Saturday 29 July 2017

Laheen - Ballagh - Grallagh

Thomas Laheen, a farmer from Grallagh near Killascobe, Co Galway died in 1879 . We don't know anything him or his wife apart from the fact that he was father of at least 6 children who still have descendants in the area. Michael Grady tells me that the Laheens came from Clonkeen Kerrill originally and that there were five sisters. Thomas died in 1879 aged 80 years. Thomas and his wife now have great great great great great grandchildren in the locality and beyond, some of whom are now 6th cousins.










We know Thomas had three daughters so perhaps there were others.

Thomas's son [1] Martin Laheen of Grallagh married Bridget Clarke and had eight children, these were:

(1) Patrick Laheen m. (1910) Mary Burke (Vermount)
(2) James Laheen unmarried
(3) Martin Laheen m. (1912) Barbara Burke (nee Dolly) as her second husband
(4) Mary Laheen m. (1886) William Lally (Raheens / Rahins)
(5) Catherine Laheen m. (1895) Patrick Costello of Killascobe
(6) Helen Laheen m. (c. 1898) Pat Flannary/Flannery (Hampstead)

(7) Bridget Laheen m. 1st 1890 Patrick Kenny m. 2nd 1895 James Dooley
{ James Kenny b. 1891 m. Julia Dolan
Mary Dooley
Norah Dooley m. Paddy Kenny}

(8) Margaret Laheen m. John J. Smith in U.S.A.
{John J Smith born abt. 1868, Ireland. died 18/08/1917 in San Francisco
Margaret Laheen born 08/12/1875, died 18/10/1969 in Santa Clara, California
 Their children as follows:

Thomas F Smith, born 23/12/1898, died 25/07/1959. He married an Agnes Kelly, born 1900 California, died 27/12/1934, San Francisco. They had at least 2 children. 

Rev John J Smith, born 17/04/1906, died 16/05/1964 in Clark, Nevada.

Margaret Smith, born abt 1908, died 1912.

Eugene Smith, born 14/10/1909, died 15/12/1960. He married a Regina Broyer born abt 1910. They had at least one son.}

}


Gravestone of Bridget (d. 1910) and Martin Laheen (d. 1911) at Menlough



Thomas's son [2] Patrick Laheen (1828-1919) married Mary Mellody (Melody), he had returned home from U.S.A. and bought a farm in Ballagh, four of their children were:

(1) Margaret Laheen born 1872

(2) Mary Laheen (b. 1865) m. (1915) Patrick Fahy of Cooloorty, Coolarty and had no children

(3) Bridget Laheen (b. 1861) m. (1896) Patrick Dooley, of Gurteen / Cappalusk, brother of James Dooley above who married Bridget's first cousin, also named Bridget
{Their children:
James Dooley (1897-1948)
Mary Dooley (1898-1913)
 John Dooley (1901-1938).
The Dooley farm was inherited by the Dooley's first cousin, Bridget Laheen who married Jimmy Cunningham ].

(4) Patrick Laheen (b. 1862) m. (1917) Bridget Ruane of Fairhill, Menlough and their children were
{
Bridget Laheen married Jimmy Cunningham
Patrick Laheen died unmarried 2002
Mary Kate Laheen who married Martin O'Grady
Frank Laheen (d. 2010) m. Maggie Ward
Nora (Baby) Laheen}


Thomas's Daughter [3] Honor Laheen married Michael Lawless of Ballagh
by 1911 they had two living children.

(1) Ellen Lawless married John Fahy of Sun Hill and they lived in Ballagh
Their children{
Mary Fahy married James Flynn in 1926
Jack Fahy of Ballagh married Maureen Rohan
Mattie Fahy of Garbally married Julia Grady
Michael Fahy (1908-78)
Nora Fahy (1906-37)
Margaret Fahy
Bridget Fahy
Ellen Fahy}

(2) Mary Lawless married Mike Byrne of Ballagh.
They had 9 children{
Delia Byrne m. (1932) Patrick Donoghue
Lawrence Byrne m. Mary Devilly, Mary died on 2 August 2017 aged 100 (R.I.P.)
Mary Ellen (Baby) m. Patrick Carrick
Martin Byrne m. Sabina Hansberry
Teresa (TC) m. Michael Keary
Nora Byrne m. Patrick Hoare
Kate Byrne m. Thomas Burke

Patrick Byrne was born in 1907 and went to USA. He married in November 1945 Mary Jane Chapman. In July 1952, Patrick F. Byrne 45, of Richmond Heights, Missouri was killed in a car accident. Released after hospital treatment were his wife Mary Jane and their three young children, and Mary's father. 

