Dromara
County Down

http://www.raymondscountydownwebsite.com

(Landowners in 1876 can be got from the index on the main  page of the website under Land Deeds)

Church Records, Source and dates of church records in Dromara parish, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Church of Ireland, Updated
A History of the Revival in Ireland, A.D.1859
Bassetts Directory, 1886
From the Belfast and Ulster Towns Directory for 1910 Dromara
Condition of the poorer  classes, Dromore & Dromara 1835
Dromara Old News & Events
Dromara Parish
Dromara-St.Michaels Church
FlaxGrowers, Dromara Parish 1796
Harris-County Down-1744 Dromarh
Ordnance Survey Of Dromara 1834
Ordnance Survey 1837
People Researching Ancestors in Dromara Area,  (McKinney, McKinny Documents)
Lease of land by from Lord Hillsborough to William Gray in  Mulloughdrin    
Seward-Topographic Hiberniea-1802-Dromaragh
Topographical Atlas of Ireland,(19th Century Post 1833
Immigrants to the U.S. (from Dromara or who had another type of connection with Dromara

In the early 1980’s, Father Treanor of St. Michael’s Church in the Parish of Dromara helped me find my ancestors in the townland of Crossgar.  I met him several times when in Ireland and he was very interested in the history of Dromara and its families.  In 1985 he researched, organized and prepared a booklet of about 35 pages on St. Michael’s Church.  It was printed by Mourne Observer Press, Newcastle.  Father Treanor retired from St. Michael’s at least by the early 1990’s and has since passed on. 

 I haven’t come across this booklet on St. Michael’s in any libraries or collections, and I notice that there isn’t a catalog control number on the item.  Therefore, I have prepared a Microsoft Word document of the printed content of the booklet hoping that its information will be further disseminated and by doing so will not be lost.

 The booklet is not copyrighted, but I hope that anyone providing a further distribution of this document will acknowledge Father Treanor as the author.

 Patrick McKenney

 CHURCH AND PARISH OF ST. MICHAEL, DROMARA

Diocese of Dromore

25^th October 1985

 LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

 To mark the 150^th Anniversary of the dedication of Saint Michael’s, the Parish Church of Dromara, Canon Bernard Treanor, Parish Priest, and his co-operators have written this very valuable and interesting account of the history of the parish, is priests, religious and people.

 A church is a place of prayer, a place where God’s people assemble to publicly acknowledge their dependence on God, to listen to his word and to offer him their praise, adoration and petition.  It is a place where the waters of divine grace abolish sin and give new life in Baptism, a place where the pilgrim People of God through their offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are constantly renewed and sanctified.  The coming together in a church, the raising of minds and hearts to God, the receiving of the one Body and Blood of Christ, is a communion, a uniting, a building up of the people as the family of Christ in that place.  The church, the material building, thus becomes the symbol of the particular local community, the sign or reminder to all of the presence of a people of faith in the area.  It represents the bishop, priests and people united through the Gospel and the Eucharist in a common bond of faith and love.  The story of a church is the story of its people.

 The story of St. Michael’s is a story of such a community of priests and people, who, despite great difficulties, struggled to build it, furnish it, to extend it and to maintain it throughout the last 150 years.  The latest chapter in this story,  -- the recent extensive renovations, symbolizes very well the faith, generosity and community spirit of the present generation of Dromara parishioners.  While making good the ravages of time and weather, they have taken great care to preserve and enhance their inheritance of the past, and the very fine architectural character of the church.  Its beautiful warm devotional atmosphere fittingly symbolizes, in fact, a people imbued with the love of Christ and one another, its finely cut stone exterior with its tower pointing to the heavens reminds us of a people aware of their human weaknesses, constantly emending their lives and strengthening their faith, so that this faith is handed down on to the next generation with an increased vigor and adapted more closely to the needs of our age.

 The Parish of Dromara and the Diocese of Dromore owe a great debt of gratitude to Canon Treanor for the scholarship, initiative and energy he has long displayed in the field of local history, civil and ecclesiastical.  In the preparation of this booklet, and in many other works, he has stimulated others to co-operate with him.  He has encouraged an increasing general interest in diocesan and parish history.  The writing of this book must have been a labour of love.  He can be assured that his parishioners of Dromara, his brother priests and the people of the Diocese, will find it a source of pride, a stimulus to thank God for his goodness and an incentive to all of us to keep united, in faith and love, with Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

 Francis Gerard Brooks, Bishop of Dromore
25^th October 1985

 FOREWORD

 This booklet has been compiled to mark the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of the dedication of the Church of St. Michael, the Archangel, Dromara.  The anniversary is another important milestone in the life of the Parish.

 This account tells the story in brief outline of the Parish of St. Michael, through which the River Lagan flows, and of its Church. In recording the lives of the priests much use has been made of the Campbell-Keenan manuscript which gives a brief, but authoritative account of all known Bishops and priests of Dromore Diocese from the earliest times to the present day. The records show that relations between the community of St. Michael’s Parish, Dromara, and the communities of the other Churches in this neighborhood have always been good and happily this is also true today. My thanks to two parishioners, both members of the teaching profession, who co-operated with me in compiling this booklet, namely Mrs. Kathleen O’Hare and Mr. Jim McNeill.  I should also like to thank Mr. Kieran Clendinning for his fine contribution on the significance of various aspects of church architecture.

 Our Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Francis Gerard Brooks, was most helpful, as always, during the recent renovations at our Church and he encouraged the production of this written record.  I wish to thank him most sincerely It is with a feeling of great joy and heartfelt thanks to God that the people of this Parish greet the celebration of the 150^th anniversary of their Church in this year of 1985.
 B. TREANOR, P.P.

 DROMARA PARISH AND ITS PRIESTS

 The Church of Dromore was founded by St. Colman at the beginning of the 6^th century.  The Church of Dromara probably began in the same Century as an offshoot of the Church and Monastery of Dromore.In the 6^th century and for the succeeding three or four centuries the Church in Ireland was organized on monastic lines.  There were no parishes as such and each area was administered spiritually from the local monastery. It is assumed that the Church of Dromara was sited on the bank of the River Lagan at or near the spot where St. John’s Church of Ireland stands.  The original church, with probably a small monastic settlement, may have stood within the graveyard there which has a semi-circular boundary.  Early churches were often erected within a circular rampart.

 Irish monastic foundations, however small, were usually made in good pastureland and near an abundant supply of water.  These conditions existed at Dromara.  In fact the good quality of the pasture there is evidenced by the very name Dromara which is derived from the Irish “Droim Bearach”, hill of the heifers.In time the monastic organization of the Irish Church changed and parishes, more or less as we know them today, were formed.  This development resulted from the decisions reached at a number of national Synods held in Ireland in the 12^th Century.The first written reference to Dromara occurs in an official ecclesiastical taxation document in the year 1306 AD. This document lists all the parishes of Dromore Diocese and in it our Parish is referred to as the “Church of Drumberra”.

 From that time onward some names of the priests of this Parish begin to appear in various church records.  The first such priest mentioned in Gilbert MacINERNEY who was Vicar, i.e. Curate, of the Parish 1427-40.  John McSTAY was Rector, i.e. Parish Priest, in 1441.  William ROONEY was Vicar in 1460 and Peter ROONEY was Rector in 1529.  Thomas McCORMICK was Rector in 1539.  These surnames have a familiar local ring even today.

Then follows a gap of 165 years in the records which is explained by the turmoil of those years.

 During the Penal Days the parishes of Dromara and Magheradroll were united.  The earliest record of priests of the Dromara Parish subsequent to the Reformation is in the year of 1704.  This was to Father Darbey MacKEY.  Father MacKEY was a native of Levallyreagh where he resided in the parental home.  He was registered as Parish Priest of Dromara and Magheradroll at Downpatrick on July 11^th, 1704, and was then aged 56 years.  Father MacKEY was ordained by Doctor Patrick PLUNKETT, Bishop of Arlagh, in 1682 and died in Levallyreagh in 1726.

 In the report of the Protestant bishop to the House of Lords in 1731 both Dromara and Magheradroll are recorded as having only one priest.  According to O’Laverty, in his History of Down and Connor, the C.C. of Magheradroll at that time was Father Patrick DUGAN, so it would seem to be a correct assumption that he was the one priest in Dromara in 1731, to whom the bishop was referring.  The unsettled state of the country in the aftermath of the Cromwellian era would account for records being somewhat sketchy. Father Dan O’FEGAN signed a document, which is now in the Propaganda Fide archives, appointing him Parish Priest of Dromara and Magheradroll, on 23^rd September 1741.  On 12^th September 1766 he signed a further document as P.P. of Dromara.

 On the 26^th November 1773, Father John PULLEINE signed a document as a pastor, but the parish is not stated.  However, in 1776, father PULLEINE signed a document as P.P. of Dromara.  These signatures are recorded in the Propaganda Fide archives.

 Father Francis McKENNY was P.P. of Dromara and Magheradroll from 1781 to 1788.  A native of Dromara Parish, Father McKENNY was Vicar General of Dromore Diocese at the time of his death.  He resided in the townland of Ballymacarn North, where he held a farm of 12 acres rented from Lord Moira at the rent of “11.1.9 British, for and during as many years as he shall remain priest of the Parish of Magheradroll, not exceeding thirty years.”  The lease is in the Public records Office, Belfast.  Father McKENNY died in 1788 and is interred in the cemetery attached to St. John’s Church, Dromara, which was formerly in Catholic hands.  A tombstone that previously marked his grave and that of another priest also named McKENNY is not now visible.

 Following Father McKENNY’s death the union of the two parishes was dissolved.

 Father Daniel MOONEY apparently succeeded Father McKENNY as Parish Priest in 1788.  Father MOONEY entered the Irish College, Salamanca in 1775 and his name appears as C.C. of Dromara and Magheradroll in the old parish register in 1783.  The Catholic Qualification Rolls record him as parish priest in 1796.  At the meeting of all denominations held in Dromara on February 26^th 1796, to consider the disturbances in Counties Armagh and Down and the circulation of threatening letters, tribute was paid to Father MOONEY’s “unremitting exertions to preserve peace an regularity within the Parish”  -   a quote from the Northern Star, February 29^th 1796.  He is said to have died in 1812.

 Father Francis REAVEY, probably a native of Dromara Parish, followed Father MOONEY as Parish Priest.  He began the erection of the Church in Finnis in 1825 to replace a small chapel at the real of the Parochial house.  In a clergy list of 1823, Father REAVEY is recorded as “prebendary  -  i.e. Canon  -  of Dromara”.  He died towards the end of 1826.

