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M.  L. 


REYNOLDS   HISTORICAL 
GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


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AN  ANCIENT  IRISH  PARISH 

PAST    AND    PKESENT 


AN 

ANCIENT  lEISH  PARISH 

PAST  AND  PRESENT 

BEING 

THE  PARISH  OF  DONAGHMORE 

COUNTY   DOWN 


BY 


J.   DAVISON  COWAN,  LL.D.  (T.C.D.) 

EECTOK  OF  DONAGHIIOK}: 
AUTHOR  OF   ■  INTKKXATIONAL  ABBITRaTION' 


LONDON 
DAVID  NUTT 

17  GRAPE   STREET,   NEW  OXFORD  STREET,  W.C. 
19U 


Ifc38312 


PREFACE 

In  issuing  '  An  Ancient  Irish  Parish — Past  and  Present,' 
I  desire  to  record  my  sincere  thanks  to  the  many 
kind  friends  who  assisted  me  in  the  work,  among 
whom  I  must  specially  mention  Dr.  F.  Elrington 
Ball,  Litt.D.,  Mr.  Stanley  Howard,  F.R.S.A.,  Dr. 
P.  W.  Joyce,  LL.D.,  Rev.  S.  Baring-Gould,  M.A., 
Rev.  C.  T.  McCready,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  B.  Leslie,  M.A., 
Rev.  W.  T.  Latimer,  M.A.,  Mr.  Phihp  Crossle,  and 
Mr.  J.  F.  Small.  I  am  deeply  indebted  to  the  Rev. 
Canon  Lett,  M.A.,  M.R.LA.,  and  Mr.  Hugh  Digenan 
for  valuable  information  regarding  the  ancient  place- 
names  and  the  Glen  surnames. 

I  am  under  special  obHgations  to  the  Rev.  H.  B. 
Swanzy,  M.A.,  for  much  information  of  a  genealogical 
nature,  and  for  his  kindness  in  writing  the  Index. 

I  must  also  express  my  grateful  indebtedness  to 
Mr.  James  Mills,  Deputy- Keeper,  Public  Record 
Office,  Dublin,  and  to  the  Librarians  and  Assistants 
of  the  Library,  T.C.D.,  Marsh's  Library,  the  National 
Library    of    Ireland,    and    the    Linen    Hall    Library, 


vi  PKEFACE 

Belfast,  for  having  afforded  me  so  many  facilities 
for  research.  I  gratefully  acknowledge  the  kind 
assistance  of  deceased  friends,  among  whom  were 
the  Rev.  W.  A.  Reynell,  B.D.,  the  Rev.  Canon 
Scott,  M.A.  (Belfast),  and  the  Rev.  Canon  Moore 
Morgan,  LL.D.,  Librarian,  the  Public  Library,  Armagh. 
I  also  received  much  assistance  from  my  wife  in 
various  ways,  and  especially  in  reading  the  proofs. 

J.   DAVISON   COWAN. 


DoNAOHMOHE  Rectory, 
Feast  of  St.  MacEbc 
(First  Bisiior  of  Donaghmobe), 
July  0,  1913. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 
I. 

'  DONAOHMORE    OK   MOY   CoVA  ' 

PAGE 
1 

II. 

DONAGHMORE    PaRISH 

.       37 

III. 

Antiquities  of  Donaghmore 

.     120 

TV. 

DONAOHMORE   PaRISH   ChURCH 

.     164 

V. 

Donaghmore  Parish  Vestry  Books 

.     213 

VI. 

Donaghmore  Presbyterian  Church 

.     260 

VII. 

Donaghmore  Dispensary 

.     304 

VIII. 

Glen  and  Fotjrtowns     . 

.     336 

IX. 

Donaghmore  Churchyard 

.     370 

Index      

.     399 

LIST    OF    ILLUSTIIATIONS 


Droman-tine  House 

Celtic  Cross 

DONAOHMOBE    PaKISH    C'llVRCll     . 
DONAOIIMORE    PrESBYTERIAX    ChFRCII 
IIaUSHAW    HOMliSTEAD 


Frontispiece 

To  face  p.  156 

180 

2G0 

316 


DONAGHMORE 

CHAPTER  I 

'  DONAGHMORE    OF    MOY    COVA  * 

The  parish  of  Donaghmore  takes  its  name  indirectly 
from  the  church,  and  hence  has  an  ecclesiastical 
Domnaeh  o^^igin.  The  townland  in  which  the  church 
nior— De-  is  situated  was  originally  called  Donagh- 
rivation  and  more,  and  from  thence  the  name  was 
i  eamng.  applied  to  the  parish,  ^^^len  parishes  were 
formed  the  names  given  them  were  generally  those 
of  townlands  within  their  respective  limits  ;  but,  in 
almost  all  cases,  the  townland  in  which  the  church 
was  situated  gave  its  name  to  the  parish. 

The  Irish  language  afforded  St.  Patrick  and  the 
other  early  Christian  missionaries  few  terms  which 
could  be  used  for  ecclesiastical  purposes.  Conse- 
quently, the}'  had  to  borrow  from  the  Latin,  and  some- 
times from  Greek  through  Latin — while  the  words 
thus  appropriated  became  '  changed  in  form  to  suit 
the  L'ish  laws  of  pronunciation.'  i 

One  of  these  words  was  Domnaeh,  which  is  derived 
from  the  Latin,  {Dies)  Dominica,  and  signifies  in  Lrish 
'  Sunday,'  or  '  the  Lord's  Day,'  and  also  a  '  church  ' ; 

'  See  Joyce,  Social  History  of  Ancient  Ireland,  vol.  i,  p.  316. 

B 


2  DONAGmiORE 

and,  according  to  the  best  authorities,  all  the  churches 
in  Ireland  which  bear  the  name  Domnach,  or— in  its 
anglicised  form — 'Donagh,'  were  so  called  because  their 
foundations  were  marked  out  on  Sunday,  or  the  Lord's 
Day.  Mor  in  Irish  means  '  great ' — anglicised,  '  more  ' 
— and  hence  'Donaghmore  '  signifies  the  'Great  Church.' 

The  spelling  of  the  w^ord  varies  but  little  at  present. 
In  the  older  records  the  Irish  is  more  or  less  preserved 
— where  we  have  Dompnachmore,  Domnachmore, 
Donnachmore  and  Donachmore.  In  modern  times 
it  is  generally  spelled  Donaghmore  or  Donoughmore ; 
but  the  former  is  undoubtedly  the  correct  orthography 
and  is  that  adopted  on  the  ordnance  map. 

Donaghmore  w-as  anciently  termed  by  w'ay  of 
distinction  Domnach  Mor  MuigJie  Cohha — i.e.  Donagh- 
more of  Magh  Cobha — Magh  Cobha  being 
Domgh-        ^j^g  name  of  the  territory  in  which  it  was 

more  ot  .  ,  •  «      i 

Magh  Cobha.  Situated.  In  the  early  centuries  of  the 
Christian  era  there  were  no  parishes  in 
Ireland,  and  during  this  period  Donaghmore  was  simply 
the  townland  which  contained  the  church — subse- 
quently called  TuUynacross — and  at  present  the  Glebe 
on  the  ordnance  map.  It  will  therefore  be  necessary 
to  treat  of  the  territory  in  general,  of  which  the  several 
townlands  of  the  present  parish  of  Donaghmore  in 
early  times  formed  a  part.  Bishop  Reeves  ('  Ecclesi- 
astical Antiquities  '),  in  his  sketch  of  Donaghmore  and 
its  ancient  church,  refers  at  length,  in  the  same  con- 
nection, to  Magh  Cc  bha,  while  Dr.  Jthn  O'Donovan,  in 
his  notes  on  the  Four  Masters  and  the '  Book  of  Rights,' 
constantly  associates  this  territory  with  Donaghmore 
and  its  church. 


•  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  8 

Magh  Ccbha  (pronounced  Moy  Cova)  signifies  the 
Plain  of  Cobha,  and  was  doubtless  known  as  such  for 
Ma  h  Cobha  ^'^^^J  centuiies  before  the  Christian  era. 
— Significa-  Bishop  Eeeves  i  informs  us  that  according 
tion  and  Lo-  to  the  '  Eennes  Dinnsenchus  '  ~  Magh  Ct  bha 
cation.  ^^.^g  surnamed  after  Ctbha,  the  huntsman 

of  the  sons  of  Miletius  ^  of  Spain.  D(  ubtless,  the 
particular  passage  referred  to  in  the  '  Dinnsenchus  ' 
by  Dr.  Eeeves  is  that  quoted  by  Dr.  Joyce  as 
follows  : — '  Ccba  (Cova),  the  Cuchaire  or  trapper  of 
Heremon  (first  Milesian  King  of  Ireland)  sen  of  Mile- 
sius ;  it  is  he  that  first  prepared  a  trap  {airrdiis)  and  a 
pit-fall  [cuiihecli]  in  Erin  ;  and  he  himself  put  his  foot 
in  it  to  try  if  it  was  trim,  whereupon  his  shin-bcne 
and  his  two  forearms  were  fractured  in  it ;  and  his 
drinking-cup,  after  being  emptied,  fell  down,  so  he 
died  thereof  (i.e.  of  the  wound  and  thirst)  ;  whence  is 
derived  Mag  Coba,  Cova's  plain.'  * 

In  the  third  century  this  territory  was  ruled  by 
Prince  Eochaidh  ^  Cobha  (Eochaidh  in  Iiish  denotes 
eques,  horseman),  and  was  known  as  the  plain  of 
Eochaidh  Cobha.  The  tribe  name  ancientl}^  borne 
by  the  territory  was  Uibh  Eathach,  from  which,  when 
anglicised  and  the  silent  letters  dropped,  we  derive 
Evagh,  Iveach  or  Iveagh,  the  name  of  the  barony. 

'  Ecclesiastical  Antiquitits,  p.  349. 

^  A  tract  giving  the  legendary  history  and  etymology  of  the 
names  of  remarkable  places. 

•^  The  Milesian  Colony,  of  Spanish  origin,  arrived  in  Ireland  about 
thirteen  hundred  years  before  ihe  binh  of  Christ. 

*  Social  History  of  Ancient  Ireland,  vol.  ii.  p.  469. 

^  This  prince  was  the  great  ancestor  of  the  Mageni  ises  and  other 
ancient  families  of  the  race  of  Ir-one  of  the  Milesian  Kings  of  Ireland. 


4  DONAGHMOEE 

There  seems  to  have  been  a  conflict  of  opinion  at 
one  time  in  regard  to  the  location  of  the  territory  of 
^lagh  Cobha— chiefly  owing  to  an  error  of  the  Four 
Masters  in  placing  it  in  Tyrone.  Dr.  John  O'Donovan, 
in  the  notes  to  his  translation  of  the  Four  Masters, 
thus  refers  to  it : 

'  The  Four  Masters,  and  from  them  Colgan  and 
others,  have  erred  in  placing  the  plain  (Magh  Cobha) 
in  Tyrone,  and  Dr.  Lanigan  has  been  set  astray  by 
them,  where  he  conjectures  ('  Ecclesiastical  History  of 
Ii-eland  ')  that  Magh  Cobha  was  probably  where  the 
village  now  called  Coagh  is  situated  ;  but  the  situation 
of  the  plain  of  Magh  Cobha  is  fixed  by  the  older  writers, 
who  place  it  in  Uibh  Eathach,  now  Iveagh,  and  who 
placed  it  in  the  Church  of  Domhnach  More  Muighe 
Cobha,  which  is  unquestionably  the  present  Donagh- 
more,  in  the  barony  of  Upper  Iveagh,  nearly  midway 
between  Newry  and  Loughbrickland.'  i 

O'Donovan  cites  the  best  authorities  for  his  con- 
tention both  here  and  in  the  '  Book  of  Rights,'  ~  where 
he  affords  us  some  idea  as  to  the  extent  of  the  plain — 
placing  it  '  in  the  monastery  of  Druim  Mor  (Dromore) 
and  the  Church  of  Domhnach  Mor  Muighe  Cobha  ' 
(Donaghmore).  '  Donaghmore  of  Magh  Cobha  '  has 
been  so  closely  connected  with  this  territory  that  some 
have  been  led  to  suppose  that  it  was  coterii  inous  with 
the  present  b  )undaries  of  the  parish  of  Donaghmore, 
but  this  is  a  mistake. 

'  Vol.  iii.  p.  3-14.  -  Note.  pp.  Hw-li 


'  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  5 

The  territory  was  of  considerable  extent  and  em- 
braced a  large  portion  of  Iveagh — extending  from 
Donaghmore  to  Dromore.  According  to  Hogan's 
'  Onomasticon,'  the  river  Lagan  at  Dromore  was  in 
Magh  Ccbha.  Some  authorities  consider  that  this 
territory  extended  from  Newry  to  Dromore,^  but  the 
probability  is  that  it  included  only  the  north  section 
of  the  lordship  of  Newry. 

According  to  the  Four  Masters,  Magh  Cobha  was 
cleared  of  wood  and  the  forts  erected  a.m.  3529, 
during  the  reign  of  Irial  (known  as  the  Prophet),  son 
of  Eremon,  Ejng  of  Ireland.  With  all  due  respect, 
however,  to  such  eminent  authorities,  it  may  be 
safely  asserted  that  there  were  great  forests  in 
Magh  Cobha  for  many  centuries  after  this  date, 
while  doubtless  only  some  of  the  forts  were  then 
erected. 

The  '  Annals '  also  record  the  names  of  several  kings 
or  chiefs  of  the  territory  as  at  the  following  dates  : 

A.D.  683— Fearghus  ;  732— Cuanach  ;  734— 
ChiSsof  Feaxghus  Glut;  771— Conall  Crai ;  796 
Mlgh^Cobha.  (^^cfe  801)  Euchaid  ;  851— Cearnach  ;  879— 

Conallan.  The  Magennises  were  chiefs  of 
Magh  Cobha  in  the  twelfth  century,  and  indeed  for 
a  long  time  afterwards.  They  superseded  another 
branch  of  the  Magennis  family — named  O'Haideth — 
the  last  of  whom  was  slain  a.d.  1136 — while,  accord- 
ing to  O'Dubhagam's  '  Topographical  Poem,'  the 
O'Quinns,  the  O'Garveys  and  the  O'Hanveys  were 
among  the  petty  kings  in  Iveagh. 

'  See  Orpen,  Ireland  under  the  Normans,  p.  117. 


6  DONAGHMORE 

It  is  interesting  to  know  the  rights  and  revenues 
of   these    petty    Kings    of    Magh    Cobha.      This   ui- 

formation  is  afforded  us  in  the  '  Book  of 
Rrhta"^       Eights,'    which   gives   us   'an  account  of 

the  rights  of  the  Monarchs  of  all  Ii'eland, 
and  the  revenues  payable  to  them  by  the  principal 
Kings  of  the  several  provinces,  and  of  the  stipends 
paid  by  the  Monarchs  to  the  inferior  Kings  for  their 
services.  It  also  treats  of  the  rights  of  each  of  the 
provincial  Kings,  and  the  revenues  payable  to  them 
from  the  inferior  Kings  of  the  districts  or  tribes 
subsidiary  to  them,  and  of  the  stipends  paid  by  the 
superior  to  the  inferior  provincial  Kings  for  their 
services  '  (Introduction,  '  Book  of  Rights  '). 
Stipend  of  ^^^®  following  is  the  stipend  of  the  King 

King  of        of    Magh    Cobha    paid    by    the    King    of 

Magh  Cobha.  \J\.^(\l-^  .  1 

'The  stipend  of  the  King  of  Cobha  of  Victory  (is) 
Ten  drinking-horns,  ten  wounding  swords, 
Ten  ships  which  a  host  mans, 
Ten  cloaks  with  their  borders  of  gold.' 

He  had  also  the  followmg  rights  : 

'  Entitled  is  the  King  of  Magh  Cobha 
Of  the  light  and  thin -edged  weapons 
To  eight  greyhounds  and  eight  steeds 
And  eight  mares  in  fine  rurming  order.' 

The  '  Book  of  Rights  '  contains  no  record  of  the 
King's  Lee-Metfords,  motors,  or  aeroplanes  ! 

Doubtless,  there  was  a  castle,  or  castles,  in  Magh 

'  Ul.iflh  was  the  name  applied  to  the  entire  province  of  Ulster 
lip  till  332 — after  which  it  embraced  the  counties  of  Antrim  and 
Down  only — kno^vn  as  '  Little  Ulster.' 


'  DONAGHMOKE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  7 

Cobha  from  the  earliest  times.  One  of  these  structm'es 
is  mentioned  by  the  Four  Masters,  where  we  read  of 
'  the  foreigners  of  the  castle  of  Magh  Cobha  '  making 
an  incursion  into  Tirowen  (Tyrone)  in  1188. 
Castles  of      j-^,^   ^j^^^  ^^^^,   ^j^-^   ^^^^^e  is  Said  to  have 


Cobha.  ,  ,  ,        ,      ^      ,.  , 

been  a  strong  one — possessed  by  the  English 
('  the  foreigners  '),  who  doubtless  captured  it  from  a 
native  chief  or  king.  This  castle  is  also  mentioned 
in  the  '  Confirmation '  of  Innocent  III.  of  John 
de  Courcy's  Charter  to  St.  Andrew  de  Stokes 
('  Papal  Letters,'  vol.  i.  p.  17).  According  to 
the  '  Annals  of  Ulster,'  it  was  rebuilt  of  stone 
in  1252  by  the  son  of  Maurice  Fitzgerald,  and 
denulished  by  Brian  O'Neill  in  the  following  year — 
having  met  the  fate  of  many  similar  buildings  in 
those  troublous  times.  It  was  restored  1260.  Knox 
informs  us  that  this  castle  was  in  Donaghmore.i 
Probably  Knox  is  indebted  for  his  information  to 
Harris,  who  states  that  castles  were  formerly  erected 
at  Tuscan  Pass  (Jerretspass)  and  Fenwick's  Pass 
(Poyntzpass).- 

The  '  Annals  of  the  Four  ]\Iasters  '  record  various 
exploits  in  Magh  Cobha  at  the  years  herein  mentioned, 

and  although  no  particular  spot  in  the 
SlghCobha.  territory    is      specified    as     a  _  scene     of 

action,  yet  we  may  feel  certain  that  no 
portion  of  the  little  kingdom  stood  aloof  and 
unaffected  in  the  circumstances.  Indeed,  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  some  of  the  principal 
scenes  of  action  in  many  of  the  stirring  events  and 
sanguinary  conflicts  recorded  lay  within  the  modern 

^  HUtory  of  Down,  p.  356.  -  Down,  p.  85. 


8  DONAGHMORE 

bounds  of  the  parish  of  Donaghmore,  and  especially 
in  that  portion  contiguous  to  the  Passes  from  Armagh 
to  Down,  viz.  Jerretspass  and  Poyntzpass. 

A.u.  998,  Magh  Cobha  was  plundered  by  Aedh, 
son  of  Donihnall  i  when  a  '  great  spoil  of  cattle  '  was 
carried  off —after wards  called  '  the  great  spoil  of  Magh 
Cobha.' 

A.D.  11U2,  an  army  was  led  into  Magh  Cobha  by 
the  Cinel  Eoghain.-  The  Ulidians  3  entered  their 
camp  during  the  night  and  slew  two  distinguished 
personages. 

A.D.  1108,  a  '  great  war  '  was  waged  between  the 
Cinel  Eoghain  and  the  Ulidians,  with  its  seat  princi- 
pally in  :Magh  Cobha— though  the  first  battle  seems  to 
have  been  fought  close  to  the  city  of  Armagh.  Large 
forces  proceeded  to  Magh  Cobha  to  reheve  the  Uhdians, 
viz.  '  Muir  Cheartach  Ua  Briain  (O'Brien),  with  the 
men  of  Munstcr,  Leinster,  and  Osraige  (Ossory),  and 
with  the  chiefs  of  Connaught,  and  the  men  of  Meath 
with  their  Kings.'  '  Both  parties  went  all  into  Machaire 
Arda-Macha  ■i— and  were  for  a  week  laying  siege  to 
Ardmach '  (City  of  Armagh).  Muir  Cheartach,  it 
seems,  when  '  the  men  of  Munster  w^ere  wearied,' 
entered  Armagh  by  a  devious  route,  '  and  left  8  oz. 
of  gold  upon  the  altar,  and  promised  8  score  cows,' — 

'  Kiiig  of  Aik-ach — Ela;^h — in  luis-Eoghaui,  Inisho\\en  iii  Coimty 
Donegal. 

'  The  race  of  Eoghaui — the  O'Neills,  MacLaughlins,  and  their 
'  correlatives  in  Tyrone.' 

*  The  jxople  of  Uladh — called  by  O'Flaherty,  who  wrote  iii 
Latin,  Uhdia,  wliUe  he  designated  the  other  portion  of  Ulster 
Ultonia. 

*  The  pluiji  of  Armagh — lying  round  the  city. 


'  DONAGHMOKE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  9 

after  which  he  returned  to  Magh  Cobha,  where  a 
'  spirited  battle  '  was  fought  on  '  Tuesday  the  Nones  i 
of  August,'  between  Domhnall  Ua  Lochlainn,  with  the 
Clanna-Neill  of  the  north,  and  the  men  of  Munster, 
Leinster,  and  Ossory.  The  latter  were  defeated  with 
great  slaughter  by  the  Clanna-Neill,  who  '  returned 
to  their  forts  victoriously  and  triumphantly,  with 
valuable  jewels  and  much  wealth,  together  with  the 
royal  tent,  the  standard,  and  many  other  precious 
jewels.' 

A.D.  1103,  Maghnus,  King  of  Norway,  who  had 

contemplated  the  invasion  of  all  Ireland,  was  slain  by 

the  Ulidians,  and  his  people  slaughtered  at 

Kiiig  of  Nor-  j^j^Qy  Cova,  while  on  a  predatory  excursion 

way  si. in  m  \ 

Magh  Cobha.  "^  this  territory. 

The  '  Annals  of  Ulster  '  also  record  that 
the  King  of  Norway  was  slain  in  this  year  (1103)  '  at 
Moy  Cova  in  which  is  situated  Donaghmore  beyond 
Newry  in  Iveagh.' 

A.D.  1104,  Domhnall,  grandson  of  Lochlain,  led 
an  army  to  Magh  Cobha  when  he  obtained  '  the  host- 
ages of  the  Ulidians.' 

In  A.D.  1109  another  attack  is  made  on  the  Ulidians 
who  were  in  Magh  Cobha  by  '  the  people  of  the  North 
of  Ireland,  with  the  Cinel-Conaill  and  the  Cinel- 
Eoghain— when  the  UHdians  gave  them  the  three 
hostages  which  they  themselves  selected.' 

A.D.  1113,  Magh  Cobha  is  once  more   the  seat  of 

^  In  ancient  times  the  month  was  divided  into  Kalends,  Nones, 
and  Ides.  The  Nones  fell  on  the  5th  of  the  month,  except  in  May, 
March,  July  and  October,  when  they  fell  on  the  7th.  The  Ides  in  the 
latter  four  months  fell  on  the  loth,  but  generally  on  the  13th. 


10  DONAGmiOKE 

war.  Donnchcadh  '  is  banished  from  Ulidia,  his  king- 
dom divided  and  given  to  others.  His  old  alUes,  the 
men  of  Munster,  Leinster,  and  Connaught,  proceed  to 
Magh  Cobha  to  his  aid.  '  Another  army  .  .  .  was 
marched  by  Dondmall  Ua  Lochlainn  to  relieve  the 
Ulidians  :  and  there  was  a  challenge  between  them, 
but  the  successor  of  St.  Patrick  separated  them, 
under  the  semblance  of  peace  and  tranquillity.' 

A.D.  1128,  the  hostages  of  Ui-Eathach  were 
carried  off  by  a  plundering  army  which  entered  Magh 
Cobha. 

In  A.D.  1188,  we  are  told,  the  English  of  Moy 
Cova  Castle  and  a  party  from  Iveagh  set  off  on  a 
plundering  excursion  all  the  way  '  into  Tyrone  '— 
where  they  seized  a  number  of  cows.  They  were 
pursued  by  Donnell  O'Loughlin  and  his  retainers,  who 
defeated  them  with  great  slaughter.  '  But  Donnell, 
the  son  of  Hugh  O'Loughlin,  Lord  of  Aileach,  and 
heir-presumptive  to  the  throne  of  L'eland,  .  .  .  alone 
received  a  thrust  from  an  English  spear,  and  fell  in  the 
heat  of  the  conflict.' 

It  would  be  deeply  interesting  to  know  something 
in  regard  to  the  people  who  lived  here  in  ancient 
times — their  lineage,  social  condition,  and 
coWms^'  Planners  and  customs,  together  with  the 
physical  aspect  of  the  place  ;  but  such 
information  is  only  afforded  us  from  what  is 
known  of  the  Irish  people  and  the  country  in 
general  at  the  period.  In  ancient  times  the  Irish, 
though  a  mixed  race,  were  certainly  more  closely  allied 

'  King  of  Ulidia. 


'  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  11 

in  blood  than  we  are  to-day  ;  their  social  condition, 
manners  and  customs  were  more  uniform  than  at 
present.  Between  Ulster  and  Connaught  there  was 
no  substantial  difference  in  these  respects,  while  the 
physical  aspect  of  the  country  as  a  whole  was  much 
the  same' — apart  from  its  natural  conformation. 

In  these  several  respects,  therefore,  anything  that 
may  be  said  of  Ireland  and  the  Irish  people  in  general 
is  largely  apphcable  to  Moy  Cova  and  its  people  in 
particular.  In  regard  to  Pagan  times  we  are  lost  in 
the  mists  of  legend  and  myth,  though  doubtless  these 
contain  kernels  of  truth  ;  but  we  are  on  surer  ground 
when  we  co.ne  to  the  earlier  centuries  of  the  Christian 
Era.  It  is  not  to  be  inferred,  however,  that  Chris- 
tianity changed  all ;  for,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  much  was 
handed  down  from  Pagan  times,  and  survived  for 
centuries ;  and  even  yet  traces  may  be  found  of  customs 
— at  least' — which  have  been  in  vogue  from  time 
immemorial.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  too,  in  this  connec- 
tion that  '  The  Institutions,  Arts  and  Customs  of 
Ancient  Ireland,  with  few  exceptions,  grew  up  from 
within,  almost  wholly  unaffected  by  external  influence.'^ 

Rome,  which  conquered  and  influenced  most  of 
the  ancient  world,  never  subjugated  Ireland — what- 
ever she  may  have  done  ecclesiastically  in  bygone 
times. 

Much  of  this  preliminary  chapter,  it  is  to  be  feared, 
may  appear  a  digression  from  that  which  the  reader 
had  expected,  but  as  our  intention  is  to  give  a  '  pen 
picture  '  of  things  as  they  were  here  and  elsewhere 
in  past  times,  and  which  we  understand  will  be  of 

'  Joyce,  Social  History  of  Ancient  Ireland,  vol.  i.  p.  1. 


12  DONAGHMORE 

interest,  we  crave  the  pardon  of  those  who  are  Hkely 
to  prefer  something  more  njodern. 

The  Moyeovians  were  doubtless  for  the  most  part 
a  portion  of  the  great  Celtic  family  which  colonised 
Ireland  at  an  early  date,  and  largely 
Moycoviuis  possessed  the  characteristics  of  their  race 
SuicFamiiy.iii  ^3'pe  and  temperament.  They  were 
'  certainly  of  purer  stock  than  those  of  a 
subsequent  period,  while  it  is  to  be  feared  that  at 
present  among  the  modern  inhabitants  it  would  be 
impossible  to  find  a  '  pure  Celt '  anywhere — though 
some  possess  the  pardonable  pride  that  they  are  such. 

During  the  long  lapse  of  centuries  the  Irish  have 

become    a    very    mixed    race— for    the    most    part, 

'  descendants  of  Firbolgs  and  other  British 

I™'\"'„        and   Belgic    races,  Umorians,   Formorians, 

Jlucfd  Race.  ^  ,      ■,^.,      •  ^       i      -kt 

Tuatha  De  Danands,  j\lilesians,  Gauls,  Nor- 
we.izians,  Anglo-Saxons,  Anglo-Normans,  and  English.' 
Sullivan,  who,  if  he  could  advocate  the  existence 
of  a  '  pure  Celt,'  would  certainly  do  so,  yet,  in  view 
of  this  admixture  of  race  in  Ireland,  makes  the 
following  significant  comment  :  '  This  (admixture) 
is  a  fact  which  should  be  remembered  by  those  who 
theorise  over  the  qualities  of  pure  Celts,  whoever 
these  may  be.'  ^ 

It  seems  there  were  two  distinct  types  of  people  in 
ancient  Ireland,  and  it  is  confidently  asserted  that, 

notwithstanding  the  subsequent  admixture 
wo   yFso    £  race,  such  can  still  be  traced.     Sullivan 

Ancient  Irish.  ,       ' 

considers  that  there  are  a  few  broad 
facts    regarding   the    ethnology    of    ancient    Ireland 

'  Introduction — Manners    and    Cuslotns    of    the    Ancie7it    Irish, 
O'C'urrv.  p.  xxiv. 


*  DONAOmiOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  13 

which  may  be  taken  as  certainly  estabhshed. 
'  In  the  first  place,  there  were  two  distinct  types  of 
people — one  a  high  statured,  golden-coloured  or  red 
haired,  fair-skinned,  and  blue,  or  grey-blue  eyed  race  ; 
the  other  a  dark-haired,  dark-eyed,  pale-skinned, 
small  or  medium  statured,  little-limbed  race.  The 
two  types  may  still  be  traced  in  the  country,  and  are 
curiously  contrasted  in  their  blushes  :  the  fair-haired 
type  has  a  pinkish  tinge,  the  other  a  full  red,  with 
scarcely  a  trace  of  pink  in  their  blush.'  ^ 

We  fail  to  trace  these  types  in  Donaghmore — at 
least  so  far  as  blushes  are  concerned.  The  truth  is, 
we  are  not  a  blushmg  people,  but  should  we  occasionally 
'  colour,'  the  hue  seems  to  be  a  deep  crimson  ! 

Dr.  Joyce  gives  us  the  '  marks  of  aristocracy  ' 
among  the  ancient  Irish  as  '  an  oval  face,  broad  above 
Ancient  ^^^^  narrow  below,  golden  hah',  fair  skin, 
Physical  white,  delicate,  and  well-formed  hands, 
Mariis  of  -with  slender  tapering  fingers.'  ~  We  are  not 
ns  ocracy.  ^^^^j.^  ^^^  £^j,  ^^q^q  '  niarks  '  are  traceable 
in  our  modern  aristocracy.  Certainly,  '  the  true  Celtic 
head  of  Ireland  '  is  wanting,  which  O'Curry  describes 
as  '  a  face  broad  above  and  "harrow  below.'  3 

Canon  MacCulloch,  D.D.,  in  his  recent  standard 
work  on  '  The  Religion  (Pagan)  of  the  Ancient  Celts,' 
after  showing  in  the  opening  chapter  (on  '  The  Celtic 
Family  ')  that  tHey  were  a  mixed  race — having  mixed 
not  only  with  the  aborigines  of  the  lands  in  which  they 
settled,  but  with  other  peoples — refers  to  their  types  and 
characteristics.     They  were,  we  are  told,  of  differing 

'  Introduction — O'Curry,  p.  Ixxii. 

^  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  176. 

^  Manners  and  CvMoms,  vol.  iii.  p.  94. 


14  DONAGHMOEE 

types  ;   some  short  and  dark,   others  tall   and   fau', 
and  blue-eyed.     But  among  all  there  is  a  common 
Celtic  fades ;   the  same  old   Celtic  charac- 
Celtic  Types  teristics    are    exhibited    by    all — '  vanity, 
terisiics!"'^'  loquacity,  excitability,  fickleness,  imagina- 
tion, love  of  the  romantic,  fidelity,  attach- 
ment   to    family    ties,    sentimental    love    of    their 
country,  religiosity  passing  over  easily  to  superstition, 
and  a  comparatively  high  degree  of  sexual  morality.' 
The  Moycovians  lived  under  the   clan  system — a 
grouping  of  society  which  was  far  different  from  that 
of  to-day.     The  people  were  divided  into 
^,^,    ^^       tribes  and  clans,  as  were  the  Scotch  and 
the  Anglo-Saxons  in  remote  tnnes.     In  the 
expanding  series  there  were  :  the  Family  ('  the  living 
parents  and   all   their  descendants '),   the   Sept,   the 
Clan,  and   the   Tribe.     These  several  divisions  were 
supposed  to  be  united  hy  descent  from  a  common 
ancestor  ;  but  such  descent  was  more  or  less  fictitious, 
as  '  those  whose  degree  of  consanguinity  was  doubtful 
or    obscure,'    and    even    strangers,    were    frequently 
adopted   into  all  the  groups. 

Under  the  tribal  system  Ireland  was  blest  with  a 
multitude  of  kings — in  regular  gradation  order. 
Besides  the  supreme  monarch,  there  were 
o7'Kingr  *^®  Kings  of  the  Five  Provinces, i  and 
those  of  the  Tuaths,  and  Mor  Tuaths,  i.e. 
a  number  of  Tuaths  united.  A  Tuath,  we  are 
informed,  contained  about  177  English  square  miles, 

'  In  the  bcginnning  of  the  second  century  Ireland  was  divided 
into  five  Provinces,  the  fifih  being  Meath.  This  division  continued 
till  long  after  the  Anglo-Norman  invasion. 


'  DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  15 

representing    an    oblong    district    sixteen   miles    by 
eleven.  1    Moj'  Cova  was  a  Tuath,  and  had  its  own 
king,  as  had  doubtless  most  of  the  other  Tuaths — at 
least  those  not  united  into  Mor  Tuaths.     In  all  Ire- 
land there  were  184  Tuaths,  and  taking  into  account 
the  Mor  Tuaths,  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that  the  Irish 
kings  in  those  days  numbered  at  least  upwards  of  160  ! 
Under  such  a  regal  host,  Ireland,  in  those  olden 
times,  should  have  been  well  and  peacefully  governed  ; 
but    the    truth    is    it    was    far    otherwise. 
TribarG^Jv-  ^^^®   *^'^^'^^    system  with  its   gradation   of 
ernment.       kings  provided  about  the  worst  government 
possible,    especially    for    a    people    of    the 
Celtic   temperament.      There   was   no   cohesion,  and 
no  real  central  authority — even  that  of  the  supreme 
monarch   was   only  nominal.     '  The   chief   king   had 
no  power  over  the  numerous  sub-regu  i  beyond  what 
he  could  enforce  by  arms,  and  there  was  no  cohesion 
even  ammgst  cl  ns  the  most  closely  related.'  ^     Ice- 
land was  only  so  mmy  petty  kingdoms  or  principalities 
with  no  clearly  defined  rights  and  cbligaticns  that  could 
be  legally  enforced — while  each  contained  the  fiery 
elements   which,   on   the   slightest   pretext,   so   often 
culminated  in  bloody  strife,  and  hence  the  constant 
wars  and  tumults  of  which  we  read.     Tribe  fought 
with  tribe  and  chief  with  chief,  and  only  the  fittest 
survived. 

'  The  term  Tuath  had  both  a  geographical  and  genealogical 
signification,  having  been  '  applied  to  the  people  occupj-ing  a  district 
which  had  a  complete  poll  ical  and  legal  administration,  a  Chief  or 
Righ  (King),  and  could  bring  mto  the  field  a  battalion  of  seven 
hundred  men  ('  Litroduction,  O'Curry,  p.  Ixxix.). 

■"'  Introduction,  O'Curry,  p.  xli. 


16  DONAGHMORE 

It  cannot  be  truthfully  said  that  Ireland  was  ever 
a  nation  in  the  proper  acceptation  of  the  term,  though 

G  •  en's  "^'^  ^^'®  aware  others  hold  to  the  contrary. 
'Irish  Mrs.    Green   writes    beautifully    on    'Irish 

Naion-  Nationahty,'  but  it  is  to  be  feared  she 
*^"-^'-'  frequently  romances,  and,  instead  of  stating 

facts,  too  often  deals  in  fiction.  She  admits  that  (at 
the  time  she  claims  this  '  Nationality  ')  there  was 
'  no  central  authority  '—only  a  number  of  '  self- 
governing  communities  ' — '  each  tribe  being  sapreme 
within  its  own  borders,'  and  hence  a  '  divided  govern- 
ment.' True  there  was  a  uniform  system  of  law,  such 
as  it  was  ;  but  there  was  no  Executive  to  enforce  it, 
except  the  sword !  With  all  due  respect  to  Mrs. 
Green's  opinion  in  regard  to  '  Irish  Nationality  '  (if 
she  means  •  Ireland,  a  Nation, '  as  the  term  is 
popularly  understood)  we  make  bold  to  assert  that 
no  such  idea  existed,  nor  could  it  in  the  circumstances. 
If  our  authoress  means,  by  '  Irish  Nationality,'  Irish 
sentiment  and  tradition,  she  is  nearer  the  truth. 
These  did  assuredly  prevail,  and  we  are  among 
those  who  think  they  should  still  prevail.  The  Scotch 
have  largely  maintained  their  old  national  customs 
and  traditions,  and  to  their  credit  be  it  told.  He  is  a 
poor  Irishman  who  will  not  do  likewise.  Doubtless 
the  present  revival  of  Irish  learning  will  do  much  to 
improve  matters  in  this  respect,  if  it  can  he  kept  out  of 
the  domain  of  jjoJitics !  In  this  connection,  we  think 
that  anyone  who  wishes  to  study  Irish  archaeology 
should  learn  the  Irish  language.  For  others,  the  study 
would  be  simply  a  waste  of  time — the  acquirement 
l»eing  perfectly  worthless  as  a  qualification  for  any 


DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  17 

post  of  importance  either  inside  or  outside  of  Ireland. 
The  Enghsh  language  holds  the  field,  and  bids  '  fair 
to  become  the  general  language  of  the  human  race  ' 
(Avebury). 

It  is  interesting  to  know  the  nature  of  the  tenure 
of  lands  in  Donaghmore  in  its  territorial  days,  and 

elsewhere  in  Ireland,  and  that  of  the  rents 
Tenures        ^^  ^®  P^^*^  ^^  ^^®  tenants.     According  to 

the  best  authorities,  it  would  seem  that  in 
the  most  ancient  times  there  was  no  private  owner- 
ship of  land  in  Ireland' — that  it  was  all  common 
property,  and  every  few  years  there  was  a  fresh 
distribution,  i.e.  the  tenure  was  not  fixed  or  permanent. 
Private  ownership  was  a  matter  of  evolution,  and 
it  was  only  by  slow  degrees  that  certain  persons 
began  to  possess  land  as  their  absolute  property  ; 
but,  even  then,  such  lands  comprised  a  very  small 
portion  of  the  soil  of  Ireland.  The  king,  his  nobles, 
and  a  few  others  who  rendered  him  various  kinds  of 
services,  held  lands  in  this  way,  which  they  let  to 
tenants  for  a  term  of  seven  years,  and  for  which  they 
were  paid  rent  in  kind.  The  mensal  lands  of  the  chief 
could  thus  be  let,  but  such  were  not  private  property, 
being  his  only  for  life  or  during  his  chieftainship. 
Most  of  the  land,  however,  was  either  tribe-land  or 
commons-land,  and  in  neither  case  was  private  owner- 
ship recognised.  The  tribe-land  was  common  property 
and  belonged  to  the  people  in  general.  It  was,  how- 
ever, parcelled  out  to  the  several  families  of  the  sept, 
and  every  few  years  there  was  a  fresh  distribution. 
The  commons-land  (not  arable  land)  was  fenceless  and 
used  in  common  by  all  for  pasturage  and  other  purposes. 


18  DONAGHMORE 

Doubtless  a  large  portion  of  Donaghmore  was  commons- 
laud— such  as  Glen,  the  marshes,  the  bogs  and 
forests.  Those  who  held  tribe-land  or  used  commons- 
land,  although  they  were  not  hable  for  rent  in  the 
ordinary  acceptation  of  the  term,  yet  they  were  obliged 
to  make  certain  payments  or  subsidies  to  the  chief. ^ 
It  may  be  noted  that  those  who  occupied  tribe  or 
commons-land  could  not  dispose  of  such  by  will  or 
otherwise.  Their  property  was  purely  personal,  which 
passed  on  the  death  of  the  owner  to  his  family.  If 
the  owner  died  in  debt  to  the  value  of  his  '  estate,' 
only  a  certain  portion  went  to  his  creditors,  the  family 
being  entitled  to  a  small  part,  so  as  to  be  saved  from 
destitution.  This  is  what  was  called  '  The  rights  of  a 
corpse  ' — thus  mentioned  by  Ware  :  '  Every  dead 
body  has  in  its  own  right  a  cow  and  a  horse,  and  a 
garment,  and  the  furniture  of  his  bed  ;  nor  shall  any 
of  these  be  paid  in  satisfaction  of  his  debts  ;  because 
they  are,  as  it  were,  the  special  property  of  his  body.'  - 
It  will  thus  be  seen  that,  under  the  Brehon  Laws, 
I'luler  which    regulated    the    land     customs    in 

Brchon  Laws  ancient  times,  the  tenant  had  no  right  of 
—no  F  xiiy  private  ownership,  and  no  fixity  of  tenure, 
except  for  a  few  years,  and  that,  more- 
over, he  was  obliged  to  pay  rent.  True,  the  tribe 
land  was  supposed  to  be  the  common  property  of  the 
people  ;  but  when  the  individual  is  denied  the  right 
of  private  ownership  and  a  permanent  tenure  of 
his  particular  holding,  the  phrase  '  common  pro- 
perty '  is  not  so  fascinating.  Such  were  the  sole 
rights  and  obhgations  of  tenants  under  '  Irish    law.' 

'  Seo  Joyce,  vol.  i.  p.  188.  -  Avfiqq.,  152. 


'  DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  19 

British  law  seems  to  have  been  more  generous  to  the 
Irish  tenant.  Under  the  recent  Land  Purchase  Acts, 
Irish  tenants  have  been  enabled  to  purchase  their 
holdings,  the  British  exchequer  advancing  the  money, 
for  which  a  moderate  interest  is  charged  for  a  term  of 
years—when  they  become  absolute  owners  of  their 
farms,  free  of  rent. 

It  is  worth  noting  that  the  first  rent-payers  in 
Ireland  were  the  Firbolgs,  who  were  conquered  by  the 

Tuatha  De  Danann.  '  Breas  Mac  Elathan, 
Rent-payers.  ^^^^    ^^    ^^^®    Tuatha    De    Danand    Kings, 

was  the  first  who  imposed  rents  in 
Ireland,  and  the  rent-payers  were  chiefly  the 
Firbolgs,  and  so  grievous  were  the  burthens  he  im- 
posed upon  the  whole  country  that  he  was  deposed. 
The  Scoti  or  Milesians  conquered  the  Tuatha  De  Danand 
and  in  turn  made  Aithechs  or  tenants  of  them,  and  so 
it  has  continued  as  in  most  other  countries,  each 
succeeding  conquering  race  obliging  their  conquered 
predecessors  to  pay  tributes  and  rents.'  ^ 

We  are  sure  it  would  be  an  interesting  sight  to  us 
moderns  if  we  could  behold  the  old  inhabitants  of 

Donaghmore  in  their  native  dress — so  far 
Ancient  different  from  our  present  habiliments. 
Costume.       The    costume   worn    by    them    was    that 

of  the  ancient  Irish,  and  was  indeed 
a  very  picturesque  one^ — at  least  so  far  as  colours  were 
concerned — though  we  fear  the  combinations  were  not 
quite  harmonious  !  The  upper  garments  worn  by 
the  men  were  mainly  of  four  classes  :  a  great  cloak, 
without  sleeves,  commonly  covering  the  whole  person 

'  Introduction  (Sullivan),  Professor  O'Curry.  p.  xxiii. 

c  2 


20  DONAGHMORE 

from  the  shoulders  ;  a  jacket,  tight-fitting,  with 
sleeves  ;  a  cape  for  shoulders  with  head-hood  ;  a 
]^ilt— same  as  that  worn  by  the  Scottish  Highlander ; 
while  one  of  the  nether  garments  was  a  tight-fitting 
trousers— caUed  iriw  Wias^anghcised  frei^-s— from  which 
we  derive  '  trousers.'  The  large  sleeveless  cloak  was 
worn  by  both  men  and  women,  and  was  variously 
dyed.i 

The  Irish  were  very  fond  of  colours  ;   and  besides, 

rank    was    denoted    by    the    hue    of    the 
Rank  garment.     The   *  Book  of  Ballymote '    has 

Colour     ^    ^^^®   following   stanza   on   the  '  sumptuary 

law  '  of  dress  : 

'  Mottled  to  simpletons,  blue  to  women  ; 
Crimson  to  Kings  of  every  host ; 
Green  and  black  to  noble  laymen  ; 
White  to  clerics  of  proper  devotion.' 

It  seems  the  distinction  of  rank  by  the  wearing  of 
certain  colours  had  a  pagan  origin,  and  was  mtro- 
Pa  an  Origin  ^^^^^^^'  '"^^cording  to  our  legendary  history, 
of  the  °  by  the  thkteenth  monarch  of  L'eland — 
Sumptuary  Tigcrnmas — B.C.  1543.  His  successor, 
^^^^'  Eochaidh  Edgudach — known  as  '  Eochaidh, 

the  cloth-designer ' — is  said  to  have  extended  and 
completely  established  this  sumptuary  law.  O'Curry 
refers  to  a  statement  by  Keating  (on  the  authority  of 
an  ancient  record  now  lost)  that  it  was  by  this  Eochaidh 
'  cloth  was  first  coloured  crimson,  blue  and  gieen  in 
Ireland.  It  was  by  him  that  various  colours  were 
introduced  into  the  wearing-clothes  of  Erin — viz.  one 
colour  in  the  clothes  of  servants  ;   two  colours  in  the 

^  See  Joj'ce,  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  193. 


•  DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  23 

clothes  of  rent-paying  farmers  ;  three  colours  in  the 
clothes  of  officers  ;  five  colours  in  the  clothes  of  chiefs  ; 
six  colours  in  the  clothes  of  OllamJis  (Doctors  holding 
the  highest  degi'ee  in  the  arts  or  professions)  and 
poets  ;  seven  colours  in  the  clothes  of  Kings  or  Queens. 
It  was  from  this  (says  the  old  book)  the  custom  has 
grown  this  day,  that  all  these  colours  are  in  the  clothes 
of  a  Bishop.'  ^ 

O'Curry  refers  to  the  colours  worn  by  the  cele- 
brated Queen  of  Connaught,  Medbh,  and  her  consort, 
Ailill,  in  the  century  immediately  preceding  the 
Christian  era — recorded  in  '  The  Tain.'  These  two 
good  people  had  been  boasting  and,  it  would  seem, 
disputing  in  regard  to  their  respective  possessions, 
when,  to  end  the  contest,  it  was  decided  to  make  a 
complete  inspection  of  their  valuables.  Among  the 
precious  possessions  examined  was  the  royal  wardrobe 
— the  colours  of  which  are  thus  specified  :  '  Crimson, 
and  blue,  and  black,  and  green,  and  yellow,  and 
speckled,  and  pale,  and  gray,  and  blay,  and 
striped  '  !  - 

The  old  Brehon  Law  (which  was  much  like  our 
Common  Law,  there  being  no  Parliament  in  ancient 
times,  and  consequently  no  Statute  Law)  took  cognis- 
ance of  kish  costume — its  material  and  colours — as 
denoting  position  or  rank.  A  sumptuary  law  in  the 
Senchus  Mor  lays  down  the  following  regulations  : — ■ 
'  The  sons  of  Idngs,  when  in  fosterage,  were  to  have 
satin  mantles,  dyed  scarlet,  purple  or  blue  ' ;  while  '  the 
sons  of  chiefs  were  to  be  dressed  in  red,  green,  and 

^  Manners  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  p.  89. 
2  Ibid.  p.  90. 


22  DONAGHMORE 

brown  clothes,  and  those  of  inferior  ranks  in  grey, 
yellow,  black  and  white.'  ^ 

The  inhabitants  of  Moy  Cova  must  have  been 
fairiiliar  with  the  picturesque  sight  of  the  Ulster 
clans  and  their  leaders,  with  their 
CUns'^^^^'^  differences  of  costume  and  colours— as 
they  marched  through  the  territory,  and 
doubtless  fought  in  their  midst.  Indeed,  the 
Moycovians  themselves  were  members  of  an  Ulster 
clan — three  of  whose  chiefs  ('  the  three  good  chieftains 
of  Moy  Cova  ')  have  been  immortalised  in  the  great 
poem  of  '  The  Tarn  '  (see  infra). 

A  vivid  pen-picture  of  the  Ulster  clans  is  afforded 
us  in  the  tale  of  the  Tain — one  of  our  best  pieces  of 
Irish  Homeric  literature — though  of  course  all  due 
allowance  must  be  made  for  the  poetic  license  assumed 
by  the  author  of  the  poem  in  his  description. 

Queen  ^ledbh  of  Connaught  with  her  army  had 
invaded  Ulster — the  kmgdom  of  her  former  husband 
the  renowned  Conchobar  Mac  Nessa.  In  her  retreat 
with  the  Connaught  forces  she  was  o\ertaken  by 
Conchobar  and  the  Ulster  army  at  Slane  of  Meath. 
She  and  her  consort,  Ailill,  held  a  council,  when 
MacRoth,  the  royal  herald,  was  ordered  to  go  forth  and 
observe  the  approaching  clans  of  Ulster,  and  then 
return  with  an  exact  account  of  *  their  military  order, 
their  dress,  their  weapons,  and  their  numbers.' 

The  Ulster  warriors  were  fast  approaching,  and  anon 
the  herald  heard, 

'  Floating  from  far  away,  a  imiflkd  roar, 
A  crackling,  thunderous  murmur,  and  deep  din 
Of  many  mingled  sounds.' 

'  Joyce,  Social  Ilialori/,  vol.  ii.  p.  222, 


'  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '         2B 

He  gazed  again, 

'  And  while  he  gazed,  he  heard  a  growing  roar 
Of  mingled  booming,  crymg,  thundering, 
With  shrill,  sharp  snaps  and  thuds,  ringings  and  cheers, 
All  floating  towards  him  on  the  eastern  wind.' 

MacRoth  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  soon, 

*  From  early  morning  till  the  evening  fell, 
The  Ulster  hosts  arrived  in  Slane  of  Meath. 
So  great  their  numbers  that  in  all  the  time 
The  land  was  ne'er  left  naked,  but  was  clothed 
By  moving  throngs.     All  orderly  they  came  ; 
For  every  throng  surrounded  its  own  King, 
And  every  band  its  lord.' 

The  first  warrior  described  by  MacRoth  is  the  great 
champion — Conchobar    MacNessa — King    of    Ulster, 

who  led  the  northern  hosts — having  under 
Ulster "^^°   his  special  command   'an  ardent,  stalwart 

band  of  very  noble  aspect,'  esteemed  in 
'  numbers  to  be  thrice  three  thousand.' 

'AU, 
Quick  flinging  off  their  raiment,  dug  the  earth, 
And  lifted  sods,  and  raised  a  mighty  momid 
High  on   the  rounded  summit  of  a   hill, 
To  be  a  seat  and  station  for  their  lord. 
And  he,  their  lord,  was  tall  and  thinly  built. 
Courteous  and  proud,  of  princeliest  way  and  style, 
Accustomed  to  command  and  to  restrain. 
And  awful  was  his  kingly  gleaming  eye. 
His  yellow  bush  of  crisped  drooping  hair ; 
His  trimly  forking  beard  ;  his  crimson  fooan  (mantle) 
Folding  five  times  about  him  ;  the  gold  pin. 
Above  his  breast ;  the  lagna  (shirt)  next  his  skin, 
Of  purest  white,  adorned  with  threads  of  gold. 
Were  all  of  princely  make.     He  wore,  besides, 


24  DONAGHMOEE 

A  white-bright  shield,  adorned  with  monstrous  beasts, 
Li  deep  red  gold.     In   the   one   liand   he   bore 
A  gi)!den-hihcd  sword,  and  in  the  other 
A  wide,  gray  spear.' 

Chieftains  of        We  must  not  fail  to  mention  the  '  Three 
Moy  Cova     good  chieftains  of  Moj^  Cova  '  : 

'  "There  came  another  band  into  tliat  hill,"" 
MacRoth  went  on.     '•  Controlling  it,  I  saw 
Three  purple-faced  and  anger-kindled  men 
Of  honourable  rank.     Each  had  thick  hair 
Of  pale  blay-yellow  ;  and  their  ample  brats  (mantles) 
Were  all  alike,  and  were  secured  by  pins 
Of  Ijrightest  gold.     Bright  gold  embroidery 
Adorned  their  three  neat  lagnas.     Tlieir  three  shields 
Were  all  alike.     A  gold-hilted  sword 
Each  wore  upon  his  thigh  ;  in  his  right  hand 
Each  grasped  a  gray,  white  spear." 
"  Who  were  those,  Fergus  ?  "  asked  Al-Yill. 
''  Three  good  chieftains  of  Moy  Cova  "..."' 

Among  the  numerous  clans  described  bv  ^MacRoth 

was   that   under   the   great    chieftain   Celtchair   Mac 

Uthair  of  Dun-da-leth-dass   (Downpatrick) 

Clan  of  ,  ,  1     1      •  •  -i     1 

Celtchair  — ^  ^^^^^  overwhelmmg  ni  magnitude ; 
Mac  Uthair  fierj'-red  in  a  heat ;  a  battalion  in  numbers  ; 
of  Down-  ^  j.Q(.,|j  jj-^  strength  ;  a  destruction  in  battle  ; 
as  thunder  in  impetuosity.  The  chief- 
tain at  its  head  (a  great  contrast  to  Conchobar !) 
was  an  angry,  terrific,  hideous  man,  long-nosed,  large- 
eared,  apple-eyed  :  with  coarse,  dark-gray  hair.  He 
wore  a  striped  cloak,  and,  instead  of  a  brooch,  he  had 
a  stake  of  iron  in  that  cloak  over  his  breast — which 

'  From  the  beautiful  pocticlranslation  of  The  Tain  by  Mrs.  Mary 
A.  Iluttoii  of  Belfast,  look  xiv.  pp.  .'}84-9  and  404. 


'  DONAGHMOKE  OF  MOY  COVA  '         25 

reached  from  one  shoulder  to  the  other.  He  wore  a 
coarse,  streaked  shirt  next  his  skin.'  ^ 

We  cannot   forbear   to   mention   the   pictm'esque 

clan  of  Ercc— the  little  son  of  Capri  Nia-Fer,  Monarch 

of    Erin,    and    of   Fedilm    (ever-blooming) 

^^^^  °^         Nucruthach,  daughter  of  Conchobar,  King 

of  Ulster.     The  herald  describes  this  clan 

and  its  youthful  chieftain  thus  : 

*  Some  of  them  had  red  cloaks,  some  gray  cloaks  ; 
others  blue  cloaks  ;  and  others  cloaks  of  green,  blay, 
white,  and  yellow ;  and  these  cloaks  all  floating 
splendidly  and  brightly  upon  them.  There  is  a  red 
speckled  little  boy,  with  a  crimson  cloak,  among  them 
in  the  centre  ;  he  has  a  brooch  of  gold  in  that  cloak 
over  his  breast  ;  and  a  shirt  of  kingly  silk  interwoven 
with  red  gold  next  his  white  skin.'  ~ 

Well,  '  the  old  order  changeth,  giving  place  to  the 
new  ' — the  '  Ulster  clans  '  have  gone,  never  to  return, 
and  the  Irish  dress,  so  many-coloured  and  picturesque, 
has  long  since  disappeared,  with  the  exception, 
„  ^  perhaps,   of    that    faint    relic,    the    large 

Relic  of  hooded  cloak  which,  we  are  told,  the 
Ancient  country-women  still  wear  in  many  parts 
Dress.  ^j  Ii'eland,  though  we  have  not  observed 

it  in  Donaghmore  ;  and  '  more  is  the  pity,'  for  it  is  a 
very  comely  attire — especially  if,  as  in  ancient  times, 
it  is  '  striped  and  spotted  with  divers  colours  '  !  Prob- 
ably the  claddah  cloak,  now  worn  by  many  women, 

•  Prose  translation  of  The  Tain— see  0 'Curry,  M miners  and 
Customs,  vol.  iii.  p.  95. 

2  See  O'Curry,  Manners  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  p.  96. 


26  DONAGHMOflE 

resembles  in  some  respects  that  of  the  olden  time, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  won't  be  soon  proscribed 
by  '  Dame  Fashion.' 

Early  attempts  were  made  to  anglicise  the  Irish 
dress,   but   failed — particularly   during    the    reign  of 
King  John. 

Costume.  Edward  IV.  rendered  it  lawful  to  seize 
'  any  native  having  no  faithful  men  of 
good  name,  clad  in  English  apparel,  in  his  company, 
and  to  kill  him  and  cut  off  his  head,  the  cutter- 
off  of  each  head  being  entitled  to  levy  off  every 
man  in  the  barony  wdio  tilled  one  plow-land,  two 
pence  :  and  off  every  cottier,  having  a  house  and  moat, 
one  penny.'  i 

A  sumptuary  law  of  Henry  VIII.  enacted  that  '  no 
person  shall  wear  .  .  .  any  manner  of  clothing,  mantle, 
coat,  or  hood,  after  the  Irish  fashion,  but  in  all  things 
shall  conform  to  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  civil 
people  within  the  English  pale.'  ~  The  same  monarch 
proscribed  the  colour  saffron  thus :  '  Ne  persone, 
or  persones,  the  King's  subjects,  shall  weare  any  shirte, 
kercher,  bandelle,  or  markete,  coloured  or  dyed  with 
saffron.' 

We  should  have  thought  this  proscription  quite 
unnecessary,  if  the  fvillowmg  statement  (quoted  by 
Knox)  of  an  Irish  tourist  be  true,  who  visited  the 
country  about  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century  : 
'  The  Irish  doe  weare  linen  shirtes  of  great  length  for 

'  See  Knox,  History  of  Down,  p.  33. 

■  Note,  an  Eiijjlish  sumamo  must  nlso  be  taken,  the  main 
poliey  of  the  Aci  being  to  detach  the  Irish  from  their  sept — whose 
name  thej*  bore. 


'  DONAGHMOKE  OF  MOY  COVA  '  27 

wantonnesse  and  braverj^e,  with  white  hanging 
sleeves  plaited  :  thirty  yards  are  little  enough  for  one  of 
them.  They  have  now  left  off  they're  saffron,  and  learned 
to  washe  their  shirtes  four  or  five  times  in  the  year !  '  ^ 

Notwithstanding,  however,  the  various  enactments 
and  proscriptions,  including  those  of  James  I.,  against 
Irish  dress,  it  continued  to  be  worn,  and  its  general 
disuse  in  the  reigns  of  James  IL,  William  III.  and 
Anne  may  probably  be  attributed  to  the  fashion  of  the 
times  rather  than  to  legal  prohibition. 

We  fail  to  see  any  valid  reason  for  the  proscription 
of  the  Irish  dress.  •  The  Irish  should  have  been  per- 
mitted to  wear  their  native  costume,  if  they  chose,  were 
it  only  for  the  sake  of  sentiment,  which  has  its  uses, 
and  especially  in  regard  to  dress,  which  in  this  case 
was  considered  a  distinguishing  mark  of  nationality. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  note  that,  notwithstandmg 
all  their  passionate  love  of  colour,  yet  '  as  a  matter  of 
Anc'ent  ^^^^'  *^®  ancient  Irish  had  no  national 
Irish— no  colour  ' — SO  WO  are  informed  by  Dr.  Joyce, 
National  and  there  is  no  higher  authority.  A  large 
°  °"^'  proportion  of  our  countrymen  have  adopted 

green   as    a    national  colour,  but  Joyce   regards    its 
adoption  as  a  very  modern  innovation.^ 

Sir  Bernard  Burke  agrees  that  the  ancient  Irish 
had  no  national  colour.  He  states  :  '  The  various 
septs  were  ranged  under  the  banners  of 
Present  Irish  their  respective  chiefs,  and  when  one  of 
Colour.^  those  chiefs  was  elected  King,  his  colour 
may  be  considered  for  the  national  ensign  :  ' 
but '  since  the  introduction  of  English  rule,  the  national 

1  History  of  Down,  p.  GO.  ^  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  192. 


28  DONAGHMORE 

colour,  established  by  and  derived  from  the  National 
Arms,  has  been  invariably,  blue.'  ^ 

The  colours  most  in  vogue  at  present  in  Donagh- 
more  Parish  are  '  orange  and  green,'  but  these  are 
mere  '  party  '  badges.  If  the  Battle  of  Boyne  had  any 
decisive  effect  as  regards  the  adoption  of  party  colours, 
they  should  certainly  be  '  green  '  and  '  white,'  as  we 
know  (Macaulay)  the  army  of  King  William  wore 
sprigs  of  green  in  their  cap,  while  that  of  King  James 
wore  strips  of  white  paper. 

The  writer  finds  a  popular  local  impression  to  the 
effect  that  the  Moycovians,  who  lived  here  and  else- 
where in  the  territory,  even  in  the  early 
Civilisation    centuries  of  the  Christian    era,  were  half 

of  tho  ^      .  .. 

Ancient  Irish. s^^'^g^s,  as  were  Irishmen  generally  at 
the  period  ;  but  this  is  far  from  the  truth, 
and  is  indeed  little  short  of  a  libel.  For  the  age,  and 
as  compared  with  other  peoples,  the  Irish  possessed 
a  high  degree  of  civilisation,  and  were  the  means  of 
Christianising  and  civilismg  others,  who  now-  affect  to 
despise  them  as  an  inferior  race  in  this  as  well  as  in 
other  respects.  The  Irish  Church,  in  those  days  of 
her  splendour,  was  the  brightest  light  in  Christen- 
dom, and  Irehind,  under  her  teaching  and  influence, 
was  justly  called,  comparatively  speaking,  '  the  Island 
of  Saints.'  Of  course  they  fought  and  were  cruel  in 
the  '  bloody  strife,'  but  they  were  no  worse  than  other 
Christian  nations  in  this  respect — m  an  age  when  even 
bishops  buckled  on  then  armour  and  led  the  armed 
host.     Notwithstanding,  however,  the  Irish  were,  par 

'    Vici.i.iiludc.f  of  Families,  note,  vol.  i.  j).  120. 


'  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '         29 

excellence,    devoted      to    their    religion,    and    very 
punctilious  in  regard  to  its  observances. 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  our  modern  '  week-end  ' 
Sabbath- breakers,  and  others  of  their  ilk,  would  con- 
sider the  following  rule  of  St.  Conall,   in 
^'^^.^^  ,,     the  sixth  century,  as  regards  the  observ- 

St.  Conall.  T       1 »      -TV  4.1 

ance  of  the  Lord  s  Day,  rather  severe : 
'  No  out  or  indoor  labour,  not  even  sweeping  or 
cleaning  up  the  house  ;  no  combing  ;  no  shaving  ; 
no  clipping  the  haii*  or  beard  ;  no  washing  the 
face  or  hands  ;  no  cutting  ;  no  sewing  ;  no  churn- 
ing ;  no  riding  on  horseback  ;  no  fishing  ;  no  sailing 
or  rowing  ;  no  journeying  of  travellers,  but  wher- 
ever a  man  happened  to  be  on  a  Saturday  night, 
there  was  he  to  remain  till  Monday  morning.'  We 
would  (for  modern  times)  add :  '  No  tennis ;  no 
croquet  ;  no  golf ;  and  no  motoring,  except  to 
church  !  ' 

The  Irish  in  those  times,  we  are  told,  were  an  in- 
telligent and  enlightened  people,  and  loved  learning, 

while  good  schools  abounded  all  over 
The  Ancient  ^j^q  country.  One  school  alone  (Clonard) 
Educ!t'ion.    is    said   to   have  contained   3,000    pupils. 