Michael Byrne born in 1904 also went to USA, he suffered a bad chest infection before leaving Ireland and he never married.}


Gravestone of Honor (d. 1911) and Michael Lawless (d. 1937) at Killascobe


Thomas's daughter  [4] Bridget Laheen married Bartholomew (Bartly Bartley) Kenny of Alloon, Ballymacward. Their children were:

(1) John Kenny who was unmarried
(2) Bridget Kenny married Michael Madden
(3) Patrick Kenny married Bridget Kelly
(4) Mary Kenny married Peter Commins

(5) Nora Kenny married in 1910 Thomas Foley

and their children were Mary Foley, Lillie Foley, Gertrude (Gertie) Foley and Kathleen Foley.
Nora died in 1917 in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin after child birth.

Gertie (b. 1917) the youngest daughter was reared by her aunt Bridget Madden at Alloon, Ballymacward. Gertie later was to work in the Regional Hospital, Galway. Gertie married on 1st August 1946 to Thomas Carroll, a Shoe Repairer from Bohermore in Galway. Thomas was son of Michael Carroll a farmer. Gertie and Thomas had a son who is Thomas Carroll. Gertie died in 1986 and had for some years before that lived in Woodquay in Galway

Kathleen or Catherine Foley married Thomas Hegarty (New Forest, Hampshire, England) in 1945 in Hendon and their children are Brian Hegarty and Thomas Hegarty.

Lily J. Foley (born 5th June 1915) married in 1940 Peter O'Loughlin in Birmingham. Their children are Gerard O'Loughlin, Michael O'Loughlin, Peter O'Loughlin and Angela O'Loughlin Byrne.

Information now on MyHeritage indicates that Lily died in 1984 and Peter (Snr) died 1999 in Australia. They are buried in Gungahlin Cenetery, Mitchell.

https://www.myheritage.com/names/peter_o%27loughlin

https://billiongraves.com/grave/LILY-JOSEPHINE-OLOUGHLIN/8849575


Thomas Foley married second in 1921 Margaret Smith of Kells and their children were Patrick Joseph (PJ) Foley and Christopher Foley.


P.J. (Paddy) Foley married in 1953 Evelyn O'Reilly, they lived in Ethelstown or Etholstown near Kells, Co Meath. They moved to Canada, their son is Ray Foley and their daughter Ann Foley Palen.

Christy Foley or Christopher Foley born in 1925 went to Toronto in 1948. He married first Anne teresa Clifford and second Marie Terese Bonenfant and his daughter was Margaret  Foley. Christy died in 2006.

Thomas Foley died in 1933 Mrs Foley in 1949.


Thomas Laheen's daughter [5] Mary Laheen married Patrick Finnerty their children:

(1) Thomas Finnerty m. (1897) Kate Dolan, Cloncurreen
{children
Patrick Finnerty m. Mary Connolly
Bridget Finnerty m. Pat Killarney
Mary Finnerty m. Thomas Fahy
Annie Finnerty b. 1906 (Sr Enda?)
Margaret Finnerty priest's housekeeper, d. 1999}

(2) Martin Finnerty m. (1905) Kate Noone, Killaclogher
{children
Thomas Finnerty m. Mary kelly
Lena Finnerty m. Thomas Costello
Mai Finnerty m. Sam Kelly
Sr Enda Finnerty Birmingham
Nora Finnerty unmarried
Jimmy Finnerty m. Nancy McCormack, Dunshaughlin
Annie Finnerty m. James (G.) Grady
Patrick J. Finnerty m. Kate Dolly
Laurence Finnerty m. Henrietta Lynch}