 Father Peter MURPHY, son of Owen and Rose MURPHY, Mullaghmore, Hilltown, succeeded Father REAVEY in December 1826.  He was educated at Maynooth and ordained by Dr. O’KELLY in St. Mary’s Newry, in 1820.  Father MURPHY was first appointed curate in Newry, 1820-1825, the Adm. In Newry 1825-1826.  He was Parish Priest of Dromara from 1826 to 1829.  Father MURPHY was prominently identified with the erection of the then Pro-Cathedral, Newry, and took an active part in the agitation for Catholic Emancipation.  A noted preacher, he engaged in many religious controversies with the Protestant  clergymen during his pastorate in Newry.  The Newry Examiner of August 11^th 1841, described his as a “shining ornament of the Church”.  Other Monuments of his pastoral zeal are the churches erected at Burren and Warrenpoint and the old schools at Carrick and Mayobridge.  Father MURPHY died in Warrenpoint on July 23^rd 1845 aged 54 years and was interred in Burren cemetarty.

 After Father MURPHY came Father Michael John McCARTAN, a native of Ryan in the Parish of Saval.  He was educated at Maynooth and ordained by Dr. MURRAY, Archbishop of Dublin at Pentecost 1821.  He was Parish Priest at Seagoe from 1821 to 1826 and was Adm. Clonallon 1826 to 1829.  He was appointed Parish Priest of Dromara on March 20^th 1829.  He was retired from Dromara in 1836 and died a pastor in Nova Scotia.

 When Father McCARTAN retired from Dromara in 1836 his place was filed by the temporary appointment of Father Thomas BRADY as Administrator, 1836 to 1838.  Father BRADY was born in the Parish of Dromara, educated at Maynooth and ordained in Newry by Dr. BLAKE in 1834.  He was C.C. in Annaclone 1834 to 1835 and in Clonduff from 1835 to 1836.  He was Administrator in Dromara 1836 to 1838.  He returned to Annaclone first as C.C., and later as Adm.  He was appointed Adm. and later P.P. Drumgath in 1840.  He died on 23^rd August 1864, and was interred in Barnmeen Church.

 Father Peter DEVLIN was appointed P.P. of Dromara on September 8^th 1838.  He was born in the Parish of Clonduff in 1791 and was educated in Wexford College and ordained by Dr. DERRY in Newry  in 1814, and the same year became Adm., Kilbroney.  On the 1^st August 1817 he was appointed P.P. Magheralin, where he remained until his appointment in 1838 as P.P. of Dromara.  IN 1844 Dr. BLAKE appointed Father DEVLIN Vicar General.  He died on June 3^rd 1850 and was interred in Dromara Church.

 Father John IRWIN succeeded father DEVLIN on 10^th June 1850, as P.P. of Dromara.  He was born in Loughgall, Co. Armargh, and was educated at Carlow College.  In 1842 he was appointed Principal of the Diocesan Seminary, Newry, and was ordained by Dr. BLAKE the same year.  Father IRWIN was C.C. Newry from 1842 to 1845 and was transferred to Dromara as C.C.  He was appointed Vicar Forane in 1874 and Vicar General in 1878.  His death took place on December 7^th 1885 and he was interred inside the church in Dromara.

 Father Daniel MALLON was appointed to Dromara as Adm. in 1884 and, on the death of Father IRWIN, in December 1885, he became P.P. Dromara.  Born in the townland of Ballydoo in the Parish of Drumgath, Father MALLON entered Maynooth in 1860 and was ordained by Bishop LEAHY in Newry Cathedral on the 18^th August 1867.  His first appointment as curate was to Aghaderg 1867 to 1868.  From March to September 1868 he ministered in Seapatrick and from September 1868 to 1872 he was curate in the Parish of Kilbroney.  His final Curacy was in Newry from 1878 to 1884.  From there he came to Dromara.  Father MALLON traveled to the United States in order to collect money for the extensive renovations to the Church in Finnis.  In 1902 he was appointed Adm., Clonallon by the Holy See and in 1907 he became Parish Priest of Kilbroney.  On June 7^th 1918 Father MALLON was appointed to the prebendal staff of Lanronan in the Diocesan Chapter.  He died in Rostrevor, March 28^th 1921 and was interred in Kilbroney Cemetery.

 Father John O’HARE was appointed Parish Priest in succession to Cannon MALLON on 13^th January 1903.  A native of the townland of Knockanarney, in the Parish of Donaghmore, he was born in 1854, the son of James O’HARE and educated in he Irish College, Paris.  Father O’HARE was ordained by Dr. LEAHY in Newry Cathedral on 18^th November 1877.  He was C.C. Aghaderg, 1877 to 1879, Drumgath 1879 to 1891 and Newry 1891 to 1903.  He was Parish Priest of Dromara from 1903 to June 1907, and was transferred as P.P. to Dromore.  At his own request he was transferred to Seagoe as Parish Priest on September 1920.  He died on September 16^th 1934 and was interred in Barr Cemetery.

 Father John SAVAGE followed Father O’HARE as Parish Priest of Dromara on June 4^th 1907.  He was born in Lisburn, entered the Irish College, Salamanca, in 1877 and was ordained by Mgr. BELESTA, Bishop of Zamora, in the Church of St. Vincent, Zamora on December 17^th 1881.  Father SAVAGE arrived back in Ireland in June 1882.  For the next three years he ministered in Birmingham until in 1885 he was recalled to the Diocese and appointed Curate in Clonduff.  In January 1903, he was transferred to Mayobridge, where he remained until 1907, when he was appointed Parish Priest of Dromara.  Father SAVAGE died on March 30^th 1920 and was interred in Dromara, in front of the Church.

 Father Peter McEVOY was appointed Parish Priest on April 9^th 1920.  He was born in the Parish of Lower Drumgooland in 1857, educated at the Irish College, Salamanca, and ordained by Mgr. MARTINEZ, Bishop of Salamanca, in the Episcopal Oratory on March 25^th 1882.  Following ordination  he became vice-rector of the College of Salamanca, a position held until 1887.  Father McEVOY was curate in Ballela from 1887 to 1903, in Clonduff from January 1903 to 1904, and in Lurgan from November 1904 to 1920.  He was a prominent worker in the Gaelic Revival movement in the North and was a personal friend of Mr. De Valera.  Owing to failing health, Father McEVOY returned on February 23^rd 1933.  He died at the residence of his brother at Ballynoe, Downpatrick on July 7^th 1935 and was interred at St. Patrick’s  cemetery, Legamaddy, Downpatrick.  There is a window to his memory in St. Michael’s Church, Finnis, Dromara.

 Father Edward McCONVILLE was appointed Parish Priest on 1^st April 1933.  Born in Drumlough in the Parish o Drumgath, he was educated at Propaganda College, Rome, which he entered in 1899 and was ordained on 21^st May 1910 by Cardinal Respighi in the Lateran Basilica.  Father McCONVILLE was a nephew of Very Reverend M. McCONVILLE, D.D.P.P. Tullylish and Very Rev. P. Canon McCONVILLE, P.P. Donaghmore, and uncle of Very Rev Thomas McCONVILLE, present Parish Priest of Mayobridge.  He was C.C. Donaghmore 1910 to 1913, Tullyish, August 1913 to 1916, Magheralin, February 1916 to 1917 and Kilbroney, July 1917 to 1933 from which Parish he was transferred in 1933 to Dromara as Parish Priest. On the 8^th October 1958 Father McCONVILLE resigned his Parish due to ill health and retired to Dublin, where he died on the 19^th March 1972.  He was buried in Dromara in front of the church, 21^st March 1972.

 Father Alexander McMULLAN became the new Parish Priest of Dromara on 8^th October 1958.  He was born in Legananny in the Parish of Upper Drumgooland on the 14^th February 1904.  Educated at St. Colman’s College, Newry and Maynooth, Father McMULLAN was ordained on June 17^th 1928.  Following Ordination he was appointed on temporary mission to Liverpool and in 1929 he was recalled to the Diocese and became Chaplain to the Carmelite Convent, Glenvale, Newry, until 1933 when he was transferred to Derrytransa for two years before being moved to Warrenpoint as Curate in 1935.  There he remained until he was appointed Parish Priest of Dromara in 1958.  On 15^th November 1963, Father McMULLAN was appointed Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and four years later, on 18^th October 1967, he was transferred to Ballynahinch as Parish Priest.  Canon McMULLAN died very suddenly on Monday August 4^th 1975 and was buried on August 7^th in the cemetery at Ballynahinch.  He was a brother of the Reverend John McMULLAN of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and presently curate at Tullylish and of Sister Rose of the Mercy Order, Newry, and Sister Clement of the Franciscan Order, Dundalk.

 Father Michael Henry O’ROURKE was appointed Parish Priest in succession to Canon McMULLAN on October 17^th 1967.  A native of Leitrim Parish, he too, like his predecessor, was born in the townland of Legananny.  Father O’ROURKE was educated at St. Colman’s College, Newry, St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny and the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained by Mgr. Traglia in the Lateran Basilica on 8^th April 1939.  Following ordination he was on temporary mission in the Diocese of Leeds from 1939 to 1943.  On 27^th March 1943 he was recalled to the Diocese and appointed C.C. in Gargory.  IN 1948 on June 9^th, Father O’ROURKE was transferred to Gilford and on the 21^st September 1959 he went to Derrytrasna, from where, on October 17^th, 1967, he was appointed Parish Priest of Dromara.  Presently Parish Priest of Banbridge since January 22^nd 1972, he was appointed Canon of the Diocesan Chapter on July 28^th 1980.

 Father Bernard TREANOR, the present Parish Priest, followed Canon O’ROURKE to Dromara, on January 22^nd 1972.  A native of Carrickmastay, Warrenpoint, he was educated at St. Colman’s College Newry and Maynooth, at Fribourg University 1938 to 1939 and at Dromantine College where he was ordained by Most Rev Dr. Mulhern on the 10^th March 1940.  Father TREANOR was on supply in the Dromore Diocese during 1940 and until 22^nd August 1942, when he was appointed Chaplain to the Convent of Mercy Home, Warrenpoint.  He was on sick leave from August 1944 to October 1946, after which he was on mission to Los Angeles Diocese until July 1947.  On returning to the Diocese he was again on supply until December 1948, when he became Chaplain to the Convent of Mercy, Warrenpoint, and on July 8^th 1949, he was appointed Chaplain to Cabra Convent.  On March 20^th 1955 Father TREANOR was appointed C.C. in Annaclone from where he was transferred to Hilltown on 1^st October 1961, remaining there until his appointment as Parish Priest of Dromara.  On 24^th January 1984 he was made a Canon of the Diocesan Chapter.

