Boho

Boho
Fermanagh
Boho, Church of Ireland
Location
Grid reference:	H128443
Location:	54°20’50"N, 7°48’15"W
Data
Post town:	Enniskillen
Postcode:	BT74
Dialling code:	028
Local Government
Council:	Fermanagh and Omagh

Boho (pronounced 'bow') is a hamlet in Fermanagh, seven miles south-west of the county town, Enniskillen.

The name of the village is from the Irish Botha, meaning 'Huts'.

This area contains a high density of historically significant sites stretching from the Neolithic Reyfad Stones, through the Bronze Age and Iron Age (Aghnaglack Tomb) and the Middle Ages (a number of high crosses) to comparatively recent historical buildings such as the Linnett Inn.

Geography

Boho parish has a high biodiversity of flora and fauna due in part to the niches offered by the limestone karst substrata combined with fen meadow, upland heath and acidic bog.

The three mountains found within the parish; namely Glenkeel, Knockmore and Belmore provide a landscape varying from high craggy bluffs, with views of neighbouring counties, to low, flat bogland punctuated by streams and lakes.

Below this landscape are two of the three most cave-rich mountains in Ulster, including the deepest cave system in Ireland at Reyfad Pot, the deepest daylight shaft in Ireland at Noon's Hole, as well as popular caves for local outdoor adventure centre groups at the Boho Caves and the nearby Pollnagollum Coolarkan.

History

Ancient origins

The Irish name Botha ('bothies' or 'huts') is a truncation of Bhotha Mhuintir Uí Fhialáin, which translates as 'The huts of the Uí Fhialáin'. The surname Ó Fialáin is in modern days rendered as Phelan.

This area has a long history of habitation as evidenced by the Reyfad stones, dating from the late Stone Age or early Bronze Age (nearly 4000 years ago), classified as a scheduled monument. Further remnants of Neolithic habitation were unearthed by the Enniskillen archaeologist Thomas Plunkett in 1880 when he discovered an ancient settlement six and a half feet beneath the surface of a peat bog (the coal bog) in the townland of Kilnamadoo. More neolithic remnants were unearthed in the townland of Moylehid again by Thomas Plunkett when he discovered the Eagle's Knoll Cairn passage tomb and Moylehid ring in 1894.

Evidence Bronze Age habitation was discovered by George Coffey (1901), who unearthed a copper knife, currently on display in the Dublin collection.

Iron Age artefacts were discovered in Boho in 1953, consisting of remnants of a hearth at the foot of an escarpment dating to first millennium AD.

Later evidence of Danish raiders in the area came in the form of an iron spear head, found in a cromlech in Boho, on display at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Legend

The inscriptions on the Neolithic Reyfad stones constitute the first markings or writings from the Boho area, however their meaning has still to be deciphered.

In 700 AD, the two predominant tribes in the region were the Cenel Enda and Cenel Laegaire. The lands of the Fir Manach, from whom the county takes its name, did not cover the Boho area. In later ages the Boho area was considered to be in West Bréifne, also known as Bréifne Ó Ruairc.

The Boho area is mentioned in the Annals of Ulster (628 AD), in which Suibne Menn of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, reigning High King and son of Fiachra defeated his distant cousin Domhnall, son of Aedh (Domnall mac Áedo). This event is also described in The Annals of Tigernach (630 AD) as "Cath Botha in quo Suibne Mend mac Fiachrach uictor erat, Domnoll mac Aedha fuigit".

In the first part of the 9th century the area of Boho (Botha eich uaichnich), was linked to the encompassing territory known as Tir Ratha and to a local patron saint, St Faber in the Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee Óengus of Tallaght

At one point, the people of the Boho area refused to pay annual tribute to the King of Fermanagh, Magnus MaGuidhir.

The dispute was recounted by McGuires historian as follows:

Accordingly, Maguire sent out his Bonaghs or stewards to proceed on circuit for the tribute on his behalf; and the Flanagan, of Toora, was the first to refuse it, till he saw his lord, to whom he would give it on his feet, and to show the guile of this artful chief, he added with Irish blarney—"that they would not store it more faithfully for him than himself." With this rebel refusal the stewards seized the cattle of Flanagan, and Flanagan pursued the bonaghs to where we now call Glack, or Aghanaglack, sometimes called Carn (Clais an Chairn), at Boho, where a fight ensued for the cattle, in which many were killed on both sides, including Flanagan and fifteen of Maguire's party, and while the conflict was taking place the women and youngsters of Toora took back the cattle.

The legend goes on to say that Maguire was incensed by reports of this rebellion, and summoned his council of chiefs to decide on the compensation the Flannagan would pay. The result of a council of the other chiefs of Fermanagh was that since the chief of the Flannagans had died in battle and they had lost 25 men, then there was no more need for settlement. Nevertheless, Maguire suspected a wider rebellion and sent his son and heir Giollas Losa Ma Guidir to launch a punitive attack which brought the Boho people to submission.