(3) Patrick Finnerty m. (c. 1911) Mae Donoghue, they ran a shop in Moylough
{Martin Finnerty m. Emma Ratto, California
Mary Christine (Chrissie) Finnerty m. Sean (Jack Molloy) they went to England
Tommy Finnerty married in England
Nora Angela Finnerty married Charles Gifford Giffard, she and her sons went New Zealand after Charles died.
Patrick Finnerty m Phylis Melody married Melody, Colemanstown}

(4) James Finnerty of Castleblakeney/later Dublin married 1st (1908) Frances Gately
{children
Mary (Mai) Finnerty m. Charles Dunne
Jimmy Finnerty
Bridie Finnerty, both died unmarried in Surrey}

James Finnerty married 2nd in 1919 Nonie Curley
{children
Ita Finnerty m. James Clarke
Eileen Finnerty m. Enda O'Lenahan
Patrick Finnerty died in 1967 unmarried
Angela Finnerty m, Alex Somers}

(5) Michael Finnerty m. Mary Sweeney in U.S.A. :
{children
Joseph Finnerty m. Exa Albritton
Catherine Finnerty m. Vincent Galligan
Marie Finnerty m. Dave Eldridge
Josephine Finnerty}

(6) Honor Finnerty nothing else known / Lena Finnerty sister was alive in 1945

(7) Anne Finnerty m. Patrick Ruane, Garbally
{children
Thomas Ruane m. Kathleen Costello
Laurence Ruane m. Celia Ryan
Martin Ruane m. Maggie Ward
Julia Ruane m. John Ward
Margaret Ruance m. Richard Brady

Fr Patrick Ruane
https://skehana.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/people/fr-p-ruane-garbally

James Ruane
Michael Ruane}

(8) Bridget Finnerty m. Thomas Connors, Cormacoo or Cormacaugh, Colemanstown/Tiaquin
{children
Nora Connors m. Patrick McGuinness
Michael Connors m. Margaret Earls
Mary Connors m. 1918 Martin Concannon
Margaret Connors m. 1922 John Monaghan
Patrick Connors m. 1934 Mary Anne Hynes
Thomas Connors m. Lelia Moran
Martin Joseph Connors (U.S.A.) m. Noreen O'Farrell
John Connors U.S.A. d. Ballinasloe 1992
Delia and Ann twins b. 1911
Anne Veronica Connors m. Dennis K. Burke (Burke Oil, Massachusettes)
there is a 11th child}

(9) Mary Finnerty m. 1890 John Reilly
{children:
Mary Reilly 1894-1974 m. 1913 Patrick Bellew
Margaret (Maggie) Reilly m. Andrew Noone
Bridget (Bridgie) Reilly m. Martin Melody
James Reilly m. Bridget Grady
Patrick Reilly m. Mary Geraghty
Kate Reilly m. Pake Ruane
John Reilly b. 1909
Anne Reilly b. 1905}


Thomas Laheen's son [6] James Laheen married in 1873 Catherine Ruane, they had two children, Martin Laheen b. 1873 and Bridget Laheen b. 1875.

(1) Martin Laheen who was born in 1873, appears to have his name changed to Martin Leahy he in 1899 married Delia Cahill (whose family came from Salthill) in U.S.A.
{children
{Martin P. Leahy m. 1931 Alma Watters;
John J. Leahy (d. 1996) m. Thelma Crum;
James T. Leahy (d. 1999) m. Ida Frances Vaughan, they had no children}

James appears to have died in 1876 and Catherine married second to Timothy Carty and they had 6 children.

(2) Bridget Laheen who was born in 1875 married first in 1895 Patrick Scanlon, son of Patrick of Ballagh
{two children:
Mary Scanlon b. March 1896 - d.1985 married Michael J. McCleane (1893-1960)
[They appear to have lived in Atlantic City, New Jersey and their children were Michael McCleane, James McCleane, Theresa McCleane and Thomas McCleane. Michael McCleane married Dorothy Irene and one of their sons was Fr Michael McCleane d. 2006
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13869334
]
James Scanlon b. 1897}

Bridget Laheen married second in 1899 Thomas Scanlon, son of Thomas of Ballagh
{ten children:
Martin Scanlon (1900-81) m. Nell Monaghan (d. 2010 age 97), they had no children

Delia Scanlon m. 1931 John Laffey

Agnes Scanlon m. 1936 Thomas Mannion

Thomas Scanlon m. 1940  Delia Nolan, she died 2012 aged 98, I'd like to thank Elsie for her help.

