The Barnett Clachan House

The Barnetts of Moneyconey are said to have moved from a clachan, in a place called Dunarnon, which is part of Owenreagh. In 1832 there were four families of Barnetts in Moneyconey. They were, Robert Barnett, James Barnett, John Barnett and William Barnett.

By 1856 there are six houses belonging to the Barnetts. Robert is still there but the others are gone.  In their place we have Jane who seems to be of John`s family, Mary (Wilson) Barnett, George and Ephraim. James hands on the house and farm to his son George. William`s house and farm passes on to Ephraim. Jane`s house and farm goes to John Duffy.

Charlie was the last surviving member of the original family who moved up to Moneyconey from Dunarnon (part of Owenreagh) and built their houses there. This is one of those houses, a substantial farmstead in it`s time. The Barnett brothers had a forge and carpentry shop in Cavanreagh, close to St. Anne`s church. It is easy to see the craftmanship of these Barnetts in all their houses. This was a substantial two storey stone built house with its byre and barn attached. There are numerous outhouses for fowl,pigs , horses and turf. The slated roof has lasted the test of time on the dwelling and barn and this has helped preserve this fine example of our built heritage in Sixtowns.

In 1901 James and Ellen Barnett lived in this house with sons, George, Robert, Thomas, Joseph, Alexander, David, John and Charles. They had three daughters, Letitia, Eliza Jane and Elanor. That was the last family to be brought up in this house. Charlie stayed on the farm and never married and so came the end of this family of Barnetts in Moneyconey.

Ephram Barnett`s.

Another substantial farmstead of it`s time. The skilled stonemasonry skills of these people are still clear to be seen. The building stones were not of ideal quality and this makes the masonry skills of the builders even more impressive. Built on different levels, it comprises of a byre, barn and traditional farm buildings and even though its roofs are gone the walls are still in good condition. Again this is a measure of skilled stonemasonry.

This place, referred to as Ephie`s ; belonged to William Barnett who passed it on to Ephraim. In 1901, Ephraim is living in this house with his brothers, John and James and sister Mary. John and James had a forge and carpentry shop in Cavanreagh for some years, close to St. Anne`s church. However, they eventually had to give the business up because of bad health. Ephraim worked the farm at home.

The last person to have lived in this house was Jack McAvoy, who is believed to have come from Lissan. He was a small friendly and popular man, by all accounts. He was found dead one day by a neighbour, sitting in his chair with a cup of tea in front of him.

Robert Barnett`s.

Robert Barnett`s house was sited just below Willie (Jack) Barnett`s house at the bend of the road. Robert was around in 1832 but seems to have died at some time during the 1880`s and his farm passed to John Sinclair. There is only a small pile of stones left on the site of Robert`s house now. Not much is known about this house as Robert does not seem to have had a family.