Bennetts from Rathfriland, Down, Northern Ireland

There's some Bennetts from Drumgath mentioned in this site (including your blacksmith):

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Erosdavies/SURNAMES/…

Hello, my Bennett was definitely Joseph, born around 1802. He may have married an Agnes/Ann in 1824. He paid rent for a house, a forge and 2 out buildings at #86 Downpatrick Street in Rathfri;and, Drumballyroney in County Down. His son, Joseph (my 4th great-grandfather) was born there in 1828. 

We plan another trip to Ireland next year. I understand that all records are not available, but is it possible to visit the locations they inhabited? Is there a Heritage Centre in the area?  I am a Bennett, and my dad knew nothing about his ancestors, so this is meaningful to me. 

Peggy,

Downpatrick St is still very much in existence, being one of the main streets in Rathfriland. Whether you will be able to identify the Bennett household today is debatable as there has been a fair bit of development since the 1800s. (The plot number 86 that you have given does not relate to any house number today. There were no house numbers in the 1800s, and so the Griffiths numbers were just their own numbering system to identify each property).

There is a Rathfriland Historical Society. Contact details on this link:

http://www.fuls.org.uk/fulsmembers.html

I think they also have a Facebook page.

Some additional information:

http://countydown.x10.mx/html/rathfriland.htm

Thank you very much for the leads!