House

The Hay family has been in Ireland since the 13th century and are associated with the manor of Ballyhine, perhaps in the parish of Kilbridgeglynn in Shelmaliere West, which Adam Hay held by half a knight’s fee in 1324 from the Valence estate (Brooks 1950, 162-3). This may be the same Adam Hay of Kilscoran recorded in 1345 (Hore 1900-11, vol. 5, 111 ft). Nicholas Hay of Slad is recorded in 1427 and William Hay of Sladde is listed amongst the gentlemen of the county in 1609. William Hay possessed Slade and a watermill (WX048-108----) when he died in 1636 and his son Jack inherited (Jeffrey 1979, 37-8). According to the Book of Survey and Distribution (1660s) James Hay owned 170 acres at Slad, which would include Kilscoran townland, and Ballyringe (Ballybing), in Kilscoran parish (Simington 1953, 304 (19)). The Hay property was granted to the Nunn family, who are said to have used the materials of a castle in building a house at Hillcastle (Jeffrey 1979, 37-8). A house is depicted on the Down Survey barony map (1656-8) at Slad (19) close to Kilscoran church (WX048-014001-), while the mill is marked at the W side of the townland. The precise location of this house is not known. See the attached section of the Down Survey barony map (N at right) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 9 January, 2014