The Minor Family of Somerset

1874 Donemana Directory
Information transcribed by Faye Logue
This is a thriving and healthy village, situated on the River De
nnet, about nine miles fromLondonderry, and eight from Strabane
. Fairs are held on the 27th of each month throughout the year
, except when the 27th happens on a SunDay.
There arethe remains of an old castle in the town, from the sum
mit of which you can survey a great portion of the County Donega
l. Mr Ogilby's splendid castle, a short distance from the villag
e, adds greatly to the interest of this locality.
At Castlederg Sir John Davies was Granted some 2000 acres stretc
hing from Killeter to Drumquin and Dromore and was charged wit
h the responsibility of building a fortified house (the ruins o
f which can still be seen toDay) for thedefence of the planters
. Sir Claud Hamilton's estate lay mostly to the North-east and e
ast of Strabane, including the Donemana and Plumbridge areas. B
y1622, a four storey castle without doors and windows and wit
h a nearly complete bawn, plus six houses had been built at Done
mana. Meanwhile Sir J Claphamforfeited his Grant of an estate o
f 3000 acres at Newtowne/Newtownstewart for failing to comply wi
th the conditions. Sir W Stewart was to eventually comeinto it'
s possession.He rebuilt the Turlough O'Neill castle together wit
ha new town ,which in 1618 had 14 houses and an inn. A parish c
hurch was alsoerected in 1622 to replace the ruined one at Ards
traw, three miles away. It was dedicated to St. Eugene as ever
y Church at Ardstraw had been since the sixth century.
The vast majority of the settlers in this part of Tyrone were Sc
ots-for the most part thrifty, hardworKing farmers and craftsme
n who soon created civic orders and stamped their character on t
he area.