McIllree Burials Castleterra Parish (Ballyhaise), Cavan

Jane,

A large percentage of the population were buried without a gravestone (they couldn’t afford one) so that’s probably the most likely explanation for not finding a gravestone. In the mid 1800s and earlier, only comparatively wealthy people could afford them, and there weren’t that many of them in Cavan at that time. You don’t say what occupation the family had but if they were labourers or cottiers (small farmers) then they probably wouldn’t have the money for a gravestone.

Hi Elwyn , Yes, I do know that many people could not afford headstones, but not sure if this was the case with the McIllrees. In the 1820s and 30s the McIllrees lived at Belturbet and had property along McIllrees Hill (roughly parallel road (with another name like "Fairground" up from today's Holborn Hill) and elsewhere in the town as well as farms in the parish of Annagh some of which at least that were sublet to tenants. The McIllrees in turn had leased the lands, according to Griffiths Valuation and other documentds, from the Earl of Lanesborough and later William Humphreys. John Drope McIllree was alisted as a "farmer" but as he sub-let his leased lands, we are not sure if he actually did farm work or lived only off rents from sub-tenants. Potentially by the 1840s the McIllrees would have been able to afford headstones for Ellen and William. Their elder sister, Frances, married in 1825, being left a well-off widow appartently "within the year". In July 1840 Frances remarried to the son of a Galway baronet who certainly had means. There is a gravestone for their mother, who died on 7 January 1846, at St Nicholas C of I, Galway. I know there was more than one burial ground at Ballyhaise, and district, where Robert McIllree had married Frances Drope c. 1776. Do you happen to know the names and dates of the cemeteries at Ballyhaise, including the graveyard at the Ballyhaise Church of Ireland, Thank you very much for your interest and prompt reply, Jane

Hi Jane & Elwyn

this may or may not assist you, a few weeks ago I was in Castleterra, now Castletara in Cavan tracing my own ancestors to little avail, I visited the local Ballyhaise post office seeeking information, it is a small rural friendly area not too far from Cavan town. There were 3 remaining copies of a Church of Ireland history for the area on the counter which I flicked through, noted the names Humphreys, main area family, Whyte and Whyte Venables, it cost I think €20 and gave family information for the area, I did not purchase as I thought it was a bit expensive and I was researching an RC family, I was told it was a Prostestant history in the area done I think by a Humphreys, the phone number for the Post Office is +353 49 4338101. It is not a big book but did look interesting just not €20 interesting to me. (I am a cheapskate).

I doubt the PO is set up for online purchases but may be in a position to do an over the phone transaction. I live about 70 miles away and am unlikely to be back this year unless I achive a breakthrough myself. Cannot guarantee you will find the information you seek either.

The Humphrey ancestral home is now the Agricultural College run by Teagasc and looks good from the road, you may find an online photo. Also bear in mind that some wealthy families had small churches and graveyards on their property.

Regards
Pat

Hi Jane,

I have been researching in the Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan area, too, although for Mulligans.  I was in touch with a Rev. Nick Jones - Priest in Charge of the Drung Vicarage, Drung, Co. Cavan, Tel:  049 4338204.  Drung is in the C of I Diocese of Kilmore and consists of 5 churches.  He should be able to tell you about the cemeteries around there.  He is in charge of the Ballyhaise church and told me there is no longer a sexton there.  There is a website - www.drungchurches.com that you could visit.  I did check out a book "Old Irish Graveyards County Cavan by Eileen Hewson" but she didn't list any McIllree or Drope burials under the Ballyhaise church, or in the book, but I don't know just how complete the book is.  There are Drung Parish Christenings listed in this website  http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~adrian/LDSBap01.htm

You probably already know this, but Ireland XO also has a Castleterra page - http://www.irelandxo.com/ireland/cavan/ca

Good luck.

Cathy Negrycz nee Mulligan