 The first recorded Curate of the post-Reformation period in Dromara was Rev. Andrew MURNIN.  He was ministering in the Parish in 1783 and apparently was succeeded by Rev. Daniel MOONEY who later became P.P. Dromara.  From that time, except for the years 1899 to 1915 and some other lesser gaps, there was a successive line of Curates up to year 1933.  Their names, the years of their curacies and their places of origin, where known, are as follows:

 Rev.  Michael MAGIN (1837-1838)  Co. Tyronne
Rev. John R. CUNNINGHAM (1838-1839) Newr
Rev. Thomas RYAN (1839-1841)
Rev. John CALLAN (1839-1841)
Rev. Terence FEGAN (1841-1844) Annaclone
Rev. John BYRNE (1844-1845) Aghaderg
Rev. John IRWIN (1845-1850)  Loughgall
Rev. Andrew BRENNAN (1851-1853)
Rev. James McKENNA (1853-1856)
Rev. Hugh MOONEY (1856-1857)  Anaclone
Rev Charles KENNY (1857-1860) Seagoe
Rev. Mathew LYNCH (1868-1869) Drumgath
Rev. Thomas GALLERY (1869-1870)  Magheralin
Rev. Patrick QUAIL (1870-1871) Gargory
Rev. Charles McKAY (1872-1875)
Rev. Murtagh McPOLIN (1876-1875)  Clonduff
Rev. Henry DEVLIN (1882-1886)  Clonduff
Rev. Daniel GRANT (1886-1891) Mayobridge
Rev. John McALISTER (1891-1895) Dromara
Rev. Thomas McGRATH (1895-1898) Clonallon
Rev. Michael O’NEILL (1915-1916) Dromore
Rev. James McCORRY (1918-1922) Seagoe
Rev. Patrick McCARTAN (1922-1931) Workington
Rev. Edward SMYTH (1931-1933)  Liverpool

THE TOWNLANDS OF THE DROMARA PARISH

 All sixteen townland names in Dromara Parish are derived from the Irish language.  Most of the names describe some feature, physical or otherwise, of the area in question. These notes on the derivation of the townland names are based on the research on the townland names of Dromore Diocese carried out by the late Dean MOONEY, a native of Ballynahinch Parish, and a former Parish Priest of the Diocese of Dromore.

 There must have been an abundance of whitethorn in AUGHNASKEAGH in former days because the name represents the Irish “Achadh na Sceach”, the field of the whitethorn.

 ARTANA is from the Irish “Ardtamhnach”, high ground, and if you go there you will be struck immediately by the number of the high rounded hills, technically known as drumlins, in the area.

 Apparently BEGNEY was once a glebe, i.e. church land, as the name is derived from “Beag-neimhe”, small glebe.

 A cross to mark an event or simply to indicate a local boundary was a feature of the countryside in bygone days and this explains the name CROSSGARE which is from the Irish “Cros Ghearr”, short cross.

 There was an oratory or chapel in the townland of DERRY.  This is indicated by all the old forms of the name.  The old and fuller form of the name represents “Doire Laithrigh Dairthi”, which means the oakgrove containing the oratory site.  Where was the oratory?  There is no trace of it now but the view that it once existed is further strengthened by the fact that the adjoining townland of BEGNEY was once church land.  The oratory was probably a chapel-of-ease of Dromara Parish.

 DREE is a shortened form of the Irish “Baile na Droinge”, the townland of the portion.  DREE was also known as “Drumviredy” meaning it would seem, the hill ridge of AIDITH’s portion.  AIDITH and his clan ruled the territory of Iveagh from the 10^th to the  12^th  century.  After that time they were superseded by the MAGENNIS clan as rulers of the Barony of Iveagh.  AIDITH got one portion of the land in question while some one else got the other portion which as we shall se was DRINN.

 The River Lagan rises in the townland of DREE on the west side of Slieve Croob.  The summit of Slieve Croob is the meeting point of five townlands:  DREE, DRINN, DOOGLEN, SLIEVENISKY and LEGANANNY, four Parishes Dromara, Ballynahinch, Drumaroad and Leitrim, and two Dioceses, Dromore and Down and Conner.

 DRINN has the same origin as DREE.  The two townlands join each other and seem to be the two halves or portions of one original townland.

 DROMARA, a small townland, which enfolds the village, must have been noted for the good quality of its pasture because the name is derived from “Droim Bearach”, hill ridge of the heifers.

 DRUMADONEY represents “Droim an Domhnaigh”, Sunday Hill.  Possibility this was a favorite place for festivals which were often held on Sundays.

 Up until the 1600’s Ireland was heavily wooded and the name FINNIS is a reminder of those days.  It is from the Irish “Fidh-Innis”, wooded island.  Why island?  If you look at the Ordnance Survey map you will see the townland is almost completely encircled by water namely the Lagan River and its tributaries.

 Gransha is from the Irish “Grainseach”, granary.  The area must have been notable for its grain and there were at least two cornmills there almost within living memory.

 For some reason places are sometimes designated half-townlands even though the other half is not otherwise mentioned.  That is the case with LEVALLYREAGH which comes from “Leath-bhaile Riabhach”, grey half-townland.  Why grey?  Possibly this refers to a period in the distant past when this area was not yet brought into cultivation.

 MOYBRICK is obviously a very ancient name.  It is from the Irish “Ma Thoirc”, the plain of the wild pig.  In early times when woods of oak and beech abounded in Ireland it was customary for kings and chieftains to keep great herds of swine which fed on mast and were tended by swine herds.

 MOYDALGAN was not always as well cultivated as it is today because the name comes from “Ma Dealgan”, plain of the briars.

 The blackthorn formerly abounded in MULLAGHDRIN because the name represents the Irish “Mullach Draighin”, blackthorn hill.

 The derivation of MONEYNABANE is not certain.  The name seems to represent the Irish “Muine na Baine”, the thicket in the untilled land.  The reference could be to a time when the area was not yet made amenable to the plough.

 CLERGY BORN IN DROMARA PARISH

 As noted in the section on Dromara Parish Priests, Father Francis McKENNY and Father Thomas BRADY were natives of the Parish.  It is surmised that Father Francis REAVEY, the Parish Priest who began the building of St. Michael’s Church, was also a native of Dromara.

 The following notes record the remaining native born clergy.

 Father Peter POLIN was educated at Maynooth and ordained in 1820.  He became P.P., Magheradroll in 1826 and died or retired in 1832.

 Father Bernard McALEENAN was educated at Maynooth and was ordained in 1859.  He was Adm. Dromara 1881 to 1883.  He was appointed P.P. Tullylish in 1895 and died in 1897.

 Father John McKENNY was a member of a family long associated with the Parish of Dromara.  He was educated at Maynooth and ordained there by Dr. FENNELLY, Bishop of Madras on the 24^th June 1878.  For the subsequent eleven years until 1889, Father McKENNY ministered in the Diocese of Down and Conner.  On returning to Dromore Diocese, in September 1889, he was appointed curate in Lower Drumgooland.  This was to be the beginning of a very long ministry to that Parish, for after the Curacy of 22 years, on November 8^th  1911, Father McKENNY was appointed Parish Priest of Lower Drumgooland in succession of Dr. McCONVILLE.  He died on 25^th January 1937 aged 83 years and was interred in Gregory Cemetery.  In July 1928, Father McKENNY celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his elevation to the priesthood.  He was a kinsman of the Very Reverend Francis McKENNY, P.P.V.G. of Dromara and Magheradroll.

 Father James McKENNA was born in Drinn on 1^st February 1854.  He was educated at the Diocesan Seminary, Newry, entered Maynooth on September 8^th 1871 and was ordained 24^th June 1878.  He ministered in the diocese of Down and Connor.

 Father Joseph DOYLE was born in Finnis, educated in Maynooth and was ordained by Dr. Leahy in the  Diocesan Seminary, Newry, on February 2^nd, 1884.  He was curate in Ballela from February 1884 to 1886, in Magheralin from July 1886 to 1890, in Seagoe from 1890 to 1895, in Kilbroney from February 1895 to 1901 and in Newry from 1901 to 1907.  On November 14^th 1907 he was appointed Adm. In Newry and continued to minister there until 1914, when he was appointed Parish Priest of Tullylish.

 Father DOYLE was appointed to the prebendal of St. Colman’s and Lann, on the 28^th January 1925 and Canon Theologian on February 14^th 1927.  He died suddenly in the Parochial House, Banbridge on Sunday June 8^th, 1935 and was interred in Lawrencetown Cemetery.

 Father Daniel McALISTER was born in Drinn in February 1861.  He was educated in the Irish College, Paris, which he entered in his 21^st year and was ordained by Doctor Leahy in Newry Cathedral on September 8^th 1887.  From 1887 to 1891 he served on temporary mission in Glasgow.  He was curate in Lurgan from July 1891 to 1905, in Warrenpoint from October 1905 to 1924 when on October 13^th of that year he succeeded Canon MacGennis as Administrator.  On March 7^th 1927, he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter and on the 5^th November 1934, he was appointed Canon Penitentiary.  Canon McALISTER was made Archdeacon of Dromore on June 6^th 1937.  He died 24^th June 1949 and was interred in Burren Cemetery.

 Father Daniel POLLEN was born in the townland of Crossgare.  He was educated at the Irish College, Salamanca and ordained by Mgr. Francis X. Valdes Y Noriega, Bishop of Salamanca on June 12^th 1910.  He was curate in Tullylish from July 1910 to December 1911, in Newry from December 1911 to December 1917, in Rostrevor from 1917 to 1919 and in Banbridge from 1919 to July 1935.  On the 6^th July 1935 Father POLLEN was appointed Parish Priest of Annaclone and on 28^th January 1941 he was appointed  to Magheralin.  He was appointed to the prebendal stall of Drumeragh in the Cathedral Chapter on April 6^th 1950.

 Father Joseph BYRNE was born in the townland of Levallyreagh and eductaed at Maynooth.  He was ordained there by Doctor Morrisroe, Bishop of Achonry on June 20^th 1915 and served on temporary mission in America until 1920.  He was curate in Dunmore from October 1920 to 1931, in Annaclone from January 1931 to 1932 and in Burren from May 1932 until his appointment as Parish Priest of Upper Drumgooland on February 11^th 1941.  He died in Newry on October 10^th 1952 and was interred in Leitrim Cemetery.

 Father Daniel McALISTER was born in the townland of Muninabane.  He was educated at Maynooth and the American College, Rome and ordained in 1929.  He served in the Diocese of San Francisco.  He was a nephew of the Very Reverend Canon POLLEN, Parish Priest of Magheralin.  He died in California on January 14^th 1965.

 Father Patrick KELLY was born in Toronto, Canada and reared in Dree.  He was educated at St. Colman’s College, Newry from 1928 to 1932.  In response to a call for Irish students by the Bishop of Agen, a diocese in southwest France, he went to a seminary in Bordeaux in 1935.  He was ordained in France on 29^th June 1940 and appointed on the same day curate at the Cathedral, Agen.  On December 4^th 1945 he was appointed Parish Priest of Samazan and on the 21^st June 1950 he was appointed Dean of Canton du Mas with residence in the village of Le Mas d’Agenais.  In his capacity as Dean he had a team of six priests, French, Dutch and Irish who had the care of thirteen parishes.  In July 1973 he sought his release from the diocese of Agen for health reasons and was appointed Curate in Derrymacash on 1^st August 1973, and was transferred as curate to Derrytrasna on 6^th July 1976.  He was appointed curate in Ballela on 30^th December 1982.

 Three ladies, formerly parishioners here, are in the Religious life:

  Sister Mary Malachy, formerly Sarah Teresa BRYNE is a member of Sisters of Mercy,

Sligo.Sister Mary Lelia, formerly Frances BRYNE, is a member of the Holy Faith Convent, Wicklow.  Both the above are sisters and come from Levallyreagh, Dromara.

