In 1785 a quarrel, which led to a duel between James Jordan and his relative, Oliver Martin, resulted in the death of James Jordan. At that time the Martins were one of the best-known families in the west of Ireland and the Jordans, dating back to Norman times, were also well known in the political and social life of the west.
The scene of the duel was a field near the public road at Greenhills, Islandeady, halfway between Castlebar and Westport, close to where my old friend, Seán Rice, now lives. It was a sunny summer day when the duel took place and it attracted great attention. Duels were a gruesome affair and bets were often placed on the outcome.