIjustaboutgotby Themainthing keepingusgoingwerethelettersfromdad.Untilonedaythelettersstopped.WhenI toldmamthattherewasnolettershetoldmeitwouldprobablycometomorrow.But therewasnoletterthenextdayorthenextdayorthedayafterthat.“I’mgetting worriedthattherehasbeennoletterfromdadinawhile,”Isaid,voicingmyconcerns tomam “I’msureitwillbefine,”shereplied Icouldseeshewasworriedtoothoughas everymorningthefirstthingshedidwascheckforaletter.Monthspassedwithno wordfromdad.ItriednottoshowmysisterIwasworriedbutshestartedtocatchon. “Anylettersfromdad,”shewouldaskeveryday.“Nottoday,”Iwouldreplyeverytime, soundinglikeabrokenrecord.Anotheryearpassedwithnowordfromdadandwe begantosuspecttheworst Soonthesoldierswerereturninghome Hundredsof peoplegatheredatthedock,excitedtoseetheirfamilyagain.Thesoldiersstartedto disembark.Theairwasfilledwithcriesofreliefandjoy.Bynowallthesoldiershad gottenoff.Mysisterstartedtocryasmydadwasn’tthere.Weturnedtowalkhome whensuddenlybehindusIheardafamiliarvoice.“Dryyoureyeslassie,I’mhome,”it said “Dad”Icried jumpingupandgivinghimahug Mymamandsisterjoinedinand

JUNIOR CYCLE

IevaMejeryte,LargyCollege

HopeConnolly,BeechHillCollege

CerysCoulter,MonaghanCollegiateSchool

RebeccaClarke,StLouis,Carrickmacross

HIGHLY COMMENDED

FiachraO’Donaghaile,ColaisteOiriall

JackMurphy,BeechHillCollege

KatieWoods,StLouis,Carrickmacross

ManielaKancheva,MonaghanCollegiateSchool

SarahRose,LargyCollege (InAlphabeticalorder)

HiltonManor

ByIevaMejeryte

LargyCollege

HiltonParkisa400acreswildlifeestate,wherethreegenerationsoftheMadden familynowliveandwork,tengenerationsonfromwhenthephilanthropistand writerSamuelMaddenpurchasedthelandona90%mortgagein1734 HiltonParkis oneofthegreatsurvivinghousesofIreland.Builtin1734thehousecombines eleganthistoricalgrandeurwithcontemporarycountryhousecomfort. LocatedintheremoteandunspoiltdrumlinsofCountyMonaghanyetjust90 minutesfromDublinandBelfastAirports,Hiltonisperfectforcorporategroupsor familiesandfriendsseekingtheintimacyandexclusivityofastunningpropertyset amidst400acresofundisturbednaturalbeauty.TherehasbeenahouseatHilton Parksincetheearly17thCentury,althoughitsearliestnamewasKillshanlessuntil changedtoMaddenton,presumablyinrecognitionoftheearlierMaddenproperty inCo.Kildareandwasfinallychangedtoitspresentnameattheendofthe18th Century.WhenSamuelMaddenpurchasedtheestateforhisthirdsonin1734,he builtahouseincorporatingtheoriginalbuilding.In1803aservant,answeringacall ofnatureorthebelltolunch,historydoesnotrelatewhich,putdownabucketof glowingcoalsfromacleaned-outgrateandburneddownthehouse.Itissaidto haveburntfortwodaystheglowbeingseeninClones.Themainandupperfloors werecompletelygutted,manyworksofartandfurnitureperishedandmostof SamuelMadden’sarchive,thenhousedatHilton,waslost.Imustaddafootnoteto theforegoingaboutthefire In1984,IwasmadeawarethatapaintingbyThomas RobertshadrecentlybeensoldbytheCynthiaO’ConnorGalleryinDublin,which showedtheartistsittingpaintingwithhispatron,ColonelMadden,lookingoverhis shoulderinanextensivelandscapeofUpperLoughErnewithKnockninnyinthe backgroundandmosttantalisingofall,withtheonlydepictionofManor Waterhousetoexisttoday TragicallytheGallerydidnotofferthispaintingtothe familybeforesellingit.Apparentlythispaintingwasfoundinaframebehinda portraitinahouseinGalway.Ihavenodoubtinmymindthatthispainting belongedtothefamilyandwouldhavebeenremovedtoHilton,whenthefamily gaveupManorWaterhouseandbecauseofitscontentIamequallycertainthatit wouldneverhavebeendisposedof IfIamright,thisbegsanumberofquestions If thispaintingsurvivedthefire,wasitlooted?

Ifitwaslooted,howmuchelsesufferedthesamefate?Iftherewasmuchlooting, mightitbethatthefirewasstarteddeliberately,asthefamilywereawayfrom homeatthetime?Whichbegsanotherquestion;howinfallibleishistory?

Thehousewasrebuiltoverthefollowing15yearsorso,itisbelievedtothedesignof JamesJones;meanwhilethefamilylivedinthemaleservants’quartersoverthe stables Thetwoprincipalbedroomsandthediningroomremainintactfromthis rebuilding,asdoesthenorthend.Thediningroomhasafine‘Nelson’ceilingof ropesandoakleaves,reflectingnodoubtthatAdmiralLordNelsonhadfallenat Trafalgarin1805andthatColonelJohnMadden’sfather-in-law,AdmiralWilliam Wolseley,hadbeenAdmiraloftheRedinhisfleet.

ThenextJohnMadden,atrueVictorian‘improver’,setabouttransforminghishousein the 1870s into an Italian ‘palazzo’, with the technical assistance of the young, local architect, William Hague, who became well known as architect of many fine Roman Catholicchurches,includingthecathedralinMonaghan Thisinvolveddiggingoutthe basement, so that it became the ground floor, introducing a new hall, inner hall, staircaseandgallery,aswellasaballroomandboudoir.Theexteriorwasencasedin cut Dungannon sandstone; enrichments and a handsome ‘porte-cochere’ were added. The house was then virtually fortified with steel shutters and a massive front door in deference to the Land League, who by then could smell the blood of the landlords.

The Hilton that John Madden bequeathed is today substantially as he altered it, exceptthatitiselectrified,centrallyheated,everybedroomhasits‘ensuite’bathroom andtheballroomhasbeendividedtomaketwodrawingrooms.

Asa‘pianonobile’themainfloorcommandsoutstandingviewsoverthepark,parterre and lake. Hague’s fine watercoloured architectural drawings for these works can be seen on the way downstairs to the breakfast room Madden records in his diary that he consulted Sir Charles Lanyon, but it is probable that he engaged Hague because he was cheaper and more likely to accept the influence of his patron than the older man. The house is furnished with period pieces that have been here for generations and musical guests are encouraged to play the splendidly original ‘Erard’ concert grand piano, which is contemporary with Chopin and is exactly the piano he might haveplayed.ThereisalsoafinechimneypiecethatColonelJohnbroughtbackfrom Naplesinhisyachtinthefirstdecadeofthe19thCentury.Throughthebackwindows thecolonnadedridethathebuiltcanbeseen,underwhichhishorseswereexercised onwetdays–itisbelievedtobeuniqueinIreland.

HistoryOfHiltonPark

hefamilyisdescendedfromtheprincesofOrielandinparticularfromMaine,wholeft Clogherinthe5thCenturytofindlesspopulouslands,fortheywereaquarrelsome breedandwerealwayswarringandfightingamongthemselves.Mainesettledalarge areaastridetheShannonandbecametheprogenitorofthetribesofHy-Many.From Anmchadh,sonofEoghanBuac,fourteenthindescentfromMaine,sprangthetribeof O’Madden,whowerethechiefsofSiolAnmchadha.Ourlinealmostcertainlycomesfrom JohnO’Madden,greatgrandsonofEoghanO’Madden,thecelebratedLionofBirraand ChiefofSiolAnmchadha,(1323-47).TwoofJohn’selderbrotherswereChiefsoftheclan from1411to1451andoneoftheirsons,Cobthach,killedhistwoelderbrothers,Brasiland Diarmuid,toclaimtheirbirthright,butthethirdbrother,EoghanCarregh,killedhimfirst toclaimthechieftainship.Fromthisconstantquarrellingandfrequentfratricide,John appearstohavefledtoEngland,wherehesettledatBloxhamBeauchampinOxfordshire. Fromparishrecordsweknowthathewasinhumblecircumstances,buteachgeneration seemstohaveimprovedtheirlotuntilfourgenerationslater,in1599,Thomasmarries ElizabethPettiferofawell-establishedlocalfamily:itmustbepresumedthatthefamily becameProtestantduringtheReformation.ThomasMadden,thenamehavingbecome anglicised,thenbecomesComptrollertoSirThomasWentworth,laterEarlofStrafford, theLordLieutenantofIreland,returnstoIrelandandtakesupresidenceatBaggotsrath.

In1635hissonJohn,attorneytoHMCourtofCastleChambers,GeneralSolicitorfor ParliamentarySequestrations,ofMaddentoninCo.Kildare,marriedElizabeth Waterhouse,heiressofManorWaterhouseinCoFermanagh,thuscontractingthe secondadvantageousmarriageinsuccessivegenerations.