In  the  sixth,  seventh,  and  eighth  cen- 
turies Irish  schools  were  famous  throughout  Europe. 
The  English  nobihty  and  gentry  sent  their  sons  to  be 
educated  in  Ireland,  while  many  Continental  countries 
were  also  well  represented  in  this  respect. 

It  seems,  too,  that  the  Iiish  were  a  gay,  light- 
hearted  race  in  those  days,  and  much  given  to  amuse- 
ment— a  bright  contrast,  in  this  respect  at  least,  to 
the  Irish  of  to-day. 


80  DONAGHMORE 

We  suppose  an  ancient  Irish  fair  will  afford 
us  the  best  instance  of  the  popular  amusements  of 
•  ^.  the  time.     We  have  no   record   of  a  fair 

Irish  Amuse-  or  aetiach  ha^  mg  been  held  at  or  near 
mcnta—  Donaghmore  in  times  far  away  ;  but  the 
'""^"'  inhabitants  of  the  place  must  have  shared 

in  the  festivities  of  such,  for  all  the  people  of  a 
tuaili,  and  even  of  a  province,  received  their  periodic 
summons  to  attend.  A  fair  in  those  times  must  have 
been  a  merry  and  picturesque  assembly — far  different 
from  our  modern  conception  of  such.  These  fairs  were 
attended  by  many  thousands  of  people,  who,  for  the 
time  being,  gave  themselves  up  to  unrestrained  mirth, 
enjoyment,  and  amusement  of  various  kinds—'  athletic 
games  and  exercises,  racing,  music,  recitations  by 
skilled  poets  and  story-tellers,  jugglers'  and  showmen's 
representations,  eating  and  druiking,  marrying  and 
giving  in  marriage.'  .  .  .  '  The  people  were  dressed  in 
their  best,  and  in  great  variety,  for  all,  both  men  and 
women,  loved  bright  colours,  and  from  head  to  foot 
every  individual  wore  articles  of  varied  hue.  Here 
you  saw  a  tall  gentleman  walking  along  with  a  scarlet 
cloak  flowing  loosel}^  over  a  short  jacket  of  purple, 
with  perhaps  a  blue  trousers,  while  the  next  showed 
a  colour  arrangement  whollj  different,  and  the  women 
vied  with  men  in  variety  of  hues.'  ^ 

The  Irish  of  to-day  are  fond  of  dancing  ;  yet  it 
seems,  in  ancient  times,  they  never  indulged  in  that 

.  form  of  amusement,  either  at  fairs  or  else- 

where.    Authorities  inform  us  that  in  the 
Irish  language  there  are  no  ancient  words  for  dancing 

'  Joyce.  Social  History,  vcl.  i.  p  30. 


'  DONAGHMOEE  OF  MOY  COVA  '         81 

as  we  understand  it,  nor  is  it  once  mentioned  in  any 
of  the  old  manuscript  books.  We  suppose  there  is  no 
higher  authority  than  O'Curry,  who  writes :  '  As  far 
as  I  have  ever  read  there  is  no  reference  that  can  be 
identified  as  containing  a  clear  allusion  to  dancing  in 
any  of  our  really  ancient  (Irish)  MS.  books.'  i 

Irish  fairs  were  governed  by  stringent  rules — one 

being  the  prohibition  of  all  fighting  or  quarrelling  of 

any  kind — a  very  necessary  provision,  we 

Laws  of        should  think  !     There  was  a  sacred  '  truce 

Jbaus.  .  1       •  1 

of  peace  '  for  the  tnne  bemg,  and  woe  betide 
the  man  who  raised  his  blackthorn  or  other  weapon, 
even  by  way  of  threat  or  provocation.  The  penalty 
was  probably  death — at  least  such  was  the  punish- 
ment for  a  breach  of  this  law  at  the  great  triennial 
fair  of  Carman  (Wexford)  : 

'  Whoever  transgresses  the  law  of  the  assembly, 
Wliich  Benen  with  accuracy  indelibly  wrote, 
Cannot  be  spared  upon  family  composition, 
But  he  must  die  for  Ms  transgression.^  ^ 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  Irish  fairs  have  degenerated, 
in  that  there  is  no  longer  a  '  truce  of  peace,'  and  that 
jyj^^^  the   shillelagh    may   be    freely   used    with 

Fairs  and      impunity. 

'  the  Shil-  We  are  told  that  one  of   the   ancient 

^  "^^  '  Irish   weapons   of    warfare    was    '  a   great 

club  of  black  thorn,  with  a  band  of  iron,' 
and  that  '  each  of  the  thrice  fifty  attendants 
of  hospitaller   Da    Derga '    carried    this    formidable 

'  Manners  and  Custom.'^,  vol.  ii.  p.  406. 
-  From  the  poem  on  Carman,  verse  56. 


82  DONAGHMORE 

weapon.  Dr.  Joyce,  in  a  note  on  the  statement,  tells 
us  that  more  than  eighteen  centuries  later,  that  is  to 
say,  towards  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  he  often 
saw  the  men  of  the  rival  factions- — the  '  Three-year- 
old,'  and  'Four-year-old  ' — fighting  at  the  '  big  fair  of 
Kildorrery,'  eo.  Cork,  with  precisely  the  same  kind 
of  weapons — heavy  sticks — blackthorn,  oak,  or  ash, 
with  iron  or  lead  ferrules  on  the  end.i 

Most    people    have   heard    of    Donnybrook    Fair, 
originally  established  by  King  John,  so  notorious  for 

its  riotous  proceedings.  This  famous 
Fair—  ^^'^  ^'^^  ^^^  ^^^^  annually  at  the  end  of  August 
transferred  for  upwards  of  six  centuries,  the  last 
to  the  taking  place  in  1855.     We  have  no  modern 

Commons.     ^^^^^   Donnybrook— though   it    seems    the 

old  scenes  have  been  revived  elsewhere — 
even  at  Westminster  ('  Tell  it  not  in  Gath  !  '),  wdiere, 
on  certain  occasions  in  the  year  of  oui-  Lord  1911, 
Harry  Furniss  tells  us,  the  riotous  proceedings  were 
'  typical  of  the  old  (Donnybrook)  Fair,  where  fathers, 
sons,  brothers,  and  cousins  mixed  up,  (and)  fouglit  for 
the  "  divil  of  it  "  in  the  "  Here-is-a-head-let-us-crack- 
it  "  style  of  "  rale  enjoyment."  '  - 

It  may  be  noted  that  the  Irish  fair  or  aenach  had 
its  origin  in  pagan  times,  and  was  primarily  instituted 

for  the  purpose  of  celebrating  the  funeral 
t^cTish  ^^'^^  °^  kings,  nobles,  and  other  persons 
Fair.  o^    distinction.      The    fairs     were    always 

held  around  the  ancient  pagan  cemeteries 
— generally  forts — the  burial  place  of  such  person- 

'  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  106. 
'  Articles  on  Parliament. 


'  DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA '         38 

ages,  where  the  members  of  the  assembly  chanted 
the  guha,  or  mournful  chorus,  and,  after  the  funeral, 
joined  in  the  *  funeral  games  ' — which  were  generally- 
repeated  at  certain  intervals,  say  on  the  anniversary 
of  the  funeral  or  triennially. 

Subsequently,  the  Irish  fair  developed  into  an 
assembly  of  a  more  social  and  festive  character — while 
the  sale  and  purchase  of  various  kinds  of  commodities 
formed  an  important  function  of  the  aenach.  Besides, 
the  fairs  became  a  kind  of  parliament  for  the  pro- 
mulgation and  rehearsal  of  laws,  and  the  transaction  of 
divers  kinds  of  business  affecting  the  community  at 
large. 

The  old  Irish  aenach  has  long  since  departed  ;  but, 
doubtless,  in  many  parts  of  Ireland  the  festive  idea 
still  lingers. 

About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  we  find 
the  Donaghmore  fairs  always  '  finished  up  '  with  '  the 
usual  diversions.' 

The  modern  inhabitants  of  Donaghmore,  it  is  to  be 
feared,  would  not  be  impressed  with  the  physical 
aspect  of  the  locality  in  ancient  times 
Physical  ^g  compared  with  the  present.  Then,  the 
Moy^Cova.  larger  proportion  of  the  district  which 
now  constitutes  the  parish  was  composed 
of  morasses  and  forests. 

Moy  Cova  must  have  been  a  fine  field  for  sport  in 
those  old  times — if  it  resembled  the  rest  of  Ireland. 
'  The  (Irish)  woods  and  waste  places  were  ahve  with 
birds  and  wild  animals  of  all  kinds,'  and  '  the  rivers 
and  lakes  teemed  with  fish.' 

All  the  lands,  here  and  elsewhere,  in  ancient  times 


31  DONAGHMOKE 

whether  for  cultivation  or  pasturage,  were  for  the 
most  part  fenceless,  and  hence  there  were  no  fields  as 
we  understand  them.  It  was  not  till  about  the  seventh 
century  that  fences  for  the  first  time  became  general, 
owing,  it  seems,  to  the  people  having  become  so  numer- 
ous. The  little  land  under  cultivation  was  farmed 
in  a  very  primitive  fashion- — corn  of  various  kinds 
being  the  chief  crop' — while  the  pasturage  was  mainly 
used  for  cowS' — one  of  the  '  chief  articles  '  of  wealth  in 
those  dayS' — the  Irish  pig  coming  next  in  that  respect. 

The  houses  were  mostly  of  wood — the  families  of 
superior  rank  living  at  the  forts- — the  'palaces'- — 
which  were  generally  of  a  circular  form,  and 
HovTes*^  situated  on  hills  and  other  places  of  difiicult 
access,  while  their  retainers  occupied  de- 
tached structures  apart,  but  within  the  rath  or  lis 
enclosures.  The  lower  orders  of  the  people  generally, 
especially  during  the  summer,  while  attending  their 
flocks  and  herds,  dwelt  in  the  hut  or  caban,  outside 
the  rath  enclosures,  which  consisted  of  a  few 
branches  of  trees  stuck  into  the  ground,  in  a  cir- 
cular or  oblong  fashion,  tied  at  the  top  with  withes, 
and  covered  with  leaves  and  grass.  Their  winter 
dwellings  were  more  endurable  and  comfortable,  but 
for  ages  there  were  no  windows  or  chimneys  !  ' 

Tne  Danes,  and  other  invaders  of  Ireland,  did 
little  to  improve  Irish  architecture— especially  in 
regard  to  the  habitations  of  the  people.  Indeed,  it 
was  not  till  the  seventeenth  century  that  comfortable, 
substantial  houses  of  habitation  and  elegant  country 
seats  became  general  in  Ireland' — and,  even  then,  such 
were  *  few  and  far  between.' 

'  Sec  Homologia  Hibernica,  vol.  ii.  p.  4. 


'  DONAGHMORE  OF  MOY  COVA  '         35 

In  1635  an  Englishman — Sir  William  Brereton — 
made  an  extensive  tour  of  Ireland,  and,  on  his  journey 
Impressions  ^^^^^  Dromore  to  Newry,  must  have 
of  an  Eng-  passed  through  this  parish,  if  his  route 
lish  Tourist,  were  at  all  direct.  His  impressions  of 
the  material  condition  of  the  district  are 
far  from  flattering' — to  say  nothing  in  regard  to  his 
opinion  of  the  '  villain  '  who  led  him  out  of  the  way. 
He  writes  in  his  MS.  Journal :  '  July  7th  (1635)  wee 
left  Dromoare  and  went  to  the  Newrie,  which  is  sixteen 
miles  ;  this  is  a  most  difficult  way  for  a  stranger  to 
find  out  ;  herein  wee  wandered,  and  being  lost  fell 
among  the  Irish  townes.  The  Irish  houses  are  the 
poorest  cabins  I  have  seen  ;  erected  in  the  middle  of 
the  fields  and  grounds  which  they  farm  and  rent.  This 
is  a  wild  countrie,  nott  inhabited,  planted,  nor  inclosed, 
2jett  itt  would  hee  come  if  it  was  husbanded.  I  gave 
an  Irishman  to  bring  us  into  the  way  a  groate,  who  led 
us  Hke  a  villain  directly  out  of  the  way,  and  soe  left  us  ; 
soe  as  by  this  deviation  it  was  3  houre  before  we  came 
to  the  Newrie:  ^  dHi383J.2 

This  '  Enghsh  gentleman,'  as  tM  Eev.  John 
Dubourdieu  calls  him,  had  doubtless  his  prejudices  and 
viewed  Ireland  through  coloured  glasses— a  habit  too 
common  on  the  part  of  some  Englishmen,  especially 
of  the  tourist  class,  or  those  who  study  us  through  the 
medium  of  the  illustrated  postcard  of  caricature- — 
many  of  whom  imagine  that  we  actually  feed  and 
harbour  our  pigs  in  the  drawing-room  ! 

Making  all  due  allowances,  however,  for  SirWilHam's 
prejudices,  it   is  to   be  feared  that   his  impressions 

>  Quoted  by  the  Rev.  John  Dubourdieu,  Statistical  Survey  of 
Doum,  pp.  309-10. 


36  DONAGHMORE 

were  not  wholly  baseless.  But  we  have  progressed 
since  then,  and  the  Ireland  generally  of  to-day  (and 
Ulster  in  particular)  is  far  different  from  that  of  ancient 
or  even  more  modern  times. 

The  remains  of  the  best  ancient  dwellings — the 
silent,  deserted  and  dismantled  forts  — now  look  down 
in  their  utter  desertion  and  loneHness 
Present  qj-^  ^-^g  YiYOud  mansions — the  lordly  habita- 
Aspect.  tions  of  the  great  noble  or  wealthy  com- 
moner, scattered  throughout  the  land ; 
while  the  caban,  once  the  wretched  abode  of  the  poor 
'  sons  of  toil,'  has  disappeared,  and  given  place  to  the 
neat  cottage  with  its  flower-garden,  or,  it  may  be,  the 
'  government  house,'  built  on  the  best  and  sunniest 
site,  where  the  tenant  is  '  safe  and  secure  '■ — so  long  as 
he  fulfils  the  conditions  of  his  tenure.  Where  anciently 
great  forests,  morasses,  and  quagmires  abounded, 
are  now  for  the  most  part  to  be  seen  well-cultivated 
farms,  smihng  industry,  and  all  the  signs  and  tokens  of 
prosperity  and  Christian  civihsation. 

Should  any  '  Enghsh  gentleman '  of  unbiassed 
mind  at  present  make  the  same  trip  as  that  of  Brereton, 

Modem  ^^  ^'^^^  ^"^  ^'^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^^  traverses  our 
Donaghmoro  great  main  road,  the  well-known  '  green 
—Material  fields '  of  Donaghmore,  its  fertile  soil,  its 
highly  cultivated  farms,  its  rich  and 
prosperous  farmers,  its  fine  mansion  (Dromantine), 
and  other  commodious  structures,  while  at  the  same 
time  we  can  positively  assure  him  that  no  local '  villain  ' 
v,i\\  bo  found  so  base  as  to  divert  his  footsteps  out  of 
the  wnv  ! 


CHAPTEE  II 


DONAGHMORE    PARISH 


It  is  impossible  to  specify  any  precise  date  when  the 
territory  of  Moy  Cova  was  divided  into  well-defined 
E  1  tion  parishes,  because  the  parochial  system  was 
of  the  a  matter  of  evolution.     It  was  conceived 

Parochial  ^y  Theodore  of  Tarsus,  who  was  Archbishop 
System.  ^j  Canterbury  in  the  seventh  century,  but 
the  evolution  was  not  complete  till  long  afterwards. 
According  to  Bishop  Eeeves  ('  lownland  Distribu- 
tion ')  our  parochial  distribution  (of  land)  is  entirely 
borrowed  from  the  Church,  under  which  it  was  matured, 
probably  about  the  middle  of  the  twelfth  century,  and 
hence  we  may  conclude  that  about  that  time 
Donaghmore  became  a  regularly  defined  parish. 

In  regard  to  the  several  townlands  which  comprise 
the  parish  of  Donaghmore,  it  may  also  be  remarked, 
that  no  precise  time  can  be  mentioned  when 
Distribution  ^^^^^  ^'®^®  formed  and  named.  Tnat  excel- 
lent authority — Dr.  Joyce  (letter  to  writer) 
— informs  us  :  '  I  do  not  think  there  was  any  precise 
time  when  townlands  (and  parishes)  were  formed  and 
named.  I  think  the  whole  structure  grew  up  imper- 
ceptibly, beginning  in  the  most  ancient  times.     Tlie 


88  DONAGHMORE 

townland  names  came  first' — each  applied  to  some 
small  feature  or  structure  or  spot,  and  very  gradually 
boundaries  were  formed  round  each' — the  parish  in 
almost  all  cases  taking  name  from  the  townland  in 
which  the  old  church  of  the  patron  saint  was 
situated.  .  .  .  The  boundaries  of  both  townlands 
and  parishes  were  finally  fixed  at  the  time  of  the 
Ordnance  Survey,  70  or  80  years  ago.' 

Bishop  Reeves  ('  Townland  Distribution ')  considers 
the  townlands,  which  he  calls  the  infijna  species  in  the 
civil  distribution  of  land,  under  the  province,  as,  in 
part,  the  earliest  allotment  in  the  scale,  and  identifies 
them  as  that  which  best  represents  the  ancient  Seisreach 
(derived  from  Seisrear,  '  six,'  and  each,  '  horse,'' — 
denoting  the  extent  of  ground  a  six-horse  plough  would 
turn  up  in  a  year). 

There  seems  an  extraordinary  discrepancy  between 

the  contents  of  a  townland  now  and  formerly.     Dr. 

Reeves  accounts  for  the  difference  by  the 

iwniands^  ^'^^^'  *^^^  ^^®  ®^^®^^  ^^  *^^®  ^^^  Shes-ragh 
now  and  or  plowland  was  ascertained  by  estimation 
formerly—  and  uot  by  measurement ;  and  he  instances, 
and  Reas'^n  ^^^^^8  others,  the  case  of  the  townland  of 
'  1  he  Cross  '  (parish  of  Ballyclug,  co. 
Antrim),  which  in  1640  was  estimated  as  containing 
120  acres,  but  now,  as  the  result  of  actual  survey, 
comprises  1,529  acres. 

In  regard  to  the  townlands  of  Donaghmore,  we 
notice  a  like  discrepancy.  For  example,  the  townland 
of  Dro.neuteane  (Dromantine)  is  cited  ('  Inquisitions  ') 
in  IG^l  as  containing  '  3  messuages  and  100  acres,' 
but  now  by  survey  comprises  upwards  of  507  acres. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  39 

Dr.  Sullivan  informs  us  that  among  the  ancient  Irish, 
and  all  early  nations,  land  was  admeasured  more  by 
quality  than  by  area,  and  that  consequently  a  division 
of  land  in  a  poor  country  was  larger  in  extent  than  in  a 
rich  one.i  Hence,  it  would  seem  that  the  smaller  the 
townland,  the  richer  the  soil.  Accordingly,  the  town- 
land  of  Mill  Tenement  (parish  of  Ardclinis,  county 
Antrim),  which  is  said  to  be  the  smallest  in  Ireland, 
containing  1a.  1r.  1p.,  must  be  a  rich  and  fertile  spot, 
as  compared  with  that  of  Sheskin  (co.  Mayo),  which 
comprises  7,012  acres.  Dr.  Reeves  (an  undoubted 
authority),  however,  considers  that  the  acreable 
average  of  townlands  in  the  various  counties  was  not 
regulated  by  the  general  productiveness  of  the  land' — 
but  '  must  have  had  its  origin  in  the  civil  peculiarities 
of  the  district,  while  in  the  possession  of  the  ancient 
inhabitants.' 

Donaghmore  is  rich  in  ancient  place-names — a  heri- 
tage for  which  we  cannot  be  too  grateful.     Indeed  the 

same  may   be   said   of   Ireland   generally, 
ace- ^ames  jj^^  the  Romans  conquered  Ireland,  and 

had  the  Normans  not  adopted  our  manners 
and  customs  by  becoming  even  '  more  Irish  than 
the  Irish  themselves  '■ — our  place-names  might  have 
been  far  different.  True,  certain  corrupting  influ- 
ences have  been  at  work,  such  as  the  Ordnance 
Survey,  the  Post  Office,  the  Railway,  and  the  National 
Board ;  but  these  have  in  no  way  materially  affected 
us  here.  All  our  place-names  (excepting  '  Glebe ' 
townland),  including  that  of  the  parish,  have  been 
handed  down  to  us  from  ancient  times.     Such  names, 

'  See  Introduction  to  O'Curiy,  Manners  and  Customs,  p.  xcviii. 


40  DONAGHMORE 

both  here  and  elsewhere,  are  an  interesting  study, 
especially  when  we  consider  their  origin.  It  is  said 
there  is  scarcely  a  member  of  the  human  frame  that 
did  not  supply  a  place-name ;  while  a  similar  remark 
applies  to  strongholds,  churches,  rivers,  and  divisions  of 
lands.  Besides,  physical  features,  local  and  historical 
incidents,  etc.,  all  helped  to  swell  the  list. 

The  parish  of  Donaghmore  contains  an  area  of 
8,396  acres,  and  comprises  the  following  twenty-six 
townlands,  the  names  of  which  are  given 
Nam^s—  ^^d  ^l^^i^'  boundaries  set  out  on  the  Ord- 
Irish  Deriva-  nance  Survey  map.  These  names,  with 
tion  and  qj^q  exception,  are  all  derived  from  words 
"of  the  Irish  language,  and  were  taken  down 
from  the  pronunciation  of  the  inhabitants,  at  the  time 
the  Ordnance  Survey  was  being  made,  by  Dr.  John 
0' Donovan,  the  well-known  Irish  scholar,  who  was 
specially  employed  to  collect  and  record  the  names, 
and  he  is  the  authority  for  their  present  form.  Even 
so  long  ago  as  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  Irish 
was  almost  a  dead  language  in  the  district,  and  no  doubt 
many  of  the  names  had  become  altered  and  corrupted, 
so  that  in  this  generation  the  discovery  of  their 
meanings  or  translation  into  English  is  no  easy 
task.  However,  happily  there  are  only  a  few  such 
among  the  place-names  of  Donaghmore.  O'Donovan's 
spelling  has  been  carefully  followed,  and  wherever 
there  is  a  spelling  or  name  different  from  that  of  the 
Ordnance  Survey  maps,  it  is  given  in  brackets.  For  the 
convenience  of  reference  the  names  are  arranged  alpha- 
betically. Following  each  name  is  given  the  spelhng 
and  the  meaning  of  the  Irish  words  of  which  it  is  a 
compound,  so  far  as  it  can  be  represented  in  Enghsh. 


DONAGHMOKE  PAEISH  41 

As  our  authorities  seem  to  differ  slightly  regarding  the 
spelHng  of  the  Irish  words,  both  forms  are  given' — 
one  being  in  brackets.  The  numerals  following  the 
names  of  sixteen  townlands  give  the  number  of  raths 
or  lisses  (i.e.  towns  or  villages  in  each)  that  appear  in 
the  latest  edition  of  the  Ordnance  Survey  maps. 

Annaghbane  :  Eanach-ban  (eanach  ban),  '  The 
white  marsh  '■ — descriptive  of  the  grasses  that  grew 
on  it.     1. 

Ardkeeragh :  Ard-caora  (ard  caoragh),  '  The 
sheep's  height,  or  the  hill  of  the  sheep.' 

Augliintober  :  Achad-na-tober  (achadh  an  to- 
bair),  '  The  field  of  the  well.'  This  townland  had 
formerly  a  celebrated  spa  well,  one  of  the  Holy  Wells 
so  common  throughout  Ireland.  This  in  all  proba- 
biUty  was  the  well  used  by  St.  Mac  Ere,  it  being  in 
close  proximity  to  the  church.  [Tullivarry :  tulach 
MHAiRE,  '  The  hill  of  Mary,'  not  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
but  an  ordinary  Mary.]     1. 

Aughnacavan  :  Achadh-na-cabhan  (achadh  a 
cabhain),  '  The  field  of  the  hollow  or  valley.'  [Agha- 
caven.] 

Ballyblaugh :  Baile-blathach  (baile  blathach), 
*  The  town  of  flov/ers.'  It  is  likely  that  at  some  period 
the  residents  in  this  town  or  village  grew  a  posy  or 
two  beside  their  abode.    [Ballybleaghe.]     1. 

Ballylough :  Baile-an-loch  (baile  an  locha), 
'  The  town  of  the  lough  or  lake.'     1. 

Ballymacaratty-Beg :  Baile-mac-ionnreachtaich-beg 
(baile  mac  ionnreachtaigh  beag),  '  The  small  town 
of  Mac  Ionnreachtaigh.'  lonnreachtach  is  an  old  Irish 
word  which  was  a  patronymic  under  the  forms  Mac 
Ionnreachtaigh  and  O'llionnreachtaig,   the  names    of 


42  DONAGHIVIOEE 

families  who  resided  in  co.  Armagh,  where  they  are 
now  modernised  into  Enright  and  Hanrattj.  This 
and  the  following  townland  were,  up  till  at  least 
the  year  1618,  one  district,  which  was  subsequently 
divided  into  heg  '  the  smaller,'  and  more  '  the  larger.' 
It  is  a  curious  fact  that  'heg'  '  the  smaller  town  '  is 
at  present  of  greater  dimensions  than  '  mor '  '  the 
larger  town  '  !  ^     4. 

Ballymacaratty-More :  Baile-mac-ionnreachtaigh- 
mor  (baille  mac  ionnreachtaigh  mor),  '  The  large 
town  of  Mac  lonnreachtaig.     [Bally  M'Enratty.]     3. 

Buskhill :  Baile-na-bascaille  (baile  na  bascaille), 
'  The  town  of  the  hind  or  deer.'  [Balhnebaskilly, 
Bosky  11  and  Vaskyll.] 

Cargabane  :  Cairgeach-ban  (cairgeach  ban),  '  The 
white  rocky  place  '  or  '  The  white  rocks.' 

Carrickovaddy  or  Carrickrovaddy  :  Carraic-ruadh- 
mhadaidh  (carraic  ruadh  mhadaidh),  '  The  rock  of 
the  red  dog,'  i.e.  the  fox.     1. 

Corgary :  Cor-garbh  (corgarbh),  '  The  rough 
round  hill.' 

Derrycraw  :  Doiro-creach  (doire  creach),  '  The 
oak-wood  of  the  herds  or  plunder.'     [Balledericraghe.] 

Drumantine  :  Druim-an-tsidheain  (druim  an 
tsidheain),  '  The  ridge  of  the  fairies,  or  of  the 
foxgloves.'    [Balledromentighean.]    4. 

Drummiller :  Druim-iolar  (druim  iolar),  '  The 
eagle's  ridge.'  The  name  is  hkely  in  memory  of  an 
eagle  from  the  Mourne  Mountains  having  paid  a  visit 
to  a  sheep  run.     3. 

'  Tho  explanation  is  that  the  townland  of  Carrickdrummond 
(Parish  of  Aghadoff,')  was  formerly  portion  of  Bully macarattymore. 


DONAGHMOKE  PARISH  43 

Glebe.  This,  of  course,  is  a  modern  name.  The 
old  name  of  this  townland  is  Tullynacross  :  Talach-na- 
croch  (tulach  na  cros),  '  The  hill  of  the  Cross,'  from 
the  ancient  Celtic  Cross  standing  in  the  churchyard. 

Killysavin :  Coill-samhain  (coillidh  samhan), 
'  Hollantide-bushes  or  wood.'  The  first  of  November 
was  called  '  Savin,'  i.e.  the  end  of  summer,  when  the 
pagan  Irish  celebrated  their  harvest-home.  Tuathal, 
who  was  King  of  Ireland  in  the  first  century,  instituted 
the  festival  of  Samhuin  at  Tlachtga,  now  the  hih  of 
Ward  near  Athboy,  in  Meath,  where  fires  were  lighted, 
and  games  and  sports  indulged  in  for  six  days,  whilst 
at  the  same  time  minor  festivities  were  observed 
throughout  the  country.  Of  these  bygone  pastimes 
the  name  Killysavin  is  a  perpetual  memorial.  [Kil- 
lassonne.]     1. 

Knockanarney  :  Cnock-na-airne  (cnoc  na  n-airne), 
'  The  hill  of  the  sloes.'     2. 

Lurganare  :  Lurgan-air  (lurgan  air),  '  The  long 
low  hill  of  slaughter.'  An  old  subdivision  of  Lur- 
ganare was  Knockrower  (cnoc  ramhair),  '  The 
thick  hill.' 

Moneymore  :  Mume-mor  (muine  mor),  '  The  big 
shrubbery.'     2. 

Muddydrumbrist :  Muine-drom-riasg  (muine  droma 
riasca),  '  The  shrubbery  of  the  moory  ridge.'  This  is 
an  instance  of  the  first  syllable  being  corrupted  in  the 
course  of  transmission.    [Munny-drum-brisk.J     1. 

Eingbane :  Ein-ban  (rinn  ban),  '  The  white 
point.'     1. 

Eingclare :  Ein-clar  (rinn  glair),  '  The  level 
point,'  or  '  The  point  of  the  plain.'    [Balleeisharboy  : 


44  DONAGHMOEE 

BAiLE  EASA  BUiDHE,  '  The  town  of  the  yellow  water- 
fall.'    Also  As3aboy.]     1. 

Eingolish  :  Eiii-na-lis  (rinn  a'  lis),  '  The  pomt 
of  the  fort.'     3. 

Tullymore  :  Tulac-mor  (tulach  mor),  '  The  big 
hill.'  [Ballereigner :  baile  ui  tiireanmhoir, — 
'  O'Treanor's  Town.'  Trainer  or  Treanor  is  still  a 
family  name  in  this  parish.]    2. 

Tullymurry :  Tulac-mhuire  (tulach  mhuire), 
*  The  hill  of  Mary.'  This  townland  is  close  to  the 
church,  and  probably  within  its  bounds  a  chapel  or 
place  of  devotion  was  dedicated  to  the  blessed  Virgin 
Mary.     [Ballytollywryry.] 

The  parish  of  Donaghmore  is  situated  in  the 
south-west  end  of  the  county  of  Down  and  barony  of 
Upper  Iveagh.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north 
and  Physical  ^^^  nortli-east  by  the  parish  of  Aghaderg, 
Features  of  east  and  south  by  that  of  Newry,  and  on  the 
Donagh-  y^^^^  ^^y  ^^q  county  of  Armagh.  Its  extreme 
length  from  north  to  south  is  about  six 
miles,  and  mean  length  upwards  of  four  miles.  Its 
extreme  breadth  from  east  to  west  is  four  miles,  and 
its  mean  breadth  about  two  and  one-half  miles. 

The  eastern  portion  of  the  parish  becomes  extremely 
narrow  where,  on  the  north,  the  townland  of  Lisnatier- 
ney  (Parish  of  Aghaderg)  projects  mto  it  ;  while  on  the 
south  and  south-east  the  townlands  of  Lissorboy, 
Loughorne,  Curley,  and  Ouley  (parish  of  Newry)  com- 
pletely cut  off  what  would  naturally  form  a  portion  of 
the  parish  of  Donaghmore,  and  hence  the  small 
dimensions   of  it^   mean   breadth.     It   is   more   than 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  45 

probable  that  these  several  townlands  were  comprised 
in  the  Donaghmore  group  previous  to  the  actual  com- 
pletion of  the  parochial  system.  Lisnatiemey  was  a 
portion  of  one  of  the  ancient  manors  of  Donaghmore 
parish — viz.  that  in  '  the  precinct  of  Clanagan,'  ^  while 
in  King  Maurice  MacLaughlin's  Charter  to  Newry,  about 
the  year  1158,  amongst  the  twenty  denominations  of 
land  recited,  those  of  Lisserboy,  Loughorne,  Curley,  and 
Ouley  do  not  occur.  These  four  townlands  must  have 
been  added  to  the  parish  of  Newry  at  a  subsequent 
period,  when  considerable  additions  were  made  to  the 
original  grant,  and  probably  the '  twenty  denominations ' 
subdivided — for  in  an  Inquisition  of  1547  the  posses- 
sions of  the  Newry  Abbey  are  described  as  consisting 
of  forty-seven  carracates — the  actual  number  of  town- 
lands  now  in  the  parish  and  barony  of  Newry. 2 

The  physical  features  of  the  parish  of  Donaghmore 
differ  little  from  those  generally  attributed  to  the 
county  of  Down,  which  are  supposed  to  be  peculiar  in 
one  respect  at  least,  in  that  its  '  plains  are  not  plains, 
its  slopes  are  not  slopes,  and  its  undulations  are  not 
undulations,'  in  the  ordinary  sense.  It  (Down)  con- 
sists in  general  of  a  series  of  hillocks,  which  have  been 
quaintly  compared  to  wooden  bowls  inverted,  or 
eggs  set  in  salt.3  While  this  description  is  generally 
applicable  to  Donaghmore — especially  to  the  eastern 
portion  of  the  parish,  it  may  be  added  that  the  hills  or 
hillocks  vary  much  in  height,  and  many  of  them 

'  This  statement  ia  only  given  for  what  it  is  worth,  as  a 
portion  of  a  manor  was  often  in  a  separate  parish. 

-  See  Reeves,  Toumland  Distribution,  and  Antiquities,  p.  117. 
^  Ulster  Journal  of  Archaeology,  vol.  i.  Old  Series. 


46  DONAGHMOEE 

are  considerably  above  sea-level.  The  '  Five  Mile  ' 
(being  that  distance  from  Newry)  and  '  Barr  '  hills 
are,  respectively,  385  and  357  feet  above  sea-level. 
A  hill  in  Cargabane  townland  and  a  point  in  that  of 
Eingclare  are  each  about  365  feet  above  the  sea. 
The  parish  is  closely  intersected  with  roads  and  by- 
lanes.  The  main  road  from  Dublin  to  Belfast  enters 
the  parish  at  Sheepbridge — about  three  miles  from 
Newry,  running  north  the  same  distance,  where  it 
enters  the  parish  of  Aghaderg.  A  portion  of  the  old 
'  coach  road  '  to  Dublin  remains — close  to  the  parish 
church — and  is  still  used  for  local  traffic. 

Schist  is  the  only  rock  in  the  parish,  except  in 
the  extreme  southern  portion,  where  it  is  found  in 
conjunction  with  granite. 

According  to  an  Ordnance  Survey  MS. — 1834 — in 
the  Koyal  Irish  Academy,^  the  parish  at  that  date  con- 
tained 223  acres  of  bog,  all  in  small  detached  pieces — 
none  larger  than  the  bog  of  Aughintubber,  which  was 
18  acres  in  extent.  Besides  the  bogs  there  were 
70  acres  of  swampy  ground  along  the  Newry  Canal, 
flooded  in  winter,  but  used  as  pasture  during  the 
summer — of  which  17  acres  were  in  Ballylough, 
16  in  Lurganare,  13  in  Corgary,  10  in  Knockinarney, 
and  3  in  Dromantine  townlands.  The  woods  of  the 
parish  covered  about  235  acres,  mostly  in  Dromantine 
demesne  and  the  townland  of  Ballylough.  There  was 
a  very  large  corn  mill  on  the  Newry  river  in  Drumiller, 
two  smaller  ones  in  Ballymacrattybeg  and  Eingbawn, 
and  a  flax  mill  in  Aughnacavan  townlands.  Loughorne 
Lake  contained  51   acres,   28  of   which  were  in  the 

'  Slati.Hical  Beip.ar/cs  on  Donaghmore  Parish.  E.  31. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  47 

parish  of  Donaghmore — the  remainder  in  that  of 
Newry. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  parish  at  that  date  (1834) 
numbered  4,463  persons. 

According  to  Lewis's  '  Topographical  Dictionary,' 
the  parish  in  1837  contained  110  acres  of  woodland, 
449  of  bog,  16  of  waste,  and  48  of  water. 

The  bogs  of  the  parish  are  now  almost  exhausted, 
while  a  few  of  them,  together  with  most  of  the  swampy 
lands,  have  been  drained  and  converted  into  arable 
land  or  pasturage.  There  are  at  present  no  mills  in 
working  order  in  the  parish — only  the  sad  wrecks  of 
those  which  flourished  in  former  days.  The  beautiful 
httle  Lake  of  Loughorne  has  also  disappeared — 
though  close  to  its  former  site  still  stands 
Loughorne  House,  the  residence  of  John  Martin — 
the  noted  L-ish  Eepealer. 

The  following  table  contains  an  interesting  Census 
of  Donaghmore  Parish — attributed  to  the  year  1659 — 
extracted  from  Manuscripts  which  are  in 
1659"^"  the  possession  of  the  Eoyal  Irish  Academy. 
It  is  taken  from  what  has  been  called 
'  Petty 's  Census,'  which  is  supposed  to  contain  a  full 
and  complete  record  of  the  population  of  Ireland  at  the 
time— say  those  over  fifteen  years  of  age  (taken  from 
the  Poll  Tax  returns).  The  figures  doubtless  contrast 
very  unfavourably,  say,  with  those  of  the  census 
of  1821  ;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  in 
1659  the  population  of  Ireland  was  sparse,  as  much 
land  was  then  unfit  for  cultivation,  and,  besides,  the 
country  had  greatly  suffered,  owing  to  the  rebellion  of 
1641  and  all  that  followed  that   cruel   insurrection. 


48 


DONAGHMORE 


Census  of  Ireland,  attributed  to  the  year  ] 

659 

County  of  Dovme  : 

Upper  Iveagh  Barrony 

Parish  op  donoghmore 
Townlands. 

Number! 

of 
People 

TITULADOES'  NAMES 

Eng: 

& 
Scotts 

Irish 

Berecra           .... 

07 

John  Cambbell,  gent.   . 

02 

05 

ToUemor '24 

02 

22 

Killeshanan    ....      20 

02 

18 

Ringban 10 

05 

05 

Ringe  Imulbeecc.      .      .      10 

10 

Anaghban 17 

03 

14 

Lurgmare        .      .      .      .19 

01 

18 

The    three  i  to\vn.s  of  •, 
Knockenenamey^al-         24 
Ij'logh,  &  Corgery         ' 

24 

The    i   towne    of    Car  >       ^^ 
gaghy        .      .      .      .; 

12 

iBallyblegg  ....          04 

04 

The  other  3^  towns  of  n 
Knockenenarney.Bal-  -      17 

02 

15 

lylogh,  &  Corgery       -' 

Ballyhamettybegg    .      .      11 

11 

Ballyharnetty  Mor    .            12 

Edmond  McBryan.gent. 

12 

jMune  More  i  towne  .      .      16 

16 

Moneydrombrist  ...      05 
iAghy  Cavin  ^  towne       .      10 

05 

10 

iToUeny  Cross.      ...      04 

04 

|Tollenemary    ....      07 

03 

04 

Cargaghban    ....      08 

08 

Though  the  census  of  1861  first  instituted  inquiries  as 
to  the  rehgious  professions  of  the  people,  yet  a  previous 
attempt  had  been  made  in  that  direction  by  order  of 
the  House  of  Lords  to  the  Clergy  of  the  Church  of 
Ireland.  Accordingly  a  religious  census  of  Donagh- 
more  was  returned,  March  22,  1766,  '  in 
obedience  to  the  order  of  the  House  of 
Lords,'  by  the  Rev.  George  Vaughan, 
Vicar  of  the  parish.  The  famihes  (whose 
names  are  not  given)  are  divided  into  '  Protestant  ' 
and  '  Popisli  ' — while  the  good  Vicar's  return  in  regard 


Religious 
Census — 
1766 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  49 

to  the  number  of  such  was  doubtless  a  rough  guess, 
and  therefore,  as  we  are  informed,  his  estimate — and 
similar  ones — are  extremely  unreliable.  The  return 
is  :  '  Two  hundred  Protestant  families  :  two  hundred 
and  one  Popish  ditto  :  one  Popish  priest — one  reputed 
Popish  priest.     No  friars.'  ^ 

An  important  census  is  that  of  1821,  in  which 
the  name  of  each  inhabitant,  age,  occupation  or 
profession,  and  townland  are  given.  The 
Census—  following  particulars  are  taken  from  the 
somewhat  bulky  volume  containing  this 
census  of  Donaghmore,  in  the  Public  Eecord  Office, 
Dublin. 

The  enumerator  was  Joseph  Harper,  who  com- 
menced May  28,  1821,  and  continued,  '  Sundays  ex- 
cepted,' till  attestation— August  1— of  the  same  year. 

Famines        .  .        829] 

Males   .         .         .     2,138  [     Total,  4,473 

Females        .         .     2,335) 

Inhabited  Houses      .     814 
Uninhabited     „         .         5 

The  Glebe  School  contained  30  boys  and  23  girls— 
'  day  scholars.'     Schoolmaster,  Wilham  Robinson. 

A  school  in  Tullymurry  townland  had  19  '  day 
scholars.'    Teacher,  Thomas  Marshall. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  number  of  those 
employed  in  connection  with  the  Flax  Industry  in 
the  parish  in  1821.  In  the  townlands  of  Dromantine, 
Ballyblaugh,  and  Corgary  alone,  there  were  96  flax- 
spinners  and  43  linen  weavers.    In  most  of  the  other 

'  Parliamentary  Returns,  Public  Record  Office. 


60  DONAGHMORE 

townlands  the  proportion  of  those  following  these 
occupations  was  equally  large,  while  at  present  there 
are  none  such  in  the  parish. 

The  census  of  1841  gives  the  population  as  4,436, 
which  differs  httle  from  that  of  1821.  During  the 
Census  ten  vears  which  followed,  the  number  of  the 
Returns—  inhabitants  decreased  by  one  thousand; 
1841-1911.  fQj^.  ^rg  ^jj(j  ^Yie  census  of  1851  gives  the 
population  as  only  3,434. 

Tho  population  in  1861  (census)  was  as  follows  : 
males,  1,424  ;  females,  1,418  ;  making  a  total  of  2,842, 
and  showing  a  further  marked  decrease  in  the  number 
of  the  inhabitants. 

The  census  of  1871,  and  those  that  follow,  give  the 
population  of  the  Electoral  Districts  into  which  the 
parish  is  divided,  viz.  Donaghmore  and  Glen  : 

1871     Donaghmore  1,386 

Glen       .      .1,165     Total,  2,551. 

1881     Donaghmore  1,130 

Glen       .     .   1,032     Total,  2,162. 

1891     Donaghmore      881— Males,  449  ;   females,  432. 
Glen       .      .      823—    „       412;        „        411. 
Total  population,  1,704. 

Census,  1901 

Donaghmore  : 

Populatmi. — Persons,  648  :  ^lales,  335  ;  Females, 
313.  Houses  (total),  211 :  inhabited,  177  ;  uninhabited, 
34.     Out-offices  and  farmsteadings,  821. 

Valuation. — Houses  and  Land,  £5,235  3s.  Od. 
Area,  4,337  acres  1  rood  10  perches. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH 


51 


Glen: 

Population. — Persons,  737  :  Males,  384  ;  Females, 
353.  Houses  (total),  193 :  inhabited,  166 ;  unin- 
habited, 27.     Out-offices  and  farmsteadings,  867. 

Valuation. — Houses  and  Land,  £5,229  5s.  Od. 
Area,  4,051  acres  1  rood  3  perches. 

Total  population  of  the  parish  (Donaghniore  and 
Glen).— Persons,  1,385  :    Males,  719  ;    Females,  666. 

Beligious  Professions  : 

Eoman  Cathohcs.— Total,  704 :  Males,  364 ; 
Females,  340. 

Presbyterians.— Total,  486  :  ^lales,  263  ;  Females, 
223. 

Irish  Church  members.— Total,  163  :  Males,  78  ; 
Females,   85. 

Methodists.— 16. 

All  other  denominations.' — 16. 


Census,  1911 
Parish  of  Donaghniore 

Persons.  Males.        Females. 


1,411 


742 


669 


Glen 


Koman  Catholics . 

.     770 

408 

362 

Presbyterians 

.     472 

252 

220 

Church  of  Ireland 

.     141 

66 

75 

Methodists  . 

5 

3 

2 

All  other  denominations      23 

13 

10 

aghmore  Electoral 

Divi- 

Inhabited 
Houses. 

Uiiiiibabited 
Houses. 

sion 

, 

163 

25 

I    . 

159 

22 

62  DONAGHMORE 

Out-offices  and  farmsteadings.^Donaghmoie,  962  ; 
Glen,  1,135. 

Education.^lDoivAghmore  :  678  persons,  of  whom 
514  could  read  and  write,  21  could  read  only.  Illi- 
terates (of  9  years  and  over),  45.  Balance  of  popula- 
tion under  9,  98. 

Glen  :  733  persons  ;  read  and  write,  567  ;  read 
only,  30.  Illiterates  (of  9  years  and  over),  37.  Balance 
under  9,  99  persons. 

Priviary  Educatio7i. — Donaghmore  :  two  mixed 
schools.  Average  attendance  week  ending  May  13, 
1911,  32  males  and  29  females. 

Glen :  two  mixed  schools.  Average  attendance 
May  13,  60  males  and  52  females. 

Donaghmore :  3  persons  could  speak  Irish  and 
Enghsh. 

Glen,  ditto. 

The  oldest  person  in  the  parish  at  this  date  (1913) 
is  James  Walsh  (ex-surveyor),  who  was  born  July  23, 
1817,  and  hence  is  in  the  ninety-sixth  year  of  his  age  ; 
while  the  youngest' — well,  we  must  not  make  rash 
statements,  for  such  are  ever  with  us,  and  they  are 
heartily  welcome  ! 

The  parish,  as  we  have  seen,  is  divided  into  the 
Electoral  Divisions  of  Donaghmore  and  Glen.  The 
present  government  valuation  of  Donagh- 
Elcctorai  ^^^.^  Electoral  Division  is  £5,206,  and  that 
ivisions.  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^g  5s.— Total,  £10,504  5s., 
an  immense  increase  as  compared  with  that  (Griffith's) 
in  1839,  which  was  £6,814  lis.  lOd. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  58 

The  representatives  at  the  Board  of  Guardians  for 

the  respective  Divisions  are  :     Donaglimore,  William 

Bradford    (since    1884)    and    Falkiner     B. 

Poor  Law      g^^jj       g^         j^^^^    Cranny,    J.P.,    and 

Guardians.  '     ,  _,  ^  ^ 

Arthur  McEvoy,  J. P. 

Former  Guardians  :  Donaglimore,  James  Har- 
shaw,  James  Martin,  John  Harshaw,  John  Bradford 
(1860),  Alexander  Ledlie,  John  Marshall,  Joseph  Mar- 
shall, J.  Gordon  Young,  and  Samuel  James  Marshall  ; 
Glen^  James  Savage  (the  first  elected  Guardian, 
and  father  of  James  Savage  of  Glen  House),  Hugh 
M'Court,  Pat  Loughlin,  Edward  Convery,  John  Reavy, 
John  O'Hare,  Peter  Kerr  and  Laurence  M'Court. 

The  following  magistrates  for  the  county  of  Down 
are  resident  in  the  parish  :  Richard  John  Anderson, 
M.A.,  M.D.,  Beechhill  House  ;  Luke  Cranny, 
agis  ra  es.  j^jj^gg|,^j.g  House;  ArthurM'Evoy,Drumiller ; 
James  Rooney,  Mount  Mills,  Drumiller.  Li  former 
times  there  was  generally  but  one  magistrate  in  the 
parish,  a  member  of  the  Lines  family. 

Dr.  Anderson  is  the  second  son  of  Robert  (son  of 

John  Anderson  of  Garnagat,  co.  Tyrone)  and  Elizabeth 

Harcourt  (granddaughter  of  John  Harcourt 

Professor       ^^  ^j^-^    ^^^^i^^      g^  li^d  a  brilliant  Univer- 

Anderson.  .  ,        . 

sity  career — ha^^mg  won  several  scholar- 
ships, exhibitions,  and  two  gold  medals  at  graduation. 
He  held  a  medical  and  sanitary  appointment,  1873-5  ; 
Demonstrator  of  (and  Lecturer  on)  Anatomy, 
1875-83  ;  Clinical  Lecturer  and  Attendant,  County 
Galway  Infirmary,  1890-1 ;  Professor  of  Natural 
Science,  including  Comparative  Anatomy,  1883 ; 
an     Hon.     President,     Section     of    Anatomy,    XV. 


64  DONAGHMORE 

Congres  International  De  Medicine,  Lisbon,  1906  ; 
Examiner  in  Botany  (Intermediate  Board),  1889- 
1900  ;  Poor  Law  Guardian  (ex-officio),  1892-9.  Dr. 
Anderson  still  holds  the  Professorship  of  Natural 
History  and  Mineralogy  in  the  University  College, 
Galway,  and  is,  besides,  Examiner  in  the  National 
University.  Publications  :  over  200  papers  in  British 
and  Coabmental  Journals  and  Comptes  Eendus  of  Inter- 
national Congresses,  and,  besides,  many  booklets  and 
pamphlets ;  joint  conductor  of  the  '  International 
Journal  of  Anatomy  and  Physiology  '  (London,  Leipzig, 
and  Paris)  since  1884  ;  and  an  original  collaborateur 
of  the  Ajiat.  Anzeig,  1887.  Inventor  of  a  revolving 
microscopic  apparatus,  etc.  Professor  Anderson 
married  Hannah  Perry,  B.A.,  of  Belfast  in  1889. 
Mrs.  Anderson  is  a  member  of  a  distinguished  family 
— one  of  whom  (her  brother)  is  John  Perry,  M.E., 
D.Sc,  LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the 
Royal  College  of  Science,  South  Kensington.  Professor 
Perry  was  President  of  the  Institution  of  Electrical 
Engineers,  President  of  the  Physical  Society  of 
London,  General  Treasurer  of  the  British  Association, 
and  Member  of  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Society.  He 
is  a  well-known  author  on  scientific  subjects.  Among 
his  numerous  publications  are  treatises  on  the  '  Steam 
Engine  '  (1874)  ;  '  Practical  Mechanics '  (1883) ;  '  Spin- 
ning Top  '  (1890) ;  '  Hydraulics  '  (Cantor  Lectures, 
1882)  ;  '  England's  Neglect  of  Science  '  (1901),  etc. 

The    parish   of    Donaghmore  had    formerly    two 
Tho  Manors,  •^^^^"ors— viz.  the  Manor    of    Donaghmore 
and     that     within    '  the    precinct    called 
Clanagan.* 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  55 

The  Manor  of  Donaghmore  originally  embraced 
twelve    townlands  and  the  rectory — the  lord  of   the 

manor  and  the  patron  of  the  living  being 
of^DolTh-  *^®  ^^'^^  Archbishop  of  Armagh  for  the 
more.^  ^       ^i™6  being.     In  the  Ulster  Visitation  of  1622 

this  property  is  described  as  the  'Manor 
of  Donaghmore  contayning  twelve  townes  and  one 
Rectorie.'  Subsequently  three  of  these  '  townes  ' 
were  sold  or  alienated — after  which  the  manor 
consisted  of  nine  townlands  (and  the  rectory), 
comprising  about  2,005  acres. 

This  property  has  been  connected  with  the  See  of 
Armagh  from  the  earhest  times,  and  is  reckoned  as  one 
of  its  first  endowments.  The  Primates,  however,  seem 
to  have  made  surrenders  of  this  (and  other  properties) 

at  different  times,  under  some  arrangement 
Surrenders     ^     which  they  were  to  receive  re-grants 

and  Re-  "^  i         /-,  m-i  • 

Grants.  irom  the  Crown.  This  procedure  may 
have  been  considered  necessary  on  the  sup- 
position that  monastic  lands  had  become  vested  in  the 
Crown  through  confiscation  or  otherwise,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  suppression  of  the  monasteries.  For 
example,  the  Primate  surrendered  all  his  advowsons  to 
the  Crown  on  December  1,  1612,  and  all  his  estates 
in  1614  (Patent  Eolls— Erk's  Eccl.  Reports,  p.  500). 
There  was,  however,  a  previous  surrender  of  the 
Donaghmore  estate  at  least ;  for  we  find  from  the  Royal 
and  Parliamentary  Grants  of  Land  and  Tythes  in  the 
Chancery  Rolls  (p.  197),  under  date  of  9  James  I. 
31  May  (1612)  :  '  Grants  from  the  King  to  Henry 
Usher,  Archbishop  of  Armagh  and  his  successors — 
Down    County — In     Evagh    otherwise    Magennisses' 


56  DONAGHMOEE 

Country,'  viz.  '  The  Manor  or  precinct  of  Donagbmore 
and  the  towns,  hamlets  and  lands  of  Balleeisharboy 
(Eingclare),  Ballaghecavan  (Aughnacavan),  Bally tully- 
Imrie  (Tullymurry),  Balleenecarraghebane  (Cargabane), 
Balleeneragbnabane  (Eingbane),  Ballyardkeeragb 
(Ardkeeragh),  Balleeneranagh  (Eingolish),  Balleen- 
Illanbane  (Annaghbane),  Ballineba  skilly  (Buskhill) — To 
hold  to  him  and  his  successors  for  ever  in  pure  and 
perpetual  alms.  These  lands,  with  those  of  Bally- 
munnymore  (Moneymore),  Ballj'tullyvar  (Aughen- 
tubber),  and  Ballymanydroomvarish  (Maddydrum- 
brist),  are  also  created  the  Manor  of  Donagbmore — 
with  a  Court  baron.' 

In  *  the  schedule  of  names  of  such  persons  as  are 
thought  fit  to  be  freeholders  in  the  County  of  Iveagh  ' 
(Patent  Eolls,  1  James  L,  p.  394)  we  find  that  Patrick 
McConnor  or  McKearney  (or  '  O'Kearney,  gent., 
Armagh  Co.')  is  to  have  to  himself,  his  heirs  and 
assigns,  '  the  last  three  townes  '  in  the  above  list — 
'  To  hold  of  the  See  of  Armagh  as  of  the  said  Manor, 
by  fealty  and  suit  of  Court,  and  a  rent  of  £G  (Irish)  with 
a  grant  of  the  said  rent,  and  a  power  of  distress  to 
the  Archbishop  of  Armagh  :  for  ever  in  pure  alms, 
31  May,  9th.' 

Following  the  surrenders  of  1G12  and  1614  by 
Archbishop  Hampton,  a  re-grant  was  made  by  the 
Crown,  12  James  I.,  25  February  (1614),  and  confirmed 
by  18  James  I.,  3  July  (1621). i  Thus:  'Grants  to 
Christopher,  Lord  Archbishop  of  Armagh,  ijitcr  alia, 
Down  Co.  The  Manor  or  Lordship  of  Donagbmore,' 
etc,  (here  the  several  townlands  are  recited)  '  with  all 

'  Patent  Bolls,  pp.  477,  479, 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  57 

the  rents,  services,  and  customs  reserved  out  of  the 
three  last  denominations  ("  Monamore,  Tullysoare, 
and  Monidrombristee  ")  :  and  the  Eectory  of  Donagh- 
more.  Also  power  to  create  tenures,  etc.,  to  hold 
Courts  leet  and  baron,  and  build  gaols  in  the  said  Manor 
of  Donaghmore.' 

We  have  no  record  of  the  good  Primate  having 
exercised  his  right  to  '  build  gaols  '  in  Donaghmore, 
but  had  he  done  so,  or  even  contemplated  such  an  act 
of  extravagance,  we  should  have  thought  that  one 
good  building  would  have  been  amply  sufficient  at  the 
period  for  all  the  '  gaol  birds  '  in  the  '  twelve  townes  ' ! 
At  present,  of  course,  a  few  such  establishments  in 
Donaghmore  would  be  utterly  superfluous  ! 

The  Manor  House  of  Donaghmore  was  Frankfort 
in  the  townland  of  Moneymore,  subsequently  the 
The  ManoB  residence  of  Isaac  Corry,  and  at  present 
House.  that  of  Mrs.  Ranton. 

We  are  uncertain  regarding  the  precise  date  the 

Manor  Courts  of  Donaghmore  ceased  to  exist,  but  not 

previous  to  1814 — at  which   date  we  find 

Manor  ^j^^    q^^^^^    ^j    ^j^^     j^j^^^^.     ^^     Glynwood 

Courts  ..  .-..,,  .  r^iVr, 

abolished,  exercismg  judicial  functions.  Such  Courts 
being  relics  of  feudalism  were  not  adapted 
to  the  new  conditions  of  things,  and  besides,  it  was 
considered  that  their  existence  was  prejudicial  to  the 
proper  administration  of  justice  in  the  country.  Hence 
they  became  gradually  shorn  of  their  functions,  until 
finally  abolished  (in  Ireland)  in  1859,  by  22  Victoria, 
cap.  14. 

The  land  tenures  of  the  Manor  were  somewhat 
complicated,  while  certain  items  of  '  rent '  were  rather 


58  DONAGHMORE 

antiquated.  The  Tenant-in- Chief,  who  held  directly 
under  the  Primate,  was  known  in  legal  phraseo- 
logy as  the  '  Immediate  Lessor,'  and 
Curious  Yield  the  property  by  lease  for  a  term 
of  twenty-one  years,  with  a  Mies  quoties 
covenant  of  renewal  for  ever.  He  was  obliged, 
according  to  the  terms  of  his  title,  to  let  the  lands  to 
his  tenants  for  a  term  of  twenty  years,  with  a  toties 
quoties  covenant  of  renewal  in  perpetuity.  At  the 
renewal  of  the  leases  both  parties  had  the  privilege  of 
having  the  rent  varied,  either  up  or  down,  according 
to  the  average  price  of  corn  as  published  in  the  Dublin 
Gazette  for  the  seven  years  preceding  the  date  of  the 
proposed  renewal,  as  compared  with  the  average  price 
in  the  same  paper  for  a  similar  period  immediately 
preceding  the  date  of  the  expired  lease.  The  imme- 
diate lessor  always  gave  two  receipts  to  each  of  his 
tenants  on  payment  of  rent,  one  for  '  Rent '  at  the  rate 
of  about  5s.  per  Irish  acre  (his  own  share),  and  another 
for  '  Fines '  (the  Primate's  portion),  amountuig  to 
about  45.  6d.  per  Irish  acre,  this  custom  continuing 
down  to  1859.  Subsequently  the  Church  Temporali- 
ties Commissioners  compelled  the  tenant-m-chief  (Hill 
Irvine)  to  pay  a  fine  of  £3,900,  and  take  a  lease  in 
perpetuity.  He  was  also  obliged  to  give  grants  in 
perpetuity  to  his  tenants  on  the  same  terms,  the  vari- 
able clause  remaining  in  the  leases.  B^y  a  clause  in 
the  Land  Act  of  1903,  introduced  by  T.  M.  Healy, 
the  tenants  of  the  immediate  lessor  were  enabled  to 
obtain  a  reduction  in  rent  of  20s.  per  cent.,  without 
any  legal  proceedings.  One  of  the  old  leases  referred 
to,  granted  by  the  trustees  of  John  Vaughan  (tenant- 
in-chiuf)  in  1^44  to   David  Woods,  specifies    the  rent 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  59 

payable  by  the  latter,  including  some  curious  items 
in  the  shape  of  '  ancient  and  usual  Duties,'  viz.  *  The 
sum  of  five  shillings  and  two  pence  | — Irish — per 
acre,  together  with  the  usual  Duties,  that  is  to  say, 
a  rough  fat  mutton,  or  ten  pence — sterling — in  lieu 
thereof :  half  a  bushel  of  good  oats,  or  five  pence  in  lieu 
thereof  :  a  couple  of  fat  hens  of  each  smoke,  or  seven 
pence  m  lieu  thereof  :  a  day's  work  of  Man  and  Horse 
from  each  Chief  Tenant,  or  one  shilling  for  each  day 
in  lieu  thereof  at  the  Election  of  the  Trustees  (John 
Lindsay  of  Tullyhenan  and  Henry  Magill  of  Tully- 
cairn),  and  the  sum  of  nine  shillings  for  Eent-charge 
to  be  paid  at  the  Feast  of  Ail  Saints.' 
Tenant-in-  In  1621    Sir    Edward   Trevor  held   the 

Chief,  1621.  '  twelve  townes  '  as  constituting  the  Manor 
under  the  Primate. 

Sir  Edward  Trevor,  Knight,  of  Rostrevor,  was 
a  Privy  Councillor  and  M.P.  for  co.  Down.  He 
married  (secondly)  Rose,  youngest  daughter 
Trevor''''''^  of  Henry  Ussher,  Archbishop  of  Armagh 
(1595-1613),  who  was  uncle  to  James 
Ussher,  '  one  of  the  greatest  scholars  of  any  age,'  and 
who  was  also  Archbishop  of  Armagh  (1625-60). 
We  find  :  '  Pardon  of  Sir  Edward  Trevor,  William 
Smith  and  Brian  Magennis  for  having  alienated 
certain  lands  of  the  latter,  in  the  County  of  Down, 
without  having  obtained  the  Licence  of  the  Crown  ' 
(May  27,  1°  1625.     Patent  Rolls,  Charles  I.,  p.  7). 

Sir  Edward  had  a  pension  bestowed  upon  him  of 
five  shilhngs  and  eight  pence  (Irish)  per  diem,  by 
letters  patent  during  his  life  '  for  his  gallantry  in  his 
Majesty's  Wars,'  having  '  therein  received  many 
wounds.'     For  some  reason  or  other  the  pension  had 


r.O  DONAGHMORE 

been  stopped,  the  arrears  amounting  to  £534  2s.  Sd., 
Irish.  The  King,  in  his  letter  granting  Sir  Edward's 
petition  to  have  the  pension  continued  and  the  arrears 
paid,  speaks  of  him  as  an  '  Ancient  Servitor  of  the 
Kingdom  (Ireland)  and  of  extraordinary  merit  ' 
(Patent  Eolls  of  Charles  I.). 

He  died  (a  poor  man)  at  Dundalk,  March  10,  1669, 
and  was  buried  in  Clonallon  churchyard. 

In  his  will  ho  states—'  now  prisoner  here  (the  Castle) 
in  ye  Newry  '  .  .  .  '  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my 
son,  Arthur  Trevor,  and  my  son,  Edward  Trevor, 
jointly  between  them  ye  benefit  of  ye  lease  of  Lough- 
horne,  in  Ireland.'  ^ 

Sir  Edward's  son,  Mark  or  Marcus  Trevor,  who  was 
Governor  of  Ulster,  for  his  gallantry  in  wounding 
Oliver  Cromwell  at  Marston  Moor  in  the  County  of 
York,  was  created  Baron  Trevor  of  Eostrevor,  co. 
Down,  April  21,  1662,  and  Viscount  Dungannon, 
August  28  of  the  same  year.  He  married  Frances, 
daughter  of  Marmaduke  Whitechurch  of  Loughbrick- 
land.    He  died  November  8,  1706. 

