Not far from the village of Glenavy and even closer to Oakman's Hill than Darraghmore, is another substantial property known as Weir House.
My sincere thanks to the current owners of Weir House for permitting these photos to be taken and allowing me to use them on this website.
Who Lived Here?
From PRONI's Freeholders Records we know both a John Oakman and a Nicholas Oakman were leaseholders in the Townland of Ballyminimore in 1776. It is believed one of these men lived at Darraghmore and the other at Weir House.
A map dated 1780, known as Lendrick's map (PRONI D1213/12), marks the mills on the rivers around Glenavy and there is a Mr Oakman referred to. I haven't yet viewed this map, but am told the property was to the northest of Glenavy Parish Church, close to the river, possibly in the Ballyminimore townland. This fits closely with the location of Weir House.
Who Lived Here?
Agnes Oakman (aka Nancy), "of Weir House", married approx. 1780 to David McClure of Budore in Tullyrusk Townland. Nancy was probably born at Weir House sometime around 1760. Nancy and David had two daughters, Margaret (Peggy) and Nancy in the 1780s. Peggy married Barber Cunningham and Nancy married David Trimble. David McClure's brother married Jane (Jennie) Oakman of Hopevale. (Source: extract from a Thompson family bible sent to me by a McClure descendant.)
David McClure's property is marked "P" on a map which can be viewed on the GlenavyHistory.com website ("A Statistical Account or Parochial Survey of Ireland"). This map, which is dated 1815, also shows Weir House and Darraghmore (both marked "C" on the map) occupied by Messrs Oakman. Interestingly the above map does not show Hopevale - perhaps it just wasn't considered large enough to rate a mention?
By 1826 (Tithe Applotment valuations) there were four Ballyminimore properties occupied by Oakman's -
- Walter Oakman — Darraghmore — approx 103 acres
- Widow Oakman — approx 57 acres
- William Oakman — 43 acres
- George Oakman — 47 acres
By the time of the Griffith's Valuation (1860s) Weir House was occupied by John Johnston and his family, and Hopevale was occupied by Samuel Johnston and family. Were they related to the Oakman's who once lived on these properties?
Ballyminymore Townland
Visit GlenavyHistory.com for historical information and interesting snippets on people and life in Ballyminymore Townland — as well as other townlands in Glenavy and surrounding parishes of Northern Ireland.