From the Northern Whig, a request, 16th April 1934:
ULSTER FAMILIES
To the Editor of the Northern Whig.
Sir, -- The letters in the “Northern Whig” about old Ulster families are most interesting, and I hope there will be more of them. I should like very much to get some information about the Bambers, of Belmont, if any of your genealogists could help. And I wonder whether your Carrickfergus correspondent, who writes so fully of the Hogg family, has any notes on the Barrys, of Carrickfergus? – Yours, &c.,
L.M.N.
This is the reply, 24th April 1934. It’s a bit eclectic, but packed with information:
ULSTER FAMILIES
To the Editor of the Northern Whig.
Sir, -- in reply to “L.M.N.,” who inquires about the Barrys of Carrickfergus, the first member of this family was Lieutenant Barrye, who came to Carrickfergus with the Earl of Essex in 1573. In “Benn’s History of Belfast” and in “O’Laverty’s Down and Connor” the reference is as follows: -- “A mile from the former house but further from the sea as we passed towards Knockfergus there is upon a hill syde a large house with chimneys. It is enclosed with a rampier of earth, soddes, and flanker’d. It was buylte by Thomas Walsh, late Cornett of the said Lo Deputies troop upon his Lops land, and is now inhabited by Lieutenant Barrye, who marrying the said Walsh his wyddowe; nere which there are many other tenemtes inhabited, some of them by such cywell Irish as doe speake English, and dywers of them have byne servitors in the late Queen’s tyme.”
When Sir John Chichester (Governor of Carrickfergus) was ambushed and killed near Glynn by Sorley Boy McDonnell, in the account sent to Burghley by Lieutenant Harte, he mentions that Captain Miriman and Lieutenant Barrye “did with their horses take the river (Larne Lough) and swime over into Island M’Gee.” Amongst the officers killed was Lieutenant Walsh. Lieutenant Barrye married Walsh’s widow, who was a M’Quillan, and her son, Thomas Walsh, was granted an estate by Chichester.
“O’Laverty’s Down and Connor” says: -- “Sir Arthur Chichester granted on the 30th July, 1607, Molusk and the adjacent townlands of Kilgriel, Ballynabarnish, and Carngrany in perpetuity to Thomas Walsh at the yearly rent of £11 6s 8d.” The map of the Down Survey (about 1657) gives the land conferred on Thomas Walsh by Chichester as “four townelands belonging to Mr. Walsh of Molisk.” In the Books of Distribution compiled between 1661-1676, pursuant to the Act of Settlement, “the Towne and Grange of Moyliske, containing 4 townes,” and consisting of 2,061 acres 1 rood, are entered as having been the estate of Thomas Walsh, held in ffee farm at £9 10s from the Lord Chichester, which was confiscated on account of the war of 1641. Sir Hercules Langford is entered as the person to whom it was granted after the Restoration. From Langford the property passed to the Pakenham family.
THE DALWAY HARP
In the townland of Dobbsland, in a cave, were found several objects of antiquity about 150 years ago – portions of what is now called the Dalway harp. Of this harp only fragments remain, but they are of great interest on account of their elaborate decoration. Under the Royal Arms are thos of Sir John Fitzgerald, of Cloyne, and those of his wife, Ellen Barry. He was married in 1611 and died in 1640. This inscription was in Latin.
In M’Skimmins’ “History of Carrickfergus” details of Mayors and Sheriffs are given. James Rice was Sheriff, 1593; Richard Conlan, 1595. Richard Conlan, or O’Conlan, was son of Thomas Conlan. Having no issue he bequeathed his propertu to his niece, Ann Bunch, who was afterwards married to Ensign Garret Reiley. They had three daughters, one of whom was Marlow Reiley, another to James Riche, and the third to Dr, John Coleman, Carrickfergus. Ann Reiley, a descendant of Marlow Reiley, was married to Matthew Barry, Carrickfergus. The village of Clipperstown was Reileystown.
Another interesting account is that of Mrs. Ann Barry, otherwise Hill. Lieutenant Hill of this family was mentioned in 1597, and in 1674 (list of tenants of the Corporation of Carrickfergus) William Hill and John Barry Hill. There was an old memorial to this Hill family in St. Nicholas Church, but it has disappeared. Lieutenant Barry married Mrs. Walsh, who was a McQuillan. There was also a later marriage between William Barry, Esq., Carrickfergus, and a M’Quillan. About 1800 Robert Barry married Miss Sarah Allen, who was one of the last descendants of Bushop Hugh Allen (one of the four Reforation Bishops), who was recommended by Queen Elizabeth as a zealous man. He came from Exeter to Kilroot as Bishop of Connor. Kilroot House, which is not in ruins, was formerly the ancient Palace of the Bishop of Connor. Space does not permit me to mention the Byrte and Horsborough families, two very old Carrickfergus families who were related to the Barrys. – Yours, &c.,
Belfast A. B. C.
Does anyone know who A.B.C. might have been?