Sister Mary Paul Antoine, formerly Margaret McCARTAN, is from Artana, Dromara, and is a nun in Little Sisters of the Assumption.  She is now stationed in Cork.

CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL, DROMARA – SOME HIGLIGHTS

 The Church of St. Michael, Dromara, a rectangular building in dressed stone, stands impressively on a hill overlooking the Dromara-Rathfriland road.  The freestone is said to have been quarried beside the Lagan River in the townland of Dree just a few hundred yards upstream from the church site.  The façade of the church is surmounted by granite pinnacles and an ornamental granite plinth rising to a granite cross in the centre on which is cut the date 1835 in Roman numerals.  The church was designed by Mr. Thomas Duff, Newry, a well-known architect of that time who also designed Newry Cathedral.  The erection of the Church began in 1825.  It was competed and dedicated in 1835.

 The square tower of the church, with turret surmounted by a cross of iron, was a later addition and was completed in the year 1896.  The quoins of the tower and the church, the buttresses and all window frames in both tower and church are in granite.

 Simultaneously with the building of the tower in the early 1890’s the church was re-roofed, the gallery constructed, the seats made and the sanctuary ad sacristy added.  The internal woodwork is a feature of the church.  The fine well constructed seats, the handsome gallery and porch and the artistic altar rails are all in pitch pine and blend harmoniously.  These in turn are fittingly crowned by the arched timber ceiling which is also in pitch pine.  Tradition has it that this internal woodwork was carried out by the Dundalk firm of McAdorey and that the church seats were made in Dundalk, brought by train to Dromore Station and transported to Dromara on horse-drawn drays.  The bell in the church tower was cast in a Dublin foundry and bears the date 1896.

 There are four pairs of stain-glass windows in the body of the church.  The sanctuary windows are also in stained glass.  All the other windows in the church and in the tower, each with a religious pictorial motif, are in ornamental leaded glass and these, as well as the four pairs of stained glass windows already mentioned, were the kind gift of the Parish Priest of that time.  The four panels, which are in coloured opal glass tiles which have been painted and fired, depict the Archangels Michael and Raphael and a Nazareth scene.  The fourth panel, which is a mosaic of opal glass with a gilt background, is a very faithful replica of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.  The backing of this latter panel deteriorated and the picture had to be re-mounted and restored in 1983.  The restoration was the gift of a local family and this is recorded on a plaque under the mural.

 THE SCHOOLS OF THE PARISH

 The new St. Michael’s Primary School, Finnis, Dromara, was erected by Canon McMULLAN, P.P. and it was officially opened and blessed on 24^th September 1964.  The school was extended by Father M.H. O’ROURKE, P.P. (now Canon O’ROURKE, P.P. Banbridge) and the extension was opened for use on 1^st September 1971.

 The old National School, Finnis, which stood in the present Church car park, was erected in 1844.  It closed for use as a school in June 1964, and was then used as a social centre before being demolished in July 1980.

 The National School at Muninabane, Dromara, was erected in 1836 and was in use until its closure in June 1964.  The building is still standing.

 CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL, FINNIS, DROMARA – RECENT RENOVATIONS

 The tower of the Church was pointed from top to bottom during the months of August and September 1983, two months which were exceptionally dry and sunny.  The tower was scaffolded all around and to the top for this work.

 At that time also the stone valley at the base of the turret which rises from the square top of the tower was waterproofed.  The method used was to cover the valley area with a special rubber-type mineral felt called “Thermwell” which was put on with adhesive.When the above work was completed the facade of the church was scaffolded and pointed and a coat of silicone was applied to it.  Two coats of silicone were applied to the tower after the pointing work.As a follow-up the timbers of the church gallery which were in contact with the tower were replaced as they were found to be badly affected with wet rot.

 Major repairs in the inside of the church were begun in mid August 1984.  The wooden floor of the church had extensive wet rot through out its whole area.  It was decided on the advice of the architects, Messrs. J.L. O’Hagan and Co., Newry, and with the approval of our Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Brooks, to lay a new floor and to damp proof the walls of the church using the Rentokil electro-osmotic method.  The old floor was excavated and the above plan put into effect. The new floor is basically a concrete floor with the necessary damp proof sheeting and with a two-inch layer of polystyrene for heat. The central heating pipes were repaired, four new radiators added and a new oil-fired heater was installed.  A new floor was laid in the underground-heating chamber.

 There was some wet rot in the timbers at the bottom of the church porch.  The portion under floor level was removed and the remainder of the affected area was injected with a special  Rentokil  fluid designed for such conditions.There was extensive wet rot in the kneeling board at the altar rail and the board was removed and replaced by a new one. The roof space timbers, that is in the area above the ceiling, were all treated by Rentokil against woodworm as were also the joists and floor boards of the gallery and the timbers over the sanctuary.  In this later case it was possible to inject spray into the hidden side of the timbers by removing some of the panels.

 When the main floor was laid the church was scaffolded and the ceiling cleaned and given three coats of varnish.  The church was completely re-wired and a complete set of new light fittings was installed. The church seats, which are in pitch pine and were made about the year 1890, were cleaned by sand blasting and three coats of varnish were applied.  The interior walls of the church and of the sacristy were given two coats of paint. Non-slip tiles were laid in the centre and side aisles and in the area in front of the altar rails.  Carpet was laid under the seats.  A hardboard covering was placed on the gallery floor boards and the area was carpeted.  The kneeling board on the gallery was carpeted, as was the kneeling board at the altar rails.  The stairs to the gallery were also carpeted.

 The above internal church renovations which had begun on Monday 20^th August, were completed by Friday December 23^rd, 19884.

 SYMBOLISM IN CHURCH ARCHITECTURE AND ONAMENTATION

 (This account was specially contributed for this booklet by Mr. Kieran Clendinning.  A native of Lurgan, he is a member of the committee of Dromore Diocesan Historical Society, and as a professional journalist he takes a keen interest in the artistic and symbolic aspects of church architecture.)

 The door of the church is Christ.  In the larger cathedral churches of Europe, the entrance to the church door is surrounded by sculptured figures and panels of Saints who help in the spiritual approach to God, suggesting to the people the heavenly aid available in the universal conflict with sin and despair.

 The nave or main body of the church takes its name from the Latin, Navis, meaning a ship.  It is so called because the church is often depicted in sacred art as a ship moving heaven-wards, while the seats or pews are like ancient galleys with the congregation and celebrant “pulling together” during the service and prayers of the liturgy.

 The sanctuary which is usually decorated with ornament and stained glass depicting God and his Angels and Saints, represents Heaven.  During the liturgy the priest, robed in vestments of white, symbolizes the angels who surround the Divinity.

 The sanctuary is usually raised several steps above the nave and usually separated by an arch, which symbolizes the bridge which the just will cross from earth to heaven on the day of judgement.

 The altar in the sanctuary is not a decorative accessory of the church, but vica-versa, since it symbolizes Christ.  The first churches in Ireland sheltered the altar only, the congregation standing outside.

 The placing of the altar also decides the orientation of the church.  The altar is placed in the east because there is the source of light.  It points to Jerusalem, the heavenly city.

 The upper surface of the altar is of a single slab of marble or stone, symbolizing Christ the cornerstone of our salvation; on it are inscribed five crosses symbolizing the sacred wounds.  Between the central cross and the front edge is the “Confessio” in which are deposited the relics of saints.

 The surface of the altar is covered with a white linen beneath which is placed a similar covering of waxed linen symbolic of Christ’s funeral shroud.

 The front or base of the altar is usually divided into three panels, symbolizing the Trinity.  The centre panel usually displays a scene of the Last Super, or the Chi-Rho monogram, one of the earliest Christian emblems formed by the abbreviation of the Greek word for Christ.

 The lamp placed in the sanctuary, usually a light from a single source, represents Christ the Light of the World while candles, symbols of joy and pace, can be three-fold symbols.

 When extinguished, a candle typifies at once the pillar of cloud which led the Children of Israel by day and the body of Christ.

 When lighted, the candle signifies the pillar of fire which was Israel’s guide by night and under the New Law the glorious body of the living Christ.  The placing of five pieces of incense in the form of a cross in the Easter Candle represents the five most precious wounds of Christ.

 Today we, the inheritors of the faith brought to the diocese of Dromore by our patron St. Colmon, need to practice our faith in the presence of God, and train our children to look to the church for moral guidance.

 The early Irish saints saw God’s presence in every aspect of life and turned to him for guidance in everything they did.

 The practice of prayer was strong enough to resist the onslaught of pagan values on our faith for over 1,400 years, and it will be by the practice of prayer that it will survive to the coming of Christ in his Majesty at the day of Judgement.

MASS ROCKS AND MASS HOUSE IN DROMARA PARISH

 Strangely, there is only one definite Mass Rock site traditionally pointed out in this parish.  This site in the north east foothills of Sleive Croob, is in the townland of Drinn on the Rogan farm and at a point about half a mile from Castewellan Road.  As this is a comparatively inaccessible site it is likely that it was used only in more troublous times.  It is known as “Craigaltara”, i.e. Altar Rock.

 According to tradition there was also a Mass Rock on the farm of Fort House in the townland of Drinn.  Its exact location has not been handed down but it is thought that it may have been sited near Drin Road and a few hundred yards west of Fort House.  It was called “Parknahaltar”, i.e. the Altar Field.

 The tradition about the above two Mass Rocks was recorded by Patrick BROGAN in a note signed by him and deposited in the Archives of Dromara Parish.  Patrick BROGAN, of Drinn, died 3^rd November 1939, aged 75 years.

 The other possible Mass Rocks in the parish are only vaguely referred to in tradition.  Most likely the chief Mass sites were in the neighborhood of the present Church of St. Michael.  One such site suggested was by the River Lagan, a little upstream from the present Parochial House.  Another suggested site was a flat garden where a tributary stream joins the Lagan near Finnis Bridge.  No doubt Mass sites in those days were changed around according to the circumstances, including the weather.

 Further evidence that the vicinity of the present Church was popular for Mass sites is suggested by the fact that a well a few hundred yards from Finnis Bridge was called Toberdoney, i.e. Sunday Well.  It often happened in Ireland that a well associated with a Mass site was called by this name.  Probably a well was so named because water from it was used at Mass on Sunday and also because people could quench their thirst after a long walk to Mass on the Lord’s Day.  It is interesting to recall that water from this Toberdoney was carried for use in the present church and in the Parochial House within living memory.  The well in question was in Finnis townland in a field now owned by Sean McKAY.

 A Mass House, or chapel, was erected in Finnis apparently about the year 1760 and this was used until the Church of St. Michael was opened in 1835.  The present two-story outhouse with the arched entrance in the Parochial House yard was obviously the Mass House.  The building is approximately 130 feet long, 14 feet wide and 14 feet to the eaves.  When the building was no longer used as a chapel the present internal dividing wall, loft and stairway would have been constructed.  The Parish Priest would have lived elsewhere within the Parish, either with his relatives, because the Parish Priest of that time was often a native of the Parish, or on a small rented farm.  The present Parochial House was erected in 1840.  The cemetery’s origin seems to be more or less contemporaneous with the erection of the Mass House as the oldest legible tombstone is dated 1767.  Up until about 1820 some Catholic families continued to bury their dead in the cemetery at St. John’s Church, Dromara.

