Mullinabreena

Mulach na Bréine

June 16, 2026

The Flag of Abbeyview

Abbeyview Cottage stood in the Abbeyview locality of Carrownaworan townland, near the boundary with Cunghill, on the Gore estate. Local tradition associates the house with Major John Porteous (Portis), a prominent Protestant resident who is remembered as an agent of the Gore family during the mid-nineteenth century.

Griffith’s Valuation records a John Portis occupying a substantial holding under Catherine Gore in Carrownaworan, consisting of a house, offices and 52 acres, together with a further acre in the adjoining townland of Cunghill.

Following the death of Major Porteous, local tradition states that the Martyn family succeeded him as agents.

A famous ballad was composed about Abbeyviewand John Proteous.

“The Flag of Abbeyview“

Come all ye lads and lassies, come listen to my song.

I’ll sing for you a verse or two, it won’t detain you long.

It’s about an old slender pole stood there in Abbeyview,

It hangs on that slender pole over there in view.

John Porteous, he’s a Major since 1864.

He’s now as high entitled as his landlord Major Gore.

And for to rise an orange flag no less for him would do.

And hample on good Catholics who live in Abbeyview.

There is another viper that’s come out of late.

He carried the £50 reward unto the Chapel gate

To tell on all the people that would not go to the homes

Of the men that gave assistance to the cutting of the pole.

The men that cut the orange flag indeed they are far off.

Some of them are from Baltimore and more from Kiltimagh.

Some more of them from Abbeyvale and more from Tullyhugh

It’s well they met together to cut the pole at Abbeyview.

‘Twas on the first day of December as you may plainly see

Our gallant sons prepared themselves in company

They swore an oath, a mighty oath that would take that orange down

They cut the pole and tore the flag and trampled on the crown.

Indeed they were well armed, good loyal men and true

For they took God Almighty and all the saints into view

As quickly went from hand to hand and soon went into two

Saying where is Major Porteous now, the pride of Abbeyview.

So now my Orange men, pay heed to what I say.

You need never rise your colours till the world is gone and died away.

For we’ll be loyal catholics and believe it to be true

And we’ll never allow an orange flag to rise in Abbeyview.

Sources

Achonry/Mullinabreena Developing the West Group. From Plain to Hill: A Short History of the Parish of Achonry. Achonry, 1995.

Griffith, Richard. Primary Valuation of Ireland, County Sligo, Achonry Parish, townlands of Carrownaworan and Cunghill, 1857. Valuation Office, Dublin.