HissonJohn,whowasthreetimesPresidentoftheIrishCollegeofPhysiciansand clearlyamostculturedmanashehadaveryvaluablecollectionofearlyIrishand Englishhistoricalmanuscripts,marriedMaryMolyneux,sisterofWilliamMolyneux,who in1684foundedtheDublinPhilosophicalSocietyto‘thedesignoftheRoyalSocietyin London’. tisnotsurprisingthatthenextgenerationproducedaremarkable philanthropistintheRev.SamuelMaddenDD.HisbrotherJohnandhisuncle,Sir ThomasMolyneuxofCastleDillon,inCo.Armagh,werefoundersoftheDublinSociety andSamueljoinedthemwithinthefirstyearandhesettheagendafor encouragementofimprovementsintheArts,AgricultureandManufacturingby guaranteeinganannualsumforpremiumsfromhisownpocket,providedtheywere matchedbythesociety;forthis,aswellasforgivingpremiumstoTrinityCollege, Dublin,heearnedthesoubriquet‘Premium’.

Suchwashisgenerosity,Mrs.Delaneyrecallsinoneofhercontemporaryletters,that hiswife,whowassomethingofashrew,wouldnotlethimgooutwithanymoneyon hispersonashewouldgiveanythinghehadtoanypoorthathemet.Itwasthrough Madden’sfriendshipwiththeEarlofChesterfieldthattheDublinSocietyreceivedits RoyalCharter.HewasacollectorofworksofartandleftTrinity20ofhisbestpaintings attheirchoicetohangintheProvost’sHouseforever.

Maddenwroteanumberofbooksandplays,notalwaysputtinghisnametothem.The mostinterestingare‘ReflectionsandResolutionspropertotheGentlemenofIreland’, whichamongstmanyexhortationsstatesthatrawmaterialsshouldnotbeexportedto England,butratherthat‘valueshouldbeaddedathome’,and‘AMemoirofthe TwentiethCentury’.Athousandcopiesofthelatterwereprintedin1735,butwere destroyedpriortopublicationontheorderofthegovernment;onlyahalfdozencopies survive.Twoofhisbooks,‘Memoirs’and‘Boulter’sMonument’,published1745,were dedicatedtoFrederick,PrinceofWales,towhomhehadbeentutor Itisinterestingto speculatewhatinfluencethisliterary,culturedmanmayhavehadontheyoung prince,whocontrarytothemartialandphilistineHanoveriansthatspawnedhim, becamethegreatestroyalpatronoftheartsandarchitecturesinceCharlesthe SecondandwhowasleftathomeinHanoverforthefirst20yearsofhislife,whilsthis grandfatherandhisfatherruledBritain

AmemberofSwift’scircleandakinsmanofOliverGoldsmith,Maddenwasparticularly admiredbyDr.Johnson,whosaidofhim,‘hisisanameIrelandoughttohonour’. Onthehomefront,SamuelwasrectorofNewtownbutlerandkeptafinegardenat ManorWaterhouse;inparticularhewasanexpertingrowingfruitandhismanuscript catalogueandplanfor‘fruittreesplantedinespalierhedgesatManorWaterhouse’in 1740isintheHiltonLibrary.Tragically,allhismanuscriptswerelefttohisson,Johnof Hiltonandtheywerelostinthefire40yearslater

In1734hepurchasedtheHiltonEstate,thencomprisingsome4000acres,forhisthird sonandaroundthesametimeboughtanestateatSpringGrove,Rosslea,forhis youngestson.Asbothhiseldersonsfailedtobringchildrentomajority,theManor WaterhouseestatefelltoJohnMaddenofHilton,butitappearstohavebeenlargely uninhabitedafterPremiumMaddendiedin1765andthehousehardlyseemstohave existedbythestartofthe19thcentury.Theoldcastlehadbeensackedinthe Jacobitewarsanditmaybethatthenewonehadnotbeenwellbuilt.

Thenextgeneration,ColonelSamuelMaddenoftheMonaghanMilitia,nearlyfinished theMaddensatHilton,forthismanwasnothinglikehisnamesakegrandfather.He turnedouttobeagamblerandbonviveurandthereisavividaccountofhis excessesthroughoutthe1790’s,culminatinginthefireof1803,thearrivalofhis creditorsin1812andhisexpiryin1814.Hisson,ColonelJohnoftheMonaghanMilitia waslefttopickupthepieces,about£5millionintoday’stermsColonelJohn’sgood fortunewasarichandprudentcleric,theRev.CharlesDudleyRyder,fora grandfather,whoseeingthecalibreofhissoninlaw,hadkeptmostofhisfortune fromhisdaughter,knowingherhusbandwouldgambleallaway.DudleyRyderwas thesonoftheRev.JohnRyder,ArchbishopofTuam,andhadmarriedCatherine,last oftheCharnellfamilyofSnarestoneHallinLeicestershire.TheSnarestoneEstatewas madeovertoColonelSamby1795andwouldappeartohavebeensoldsoonafter 1802;thereafterDudleyRyderkepthispowderdryuntilafteroldSam’sdemise ColonelJohnappearstohaveworkedhardandplayedhard.Hetookmuchofhis landsontheMonaghanandFermanaghestatesinhandandbecameanoted breederofShorthorncattleandhackneyhorses.Sosuccessfulwasheatthelatter thatlongafterhisdeathpeoplewouldcomelookingforhorsesofthe‘oldHilton strain’ HebuilttheRide,acolonnadeforexercisinghorsesonwetdaysunderhis studywindow.Duringanelection,heevenfoundtimetofightaduelwiththeLord Rossmoreoftheday,woundingthepeerintheleg.Hehadalwayskeptayachtin DublinBay,withaskipperandcrewoffourbutthiswasswappedforasmallerboat whenheinheritedhisfather’sdebts.AmemberoftheRoyalYachtSquadron,hewon aracerightroundIrelandintheGanymedeandsailedofftotheMediterranean, bringingbackfromNaplesoneofthefinechimneypieces.Healsobuiltavillaat Sandycovetoaccommodatehissailingactivities,whereheeventuallydiedin1844, leavingayoungwidowandthreesons,theoldestofwhomwasonlyseven,which resultedintheyoungheirbeingmadeawardofChancery.SydneyAnne,theyoung widow,wasdaughterofoldAdmiralWilliamWolseley,anoldsaltwhohadspent muchofhislifeatseaandwhohadthedistinctionofbeingtheonlycaptaintoshare prizemoneywithNelsonintheMediterranean Wolseley’sson,whilstservingasa midshipmanontheflagshipHMSSuperb,hadthedistinctionofbeingpresentedto theEmperorNapoleonBonaparte.Napoleonhadputhimselfundertheprotectionof theBritishnavyafterWaterlooandhewastakenaboardHMSBellopherononwhich vesselhewastobetakenintoexileatSt.Helena.Napoleonwasinvitedtobreakfast withAdmiralHothamontheSuperb,wherehewastreatedwithfullhonoursand insistedonbeingpresentedtoalltheofficers.

YoungJohn,(1837-1902)leftmoreofamarkonHiltonthanallhispredecessorsexcept thefirst.At19hesankthewell,fromwhichwestillgetourwater,135feetintothe groundunderhisownsuperintendence.At21hecelebratedthrowingofftheyokeof theCourtofChancerybyerectingthebelltower,whichataround70feetmeantthat hehadcovered200feetupanddownintwoyears.Attwenty-fourhetravelledfor monthsonhorsebackthroughtheeasternstatesofAmericauptotheGreatLakes; thisonlyayearbeforetheCivilWar.BackhomehejoinedIsaacButt’sHomeRule Party,butfailedtogetelectedinthethreeelectionshefought.Disappointed,and particularlysowhenhesawParnelltakeovertheHomeRulers,herevertedto Toryism.Therestofhislifehedevotedtotravel,improving–firstthepark,thenthe gardensandpleasuregroundsandfinallythehouseandallthetimewriting Hekept adiaryfrom1868onwardsandpublishedhismagnumopus,TheWildernessandits Tenantsinthreevolumesin1897;thismeticulousworkisaninventoryofthenatural worldpriortotheindustrialrevolution.Havingreadwidelyoftheearlytravellersand hunters,hefoundduringhisowntravelsinthelatterhalfofthe19thCenturythat muchhadbeenalteredsincethestartofthecentury;thatthegreatherdsofbuffalo hadbeenreduced,thattheSaharahadmovedandhewantedtosetdowna yardstickbywhichfuturedepredationscouldbeassessed.Thepublicwerenot sufficientlyconcernedtobuyhisbookandhiswarningswentunheeded.Ofparticular interesttothefamily,ishisjournal,whichrecordsdetailsoftheestatesinMonaghan, FermanaghandLeitrimduringandbeforehistime Anotherrecordofimmense intrinsicvalueisthephotographicrecordofhisyoungerbrother,CharlesDudley Ryder,whoobtainedacamerain1858whenonly19andhisalbums,upuntilhisdeath in1874atCorkBarracksoftyphoidfever,showthepark,houseandgardensasthey werebeforebeingimproved.Charlesandhisbrother,WilliamWolseley,bothserved inthe8thKing’sLiverpoolRegimentandbothdiedwithin5weeksofeachother, WilliaminBrighton.Williamwasveryinvolvedintheloyalordersandbuiltthe ProtestantHallinScotshouse Thereissomemysteryabouthimbecause,fromhis brotherJohn’sdiary,itisclearthathewasconvictedofcausinggrievousbodilyharm andheservedtwoyearsinStrangewaysGaol,Manchester.Onecanonlysurmise thatsomeloyalistfracasledtohisconviction,butitshouldalsoberememberedthat aletterofhisinstructingProtestantsnottointerferewithFenianprocessionshad muchtodowithdefusinglocaltensions

Johnappearstohavebeenserioustoafaultandtohavehadahighlydeveloped senseofhisownrectitude.He‘laidaninformation’incourtinDublinagainstthe Fenians’whohewasconvincedweregoingtocontravenethePartyProcessionsAct atanimminentrally,whichhethoughtunreasonableashissidehadkeptthatlawat arecentevent Hiscasewasnotacceptedandtoprovehispoint,hemarched,atno littlerisktohimself,intheFenianrallyandwasnodoubtdelightedtobeproved correct.HewasaMagistrate,aDeputyLieutenantfortwocountiesandHighSheriff. OnbeingappointedDeputyLieutenantforLeitrim,herefusedthehonoursayingthat hewasnolongerpreparedtoserveanadministrationthathadpresidedovera completebreakdowninlawandorder Hewassummarilystrippedofallhishonours andappointments‘forthisstudiedinsulttotheQueen’.Heatleasthadthe satisfactionthatallthemagistratesinIrelandsignedapetitioninfavourofhis reinstatement.