 INTERVIEW WITH A DROMARA-BORN CENTENARIAN

 Danny Lavery was born on December 28^th 1884 and lived in the parish of Dromara for seventy five years of his life.  He resided in the townland of Muninabane near a spot known locally as the Point.  Danny’s mother died when he was only 18 months old and he was reared by his grandparents.  Danny is very much a character and for a centenarian his memory is clear and accurate, even for small details.  This, along with Danny’s obvious gift for story-telling provided for a rich and revealing interview, uncovering facts about the history of St. Michael’s Church, Finnis, Dromara, and the folklore of the surrounding area.

 Danny’s reminiscences begin during Father Mallon’s time as Parish Priest.  He remembers him as a priest who was a great preacher.  “He made a sound like speaking in a barrel.”  Danny can recall how Father Mallon undertook major renovations and improvements including extending the church by adding the ceiling, building the belfry and installing new seats – “the best in the country”.  Father Mallon traveled to England and America raising and collecting funds to finance the improvements.

 These renovations certainly caused some upheaval and Danny can remember being in the church for Mass and being able to look up and see open sky.  During that time the men were permitted to wear their hats in church.  The belfry had been started by Father Mallon’s predecessor, Dr. Irwin, but a lack of funds led to it only being partially built.  Father Mallon discovered that the existing structure was seriously weakened by rotting mortar and damp so he demolished it and built the belfry from the ground.  On the completion of the repairs Danny recalls how Father Mallon charged the parishioners one penny to sit in the gallery instead of the customary half-penny that the people paid on entering the Church.  The logic was to prevent the people from “thronging up the gallery”.

 Danny can recall the bell arriving and whilst waiting for confession seeing it sitting at the back of the church.  “She’s a good’un,”  was Danny’s evaluation of it , as he remembers how he was almost deafened when later workmen allowed him to hear the bell ringing.  Danny reckoned the bell weighed one and one half tons.  The year was 1896 and as Danny emphasized, men “wrought for their money in those day”.  He himself earned eight shillings a week as a young man, he remarked.

 Father Savage, Danny recalls always started Mass after the time to accommodate late-comers.  This inevitably resulted in Mass starting up to twenty minutes late with the priest and the people going home sometimes at two o’clock, “starving for a bite”. Danny recalls Father Savage erecting the two stained glass pictures on either side of the altar.  It is very probable that Father Savage paid for them with his own money.  At the same time the green glazed tiles were put up around the walls of the sanctuary.

 Father McColville carried out further repairs when he was appointed P.P. in 1933.  A serious damp problem had developed with the result that paint would not stay on the walls.  According to Danny an architect from Belfast by the name of Green was weeding his grandmother’s grave one day and Father McConville got into conversation with him and together they examined the church walls and decided what was needed to repair them.  Consequently the walls were stripped of plaster and allowed to dry for two years.  At the end of the two year period, the walls were re-plastered and coated with damp-proofing paint. It was also about this time, possibly 1958, that Danny left the Parish to take up residence in Dunmore where he lives hale and hearty today.” 

Dromara

Dromarah

Harris – Co Down - 1744

In this parish is an artificial cave, about 6 miles S.E. of Dromore, sit. on a rising ground, something higher than the adjacent lands. The entrance is of a quadrilateral form, each side measuring about 3 feet in length, and descending about the same number of feet from the surface to the lower part of the aperture. This place cannot be entered but by creeping into it, but afterwards, it is so high, that a man can stand almost erect in it; it runs in a direct line 32 yards from N. to S., is in most places 6 feet broad; the floor is sandy and tolerably level, but covered with water, intensely cold and exceeding limpid, for the space of 15 yards. In the cave on the W. side from the entrance, a chamber branches off 8 yards long and 2 broad, the workmanship of which is more regular and better finished than that of the long entry.
 

Topographical Atlas of Ireland
(19th Century, post 1833)

Dromaragh or Annesborough

A post-town and parish, partly in the barony of KINELEARTY, partly in that of LOWER IVEAGH, but chiefly in that of UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER; 5 miles (E.S.E.) from Dromore, and 72 miles (N. by E.) from Dublin, on the road from Banbridge to Ballynahinch; containing, with the district of Maghera hamlet, 10,129 inhabitants. It contains part of the lands granted by patent of Queen Elizabeth, in 1585, to Col. Hill; they are included in the manor of Kilwarlin. According to the Ordnance Survey, it comprises 21,192 ¾ statue acres, of which 6,027 ¼ are in Lower Iveagh, 7,024 ½ are in Kilelearty, and 8,141 are in Upper Iveagh.

Ordnance Survey

Parish of Dromara - Fair Sheets by J. Hill Williams, 1837

Natural State

Name and Locality

Name: Dromara, also written Dromaragh.

Locality: The parish of Dromara is situated nearly in the centre of the county of Down; bounded to the north by the parish of Dromore and Annahilt, to the south by the parish of Drumgooland, to the east by the parish of Magheradrool and to the west by the parishes of Garvaghy and Dromore. Its extreme length from east to west is 8 and a half miles and extreme breadth from north to south 6 and a quarter miles. It is situated partly in 3 baronies in the following proportion: Lower Iveagh 6,027 acres 33 perches, Upper Iveagh 8,141 acres 15 perches, Kinelarty 7,024 acres 1 rood 15 perches.

Natural Features

Lakes

The principal lakes in the parish are: Begny Lough, 700 yards long from north east to south west and 350 yards broad, elevated 480 feet above the level of the sea; Dunbeg lough, 400 yards long from north west to south east and 200 yards broad, 541 feet above the level of the sea.

Rivers

The River Lagan, which finally falls into Belfast Lough, takes it rise in this parish at the height of 1,230 feet above the level of the sea, in the townland of Dree on the north western side of Slieve Croob mountain. It flows in a northerly direction, with numerous turns, a little to the northward of the town of Dromara, from whence it pursues to the parish boundary a more westerly course, also much varied by turns. It flows through a bed of sand and gravel, the average depth being from 2 to 3 feet. It is subject to heavy floods which retire as suddenly as they come.

Climate

From the elevation of the greater part of the parish, the climate is cold and the air is pure; crops later than in the lower districts.
 

Modern Topography

Magherahamlet Glebe

The Glebe House of Magherahamlet, situated in the townland of Drumgavlin on the road between Seaforde and Dromara, is a plain, 2-storey house in good repair, built in the year 1830 by the Board of First Fruits. Now the residence of the Rev. William Mortimer, cost 500 pounds, 450 pounds grant and 50 pounds loan from Board of First Fruits.

Magherahamlet Church

The church of Magherahamlet, situated in the townland of Drumgavlin on the road between Ballynahinch and Castlewellan, at the distance of 3 and a half miles from the former on the south western shore of McAuley's lake is a plain, rectangular, roughcast building in good repair, standing north west and south east, 52 and a half feet long and 25 feet broad. It has a square tower at the north western extremity; was built in the year 1816 at a cost of 500 pounds from the Board of First Fruits.

Incumbents: rector the Revd H. E. Boyd, Dromara; curate the Revd. William Mortimer. It accommodates 150 persons, average attendance 100 in summer and 80 in winter. It is a perpetual cure attached to the benefice of Dromara.

Magherahamlet Seceding Meeting House

The seceding meeting house of Magherahamlet, situated in the townland of Drumgavlin on the road between Seaforde and Dromara at the distance of 4 and one-quarter miles from the latter, is a plain, rectangular, slated building in good condition, built by private subscription in 1830: length 50 feet, breadth 30 feet; minister the Revd Thomas Clarke.

Dromara Roman Catholic Chapel

The Roman Catholic chapel of Dromara is situated on the road between Rathfriland and Dromara, at the distance of 1 mile and one-third from the latter. It is a neat, rectangular building standing north west and south east, built of unhewn stone, faced with cut granite and lighted by 11 neat windows. It is of the following form and dimensions: [ground plan, main dimensions 88 feet by 41 feet, squat "T" shape]. It was built in the year 1831 by private subscription. Incumbent the Revd. [blank] Sharkey P.P., Ballynahinch.

Dunmore Roman Catholic Chapel

The Roman Catholic chapel of Dunmore, situated in the townland of Dunmore on the road between Ballynahinch and Castlewellan, at the distance of 4 and a quarter miles from the former, is a plain, slated, rectangular building, roughcast and of the following dimensions: (ground plan, main dimensions 60 feet by 51 and a half feet, "T" shape). It was built in the year 1831 by private subscription. Incumbent the Revd (blank) Sharkey P.P., Ballynahinch.

Dromara Presbyterian Meeting House

The Dromara Presbyterian Meeting House (General Synod of Ulster) is situated in the townland of Ardtannagh, on the road between Dromara and Banbridge at the distance of 1 and two-thirds of a mile from the former. Is a large, plain, rectangular building in good repair and of the following form and dimensions: [ground plan, main dimensions 85 feet by 69 feet, roughly rectangular shape with projections]. It was built in the year 1826 at a cost of 2,000 pounds by private subscription, accommodates 1,200 persons, average attendance being in summer 900 and 700 in winter. On a stone in the northern wall is the following inscription: "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holly. Erected by subscription AD 1826. William Craig, pastor." The former building which stood on the site of the present one was a small, thatched, ruinous building; had been built in 1735. Incumbent the Revd William Craig at Marybrook, Dromara.

Communications

The principal roads passing through the parish are: an old road between Ballynahinch and Banbridge through the town of Dromara traverses the parish in a direction from east to west for a distance of 5 miles, its average breadth being 16 feet, macadamized, in good order and very injudiciously laid out. It is kept in repair at the expense of the county who made it.

The road from Dromore and Hillsborough through Dromara to Castlewellan passes through the parish in a direction north west and south east for the distance of 7 miles, averaging in breadth 15 feet, macadamized and kept in good order by the county.

The road from Rathfriland  to Dromara and Ballynahinch enters the parish in its south western extremity and crossed to Dromara for the distance of 4 miles in a north north easterly direction, average breadth 15 feet; macadamized, kept in good repair.

Also the road between Ballynahinch and Dromore passes through the north eastern extremity of the parish for the distance of 1 and a quarter miles in a direction from east to west, average breadth 16 feet, kept in good repair by the county.

By-Roads

The by-roads in the parish are very numerous, more so than is wanted by the inhabitants, the number rendering it difficult to keep them in repair.

Edendariff Corn Mill

Edendariff corn mill, situated in the townland of the same name, is a slated house in good order held from colonel Forde by David McAman. Build in the year 1825, works 8 months in the year on an average; nature of water wheel overshot, diameter of water wheel 16 feet, breadth of water wheel 2 feet, diameter of cog wheel 8 feet, single geared with modern machinery.

Ancient Topography

Cave

In the southern part of the parish, in the townland of Finnis, there is an artificial cave 4 feet long, 6 feet wide and more than 5 feet high; transept near the centre is 30 feet long. The walls are rudely arched and roofed with large flat stones (granite). When it was first opened a few years since, there was nothing found in it.

