I was wondering if anyone had any photographs of the area, as over the past number of years old cottages have been demolished to build new houses.

My father remembers The King and Queen coming down the now Castlewellan Road, Dromara around 1943 after visiting the American army. I contacted Linenhall library and they said the Royal party visited Dromara in July 1945 and in 1951.

Can you assist? It would greatly be appreciated.

Thank You

Deirdre Lundy

A story appeared recently on the website about Finnis, Co.Down regarding a haunted tree.
Click here to read it.

Your Answers :

Glenis Fairhurst - June '08
My husband's great-grandmother was Mary Jane Hamilton (born 1840)who we are told was from Finnis. We are told that she married Thomas Hazlett from Newcastle in Belfast in 1856. We would like to know if any of the families of her 2 brothers: David and (Michael or John) and her young sister, are still living in the area.
We live in Barton, a rural village to the north of Preston in Lancashire
England. We would like to visit the area and have been interested in reading the comments on your website.

Stacey - Apr '07
I live in Dromara and have had so much trouble finding out much about it my dads family have lived here for over 60 years and my dad went to st michaels primary school as did i, the surnames Rooney, O'Hare and Mckay are known

Mike McCartan - Feb '07
My cousins live in dramara co. down and go to finnis school.You can e mail me at mmpm90 at att dot net and my uncle is a local historian and has written books about the area.

Virginia Maguire - Feb '07
I was really interested in the article on the hauntings by the bridge over the Lagan at Dree road, Finnis and the dead tree. I have posted a comment with more interesting details of that. I would like to know more about the exorcism, if anyone can help, what year it took place?
My late mother came from Finnis, her name was Agnes Newell. She left Finnis in 1931 to live at Ballyvicknakelly.

To answer Daves question, Finnis is a townland. Ireland is made up of ancient townlands, areas named, usually after geographical features eg hilly, marshy, wooded or even the people who lived there etc., I thought you might well be interested in the following web site, really super. Perhaps you already know it! I hope you find it useful, it will answer lots of your questions, this particular section has lots of information on the History of Dromara and Finnis in particular. Enjoy!
http://www.raymondscountydownwebsite.com/html/dromara.htm
There is a great section on the church and Parish of St. Michael, Dromara.

Barb Boyle - March '06
I too have O'Hare relatives who originated in Finnis Townland. Would be very interested in viewing the living book once it is complete. I do have in my possession a partial holy card with a picture of St. Michael Church on it. My g grandparents brought it with them from Ireland when they immigrated to the United States in 1870.

Dave Elliott:

I saw your request for help about the cottages in the Finnis, Dromara. I can't really help you except that when trying to research where some of my family came from, there was an entry in the Tithes of 1826 which I think (not proven) gives my great great great grandad being Arthur O'Hare as living in Finnis, Dromara.
I don't actually know what Finnis is, is it a name of a street or area ?

My mother's family emigrated to Scotland then New Zealand which is where I live. I would be most interested in what you write about the local history. I have got some from web sites which is how I found your entry so please keep my email and let me know how I can get a copy if you don't publish on the web.

Best regards from NZ.

Dave Elliott

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Thank you for your reply. Finnis is a Townland in Dromara. Used years ago as address now replaced by Nos and road names. There are quite a few townlands in the area, namely Dree, Crossgar, Drinn, Begney. I hope to publish a living book which can be accessed by people physically viewing it and adding to it. i then hope to put on the web but at the moment I am still obtaining information. I will try and investigate further your information. There are a number of O'Hares family in the area

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I've alerted Dave, I'm sure he'll be delighted to read your reply. A living book sounds really interesting. How will that work? When you get as far as putting something on the web, do let "Your Place & Mine " know and we might be able to link to it. If you'd time to keep us up-to-date with the progress of your book here on the site, I'm sure other people would find it fascinating. Also, if you're stuck from time to time finding info on certain things - you never know someone out there might be able to help. Wishing you continued success with this project.

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Hello again, Thanks for your reply. Since I posted my email I have searched and read heaps about the area, one good site I enjoyed being a book on-line at http://www.castlewellan.com . There were O'Hare's mentioned in that book as well, not always in a flettering light! Please keep me posted about your progress as I pop in about once a week to check on any new postings. Best Regards Dave

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Hi Dave, I've had a look at that site you mention on Castlewellan. It's certainly a mine of information, particularly for those interested in the town. It's also great to be able to look at the photographs of the people and buildings in earlier days. Delighted to read that you're a regular visitor to "Your Place & Mine". Best wishes.

Steven Scott - Feb '06
Tony, (see below)
I too have ancestors with the names Scott, Leslie and holmes. I am not in ireland so it is difficult to research them. I have a Thomas Scott born abt 1800 married Ellen Leslie - her parents James Leslie and Sarah Holmes - Are these your ancestors? Do you have any more than this?

Valerie - Dec '05
Finnis is a small townland with a Catholic Church and an Orange Lodge. It is surrounded by farms. The Protestant Churches are a few miles away in Dromara. I have found all the churches to be very helpful in tracing family histories.

Bob Holloway - December '04
Hi, I too have done some research and traced my ancesters back to Dromara, I would like to hear if there are any Poole's left in the village, my great great grandfather was from Clones, Monaghan, he married a Jane Poole from Dromara.

Tony Scott Gall - January '05
My family have ancestors from Dree Dromara. Their surnames were Scott, Leslie, Magill & Holmes. Has anyone seen any references to any of these families please?