James Gilligan, the first
settler to the Fingal Valley
James Gilligan, who settled on a land grant some ten kilometers east of
Avoca, is believed to be the first settler to the Fingal Valley.
He named his property "Clifton Lodge" in around 1820 and although
he longed to return home to Ireland to die, his wish was never granted.
He was buried close to his home which, today, is only a pile of stones.