Social Economy

Dispensary

The inhabitants of this parish resort to the Dromore dispensary in the town of Dromore. It is open from 11 to 3 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Schools

The education, which has been attended to more carefully in late years, has visibly improved the morals of the people during the last 25 years. The people are anxious for information and send their children willingly to the schools. When Mr. H.E. Boyd became rector there was not a single school in the parish, and it now contains 14 day schools and 8 Sunday schools. The total number of children on the books at the day schools are 845, of which number 553 are males and 292 females.

Poor

There is no regular provision for the poor, who receive only occasional relief when distressed.

Emigration and Migration

Emigration does not prevail to a very great extent. The average number of emigrants may be estimated at 20 families annually. Young men go to Scotland for the harvest and return.

Names

The prevailing names in the parish are in the lowlands: Corbett, Campbell, McBride, Craig, Hanna, Patterson, Protestants; and round Slieve Croob the following Roman Catholic names: McKinny, McKay, McCormick, O'Hears.

Population and Religion

The following is the census for the years 1831 and 1834.

1831:

Established Church 748
Roman Catholic 2,491
Presbyterian 3,667

Total 6,906

1834:

Established Church 764
Roman Catholic 2,545
Presbyterian 3,747

Total 7,056

To which is to be added that of the district of Magherahamlet, part of this parish.

1831:

Established Church 347
Roman Catholic 1,277
Presbyterian 1,599

Total 3,223

1834:

Established Church 357
Roman Catholic 1,305
Presbyterian 1,634

Total 3,293

The total population of the parish is for the year: 1831: 10,129; and for the year: 1834 10,349.

Fairs and Markets

8 fairs are held annually in the town of Dromara: on the 1st Friday in February, May, August and November, the intermediate ones being held on the Friday in the middle of March, July, September and December. They are attended only for business and drinking, which always follows the concluded bargains. A large quantity of cattle of all descriptions is brought from the surrounding country. Also a quantity of butter, which is bought and sent to Belfast for exportation to Liverpool. There is also in addition to the above a small weekly market on Friday for the sale of linen yarn.

Local Government

Petty sessions are held once a fortnight alternately in Dromore and Dromara, or once a month in each place. Magistrates in attendance 2, viz. Rev. Hannington Elijia Boyd, rector of Dromara and David Lindsay Esq, Ashfield near Dromore. Of these, the former only resides in the parish, at the Glebe.

Constabulary and Cases brought

The police force consists of 1 sergeant and 2 or 3 men. The cases brought before the notice of the 2 magistrates are generally trifling disputes among the inhabitants and some assaults resulting from drunken quarrels.

Illicit Distillation

Up to the year 1834, illicit distillation was carried on in all the mountainous districts of this parish to a very great extent, but it has been altogether or nearly put down by the exertions of the revenue. However, it appears to be carried on a little yet in Slieve Croob mountain.

Natural State

Dromara Town: Name

Dromara, also written Dromaragh, formerly was called Annesborough or Annesbury. It is said to take its present appellation from the name of Dromara hill, a long hill to the north west of the town on the western side of the River Lagan and the following derivation is given: drum "a long-backed hill" and ragh or rath from a fort which stood on the top of it and which was destroyed some years ago.

Locality

The town is situated in the parish of Dromara, county of Down, diocese of Dromore, province of Ulster, north east circuit of assize; on the bank of the River Lagan which is there only a small stream. The extreme length of the town from north to south is 1 furlong and extreme breadth from west to east also 1 furlong.

General History

The parish forms part of the lands granted by patent of Queen Elizabeth to Evor MacRory Maguinness, which were forfeited in the war of 1641 and afterwards granted by Charles II to Colonel Hill. They are included in the manor of Kilwarlin. This village is called Annesborough or Annesbury in a patent which granted a weekly market on Thursday and a fair for 3 days in September.

Modern Topography

Buildings in Dromara

The only public building it contains are the church and a Wesleyan chapel.

Dromara Church

Dromara church, situated a little to the north west of the town on the western bank of the River Lagan, is a neat, rectangular, building with a square tower and clock, all in good repair, standing east north east and south west, of the following dimensions: [ground plan, main dimensions 52 feet by 23 feet, rectangular shape with projection at one end]. It was built in the year 1811 at a cost of 600 pounds, raised by assessment on the lands of the parish. It accommodates 230 persons, the average attendance being 150 persons. Incumbent the Rev. Hannington Elijia Boyd, rector, Dromara Glebe.

Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

the Wesleyan Methodist chapel, situated at the southern extremity of the town, is a very small, plain, rectangular, slated building in good repair, 33 feet long from east to west and 25 feet forward from north to south. On a stone is the following inscription: "Wesleyan Methodist preaching house, erected in the year 1834 ." It was built in the year 1835 at a cost of 70 pounds. It is attended by circuit preachers.

Dromara Bridge

Dromara bridge over the River Lagan is a rough structure of unhewn stone, consisting of 3 small arches. It is 60 feet long and 90 feet broad, was built about the year 1787.

Streets

The street of Dromara is dirty and the cabins are wretched. The town contains 2 3-storey houses, 15 of 2 storeys and 33 cabins.

Trades

Grocer and spirit dealers 13, smith 1, tailor 1.

Dromara Glebe

The Glebe House of Dromara is a good 2 -storey house nearly a quarter of a mile to the westward of the town, at the meeting of the Banbridge and Dromore roads. It is the residence of the Rev. Hannington Elijia Boyd, rector; was built in 1820 at a cost of 1,225 pounds, 100 of which were a gift and the remaining 1,125 a loan from the Board of First Fruits. The ancient glebe lands granted by patent of James I surrounding the church are now in the possession of the Marquis of Downshire; 20 acres of those lands held under lease by present incumbent from Lord Downshire.

Dromara Corn Mills

The Dromara corn mill, in the town of Dromara near the post office, is a slated house in good repair; was built about 1770, property of James Massey. Nature of water wheel breast, diameter of water wheel 16 feet, diameter of cog wheel 12 feet, breadth of water wheel 3 feet; single geared with wooden machinery, water supplied sufficiently from the River Lagan.The old corn mill of Dromara, property of Mr. Black, is a small, slated house in good repair in the town. Nature of water wheel overshot, diameter of water wheel 20 feet, breadth of water wheel overshot, diameter of cog wheel 10 and a half feet, single geared with wooden machinery.

Social Economy

School

[Table contains the following heading: headings: name, situation and description, when established, income and expenditure, physical, intellectual and moral education, number of pupils subdivided by age, sex and religion, name and religious persuasion of master or mistress].

Magherahamlet male and female school, a slated house in good repair, situated in the townland of Dunmore on the road between Ballynahinch and Castlewellan, established 1836; income: Colonel Forde, Seaforde, 8 pounds per annum, from pupils 1d to 1d ha'penny per week each; expenditure: income of master 14 pounds per annum, with house and 1 acre of ground rent free, granted by Colonel Forde; intellectual education: books of the Kildare Place Society; moral education: visited by Rev. William Mortimer, protestant clergyman and Colonel and Lady Harriet Forde, patrons; number of pupils: males, 40 under 10 years of age, 12 from 10 to 15, 52 total males; females, 13 under 10 years of age, 3 from 10 to 15, 16 total females; 68 total number of pupils, 18 Protestants, 27 Presbyterians, 13 Roman Catholics; number on the books on March 4th 1837; John Fishbourne, Established Church (master).

J. Hill Williams

Bassetts Directory, 1886

DROMARA occupies a small space in each of the baronies of Kinelarty, Upper Iveagh and Lower Iveagh, 5 miles, Irish, to the South-west of Ballynahinch, and 5 miles, Irish, to the South-east of Dromore. It contained a population of 221 in 1881, and is part of the Downshire estate. The Lagan runs beside the village. There is a market for butter and eggs every Tuesday, and fairs on the first Friday in February, May, August, and November; and first Friday after 15th March, June, September, and December. Evor MacRorye Magennis forfeited his title to Dromara in the war of 1641. The sub-post offices of Ballykeel, Gransha, Kinallon, and Waringsford are served with the mails from here.

Church of I.-Rev. J. H. Chapman
Coal-W. Hart; D. S. M'Auley
Drapers-Mrs. A. Kelly, Mrs. R. A. Mallon, Miss Rodgers
Grocers, marked thus (*) sell spirits-R. Andrew, Mrs. A. J. Gamble, W. Bart, D. M'Auley, J. M'Cann*, Mrs. R. A. Mallon*, R. Moore
Mills (corn & scutch)-R. Dodd, R. Walker
News Agents-H. Denison, R. H. Sterling
Petty Sessions-held every third Monday in each month; J. B: M'Connell,clerk
Presbyterian-First Ch., Rev. E. Ekin. M.A. ; second, W. J. Patton
Reformed Presbyterian Church -Rev. T. Boyd
R. C. Church-Rev. D. Mallon, P.P
R. I. C.-P. Smith, sergt
Schools (Natl.)-- J. Matchett, Hugh Denison, Miss A. Somerville
Spirit retailers-P. Lavery, Mrs. B M'Kenny, A. Murnan
Watchmaker-R. H. Sterling

FARMERS, LANDOWNERS,
&c.
Including Ballykeel, Gransha,Kinallen and Waringsford,(W'ford)
Alexander, John, Ballykeel
Bell. Jos., Ardtanagh
Bryson, James. Lappoges
Campbell. J. B., Leghey
Campbell, John, Crossgar
Chambers, James, Ballykeel
Chambers, James, Dree
Chambers, J., Levallyreagh
Creighton, A., Skeagh
Corbett, Wm., Aughnaskeagh
Corry, William (p.m.), Ballykeel
Crothers, Rt., Gransha
Davidson, Robt., Kinallen
Dennison. W. J., Enagh
Dodds, Wm., Woodford ho.
Ferguson, James, Growell
Ferguson, Thomas, Ballykeel
Fulton, Henry, Tullyniskey
Fulton, John. Kinallen
Gamble, J., Enagh
Garrett, James, Cluntagh
Gibson, Hugh. Lappoges
Gibson, Thomas, Lappoges
Gilmore, J. B. Kinallen
Gorman, D1., Levallyreagh
Graham, W., Tullynisky
Graham, W. J. Tullynisky
Hamilton, A., Drumadoney
Hamilton, Jos., Ballykeel
Hamilton. Mark, Ballykeel
Hammond. R., Tullynisky
Hook, David. Ballykeel
Hunter, W., Skeogh
Johnston, Wm., Enagh
Jones, Hugh. Moydalgan
Jones, Wm., Moydalgan
Kelly, W., Carnew, W'ford
Kelly, W., Tullindoney
Kidd, John, Kinallen
King, Hugh, Gransha
M'Alester, Bernard, Drinn
Macauley, S., Carnew, W'ford
M'Calla, W., Moydalgan
M'Cartan, Michael, J..P.),Crossgar
M'Cloughan, J., Skeagh
M'Crory, James, Enagh
M`Greehan, G. Aughnaskeagh
M'Kenny. Edward, Dirm
M'Key, Henry, Crossgar
M'Key, John, Dree
M'Murray, Joseph, Gransha
M'Murray , Rt., Skeagh
Martin, James, Enagh
Martin, J., Aughnaskeagh
Martin, Robert, Ballykeel
Martin, R., Skeagh
Martin, W., Skeagh
Meek, W. B., Carnew, W'ford
Moore, John, Lappoges
Moore. W., Drumadoney
Nicholson, Jn , Moydalgan
Nicholson. W.. Drumadoney
Patterson, J. C., A'naskeagh
Skelly, J., Ardtanagh
Skelly, John. Dromara
Skelly, S. Moybrick lr.
Skelly, Rt. (J.P), Marybrook
Smith, David, Ballykeel
Smith, John, Gransha
Somerville, J. C., Ardtanagh
Waddell, R., Crossgar
Walker, Robert, Crossgar
Wallace, John, sen., Gransha
Wallace, J., jun., Gransha
Waugh, G. (J.P), Sion Hill
Young, Jn., T'niskey, W'ford

Dromara Parish

Key       Townland               County       Division           O.S.Map Ref.

