Balloo, Killinchy – A Hidden History

Product Description

Balloo, Killinchy – A Hidden History

Book 11 ½” x 8 ½” x ¾”, 289 pages

This new book is authored by Leanna Russell, Moira Concannon, and Lesley Simpson, Members of NIFHS Killyleagh & District branch. It was published on 26 August assisted by Branch members and focusses on part of County Down from the Bronze Age up to the present.

The project started with a conversation between the authors and local man Finlay Orr, who lived on the outskirts of Balloo. Their first conversation was originally to discuss the possibility of arranging a walking tour of Balloo and Killinchy. However, it quickly became clear that there was a lack of published information about the area, in comparison with surrounding towns such as Comber, Killyleagh and Downpatrick. Most key information was held at the Public Records Office for NI, Newspaper archives as well as information held by families.

The three friends ‘set off on a journey’ that would last several years and look at many of the houses, churches, buildings as well as the people in the areas of Ballyminstragh, north of Balloo, and Downpatrick to the south. Recent archeology has also found evidence of a previously unknown Bronze Age settlement too.

The book would definitely be of interest to anyone whose ‘roots’ may have originated in the area. Furthermore, there is an index of family names which runs to eight pages!

The book contains over 360 quality images plus newspaper extracts, photos, illustrations, letters, and maps to help with research.

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Local knowledge, a friendly community and support in your research: NIFHS Branches