My Roots - from Pub, to Rector, to Cemetery and more

I knew my grandfather Harron (mothers father) who I remember, was born in Ballintra, Donegal , about 11 miles from Donegal town. 

Sign in English and Irish.

 So Sunday afternoon we drove to the small hamlet of Ballintra.  Where does one go to speak to the locals in Ireland? - the Pub of course.

So we entered the local Pub, took a seat at the bar with the old guys "probably younger than I am :),  and ordered a Guinness.  The semi finals of the Rugby season was about to begin between Dublin and Mayo. 

The Bay Bush Bar

 I told them my grandfather was born in Ballintra.  They were quite interested.  One man in particular gave me the name and phone number of the Rector of the Church of Ireland (Anglican).

Church of Ireland, Ballintra

The other church in Ballintra is St. Brigids (Roman Catholic) and since I have great interest in her I decided to visit there next.

St Brigids

                              The only sign of Brigid here is this statue in the entryway.

So we went outside and sat of the church steps and I decided to call the Anglican Rector to see if I might meet him the next day.   He answered and I told him what i wanted.  He asked "Where are you now?"   I answered "On the steps of St Brigid's"  He answered in a shocked voice "That is the Roman Catholic Church"!  I told him I know that but was interested in seeing it.

He told us to come straight to his house which was only a few doors down.  He had just returned from a months vacation so we were very lucky with the timing.  He spent 2 hours with us.  He has the parish records dating back to 1603.  He not only had my grandfather's baptism, but his father and grandfather.  He also had marriage records.   He could not have been more helpful and then he said he would turn over what we had to a woman in the parish who loved to do genealogy and that she would see if she could find more on them.  I did learn that my grandfather came to the US the year after his father died.  My grandfather was 19 and seems to have come alone. Pretty gutsy.

The Rector asked me if I am Anglican.  And I told him I am a cradle Episcopalian which is true.  I did not elaborate my conversion to Catholicism.   He had some harsh words about the Anglican church in the US and said the US and Canada have led the splits in the Anglican Communion.  I didn't go there but suspect he is more in line with the breakaway more conservative Anglican groups in the US.

He then told us of the old Drumhome Cemetery where my relative are buried And we visited the next day.

Meanwhile  Barbara who owns the B and B where we are staying , had gotten on the phone and called local Harrons and found a match.   Mary Harron is married to one of my relatives and she has done extensive genealogy.  She came over that evening and we talked for some time and of course shared email addresses.  We each have a lot of material to share with each other.

So the hunt on my mothers side was very successful and we met such interesting people along the way.

Donegal Food Festival - an annual event

We found we arrived in Donegal town the weekend of their annual food festival.  We got to taste many foods and drinks.  All the local hotels and restaurants had booths but i have chosen to show some of the more unusual ones.

When else would one taste sausage,  hard cider,  bbq,  jams, candy, wine, sauces, ( kangaroo was not ready when we were there ),  all at once!

Entrance

Cooking demonstrations and competitions

Drive from Moville to Donegal Town - both in Donegal Country

We once again lucked out with the weather and our 2 hour drive was sunny and lovely.

So we are now in Donegal town where there is a faous food festival this weekend.  Will take pictures.

Also there is a family in town who are probably a relatives and will try to contact them.

Life cycle of sheep - fascinating (vegans may want to skip this) Food for thought

Joyce, our hostess, and her husband Mervin who was born on this property, have been so gracious in spending time telling us about the farm and sheep raising.

Until last year they had 130 sheep and some cows.   With all the rain the cows were ruining the grass the sheep fed on so they made the decision to have only sheep and kept about 160 of their new born lambs to raise for breeding.

We found out that they do sell the wool but it brings in very little.  So they raise mainly lamb which is sold by a cooperative they belong to.  The best time to sell lamb is Easter so the rams visit the ewe's this month.  They wear a kind of harness and when they mate with a ewe it leaves a mark so they know when the ewe was impregnated.  The mark is changed every 3 weeks.

The gestation period is 5 months meaning lambing is in February.  During that time the ewe's have sonograms to see how many lambs they are carrying.   If more than one, their food is increased. The expectant mothers are placed in pens and are watched via video monitors the same as many of our children and grandchildren are today.   If there is any problem, they attend the birth.

The mothers and their own babies have to be kept separate as there can be confusion and until they get attached to their own mother and nurse form her they need to be kept separate.  The weight of the lamb is all important as it is strictly controlled and can't be sold as lamb if they get too heavy so if they are born in February they are ready for market for Easter at about 6 weeks old

The ewes bear for about 5 years  and then are sold for usually animal food.

I know some of you who will be reading this and know it will be hard for you.  I know my interest in lamb is diminished but it is complicated.

Life on a sheep farm at Moville Donegal for three days

We have been at Trean House in Moville, Donegal which is a B and B but also a sheep farm on 100 acres with 300 sheep and land that extends to the North Atlantic.  Besides the sheep there are 2 dogs, Finn and Spike.   We are on a hill top and the views of the water and the fields of sheep and the flowers are so wonderful

There are apple trees, cherry trees,  red and black current bushes, strawberry plants.   A swing in the front year for children and adults who feel like children :)

 Fruit trees and a swing in front of the house

We have spent a lot of time wandering around the farm and learning about sheep

Views are of mountains,  sheep,  the ocean,   the rugged coast,  and after the short daily showers, a rainbow.

 A walk down to the beach

Finn ready to go on a walk with us

 Buildings on the property

 View from the house

Part of the barns

Driving Dublin to Moville, Donegal

It was supposed to rain all day but the sun was out and we had only sprinkles very rarely along the way for which I was grateful as Norbert had not driven on the left for many years.  Rotaries are particularly challenging!

Following are views along the way which took us across a corner of Northern Ireland.  Yo did not know you were entering a different country except that the road signs changed from Kilometers per hour - Republic of Ireland to Mile per hour - Northern Ireland.  We are staying in Donegal County which though part of the Republic, wraps around Northern Ireland.

The Emerald Isle

The River Foyle which flows through Moville where we are staying.  Northern Ireland can be seen on the other side

Losts of sheep farming herre

 Road to our B and B

View from our window - we are at a working farm

Visited this small library in Moville and had a long conversation with the very knowledgeable librarian who was so generous with his time. I learned a great deal about this area where my great grandfather was born.