Ann Scanlon b. 1913 died young

Nora Norah Scanlon b. 1909 d. 1998 married Martin King from Roundstone, the 1940 census has Nora and Martin King in Philadelphia and had two children

Julia Scanlon b. 1908 she arrived in 1927 from France, she became a nun and her religious name appears to have been Sister Mary  Dositheus

Margaret Scanlon b. 1906, she emigrated in 1926 to New York travelling to Catherine in Phildelphia. She married James Ireland in 1928 and they lived in Philadelphia and had James (b. 1930), Thomas (b. 1934) Margaret (b. 1935) and Patrick (b. 1939).

Catherine Scanlon b. 1903 she married in 1928 William Whalen, Murtha Anthony Whalen was born in 1931. William was born in 1929

Patrick Scanlon b. 1901}

Laheen DNA Project

Eight descendants from Thomas Laheen have taken autosomal DNA test. The results follow where the shared segments result in the number of generations to the MRCA, most recent common ancestor.
The table below gives the known actual relationships along with the DNA predictions.

MRCA for

parent and child   1
siblings                1
first cousins         2
second cousins    3
third cousins       4
fourth cousins     5



Thomas Laheen's son was James Laheen who married Catherine Ruane

Two of their great grandsons, Martin P. and David (second cousins to each other) took the test giving MRCA of 3.3 matching the actual MRCA of 3. Carol is daughter to Martin and Danny is a nephew. Derek is son of David.

The interesting additional point from this line, is that Catherine Ruane married secondly Timothy Carty from whom TJ descends and is a half second cousin to both Martin P. and David and their DNA MRCA numbers are 3.6 and 3.7 which would match the actual MRCA of 4. TJ doesn't show a recent relationship with Mary Olivia or Seamus which is what we expect.

Thomas Laheen's daughter, Mary Laheen married Patrick Finnerty. Both Mary and Seamus, third cousins descend from them with MRCA of 4, end up with MRCA of 5 from the DNA.

Thomas Laheen's daughter, Honor Laheen married Michael Lawless and Olivia descends from them.

Olivia's results provide a strong correlation for the relationship with the Leahy's,
with Danny, 4th cousin-MRCA of 5, DNA MRCA of 4.9
with Martin P, 3rd cousin once removed-MRCA of 4.5, DNA MRCA of 4.4

Olivia's results also provide strong correlation for the relationship with Mary and Seamus
with Mary, 4th cousin-MRCA of 5, DNA MRCA of 4.6
with Seamus, 4th cousin-MRCA of 5, DNA MRCA of 4.5

Olivia's results provide strong correlation with the Fnnerty Line (Mary & Seamus) and with the James Laheen Line (the Leahys)  Her results are not strong for correlation with the Laffeys from James Laheen's line.

This is compensated by a strong correlation from the Finnerty Line (Mary & Seamus) with the Laffeys from James'Laheen's line.
























All third cousins, descended from five of the Laheen brothers & sisters!

Here is a new DNA Matrix taking into account one or two new additions.


Some other Reilly descendants not mentioned above are descended from the Laheens, see:

https://irishheraldry.blogspot.com/2018/10/reillys-of-guilka.html

Some other Fahy descendants not mentioned above are descended from the Laheens, see:

https://irishheraldry.blogspot.com/2019/01/fahy-of-sunhill-sunnhill-menlough.html


Thursday 27 July 2017

First Bellew Reunion at Bellewstown 2006

First Bellew Reunion Wednesday July 5th 2006, Bellewstown, Duleek, Co Meath





The McKeen family kindly hosted this gathering at Bellewstown the original place in Ireland where the family appear to have settled in the thirteenth century. It was the first time that ninth cousins Henry & Bryan met.

