150th Anniversary of Derryveagh evictions by Hugh Doherty

Susie & Rosie Kerr from Melbourne, Australia, standing at the Hearthstone of their Great Grandmother's (Catherine Ward) ancestral wall steads from which she was evicted in 1861 as well as 46 other families. The clergy of the three main denominations in the area all pleaded with the Landlord not to proceed with the evictions but he went ahead regardless and the operation took three days.

In one house a young girl had beautiful long hair and the Bailiff swirled her hair around his arm and led her outside by the hair of her head.

My wife, Mary's Great Grandmother, Biddy McSwyne (Sweeney) was also evicted. She was 11 years old at that time. She was put out of the house with the rest of the family but ran back in only to be caught and thrown out again. The crowbar then was put to the lintel above the door and the house tumbled. Other tenants, were not permitted to give shelter to the evicted under the threat of eviction themselves if they did so. Consequently, those evicted were "left on the waves of the world" and while some were helped by relatives on other estates many had to make the three months sea journey to New South Wales, Australia to start a new life.

On Saturday 27th August 2011, two hundred and fifty people, mostly descendants or relatives, walked from Derryveagh to Churchill in recognition of the courage and dignity of those made homeless and their determination to rear their children.

Informative talks were given by May McClintock, Tom Sweeney and Niall McGinley. It was an emotional day for all concerned but at the end of the walk there was an enjoyable BBQ, music and dance at Wilkins Bar, Churchill.