Hemarriedthenieceofthe3rdEarlofLeitrim,knownasthe‘wicked’Earlwhowas popularlybelievedtoexercisehisseignorialrightsonhistenants’daughters,in particularontheirWeddingnight.Hewasmurderedin1878.Thefuneraltookplace atSt.Michan’sinDublinandsuchwasLeitrim’sreputationthatamobturnedout andoverturnedthehearseandthemournershadtoberescuedbythepolice OwingtoLordLeitrim’sunfortunatewill,whichallbutdisinheritedhissuccessorand leftalltohiselderly,welloffcousin,whowouldgladlyhaverenouncedhisright, litigationloomedagainforJohnMadden,whosechildrenhadareversionunderthe will.Maddenfeltithisdutytoprotecthisminorchildren’sinterestandsolitigation commencedcausingLadyDartreytowriteofhim‘ (he)isasemi-madman,who stoodasaToryHomeRulerforMonaghanin1868andwrotesuchoutrageous lettersthathewasstruckoffthelistofJPs’.Itmayofcoursebethatherstaunch Whigpoliticshadsomethingtodowithheropinion.

Andsotothe20thCenturyandLt.Col.JohnClementsWaterhouseMadden,‘Jack’, (1870-1935).CalledtotheEnglishBarin1895andtheIrishBarin1897,hehadthetaskof windinguptheestatesasaresultoftheLandActs,Actswhichprobablycaused greaterdamagetothestockofgreatcountryhousesinIrelandthanallotherevents PriortoIndependenceheheldtheusualpoststhatwentwithhisrank,JP,HighSheriff, DL HewasaStandingCommitteeMemberoftheUlsterUnionistCouncilandaDeputy GrandMasterofIrelandintheOrangeSociety.

Incensed,however,bytheactivitiesofCraigandCarsonwherebytheyengineeredthe settingupoftheBoundaryCommissionandsotoreuptheagreementthatthenine UlstercountieswouldremainundertheCrown,heresignedfromtheOrangeOrder, disgustedthattheBelfastLoyalistswereloyalonlytothemselves.

HemadehisownsubmissiontotheBoundaryCommission,thatthebordershouldbea visiblewaterboundary,comingintheestuaryoftheErneinthewestandexitingatthe mouthoftheFaneintheeast Whateversensethismayhavemade,itwasaselfserving devicetotrytoensurethatHiltonremainednorthofthelineandthattheworksofthe GreatNorthernRailway,onthenorthbankoftheFaneinDundalk,woulddolikewise.

AfterIndependencehewaselectedaMonaghanCountyCouncillor.DuringtheTroublesof 1920-1922hetookcertaindefensivemeasuresatHilton,thatweredesignedtoprotecthis propertyintheeventofattack,nodoubtcomfortedbyhisfather’sforesightininstalling steelshuttershalfacenturybefore TheColonelwasofmassiveframeandutterlywithout fear.HewasahardtaskmasterandmuchdislikedatClonesrailwaystationwherehe neverfoundthingstohislikingasadirectoroftheGreatNorthernRailway,expecting standardsofturnoutfromrailwaymenmoreappropriatetothatofguardsmen.

OnoneoccasionhecrossedswordswithGeneralEoinO’DuffyofBlueshirtfameJackhad beentoBelfastbytrainonGNRbusinessandonhisreturntoClonesstationfoundhiscar gone.HewastoldithadbeencommandeeredinthenameoftheStatebyGeneral O’Duffyandwasthusforcedtowalkthe4mileshomeinpouringrain.

HewrotecomplainingatthishighhandedtreatmentandheaskedtheGeneraltotell himifhisgovernmentwishedpeoplesuchashetoleavethecountry Thereplywasnon commital,nonapologeticandcitednationalbusiness.JackmarriedAgnesTate, daughterofSirWilliamHenryTate,Bt.andgranddaughterofthedonoroftheTate Gallery.HisbrotherGerald,whowaskilledcommandingabattalionoftheIrishGuards inWorldWar1,marriedMabelMacpherson-GrantofBallindalloch.SisterSydney, romanticpoetandpublisherof‘RosePetals-forthosewholoveme’,marriedChandos, MarquessofAilesburyandinlaterlifehadthemisfortunetoentertainQueenMaryand herwaspishcompanion,OsbertSitwell,atSavernake.MisfortunebecauseSitwell rememberedherasaromanticgirlpursuingsomeGermanprinclingataballandwas strucksufficientlybythechangewroughtbytheyearssoastodescribeherinabookas ‘standinglikeapillarofredgranite’ Itwouldbekindertorememberherbyherportrait atHilton,depictingtheromanticyounggirlholdingherdog.

Jack’seldestson,JohnWilliamRyder(1913–1996),waseducatedatEtonandTrinityHall, Cambridge,wherehewasanaccomplishedoar.AfteruniversityhejoinedtheIrish Guards,servinginPalestinein1937-8.HewasinthepartythattooktheDutchRoyal familyandCabinetofftheHookofHollandin1940andwasinthethickofthebloody fightingthattookplaceaftertheBoulognelandingin1941.Hethenjoinedthe2ndBn.Irish Guards,whichwastoformpartoftheGuards’ArmouredDivision,withwhomhelanded inNormandyin1944butwaswoundedsome3weekslateratLaMarvindiere,losingaleg, whichforcedhisretirementwiththerankofMajor.HebroughthisfamilytoliveatHiltonin 1945andhimselftookarefreshercourseinagricultureatCirencester.Encouragedbya neighbour,JackGibson,heestablishedaHerefordherd,whichbecamefamousallover Ireland.OwningagreatdealmorelandthantheaverageinIrelandatthattime,hesawit ashisdutytouseeverysquareyardandtoemployasmanyaspossibleontheland.He becameagreatinnovator,introducingsilagemakingtotheareaandplantingorchards, Christmastrees,whichheexportedtoBritainandDutchbulbs;atonetimeinthe1950s therewerefiveacresofdaffodils,gladioliandtulipsaswellasonions Subsequentlyhe builtupadairyherdandbecameaconsiderableexpertonforestry.Headviseda numberoffriendsontheirwoodlandsonaregularbasis.Hisgreatstrengthwas thoroughresearch,whereinheconsultedalltheexpertsandreadallthebooks,before startingonaproject.Hewasakeensailorofsmallboatsandkepttwo‘Snipe’atCrom andsailedmostweekendsthroughoutthesummer Alifelongafficionadoofmotor racing,hecompetedthreetimesintheCircuitofIrelandRallyinMorrisMinors.Afirst classshot,itwaseasytoforgetthathehadbutoneleg.HemarriedNitaMellorin1937, daughterofBrigadier-GeneralJ.SeymourMellorCBEDSOMCandBettyMarquand,a granddaughterofHenryG Marquandwhomadetheoriginalendowmenttothepicture galleryoftheMetropolitanMuseuminNewYork,ofwhichhewasPresident:shewasalso relatedtotheRobesonfamily,bigplantationownersintheCarolinas,fromwhomthe singerPaulRobesonissaidtohavetakenhisname.SeymourMellorwasadistinguished soldierwhofoughtintheBoerWar,andtheFirstWorldWar,withtheKRRC.In1920hewent fortwoyearstoPolandtoreorganisetheirpoliceforce;his‘LettersfromWarsaw’,which werecompiledbyhiswifeareafascinatingdocumentofthetimesthere.Thereafterhe becameaKing’sMessengerontheConstantinoplerunandduringtheSecondWorld WarwasProvoMarshalUKandChiefConstableoftheWarDepartmentConstabulary. sources

TheWren’sNest

ByHopeConnolly BeechHillCollege

IfyouweretoarriveinStranoodentodayyouwouldseemanythingsbutperhapsthe mostnoticeablewouldbetheold,stonechurchwithatallbelltower.Thechurchis surroundedbylargesycamore,beech,elmandyewtrees.Thesetreesarefilledbythe loudsquawksofthelargemurderofcrowsthatlivesinthesetreestoday.Thischurchis knownas‘TheWren’sNest’,Stranoodan,CoMonaghan.TheWren’sNestisachurchof Irelandthatwasbuiltin1860. Thischurchwasbuiltasachapelofeasetothemain churchofIrelandthatwassituatedinKilmore.Achapelofeasewasusuallybuiltso thatparishionersintheareadidnothavetotravellongdistancesinordertoattenda churchservice.ThehistoryoftheWren’sNestbeganover160yearsagoandmany eventssinceitwasbuilthasaddedtoitshistory.Thechurchwasbuiltinthe1860sbut sincethenIrelandhaschangedagreatdeal.ThechurchhasstoodthroughtheIrish warofindependenceandhaslivedthroughdecadesofchangeincludingthetroubles inNorthernIreland.Thechurchhasalsochangedownershipovertheyearsandeven changedpurposes

