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Collections & Research --» Folk Collections --» Town Buildings --»

BALLYVOLLEN HOUSES

Original location: Ballyvollen, Crumlin, County Antrim

These houses, from near the County Antrim village of Crumlin are of great architectural interest because their roofs are supported by 17th century oak cruck-trusses of an English type. Built most probably in the second half of the 17th century, after the widespread property damage during the failed 1641 Rebellion, the roof timers represent the building skills and techniques brought into Ireland by English settlers.

The Glenavy River, which flows into Lough Neagh, ran behind these houses, which were sited close to the highest navigable point on the river. The river, which was well known for salmon and trout, had at least one corn mill and a flock (textile) mill along its short course.  In 1905 one of the houses was occupied by Hugh McGarry and his wife Elizabeth (nee Wilson), whom he had married in 1904. Hugh was a fisherman and boat-builder who supplemented his income in summer by ferrying picnic parties across the Lough to Rams Island. Elizabeth worked as Cook in a house in Crumlin.

The adjacent basket-maker's workshop has been built as part of the complex to emphasise the importance of this craft along the southern and eastern shores of Lough Neagh.

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