Three  of  the  townlands  of  the  Manor,  viz.  ^loney- 
more,  Augheutobber,  and  Maddydrumbrist,  were 
subsequently  acquired  by  Sir  Thomas 
FortescueB  ^o^'tescue  of  Dromiskin,  co.  Louth,  for 
his  elder  son,  Chichester.  Chichester 
Fortescue  was  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  of  Foot,  and 
was  accounted  one  of  the  best  swordsmen  of  his 
time.  He  resided,  during  the  reign  of  James  II., 
on  his  father's  estate,  at  the  Manor  House,  Donagh- 

'  ^7o  arc  unablo  to  ascertain  if  this  be  the  Louchomc  bordering 
Donaghinorc. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  61 

more,  until  disturbed  by  the  troubles  which  marked 
its  close.  In  the  spring  of  1689,  James's  Irish  soldiers 
having  come  in  force  to  Newry  to  disperse  the  loyal 
inhabitants,  all  who  were  able  fled  the  country.  Colonel 
Fortescue's  wife  and  three  children  were  sent  from 
Donaghmore  to  the  Isle  of  Man  for  safety,  while  he 
himself  raised,  at  his  own  charge,  a  troop  of  dragoons, 
and  led  them  to  the  defence  of  Londonderry.  He 
died  there,  some  time  before  the  relief  of  the  city, 
of  the  prevalent  disease.  He  married  (1681)  Frides, 
daughter  of  Francis  Hall,  of  Mount  Hall,  in  Down 
— by  whom  he  left  one  son,  Thomas,  and  four 
daughters.! 

Thomas  succeeded  to  the  estate  of  his  grandfather, 
and  was  styled  as  of  Dromiskin,  but  he  apparently 
also  held  the  Fortescue  property  in  Donaghmore,  for 
we  find,  after  his  decease,  an  advertisement  of  '  the 
Auction  of  goods  and  Furniture  of  Thomas  Fortescue, 
Esq.,  late  of  Frankfort,  Co.  Down,  deceased.'  ^  We 
are  unable  to  identify  the  Francis  Fortescue  whose 
name  appears  in  the  following  obituary  notice:  — 
'  Last  Sunday  (8th  inst.)  died  Mrs.  Martin,  wife  of 
Rev.  Robert  Martin  and  daughter  to  Francis  Fortescue, 
Esq.,  of  Donaghmore.  She  was  a  tender  and  affec- 
tionate wife,  and  was  sincerely  regretted  by  all  who 
had  the  Pleasure  of  her  Acquaintance.'  3 

The  Fortescue  property  in  Donaghmore  was 
purchased  by  the  Corry  family  shortly  before  1769. 
By   deed   of  partition,    dated    September    11,    1769, 

'  See  A  History  of  the  Family  of  Fortescue  in  all  its  Branches,  by 
Thomas  (Fortescue),  Lord  Clermont. 
2  Belfast  News. Letter,  March  16,  1764. 
•^  Ibid.,  September  13,  1765. 


62  DONAGHMORE 

between  Edward  and  Isaac  Corry  (brothers),  who  were 
jointly  seised  in  fee  simple  of  the  three  townlands, 
Isaac  took  the  lands  of  '  the  three  half  town  lands 
of  Money  dron.briste,  otherwise  Maddybrombriste, 
Aghantubber  otherwise  Aghantober,  Monymore  other- 
wise Monimore  otherwise  MiniiDore  in  the  Barony  of 
Upper  Iveagh  and  County  Down  '■ — (and  also  the 
townland  of  Corcreechy  in  the  Parish  and  Barony 
of  Newry).! 

Isaac  Corry,  eldest  son  of  Isaiah  Corry  of  Rock- 
corry,  (;o.  Monaghan,  became  a  merchant  in  Newry. 
He  married  Caesarea  Smyth,  and  died  in 
'^''"  1752,  having  had,  with  daughters,  three 
sons,  Edward,  Isaac,  and  Trevor.  Edward  Corry 
was  M.P.  for  Newry,  and  died  May  5,  1792,  leaving 
with  other  children  a  son,  the  Right  Hon.  Isaac 
Corry,  M.P.  for  Newry,  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer 
in  the  Irish  Parliament,  a  well-known  statesman, 
who  fought  a  celebrated  duel  with  Grattan.  He 
died  in  1813,  and  a  handsome  monument  stands  to  his 
memory  in  St.  Mary's  Church,  Newry.  The  youngest 
son  of  Isaac  and  Caesarea  Corry  was  Sir  Trevor  Corry, 
Ivnight,  Baron  of  the  I\ingdom  of  Poland,  so  created 
by  Stanislaus  Augustus  in  1773.  He  left  money  to 
build  St.  Mary's  Church  in  his  native  town,  and  a 
nmral  monument  therein  records  his  virtues.  He  died 
in  Pomerania,  September  1,  1780.  The  second  son 
of  Isaac  and  Caesarea  Corry  was  Isaac  Corry,  of 
Abbey  Yard,  Newry,  who  married,  September  1769, 
Mary,  eldest  daughter   of   John  Pollock,  of  Newry, 

'  There  was  a  tithe  rent-charge  on  these  lauds  of  £23  3«.  lOd. 
at  the  time  of  sale  to  the  tenauts  which  was  then  redeemed.  The 
Bale  to  the  tenants  was  completed  in  1011. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  63 

and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Robert  CarHle. 
He  died  in  1809,  having  had  five  sons  and  five 
daughters.  Only  two  of  the  daughters  married  :  Maria 
in  1802,  to  the  Rev.  William  H.  Pratt,  and  Anna 
in  1828,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henry  Westenra,  8th 
Royal  Irish  Hussars,  brother  of  the  second  Lord  Ross- 
more.  Three  of  the  sons,  Marcus,  Trevor,  and  Smith- 
son,  were  married.  The  eldest,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Marcus  Corry,  of  Ballyhomra,  co.  Down,  High  Sheriff 
CO.  Down,  1799,  married  Elizabeth  Mary  Neville, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  John  Fiske,  and  had  two  sons 
who  died  unmarried,  and  two  daughters,  one  of  whom 
married  the  Rev.  Charles  Lett,  and  was  mother  of 
the  Rev.  Canon  Lett,  M.A.,  now  Rector  of  Aghaderg, 
Loughbrickland.  Trevor  and  Smithson  Corry  were 
merchants  in  Newry.  Smithson  lived  at  Old  Hall, 
Rostrevor,  was  J. P.,  co.  Down,  married  Miss  Douglas, 
and  died  without  children  in  1856.  Trevor  Corry  re- 
sided at  Abbey  Yard,  Newry,  was  J. P.  and  D.L.,  and 
married  July  12,  1809,  Anna,  daughter  of  Savage  Hall, 
of  Narrow  Water,  co.  Down.  The  Cony  Monument 
was  erected  in  his  honour.  He  died  July  22,  1838, 
leaving  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Two  of  the 
sons  died  unmarried,  namely,  Lieutenant  Savage  Hall 
Corry,  17th  Regiment,  and  Trevor  Corry,  junior,  while 
the  third  was  Edward  Smithson  Corry,  Sub-Inspector 
R.I.C.,  whose  daughter,  Mary  Alice  Eden,  married 
George  Gordon  of  Maryvale.  The  eldest  son  of  Trevor 
Corry  and  Anna  Hall  was  Isaac  Corry,  of  Abbey  Yard, 
J.P.,  D.L.,  Captain,  North  Down  RiHes,  who  married, 
1840,  Elhs,  daughter  of  Henry  Ryan,  and  died  1869, 
leaving  daughters  (of  whom  were  Mrs.  Huston,  Mrs. 
Glenny,   and   Lady   Woodhouse)   and  a  son,   Trevor 


64  DONAGHMOEE 

Corry,  of  Belmont,  Newry,  who  married,  1869,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  James  Foxall,  and  died  1880,  leaving  with 
three  daughters  a  son,  James  Edward  Smithson  Corry, 
the  present  representative  of  the  family. 

The  Eev.  Francis  Johnston,  Vicar  of  Donaghmore 
(1775-89),  seems  to  have  held  the  nine  town- 
lands,  which  then  constituted  the  manor, 
Rov.  Francis  ^^^^j.  ^he  Primate ;  for  by  '  marriage 
articles '  (in  his  will,  proved  June  25, 
1789)  he  charged  several  townlands  of  the  manor 
(and  a  townland  in  County  Armagh)  with  £1,600 
for  his  younger  children. 

This    property   was    subsequently   held    by    John 

Vaughan — whose  ancestor  was  vicar  of  the  parish. 

By  his   will,   dated    September   28,    1837, 

^^^  he  makes  a  disposition  of  his  interest   in 

*"^  *"'       the  lands,  *  upon   trust,'  in  favour  of  his 

children,  and  appoints  John  Harshaw  of  Donaghmore, 

and  James  Vaughan  of  Castlewellan,  trustees,  '  to  see 

the  money  applied  to  the  education  of  his  children.' 

Hill   Irvine  of   Newry  became  tenant-in-chief  of 

the   nine   townlands,  October   20,    1849,   when   '  The 

Sheriff  (Mr.  Nelson)  gave  Mr.  Todd  (agent) 

HiU  Irvine,    p^gggggio^  of  the  estate  for  Mr.  Hill  Irvine 

by  (handing  him)  a  clod  and  branch  of  poplar  !  ' 

A  dinner  was  given  the  new  landlord  in  the  Four 
Mile  House  on  the  22nd  of  the  same  month — James 
Harshaw  presiding  and  Robert  Wilson  in 
Hiu'lrvino  *^®  vice-chair— about  fifty  guests  being 
present.  The  toasts  were  :  '  The  Queen 
and  Prosperity  to  li-eland,'  '  Our  New  Landlord,' 
'  The    Independent    Tenantry    of    the    Donaghmore 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  65 

estate '  (proposed  by  Hill  Irvine  and  responded  to  by 
John  Bradford  and  R.  Wilson),  '  Education  in  all  its 
branches  '  (responded  to  by  the  Rev.  S.  J.  Moore), 
'  Tenant-Right,' — 'Live  and  let  live'  (Joseph  Carswell 
responding),  '  Civil  and  Religious  Liberty,'  to  which 
the  Rev.  J.  A.  Alexander  (Newry)  responded,  '  Agri- 
cultural interests  and  a  speedy  reduction  of  rack  rents  ' 
(responded  to  b}^  Thomas  Greer  of  Buskhill). 

Hill  Irvine  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Cunningham  of 
Mrs.  Lisfannon,  co.  Londonderry,  who  now  holds 

Cunningham,  the  property  under  the  present  owners  of 
the  estate — the  Craigs  of  Craigavon. 

The  Primate's  interest  in    the    property    passed, 

on    January   1,    1871,   to   the    Church    Temporalities 

Commissioners,   and    from    thence    to  the 

Present         j^-^j^  j^^,^^^   Commission.      The   renewable 

Owners  of  ,  ,  .  ,       , 

the  Estate,    lease  under  which  the  property  was  held 
by  the  immediate  lessor  was  converted  into 
a  grant  in  perpetuity  in  1872,  at  a  rent  of  £308  7s.  Od. 
The  estate  was  purchased  m  1889  from  the  Irish  Land 
Commission  by  James  Craig  of  Craigavon,  co.  Down, 
who  redeemed  the  rent  by  a  payment  of  £7,708  15s.  0^?. 
The  Craigs,  an  old  family  of  the  county  of  Down, 
are  at  present  represented  by  the  well-known  and  dis- 
tinguished parliamentarians — Charles  Curtis 
'^^^.  and  James,  sons  of  the  late  James  Craig  of 

Craigavon.  Craigavon  and  Tyrella.  Charles  Curtis 
Craig,  born  February  18,  1869,  resides  in 
London,  married  (1897)  LilKan  Bowring,  daughter  of 
the  late  John  Wimble  of  Long  Ditton,  Surrey,  is 
M.P.  for  South  Antrim  since  1903,  and  a  member  of 
the  Carlton  and  Ulster  (Belfast)  Clubs. 


66  DONAGHMOEE 

James  Craig  of  Craigavon,  born  January  8,  1871, 
Hon.  Captain  in  the  Army,  married  (1905)  Cecil  Mary 
Nowell  Dering,  only  child  of  Daniel  Alfred  Anley 
Tupper,  served  in  the  South  African  War,  and  received 
for  distinguished  service  the  Queen's  medal  and  three 
clasps,  the  King's  medal  and  two  clasps.  He  is  M.P. 
for  East  Down  since  1906,  a  magistrate  for  the  county 
of  Down,  and  a  member  of  the  Carlton,  Constitutional, 
Ulster,  and  other  clubs. 

The  second  manor  in  the  parish  of  Donaghmore — '  an 
^L   ,,  antient  Manor  of  Magenis  '—comprised  ten 

The  Manor  ,       ,         .  .  , ,  •        ^i        t 

'  within  the  townlands,  nme  of  these  composmg  the  dis- 
precinct  of  trict  at  present  known  as  Glen,while  the  tenth 
Clanagan.'  (Lisnatierney)  is  a  considerable  distance 
apart  and  in  a  different  parish,  viz.  that  of  Aghaderg. 
The  '  Montgomery  Manuscripts  '  (p.  308)  give  a 
summary  of  grants  made  to  the  Magennis  family  in 
February  1611  by  James  I.,  and  amongst  them  is  one 
to  '  Murtagh  MacEnaspicke  Magenis  of  Corgirrie ' 
(Corgary)  of  the  ten  townlands  described  as  '  within 
the  precinct  called  Clanagan  '  and  '  now  all  in  the 
parish  of  Donaghmore.'  This  latter  statement  is 
incorrect,  for  Lisnatierney,  whatever  parish  it  may 
have  been  in  originally,  was  certainly  not  in  that  of 
Donaghmore  when  the  '  Manuscripts  '  were  compiled. 
We  believe,  too,  it  is  an  error  to  include  this 
townland  as  '  within  the  precinct  of  Clanagan  '  though 
it  is  thus  described  in  the  grant.  Clanagan 
Extent  of      (^o^i^tiggg     included     the    whole     of     the 

Clanagan. 

district  of  Glen,  and  probably  that  of 
the  Four  Towns.  The  '  Montgomery  MSS.'  have 
been    characterised    by    a    learned    writer    as    '  an 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  67 

interesting  collection  of  truth  and  fiction,'  while  it 
is  to  be  feared  in  many  instances,  in  regard  to  the 
grants  themselves,  neither  accuracy  in  description  of 
locality,  nor  indeed  in  orthography,  were  considered 
a  prime  necessity  in  such  official  documents. 

In  the  grant  to  Murtagh,  the  several  townlands 
are  recited,  etc.,  thus  :  '  Grant  from  the  King — To 
Gnnt  to  Murtagh  McEnaspicke  Magenis  of  Cor- 
Murtagh  girrie,  gent,  the  10  towns  within  the 
McEnaspicke  precinct  of  Clanagan,  called  Corgirrie  (Cor- 
Magenis.  ^^^^^^  Ballenlough  (Ballylough),  Ballen 
knocknenary  (Knockanarney),  Ballycarrickrovade 
(Carrickrovaddy),  Ballelengannore  (Lurganare),  Balli- 
dromiller  (Dromiller),  Ballyderricragh,  otherwise 
Ballechragh  (Derrycraw),  Ballyblagh  (Ballyblaugh), 
Ballydromintighan  (Dromantine),  and  Ballylisrahin- 
tierne  (Lisnatierney)  :  rent  £10  Irish — Corgirrie  to 
be  held  free  '  (Patent  Rolls,  8  James  I.,  February  20, 
1611). 

A  reference  is  made  ('  Calendar  '• — Inquisiiiones — 
Chancery  Rolls)  to  certain  mortgages  upon  portions 
of  these  lands  in  the  year  1612,  when  we  find  Murtagh 
possessed  of  but  '  9  townlands  '  (Derrycraw  having 
been  disposed  of  in  the  meantime — doubtless  to  one 
of  the  Trevor  family — as  we  find  Mark  Trevor  owning 
it  in  1641).  '  Being  thus  possessed  the  said  Murtagh  by 
his  deed,  bearing  date,  last  day  of  September  1612, 
demised  the  premises  in  Ballenlagh,  Dromentean,  and 
Ballebleagh,  ...  to  Art  Oge  Magennes  of  Ilanderry 
(County  Down)  for  a  term  of  99  years,  beginning 
immediately  after  the  death  of  the  said  Murtagh — 
the  tenor  of  which  deed  is  in  the  said  deed.' 

F    2 


63  DONAGHMOEE 

It  will  be  seen  that  Murtagh  is  described  in  1611 
as  '  Gent.'  .  .  .  '  of  Corgirrie  ' — the  Manor 
The^Manor    jj^^^^  ^^  ^-^.^^  ^^^^^  ^^-^g  Corgary  Lodge- 
now  the  residence  of  Lawrence  McCourt. 
It  is  interesting  to  know  the  proprietors    of  the 
lands  (other   than  the  '  churchlands  ')   in  the   parish 
in  1641,  and  those  who  became  owners  (of 
TfTxtfrin    *^®    ^^^^^    forfeited)     under    the   Acts  of 
1641,  and      Settlement.     This   information  is    afforded 
Owners  under  us  in  the  table  on  next  page,  taken  from 
Settlement     ^  manuscript  in  the  Eoyallrish  Academy 
(Stowe  Collection),  which  gives  '  A    Distri- 
bution of  Forfeited  Land  in  the  Countyes  of  Downe, 
etc.  returned  by  the  Downe  Survey,    showing  whose 
they    were    in    anno    1641,   and    to   whom    they  are 
now    sett    out    by     the    Acts    of     Settlement — and 
explanation,'   etc.    ('  Toiue '    3d.    vol.   2,    Parish    of 
Donnghmore). 

We  have  seen  that  Murtagh  Magenis  owned  the 
nine  townlands  comprising  Glen  in  1611,  while  in  1641 
his  descendant  Art  Magennis  was  the  proprietor  of 
'  eight  townes  ' — Aughuly  Magenis  having  acquired 
Knockanarney.  This  townland,  although  in  the  Glen 
district,  does  not  again  appear  as  portion 
f^or?eite?r  ^^  ^^^®  ^^^^^  Estate.  It  may  be  noted  that 
the  only  lands  in  the  parish  not  forfeited 
were  the  '  twelve  townes  '  constituting  the  Manor  of 
Dvjnaghmore,  and  Derrybrogh  (Derrycraw),  owned  by 
Mark  Trever  (Trevor). 

Art  Magennis  and  the  Lord  of  Iveagh,  like  most 
of  the  Magennis  family,  were  active  participants  on  the 
side  of  the  Eebellion  in  1641,  and  hence  the  forfeiture 
of  their  estates. 


DONAGHMOKE  PABISH 


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70  DONAGHMORE 

The  origin  of  this  roncned  family  takes  us  back 

into  the  dim  and  distant  past — the  third  century — 

when  Eochaidh  Ccbha—  their  great  ancestor 

,,  ®      .        — ruled  the  territory  of  Magh  Cob.ja.   and 

Magenniscs.  ''  ° 

who  was  descended  from  Ir,  one  of  the 
Milesian  Kings  oi  Ireland — according  to  O'Hart. 

The  Magennises  derive  their  name  from  Mac 
Aongus — a  County  Down  jjrince  who  flourished  in  the 
eleventh  century — and  who  was  the  sixteenth  in 
descent  from  Eochaidh  Cobha.  The  name  '  Mac  ' 
(son  of)  Aongus  {Aon — '  strength  '  and  gus — 
'  excellent  ')  has  been  variously  anglicised  thus  : 
'  MacGennis,' '  MacGinnis,'  *  MacGuinness,' '  Magennis,' 
'  Maguinis,'  '  McGennis,'  '  McGinnis,'  '  Maginnis,'  and 
'  Guinness.' 

The  ancient  patrimony  of  the  Magennises  com- 
prised the  Baronies  of  Upper  and  Lower  Iveagh,  wdth 
the  Lordship  of  Newry  and  Mourne,  while  their  com- 
m  mdiug  position  and  influence  were  commensurate 
with  their  vast  territorial  possessions.  This  cele- 
brated family  (the  senior  branch  of  the  Clanna  Eory) 
rose  into  prominence  in  the  twelfth  century,  and 
continued  great  and  powerful  till  1641.  Although 
their  former  greatness  had  departed  after  that  date, 
yet  it  is  true  they  had  somewhat  recovered  them- 
selves under  James  IL,  when  their  claims  w'ere  revived  ; 
for  we  And  Viscount  Magennis  made  Lord  Lieutenant 
of  Down,  sat  in  the  Parliament  which  met  on  May  7, 
1689,  and  commanded  a  regiment  of  foot  for  the  King  ; 
that  Murtagh  Magennis  (of  Greencastle)  and  Ever 
Magennis  (of  Castlewellan)  represented  the  County  of 
Down,   wliile  Bernard    Magennis    sat   for  Killvleadi, 


DONAGHMORE  PAEISH  71 

in  the  Commons.  The  name  Magennis  appears  among 
the  attestations  of  the  Charter  of  Newry  Abbey 
about  1158 — the  attester  being  Hugh  Magennis.  His 
great-great-grandson  (EaehmiUdh  Mac  Aonguis),  chief 
of  the  clan  in  1314,  received  a  letter  from  Edward  II. 
in  that  year,  in  which  he  is  styled  by  the  King  '  Admily 
Mac  Aengus,  Dux  Hibernicorum  de  Auohagh  '  ('  Chief 
of  the  Irish  in  Iveagh').  In  writing  to  the  King  in  1314 
and  1315  he  thus  styles  himself  and  seems  to  claim 
almost  an  equality  with  that  monarch. 

The  head  of  the  family — circa  1600 — is  thus  de- 
scribed by  Harris  : — '  Iveach  (including  both  baronies) 
was  otherwise  called  the  Magennis's  Country,  as  is 
said,  and  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  time  was  governed  by 
Sir  Hugh  Magennis,  the  civil  est  of  all  the  Irish  in  those 
parts.  He  was  brought  by  Sir  Nicholas  Bagnel  from 
paying  the  Tribute  called  Bonaught  to  the  O'Neils, 
and  took  his  Lands  by  Letters  Patent  from  the  Crown, 
to  be  held  by  English  tenure  to  him  and  his  Heirs 
Male.  He  wore  English  garments  amongst  his  own 
Followers  every  Festival  Day  ;  and  was  able  to  bring 
into  the  Field  60  Horsemen  and  near  80  Foot.'  ^ 

Henry  VIII.  conferred  knighthoods  on  two  members 
of  the  Magennis  family.  In  a  letter  (October  8, 1542) 
to  the  Lord  Deputy  and  Comicil  of  Ireland,  the  King 
states :  '  We  made  McGuinez  Knight,  so  as  nowe 
he  must  be  called  Sir  Dol.  Guinez  ;  but  we  have  given 
unto  him  no  patent  of  his  landes,  but  refer  that  to  your 
certificate,  because  you  wrote  not  specially  of  it ;  and 
to  him  we  gave  in  ready  money  100  merkes.  We  have 
also  made  Arthur  Guinez  Knight,  and  given  unto  him 

'  History  of  Down,  p.  79. 


72  DONAGHMOEE 

£50  ill  money  ;  and  also  granted  his  suite,  that  the  Cell 
of  Newry,  as  yet  insuppressed,  shall  be  converted  to  a 
college  of  secular  prestes,  and  to  be  of  our  foundation.' 
This  Sir  Hugh  signed  his  name  '  H.  Magenisse  ' — which 
was  doubtless  the  authentic  spelling  of  the  family  name 
in  his  time.     Sir  Hugh  was  M.P.  for  Down  in  1558. 

His  son,  Sir  Arthur  (who  owned  Ballytullaghmore 
in  this  parish  in  1617)  seems  to  have  been  a  great 
favourite  with  King  James  I.,  who  gave  him  (Sir  Arthur 
Magennis  of  Eathfriland  Castle)  57  townlands  (Patent 
Kolls  of  James  L),  with  the  right  to  hold  two  fairs  at 
Eathfriland — one  on  Trinity  Monday  and  the  two 
following  days,  and  another  on  the  Nativity  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  the  day  after.  Sir  Arthur  was 
created  Viscount  Magennis  of  Iveagh,  in  the  County 
of  Down,  July  16,  1623,  by  James  I. 

The  following  parishes  were  in  his  gift- — viz.  Drum- 
gath,  Druiuballyroney,  Clonallon,  and  Seapatrick. 
He  died  May  7,  1629,  and  was  buried  in  Drumbally- 
roney  churchyard.  Us  had  issue  five  sons  :  Hugh 
(the  second  Viscount),  Con,  Arthur,  Eory  and  Donal  ; 
and  three  daughters  :  Eose,  Evehne  and  Eliza.  The 
second  Mscount  (Hugh)  was  born  in  1599.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Bellew,  of  Castletown,  co. 
Louth,  and  died  in  April  1630,  leaving  three  sons — 
all  of  whom  succeeded  to  the  peerage- — one  or  other 
of  whom  was  the  '  Lord  of  Iveagh  '  who  owned  the 
Four  Towns  property  in  this  parish  in  1641- — a  portion 
of  the  Manor  of  Eathfriland. 

The  ]\Iageniiises  took  a  prominent  part  in  matters 
ecclesiastical,  while  several  members  of  the  family 
became    notable    bishops   of  the    Church.      It  is  to 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  73 

be  feared,  however,  they  were  somewhat  turbulent 
and  rather  disobedient  at  times  to  the  ecclesiastical 
powers.  In  a  Primatial  Denunciation 
Magennises  (Armagh,  1442)  we  find  an  unruly  Magennis, 
re.  Matters  a  son  of  the  Church,  proclaimed,  viz  :  '  The 
Ecclesiasticai.p^g^j^^^  and  sacrilegious  Arthur  McGunissa, 
Captain  of  his  nation,  who  during  a  vacancy  in  the 
See  (Dromore)  would  not  allow  the  Primate  to 
exercise  the  rights  he  claimed  as  its  Custodee,  but 
perpetrated  sacrilegious  usurpations,  occupations,  and 
detentions  of  lands,  rents,  profits,  rights,  emoluments, 
belonging  to  the  See  ;  and  although  subjected  to  sen- 
tences of  Suspension,  Excommunication  and  Interdict, 
the  intolerable  obstinacy  of  the  said  Arthur  was  such  as 
to  bid  defiance  for  years  to  these  spiritual  terrors.  We 
not  only  ordain  that  the  secular  arm  be  invoked,  but 
also  that  all  goods  whatsoever  belonging  to  hun  are  to 
be  dissipated  as  a  common  prey  among  the  faithful 
of  Christ's  flock,'  etc.  ^ 

In  the  sixteenth  century  {circa  1540)  Eugene  or 
Owen  Maginnes  was  Bishop  of  Down  and  Connor. 
He  was  consecrated  in  Kome  by  Pope  Paul  III.  He 
made  his  submission,  however,  to  Henry  VIII.  and  was 
confirmed  in  his  See  and  had  his  temporalities  restored 
on  May  8,  1542.  He  held  in  covunendam  (during  his 
episcopate)  the  Archdeaconry  of  Down  and  the 
Benefices  of  Annaclone  and  Aghaderg.  Arthur  Magen- 
nis was  appointed  by  the  Pope  Bishop  of  Dromore. 
He  surrendered  his  Bulls,  however,  to  King  Edward  VI. 
(1550)  and  swore  allegiance  to  that  monarch,  declaring 


King's  Primacy  of  Armagh. 


74  DONAGHMORE 

that  '  he  would  hold  his  See  from  his  Majesty  alone, 
and  obe}'  the  law  in  all  things.' 

In  1602  a  pardon  was  granted  '  to  Murtagh  Magenis, 
son  of  the  Bishop  '• — probably  Arthur. 

It  seems  that  about  the  year  1680  a  controversy 
arose  among  the  bards  of  Ulster  as  regards  the  race 
to  whom  by  ancient  right  the  armorial  bearings  of 
Ulster  (the  Red  Hand)  belonged,  when  a  person  named 
Cormac  claimed  the  right  on  behalf  of  the 
Magennises  Clami  O'Neill.  He  was  promptly  challenged, 
and  the  however,  by  Diarmait,  the  son  of  Loaigh- 
IfuLi^r"'^  seal  Mac  an  Bhaird  (English— Louis  Ward), 
who  adduced  '  many  historical  reasons  to 
prove  that  the  Red  Hand  of  Ulster  belonged  by 
right  to  the  Ulidians  of  the  Rudrician  or  Irian  race,  of 
whom  MacEnis  (or  Magenis)  of  the  County  Down  was 
chief.  .  .  .  Indeed  it  was  openly  and  publicly  asserted 
in  the  17th  century  by  writers  of  the  Clann  O'Neill  them- 
selves, that  the  Red  Hand  w^as  the  right  of  Magenis, 
but  that  the  O'Neills  wrested  it  to  themselves,  and 
have  continued  to  usui-p  it  to  this  day.'  i 

The  ^lagennis  '  war  cry  '  was  Ska nhodayh- oboe- — 
Sean-Chodach,  signifying  'the  old  churl,'  may  have 
alluded  to  the  seniority  of  the  Magennis 
}}^^  race,  while  Ahoe,  or  Ahu,  which  is  derived 

.  \x\^J.  Cry/  fi'om  the  Irish  word  Buaidh  (bo-ee),  signifies 
'  Victory.'  Thus  *  O'Neill  Aboo  '  signifies 
'  Victory  to  O'Neill.'  ~ 

The  following  were  the  ancient  residences  of  the 
Magennises  : 

'  Sec  O'Cuny,  Mantiers  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  pp.  2G4,  278. 
-  'War  Cries  of  Irish  Sepis,'    Ulster  Journal  of  Archcoology  (Old 
Seriet),  vol.  iii.  p.  203,  and  O'Hart,  Irish  Pedigrees,  p.  347. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  75 

New  Castle  (chief  residence),  built  by  Felix  Magennis 
(1558),   subsequently   owned   by   Viscount   Magennis, 

forfeited  in  the  Eebeilion  of  1641,  and 
The  granted  to  William  Hawkins  of    London, 

Ca^s^les!         great-grandfather     of     Robert     Hawkins 

Magill  ;  Castlewellan  (known  formerly  as 
Castle- Vellen  and  subsequently  as  Castle- William), 
the  seat  of  the  Earl  Annesley  ;  Green  Castle  on 
Carlingford  Bay,  of  which  the  Bagnal  family  deprived 
them  ;  and  Rathfriland  Castle,  forfeited  in  the 
Eebeilion,  and  granted  to  William  Hawkins. 

Doubtless  not  a  few  of  those  who  now  bear  the 
honoured  name  of  Magennis,  can  claim  a  valid  descent 
from  the  great  family  whom  we  have  so  imperfectly 

sketched.  Among  such,  we  refer  to  the 
Ivexo-h  present    Lord    Iveagh,   who,   according   to 

O'Hart  (an  expert  on  Lish  pedigree)  and 
other  authorities,  is  a  hneal  descendant  of  the 
Magennises.  Lord  Iveagh  may  well  feel  proud  of  his 
ancient  lineage,  historic  title,  and  renowned  family 
(renowned  even  amidst  its  turbulence  and  rebellion), 
and  all  Irishmen  may  be  justly  proud  of  hini' — and, 
we  would  add,  of  his  elder  brother.  Lord  Ardilaun — 
whether  they  be  thought  of  as  the  noble  representatives 
of  a  great  race,  or  as  the  peers  jjar  excellence  of 
unbounded  generosity  and  Christian  philanthropy. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Hans  Hamilton  became  possessor 
of  eight '  townes  ' — '  by  certificate,'  dated  December  21, 

1662^previously  owned  by  Art  Magennis, 
Hamilton       ^^   whom    they    were    forfeited.     At    the 

subsequent  enrolment  of  the  grant  '  by 
certificate,'  these  townlands  are  thus  enumerated 
(Patent  Eolls,  19th  Charles  II.)  :  '  Sir  Hans  Hamilton 


76  DONAGHMOEE 

Knight  and  Baronet,  Corgary,  Ballinlough,  Ballybleagh, 
Loganare,  Druniillere,  Carrickkerovadie,  Dromintreane, 
1,661  ac.  1  rd.  8  p.  Lissenterine  178  ac.  3  rd.  38  jper. 
Barony  Upper  Evagh,  Down.— Total  quantity  1,860 
ac.  Plantation  (3,012  ac.  3  rd.  23  p.).  Total  rent 
£25  2s.  2d.  liish.— Enrolled  19th  April  1667.' 

These  eight  to\viilands  comprise  what  was  known 
until  recently  as  the  '  Glen  Estate.' 

Hans  Hamilton  was  son  of  John  Hamilton,  of 
Caronary,  co.  Cavan  and  of  Monella,  co.  Armagh,  by 
Sarah  Brabazon,  his  wife,  sister  of  Edward,  Lord  Ardee, 
and  aunt  of  William,  Earl  of  Meath.  Hans  Hamilton,  of 
Monella  and  Hamilton's  Bawn,  co.  Armagh,  was 
created  a  Baronet  in  1662  ;  Privy  Seal,  White  Hall, 
March  29,  patent,  Dublin,  April  6,  1662.  He  was 
nephew  of  James,  first  Viscount  Claneboye,  and  of 
Archibald  Hamilton,  ancestor  of  the  Eowan  Hamiltons 
of  Killyleagh  Castle,  co.  Down — one  of  whom — Heriot 
Georgina — (authoress  and  philanthropist),  daughter 
of  Archibald  Eowan  Hamilton,  married,  October  2, 
1862,  Frederick  Temple,  Marquess  of  Dufferin  and 
Ava,  a  most  brilliant  and  distinguished  Irishman.  Sir 
Hans  Hamilton  died  in  1681 — when  his  estates  passed 
to  his  son-in-law.  Sir  Eobert  Hamilton  (created  Baronet 
Jul3%  1682)  of  Mount  Hamilton,  co.  Armagh — who 
had  married  Sarah,  Sn  Hans'  onl}'  daughter  and  heiress. 
Sir  Hans  Hamilton,  it  would  seem,  never  lived  on  this 
portion  of  his  property,  but  must  have  let  what  was 
then  the  Manor  House,  Dromantine,  to  William  Lucas 
(see  infra). 

'By  Certilicate,  dated  7th  July  1668,'  W'illiam 
Hawkins,   Merchant,  Loudon,   became  owner  of  the 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  77 

forfeited  estates  in  this  parish  of  the  Lord  of  Iveagh 
and    of    Aughuly    Magenis.      The    property    of    the 

Lord  of  Iveagh  comprised  the  townlands 
wuiiam  °^  Tullymore  alias  Ballyreigan  (and  alias 
Hawkins.       Ballymenagh),  Tullymore  alias  Killassonne 

(Killysavan),  and  Ballymanisbeg  (Bally- 
macrattybeg)  ;  while  that  of  Aughuly  Magenis  con- 
sisted of  the  townland  of  Knocknarney  (Knocknanar- 
ney).     These  townlands,   although  in   the    parish  of 

Donaghmore,  formed,  after  1688,  portion  of 
Rathfriland.   ^^®    Manor    of    Rathfriland,     which    was 

owned  by  the  Hawkins  family,  having 
been  forfeited  by  the  Lord  of  Iveagh. 

These  townlands  passed  to  John,  son  and  heir  of 
William  Hawkins,  and  from  thence  to  Lord  Clanwilliam, 

and  other  members  of  the  Meade  family 
Hawkins.       — '^^'^^^^   ^^®   exception    of  Knocknanarney, 

which  subsequently  became  the  property 
of  the  Brookes  of  Brookeborough.  It  will  be  seen 
that  the  original  grantee  was  William  Hawkins. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  John  (High  Sheriff 
of  Do^na,  1675).  His  son  John,  of  Rathfriland  (High 
Sheriff  of  Down,  1700),  was  the  next  possessor. 

Robert  Hawkins  (son  of  John  Hawkins  of  Rath- 
friland by  his  wife  Mary,   sister  of   Sir  John  Magill, 

Bart.  —  formerly  Johnston — daughter  of 
Robert  Lieutenant    William    Johnston  of    Gilford, 

Magill.  CO-  Down)  assumed  the  name  of  Magill  and 

became  Robert  Hawkins  Magill  of  Gill 
Hall  (High  Sheriff,  co.  Down,  1718,  M.P.  for  Down 
1725-45).  He  married,  as  his  second  wife.  Lady  Anne 
Bligh,    daughter    of    John,    first    Earl  of    Darnley. 


78  DONAGHMOEE 

and  of  her  (who  married,  secondly,  Bernard  Ward, 
first  Viscount  Bangor)  had  a  daughter,  Theodosia, 
who  married,  August  29,  1765,  John,  1st  Earl  of  Clan- 

william.  Their  second  son,  General  the 
aanviUiam    ^°"-    ^^o^^rt    Meade,  was    father   of    the 

late  John  Meade,  of  Earsham  Hall, 
Norfolk,  who  was  father  of  Captain  John  Percy 
Meade,  D.L.,  High  Sheriff,  co.  Down,  1897,  and  of 
Elvira  Adela,  who  married,  1891,  Captain  Roger  Hall,  of 
Narrow  Water  (formerly  Mount  Hall),  the  representative 
of  another  old  and  distinguished  County  Down  family. 
The  head  of  the  Meade  family  is  the  present  Earl  of 
Clanwilliam,  who  served  in  the  South  African  War 
as  captain  of  the  Horse  Guards.  He  was  mentioned  in 
despatches,  and  on  being  invalided  home,  having  been 
severely  wounded,  had  the  honour  of  being  received  by 
the  late  King  Edward.  He  succeeded  to  the  peerage 
on  the  death  of  his  distinguished  father  in  1907.  He 
was  not  born  to  the  title  ;  but  his  elder  brother.  Lord 
Gillford,  who  married  a  daughter  of  Lord  Home,  died 
in  1905,  leaving  an  only  daughter.  Lady  Clanwilliam 
was  the  widow  of  Oliver  How^ard,  when  she  married 
the  Earl  in  April  1909.  Lord  Clanwilliam  is  exceed- 
ingly popular  and  has  an  interest  in  almost  every 
class  of  sport.  He  and  the  Meade  family  generally 
are  amongst  the  best  landlords  in  the  County  of  Down 
and  are  well  known  for  their  generosity  to  the  Church 
and  mdeed  towards  every  good  and  benevolent  cause. 
Lord  Clanwilliam  (as  was  his  father)  is  a  generous 
contributor  to  the  funds  of  Donaghmore  Church. 

The  Manor  of  Glen  (or  Glynwood,  as  it  was  sub- 
sequently called)  came  into  possession  (by  purchase) 
of  the  Innes  family  about  the  year  1740,  and  has  so 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  79 

continued  till  the  estate  was  sold  (in  1908)  to  the 
tenants,  the  residence  (Dromantine  House)  with 
^,    ,  demesne  and  other  lands   being  retained. 

Th©  InnGSGs. 

The  last  owner  who  held  Manor  Courts 
in  Glen  was  Captain  Arthur  Innes  of  the  9th  Dra- 
goons, who,  when  these  Courts  and  other  manorial 
rights  were  abolished,  changed  the  name  of  his 
demesne  from  Glynwood  to  that  of  Dromantine. 

The  Inneses  are  descended  from  the  Lairds  of 
Leuchars,  Fife,  Scotland,  now  represented  by  the 
Duke  of  Roxburghe.  Alexander,  second  son  of 
Alexander,  Laird  of  Leuchars,  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Sir  Robert  Jacob,  Knight,  Solicitor-General 
for  Ireland.  He  died  in  1646,  leaving  issue  (among 
others)  Charles  or  Gordon  Innes,  who  married  Jean, 
daughter  of  Robert  Brice  of  Castle  Chichester.  Among 
the  issue  of  the  marriage  was  Joseph  Innes,  merchant 
and  shipowner,  Belfast,  and  the  Rev.  William  Innes 
of  Bangor.  William,  son  of  the  latter,  was  the  first 
owner  of  Glen  Manor,  for  whom  it  was  purchased  by 
his  guardians  (he  being  a  minor)  according  to  the  terms 
of  his  uncle  Joseph's  will,  dated  September  9,  1734, 
and  proved  1736. 

Captain  Innes  (9th  Dragoons).  High  Sheriff  of  Down, 
1814,  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Major  Crow,  of  Tulla- 
more,  King's  County,  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Rev. 
—  Crow,  private  chaplain  of  King  William  III.,  who 
was  with  his  Majesty  at  the  Battle  of  the  Boyne,  and 
who,  according  to  family  tradition,  gave  much  assist- 
ance to  the  wounded  soldiers  in  that  memorable  contest. 

The  late  Arthur  Charles  Innes  was  son  of  Arthur 
Innes  (Lieut.  3rd  Dragoon  Guards),  J. P.  and  D.L., 
High  Sheriff  of  Down,  1832,  who  married,  May  15, 


80  DONAGHMOEE 

1829,  Mary  Jervis,  daughter  of  Admiral  Wolseley, 
whose  memoh-  ('  Memoir  of  Admiral  Wolseley  '), 
written  by  his  granddaughter,  Miss  Innes  (now  of 
the  Anchorage,  Eostrevor),  displays  rare  literary 
ability,  and  contains  very  interesting  and  valuable 
information  in  regard  to  the  Admiral  and  his 
family. 

Arthur  Charles  Innes,  who  was  born  November  25, 
1834,  married  July  15,  1858,  Louisa  Letitia  Henrietta, 
second  daughter  of  James  Brabazon  (a  branch  of  the 
Meath  family),  of  Mornington  House,  co.  Meath,  and 
had  issue  a  daughter,  Edith  Clarence  Brabazon,  who 
died  March  11,  1866.  Mrs.  Innes  died  January  27, 
1886.  She  was  a  warm  personal  friend  of  the  writer, 
who  received  many  tokens  of  her  kindness  and  by 
whom  her  memory  is  cherished  in  fond  remembrance. 

Mr.  Innes  married,  secondly,  September  21,  1887, 
Jane  Beauchamp,  only  daughter  of  Wilham  Cross, 
J. P.  and  D.L.  (Colonel, Armagh  Militia),  of  Dartan,  co. 
Armagh  (whose  name  he  subsequently  assumed),  and 
had  issue  :  Arthur  Charles  Wolseley,  born  June  8, 
1888  ;  Marian  Dorothea  (married  September  7,  1912, 
Kichard  Christopher  Brooke,  Scots  Guards,  only  son 
of  Sir  Richard  Brooke,  Bart,,  of  Norton  Priory, 
Cheshire)  ;  and  Sydney  Maxwell,  born  April  29,  1894. 

Arthur  Charles  Innes  was  D.L.  and  J. P.  for  Down, 
and  M.P.  for  Newry,  1865-8.  He  died  April  14,  1902. 
He  was  ever  the  true  friend  and  kind  patron  of  the 
writer,  by  whom  his  memory  is  held  in  affectionate 
remembrance.  He  was  a  good  and  considerate  land- 
lord, and  always  evinced  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  the  tenants  on  the  Glen  Estate. 

Mrs.    Innes-Cross    married,    secondlv.    March    18, 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  81 

1907,  Herbert  Martin  Cooke  (member  of  can  old  York- 
shire family),  of  St.  Vincent's,  Eastbourne,  who  subse- 
quently assumed  the  name  of  Cross  with  that  of  Cooke. 
Mrs.  Cooke-Cross  died  Thursday,  November  16,  1911, 
and  was  buried  in  the  parish  churchyard  on  the 
following  Tuesday. 

Arthur  Charles  Wolseley  Innes  is  the  present 
proprietor  of  Dromantine,  he  having  attained  his 
majority  June  8,  1909,  when  addresses  were  presented 
to  him  by  the  tenantry  and  the  Select  Vestry  of  the 
Parish  Church.  He  was  educated  at  Eton  and  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge. 

Dromantine  is  the  well-known  seat  of  the  family. 

The  house,  handsome  and  imposing,  is  built  of  cut 

stone  in  the  old  Italian  style  of  architec- 

Dromantine   ^^^^^  ^^^^  Contains  many  line  family  paint- 

DemTsne"  i^g*^'  ^^^  ^0^^^^  ^^^'^  ^^^  tapestry.  The 
large  demesne  contains  much  full-grown 
timber,  and  the  beautiful  pleasure  grounds  and 
pinetum  a  choice  collection  of  shrubs  and  trees. 
There  are  two  lakes  within  the  demesne  where  wild- 
fowl abound,  especially  duck. 

William  Lucas,  to  whom  the  Duke  of  Ormond  issued 

a  warrant  in  1681  to  '  compass  the  capture  or  death  ' 

of  Redmond  O'Hanlon,  resided  at  Droman- 

Lu^as"of  *^^®  ^^  *^^^  ^^*®'  ^^  ^  tenant  under 
Dromantine,  Sir  Hans  Hamilton,  who  also  took  an 
'warrant to  active  part  against  the  great  Tory  and 
tlTcrture  outlaw.  Prendergast  refers  to  an  account 
or  death  '  of  of  Redmond  O'Hanlon's  death  pubHshed  in 
Redmond  <  ^  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Dublin  to 
O'Hanlon.  ^  ^q^^q^  of  quaUty,  his  friend  in  the 
Country,'  which  'gives  a  copy  of  a  warrant  from  the 


82  DONAGHMOEE 

Duke  of  Ormond  to  Mr.  William  Lucas  ^  of  Drumintyne 
(Dromantine)  dated  the  4th  March  1681,  to  compass 
the  capture  or  death  of  Redmond  O'Hanlon,  and  Mr. 
Lucas's  warrant  to  Art  (or  Arthur)  O'Hanlon  to  take 
or  kill  Redmond,  dated  4th  April,  1681.'  - 

Besides  the  warrant  to  William  Lucas  and  that  of 
the  latter  to  Arthur  O'Hanlon,  a  proclamation  was 
issued,  offering  £200  for  Redmond's  head.  Sir  Hans 
Hamilton  (the  owner  of  Dromantine)  was  very  actively 
employed  in  securing  the  Tory,  for  we  find  him  writing 
a  letter  to  the  Duke  of  Ormond  (December  18,  1680) 
complaining  bitterly  of  Deborah  Annesley's  sympa- 
thies for  O'Hanlon  and  her  secret  plans  for  his  escape. 
It  seems  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Annesley  were  in  constant 
correspondence  with  Katherine  O'Hanlon  (Redmond's 
mother-in-law)  and  that  the  Bishop  of  Meath  (Mrs. 
Annesley's  father)  had  been  a  party  in  lending  them 
his  position  and  influence  to  secure  the  pardon  of 
Redmond. 

Lucas  seems  to  have  acted  promptly  and  success- 
fully in  securing  his  victim.  In  one  month  from  the 
date  of  his  warrant  from  the  Duke  of  Ormond  he  had 
issued  his  own  to  Arthur  O'Hanlon,  and  in  three  short 
weeks  the  deed  was  done,  Redmond  having  been 
treacherously  shot  through  the  heart  by  the  same 
Arthur  O'Hanlon,  his  own  kinsman  and  fosterer  in 
crime,  whose  payment  for  the  job  is  thus  recorded  in 

^  Francis  Lucas,  cornet  in  the  army,  of  Castle  Shane,  co. 
Monaghan  (whose  will  is  dated  October  15,  1657,  and  proved  De- 
cember 8  of  the  same  year),  married  Mary  Pojnitz,  and  by  her  (who 
maiTied  secondlj'  Robert  Moore)  had  issue  :  Francis,  William  (of 
Dromantyne),  Richard,  and  Charles. 

-  Ireland  fiom  the  Restoration  to  the  Revolution,  p.  121. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  83 

a  State  paper  : — '  One  hundred  pounds  paid  to  Arthur 
O'Hanlon,  on  May  6,  1681,  for  kilHng  the  torie,  Red- 
mond O'Hanlon.'  It  seems  that  Redmond  (who  was 
probably  at  the  time  '  in  residence  '  at  one  of  his 
haunts  in  the  Mourne  Mountains)  had  gone  to  a 
place  near  '  Eight  Mile  Bridge  '  (the  bridge  spanning 
the  river  Ban,  close  to  the  present  village  of  Hilltown, 
and  hence  '  The  Ban-Bridge  '  erroneously  identified 
by  Prendergast  as  the  town  of  Banbridge,  co.  Down) 
where  a  fair  was  being  held,  his  purpose  being  to  rob 
those  returning  from  the  mart.  He  was  accompanied 
by  Arthur  O'Hanlon  and  a  man  named  O'Sheel,  who 
acted  as  a  guard  on  the  occasion.  While  O'Sheel  (who, 
it  seems,  was  not  a  party  to  the  treachery)  was  acting 
as  sentinel  at  the  door  of  the  cabin  where  Redmond 
lay  resting  in  sleep,  Arthur  O'Hanlon  '  fired  the  con- 
tents of  his  blunderbuss  into  Redmond's  breast  '  at 
2  o'clock  P.M.  on  April  25,  1681.  He  died  almost 
immediately,  but  before  doing  so  he  requested  O'Sheel 
to  cut  off  his  head  and  hide  it  in  a  bog  hole,  lest  it 
became  '  the  scoff  of  his  enemies.'  The  headless  body 
was  taken  to  Newry,  where  we  are  told  it  was  '  pubhcly 
exposed  '  for  a  couple  of  days  under  a  guard  of  soldiers, 
while  the  head,  which  had  been  found,  was  placed 
over  the  entrance  of  Downpatrick  jail.  Redmond's 
mother  mourned  for  her  son  in  the  following  sad 
keene  : 

'  Dear  head  of  my  darling,  how  gory  and  pale 
These  aged  eyes  see  thee  high  spiked  on  their  jail ; 
That  cheek  in  the  summer-tune  ne'er  shall  grow  wann, 
Nor  that  eye  e'er  catch  light  but  the  flash  of  the  stonn.'  ^ 
'  See  Prendergast,  CromivelUan  Settlement,  p.  355. 


84  DONAGHMORE 

Bedmond  O'Hanlon  and  many  others  of  his  class, 
whose  family  estates  had  been  either  misspent  or  for- 
feited in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  cen- 
'Toryesor     ^^^.-^g^  having  no  visible  means  of  support, 
Idle    oys.     ^^^^  despising  trade  or  work  of  any  kind  as 
too  mean  and  base  for  gentlemen,  became  '  tories  and 
outlaws.'     With  a  band  of  adherents  and  fosterers,  they 
took   to  the  hills,  mountains,  forests  and  bogs,  and 
swooping  down  on  the  new  settlers  of  the  lands  once 
owned  by  their  forebears— and,  indeed,  on  any   who 
had  valuables— murdered,   plundered,    maimed,    and 
took  away  everything  movable  and  valuable.     They 
were  called  '  Tories  '  for  the  first  time  by  the  Duke  of 
Ormond    in  a  proclamation— September    25,    1650  — 
where  they  are  termed  '  Toryes  or  Idle  Boys.'    Accord- 
ing to  Defoe,  '  Tory  '  is  the  Irish  toruigh,  used  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth  to  signify  a  band  of  Irish 
robbers— being  formed  from  the  Irish  verb  tondgUm 
(to  make   sudden  raids).    From  the  signification  and 
use  of  the  word  we  have   inherited  the  vile   epithet 
designating  a  base  fellow,  viz.  '  tory-villain  ' ;  while 
the  nickname  '  Tory,'  as  apphed  to  a  political  party  by 
their   opponents    about    1679,  combined  ideas  most 
odious  to  the  English  mind  at  the  time,  namely,  those 
associated  with    an  Irish  thief   or    Tory.    Redmond 
O'Hanlon  was  the  most  famous  of  the  '  Tories'  of  his 
day.    He  had  not  only  his  own  immediate  band  of  out- 
laws who  did  his  bidding,  but  was  himself  commander- 
in-chief  of  all  the  Tories  of  the  north  for  about  ten 
years.    His  principal  haunts  were  the  Newry,  Sheve 
Gullion,  and  Carhngford  Mountains —while  occasionally 
those    of   Mourne   afforded   the   Rapparee   a   hiding- 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  85 

place- — and  from  thence  be  and  his  bandits  salUed 
forth  over  the  counties  of  Armagh,  Louth,  Down, 
and  even  Tyrone— terrifying  the  entire  population, 
and  giving  infinite  trouble  to  those  in  authority. 
Many  strenuous  efforts  were  made  by  the  Tory 
Acts  and  otherwise  to  suppress  Toryism  by  the 
capture  of  the  outlaws  ;  but  notwithstanding  it  con- 
tinued to  flourish  all  through  the  Commonwealth,  and 
even  after  the  Restoration.  The  Tory  who  killed  a 
fellow-Tory  was  himself  pardoned-^by  9  William  III. 
(Irish).  Cap.  9.  '  Tory  hunting  and  Tory  killing  '  was 
considered  fine  sport  and  pastime !  Hence  the  his- 
torical foundation  for  the  well-known  Irish  nursery 
rhymes  : 

*"Ho  !  brother  Teig,  what  is  your  story  ?  " 
"  1  went  to  the  wood,  and  shot  a  Tory  : 
I  went  to  the  wood,  and  shot  another  ; 
Was  it  the  same  or  was  it  his  brother  ? 

'  I  hunted  hrni  m,  I  hunted  him  out, 
Three  times  through  the  bog,  and  about  and  about ; 
Till  out  of  a  bush  I  spied  his  head. 
So  I  levelled  my  gun,  and  shot  him  dead."  '  ' 

Redmond  O'Hanlon  was  a  member  of  the  sept  of 
that  name' — a  fragment  of  the  Clann  Colla— a  great 
tribe  which  held  the  supreme  place  in  Ulster  at  an 
early  date. 

He  is  said  to  have  been  a  descendant  of  Tirlagh 
Grome  O'Hanlon.  who  in  1620  owned  the  townland  of 
Aghantaraghan   (close  to  the  village  of  Poyntzpass), 

'  See  Prendergast,  Croimvellian  Settlement,  p.  350. 


86  DONAGHMOEE 

where  it  is  supposed  Eedmond  himself  hved^n  a 
house  occupying  the  site  of  Iveagh  Lodge,  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Heber  Magenis,  J.P.  He  served  for  a 
time  in  a  continental  army,  where  he  was  known  as 
Count  O'Hanlon. 

The   '  O'Hanlon   Country  '   comprised   the    whole 

of  the  two  modern  baronies  of  Upper  and 

Tlif  Lower  Orior  in   the    County    of    Armagh, 

CouS^!''''     extending  from  Jonesborough   and    Newry 

to     Tanderagee,     and     containing     77,932 

statute  acres. 

The  seat  of  the  O'Hanlon  family  was  Ballymore 
(Tanderagee)  Castle,  now  owned  by  the  Duke  of  Man- 
chester.    The   chief    at   the    time    of    the 
SirOghie       Plantation    of     Ulster      was      Sir     Oghie 

0  Hanlon.        _,^^      ,  ,,  ,  ,  i    •    p 

0  Hanlon— then  an  old  and  nihrm  man. 
He  was  the  hereditary  Eoyal  Standard  Bearer  of 
Ulster,  and  had  frequently  carried  his  banner  at  the 
head  of  the  King's  forces  against  rebelhon,  or  other 
resistance  to  the  lawful  authority.  Indeed,  he 
remained  a  loyal  subject  of  the  King  to  the  end,  but 
he  was  compromised  by  his  son  (Oghie  Oge  O'Hanlon), 
a  strong  rebel,  who  fought  under  Sir  Cahir  O'Dogherty 
(his  brother-in-law),  and  besides,  he  gave  Oghie  an 
asylum  at  Barrymore  Castle  for  a  night  during  the 
revolt.  Sir  Oghie  (at  this  time)  held  his  lands  by 
grant  from  the  Crown— a  provision  of  the  deed  being 
that  should  he  or  any  of  his  heirs  or  assigns  enter  into 
rebellion  the  grant  would  become  void.  Although 
this  deed  was  not  clahned  by  Sir  Oghie,  yet  it  was 
considered  that  the  lands  therein  conveyed  were 
forfeited  by  Oghie  Oge's  having  taken  part  in  the 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  87 

revolt. 1  In  consequence  the  O'Hanlon  estates  were 
forfeited  and  the  family  translated  to  Connaught,  and 
the  loyal  old  chieftain  granted  a  pension  of  £80  per 
annum  in  lieu  of  his  barony  of  Orior  !  The  poor 
old  man  (who  surely  deserved  a  better  fate  in  his 
declining  years)  did  not  live  to  enjoy  the  magnani- 
mous gift,  but  died  of  a  broken  heart— his  grey 
hairs  were  literally  '  brought  in  sorrow  to  the 
grave.' 

In  those  old  times  of  rebelhon  and  bloodshed, 
probably  in  many  cases  wrongs  were  done  to  members 
of  the  ancient  Celtic  families,  and  a  polic}-  pursued  by 
those  in  authority  inimical  to  the  peace,  loyalty,  and 
prosperity  of  Ireland  ;  and  it  is  to  be  fondly  hoped  that 
in  the  recoil  of  modern  times  history  will  not  repeat 
itself  under  any  new  regime  which  may  be  established, 
notwithstanding  the  assurances  to  the  contrary  of 
those  who  claim  to  speak  in  its  name.  Dr. 
'  Revolution- ^j^j^^^     in  his  Introduction  to  Dr.  R.  H. 

ary  Ireland  "^  '  ^  . 

and  its  Murray  s     volume      on         Revolutionar}^ 

Settlement'  Ireland  and  its  Settlement,'  tells  us  that 
Mahaff  violence  and  injustice  beget  one  another, 

and  lead  to  a  hereditary  vendetta,  and  that 
even  now  the  recoil  from  the  penal  laws  is  being  felt  ; 
that  the  long  oppressed  are  rising  rapidly  in  power, 
wealth,  and  influence— and  '  it  will  be  strange  indeed 
if  this  recovered  influence  does  not  lead  to  acts  of 
injustice  and  even  to  confiscation  in  some  polite 
form,  even  though  the  days  of  massacre  and  armed 
rapine  are  over.' 

'  See  Hill,  Plantation  of  Ulster,  p.  64. 


88  DONAGHMORE 

Glynwood  (Dromantine)  has  long  been  noted  as  the 

scene  of  a  dreadful  massacre  during  the  Rebellion  of 

1641.     It  is  described  by  Harris  in  harrow- 

i  file  '' 

Glynwood  i^g  terms,  while  other  writers  of  repute 
Massacre '  (particularly  the  late  Dr.  Fitzpatrick) 
according  to  represent  it  as  an  absolute  myth.  We  will 
therefore  give  the  evidence  for  and  against, 
with  honest  comment,  and  allow  our  readers  to  judge 
for  themselves.  Harris  tells  us  (in  substance)  that  the 
parish  of  Donaghmore  will  '  ever  be  infamous  for  the 
merciless  butchery  '  of  1641^n  which  '  upwards  of 
1,200  defenceless  Protestants  '  were  massacred  '  in  the 
Covert  of  a  thicket  '  '  at  Glyn  or  Gl^mwood,  an  ancient 
manor  of  Magenis,  now  of  William  Innys  '• — west  of 
the  church.  1 

The  inhabitants  of  Donaghmore  for  upwards  of 
two  and  a  half  centuries  have  given  absolute  credence 
to  this  '  inhuman  butchery,'  and  have  doubtless 
mournfully  regretted  its  occurrence.  We  are  now 
told,  however,  that  the  evidence  upon  which  it  is 
based  is  only  '  hearsay,'  and  that  the  massacre  is  an 
'The  absolute    myth.     Dr.    Fitzpatrick,    in   his 

Massacre'  recent  volume,^  endeavours  to  show  that 
according  to  the  sole  evidence  of  this  supposed   carn- 

Fitzpatrick      ^^^     -^    ^^^^    ^^    ^    ^^^,    ^^^^^    ^^.^^.^^    ^^^^^ 

were  wont  to  while  away  the  time  by  relating  to  a 
notable  prisoner  in  their  custody  stories  as  to  the 
prowess  of  the  rel)el  arms,  and  the  wonderful  massacres 
that  were  taking  place  all  over  the  country  by  their 

'  See  History  of  Down,  pp.  85-6. 

*  T.  Fitzpatrick,  LL.D.,   '  The  Bloody  Bridge  '  and  other  Papers 
relating  to  the  Insurrection  of  1641. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  89 

valiant  brethren- — one  of  these  being  that  at  Glynwoocl. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  Dr.  Fitzpatrick  is  correct  in 
his  conclusion,  and  that  our  parish  will  no  longer  be 
tarnished  as  the  scene  of  such  a  '  bloody  strife  '■ — even 
though  our  hopes  are  dashed  of  dwelling  on  a  theme, 
which,  however  sad  and  gruesome,  some  readers,  at 
least,  might  consider  interesting  !  Hence  we  cannot 
record  even  an  '  Irish  shindy  '  at  Glynwood,  or  the 
free  use  of  a  few  blackthorn  sticks,  but  simply  content 
ourselves  by  characterising  the  '  massacre,'  in  our 
author's  words,  as  the  '  Donaghmore  myth.' 

Dr.  Fitzpatrick  certainly  makes  out  a  good  case  for 
the  side  which  evidently  has  his  sympathies,  and  for 
which  he  seems  to  hold  a  brief.  He  claims  to  write  im- 
partially in  elucidating  the  history  of  a  period  '  about 
which  men  wrote  as  desperately  as  they  fought  '  ; 
but  it  is  to  be  feared  the  words  may  in  truth  be  used 
against  himself,  for,  to  say  the  least,  he  often  writes 
'  desperately.'  Apart  from  his  evident  bias,  he  seems 
inconsistent,  for  the  documents  ('  Depositions  ')  which 
he  uses  are  considered  good  and  trustworthy  when 
he  pleads  the  cause  of  the  rebels,  but  far  otherwise 
if  they  tend  to  tarnish  their  fair  name.  But  if  the 
depositions  are  good  evidence  in  regard  to  massacres 
by  those  who  fought  against  the  rebels,  surely  they 
cannot  be  worthless  when  they  describe  the  carnages 
of  the  latter.  Doubtless  it  is  impossible  to  find  a 
writer  on  either  side  totally  free  from  bias  and  in- 
consistency in  regard  to  the  Rebellion  of  1641 — in- 
cluding even  Harris  and  Temple- — and,  we  might  add, 
the  smaller  fry,  however  much  they  try,  who  pose  as 
'  parish  historians  !  ' 


90  DONAGHMOKE 

Harris  and  others  are  blamed  for  using  '  hearsay  ' 
evidence,  while  Dr.  Fitzpatrick  excludes  such  in  estab- 
Hshing  his  conclusions  ;  and,  besides,  he  claims  to  have 
had  recourse  to  later  and  unpubhshed  depositions  not 
employed  by  the  earlier  writers— viz.  those  before  the 
Commonwealth  Commissioners  at  Carrickfergus  in  1653. 

In  regard  to  the  '  sworn  evidence  taken  by  the 
Koyal  Commissioners  (after  the  Eebellion)  appointed 
by  the  Broad  Seal  of  Ireland,'  Dr.  Fitzpatrick  states, 
that  having  examined  the  depositions  which  are  in  the 
County  Down  volume,  numbering  over  a  hundred  and 
twenty,  he  '  cannot  find  that  any  county  Down  man 
or  woman  knew  or  heard  anything  of  the  Glynwood 
(Donaghmore)  massacre  of  1,200  helpless  Protestants.'  ^ 

The  High  Sheriff  of  Down  at  the  time  (Peter  Hill) 
was  a  deponent,  and  informed  the  Commissioners 
that  '  he  knows  the  county  (Down)  well,'  and  while 
he  gives  evidence  as  to  certain  atrocities  committed 
by  the  rebels  at  the  '  Bloody  Bridge  '  and  other  places 
in  Down,  he  never  once  refers  to  a  massacre  as  having 
taken  place  at  Glynwood  in  Donaghmore  parish. 

