Lislap House once stood in what is now Gortin Glen Forest Park, Gortin, Co. Tyrone. Parts of the landscaped gardens including a waterfall are still visible in the park. The United States Army arrived in this tranquil setting in 1942.
Much of the forest pre-dates the house and the arrival of the US Army troops. An extensive covering of oak, birch, hazel, and rowan dominated the area in the 16th century. The clearance of large areas of the forest took place in the 17th century for agricultural reasons. Around this time, the Cole-Hamilton family owned the estate.
The Black family from Dublin, Ireland took over the estate, building Lislap House in the 1800s. They carried out extensive landscaping and replanted many species of trees. The Falls family replaced the Blacks as estate owners. Thomas Falls from Dublin, Ireland lived there until 1922. He carried out more landscaping and erected a ‘Rest And Be Thankful’ stone bench on the main Gortin to Omagh Road.
Scottish-born John Collins purchased the estate in 1928 and sold in on to the Ministry of Agriculture in 1937. During 1942, the grand building – sometimes referred to as a castle – was home to 34th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. This unit was part of the United States Army’s 34th Infantry Division that arrived in Northern Ireland in 1942.
American Forces
| Start Date | End Date | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | 34th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop |