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Ballydargan
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Ballydargan
Ballydargan is a townland eight kilometres south of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. Ballydargan is in the parish of Bright. It has a rich and intricate history, deeply connected to its windmill and the Oakley Park demesne.
The townland's name was recorded as Balidergan as early as 1194 and appeared as Balydergan in 1333. Ballydargan was also known as Baile Ui-Deargain, O'Dargan's town. The name Deargán, meaning 'little red (-haired) one', forms the basis of the surname Ó Deargáin, which Woulfe (1923) describes as an old surname found in Westmeath, Offaly, and Cork. This surname can be anglicized to Dargan, Dergan, Dorgan, and Dorrigan. It is possible that the final element of Ballydargan is derived from the surname Ó Deargáin, though this surname is relatively uncommon in the north of Ireland, making this less likely. Historically, the townland was divided into Upper and Lower sections.
In 1205 John de Courcy granted lands to Aristocratic tenants which gave John significant support by controlling various areas, often far from his direct supervision. They also made up the core of his elite, well-trained cavalry, which the Normans were famous for. Additionally, sub-tenants served as men-at-arms, one of those granted lands from Yorkshire was Brian de Eschallers from Yorkshire who held land in Ballydargan.
Lieutenant Richard West (d. 1644) of Ballydugan purchased Ballydergan (now Ballydargan) on July 20, 1618, for £80. An inquisition in Downpatrick on August 4, 1620, found that it was bought from James Dowdall of Lysbane. The lands were previously occupied by Henry Savage.
Lieutenant West came from England to Ireland as a lieutenant to Lord Cromwell. Thomas Cromwell purchased the estate of Downpatrick around 1604 and later became Earl of Ardglass in 1645. West had a close relationship with Cromwell's family, as evidenced by references in Thomas Cromwell's will. He also served as High Sheriff of Down in 1610 and as a Member of Parliament for Downpatrick in 1613. Lord Cromwell also granted West the village and townland of Ballydugan in June 1626. In 1634, West was also granted additional lands in the neighboring areas of Vianstown and Drumcullen. The land in Vianstown was known as Kingsfield.
Sir Arthur Chichester was appointed Lord Deputy in 1604 and initiated plans for the 'planting' of Ulster. Under these plans, first-class planters were required to build a castle and bawn within four years. Richard West, likely between 1626 and 1630, built the first house at Ballydugan within a fortified bawn protected by flanker towers on Islandnechorrick. The house was approached by a causeway over the marshes. The mansion house was described as "a large strong-house with a draw-bridge and turrets for defense." This mansion was destroyed in 1641 by rebellious servants. Lieutenant Edward Davies, in his account of the burning and pillaging of Downpatrick, mentioned that Rory O'Donlahan, a former servant, was sent by Mr. West of Ballydugan with a letter. Rory was captured and hanged in the town, though it is unclear who ordered this.
Robert Kinaston of Saul testified that Richard West of Ballydugan, in Lecale, County Down, had his house taken, his corn and cattle lost, and his entire estate overrun after strong resistance. The mansion house was not rebuilt for over a century. By 1744, Henry West, the then owner, was living in part of the outbuildings that had been converted into a dwelling. Richard West lived for three years after the destruction of his mansion house and died without a will on July 2, 1644, leaving behind his son, Roger West.
The windmill and demesne played an agricultural role and also served as local landmarks. In the late 18th century, Gordon Bigham, originally from Scotland, acted as an agent for the lease of the Ballydargan windmill. This windmill was used for drying grain before the introduction of tile kilns. Turf fires were lit against walls, and grain was dried on straw spread over branches, then brushed down into winnowing sheets (the process to remove the lighter chaff, leaving just the grain).
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Ballydargan
Ballydargan is a townland eight kilometres south of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. Ballydargan is in the parish of Bright. It has a rich and intricate history, deeply connected to its windmill and the Oakley Park demesne.
The townland's name was recorded as Balidergan as early as 1194 and appeared as Balydergan in 1333. Ballydargan was also known as Baile Ui-Deargain, O'Dargan's town. The name Deargán, meaning 'little red (-haired) one', forms the basis of the surname Ó Deargáin, which Woulfe (1923) describes as an old surname found in Westmeath, Offaly, and Cork. This surname can be anglicized to Dargan, Dergan, Dorgan, and Dorrigan. It is possible that the final element of Ballydargan is derived from the surname Ó Deargáin, though this surname is relatively uncommon in the north of Ireland, making this less likely. Historically, the townland was divided into Upper and Lower sections.
In 1205 John de Courcy granted lands to Aristocratic tenants which gave John significant support by controlling various areas, often far from his direct supervision. They also made up the core of his elite, well-trained cavalry, which the Normans were famous for. Additionally, sub-tenants served as men-at-arms, one of those granted lands from Yorkshire was Brian de Eschallers from Yorkshire who held land in Ballydargan.
Lieutenant Richard West (d. 1644) of Ballydugan purchased Ballydergan (now Ballydargan) on July 20, 1618, for £80. An inquisition in Downpatrick on August 4, 1620, found that it was bought from James Dowdall of Lysbane. The lands were previously occupied by Henry Savage.
Lieutenant West came from England to Ireland as a lieutenant to Lord Cromwell. Thomas Cromwell purchased the estate of Downpatrick around 1604 and later became Earl of Ardglass in 1645. West had a close relationship with Cromwell's family, as evidenced by references in Thomas Cromwell's will. He also served as High Sheriff of Down in 1610 and as a Member of Parliament for Downpatrick in 1613. Lord Cromwell also granted West the village and townland of Ballydugan in June 1626. In 1634, West was also granted additional lands in the neighboring areas of Vianstown and Drumcullen. The land in Vianstown was known as Kingsfield.
Sir Arthur Chichester was appointed Lord Deputy in 1604 and initiated plans for the 'planting' of Ulster. Under these plans, first-class planters were required to build a castle and bawn within four years. Richard West, likely between 1626 and 1630, built the first house at Ballydugan within a fortified bawn protected by flanker towers on Islandnechorrick. The house was approached by a causeway over the marshes. The mansion house was described as "a large strong-house with a draw-bridge and turrets for defense." This mansion was destroyed in 1641 by rebellious servants. Lieutenant Edward Davies, in his account of the burning and pillaging of Downpatrick, mentioned that Rory O'Donlahan, a former servant, was sent by Mr. West of Ballydugan with a letter. Rory was captured and hanged in the town, though it is unclear who ordered this.
Robert Kinaston of Saul testified that Richard West of Ballydugan, in Lecale, County Down, had his house taken, his corn and cattle lost, and his entire estate overrun after strong resistance. The mansion house was not rebuilt for over a century. By 1744, Henry West, the then owner, was living in part of the outbuildings that had been converted into a dwelling. Richard West lived for three years after the destruction of his mansion house and died without a will on July 2, 1644, leaving behind his son, Roger West.
The windmill and demesne played an agricultural role and also served as local landmarks. In the late 18th century, Gordon Bigham, originally from Scotland, acted as an agent for the lease of the Ballydargan windmill. This windmill was used for drying grain before the introduction of tile kilns. Turf fires were lit against walls, and grain was dried on straw spread over branches, then brushed down into winnowing sheets (the process to remove the lighter chaff, leaving just the grain).
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