AtthetimethatthischurchwasbuiltIrelandwasunderEnglishruleandsoeveryone wholivedinIrelandwasforcedtofollowEnglishlawandfollowEnglishcustoms The Catholicswereangeredwiththewaythecountrywasbeingrunatthistimeandthe unfairtreatmentthattheywerereceiving Theywereforcedtopayhightaxestothe English,andtheycouldnotpracticetheirreligion,attendpublicschoolsorpurchase land.ThismeantthattheEnglishhadtocomeupwithwaystocontroltheIrish Catholics.ObservingwhereCatholicscongregated,theyAnglicisedthearea.The EnglishsawthattheCatholicsspentalotoftimeatthecrossroadsinStranoodan,they wouldmeetheretochatandplaysports.TheEnglishdidnotlikethattheCatholics weresocialisingwitheachotherandsotheybuiltanRICbarracksandtheWren’sNest inordertokeepcontroloftheCatholicsandtoinstilfearinthem.Thelandthatthe churchwasbuiltonwaspaidforbytaxestakenfromtheCatholicsandPresbyterians fromtheBritishgovernment.ThelandwaspreviouslyownedbyLordRossmorewho hadtakenlandfromthenativeIrishpopulationandsettledonithimself.Hewasthe owneroflargeamountsoflandalloverMonaghanatthistimeincludingtheRossmore estate,asaresultofthesehewasverywealthyandhatedbymostoftheIrish population.Mostofthestoneusedtobuildthechurchwasquarriedfromthearea wherethechurchnowstands.Thesandstonethatwasusedtomaketheareaaround thedoorsandwindowswasimportedinfromoutsidethecountry.

TheWren’sNestisaperfectexampleofgothicrevivalarchitecture.ThechurchfacesEast justlikemostotherchurchesofthistime.ThetraditionofbuildingchurchesfacingEast comesfromtheJewishtraditionofprayinginthedirectionoftheholytemplein Jerusalem.Itisclearthatthisisinthestyleofgothicrevivalfromitsdistinctivefeatures. ThesefeaturesincludeaKings-Posttrussroof,lancetwindows,archeddoorsand buttresses.Theroofofthechurchisbuiltintwoseparateparts,onerooftocoverthe majorityofthechurchandaseparaterooftocoverthechalicebecauseitistheholiest partofthechurch Thischurchdesignedinthesamemannerofotherchurchesduring thisera,butitwasalsoadvancedbecausethechurchhadabuilt-inunder-floorheating system

TheparishionersthatattendedserviceattheWren’sNestwouldenterthechurchthrough thefrontdoorandafterthechurchservicetheywouldshakethevicarshandexitthrough thebackdoor.CatholicswhoweregatheredatthecrossroadsseentheProtestants leavingandenteringlikethisandsotheynamedthechurchTheWren’sNest.They nameditthisbecausethisiswhatawrendoes.Awrenentersitsnestthroughoneway andexitsthenestanotherway,thewrendoesthistoavoidattractingpredators.The nameofthechurchisstillthesametothisday.

DuringthewarofindependencewhentheRICbarrackswasstillinuse.Anincident occurredthatresultedinthedeathoftwooftheRICofficers.Thisincidentoccurredwhen threeRICofficerswereontheirwaybacktothebarracksfromapubinCorcaghanand theywereattackedbyIrishrebels.Oneofthemwaskilledimmediatelybutonewas rushedtohospitalandlaterdied.Onlyoneoftheofficerssurvivedtheattack.These officerswereattackedduetoangeramongIrishrebelsduringtheIrishWarof Independence Thiswasjustoneofmanyincidentsthatmadeupthewarof independence Shortlyaftertheofficerswerekilledaservicewasheldintheirmemoryin TheWren’sNest Twoyewtreeswereplantedintheirmemoryjustoutsideofthechurch andthesetwotreesstillstandtoday.TheProtestantpopulationoftheareafellfrom26.6 %ofthepopulationidentifyingaschurchofIrelandinthe1860stojust8.6%inthe1990s. ThisisbecauseofintimidationfromtheIRAincountiesclosetotheNorthernIrishborder andtheendtotheunionbetweenBritain.Inthe1980sthechurchstoppedrunninga weeklyserviceduetothelackofpeopletoattend.Peoplewhowishedtoattendchurch hadtotravelfurtherdistances,butthisbecameeasierastransportandroadsdeveloped. Manyoftheitemsinsidethechurchweredonatedorsoldtootherchurchesacrossthe country.Itemssuchasthepewsandthebellweresoldoff.

Thechurchremaineddormantandunusedupuntil2004whenthechurchwassold withtheintentionofbeingrenovatedintoahouse.Whenmyparentsboughtthe church,itwasincompletedisrepair,therewasnoroofandtherewasdamagetothe internalwallsbecausetheplacehadbeenleftforsolong.However,whenthechurch wassoldwithconditions.Thechurchisalistedbuildingduetoitsageandhistorical significancethereforeitisprotectedandmustnotbedamagedorloseanyofits historicalintegrity So,topreservethechurchanewroofhadtobeerected This involvedsourcingskilledcraftsmenwhowereabletoreplicatetherooftoexactlywhat itwouldhavelookedlike TwentyyearslaterandtheWren’sNestisnowmyhomeand whileithaseverythingthatisineveryhomeitstilllooksverymuchlikeitdidwhenitwas built164yearsago.Itstilllooksthesamefromtheoutsideandallthewindowsand doorsareexactreplicasoftheoriginalsweevenstillhavetheoriginalkeythatthe sextonofthechurchwouldhaveused.IbelievethattheWren’sNestisaveryinteresting placetolivebecauseofallthehistorythattheplaceissteepedin.Itisstrangetolivein ahousethathasagraveyardbutoverall,Ithinkitisabeautifulplacetoliveand learningaboutitshistoryhasheightenedbothmyinterestformyhouseandhistoryof mylocalarea.

Thisisanimagetakenofthechurchwhen therewasrestorativeworkbeingcompleted onit Thechurchwasbeingrepointedwhichis wheretheoldcementisreplacedwithnew cement.Thisistotostopthechurchfrom becomingdamp.

Thisaclose-upimageofoneofthe churcheslancetstylewindows.

Sources: NewspapersfromClonesLibraryarchives Geographicie WitnessreportsfromformerresidentoftheRIC barracks(KevinMcGuire) Witnessreportsfromtheformersextonofthe church(JamesErwin)

HopeCastle ByCerysCoulter

MonaghanCollegiateSchool

HopeCastleisahistorichouseinCastleblayney,CountyMonaghan.Itwasoriginallya privatehomebutoverthecourseofthe20thcenturyitwasusedasamilitarybarracks,a hospitalandaconvent Mostrecently,HopeCastlewasusedasahoteluntilitwas damagedinanarsonattackin2010.Itisveryinterestingbecauseithashadsomany differentownersandsuchavarietyofpurposesthroughouttheyears.

BlayneyCastle(whichwaslaterrenamedHopeCastle)hasbeenownedbymany differentpeoplefrom1607tothepresentday.Thelandthatthehousewasoriginallybuilt onwasownedbyEdwardBlayneywhowasaWelshsoldiergrantedlandinBallinalurgan andMucknoin1607 HebuiltastonedefensivecastleinMucknowhichwasBlayney Castle.SirBlayneywasmadethefirstBaronBlayneyin1621andtheBlayneyfamily remainedthereuntilafterthe1830s.

In1641,duringthetimeofthesecondBaronBlayney,theCastlewascapturedbyrebels fightingunderHughMacPatrickDubhMacMahon.TheBaronBlayneyescapedbut unfortunatelyhiswifeandchildrenwerecapturedduringtheattackonHopeCastle.The seventhBaronBlayneysoldoffpartofthelandin1723.Itwasnotuntilthe1780sthatthe presentbuildingnamedBlayneyCastlewasconstructedneartheoldElizabethanCastle forAndrewBlayney,theeleventhBaronBlayney,asoldierwhoownedthelandfrom1784 to1834.

TheeleventhBaronBlayneybuiltthecurrentCastleinthe1780s Itwaslaterredesigned intoaGeorgianstylehousebythearchitectRobertWoodgate.Thehouseisathreestorey,fivebayhouselocatednearthesiteofanearlierplantationwhichwasrestored duringtheVictorianera.SomeoftheVictorianembellishmentsincludecrestingonthe roofparapetsandontheentrance,whichhasacentralcurvedbow Aglassprojection porchandcanopyofornamentalcastironwerealsoaddedtoit.In1832thelandscape architectWilliamSawreyGilpinwasemployedbyBaronBlayneytomakeimprovements totheBlayneyDemesne In1853,theCadwalladertheeleventhBaronBlayneysoldthe entireBlayneyestatetothewealthyHenryThomasHopewhogreatlyrenovatedthe building.ThetwelfthBaronBlayneywasthelastLordBlayney.Itwasundertheownership oftheHopefamily,thewealthyScottish-Dutchbankingfamilythatisfamousfortheir ownershipoftheHopeDiamond,thatthebuildinggotitsnewnameofHopeCastle Itstill hasthisnametoday.

HopeCastleisahistorichouseinCastleblayney,CountyMonaghan.Itwasoriginallya privatehomebutoverthecourseofthe20thcenturyitwasusedasamilitarybarracks,a hospitalandaconvent.Mostrecently,HopeCastlewasusedasahoteluntilitwas damagedinanarsonattackin2010.Itisveryinterestingbecauseithashadsomany differentownersandsuchavarietyofpurposesthroughouttheyears.

