My mother (from Belfast) went to an archaeological dig in these places once about 25 years ago. They excavated a fort to confirm an old legend about Hungry Hall, that an ancient chieftain had been beseiged in his fort there and burned alive in his bath - something like that. I think he had the option to be burned alive in there or to come out and die fighting. I do believe they did find a layer of burning at the fort. As my mother walked up to the archaeological site, she talked (in passing) to a woman living in an old house in Ferranshane, who told her that the United Irishman William Orr had been betrayed in that house (circa 1798). His story is easily found via Google. My mother thought it was so typical of Ireland that you should have 2 powerful incidents from such long-separated periods of history, yet crammed so close together in a little district like that.
My mother's dead now, and I came online to find out about William Orr and the chieftain and this dig, so if any one knows more do tell - does anyone know any more?
