An Seabhac: Eanach Beag/Mór Tugtar “Na hEanaighe” ortha (agus “Annies” sa Bhéarla) An Sliabh Dhá Chích Dhanann os a gcionn thoir.
This medieval text mentions Annagh More (Eanach Mór) in conjunction with the neighbouring townland Annagh Beg (Eanach Beag).A born local said the area is locally called “Annies” (“Annies sa Bhéarla” means Annies in English) or “Na hEanaighe” in Irish.“An Sliabh Dhá Chích Dhanann os a gcionn thoi” can be translated as: the two Paps of Anu (Dhanann) mountains in the east above them.
This text in 16th/17th century Irish translates as: The Townlands of Annagh Beg and Annagh More, locally known as Annies with The Paps of Anu in the east.
The text opens with “An Seabhac” that translates as the hawk. This is the pen-name of Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha a writer who did research on the origins of medieval Irish place names. He is the one who unearthed this text.
Annagh More has been a clachan (small traditional settlement) with about 8-12 families until the middle of the 20th century. The near presence of a well was the main reason for the people living there. It guaranteed them an abundant supply of drinking water. The townland slowly depopulated around the early 2000’s, with the last inhabitants leaving around 2007. The houses slowly fell in decay and became more or less derelict. However there have always been horses, cows and herds of sheep grazing the 100’s of acres of commonage owned by the various owners of the local farms.
The well is still in operation and about 10.000 liter water flows from the spring into the river Flesk daily. It is mentioned on maps dating from the 18th century but surely is much older. In 2017 a new overflow tank and pump are installed below the well to supply the farmhouse and its new inhabitants and guests with clear and delicious healthy water.
As of now you can visit the old farmhouse that is fully refurbished to modern standards maintaining its atmosphere. In 2017 two guest rooms came available in what is now known as Mountain Retreat Annagh More.
