Ireland Part one - In memory of Ann

I'm finding this post extremely baffling since learning that Clones Monaghan back in the early 19th century encompassed a much wider area then I first thought. The Clones Parish of Monaghan was not limited to Clones township itself so dear Great X 3 grandmother Annie Fitzpatrick may have been born outside of the township itself, perhaps in one of the thousands of 'townlands'. No matter, the whole area of the Clones parish would have been her stomping ground so I covered many of the likely Churches and areas she could well have frequented.

What wasn't baffling or in question is where she was tried and sentenced to 7 years in the colonies. I stood on the very steps of Monaghan Courthouse (the Assizes back in the early 1800's) and take particular note of the arches that are on either side of the main building as these would have been where the prisoners would have been rough handled and taken by horse and caged wagon to the holding cells out back to await their trial. For Ann to face her 6 month voyage on the John Bull convict ship which left from the Cove of Cork in July 1821 and arrived at Sydney Cove in December. Ann has a mention in the ships log of having fallen ill with the stomach most foul. It was around the Monaghan Courthouse I felt the strongest connection to Ann not at Clones although visiting there was deeply touching.

...leaving Dublin and a few pictures of the countryside on the way to Clones ( pron.Cloness)

...arriving Clones

a stop at the Round Tower 10 century and old cemetary 

    For more info on Round Tower and better photos click HERE

...a Clones rose blooming just for me (as they were at St Alfege in Greenwich)

...Clones 'diamond' - the centre of town (most towns have a 'square')

...for more info regarding the Celtic/Irish High Cross and better photos click HERE

...real comfort in Clones

... I was very impressed with Clones and deeply touched I was able to walk about where Ann very likely walked about

...after a quite lengthy visit we departed Clones Republic of Ireland (albeit very reluctantly by me) and made our way north over the border to Rosslea (15 minutes away) where charming overnight accommodation awaited in Northern Ireland

...Rosslea B&B accommodation - Leander Lodge on the shores of Killyfole Lough

... after checking in and meeting the lovely lodge host we took off and 20 minutes later reached Monaghan town (not to be confused with County Monaghan)  I couldn't wait to find the Courthouse.

...for obvious reasons this one is for a purple loving daughter

... I was beginning to despair in ever finding an irish post box!! no telephone boxes though!

 ...the best for last - the first photo is how Monaghan Courthouse looked in Ann's time including those terrible arches I spoke of earlier in this post and following these amazing old photographs, me today where Ann was tried and sentenced so long ago.

...yesteryear - The Rossmore Monument (1876)

...today 2017

...known as Church Square Monaghan town...note Courthouse on far right

...like the smaller Clones, Monaghan town is vibrate, bustling, quaint and very colourful

BREAKING NEWS.  Everything I have said about the Monaghan Courthouse is true, the arches their purpose etc. Some personal sleuthing on my part has just this minute brought to light a shocking fact I would rather have remained in ignorant bliss about.   This Courthouse was built in 1827-30 six years after Ann's trial. She was tried in the Old Courthouse of which nothing remains except an outline drawing housed in the Monaghan museum. However, stranger than fiction is the fact that this Courthouse was built on the site of the old goal where Ann would have been held awaiting her trial.... so that connection I felt well may not have been fanciful imaginings after all.

I find it odd and mildly unsettling that my great great great grandmother Ann Fitzpatrick of Co Monaghan Ireland is resting in peace in a tiny neglected cemetary in Bulga NSW Australia. She survived her beloved husband Samuel Griffith Hughes by 17 years.