ORDNANCE SURVEY

 Parish of Dromara

 Return by Lieutenant G. A Bennett, 22 November 1834

 NATURAL STATE

 Name and Locality

 The derivation of this parish is supposed to be from drum "back" and agh "a fort." It is sometimes written Dromaragh or Drumara.

 Locality: it is situated nearly in the centre of the county of the county of Down and contains nearly equal portions of the 3 baronies of Lower Iveagh, Upper Iveagh and Kinelarty. It is bounded in the north and north west by the parish of Dromore, north and north east by Annahilt, east by Magheradrool, south east by Loughinisland, south by Kilmegan and Drumgooland and west by Garvaghy and Dromore. It's greatest length from Gransha Fort in the western boundary to its junction with Magheradrool and Loughinisland on the east is 8 miles, its mean length is 6 miles.  It’s breadth from the junction of Loughinisland and Kilmegan on the south to where it meets Annahilt and Magheradrool on the north is 6 miles, and its mean breadth about 4 miles.

 It contains an area of 21,192 acres, of which about 2,729 acres are uncultivated ground. About 656 acres are the remains of turf bog and earth of a peaty nature and about 94 acres are covered with water. The different portions may be seen in their respective townlands by reference to the Field Name Book.

 NATURAL FEATURES

Hills

 The country is very hilly, running in parallel ridges from the mountain of Slieve Croob towards Lough Neagh and the sea. The summit of the mountain of Slieve Croob, sometimes called The Twelve Cairns, is on the southern boundary of the parish, 1,755 feet above the level of the sea.  It has a rugged and barren appearance: about 1,598 acres of the mountain in this parish is uncultivated, the greatest part of which lies about 2 miles north and west of its summit, but to the east it is cultivated to within three-quarters of a mile of the top. In clear weather the coast of Scotland and the Isle of Man may be distinctly seen from it. It falls away gradually to the south east and west but towards the east the descent is 900 feet in three-quarters of a mile. The mountain is accessible on all sides but very boggy and covered with heath. The highest point of the mountain of the Deer Park is 1,037 feet above the sea. At the south eastern end of the parish is Dunmore hill, 734 feet in height. The Derry rocks in the north western end are 633 feet above the sea.

 Lakes

 In the north western end of the parish, on the boundary between the baronies of Lower and Upper Iveagh, is Begney lake covering about 5 acres in winter, and in summer it is as low as 31 acres, of which in the townland of Begney are 22 and a half acres in summer and about 30 in winter; and in Crossgar townland 9 acres of water in summer and about 15 in winter.

 Another lake, about 1 and a half miles to the east of Begney, at the junction of the townlands of Crossgar, Lower Dunbeg and Munenabane, covers about 12 acres, its height above the sea 541 feet.

 The lake in the townland of Burren covers about 11 acres and is 490 feet above the level of the sea. There are besides, several other smaller portions of water in different townlands, the whole amounting to 94 acres. Each portion may be seen by reference to the Name Book under the head of the townland.

 Rivers

 The only river of any extent in the parish is that of the Lagan, a branch of which takes its rise in the mountain of Slieve Croob about 1,200 feet above the sea. It is immediately joined by another branch from the mountain of Legananny, from which it takes its name, in the adjoining parish at Drumgooland and runs in a north west direction through this parish for 6 miles. At passing the village of Dromara <Drumaragh> about 4 miles from its source, its height above the sea is 390 feet and 2 miles further it enters the parish of Dromore. In this parish it can hardly be termed anything but a mountain stream and is only used for turning a few mills on its banks.

 The Quoile or Ballynahinch river forms the eastern boundary of the parish for about a mile.

 There are besides, different rivulets and numerous springs; the only one worthy of remark is a chalybeate in the townland of Crossgar.

 Bogs

 There are about 656 acres of land of a boggy nature in this parish. That in the north west of Burren townland is the largest, covering about 68 acres; its height above the sea is 457 feet; that around the lake at the junction of Lower Dunbeg, Munenabane and Crossgar covers about 63 acres, height above the sea 541 feet. There are 58 acres at the south of Burren 522 feet above the level of the sea. The remaining detached portions may be seen in their respective townlands by reference to Field Name Book.

 Uncultivated Ground

 In this parish, besides the bogs already mentioned, there are about 2,729 acres of uncultivated or rocky ground. That round the mountain of Slieve Croob has already been stated to amount to 1,598 acres in this parish. The Deer Park contains 396 acres but the whole of the uncultivated ground on that mountain, including the park, amounts to 483 acres. On Dunmore hill there are about 260 acres of uncultivated land and in the townland of Derry about 182. These are the principal portions of uncultivated ground but there are others throughout the parish, each of which will be found under the head of townlands in Name Book.

 NATURAL HISTORY

  The rocks on the northern side of Slieve Croob are schist; on the east and south side they are a fine, flesh-coloured syenite; and on the west they are hornblende. On the east side is a large whindyke standing vertically and running from south east to north west, and another in the townland of Mulloughdrin. The whole of this county appears to have felt some striking convulsion. There are several good slate quarries but not at present worked.

 MODERN TOPOGRAPHY

 Villages

 The only village is Dromara, of the same name as the parish, situated at the base of Slieve Croob and on the River Lagan. There are 8 fairs held here in the year: one on the first Friday in the months of February, May, August and November and one on the first Friday after the 15^th of the month of March, June, September and December; and a weekly market on every Friday, lately established. The petty sessions are held here once a fortnight.

 Houses of Worship

 Belonging to the Church of England is the parish church, situated a little west of the village of Dromara. It is able to accommodate about 400. Its site is ancient but it has lately been rebuilt. There is also a chapel of ease in the eastern end of the parish, generally known as Magherahamlet or Templemoyle church, and a Seceding meeting house. There is a large meeting house belonging to the Presbyterians, capable of holding about 700, in the western end of the parish and townland of Artanagh, and there are besides 2 Roman Catholic chapels, one in Finnis townland in the south of the parish and the other in the eastern end of the parish and townland of Dunmore, lately built.

 Gentlemen’s Seats

 There are none, with the exceptions of the Glebe House and curacy and a few respectable farmhouses.

 Mills

 There are a few mills on the numerous rivulets throughout this parish for the grinding of corn and dressing of flax but they are very little used at present: 2 in Crossgar townland, 2 in Begney, 2 in Aughneskeagh, 1 in Finnis, 1 in Edendarriff, 1 in Gransha and 1 in Dromara.

 Communications

 The roads are kept well in repair by the county. The principal are to the adjoining market towns of Banbridge, Dromore, Ballynahinch, Rathfriland, and a variety of by-roads laid out without the slightest judgement.

 ANCIENT TOPOGRAPHY

 Ancient Church

 The site of the church is ancient. It was burned in the rebellion of 1641 and remained in ruins until 1690.

 Cave

 In the townland of Finnis, close to the south west boundary of the parish, a curious subterraneous cave has been discovered. Its mouth was sufficiently large to admit the entrance of a boy by sliding down on his back. The Revd E. Boyd, the rector of the parish, caused it to be opened. A regular descent by steps was discovered into a doorway of about 6 feet high, and a large gallery running to the west, 92 feet 4 inches in length, 5 feet 10 inches high and 4 feet 4 inches broad. At about 30 feet from the entrance a branch runs to the right, 27 feet 3 inches long, 4 feet 10 inches broad and 5 feet 3 inches high. At its entrance the breadth was only 2 feet 6 inches and height 3 feet 8 inches. At about 30 feet further on there is another branch running to the right, 25 feet by 5 feet 1 inch high and 4 feet 9 inches broad. There is no appearance of a chamber. It is built up on each side with large blocks of syenite and roofed with large slates laid across. It was partly filled up with earth and stone. This, and a few of the old forts, are all that are worthy of notice.

 PRODUCTIVE AND SOCIAL ECONOMY

 Drainage of Bogs

 Owing to the great change which has taken place in the lands of Ireland, the value of ground in this parish is much altered. The highlands were formerly considered the best and the lowlands, being marshy bog, were little regarded and it was customary for the landlord to give a certain quantity of bog land as a bonus to the tenant without receiving any rent. By degrees the bogs have been drained and are now the most valuable part of a farm.

 Local Government

 The petty sessions already mentioned are held once a fortnight in the village of Dromara. The magistrates who attend are the Rev. E. Boyd of this parish, the Rev. Sampson of Magherally and Cowan Herran Esq. From the parish of Dromore.

 Poor

 There is no provision for the poor, who depend on the voluntary contributions of the people and what they receive collected from the churches and meeting houses on Sunday.

 Schools

 There are 7 schools throughout this parish, 1 in each of the following townlands: Dunmore, Dree, Drinn, Gransha, Artanagh, Crossgar and Moydalgan; and the people are anxious to send their children to them.

 Religion

 The religion may be seen from their respective places of public worship. Those of the Established Church are not more than 200. The Presbyterian form of worship prevails.

 The glebe lands are in the hands of lay proprietors. The present glebe, consisting of 20 acres rented from the Marquis of Downshire together with the tithes, is the support of the Established Church. The rector is the Rev. E. Boyd. The eastern end of the parish has a perpetual curacy and a resident clergyman near to the chapel of ease. The Presbyterian ministers have the regium donum and the stipends and the Roman Catholics have only the voluntary contributions and dues.

 Habits of the People

 In general, the houses are stone and thatched with 2 or 3 rooms and a kitchen on the ground floor; but in the mountainous part they are commonly built with sods or loose stones and have a most wretched appearance.

 Weaving

 Very little weaving prevails in this part of the country.

 Agriculture

 Their chief employment is agriculture [crossed out: which is the particular business of both men and women]. Their chief product is oats and potatoes. Owing to the great want of lime, which cannot be got nearer than Magheralin <maralin> (at least 10 or 12 miles off), cultivation is greatly retarded. The finest part of the parish for agriculture is the north west, particularly the townland of Drumadooney.

