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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Antrim => Topic started by: flower123 on Monday 05 April 10 12:55 BST (UK)
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Does anyone know anything about the history of the Dam at Lagmore Derriaghy.
My grandfather was caretaker there from early last century until he died in 1938, when his son continued in his father's footsteps until late 1970s.
I know it is all built over and is now a large housing estate.
N I Water did research on this for me but have no records going back that far.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
flower
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Hi Flower,
Try posting to this site
http://www.lisburn.com/forum.html#bn-forum-1-1-90420285/2
Although perhaps this a post from you???
it came up when Lagmore is searched and is dated April 2009
"Derriaghy and Lagmore Reservoir"
"Dear Jim.
I have been reading Lisburn Exiles Forum, it is the nearest I can get to Derriaghy.My primary interest is
Lagmore Reservoir. My grandfather Anthony Watson worked there until he died suddenly in 1938 when his son,also Anthony but known as Tony took over the running of the dam as it was known. He was there until the late 70s. I wonder if any of your correspondants know anything of the history of this place.I was born there and later lived on the Barnfield Road but moved away when still a child.I would appreciate any information. Iknow the dam has been built over and is history now, but it played a large part in my childhood. Many thanks for your site.Gladys Hudd nee Watson."
Also have a look at posting here
http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/board,5.0.html
the also have other pages you could post to.
Peter
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Hi Peter.
Thank you for taking an interest in my quest. Yes that was my post on Lisburn Forum, I had forgotten about it for a while. Also have been looking through the Belfast Forum and found a post searching for Close ancestors in Hannahstown, A Close married one of my Watsons, but which Close?
The Glen where the Dam was situated was a place of scenic beauty, with steep grassy banks which in spring were covered with daffodils. And down the glen a mysterious magical place for a girl and her dog. The grass on banks and surrounding the reservoir was mown with a sythe by Geordie Watson, nephew of Anthony senior. I can only hope my reminiscence will jog someone's memory.
Will try posting a photograph.
Regards
flower
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Hi Flower,
The Lagmore area is now well built up and would be hard to recognise from your description - but I do remember the area when it was green fields.
Sorry I can't help further, but was wondering if the Water Service has an archive of employees etc. Lagmore I understand was a reservoir. Here is a link to their website.
http://www.niwater.com/
Peter
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Hi Peter.
Again thanks for your interest. I think I am on a long road to nowhere on this. Last year I was corresponding by email and letter with N I Water, but they could not come up with anything. Their archive records did not go back to early 20th century. So I have nowhere else to go on this.
Will order a birth certificate on Monday for my uncle who was born in 1923 to find his birthplace.
Regards
flower
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Sorry, cannot get the photos' right.
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The dam that I believe that you are refering to is the Green Dam from which Poleglass get's it's name. An Pol Glas.
The dam was drained many years ago for the building of the Lagmore estate. There is a road running accross what was the centre of the dam. Other than that there has been no building on the dam site. It is still a green area.
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Hi Charles w
Yes Mount Eagles road has been built along the edge of the reservoir where the deep wells were. On the right of the road a steep bank led down to the house occupyed by the caretaker and his family. I believe the land below going down the glen is still in a natural state.
I never heard it called The Green Dam and don't know about the connection to Poleglass.
It is 60 years since I lived in Derriaghy, but continued to visit while my uncle was caretaker.
flower
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the Watsons at Lagmore Waterworks
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James Bruce Watson
Born at Lagmore 04 08 1923 Died 20 10 1947 at Barnfield Road Derriaghy
Anthony (Tony) Watson . Died 06 04 1979. Retired Caretaker.
Tony, many years ago kept greyhounds and late 60s into the 70s had ponies for trotting with the little 2 wheel contraption.
As the result of an accident at The Dam when he was 12, Tony had one leg a lot shorter than the other and wore a built up boot, he could not bend the leg.
So Watsons lived and worked at The Dam for more than 50 years.
Wish I could find out more.
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hi flower re the watsons at lagmore your uncle tony was my cousin so your g,dad wasmy uncle dont know how far you been able to get in your search we watson,s seem to be a bit of a mystery .hope you dont mind this message. seaside
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Hi seaside.
So we are cousins once removed. Who was your father/mother?
I have just posted a new poll which will let you know where I have got to. Having difficulty finding granny Elen's husband James.
This is exciting hearing from a cousin online. Please reply soon and let me know who our connection is.
flower
If you have enough postings you can PM me
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Here's your new thread-
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,518821.msg3742411.html
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Thanks Aghadoey.
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I have done it again Aghadowey. Spelt your name wrong.
Regards.
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That's okay- Aghadoey is another version of it :)
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Hi Flower - I grew up on the Barnfield Road and travelled to horse sales with my father's best friend - Tony Watson - caretaker of Lagmore Dam! I spent a lot of time up at the dam with Tony, pottering about with the horses he kept there. We have photographs of Tony which I will try to scan and post here. I remember around the time he died his house was broken into - shortly before his death.
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Hi McFar. Have sent you a pm. The last time I saw uncle Tony's house was a few years ago and it had been completely recked and was a pile of rubble.
