Background to Surname: FLYNN from ‘Surnames of Ireland’- Mathieson- based on 1890 census figures

It is the Anglicised form of the Irish O’ Floinn, a descendant of Flann meaning reddish or ruddy. In the 1890 census there were 23 FLYNN families in Ulster but they were mainly in Cork, Waterford, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan.

Graveyard Inscriptions:

Teconnaught Catholic Church Graveyard:

*Stephen Flynn- Raleagh d. 3 Jun 1961

*wife Ellen d. 13 Aug 1967

*son James d. 8 May 1986

Ballynahinch Catholic Church Graveyard:

*Kate Flynn d. 13 May 1962 } sister and

*James Flynn d. 13 May 1967 } brother to Stephen

*Charles Hanvey d. 23 Dec 1978

*Mary Hanvey d. 7 May 1988

Catherine McNamara- wife of Stephen d. 10 Mar 1970

Magheradroll old graveyard:

James Flinn of Magheradroll who died 11^th May 1820 aged 16 years

Loughinisland Catholic Parish registers- in PRONI (Hard to read because of the age of the register)

Baptisms:

(There were several Flynns per page of the register, and as time was short , I didn’t transcribe any more.)

Marriages: (Only legible ones recorded)

1816 Jan 19^th Arthur Flynn & Bridgett Flynn, widow of Tom Smythe -the priest paid 5/-

1829 Feb 5^th- John Flynn & Cecily Smyth, both of Dinnanew -priest paid 19/-

1830 May 4^th Pat Flynn & Catherine Hanvey, daughter of John -priest paid £1

Deaths: (only legible ones recorded)

Wills

1962 Catherine FLYNN of Ballylone, spinster died 13 May 1962 effect of £109.0.0 to James Flynn, farmer

James FLYNN of Ballylone, farmer died 13 May 1967 probate 4 Aug to James FLYNN & Stephen McNamara, farmers £9370.12.0

Birth Certificates:

James FLYNN born on 14 March 1843; Christened 14 Mar 1843 by Rev W. McMullan for 1/6, Catholic. (f) Edward (Ned) FLYNN & (m)- Informant: Henry Rorke & S. Flynn
Ellen Maria FLYNN born 8 Feb 1915, registered Ballynahinch (f) Stephen FLYNN- farmer (m) Ellen FLYNN nee O’HARE

Spinning Wheel Premium of 1796

In 1796 men could apply for a Spinning Wheel Premium. The award gave the recipients 12 shillings: ten shillings and 10 pence per wheel. The award was judged by the trustees and is an indication of the farmer’s economic situation. The Premium Entitlements Awardees Lists of the Trustees of the Linen and Hempen Manufacturers lists 52,641 entries for County Down and with 5236 wheels being granted the award rates.In the Loughinisland Parish were:-

Edward Flinn, James Flinn, Charles Flinn & Patrick Flinn
Also there was Roger Flinn from Killyleagh; Andrew Flinn from Kilcoo & John Flinn from Annacloan.

From Trevor Family Estate Papers for Dromara Parish

PRONI 182 D/778/716- 1 Nov 1822 Lease- Rose Flinn, farmer of Drin & Peter Flinn, farmer of Drinn

From "Loughinisland Church Bi-Centenary 1787-1987"

Flynns mentioned:-

Hugh Flynn of Dinnanew (near Clough) mentioned on 31^st May 1828 as one who had confessions heard at his house.

Hugh Edward Flynn mentioned in a photo "The Men at the Stick"- this was a common meeting place in the evenings after Mass or work. Taken at the crossroads near the pub, 1920s.

Cecilia Flynn, born 6^th December 1913 in Tareesh Lane (Sister Alban) took orders in 1942 and died 1973 (photo)

If anyone has any legal experience and can tell me what is going on here , I'd appreciate an opinion.

I checked the Griffiths Revision Books- The farm of 40 acres at Raleagh called The Loop was leased in 1863 by William Parkison from John Cleland & its rateable value was £5.15.0 pa
By 1885-1896 Henry MARNER had taken over the lease and its rateable value was £36 pa
By 1897-1907, Henry MARNER still had the lease at the same terms
By 1908-1918, the 40 acres had been bought from John Cleland and held in fee by the represenatives of Henry MARNER (indicting that Henry was deceased) . Interestingly, the 6 acres next door was owned by Eliza MARNER (presumably Henry's wife- nee McCaugherty)
The Loop (40 acres) was still owned in fee by the represenatives of Henry MARNER but then passed to Patrick MARNER c. 1916 then to J.J. FLYNN then to Stephen FLYNN c. 1928 . An additional 28 acres next door owned by the representatives of Henry MARNER also followed this same transfer as well as and the 6 acres owned by Eliza MARNER

Meanwhile, the farm at Magheradrool leased by James FLYNN from Capt. Montgomery and the other mentioned farm at Ballylone leased from David Ker were still being leased until 1929. Here we have to look at the Irish Land Act where the British Government were forcing (giving incentives) to large landowners to sell the farms that had been leased by these farmers for generations . Three quarters of the money was to advanced by the Land Commission to be repaid over 35 years at 5% interest. Many tenants became proprietors whilst other tenants could appy to the Land Court for a reduction in rent. This wasn't quickly taken up, so the 1885 Act said that farmers could borrow the full amount to be repaid at 4% interest over 49 years . The 1903 Act made the terms even more attractive.

So- why did Henry Marner need a mortgage in 1888 or why did his representatives buy the farm c. 1908 after his death then sell/give it to James Flynn? James Flynn died in 1923 but his sons (Hugh & Stephen) were still not able to buy his farms by 1929? Did some landlords need more incentives to obey the Land Act? We know that the previously mention Joseph Carr of Drumnaconagher bought his farm in 1907 from Alexander J.R. Stewart .
Henry's sons Patrick & John moved away from the area. Patrick moved to Drumaness and married a Protestant widow who was his senior and emigrated to Canada in 1925. John moved to London and became a doctor.