The  Eev.  Patrick  Dunken,  Vicar  of  Donaghmore, 
was  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  in  a  house 
near  Newcastle,  and  afterwards  became  a 
Viccar  of  deponent.  He  was  examined  May  26,  1653, 
Deponent.  ^^  Carrickfergus  before  the  Commissioners 
'  concerning  the  things  transacted  to  his 
knowledge  and  hearsay  in  the  County  of  Downe 
and  thereabouts  the  first  half  yeare  of  the  Eebellion, 
during  which  time,  the  said  Mr.  Dunfin  (Dunken)  with 
his  wife,  were  prisoners  with  the  rebells,  having  first 

'  Introduction,  p.  jcix. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  91 

robbed  them  of  all  their  goods.'  In  the  evidence  as 
transcribed  by  Dr.  Fitzpatrick,  the  Vicar  of  Donagh- 
more  tells  '  what  he  knows  about  the  Newcastle  affair, 
and  what  he  has  heard  about  Lisnagarvey,  Down- 
patrick,  Newry,  Mourne  '—and  so  on—'  but  has  not 
a  word  to  say  about  his  own  Parish.'  i 

According  to  Dr.  Fitzpatrick  the  whole  story  of  this 

supposed  massacre  is  based  on  the  evidence  of  the 

Kev.  Dr.  Robert  Maxwell,  \'icar  of  Tynan, 

Doctor  QQ^  Armagh,  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the 

Maxwell  ,     ,  ,      t^  t       <      i  ,       , 

D  ponent.  rebels  at  Kynard,  who  amused  them- 
selves by  telling  him  many  horrible  tales.' 
The  following  is  a  portion  of  Dr.  Maxwell's  deposition, 
taken  August  22,  1642' — (about  eleven  years  previous 
to  the  deposition  of  the  Rev.  Patrick  Dunken)  :  '  In 
Glynwood,  towards  Donaghmore,  there  were  slaugh- 
tered (as  the  Rebells  tould  the  deponent)  upwards  of 
1,200  in  all  who  were  killed  in  their  flight  to  the  countie 
of  Downe.' 

It  seems  somewhat  strange  that  the  rebel  guards 
at  Kynard  should  have  singled  out  this  particular  place 
as  the  scene  of  a  slaughter  of  such  magnitude,  if 
nothing  happened  of  that  nature.  Glynwood  is  close 
to  the  two  passes  though  which  those  in  flight- — pre- 
sumably from  the  direction  of  County  Armagh- — must 
have  entered  this  portion  of  Down  ;  and  besides,  the 
particular  spot,  a  deep  ravine  in  Dromantine  demesne — 
north  of  the  lake- — said  to  be  the  scene  of  the  massacre, 
would  in  all  probability  be  considered  a  safe  hiding- 
place  for  fugitives.  Again,  the  guards  had  nothing 
to   gain   by  misrepresentation   or   exaggeration,  and 

•  The  Bloody  Bridge,  etc.,  p.  93. 


92  DONAGHMOEE 

besides,  it  is  to  be  presumed  they  were  the  best 
authorities  regarding  the  rebel  achievements. 

On  the  other  hand  then-  narrative  certainly  con- 
flicts with  the  depositions  as  quoted  by  Dr.  Fitz- 
patrick,  and  this  in  itself  is  an  important  point  in 
favour  of  his  contention.  Doubtless  we  do  not  know 
the  whole  truth  of  the  matter,  nor  are  we  likely  to  be 
further  enlightened.  At  any  rate  Dr.  Maxwell,  a  man 
of  high  standing  and  great  ability,  evidently  believed 
what  '  the  Eebells  tould  '  him,  though  for  aught  we 
know  these  worthies  may  have  been  simply  '  fooling  ' 
the  good  divine  ! 

Kobert  Maxwell  was  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  of  the 
University  of  Dublin,  Eector  of  Tynan,  and  Arch- 
deacon of  Down.  He  was  consecrated  Bishop  of 
Kilmore  in  St.  Patrick's,  Dublin,  March  24,  1643,  and 
the  see  of  Ardagh  was  granted  him  by  Charles  II., 
February  24,  1660.  He  held  both  sees  till  his  death- 
November  16,  1672.1 

During  the  revolutionary  period   of    our  history, 

although  the  contending  armies  '  passed  and  repassed  ' 

through  the  parish,  we  find  no  record  of  an 

Revolution,   engagement   between  the  combatants,  but 

arv  Period.  »   *^,  ,     ,  ,  .         ,      . 

doubtless  nevertheless  terror  reigned  m 
Donaghmore,  and  the  inhabitants  suffered  privation 
and  loss,  as  was  inevitable  in  the  circumstances. 

There  was,  however,  during  the  period,  almost 
'  a  battle  royal '  at  the  old  Four  Mile  House,  the 
combatants  on  one  side  being  Alexander  Stewart  and 
his  wife  (who  kept  the  inn),  James  Hope  (a  prominent 
United  Irishman  and  somewhat  of  a  poet),  and  a  friend 

'  Ware's  Bishops,  p.  243. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  93 

named  Dignan,  of  Newry  ;  while,  on  the  other,  were  a 
few  EngHsh  soldiers  and  a  horse !  The  bloodless 
ccmb  it  is  portrayed  by  Hope  in  his  *  Memoirs  of  '98.' 
It  seems  while  he  and  Dignan  were  at  the  inn,  two 
soldiers  rode  up,  and  having  partaken  of  some  drink, 
flung  their  empty  glasses  on  the  flags,  and  went  off 
withe ut  paying  for  their  'refreshment' — a  shabby 
trick  !  Poor  Mrs.  Stewart  and  her  husband  were 
naturally  irate,  but  their  words  are  not  related.  Two 
other  soldiers,  we  are  told,  just  then  rode  up,  one  of 
whom  '  ran  at  Mrs.  Stewart  (who  was  standing  at  the 
door  of  the  inn  having  a  child  in  her  arms)  with  his 
blade.'  Happily  the  cowardly  soldier  was  repulsed 
by  the  valiant  Hope,  who  drew  his  sword  in  defence  of 
the  woman.  The  soldier's  horse,  however,  was  not 
to  be  outdone  even  by  the  brave  Hope  ;  for  it  seems, 
before  an  immediate  departure  to  Banbridge,  the 
dauntless  animal,  with  the  willing  consent  of  the  rider, 
made  a  fling  at  the  inn  door  with  the  hind  legs — 
smashing  it  (we  hope  not)  to  atoms  ! 

Towards  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century  (1778), 

owing  to  the  critical  condition  of  Ireland  at  the  time, 

the  Volunteer  m)vement  was  inaugurated 

?;'^f    ,  — when  Djnaghmore  contributed  its  quota 

Volunteers.  '^  n    i   • 

to  the  100,000  men  eventually  enrolled  m 
the  four  provinces  as  a  Volunteer  force.  Unfortu- 
nately, owing  to  the  loss  or  destruction  of  records, 
very  little  information  is  now  available  in  regard  to 
the  Donaghmore  Volunteers,  of  which  there  were  two 
companies.  The  companies  belonged  to  the  Newry 
Infantry  Regiment,  as  did  the  Sheepbridge  corps  and 
that  of  Rathfriland. 


94  DONAGHMOEE 

Aimng  the  officers  of  '  The  Fh'st  Danaghmore 
Company  '  were  Captain  J.  Arbucle  and  Lieutenant 
Samuel  Martin.  Captain  Arbucle  resided  at  Mary- 
vale,  which  he  owned  with  the  townland  of  Carnacally 
in  which  it  is  situated.  Lieutenant  Martin  was  father 
of  John  Martin,  the  well-known  '  repealer,'  and,  of 
course,  lived  at  the  family  residence — Loughorne. 
'  The  Second  Donaghraore  Company  '  had,  as  captain, 
George  Gordon.  Captain  Gordon  was  a  brother  of 
Captain  William  G.  Gordon  of  Sheepbridge — members 
of  the  old  and  well-known  family  of  that  place — and 
now  represented  in  the  neighbourhood  by  the  Gordons 
of  Mount  Kearney  and  Maryvale. 

Captain  Carswell  was  an  officer  in  one  or  other  of 
the  Donaghmore  companies.  We  fmd  him  attending 
a  review  held  at  Eathfriland,  October  19,  1792, 
accompanied  by  fifty  of  the  Donaghmore  Volunteers. 
Captain  Carswell  (who  resided  in  Annaghbane)  was 
a  member  of  an  old  and  much  respected  family — now 
represented  by  Joseph  Carswell  of  Kockmount  (Four 
Towns)  and  Joseph  Carswell  of  Shankhill.  The 
Carswells  came  originally  from  Scotland  and  settled 
in  the  parish  early  in  the  seventeenth  century. 

An  article  in  an  old  issue  of  the  Down  Recorder 
describes  the  uniform  generally  worn  by  the  Volunteer 
force  in  Down — viz.  '  a  scarlet  coat,  with  yellow,  white, 
blue,  or  green  facings  ;  white  waistcoat  and  small- 
clothes ;  white  stockings  and  black  gaiters,  a  black 
knee-band  and  a  cocked  hat.'  A  Fusilier  corps  in 
Downpatrick,  it  seems,  wore  a  green  uniform  with  red 
facings,  short-skirted  coat,  and  high  cap  with  a  red 
plume. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  95 

The  origin  of  the  Volunteers  was  as  follows  :  In  1777 

the  English  were  defeated  at  Saratoga,  where  the  whole 

British    army    under     General    Burgoyne 

Origmof  the  g^^rendered  to  the  Americans.    The  affairs 

Volunteers.  _,      ,        ,  ,  ,  ■,  -i      n  . 

of  England  were  desperate,  while  the  out- 
look in  Ireland  was  no  less  serious  and  critical.  There 
were  no  troops  left  in  the  country,  as  all  had  been 
drafted  off  to  fight  the  Americans.  In  1778  the 
situation  was  still  more  desperate  ;  for  the  French 
united  with  the  Americans  and  threatened  to  invade 
the  British  Islands.  England  seemed  no  longer  able 
to  defend  and  hold  Ireland  ;  and  besides,  shoals  of 
American  privateers  swarmed  round  the  Irish  coast, 
seizing  British  vessels  and  doing  immense  havoc  in 
many  ways.  Notable  among  the  gang  was  a  certain 
Paul  Jones  (a  Scotsman,  in  the  American  service),  who 
in  1778 — at  Carrickfergus — captured  the  Drake,  a 
British  brig.  In  the  terrible  predicament  the  Protes- 
tants of  Ireland  flew  to  arms.  If  England  could  not 
defend  them  against  the  foreign  invader  they  would 
protect  themselves  by  raising  a  force  for  home  defence 
— so  corps  of  Volunteers  were  rapidly  enrolled  through- 
out the  four  provinces,  arms  were  procured  and  drillmg 
went  on  in  every  parish.  At  the  commencement  the 
Volunteers  were  almost  wholly  Protestant  Dissenters, 
but  subsequently  Churchmen  and  many  Roman 
Catholics  were  enrolled  in  defence  of  their  country. 
The  Volunteers,  as  the  name  implies,  were  a  purely 
volunteer  force — and,  we  might  add,  an  absolutely 
necessary  force — considering  the  critical  circumstances 
of  the  times.  Alas  !  although  they  had  come  to  be 
called   '  the  glorious  Volunteers,'   their  career   ended 


96  DONAGHMOKE 

ingloriously.  When  the  work  for  which  they  were 
raised  had  become  a  fait  accompli,  many  of  them  began 
to  suffer  from  '  swollen  heads,'  and  manifested  tenden- 
cies of  a  rebel  natm-e — for  example,  a  corps  at  Lough- 
brickland,  which  had  to  be  suppressed.  When  deserted 
by  their  legitimate  leaders  and  become  the  prey  of 
irresponsible  demagogues,  they  were  simply  a  menace 
to  the  State,  and  forming  themselves  into  secret 
societies  and  being  drilled  in  arms,  they  caused  much 
turmoil  and  alarm  throughout  the  country. 

It  is  too  tempting  not  to  refer  to  one  notable 
'  swollen  head,'  and  that  too  of  a  bishop  !  (so  expanded, 
The  Bishop  ^^  ^^  ^^  ^''^  feared,  that  his  mitre  became 
of  Derry  useless).  We  refer,  of  course,  to  the 
and  the  eccentric  Bishop  of  Derry  (Frederick 
Volunteers,  ^^^g^g^us  Hervey— Earl  of  Bristol).  His 
lordship  conceived  the  idea  in  his  noble  brain  that 
he  was  the  '  unchallenged  leader  '  of  the  Volunteers 
(1783),  and  that  in  all  probabihty  he  was  to  be  the  future 
king  of  Ireland  !  Froude  tells  us  :  '  This  absurd 
person  still  clung  to  the  dream  of  a  separate  Ireland  of 
which  he  was  to  be  king,  and  his  admirers  in  the  North 
fooled  him  to  the  top  of  his  bent.'  As  a  simple  pre- 
liminary to  his  kingly  honours,  the  bishop  arrived  in 
A  Volunteer  ^^^^^^^  ^^  *^®  ^i"^®  of  the  memorable 
Convention  Volunteer  Convention  in  1788  (a  kind  of 
andGjrgeousParhament  to  'command  the  destinies  of 
rocession.  j^.^ij^j^^j  '■)  accompanied  by  his  suite — 
almost  regal  in  its  splendour  and  magnificence. 
The  Cabinet  had  reconmiended  that  the  Convention 
should  be  prevented,  even  by  force  if  necessary  ;  but 
the  Privy  Council  was  averse  to  the  idea  of  the  Govern- 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  97 

uient  iuterieiing  to  prevent  the  meeting,  so  it  was 
held.  The  ambitious  bishop  fully  expected  his 
election  to  the  presidency  of  the  '  Parhament,'  and  his 
elevation  to  the  '  High  Kingship  of  Ireland,'  but,  alas 
for  the  poor  man,  neither  honour  came  his  way  !  How- 
ever, for  one  brief  space  he  doubtless  enjoyed  to  his 
heart's  content  the  rapture,  at  least,  of  clasping  to  his 
bosom  honours  which  after  all  were  not  to  be  his, 
namely,  while  he  sat  in  state  as  the  central  figure  in 
the  gorgeous  procession  which  graced  the  streets  of 
Dubhn  previous  to  the  Convention.  Froude  thus 
graphically  describes  the  scene  :  '  He  (as  yet  only  the 
Lord  Bishop,  the  Earl  of  Bristol)  sat  in  an  open  landau, 
drawn  by  six  horses  magnificently  apparelled  in 
purple,  with  white  gloves,  gold  fringed,  and  gold 
tassels  dangling  from  them,  and  buckles  of  diamonds 
on  knee  and  shoe.  His  own  mounted  servants,  in 
gorgeous  liveries,  attended  on  either  side  of  his  carriage. 
George  Robert  Fitzgerald  rode  in  front,  with  a  squadron 
of  dragoons  in  gold  and  scarlet  uniforms,  on  the 
finest  horses  which  could  be  bought  in  the  land,  a 
second  squadron  brought  up  the  rear  in  equal  splendour, 
and  thus,  with  slow  and  regal  pace,  the  procession 
passed  on.  Volunteers  falling  in,  with  bands  playing 
and  colours  flying,  the  crowd  shouting  "  Long  hfe  to 
the  bishop  !  "  the  bishop  bowing  to  the  crowd.  Passing 
through  College  Green,  the  Right  Reverend  Earl  paused 
at  the  door  of  the  Parliament  House.  The  dragoons 
halted.  The  trumpets  were  blown.  The  Lords  and 
Commons,  who  had  just  finished  prayers,  came  out  to 
pay  their  respects,  and  gaze  on  the  extraordinary  scene. 
The  bishop  saluted  ;    the  bishop's  guard    presented 


98  DONAGHMORE 

arms  ;  and  the  band  struck  up  the  Volunteers'  March, 
and  having  thus,  as  he  supposed,  produced  a  proper 
impression,  the  august  being  waved  his  hand.'  i 

As  their  subsequent  history  proved,  '  the  powers 
that  be,'  and  the  country,  had  enough  of  the  Volun- 
teers, and  consequently  the  government  were  obhged  to 
revive  the  MiUtia,  a  crown  force,  to  which 
The  Militia.  j)Q^g^gjj^^Qj.g  contributed  its  quota  of  men 
and  money.  [In  regard  to  local  transactions  re  the 
Militia  (1795-7),  or  events  not  recorded  elsewhere, 
we  beg  to  refer  the  reader  to  the  vestry  minutes- 
commencing  1772.] 

Possibly  a  few  inquisitive  readers  may  be  solici- 
tous to  know  a  little  concerning  the  present  inhabitants 
Present  °^  Donaghmore— if  only  through  curiosity  ; 
Inhabitants  but  it  is  extremely  dif&cult  to  impartially 
of  Donagh-  portray  ourselves,  being  an  interested  party, 
^'^^^'  and    doubtless   when   we   have    done    our 

best,  having  totally  banished  our  natural  bias  in 
the  circumstances,  some  old  cynic,  or  jealous  critic 
of  a  neighbouring  parish,  will  be  found  to  exclaim  in 
the  words  of  the  rustic  poet  : 

0  wad  some  Pow'r  the  giftie  gie  us 
To  see  oursels  as  ithers  see  us  !  ' 

Donaghmore  is  a  purely  agricultural  parish,  and 
as  such  is  considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  county  of 
Down.  The  parish  has  long  been  noted 
for  its  interest  in  agricultural  pursuits 
and  its  successful  farming  operations,  It  had 
its  farming  society  (a  branch  of  the  North-East 
Farming  Society)   so    far    back    (at  least)  as    1835  ; 

1  The  Emjlish  in  Ireland,  vol.  ii.  p,  416. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  99 

and  here  the  reader  will  pardon  our  digression  in 
reverting  to  a  bit  of  ancient  history. 

An  '  Annual  Cattle  Show  and  Plowing  Match ' 
was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Donaghmore 
Farming  Society,  after  which  the  committee  of  manage- 
ment and  their  friends  usually  partook  of  a  sumptuous 
^^  dinner  as  a  pleasant  '  wind-up  '  to  the  pro- 

Agricultural  ceedings  of  the  day.  One  of  these  social 
Dinner-party  functions,  however,  we  regret  to  state,  had 

^  '^^'  itself  a  very  unpleasant  '  wind-up  '  (as 
we  shall  see),  viz.  that  after  a  'plowing  match'  at 
James  Carswell's  farm  (Fourtowns),  on  February  16, 
1835.  The  dinner-party  was  given  in  the  evening  of 
the  same  day  at  the  Five  Mile  House.  Thomas 
Marshall  (Buskhill)  occupied  the  chair  on  the  occasion, 
when  the  following  toasts  were  proposed  and  duly 
honoured  :  '  The  Queen  and  Royal  Family  ' ;  '  The  Lord 
Lieutenant  and  Prosperity  to  Ireland  ' ;  '  The  Health 
of  Arthur  Innes,  Esq.,  the  worthy  and  munificent 
President  of  the  Branch,  and  speedy  recovery  and  safe 
return  home  ' ;  '  The  Health  of  Trevor  Smithson  and 
Isaac  Corry,  Esqrs.,  the  worthy  and  valuable  Vice- 
Presidents  of  the  Society.'  About  this  stage  of  the 
proceedings  (eight  o'clock)  the  festive  and  peaceful 
scene  was  suddenly  changed  into  one  of  alarm  and  con- 
fusion. According  to  our  report,  it  seems  a  large 
crowd  had  gathered  in  front  of  the  house,  and  without 
note  or  warning,  made  '  an  atrocious  and  wanton 
attack  '  on  the  agricultural  dinner-party — '  one  man 
being  killed  and  several  desperately  wounded.'  The 
mob,  with  frightful  shrieks  and  constant  volleys  of 
stones,  kept  up  the  attack  till  9.30  o'clock,  '  completely 
demohshing  the  windows,  sashes,  and  shutters  of  the 

H  2 


100  DONAGHMORE 

house.'  The  pohce  by  this  time  arrived  on  the 
scene,  and  having  been  obhged  to  use  their  rifles  to 
quell  the  riot,  one  man  in  the  crowd  was  shot  dead. 
No  reason  whatever  was  assigned  for  the  attack, 
which  we  are  informed  was  '  a  premeditated  and 
dehberately  planned  scheme.'  ^ 

Legal  proceedings  ensued  at  Downpatrick  (August  5), 
when  eleven  men  were  indicted  for  '  assault  and  riot  ' 
— four  of  whom  received  twelve,  and  seven,  six  months' 
imprisonment. 

Donaghmore  has  no  longer  its  Farming  Society, 
Cattle  Show,  or  '  agricultural  dinner-parties  ' — nor 
even  a  riot  ! — -yet  our  farming  operations  and  '  dining 
capacities  '  are  still  fine  arts. 

The  principal  crops  grown  in  the  parish  are 
oats,  flax,  potatoes,  turnips,  hay,  and  (in  Glen)  wheat. 
We  boast  of  a  number  of  model  farmers  who  possess 
very  up-to-date  agricultural  implements,  and  who 
farm  on  the  most  approved  principle  ;  but  we  forbear  to 
mention  names,  not  wishing  to  make  invidious  dis- 
tinctions. 0\ving  chiefly  to  the  expense  of  labour, 
and  the  scarcity  of  those  who  engage  in  such  pursuits, 
a  few  of  the  farmers  have  turned  their  attention  to 
dairying  and  stock-raising,  including  sheep,  of  the  best 
breeds. 

Although  engaged  in  these  humble  but  laudable 
pursuits,  and  hving  far  away  from  the  '  madding 
Characteris-  crowd,'  yet  most  of  US  entertain  a  fairly 
tics— Self-  high  opinion  of  ourselves,  while  we  con- 
esteem,  sider  that  we  are  each  '  a  citizen  of  no 
mean    city.'        This     good     opinion     of     ourselves 

'  Newrij  Telegraph,  February  20,  1835. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  101 

(which  doubtless  others  may  misname  self-conceit, 
though  with  us  it  is  simply  a  form  of  self- 
respect)  and  of  our  '  dwelhng-place  '  enables  us  to 
comport  ourselves  accordingly,  and  to  '  carry  a  high 
head  '  !  True,  few  of  us  were  born  to  any  great  estate  ; 
and  certainly  none  of  us  (as  yet)  have  had  greatness 
thrust  upon  us,  yet  generally  (with  a  few  exceptions) 
we  make  the  most  of  ourselves,  considering  it  to  be  the 
aim  of  every  one  (in  the  words  of  Jean  Paul  Richter) 
'  to  make  as  much  out  of  oneself  as  could  be  made 
out  of  the  stuff.'  Apart,  however,  from  the  '  stuff ' 
with  which  Providence  may  have  bountifully  or  other- 
wise endowed  us,  and  while  averse  to  the  bad  manners 
of  '  blowing  our  own  trumpet,'  and  chary  of  hurting 
the  sensitive  feelings  of  less  favoured  communities, 
it  may  be  safely  asserted,  without  fear  of  contradiction, 
that  we  are  a  highly  intelligent,  hard-headed  and 
industrious  people,  and  withal  very  soft-hearted  and 
extremely  modest  ! 

We  are,  moreover,  a  peaceful  community  among 
ourselves,  and  so  far  as  the  outside  world  is  con- 
cerned we  are  dominated  by  the  same 
Qualities  P^cific  Spirit — unless,  indeed,  the  attack  be 
one  of  aggression.  We  are  totally  obhvious 
of  the  '  wars  and  rumours  of  wars  '  which  marked 
our  territorial  days.  We  have  '  clean  forgotten ' 
all  we  have  heard  of  the  *  Glynwood  massacre,'  while 
old  party  and  other  feuds  are  largely  effaced  from 
our  memories,  and  indeed  would  have  been  entirely 
obhterated,  were  it  not  for  our  anniversaries,  held 
respectively  on  July  12  and  August  15,  or  it  may  be 
the  raking  up  of  the  chequered  past  by  some  petty 


102  DONAGHMORE 

chronicler.  Our  pacific  intercourse  is  all  the  more  to 
our  credit,  considering  our  differences  racially,  religi- 
ously and  poHtically.     We  are  truly  a   mixed   race 

(both  here  and  elsewhere  in  Ireland),  the 
A  Mixed        descendants    of    the    successive     invaders 

who  conquered  Ireland  in  past  times, 
and  hence  there  are  no  '  real  Irish  '  in  the  parish — 
such  (the  aborigines)  having  been  totally  an- 
nihilated, we  are  told,  soon  after  the  flood,  by  a 
ferocious  Grecian  chief  called  Partholon.  This  cruel 
warrior  and  bis  savage  people  held  possession  for  about 
300  years,  when  the  Nemedians  came  along,  and  made 
'  short  work  '  of  the  Partholonians,  and  so  on,  with 
the  Formorians,  the  Firbolgs,  the  De  Dananns,  and 
the  Milesians,  who  in  turn  were  conquered  by  the 
Anglo-Saxons.  But  notwithstanding  our  mixture  of 
blood,  or  our  inability  to  trace  our  descent  from  the 
'  real  Irish  '  (probably  a  race  of  dwarfs  and  cave- 
dwellers,  who  are  as  dead  as  the  dodo),  or  that  we  are 
only  the  sons  of  colonists  of  a  remote  or  later  date, 
we  all  are  good  Irishmen  nevertheless,  and  uniting 
in  fervent  love  for  Ireland,  however  poor  and  dis- 
tracted or  '  distressful '  she  may  be,  we  heartily  sing 
with  the  '  immortal  poet  '  : 

'  Sure  an'  this  is  Ireland, 
Thank  God  for  Ireland  !  ' 

In  religion,  again,  most  of  us  seem  to  differ  almost 

as  much  as  in  race.     In  this  respect,  however,  we  are 

.  certainly  more  tolerant  than  in  past  times, 

and  many   of  us,  at  least,   are  beginning 

to    realise    that    the    form     is    not    the    absolutely 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  103 

essential  desideratum,  and  that  (in  the  words  of 
Lord  Avebury)  '  Those  to  whom  heaven  is  promised 
in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  are  the  merciful, 
the  meek,  the  peacemakers,  the  pure  in  heart.'  We 
are  well  supplied  with  churches — having  in  our 
midst  two  Roman  Catholic,  two  Presbyterian,  one 
Church  of  Ireland,  and  a  Methodist  chapel  (erected 
in  1839  and  served  by  a  Newry  minister).  We  are, 
besides,  favoured  occasionally  with  a  movable 
'  ecclesiastical '  structure  in  the  shape  of  a  tent, 
accompanied  by  what  is  localh^  termed  a  '  tramp 
preacher,' 

These  preachers,  for  the  most  part,  seem  quite 
horrified  at  our  pagan  condition,  and  consider  it  their 
solemn  duty,  as  a  mere  preliminary,  "to  anathematise 
with  '  bell,  book  and  candle  '  the  parishioners  and  their 
pastors  in  general  and  the  rector  in  particular.  Having 
set  up  their  '  gospel-shop,'  as  it  is  called,  they  deal  out 
a  free  and  easy  '  salvation  '  on  the  condition  of  '  faith 
without  works,'  this  '  faith  '  being  supposed  to  act 
as  a  charm,  by  which  the  subject  obtains  '  salvation  ' 
in  the  shape  of  a  *  fire-escape  '  !  '  The  preachers  ' 
(who  have  not  favoured  us  with  a  visit  for  a 
long  time)  make  but  few  converts  in  Donaghmore, 
while  those  '  impressed  '  generally  *  vert  '  back  to 
type. 

A  Mormon  missionary  recently  paid  us  a  flying 
visit  (or  rather  some  of  the  good-looking  girls  of  the 
parish,  of  which  there  is  a  vast  number),  but  we  have 
the  proud  satisfaction  of  recording  that  the  Mormon 
went  '  empty  away,'  ere  even  we  had  learnt  of 
his    advent,    otherwise    we    should    have    organised 


104  DONAGHMORE 

a   Donaghmore   Corps  of   Volunteers  to    '  speed   the 
parting  guest  '  ! 

We  Donaghmore  people  are  strong  pohticians,  and 
here  we  never  '  agree  to  differ,'  Portion  of  us  adopt 
the  principles  of  King  Wilham,  Prince  of 
Orange,  others  those  of  King  James.  The 
memories  of  these  monarchs  are  still  held  in  fond  remem- 
brance in  our  midst — particularly  that  of  King  William 
— whose  great  battle  at  the  Boyne  is  annually  fought 
in  mimic  fashion  in  the  neighbourhood,  his  forces 
fighting  like  Trojans,  when  the  good  King,  notwith- 
standing the  '  shot  and  shell '  and  the  '  fierce  onslaught  ' 
of  his  Jamesite  enemies,  ever  comes  off  the  victor  !  Not 
a  few  of  us  are  quite  '  advanced '  in  our  views  on  matters 
political,  while  others  are  supposed  to  lag  '  behind  the 
times.'  The  former  glory  in  a  new  order  which  is  fast 
giving  place  to  the  old,  while  the  latter  wistfully  look 
back  to  a  dying  regime,  and  mournfully  warble  in 
notes  of  other  days,  lines  long  out  of  date  : 

'  God  bless  the  squire  and  his  relations, 
And  keep  us  in  our  proper  places.' 

To  their  credit  be  it  told,  the  inhabitants  of  Donagh- 
more speak  the  '  King's  English  '  remarkably  well. 
^^  Indeed,  the  English  language  is  more  cor- 
rectly spoken  in  Ireland  generally  than 
it  is  in  England  by  people  of  the  same  class. 
Of  this  any  educated  and  unbiassed  Enghshman  will 
soon  be  convinced,  if,  having  visited  Ireland,  he 
will  compare  the  Enghsh  spoken  by  the  Irish 
people  generally  with  that,  for  example,  expressed 
in  '  broad  Yorkshire  '  or  in  the  dialect  of  Lancashire 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  105 

and  other  places.  The  people  of  Donaghmore  have 
no  '  Irish  brogue  '  in  the  proper  acceptation  of  the 
term,  nor  have  they  any  '  dialect  '  peculiar  to  them- 
selves. They  certainly  speak  better  and  more  cor- 
rectly than  the  people  of  North  Down,  or  those  in 
some  portions  of  County  Antrim.  We  have  an 
'  accent  '  and  intonation  of  voice  not  uncommon 
elsewhere  in  Ulster,  while  a  few  of  us  use  expressions 
or  words,  at  times,  which  are  more  or  less  in  vogue 
all  over,  especially  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  But  these 
words  or  phrases  are  frequently  used  only  by  way  of 
accommodation,  being  to  us  very  expressive.  Very 
often  such  have  no  equivalents  in  the  English  language 
which  properly  express  the  meaning  they  convey  to 
us,  and  hence  we  can  only  give  an  approximate 
signification — in  some  cases  adopting  that  given  by 
Joyce. 1 

'  Back-jaw,'  impertinent  or  abusive  talk. 
'  Blathers  '  or  '  Blethers,'  nonsense.  '  Blinked,'  over- 
looked with  the  '  evil  eye.'  '  Boast,'  e.g.  the  hollow 
portion  of  a  tree  produced  by  dry  rot  is  '  boast.' 
'  Bold,'  forward.  '  Brave  '  (intensively),  '  a  brave  big 
man ';  or  as  denoting  good  health,  in  reply  to  '  How 
are  you  ?  '  (an  old  Enghsh  usage),  '  Bravely.'  '  Dry,' 
thirsty.  '  Cailey,'  a  friendly  evening  call.  '  Clash,'  to 
carry  tales.  '  Call,'  a  reason,  e.g. '  I  have  no  call  (reason) 
to  do  so  and  so.'  '  Coof,'  a  fool.  '  Clout,'  a  blow  ; 
also  a  rag.  '  Cruel,'  very  ;  e.g.  '  cruel  kind  '  means 
very  kind.  '  Daily-goin,'  nightfall,  or  just  after  twilight. 
'  Didoes,'  antics  or  tricks.  '  Ditch,'  a  raised  fence. 
'  Dour,'  stern.      '  Elder,'  udder.     *  Elegant,'  anything 

'  See  English  as  we  ipeak  it  in  Ireland,  cap.  xiii. 


106  DONAGHMORE 

good  or  excellent  of  its  kind,  e.g.  '  an  elegant  watch,' 
and  even  '  an  elegant  pig  !  '  We  have  not  heard 
the  word  used  in  Donaghmore  in  the  sense  apphed  by 
Lever— but  then  we  have  no  Bradys  : 

'  I  haven't  the  janius  for  work, 
For  'twas  never  the  gift  of  the  Bradys ; 
But  I'd  make  a  most  illigant  Turk, 
For  I'm  fond  of  tobacco  and  ladies.' 

'  Fari;  portion  of  a  griddle  cake.  '  Footer,'  a 
clumsy  workman.  '  Free,'  affable.  '  Galout,'  a 
clownish  fellow.  '  Galore,'  abundance.  '  Gawkish,' 
a  tall,  awkward  person.  '  Glower,'  to  stare  at. 
'  Hotherin  '  or  '  Hothery,'  untidy.  '  Gunk,'  a  take 
in,  '  sell,'  or  sudden  disappointment.  '  Income,'  an 
abscess.  '  Kitterty,'  a  vain,  empty-headed  creature. 
'  Lusty,'  corpulent.  '  Meela  murder,'  '  a  thousand 
murders  ' — a  general  exclamation  of  surprise,  regret, 
or  alarm — the  first  part  being  from  the  Irish  word, 
mile  (meela),  a  thousand  (Joyce).  '  A  knowin','  a 
very  small  quantity.  '  Nagyer,'  a  very  miserly  per- 
son. '  Newance,'  novelty.  '  Ornary,'  ugly.  '  Pelt,' 
naked— without  clothes.  '  Quahty,'  gentry.  Any 
imitation  of  such  in  dress,  manner,  or  '  turn-out  '  is 
called  a  '  quahty  touch.'  '  Ructions,'  fights  or  rows. 
*  Sconce,'  an  '  eye-servant,'  or  person  who  shirks  his 
work.  '  Scut,'  a  mean  fellow.  '  Sheeler,'  a  man 
who  does  women's  work.  '  Sheuch,'  a  hollow  place, 
generally  alongside  a  fence  and  containing  water. 
'  Shore,'  the  '  sea-side  '  — we  call  Warrenpoint  '  the 
shore,'  and  a  '  drain  '  a  '  shore  '  !  '  Skelp,'  a  blow, 
to  give  one  or  more  blows  ;    to  cut  off  a  portion  of 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  107 

anything  ;  to  run  swiftly,  e.g.  '  I  got  a  skelp  '  ;  '  I  cut 
off  a  skelp  of  wood  '  ;  '  skelp  off  to  school '  (Joyce). 
'  Skite,'  a  silly,  thoughtless  creature — one  who  '  skites 
about  '  talking  nonsense,  and  hence  a  '  Bletherum- 
skite  '  !  '  Sonsy,'  lucky  and  thriving  ;  also  '  well- 
looking  and  healthy,'  e.g.  '  a  fine,  sonsy  girl  '—from 
the  Irish  word  sonas,  luck  (Joyce).  '  Spalpeen,'  a 
scoundrel  or  rascal.  '  Stoure,'  dust.  '  Thole,'  to 
endure.  '  Through-other,'  unmethodical.  '  Wee- 
men,'  women.  '  Wheen,'  a  few.  '  Whist,'  be 
silent,  '  hold  your  tongue.'  '  Wit,'  wisdom  or  sense 
— the  original  meaning  of  the  word.  We  seldom  make 
use  of  the  following  endearing  epithets,  and  '  more  is 
the  pity  '  :  Agra  (my  love),  Alanna  (my  child),  Aroon 
(my  dear),  AstJiore  (my  treasure),  CusJilamacree  (pulse 
of  my  heart),  Mavourneen  (my  love). 

The  following  terms  or  phrases  are  in  frequent 
use  :  '  Widow-woman  '  and  '  widow-man,'  for  widow 
and  widower.  '  Boys,  oh  boys  ! '  pronounced  '  boys-a- 
boys  ! '  and  often  varied  by  the  phrase  '  boys-a-dear  ! ' 
a  favourite  ejaculation  in  Ulster— when  anything 
wonderful  is  seen  or  has  happened  the  '  boys  '  are  at 
once  called  to  witness,  i.e.  every  male,  for  all  are  '  boys  ' 
in  the  province,  the  aged  man  being  only  an  '  ould 
boy.'  '  We  don't  mind,'  i.e.  we  don't  recollect  ;  but 
there  are  two  other  meanings  :  (1)  If  offered  a  favour 
and  we  reply,  '  we  don't  mind,'  it  means  we  assent. 
(2)  If  asked,  do  we  wish  the  window  shut  in  a  railway 
carriage,  and  say  '  we  don't  mind,'  it  means  we  don't 
care.  '  Manys-the-time,'  many  times.  '  Man-ahve  !  ' 
an  expression  of  wonderment.  '  Be  out  of  that  with 
ye,'  get  away.     '  Kun,'    e.g.  '  run   away   to   school,' 


108  DONAGHMORE 

which  means  simply  '  go  to  school ' ;  but  we  all  '  run  ' 
in  Ulster  !  'Bad  cess  to  you,'  may  ill  luck  betide 
you.  '  Cut  your  stick,'  go  away.  '  I  can't  see  a 
stime,'  I  can't  see  the  least  bit.  We  are  also  rather 
given  to  be  redundant  or  excessive  at  times,  and  hence 
one  says  :  '  I  will  do  it,  so  I  will,'  or  '  You  can 
see  it  for  yourself,  so  you  can.'  Nor  are  we  above 
making  a  '  bull,'  and  so  we  speak  of  a  man  being 
'  killed  dead  ' ;  but  we  only  wish  to  be  accurate — that 
is  all ! 

In  regard  to  our  Donaghmore  manners,  it  may  be 
safely  asserted  that,  for  the  most  part,  they  are  de- 
cidedly Ulsterian,  which  means  they  are 
somewhat  brusque  and  unpoHshed.  Hence 
some  may  consider  us  a  trifle  blunt ;  but  this  is 
largely  owing  to  our  downrightness,  and  what 
we  are  pleased  to  call  our  '  honesty  and  manly 
independence.'  We  mean,  however,  to  be  civil,  and 
indeed  polite,  in  our  own  way,  with  httle  form 
or  ceremony,  while  beneath  what  some  may  deem  a 
rugged  exterior  there  are  warm  hearts  and  strong 
affections.  We  regard  v^ith  some  indifference  the 
outward  form — the  grace,  dignity,  and  courtesy — 
which  characterise  what  are  called  '  people  of  refine- 
ment,' and  consider  that  these  gifts  or  acquirements 
may  be  not  only  superficial  but  deceptive,  and  hence 
it  is  what  is  said  or  done,  and  not  how  it  is  said  or 
done,  that  is  alone  deserving  notice.  Here,  however, 
we  may  be,  and  doubtless  are,  wholly  wrong.  The 
bluntest  of  us  must  acknowledge  that  the  charm  of 
fine  manners  is  irresistible,  and  that  they  are  gifts 
and  graces  which  it  is  absolute  nonsense  to  depreciate. 


DONAGHMOKE  PARISH  109 

However  much  we  decry  them,  they  certainly  charm 
and  delight  us  in  themselves,  while  at  the  same  time 
we  are  surely  bound  to  consider  them  as  the  honest 
signs  or  symbols  of  something  higher  and  deeper — 
viz.  of  character,  feehngs,  and  thoughts — which  we 
have  no  right  to  call  in  question.  Fine  manners  are 
inestimable,  and  have  more  to  do  with  our  happiness 
and  that  of  others,  and,  too,  our  success  in  hfe,  than 
we  are  sometimes  inclined  to  think.  Lord  Avebury 
reminds  us  of  the  old  proverb  that  '  Manners  makyth 
man,'  while  he  tells  us  it  is  '  doubtless  true  that  many 
a  man  has  been  made  by  his  manner  and  many  ruined 
by  the  want  of  it.'  In  this  connection  the  old  words 
of  Sterne  are  deep  with  meaning  and  significance  : 
*  Hail,  ye  sweet  courtesies  of  hfe  !  for  smooth  do  ye 
make  the  road  of  it,  hke  grace  and  beauty,  which  beget 
inclinations  to  love  at  first  sight  :  'tis  ye  who  open 
the  door,  and  let  the  stranger  in.' 

In  regard  to  our  forms  of  salutation  it  should  be 
stated  that  they  are  much  the  same,  and  are  as  cordial, 
as  those  of  most  country-folk  of  our  hfe 
SalutaUoii  ^^^  Station.  Our  '  hand-shake  '  is  hearty, 
and  in  many  cases  borders  on  a  '  squeeze  ' 
— thus  denoting  our  extreme  warm-heartedness  ! 
Most  of  us  bow  to  our  acquaintances,  in  the  usual 
graceful  fashion,  while  a  few,  if  they  move  the 
head  at  all,  suddenly  jerk  it  to  one  side,  and 
with  the  '  side-nod '  is  bluntly  uttered  the  kind 
wish,  '  Good-morrow  ' — which  doubtless  includes  the 
'  to-day  '  as  well,  and  every  '  to-morrow  '  afterwards. 

Of  the  two  good  forms  of  salute  (if  sitting)  in  vogue 
among    our    polite   ancestors,   the    Moycovians,    to 


no  DONAGHMORE 

immediately  '  stand  up  '  or  '  raise  the  knee,'  in  the 
presence  of  our  superiors  (though  we  seldom  meet 
such),  we  adopt  the  former  only,  rightly  considering 
it  the  more  respectful,  and  besides,  had  we  both, 
we  should  doubtless  be  obliged  to  make  invidious 
distinctions  ! 

Hence  it  troubles  us  little  '  Wlio's  \\lio ' — 
whether  King  or  Bishop— &  problem  which  deeply  con- 
cerned our  forefathers — especially  those  of  theiu  who 
were  lawyers  or  Brehons.  We  may  note,  however, 
that  these  old  legal  luminaries  completely  solved 
the  problem — at  least  to  their  own  satisfaction  and 
doubtless  that  of  the  Episcopate  ;  though  probably 
some  of  the  kingly  array  regarded  the  solution  with 
disapproval,  but  gave  way — on  religious  grounds  only. 
The  question  is  asked  in  the  Brehon  law  tract,  '  Crith 
Gabhlach,'  and  the  solution  duly  recorded  thus  : 
'  Which  is  higher,  a  King  or  a  Bishop  ?  '  Answer  : 
'  The  Bishop  is  higher,  because  the  King  stands  up 
(to  salute  him)  on  account  of  rehgion  '  ;  and  then 
follows  the  sentence — '  A  Bishop,  however,  raises  his 
knee  to  a  King.'  •  In  those  good  old  times  the  Irish 
generally  sat  on  very  low  seats — probably  something 
resembling  Scotch  '  creepies  '  (of  which  there  are  still 
a  few  specimens  in  Donaghmore),  and  thus  in  attempt- 
ing to  rise  they  would  naturally  be  obhged  to  draw  in 
one  foot,  which  had  the  effect  of  '  raising  the  knee.' 
This  atteynpt  to  rise,  and  '  raising  the  knee  '  thereby, 
was  considered  a  mark  of  respect,  but  to  '  stand  up  ' 
was  deemed  a  much  higher  act  of  regard  and 
reverence.^ 

'  See  Joyce,  vol.  ii.  p.  -189. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  111 

Most  of  us  in  Donaghmore  doubtless  believe  that 
we  are  not  superstitious  ;  and  yet  some  of  us  have 

a  vague  behef  which  betrays  a  lurking 
tions!^  ^~      anxiety  that  it  is  wise  to  be  on  the  safe 

side  when  our  luck  is  at  stake.  We  also 
dread  an  '  evil  omen  '  and  feel  happier  when  such  por- 
tends good — thinking  that,  after  all,  there  may  be 
something  in  it  !  For  example,  we  deem  it  unlucky  to 
'  flit '  on  Friday — '  a  Friday's  flit '  being  '  a  short  sit.' 
We  dread  breaking  a  mirror,  which  is  supposed  to 
bring  bad  luck  in  all  we  do  for  seven  years,  while  to 
hatch  chickens  under  a  '  fairy-bush  '  means  death 
to  the  brood  '  one  and  all '  !,  We  hke  to  fall  '  going 
upstairs,'  for  that  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  wedding  to  the 
unmarried,  though  such  were  as  old  as  Methuselah  !  A 
marriage  in  May  is  fatal.  It  is  an  ill  omen,  on  first 
occasions,  to  see  the  new  moon  through  glass,  or  to 
hear  the  cuckoo  before  breakfast,  the  latter  portend- 
ing death  that  year.  It  is  a  bad  omen  to  see  a  single 
magpie,  most  of  us  prefer  two  or  three  ;  as  for  four, 
well,  it  all  depends  on  circumstances  !  The  old  rhyjne 
aptly  expresses  our  feehngs  in  regard  to  the  number 
we  behold,  though  it  fails  to  inform  us  that  we  must 
make  a  profound  bow  to  one  or  more  as  the  case 
may  be  : 

'  One  for  sorrow, 
Two  for  mirth, 
Three  for  a  wedding, 
Four  for  a  birth.' 

The  return  of  the  swallow  is  an  omen  of  good  things, 
but  woe  betide  the  person  who  interferes  with  its  nest. 


112  DONAGHMOEE 

or,  again,  the  house  into  which  flies  the  innocent  Httle 
robin  redbreast. 

The  howhng  of  a  dog  at  night  is  supposed  to  fore- 
bode death  or  other  calamity— especially  the  former ; 
indeed  this  is  a  very  old  and  widespread  superstition, 
having  a  rabbinical  origin  : 

'  In  the  rabbinical  book  it  saith 
The  dogs  howl  when,  with  icy  breath. 
Great  Sammael,  the  angel  of  death, 
Takes  thro'  the  town  his  flight.'  i 

Shakespeare's  plays  are  full  of  the  popular  supersti- 
tions of  his  time,  many  of  such  being  still  with  us.  At 
the  birth  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester  we  are  told  that  : 

'  The  owl  shrieked — an  evil  sign  ; 
The  night  crow  cried,  aboding  trickless  tune.' 

{King  Henry  Vl.) 

Some  of  us  consider  the  horseshoe  a  lucky  posses- 
sion, especially  if  properly  placed,  so  that  the  luck  may 
'  go  up  '  and  not  '  down.'  In  our  peregrinations  we 
noticed  twelve  of  these  precious  relics,  '  properly 
placed,'  at  the  entrance  to  the  Dv^naghmore  Eectory 
House,  and  being  curious  to  know  the  result,  were 
curtly  informed  :  '  effect — nil '  !  Again,  some  of  us 
dread  to  be  gazed  upon  by  those  who  are  supposed  to 
possess  what  is  called  '  the  evil  eye,'  which  is  sure  to 
bring  misfortune.  It  is  a  fortunate  circumstance  there 
is  no  such  'eye  '  in  Donaghmore,  so  far  as  we  know  ;  but 
just  in  order  to  make  sure,  we  prefer  our  acquaint- 
ances, when  we  meet,  to  wish  us  '  good  day,'  or  should 

^  Longfellow,  Golden  Leyend,  iii. 


DONAGHMOKE  PAEISH  113 

they  inspect  our  cattle,  to  distinctly  wish  us  '  good 
luck,'  for  then,  however  evil  the  eye,  the  '  good  luck  ' 
goes  out  with  the  wish  and  cannot  be  withdrawn ! 
Akin  to  the  power  exercised  by  the  '  evil  eye  '  is  that 
possessed  by  the  'witch' — an  evil  creature,  who,  by  her 
sorcery,  bhghts  almost  everything  she  looks 

Witchcraft.  .         ,  -m  i        xi 

on  or  touches,  formerly  there  were  a 
number  of  these  evil-disposed  creatures  in  Donagh- 
more,  but  they  are  becoming  beautifully  less.  Doubt- 
less they  have  betaken  themselves  to  '  pastures  new  ' 
through  fright — one  particular  witch  having  met  with 
a  somewhat  cruel  death.  This  witch,  it  seems,  worked 
untold  misery  on  one  poor  woman,  who  informed  the 
writer  that  '  the  good  '  of  her  cows,  and  even  her 
hens,  had  gone  !  She  tried  every  means  possible  to 
ward  off  the  evil  influence  of  the  witch,  but  in  vain. 
A  cow  doctor  was  consulted,  various  charms  were  tried, 
and  even  the  Holy  Book  was  read  to  the  poor  cattle, 
but  all  to  no  purpose.  The  witch,  however,  at  last 
succumbed — thanks  to  the  Newry  Hunt  !  It  seems 
she  had  the  habit  of  changing  herself  into  a  hare 
— the  usual  transformation  of  such  creatures  during 
their  evil  expeditions.  On  three  successive  occasions, 
while  thus  metamorphosed,  she  happened  to  encounter  a 
fine  pack  of  hounds,  called  the  Newry  Harriers — with 
the  result,  that,  after  good  sport,  on  the  third  day  the 
'  hare '  was  killed  !  We  must  state,  however,  that 
being  of  a  humane  disposition,  it  was  rather  cruel  of 
the  harriers,  being  doubtless  abetted  by  the  Master  of 
the  Hunt,  to  Idll  even  a  witch  !  The  proper  and  more 
humane  method  in  dealing  with  witches  is  to  spare  the 
life,  but  deprive  them  of  the  power  of  sorcery ;  and  this 


114  DONAGHMORE 

can  easily  be  done  by  a  '  scratch,'  which  will  '  draw  the 
blood  of  a  witch,  and  she  is  harmless.'  Shakespeare 
knew  the  secret  in  his  time  :  '  Blood  will  I  draw  on 
thee  ;  thou  art  a  witch  '  ('  King  Henry  VI.'). 

It  would  seem  that  the  Donaghmore  witches,  in  the 
day  of  their  power,  were  never  very  punctiHous  about 
keeping  the  Sabbath — a  sorry  contrast  to  a  certain 
community  of  the  craft  in  England,  who,  we  are  credibly 
informed,  kept  their  Sabbath  in  a  weird  tavern,  called 
the  '  Devil's  Kitchen,'  at  Stanton  Harcourt  in  Oxford- 
shire. The  poet  Pope,  who  often  visited  Stanton 
Harcourt,  likened  the  kitchen  to  the  forge  of  Vulcan, 
where  it  was  beheved  the  witches  kept  their  Sabbath, 
and  were  once  a  year  visited  by  the  devil,  who  provided 
them  with  a  feast  of  infernal  venison — viz.  a  toasted 
tiger  stuffed  with  tenpenny  nails  ! 

Witchcraft  is  fast  dying  out  in  Ireland  and  else- 
where, but  it  seems  to  have  taken  a  long  time  to  uproot 
the  superstition.  A  certain  Pope  in  1484  issued  a  Bull 
against  witches,  but  the  edict  must  have  had  httle  or 
no  effect,  for  since  then  no  fewer  than  nine  millions  of 
persons  have  suffered  death  for  witchcraft. 

In  regard  to  Donaghmore  ghosts,  we  are  happy 
to  record  that  most  of  these  spectres 
have  '  clean  forsaken  '  us,  while  the  few 
who  remain  are  quite  harmless. 

The  '  Church  Road  Ghost '  was  long  the  terror  of  the 
inhabitants.  It  nightly  appeared  in  the  shape  of  a 
black  dog  with  its  tongue  of  flame  exposed,  and  emit- 
ting fiery  sparks.  We  are  glad  to  note  that  this 
ghost  has  not  been  seen  for  a  long  time,  and  hence 
must  have  departed  ;  but  there  is  this  pecuharity  in 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  115 

the  case,  that  it  must  have  gone  of  its  own  accord — 
not  having  been  '  laid  '  ! 

Then  we  had  the  '  Phantom  Knock  Ghost,'  as  it 
was  called.  This  '  spiritual '  gentleman  usually  an- 
nounced his  presence  by  three  loud  knocks  at  the 
front-door  of  a  certain  house,  which  shook  the  whole 
dwelling,  and  caused  the  china  and  glass  to  rattle  as 
though  broken  to  pieces  ;  but  no  harm  was  done  !  A 
servant  usually  opened  the  door  in  all  due  haste — for 
the  knocking  seemed  imperative — as  demanding  an 
immediate  entrance — but,  lo  and  behold,  nothing  was 
to  be  seen  !  The  ghost  had  fled,  doubtless  in  high 
glee  that  he  had  played  such  a  fine  trick  ! 

Next,  our  parish  had  for  a  considerable  time  the 
'  White  Ghost  ' — in  the  shape  of  a  tall,  graceful  lady, 
usually  seen  marching  to  and  fro  on  a  certain  avenue 
leading  to  a  particular  mansion — never  speaking  to  the 
passer-by,  but  ever  pacing  in  silence  and  sadness  her 
wonted  path.  She,  so  long  the  terror  of  the  nocturnal 
pedestrian,  though  perfectly  harmless,  has  also  de- 
parted. We  are  credibly  informed  that  she  and  the 
'  Phantom  Knock  '  apparition  were  '  laid,'  through  the 
kind  offices  of  the  parish  priest,  about  the  same  time. 

It  seems  what  is  called  the  '  Sneezing  Ghost  ' 
remains  with  us,  at  least  during  the  winter  season  ! 
though  we  have  never  seen  him  or  heard  his  sternuta- 
tions. This  gentleman,  somewhat  old  and  feeble, 
keeps  to  the  same  house  and  one  particular  room — 
and  when  he  thinks  the  household  fast  asleep,  he  gives 
several  loud  sneezes — as  though  he  were  suffering,  poor 
man,  from  a  bad  cold  in  his  head ;  but  otherwise  he 
gives  no  annoyance,  which  is  a  great  matter. 

I  2 


116  DONAGHMOEE 

But  our  Donaghmore  spectres  are  poor  things  com- 
pared with  what  was  called  the  '  Edenmore  Ghost  ' — 
not  far  from  here.  This  ghost  was  a  terror  while  it 
flourished,  and  was,  moreover,  enormous  in  its  pro- 
portions. On  its  expeditions  it  occasionally  spread 
out  its  great  wings  and  flew  over  Edenmore — Hke  a 
huge  aeroplane — which  seemed  to  cover  the  whole 
townland,  producing  not  only  *  deep  darkness  '  but 
a  horrible  feehng  of  suffocation  !  This  ghost,  so  long 
the  fear  and  dread  of  '  all  ranks  and  conditions  '  in  the 
important  *  town  '  of  Edenmore,  was  at  length  laid 
by  '  his  Reverence '  of  the  time,  and  has  never  since 
been  seen  or  felt  in  the  district.  It  seems  passing 
strange  that  so  few  of  our  parsons  have  tried  their 
hands  in  this  respect,  while  '  his  Reverence  '  seems 
to  have  been  so  successful,  and  at  the  same  time  getting 
all  the  credit.  It  is  not,  of  course,  from  any  inabihty 
on  their  part — at  least  according  to  the  authority  of 
an  old  woman  who  credibly  informs  us  that  '  all  the 
clargy  have  the  power  of  putting  down  ghosts  if  they 
would  only  use  it  !  ' 

We  have  heard  of  one  parson,  at  least,  and  that  a 
certain  Archbishop  of  York,  who  exorcised  a  ghost 
very  successfully.  He  was  staying  at  a  great  house, 
and  having  slept  in  '  the  haunted  room,'  there  was 
naturally  eager  expectation  at  breakfast  next  morning, 
to  know  what  he  saw.  Sure  enough  his  Grace  laid  his 
archiepiscopal  eyes  on  the  ghost— an  old  sallow- 
looking  man  with  bent  figure  and  long  white  hair, 
who  knocked  at  his  door  shortly  after  midnight— 
and  was  pohtely  invited  to  enter.  The  Archbishop 
immediately  rose  to  receive  his  guest,  whom  he  thus 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  117 

addressed  :  '  Do  you  belong  to  the  house,  and  are  you 
a  parishioner  ? ' — to  which  queries  the  ghost  nodded 
assent.  '  Well,  I  am  anxious  to  build  some  new  schools,' 
added  the  most  reverend  prelate ;  '  will  you  give  me  a 
subscription  ?  '  when  the  ghost  at  once  vanished,  and, 
it  seems,  '  for  good  and  all '  ! 

A  brave  old  gentleman— with  longish  legs— was 
determined  to  sleep  in  a  certain  *  haunted  room,' 
with  his  revolver  under  his  pillow  in  order  to  despatch 
'  the  ghost  '  if  such  appeared.  After  some  time  he 
looked,  and  behold,  two  strange  '  hands '  (as  he 
thought)  visibly  appeared  at  the  foot  of  the  bed.  He 
was  naturally  terrified,  but  calm  and  collected,  so  he 
gave  the  order  :  '  Begone,  or  I  fire  at  once  !  '  The 
ghostly  hands  never  moved  ;  so  he  fired,  and  '  lo  and 
behold,'  shot  off  his  own  two  feet  ! 

The  following  is  vouched  for  as  a  true  ghost 
story.  The  victim,  we  are  told,  was  spending  the 
Christmas  of  1909  with  his  friends  in  the  country,  who 
informed  him  that  he  would  have  to  occupy  '  the 
haunted  room,'  and  being  a  man  of  polite  disposition 
and,  moreover,  of  dauntless  courage,  he  consented. 
Of  course  he  saw— or  rather  heard  and  felt — the  ghost. 
All  went  well  until  he  was  asleep,  when,  we  are  told, 
he  was  awakened  by  the  door  opening,  and  became  con- 
scious that  a  figure  had  entered  the  room.  Suddenly 
he  felt  a  small  hght-weighted  object  put  on  his  legs. 
He  held  his  breath,  thinking  a  practical  joke  was  being 
played.  The  figure  retired  an  instant,  and  then 
returned,  when  another  weight  was  deposited  on  the 
coverlet.  This  operation  was  repeated  for  half  an 
hour,  until  he  was  covered  with  various  objects  of 


118  DONAGHMOEE 

unknown  specific  gravity.  From  presence  of  mind 
or  from  frozen  terror,  he  is  unable  to  say  which,  he 
never  stirred,  though  he  remained  awake  for  the  rest 
of  the  night.  When  dawn  broke  he  found  that  the 
butler,  walking  in  his  sleep,  had  laid  the  four-posted 
bed  with  a  dinner-service  of  twenty-four  converts  ! 

Some  very  good  people  among  us  firmly  beheve 
in  ghosts — ^while  others  as  strongly  protest  that  there 
are  no  such  things.  The  writer  has  not  expressed  his 
opinion,  though  he  has  carefully  weighed  the  evidence 
on  either  side.  Addison  tells  us  how  certain  people 
are  '  terrified  even  to  distraction  at  the  figure  of  a  tree, 
or  the  shaking  of  a  bullrush,'  and  hence  he  looks  upon 
'  a  sound  imagination  as  the  greatest  blessing  in  hfe — 
next  to  a  clear  judgment  and  a  good  conscience.' 
And  yet  Addison  beheved  in  the  presence  of  spirits, 
though  unseen  ;  for  he  goes  on  to  say  :  '  For  my  own 
part,  I  am  apt  to  join  in  opinion  with  those  who  believe 
that  all  the  regions  of  nature  swarm  with  spirits,  and 
that  we  have  multitudes  of  spectators  on  all  our  actions 
when  we  think  ourselves  most  alone.'  He  further 
quotes  Milton  in  confirmation  of  his  belief : 

'  Millions  of  spiritual  creatures  walk  the  earth 
Unseen,  both  when  we  wake  and  when  we  sleep.'  i 

Although  there  may  still  be,  even  for  this  enhghtened 
age,  much  superstition  of  various  kinds  among  us, 
yet  after  all  it  is  infinitely  small  (thanks  to  our  Holy 
Faith),  as  compared  with  that  of  our  pagan  ancestors, 
who  considered  Ireland  the  special  home  of  demons, 
ordinary  ghosts  and  other  spectres,  and  that  the  very 

^  Spectator,  No,  12  (Arnold),  pp.  11,  12. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  119 

atmosphere  swarmed  with  all  kmds  of  reptiles  and  veno- 
mous creatures,  wounding  both  men  and  animals  with 
their  deadly  stings.  '  What  with  De  Dannan  gods,  with 
war-gods  and  goddesses,  apparitions,  demons,  sprites 
of  the  valley,  ordinary  ghosts,  spectres,  and  gobhns, 
fairies  of  various  kinds — sheevras,  leprechauns,  ban- 
shees, and  so  forth — there  appears  to  have  been  quite  as 
numerous  a  population  belonging  to  the  spiritual  world 
as  of  human  beings.  In  those  old  pagan  days,  Ireland 
was  an  eerie  place  to  live  in  :  and  it  was  high  time 
for  St.  Patrick  to  come.'  ^ 

'  Joyce,  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  274. 


CHAPTEB  III 

ANTIQUITIES    OF    DONAGHMORE 

DoNAGHMORE  cliurcliyard  is  a  place  of  much  historical 
interest  and  brings  us  back  to  a  rude  though  interest- 
ing age  in  the  annals  of  Ireland.  As  a 
Churchyard.  Cemetery,  undoubtedly,  ni  pagan  times  and 
during  all  the  centuries  of  the  Christian 
era ;  as  the  centre  of  a  large  souterrain,  the  site  of  a 
huge  rath,  and  the  sacred  spot  where  stands  a  fine 
old  Celtic  Cross,  the  symbol  of  our  faith,  it  affords  a 
rich  mine  for  the  antiquary  and  historian,  and  we  are 
only  sorry  that  another  pen  than  that  of  an  amateur 
has  not  been  found  to  do  it  and  other  places  of 
interest  in  the  parish  the  justice  they  deserve. 

The  large  souterrain  (or  set  of  caves)  has  its  centre 
in  the  churchyard,  from  which  several  branches  extend 
in  different  directions.  The  lintel  to  the 
SouterraiiL  i^^^in  entrance  is  the  large  stone  which 
forms  the  base  of  the  old  Celtic  Cross 
which  stands  a  few  yards  south  of  the  church. 
Underneath  the  cross  is  the  central  chamber,  wliich 
is  sixty-two  feet  long,  three  feet  wide,  and  up- 
wards of  four  feet  high — with  branches  in  the  form 
of  transepts  about  thirty  feet  in  length.  From  these 
again,  several  sections  extend  for  a  considerable  length 
into  the  precincts  of  the  church}' ard — south-east,  south- 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE       121 

west,  and  one  clue  north  terminating  at  the  Glebe 
House  (a  distance  of  200  yards)  underneath  the  study 
floor,  where,  according  to  tradition,  some  rich  old  vicar 
in  past  times  fashioned  the  extreme  end  into  the 
dimensions  of  a  wine  cellar,  which  is  still  in  perfect 
condition,  though  it  has  contained  no  '  relic  '  of  an 
alcoholic  nature  for  '  many  a  long  day  '  ! 

These  branches  vary  in  size,  from  upwards  of  five 
feet  high  by  five  feet  wide,  tapering  to  equal  dimensions 
in  height  and  width — viz.  three  feet — when  the  en- 
trance to  another  chamber  is  found,  formed  on  a  similar 
principle.  One  of  these  entrances  in  the  northern 
section  was  opened  and  the  branch  explored  some  years 
since  by  the  writer,  when  a  number  of  people  interested 
in  antiquarian  pursuits  visited  the  place  and  were 
deeply  impressed,  though  no  relic  of  any  description 
was  found  in  the  cave.  It  is  said  that  the  section  run- 
ning south-east,  which  was  explored  many  years 
since,  suggests  a  formation  resembling  a  tradesman's 
compass — while  the  branch  in  the  south-western 
direction,  examined  at  the  same  time,  consists  of  three 
chambers  which  are  zigzag,  and  resemble  a  staircase 
laid  on  its  side.  These  caves  are  built  entirely  of 
unworked  field  stones  without  mortar  or  other 
cement.  The  upper  rows  slightly  project  in  the 
shape  of  an  arch,  and  are  covered  by  slabs  or  large 
stones — one  of  which,  when  measured,  was  found  to 
be  four  feet  square. 

The  souterrain  and  sections  were  discovered  in 
August  1837,  when  workmen  were  employed  in  lowering 
a  hill  on  the  Church  road  adjoining  the  churchyard. 
It  seems  that  several  interesting  relics  were  found  on 


122  DONAGHMORE 

the  occasion,  and  handed  to  Isaac  Glenny  of  Glenville, 
who  was  fond  of  antiquarian  research.  A  different 
story,  however,  is  recorded  on  local  authority  to 
the  effect  that  a  Donaghniore  knave,  having  been 
apprised  of  the  antiquary's  visit,  arrived  first  on  the 
scene,  deposited  an  old  defaced  penny  in  one  of  the 
cavities,  and  pretending  to  find  it  during  the  inspection, 
handed  it  to  the  explorer  as  an  ancient  relic  some  2000 
years  old,  from  whom  he  received  the  handsome  reward 
of  a  half-sovereign  for  the  precious  (?)  metal.  The 
Donaghmore  churchyard  caves  are  for  the  most  part 
underneath  the  site  of  a  great  rath,  perfectly  flat, 
and  somewhat  oblong  in  form,  the  outlines  of  which 
are  now  very  faintly  visible.  Souterrains  have  also 
been  discovered  in  the  townlands  of  Ballymacaratty- 
beg  1  and  Cargabane  in  Donaghmore  parish. 

The  late  Rev.  John  Elhot  of  Armagh,  formerly 
Presbyterian  minister  of  Donaghmore,  furnished  the 

following  account  of  the  cave  in  the  former 
Souterrldn.    townland,  and  exliibited  a  rehc  found  on 

the  occasion  of  its  discovery  at  the  Quarterly 
Proceedings  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  on 
August  6,  1884  : 

'  The  Rev.  John  Elliot  exhibited  a  stone  bearing 
inscribed  scorings,  found  in  a  subterranean  chamber, 
or  earth  house,  in  a  hs  or  rath  at  Donaghmore.  Though 
somewhat  resembhng  Oghams,  the  scores  are  of  that 
more  ancient  class  of  scribings  to  the  meaning  of  which 
as  yet  no  clue  has  been  found.  Mr.  Elhot  made  the 
following  remarks  on  the  subject :   "  A  farmer  in  the 

'  The  '  Fourtowns  '  district  of  the  parish. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        123 

townland  of  Ballymacaratty,  parish  of  Donoughmore, 
county  Down,  removed  a  lis  or  fort  from  his  farm 
during  the  time  of  my  residence  in  that  parish. 
It  was  one  of  the  saucer-shaped  earthen  forts,  hollow 
in  the  centre  and  surrounded  by  a  ring.  In  this  ring 
was  a  cave  formed  of  stones,  with  a  deep  covering  of 
earth.  I  was  present  at  the  opening  and  it  afforded 
no  appearance  of  ever  having  been  tampered  with 
before.  The  cave  was  thirty-six  feet  long,  of  course 
following  the  same  circular  inclination  as  the  ring  of 
the  fort.  At  the  end,  opposite,  it  was  4  feet  9  inches 
wide  at  the  bottom,  and  5  feet  6  inches  high  at  the 
larger  end,  and  decreased  to  3  feet  in  height.  The 
dry  stones  of  which  the  walls  were  built,  were  inclined 
inwards  till  at  the  top  they  were  about  2  feet  apart, 
and  the  covering  consisted  of  large  flat  stones  laid  over 
these.  The  whole  cave  gradually  decreased  in  height 
and  width  till  a  single  stone  closed  the  entrance.  The 
stone  which  I  now  exliibit  to  the  Association  was  one 
of  the  foundation  stones  in  this  cave,  with  the  scrapings 
exactly  as  they  are  on  this  stone  now,  and  as  they  are 
represented  in  the  accompanying  engravings."  '  ^ 

The  cave  in  Cargabane  townland  was  discovered 

about  thirty  years  ago,  when  it  was  '  explored  '  by  a 

few   persons  in  the   district.     We   are  in- 

Cargabane     f^^.^-^^Q^i  j^y  q^q  of  those  who  inspected  it  on 

Souterrain.       ,  .  i     ,     ,i  ,  •  •         ■ 

the  occasion  that  thesouterram  varies  in 
height  and  width  from  2  feet  to  2  feet  9  inches.  One 
chamber  runs  due  north  from  the  entrance,  and  an- 
other south,  while  the  stonework  is  inferior  to  that 

Ej£traot  from  R.  S.  A.  Journal,  vol.  iv.  -ith  Series,  pp.  370-1. 


124  DONAGHMOEE 

found  in  caves  of  larger  dimensions.  It  seems  a  relic 
was  fomid  in  this  cave  when  discovered  resembling,  in 
local  phraseology,  '  a  wee  crock.'  It  remained  in  the 
possession  of  a  neighbouring  farmer  for  many  years, 
and  we  are  informed  was  eventually  sold  to  a  pedlar 
who  was  '  collecting  for  a  gentleman  !  ' 

Doubtless  there  are  many  other  '  caves  '  in  the 
parish  of  which  we  have  no  record,  though  the  names 
of  certain  places  seem  to  denote  their  existence,  viz. 
'  Cave  (or  Cove)  Field,'  '  Cave  Knoll '  and  '  Cave  Hill.' 

Fort  chambers  and  other  souterrains,  where  no 
rath  exists,  are  found  all  over  Ireland.  In  certain  dis- 
tricts they  abound  as  compared  with  others 
Souterraiiis  — ^^g^  Jq^.  example,  the  district  round  Connor 
Description.  (^0-  Antrim),  which  is  said  to  be  '  honey- 
combed with  souterrains.'  Souterrains  are 
generally  built  on  the  same  principle,  though  they 
vary  in  shape,  those  south  of  Ulster  being  of  a  more 
circular  and  elaborate  type — with  corbelled  roof.  All 
seem,  however,  to  possess  some  common  charac- 
teristics. The  entrance  and  doorways  between  the 
several  chambers  are  generally  small  and  somewhat 
cunningly  concealed,  while  there  is  no  trace  of  mortar 
or  design  in  the  shape  of  an  arch,  and  the  stone  used 
is  rough  and  unhewn.  Souterrains  are  always  found 
underground  except  where  there  is  an  earthen  fort, 
when  they  are  in  the  mound.  In  Donaghmore  church- 
yard, however,  the  rath  having  no  mound,  the 
souterrains  are  of  course  underneath  the  flat  surface. 

[Note. — In  Ireland  the  popular  name  for  subter- 
ranean retreats  is  '  caves  '  or  '  coves  ' ;  in  Scotland, 
*  weems,'  but  the  correct  designation  is  souterrain.] 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        125 

It  should  be  stated  that  souterrains  are  not  always 
*  rath  chambers,'  for  '  in  many  instances  there  is  no 
evidence  to  connect  them  with  forts.'  i  The  cave  of 
Finn  McCoull,  in  Glenshesk,  co.  Antrim,  is  a  type  of 
such  souterrain.  Miss  E,  Andrews,  who  has  minutely 
inspected  this  cave,  informs  us  that  there  is  no 
trace  of  a  fort  as  having  existed  or  any  other  inequality 
to  mark  the  spot.-  Mr.  Westropp  describes  a  very  fine 
cave  (with  beehive-cell  roof)  which  hes  under  the 
graveyard  of  Killala  Cathedral — being  the  souterrain 
of  a  large  rath  in  which  the  church  was  founded.^ 
The  cave  in  Donaghmore  graveyard  is  similarly  placed, 
while  evidently  the  church  was  also  founded  in  a  rath, 
the  centre  of  which  was  the  main  entrance  to  the 
souterrain. 

Most  probably  some  petty  chieftain  resided  here 
in  pagan  times,  and  on  his  conversion  and  that  of  his 
family  and  retainers  to  Christianity — as  was  quite 
usual — the  '  establishment '  became  a  sort  of  religious 
community,  the  church  being  founded  within  the 
enclosures. 

The  best  authorities  inform  us  that  souterrains 
were  human  abodes  or  safe  retreats  in  times  of  danger, 
and  receptacles  for  the  storing  of  food 
Soute^ains.  ^^^  ^^^^^  personal  property.  We  read  in 
Holy  Scripture  that  Saul  took  refuge  from 
David  in  a  cave  ;  that  Obadiah  took  an  hundred 
prophets  during  the  Jezebel  persecution  and  hid  them 
by  fifty    in    a    cave — where    they  subsisted   on   the 

'  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts  of  Ireland,  p.  90. 

"  '  Traditions  of  Dwarf  Races  in  Ireland,'  The  Antiquary,  October 
1909. 

^  Ancient  Forts  of  Ireland,    p.  90. 


126  DONAGHMORE 

scant  fare  of  bread  and  water,  and  that  Elijah  fled 
from  Jezebel  and  hid  in  a  cave  in  Horeb. 

These  were  probably  natural  caves,  which  we 
know  abounded  in  the  East.  We  have,  however,  the 
following  particular  instances  specified  where  caves 
as  abc  '.gs  of  security  in  times  of  peril  were  made  by  the 
hands  of  man  :— '  The  hand  of  Midian  prevailed  against 
Israel :  and  because  of  the  Midianites  the  children  of 
Israel  made  them  the  dens  which  are  in  the  mountains, 
and  caves,  and  strong  holds '  (Judges,  vi.  2).  A  Scan- 
dinavian record  ('  Landnama-bok  ')  informs  us  that 
about  the  year  870  a  celebrated  Norse  chief  named 
Leif  went  on  warfare  in  the  West.  '  He  made  war  in 
Ireland  and  there  found  a  large  underground  house  ; 
he  went  down  into  it,  and  it  was  dark  until  light  shone 
from  a  sword  in  the  hand  of  a  man.  Leif  killed  the 
man  and  took  the  sword  and  much  property.'  i 

Harris  cites  Giraldus  Cambrensis  ('  Conquest  of 
Ireland,'  lib.  ii.  c.  21)  as  showing  that  the  Irish 
also  hid  their  corn  in  caves.-  In  the  Dindsenchas 
we  are  told  that  Finn,  having  found  certain  raiders 
hidden  in  a  cave,  '  dug  them  out,'  only  one  having 
escaped  — '  for  there  is  no  destruction  without  at  least 
one  fugitive,'  while  Cormac's  '  Glossary  '  informs  us 
that  Nede  pursues  Caier  with  dogs  into  a  fort  where  he 
is  secreted  under  a  flag-stone.'^ 

It  will  naturally  be  asked  :  Wlio  were  the  builders 
of  our  souterrains  found  here  and  elsewhere  ?  Such 


Quoted  by  MacRitchie,  Fians,  Fairies  and  Picts,  p.  28. 

History  of  Down,  p.  198. 

See  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts  of  Ireland,  p.  88, 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        127 

is  an  interesting  question,  to  the  antiquary  at  least, 
and  one,  too,  of  much  speculation.  Several  writers 
of  undoubted  authority  inform  us  of  a  primitive  dwarf 
race  of  people  who  dwelt  in  hollow  mounds  or  actually 
underground,  and  who,  it  is  to  be  inferred,  were  the 
constructors  of  their  habitations.  Prominent  among 
this  school  of  writers  we  refer  to  Mr.  David  MacEitchie 
of  Edinburgh — the  author  of  a  number  of  learned 
treatises  on  the  subject.  In  his  book  '  Fians,  Fairies 
and  Picts  '  (supposed  to  be  '  wee  people  ')  he  regards 
the  Picts  only  to  be  historical,  the  Fians  as  legendary 
if  not  mythical,  and  the  Fairies  to  be  absolutely  unreal  ; 
wdiile  he  considers  the  popular  conception  of  these  little 
folk  (the  Fairies)  as  '  simply  the  outcome  of  the  imagina- 
tion, working  upon  a  basis  of  fact '  (p.  1).  Our  author 
seems  to  consider  the  Picts  to  have  been  the  builders 
of  the  Scotch  souterrains — a  small  people  who  dwelt  in 
houses  wholly  or  partly  underground.  This  dwarfish 
race  spread  over  the  whole  of  Northern  Europe  (and 
indeed  other  places)  and  are  doubtless  the  dwarf  tribes 
referred  to  by  Pliny  as  inhabituig  '  the  vague  regions 
of  the  North,  designated  Thule '  (p.  26). 

The  Scottish  Picts  were  closely  allied  to  the  Irish 
De  Dananns — being  of  the  same  Scythian  family. 
The  Dananns  were,  too,  short  in  stature,  and  great 
builders.  In  all  probability  they  built  habitations 
after  the  fashion  of  their  kinsmen,  the  Scottish  Picts. 
Subsequently  the  Scottish  Picts  colonised  in  Ireland 
in  large  numbers  (known  here  as  Cruithnechs),  and 
we  presume  they  constructed  their  houses  here  after 
the  pattern  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed. 


128  DONAGHMOKE 

On  the  ordnance  map  about  twenty  forts,  including 
sites  of  forts,  are  marked  as  existing  in  Donaghmore 
at  the  time  of  the  Survey— 1834.  Most  of 
Donaghmore  ^-^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  existence,  though  doubt- 
less in  ancient  times  there  were  many  more. 
Those  we  can  trace  are  generally  found  on  hills  or 
elevations,  often  in  groups,  in  range,  and  within 
sight  of  each  other.  Several  of  these  forts  are  still 
marvellously  preserved  and  in  good  condition,  although 
the  dwellers  have  gone  for  a  long  time,  except  of 
course  '  the  gentry  '  ! 

We  have  already  stated  that  Donaghmore  Church 
was  founded  in  a  rath,  which,  it  may  be  added, 
embraced  the  present  graveyard  and  the 
Churchyard  j^^jj oiling  paddock  and  knoll— about  an 
acre  and  a  half— but  the  outHnes  are  now  so 
faint  that  it  is  impossible  to  take  measurements.  In 
fact  the  place  is  little  more  than  a  mere  site  of  what 
was  once  a  large  fort. 

By  far  the  finest  in  the  parish  is  '  The  Mount  ' — 

a  fort  (mote)  in  Drumiller  townland,  which  in  some 

respects     resembles     the    great      rath  ■ — 

IJ^^®    ,         '  Crown  Mount  ' — east  of  Newry,  in  minia- 

Mount.  .     ,         ,  •        n 

ture.     This  handsome  structure  was  ni  all 

probability  one  of  the  residences  of  the  King  of  Magh 
Cobha  on  the  southern  confines  of  his  territory,  another 
being  at  Dromore,  the  northern  boundary  of  his  '  do- 
minions.' The  dimensions  of  this  magnificent  fort  are  : 
'  The  Mount  '  (inside  the  rampart)  is  sixty  feet  in  height 
(measuring  the  slope)  ;  the  diameter  on  top  is  about 
sixty  feet  ;  the  fosse  is  twelve  feet  inside  ;  the  ram- 
part is  forty-two  feet  in  height  on  the  fosse  side  ; 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        129 

the  outside  slope  on  south  is  sixty-one  feet  ;  the  cir- 
cumference of  the  great  rampart  (measuring  along  the 
top)  is  600  feet.  '  The  Mount  '  forms  a  promontory 
on  the  south  side,  jutting  into  the  Clanrye  River' — 
which  flows  around  it  on  the  east,  south  and  west- — 
some  yards  distant. 

On  the  north  the  hill  rises  in  equal  proportion  to 
that  of  the  rampart,  but  evidently  the  south  side  was 
intended  to  be  more  defensive,  overlooking  (across  the 
river)  a  territory  other  than  that  of  Magh  Cobha. 

The  next  rath  in  importance  is  that  in  Dromantine 
demesne— called  *  Cooley's  Fort.'  This  is  an  im- 
mense fort,  and  still  quite  perfect  con- 
Fort'^^^  sidering  its  age  and  so  forth.  It  has  two 
ramparts  or  rings,  and  there  are  some  traces 
of  a  third.  The  diameter  of  the  outer  rampart  is 
seventy-three  yards,  while  that  of  the  inner  ring 
is  forty-five  yards.  The  fosse  or  ditch  is  about 
twelve  feet  wide  and  nearly  fifteen  feet  in  depth. 
No  mound  exists  within  the   inner  rampart. 

There  was  formerly  a  very  large  rath  at  Frankfort, 
but  most  of  it  is  now  defaced  and  used  for  agricultural 
P^^'poses.  About  seventy  yards  of  the 
rampart  is  still  standing,  and  the  same 
length  of  the  fosse,  the  breadth  of  which  cannot  be 
obtained  as  the  ground  falls  away  for  a  distance  of 
some  twenty  yards,  where  there  is  a  faint  outline  of 
a  second  rampart.  The  portion  of  the  rampart  in 
existence  is  close  on  six  yards  in  height  (measuring 
the  slope).! 

*  Cunningham's  Fort,'  in  Aughentobber  townland, 

'  These  measurements  and  those  that  follow  are  approximate. 

K 


130  DONAGHMOEE 

is  a  neat  little  rath  covering  half  an  acre,  and  used 
'  Cunning-  ^^^  Cropping.  It  is  quite  flat  in  centre, 
ham's  and   has  one   rampart.     The    diameter  is 

Fort.'  seventy-six  yards,  while  the  rampart  on 

the  west  side  is  about  four  yards  in  height. 

A  small  portion  of  '  Smith's  Fort  '  still  remains  in 

Derrycraw  townland  ;    but,  unfortunately. 

Fort''   ^        scarcely  enough  for  measurements.      This 

fort  was  about  sixty  yards  in  diameter  with 

one  rampart  and  fosse,  a  portion  of  which  remains  on 

the  western  side. 

*  Thompson's  Fort  '  in  Ballymacrattybeg  is  a 
small  rath  in  a  fairly  good  state  of  preservation. 
'Thomp-  Diameter,  forty-three  yards  ;  one  rampart, 
son's  inside,  two  yards  in  height,   outside,  five 

Fort.'  yards,    where  not  effaced.       The  garth  is 

cultivated,  but  the  '  fairy  bush  '  still  stands. 

'  Goodman's  Fort '   in  Eingohsh    is  a  fine  httle 

rath.     Diameter,  about   thirty-six  yards  ; 

Fort°'  ^^"^  ^  western  portion  of  rampart  six    yards  in 

height  ;    fosse  four  feet  wide  on  west,  but 

more  or  less  obliterated  on  east. 

Annaghbane  Fort  is  in  a  fairly  good  state  of  pre- 
servation,   and    contains   one    half-rood — 
ForT^    ^^^  cultivated.     Diameter,    forty-two     yards  ; 
rampart,  inside,  twelve  feet  high,  outside  six 
feet.     The  fosse  is  two  yards  wide  and  contains  water. 
In  Ardkeeragh  townland,  bordering  Annaghbane, 
we  find  a  large  oval  fort  forty-six  yards  by  thirty-six. 
The   great  thick   rampart,    in   which    are 
^rdieeragh    ^^^  .  ^^^^^  ,    .^  ^^^  ^^^^   ^^.^^^     Evidently 

there  was  a  fosse,  but  the  ground  is  now 
cultivated  up  to  the. rampart. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        131 

About  eighty  yards  distant  stands  another  (small) 
oblong  fort,  measuring  thirty-five  yards  by  twenty, 
Ardkeeragh  "^^^^^^  rampart  twelve  feet  high,  and  small 
♦  Bawn '  fosse.  Tliis  was  doubtless  the  bawn  or  '  cow- 
Fort,  jjggp  '  [t^  connection  with  the  large  oval 
fort.  'At  a  Httle  distance  from  the  dwelling  it  was 
usual  to  enclose  an  area  with  a  strong  rampart, 
into  which  the  cattle  were  driven  for  safety 
by  night.  This  was  what  was  called  a  hadhuri 
(bawn),  i.e.  "  cow-keep  " — from  ha,  pi.  of  ho,  a  cow, 
and  dun.'  ^ 

'  Kidd's  Fort  '  in  Ringbane  is  a  nice  httle  rath  and 
well  preserved.  It  has  two  ramparts,  with  deep  fosse 
between,  the  width  of  which  is  much 
'  Kidd  8  greater  than  that  of  most  forts  of  its  size. 
The  diameter  of  inner  rampart  is  forty-four 
yards.  The  fosse  is  about  twelve  feet  wide ;  and  on 
the  east  side  the  ramparts  are  some  fifteen  feet  in 
height.  The  fosse  was  formerly  planted  with  a  double 
row  of  trees,  of  which  few  remain,  and  '  more  is  the 
pity  ' ;  otherwise  it  would  have  made  a  good  circular 
'  carriage- drive  '  on  a  hot  day  ! 

There  are  several  types  of  forts  to  be  found  in 

Ireland,   and    elsewhere  —  e.g.    in    England,    Wales, 

Scotland  and  the  Continent.     The  simplest 

Forts—  those    which   we    find    in   the   parish 

Types.  ,  .     .  .        '■       . 

of  Donaghmore,  consistmg  of  a  cir- 
cular or  oval  mound,  with  fosse  or  ditch,  and 
rampart.  Variants  of  this  type  have  a  number 
of  ramparts  up  to  seven,  but  two  are  the  most 
found  here.  Among  the  various  types  of  forts 
mentioned    by   Westropp    are    the   wahed  island    or 

'   Joyce,  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  62. 

k2 


132  DONAGHMOEE 

stone  crannoge,  the  rock-fort,  the  rectangular  or 
straight-walled  type,  the  promontory  fort,  the  mote, 
and  so  on.^ 

'  Crown  Mount '  or  '  Crown  Eath  '  (Parish  of  Newry) 

is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  mote.     It  mea- 

'  Crown         sures  579  feet  round  the  base,  and  across 

Mount. 

the  top  sixty-three  by  twenty-seven  feet, 
while  the  fosse  is  twenty-one  feet  in  width,  and  the 
annexe  130  feet  square. 

The  number  of  forts  found  in  Ireland  is  said  to  be 
about  30,000 — 4,283  being  in  Ulster  ;    but,  of  course, 

these  figures  furnish  us  with  a  very  faint 
Forts'^*^  °*     conception  of  the  number  that  existed  in 

ancient  times,  when  the  country  was  studded 
over  with  raths,  most  of  them  being  now  obhterated 
by  cultivation. 

The  names  generally  apphed  to  these  structures 
are  lis,  rath,  dun,  and  cathair — which  was  built  of 
Names  stones.     Some  writers  are  of  opinion  that 

applied  to  originally  the  rampart  of  the  fort  was 
Forts.  called  the  rath,   while  lis  was  applied  to 

the  enclosure,  though  at  present  these  terms  are 
interchangeable. 

Forts  were  the  fortified  residences  of  the  principal 
Uses  of  famihes  and  their  retainers  in  ancient 
Forts—  times  when  society  was  insecure,  the  ram- 
Residential.  p^^.^.  ^-^j^^  fosse  being  for  defence  in  case  of 
attack. 

The  house  of  the  chief  or  lord  (flath)  was  within 
the  rath  and  built  of  wood  or  wicker-work.  Several 
other  houses  were  also  within  the  enclosure  for  members 

'  Ancient  Forts  of  Ireland,  pp.  5,  6. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE       133 

of  his  family  and  retainers — built  of  the  same  material 
as  that  of  the  lord — all  being  thatched  with  straw  or 
fern.  '  We  have  distinct  statements  in  our  ancient 
records  that  different  members  of  the  family  had 
distinct  houses  (and  not  apartments)  within  the  same 
rath,  dun,  lis,  or  cathair  ;  that  the  lord  or  master  had  a 
sleeping-house,  his  wife  a  sleeping-house,  his  sons  and 
daughters,  if  he  had  such,  separate  sleeping-houses, 
and  so  on,  besides  places  of  reception  for  strangers 
and  visitors.'  ^ 

There  was  also  the  grianan,  or  summer-house,  for 

the  women,  and  frequently  one  for  the  lord 

Summer-       iii^geif  ;    but  all  these  houses  and  apart- 

house.  ... 

ments  were  only  found  m  connection  with 
large  forts  or  duns. 

A  dun  consisting  of  two  ramparts,  with  a  fosse  for 
water,  is  said  to  be  the  residence  of  a  King  or  Eigh  ;  for 
Dun— resi-  ^^  '^^^  l^i^  down,  by  the  ancient  Irish  laws, 
dence  of  a  that  '  he  is  not  a  King  who  has  not  a  Dun, 
^*^g-  and  it  is  not  a  Dun  without  a  King.'     A 

King  was  supposed  to  possess  three  such  residences 
as  seats,  otherwise  he  was  considered  a  pauper. 
'  Every  King  is  a  pauper  who  hath  not  three  chief  resi- 
dences ;  a  King  is  to  have,  i.e.  three  houses  or  three 
duns.'  ~  It  should  be  stated,  however,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  that  others  besides  kings  possessed  duns,  and  that 
many  old  authorities  apphed  the  terms  rath,  lis,  and 
dun  to  a  fort  of  any  description.  The  ancient  law 
strictly  defined  a  dun  thus  :  '  Dun,  i.e.  two  walls  with 

'  O'Curry,  Manners  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  p.  70. 
-  See    Introduction,      O'Curry,    Manners     and      Customs,     p. 
ccxxxviii. 


184  DONAGHMOEE 

water,'  and  of  course  any  person  who  could  afford 
such  a  dwelUng  was  at  hberty  to  have  it,  though 
doubtless  it  would  not  be  a  true  dun. 

If  we  are  to  believe  some  old  Irish  tales,  not  a  few  of 
these  ancient  residences  were  very  magnificent  abodes, 
but  doubtless  the  magnificence  only  existed  in  the 
fertile  imagination  of  the  writers.  0' Curry  refers  to  a 
very  ancient  tale  in  the  '  Leabhar  na  h-Uidhre,'  which 
set  forth  the  magnificence  of  a  great  house  (a  dun) 
supposed  to  be  at  Dundrum,  County  Down,  owned  by 
a  famous  satirist,  not  inappropriately,  as  we  shall 
see,  called  '  Bricrind  of  the  Poisoned  Tongue,'  who 
flourished  in  the  beginning  of  the  first  century,  and 
from  whom,  we  are  informed,  Loch-Bricren,  now  called 
Loughbrickland,  received  its  name.^  According  to  the 
tale,  '  Bricrind  of  the  Poisoned  Tongue  had  a  great 
feast  for  Conchobar  Mac  Nessa  (King  of  Ulster)  and  for 
all  the  Ultonians.  A  full  year  was  he  preparing  the 
feast.  There  was  built  by  him,  in  the  meantime,  a 
magnificent  house  in  which  to  serve  up  the  feast.  This 
house  was  built  by  Bricrind  at  Dun-Rudhraidhe 
(Dundrum),  in  likeness  to  (the  house  of)  the  Eoyal 
Branch  at  Emain-Macha,  except  alone  that  his  house 
excelled  in  material  and  art,  in  beauty  and  gracefulness, 
in  pillars  and  facings,  emblazonment  and  briUiancy, 
in  extent  and  variety,  in  porticoes  and  in  doors,  all  the 
houses  of  its  time.'  The  house,  we  are  informed,  was 
built  on  the  plan  of  the  great  banqueting  house  of 
Tara  ;  it  contained  nine  couches  from  the  fire  to  the 
wall ;  each  had  a  gold- gilt  bronze  front,  thirty  feet  in 

'  '  Bricren's  Fort '  (his  residence)  still  remains  in  the  townland 
of  Brickland  (called  after  him),  close  to  Loughbrickland  lake. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        185 

height.    Above  all  the  others  was  a  '  kingly  couch  ' 
built  for  King  Conchobar  in  '  the  front  part  of  that 
Kingly  house  .  .  .  inlaid  with  carbuncles  and  other 
brilliants  besides,  and  emblazoned  with  gold  and  silver 
and  carbuncles,  and  the  finest  colours  of  all  countries  ; 
so  that  day  and  night  were  the  same  in  it,'  &c.     This 
magnificent  dun,  however,  well-nigh  came  to  grief,  as 
we  shall  see.     The  great  house  having  been  built  and 
furnished  and  the  princely  feast  prepared,  Bricrind 
invited  King  Conchobar  and  the  nobles  of  Ulster  and 
their  wives  to  partake  of  his  repast — not,  however,  as 
w^e  are  told,  '  out  of  gratitude  or  hospitahty  but  simply 
to  gratify  his  mere  love  of  mischief,  and  to  work  up  a 
serious  quarrel,  if  possible,  by  exciting  such  a  spirit  of 
envy  and  jealousy  among  the  ladies,  as  would  draw 
their  husbands  into  war  with  one  another.'     Bricrind 
proceeded    to    Emain-Macha    (the    King's    palace    at 
Armagh),  where  the  Ultonians  were  holding  a  fair,  and, 
being  well  received,  sitting  at  '  Conchobar 's  shoulder,' 
he  thus  addressed  him  :    '  Come  with  me  to  accept 
a  banquet  with  me.'     '  I  am  well  pleased,'  said  the 
King,  '  if    the    Ultonians    are    pleased  '—Conchobar 
doubtless  wishing  to  purchase  silence  from  the  *  Poi- 
soned Tongue  !  '     Fergus  MacRoigh  and  the  nobles 
of    Ulster,    however,  answered :   '  We    will    not    go, 
because  our  dead  would  be  more  numerous  than  our 
living  after  we  should  be  set  at  variance  by  Bricrind  ' : 
to  which  the  latter  rephed  :  '  That  will  be  worse  for  ye 
then,  indeed,  which  I  shall  do  to  ye  if  ye  do  not  come 
with  me.'     Fearing  the  satirist,  the  invitation  was 
finally  accepted ;  but,  as  a  precaution,  it  was  advised 
'  to  exact  securities  from  him  (Bricrind)  ;    and  place 


136  DONAGHMORE 

eight  swordsmen  around  him  for  the  purpose  of 
conveying  him  out  of  the  house  when  he  has  shewn 
them  the  feast.'  Bricrind  gladly  accepted  the  condi- 
tions. The  whole  party  went  forth  from  Emain-Macha 
(via  Donaghmore,  of  course' — the  direct  route  !)  for 
Dundrum,  and  on  the  way  thither  Bricrind  commenced 
his  operations,  which  proved  eminently  successful ! 
Apart,  and  separately,  he  addressed  the  wives  of  the 
kings  aad  chiefs  with  much  the  same  flattering  words, 
impressing  each  with  the  fact  that  she  alone  was  the 
most  beautiful,  the  greatest  favourite,  and  the  highest 
in  rank  and  precedence' — though  as  regards  two  great 
dames  in  particular,  if  he  extolled  the  one  as  the 
fairest  of  the  daughters  of  Erin,  he  lavished  doubly 
his  plaudits  on  the  other' — like  the  fair  Helen 
of  old, 

'  She  moves  a  goddess  and  she  looks  a  queen.' 

Thus  he  addressed  'the  Ever-blooming  Fedelm  '  :  'Well 
done  this  night,  thou  wife  of  Laeghaire  Buadhach  ; 
it  is  no  nickname  to  call  thee  Fedelm  (the  ever-bloom- 
ing), because  of  the  excellence  of  thy  shape,  and  because 
of  thy  intelligence,  and  because  of  thy  family.  Con- 
chobar,  the  King  of  the  chief  province  of  Erinn,  is  thy 
father,  and  Laeghaire  Buadhach  thy  husband.  Now 
I  would  not  think  it  too  much  for  thee  that  none  of 
the  women  of  Ulster  should  come  before  thee  into  the 
banqueting  house  :  but  that  it  should  be  after  thy  heels 
that  the  whole  band  of  the  w^omen  of  Ulster  should 
come,  (and  I  say  to  thee  that)  if  it  be  thou  that  shalt 
be  first  to  enter  the  house  this  night,  thou  shalt  be 
queen  over  all  the  women  of  Ulster.' 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOKE        137 

Bricrind  next  addressed  Lendabair,  daughter  of  the 
King  of  Farney,  and  wife  of  Conall  Cearnach  (the  great 
chan.pion),  thus  :  '  Well  done,  Lendabair,  it  is  no 
nickname  to  call  thee  Lendabair  (the  favourite), 
because  thou  art  the  beloved  and  desired  of  the  men 
of  the  whole  world  for  the  splendour  and  lustre  (of 
thy  beauty).  As  far  as  thy  husband  excels  the  warriors 
of  the  world  in  beauty  and  valour,  thou  excellest  the 
women  of  Ulster.'  It  is  to  be  feared  this  eulogy  put 
the  '  ever-blooming  Fedelm  '  in  the  shade  !  And  so  on 
in  regard  to  the  other  dames  of  Ulster.  The  result 
was  disastrous,  and  King  Conchobar's  foreboding— 
'  This  will  be  an  evil  night  '■ — proved  only  too  true. 
Each  chief  was  determined  that  his  wife  should  be 
first  to  enter  the  house,  with  the  result  that  there 
was  a  terrible  melee  and  the  poor  dun  badly  damaged. 
The  doors  had  to  be  closed,  but  so  determined  were 
these  warriors  (we  are  told)  that  they  rushed  suddenly 
at  the  wooden  wall  of  the  house,  and  knocking  a 
plank  out  of  it,  brought  in  their  wives,  while  another 
raised  up  a  portion  of  the  house  '  so  that  the  stars  of 
heaven  were  visible  from  beneath  the  wall !  '  Bri- 
crind's  grianan  (summer-house)  was  laid  prostrate  on 
the  ground,  while  he  and  '  his  wife  were  cast  into  the 
mire,  among  the  dogs  !  '  Bricrind  requested  the 
Ultonians  to  restore  his  house  to  its  original  position, 
it  being  inclined  to  one  side.  The  Ulster  champions 
tried  their  hands  to  restore  its  balance,  but  in  vain. 
At  length,  however,  the  valiant  Cuchulainn,  we  are 
told,  by  his  own  strength  alone,  restored  the  house  to 
its  perpendicular .1 

'  Manners  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  pp.  17-21. 


188  DONAGHMOEE 

But  to  return  to  our  subject, besides  their  main  use  as 
fortijBed  residences,  forts  were  used  for  other  purposes. 
Much  evidence  is  furnished  by  authorities 
Cemeteries  ^^  showing  that  they  were  anciently  used  as 
cemeteries.  Indeed,  '  Burial  in  one's  fort  or 
house  was  an  ancient  and  widespread  custom.'  Old 
documents  record  the  burial  of  King  Eremon  in  the 
fort  of  Tara,  of  Crimthan  in  his  fort  at  Howth,  and  that 
the  remains  of  10,000  soldiers  were  interred  in  the  rath 
of  Cnamross— while  the  body  of  King  Laegaire  was 
'  interred  with  his  arms  of  valour,  in  the  south-east  of 
the  external  rampart  of  the  Eath  Laegaire  at  Temur 
(Tara).'  .^  Eelics  found  in  forts  and  their  souterrains 
also  point  to  their  use  as  cemeteries.  About  seventeen 
Ogham  inscriptions  have  been  discovered  in  souterrains. 
One  of  these  was  recently  found  on  the  roofing  stones 
of  a  cave  at  Carnacomb  near  Connor,  the  readings  sup- 
posed to  be  '  Caig,  son  of  Fobrach.'  Close  to  a  souter- 
rain,  near  Larne,  we  have  the  graves  of  two  giants,  the 
larger  of  which  is  thirty-two  feet  long,  both  graves 
doubtless  having  been  within  the  enclosures  of  an 
ancient  rath.^  An  urn  was  found  in  the  '  Dane's 
Mound  '  (a  mote)  at  Waringstown,  when  explored 
in  1684,  while  human  skeletons  and  other  traces 
of  burial  have  been  discovered  in  many  of  our 
forts. 

Forts  for  the  most  part  ceased  to  be  used  as  ceme- 
teries after  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  when  it 

^  See  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts,  p.  64,  and  Joyce,  Social  History, 
vol.  ii.,  p.  551. 

-  Mrs.  Hobsou,  Ulster  Souterrains. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOKE       139 

became  customary  to  set  apart  and  consecrate  burial 
places  other  than  pagan. 

Funeral    games,    Parliaments,    horse-racing,    and 
T,    ,  fairs  (as  we  have  seen)  were  held  at  forts  in 

Jborts  as  ^  ' 

Places  of       ancient    times — while    they    were,    too,    a 

Assembly,      convenient    centre    for   marriage    and    its 

°"  preliminaries. 

Several  large  forts  formed  the  centre  of  the  great 

fair    of    Tailltenn   (Telltown).     This    fair,   it    seems, 

which  was  the  most  famous  of  Irish  aenachs 

Fair  of  Jqj^.  j^g  sports,  and  lasted  for  three  days,  was 

railltenn.  ,     ,  ,  ,  -  ,     ,  n 

attended  by  vast  numbers  of  people  from  all 
parts  of  Ireland,  and  even  Scotland.  According  to  the 
Four  Masters  the  last '  official  aenach  '  of  Tailltenn  was 
held  A.D.  1169,  when  it  is  said  that,  apart  from  those 
on  foot,  the  horses  and  chariots  alone  extended  a 
distance  of  several  miles. 

Joyce  informs  us  that  marriage  was  a  special  feature 
of  this  aenach.     '  From  all  the  surrounding  districts  the 

young  people  came  with  their  parents. 
Fort— a  bachelors  and  maidens  being  kept  apart  in 
Cen^tre^^        Separate    places,    while    the    fathers    and 

mothers  made  matches,  arranged  details  and 
settled  the  dowries.  After  this  the  couples  were 
married,  the  ceremonies  being  always  performed  at 
a  particular  spot.'  i  The  same  authority  informs  us 
that,  according  to  Cormac's  '  Glossary,'  a  hillock  there 
had  the  name  of  '  the  hill  of  buying,'  now  called  the 
'  marriage  hollow.'  ~ 

1  History  of  Ireland,  p.  90. 

2  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  439. 


140  DONAGHMOEE 

In  Christian  times  certain  forts  became,  in  a  sense, 

'  religious  establishments  ' — the  Righ  of  such,  having 

become   a  convert  to   Christianity,  placed 

Religious       himself  and  his  community  under  the  pro- 
Uses  of         ^    ^.  ,   ^.  .    .         -^    .  .^  ^ 
Forts.           tection  of   the  missionary,  i.e.  as   it   was 

termed,  '  under  his  bell,'  though  '  the 
character  and  organisation  of  the  political  body ' 
were  still  preserved. 

'  Wlien  a  chief  gave  his  Fort  to  an  early  missionary, 
the  latter  probably  did  nothing  to  alter  the  structure  of 
the  establishment.  The  monastery  was  organised  on 
tribal  lines  ;  the  great  hall  became  a  church  ;  religious 
observances  took  the  place  of  festivity  ;  the  huts  of  the 
retainers  outside  the  Fort  were  filled  with  Catechumens, 
but,  in  other  respects,  the  rude  and  simple  hfe  of  the 
community  probably  differed  little  from  that  of  their 
predecessors.'  i 

In  regard  to  the  age  of  forts,  it  may  be  stated  in 
general  terms  that  their  construction  in  all  probability 
continued  from  a.m.  3,000  till  the  four- 
teenth or  fifteenth  century  of  the  Christian 
era.  Like  our  modern  houses,  while  there  was  a  contin- 
uous building,  there  was  also  a  constant  rebuilding  ;  and 
it  should  be  noticed  in  this  connection,  that  in  the  settle- 
ment of  dates  some  writers  have  confused  the  latter 
with  the  former,  and  hence  have  arrived  at  conclusions 
which  are  unfavourable  to  the  great  antiquity  of  many 
of  our  forts.  In  this  matter,  as  in  many  others  in 
regard  to  ancient  Ireland,  no  doubt  myth  and  legend 
abound ;  but,  underlying  all,  there  is  doubtless  a 
substratum  of  truth. 

'  Wcstropp,  Ancicni  Forts,  p.  (52. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        141 

O'Curry  informs  us  that, '  according  to  all  our  old 
accounts,'  the  Royal  Fort  of  Tara  (in  co.  Meath) 
was  first  founded  by  the  Firbolgs  who 
S^^^n^s""^  colonised  Ireland  a.m.  3246.  Tara  pos- 
'^^^'  sessed  a  whole  group  of  forts,  but  doubtless 
some  of  these  were  constructed  in  more  recent  times 
— e.g.  King  Laegaire  made  a  rath  at  Tara  in  the  fifth 
century.  The  ancient  city  of  Tara,  once  considered 
the  capital  of  Ireland,  was  the  residence  of  its  supreme 
kings  from  time  immemorial  up  till  the  sixth  century. 
We  may  form  some  idea  of  its  magnificence  from  an 
ancient  poem  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  which  thus 
refers  to  this  '  Rath  of  the  Kings  '  at  Temur  (Tara)  : 

'  Seven  duns  in  the  Dun  of  Temur 
Seven  score  houses  in  each  dun — 
Seven  hundred  warriors  in  each  brave  dun.'  ' 

Next  to  Tara  in  importance  and  historical  associa- 
tions   was    the   palace    of    Emain-Macha,   or- — in  its 
Latinised  form^Emania,  close  to  the  city 

MrhaRath.of  ^^"^^S^^'  ^^^  ^^^^^ence  of  the  Kings 
of  Ulster  for  six  hundred  years.  We 
are  told  that,  '  according  to  the  most  ancient 
written  Irish  traditions,'  this  celebrated  palace  was 
founded  three  or  four  centuries  before  the  Christian 
era.  It  was  destroyed  by  the  three  Collas,  a.d.  332 
(according  to  some  authorities  a.d.  321),  and  all  that 
now  remains  of  this  famous  palace  consists  of  '  a  great 
mound  surrounded  by  an  immense  circular  rampart 
and  fosse,  half  obliterated,  the  whole  structure  cover- 
ing about  eleven  English  acres.' ' 

'  See  O'Curry,  Manners  and  Customs,  vol.  iii.  p.  8. 
^  See  Joyce,  Social  History,  vol.  ii.  pp.  89,  90. 


142  DONAGHMOEE 

The  next  great  fort  of  historical  interest  and  anti- 
quity was  probably  that  of  Aileach  (co.  Donegal),  a 
cathair,  with  its  four  or  five  ramparts — 
y^,'^*  °f  described  in  an  old  poem  as  '  the  senior  of 

Aileach.  »   t-,   •  i  •   i      • 

the  buildmgs  of  Ermn,  which  is  said  to 
have  been  constructed  by  one  of  the  Tuatha  De 
Danann  kings  (Dagda  Mor)  around  the  sepulchre  of 
his  son,  circa  b.c.  1700.  This  date,  however,  apphes 
only  to  the  first  building,  there  having  been  a 
much  more  recent  erection ;  and  besides  there  are 
records,  we  are  told,  which  imply  at  least  two 
rebuildings.  *  Grianan  Aileach  w^as  destroyed  by 
Finnsneachta,  son  of  Donchad,  King  of  Erin,  a.d.  674, 
and  demolished  by  the  Danes  in  a.d.  937,  and  again  by 
Murchad  O'Brien  in  a.d.  1101.'  ^ 

Doubtless  most  of  our  forts  were  erected  by  the 
Firbolgs,  the  Tuatha  De  Dananns,  and  the  Milesians, 
who  conquered  the  Dananns,  a.m.  3500, 
BuUders  ^^^  possessed  Ireland  for  a  period  of 
2,885  years.  The  Dananns  are  frequently 
confounded  with  the  Danes  of  mediaeval  times  owing 
to  the  similarity  of  sound  in  the  names,  and  hence 
we  hear  of  '  Danish  forts  '  by  those  unversed  in  such 
matters,  though  doubtless  the  latter  built  and  repaired 
some  of  our  forts. 

We  are  told  that  King  Brian  at  the  close  of  the 
tenth  and  dawn  of  the  eleventh  century  strengthened 
the  duns  and  the  royal  forts  of  Munster,  that  he  built 
Cashel  and  Island  forts  at  Lough  Gur  and  elsewhere,^ 
while  it  is  recorded  that  in  a.d.  1242  Donagh 
Cairbreach  O'Brian  constructed  raths. 

^  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts,  p.  51. 
-  Ibid.  p.  54. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        148 

It  was  only  gradually  that  our  forts  became  deserted 

by  their  destruction  or  otherwise.     Tara  fell  in  the 

sixth  century,  and  Aileach  was  deserted 

Desertion        -^^    ^^      ^^^^^       ^^j.    ^^     ^^^^^^   ^j^  ^^^^^ 

of  Forts.  .'  .,,        ,  .     •■ 

were  occupied  up  till  these  periods. 
We  have,  however,  much  more  modern  instances 
of  occupation  recorded.  In  1317  we  are  told  that 
'  Donachad  O'Brien  before  the  battle  of  Corcomroe 
(co.  Clare)  summoned  to  his  army  all  the  men 
living  in  '  ooams  '  (caves) — such  being  of  course  rath 
chambers.  In  the  '  primitive  district  of  the  Burreii 
(co.  Clare)  the  forts  of  Bally  gamier  and  Caheran- 
ardurrish  were  inhabited,  at  any  rate,  till  1840,  and 
the  Caher  of  Balliny,  not  far  away,  is  inhabited 
and  likely  to  continue  so  even  in  the  twentieth 
century.'  ^ 

After  the  desertion  of  the  forts  for  more  civilised 
abodes,  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  names  applied  to 

the  forsaken  dwellings  by  the  inhabitants — 
Fort  Names  ^ames  in  Irish  applicable  to  the  new  uses. 
Desertion.      Westropp   refers   to    a    number   of   these, 

among  them  :  Lisnaho,  a  lis  for  domestic 
animals  ;  Lissacurkia,  where  the  garth  was  cultivated  ; 
Lisnacroghera,  when  the  gallows  was  erected  on 
its  height  ;  Lisnagorp,  when  used  as  a  burial-place. 
'  In  some  cases,  in  its  utter  loneliness,  people 
fancied  that  it  had  become  the  haunt  of  evil  spirits  ; 
the  "corpse  candle"  was  seen  in  its  fosse,  and  it 
was  named  Lisnagunniel ;  the  ghost  and  phuca  cried 
in  its  desolate  houses,  and  the  shuddering  peasantry 
called    it    Lisananima,    Lissaphuca,   Caperaphiica,  or 

'  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts,  p.  51. 


144  DONAGHMORE 

Lisheenvicknabeeha,   "  the  little  fort  of   the   son   of 
the  night."  '  i 

Much  superstition  has  existed  in  connection  with  our 
forts  and  souterrains  in  bygone  days,  and  even  yet 
^  .  .     ,       lingering  traces   are  to    be    found  among 

Ongm  of  ,11  •        • ,  1  n  T      1 

Fairy  Super-  those  who  recogmse  it  as  such.  Much 
stitions  in  of  tliis  superstition  had  doubtless  its  origin 
connection  jj^  ^-^e  dispersion  of  the  De  Dananns  who, 
it  seems,  after  having  been  defeated 
by  the  Milesians  in  two  great  battles,  held  a  secret 
conclave,  and  arranged  that  their  chiefs  and  others 
who  survived  should  henceforth  take  up  their  abodes 
in  the  '  elf-mounds  '  and  other  secret  haunts  in 
'  pleasant  hills,'  where  we  are  told  they  built  them- 
selves '  glorious  palaces  all  ablaze  with  light  and 
glittering  with  gems  of  gold.'  Joyce  refers  to  a 
different  account  contained  in  an  old  tale  of  the 
eighth  or  ninth  century  (in  the  '  Book  of  Leinster') 
which  recounts  that  after  two  decisive  battles,  a 
Milesian  brehon  was  appointed  to  divide  Erin 
between  his  own  people  (the  Milesians)  and  the 
Dananns,  '  and  he  gave  the  part  of  Erin  that  was 
underground  to  the  (spiritual)  De  Dananns,  and  the 
other  part  to  his  own  corporeal  people,  the  sons  of 
Miled  ;  after  which  the  De  Dananns  went  into  the  hills 
and  fairy  palaces,'  and,  we  are  told,  became  gods.'^ 
Being  deified  they  became  objects  of  worship,  were 
supposed  to  possess  supernatural  powers,  and  as 
their  habitations  were  in  the  side  {shee)  i.e.,  in  '  pleasant 
hills,'  a  male  fairy  was  called  a  fer-side  {fer,  a  man), 

'  Westropp,  Ancient  Forts,  p.  14. 
"  Social  History,  vol.  i.   p.  252. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        145 

while  a  female  fairy  was  designated  a  hen-side  or  Ban 
Shee  — '  a  woman  from  the  fairy -hills.'  ^ 

The  Dananns  were  a  hght,  gay,  and  joyous  race — 
elements  in  their  character  which,  it  is  said,  the  Irish 
of  to-day  have  largely  inherited.  They  were  much 
learned  in  the  arts  of  necromancy  and  enchantment, 
and  consequently  became  famous  as  experts  in  sorcery, 
charms,  and  the  '  black  art.'  Hence  the  superstitious, 
in  after  ages,  imagined  that  they  still  haunted  the 
raths  and  souterrains  as  fairies  or  '  wee  people,'  and 
were  ever  ready  to  visit  with  condign  punishment  any 
who  interfered  with  their  abodes. 

The  Dananns,  however,  were  not  the  first  to  become 
'  earth-gods  '  and  receive  divine  honours  in  Erin,  nor 
^  were  they  the  last  '  spiritual '  beings.     We 

Dananns  ,  ,      ,  ,  i       i  i 

and  other  are  told  that  there  was  a  much  older  race 
'  Earth-  of  *  earth-gods  '  in  Ireland  with  whom  the 
^°^^"  Dananns  eventually  became  confounded — 

while,  again,  not  a  few  of  the  Milesian  chiefs,  like 
their  predecessors — the  Dananns — were  in  turn 
'  deified  '  and  became  fairies.- 

The  fairies  were  supposed  to  be  gentle  folk,  and  not 

at  all  evilly  disposed  or  malicious,  unless  they  or  their 

abodes  were  attacked  or   disturbed,  when 

Fames  ^j^^-^  wrath  was  kindled  and  dire  vengeance 

described.  -,■,•, 

meted  out  to  the  culprit. 
Shakespeare  ('  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor  ')  marks 
their  colour  and  nightly  carousals  thus  : 

'  Fairies,  black,  grey,  green,  and  white, 
Moonshine  revellers,  and  shades  of  night.' 

1  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  202.  "  Ibid.  pp.  253,  261. 

L 


146  DONACtHMOEE 

Dodsley  gives  us   minute    information  in  regard   to 
their  size,  tint  of  cap,  and  diversion  : 

'  Fairies  small,  two  feet  tall, 
With  cap  red  on  their  head, 
Dance  around  on  the  ground.' 

In  Ireland  fairies  are  generally  supposed  to  wear 
red  clothing,  but  we  are  credibly  informed  that  in 
County  Antrim  they  dress  in  green,  though  they  are 
said  to  have  red  or  sandy  hair — but  perhaps  these 
'  wee  people  '  are  of  Scotch  descent,  and  adopt  the 
fairy  dress  (green)  of  their  kinsfolk — while  the  '  sandy 
hair '  seems  indigenous  to  all  Scots — whether 
'  corporeal '  or  '  spiritual '  ! 

Not  a  few  lady  fairies  (Banshees)  had  magnificent 
palaces  in  the  '  fairy -hills  '  where  they  became  famous 
as  '  fairy  queens,'  ruling  in  state  and  with 
^^^^'^  ^  a  high  hand  the  ordinary  fairies  ;  such 
notably,  we  read,  were  Banshee  Aine,  who 
had  the  temerity  to  cut  '  clean  off '  a  king's  ear, 
Banshee  CUdne,  the  potent  queen  of  all  the  fairies  in 
South  Munster,  and  the  beautiful  (as  the  name 
signifies)  Banshee  Aibell,  who  ruled  her  race  in  the 
northern  portion  of  the  same  province. ^ 

The  modern  banshee  no  longer  reigns  as  a  queen, 
though  she  still  possesses  some  grand  notions ;  for  she 
never  condescends  to  visit  ordinary  mortals, 
but  only  associates  herself  with  the  great 
houses  where  she  presides  as  a  sort  of  domestic 
spirit,  taking  a  deep  interest  in  family  welfare  and 
intimating  disaster  or  death  by  her  sad  keening  or 
wailing  cries. 

1  See  Joyce,  Social  History,  vol.  i.  pp.  262,  2(33. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE       147 

We  are  informed  on  good  authority  that  we  have 
one  such  lady  in  Donaghmore  parish  whose  mournful 
keen  was  heard  some  years  since,  and  we  fondly  hope 
it  will  not  be  again  heard  for  a  long  time  ! 

Fairies  have  not  been  seen  in  the  parish  for  some 

years,  but  it  seems  there  are  still  a  number  of  these 

'  gentry '  about ;  at  least  we  must  so  conclude 

Donaghmore  ^-^^^^  ^^^        ^^  ^^  ^^^^  disaster  or  death  if 

r  airies.  "^ 

we  demolish  a  rath,  cut  down  a  '  fairy 
bush,'  or  in  any  way  interfere  with  a  '  fairy  well.' 
Some  foolhardy  person  tampered  with  the  '  fairy 
well '  in  the  '  glebe  lawn  '  many  years  ago,  when 
it  dried  up,  and  never  a  drop  of  water  since  !  What 
dire  disaster  happened  to  the  criminal  we  are  not 
informed.  In  the  same  grounds  still  remains  the 
'  fairy  bush,'  and  long  may  it  flourish  ! 

If  all  we  hear  be  true,  frightful  catastrophes  have 
happened  in  Donaghmore  in  past  times,  owing  to  fort- 
razing  operations — a  science  in  which  many 
]^T^.     I,     of  the  old  inhabitants  were  experts.     We 

Catastrophes.  .  '■ 

are  told  that  m  several  instances  these 
operations  had  to  be  stopped,  owing  to  the  '  pains 
and  penalties '  inflicted  on  the  workmen  or  their 
masters — hence  it  is  that  so  many  of  our  forts 
are  only  half  obliterated  !  As  an  instance — one  fort 
in  the  parish  was  totally  demohshed  a  great  many 
years  since,  but  the  penalty  exacted  by  the  fairies  was 
dreadful — cattle  died,  there  being  a  '  very  grievous 
murrain,'  people  lost  their  hves,  and  others  became 
cripples  or  went  mad,  while  one  poor  man  took 
'  information  (inflammation)  of  the  head  '  and  died 
in  three  days  ! 

L    2 


148  DONAGHMOEE 

They  seem  to  have  been  a  merry  lot,  these  Donagh- 
more  fairies  in  the  olden  times,  notwithstanding  their 

vengeful  spirit.  On  certain  state  occasions 
p^^^y  they    held    high    carousal    in    the    raths, 

danced,  fiddled,  sang,  and  laughed  con- 
vulsively, and,  it  is  said,  even  made  and  drank 
foteen  ! 

We  regret  to  record;  however,  that  some  of  '  the 
gentry  '  (as  they  were  frequently  called  here)  had  not 

the  best  of  manners.  One  poor  old  woman 
^j^""^  (long    deceased)    was    occasionally  obliged 

to  pass  close  to  a  rath,  when  the  fairies 
'  hned  the  ring — laughin'  and  jeerin'  '  at  her. 
8uch  behaviour  certainly  seemed  very  reprehensible 
and  unpardonable  in  this  particular  case,  since 
the  inoffensive  creature  had  been  excessively  kind 
to  these  same  '  wee  people  ' — in  having  frequently 
gone  to  the  fort,  when  they  were  asleep,  and  left  them 
little  shirts,  children's  socks  and  some  of  the  '  native  '  ! 
Of  course  it  may  have  been  a  case  of  '  mistaken 
identity  '  on  the  part  of  '  the  gentry,'  or  possibly  the 
woman's  forebears  had  been  '  fort  razers  '  ! 

We  think  it  cannot  be  too  widely  known  that  in 
case  of  attack  on  the  person  by  Irish  fairies  the  very 

best  thing  to  do  is  to  immediately  change 
the '  Fairy-  one's  coat  or  other  outer  garment;  or  better 
struck'  still,  as  a  preventive,  never  partake  of  fairy 
^^^  food ;   otherwise,  one  is  subject  to   '  fairy 

Preventives.  ,    .  ,  ,      t  , 

power  for  seven  long  years  !  in  case  of 
actual  personal  injuries  by  fairies  an  infalhble  cure  is 
assured  us  in  an  old  Irish  treatise  on  Materia  Medica — 
cited    by    Joyce — though   we   regret   in   copying   the 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        149 

*  perscription '  he  has  omitted  the  ingredients.  A 
translation  of  the  treatise  by  the  late  Dr.  O'Longan  is, 
however,  in  the  Eoyal  Irish  Academy,  where  we  are 
sure  all  '  fairy-struck '  sufferers  may  freely  consult 
this  important  medical  work  !  This  authority  pre- 
scribes twenty-five  herbs  to  be  taken  : 
rescnp  i  n.  ,  ^Yj[\q  pulling  them  certain  prayers  are  to 
be  said.  Boil  them  in  the  water  of  a  spring  well  (not 
the  water  from  a  running  stream).  Be  careful  not 
to  let  a  drop  of  the  mixture  fall,  and  not  to  put  it 
on  the  ground,  till  the  joatieyit  has  drunk  it  all.'  ^ 

It  is  said  prevention  is  better  than  cure ;  hence  it  is 
well  to  know  some  of  the  Scotch  preventives,  which  are 
considered  very  effective  against  fairy  power 
Fabit  ^^*  ^^^^^  ^^  *^®  Highlands.  The  Highland 
and  other  Scotch  fairies  generally  dress  in 
green,  which  seems  the  national  colour.  They  are 
said  to  be  an  industrious  race,  hirnig  themselves 
out  as  ordinary  servants  and  pursuing  many 
other  callings.  They  are  good  tradesmen,  and  are 
quite  willing  to  impart  their  skill  to  mankind.  Their 
principal  pastime  is  music  and  dancing,  accomplish- 
ments in  which  they  are  said  to  excel  even  the  mortal 
Scot,  who,  in  imitation,  has  invented  the  '  Elfin  Waltz  ' ; 
but  it  is  a  very  poor  performance  in  comparison  to  the 
first  fairy  edition,  when  executed  by  the  elves  them- 
selves to  the  sweet  strains  of  their  favourite  instru- 
ment'— the  bagpipe  !  The  Scotch  fairies  are  very 
powerful  both  for  good  and  evil.  They  are  great 
borrowers,  while  their  thieving  propensities  are 
abnormal.  Oatmeal,  beautiful  babes,  and  other 
'  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  624. 


150  DONAGHMORE 

'  commodities  '  are  never  safe  if  a  fairy  is  about- 
even  the  very  horses  in  the  fields  at  night  are  ridden 
to  death  by  these  same  '  wee  people.' 

The  Highlanders  seem,  however,  well  able  to  cope 
with  these  httle  rascals  by  a  few  simple  expedients, 
one  or  other  of  which  might  be  well  worth 
Pretentives   ^^^^^    ^^    the    Emerald    Isle    by    those  in 
against  '  mortal  terror  '  of  the  Irish  '  gentry.'     If 

^^"■y  a  little  oatmeal  be  carried  in  the  pocket 

and  dusted  over  one's  clothing,  no  fairy 
will  venture  near.  Cold  iron,  too,  in  any  shape 
or  form  is  a  powerful  preventive.  '  Touch 
cauld  iron,'  the  Scot  tells  us,  and  the  fairies  fly 
for  their  lives.  It  seems  Scotch  robber-fairies  fre- 
quently travel  on  their  journeys  in  '  wind  eddy ' 
chariots  ;  but  one  has  only  to  throw  his  left  shoe  at  the 
coach,  and  instantly  the  booty  is  dropped,  whether  it 
be  a  tradesman's  compass,  a  sack  of  the  Scotch  favourite 
oatmeal,  or  a  handsome  Highland  baby  !  A  Scotsman 
is  never  safe  in  the  presence  of  '  fairy  women,'  but  if 
he  carry  about  him  a  pearl  wort  plant  there  is  no  danger. 
On  certain  occasions,  it  is  said,  holly  is  a  sure  pre- 
ventive, especially  for  houses ;  and  we  would  venture 
to  suggest,  where  personal  attack  is  feared,  that  a 
hollyhock  worn  as  a  button-hole  would  have  the 
effect  of  scaring  away  even  a  fairy  host  ! 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  portion  of  '  The  Great 
Wall  of  Uhdia,'  commonly  known  as  the  '  Dane's  Cast  ' 
.  The  Great  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^e  '  Glen  of  the  Black  Pig,' 
Wall  of  and  said  to  be  the  most  remarkable  early 
Ulidia.'  earthwork   in    Ireland,    runs    through  the 

western  extremity    of   the  parish    of    Donaghmore, 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMORE        151 

almost  in  a  parallel  line  with  the  Newry  Canal. 
This  great  rampart,  according  to  some  of  our  best 
authorities,  extends  from  Lisnagade,  near  Scarva, 
to  Sheve  GuUion  mountain  in  the  County  of  Armagh' — 

a   distance  of    about    twenty    miles.      It 
'  wfu '  °       enters    Donaghmore    parish  from  that  of 

Aghaderg  at  Killysavan  townland,  close 
to  Poyntzpass.  Between  Killysavan  and  Droman- 
tine,  where  there  was  formerly  a  lake,  the  '  Cast ' 
ceases,  but  it  can  be  traced  at  the  '  Cracked 
Bridge  '  in  the  latter  townland.  It  is  again  traced  at 
Knockanarney  Hill,  where  about  forty  yards  of  the 
west  rampart  are  distinctly  visible.  From  thence 
it  passes  through  the  townlands  of  Carrickavaddy 
(near  Jerretspass),  Lurganare,  and  Drumiller  (east 
of  Goraghwood)— where  it  passes  out  of  the  parish  of 
Donaghmore  into  the  County  of  Armagh— when  it 
runs  through  the  old  parish  of  Killeavy,  and  after- 
wards into  County  Louth — in  the  direction  of  Drogheda. 
At  Scarva  this  wall  (according  to  Westropp)  '  con- 
sists of  two  mounds,  forty  feet  apart,  with  fosses 
eight  feet  wide  and  six  feet  deep  ;  the  mounds, 
four  feet  above  the  fields,  and  measuring  fifty-four 
feet  over  all.'  ^  The  '  Cast '  at  other  places  has 
a  ditch  or  fosse  eighteen  feet  wide  and  eight  feet 
deep,  but  doubtless  originally  the  depth  was  much 
greater. 

Proper  Some    authorities   inform  us   that    the 

Designation  proper  designation  of  this    huge   rampart 
of  WaU.        jg  '  rphe  Great  Wall  of  Uhdia.' 

