The Bloody Pass

The following story comes with he picture:

The Bloody Pass

Four miles north of Belturbet town in the townland of Derravonna lies a peninsula of land surrounded on three sides by water. There is a ford across the river, indicating that it has been a means of transport possibly since ancient times. This is, and has been, for well over three centuries the border between counties Cavan and Fermanagh and since 1922 the barrier between Northern Ireland and the Republic. But the location is far more important as it is the site of one of the most violent episodes of the Williamite wars, the Battle of Newtownbutler in early August 1689. 

Colonel Justin McCarthy (Lord Mountcashel) was a native of Co. Clare. He distinguished himself in the army of King Louis IV of France. On the orders of James II, he recruited an army on his journey from Kinsale to Belturbet. This was his base for an attack on Crom Castle. The “Munster Army” was for the most part untrained and undisciplined, which was to be a deciding factor in the Battle of Newtownbutler. Mc Carthy joined up with Maguire of Fermanagh in Belturbet and together they marched up the Naughan Road. It has been said that 3000 men marched. When they reached a narrow stretch of water in Derravonna now known as the Bloody Pass they made a pontoon bridge of cots. Having crossed the island of Innisfendra they proceeded to attack Crom Castle. This was supposed to have been a three-pronged attack from Belturbet, Sligo and Omagh but the other two armies did not arrive. The Irish Army mistook an order given by Mc Carthy. The result was that the main strength of the troops was drawn from the field. 200 were killed, the remainder retreated in the direction of Newtownbutler. 

During the retreat hundreds of Mc Carthy's men were slaughtered in the bogs and the fields. 400 were trapped in the isthmus below Castle Saunderson. They were given a choice of drowning or being butchered, most of them took to the water. When the remnants crossed Innisfendra island they discovered that their bridge of cots had disappeared and they were forced to take to the water. Only 1 out of 500 men is said to have survived in the lough on the retreat, the other 499 were slaughtered in the water, which is why this site has become known as The Bloody Pass. Many of the bodies were buried in a nearby field that is still called the burial field.  

Mc Carthy was taken prisoner when his horse was shot from under him, it is believed that a watch he had in his tunic pocket saved his life when a bullet struck. He was taken to Enniskillen and imprisoned in a castle there. He soon escaped by bribing a jailer who was executed the following morning. Mc Carthy sailed up the river to Belturbet, he fled to France where he became the first leader of the Irish brigade there. A position he held until death in 1694. 

The Hawk or falcon - folklore makes no distinction - features in some Irish folktales and is known for its ruthlessness and efficiency in hunting down and killing its victims which also made it a symbol of strength and war.

Information taken from George E. Morrissey’s book, Belturbet, A Chequered History. A Heritage Guide to Cavan - Monaghan Region and surrounding counties & Ireland’s Birds; Myths, Legends and Folklore, Niall Mac Coitir 

Textiles-

Jackie’s stunning hand embroidered textile pieces are the centerpiece in any contemporary home. Limited to 10 editions only they are a really unique gift for that extra special occasion or a perfect addition for someone who already collects her pieces. 

Her Process:

Jackie arranges her own artwork to be printed onto fabric in the tiny village of Downings, Donegal. Once printed, the next part of the process is the hand embroidery.  With every textile print with she adds the hand embroidered details, this means that really each piece is unique in its own right.  A time consuming but enjoyable process which Jackie sees as the next particularly important part of her creative. 

“I’m drawing onto my drawing again but this time with thread. The needle is my pencil and the variety of yarns I have collected are my colour and shape. In my textile degree I was thought all the sophisticated embroidery techniques, but I don't use any of the them, and I take the same approach to embroidery as I do to all my art, my embroidery technique is intuitive .”

Sizing and framing:

Jackie's textile prints can be made to order in a size to suit you. She has three different signature ways of framing: 

Round and oval frames, beautifully handcrafted by Local Cavan Woodworkers.

Artwork is stretched in an embroidery hoop and incased in a handmade box frame.

Bespoke square or rectangular double wood mount. The creator uses Brown and Cream combo or White and cream combo, depending on what is better suited to the art.

If you would like to order this piece in a different size or frame type please send an enquiry form or contact me on  (+353)870666873. They can be ordered bespoke and take approx 3/4 weeks.

Many of the textile prints have a story or wonderful meaning behind them, which comes with the hand-crafted piece on a beautiful scroll.