The close ties between the people and the land in Ulster has only, within the last two generations, been replaced by a more urban 'modern'lifestyle. This study of the farms and farming families,on two thousand acres of hilly terrain in two adjacent townlands, Edymore and Cavanlee, south-east of Strabane overlooking the river Mourne, is a model in local studies. The story is based on research in one of the greatest collections of estate records in Britain or Ireland, the Abercorn Papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Before 1600 the land belonged to the great O'Neill clan. After the Plantation, it was granted to the Abercorn family and the land devided into small farms, and over the ensueing centuries the farmers created well-run and profitable mixed farms.At the beginning of the twentieth century families at last had the chance to own the land their forebears had, as tenants,tilled for generations.Some farms expanded,some stayed the same size: what links them all is that the family unit remained as the cement that held them together and bound them to the land. The development of the farms and the lives of four of the longest-surviving families are retraced in absorbing detail, so to is the social fabric which linked town and country. Strabane, less than an hour's walk away, was a focal point for markets, education and social activities. The writer's own family connections with the townlands over the last fifty years provide the homely touch that gives this book such a distinctive charm.

This book examines the structures and texture of rural social relationships, using one type of document found in abundance over all the four component parts of Britain and Ireland: petitions from tenants to their landlords. The book offers unexpected angles on many aspects of society and economy on estates in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The eBook version of the updated Green Guide Ireland presents the best of the country. Experience Dublin's vibrant atmosphere, unearth Irish folklore at Castlestrange Stone, and delight in Killary Harbour's wild beauty. The guide, divided into regions for easy travel planning, takes the guesswork out of trip organization. Detailed maps, short excursions, driving itineraries and Michelin’s famed star-rating system ensure a variety of attractions and activities, as well as recommendations for the best places to eat and stay. This guide covers it all so you can craft your own travel adventure. Inside this eBook you’ll find: • Full-color photos, and plenty of detail travelers look for. • Attractions reviewed and rated, using Michelin’s renowned star-rating system, from the one-star Main Street of Wexford with its traditional 19C shop fronts, to the three-star dramatically steep Cliffs of Moher and the underground interpretive center there. • Michelin walking and driving tours for a more in-depth, personal experience of the country. Explore the Shannon Valley by car, and discover the attractive seaside resort Youghal by foot. • Comprehensive illustrated sections on modern-day Ireland, its art, history and culture, all written by experts in their fields. They cover everything from peat harvesting at Inishowen to Yeats’ country at Sligo. • Sidebars throughout the guide on such intriguing topics as the Lusitania, the sport of hurling, and the contributions made by Irish navvies. • Walk-throughs of major museums, galleries, churches and attractions; includes illustrations and floor plans. • Detailed visitor information given for every attraction, including opening hours, tour times, entry fees, phone, website. • Michelin area & city maps. • Recommendations for great places to eat/stay for all budgets. Download onto any kind of eReader (tablet or smartphone), and you’re set to go. Use the guide to orient yourself at any time with a treasure trove of 45 detailed maps, even if you’re offline with no Wi-Fi or 3G connection. With the interactive navigation, it’s easy to move within the guide. Click from the index to a point of interest or from a sight description to its location on the map. With one touch, you can even phone an establishment directly from the page or click through to a website for more information. No matter what eReader you use, the Green Guide Ireland eBook gives you the knowledge, the tools and the confidence to enjoy an Irish journey of discovery and exploration.