After people acquainted themselves, Seamus gave a brief history of the family and people filled out some extra detail. Selina showed us around the House built in the 1700’s and then the old wall reputed to be part of the original Castle before Cromwell did his damage. We also saw the coats of arms on the Lodge, the old chapel and the yard. Thanks to Selina for generously hosting the occasion.


Early History (Summary)


Gilbert de Gand came to England from Brittany around 1066. It seems that the Bellew family name evolved through his son, Drogo de Bella Aqua. The accepted traditional ancestor of the Irish Bellews is Roger Bellew who came to Ireland with Hugh De Lacy from Yorkshire. They settled first in Bellewstown and had a presence here from about 1200 until 1852. 

The lands at Roche and Castletown (near Dundalk) came into Bellew ownership around 1402 when Sir John Bellew obtained a grant for these lands. In 1472 Richard Bellew obtained a grant of £10 to build a new tower at Castletown. Large windows and fireplaces were inserted in the late 1500s or early 1600s. The Bellewstown, Castletown and Roche properties were all reunited under single ownership under John Bellew (died in 1600) who married his cousin’s widow, Catherine Fleming. It appears that the Bellews no longer lived at Bellewstown after the Cromwellian era.

The Williamite forces carried out much destruction in 1689. John Bellew (Lord Duleek) suffered a great loss upon his property, his castle, not far from the town (Dundalk), having been made a garrison-post by the invaders; about 2000 of his sheep having been killed by them; and his orchid trees cut down as wood for their camp. In the autumn of 1690, for his continued services to James II he had all his estates sequestered by William III. He was shot at the Battle of Aughrim (1691) and is buried in Duleek. The title became extinct in 1770.



First Bellew Reunion at Bellewstown 2006, was n't the weather good that year?



The Bellewstown Accord!


The Bellew and Plunkett Arms on Bellewstown Lodge, these were for John Bellew (1522-1600) and his first wife Margaret Plunkett.


The Bellew and Nugent Arms on the East-facing side at Duleek Abbey, these are for John Bellew and his second wife Ismay Nugent.

Here are the links to all the Bellew Reunions














Second Bellew Reunion at Barmeath 2007


Second Bellew Reunion (Tuesday July 31st 2007) Barmeath, Dunleer, Co Louth



Bellew arms at Barmeath


Bellew Crest at Barmeath


The Red Hand (for a Baronet) at Barmeath


The reunion started with Lunch in the Monasterboice Inn for those who were travelling or simply wished to make a day of it! After being wined and dined it is was off to Monasterboice for a quick visit to see the round tower, the high crosses and the Bellew grave stones of the Hamlinstown family and Coolfore family. 


The Coolfore stone was ‘Erected by James Bellew of Coolfore in memory of his Father Patrick Bellew & of his wife Mary Farrell who depad this life Novr 1817 Aged 52 yrs’ these were the forebears of Seamus & Louise from Bellewstown.


 Then it was off to Barmeath where the rest of the gathering had assembled. The arrival of Harold O’ Sullivan heralded the start of proceedings. Seamus thanked Bryan & Rosemary for their hospitality and Bryan welcomed everybody and thanked them for coming and then handed over to Harold who gave a very interesting talk on the Bellew’s contribution to Irish life since their arrival with the Normans with Hugh De Lacy around 1200 through the Cromwellian times and onto the Williamite War where the family had a regiment and John was shot at Aughrim. Harold also outlined their contribution to Education in the nineteenth century where Montesquieu Bellew of Barmeath was instrumental in setting up the system in Ireland. They also played a key role in Catholic Emancipation. Harold mentioned John (1605-79) in particular where his adept legal skills meant he was never out manoeuvred, in particular in relation to land.



A walk in the gardens at Barmeath on another occasion

Seamus had a presentation ready that mentioned the various families represented at the gathering from Armagh, Galway, Louth, Meath and Sheffield. Also some of the sites of Bellew interest, however he got Francie’s photo mixed up! Bryan then took two groups on tour of the house.

Next it was time for the photograph(s), to organise a group of fifty was a bit like one of those EU gatherings.


