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« on: Tuesday 13 March 18 11:21 GMT (UK) »
How lovely to hear from you, Harry.
This is the same Hay family. I attach a ticket showing 'Hay Estate' - I found it in an old box of stuff in the attic!
My understanding is that when Edward Hay died in 1889, he intended access to the beach would be free to the people of Portstewart in perpetuity, but a branch of the family elected to levy a charge against his wishes. I'm not sure how/when the charge stopped but this ticket dates back to the 1960s or 1970s, so it was still in effect as late as that.
One of Edward's grandsons, my grandfather, Edward James - 'Jimmy', married Margretta Kennedy, daughter of James Kennedy. He was a master builder in Coleraine, not a composer. Jimmy's cousin, Edward Norman Hay, was a composer, however, of some note.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Gail