It  was  and  is  still  called  by  many  the  '  Glen  of  the 

1  Ancient  Forts,  p.  138. 


152  DONAGHMOEE 

Black  Pig  '—this  designation  having  arisen,  it  seems, 
from    the    following    tradition.     In    far-away    times 

many  people  were  supposed  to  be  skilled 
onhe^Sack  i^  ^^^  '  ^^^^^  ^^*^''  whereby  they  worked 
Pig '—Origin  enchantments  of  various  kinds.  A  certain 
of  the  Name  gchoolmaster  at  Drogheda,  for  example, 
cllt*''^''"''^  was  such  an  adept  in  the  art  that  by  his 

magical  powers  he  was  able  to  convert  his 
pupils  into  pigs.  This  he  did  one  day  during  '  play- 
time,' and,  it  seems,  for  mere  devilment,  when  a 
mighty  huntsman,  bearing  the  fine  name  of  O'Neill, 
came  along— who,  to  the  utter  astonishment  and 
dismay  of  the  schoolmaster,  set  his  hounds  on  the 
playful  and  jolly  little  pig  pupils,  who  instantly 
'  flew  like  mad  '  in  all  directions,  rooting  and 
throwing  up  entrenchments  of  earth  with  their 
little  snouts.  A  black  contingent  ran  north  in  the 
direction  of  Scarva  (probably  on  July  13  !)  passing  en 
route  through  Killeavy  and  Donaghmore' — tearing  up  in 
their  careering  frenzy  the  ground  all  along  the  journey 
at  a  most  terrific  rate,  and  viirahile  didu,  the  result  of 
their  gigantic  efforts  was  '  The  Glen  of  the  Black  Pig  '  ! 
It  was  a  most  fortunate  circumstance  that  it  did  not 
occur  to  the  pedagogue  to  '  ring  '  his  httle  pigs,  other- 
wise we  would  never  have  had  this  great  rampart ; 
but  probably,  if  it  did  enter  his  mind,  he  considered  it 
rather  cruel  to  do  so,  as  it  certainly  was  on  the  part  of 
Huntsman  O'Neill  to  set  his  hounds  on  them. 

This  great  earthwork  is  popularly  known  as  the 
'  Dane's  Cast,'  but  this  is  an  absolute  misnomer,  as 
the  Danes  had  nothing  to  do  with  it,  it  having  been 
built  long  before  their  incursions.    It  was,  it  seems,  the 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        153 

settlers  under  the  Ulster  Plantation  who  first  called  it 
the  Dane's  Cast— knowing  Httle  about  the  history  of 
Ulster,  and  hearing  of  the  Danes  as  mighty  warriors 
and  builders,  they  imagined  this  great  wall  must  have 
been  their  handiwork. 

The  various  writers  on  the  '  Great  Wall  of  UHdia  ' 
do  not  always  seem  in  complete  accord,  especially  as 
Origin  and  regards  its  origin  and  use,  but  doubtless 
Use  of  one  of  our  best  authorities  is  Canon  Lett, 

'  Wall.'  1{,A.,  M.E.I.A.  (whose  views  we  have  given), 
whose  able  and  interesting  article  on  the  subject  in  the 
'  Ulster  Journal  of  Archaeology  '  has  the  imprimatm-  of 
a  writer  of  such  weight  as  Westropp,  who  speaks  of  it 
as  '  the  only  detailed  and  careful  description  '  of  the 
rampart,  while  O'Curry,  Bishop  Reeves,  and  other 
eminent  authorities  are  in  accord. 

The  origin  of  the  '  Wall '  according  to  these 
authorities  was  as  follows.  About  the  year  a.d.  332, 
when  Muredach  was  the  Ard-Righ  or  Chief  King  of 
Ireland,  the  Ultonians  (whose  king's  residence  was  in 
the  great  earthen  fort  called  Navan,  a  mile  and  a  half 
west  of  Armagh)  gave  trouble.  "Whereupon  Muredach 
led  a  force  to  chastise  them,  the  fight  that  ensued  lasted 
for  a  whole  week,  the  Ultonians  were  routed  and  driven 
from  their  district,  and  their  king's  residence  of  Navan 
where  their  kings  had  reigned  for  700  years— from  B.C. 
452  to  A.D.  332— was  burned,  plundered,  and  destroyed. 
The  Ultonians  were  thenceforward  confined  to  a 
district  now  represented  by  the  counties  of  Antrim 
and  Down  ;  Antrim  was  sufficiently  protected  on  its 
west  by  the  River  Bann  and  Lough  Neagh,  and  to  make 
themselves  doubly  secure  they  formed  the  earthen 


154  DONAGHMORE 

wall  or  trench  known  as  the  '  Dane's  Cast,'  which  runs 
from  Lisnagade  to  near  Meigh.  It  is  quite  evident 
from  the  he  of  this  great  earthwork  that  its  makers 
hved  to  the  east  of  it.  The  Ultonians  flourished  in  their 
reduced  territory  till  a.d.  637,  when  they  were  crushed 
and  their  leaders  slain  in  the  battle  of  Magh  Eath,  or 
Moira,  in  the  County  Down. 

A  different  account  of  the  Dane's  Cast— especially 
in  regard  to  its  origin  and  dimensions — ^is  afforded  us 
by  other  excellent  authorities,  particularly  Mr.  de 
Vismes  Kane,  M.A.,  M.E.I.x\.,  in  his  article  entitled 
•  The  Black  Pig's  Dyke :  The  Ancient  Boundary 
Fortification  of  Uladh.'  i 

Mr.  Kane  contends  that  this  entrenchment  was 
constructed  to  mark  the  boundary  of  Ulster  about  the 
year  a.d.  160,  which  previously  to  this  date  was  marked 
by  the  Boyne  river,  and  stretched  from  the  north  of 
the  Boyne  to  the  south-eastern  extremity  of  County 
Donegal. 

But  previously  to  that  year  Tuathal  (King  of 
Ireland)  cut  off  portions  of  Connaught,  Leinster,  and 
Ulster,  to  form  a  mensal  territory,  which  was 
cahed  Meath  or  the  Middle  Province.  ^Vhen  this  was 
accomphshed  the  southern  boundary  of  Ulster  was 
pushed  back,  and  followed  the  marches  of  the  counties 
of  Armagh  and  Monaghan  as  far  as  the  Wattle  Bridge 
on  the  Upper  Erne,  and  from  thence  on  through 
Cavan,  Longford,  and  Leitrim  almost  to  Bundoran. 
Mr.  Kane  informs  us  that  he  has  traced  the  Dyke  all 
along  this  line,  and,  in  fact,  right  across  Ireland,  by 

'  Proceedings  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  vol.  xxvii.  Section  C, 
No.  14. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        155 

discovering  portions  still  remaining,  or,  where 
obliterated,  finding  the  country  people  famihar  with 
its  existence  at  some  period.  He  maintains  that  the 
position — that  the  Ditch  was  the  boundary  or  '  Great 
Wall  of  Uhdia,'  which  was  made  to  confine  the  Ulster 
men  after  the  burning  of  Emmania  by  the  three  Collas 
in  332,  when  they  were  restricted  to  the  present  counties 
of  Down  and  Antrim — is  untenable  : 

(1)  Because  the  conclusion  is  based  on  John 
O'Donovan's  opinion,  which  he  subsequently  aban- 
doned, founded  on  a  reference  in  a  manuscript 
(in  the  Library  of  Trinity  College,  Dubhn), 
which  is  as  follows  :  '  On  the  hither  side  of  Gleann 
Eighe  (the  Newry  Valley)  the  boundary  of  Gleanne 
Kighe  was  formed  from  the  Newry  upwards  between 
them  (i.e.  The  Clann  Colla  and  the  Clanna  Rudhraighe), 
and  the  Clanna  Rudraighe  never  returned  across  it 
from  that  time  to  the  present.'  But  it  seems,  according 
to  our  author,  that  O'Donovan  himself  afterwards 
admitted  that  his  theory  was  untenable. 

(2)  Because,  according  to  this  hypothesis,  the 
Dyke  would  have  been  useless  as  *  a  defence  against  the 
defeated  race  of  Ultonians,  or  as  a  means  of  confining 
them  to  the  limits  of  Down  and  Antrim,'  unless  it  had 
continued  along  the  bank  of  the  Newry  river  *  north- 
ward by  the  boundary  of  Uhdia  to  Lough  Neagh,  and 
thence  from  the  north  shore  of  that  lake  by  the  Bann 
to  the  sea.'  ^ 

(3)  Because  those  authorities  who  advocate  this 
view  were  not  aware  of  the  existence  of  the  Dyke 
beyond  Armagh,  whereas  Mr.   Kane  claims  to  have 

'  See  The  Black  Pig's  Dyke,  p.  311. 


156  DONAGHMOEE 

traced  it  right  across  Ireland.  Hence,  according  to 
this  theory,  the  portion  which  runs  through  Donagh- 
more  parish  forms  part  of  the  eastern  terminal  of  the 
boundary  of  the  new  Ulster,  which  can  be  traced 
right  to  Donegal — all  across  Ireland.  Those  who  hold 
that  the  '  Ditch  '  was  the  '  Great  Wall  of  Ulidia  '  con- 
sider that  the  original  construction  is  maintained  at 
Scarva,  where  it  consists  of  '  one  fosse  with  a  Vallum 
on  each  side,'  while  Mr.  Kane  advocates  '  the  possibihty 
of  the  former  existence  of  two  side  fosses  and  a  central 
Vallum  '  at  that  place. 

Donaghmore  Church  having  been  founded  in  a 
pagan  centre  and  '  establishment,'  when  the  chief 
and  his  retainers  adopted  the  Christian  faith 
ttoss^^^*'''  under  the  teaching  of  St.  MacErc,  the  first 
Bishop  of  Donaghmore — what  more  natural 
than  that  their  descendants  at  a  subsequent  period 
should  erect  on  this  historic  and  hallowed  spot  '  St. 
MacErc's  Cross,'  the  symbol  of  the  pure  gospel  he 
taught,  and  which  had  been  the  means  of  their  salva- 
tion from  sin  unto  hoHness  of  hfe  ? 

The  Celtic  Cross  stands  twelve  yards  south  of  the 
church — while  its  base  (as  we  have  seen)  is  the  large 
stone  which  forms  the  lintel  of  the  main  entrance  to 
the  central  chamber  of  the  souterrain.  Here  the  Cross 
stood  for  centuries — without  crack  or  flaw — till  some 
ruthless  and  sacrilegious  hands  half  demolished  it, 
breaking  the  beautiful  shaft  right  across,  while  the 
top  portion — the  cross  with  perforated  collar — was 
hurled  from  its  position,  and  left  sunk  in  an  adjoining 
grave.  Unfortunately  in  this  state  it  had  lain  for  ages, 
probably  since  the  time  of  Cromwell. 


The    Donaghmore    Celtic    Cross. 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        157 

In   1891    the   rector   of   the   parish   summoned   a 

meeting  of  the  select  vestry,  when  it  was  unanimously 

resolved    to    have    the    Cross    completely 

e-erection   j.gg^Q^.g(j_      ^jj^     work    of    restoration    was 

of  the  Cross.  i  i    • 

perfectly  executed,  and  m  a  manner  con- 
sonant with  the  antiquity  of  the  monument. i  In 
addition  to  local  subscriptions,  the  Belfast  Naturalist 
Field  Club,  through  the  kind  offices  of  Canon  Lett, 
gave  a  hberal  grant  towards  the  work  of  restoration. 
According  to  a  popular  tradition  in  the  parish  its 
semi-demohtion  was  the  work  of  King  William  III., 
who,  seeing  the  Cross,  on  his  march  from 
j^j  °^  ~  Loughbrickland  to  Newry,  ordered  his  army 
William  to  halt  and  fire  a  cannon  ball  at  it  :  but 
and  local       ^q  g^j-g  g^^g  ^j^^t  those  of  the  inhabitants 

iconoclast.  ,  «  ii  i      •  •  i 

who  revere  the  glorious,  pious  and 
immortal  memory  '  of  that  good  monarch  will  be 
slow  to  believe  that  he  would  be  guilty  of  such  a 
dastardly  act  of  sacrilege.  Another  local  tradition  is 
to  the  effect  that  the  foul  work  was  accomphshed  by 
an  individual  in  the  vicinity — an  iconoclast — who 
afterwards  went  raving  mad,  and  with  his  latest  breath 
kept  caHing  out  '  0  that  Cross  !  that  Cross  !  '  and 
so  went  to  his  reward. 

The  Celtic  Cross  of  Donaghmore  is  held  on  the 
highest    authority    to    be    the    most    ancient    perfect 

Christian  monument  in  the  County  of 
The  Celtic  Down — while  it  is  said  to  be  upwards  of 
described       ^^^^  years  old.      The  Cross  IS  ten  and  a 

half  feet  high,  and  is  composed  of  three 

'  A  few  years  since  an  old  cross  in  County  Down  was  re-erected 
(in  a  new  position)  with  the  inscription  :  '  Erected  by  the  Town 
Commissioners  '  ! 


158  DONAGHMOKE 

blocks  of  granite,  a  three-stepped  base,  the  shaft,  and 
the  cross  proper.  The  design  is  Irish  or  Celtic,  the 
Hmbs  being  connected  by  a  perforated  collar  or  wheel, 
while  the  entire  surface  was  originally  covered  with  a 
series  of  subjects  illustrating  the  Bible  history,  and 
where  there  was  no  room  for  figures,  the  carving  is  of 
beautiful  Irish  interlaced  work  or  patterns.  Not- 
withstanding the  atmospheric  action  of  so  many  cen- 
turies, these  carvings  are  wonderfully  distinct,  and 
many  of  the  figures  can  be  easily  traced.  Amongst 
the  designs  introduced  on  the  west  face  of  the  Cross  is 
the  Crucifixion,  the  Tree  of  Forbidden  Fruit  with 
Adam  and  Eve  beneath  it,  the  Cherub  with  his  flaming 
sword,  and  Noah's  Ark  in  the  waters  of  the  Flood.  In 
these  we  have  a  short  summary  of  the  entrance  of  sin, 
and  the  way  of  salvation  through  the  Sacrifice  of  the 
Cross.  On  the  east  face  the  carvings  are  more  injured, 
and  difficult  to  decipher,  but  it  is  generally  supposed 
that  they  represent  Christ  seated  in  the  centre  and 
surrounded  by  the  angels  and  saints  at  the  Last  Judg- 
ment in  glory.  On  the  south  face  of  the  shaft  is  a  most 
interesting  panel  representing  a  figure  who  holds  a 
somewhat  triangular  object,  which  is  taken  to  be 
David  with  a  harp,  chanting  the  praises  of  Him  who 
on  the  Cross  hath  redeemed  mankind.  The  whole  is 
most  interesting,  and  historically  valuable,  not  only 
as  exhibiting  an  excellent  work  of  art,  executed  so 
many  centuries  ago,  but  also  in  that  we  have  here 
afforded  us  a  brief  epitome  of  the  Gospel  and  a  record 
in  stone  of  the  pure  simple  faith  of  the  ancient  Irish 
Church. 

It  is  said  our  old  Irish  crosses  were  erected  for  a 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE        159 

twofold  purpose,  as  being  partly  commemorative, 
and  also  as  marking  the  bounds  of  '  the  hallowed 
Twofold  ground.'  An  early  Irish  synod  enacted 
Purposes  of  that  the  bounds  of  holy  places  should 
Erection.  j^^y^  ^i^^^y.  jii^its  marked  out  by  the 
sacred  symbol,  and  an  injunction  was  added  in 
the  following  words  :  '  wherever  you  find  the  Cross 
of  Christ  do  not  do  any  injury.'     Many  authorities 

consider  that  our  ancient  crosses  were  also 
Preadiin^  used  for  illustrated  teaching  purposes  by 
Centres.  °     preachers    at    open-air    services    from    the 

ninth  to  the  twelfth  centuries — when  few 
books  were  to  be  had,  and  none  could  read  except 
the  Clergy — and  even  at  a  much  later  period  we  find 
the  practice  continued. 

The  sculptures  of  the  Crosses  were  '  iconographic,' 
that  is  to  say,  '  they  w^re  intended  to  bring  home  to 
the  minds  of  the  unlettered  people  the  truth  of  rehgion 
and  the  facts  of  scripture  history  by  vivid  illustration.'  i 
Many  crosses  doubtless  became  great  preaching 
centres  in  past  times,   notably  that   of   St.   Paul's, 

London  (recently  restored),  which  in  1387 
St.  Paul's  ^r^s  noted  as  the  place  '  where  the  word 
London.        ^^    ^°*^    ^^^    habitually   preached   to   the 

people.'  These  open-air  services  were 
not  always  conducive  to  the  health  of  the  congrega- 
tions— especially  on  rainy  Sundays,  and  it  is  greatly 
to  be  feared  that  nowadays  the  attendance  on  such 
occasions  would  be  extremely  small — at  least  in  Don- 
aghmore,  were  we  to  preach  at  St,  MacErc's  Cross  ! 
But  doubtless  the  ardent  spirits  who  lived  here  in 

'  Joyce,  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  567. 


160  DONAOmiORE 

bygone  times  were  never  absent  on  that  score.  Bishop 
Latimer  complained  for  reasons  other  than  that  of  the 
inclement  weather — indeed  the  '  dog  days  '  of  summer 
and  the  presence  of  not  a  few  of  '  the  miwashed  '  in 
the  great  concourse,  may  have  contributed  to  the  cause 
of  his  murmur.  He  tells  us  :  '  Many  a  man  taketh  his 
death  in  St.  Paul's  Churchyard,  and  this  I  speak  of 
experience;  for  I  myself  when  I  have  been  there  in  some 
mornings  to  hear  the  sermons,  have  felt  such  an 
ill-favoured  unwholesome  savour  that  I  was  the  worse 
of  it  for  a  great  while  after.'  We  can  form  some  con- 
ception of  the  immense  numbers  who  flocked  to  St. 
Paul's  Cross  to  hear  the  preachers  from  the  following 
portion  of  a  letter  of  Jewell  to  Peter  Mart}^' :  '  You 
may  now  sometimes  see  at  St.  Paul's  Cross,  after  the 
service,  6,000  persons,  old  and  young,  of  both  sexes, 
all  singing  together  and  praising  God.'  Even  Eoyalty 
attended  at  times,  and  had  the  temerity  on  an  occasion 
to  reprimand  the  preacher.  Queen  Elizabeth  was 
present  on  a  certain  Ash  Wednesday  when  the  preacher 
did  not  seem,  to  Her  Majesty  quite  orthodox  on  the 
subject  of  images.  '  Leave  that  alone  !  '  shouted  the 
Queen  ;  '  to  your  text,  Mr.  Dean  !  ' 

The  Irish  Celtic  cross  differs  from  the  Greek  and 
Latin  crosses  in  the  pecuHarity  that  the  hmbs  are 
Irish  Celtic  connected  by  a  perforated  collar  or  wheel. 
Cross  differs  This  particular  design  of  cross  was  early 
from  Greek  developed  in  Ireland,  and  was  the  only 
and  Roman.  ^-^^^^^  adopted  by  the  Irish  Church  till 
the  twelfth  century.  Our  ancient  Celtic  crosses, 
of  which  there  are  about  fifty-six  in  Ireland, 
bear   strong   testimony   to    the    skill   and    workman- 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE       161 

ship  of  Irish  stone-carvers  in  the  early  centuries, 
and  while  no  longer  used  as  illustrative  preaching 
centres,  they  are  still  in  a  sense  commemorative, 
and  besides  mark  out  the  '  sacred  precincts.'  They 
are  also  eloquent,  though  silent,  witnesses  to  the 
Scriptural  gospel  taught  by  the  clergy  in  the  early 
centuries,  while,  at  the  same  time,  they  bear  their 
constant  testimony  to  the  fact  that  the  ancient  Irish 
Church  was  independent  of  either  the  Greek  or  Eoman 
Communion.  '  These  Irish  crosses  are  of  a  type  quite 
distinct  from  either  that  of  the  Latin  or  Greek  crosses  ; 
and  as  their  form  is  pecuHar  to  Ireland,  they  stand 
silent  witnesses  to  the  fact  that  the  Irish  Church  was 
equally  independent  of  both  the  Eastern  (Greek)  and 
Western  (Roman)  Churches  during  the  time  of  their 
erection,  which  took  place  probably  from  the  seventh 
to  the  twelfth  century.'  i 

Among  the  MS.  letters  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,^ 
containing  information  relative  to  the  county  of 
J  ,  Down,  collected  during  the  progress  of  the 

O'Donovan's  Ordnance  Survey  in  1834,  there  is  one 
Visit  to  from  John  O'Donovan,  LL.D.,  the  cele- 
Donaghmore.  ^^^.^^^^  j^-^j^  scholar,  who  was  employed  to 
collect  and  ascertain  the  correct  place-names,  dated 
from  Newry  on  April  10  of  that  year,  in  which  is  the 
following  reference  to  the  parish  of  Donaghmore  : 

'  I  travelled  yesterday  through  the  Parish  of 
Donaghmore  and  discovered  one  of  the  aborigines 
100  years  old  and  on  the  point  of  death.     He  is  blind 

'  Macbeth,  Story  of  Ireland  and  her  Church,  p.  95. 
'  Ordnance  Survey  MSS. 


162  DONAGHMOEE 

and  tlioagh  in  the  most  feeble  state  he  retains  his 
reasoning  powers  in  a  most  sm-prising  manner.  He  is 
intimately  acquainted  with  every  field  in  the  Parish  of 
Donaghmore,  where  he  was  employed  for  half  a  century 
as  a  Baihff.  He  was  able  to  give  me  the  ancient  name 
of  every  townland  in  the  Parish  in  the  most  satisfactory 
manner.  I  travelled  through  fields  and  frequented 
ways  until  at  last  I  discovered  him  in  a  little  cabin 
lamenting  his  transgressions  and  preparing  for  death. 
When  I  mentioned  the  name  Mr.  Glenny,  he  attended 
to  me  with  the  most  profound  respect  and  seemed  for 
a  short  time  to  forget  his  impending  dissolution. 
I  certainly  was  very  shy  in  disturbing  him,  but  as 
there  was  no  substitute  for  him  I  made  bold  to 
examine  or  not  whether  he  had  sufficient  discern- 
ment to  understand  what  I  was  about.  He 
understood  me  immediately  and  answered  the 
questions  I  proposed  him  with  great  readiness. 
Several  persons  of  whom  I  enquired  the  way  to 
his  house  told  me  that  he  was  dead  "  this  many 
and  many  a  year."  I  had  to  return  in  the  dark, 
and  being  far  off  the  main  road  to  Newry  it  was 
with  difficulty  I  made  my  way  back.  I  tore  my 
trousers  across  with  the  brambles.' 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  only  reference  O'Donovan 
makes  in  his  letter  to  anything  of  an  '  antiquarian  ' 
nature  on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  the  parish  is  that 
in  the  shape  of  a  centenarian,  but  evidently  his 
province  did  not  go  beyond  the  collection  of  correct 
place-names.  At  any  rate,  the  souterrains  were  not 
discovered  till  three  months    after  the  date  of  this 


ANTIQUITIES  OF  DONAGHMOEE       163 

letter;  and  besides,  he  did  not  visit  the  western 
portion  of  tlie  parish,  through  which  runs  the  Great 
Wall  of  Uhdia,  while  probably  he  never  set  eyes 
on  the  Celtic  Cross — then  in  its  semi-demolished 
condition. 


M  2 


CHAPTER  IV 

DONAGHMORE    PARISH    CHURCH 

The  Church  of  Ireland,  founded  by  St.  Patrick,  has 
now  existed  for  almost  fifteen  centuries,  and  is  still 
„.  ,    .    ,      the  same  identical  Church  that  she  was  in 

Historical         ,         ,       .       .  t^      •  n     i 

Continuity  the  begmnmg.  Durnig  all  her  varymg 
of  the  fortunes  and  eventful  history,  her  historical 

Church.  continuity  has  remained  unbroken,  her 
ancient  episcopate  has  been  preserved  in  one  unbroken 
line  of  succession  from  the  first,  and  especially  was 
such  guarded  and  maintained  in  the  sixteenth  century, 
when  the  liturgy,  as  set  forth  in  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  displaced  the  Latin  Service  Book  ;  for  it  must 
be  remembered  that  all  the  bishops  of  the  Irish  Church 
at  the  time  (with  but  two  dissentients,  who  were 
deprived,  and  their  sees  filled  by  bishops  who  con- 
formed) acquiesced  and  took  the  Oath  of  Supremacy. 
These  bishops,  numbering  about  twenty,  remained  in 
their  several  sees,  and  from  them  the  present  bishops  of 
the  Church  of  Ireland  have  '  derived  their  order.'  i 
Hence,  holding  the  apostolic  commission,  and  being 
built  upon  the  foimdation  of  the  apostles,  the  Church 
of  Ireland  has  continued  in  their  faith  and  fellowship, 
and  remains  a  branch  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church. 

>  See  King's  Church  History  of  Ireland,  p.  761. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHUECH   165 

In  Donaghmore  there  is  a  special  bond  of  unity  of 
the  church  of  to-day  with  that  of  the  past.  God  is 
worshipped  on  almost  the  same  hallowed  spot  on 
which  the  first  humble  temple  in  the  parish  was 
dedicated  to  his  service  so  many  long  centuries  ago. 

According  to  Bishop  Reeves,  the  eminent  Irish 
scholar,  antiquary,  and  ecclesiastic,  Donaghmore 
church  was  founded  about  the  middle  of 
Cenfur  *^^®  ^^^^^  century,  and  hence  is  one  of  the 

Foundation  oldest  churches  in  Ireland.!  Authorities 
of  the  inform    us    that    all    churches    in    Ireland 

a  Rath  "'  (about  forty)  that  bear  the  name  of  Domnach 
— or,  in  the  anglicised  form,  Donagh — were 
founded  by  St.  Patrick,  who  marked  their  foundations 
on  the  Lord's  Day,  and  hence  we  may  conclude  that  the 
Irish  Apostle  was  the  founder  of  Domnach-mor  (the 
*  great  church  ').  The  church  was  founded  in  a  rath, 
which  was  of  large  dimensions  and  doubtless  a  great 
pagan  centre.  St.  Patrick  would  naturally  take  advan- 
tage of  the  circumstances  by  preaching  the  gospel  to  the 
chief  and  his  retainers,  for  whom,  on  their  conversion, 
he  founded  the  church  in  their  midst.  According 
to  Aengus  the  Culdee,  St.  Mac  Ere  was 
'  the  first  Bishop  of  Domnach-mor,  which 
must  have  been  about  a.d.  450.  Bishop  Mac  Ere 
was  brother  of  the  celebrated  St.  ]\Iochey  of  Aendrum, 
or  Inis  Mochey  (Mohee  Island  in  Strangford  Lough), 
who  died  a.d.  497  (we  are  told)  at  an  advanced  age. 
Hence  he  was  a  member  of  the  family  of  Milcon  to 
whom  St.  Patrick  was  in  bondage  in  the  valley  of  the 
Braid,  near  Slemish  mountain,  in  the  county  of  Antrim, 
'  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities  of  Down,  Connor  and  Dromore. 


166  DONAGHMOBE 

and  doubtless  owed  his  conversion  to  the  patron  saint 
of  Ireland.  His  parentage  and  kindred  are  noticed 
by  Aengus  in  his  tract  '  De  Matribus  Sanctorum 
Hiberniae,'  quoted  by  Bishop  Reeves,  as  follows : 
'  Bronach,  daughter  of  Milcon,  with  whom  Patrick 
was  in  bondage,  was  the  mother  of  Mochae  of  Aendrum, 
or  of  Aendrum  of  Loch  Cuan  :  and  of  Comraire  of 
Uisneach,  in  Meath  :  and  of  Manchan  of  Liath  Man- 
chan,  in  Dealbhna  Beathra  :  and  of  Colman  jVIinlinn 
of  Daire  Chaechain  in  Dalriada  :  and  of  Bishop  Mac 
Ere  of  Domnach-mor  of  Moy  Coba,'  &cJ  It  should 
be  noted  that  Bishop  Mac  Ere  must  not  be  confounded 
with  the  St.  Mac  Ere  who  flourished  at  Slane,  co. 
Meath,  and  was  a  native  of  that  place.  It  will  thus  be 
observed  that  .Domnach-mor  had  its  own 

fnTTHbal  ^^^^.°P  '  ^'^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^  unusual  in  the  old 
Episcopacy.  Celtic  church  owing  to  its  monastic  and 
tribal  character.  Some  of  our  readers 
may  doubtless  be  a  httle  surprised  to  find  that  Donagh- 
more  should  have  been  honoured  with  a  bishop,  while 
other  churches  at  the  time  were  less  favoured  in  this 
respect,  and  hence  we  may  briefly  explain  the  condition 
of  things  which  gave  rise  to  what  some  might  consider 
an  anomaly.  Indeed  the  ancient  Irish  church  presents 
us  with  a  curious  phase  of  religious  society,  which  it 
is  to  be  feared  many  misunderstand,  because  ignorant 
of  the  social  and  political  institutions  of  the  time, 
and  of  their  effect  upon  early  church  organisation  in 
Ireland.  ^  It  must,  however,  suffice  to  state,  that  the 
organisation  of  both  church  and  monastery  was  entirely 
modelled  on  the  civil  system  of  the  time,  which  was 

'  Eccksiastical  Antiquities,  p.  189. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH   167 

of  course  tribal,  and  consequently  tribal  customs 
pervaded  all  ecclesiastical  arrangements.  As  there 
was  the  tribe  of  the  chieftain,  so  there  was  modelled 
on  it  the  tribe  of  the  saint ;  and  both  chieftainship  and 
saintship  ran  in  famihes,  the  famihes  themselves 
expanding  into  tribes.  Hence  in  Ireland  episcopacy 
adapted  itself  to  the  civil  conditions  it  found  in  th? 
country,  just  as  it  did  in  the  Latin  church,  where  it 
was  modelled  after  the  Roman  civil  organisation — 
which,  of  course,  did  not  prevail  here,  the  Romans 
never  having  conquered  Ireland.  Hence  the  early  Irish 
bishops  were  not  diocesan  (a  much  later  development), 
but  rather  monastic  and  tribal,  having  been  attached 
to  the  monasteries,  the  tribes,  and  to  the  cathedral 
centres.  Indeed,  monastic  and  tribal  episcopacy  pre- 
vailed in  Ireland  down  to  the  commg  of  the  Normans, 
and  even  afterwards  made  strenuous  and  successful 
efforts  to  assert  itself ;  as,  for  example,  in  the  case  of 
Glendalough,  where,  we  are  told,  the  Celtic  bishops 
(the  bishops  of  the  O'Byrnes  and  the  O'Tooles) 
held  on  in  defiance  of  either  King  or  Pope,  and 
continued  unsuppressed  till  the  close  of  the  fifteenth 
century. 

Domnach-Mor    was    what    might  be    termed    a 

*  monastic  church,'   and  hence  had  its  bishop  ;    but 

its   monasticism    at    first  was    probably    of    a    very 

primitive  and  incipient  type ;    for  as  yet 

Donaghmore  ^,  ,         ,  .  c       J.^  l 

a  Monastic  ^^e  development  of  the  system,  as 
Church:  we  find  it  in  the  sixth  and  seventh 
Irish  centuries,  had    scarcely  even  commenced. 

1  onaa  icisra.  ^^    ^^^^^    ^^    ^^^^^    although    there    were 

monastic  institutions  of  a  sort,  St.  Patrick  and  his 


168  DONAGHMOEE 

missionaries  were  (as  Archbishop  Healy  remarks) 
'  too  full  of  missionary  labours  to  be  given  to  the 
government  or  foundation  of  monasteries.'  i  The 
early  Irish  monasteries  had  scarcely  anything  in 
common  with  those  of  modern  times.  St.  Patrick  in- 
troduced the  system  into  Ireland,  borrowed  from  that 
of  Gaul  and  Britain  with  which  he  had  been  familiar, 
but  in  a  modified  form,  to  suit  the  condition  of  the 
country,  which  was  mostly  pagan  at  the  time,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  of  there  having  been  an  Irish  pre- 
Patrician  Christianity.  Hence  the  system  adopted  here 
was  different  from  that  which  obtained  in  countries 
which  were  largely  Christian,  where  sanctity  of  life 
was  the  chief  consideration.  Pagan  Ireland  had  to  be 
converted  to  Christianity,  and  while  personal  holiness 
was  of  no  less  moment  on  the  part  of  those  forming  the 
Community,  yet  combined  with  it  was  another  prime 
consideration,  viz.  the  conversion  of  the  Irish,  and 
their  instruction  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  faith. 
The  primitive  Irish  monasteries  were  great  missionary 
and  educational  centres  as  well  as  establishments  where 
good  men  devoted  themselves  to  the  cultivation  of 
personal  holiness  and  sanctity  of  life.  '  The  early  mon- 
asteries in  Ireland  partook  somewhat  of  the  character 
of  a  college  of  canons,  a  cathedral  chapter  responsible 
for  missionary  work  and  priestly  functions  in  the 
surrounding  districts.  They  were  centres  of  light 
and  civilisation  amidst  the  prevailing  darkness  of 
paganism.'  - 

It  would  be  a  mistake,  however,  to  suppose  that  at 

'  IrelavfTn  Ancient  Schools  and  Scholars,  p.  146. 
"  Macbelh,  Ireland  mid  her  Church,  p.  57. 


DONAGHMORE  PAEISH  CHUECH    169 

this  early  stage  missionary  work  was  carried  on  solely 
by  the  monastic  bishops  and  those  associated  with 
them.  Indeed  it  would  seem  that  the  clergy  who, 
dming  this  period,  laboured  to  spread  the  gospel  had 
for  the  most  part  no  connection  whatever  with  the 
monasteries,  viz.  the  clergy  of  district  churches  (there 
were  no  parishes)  and  their  bishops — i.e.  the  tribal 
bishops.  Dr.  Joyce,  who  probably  knows  as  much 
about  the  matter  as  most  people,  though  not  an  eccle- 
siastic, thus  informs  us  :  '  During  the  century  and  a 
quarter  following  St.  Patrick's  arrival,  i.e.  from  a.d.  432 
to  about  559,  the  clergy  who  laboured  to  spread  the 
faith  among  the  people  appear  to  have  been  for  the 
most  part  unconnected  with  monasteries.'  i  These 
ecclesiastics,  as  our  author  further  explains,  corre- 
sponded to  our  modern  parochial  clergy,  while  their 
bishops  were  those  connected  with  the  tribes. 
Hence  a  tribal  bishop  would  have  all  the  district 
churches  in  the  country  occupied  by  the  tribe 
under  his  jurisdiction — a  tribal  arrangement,  by 
the  way,  which  '  contained  the  germs  of  diocesan 
distribution.' 

For  aught  we  know,  St.  Mac  Ere  was  both  bishop 
and    abbot   of    Domnach-Mor — the    two  offices  being 

frequently  combined  in  the  same  person. 
Bishop  of  jj^  g^gg  ^-^g  offices  were  held  by  different 
Mor!^^°        individuals,  the  abbot  ruled  (though  at  the 

time  he  was  not  obhged  to  be  even  in  priest's 
orders),  but  the  bishop  was  superior  in  respect  of 
the  episcopal  and  other  spiritual  functions,  such  as 
ordaining,  &c. 

'  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  319. 


170  DONAGHMORE 

It  may  be  noted  that  besides  Domnach-Mor,  other 

churches  of   a  Hke  character    (now  in   the  diocese  of 

Dromore)  had  formerly  bishops.      The  fol- 

Bishop  and   iQ^y^j^gr  jg  g,  jig^  of  bishops  of  such  churches 

OlnircliGS 

incorporated  Subsequently  incorporated  with  the  diocese 
with  tiie  of  Dromore  :  450,  St.  Mac  Ere,  of  Domnach- 
DromOTe"^  Mor ;  540,  Colman,  of  Dromore;  803, 
Thomas,  of  Linnduachaill  (Magheralin)  ; 
972,  Maolbrigid  MacCathasaigh,  of  Dromore;  1101, 
Eigan,  of  Dromore.  ^ 

We  find  a  tradition  to  the  effect  that  Donaghmore 
church  was  owned  by  the  Culdees — an  ancient 
Order  of  the  church  that  flourished  and 
Donaghmore  jj.^^|  ^^  college  at  Armagh.  The  tradition  is 
the^Culdees.  undoubtedly  founded  on  fact ;  for,  accord- 
ing to  the  '  Book  of  Armagh,'  every  church 
and  place  which  '  Donmiicus  appellatur  '  (which  in- 
cluded Donaghmore)  belonged  to  the  special  society  of 
St.  Patrick  and  his  cathedral  at  Armagh.  The  special 
society  of  St.  Patrick  at  Armagh  was  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  the  Cathedral,  which  constituted  the 
college,  and  owned  the  several  churches  (and  properties) 
connected  therewith.  Possibl}^  this  prior  Culdee  owner- 
ship accounts  for  the  fact  that  Domnach-Mor  church 
(although  in  the  diocese  of  Dromore),  and  the  church 
lands,  were  connected  with  the  See  of  Armagh  up  till 
the  disestablishment  of  the  Irish  Church.  Bishop 
Reeves  informs  us  that  '  The  manor  of  Donaghmore 
in  the  County  of  Down,  and  Diocese  of  Dromore,  with 
the  Rectory  and  Advowson  of  St.  Mac  Erc's  church 
thereon,  has  been  connected  with  the  See  of  Armagh 

'  See  Ewart's  Handbook,  United  Dioceses,  p.  13. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH   171 

from  time  immemorial,  and  is  probably  one  of  the 
earliest  endowments  of  it.'  i  Possibly  some  Arch- 
bishop of  Armagh  may  have  seized  this  property  on 
the  demise  of  the  Culdees,  for  himself  and  his  successors 
who  held  it  up  till  the  year  of  our  Lord  1876.  In 
regard  to  these  lands  (which  of  course  included  the 
church)  Bishop  Reeves  tells  us  that  they  became 
*  Episcopal  property,  as  was  usually  the  case  with 
churches  which  were  the  seats  of  Bishops,  and  for 
some  reason  now  unknown,  were  annexed,  not  to  the  see 
of  Dromore,  but  to  that  of  Armagh.'  ~  The  late  Canon 
Scott  of  Belfast,  a  good  authority  on  Church  property, 
gives  (letter  to  writer)  the  following  reason  for  the 
annexation  to  the  see  of  Armagh,  namely :  that 
'  Armagh  had  special  claims  to  St.  Patrick's  churches 
(and  their  properties)  all  over  Ireland,  and  in  many 
cases  got  them.'  At  any  rate  the  Primate  became  the 
possessor  of  this  property,  which  was  subsequently 
created  into  the  '  Manor  of  Donaghmore,  contayning 
twelve  townes  and  one  Rectorie.'  We  are  sorry  for  the 
poor  diocese  of  Dromore  having  been  ignored  in  the 
matter.  This  property  would  have  added  consider- 
ably to  its  income  (which  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
fifteenth  century  was  only  about  £40  !)  and  induced 
its  early  bishops  to  remain  in  the  diocese — many  of 
whom,  it  seems,  owing  to  its  poverty  never  saw  it ! 
It  is  to  be  hoped  the  rich  Primate  did  not  fare  so 
sumptuously  in  those  days  as  did  a  certain  Archbishop 
of  York  (certainly  the  poor  Bishop  of  Dromore  did  not  !) 
who    gave    a    dinner    party    in    1468 — of   which    the 

'  The  Primacy  of  Armagh,  p.  9. 
-  Antiquities,  p.  306. 


172  DONAGHMOEE 

following  are  the  details  :  300  quarters  of  meat,  380 
tuns  of  ale,  10  tuns  of  wine,  1  pipe  of  spiced  wine,  8  fat 
oxen,  6  wild  bulls,  1004  sheep,  8,000  hogs,  800  calves, 
3,000  geese,  3,000  capons,  300  pigs,  100  peacocks,  200 
cranes,  200  kids,  2,000  chickens,  4,000  pigeons,  4,000 
rabbits,  204  bitterns,  4,000  ducks,  400  herons,  200 
pheasants,  500  partridges,  4,000  woodcock,  400  plover, 
100  curlew,  100  quails,  100  parrots,  200  roes,  400 
bucks,  5,506  venison  pasties,  5,000  dishes  of  jelly, 
6,000  custards,  300  pike,  300  bream,  8  teals,  4  por- 
poises, 400  tarts  !  There  were  1,000  servitors,  62  cooks, 
and  515  scullions  engaged.  We  are  still  more  sorry 
for  the  poor  parish  of  Donaghmore  which,  in  truth, 
had  the  best  claim  to  its  own  ecclesiastical  property, 
given  it,  at  an  early  period,  by  some  pious  chief  or 
native  prince  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  the  church 
and  its  teaching  in  this  particular  place  ;  and  to  divert 
it  from  the  use  for  which  it  was  intended  was  simply 
a  violation  of  the  conditions  of  the  gift,  while  the  aliena- 
tion, so  far  as  the  Donaghmore  church  is  concerned, 
was  nothing  short  of  an  act  of  confiscation.  But  the 
church  here  did  not  suffer  alone  in  this  respect.  Parish 
churches  in  bygone  times  were  robbed  both  right  and 
left,  even  with  the  consent  of  the  ecclesiastical  authori- 
ties, and  their  endowments  taken  from  them  to  enrich 
the  cathedrals,  the  bishoprics  (when  diocesan  episco- 
pacy was  introduced),  and  the  rehgious  Orders. 

It  may  be  asked  who  were  the  Culdees,  who  owned 

the  church  of  Donaghmore  and  its  lands  ?     Bishop 

Reeves  derives  the  name  from  the  Celtic 

Cele-de,    Servus  Dei — (anghcised,    Culdee), 

which  Blunt    informs  us    was   afterwards   corrected, 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHUECH        178 

in  the  Pope's  style,  into  Servus  Servorum  Dei.  The 
latter  authority  tells  us  that  *  their  tendency  was 
to  secularise  religious  offices  and  endowments  rather 
than  to  keep  up  strictness  of  life  '  ^ ;  while,  according 
to  Dr.  Joyce,  they  were  '  distinguished  for  unusual 
austerity  and  holiness  of  life.'  ~ 

Surely  we  must  be  convinced  of  this  '  unusual 
austerity '  when  we  think  of  St.  Domangard  (St. 
Donard),  who  belonged  to  the  Order,  early 
in  the  sixth  century,  building  his  little 
stone  hermitage  on  the  highest  peak  (subsequently 
called  in  his  honour  '  Slieve  Donard  ')  of  the  mountains 
of  Beanna  Boirche  (now  the  Mourne  Mountains),  where 
amid  winter's  snows  and  summer's  heat,  for  many 
long  years,  in  '  awful  solitude  he  lived  and  communed 
with  God  '  ;  though  we  consider  this  holy  man  would 
have  exhibited  a  much  purer  type  of  religion,  if,  while 
keeping  himself  '  unspotted  from  the  world,'  he  had 
come  down  from  his  lofty  retreat  and  condescended 
to  ■  visit  the  widows  and  fatherless  in  their 
affliction '  round  about  the  mountains  of  Beanna 
Boirche  ! 

There  is  a  popular  behef  that  the  monks  of  later 
history  '  ate  and  drank  well '  ;  but  we  must  not  accuse 
St.  Donard  of  either  dehnquency,  if  we  are  to 
judge  from  the  simple  fare  to  which  he  treated  the 
congregation  of  his  church  of  Maghera  (close  to 
Slieve  Donard)  every  Easter  Tuesday,  viz.  '  a 
pitcher  of  ale  and  a  larac  or  leg  of  beef  with  its 
accompaniments.' 

'  See  '  Culdees,'  Dictionary  of  Sects. 
-  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  357. 


174  DONAGHMOKE 

The  Culdees  undoubtedly  believed  in  and  practised 
austerity  in  every  sense  of  the  term.     Bishop  Mac  Ere 

of  Slane,  who  was  a  Culdee,  dined  every 
Bishop  evening  on  '  an  egg  and  a  half,  and  three 

of^Sl^e!       sprigs  of  the  cresses  of  the  Boyne.'     It  is 

to  be  feared  His  Grace  of  York  (to  whom 
we  have  referred)  would  have  '  turned  up  his  nose  ' 
at  such  unsumptuous  fare  !  Bishop  Mac  Ere  of  Slane, 
however,  was  probably  satisfied  with  his  modest  fare, 
of  which  he  was  not  unmindful  that  there  should  be  a 
plentiful  supply  (so  far  as  eggs  were  concerned),  for, 
according  to  an  old  legend,  the  good  man  '  kept  a  flock 
of  geese  to  lay  eggs  for.  him,'  which  by  the  way  reminds 
us,  that  much  depends  upon  the  size  oi  the  egg  in  com- 
puting the  dimensions  of  the  Saint's  dinner  ! 

There  were  seven  or  eight  other  Culdee  establish- 
ments in  Ireland  besides  that  at  Armagh,  but  the 
latter  seems  to  have  been  the  most  important.  In 
920  Godfrey,  son  of  Ivor  the  Dane,  plundered  Armagh, 
but  he  spared  the  Culdees,  their  oratories  and  the  sick 
('  Annals  of  Ulster  ').  It  is  Hkely  that  Donaghmore 
was  eventually  reduced  to  a  simple  benefice  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Dean  and  Chapter  at  Armagh,  which 
could  be  held  on  certain  conditions  by  any  member  of 
the  Order,  as  we  find  from  a  sentence  (quoted  by 
Ussher)  of  an  Archbishop  of  Armagh,  in  1445,  to 
the  effect  that,  '  the  office  of  prior  or  an  inferior  Culdee 
not  being  accounted  a  cure  of  souls,  may  be  held  with 
any  other  benefice,  provided  the  holder  keep  due 
residence  in  the  church  of  Armagh.'  i  The  Order 
continued  to  exist,  though  of  much  diminished  im- 

^  See  Blunt's  Dictionary  of  Sects. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHUECH        175 

portance  (acting  in  the  inferior  capacity  of  vicars 
choral  of  the  Cathedral),  until  the  time  of  Archbishop 
Ussher,  who  informs  us  that  in  his  day  the  vicars 
choral  of  Armagh  and  those  of  the  collegiate  church  of 
Cluaiiguish  (Clones)  were  Colidei,  and  that  the  chief 
of  them  (the  Prior)  served  as  precentor  of  the 
Cathedral. 

Donaghmore  church  was  originally  dedicated 
to    St.   Mac   Ere,   who   was    practically   its   founder, 

inasmuch  as  he  laid  the  foundation  of 
Dedications   ^^®    Spiritual    Superstructure   and    built  it 

up.  It  was  the  rule  in  the  Celtic  Church  to 
dedicate  to  the  local  saint,  as  in  the  case  of  Bishop 
Mac  Ere,  and  hence  such  dedications  were  more  than 
mere  memorials.  They  were  footprints,  indicating  that 
where  the  church  is,  there,  as  a  rule,  the  saint  had 
been,  and  so  his  name  was  naturally  and  rightly 
linked  with  the  church  he  established.  It  seems 
such  local  dedications  were  generally  discouraged 
where  the  Roman  Communion  prevailed,  conse- 
cration to  the  Apostles  or  the  Blessed  Virgin  being 
preferred. 

But  we  cannot  '  throw  stones  '  at  that  Communion, 
for  our  own  did  worse.  It  actually,  in  two  instances 
at  least  in  the  diocese  of  Dromore,  in  dedicating  anew, 
erased  the  name  of  the  local  saint—  altogether  forgetting 
his  memory  and  his  work.  The  reason  of  the  change 
is  to  us  wholly  inexphcable,  while  it  is  to  be  deeply 
regretted.  When  the  present  church  edifice  was 
consecrated  in  1741,  the  title  of  the  church  of  St. 
Bartholomew  was  substituted  for  that  of  St.  Mac  Ere. 
We    wonder    what    St.  Bartholomew    ever    did    for 


178  DONAGHMOEE 

Donaghmore  !  The  cathedral  church  of  the  diocese 
(Dromore)  has  been  affected  in  the  same  way.  It  was 
originally  called  St.  Colman's  alter  its  founder  and 
first  bishop,  but  subsequently  took  the  name  of  the 
'  Cathedral  of  Christ  the  Kedeemer,  of  Dromore.' 

The  original  church  of  Donaghmore  stood  about 
sixty  feet  south  of  the  present  edifice,  which  must  have 

been  in  close  proximity  to  the  spot  where 
The  Original  ^^j^g  qJ^  Celtic  Cross  was  erected  in  memory  of 
Edifice  of  St.MacErc.  Nothing  is  now  known  in  regard 
Donagh-  to  its  proportions  or  architecture,  save  what 
more :  Early  j^^y  ]^q  learnt  about  Irish  churches  gener- 
Architecture.  ^^^J  ^^  ^^®  time.     All  St.  Patrick's  churches 

were,  it  seems,  marked  out  on  a  uniform 
scale,  and  measured  from  sixty  to  one  hundred  feet. 
Primitive  Irish  churches  generally  were  built  after  the 
same  model,  though  chapels  for  private  or  family  uses 
were  much  smaller,  as  e.g.  St.  MacDara's  little  church, 
on  the  island  called  after  that  saint,  off  the  coast  of 
Galway,  the  interior  of  which  measures  only  fifteen  by 
eleven  feet.  Donaghmore  church  being  founded  in  a 
rath,  was  built  of  wood,  as  were  the  other  buildings 
within  the  enclosure  or  rampart.  Indeed  it  was 
customary  to  construct  all  churches  of  this  material 
after  the  fashion  of  the  country  at  the  time.  Camp- 
neys,  who  is  undoubtedly  one  of  our  best  authorities 
on  Irish  ecclesiastical  architecture,  informs  us  that 
the  earliest  Irish  churches  were  built  with  a  pair  of 
'  crucks  '  or  bent  timbers  joined  to  form  an  inverted 
fork  at  either  end  of  the  building,  and  united  to  each 
other  by  a  ridge  beam  ;  they  were  walled  with  wattles 
or  boards,  and  thatched  with  reeds,  rushes  or  straw. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHURCH        177 

Stone  churches  (our  author  tells  us)  were  for  a  long 
time  most  exceptional  in  Ireland,  the  *  Irish '  as 
opposed  to  the  '  Roman  '  fashion  being  to  '  build  in 
wood.'  According  to  The  Venerable  Bede,  St.  Finan, 
an  Irish  monk  of  lona,  erected  a  church  at  Lindisfarne 
in  652,  which  though,  he  tells  us,  fitting  for  the  see  of 
a  bishop,  '  was  built  entirely  in  the  Irish  fashion,  not 
of  stone  but  of  cut  oak,  and  thatched  with  reeds.' 

The  early  churches  in  Ireland  were  rectangular, 
never  cruciform  in  shape,  which,  we  are  told,  became 
a  '  national  tradition  there  for  churches  small  or 
large,'  while  owing  to  the  material  and  shape  there 
were  no  apses,  the  east  end  being  square.  '  In  England 
there  was  a  long  rivalry  between  the  apse  (derived  from 
Italy)  and  the  square-ended  form  of  church  introduced 
by  the  Irish  missionaries.'  i  It  is  said  on  some 
authority  that  the  roof-shaped  top  which  surmounts 
the  Celtic  Cross  in  the  churchyard  was  the  pattern 
of  the  ancient  Irish  church-roof.  Ii  so,  we  can 
form  some  conception,  as  regards  shape,  of  the 
covering  of  the  sacred  edifice  where  the  gospel  was  first 
preached  in  Donaghmore.  It  was  almost  universally 
the  custom  from  the  time  of  St.  Patrick  onwards  to 
build  the  churches  east  and  west  (as  at  Donaghmore) 
and  very  seldom  north  and  south.  As  an  example  of 
the  latter — north  and  south — it  may  be  noted  that 
the  very  first  church  in  which  St.  Patrick  celebrated 
divine  service — viz.  '  the  sahall  (saul)  or  barn  given  him 
by  Dichu  at  Saul,  happened  to  be  in  this  direction. '  ^ 

'  See  Arthur  Champneys'  Irish  Ecchsiastical  Architecture, 
pp.  27-8. 

^  See  Joyce's  Social  History,  vol.  i.  p.  358. 


178  DONAGHMORE 

The  primitive  wooden  churches  of  Ireland  had  no 
aisles,  and  were  very  simple  and  unpretentious  ; 
but  after  a  time  large  and  imposing  edifices  were  built 
of  stone,  often  elaborately  adorned  with  rich  carvings 
in  stone  and  wood— the  yew  tree  being  in  request— 
a  species  of  Avood  on  which  Irish  carvers  exercised  their 
art  in  the  highest  perfection  (see  infra,  Armagh 
Cathedral).  According  to  Champneys,  the  '  first 
definite  authentic  mention  of  a  stone  church  '  that 
he  knows  of  belongs  to  the  year  789,  when  the  '  Annals 
of  the  Four  Masters  '  record  that  in  a  fight  at  Armagh 
a  man  was  killed  '  in  the  door  of  the  stone  oratory.'  i 
We  read  of  '  the  stone  church '  at  Armagh  being 
burnt  in  840,  in  996,  and  again  in  1020— when  '  Ard- 
Macha  was  all  burned  ' — including  '  the  great  Damliac 
(stone  church).'  - 

A  description  of  this   venerable  historical  church 

(Armagh   Cathedral,  founded    by  St.   Patrick)    as    it 

appeared  in  the  early  portion  of  the  thir- 

Armagh        teenth  century  may  interest  some  of  our 

Cathedral  in  ,  *    <  •  ^    •  l       l  ' 

i3(.l^Qgj^^m.y  readers.    A    curious  and  nnportant  poem 

by  a  distinguished  Ulster  poet  ('  Book  of 
Tearan  Connaill  ')  who  flourished  between  the  years 
1220  and  1250  thus  describes  it : 


The  church  of  Armagh,  of  the  poUshed  walls, 
Is  not  smaller  than  three  churches  ; 
The  foundation  of  this  conspicuous  church 
Is  one  solid,  indestructible  rock. 


Irish  Ecclesiastical  Architecture,  p.  36. 
Annals  of  the  Four  Masters. 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHUECH    179 

*  A  capacious  shrine  of  chiselled  stone, 

With  ample  oaken  shingles  covered  ; 

Well  hath  its  polished  sides  been  warmed 

With  lime  as  white  as  plume  of  swans. 


'  Upon  the   arches  of  this  white-walled  church, 
Are  festooned  clusters  of  rosey  grapes, 
From  ancient  yew  profusely  carved  ; 
This  place  where  books  are  freely  read.'  ' 

The  early  church  towers  were  round,  and  detached 
from  the  church  edifice.  The  '  Round  Towers  '  of 
Ireland  were  really  ecclesiastical  in  their 
Churdi  origin,  and,  as  such,  served  as  '  church 
Towers:  towers.'  The  wildest  theories  have  been 
'  Round  \^^i([  jj;,  regard  to  these  structures  in  past 
times — such,  e.g.,  as  that  they  were  pagan 
and  of  enormous  antiquity.  They  were  considered 
tombs,  pagan  temples,  minarets  from  which  were 
proclaimed  druidical  festivals,  etc.  The  best  and  latest 
authorities,  however,  have  conclusively  shown  that 
the  '  Irish  Round  Towers '  had  an  ecclesiastical 
origin,  and  that  '  they  have,  or  have  had,  invariably 
a  church  or  churches  near  them.'  It  is  now  generally 
agreed,    that    these    towers  were   first    built    about 

A.D.    SOO. 

(1)  They  were — defence-refuges,  where  the  clergy 
might  flee,  taking  with  them  theii'  books,  church 
plate,  etc. 

(2)  They  were  used  as  watch  towers — though 
probably  not  primarily  intended    for  that  purpose. 

'  See  O' Curry's  Manners  and  Custmns,  vol.  iii.  p.  68. 

N  2 


180  DONAGHMORE 

(3)  They  served  as  '  land-marks,  to  guide  persons 
to  the  church  or  monastery.' 

(4)  Though  probably  not  at  first  intended — they 
gave  '  unity  and  dignity  to  the  ecclesiastical  estabHsh- 
ment.' 

(5)  They  were  '  bell-houses.'  When  '  Ard-Macha 
was  burned  '  in  1020— not  only  was  the  '  stone  church  ' 
burnt,  but  '  the  Cloicthech  with  its  bells.'  Cloidhech 
it  may  be  noted,  signifies  in  Irish  a  '  bell-house,'  and 
is  now  appHed  to  the  Round  Towers. i 

The  present   church   edifice  of  Donaghmore  is   a 

comparatively   modern   building.     It   was   erected  in 

1741,   and   consecrated   on   Tuesday,    Sep- 

Present         tember  8  of  that  year,  under  the  title  (as 

Church  ,  V     „    ,       ^ ,         ,  ^ 

Edifice.         we  have  seen)  of  the  Church  of  St.  Bartholo- 
mew.    '  It  was  built  by  the  Encouragement 
and  Bounty  '  of  Archbishop  Boulter,  Primate  of  All 
Ireland. 

The  following  item  appears  in  the  Parliamentary 
Returns,  1739—'  The  Parishioners  of  Donaghmore 
have  presented  £80  to  be  levy"^  to  build  a  new 
church  in  four  years,  and  said  Primate  (Archbishop 
Boulter)  has  promised  to  give  timber  to  roof  the 
church  and  ten  guineas  to  finish  it.'  The  church 
possesses  no  particular  architectural  design,  except 
that  the  windows  are  Gothic.  The  vestry  was  built  in 
The  Vestry.  ^^'^^'  ^^^^  ^  handsome  square  tower  was 
added  in  1829,  ornamented  with  buttresses, 
pinnacles  and  finials.  The  cost  was  defrayed  by  a 
sum  levied  off  the  parishioners,  and  by  voluntary 
contributions. 

'  See  Champneys'  Irish  Ecchsiastkal  Architecture,  pp.  49-52. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHURCH   181 

The  former  bell  was  erected  in  the  church  tower 
in  1829,  at  a  cost  of  £160,  levied  off  the  landholders 
of   the  parish  in  1827 — the  amount  to  be 
ormer    e  .  gp^.g^^j  equally  over  that  and  the  two  suc- 
ceeding   years.     This    bell     bore    the    inscription  — 
'  Cast  at  Gloucester  by  John  Euddell— 1829.' 

Extensive    improvements    were    made    in    1879 — 
including    the    erection    of    a    chancel,    a 
stained  east  window,  new  pews,  etc.,  at  a 
cost  of  £242  19s.  9d. 

During  the  present  rectorate  further  improvements 
were  made,  and  embellishments  added.     In  1883  two 
'  Tablets,'  on  which  are  inscribed  the  Creed, 
Improve-       the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the  Ten  Command- 
ments and        gj^^g   ^^j.g  placed  on  the  walls  on  either 

Embellish-  '  ^ 

ments.  side  of  the  chancel  arch — presented  by  the 

late  Arthur  Charles  Innes  of  Dromantine. 
In  1885,  two  handsomely  carved  oak  scrolls  were 
erected,  one  on  the  wall  beneath  the  east  window, 
and  the  other  on  the  chancel  arch,  on  which  are 
respectively  the  texts  in  gilt  letters,  in  relief : — '  Holy, 
Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty  ' — '  It  is  a  good 
thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord.'  These  were 
gifts  of  Mrs.  Imies  (first  wife  of  Arthur  Charles  Innes), 
as  were  the  two  exquisitely  wrought  banners  which 
adorn  the  chancel  walls,  the  beautiful  alms  basins,  and 
brass  pulpit  desk.  The  alms  basins,  which  are  of  solid 
brass,  bear  the  monogram  I.H.S.,  and  the  words  (inter- 
spersed with  shamrock  leaves  and  Maltese  crosses)  : 
'  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.'  '  Lay  not 
up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  earth.'  The  pulpit  desk, 
which  is  of  a  very  chaste  design,  bears  the  monogram 


182       '  DONAGHMOEE 

I.H.S.  as  does  the  handsomely  carved  oak  desk  on  the 
Holy  Table,  presented  by  Mrs.  Todd,  wife  of  the  Eev. 
Henry  Todd,  Eector  of  Camlough,  who  for  abiUty 
and  scholarship  has  few  equals  in  the  Irish  Church. 
The  church  was  renovated  and  new  choir  stalls  added 
in  1887.  In  1905  the  sacred  edifice  was  again  renovated 
and  heated  with  hot  water  at  considerable  cost. 

A  new  bell  was  erected  in  the  church  tower  in  1905, 
cast  by  the  Messrs.  Tajdor  of  Loughborough,  which 
bears  the  following  inscription  :  '  Eev.  J.  D. 
The  Bell.  ^^,^3^,  LL.D.,  Eector,  1905.'  The  bell 
was  dedicated,  October  11  of  that  year,  by  the  Bishop 
of  Dromore  (Dr.  Welland).  The  following  are  the 
words  of  dedication  :  '  We  dedicate  this  newly  erected 
bell  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to  the  Benefit  of  His  Holy 
House,  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.' 

The  church  possesses  a  handsome  marble  font  on 

which    is   engraved    the   date,    1726.      The  carvings 

are  conventional  in  pattern,  and  not  very 

The  Font :    elaborate.     The    memorials    of    the    dead 

Memorials  of  .  t  ^   \  ,    ^  ^    .  xi, 

the  Decad.  consist  of  two  mural  (marble)  tablets,  on  tne 
north  and  south  side-walls  of  the  church. 
That  on  the  north,  over  the  rectory  pew,  bears  the 
inscription  :  '  In  loving  memory  of  Eev.  John  Camp- 
bell Quinn,  M.A.,  Eural  Dean,  who  for  forty  years 
laboured  in  this  parish  of  Donaghmore  as  Curate  and 
Eector,  and  departed  this  hfe  November  15th,  1882. 
"  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd."  '  On  the  other  tablet, 
over  the  Innes  pew,  are  engraved  the  words  :  '  To 
the  glory  of  God,  and  the  dear  memory  of  Arthur 
Charles    Innes-Cross,  of    Dromantine,  J. P.  and   D.L. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH        183 

for  the  County  of  Down,  and  formerly  M.P.  for  Newry. 
Born  November  25th,  1834.  Died  April  14th,  1902. 
Aged  67  years.  "  Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they 
shall  obtain  mercy."  Erected  by  his  wife.'  The 
tablet  is  surmounted  vdth.  the  Innes-Cross  arms, 
crest  and  mottoes  :  '  Be  Traiste  '  and  '  Certavi  et 
vici.' 

Donaghmore  was  never  a  '  fat '  living,  and  especially 
in  its  mediaeval  days,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  Eccle- 
siastical Taxations  of  1306,  1422  and  1546— 

DoliTgimiore  ^'^^®  ^"^^^  ^*  ^'^^^^^  ^^'^  ^^'^^^  ^^'^^  explain. 
Living  in       in  substance,  as  given  by  Bishop  Reeves. i 
Mediaeval       The  Kings  of  England  and  France  in  1188 
""^'''  imposed  upon  their  respective  subjects  a 

tax  (called  '  Saladin's  Tenths  ')  of  one-tenth  of  their 
movables  and  annual  income  for  '  the  relief  of  the 
Holy  Land,'  i.e.  its  recovery  from  the  Saracens.  Sub- 
sequently the  tax  became  limited  to  the  clergy,  and 
continued  to  be  imposed,  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  the  term  crusade  had  lost  its  original  meaning. 
Both  King  and  Pope  seem  to  have  become  jointly 
concerned  in  levying  the  tax,  and  in  appropriating 
the  proceeds,  as  the  case  might  be,  according  to  their 
respective  necessities — which  were  generally  rather 
urgent  !  In  order  to  compute  the  amount  payable 
by  the  clergy,  valuations  of  ecclesiastical  property 
were  made  at  different  times — that  for  Ireland  being 
completed  in  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth  century 
—about  the  year  1306. 

In  the  Ecclesiastical  Taxation  for  the  Diocese  of 
Dromore  the  following  entry  occurs  :     *  The  Church 

'  Introduction,  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities. 