Later history

In 1483, Boho is mentioned in The Annals of Ulster upon the death of John O'Fialain (Ua Fialain), "the Ollam in poetry" of the sons of Philip Mag Uidhir (McGuire) and herenagh of Botha. Again in Annals of the Four Masters (Mícheál Ó Cléirigh, 1487) the area is mentioned on the death of Teige (Tadhg), the son of Brian Mac Amlaim Mag Uidhir (McGuire), son of Auliffe Mag Uidhir, who had first been Parson of Botha, and then Vicar of Cill-Laisre (Killesher). In 1498 there are reports of Maine, the son of Melaghlin, son of Matthew Mac Manus, slain in Botha-Muintire-Fialain, by the sons of Cathal Ua Gallchobair (O'Gallagher).

In 1552 there is a mention of Tadhg, the son of Tadhg, son of Eoghan O'Ruairc, who was slain in treachery in Bothach-Ui-Fhialain, by the Davine, son of Lochlainn.

Boho is again mentioned during the inquisition of church lands held during the reign of King James I in 1609–1610, described as Boghae. At that point in time, the land was divided amongst septs, the head of which was a herenagh who paid tribute to the bishop of Clogher. O'Fellan is described as having a free 'tate' or tathe, called Karme (Carn), to himself, and another, called Rostollon, which was divided among his sept of 'doughasaes' equally. The document also describes an area of land called KillmcIteggart or Farrennalter, one part of which belonging to the parson, and the other to the vicar.

About the village

Boho High Cross

Boho High Cross

The High Cross in Boho graveyard (H11674621) is a beautifully carved sandstone cross shaft which stands weathered on an eminence in the townland of Toneel North and may date from the 10th century. Excavation of the cross have suggested that it was moved to its present position in 1832, when the site was first reused for Roman Catholic worship, the new church being built in the original graveyard slightly south of the old one.

The west face of the cross shaft depicts the presentation of the John the Baptist in the Temple. The central figure holds a child in their arms and is accompanied by a figure either side. Above this carving is the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist with the River Jordan flowing between their feet. The East face of the cross shaft depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden together with a tree and serpent who is looking at one of the figures. The accompanying socketed base of red sandstone in which the shaft rests measures 90 x 88 cm at ground level and 62 cm in height. There is conjecture that the base of the cross is a bullán which men would resort to in cases of childless marriages.

The existing doorway of the nearby Church of Ireland at Farnaconnell is thought to have originated from the pre-Reformation church at Toneel North.

Reyfad Stones

Main article: Reyfad

Cup and ring markings on the Reyfad Stones

The Reyfad Stones date from the neolithic age and are engraved with cup and ring mark inscriptions similar to those at Newgrange. The stones have been designated as a scheduled monument by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (SM 210:13). The stones are located in a field approximately 500 yards behind the Sacred Heart Church in Boho.

Noon's Hole

Main article: Noon's Hole

Noon's Hole lies approximately three miles north-west of the centre of Boho. At 266 feet, this pothole is the deepest daylight shaft in Ireland.

Aghanaglack Tomb

Main article: Aghanaglack

Dual Court Tomb, Aghanaglack

The Aghanaglack Tomb is a Neolithic tomb was discovered by Prof. Oliver Davies(1938).

Boho Waterfall

Boho Waterfall

Boho Waterfall is at the entrance of Pollnagollum Cave in Belmore Forest.

Boho Caves

Main article: Boho Caves

The Boho Caves are the seventh longest cave passage system in Northern Ireland and have been designated as an ASSI. These caves are the only example of a 'joint-controlled' maze cave in Northern Ireland. They also contain the only Irish modern-day record of the cave-dwelling water beetle (Agapus biguttatus).

Belmore Forest

Belmore Forest (H127418) on the slopes of Belmore Mountain is a coniferous forest that covers approximately 2,135 acres. It is included in the UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The forest contains Forestry houses, Coolarkan Quarry and Pollnagollum Cave.

Balintempo Forest

Balintempo Forest is predominantly a coniferous forest plantation with areas of blanket bog and rocky outcrops of sandstone. Together with the forests of Carrigan, Big Dog, Conagher and Lough Navar they form the largest continuous tract of coniferous forest in Northern Ireland. The forest also forms part of the Ulster Way and the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The area is notable for Aghanaglack chambered cairn.

Eagle's Knoll Cairn and Moylehid Ring

Main article: Moylehid

The Eagle's Knoll Cairn and Moylehid Ring are together a Neolithic site associated with the townland of Moylehid. The Eagle's Knoll Cairn is a passage tomb. The Moylehid Ring is a ring-cairn. Both are scheduled historic monuments.