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Hi flower123, I wonder if you are going to do a local history on Lagmore Townland, as you are researching so well. I found you on Google well done.
Griffiths valuation 1862 has the list of all the inhabitants of the townland inc 4 Sinclairs etc I didnt check for Watson. The associated OS map on the website is based on the 1st revision and should show any mill pond, or small lake. I couldnt find the right one. As enormous books, the LinenHall Library has the first series OS 6inch to the mile scale for 1830's and its first revision about 1860's. etc
Lagmore Reservoir had 21 million gallons in 1920 see Owen History of Belfast, that strikes me as it must have really deep. While on books Jack Loudan wrote a book on the The story of Belfast Water or similar.
I have lost the source for this information
"Water supply, sewerage and sanitation.
As a result of the 1884 Act parts of the local townlands became involved with pipelines and reservoirs at Stoneyford and Lagmore to supply water to Belfast. A subsequent Act in 1889 resulted in the addition of Leathamstown reservoir and the establishment of the Belfast Water Commissioners (B.W.C.)" The acts should give more information.
A periodical article shows what has been built:- Journal Title: UA international: Article Title Expanding housing stock at Lagmore. Volume 18:
Issue (7) Page(s) pp47-48 Date July 2002 Content:-Text, photos. Organisation Belfast Improved Houses / BIH. Note(s) Phases 4 & 5 of this housing development; Subject(s) social housing ; flexible housing ; housing for disabled people. Copy in QUB Location Search QUB Library Catalogue
possibly other libraries.
A comment on what has been lost is from www.planningni.gov.uk/.../bmap2015-techsupp11-countryside-vol1....
. Lands at Lagmore – BUA ‘whitelands’
This area of ‘whiteland’ rises steeply to 210 metres at the Barnfield Road, and is highly visible from numerous locations in the local and wider area, and it is an essential component of the setting of the Metropolitan Area. It is therefore considered that approximately 85 hectares of ‘whiteland’ at Lagmore is included as Green Belt for the following reasons:
• to protect the setting of the metropolitan area; and
• to safeguard surrounding countryside.
BBC NI news this year has a quote "Four houses were damaged, two badly, when a culverted river burst its banks at Lagmore Heights on the outskirts of west Belfast. Nearby streets were covered in mud. There is a picture see Google
Good luck on your search, I thought the photos great, JimG
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I forgot to say before the two Anthony's , the first anthony 's father and the big family are all listed as living in Ballycolin in the 1901 census.
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Hi Flower - I grew up on the Barnfield Road and travelled to horse sales with my father's best friend - Tony Watson - caretaker of Lagmore Dam! I spent a lot of time up at the dam with Tony, pottering about with the horses he kept there. We have photographs of Tony which I will try to scan and post here. I remember around the time he died his house was broken into - shortly before his death.
Hi McFar
Did you know Martha & Tom McNeice, she was a Sinclair, they lived on the Barnfield Road.
Maggie
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Hi Maggie. Yes I knew the McNieces. I was a Derriaghy school, opposite the church with Vera.we walked home to her house where her mother gave us rice pudding. We would then play in her playhouse in the garden, I lost track of time and got a hiding for being late home. I still had a mile further to get home. (it seemed like a mile to a 5 or 6 year child)
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Martha and Tommy McNeice lived in the next lane up from ours. After Tommy died around 1976 we became quite close to Martha. She was often to be seen pushing her bicycle up the Barnfield Road. We also visited her quite often when she moved down into the little bungalow at the Cutts which her son, Robert built. As far as I remember her daughter Vera and son Tom emigrated to America and still live there - I only recall Vera coming home once when her mum was in hospital.
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When I knew Vera she lived in the cottages further down the Barnfield, and were there when my grandmother had a house built below the cotages. I remember the Leckys, Smiths, Hewits,Burns boys, Alderdice and Bell's farm further down on the corner.I liked watching the larks rising in the meadow next to our house. last time I was there the meadow was built over with houses.
I knew Kathleen and saw her son Billy in Bristol about 14-15 years ago when he built an eco house. And knew the others living in Portstewart before they emigrated.The daughter was maybe a year or two older than me. It is so nice to hear from you.
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Martha and Tommy McNeice lived in the next lane up from ours. After Tommy died around 1976 we became quite close to Martha. She was often to be seen pushing her bicycle up the Barnfield Road. We also visited her quite often when she moved down into the little bungalow at the Cutts which her son, Robert built. As far as I remember her daughter Vera and son Tom emigrated to America and still live there - I only recall Vera coming home once when her mum was in hospital.
I love all the old memories, people have.
Martha was my Great Aunt, I remember visiting the farm, i loved it. i remember Tommy, I would have been 10 when he died :( McFar would be grateful for any other memories you may have. Flower ring you later x
Maggie
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Hi There
We At Grosvenors Auction In Bo'ness Central Scotland have just received a consignment of a presentation wheelbarrow & spade that was used to cut the first sod of the "new reservoir at Lagmore in 1887
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Another Picture Of Spade
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What a fantastic opportunity for someone to buy pieces of their family history!