Hi Sarah, ‘the lane’, up and down the lane ’till we’re silly. Actually, this is the modern access to Dromore house, the previous picture of the potato house, you turned right old road to Raphoe (original) down this lane took you up to Carnshannagh, one full Irish mile away, confused? Don’t be! Down this lane, left and right, would be the properties that made up Dromore, three hundred years ago, approx. Even Dad, and his dad, Willy John, I do not think could define which was which property. Any way, I just do not know for sure. At the left hand side of the spud house, you can see a road disappear into the skyline. To the left hand side of some farm buildings, that’s to Ballylennon townland (on your map), also Presbyterian Church and grave yard, where my folks are. It is not a old church and grave yard at all by our standards. The book by Rev Alex Leckie will explain. When the local Presbyterians were allowed to worship in their own area, Ballylennon was built. The bishop would not allow a church in Raphoe, so they went to Convoy, other side of Raphoe. Carnshannagh is to the left hand side of the lane on the continuation of green field where the lane dips away. Dad was cutting the grass at the side of the lane, 15-20 years ago, and got sun stroke! It had a very severe effect, took ages to recover. Now, down to business, down at the end of the wall, there is a gate adjacent to the power pole, thats where James Alexander came up from the mill building or what ever it was, where he made that brew that he discovered in America. I always thought it was wine, Mum corrected me, not so long ago, and told me it was whiskie/whisky. Question? Did he learn that with Alexander ‘cousins’ whilst in America? Also through that gate, he grew the first tobacco plants and supplied Gallaghers in Derry, dodging the excise men at night up and down country lanes to get into Gallaghers, now part of B.A.T. — British and American Tobacco or Reynolds. And we wonder where the money came from to build Dromore house, blind Freddy can figure that one out. Just further down the lane, right hand side, down in the wee lower meadow, is where crack shot Alexander buried 3 fine French officers and sold their equally fine steads for a handsome price — this was during the seige of Derry in year 1690. There was a black powder and ball pistol in the hall way table at Dromore up until late 1960s. And we later generations thought the Alexanders were good Presbyterian folks! Send me an email, haven’t heard from you for a few days, no doubt you are in contact with a lot of people “re” your book, I’ll just keep “rabiting on” — plenty more to go. Your books can’t be too far away, Rev Alex Leckie will explain the early Presbyterian situation better than I can. That was picture 36, date 18 03 06, time 15:33.
All for now, Cousin John