The Linnet Inn

The Linnet Inn, situated near Boho Cross-Roads is over 200 years old and is one of the few remaining thatched public houses in Ulster. It contains a classic style open hearth fire and a unique "cave bar" in homage to the local caves designed and constructed by its previous owner, Brian McKenzie.

Churches

Church of Ireland

The parish church (54°21’17"N, 7°48’40"W) was built in 1777 in the townland of Farnaconnell. It is a small three bay tower and hall church with round headed windows. It was restored in 1830 and contains elements of mediæval church half a mile north in archway entrance to the vestibule.

Sacred Heart Church (Roman Catholic)

Sacred Heart Church graveyard

Sacred Heart Church was built by the Rev Nicholas Smith in 1832, in townland of Toneel North possibly on the site of some ancient religious site. This is a four-bay hall with a squared rubble gable and billcote renovated in 1913. The site is notable for the 10th-century High Cross.

Others

There may have been a third traditional church in Boho parish called Templemollem or the Church of the Mill, which is mentioned in the Survey of 1603 and in the Inquisition of 1609. This was the chapel of ease called Templemullin on a tate of land owned by the sept of the McGaraghan which had an annual tribute to pay to the former Lisgoole Abbey of five gallons of butter and one axe. It is also thought that the pre-reformation church in Toneel North may have been built on an even older a pre-Christian pagan amphitheatre.

Outdoor places of worship which were common in the 18th century could be found in Aghakeeran where there was a Mass Garden and in nearby Aghanaglack during the same period, where there was a Mass Cave "Prison".

In Knocknahunshin there are records of a Mass Garden; this may refer to a place known locally as the Mass Rock. During the 18th century, in the parish of Boho (Inishmacsaint), there was a Mass Garden in Tullygerravra. In earlier periods, around the time of King James I's inquisition into church lands, there were Mass Altars at Drumgamph, Fintonagh (which was also in the parish at this time) and Killyhoman.

Rivers and Loughs

Rivers passing through Boho include the Sillees River which runs from Lough Navar Forest Park to Lower Lough Erne and its tributaries, the Screenagh and Boho Rivers. There are also five major streams which drain into the Reyfad/Carrickbeg catchment area and are linked to the Carrickbeg resurgence. One of these streams, entering Polltullybrack (second entrance to Reyfad Pot), is known as the Reyfad stream.

There are four loughs associated with the civil parish of Botha, including Lough Nacloyduff (Irish: Loch na Cloiche Duibhe) which is in the townland of Clogherbog and Lough Acrottan (Irish: Loch an Chrotáin) in Glenkeel. There are two other lakes associated with older parish boundaries, those of Carran and Ross Loughs.

Lough Nacloyduff (meaning the lake of the Dark Pit or digging) is about 1.0-acre (4,046.9-m²) in surface area. To the north on Knockmore Mountain are some yellow sandstone cliffs which contain "the lettered caves". These three caverns, two of them artificial in appearance, include oghamic style writing on their walls, consisting of crosses and star like shapes inside rectangles.

Folk tales

There are many stories of originating from the Boho area which tell of faeries, faerie bushes, banshees, swallow holes (potholes) and ancient stones.

One recurring mention is of a changeling or faerie who has a prodigious talent for music. The author (or the teller) of the tale states that the faerie has a particular flair when it comes to musical instruments, traditionally the fiddle or the pipes. He develops such a gift that anyone who listens will be enchanted by the music (like the Greek myth of the sirens). Commenting on the appearance of the faerie, the storyteller recounts that he saw him living with two old brothers beyond the "dogs well" and he looked like a "wizened wee monkey" ...the storyteller estimates his age to be around 10 or 11 years but it appears that he could still could not walk, rather, "bobbed". His gift on the tin whistle was second to none, his particular penchant being long-forgotten tunes. All of a sudden he disappeared, never to be heard of by the story-teller again.

There are other folk tales surrounding St Febor or St Faber, who placed a curse on Baron O Phelans castle in Boho causing it to sink into the earth although there are no reports as to where in the area this castle was located. Some of these tales are recounted in the old country song, "Ma na Bh Fianna (Monea) – The Plain of the Deer".

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about County Fermanagh Boho)

References

• Elliott, David R., ed (2006). Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials in Boho Parish, Church of Ireland, County Fermanagh (1840–1879). Irish Genealogy Series. ISBN 978-0-9781764-2-6. http://globalgenealogy.com/countries/ireland/resources/332003.htm. Retrieved 24 September 2008. 
• Bannon, Edel; McLaughlin, Louise; Flanagan, Cecilia, eds (November 2008). Boho Heritage: A Treasure Trove of History and Lore. Boho Heritage Organisation. ISBN 978-0-9560607-0-9.