 TOWNLAND DIVISIONS

 Townlands

 It is already mentioned that this parish is partly situated in the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh and Kinalarty and is divided into 28 townlands, 7 of which are in the upper barony (Upper Iveagh), containing 8, 141 acres 15 rods:

1.     Crossgar: so pronounced, contains 1,216 2 roods 24 perches, see Field Name Book, proprietor Lord Dungannon.

 2.       Drin, so pronounced, contains 1,216 2 roods 11 perches, of which about 578 acres of the mountain of Slieve Croob is uncultivated, proprietor Lord Dungannon.

3.       Dree, so pronounced, contains 1,342 acres 1 rood 16 perches, about 630 acres of which is the mountain of Slieve Croob. It is the property of Lord Dungannon and let at about 2s6d per annum, mountain including

     4.       Munenabane contains 1,236 acres 1 rood 32 perches, of which about 38 acres are covered             with furze and rocks and 2 portions of bog amounting to about 48 acres; the remainder is             cultivated.

5.       Finnis contains 1,353 acres 1 rood 18 perches. In the southern end of this townland is a curious cave; proprietor Mr. Maginnis.

6.       Upper Moybrick, contains 522 acres 21 perches, proprietor the Marquis of Downshire.

7.       Gransha contains 1,293 acres 1 rood 13 perches, the property of Lord Dungannon.

 In the barony of Kinelarty are 11 townlands, containing 7,024 acres 1 rood 15 perches:

1.       Burren contains 1,231 acres 1 perch; is the property of Mr. Kerr and to let to tenants at will

2.       Ballykine, sometimes called Lower Ballykine, the remainder being in the parish of Magheradrool; contains 333 acres, 3 roods 5 perches, let to tenants at will, proprietor Mr. Kerr.

3.       Clintanagullion contains 802 acres 3 roods 19 perches, proprietor Mr. Kerr and let to tenants at  will.

4.       Lower Dunbeg contains 289 acres 3 roods 35 perches.

5.       Upper Dunbeg contains 385 acres 2 roods 1 perch; Upper and Lower is a good soil and chiefly under cultivation.

6.       Drumgavelin contains 546 acres 3 roods 32 perches and a Seceding meeting house, Templemoyle church and the perpetual curacy.

7.       Dunmore contains 725 acres 35 roods, of which 208 acres is uncultivated at the south, but it is a good soil towards the north.

8.       Drumkera contains 724 acres 35 perches, of which about 396 acres is a deer park belonging to Colonel Forde.

9.       Duglen, or the Black valley, contains 572 acres 2 roods 28 perches, of which about 378 acres are barren, extending to the top of Slieve Croob.

10.   Edendarriff contains 551 acres 3 roods 30 perches; towards the south about 110 acres are barren but the northern end is a pretty good soil.

11.   Guinness contains 860 acres 34 perches. In the northern end about 74 acres are uncultivated and 32 acres of Dunmore mountain at the east, but there is some good land at the south end.And the remaining 10 townlands are in the barony of Lower Iveagh and contain 6,027 acres 33 perches viz.

1.       Aughneskeagh contains 693 acres 16 perches.

2.       Artanagh contains 627 acres 2 roods 35 perches; contains a schoolhouse and a Presbyterian meeting house lately rebuilt.

3.       Begney contains 909 acres 2 roods 2 perches. On the south boundary is a lake of the same name which covers about 45 acres of it but only 30 is in the townland.

4.       Derry contains 631 acres 14 perches, of which about 182 is a rocky, barren hill known as the Derry rocks; proprietor Marquis of Downshire.

5.       Dromara contains 2,420 acres 13 perches; the village of the same name is on the eastern boundary about 6 miles from Dromore, the chief market town.

6.       Drumadoney contains 854 acres 2 roods 9 perches. It is the best townland for cultivation in the parish, a few trees on the south side. It is the property of the Marquis of Downshire.

7.       Moydalgan contains 531 acres 3 roods 8 perches, a good, arable soil, belonging to the Marquis of Downshire.

8.       Mulloughdrin contains 549 acres 3 roods 12 perches, of which about 18 acres are uncultivated in the east end; proprietor Marquis of Downshire.

9.       Lower Moybrick contains 480 acres 30 perches, proprietor the Marquis of Downshire.

 10. Levellyreagh contains 507 acres 1 rood 14 perches, of which about 12 acres on the north west is bog.

 [signed] G.A. Bennett, Lieutenant Royal Engineers, 22 Nov 1 1834

Flax Growers in the Parish of Dromara, 1796

1796 - As part of a government initiative to encourage the linen trade, free spinning wheels or looms were granted to individuals planting a certain area of land with flax. The lists of those entitled to the awards were published in 1796 and a copy of the list with a surname index of the spinning wheel entitlement is available at the Public Record Office Northern Ireland

The Year of Grace

A History of the Revival in Ireland, A.D.1859

Author, William Gibson, 1808-1867
Rev.W.J.Patten

 The following account of the revival in the Parish of Dromara, has been supplied by the Rev.W.J.Patten, minister of the Second Presbyterian Church there;

On the 25^th of July about a thousand persons assembled in Mr.Craig’Church for prayer. A deep solemnity pervaded the meeting, many sobs were heard, many tears were shed, and many more were the groanings that could be uttered. The meeting closed, and all separated for their homes, shortly afterwards intelligence arrived that some persons had been stricken on their way home. We started off, and the scene which met our gaze shall not soon be forgotten. There on the roadside, with their backs against the ditch, and their faces toward heaven, lay seven persons, supplicating mercy. They were all young and unlearned, yet so scriptural and appropriate were their prayers, that to me, and to the large concourse who listened, they seemed to be suggested by Him who has been promised to ‘help in our infirmities’.

A young girl was heard to assign as a reason why she had not attended the meeting just described, that she was afraid of being seized, and thus rendered unable unable to be present at the wedding of a friend to which she had been invited. The marriage morn arrived, and the ceremony was performed, at the suggestion of some of the party the feasting and the mirth gave place to praise and prayer, and this girl and her sister bridesmaid began to sob and weep, in accents which cannot be described, to call for mercy in the name of Jesus. Since that time she has given every evidence of being espoused to Christ. Truly the prayer of faith was heard. The Lord and his disciples were bidden guests. The same Jesus who graced the marriage in Cana, did not deny His prescence to the humble villagers of Dromara.

 On the evening following this –the 29^th July-a prayer meeting was held on the green beside my church, that building unable to contain the two thousand or more who were present; and at the same place, on the succeeding Sabbath evening, there was another meeting, larger still, attended by not fewer than three thousand. Those were two evenings long to be remembered, none who were present can forget them. On the first not fewer than fifty persons, and on the second about seventy, young and old , men and woman,  stretched on the green sward, were heard openly to bewail their sins before God, and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus, in some few this was accompanied with strange convulsions of body; but in most of those affected there was nothing but tears, and groans, and earnest prayers. One young girl remained seven hours on her knees, another resolved that she would neither eat nor drink until she had found Christ. I went into the Church and looked around, may were attending their friends. But others, as well, had come.

In one seat were three girls knelt in prayer; in another were two others; in another still, were two boys; and so throughout the house. Coming out, I looked into the session room, and there were five or six boys, belonging to my bible class, upon their knees. One was praying- Lord Jesus ,Pardon my sins? They are so great that crimson and scarlet are no name for them?= and yet there was not a better behaved boy in all the country, they continued there for some hours, offering prayer in turn. During the fortnight that followed, many were similarly affected in their own homes, and in the prayer meetings, which were held in private houses all hours of the day and night. For the time being, business was very much suspended. The whole Parish was a place of weeping, and praying, and singing and reading, there cannot be a doubt that there were more bible-readers, more believing prayers, more loving thoughts of Jesus in our parish in the month of August than had been in the five years previous. A Scotch minister was present one evening, at that time, at our prayer meeting in the church. As usual the house was crowded-every eye was riveted, and many were in tears. After the service, earnest inquirers were invited to remain. Nearly all sat still, and when spoken to, seemed to delight in unbosoming the state of their souls.

On our way home he heard the sweet songs of Zion sung along the road by the people going  from the house of God. When we reached home, he heard that two persons, who had been enemies for years-who had fought with fists and fought at law-had that evening clasped each other in their arms. After musing for a time, he said to me, I have read through Lardner’s great work on the “evidences”, but what I have seen  tonight is a more powerful proof of the truth of Christianity than all that Lardner ever wrote. The young, from six to twenty five years of age, were particularly anxious, they would assemble and pray together. On such an occasion, when a little fellow was Praying for all his unconverted playmates, a little girl began to cry aloud for mercy, the boy arose, clasped another boys hand, and said, Johnny, God sooner far hears us wee fellows, than he does big men. I remember one day, going into a house to see a boy who had been stricken. The door of the room was locked, when it was opened, I found three other boys along with him, reading their bibles. He was reading and praying with them, and trying to lead them to Jesus. I asked a little girl, whom I had seen sob and pray some weeks before, if she observed any change in herself of late, yes said she, I do.’-what is it?-why, said she, before Christ was no concern to me; and now He is never out of my thoughts, another in answer to the same question, said, I had not Christ before, and now I have. In a few weeks from their commencement, the bodily prostrations nearly altogether ceased, of the numbers thus affected I cannot form an estimate , the amounted to several hundreds . But the good work was not confined to them. Gods spirit came to at least as many others.

With permission from, The Digital Research Library,
Digital Library eXtension Service, (DLXS)

Church Records

DROMARA PARISH ,ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH RECORDS

Ballynahinch and Dunmore

(Ballynahinch and Dunmore)

(Ballynahinch and Dunmore)

(Ballynahinch and Dunmore)

 (Ballynahinch and Dunmore)

Dromara

(Dromara)

(Dromara)

 (Dromara)

(Dromara)

Church of Ireland,Dromara

(Dromara)

(Dromara)

Magherahamlet

(Magherahamlet))

(Magherahamlet))

 (Magherahamlet))

(Magherahamlet))

Presbyterian Dromara (1st)

(Dromara)

(Dromara)

Presbyterian Dromara (2nd)

Presbyterian Dromara R.P.

(Dromara)

(Dromara)

Magherahamlet

(Dromara)

Dromara Old News & Events

Accounts relating to Diocesan and Parish Schools in Ireland, 1821

Return of Dromara school, The Parish school of Dromara is held in the church, the master is Hugh Carrothers, the number of scholars for the last year have varied from 45 to 55, who are only charged two shillings a quarter, the remainder of the masters salary and his diet and lodgings being provided by the Rector as there are no public funds or other allowance, there is no expenditure except of a trifling nature for books.

Account of Sums aplotted by Vestries in Ireland under Parochial Rates, 1827

At a Vestry held 16th April 1827 the following sums were applotted and levied of the lands.

For clerks salary, £6
Sextons £4
Communion elements, £2. 2s
Poor coffins, £7.10s
Deserted children, £13. 10s
Two prayer books, £2 .2s
Applotting and collecting, £3.

Total,£38. 4. 0

A.Boyd Prebendary of Dromara
James Carlile, James Lesslie,Church wardens