The
Ancestral Home of Ballycassidy
The
ancestral home of all Cassidys is Ballycassidy,
which lies slightly north of Enniskillen, the principal
city in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Ballycassidy borders the eastern shores of Lower
Lough (Lake) Erne.
Ballycassidy
is a townland,
or small rural community, consisting mainly of scattered
homes, the Balcas Sawmill and rich farm land along
the Ballycassidy River. There is no pub or
grocery store. Its sole sign is at the Ballycassidy
post office.
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Woods by the
bank of the
Ballycassidy River. |
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Ballycassidy's Past
In the fourteenth century, there was a church in
Ballycassidy. A nearby holy well is still
marked on the map
of Ballycassidy, and was associated with St.
Molaise who founded the monastery on nearby Devenish
Island. Ballycassidy lies within the historical
district of Coole (representing the
Irish Cúil, "a corner"), a half-barony
lying to the northeast of Enniskillen in the present
barony
of Tirkennedy. Cassidys served as erenaghs
at Coole, and other parts of the parish of Devenish.
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Above the view
of Lower Lough Erne south from Ballycassidy,
and below another view of the lake.
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In August
2005, the Cassidy Clan will be holding a
rally
near Ballycassidy & Enniskillen for
all families whose surnames originate in
or can be traced to County Fermanagh.
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Slightly north of Ballycassidy and below
Irvinestown is the townland of Cassidy,
which consists of a few scattered houses.
At the townland of Cassidy the remains of
an ancient rath exists. Raths were small
wooden forts built on hilltops occupied
by ancient celtic settlers. Like most
raths today, the rath itself has long ago
disappeared and foliage has grown over
its remains.
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