Local Estate

transcribed at

The Local Estate  [duchas:4588563]

The Local Estate.

Of late time known as the Berridge estate.  Mr. Richard Berridge purchased from the Law Life assurance society into whose possession the estate fell through encumbrances from the 'Harkins' of Ballynahinch.  Previous owners the Pierce, O'Flaherties.

Prevailing surnames - Ridge (Mac an( ?) Nee (?)  Joyce (Seoige).

Unusual Christian names - Muirne.
MacDara no. DubDara, Feitin.

Five percent are red haired, the rest dark.

Five percent are brown eyes, the rest blue.

One of the Nee families is known as 'the (?) (Maire na n-ime)

Trade was carried on mostly by boat to Galway, Aran, Clare, Westport, Sligo, and

The Local Estate  [duchas:4588564]

Glasgow.

Tradition of flax growing and the manufacture of linen remain.  Mention of iron smelting too.

Some candlesticks for the old rush candle are still to be found.  Querns areplentiful.

Cupping, a hot oaten meal cake in conjunction with certain words or other charms were employed in the cure of a 'Cleitin'.  Charms for a headache and for the Rose are mentioned.

The village of Buckhowen, Cashel, Co. Galway, would repay a further and closer tapping for these as well as for some very old Irish prayers used in connection with them - in the person of an old lady of 75 years.  One of the best authorities on old traditions in this district. An old man of 71 also lives here.

The killing of fowl or some animal and the sprinkling of blood around St. Martin's is kept up.

The Local Estate  [duchas:4588565]

London pride grows wild here.

A vein of mineral of a purple colour runs through (?) (?)