McDermotts of Castlewrixon

Castlewrixon House

My grandfather, Richard McDermott, grew up in Castlewrixon South, 5 miles north of Buttevant.  The old Irish name for Castlewrixon was Crish-la-nowan, which means "the cross by the river".  

Mrs. McDermott bought the interest of the farm for 1,375 pounds.  In about 1895 they bought it out under a Land Purchase Act.*

Mrs. McDermott was the wife of my great uncle David McDermott.  I only know that she was called "the English lady" by the family.  They had no children, and I haven't found any record of their marriage.  
 

Michael McDermott

In 1906, a perfect arrow head was found in the potato field by David's brother, my great uncle, Michael McDermott.  Arrowheads of this type were rarely found in the south of Ireland and may have been brought from Ulster for trading purposes.   It was also believed that these were the chosen weapons of the fairies and they were called "elf darts". 

Bridie McDermott

In 2010, my cousin Mary and I visited Castlewrixon House (above).   It is now the home my cousin Michael (son of my great uncle Michael) (above left) and his wife, Bridie McDermott (right).  We had a great time visiting the house, learning about our family and visiting the family graves.  They were very kind to us.

McDermott Elf dart

To learn more about Castlewrixon, click here to read about the area in the Grove White notes.  The Grove White notes were compiled by Col. James Grove White, an officer in the British Army with an intense interest in the history of North Cork.  

The finding of the elf dart was reported in the Journal of Cork Historical and Archaelogical Society, Volume XIII, 1907, page 197.  This journal has been digitized on Google Books. To read more about the elf dart, click here. This gives a whole new meaning to being "away with the fairies"!

I hope to visit Castlewrixon again next year, and see the fairies!






* from Grove White notes



Sources: Grove White notes from CorkPastandPresent.ie; Journal of Cork Historical and Archaelogical Society from Google Books

Photos: personal photos of Castlewrixon House, Michael McDermott and Bridie McDermott; Castle Wrixon Flint Arrow Head from Google Books

Copyright 2011 Kathleen Sullivan. All Rights Reserved