BlayneyCastle(whichwaslaterrenamedHopeCastle)hasbeenownedbymany differentpeoplefrom1607tothepresentday.Thelandthatthehousewasoriginallybuilt onwasownedbyEdwardBlayneywhowasaWelshsoldiergrantedlandinBallinalurgan andMucknoin1607 HebuiltastonedefensivecastleinMucknowhichwasBlayneyCastle SirBlayneywasmadethefirstBaronBlayneyin1621andtheBlayneyfamilyremained thereuntilafterthe1830s.

In1641,duringthetimeofthesecondBaronBlayney,theCastlewascapturedbyrebels fightingunderHughMacPatrickDubhMacMahon.TheBaronBlayneyescapedbut unfortunatelyhiswifeandchildrenwerecapturedduringtheattackonHopeCastle.The seventhBaronBlayneysoldoffpartofthelandin1723 Itwasnotuntilthe1780sthatthe presentbuildingnamedBlayneyCastlewasconstructedneartheoldElizabethanCastle forAndrewBlayney,theeleventhBaronBlayney,asoldierwhoownedthelandfrom1784to 1834.

TheeleventhBaronBlayneybuiltthecurrentCastleinthe1780s.Itwaslaterredesigned intoaGeorgianstylehousebythearchitectRobertWoodgate.Thehouseisathreestorey,fivebayhouselocatednearthesiteofanearlierplantationwhichwasrestored duringtheVictorianera SomeoftheVictorianembellishmentsincludecrestingonthe roofparapetsandontheentrance,whichhasacentralcurvedbow.Aglassprojection porchandcanopyofornamentalcastironwerealsoaddedtoit.In1832thelandscape architectWilliamSawreyGilpinwasemployedbyBaronBlayneytomakeimprovements totheBlayneyDemesne In1853,theCadwalladertheeleventhBaronBlayneysoldthe entireBlayneyestatetothewealthyHenryThomasHopewhogreatlyrenovatedthe building.ThetwelfthBaronBlayneywasthelastLordBlayney.Itwasundertheownership oftheHopefamily,thewealthyScottish-Dutchbankingfamilythatisfamousfortheir ownershipoftheHopeDiamond,thatthebuildinggotitsnewnameofHopeCastle.Itstill hasthisnametoday.

Aftermanyyearsofservingasalocalconvent,HopeCastlewasownedprivatelyuntil MonaghanCountyCouncilcameintopossessionofitinthe1980s Whenitwastakenover bytheMonaghanCountyCouncil,thebuildingwasrenovatedandthe19thcentury additionstothegardensandmainfrontweredemolished.

TheCouncilleasedthebuildingtomanypeople,includingmostrecentlytothelocal businessmanChrisHarenwhowasrunningitasasmallhotelcontainingabar,lounges, arestaurantandseveralguestroomsuntilNovember2010whenitwasextensively damagedinanarsonattack. Thisarsonattackleftthebuildingwithextensiveinterior damage.Itshockedlocaltownspeople,thoseinthesurroundingareaandhistorians.In averyshortamountoftimethefirespreadthroughoutthebarandloungeareas,up thestairwellsandintotheupstairsrooms.Nobodywasinthebuildingatthetimeofthe fire,however,thecontentsofthehotel,includingaconsiderableamountofthe authenticfittings,furnitureandantiquesfromasearlyasthe1780sweredestroyed.Fire unitsfromneighbouringtownssuchasDundalkwerecalledtohelpaidthelocalfire unitduetotheextentofthedamage.Atthetimeoftheincidentitwascleartothelocal Gardaithatentrywasgainedbytrespasserstothegroundfloorofthebuildingwhere thefirestarted.Itisbelievedthatalocalgroupofteenagersforcedentrytothebuilding andintentionallystartedthefire AlthoughGardaiquestionedyoungpeoplearoundthe town,no-onewaseverconvictedofthecrime.Therehasbeennojusticeforthe destructionofHopeCastle. Since2010ithasbeenunoccupiedanditsitsunmaintained, graduallybecomingmoredilapidated.

Inconclusion,HopeCastlehasevolvedoverthecourseofmanyyearsandhasavery interestingandrichhistorythattiesinwithothersignificantartefactsandevents,such astheHopeDiamondandtheIrishWarofIndependence ThetownofCastleblayney grewuparoundtheoriginalsiteandflourished.TheCastlewasattackedtwiceand survivedthefirsttimebutunfortunatelynotthesecondtime.ThesadremainsofHope CastlethatstilloverlooktheprosperoustownofCastleblayneyoweitsexistencetoSir EdwardBlayneywhowasthefirstBaronBlayneyandHenryThomasHopewhotogether wereresponsible,atdifferenttimeperiods,forthebuildingofthishistoriclandmarkand withitavibranthistoricaltownwithalonglastinglegacy.Recentlyagatehousethatis situateddirectlybehindHopeCastleandoverlooksthesurroundinglandscapewas turnedintoanewlibrarywheremanypeoplecangotoseeHopeCastleandtolearn moreaboutitsfascinatinghistory.

Sources

1. "CO.MONAGHAN,BLAYNEYCASTLE’,DictionaryofIrishArchitects" <https://wwwdiaie/works/view/52541/building/CO+MONAGHAN%2C+BLAYNEY+CAS TLE>

2."HopeCastle,ONOMY,Castleblayney,MONAGHAN".BuildingsofIreland. <https://wwwbuildingsofirelandie/buildings-search/building/41308045/hopecastle-onomy-castleblayney-monaghan>

3 "HopeCastle–ADiamondintheCountryside" <https://web.archive.org/web/20140813015538/http:/www.hopecastle.ire.fm/2520/fr ames.php>

4."Castleblayney"<www.castleblaney.ie>

5.McArdle,Patsy,"FireCausedExtensiveDamagetoHopeCastle",TheNorthern Standard(13November2010)

6."1799-HopeCastle,Castleblayney,Co.Monaghan" <https://www.archiseek.com/2009/1799-hope-castle-castleblayney-comonaghan/#.UVnEfELU7zK>

7."IrishArchitecture-1865-Stableyard,HopeCastle,Castleblayney,Co. Monaghan" 29September2009 <https://wwwarchiseekcom/2009/stableyardhope-castle-castleblayney-co-monaghan/>

8.Haren,Christopher."HopeCastle-ADiamondinTheCountryside". <https://web.archive.org/web/20120902011815/http:/www.hopecastle.ire.fm/2520/fr ames.php>

CarrickmacrossWorkhouse

ByrebeccaClarke

StLouis,Carrickmacross

TheCarrickmacrossWorkhouse.Abuildingthatholdsthousandsofstories,rangingfrom onesofhopeofsurvivaltoonesofgrief,tragedy,andloss.

The‘Poorman'sjail’.Aplacethatwasconsideredalastresortforthosewhowerefighting tosurviveeverysingleday

The‘LastResort’ Anestablishmentthatassignedoftenpointlessworkandmadeinmates followastrictregimeinexchangefortheirlives.

Intheearly1840s,Irelandspopulationwasatalmost8.75million.Atleast2.5millionof thesepeopleweredestitute.Tobedestituteistobeunabletocareandprovideforyour owngeneralandbasicneeds.Thislevelofpeoplethatwereconsideredtobedestitute wasmainlycausedbyunemployment Unemployedpeoplewerealsooftenleft homeless,aslandlordsevictedanyonewhowasunabletopayalmostatonce There were130workhousesbuiltthroughoutIrelandbetween1841and1843tohousepeople whowerelivinginpoverty,thiswaswhytheIrishname‘TeachnamBocht’wasgivento allworkhouses.ThistranslatesinEnglishto‘ThePoorhouse'.Althoughtheoriginalpurpose oftheworkhousesinIrelandwastohelptofightpovertyandhomelessness,themain reasonpeopleappliedchangedthroughouttheyears.In1845,Irelandwasaffected severelybyTheGreatFamine,alsoknownasAnGortaMór(TheGreatHunger) This causedthenumberofworkhousesinIrelandtoincreasedramatically,aspeoplewere starvingandwereindesperateneedofshelterandsomefood.Allworkhouseswere consideredasalastresortbyall,butmanypeoplestillfoundthemselvesapplyingfora spotduringdemandingtimes.

TheCarrickmacrossWorkhousewasoriginallybuilttosupplyfoodandsheltertothe impoverishedinCountyMonaghan,yetthenumbersofpeopleenteringreachedanalltimehighduringtheFamineyears.Thefirstadultsandchildrenwereadmittedtothe CarrickmacrossWorkhouseonthe11thofFebruary1843.Anyonewhowishedtojointhe Workhousewouldhavetosendinanapplicationforadmission.Everyonewasfreeto applyforadmission,butnoteverybodywouldbegrantedadmission. Thousandsof peoplewereturnedawayfromtheCarrickmacrossWorkhouseeveryyear. Successful applicantswerenotreallysuccessfulhowever,asbeforeenteringtheworkhousethey hadtosurrenderanylandthattheyownedandmostoftheirbelongings.

ThiswasknownastheGregoryclauseandwassometimescalledtheQuarterAcre clause.Likeallotherworkhouses,theCarrickmacrossworkhousewasnostrangerto enforcingdemandingrulesandtakingallpowerfromsuccessfulapplicants.

Onceinsidetheworkhouse,peoplewouldbeseparatedfromalloftheirfamily membersandforbiddenfromseeingthemagainunlesstheyweregivenspecial permission.Allworkhouseshadanextremelystrictregime,thisconsistedoflotsof demandingworkwithlittletonoreward.The‘inmates’hadadietthatwasmeagreand hadnovariation,littleheatorcomfort,andmoredaysthannottheywouldbeassigned challengingworkthatwasoftenpointlessandharsh Thesepurposefullyharsh conditionsmeantthattheWorkhousesquicklybecameknownasthe‘PoorMans’Jail’ alongwithmultipleothernames.