         
Everyone well spruced up for the photocall!



The West's Awake


Armagh outstanding in their field


Meath out in force


Louth on the home turf


Barmeath - Dundalk and England


Chris, Seamus Patsie

Here are the links to all the Bellew Reunions













Third Bellew Reunion at Knockabbey Castle (Thomastown) 2009


   Third Bellew Reunion (July 25th 2009) Thomastown (Knockabbey), Ardee, Co Louth



The reunion started with Lunch at the Hunterstown Inn near Ardee for those who were travelling or simply made a full day of it! Henry had a copy of his tree that was prepared by a friend in Cork. Sean also joined us. Then it was off to Thomastown and by 3 p.m. everyone had arrived. Cyril O’Brien our host was also around to welcome people. Henry was the first to scale the fifteenth century tower house. Fifty nine attended.



                                                     Thomastown Castle (Knockabbey)

Seamus had a presentation ready that mentioned the various families represented at the gathering from Armagh, Galway, Louth, Meath, Sheffield, Ohio and our guests from New Zealand. Geraldene and Frances O’Reilly made it all the way to earn an applause. They had an O’Reilly interest in Knockabbey and were parishioners of Fr Keane, grandson of Bridget Bellew. The early monastic connections of Knockabbey were mentioned as were the Bellew, Tenison, Evans and O’Reilly families. The tower houses at Castletown, Barmeath and Knockabbey all date from the same era. Bryan and Rosemary also mentioned that the tower house at Barmeath built by the Moores, is now incorporated into the rest of the castle and showed us its position on the slide. Mary and her son Francis were welcomed and Paul (R.I.P.) was remembered who was with us the last time. Next it was time for a look around the gardens and the house. The original tower house built in the 1400s by the Bellews and it is well kept and Cyril O’Brien has added displays in keeping with the period. The later part of the house with a chimney dated 1754 has been refurbished by Cyril with period furniture. The original contents were sold in the 1998 auction. The O’Reilly hallway with its restored stained glass was also taken in. The gardens were also looking great.



The first Bellewstown Gang!

Then it was back for a very interesting talk from Sean McCartan on Knockabbey. This covered the twists and turns of the ownership of the estate from 1728 when Patrick Bellew bequeathed it to his niece, Mary McCartan and her husband Philomon. Their daughter, Ursula in 1744 married James Savage and Knock Abbey was part of their nuptial agreement.  

In 1750 Ursula remarried William Stafford. Philip Savage, son from the 1st marriage, reckoned he could be disinherited and converted to Protestantism. As a precaution, William Stafford in 1764 arranged with his Protestant friend, Thomas Hoare to lodge a discovery on Knock Abbey and Mountbellew. Philip sold his interests in the estates in 1780 to Michael Bellew. He died in 1782 a year after Michael Bellew found the Hoare discovery. Bellew and Andrew Savage acted in unison with James Smyth as their attorney. Christopher D. Bellew inherited his father’s real estate in 1797. 

Ursula died in 1803 outliving both her husbands and sons. She bequeathed Knock Abbey and Mountbellew to her grand-daughter, Frances Stafford. Michael Bellew and Matthew O’Reilly were tenants in Mountbellew and Knock Abbey respectively. By 1808/9 Frances became ill and dependant on James Cahill a legal person and he succeeded in negotiating an agreement between Frances and Christopher D. Bellew, receiving an approval by the court. Her health deteriorated and in her final weeks she became aware of James Cahill’s roguery. She bequeathed her interest in Knock Abbey to Mary McCartan and her husband John Murray. In 1813 a final settlement was reached when the O’Reilly’s as tenants bought the estate at Knockabbey.



The other Bellewstown gang!


Seamus & the New Zealand visitors


Com'on Armagh


 The Galway contingent


Sheffield, U.S.A. and Barmeath representation


Louth out in force!



Somebody has grown-up in eight years!! (2017)

- Sadly, May Mary Rest in Peace, May 2014


Here are the links to all the Bellew Reunions













Fourth Bellew Reunion at Lisrenny, Ardee 2011


Fourth Bellew Reunion (July 15th 2011) Lisrenny, Ardee, Co Louth



The reunion started with lunch at the Hunterstown Inn near Ardee for those who were travelling or had arrived in the night before at the airport. Nearly everyone had arrived at Lisrenny by 3 p.m.




