Castlefinn is in the parish of Donaghmore, barony of Raphoe, 4.5 miles from Lifford. Its name translates from the castle on the banks of the River Finn, the stones from the castle were used in the construction of the bridge that still stands today, and at the close of Elizabeth's first reign it belonged to Sir Neil Garbh O'Donnell. It is situated on the river Finn, which is navigable to the River Folye for vessels of 14 tonne burden, is on the road from Strabane to Stranorlar and in 1837 consisted of a single street, with a Roman Catholic Chapel.
Castlefinn railway station opened on the 7th September 1863, but finally closed on 1st January 1960. A number of buses pass through Castlefinn on a daily basis going to Letterkenny, Derry, Strabane, Dublin, Sligo and Galway.
It would be terrible to see the bridge taken down . I am a relative of the Purviance family of Castlefinn in the 1700's. Bill Purviance , 858 518 1517
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As A part of the bridge demolition squad, I would like to feel justified for the said demolition of The said bridge aforementioned in the last non sub paragraph about the aforementioned bridge....which we knocked down, and are now about to knock down again because..the bridge we made out of the castle was shit & it served as a link between Castlefinn & Castlederg, and ! Would anybody be Sorry if we lost contact with those mad Derg houres? And the purveyors of class for the whole Finn Valley area, (i.e. the Munchies from the never before invaded highlands of Millburn) Castlefenians One & All!! We are but to a man!
DeleteAnd together we will fight a
gainst the tyranny and financially unsound advice of the now disdegarded "Northern Bank"? And we will say "We like the new Diamond" Amen.
Love to come there.My gggrand parents lived there GOUDY'S 1800'S
ReplyDeleteI've traced my ancestor Goudys back to this area as well, but don't have much more information on them. Would love to hear what information you have on the Goudy family!
DeleteMy aunt nan lived in castlefin 30s 40s 50s 60s right next door to the griffens and across the rosd from the taylors farm ...many happy memories
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me more about the Taylor family? My ancestors are Goudys, but also Taylors, and I don't know where the Taylors lived. thanks!
DeleteHI, I have Taylors from Carnadore, Castlefin in my family tree. A William Taylor is as far back as I have gotten so far, he dies about 1890, and had 7 children, 4 of whom I have not been able to trace yet.
Deletemy email is janinchester@gmail.com
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Jan
The taylor family owned a flax mill which made linen from flax crop in carnadore and employed many people around the local area.
DeleteMy ancestors are Goudys (Charles, James, Mary Jane, Joseph, Thomas) who came to Philadelphia in the mid- 1800s. Drove through Castlefinn last year, but didn't have much time. If anyone wants to help me research my family roots here, please contact me!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone knows if the small house built by Samuel George Hepburn around 1910 is still standing. Willy McClure was living in it until he died, in 2008. Yellowish, with walkway up the front. SGH was my grandfather. I'm coming to the area and would like to see it, but can't find it on Google maps and wonder if it is gone.
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