The close ties between the people and the land in Ulster has only, within the last two generations, been replaced by a more urban 'modern'lifestyle. This study of the farms and farming families,on two thousand acres of hilly terrain in two adjacent townlands, Edymore and Cavanlee, south-east of Strabane overlooking the river Mourne, is a model in local studies. The story is based on research in one of the greatest collections of estate records in Britain or Ireland, the Abercorn Papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Before 1600 the land belonged to the great O'Neill clan. After the Plantation, it was granted to the Abercorn family and the land devided into small farms, and over the ensueing centuries the farmers created well-run and profitable mixed farms.At the beginning of the twentieth century families at last had the chance to own the land their forebears had, as tenants,tilled for generations.Some farms expanded,some stayed the same size: what links them all is that the family unit remained as the cement that held them together and bound them to the land. The development of the farms and the lives of four of the longest-surviving families are retraced in absorbing detail, so to is the social fabric which linked town and country. Strabane, less than an hour's walk away, was a focal point for markets, education and social activities. The writer's own family connections with the townlands over the last fifty years provide the homely touch that gives this book such a distinctive charm.

From Dublin to Galway and Cork to Donegal, this is your complete guide to the Emerald Isle! There are few places on earth that compare to Ireland. From breathtaking landscapes to a unique culture steeped in history, Ireland is a tourist's ultimate destination. This guide features expert tips for you to get the most out of your trip to Ireland, including: *Transportation, lodging, customs, and emergency advice *The scoop on cultural attractions in all major cities (and in the country!) *The best dining and shopping experiences for any budget *Where to find traditional pubs and cutting-edge clubs *How to take a genealogical tour in Ireland If you want to know Everything about traveling in the country of cottages and castles, limericks and literature, cozy pubs and exciting nightlife, then this is the easy and insightful guide you've been searching for.

In a country richly endowed with wild mountain ranges, secluded valleys and untamed coastlines, the best natural landscapes can only be explored on foot. Here are over sixty of the greatest one-day walking routes in Ireland, varying from short strolls to full-day treks. Every part of the Republic and Northern Ireland is featured. From rugged peaks and chiselled ridge lines to towering sea cliffs and sheltered loughs, these routes take you past all the country's finest scenery. Many of the routes are hill-walks, with clear descriptions of the country's classic mountain ascents. Even seasoned hillwalkers will find challenging outings. Each walk is illustrated with sketch maps and colour photos and is prefaced with a quick-reference summary and access notes. Route descriptions include clear navigational guidance to keep you on the right track.

The Mourne and Cooley Mountains are quite simply a hiker's paradise. The highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland, the Mournes hug the County Down coastline in a compact region designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Cooley Peninsula – a finger of land in County Louth bounded in the north by the spectacular Carlingford Lough – is one of Ireland's best kept secrets. These exhilarating walks will take you to the highest point in Northern Ireland. Trek through the picturesque woodland trails of Castlewellan and Tollymore. Discover the highest passage tomb in Ireland. Walk along an old smuggler's route, tranquil reservoirs and the sand-dunes of Murlough Nature Reserve. The more ambitious will relish the Mourne Wall challenge, and some summits include optional scrambles to the top of dramatic granite tors or rocky outcrops. Each graded route is illustrated with photographs and specially drawn maps. Snippets on the rich flora, fauna, geology, history, heritage and folklore of each area are included throughout. So, get your walking boots on and discover the impressive landscape that spawned the legend of the Táin Bó Cúailnge and inspired C. S. Lewis' magical world of Narnia .

This book examines the structures and texture of rural social relationships, using one type of document found in abundance over all the four component parts of Britain and Ireland: petitions from tenants to their landlords. The book offers unexpected angles on many aspects of society and economy on estates in the 17th and 18th centuries.