Straide, Michael Davitt and Mahatma Gandhi

by Auld Stock

STRAIDE, birthplace of Michael Davitt, is also known as Templemore. In 1837 it had a population of 4,135 inhabitants.

A Franciscan monastery was founded in Straide by the sept MacJordan but in 1252 the building was given to the Dominicans by Jordan of Exeter, Lord of Athlethan.

In the 1800s there was a constabulary police station in Straide and fairs were regularly held in the village.

Rates, or tithes, as they were known, were paid to the agents of Lord Palmer, like most landlords at the time not a very popular gentleman with the small farmers of the village. There were four private schools in Straide in the 1840s, catering for 240 children.

Ballylahan Castle, about 30 feet square, was built by the Jordan family. An ancient bridge of 16 arches, called Alahan or Broadford, crossed the river.

Today, Straide is a thriving village with a museum dedicated to the life and times of Michael Davitt, one of the most revered men in this country and founder of the Land League.

A fine statue of the great man stands in the centre of Straide, a fitting reminder of one of our country’s foremost patriots, a man of peace and honour. Michael Davitt’s outlook and philosophy greatly influenced Mahatma Gandhi, who led India to independence in 1948.

Today many new houses dot the landscape around historic Straide, a far cry from the time of the Great Famine when the population of the village was decimated and many of its inhabitants emigrated to England and America.