I come from the small village called Poyntzpass, in
County Armagh, in the north of Ireland. The village was
known as Fenwicks Pass until a battle took place in 1603,
after which it was known as Poyntzpass. Throughout the 15th
and 16th centuries, this area of County Armagh was
commanded by the O'Hanlon clan. During the period known
as the 'Flight of the Earls' much of the land in the
north of Ireland was taken off the Earls and given over
for plantation by Scottish and English. This was
obviously resented by the local people. During the 1603
battle, Lieutenant Charles Poyntz commanded the English
forces. In gratitude, Charles was granted 200 arces of
land around the Poyntzpass area in 1608. Charles Poyntz
was originally a native of Acton, in Gloucestershire,
England. He built a house on the land in Poyntzpass and
brought families from England to live there and help him
secure the land. The village built from the settlement is
called Acton, which is one mile outside Poyntzpass.
Okay. For a much more accurate story of Poyntzpass and
its history, Check the link below
Poyntzpass &
District Local Historical Society
