History of Annacloy family labour of love after years of research

History of Annacloy family labour of love after years of research

15 March 2023

THE history of a well-known local family, spanning several generations and crossing more than one continent, has been told in print for the first time.

The Rea’s of Annacloy has been written by Eddie Rea, a retired businessman and former politician, who now lives in Killyleagh.

A labour of love which involved years of painstaking research, the book will be launched at Inch Community Hall, near Downpatrick, later this month.

Packed with fascinating stories and photos covering many decades, it was inspired by Eddie’s grandfather, Edward (Ned) Rea of Annacloy, who 97 years ago wrote a book on the births, deaths, and marriages of the families of the Parish of Inch.

Two years later he completed his second book, a history of the Parish of Inch. These books were written in immaculate handwriting; the first, in particular, a unique historical work and a mine of information for genealogists in the district.

Ned was a remarkable man, having travelled at least seven times to the United States between 1884 and 1917, but he never recorded his life story.

Encouraged by relatives, Eddie, who grew up on a farm, ran a successful children’s clothing company and was chairman of Down District Council, decided to research his grandfather’s life, eventually extending his research into the wider Rea family circle.

After 16 years of research the resultant book has finally been written and gone to press. With over 200 cousins in the United States and in Northern Ireland, Eddie hopes to leave a permanent record for future generations.

He said: “Writing up family histories is a most interesting activity. In opening up a new line of research one never knows what the outcome will be, good or bad. 

“Throughout the book I have tried to make it an interesting read on local history and how times were in those earlier pre-digital days when living was very much different to what it is today.

“Also included are recollections from a number of my cousins and how they remembered their early lives.”

The book also contains three family trees, one of which contains over 400 names of families within the Parish of Inch. The main part of this particular tree was completed by Eddie’s second cousin, John Bassett, who is an eminent genealogist in the district.

An open invitation is being extended to the launch of The Rea’s of Annacloy in Inch Community Hall, 3 Greystone Road, Downpatrick, on Thursday, March 30, commencing at 7.30pm. Light refreshments will be served. The two original books written by Edward Rea of Annacloy will be exhibited throughout the evening’s proceedings. 

Copies of The Rea’s of Annacloy are available at £25 each by emailing me@eddierea.co.uk.