Henry Hamilton O'Hara "Mad O'hara"

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Henry Hamilton O'Hara, also known as "Mad O'Hara" Or "The Mad Squire of Craigbilly" or "Crebilly" 1820 - 1875

The O'Hara's were, for over 600 years, the landed gentry of Ballymena and surrounding areas. the last in line, (the last squire of Craigbilly) was Squire Henry Hamilton O'hara.

Henry Hamilton O'Hara is the subject of a many local legends; most famously that one day on returning from gaming he entered the house with several friends, and his wife would not stand to greet them, he is said to have shoveled hot coals onto her lap with the words "now will you rise" it was for such actions that he was labeled "Mad O'Hara"

However, this is in contrast to some of the primary evidence of the time, for example he was considered a good landlord as evidenced by the inscriptions on his tombstone:

He Was A Most Kind and Liberal Landlord And This Monument Is Erected By The Tennants On His Estates In Greatful Remeberance"

and

Blessed Are The Merciful For They Shall Obtain Mercy MATH VC = C7

It is believed that his unique grave marker is the source of the "headless Horseman" ghost story.

It is still visible in the local graveyard, and consists of a pillar, jaggedly shorn at the top: this "headless" tomb was expanded into the headless horseman tale, however, this unusual marker was actually created to represent a shattered and broken life: he had gambled away the family fortune and died a broken man.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/antrim/squire_ohara_simpson.shtml

Belfast Newsletter

"The Last Squire of Craigbilly:A Christmas Eve Ghost Story" Dr Robert Simpson

Ballymena's "Headless Horseman" Sianeen kelly - St Mary's Primary School, Ballymena