ItisbelievedthatthelayoutoftheworkhousewasdesignedbyarchitectGeorge Wilkinson,whowasresponsibleformultipleotherworkhousedesignsindifferent counties.TheWorkhousehadmanydifferentrooms,thisincludedaninfirmary,masters house,probationaryward,punishmentcells,separatedormitoriesforboysandgirls, andmuchmore.Theworkhousealsohasmanyuniquefeatures.Forexample,thereare lotsofnarrowhallsandstaircases,alargeyardinthemiddleofthebuilding,andcastironwindowsineveryroom.AlthoughtheCarrickmacrossWorkhousewasoriginally designedbyGeorgeWilkinsontobeabletoholdaround500people,bytheyear1851 therewerearound2000men,women,andchildrencrammedintothesmallroomsof theworkhouse Duetotheamountofpeopleforcedintotheunhygienicandcramped conditionsoftheworkhouse,illnessesspreadquickly,andmanyinmatesdieddueto poortreatmentsandoverallneglect.

TheCarrickmacrossWorkhousealsohadlargenumbersofchildreninitslateryears ManyofthesechildrenwereorphansaftertheeffectsofTheGreatFamine.Duetothese largenumbers,EarlGrey(SecretaryofStateforColoniesfromtheEnglishGovernment) inventedthe‘PaupersEmigrationScheme’.Asaresultofthisscheme,betweenthe years1848and1850,therewere4114girlsbetweentheagesof14and18emigratedfrom theCarrickmacrossworkhouse.Thesegirlsweresentfromtheworkhousesoverto Australia,wheretheybecametheservantsandwivesofAustraliansettlersand convicts.Afterthisschemewasintroduced,thenumberofpeopleinthe Carrickmacrossworkhousestartedslowlydecreasing Thiswasthefirststageoffailure fortheworkhouse.NumbersinallworkhousesinIrelandwereslowlyreducingovertime. Thiswasmainlybecauseofdeathandemigration.Onlytheextremelypoor,thesick andtheelderlyremainedintheworkhouses.WhenthenewlyformedDáilhadtheirvery firstmeetingonthe21stofJanuary1919,theydecidedtogetridofthe‘odious, degradingandforeign’PoorLawsystem.Asaresultofthis,theCarrickmacross workhousewasclosedonthe1stofApril1921alongwith3otherworkhouses.

TheCarrickmacrossWorkhouseisnowownedbyFarneyCommunityDevelpoment GroupLtd Ithasbeentransformedintoacommunityresource,trainingandheritage centrethathelpseducatepeopleonwhathappenedinworkhousesandofthehistory ofourlocalworkhouse.However,theworkhousestillholdstheoriginalChildrens Dormitories,andhasmassfaminegravesbehindtheworkhouse.Theseservean educationalpurposeinourcommunityandhelppeoplevisualisethestrugglesendured byallthosewhohadtoresorttoaworkhouse.

The‘Poorhouse’.Aplacethatmaynowhaveanewpurpose,butstillservesasa reminderofhistoricevents

‘TeachnamBocht’.Abuildingthatnoweducatesthecommunityonwhathappenedin allIrishworkhouses.

TheCarrickmacrossWorkhouse Aplacenowfullofstories,justwaitingtobeheard

Thisisapaintingfromthe CarrickmacrossWorkhouse titled‘TheLastResort’ Onthenextpageyoucan seethedescriptionthat goeswithit.

CarrickmacrossWorkhouse2023

Childrensworkhouseclothes.

Sourcesusedforthisstory.

https://monaghantourism.com/listing/carrickmacross-workhouse/ https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildingssearch/building/41310002/carrickmacross-union-workhouse-shercock-roadcarrickmacross-co-monaghan

https://wwwcarrickmacrossworkhousecom/indexphp/10-main-site/21-furtherhistorical-information

https://wwwworkhousesorguk/Carrickmacross/ https://carrickmacross.ie/180-years-since-workhouseopened/#:~:text=BRIEF%20HISTORY&text=Carrickmacross%20Workhouse%20was%20 one%20of,famine%2C%20between%201850%20and%201851.

SENIOR CYCLE

ByJackMackreal MonaghanCollegiateSchool

TheJohnstonandMaddenMemorialOrangeHallisatudoresque,detached,twostorey,L-planbuildinglocatedontheNorthRoadinMonaghantown Thebuildinghas aturretonthesouth-eastcornerandapitchedslateroofwithprojectingeavesand carvedtimberbargeboards Onthegroundfloorthereisasmallchamberwhere AnnahaghLodgeNo 902meetsandonthetopfloorisalargeroomwheretheJunior OrangeLodgeNo.114meetsalmosteverymonth.TheHallisalsousedasavenuefor specialOrangeOrdereventsandinmorerecentyearshasalsoheldhistoryexhibitions ontopicslikeWorldWarI.TheHallstandsasasymbolofOrangeismandUnionismin CountyMonaghanandhasaveryinterestingpasttoexplore.

In1795,followingthe‘BattleofTheDiamond’nearLoughgall,wherelocalProtestants hadjoinedtogethertosuccessfullydefendtheirhomesagainsthostileattacks,agroup ofindividualsmetupinSloan’sInnandformedanorganisationdrawingonexisting OrangeClubs,namingthemselvesTheLoyalOrangeInstitution.Later,in1798,theyreestablishedthemselvesasTheGrandOrangeLodgeofIreland,derivingtheirname fromtheroyalHouseofOrangewhichKingWilliamwasamemberof.TheInstitution grewoverthenextcenturydespitesetbackssufferedbytheUnlawfulOathsinIreland Act1823,theUnlawfulAssociationsActin1825,bythedecreeofKingWilliamIVin1836 andthePartyProcessionsActof1850.ItexpandedtomultiplecountiesinIrelandand eveninternationally,withEngland,Scotland,Canada,theUnitedStates,Australia,New ZealandandsomewesternAfricancountriesallhavingtheirownnationalnetworkof Orangeinstitutions.

TheearliestlistingsofOrangeLodgesinCountyMonaghandatefrom8March1798 withsixteenlodgesactive ThefirstCountyGrandMasterwasAlexanderKer The MonaghanLodgeNo 1142wasoneofthemoreprominentlodgesintheCountyand before1884heldtheirmeetingsinabuildingknowntodayasthelocationofThe SquealingPigBarandRestaurant Intheearly1880s,theydecidedtocommissiona newOrangeHallforthemselvesandtheotherMonaghanLodgestomakeuseof.

ThemancommissionedtobuildtheHallwasWilliamBattofBelfast,anarchitectfromthe northofIreland,bornin1840,whodesignedmanystructuresliketheOrangeHallinClifton Street,BelfastandthegatehouseandlodgeattheentranceoftheBelfastBotanicGarden (bothofwhichweredemolishedin1965).TheHallwasbuiltin1882andwasmademostly fromredbrickwithmanynotablefeatureslikeaturret,asmallporchinthecorner,a decorativegreybrickbandingbetweenfloors,alargewindowfacingtheNorthRoadanda gablefrontmadefromtimber.Ithadapitchedslateroofonthemainbuildinganda conicalleadroofontheturret

Althoughthebuildingwasfinishedin1882,theHallwasnotofficiallyopeneduntilMonday3 September1884withtheoccasionperformingadual-functionofopeningtheHalland protestingagainstanationalistrallyheldtwoweekspreviously.TheBelfastNewsletter recordedthatover10,000peoplegatheredfortheoccasion,visitingfrom72different lodgesfromtheCountyandafurther17fromtheNewtownbutlerdistrictofCounty Fermanagh.Theymarchedthroughthetownaccompaniedby30bands.Whilstthe paradewasunderwaytheHallreceivedanofficialopeningfromLadyLeslie,forwhichshe waspresentedwithasilverkeyasmemorabiliafortheoccasion.Aftertheceremonya rallytookplaceinafieldneartherailwaystationwithaplatformpartyincludingmembers ofveryprominentfamiliesliketheLordandLadyRossmore,SirJohnandLadyLeslie, EdwardSaundersonandothernotableUnionistsfromDublinandBelfast.

TheHallwasnamedinmemoriamofHenryGeorgeJohnstonofFortJohnsonandCaptain WilliamWolseleyMaddenwhobothservedasCountyGrandMasters.Johnstonwasborn in1798andservedasCountyGrandMasterfor28yearsbetweentheyears1841untilhis deathin1869.MaddensucceededJohnstonasCountyGrandMasterin1870andwasa memberoftheMonaghanRegimentbeforehisdeathin1874.DuringhistimeasCounty GrandMasterheerectedseveralHallsandensuredstabilityandcalmintheOrderduring therepealofthePartyProcessionsActin1872.

AftertheHall'sopening,LodgeNo.1147heldameetinginthepremiseseveryfourmonths andtheCountyGrandLodgeatthetimealwaysgatheredthereyearly.ColonelJesse Lloyd,originallyfromTipperary,servedasDeputyGrandMasterofIrelandbetween1872 and1896andheldofficefromtheJohnstonandMaddenMemorialOrangeHallwhilst livinginBallyleckHouse,Monaghan.HeisnowburiedattheMausoleuminRossmorePark.

