The Map of Connections is a map of unofficial Border crossings. Perhaps the most picturesque I have discovered so far are these substantial stepping stones crossing the Blackwater river. (Location: Ele 32m IH 71092 ITH 47266, Irish Grid) For a section the Blackwater is used as the Border between Tyrone and Monaghan, therefore the Border between northern and southern Ireland. There was no one around to ask about how and when these boulders were placed. It could have been twenty years ago, it was possibly two hundred.
The stepping stones are mere metres from Burn’s Bridge. Why did the locals go to the considerable effort of positioning the boulders with a bridge so near? As mentioned, it is possible the stones predate it. However, compare the worn stones of the arch to the left in the photograph and the smooth new stones of the right arch. I suspect this bridge was blown-up during the Troubles and only rebuilt recently. While this mode of connection was denied to them the locals may have taken things into their own hands. They built their own connection. Now I am happy to map it.
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Mr Carr, this was an interesting post about a lovely spot. I visited there just 3 months before you, in 2008. I wanted to find Ballagh as an ancestor was born there. Regarding the difference in the bridge arches, one source (http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/5191/1/John_Anthony_Donohoe_20140711075643.pdf) says that an arch was partially destroyed in 1922 during the partition crisis. If I return one day, I shall also look for the foot crossing. -- Scott Leonard, Washington, DC
ReplyDeleteDear Scott
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information and the source. Sadly, those stepping stones are now gone. They were deemed a flooding risk, tree branches that fell in the river would become caught in them and eventually damn the river.
All the best
Garrett
Dear Garret, very interesting and too bad about the stepping stones. As you said, it is a pretty spot, and very tranquil. If I return, I will look for where they used to be, anyway. Best regards, Scott
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