Abandonment of Cleenish Island, Co Fermanagh.
An island once earmarked for the heroes of the 1914-1918 war to come and live after the conflict had ended. My painting shows one of the abandoned houses which now lies derelict partially covered by overgrown vegetation.
A reminder that this was supposed to be an idyllic place for ex-serviceman to come and make a life for themselves.
The purpose was to enable the returning soldiers to settle back into normal civilian life.On this particular island in Bellanaleck, 11 war veterans were given up to 40 acres of land, a house and left to live off the land. However, out of this 11 only one soldier, Johnny Balfour, lived on the island for the rest of his life.
Life on Cleenish must have suited Johnny for he lived until the age of 102. His son and daughter, Sammy and Bella, continued to live on the island after his death.
A bridge to the island was built in 1956 but, before this occupants had to use a boat to get back and forth. Everything from everyday essentials to livestock were transported on the boat to the island. There was no running water or electricity or gas connected to the island either.
Many of the men made an attempt of making a life on the island, however, over time all but one moved off the island. The ex-servicemen did not have an easy life, wet summers and an outbreak of cattle fluke made the early years difficult. And, raising the money to repay the farm loans was also a constant worry.
Going back further in history, Cleenish also boasts a monastic site which dates back to the sixth century. The monastery was founded by St. Sinnell around 550AD and was where St. Columbanus was a scholar.
The Celtic Crosses which are strewn across the island are a reminder of the early religious history of the site