Followingtheturnofthe20thcentury,twoUVFBattalionsweresetupinMonaghan Both regimentsusedtheHallasameetingplacetodiscussstrategiesandmakeplans.The1st BattalionwasnominallytheNorthMonaghanBattalionandwasbasedinMonaghantown. ItwascommandedbyMajorEJ RichardsonofPoplarVale The2ndBattalionwasbasedin ClonesandwasinitiallyunderthecommandofLtColonelMaddenofHiltonPark,arelative ofWilliamWolseleyMadden,buthewasreplacedaftertheoutbreakofWorldWarIbythe CountyGrandMasterMichaelKnight.

TheHallhadembrasuresintheturretonthebuilding’scorner,providinga260degree viewfordefence,aswellashavingembrasuresonthenorthsideofthebuilding,allforthe Hall’sdefenceduringtheHomeRuleCrisis.Todaythenorthernembrasureshavebeen fittedwithaglasswindowdepictingimportantsymbolsfortheOrangeOrder.Thereare fiveofthemintotalandeachonedisplayssomethingdifferent,includingthefaceofKing WilliamIII,theCross,theBattleoftheSomme,MartinLutherandtheBible Onthetopfloor thereisacabinetthatholdstheoriginalwoodengunrackfortheVolunteers'rifles.The twoBattalions’flagsthatwerepreviouslyheldintheHallarenowhousedinBailieborough Museum.

In1914,afterBritainhaddeclaredwaronGermanyandtheoutbreakofWorldWarI, UnionistsofIrelandfeltitwouldbebesttosupportBritainintheirwareffortasthey believeditwouldwinfavouragainsttheNationalists So,aftertheannouncementofthe formationofaDivisionforUlstermenandVolunteersonFriday11September,52menfrom theUVFacrosstheCountyenlistedattheJohnstonandMaddenMemorialHallunderthe watchfuleyeofclericalstafffromtheUVFheadquarters.

TheHallwasoncehometotheDr.CampbellMemorialPipeBandwhowereestablishedin HonourofDr.Campbell--awell-regardedUnionistandpractisingdoctorandsurgeonin themid-20thcenturyforthelocalarea.InrecenttimesLodgeNo.1147hassincedissolved andtheHallhasbecomehometoAnnahaghLodgeNo 902astheoriginalHallfortheir LodgewasdemolishedduringtheconstructionoftheMonaghanBypassin2006.TheHall isalsohometotheCountyJuniorOrangeLodgeNo.114whohavejustrecentlyreached thetenyearanniversaryoftheirestablishmentandfounding.

TheJohnstonandMaddenMemorialHallhasstoodforalmost142yearsandsurprisingly avoidedanyformofsectarianattackduringtheTroublesperiodwhenvandalismand arsonagainstOrangeHallswerecommonplace.However,thiswaslikelyduetothefact thatnooneknewwhatthebuildingactuallywasorwhatitwasbeingusedfor TheHallcontinuestoremainactiveoutsideofLodgemeetingsbyholdingexhibitionson topicsliketheGreatWar,theEmergencyandOrangeisminIreland.Italsointeractswith thecommunitybyinvitingschoolgroupstocomeandvisit.TheHallcontinuestoimprove itselfandhasrecentlyunderwentarefurbishmentandredecorationin2022withanew coatofpaint,revarnishedstairs,newplumbinginstallationsandnewdisplayshaving beenadded.NumerousframedtextsonimportantfiguresintheReformationalsonow coverthewallsalongthestaircaseandintothefoyerareaTheJohnstonandMadden MemorialOrangeHallhaswithstoodthetestoftimeandremainsaniconiclandmarkand structureforMonaghantownandaperseveringsymbolforOrangeismintheregion.

Bibliography

ArchitectureofMonaghan(2009)1882-OrangeHall,Monaghan,Co Monaghan Availableat:

https://www.archiseek.com/2009/1882-orange-hall-monaghan-co-monaghan/ [Accessed27February2024].

Carlisle,I andGrandOrangeLodgeofIreland(2017)Disremembered:Episodesin thehistoryofMonaghan’sOrangeandProtestantpastfromPlantation.European UnionPEACEIVProgramme.

Hestercombe,ParadiseofIreland(2024)WilliamBatt.Availableat: https://wwwparksandgardensorg/people/william-batt [Accessed29February2024]

Mackarel,A.(2024)‘InterviewwithCountyGrandMasterAlanMackarel,’Interview byJackMackarel,2March2024,Monaghan.

MonaghanCountyMuseum(2017)MonaghanandTheGreatWar.European UnionPEACEIVProgramme.

MuseumofOrangeHeritage(2024)HandlingOurHistory.Availableat: https://wwwgoliorguk/ files/ugd/a23753 2107f88da1d140f2a571415c7882b0da pdf [Accessed10February2024]

NationalInventoryofArchitecturalHeritage(2011)JohnstonandMadden MemorialOrangeHall.Availableat:https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildingssearch/building/41303073/johnston-and-madden-memorial-orange-hall-28north-road-mullaghmonaghan-monaghan-monaghan[Accessed3March 2024].

Wikitree(2024)Searchforaperson-HenryGeorgeJohnston.Availableat: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Johnston-29957 [Accessed18February2024]

TeachWillville-JuanMcKenna

ByEllieNiMathuna ColaisteOiriall

TeachWillvilleMuineachán: Teachscoitedhástóratógadhsa bhliain1720,gardoBhaile Mhuineacháin.Díonsclátaíclaontale tíleannaiomairecré,déileálacha rindreála,simléírbrícedearga,tréithe uiscebáistíiarannteilgthe,aguscúrsa sceimhleachaadhmaid Tádoras painéaltacruinnaganteachagus geataiarainnlepleancearnachabhí cosúilletaobhtheasdenteach.

Inainneoingobhfuildrochbhallaranteach,táfósbunfhoirmagusbunchreathlach antífósann Táfuinneogasaisesleamhnainadhmaidairachuireanngomórle héifeachtfisiciúilantí.

SaláatáinniuanntáanteachfósinasheasamhsacheantarAughananimyi Muineachan.Tácúplafuinneogagusdorasbristeachtáanteachéféinfósceart goleor.Nuairatáségrianmhartáradhaircdheasadepháirceannamórale feiceáilóchúlantí Tácúplastáblainaiceleisanteachchomhmaith,agus coinnítearcapalliontu.

Cúlra&ceangailt JuanleMuineachán: RugadhéiMuineachán,Co.Mhuineacháinaran 26údeDheireadhFómhair1771.JohnMcKennaan t-ainmabhíairnuairarugadhénóSeánMac Cionnaithant-ainmGaeilgeabhíair Macde WilliamMacKennaé,tháinigWilliamótheach WillvillegardobhaileMuineachán Eleanora O’Reillyabhímarmháthairaigeagusbhísímar neachtagCountAlejandroO’Reilly.Bhígariníon aigefreisindarbhainmElenaMacKenna Chuir CountO’ReillysuimiMcKennaógagusthógséé godtíanSpáinn,anáitabhíséagstaidéarsa ‘RoyalSchoolofMathematics’iBarcelona.Freisin, thraenáilsésa‘RoyalMilitaryAcademy’mar innealtóirmíleataidirnablianta1785aagus1791. Níraibhséach14blianad’aois.

GairmMhíleata:

Sabhliain1787glacadhleisisteachimbriogáidnahÉireanndeArmnaSpáinne,agus chuaighséisteachsanarmabhíagtroidiCeuta,anAfraicThuaidh,faoiLeifteanant ColonelLuisUrbinaagusbhísécurthachuncinnmarandarnaleifteanant.Sabhliain 1791d’athosaighMcKennaagstaidéariBarcelonaagussabhliaindargcionntugadh ardúcéimedómarleifteanantsa‘RoyalRegimentofEngineers’.SachogadhPyrenees igcoinnenaFrancach,throidJuanMcKennaiRossellófaoiGeneralRicardosagussin anáitabhuailsiadlefuaiscailteoirnahAirgintíne,JosédeSanMartín Margheallaran dóighachosainséPlazadeRozas,tugadhardúcéimedómarchaptaeinsabhliain 1795

GníomhréimsatSile:

Marchuiddeshannadhnua,imíDeireadhFomhaird’fhágJuanMcKennaanSpáinn aguschuaighséaraghaidhchuigMeiriceáTheas.ShroichséBuenosAireas,ansin thaistealségoMendoza,ansinantSile,agustharnahAindéisgodtíPeiriú.ILimarinne séteagmháilleAmbrosioO’Higgins,Éireannacheile,abhíaganamsinmar‘Fear IonaidanRí’dePheiriú,ad’ainmnighJuaninarialóirarOsornoagusachuirigceannas arnahoibreachtaatógálaédonbhailetSileTheasseo.Chuirséinaluíartheaghlaidh CastroaroileáinChiloé,bogadhgoOsornochuncoilíneachtaaimsiúansin.Thógsé anteachstoráisagusdhámhuileann,chomhmaithleisanmbótharidirOsornoagus PuertoMonttsaláatáinniuann SpreagariarachánrathúiléadóchaptaenginearáltanaSileGabrieldeAvilés,araibheaglaairgogcruthódhJuanagus AmbrosioO’HigginscoilíneachtÉireannachinOsorno BhíanbheirtÉireannachdílisdo choróinnaSpáinne,cégoraibhdea-chaidreamhagJuanMcKennaleBernardo, leasaitheoirnaSileamachanseo,agusbhíbaintaigefreisinleFranciscodeMiranda VeiniséalaaguslenaghrúpaluchttacaíochtaneamhspleáchasMheiriceáTheas.Nuair afuairAmbrosioO’Higginsbássabhliain1801,ceapadhAvilésinafhearionaidar Pheriú.ThógséochtmbliainaairprotegeO’HigginsJuanMcKennaabhaintasOsorno

