Lesser Spotted Ulster is an ongoing series exploring the
stories, people and geography of less-visited areas of Ulster, presented by Joe
Mahon. This episode visits Killeeshil in Co Tyrone. Just outside Dungannon,
Killeeshil is one of a number of townlands Joe visits in this episode.
Townlands are a peculiarly Irish phenomenon; a division of land dating back
before Norman times and usually named after geographic points or local
families. There are over 61,000 townlands in Ireland.
Joe meets various people. First, Brendan Holland talks
about his experiences with giantism, a genetic condition peculiar to this area.
At an old cornmill, Harold Bennett shows Joe how it works. Jimmy Lamont talks
to Joe about old-fashioned farming. Vet Francis Scullion tells Joe about
looking after the medical needs of racing pigeons; still a very popular pastime
in the area. Joe visits teacher Mark Deacon about wood-making and learns some
carpentry skills.
At St Mary's Primary
School in Cabragh, Joe meets the schoolchildren who recreate a hiring fair -
the old tradition of hiring workers. At the recreation, the children show how
poor people were actually bought and sold into work, and Joe gets to sample
some traditional fare with chef Emmett McCourt; pigs' trotters and smoked fish
are on the menu. Emmett is researching foods of the past for a book. Finally
Raymond McCorry gives an overall history of the townlands.