184  DONAOmiOEE 

of  Domiachmore— 205.— Tenth,  2s.'  Thus  the  annual 
income  of  the  Vicar  of  Donaghmore  in  1306-7  was  the 
handsome  sum  of  twenty  shilHngs  !  That,  however, 
was  a  large  income  as  compared  with  the  lowest  in  the 
dioceses  of  Down,  Connor  and  Dromore  which  was 
forty  pence,  as  in  the  case  of  the  chapels  of  Enacha 
(Aghagallon),  Thanelagh  (Tamlaght),  Acheli  (Aghalee), 
and  Rosrelick.  The  richest  benefice  at  the  time  was 
that  of  Bile  (Billy)— worth  £36  ;  while  among  the 
moderate  incomes  were  those  of  '  The  Abbot  of  Yiride 
Lingnum  '  (Newry)  and  '  The  Bishop  of  Drummore  ' 
— ^each  receiving  '  20  marks  '  annually — i.e.  £13  6s.  Sd. 
Two  further  valuations  of  the  parishes  in  the  diocese 
of  Dromore  were  made,  one  in  1422  and  the  other  in 
1546,  both  of  which  are  among  the  tables  of  procura- 
tions payable  to  the  Primate  in  his  Provincial  Visita- 
tions. In  that  for  1422  the  following  entry  occurs  : 
'  Ecclesia  de  Domnaghmore — 3  marc  ' — i.e.  £2.  It 
will  thus  be  seen  that  tlie  benefice  had  doubled  in  value 
since  1306 — a  circumstance  which  must  have  been 
highly  gratifying  to  the  O'McCrelas — one  of  whom 
was  the  vicar  at  the  time.  In  the  taxation  of  a  similar 
nature  of '  all  the  benefices  of  the  Diocese  of  Dromore  ' 
in  the  year  1546,  the  value  of  Donaghmore  has  again 
increased.  The  entry  is  '  Rector  of  Donnoghmore — 
5  marc,'  i.e.  £8  9s.  M.  At  this  date  Peter  O'Mackrell 
was  in  all  probability  Vicar  of  Donaghmore — having 
succeeded  his  brother  Donald,  who  died  in  1534. 
Donaghmore  at  the  time  seems  to  have  been  a  kind 
of  '  family  hving  '—the  O'McCrelas  or  O'Makrells 
having  held  it  for  upwards  of  a  hundred  years. 

Doubtless  the  position  of  the  O'Makrells  as  here- 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHURCH    185 

ditary  herenachs  of  the  manor  had  much  to  do  in 
obtaining  for  Peter,  the  Vicar,  the  princely  annual 
income  of  £3  9s.  4(1. ! 

The  Royal  Visitation  Report  (Marsh's  Library)  of 

1622  is  very  meagre  in  regard  to  the  parish — viz. 

'  Donogh — ^Rectory     appropriate     to     the 

f°^f  .         Archbishop   of   Armagh. — Proxies— 6-6. — 

Visitation.      ^,       ,^.        -^  ,    ,.  T  J        -iu 

The  \  icarage  presentation  :  endowed  with 
the  third  of  all  the  tithes.'  It  may  be  noted  that 
Proxies  or  Procurations  were  the  fees  due  to  the  Arch- 
deacon for  Visitation.  They  were  originally  so 
called  because  the  clergy  visited  were  obliged  to 
procure  meat,  drink  and  provender  for  the  Archdeacon 
and  his  train  when  visiting.  They  were  afterwards 
allowed  to  be  compounded  in  cash  and  payable  by  the 
Rector  or  Vicar. 

In    the    Parliamentary    Returns    (Public    Record 
Office,    Dublin)    we   find    the   following   item   in    the 

return  of  the  diocese  of  Dromore : — 
Parliament-  '  Donaghmore,  a  Vicarage,  the  rectorial 
nGH^*"^"'"'  Tythes  in  the  Primate,  has  a  small  Glebe, 

no  house  on  it,  and  a  church  in  tolerable 
condition,  served  by  a  curate,  the  vicar  (George 
Vaughan)  not  resident,  nor  through  infirmities  capable 
of  serving. — January  1768.' 

In  1828  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry  (particulars 
in   vestry   minutes)    to   bring    the   parish   under   the 

operation  of  the  Tithes  Composition  Acts. 
of^TUhes'^"  The   annual    composition   of   the   rectorial 

tithes  was  assessed  at  £251,  and  that  of 
the  vicarial  tithes  at  £200.  The  parties  concerned 
gave  their  assent  to  the  composition — viz.  the  Primate, 


186  DONAGHMORE 

John  Vaughan  (the  lessee  of   the  manor),  and  the 
Vicar — Marshall  Joseph  Mee. 

There  had   been  much   opposition  in  the  parish 
to  the  payment  of  tithes,  especially  during  the  in- 
cumbency of  Eev.  J.  Mountgarrett,  when 
Anh-tithe      -^  ^^^  found  necessary  to   institute  legal 

Agitation.  »         1     •  p 

proceedmgs  for  their  enforcement,     bo  tar 
as  we  can  learn  there  was  no  valid  reason  for  the 
opposition  in  Donaghmore  other  than   a   grievance, 
real  or  supposed,  on  the  part  of  some  outside  the 
church,  that  they  should  be  obliged   to  pay  towards 
its  support.     If  we  are  to  believe  Froude,  it  is  to  be 
feared  such  cannot  be  said  of  all  parishes  in  Ireland. 
At  the  time  (and  indeed  since  1786)  a  great  anti-tithe 
agitation  was  raging  in  Ireland,  which  culminated  in 
what    is    known    as    the   '  Tithe   War  ' — commencing 
about  1830,  by  which  a  large  number  of  the  clergy 
and  their  families  suffered  great  privations,  amounting 
in  many  cases  to  destitution.     The  agitation,  at  least 
in  the  beginning,  was  not  so  much  directed  against  the 
clergy,  as  against  the  system  of  extortion  resorted  to 
by  some  of  the  tithe  proctors  and  tithe  farmers  who 
became  exorbitant  in  their  exactions,  and  hence,  as 
often  happens,  the  innocent  suffer,  while  the  sins  of 
the  few  are  visited  on  the  many.     Froude  is  a  preju- 
diced writer ;  but  probably  his  strictures  on  the  tithe 
proctors  and  tithe  farmers  in  many  cases  are  justifiable 
— even  towards  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
Our  author  informs  us  that  as  the  century  waned  the 
tithe  proctor  became  more  grasping  and  avaricious. 
He  exacted  the  full  pound  of  flesh,  and  as  his  trade  was 
dangerous  he  required  to  be  highly  paid.     '  He  handed 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHURCH        187 

to  his  employer  (the  Parson)  perhaps  half  what  he 
collected.  He  fleeced  the  flock  and  fleeced  their 
shepherd.' 

There  were  gradations  in  the  profession.     '  A  tithe 
farmer  in  active   practice   of   his   profession   held   of 
another  who  held  of  a  proctor,  who  held  of  a  clergyman 
who  did  not  reside.'     Their  '  abominable  extortions 
furnished  a  tempting  opportunity  to  the  apostles  of 
anarchy,'  who  made  the  most  out  of  every  real  or  sup- 
posed  grievance.     The   Whiteboys  in   1786   took  up 
the  cause  of  the  tithe  payers,  and  made  war  with  the 
tithe  proctors.     In  cases  where  Captain  Eight  con- 
sidered them  cruel,  they  were  sentenced  to  death  and 
executed.     Where  their  offences  were  judged  by  the 
same  authority  as  only  moderate  they  were  '  carded,' 
which  meant,  '  they  were  stripped  naked  and  tied  with 
their  faces  downwards,  while  a  strong  tom-cat  was 
dragged  up  and  down  their  backs  by  the  tail.'     The 
clergy,  who  had  been  '  distinguished  for  kindness  and 
liberality  '  suffered,  and,  as  '  the  symbols  of  a  tyrannical 
system,'    came    under   the    condemnation   of   lawless 
combinations.  '  ]\Ien  of  the  purest  and  most  inoffensive 
manners    were    torn    from    their    beds    at    midnight. 
Their  wives  and  children  were  driven  naked  out  of 
doors,    themselves   rolled   on   dunghills,    and    hardly 
suffered  to  escape  with  hfe.'     Lord   Luttrell   told  in 
Parliament    of  a  friend  of  his,  who,  riding    out    of 
Carhngford,   overtook  a  clergyman  whose  head   was 
bound  in  a  napkin  and   seemed   in   great   pain.     On 
being  asked  if  anything  was  the  matter  the  poor  cleric 
replied  :    '  Did  you  not  see,  sir,  as  you  rode  through 
the  town,  two  ears  and  a  cheek  nailed  to  a  post  ? 


188  DONAGHMOEE 

They  were  mine.'  i    All  this  was  previous  to  the  actual 
'  Tithe  War  '  of  1880. 

The  condition  of  things  during  the  '  Tithe  War  '  is 
thus  graphically  described  by  Lecky  :  '  The  state  of  the 

country  was  frightful,  as  O'Connell  himself 
^5^®'.'^'*'^®    said — most  respectable  men  could  not  get 

their  grass  cut  because  they  paid  tithes. 
The  mail  contractors  could  not  get  their  coaches 
horsed  for  the  same  reason.  Repeated  collisions  took 
place  between  the  police  or  yeomanry  and  the  peasants 
in  attempts  to  collect  tithes.  In  one  of  these,  which 
took  place  at  Newtonbarry  in  June,  1831,  it  was  stated 
that  at  least  seventeen  persons  were  killed  and  many 
others  seriously  wounded.  On  another  occasion  not 
less  than  eighteen  pohce,  including  their  commanding 
officer,  were  killed,  and  not  a  single  conviction  followed. 
The  law  was  utterly  paralysed.  The  clergy,  deprived 
of  their  lawful  incomes,  were  thrown  into  the  deepest 
distress.  Government  came  to  their  assistance  by 
advancing  £C0  000  in  1832  for  the  clergy  who  had  been 
unable  to  collect  their  tithes  in  the  preceding  year, 
and  it  undertook  to  collect  the  unpaid  tithes  of  1831. 
The  attempt  was  a  signal  failure.  1  he  arrears  for  that 
year  were  £104,000  ;  and  of  that  sum,  after  fierce 
conflicts  and  much  bloodshed,  the  Government  re- 
covered £12,000  at  a  cost  of  £15,000  !  In  a  great 
many  districts  scarcely  any  one  ventured  to  defy  the 
popular  will  by  paying  tithes.  It  was  with  difficulty 
that  the  ordinary  legal  process  of  distraint  was  executed, 
and  when  the  cattle  or  crops  of  the  defaulters  were  put 
up  by  auction,  no  one  dared  to  buy  them.     A  lawless 

'  See  Fronde's  The  Eynjlish  in  Ireland,  vol.  ii.  p.  -ifl-i. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHUECH        189 

combination  sustained  by  the  consciousness  of  a  real 
grievance  completely  triumphed.  A  hundred  and 
ninety-six  murders  were  committed  in  the  year 
1832.'  1 

Tithes  were  not  an  institution  of  the  ancient  Irish 
Celtic  Church.     Indeed  they  were  almost  unknown  till 

1172.  In  that  year  Pope  Alexander  III. 
TuSil!  "^^ornied  King  Henry  II.  that  the  Irish 
Ireland.        P^^^^  ^^°  tithes,  while  Giraldus  Cambrensis 

makes  a  similar  statement.  True,  the 
Council  of  Kells  (1152)  had  imposed  them  ;  but,  not- 
withstanding, such  were  not  generally  paid  till  they  were 
enjoined  by  the  Synod  of  Cashel  (1172) — its  decrees 
having  been  ratified  by  King  Henry.  Bishop  Doyle 
(a  Roman  Cathohc),  in  a  letter  to  the  Marquis  Wellesley 
in  1823,  states  :  '  Tithes  in  this  country  should  always 
have  been  odious,  they  were  the  price  paid  by  Henry  II. 
and  the  legate  Paparo  to  the  Irish  prelates,  who  sold 
for  them  the  independence  of  their  native  land,  and 
the  birthright  of  their  people.  Until  that  period  tithes 
were  almost  unknown  in  this  country.  And  from  the 
day  of  their  introduction  we  may  date  the  history  of 
our  misfortunes  ;  they  were  not  the  only  cause,  but 
they  were  an  efficient  cause  of  all  the  calamities  which 
followed.' 

But  to  come  back  to  the  ParHamentary  Eeturns, 
which  inform  us  of  '  a  small  Glebe  '  with  '  no  House 

on  it.'  The  Glebe  House  was  erected  in 
an?La^dr  ^^^^  (^^^®  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^t  gable),   out-offices 

built,  and  other  improvements  made  at  a 
cost   of   £538    19s.   Old.    Towards   payment   of   this 

'  Lmders  of  Public  Opinion,  vol.  ii.  p.  130. 


190  DONAGHMOEE 

amount  the  Commissioners  of  First  Fruits  granted  the 
sum  of  £100.  The  house  (an  old-fashioned  structure 
of  three  stories,  the  under  story  a  basement  with 
kitchens  and  pantries)  was  built  during  the  last  year 
of  Francis  Johnston's  incumbency.  In  his  will  (1789) 
he  specifies  certain  mo.  ies  due  him  in  respect  to  the 
erection  of  the  house — namely  that  he  was  *  entitled 
to  £260  for  so  much  of  the  cost  of  building  the  Glebe 
House  as  his  successor  was  to  pay.'  In  1816  extensive 
repairs  were  executed  in  connection  with  the  house  at 
a  cost  of  £46  15s.  lOd.  A  study  was  added  in  1826— 
the  work  being  completed  February  15  of  that 
year. 

The  amount  opposite  '  Dilapidations  and  Eepairs  ' 
on  the  appointment  of  Marshall  Joseph  Mee  as  Vicar, 
in  1824,  was  £175  15s.  Qd.  Mr.  Mee  had 
1  apu  a  ions.  ^  ,  j^^^jjj-j^g  charge  '  against  his  successor 
for  £64  12s.  M.,  and  also  a  certificate  (dated  January 
25,  1834)  for  £183  12s.  2d.,  '  expended  by  him  under 
memorial.'  On  the  appointment  of  his  successor  in 
1858,  the  amount  claimed  towards  dilapidations 
amounted  to  £217  9s.  M.^ 

After  the  Act  of  Disestablishment,  which  confis- 
cated all  ecclesiastical  property  (except  the  church 
edifices  and  the  graveyards  attached  there- 
Turchase  of  to,  which  did  not  come  under  the  Act  of 
RStor^""^  spoliation)  the  Representative  Church  Body 
House.  purchased,  for  the  parish,  13a.  8r.  6p.  of 

the  original  glebe,  together  with  the  rectory 
house  and  offices  (a  double  set) — the  government 
valuation  of  which  is  £87.     The  amount  to  be  paid  by 

^  Papers,  Dioce/ie  of  Dromore,  Public  Record  Office,  Dublin. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHURCH        191 

the  parish  in  the  transaction  was  £460  175.  Id.  which 
remained  as  a  debt  due  to  the  Church  Body — while 
the  rector  paid  the  interest  on  the  amount  as  '  rent.' 
In  the  Spring  of  1898  an  effort  was  made  by  the 
parishioners  to  clear  off  this  indebtedness — when  a 
bazaar  was  held  (April  14  and  15)  for  that  purpose — 
the  amount  reahsed  being  £200.  The  Representative 
Church  Body  and  the  Glebes  Purchase  Committee 
of  the  diocese  generously  advanced,  respectively, 
the  sum  of  £100 — thus  leaving  a  balance  due  of 
£60  17s.  Id.  By  a  further  grant  of  £28  17s.  Id.  from 
the  Glebes  Purchase  Committee,  and  a  local  advance 
of  £32,  this  balance  was  paid  the  Representative  Body 
on  July  19,  1909 — thus  leaving  the  rectory  house 
and  glebe  lands  free  of  '  rent.'  We  may  state  in  this 
connection  that  the  annual  value  of  the  *  small 
glebe '  (60  acres)  mentioned  in  the  Parliamentary 
Returns  was  estimated  in  1828  at  £105,  as  portion  of 
the  clerical  income — the  vicar  receiving  besides  (as 
we  have  seen)  £200  per  annum  from  '  Tythes  under 
the  Composition  Act.' 

The  value  of  the  benefice  was  considerably  in- 
creased in  1858 — when  the  vicarage  was  endowed 
The  Vicar  ^^^^  ^^^^  rectorial  tithes.  '  Primate  Beres- 
age%ndowed  ^ord  by  deed  of  May  1858,  with  the  consent 
with  the  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  (under  Act  14 
mhes"^^  and  15  Victoria),  conveyed  to  the  Rev. 
John  Campbell  Quinn,  Vicar,  the  Rectorial 

Tithes,  hitherto  appropriate  to  the  See  of  Armagh 

endowing  the  Vicarage  with  these  Tithes  arising  from 
the  townlands  of : 


192  DONAGHMORE 


Held  by  Arthur  Charles  Innes 
at  rent  ch.  (less  25  per  cent.) 
of  £85  2s.  e,d. 


Ballyblough  ^ 

Bally  lough 

Corgary 

Half  Carrickrovaddy 

Dromantme 

Drummiller 

Lurganarah 

Half  Carrickrovaddy  .    Rep.  James  Savage,  £4  I65.  2d. 

Ballymacrattymore   |   Earlof  Clanwilliam,£21 19s.2d. 

Bally  macratty  beg      ) 

Bally macratty beg      .     John  Heron,  16s.  8^. 

Killysavan     \  Repts.  Gen.  Meade,  £31  15s.  2d. 

Tullymore      ) 

Maddydrumbrish') 

Money  more  [  .   Isaac  Corry,  £18  2s.  Od. 

Aughintober         ) 

Derrycraw  .         .     Fr.  Colgan,  £12  2s.  lOd. 

Total— ni 4  Us.  6^.'  1 


At  present  the  total  value  of  the  benefice  is  only 
about  £200  annually,  and  although  we  are  not  actually 
Present  starving  on  the  meagre  income,  yet  we  are 
Value  of  in  better  financial  position  than  were  the 
BeneBce.  gQ^^g  of  the  old  herenachs  of  the  manor— 
the  fifteenth-century  vicars,  even  considering  that 
during  their  long  regime  there  was  never  a  Mrs. 
O'McCrela  at  the  vicarage  !  It  should  be  stated,  how- 
ever, that  the  comparative  value  of  money,  say  in 
the  fifteenth  century  and  now,  is  totally  different. 

^  Churches  <ij  the  Diocfse  of  Armagh  in  MS.,  by  Bishop  Reeves 
(Armagh  Libraryl. 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHUECH         198 

Donaghmore  church  has  never  been  highly  favoured 

in    regard   to    benefactions.      The   only   bequests   we 

are  able  to  record  are  two  small  legacies — 

lonb.  ^^_^^  fj.QQ^  ]\/|j.g_  O'Hara  {n^e  Innes)  of  O'Hara 

Brook,    CO.    Antrim,  and  another   (1909)    from    Mrs. 

Kidd  {nee  Mathers),  wife  of  George  Kidd  of  Buskhill. 

It  will  be  noticed  by  the  census  of  1911  that  there 
are  only  141  Church  of  Ireland  persons 
The  Church  in  the  parish,  but  that  number  does  not 
and^C^nsur^^'^P^®*^®^^  ^^®  Church  congregation,  which 
1911.  is    composed   of   many    besides,    from    the 

parishes  of  Aghaderg  and  Newry,  who 
reside  in  the  vicinity. 

In  the  Public  Record  Office,  Dubhn,  there  is  a 
long  list  of  persons  (upwards  of  fifty)  excommimicated 
in  the  parish  of  Donaghmore,  for  about 
Excommuni-  ^q^  y^ars  from  1735,  and  of  these  only  one 
Penances.  ^'^  recorded  as  belonging  to  the  parish 
church — viz.  a  churchwarden  (for  not  pay- 
ing parish  money  and  making  up  his  account),  who 
has  left  no  representative  in  the  parish  bearing  his 
name.  Opposite  the  names  of  the  persons  excom- 
municated are  the  various  crimes  of  which  they  were 
guilty — three  of  whom  we  notice  were  excommunicated 
for  '  prophaining  the  Sobbath.'  There  is  no  record  of 
penances  in  these  cases,  but  doubtless  there  were  such. 
In  regard  to  '  penances  '  we  note  in  particular  a  case 
in  this  diocese,  in  1832,  where  the  penitent  was 
'  placed  in  the  most  conspicuous  place  in  Dromore, 
Maialin,  and  Donaghcloney  the  three  Lords'  Days 
next,'  and  that  he  '  shall  stand  barefooted  and  in  a 
white  sheet  during  the  time  of  divine  service  in  said 

o 


194  DONAGHMOEE 

churches,'  thus  pubHcly  confessing  his  actual  sin  in 
the  presence  of  God  and  the  congregation,  etc. 

There  are  several  old  Service  Books,  formerly  in 
use,  which  are  safely  kept  in  the  Glebe  House.     The 

oldest  Book  of  Common  Prayer  in  our 
Service  possession    has    on    the    front    cover    the 

following  words,  engraven  in  gold  letters  : 
'  Chapel  of  Armagh  House — 1796  '  ;  but  this  date  is 
evidently  that  of  a  rebinding.  Unfortunately  the 
title-page  is  missing  and  the  first  three  months  of  the 
Calendar,  with  the  Table  of  Lessons,  and  hence  we 
have  no  date  ;  but  there  is  evidence  in  the  '  Table  of 
the  Moveable  Feasts '  that  the  book  was  published  in 
1765.  The  State  Prayers  are  for  King  George  (George 
III.),  Queen  Charlotte ;  George,  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  the  Princess  of  Wales.  The  book  is  artistically 
bound,  in  brown  leather  with  gold  stencillings  and 
-fieurs  de  lis,  and  is  in  a  fairly  good  state  of  preservation 
notwithstanding  its  age.  It  contains  '  The  Order  for 
Morning  and  Evening  Prayer,  Daily  to  be  said  and  used 
throughout  the  Year '  ;  '  The  Litany  or  General 
Supplication  '  ;  the  Collects,  Epistles  and  Gospels  ; 
'  The  Order  for  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
or  Holy  Communion  ' ;  '  The  service  for  Holy  Baptism  ' ; 
'  The  form  of  solemnisation  of  Matrimony,'  and  the 
Catechism.  On  a  fly-leaf  are  written  in  pencil  the 
words  '  Nobody  owns  this  Book,'  but  the  statement 
is  incorrect !  The  next  Prayer  Book  in  point  of 
antiquity  is  dated  1828  and  was  printed  at  the 
Clarendon  Press,  Oxford,  by  *  Samuel  Collingwood 
and  Co.'  It  contains  the  usual  services,  also  '  The 
Articles  of  Religion,'  and  '  Constitutions  and  Canons 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH        195 

Ecclesiastical.'  '  The  Psalms  of  David,'  by  Tate  and 
Brady,  are  given,  and  '  An  alphabetical  Table  shewing 
how  to  find  any  psalm  by  its  beginning.' 

Another  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  which  is  dated 
M.D.CCC.XLVI,  was  '  Printed  by  George  and  John 
Grierson  (Dublin),  Printers  to  the  Queen's  Most 
Excellent  Majesty.'  It  contains,  besides  the  Services, 
the  Psalms  (Tate  and  Brady)  and  '  Constitutions  and 
Canons  Ecclesiastical.'  There  are  two  copies  of  '  The 
book  of  the  Administration  of  the  Sacraments,  and 
other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  according 
to  the  Use  of  the  United  Church  of  England  and 
Ireland  ;  together  with  the  Form  and  Manner  of 
Making,  Ordaining,  and  Consecrating  of  Bishops, 
Priests,  and  Deacons.'  These  books  are  dated 
MDCCCLX  and  were  '  Printed  by  George  E.  Eyre  and 
Wilham  Spottiswoode,'  London.  They  are  artistically 
bound  in  leather,  and  bear  in  gold  letters  on  the  front 
cover  :  '  Donoughmore  Church,  1863.' 

The  Holy  Bible  formerly  in  use  contains,  at  the 
beginning  of  each  book,  a  very  good  small  engraving, 
in  which  is  placed  artistically  the  first  letter  of  the 
opening  chapter.  The  title-page  is  missing,  but  that 
of  the  New  Testament  affords  us  the  following  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  printer  and  date  :  '  Dublin  :  printed 
by  George  Grierson,  Printer  to  the  King's  most  excel- 
lent majesty,  at  the  King's-Arms  and  Two-Bibles 
in  Essex  Street,  M.D.CC.XLL' 

The  Bible  now  in  use  bears  on  the  front  cover 
in  gold  letters  the  date  1845.  It  was  printed  at  [he 
Pitt  Press,  Cambridge,  M.D.CCC.XXXIX,  by  William 
Parker,  University  Printer. 


196  DONAGHMORE 

The  Service  Books  in  use  are  dated  MDCCCCI.  On 
the  front  binding  of  each  are  engraven  in  gold 
letters  the  words  :  '  Donaghmore  Parish  Church, 
1905.' 

The  church  plate  consists  of  a  paten  and  chaHce 
of  solid  silver— both  of  which  are  very  fine  and  heavy. 
The  former  has  the  Irish  hall-mark  for  the 
Plate^^"'°^'  year  1724,  and  the  latter  for  that  of  1825. 
There  are  besides  a  flagon  and  large  plate — 
both  of  plated  ware.  The  following  is  the  inscription 
on  all  four  :  '  Parish  of  Donoughmore — Rev.  Marshall 
Mee,  Vicar,  1825.' 

In  this  connection  we  will  give  the  Rural  Dean's 
report  in  1824— the  Rev.  Marshall  Mee,  Vicar—'  Folio 
Bible — bad,  very  bad.  Three  quarto  Prayer 
Report  of  Books  very  bad.  A  pewter  Chalice  and 
R.u-alDean.  pia|.g_|3a^^  Surplice  tolerably  good,  but 
no  napkin.'  (Rural  Deans'  Returns,  Public 
Record  Office,  Dublin). 

Owing  to  the  loss  or  destruction  of  records  it  is 

impossible  to  give  more  than  a  few  of  the  Vicars  of 

Donaghmore  in    mediaeval  times,  but  un- 

Vicflirs  oi 

Donaghmore.  doubtedly  the  following  held  the  Benefice  : 

A.D.  1403. — John    0   Mccrela   was   presented   by   the 

Primate    to     the     Parish     church     of 

Donnachmore. 
A.D.  1440. — John   0  Mckerrell,  '  Rector  of  Dompnach- 

mor  '  died. 
A.D.  1440. — Gelacious    0    McKerrell    was    appointed 

John's  successor. 
A.D.  1487. — '  John  Omakrell,  Rector  of  Dompnachmor.' 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHURCH         197 

A.D.  1534.— Donald  Omakrell,  Vicar  of  Donaghmore, 

died. 
A.D.  1534. — Peter   Omakrell   was   appointed   Donald's 

successor. 

Bishop  Reeves,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the 
above  information, ^  observes  that  the  reason  for  the 
same  name  prevailing  in  these  appointments 
Herenachs.  ^^^^  ^^^^.^^^  ^^  ^^^^  position  this  family  occu- 
pied as  hereditary  herenachs  of  the  manor  of  Donagh- 
more. In  consequence  of  the  tribal  organisation  of  the 
Irish  Church  there  was  a  tendency  to  family  succession 
in  ecclesiastical  and  semi-ecclesiastical  offices.  The 
office  of  bishop  and  abbot  frequently  ran  in  famihes, 
as  did  the  position  of  herenach,  and  hence  we  find  the 
latter  often  hereditary,  as  in  the  case  of  the  O'Makrells. 
A  herenach  w^as  at  first  the  superintendent  of  the 
church  lands  and  the  hereditary  warden  of  the  church. 
Originally,  whoever  founded  a  church  was  obliged  to 
endow  it  with  certain  possessions  for  the  maintenance 
of  those  who  were  to  attend  God's  service  therein, 
nor  could  such  be  consecrated  till  the  instrument  of 
donation  was  delivered  by  the  founder.  The  endow- 
ment consisted  chiefly  of  lands  (and,  as  in  Donaghmore, 
'  lands  next  adjoining  '  unto  the  church)  '  with  servants 
appertaining  thereunto,  free  from  all  temporal  im- 
positions and  exactions.'  In  order  that  those  who 
ministered  in  holy  things  might  dedicate  themselves 
'onely  to  praier  and  the  service  of  God,'  herenachs  were 
appointed  to  '  manure  and  occupie  those  landes,'  as 
managers  or  stewards.    They  were  originally  clergyn.en, 

'  Ecclmastical  Antiquities,  p.  112. 


198  DONAGHMORE 

and  belonged  to  an  order  of  archdecacons.  Indeed 
'  Archdiaeonus  and  the  Herenache  have  in  the  Irish 
tongue  both  the  same  name.'  The  deacons  had  the 
special  care  of  the  poor  and  strangers  and  the  dis- 
posal of  ecclesiastical  monies,  but  the  archdeacon  (not 
the  order  of  archdeacon  of  higher  rank,  who  exercises 
jurisdiction  under  the  bishop)  was  Herenach  of  the 
church  lands.  Subsequently  the  office  fell  into  the 
hands  of  laymen,  Avho  with  the  Coarhes,  the  successors 
of  the  church-founding  saints,  privately  enriched  them- 
selves and  their  families  by  not  only  appropriating  to 
their  own  uses  profits  intended  for  the  church  benefit, 
but  by  taking  actual  possession,  in  many  cases,  of  the 
old  church  lands  as  absolute  owners — out  of  which 
they  were  good  enough  to  pay  certain  contributions,  in 
money  or  kind,  towards  ecclesiastical  purposes.  When 
diocesan  bishops  were  introduced  in  the  twelfth 
centur\%  it  was  decreed  that  every  '  corbe  or  herenagh 
should  give  unto  the  Bushopp  (within  whose  diocese  he 
lived)  a  yerely  pension,  more  or  less,  according  to  his 
proportion  out  of  his  entire  erenachie.'  To  this  decree, 
we  are  told,  the  '  corbes  and  herenages  submitted 
themselves,  but  hold  their  herenagie  free  for  ever,  and 
could  not  be  removed  by  any  of  the  temporale  or 
spirituale  lords,  or  other  person  whatsoever.' 

In  the  dioceses  of  Derry,  Eaphoe  and  Clogher  a  third 
part  of  the  ecclesiastical  property  in  the  herenach's 
hands  was  assigned  to  the  bishop  for  his  support,  the 
other  two-thirds  being  allotted  to  church  repairs, 
keeping  of  hospitality  and  the  maintenance  of  the 
herenach.  In  Connaught  the  bishop  had  a  fourth 
part,  etc.     In    the  several  dioceses  different  customs 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH    199 

prevailed  for  the  distribution  of  church  revenues.  It 
may  be  noted  that  long  after  this  old  order  of  things 
had  grown  everywhere  out  of  use  it  still  remained  in 
vogue  in  the  north  of  Ireland. ^ 

But  to  return  to  the  Vicars  of  Donaghmore. 

1634. — In  this  year  Richard  Pudsey,  Vicar  of 
Donaghmore,  died. 

1634. — August  12,  Patrick  Dunken  was  appointed 
to  the  parish  with  that  of  Garvaghy.  He  was  made 
Prebendary  of  Dunsport  (or  Dunsfort)  in  1640.  He 
seemed  to  have  figured  prominently  at  the  time  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  was  afterwards  a  '  Deponent.'  The 
following  reference  to  him  is  taken  from  the  Common- 
wealth MSS.  in  the  Public  Record  Office,  Dublin: 
'  26  September  1660,  ordered  that  he  (Rev.  Patrick 
Dunken)  should  enjoy  the  Preb.  of  Dunsport,  County 
Down,  and  Vicarage  of  Donaghmore,  County  Down, 
which  he  held  before  the  rebellion,  and  from  which  he 
and  his  family  were  driven  by  the  rebels.'  "- 

1661. — John  Coffin  was  Vicar. 

1667. — ^October  26,  Henry  Harrison  was  appointed 
by  the  Primate  to  the  Parishes  of  Kilbroney  and 
Donaghmore. 

1669. — March  25,  Michael  Matthews  was  appointed 
Vicar. 

1682. — September  21,  Jeremiah  Radham  was 
appointed  to  the  parishes  of  Seapatrick,  Donaghmore, 
and  Aghaderg  (Diocese  of  Dromore)  with  Donegore 
and  Kilbride  (Diocese  of  Connor)  by  faculty.      It  is 

*  See  Ussher's  works,  vol.  jd.  pp.  419-445  ;  King's  Holy  CatJiolic 
Chtirch,  p.  461  ;    Reeves'  Antiquities,  p.  161. 

"  According  to  some  authorities  Patrick  Dunken  was  expelled 
from  Dunsfort  by  the  Cromwellians  and  not  by  the  Rebels. 


200  DONAGHMOEE 

to  be  hoped  that  the  reverend  gentleman  faithfully 
discharged  the  spiritual  duties  of  his  little 
'  diocese  '  ! 

1690.— November  8,  John  Wetherby,  F.T.C.D., 
Avas  appointed  Vicar  of  Donaghmore.  In  1710  he 
was  made  Archdeacon  of  Connor,  Prebendary  of 
Dromara,  and  Dean  of  Emly,  and  in  1713,  Dean  of 
Cashel.  He  was  Scholar,  T.C.D.,  1687  ;  B.A.,  1689  ; 
M.A.,1693;  Fellow,1694  ;  B.D.,1700  ;  and  LL.D.,1706. 
Dean  Wetherby  died  at  his  lodgings,  Fade  Street, 
Dublin,  Tuesday  July  14,  1736,  and  was  buried  on 
the  21st  at  St.  Nicholas  Within,  Dubhn.  On  his 
resignation  of  the  Vicarage  of  Donaghmore,  Oliver 
Gardner  was  appointed. 

1734.— OHver  Gardner,  Vicar  of  Donaghmore, 
died.    B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1682,  and  M.A.,  1685. 

1734.— March  13,  Paul  Twigge  was  appointed 
Vicar.  He  was  instituted  April  3,  1735,  and  resigned 
in  1740.     B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1721,  and  M.A.,  1724. 

1740. — August  8,  Alexander  Naismith  became 
Vicar.  He  was  instituted  August  20,  and  inducted 
by  William  Eowan,  Vicar  of  Seapatrick  and  Maghe- 
rally,  on  22nd  of  that  month.  At  the  Visitation,  1740, 
he  was  appointed  '  to  preach  next  visitation  sermon.' 
He  died  1758. 

1758. — April  18,  George  Vaughan  was  presented  to 
the  living  and  inducted  May  26.  He  became  B.x\. 
(T.C.D.),  1732,  and  was  some  time  Eector  of  Dromore 
and  Annaclone.  He  was  second  son  of  John  Vaughan, 
B.A.  (who  was  also  Kector  of  Dromore  and  Annaclone), 
by  Anne  ,his  wife,  sister  of  the  Eight  Eeverend  Ealph 
Lambert,    D.D.,    Bishop    of    Dromore.     He    married 


DONAGHMOEE  PAEISH  CHUECH    201 

Margaret  Smith  of  Clontibret,  co.  Monaghan. 
He  died  May  14,  1794.  His  second  son,  George, 
married  Anne,  daughter  of  Alexander  Montgomery 
of  Bessmount  Park,  co.  Monaghan,  and  was  grand- 
father of  George  Montgomery  Vaughan  of  Quilly, 
CO.  Down,  J.P.,  B.A.  (T.C.D.).  He  married  Frances 
St.  Laurence,  daughter  of  General  Hon.  Arthur 
Grove-Annesley,  third  son  of  Eichard,  second 
Earl  Annesley,  and  by  her  had  issue  (surviving)  : 
Eev.  George  Yaughan,  M.A.  (Camb.),  now  of  Quilly, 
and  Eector  of  St.  Michan's,  Dublin  ;  Francis  Warden 
Arthur  Annesley  ;  Ernest  Llewellyn  ;  Alice  Katherine, 
who  married  the  Eev.  Joseph  Quinn,  M.A.,  Eector  of 
Annalong,  co.  Down,  and  Margaret  Beatrice,  who 
married  Ealph  de  Seton  Dudgeon,  25th  Bombay  Eifles. 
1769. — March  14,  Thomas  Sacheverell  (curate  of 
Ballymore)  became  Vicar,  and  was  instituted  April  6. 
He  was  second  son  of  Henry  Sacheverell  and  his  wife 
Ehzabeth  of  Ballinteggart,  co.  Armagh.  He  w^as 
educated  at  Armagh  under  Mr.  Martin,  entered  T.C.D. 
June  15,  1719,  aged  18  years.  B.A.,  1724.  He 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Crozier  of 
Stramore  (who  survived  him).  Li  his  will,  dated 
April  23,  1775,  and  proved  July  15  following,  he  desired 
to  be  buried  at  the  north  side  of  the  church  of  Donagh- 
more,  opposite  the  steeple,  as  privately  as  possible. 
He  bequeathed  property  in  Tandragee  to  his  widow  and 
legacies  to  his  niece  Hester,  daughter  of  his  brother 
William,  and  the  children  of  his  nephew  Meredith 
Atkinson,  and  appointed  Thomas  Kelly,  Eichhill, 
executor.  He  was  descended  from  Francis  Sache- 
verell    (son     of    Henry     Sacheverell     of     Eeresby, 


202  DONAGHMOEE 

Leicestershire,  and  his  wife  Gertrude,  daughter  of  John 
Hunt  of  Lyndon,  co.  Rutland)  by  his  wife  Frances, 
daughter  of  WilHam  Gilbert  of  Lockboe,  Derbyshire. 
Francis  Sacheverell,  who  was  born  1574,  obtained 
in  1611  (9th  James  L)  from  the  Crown  a  grant  of  2000 
acres  then  called  Mullalelish  and  Leggacorn,  co.  Armagh 
(now  known  as  the  Richhill  Estate),  which,  on  his  death, 
descended  to  his  eldest  son  Francis  Sacheverell  (men- 
tioned with  his  brothers  Henry  and  William  in  the 
Muster  Roll  of  Ulster  for  1631,  the  other  brother, 
Eev.  Clarence,  being  Rector  of  Reresby),  on  whose 
death  in  1649  the  estate  passed  to  his  only  child  Ann, 
by  his  wife  Dorothy,  eldest  daughter  of  the  Right  Hon. 
Sir  John  Blennerhassett,  P.C.,  Lord  Chief  Baron 
of  the  Exchequer,  and  his  wife  Ursula,  daughter  of 
Edward  Duke.  Ann  Sacheverell  married  Major 
Edward  Richardson,  M.P.  for  co.  Armagh  (Foster's 
*  Funeral  Certificates  of  Nobility  and  Gentry '  and 
'  Ulster   Inquisitions '). 

Rev.  Thomas  Sacheverell's  sister  Lettice  married 
Thomas  Woolsey  (Settlement  December  1,  1722),  and 
from  her  the  late  John  Buckby  Atkinson  and  Andrew 
G.  Sloan  of  Portadown  are  descended. 

1775. — Jaly  19,  Francis  Johnston  was  collated  per 
mortem  Thomas  Sacheverell.  He  appears  at  Visitation, 
August  15,  1775.  A  '  Francis  Johnston  '  was  Scholar 
(T.C.D.),  1735,  and  B.A.,  1736.  Francis  Johnston 
(younger  son  of  James  Johnston  of  Tremont  and  Car- 
rickbreda,  and  grandson  of  the  first  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Donaghmore)  married  (Settlements  dated 
December  17, 1780)  Anne,  daughter  of  John  Martley  of 
Ballyfallon,  co.  Meath,  by  Clementina  his  wife,  daughter 


DONAGHMOEE  PARISH  CHURCH        203 

of  the  Rev.  Robert  Meares,  Rector  of  Almoritia, 
third  son  of  Lewis  Meares  of  Meares  Court,  co.  West- 
meath,  Francis  Johnston  had  a  son  James  and 
daughters  Clemena  and  Eleanora,  who  married  in 
1831  Hubert  Kelly  Waklron,  J.P.,  D.L.,  of  Drumena, 
CO.  Leitrim,  and  Ashfort,  co.  Roscommon  (High 
Sheriff,  co.  Leitrim,  1832),  and  had  a  son — Captain 
Hubert  Kelly  James  John  Johnston  Waldron,  31st 
Regiment.  Francis  Johnston's  will,  dated  April  25, 
1789,  was  proved  June  27  of  the  same  year.  He  died 
June  13,  1789. 

1789.— October  20,  Brabazon  Smith,  M.D.,  became 
Vicar.  Dr.  Brabazon  Smith,  formerly  of  Limerick, 
married  a  daughter  of  Dean  Hoare.  He  died  in  Newry, 
April  9,  1816.  The  following  entries  occur  in  the 
register  of  burials  :  '  Sarah,  wife  of  Rev.  Brabazon 
Smith,  M.D. .Vicar  of  Donaghmore,  was  buried  July  30, 
1796  '  ;  '  Rev.  Michael  Smith,  D.D.,  Precentor  of  the 
Diocese  of  Dromore,  Rector  of  the  Parishes  of  Maralin 
in  the  Diocese  of  Dromore,  and  the  Parish  of  Tynagh 

in  the  Diocese  of  Clonfert,  Prebendary  of in  said 

Diocese,  and  Chaplain  of  his  Majesty's  Garrison  of  St. 
Vincent  in  America,  was  buried  August ,  1796.' 

1816. — March  (April  7  ?),  John  Mountgarrett  was 
appointed  to  the  benefice — having  been  promoted  from 
the  curacy  of  Drumbanagher,  where  he  was  held  in 
bigh  esteem.  We  take  the  following  reference  to  him 
from  the  local  Press  :  '  Mr.  Mountgarrett  has  for  nearly 
half  a  century  distinguished  himself  by  a  pious  and 
exemplary  discharge  of  his  duty  as  curate  of  Drum- 
banagher church  in  the  Parish  of  Killeavy.  A  strong 
proof  of  the  respect  and  attachment  of  his  late  flock 


204  DONAGHMORE 

has  been  evinced  by  their  voluntary  proposal  to  plow 
and  harrow  his  present  glebe  containing  40  acres. 
In  the  preferment  of  this  venerable  gentleman,  his 
Grace,  the  Lord  Primate,  has  given  additional  proof  of 
his  earnest  desire  to  reward  merit,  and  still  fm-ther 
exalt  the  character  of  the  estabhshed  church,'  i  The 
parishioners  of  Drumbanagher  presented  him  with  an 
address,  April  23,  1816.  He  died  at  the  Glebe  House, 
March  1,  1824,  and  was  buried  in  Drumbanagher 
churchyard.  His  tomb  bears  the  following  inscription  : 
'  Here  lie  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  John  Mountgarrett, 
Vicar  of  Donaghmore,  who  died  the  1st  March,  1824, 
aged  82.'  Mary,  his  widow,  died  September  80,  1828. 
His  younger  son  Warren,  senior  captain  of  the  Armagh 
Militia,  died  January  31,  1851. 

1824. — March  1,  Marshall  Joseph  Mee  was  appointed 
Vicar  by  the  Primate.  The  Mees  were  a  County  Cavan 
family.  From  a  Chancery  Bill  ('  Nixon  versus  Mee,' 
entered  June  12,  1772)  we  find  that  John  Mee  lived 
at  Butler's  Bridge,  co.  Cavan.  His  eldest  son, 
Marshall  Mee,  married  in  1743  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Edward  Reilly  of  Tullyco,  co.  Cavan,  and  was 
drowned  October  1758,  on  his  passage  from  England, 
where  he  had  been  on  business  about  his  lands  in 
Leicestershire,  leaving,  with  two  daughters,  an  only 
son,  George  Mee.  Mrs.  Marshall  Mee  married,  secondly 
(Licence  Bond  December  6,  1769),  Matthew  Nixon, 
J.P.,  CO.  Cavan,  second  son  of  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Nixon,  of  Nixon  Lodge,  near  Belturbet.  Marshall 
Joseph  Mee  was  a  a  son  of  the  above  George  Mee. 
He  entered  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  on  March  7, 
1796,  aged  seventeen.     Scholar,  1798.     B.A.,  1800. 

'  Neury  Telegraph,  April  9,  1816, 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH        205 

(Wrongly  given  in  Dr.  Todd's  "' Catalogue  of  Grad- 
uates '  as  James  Marshall  Mee.)  He  was  a  curate 
of  Tynan,  co.  Armagh,  when  appointed  Vicar  of 
Donaghmore,  On  his  promotion  the  parishioners  of 
Tynan  at  a  largely  attended  meeting,  April  19,  1824, 
passed  a  number  of  resolutions  of  a  highly  com- 
plimentary character  regarding  him  and  his  work  in 
that  parish,  one  of  which  was  as  follows  : 

'  That  the  thanks  of  the  Parish  are  justly  due  and 
are  hereby  given  to  him  for  his  zealous  and  effective 
discharge,  for  the  twenty-two  years  that  he  has  lived 
among  us,  of  the  several  important  duties  attached 
to  his  late  office,  which  will  long  be  remembered  by  the 
inhabitants  of  this  extensive  and  populous  district 
with  grateful  and  reverential  affection.' 

He  died  July  20,  1857,  and  was  buried  in  Donagh- 
more parish  churchyard.  His  wife,  Susanna,  died 
March  31,  1831,  aged  55  years. 

1857.  x\ugust  18,  the  Lord  Primate  appointed 
John  Campbell  Quinn  Vicar  of  the  Parish.  Mr.  Quinn 
was  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  Kildare,  August  10, 
1834,  for  the  Curacy  of  Ballygawley,  co.  Tyrone. 
He  became  curate  of  Drumbanagher,  co.  Armagh,  in 
March  1836,  and  curate  of  Donaghmore  in  December, 
1842.  He  was  Rural  Dean  of  Aghaderg,  and  a  member 
of  the  Diocesan  Council. 

He  was  second  son  of  John  Quinn  of  Newry,  and  of 
Drum,  CO.  Monaghan,  by  his  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  William  Campbell,  D.D.,  Vicar  of  Newry,  who  was 
brother  of  the  Rev. Thomas  Campbell,  LL.D.,  Chancellor 
of  Clogher,   the  well-known  historian  and  friend  of 


206  DONAGHMOEE 

Doctor  Johnson,  mentioned  in  Boswell  as  '  the  Irish 
Dr.  Campbell.'  He  was  born  in  1811,  and  was 
educated  at  Dr.  Henderson's  School,  Newry,  and 
at  Trinity  College,  Dublin  (B.A.,  1832.  and  M.A., 
1839).  He  married  October  18,  1837,  Mary  Stuart, 
youngest  daughter  of  Trevor  Corry  of  Abbey  Yard, 
Newry,  J. P.  and  D.L.,  by  whom  he  had  issue  (among 
others),  viz.  John  Thomas  Campbell  Quinn  of  Tower 
Hill,  J.P.  (deceased)  ;  James  Quinn  ;  Rev.  William 
Quinn,  Vicar  of  West  Bradley,  Glastonbury  ;  Mary 
Louisa,  married  Rev.  J.  T.  Kingsmill,  D.D.  (T.C.D.), 
Rector  of  Hockering,  Norfolk  ;  Norah  Anne  Ehzabeth, 
married  Rev.  Richard  Plummer,  D.D.  (T.C.D.),  Rector 
of  Ashfield,  co.  Cavan  ;  and  Alice  Eva  Jane,  married 
Rev.  Walter  G.  Morgan,  B.A.  (Durham),  Vicar  of  St. 
Stephen's,  Norwich.  Mr.  Quinn  died  at  Rostrevor, 
November  15,  1882,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Patrick's 
churchyard,  Newry.  His  widow  died  at  Bath, 
November  27,  1891. 

1882.— November  24,  the  present  Rector  was 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  Nomination,  and  was 
instituted  on  December  12  following  by  the  Bishop. 
The  writer  is  informed  by  a  competent  authority  that 
it  is  not  considered  correct  to  make  any  special  reference 
to  himself.  It  may  be  stated,  however,  that  he 
married  April  30,  1901,  Edythe  Huntington,  youngest 
daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Robert  Whitaker,  M.A.,  of 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  and  Rector  of  Scorboro- 
cum-Leconlield  (East  Yorkshire),  and  Mrs.  Whitaker 
of  Figham  House,  Beverley,  and  granddaughter  of 
Commander  Whitaker,  R.N.,  and  Wilham  Duesbery 
Thornton-Duesbery  of  Skelton  Hall  and  Gransraoor 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH        207 

Lodge,  J.P.  and  D.L.  for  the  East  and  North  Ridings 
of  Yorkshire. 

The    following    were    curates    of    the    Parish    of 
Donaghmore  : 
1725.— Skelton. 
1727.— Henry  McCullough. 
1728.— Thomas  Barton,  licensed  October  1. 
1729.— Samuel  Burgess, M.A., licensed September27. 
1732.~Henry  McCullough, M. A.,  hcensed  December 
26  ;  Scholar,  T.C.D.,  1726  ;  B.A.,  1728,  and  M.A.  1731. 
1735. — James    Dickson,  licensed    September    22  ; 
Scholar,  T.C.D.,  1719  ;  B.A.,  1721. 
1742. — James  Dixon. 

1758._Mordaunt  Hamilton.  A  'Mordaunt  Hamil- 
ton' was  Scholar,  T.C.D.,  1724;  B.A.,  1726,  and 
M.A.,  1729. 

1759. — Haskett,  or  Hacket. 
1764.— John  Martin. 

1768. — George  Howse — who  was  probably  a  son 
of  the  Archdeacon  of  Dromore  (1742  .  He  may  have 
been  the  Rev.  George  Howse  who  became  Vicar  of 
Kilbroney  (Rostrevor),  August  18,  1768. 

1769. Lindsay. 

1789.— John  Price,  B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1779. 
1790.— John  Mountgarrett. 
1791. — William  Henderson. 
1795._Wimam  Leslie,  B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1788. 
1796.— James  Glass. 

1801.— James  Anderson.    A  'James  Anderson'  was 
B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1796,  and  M.A.,  1832. 
1823.— James  Rigg. 
1833. — Norman  Johnston. 


208  DONAGHMOEE 

1842.— John  Campbell  Quinn,  subsequently  Vicar, 
and  later  Rector. 

1858.— George  Brydges  Sayers,  B.A.  (T.C.D.), 
Senior  Moderator  (Math.),  1853  ;  Div.  Test.,  1854  ; 
Deacon,  1854,  Priest,  1855.  Curate  of  Dunluce,  1854-8  ; 
Donaghmore,  1858-65  ;  Ballywillan,  1866-9  ;  Vicar 
of  Templecorran  and  Kilroot,  1869-76  ;  Rector  of 
Islandmagee,  1870-6 ;  Vicar  of  Ballinderry,  1876 
(which  position  he  held  till  the  time  of  his  death); 
Prebendary  of  Kilroot,  1875  ;  Rural  Dean  of  Lisburn, 
1876.  He  died  June  16,  1903.  His  widow  (Sarah 
Jane)  died  November  4, 1912. 

1866.— William  James  Askins,  B.A.  (T.C.D.),  1865  ; 
Div.    Test.    1866  ;    M.A.,    1869.     Deacon,   May   27, 
1866  ;  Priest,  December  21,  1867.     Curate  of  Donagh- 
more, 1866-72;  Rector  of  Dunany,  co.  Louth,  1872, 
where  he  remained  till  his  death  in  April,  1895.     He 
married  Jane,  daughter  of  Francis  King,  D.D.,  Arch- 
deacon of  Dromore  and  Rector  of  St.  Patrick's,  Newry. 
1870.— Ribton    McCracken— Div.    Test.,     T.C.D., 
1872  ;  B.A.,  1873  ;  M.A.,  1881  ;  Deacon,  1870  ;  Priest, 
1871  ;  Curate  of  Donaghmore,  1870-83  ;     St.  Nicholas, 
Carrickfergus,  1883-6  ;   Christ  Church,  Belfast,  1887  ; 
Portadown,   1887-92  ;    Rector  of   Jonesborough,  co. 
Armagh,   1892  ;     Rural  Dean   of  Creggan,  1895,  and 
member  of  the  Armagh  Diocesan  Council.     He  married 
Julia   Maria    Gray,    daughter    of   the    Rev.    Edward 
Edmond  Brett,  Rector  of  Rathmackmee,  co.  Wexford. 
The  appointment  to  the  benefice   since  Disestab- 
lishment rests  with  a  Board  of  Patronage, 
Parochial      ^-^jich   consists   of   three   parochial   and   a 

Nominators.  »      t 

similar    number    of    diocesan    nominators, 
with  the  Bishop. 


DONAGHMORE  PARISH  CHURCH        209 

The  first  record  in  the  vestry  minutes  (which  are 
missing  from  1869  till  1876)  of  the  appointment  of 
Parochial  Nominators  is  that  dated  July  26,  1876,  when 
the  following  were  chosen  to  the  office  :  Arthur 
Charles  Innes,  Samuel  Gordon  and  William  Glenny. 
At  a  vestry  meeting,  April  23,  1878,  Joseph  Patterson 
was  chosen  nominator  in  the  place  of  William  Glenny 
(deceased).  From  1879  till  1902,  Arthur  Charles 
Innes,  Samuel  Gordon  and  Joseph  Patterson  were 
trienially  elected  to  the  office.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
Innes-Cross  (1902),  George  Gordon  was  appointed 
in  his  place.  In  1903  Colonel  Garden,  Samuel 
Gordon  and  Joseph  Patterson  were  elected,  and 
continued  in  office  till  1911,  when  Arthur  Charles 
Wolseley  Innes-Cross  was  appointed  in  the  place 
of  Colonel  Garden  (deceased).  In  1912  these 
persons  were  reappointed,  as  were  (for  the  first 
time)  the  following  Supplemental  Nominators  : 
George  Gordon,  James  Johnston  Robinson,  M.B., 
and  William  Mathers. 

Samuel  Gordon  of  Mountkearney  and  Curley 
House  has  been  a  Parochial  Nominator,  Hon.  Secretary 
and  Parochial  Treasurer  since  1876.  The 
G^Klon  church  owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  his 
successful  efforts  during  all  these  years, 
both  in  regard  to  its  finances  and  all  that  con- 
cerns its  welfare.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Trinity 
College,  Dublin,  and  a  magistrate  for  the  County 
of  Down.  He  married  Georgina,  daughter  of  the 
late  Rev.  Edward  Edmond  Brett,  Rector  of 
Rathmackmee,  co.  Wexford  and  has  had  issue, 
George  Annesley,  Percy  Herbert  (deceased)  and 
Arthur  Charles. 


210  DONAGHMOEE 

William  Glenny  of  Glenville  was  second  son  of 
Isaac  Glenny,  the  antiquary,  whose  father  and 
grandfather  (both  named  Isaac)  resided  at 
William  Glenville,  now  owned  by  James  Swanzy 
'  ^""y*  Glenny,  J. P.  William  Glenny  died 
January  3,  1878.  His  brother,  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Glenny,  B.A.,  was  for  some  time  curate  of  St. 
Mary's,  Newry. 

Joseph  Patterson  has  been  a  Nominator  since 
1878.  He  has  always  evinced  a  deep  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  church  and  has  been  a 
Joseph  generous    contributor    to    its    funds.     He 

is  a  member  of  a  much  respected  family, 
the  Pattersons  of  Ballykeel.  His  father,  Wilham 
Patterson,  married  Fanny,  daughter  of  Hill  Wills 
Maginnes  (a  lineal  descendant  of  the  great  family 
of  that  name),  whose  not  distant  forbears  owned  a 
portion  of  the  Maginnes  property,  viz.  the  townlands 
of  Ballykeel,  Cullen  and  Lurgancahone. 

George  Gordon  of  Maryvale   (brother  of  Samuel 

Gordon  of  Mountkearney)  has  been  for  many  years 

the     warm     and     constant      friend      of 

George  Donaghmore    Church,   which    is   indebted 

Gordon.  °  »    i  •     i  i 

to  him  for  many  acts  of  kmdness  and 
generosity.  He  married  (as  we  have  seen)  Mary 
Alice  Eden,  daughter  of  Edward  Smithson  Corry,  by 
whom  he  had  issue.  Sydney  George,  physician, 
Nottingham  (married,  November  1912, Muriel,  daughter 
of  the  late  Lieut. -Colonel  Finnis),  and  Edward  Corry 
(deceased).  Mrs.  Gordon  died  February  1,  1906.  She 
was  a  loving  wife,  a  fond  mother,  and  an  estimable 
Christian  and  Churchwoman,  and  her  demise  continues 


DONAGHMOEE  PAKISH  CHURCH        211 

to  be  keenly  felt  not  only  by  the  members  of  her 
family,  but  by  the  writer  (who  received  from  her  many 
tokens  of  friendship)  and  the  large  and  admiring  circle 
who  had  the  pleasure  of  her  acquaintance. 

Colonel  Henry  Parry  Carden  was  both  Nominator 

and   Eector's    Churchwarden.     By  his   death   in   the 

hunting    field,    December    19,    1910,    the 

Colonel  church    lost    an     ardent    lover,    and    the 

Lardcn.  •       i  i 

writer  a  true  and  constant  friend — whose 
demise  he  deeply  laments.  Colonel  Carden  was  a  son 
of  Colonel  Carden  of  Knightstown,  Portarlington, 
and  grandson  of  Sir  Henry  Carden,  Bart.,  of 
Templemore.  He  served  in  the  Egyptian  War  of  1882, 
and  for  his  services  he  received  the  Khedivial  Star  and 
third-class  Medjidie.  He  also  took  part  in  the  Nile 
Expedition  in  1884-5,  and  for  his  conduct  in  the  £eld 
was  mentioned  in  despatches,  and  was  granted  the 
rank  of  brevet-major.  On  his  return  heme  he  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Duke  of  Cornwall's 
Light  Infantry,  stationed  at  Newry,  and  subsequently 
Commandant  of  the  Discharge  Depot  at  Fort  Erock- 
hurst,  Gosport.  He  £lled  this  onerous  and  important 
position  with  distinction  for  five  years,  when  (August 
1904)  he  retired  from  the  army  with  the  rank  of 
colonel.  He  was  a  magistrate  for  the  County  of  Down. 
He  married,  August  26,  1897,  Mrs.  Greer  of  Savalmore 
(granddaughter  of  John  Boyd,  M.P.  and  D.L.),  widow 
of  Edward  Nugent  Greer.  He  is  survived  by  Mrs. 
Carden  and  two  children,  Catherine  Constance  and 
Sybil  Parry,  and  two  stepchildren,  Eleanor  Beryl 
and  Araby  Mona.  These  good  young  people  presented 
the   church,   as    a    Christmas    gift    (1907),    with   an 

p  2 


212  DONAGHMORE 

exquisitely  worked  set  of  markers  for  the  Service  Books 
(for  Festivals).  Accompanying  the  gift  were  the 
words  :  '  To  the  Glory  of  God,  and  for  use  in  Donagh- 
uiore  Church—These  six  markers  were  worked  by 
Dona  de  Winton  (cousin)  and  given  to  the  church  by 
Beryl,  Mona,  Kitty  and  Sybil. — Christmas  1907.' 

James  Johnston  Robinson,  M.B.  (T.C.D.),  is  the 
second  son  of  the  late  Rev.  George  Robinson,  M.A., 

Rector  of  Tartaraghan,  co.  Armagh,  by 
J.J.Robin-   i^-g    ^^-fg    Augusta,    eldest     daughter    of 

the  Honourable  Andrew  Godfrey  Stuart, 
son  of  the  Earl  of  Castlestuart.  He  married, 
October  23,  1889,  Katherine,  daughter  of  John 
Lindsay,  J. P.,  of  Tullyhenan,  co.  Down.  Dr. 
Robinson  contributed  the  generous  sum  of  £50 
towards  the  Auxiliary  Fund  of  the  Church  of  Ireland 
—which  was  the  largest  amount  subscribed  in  the 
parish. 

William  Mathers  is  descended  from  a  family  who 
have   had   a   long   and   honourable   connection   with 

Donaghmore  Church,  and  have  supplied 
William  ^j^g    parish  with  many   churchwardens  for 

upwards  of  a  century  and  a  half.  William 
Mathers,  his  forbear,  was  churchwarden  in  1771, 
while  his  brother  (George)  acts  in  that  capacity  for 
1912-13.  Two  of  the  Mathers  family  have  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  Canada  :  viz.  Isaac  Henry 
Mathers  (Assistant  Receiver- General)  and  his  son 
Henry  Isaac  (Norwegian  Consul  at  Halifax) — both 
of  whom  have  been  honoured  by  King  Haakon  of 
Norway,  who  recently  conferred  on  them  the  order 
of  the  Knighthood  of'  St.  Olav. 


CHAPTER  V 

DONAOHMOEE    PARISH    VESTRY    BOOKS 

The  two  oldest  books  containing  the  vestry  minutes 

of    Donaghmore  Parish  are  kept  in  the  church  safe 

w^ith    the    parochial    records.     The    earlier 

Former         minutes    of    the    vestries    are    interesting 

Functions  of  t  •    n        ^  i  i_ 

Vestries.  reading,  especially  to  modern  vestrymen, 
and  to  those  who  are  now  responsible  for 
the  repair  of  our  roads  and  the  maintenance  of  the 
poor,  as  showing  the  functions  of  these  bodies  in 
former  times,  and  as  containing  the  names  of  those 
who  in  bygone  days  managed  the  affairs  of  the  parish, 
both  civilly  and  (largely)  ecclesiastically.  Vestries 
formerly  levied  the  church  cess  and  parish  rate,  and 
had  charge  of  the  roads  and  the  poor.  In  the  oldest 
vestry  book  of  Donaghmore  parish  the  vestrymen 
present  appended  their  names  to  the  minutes,  which 
were  read  before  the  meeting  adjourned,  after  the 
custom  of  the  time,  and  although  parishioners,  they 
were  evidently  not  all  churchmen,  nor  was  it  necessary 
that  they  should  be  such.  Vestries  have  a  Common 
Law  origin,  but  were  subsequently  recognised  by  Act 
of  Parliament.  The  tendency  of  Statute  Law  has 
always  been  to  curtail  the  civil  functions  of  vestries 
and  vest  them  in  authorities  other  than  ecclesiastical. 


214  DONAGHMOKE 

A  vestry  was  originally  a  public  meeting  of  all  the 
rated  inhabitants  of  the  parish,  and  havnrg  generally 
met  in  the  vestry,  where  the  clergyman  kept  his 
vestments,  the  gathering  came  to  be  called  a  '  vestry.' 

Owing  to  the  brief  space  at  our  disposal  a  limited 
number  of  short  extracts  from  the  vestry  records 
must  suffice,  while  only  subjects  of  special  interest 
will  be  inserted  in  notes.  The  spelhng  in  extracts, 
and  of  surnames,  is  that  given  in  the  vestry  books. 

The  first  page  of  the  earliest  vestry  book  is  missing  ; 
but  it  evidently  contained  the  minutes  of  a  meeting 
held  at  Easter,  1771 — the  names  of  those 
V^estry  present  being  given  on  the  second  page — 

mT-to"  viz.  Thos.  Sacheverell  (Vicar),  James  John- 
ston (son  of  Kev.  James  Johnston,  the  first 
Presbyterian  minister  of  Donaghmore),  Thos.  Marshall, 
John  Marshall,  Joseph  Marshall,  John  Marshall,  Hugh 
Marshall,  and  three  others  whose  names  are  effaced. 
The  cess  applotters  were  Archibald  Lowry  and  Thomas 
Marshall.  The  Marshalls  formerly  composed 
??®  ,   „        a  numerous  clan  in  Donaghmore — the  two 

Marshalls.  ^ 

principal  families  residmg  at  Buskhill  and 
Annaghbane  (later  at  Tullymurry). 

