This 200 year-old cottage is stepped in history - John Flynn, who lost his life in the HMS Titanic tragedy in 1912, was born and reared here. Indeed, it was from here he set off to Cobh, Co. Cork, just a few days before boarding the ill-fated ship.
The cottage fell into disrepair after John' sister Bridget passed away in 1925. The roof caved in and it looked as if the house would be lost forever. However, owner Michael Walsh has lovingly renovated and extended it in recent years, and, indeed, in 2012, a Titanic commemoration took place at the property.
We have renovated and modernised the cottage while retaining all the key original features. . All mod cons have been installed but the home still boasts many of the essential characteristics of the traditional Irish cottage in a beautiful north Connemara location. - it is rural, it is one floor in height and the open plan kitchen/living/sitting room area is the heart of the property.
Adjacent to world-renowned Ashford Castle and the surrounding lake district.,
In this cottage, the old meets the new.
John's story is lovingly recalled in the property. His memory will never die.
Emigration claimed many Irish people throughout successive generations. This part of the world suffered more than most. These days, it is our pleasure to welcome back ancestors of those who had to leave.
Live the Titanic story in this historic cottage.
More about John Flynn: In the late 1800s, he emigrated to Pittsburgh, USA, like so many of his friends and relations. He found work in the steel mills and married a neighbour from home, Mary Cassidy from Dooras, Corr na Mona, on August 26th,1891. They reared six children.
In 1912, John was holidaying at home here in this home when he got a sudden letter urging him to return to the USA. It has never been established if that letter related to work or family matters, but John went to the local shipping agent in Clonbur, bought his ticket, walked the ten miles to Ballinrobe Railway Station and made his way down country to Cohh to get on board the Titanic.
His body was never found. It later emerged that his sister-in-law had wanted to return to America with him to join her sister, but her family forbade her from doing so - an intervention that almost certainly saved her life.