CogaíReabhlóideacha:

Sabhliain1809,phósJuanMcKennaJosefaVicuñaLarraín,bheanShileachocht mblianadéagd’aoisótheaghlacharaibhnaiscréabhlóideachaaici.Bhítriúrpáistí acudarbhainmMaríadelCameronDolores,JuanFranciscoMaríadelTránsito,agus Félix.TaréisDhearbhúNeamhspleáchasnaSilein1810,chloíghséletaobhanTírghrá aguschoimisiúnaighanchéadrialtasSileachJuanchunpleanaullmhúchunantíra chosaintagusrinnesémaoirseachtarthrealamhArmnuanaSile.Aganbpointeseo chuirséoiliúintarnachéadinnealtóirímíleatadonarmnua.Anbhliaindárgcionn glaodhéchuncoistecosantaPhoblachtnuanaSileé,agusin1811ceapadhéina ghobharnóirarValparaíso.MargheallarargóintípolaitiúlaleJoséMiguelCarrera agusadheartháireacha,briseadhJuanMcKennaasanbpostagustógadhémar phríosúnach. BhíséinachomhghuaillídaingeanleBernardoO’Higgins,acheapé mardhuinedenapríomhoifigighchuntroidinaghaidharmnaSpáinne,faoin GhinearálAntonioPareja Sabhliain1814d’éirighgohiontachleMcKennaagCath Membrillarnuairathitnaforsaíríogaasachéile Marluachsaothairasabhua, cheapBernardoO’Higgins,inaardcheannforté,achtaréiscoupd’étatfaoistiúirLuis CarreracuireadhardeoraíochtégodtíanAirgintínin1814,taréistroid/duelleLuis Carrera

CuimhneachánpoiblíiMuineachán:

ImíLúnasa2004bronnadhdealbhbhráddeMcKennadonIarsmalannimBaile Mhuineacháin.Bhronnagaol,LuisValentínFerradaédoniarsmalann.Agan searmanasbronnta,rinneadhcomóradharanbhfear“amheastarganréiteachmar anduineismódedheoraitheChontaeMhuineacháin”Labhair Dr.JosephDuffy, EaspaganChlochairagangcomóradh,chomhmaithleduinemhuintirJuan McKenna,SenorFerradaadhearbhaigh,“igcathairseoMhuineacháin,an-ghardo TheachWillville,tátuamaímoshinsearsatsean-reilig.Ansintámochuidfolafeinsa talamhnaofa”.

JosefaVicuñaLarraín:

RugadhJosefadelosDoloresGetrudisMacKennaO’Reillysa bhliain1789,doFranciscodeVicuñaeHidalgoZavalaagus MaríadelCarmenVicuñaHidalgo(rugadhmarLarraín Salas).RugadhFranciscoagusMaríasabhliain1740i Santiago,Sile.Bhí20siblíníaici.PhóssíJuanabhí36 mblianad’aoissabhliain1809agusí18mblianad’aois.

TaréisafuairJuanbásphóssíUrbanoVicuñaySolar.RugadhUrbanosabhliain1826iLa Serena,Sile.IndiaidhseiseanphóssífeareiledarbhainmJoséFermíndelSolarMarín rugadhésabhliain1814

FuairJosefinabássabhliain1849ag60bliaind’aois.

CarmelaMcKenna:

FinMcKenna:

BunaíodhBailiúchainMcKennatareisdoComanscomhoibriúle ceanndenafionlannaisaitheantasatSile,Undurraga Rinneadh éseochunómósathabhairtdonGhinearálJuanMcKenna,laoch EireannachigCogadhnaSaoirsesatSile.

BaéCarmelMcKennasin-seanmhathairanchumadoraSileCarmelaMcKenna.

PianadóiraguscumadóirSileachabeaCarmelaMcKennaSubercaseaux.Rugadhísa bhliain1879iSantiago,doAlbertoMcKennaAstorgoagusCarmelaSubercaseaux.Aintín leisangcumadóirAlfonsoLeng.RinnesístaidéarartheoiricancheoilleBindoPaolii SantiagoagusleansílenacuidstaidéirsaphianóagussachumadóireachtleConrad AnsorgeagusHansMersmannimBerlin.I1934rinnesíachéadléiriúmarchumadoiri mBeirlinleConcertodonphianóagusdoncheolfhoireann.Fuairsíbássabhliain1962.

D’éirighléimarphianodóiragusmarchumadóirsanEoraip,agusaithnitearílestíl léiritheach.I1936bhuaighsíduaisasahAifreanndoMixedChorusacapellaigComortas IdirnáisiúntaCheolnahEaglaiseationoladhiFrankfurt.InArdeaglaisMunchen FrauenkircheiMunchenatharlaant-aifreann.

WilliamMcKenna:

BhíWilliaminaAthairdoJuanagusfuairsébási1816 TásécurthainsanSean-Reilg DonaghgardoGlasLocha,Muineachán

AlejandroO’Reilly:

FreisinbhíJuaninaniaagCountAlejandroO’Reilly Rugadh Alejandroaran24údeDheireadhFomhair1723iBaltrasna, Co.naMí.Fuairsébásaran23údeMhárta1794iBonete,an Spáinn.LeasaitheoirmíleataagusArd-ChigireCoisithe d’ImpireachtnaSpáinnesadaraleathden18úhaoisabea AlexanderCountofO’Reilly.AlastarORaghallaighant-ainm Gaeilgeabhíair.

BhíO’ReillyinadharagobhairnóirSpáinneacharchoilíneachLouisiana,agusiséan chéadoifigeachSpáinneachad’fheidhmighcumhachtigcríochLouisianataréisdon FhraincéathabhairtchunnaSpáinnetaréisdonBhreatainMhóréaruaigeadhi gCogadhnaSeachtmBliana Margheallarantseirbhísachurséarfáilagusaran mheasaléirighsédoChoróinnaSpáinne,bhíO’ReillyuaislithemarcondedeO’Reilly (ComhaireamhUíRaghallaigh),agusmarbronnadharmasair

SiegeofCeuta(1790-1791)-GhlacJuanpáirtiseo:

BaéLeigearCeutaceanndenacogaíabhíJuanpáirteachann.

BaachrannarmthaéLeigearCeutaidirRíochtnaSpáinneagusRíochtMharacólelinn ChogadhnaSpáinne-Mharacó1790-1791.Baéleigearnacathrachseoéipeasóid lárnachnacomhlinteseo.

Ar25úMeánFómhair,thosaigharmMharacóagbuamáilnacathrach.Ósrudégo raibhionsaífarraigedódhéanta,baécuspóirantuairgneáiltesáruaoscailtáitéigini mballaínacathrachagusdultríd.Bhunaighnaléigearthóiríagceanncheathrúi seraglionacathrach.Ach,marsinfein,óntúsníraibhantuairgneáil leanúnachóbhí caibidlíochtsíochánaleanúnachidirandáthír.

Lelinnanléigir,d’athlonnaighforsaínaSpáinneidtreoCeutachunanstaidansina threisiú.Tháiniganchuidismódenareisimintíseoi1791idirsoscomhraicagus filleadharangcogaíocht.BhinaforsaícabhlaighiláthairiCeutafreisin,agsoláthar cumarsáideleanúnaíidirCeutaagusLeithinisnaSpáinne;bhinabáidghunnaa chumAntonioBarcelotharabheithéifeachtach

MhalartaighnacruinnitheidirionadaithenaSpáinneagusMharacóleachrann míleatagodtían14úDeireadhFómhair,1790,nuairabunaíodhsoscomhraic MholSultanYazidoMharacógobhfionraíochtanchogaíochtchundulimbun caibidlíochtalerialtasnaSpáinneiMaidrid MhairfeadhansoscomhraicóDheireadh Fómhair1790go15Lúnasa,1791.

Thuganléigearfaoidearanachraibhgarastúnmórcosantaagnacadhnraícénach raibhanchathairátuairgneáilagusageagrúbriseadhamacharan25úLúnasa.

Rinneadhant-ionsaíigcomhairleisangcabhlach,athionlacannfórsaitalúnad’fhág gondearnaanchathairdamáisteollmhórdonacadhnraíMharacó.Marfhreagraair sin,sheolnadaoineóMharacoionsaímórigcoinnebhallaínacathracharan30ú Lúnasa,nuairarinne8,000fearinéineachtleisnacadhnraíléigeariarrachtganrath dulisteachsachathair.

Aran14úMeánFómhair,taréisthreorachaanSultan,d’iarrSharifAlidulimbun caibidlíochtalegobhairnóirCeutaaguséagtabhairtaghaidharmheanmaíseal laistighdáchéimeanna Chomhmaithledímhorthú,bhícostasollmhóreacnamaíoch airabhainleisanléigear,aguséiríamachagdeartháireachaanSultanadhíospóid anríchathaoir ThosaightrúpaíMharacóagcúlúsnalaethantaamachromhainnagus níraibhanchathairfaoibhuamáilathuilleadh Marsinféin,níortarraingíodhsiarcuid mhórdenairtléireabhíinaseasamh Agusiadagtabhairtaghaidharandiúltiúseo iadatharraingtsiar,d’imighnaSpáinnighfaoidhólelinnMheánFómhairagus DheireadhFómhair,rudad’fhágscirmisíagustasimigharandáthaobh.Leanfadhna scirmsítimpeallnagceantarad’úsáidfeadhnaléigearthóirígodtígosíneodhconradh síochána.

Biblegrafaíocht: www.geni.com www.myheritage.com enwikipediaorg www.comans.ie NorthernStandard www.buildingsofireland.ie Eolaschéadlámhach

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