Often lost by the passage of time, in the case of Lurganconary, it is established that the name of this townland of the Mourne country is derived from the predominant geographical feature of the townland, "An Lorgain", meaning "the long low ridge of land. In the case of Lurganconary, this is a glacial deposit of sand that runs the length of the estate and forms a pleasing backdrop to the granite pebbled Whitewater river, which flows from its source in the Mountains of Mourne, to its estuary in Millbay at Carlingford Lough.

Setting further speculation on the derivation of the name aside ( LurganConary- "Conn Rua"- The Ridge of the red headed Chieftain),  what is clear, is that the land forms a specatular feature in the landscape of the Mourne country, (now increasingly denuded of its sand deposits, and the rolling landscape which it formed). The only sand taken from Lurganconary, from the "Sandpit" field, beside the clachan on the lower farm, can be seen to this day in the Spelga dam, which it was used to build.

If the land could speak out it would tell of the shelter and provision it has afforded to previous less fortunate generations. For the outhouses which are still standing and formed a part of the original farm contained a huge famine cauldron used for famine relief- (an example can be seen in the Custom House Famine Museum on the Quays  in Dublin). It probably served in its day as an outlying farm of the Kilmorey Estate at Knochree as a famine relief centre in the 19th Century. There are also accounts that the outbuildings of the farm also gave shelter to refugees during World War ll, and generations of school children from Grange School and many locals have enjoyed the marvellous nature walks the estate affords.

The main residence at Lurganconary is an elegant Edwardian house, with splendid views to Carlingford Lough and the entire Mourne Mountain range.

In the last century it was lived in by the Marmion family, initially by Sir John Marmion, commemorated in a stained glass window of Grange Church opposite. Sir John was suceeeded by his son, Jack Marmion, and he in turn by James and Rosaleen Doherty in the late 1950s. Rosaleen (nee Rogers), had her family roots in Mourne, and the couple had been married in Grange Church just before World War ll. James planted the belt of forestry, initially across the face of the old sand workings, and then along the entire length of  the Whitewater River.

For those who make the delightful climb of  nearby Knockchree, the sickle of trees following the banks of the Whitewater river will help you pick out this magical and wonderfully preserved corner of the Mourne country.

Brian Doherty