Lisrenny House

Lisrenny House, the windows beside the front door date it to Queen Anne c.1710

Our hosts this year were Jane and George Angel and their daughters Rebacca and Rosanna. George’s mother is Sarah Filgate and George inherited Lisrenny from his uncle. Forty six attended. After a brief welcome the gathering took advantage of a good break in the weather to have a look around the yard and surroundings. Lisrenny probably has one of the most extensive estate yards in Co Louth still in use. We were very fortunate that Eileen (Filgate) McLean and Wilma Jeffers, family members were with us. Eileen who was 80 on 22 July was wished well, Wilma is sister to Jane. All our previous three hosts were present, Bryan & Rosemary, Selina McKean (Bellewstown) and Cyril O’Brien from Knockabbey dropped in. He is busy these days as he has put Knockabbey on the market. 

Lisrenny was the home of John Bellew (1604-79) who was a father figure in the family, being the ancestor of the Barmeath and Mountbellew branches. John Bellew moved west to Mountbellew in 1652 and following the restoration under Charles II, he settled in Barmeath. Meanwhile the Filgate family became the residents at Lisrenny who have been there since. The family have a long tradition of interest in hounds. It is likely that John Bellew was born in Lisrenny but following his legal training in England and on his marriage with Mary Dillon of Clonbrock, his residence was at Willystown not too far from Barmeath.

John Bellew’s grandfather, also John Bellew (2nd son of John Bellew, 1520-1600) was styled of Lisrenny and he trained in Oxford (1566). He married Joan Lynam, Adamstown, Drumcar but died young in 1589 aged 41. John’s father, Patrick Bellew married Mary Warren (Dillonstown) and he also died young in 1610 aged 34, but in his will he desired to be ‘buried in Church of Tallanstown’.



                          Lisrenny 2011  Fern gets in on the act!

Seamus provided a brief talk and some few family members who had died since the last time were remembered. Harold O’Sullivan who spoke to us in Barmeath in 2007 was also remembered, he wrote the book on John Bellew (1605-79). Some Bellew history outlined above was given and a welcome especially to the new comers was extended. Mary & Noel Long who travelled from Australia were given a warm welcome. Some history from the Filgate period was also noted. The successive generations are: Alexander Filgate (b. 1702) m. Elinor Byrne; William Filgate (b. 1740) m. Anne Filgate; William Filgate (b. 1781) m. Sophia De Salis; William De Salis Filgate (b. 1834) m. Georgina French; Eileen Filgate (b. 1879) m. Richard Henry (changed his name to Filgate); Townley Filgate (b. 1906) m. Doris Henry; Sarah Filgate is married to Charlie Angel and their son, George Angel is married to Jane Jeffers and they live at Lisrenny with their daughters, Rebecca & Rosanna.
On the tour around the yard both Eileen and Wilma provided some details of the history whereby there used to be a school on the estate. Other works included a laundry, brewery and linen making. The building that somehow resembles a church and also carried a spire-like structure on the 1819 estate map according to Eileen served as a coach house where mail was sorted. A neighbour suggested it was a church but Charlestown church nearby was the Filgate family church so it is reasonable to agree with Eileen.
There is also a medieval presence on the estate through the stone heads in the yard and the tracery on the bell tower as well as the medieval pidgeon house. It is likely the heads came from the nearby Tallanstown church. The bell used to be rung when it was time to pay the wages. The garden area is surrounded by the characteristic red brick walls where a building bearing the initials A.F. and the date 1766 still survive. The current house dates from the early 1700s (Queen Anne) dated by the characteristic windows on the front and the floor is also quite old. The larger house was built somewhere around 1788-98 but was demolished after 1974. After the walk around it was time for the photo call and after the talk Henry mentioned his book that was awarded a heritage prize and copies were available and still are.



Bryan and Henry


Margo sizes up the fayre!



The old or not so old reliables!

Here are the links to all the Bellew Reunions