'Green' of Ardfinnan

transcribed at

The 'Green' of Ardfinnan  [duchas:4865766]

The "Green" of Ardfinnan.
Ardfinnan is a large village on the banks of the Suir between Cahir and Clonmel. It is well known for the splendid tweeds manufactured in the wollen mill there. At this particular point there is a large level stretch of land between the cliffs and the river containing about twelve or fifteen acres. All this is commons land and is said to have been the property ofthe Clonel Corporation though that body never laid claim to the land.At some time long ago this land is said to have been used as a racecourse. The road now crosses this stretch of

The 'Green' of Ardfinnan  [duchas:4865767]

land dividing it into two parts. On the side farthest from the river many buildings have been erected.
Between the road and the river there is a fine level field of three or four acres. This field is called the Green of Ardfinnan and is used as a playground by the young people of the neighbourhood. Many years ago a local Landlord named Prendergast who lived in Ardfinnan Castle at the time tried to claim the green as his property. He sent men to build a wall enclosing it and he sent other men to plough it up. When the wall was built the people of the locality assenbled and tore it down . The landlord had the wall built again

The 'Green' of Ardfinnan  [duchas:4865768]

but again the people came and levelled it to the ground. He made no further attempt to claim the Green or enclose it.
In 1827 five men were publicly hanged on the Green of Ardfinnan. They had beeb convicted of murder but it is said that three of them had no part in the crime.