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Welcome to Irthington-online, the website for Irthington Parish.
Irthington Parish is situated in Cumbria between Carlisle and Brampton, right in the home of Roman Wall country, indeed it is intersected by the Roman Wall and also by the military road connecting Carlisle and Newcastle.
Irthington takes its name from the River Irthing which flows through the south of the parish, and comprises four villages; Irthington, Laversdale, Newby and Newtown.
There are many footpaths and bridleways for walkers and riders to enjoy. The Hadrians wall National Trail which opened in 2003 follows the line of the wall. The Romans originally built the wall in turf as the stone found locally was covered in glacial debris and difficult to quarry. It was rebuilt later in stone quarried some distance away. to add to the defence of the wall a system of ditches (vallum), banks, turrets, forts, and milecastles were built. After the Romans left the wall fell into disrepair, indeed the Normans used stone from the wall to build many of the churches, castles and manors we see today.
Irthington Parish formed part of the 'Debatable Lands' between England
and Scotland. where the almost
constant warring between England and Scotland changed the lives of the
families living immediately north and south of the Border. Owing to their
geographical position they were frequently harassed by passing armies who, at
least, would require provisioning, often without payment, but were usually
hell bent on destroying everything before them and causing as much damage and
misery as they could. Crops were destroyed, homesteads burnt and the people
murdered or dispersed.
This was 'Reiving Country'!
Reiving, raiding for cattle and sheep, and whatever else which could be transported, was the only way to survive and it became an established way of life, a profession, which was regarded with no discredit amongst the Borderers. The practice spread and was passing down through the generations.
Reiving was not confined to cross boundary targets. Indeed the borderers had a much closer allegiance to their family than to their country. Raids were made, not in the name of Scotland or England, but in the name of their family or clan.
Not only did the Scots raid the English and the English raid the Scots but they took to raiding each other, especially when some act, real of imagined, sparked off conflict between families which often resulted in feuds which lasted for generations.
We're pleased to say that more peaceful times exist now!
If you wish to explore the footpaths, bridleways and 'green lanes' around Irthington, then East Cumbria Countryside Project have produced a guide 'Newtown, Irthington and Walton' as part of the 'Walking around Hadrian's Wall' series, and Ordnance Survey Explorer 315 (Brampton, Longtown and Gretna) and Landranger 86 (Haltwhistle and Brampton) are the maps you will need.
The locals take a great pride in each of the four villages which make up the Parish of Irthington and have a very active resident community. To find out more about local activities visit our social page.
There are three pubs in the area:- The Sportsman in Laversdale, The Salutation in Irthington, and The Golden Fleece at Ruleholme. There is a thriving shop and Post Office in Irthington, and Newtown and Laversdale both have village Halls where many activities take place. Nearby there are restaurants, hotels, Golf Clubs and the facilities offered by the market town of Brampton (3 miles) and the regional capital, Carlisle(8 miles).
One thing is certain you are sure of a warm welcome in Irthington Parish.