Family members at the house.
THE wallsteds of a two-storey house revealed by recent tree feeling at Meenaroy continues to attract much interest since it was featured in last week’s edition of the Donegal News.
Known locally ‘Burdon’s House’ it was the highest house above sea level in Donegal. It was built by Paddy Rua McGlynn almost one hundred years ago. The remains of the once impressive dwelling re-appeared on the sky-line just off the main Letterkenny to Glenties road earlier this month.
We initially reported that there were four children born to Patrick and Mary McGlynn but we have since been contacted by more McGlynn siblings to let us know that, in fact, the couple had seven children.
Two brothers Joseph and Peter went to America while Hugh was killed in a car accident. Patrick, a married man with four children, lived locally in Fintown for a period of time before settling in Wicklow; Connie worked as a teacher in Kingscourt, Co Cavan; Catherine died very young in America while Mary married Dan McCloskey from Dunkineely.
Mrs Frances Dee McGlynn Weiss was the first grand-child born in the McGlynn family. Speaking to the Donegal News this week, Mrs Weiss explained that there were seven McGlynn children – Mary, Catherine, Joseph, Peter, Conn, Patrick and Hugh.
“I lived in the house for thirteen months back in 1946-47 after Mary McGlynn, Patrick’s wife, died in 1945. The house belonged to my father Joseph. When he left Ireland to return to America, my father either sold or gave the property to his brother Peter. I can’t believe whoever planted all those trees also destoryed the white-washed thatched building behind the house. That building was where all my aunts and uncles were born. There were no trees on the property when we lived there,” she said.
Ms Kathleen McGlynn, daughter of Peter, also lives in America.
“Two brothers, Joseph and Peter, came to America. Hugh was killed in an auto accident and another girl died young. It was Peter who sold the farm to the forestry. We are proud of our Irish heritage. My sister and I have been back to see the property on several occassions,” Kathleen McGlynn said.
Annette Mc Glynn is the youngest daughter of Connie McGlynn, who died when she was 16 years old.
“I always remembered stories he would tell about Paddy Fada Rua and I have visited Meenaroy several times and no later than two years ago, when I brought my mum who is 85 on a trip down memory lane. I crossed the barrier but could only see part of the house. Your piece has brought back lots of childhood memories. Thank you,” she said.
The tow storey house revealed by tree felling at Meenaroy.
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