Ulster Folk Museum part 3

Yes, there is still more to see and we only made it half way through the park, we will be going back and there will be still more to share. =)

"RIC Barracks - Royal Irish Constabulary

You’d better be on your best behaviour when you visit the RIC barracks!  The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) came out of the earlier Constabulary Police Force of 1822 and dates from 1836, when the police service of four provincial forces was unified under one central command. The title ‘Royal’ was granted in 1867 and the Royal Irish Constabulary continued as one body until the partition of Ireland in 1922, when it was succeeded by the Garda Síochána and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Early police recruits had to be single and between 19 and 27 years of age, had to be able to read and write and be of good moral character. Policemen were expected to remain sober and attend church regularly; to live in barracks, and to serve at least seven years before seeking permission to marry. No policeman was allowed to serve in his native county, or, if he married, in his wife's native county.
Although efforts were made to make the force reflect the population, by 1860 some 70% of recruits were Catholic and 30% Protestant. By 1914 this had become 81% and 19% respectively. The police were well paid, which made it an attractive career for many younger sons who could not expect to inherit the family farm and would otherwise have had to emigrate to find work.
Although they generally led a relatively quiet life, considerable police time was spent suppressing the illegal distillation of alcohol (poteen-making).  After 1871, dealing with unlicensed dogs became a priority. In the 1840s, Ireland had the highest level of rabies in Europe, but thanks largely to the enforcement of dog licensing laws, and dealing with strays, the disease was eradicated by 1901.
Original location: Castle Street (formerly Bow Lane), Antrim, County Antrim"

RIC Building

a stil

police officer with his bike

kitchen of the RIC

officers bedroom

Samuel typing in the office

cell

Ballyvollen Houses

" In 1905, one of these houses was occupied by Hugh McGarry and his wife Elizabeth.  They had married in 1904. Hugh was a fisherman and boat-builder, but he supplemented his income in summer by ferrying picnic parties across the Lough to Rams Island.

The three houses are of great architectural interest because their roofs are supported by 17th century oak cruck-trusses of an English type. Built most probably in the second half of the 17th century, after the widespread property damage during the failed 1641 Rebellion, the roof timbers are representative of the building skills and techniques brought into Ireland by English settlers.

The houses were sited close to the highest navigable point on the Glenavy River, which ran behind them into Lough Neagh.  The river, well known for salmon and trout, had at least one corn mill and a flock (textile) mill along its short course.

The adjacent basket-maker's workshop has been built as part of the complex to emphasise the importance of this craft along the southern and eastern shores of Lough Neagh.
Original location: Ballyvollen, Crumlin, County Antrim"

thatching, straw tightly sewn together forms the roof of these houses

Ballyvollen Houses

fireplace

bedroom with low ceilings

inside frame work.

inside wall construction

frame work

frame details

hope this is big enough to read

It was so dark in these houses they all had tiny little windows and only one or two per room.  The building technique used was amazing to see.  No nails only wood, straw and mud, yet here they stand today.  In these homes they were burning peat not coal.  It was interesting to see something that looked to be a two inch plug of dirt burn and create warmth.