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Carrickfergus Prison in Ballymoney?

AntrimBallymoney (Antrim)

I recently read the exerpt below from The history and antiquities of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, from the earliest records till 1839 : also a statistical survey of said county.

"1796. September 16th, William Weir, Dunmurry, James Fitzgerald, Sandybay, and James Brady, Lisburn, were brought prisoners to Carrickfergus, and lodged in the county Antrim gaol, charged with offences of a treasonable nature, as United Irishmen. Those were the first persons confined in this kingdom, belonging to those memorable societies. Same month, William Orr, John Alexander, John M'Clelland, Hugh Dinsmore, and Robert Saunderson, with several others, were lodged in the same prison, on similar charges."

Does anyone know anything about Carrickfergus prison or Hugh Dinsmore of Ballymoney. I believe he is my gg-grandfather. My great-grandfather was Joseph Dinsmore who listed Hugh Dinsmore as his father on his marriage certificate to Rose Gorman. Both Joseph and Rose were Roman Catholic. Rose was from Glenbuck and Joseph was from Ballymoney.

I would appreciate any information about the prison and Hugh Dinsmore -- or Joseph and Rose.

Thank you.

ChristineDinsmore

2 replies

Your post is entitled ?Carrickfergus prison in Ballymoney.? There was no prison in Ballymoney. The prison was in Carrickfergus, 50 miles away, on Belfast Lough. Prisoners were kept in Carrickfergus Castle (now a tourist attraction). Here?s a photograph of it with some background information:

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Carrickfergus-Castle-Carrickfergus-P2814

Carrickfergus used to be the capital of Ulster. (It existed long before Belfast). So as the capital, it was the location of many important trials and therefore had a prison.

There are records of the United Irishmen, both in PRONI in Belfast and in the National Archives in Dublin. In PRONI they have the black book of the rebellion which lists some 200 prisoners (mostly kept in prison ships on Belfast Lough or in Carrickfergus castle), and in some cases details of interviews with them. (The records are on MIC 557/1). Might be worth having a look at that to see if Hugh Dinsmore is listed. (The records are not on-line and a personal visit is required to view them).

 

Elwyn

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you.

ChristineDinsmore

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