Donaldson and Belleek

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Parish of Kilbarron

Condition of the People. The number of poor is very considerable. Industrious habits are gaining ground progressively. Labourers and mechanics in and near the town of Ballyshannon apply their earnings to their daily support. Those in the country parts generally raise some potatoes and in some cases a little flax.

Houses and Fuel The number of comfortable farmhouses bear a very small proportion to those that are otherwise, either as to repair or interior comforts.

Fuel, peat, which is inconvenient to the inhabitants on the sea-coast; 30s per 100 barrels is the general price at the bogs.

Food  Farmers - potatoes with milk and butter. Labourers - potatoes with milllk or salt fish, if anything.

Health  Good: the most prevalent disease is rheumatism, occasioned by the moisture of the atmosphere.

From the Fermanagh News:-

Belleek 120 years ago.

In our picture a few weeks back of Belleek 120 years ago we referred to Ann’s Mill and Ann's Garden and posed the question who was Ann. Mr. Augustine McGonigle, Corry, Belleek, has come up with the answer and other interesting information regarding, the picture and other old pictures of Belleek.
According to Mr. McGonigle the lady in question was Ann Donaldson whose father owned the Mill below the Sluice gates. Ann’s Garden was a famous salmon fishing spot where many local anglers reaped their reward. Ann Donaldson would have been a relation of the present Mr. Edgar Donaldson, grocer, Cloghore, Belleek. She died 1885

The mill(s) were probably on the southern bank beside Donaldsons since the river swings around to the right here and the force of the water is along the southern bank. The Pottery had to make a cutting from about a hundred yards above the factory to get a water channel to feed the Pottery wheel - it being on the northern bank of the river.

Mr. McGonigle informs us that there were a number of salmon throws at that time on the Erne. The first one was the Fish Pass; at the rear of the old Creamery. Then there was, The Box, in front of the old water gates;the Far Island; Ann’s Garden; Pulnahaw, under Belleek Fort; the Saggers at the back of the hotel the Quarry Hole; Knox’s Green; Yew Tree; the Chain Hole; the Eel Weir Green or Johnston’s Eel Weir; the Point of the Mullins; the Wee Sally;  the Big Sally; Earls Throw and Captains Throw. All these were famous for salmon.

The Eel Weir was also a famous spot for catching eels. Around Hallowe’en the locals all fished there, and people could buy the eels for 2/6 each which, in those days, was a lot of money. Some of the famous trout holes were : the Old Bridge Hole; the Fall Hole and Laps’ Hole.

Before the gates were re­moved the Erne was the best fishing river In Europe. Fishermen, from all over the world came to fish here. Years ago it was a common sight to see 60 or 70 boats on the river and catches of trout weighing from 15 to 25 lbs a regular occurrence. So great was the demand by fishermen for accommodation that Cliff House was turned into a guest house; Caseys and McGoverns of Garrison were packed to capacity, as were Heronshawe and Johnston’s Hotel now owned by Messrs. Clarke and McGrath. (now Seamus Rooney)

Some of the great fishermen of those days, many of whom have since passed to their eternal reward, were : John Slevin, Walter Sleator, Joe Clarke, George Clarke, Pat, Michael and Billy McGonlgle, Francis Dolan,Commons, and Francis Dolan, Druminillar, Willie Alexander, Packie Slevin, Druminillar, Frank McCauley, Patsy McGonigle, Jack Mackey Willie Kelm, Freddie and Ernie McBrien, Big Michael Dolan, and Wee Big Michael Dolan, Sam McBrien and Eddie Keenan. There were many more. The McGonigles hold the proud record of being the eighth generation to fish on the Erne.

Who said Belleek never had a swimming pool? At the Sluice gates which controlled the Erne at Belleek was a spot known as the Swim Pool. It was frequently used by the locals for a refreshing dip. The spot, known as the Blind Arch, was part of the Sluice Gates. When the gates were lowered the surplus water flowed through this arch to a depth of between 15 and 20 feet but was only a few feet deep at the shallow end.

It is due to the enterprise of a Dublin commercial gentleman of the highest respectability, that this discovery has been turned to account, and there is every reason to anticipate that the speculation will prove a remunerative one. An extensive freestone building of the handsomest proportions has been commenced, and is fast rising to completion, while the whole project has been productive of the best consequences in affording constant employment to the operatives of the district concerned.