The  Buskhill  family  is  still  represented  by  the 
Misses  Marshall  (Buskhill),  and  George  Marshall 
(Fourtowns).  Dr.  Hugh  Marshall  of  Annaghbane  was 
the  father  of  John  Marshall  of  Tullymurry  House — 
who  had  issue,  viz.  Hugh,  John,  Joseph,  Margaret 
Anna,  Ehzabeth,  Mary,  and  Robert  (the  only  survivor 
and  not  resident  in  the  parish).  Dr.  Hugh  had  two 
daughters,  one  of  whom  (Mary)  married  George  Scott 
and  the  other  (Anna)  Dr.  Morrison — both  of  Newry. 
A  daughter  (Anna)  of  Dr.  Morrison  married  the  Rev. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  215 

F.  J.  Lucas,  D.D.,  Rector  of  Mountmellick,  and  another 
(Marion)  Dr.  Hayes,  A.M.S.  Mrs.  Lucas  (died  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1903)  bequeathed  to  the  Representative 
Church  Body  the  sum  of  £50 — the  interest  thereon 
to  be  apphed  towards  the  upkeep  of  the  family  tomb 
in  the  churchyard. 

Towards  the  repair  of  roads,  the  vestry,  October  2, 
1771,  agreed  that  '  one  penny  an  acre  be  applotted 
and  levied  oft'  the  inhabitants  '  of  the  parish.  Among 
the  collectors  appointed  were :  Alexander  Harper, 
David  McComb  and  Henry  Mathers.  Directors  : 
Charles  Ennis  (Innes)  ('  on  that  part  of  the  Parish 
called    Clenn '),    James    Cochran    and    John    Weir. 

Applotters  :      Thomas    Marshall    and    Henry . 

Amongst  those  who  signed  the  minutes  were  Thos. 
Sacheverell  (Vicar),  William  Mathers  (Churchwarden), 
and  Richard  Harcourt. 

The  Harcourts  were  among  the  oldest  residents  of 

the   parish.     Three   of   the   family   came   to   Ireland 

(from  England)  in  1688,  and  took  part  in 

Harcourts       ^^^^   ^^^8®   ^^   ^^"'^   ^^^   ^^®   ^^*^^®   °^   ^^^ 

Boyne — one  of  these  being  Richard,  vidio 
subsequently  settled  in  Donaghmore — and  whose  son, 
Richard,  was  the  member  of  vestry  in  1771.  This 
Richard  had  a  son,  John,  who,  although  a  staunch 
churchman,  became  a  strong  anti-tithe  man.  He  died 
in  1818.  His  son  John  (died  1877)  married  Jane, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Woods  of  Shankhill  (uncle  of  the 
late  David  Woods),  and  had  issue,  of  whom  were 
Rev.  Richard  Harcourt,  M.A.,  D.D.,  of  Baltimore, 
a  prominent  minister  of  the  American  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  who  died  in  1911  ;  James,  whose 
son.   Dr.   Richard   Eugene  Harcourt,  is   an  eminent 


216  DONAGHMORE 

physician  at  Aniield,  Liverpool  ;  and  Joseph  (the  last 
direct  representative  in  the  parish,  and  resided  at 
Rose  Cottage),  who  died  October  11,  1903.  A  good 
authority,  who  knew  the  Harcourts  intimately,  thus 
writes  of  the  family  (and  we  heartily  endorse  his 
words)  :  '  They  were  amongst  the  finest  characters 
I  have  known,  faithful,  simple,  industrious,  God- 
fearing, .  .  .  dehghtfully  anxious  to  give  pleasure  to 
their  friends.  They  were  of  the  greatest  integrity 
and  were  always  noted  for  their  reverence  of  law 
and  order.' 

Various  levies  were  made  by  the  vestry  of  April  21, 

177'2  :  Elements,  10s.  ;  to  carrying  a  child  to  Foundhng 

Hospital  (Dublin),   145.    Id.  ;   parish  clerk. 

Various         ^^       sexton,    lls.  2(?.  ;     church    window. 

Levies.  ?  ?  ;  , 

two  panes,  2.s.  2d.  ;  applotters  (Thomas 
Marshall  and  Archibald  Lowry),  2s.  2d.  ;  church- 
wardens, 15s. — '  ten  shillings  of  this  sum  to  be  levied 
off  that  part  of  the  Parish  called  Glen,  and  five  shilhngs 
off  Donaghmore.'  The  following  appended  their 
names  to  the  minutes :  Thos.  Sacheverell  (Vicar) 
Wilham  Mathers,  John  Marshall,  John  Weir,  Archibald 
Lowry,  Hugh  Marshall,  Andrew  McCall  and  Hugh 
McClory. 

Vestry,  August  24,  1772.—'  The  slating  of  the  roof 
of  the  Church  is  finished,  and  it  is  approved. — Thos. 
Sacheverell  (Vicar),  Wilham  Bourke,  Robert  McAllister, 
Thos.  Marshall,  Jonathan  Welsh,  and  John  Demry.' 

The  vestry,  October  6,  1772,  '  agreed  that 
Roadr  °      ^^"^^  penny  an  acre  be  applotted  and  levied 

off  the  inhabitants  of  said  parish,  before 
the  first  day  of  May  next,'  to  repair  certain  roads, 
one  being  '  the  road  from  the  Church  of  Donaghmore 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  217 

to  Tuscan  Pass  '  (Jerretzpass).  Charles  Innes  and 
Isaac  Cony,  directors  ;  Jonathan  Welsh  and  Richard 
Harcourt,  overseers.  The  other  roads  to  be  repaired 
are  specified,  and  also  the  several  townlands  taxed 
for  particular  roads,  together  with  their  respective 
directors  and  overseers.  The  minutes  of  this  vestry- 
are  very  full,  and  beautifully  written  in  a  fine  round 
hand,  evidently  by  Isaac  Corry.  The  following 
appended  their  signatures  :  Thomas  Sacheverell  (Vicar) 
Henry  McBride  and  Robert  Douglass,  churchwardens  ; 
Isaac  Corry,  Thomas  Marshall,  Samuel  Ferguson,  John 
Shannon,  Hugh  McLory,  Alexander  Douglass,  Richard 
Harcourt,  John  McElroy  and  Jos.  Morrison. 

John  McElroy  was  the  great-grandfather  of  James 
McElroy     (of    Dromantine    townland),     the    present 

representative  in  the  parish.  His  son  John 
M°cFlro         married  twice,  and  had  issue  by  his  first 

wife,  viz.  William,  Joseph  and  John,  and 
by  his  second  wife  {7iee  Harcourt),  Samuel,  Richard 
and  James.  Wilham,  the  eldest  son  of  the  first  mar- 
riage, went  to  America  early  in  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  left  issue,  John  E.  McElroy,  who  married  Miss 
Arthur,  sister  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
President  Arthur  being  a  widower,  Mrs.  McElroy  did 
'  the  honours  '  at  the  White  House  during  his  Presi- 
dency. Mr.  and  Mrs.  McElroy  reside  in  the  city  of 
Albany,  New  York  State. 

Joseph   Morrison   was   son   of   John   Morrison   of 
Ardkeeragh.     He  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  affairs 

of  the  parish,  and  was  often  employed  as 
Morrison       arbiter  to  settle  local  disputes.    His  son, 

John,  was  a  doctor  of  medicine,  and  died  in 
Newry,    January    18,    1828.     His  son,  Samuel,  was 


218  DONAGHMORE 

well  known  for  the  active  part  he  took  with  the  United 
Irishmen  in  1798.  The  Welsh  Horse  paid  frequent 
visits  to  his  father's  residence  and  threatened  to  burn 
his  house  in  case  he  refused  to  disclose  the  whereabouts 
of  his  '  profligate  son.'  He  seemed  to  have  had 
narrow  escapes  from  the  soldiers,  but  to  have  always 
eluded  them,  hiding  under  beds  and  other  secluded 
retreats,  until  finally  a  '  house  '  was  built  for  him  in 
a  '  turf  stack,'  where  he  remained  till  matters  quieted 
down. 

At    a    vestry,    February  8,   1773,  it  was  agreed 

'  that  the  sum  of   one  pound  five  shillings  and  five 

pence  be  applotted  and  levied  off  the  Parish 

i"g  •  ^Qj,  nursing  and   carrying  a   child   to   the 

Foundling  Hospital,  and  for  one  yard  of  flannel.' 

There  are  numerous  records  in  the  vestry  minutes 
of  levies  made  for  the  purpose  of  sending  deserted 
children  to  the  Foundling  Hospital,  Dublin,  a  distance 
of  54  miles,  the  cost  being  about  £1  in  each  case.  In 
a  particular  instance  (May  6,  1818)  where  '  clothing  ' 
the  tiny  creature  was  included,  the  cost  was  £2  3s.  P>d. 

At  the  vestry  held  June  1,  1773,  amongst  the 
sums  levied  were  3s.  for  three  panes  of  glass  in  the 
windows  of  the  church,  and  '  to  a  new  gate  for  the 
churchyard,  to  be  made  in  the  form  of  a  door,'  £1  2s.  9d. 

A   vestry,  October  5,  1773,  agreed  among  other 

things,  that  '  the  sum  of  one  pound, shilHngs  and 

nine  pence,  should  be  levied  to  repair  the  School  House 
of  Donaghmore  at  the  Church  of  Donaghmore,  and 
that  Andrew  Marshall  and  Alexander  McGoffin  do  agree 
with  some  person  or  persons  to  make  such  repairs.' 
Amongst  those  who  sign  the  minutes  of  this  vestry 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  219 

are  :  Adam  Wilson,  John  Main,  Robert  Waterson, 
James  Findley  and  William  Walker. 

Vestry,  February  8,  1774. — '  It  is  agreed  that  one 
pound  two  shillings  and  pence  be  applotted  and 

levied  off  the  parish  to  repair  the  roof  of  the  Church 
and  the  East  window.' 

The  vestry,  May  24,  1774,  levied  the  sum  of 
4s.  10  |d.  '  to  an  advertisement  in  the  Newry  paper 
for  punishing  strolling  beggars.'  It  was 
J^^™  ^^F  '  agreed  that  two  persons  be  appointed  in 
each  townland  to  return  the  names  of  such 
persons  as  are  real  objects  of  charity.'  Strolling 
beggars  at  this  date  formed  a  numerous  class.  Doubt- 
less it  was  customary  at  the  time,  and  even  in  more 
recent  years,  for  many  of  the  poor  to  take  up  '  begging  ' 
as  a  profession,  and  there  being  no  Unions,  the  number 
of  such  mendicants  would  naturally  be  all  the  greater. 
We  may  be  sure,  too,  that  not  a  few  of  these  were 
impostors,  and  hence  stringent  measures  had  to  be 
adopted  in  regard  to  '  strolling  beggars  '  by  the  vestry. 
The  law  against  such  was  extremely  severe  at  the  time, 
and  indeed  had  been  so  since  the  reigns  of  Henry  VIII. 
and  Elizabeth.  The  monasteries  had  largely  ministered 
to  the  poor,  but  it  was  not  till  about  sixty  years  after 
their  suppression  that  the  State  interfered  to  make 
'  provision '  ;  but  instead  of  relief  it  largely  punished. 
The  old  laws  of  the  above  reigns  were  still  in  force 
at  this  date,  but  we  are  sure  the  members  of  the  vestry 
were  averse  to  their  enforcement  in  either  their  spirit 
or  letter.  Hence  we  find  the  excellent  provision 
adopted  to  ascertain  in  each  townland  the  names  of 
those  who  were  '  real  objects  of  charity.'     The  names 


220  DONAGHMORE 

of  the  good  men  who  composed  this  vestry  are  worthy 
of  record — viz.  Thomas  Sacheverell,  vicar  ;  WilUam 
Walker  and  James  Finley,  churchwardens  ;  George 
Vaughan,  David  Black,  Jonathan  Walsh,  Thomas 
Marshall,  Andrew  Marshall,  and  Richard  Harcourt. 

Much  business  seems  to  have  been  transacted 
at  the  vestry  held  September  5,  1775.  Sums  were 
levied  for  the  repair  of  roads,  and  applotters,  collectors, 
and  directors  appointed.  This  vestry  presented  the 
sum  of  five  pounds  to  be  levied  tow^ards  slating  the  roof 
of  the  church — the  Rev.  Francis  Johnston  (vicar)  and 
Jonathan  Welsh  to  be  overseers.  The  vestry  also 
levied  £1  14s.  lid.  to  Jonathan  Welsh  for  '  moving 
and  lowering  the  pulpit  and  reading  desk,  and  erecting 
a  new  pedestal  for  the  pulpit.'  The  following  item 
appears  in  the  minutes  :  '  We  present  that  the  ground 
in  the  church  on  which  Charles  Innes,  Esq.,  has  erected 
two  pews — shall  be  the  property  and  shall  always 
belong  to  the  said  Charles  Innes  and  his  Heirs.'  These 
minutes  are  signed  by  Eras.  Johnston,  vicar,  Charles 
Innes,  James  Walker,  Jno.  Bradford,  John  Courtney 
(Beech  Hill),  John  Cox,  and  a  number  of  others  whose 
names  are  frequently  mentioned  as  vestrymen  at  this 
period. 

The  vestry  held  October  31,  1775,  applotted  the 
sum  of  £42  16s.  Sd.  '  required  to  be  levied  off  this 

Parish  by  the  War*  (warrant)  of  the 
County  ^  Treasurer  of  this  County.'  The  sum 
Warrant!      required    to     be    levied    by    the    County 

Treasurer's  warrant  in  1779  was  £47  4s.  6d., 
and  that  in  1781  amounted  to  £54  3s.  4^?.,  thus  showing 
a  stead}^  increase. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  221 

'  At  a  vestry  held  in  the  Parish  Church  of  Donagh- 
more,  on  Monday,  the  15th  day  of  Jany.,  1776,  in 
pursuance  of  notice  given  the  preceding 
'^BumS"'  Lord's  Day,  and  it  appearing  to  this 
vestry  that  on  the  10th  or  11th,  just  in 
the  dead  time  of  the  night,  one  of  the  windows  of  the 
south  side  of  the  church  was  broken  open  by  some 
person  or  persons  unknown,  who  burglariously  entered 
thereat  and  feloniously  took  and  carried  away  out 
of  this  church  one  large  folio  Bible,  one  large  folio 
Common  Prayer  Book  used  in  the  church  for  Divine 
Service,  the  property  of  the  parishioners  of  this 
parish,  and  that  said  burglars  did  also  break  the  box 
where  the  records  of  this  parish  and  the  money  collected 
for  the  poor  are  appointed  to  be  kept,  and  did  also 
spoil  the  lock  of  the  church  door  and  part  of  .  .  ,  this 
church.'  The  vestry  '  ordered  and  presented  '  that  a 
sum  of  ten  pounds  be  levied  and  offered  as  a  reward 
for  the  discovery  and  conviction  of  the  person  or 
persons  who  committed  the  burglary,  and  that  an 
advertisement  be  inserted  in  the  Newry  and  Belfast 
papers  to  that  effect.  x\lthough  at  a  subsequent - 
vestry  2s.  M.  is  paid  '  William  Wallace  for  giving 
information  '  and  2.s.  8^^.  to  '  the  sexton  for  searching,' 
no  record  appears  as  to  '  discovery  and  conviction.' 

January  19,  1776,  the  vestry  presented  the  sum 
of  £2  8.5.  &d.  to  be  '  levied  off  the  inhabitants,'  and 
paid  the  Rev.  Francis  Johnston  (vicar)  to  purchase 
four  new  Common  Prayer  Books  to  be  used  for  Divine 
Service. 

April  9th  in  the  same  year  the  sum  of  £3  155.  was 
'  levied  off  the  inhabitants  for  repairing  the  roof  of  the 


222  DONAGHMOEE 

church,  according  to  the  estimate  given  by  James 
Parker.'  This  vestry  granted  George  Vaughan  of 
Maryvale  a  space  in  the  chm'ch  on  which  he  agreed  to 
erect  a  '  wainscott  seat  ' — to  be  his  property  and 
'  his  heirs'.'  SimiLar  grants  were  made  to  Andrew 
Marshall,  David  Black  and  John  Cox.  It  will  be  noted 
that  a  corresponding  grant  was  made  to  Charles  Innes 
in  1775. 

Nothing  is  said  in  the  minutes  regarding  the  pay- 
ment of  rent  for  these  seats  or  pews,  and  quite  rightly. 
Pew  rents  in  any  shape  or  form  were  and 

Pews  m  -111 

Ancient  are  illegal  ni  ancient  parish  churches.  All 
Parish  pews  in  such  are  the  common  property  of 

Churches.  ^^le  parishioners,  and  all  have  the  right  to 
be  seated,  though  it  does  not  follow  that  all 
have  the  privilege  of  possessing  a  pew.  Pews  and 
seats  may,  of  course,  be  assigned  to  certain  families 
or  individuals,  but  they  cannot  be  rented — nor  can 
they  be  legally  conveyed  to  a  '  man  and  his  heirs.' 

At  a  vestry  held  May  28,  1776,  the  sum  of  £3  135. 
was  '  presented,'   to   be  paid  Thomas  Marshall   '  for 

rough  casting,  jointing,  and  white- washing 
White-  ii^Q  Church  inside  and  outside.'  It  is  to 
thrchurch    ^^^  feared  that  vestries  at  this  date  had  not 

very  exalted  ideas  regarding  church  decora- 
tion. The  writer  is  credibly  informed  that  even  in 
more  recent  times  it  was  customary  to  lime-wash  the 
portion  then  standing  of  the  old  Celtic  Cross  ! 

The  minutes  of  a  vestry  held  April  1,  1777,  contain 
the  following  items  :  '  We  present  eleven  pounds, 
fifteen  shil.  be  levied  off  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Parish 
...  to  purchase  flags  to  flag  the  aisle  '  of  the  church. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  223 

and  make  other  necessary  improvements ;  also  '  the 
sum  of  eight  shilHngs  and  three  half-pence  ...  for  a 
copper  box  for  collecting  the  poor  money.'  The 
following  appended  their  names  to  these  minutes  : 
Francis  Johnston  (vicar),  Isaac  Kidd,  William  Mathers, 
Chas.  Innes,  David  Black,  Hugh  Marshall,  Andrew 
Weir,  Archibald  Lowry,  Robert  Bell,  Jos.  Morrison, 
J.  Bradford,  Adam  Wiley,  Samuel  Ferguson,  Robert 
McAlhster,  Andrew  McCall,  John  McElroy,  James 
Walker,  Jonathan  Welsh,  Thos.  Marshall,  John 
Shannon,  John  Harcourt,  Andrew  Marshall,  Jas. 
Johnston,  and  Robert  Copeland. 

The  church  roof  seems  to  have  required  much 
attention  at  this  period.  We  find  a  vestry  of  June  9, 
1778,  levied  the  sum  of  '  eight  shillings 
Roof  "^°  ^^^  ®^S^^  pence  for  repairing  the  roof  of 
the  church.'  Also  on  December  1  of  the 
same  year  the  vestry  levied  the  sum  of  '  sixteen 
shillings  and  three  pence  '  for  a  similar  purpose. 

On  April  6,  1779,  £41  was  '  levied  off  the  inhabi- 
tants '  of  the  parish  for  the  purpose  of  re-roofing  and 
'  new  slating  this  church  this  summer,'  and  it  was 
presented  that  John  W^eir  and  Andrew  Marshall  shall 
'  lay  out  and  choose  the  boards  and  slates.'  At  subse- 
quent meetings  of  the  vestry  each  townland  is  assessed 
for  a  certain  amount  of  the  sum,  which  is  increased 
to  £53  13.S.  0^. 

A  vestry.  May  31,  1779,  levied  the  sum  of  £1  10s. 
to  be  paid  '  James  Parker  for  making  a  stone  and  hme 
cornish  to  this  church  and  for  ruff  casting  and  making 
the  same  like  to  the  rest  of  the  walls  of  this  church  and 
repairing  the  plaster  in  the  inside  that  has  been  broken 


224  DONAGHMOEE 

by  striping  and  putting  on  the  new  roof.'  This  vestry 
also  levied  the  sum  of  £4  13s.  to  be  '  paid  James  Parker 
for  buying  a  parcell  of  tenpenny  nails  and  driving  a 
nail  in  every  slate.' 

At  a  vestry  held  in  the  parish  church,  September  5, 
1780,  '  a  penny  an  acre  is  levied  off  the  inhabitants  ' 

towards  the  repair  of  several  roads  which 
Vestiy  Q^y-Q    specified.     The    directors    mentioned 

1780-1800.    ^^^  •    Charles  Innes,  John  Courtney,  Isaac 

Corry,  Kev.  Francis  Johnston,  John  Weir, 
Andrew  Marshall,  David  Black,  James  Cochran,  and 
Thos.  O'Hare. 

Vestry,  September  2,  1783. — '  We  present  that  no 
road  that  hath  been  formerly  presented  to  be  repaired 

shall  at  any  further  vestry  be  presented  to 

Stringent      be  repaired  untill  the  overseer  and  collectors 

lesent-      ^^^q]]  account  on  oath  that  the  several  sums 

ments. 

that  have  been  presented  to  be  levied  hath 
been  honestly  applied  to  the  road  for  which  it  was 
presented  to  repair.'  '  We  present  that  in  future  we 
shall  not  allow  the  overseer  of  the  roads  in  this  Parish 
to  charge  in  his  account  at  vestry  more  than  one 
shilling  for  each  day  that  he  shall  be  employed  in 
overseeing.'  We  wonder  had  anything  been  '  rotten 
in  the  state  of  Denmark,'  that  necessitated  these 
stringent  '  presentments  '  !  Probably  it  was  only  a 
mistake — for  such  will  happen  even  in  matters  not 
altogether  secular,  as  the  following  case  will  illustrate. 
A  certain  Archdeacon  discovered  an  error  in  the 
returns  of  a  particular  parish.  An  account  8s.  Ad. 
appeared  on  both  sides  of  the  financial  statement,  as 
'  balance  due  to  wardens  '  and  as  '  balance  in  hand  ' — 
the  totals  on  both  sides  by  a  clever  exercise  of  mathe- 


PAEISH  VESTEY  BOOKS  225 

matical  acumen  being  represented  as  equal.  The 
Archdeacon  concerned  sent  the  form  back  at  once, 
called  attention  to  the  remarkable  error,  and  asked 
for  an  explanation.  In  reply  he  received  a  poHte 
letter  expressing  regret,  and  adding,  '  We  discovered 
our  mistake  as  soon  as  we  had  posted  the  form,  but  we 
did  not  think  it  worth  while  to  recall  it  as  ice  tJionght 
you  would  not  find  it  out '  ! 

Vestry,  February  24,  1784.—'  We  present  the 
sum  of  nine  shillings  and  two  pence  to  be  levied  off 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Parish  and  paid  to  the  Eev. 
Fras.  Johnston  to  purchase  a  book  containing  three 
Quires  of  Strong  Paper  and  Bound,  with  Pockets  and  a 
Flap,  in  Euff  Calf  Skin,  in  which  a  register  of  all 
the  Baptisms,  Marriages,  and  Burials  is  to  be  kept.' 
We  regret  to  state  there  is  no  book  of  such  elaborate 
design,  containing  parochial  records,  amongst  those 
that  have  come  down  to  us. 

At  the  vestry  held  April  13,  1784.  a  large  number 
of  presentments  were  made,  some  of  which  were  as 
follows  :  Ten  shillings  to  purchase  the  sacred  elements  ; 
one  pound  two  shillings  and  nine  pence  to  pay  the 
sexton's  salary  ;  two  pounds  to  be  paid  to  James 
Parker  '  for  his  good  and  honest  slating  of  this  church  '  ; 
and  the  sum  of  five  pounds  as  the  salary  of  the  clerk, 
John  Harcourt. 

The  following  persons  held  the  office  of  Parish  Clerk 
at  the  years  opposite  their  names  (as  appears  from  the 
p  ^.  j^  Ordinary  and  Primary  Visitations)  :  Thomas 

Clerks  of  Sharp,  1725 ;  John  Harcourt,  174C  ;  Charles 
Donagh-  Alexander,  1769  ;  John  Harcourt,  1774  ; 
'^°'^®-  John  Harcourt,  1793.     John  Harcourt  was 

succeeded  by  his  son,  John,  who  held  the  position  for 


220  DONAGHMOr.E 

many  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  David  Greenaway 
(of  Lurganare),  who  remained  parish  clerk  till  the 
disestablishment  of  the  church,  and  indeed  nominally 
till  his  death,  March  31,  1910.  He  was  a  devoted 
churchman  and   faithful   parish   clerk. 

The  office  of  parish  clerk  was  formerly  one  of  some 
importance,  and  was,  moreover,  a  freehold  under  the 
Estabhshment.  On  occasions,  it  seems. 
The  Office  ^\-^q  clerk  assisted  the  clergyman  in  the 
Clerk"^'^  parish  church,  and  wore  a  surplice  in  former 
times.  In  the  vestry  books  of  St.  Peter's, 
Cornhill,  London,  September  22,  1575,  it  is  recorded 
that  the  parishioners  agree  that  '  Eobert  Mydelton, 
our  Clarke,  shall  not  say  any  more  serments  pubhcly 
in  this  churche.'  An  instance  of  the  clerk  accompany- 
ing the  clergyman  to  the  '  visitation  of  the  sick  '  occurs 
in  the  parish  register  of  Manfield,  Yorks.  Against 
the  burial  entry  of  Thomas  Smythe,  Blacksmith,  in 
1604,  it  is  noted  that  the  deceased  was  '  a  recusant 
reclaiming  and  renouncing  prayer  when  the  vicar  and 
clerk  came  to  visit  him.'  In  the  north  of  England, 
long  after  the  Reformation,  it  seems  to  have  been  cus- 
tomary for  the  clerk  to  Avear  a  surplice,  as  the  following 
extracts  from  churchwardens'  accounts  show  : 

St.  Oswald's,  Durham,  1580.—'  Paid  for  iiii  yards 
of  linnen  to  ye  clarkes  surpcloth,  and  for  making  the 
same — 4s.  2r/.' 

Pittington,  Durham,  1620.— i  For  the  dark's  surples 
and  for  making  of  it — xviiir?.' 

S.  Nicholas,  Durham,  1667.—'  Pd.  to  Annie  Hedley 
for  3  yards  and  h  of  cloth  for  the  sleeves  of  the  Gierke's 
surplice — 7.5.' 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  227 

1678. — '  For  the  minister's  and  clerke's  surplesses 
necks  lyneing  and  new  cloth  for  the  same — Is.  4d.' 

1698. — '  For  altering  the  clerk's  surpcloth — Is.' 
(Quoted  from  Surtees  Society,  Ixxxiv.) 

It  should  be  stated,  however,  that  as  clerks  were 
in  '  some  few  instances  in  Holy  Orders,'  probably 
those  mentioned  may  have  been  clergymen.  ^ 

Vestry,  September  7,  1784. — '  We  present  a  half- 
penny an  acre  to  be  levied  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
r     .  Parish    to    build    a    school    house    on   the 

Levies 

to  build  Glebe  of  Donaghmore.'  The  vestry  held  in 
Schoolhouse :  October  following  resolved  that  inasmuch 
rate  opposed,  ^g  this  amount  was  insufficient  to  build 
and  furnish  the  schoolhouse,  a  further  sum  of  one 
farthing  per  acre  be  levied  for  the  purpose. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  parish  seemed  opposed  to 
the  rate ;  for  it  is  thus  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the 
vestry  held  March  30,  1785  :  '  The  inhabitants  refuse 
to  pay  that  part  of  the  Cess  laid  on  this  Parish  for 
the  building  of  a  school  house  on  the  Glebe  of  Donagh- 
more.' At  a  subsequent  vestry  held  the  following 
May,  it  was  decided  not  to  proceed  with  the  building 
of  the  schoolhouse,  as  it  would  be  '  inconvenient  and 
useless  to  the  larger  part  of  the  inhabitants  on  account 
of  their  distance  from  it.' 

Vestry,  A.pril  18,  1786. — '  We  present  the  sum  of 
sixteen  shillings  and  three  pence  to  be  levied  off  the 
Inhabitants  of  this  Parish  and  paid  to  the  Eev.  Francis 
Johnston  to  buy  a  new  Table  Cloth  for  the  Communion 
Table.'  This  amount  not  proving  sufficient,  an  extra 
16s.  Sd.  was  levied  by  the  vestry,  April  10,  1787. 

'  See  Stephen's  Commentaries,  vol.  ii.  p.  703,  and  7  &  8  Vict.  c.  59. 

Q  2 


228  DONAGHMOEE 

The  vestry  of  September  7,  1786,  made  a  large 
number  of  presentments  for  the  repair  of  roads  on 
diiferent  parts  of  the  parish,  when  various  directors, 
overseers,  and  collectors  were  appointed. 

The  minutes  were  signed  by  the  following  :  Fras. 
Johnston  (vicar),  John  Shannon,  Chas.  Innes,  Jos. 
Morrison,  David  Black,  Henry  Neil,  Wm.  Kidd, 
Saml.  Ferguson,  Kobt.  Teat,  Eobert  Shannon,  Jas. 
Taylor,  and  Jno.  Malone — who  in  the  vestry  minutes 
of  September  4, 1788,  appears  as  the  '  Kev.  Mr.  Malone,' 
when  he  is  appointed  overseer  and  director  of  a  road 
to  be  repaired  at  '  Ballymacratty  Mill.' 

The  vestry, 5,   1790,   requested   that   '  the 

churchwardens  in  future  give  regular  notice  to  the 
different  Congregations  in  sd.  Parish  of  all  the  future 
vestries  the  Sunday  before  sd.  vestries  shall  be  held.' 
The  sum  applotted  for  the  use  of  the  parish  at  the 
Easter  vestry,  April  26,  1791,  was  £8  15s.  4d.  The 
amounts  opposite  the  several  townlands  vary  con- 
siderably. Among  the  largest  are  :  Corgrey  18s.  M  ; 
Killysavan,  12s.  5d.  ;  Dromantine,  10s.  Sd.  ;  Bally- 
lough,  10s.  Id.  Some  of  the  smallest  are  :  Glebe, 
Is.  Id.  ;  Buskhill,  3s.  ;  Maddydrumbrist  3s.  9d.  ; 
and  Tullymurry  3s.  lOd. 

At  the  vestry,  April  10,  1792,  '  The  Kev.  Wm. 
Henderson  (curate)  is  hereby  allowed  to  give  Wm. 
Boss  (sexton)  2s.  2d.  which  remains  in  his  hands  to 
help  to  buy  a  spade  and  shovel,  with  which  he  may 
supply  the  Parishioners  to  make  Graves,  but  all  who 
can  afford  to  pay — to  employ  him,  and  pay  him 
6%  (?)  for  making  a  grave.' 

It  is  part  of  the  sexton's  duty  to  make  all  graves, 


PAKISH  VESTEY  BOOKS  229 

and  the  fee  for  doing  so  is  one  of  his  perquisites,  but 
unfortunately  all  parishioners  do  not  see  it  in  that 
light,  with  the  result  that  the  poor  sexton  suffers 
pecuniarily  thereby. 

The  vestry  minutes  of  October  16,  1792,  are  signed 
by  the  following  :  Wm.  Henderson  (curate),  George 
Mathers,  John  McEllroy,  James  Walker,  Eobt. 
McAllister,  Arthur  Magenis,  John  Walker,  John 
Magenis,  Patt.  O'Hare,  John  Fairies,  David  Ferish, 
and  Eobert  Copeland — cess  applotter  for  the  year. 

At  the  vestry,  April  2,  1793,  among  the  sums 
levied  are  six  pounds  to  '  John  Harcourt  for  officiating 
as  Parish  Clerk.' 

The  elaborate  minutes  of  the  vestry  of  September  5, 
1793,  are  evidently  the  handwriting  of  several  persons, 
but  mostly  in  that  of  Isaac  Corry,  who  appends  his 
signature,  as  does  George  Vaughan  and  several  others. 

'  At  a  vestry  held  in  the  Parish  Church  of  Ponagh- 
more  on  the  22nd  day  of  April,  1794,  the  sum  of 
twenty  pounds  six  shilhngs  w^as  laid  on  Sd.  Parish 
to  answer  the  presentments  therein  mentioned,'  viz.  : 
Glen  £9  11  11  Andrew  Marshall")         , 

Donaghmore  £10  14    1  Eobert  Copeland  j     ^^ 

£20    6    0 
The  Militia  at  this  time  occupied  the  attention  of 
a  number  of  vestries.     Each  parish  was  called  upon 
at  the  time  to  provide  a  certain  quota  of 
MiUtia  ^®^'  ^^^  ^^^'^  chosen  by  lot,  to  serve  in 

the  Mihtia  for  three  years.  Those  un- 
willing to  serve  were  obliged  to  provide  substitutes, 
who  were  selected  in  the  same  manner.     Indeed,  it 


230  DONAGHMOEE 

seems  the  force  was  for  the  most  part  composed  of 
the  latter. 

The  vestry  met  March  10,  1795,  '  To  consider  the 
most  proper  method  of  providing  the  men  necessary 
for  the  new  levy  of  the  Militia  ' — when  it  was  resolved  : 
'  That  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting  substitutes  to  serve 
in  the  militia  for  this  Parish,  the  sum  of  three  half 
pence  per  acre  be  levied  off  the  inhabitants  of  the 
different  townlands.'  The  following  persons,  amongst 
others  (whose  names  are  effaced),  were  appointed  to 
'  lift '  the  amounts  levied  in  the  several  townlands  : 
John  Maginnis,  Lawrence  Watts,  James  Connor, 
Ambrose  Cooley,  Hugh  McKelvey,  John  Smith, 
Thos.  McCartney,  Terce.  Heavy,  Pat  Treanor,  John 
Savage,  Artr.  White,  Sam  McCullogh,  Mick  O'Hear, 
John  Harcourt,  Tom  Marshall,  John  Burns,  Wm. 
Cowan,  Jo  Morrison,  Eobt.  Douglas,  John  Bradford, 
Dr.  Marshall,  Andw.  Wilson,  Sandford  Kidd,  David 
Weir,  John  Moffet,  And.  Marshall,  Arch.  Lowry, 
Christr.  Jordin,  John  McElvey,  And.  McCall,  Nath. 
Weir,  Henry  McGuffin,  James  Marshall,  and  John 
Martin. 

The  vestry  further  resolved  :  '  That  the  above 
money  be  raised  and  paid  to  the  Rev.  Wm.  Leslie 
(Curate)  and  Arch.  Marshall,  by  Friday  next  the 
13th  March,  who  are  hereby  appointed  Treasurers  and 
also  Delegates  with  Mr.  Courtney  (Beech  Hill)  to  go 
to  Rathfriland  to  settle  this  business  with  the  Governor 
and  Dept.  Governors.' 

There  seems  to  have  been  a  previous  levy  made  by 
the  vestry  in  regard  to  the  Militia  (date  effaced)  for 
the   purpose   of   '  assessing   the   inhabitants   of   said 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  231 

Parish  .  .  .  for  a  man  that  was  drawn  in  the  Mihtia.' 
when  it  was  '  Resolved,  first,  that  one  half  penny  per 
acre  be  levied  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Parish  by 
the  subconstables  of  the  Parish  and  the  subconstables 
to  have  one  shilhng  in  the  Pound  for  collecting  the 
same,'  etc. 

'  At  the  vestry  held  in  the  Parish  Church  of  Donagh- 
more  (Pursuant  to  Legal  Notice  given)  on  Tuesday  the 
17th  of  Oct.  1797  for  the  purpose  of  setthng  the  affairs 
of  the  Parish  in  Respect  of  the  Malitia  (Militia)  it 
being  found  that  there  is  Nine  men  Drawn  in  said 
Parish,  and  that  ther  (there)  is  a  Deficiency  of  Money 
to  pay  for  the  said  Nine  men — Resolved  that  one  half 
penny  per  acre  be  levied  oft'  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
several  townlands  in  said  Parish  and  paid  to  Mr. 
Archd.  Marshall  on  the  20th  Instant  for  the  purpose 
of  finding  substitutes  for  (and  relieving  the  Parish  for 
four  years  from  being  called  upon  for  Militia  men) 
Henry  Murtagh.  Ballylough,  Josh.  Cole,  Lurganare  ; 
John  Purdy,  Ballymacrattybeg ;  John  McClung, 
Tullymurry  ;  Jas.  Walker,  Ballylough  ;  Wm.  Byrne 
Ringbane  ;    John  McCoulaugh,   Tullymore.' 

The  members  of  the  Donaghmore  church  vestry 
were  presumably  '  men  of  peace,'  yet,  notwithstand- 
ing their  pacific  qualities,  they  seem  to  have  provided 
against  the  contingencies  of  war,  for  we  find  a  few  years 
later  (December  19,  1804)  the  vestry  met  to  consider 
and  adopt  '  the  best  mode  of  raising  the  Parish's 
quota  for  three  men  to  serve  in  the  Royal  Army  of 
Reserve  ' — when  it  was  '  Resolved  that  the  church- 
wardens shall  diligently  exert  themselves  to  procure 
the  three  men  required  by  law  as  the  quota  for  the 


232  DONAGHMOEE 

Parish,  and  that  the  following  persons  form  a  committee 
to  be  aiding  and  assisting  them  in  the  execution  of 
their  office,'  viz.  the  vicar  of  Donaghmore  (Dr.  Brabazon 
Smith),  Archibald  Marshall,  Andrew  McCall,  David 
Gavin,  Daniel  Walker,  James  Donnell,  David  Weir, 
Wm.  Bradford,  Hugh  McKelvey,  Joseph  Taylor, 
Andrew  Marshall,  and  Arthur  McSherry. 

Again,  October  7,  1807,  the  vestry  met  to  consider 
'  the  best  means  of  raising  eight  men  to  serve  in  the 
militia,'  when  it  was  resolved  :  '1st,  that  sixpence 
halfpenny  per  acre  be  levied  off  the  Landholders  in 
said  Parish,  2nd,  that  one  shilling  and  eight  pence 
per  head  be  levied  off  all  the  cotters  in  said  Parish, 
liable  to  be  ballotted  for.  3rd.  That  two  shillings  and 
sixpence  per  head  be  levied  off  all  the  male  servants 
and  artificers  in  said  Parish,  liable  to  be  ballotted  for.' 

We  must  return  to  a  vestry  held  September  6, 1797, 
the  minutes  of  which  contain  the  following  item  : 
'  We  present  that  David  Gavin  be  General 
inspTaor.  Inspector  of  all  the  roads  in  said  Parish, 
and  to  compell  the  inhabitants  to  clean  the 
Water  tables  of  the  Different  roads  in  the  said  Parish 
adjoining  their  holdings.'  It  is  to  be  hoped  the 
'  Inspector  General '  did  his  duty,  and  was  able  to 
execute  his  commands  ! 

The  vestry,  September  17,  1800— called  '  to  grant 

money  to  repair  the  roads  in  the  said  Parish  for  the 

present  year  ' — passed   eleven  resolutions, 

^«^<^^y  the   first   two   of   which   are   as    follows: 

Records—       i      <  -r>        i       i     i 

1800-20.        1-     ivesolved  that  the  money  laid  on  said 
Parish   in    the   year    1798   has   not    been 
accounted  for  by  any  person.' 

2.  '  Resolved  that  one  penny  per  acre  be  levied  off 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  283 

the  several  townlands  in  Mr.  Innes's  Estate,  except 
Dromantine  which  townland  is  to  be  two  pence,  to  be 
paid  to  Mr.  Innes  to  Repair  the  Roads  in  said  estate — 
Pat  Murtagh,  Collector  and  overseer.'  Among  the 
directors,  overseers  and  collectors  in  the  several 
townlands  of  the  parish  appointed  on  the  occasion 
were  the  following  :  Isaac  Corry,  John  Byrnes,  Joseph 
McNeight,  Joseph  Wiley,  Joseph  Shanes,  Chas.  Coui't- 
ney,  Michl.  O'Hare,  David  Rice,  Joseph  McCollough, 
Hugh  Books,  Michl.  Dooley,  James  Traynor,  William 
Parker,  Andrew  Wilson,  James  McKelvey.  Opposite 
some  of  the  collectors'  and  overseers'  names  are 
written  :  '  Not  gathered  at  all  ' — -i.e.  the  cess — and 
also,  '  Not  accounted  for  ' — but  we  notice,  later,  in 
all  cases — *  accounted  for.' 

At  a  vestry,  April  20,  1802,  the  sum  of  £10  was  laid 
on  the  parish,  and  at  another  vestry  on  December  1 
of  the  same  year  '  one  farthing  per  acre  was  levied  off 
sd.  Parish  for  the  purpose  of  sending  foundlings  and 
the  repair  of  the  church  of  sd.  Parish  which  makes  in 
all  £15  4s.  Od: 

The    financial    condition    of    the    parish    seemed 
prosperous,   February    1,    1804,   when   the 
R^jOTt^^       several     cess     collectors     submitted     the 
following  report  : 
David  Cavin       .         .         .  .     33  18     3 


Robert  Coplin  . 
Archd.  Marshall 
Andrew  McCall  . 
Archd.  Marshall 


38  8  5 

44  11  0 

1  15  9 

13  9 


£119  7  2 
Balance  in  hand,  £20  10s.  6d. 


234  DONAGHMOEE 

Towards  church  repah's  the  vestry,  May  31,  1803, 
laid  the  sum  of  £20  on  the  parish.  The  following  sums, 
among  others,  were  levied  by  the  vestry  held  on  Easter 
Tuesday,  1805 — '  For  the  sexton — including  spade 
and  shovel — £1  IO5.  4d.;  and  for  makmg  a  gravel 
walk  up  to  the  church  £2.' 

A  vestry  was  held  on  September  9,  1807,  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  the  accounts  of  the  preceding 
year,  '  1st,  Eesolved  that  the  collectors  for 
Defaulting  ^j^g  roads  for  that  year  have  not  neither 
Collectors,  (either)  collected  nor  (or)  expended  the 
cess  for  the  year  1806,  and  that  they  are 
hereby  required  to  attend  at  this  church  on  the  last 
day  of  Sept.  Instant — to  which  day  this  vestry  is 
adjourned,  and  there  be  prepared  to  pass  their  several 
accounts  on  Oath — otherwise  steps  will  be  taken  to 
Inforce  (enforce)  such  Collectors  to  account.'  Signed  : 
Brabazon  Smith  (Vicar),  David  Black,  Archd.  Marshall, 
David  Weir,  Alex.  McGuffin.  We  fail  to  understand 
how  the  collectors  could  have  been  expected  to  expend 
money  they  had  failed  to  collect  !  The  vestry  held 
on  '  the  last  day  of  September  '  having  made  fourteen 
levies  for  the  repair  of  various  roads,  resolved  to  adjourn 
till  October  for  '  the  express  purpose  of  examining  the 
accounts  of  such  collectors  as  have  not  settled  for 
last  year.'  In  the  minutes  of  the  October  meeting 
there  is  no  reference  to  the  matter.  Probably  all 
'  accounted,'  but  the  fact  should  have  been  recorded. 

The  vestry  of  Easter  Tuesday,  1808,  called  for  the 
purpose  of  levying  the  annual  church  rates,  the  appoint- 
ment of  cess  applotters,  etc.,  resolved  that  the  following 
sums  be  raised,  among  others  : 


PAKISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  235 

£   s.    d. 
Sacred  elements  .         .         .         .10    0 

The  clerk 6     0     0 

Churchwardens    .  .         .         .10     0 

Applotters'  fees    .         .         .         .022 

The  Vicar  seemed  much  perturbed  that  no  levy  was 
made  for  the  sexton's  salary  at  the  above  vestry,  and  en- 
tered the  following  '  Protest,'  appended  to  the  minutes  : 

'  Though  I  have  as   Vicar  of  the  Parish  signed 

the  act  of  vestry  :    yet  I  protest  against 

Protest         ^^®    proceedings,    as    the    Majority    would 

not    vote    any    salary    to    the    sexton    for 

ensuing  year — Brabazon  Smith — Vicar.' 

The  following  vestrymen  appended  their  signatures 
to  the  minutes  :  Alex.  McGoffin,  Andw.  McCall,  Arch. 
Marshall,  Wm.  Shannon,  Arthur  Magenis,  David  Weir, 
Saml.  Morrison,  John  Walker,  David  Caven,  Jas. 
McGoflfin,  John  Harcourt,  and  Jos.  Kidd. 

A  stormy  vestry  was  held  April  4,  1809,  when  the 

Vicar  was  '  offered  many  insults.'     The  brief  toinutes 

consist  of  two  short  resolutions,  which  were 

Vestr*^°^^      passed — after  which  the  storm  commenced 

and  the  proceedings  terminated.     The  Vicar 

appended  the  following  note  to  the  minutes  : 

'  At  this  period  of  the  proceedings  in  said  vestry 
Mr.  Archibald  Marshall  of  Buskhill  in  the  Parish 
having  exerted  much  clamour  against  me,  and  offered 
many  insults  to  me  the  Vicar  of  said  Parish,  I  was 
under  the  necessity  of  quitting  the  church,  before  the 
annual  business  was  transacted  ;  and  all  those  who 
wished    for    regularity    in    church    (Thos.    Walsh    of 


236  DONAGHMOEE 

Maddydrumbrist,  together  with  Robert  Hamilton  of 
Ringclare,  of  the  Presbyterian  Communion  and  who 
is  one  of  the  churchwardens)  followed  me  out  and  left 
Archibald  Marshall's  party  in  Church.  Brabazon 
Smith — Vicar  of  Donaghmore.' 

A  vestry  was  held  May  2  following,  doubtless  to 
complete  the  business  interrupted  on  the  previous 
occasion,  when  it  would  seem  peace  reigned.  The 
minutes  of  this  vestry  are  signed  by  the  vicar  and  the 
following  members :  James  Thompson,  William 
Mathers,  John  Harcourt,  Henry  Mathers,  George 
Mathers,  Wilham  Hinton,  Edw.  Larkin,  Wm.  Hull, 
Isaac  Cauls,  Wm.  Mathers,  James  Walker,  George 
Greenaway,  James  Lockhart,  Bernard  Eice,  Joseph 
Cole,  John  Handlin,  and  Hugh  Eice. 

The  vestry.  May  1,1 81 2,  levied  the  sum  of  £26  GsAU. 
to  pay  Wilham  Mathers  '  the  Parish  costs  and  expenses 

that  the  said  Wm.  Mathers  had  been  put 
'Parish  ^q  jj^  j-^jg  official  capacity ' — as  church- 
Expenses.'     warden.     There  is  no  record  in  the  minutes 

as  to  the  reason  of  William  Mathers  having 
incurred  '  costs  and  expenses,'  but  probably,  as  we 
shall  see  later,  the  matter  was  connected  with  church 
repairs — the  action  of  the  warden  therein  being  that 
exercised  in  his  '  official  capacity.' 

The  vestry,  December  22,  1812,  resolved  that  £30 
be  levied  off  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  towards 

the  improvements  and  repairs  of  the  church. 
Church '  Im-  Signed— Brabazon  Smith  (Vicar),  Wilham 
anTR^pairs.' ^^^*^^®^S'  Andw.  Wilson,  Quinton  Shannon, 

John  Young,  Saml.  Ferguson,  and  John 
Harcourt. 


PARISH  VESTEY  BOOKS  237 

Vestry,  October  1813. — '  There  assembled  at  the 
Vestry  12  persons,  nine  of  whom  left  the  said  vestry 
as  they  would  not  consent  to  make  a  rate  for  the 
repair  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Donaghmore  which 
was  the  object  of  said  Vestry.' 

Those  that  remained  resolved  that  the  following 
repairs  (among  others)  were  considered  '  absolutely 
necessary  '  :  Painting  and  Whitewashing  the  church, 
Sounding  board  for  the  pulpit,  Prayer  Books  for  the 
Communion  Table  and  Pulpit,  Communion  Plate,  and 
'  gate  and  Piers  for  the  Church  yard,'  entrance,  etc. 
It  was  '  resolved  unanimously  that  towards  affecting 
the  foregoing  and  any  .  .  .  work  that  may  be  required, 
as  well  as  whatever  else  may  be  deemed  necessary, 
the  sum  of  sixpence  be  forthwith  levied  off  the  Land- 
lords of  said  Parish  for  each  and  everj^  acre  they 
respectively  hold  '  ;  and  further,  it  was  resolved  that 
in  case  the  '  sixpence  an  acre  '  does  not  prove  sufficient 
to  cover  the  repairs,  an  additional  rate  should  be 
made  '  particularly  for  painting  the  said  church  inside 
and  outside.' 

The  faithful  three  vestrymen  who  remained  with 
the  vicar  (the  Rev.  Brabazon  Smith)  on  the  trying 
occasion  were  :  William  Mathers,  Edward  Innes,  and 
John  Harcourt. 

A  '  Notice  to  the  Public  '  by  Peter  Rooney  appeared 
in  the  advertisement  columns  of  the  Neicry  Telegraph, 
November  1,  1813,  portion  of  which  is  as 
the°PubUc°'  ^*^llows  :  '  Having  seen  in  the  Newry 
Telegraph  of  Saturday  last,  an  advertise- 
ment stating  that  there  was  wanted  immediately,  a 
person  to  undertake  the  carpenter's  work  of  Donagh- 


238  DONAGHMOEE 

more  church  according  to  agreement  entered  into  by 
Mr.  Peter  Eooney,  and  left  unfinished  by  him,'  etc. 
Peter  then  proceeds  to  enter  his  protest  against  the 
charge,  declaring  that  it  was  a  '  most  gross  and 
scandalous  falsehood,'  and  was  made  against  him 
'  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  influence  the  public 
mind  in  a  suit  now  pending  between  him  and  the 
churchwardens  for  the  amount  of  his  contract.'  He 
relies  on  the  following  '  certificate  '  :  '  We  the  under- 
signed Parishioners  of  the  Parish  of  Donaghmore  in 
the  County  of  Down,  do  hereby  certify  that  we  viewed 
and  examined  the  work  done  by  Peter  Eooney,  Car- 
penter, for  the  Parish  Church,  and  found  the  same 
fully  executed  and  done  in  every  respect  agreeable 
to  the  contract  entered  into  by  him.  Arthur  Innes, 
Archibald  Marshall,  Wm.  Kidd,  Robert  McCall. 
Andrew  Marshall.' 

A  '  Notice  '  by  William  Mathers,   Churchwarden, 
was  published  in  the  Newry  Telegrayli,  November  5, 

1813,  thus  :  '  I,  Wilham  Mathers,  church- 
'  Notice '  by  warden  of  the  Parish  of  Donaghmore, 
Mathers.        having  seen  an  address  "  to  the  public  "... 

signed  Peter  Eooney,  find  myself  constrained 
in  vindication  of  such  facts  and  truths  as  will  in  a 
short  time  fully  appear,  to  contradict  the  various 
statements  therein  set  forth,'  etc.  William  Mathers 
makes  out  a  strong  case  against  Peter  Eooney's  con- 
tentions. He  has  on  his  side  the  Vicar  of  the  Parish 
(Eev.  Dr.  Smith)  and  the  vestry  (October  — ,  1813), 
which  resolved  '  That  Peter  Eooney  who  undertook 
the  repairs  of  Donaghmore  Church  has  not  fulfilled 
his  contract  with  the  churchwardens,  and  that  he  has 


PARISH  VESTEY  BOOKS  289 

greatly  injured  and  damaged  the  flags  of  said  church, 
and  that  the  churchwardens  shall  call  upon  him  to 
fulfill  his  agreement.' 

We  are  unable  to  find  in  the  vestry  minutes  or 
elsewhere  any  record  of  legal  proceeedings  having  been 
instituted  in  the  case. 

The  vestry,  April  13,  1819,  levied  the  sum  of  £40 
'  to  finish  the  School  house  '  (and  £5  for  the  building 
of  an  iron  gate  for  the  grave  yard  and  for 
house'^''''^'  Pitting  on  cap  stones  on  the  pillars). 
There  was,  of  course,  an  earlier  applotment 
towards  building  the  schoolhouse,  of  which  there  is 
no  record  as  the  vestry  minutes  for  a  few  years  are 
missing.  The  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1818,  costing 
the  sura  of  £81  10-5.,  but  it  w^ould  seem  though  '  built  ' 
was  not '  finished  '  ! 

The  appointment  of  parish  schoolmaster  (and  the 
superintendence  of  '  the  affairs  of  said  schoolhouse  ') 
was  assigned  by  the  vestry.  May  1,  1820, 
RefoKis  ^^  ^  committee  ;  but,  notwithstanding,  the 
1820-50 :  office  seems  to  have  been  delegated  to  '  a 
Parish  meeting    of    the    Parishioners,'    convened 

Tetchers.  ^^^^  2^'  ^^2^'  ^'''^^^'  ^^<^»g  seven  candi. 
dates  for  the  post,  William  Robinson  was 
chosen,  at  a  salary  of  '  £30  for  one  year,  he  (William 
Robinson)  paying  the  sum  of  two  shilhngs  and  six 
pence  rent  for  the  accommodation  of  House  and 
Garden.'  Doubtless  the  building  of  the  schoolhouse 
was  only  a  re- building,  for  wo  find  a  parish  school  here 
at  least  since  1725. 

The  succession  of  teachers  up  till   1790  was  as 
follows  :  Tbos.  Sharp,  1725  ;  Charles  Alexander,  1769  ; 


240  DONAGHMORE 

John  Harcoiirt,  1774  ;  Samuel  Sloan,  1776  ;  James 
Parker,  1781;  James  McMahon,  1782  ;  John  Maxwell, 
1783  ;  Robert  Creighton,  1784  ;  Robert  Credon,  1786  ; 
David  Cavm,  1787  ;   Michael  McKey,  1790. J 

The  subsequent  teachers  were  :  WilHam  Robinson 
(1820 — pupils  29  Presbyterian,  26  Roman  CathoHc, 
and  12  Church  of  Ireland)  ;  Joseph  Forsythe  (1834)  ; 
Miss  Eliza  Stewart  (daughter  of  the  Parish  clerk)  ; 
Miss  Jane  Sergison  (resigned  1863,  after  holding  the 
appointment  nine  years,  when  she  married  John  G.  M. 
Sharp)  ;  Miss  Thompson  ;  Miss  McDermott  (became 
Mrs.  Adams)  ;  Wilham  Speers  ;  Miss  Wilson  ;  Miss 
McNess.  The  school  seems  to  have  flourished  till 
the  estabHshment  of  the  National  Board,  when  it 
declined,  and  finally  collapsed.  It  was  supported  by 
the  Church  Education  Society,  but  it  should  have 
been  made  a  National  School  when  such  were  instituted. 
Shortly  after  the  appointment  of  the  present  rector 
a  school  was  organised  under  the  National  Board, 
and  held  at  Dromantine  in  a  fine  building  (where 
formerly  a  good  school  flourished)  lent  for  the  purpose 
by  the  late  Arthur  Charles  Innes.  Dromantine 
National  School  flourished  for  a  few  years  under  the 
efficient  principal  teacher,  Mrs.  Browne,  and  on  her 
resignation  it  was  transferred  to  the  parish  school- 
house,  as  the  Donaghmore  Glebe  National  School. 
The  principal  teachers  were  :  Miss  Dormer,  Miss  Lyons, 
Miss  Boardman  (now  Mrs.  Fox),  Miss  Livingston 
(later  Mrs.  Sloane),  and  Miss  Nicholl  (deceased). 

The  school  became  an  Erasmus  Smith  school  on 

'  These  names  are  recorded  in  the  reports  of  the  Ordinary  Visita- 
tions of  the  Diocese  of  Dromore,  Public  Record  Office,  Dublin. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  241 

July  1,  1906,  with  Miss  Nicholl  as  teacher,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Miss  Winifred  Anderson  (now  Mrs. 
Smith)  ;  and  on  November  1,  1911,  the  school  was 
amalgamated  with  the  Donaghmore  National  School, 
one  of  the  terms  of  agreement  being  that  the  Rector 
of  Donaghmore  for  the  time  being  shall  have  the 
nomination  of  the  assistant  teacher. 

Towards  building  a  schoolhouse  in  Lurganare, 
the  vestry  of  May  1,  1820,  levied  the  sum  of  £20, 
provided  the  proprietor  of  the  estate  '  gives  from 
under  his  hand  that  he  will  give  over  the  Right  of 
the  Site  of  said  school-house,  together  with  the  occupier 
of  the  farm  at  present,  which  Documents  are  to  be 
produced  at  the  next  vestry  and  entered  in  said  vestry 
Book — otherwise  this  grant  to  be  void.'  The  condi- 
tions were  not  complied  with  in  this  case  and  hence 
the  grant  became  void. 

The  above  vestry  made  in  all  fifteen  presentments, 
the  eleventh  being  :  '  We  present  that  Robert  McCall 
be  Treasurer  for  this  year,  and  that  he  is  to  Inspect 
the  Different  Publick  Works  in  the  Parish,  and  at  the 
next  Vestry  report  on  the  same.'  The  '  Public  Works  ' 
of  Donaghmore  are  not  specified  ! 

The  vestry,  July  18,  1820,  levied  the  sum  of  one 
halfpenny  per  acre  on  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  to 
repair  the  tower  of  the  church,  binding  the  church 
books,  and  plastering  the  porch. 

The  vestry,  April  24,  1821,  levied  the  sum  of  £8 
for  desk,  forms  and  rough-casting  the  schoolroom. 
(This  vestry  '  resolved  that  from  (for)  the  future  the 
Constables  of  the  Parish  is  (are)  to  collect  the  church 
cess  with  the  county  cess  at  two  payments.') 


242  DONAGHMORE 

On  September  21,  1S21,  £8  4.5.  was  levied  by  the 
vestry  for  the  purpose  of '  Repairing  the  windows,  seats, 
and  boarding  the  Communion  Table,  New  Cup,  flooring 
the  Porch,  together  with  a  new  Cover  for  the  Com- 
munion.' Rev.  John  Mountgarret  and  Arch.  Marshall 
are  '  to  be  pleased  in  the  finishing  of  the  work  and  to 
have  a  liberty  of  calling  in  any  person  they  please  to 
assist  them  in  having  the  work  sufficiently  done.' 

The  following  appears  in  the  vestry  minutes, 
April  9, 1 822 :  '  We  request  that  Mr.  Pinlay  be  Treasurer 
for  the  rough  casting  of  the  school-house,  and  laying 
out  the  sum  of  £8,  paid  into  his  hands,  and  that  when 
finished  he  will  make  the  necessary  application — to  the 
Society  of  Discountenancing  Vice  for  the  regular  sum 
made  and  provided  in  that  case,  and  we  hope  that  the 
Rev.  John  Mountgarret  will  assist  him  in  doing  so.' 
This  statement  seems  somewhat  mixed,  but  doubtless 
the  '  regular  sum  made  and  provided  '  was  for  a  distinct 
purpose  other  than  that  for  rough-casting  the  school- 
house.  The  following  curious  item  appears  in  the 
vestry  minutes  of  the  same  date  :  '  We  present  that 
the  sum  of  10s.  is  sufficient  for  burying  an  aged  person, 
and  the  sum  of  55.  for  a  young  person,  and  that  a  note 
must  be  had  from  a  respectable  person  from  the  town- 
land  the  poor  person  dies  in  before  they  can  obtain  it.' 

A  vestry  was  held  May  13,  1822,  when  the  sum 
laid  on  the  parish  at  the  Easter  vestry  was  approved 
and  confirmed — viz.  £28  Os.  M.  The  townlands 
paying  the  largest  amounts  were  Corgrea  (Corgary), 
£2  25.  Sid.,  Killysavin,  £2  Os.  5d.,  Ballymacrattybeg, 
£1  12s.  Od.  ;  and  among  the  smallest  are  Buskhill, 
lis.  Id.,  and  Glebe,  4s. 


PAEISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  243 

To  rebuild  the  Corgaiy  schoolhouse,  the  vestry, 
April  1,  1823,  thus  presented  :  '  We  present  the  sum 
of  £15  to  be  laid  on  the  Parish  for  re-building  the  school- 
house  in  Corgrea,  when  there  is  a  satisfactory  Title 
made  out  by  the  representatives  of  the  late  Captain 
Enississ  (Innes)  to  the  Churchwardens  and  that  the 
sum  of  £5  be  laid  on  likewise  for  repairs  of  the  church.' 

The  vestry  of  May  12,  1823,  agreed  that  the  £15 
laid  on  the  parish  for  rebuilding  the  schoolhouse  in 
Corgary  go  to  the  repairs  of  the  church,  '  as  the  neces- 
sary document  has  not  been  produced  by  Mrs.  Innes.' 
A  levy  towards  church  improvements  was  made  by 
the  vestry,  October  6,  1824,  when  it  was  '  Resolved 
that  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds  be  laid  on  this  Parish  '  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  repairing  the  flooring  of  the 
church,  including  the  flagging  in  the  aisle,  together  with 
the  chancel,  the  purchase  of  communion  plate,  a  folio 
Bible,  three  quarto  Prayer  Books,  a  napkin,  and  '  other 
matters  that  may  be  judged  necessary  for  the  proper 
and  decent  celebration  of  Divine  service.' 

To  put  up  a  bell  in  the  church  '  and  for  erecting 
a  proper  and  sufficient  place  to  hang  such  Bell ' 
the  vestry,  held  June  25,  1827,  levied 
Levy  the    sum    of    £160.      This     amount     was 

CliTirch^Bell.  '  levied  off  the  landholders  '  of  the  parish, 
and  to  be  laid  in  three  equal  instalments 
during  the  years,  1827,  1828,  and  1829. 

The  minutes  of  this  vestry  are  signed  by  M.  J. 
Mee  (vicar),  Smithson  Corry,  David  McMaster,  Andrew 
Marshall,  Samuel  Boyd  Marshall,  Andrew  Marshall, 
and  another,  that  evidently  of  a  frail  old  man, 
who  writes  in  a  trembling  hand  merely   the    words 

R  2 


244  DONAGHMOKE 

'  James  Mc ,'  probably  forgetting  to  add  his  full 

sarname  ! 

Vestry,  May  26, 1828.—'  Resolved  that  the  sum  of 
£10  be  hereby  laid  on  the  Parish,  for  the  purpose  of 
buying  coffins  for  the  poor,  and  defraying  the  expense 
of  sending  such  foundlings  as  may  occur  in  the  Parish 
to  the  Foundling  Hospital  Dublin.'  The  full  amount 
applotted  at  this  vestry  for  various  purposes  amounted 
to  £85  8s.  6i.,  showing  a  large  increase  in  the  rates  as 
compared  with  former  years. 

The  composition  of  the  tithes  occupied  the  attention 
of  the  vestry  in  1828.  Several  special  meetings  of  the 
vestry  were  held — at  which  the  proceedings 
of^Ti^hoV*^'^  ^^^^^  somewhat  lengthy  and  elaborate — 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  parish 
under  the  operation  of  the  Tithes  Composition  Acts, 
according  to  the  provisions  of  4  George  IV.  c.  99,  and 
5  George  IV.  c.  3.  The  moving  spirit  in  the  matter 
seems  to  have  been  Trevor  Corry,  who  was  appointed 
chairman  of  the  special  vestries,  while  the  several 
parties  immediately  concerned  took  a  prominent 
part,  viz.  the  vicar  (Rev.  M.  J.  Mee),  John  Vaughan, 
the  Lessee  of  the  Manor  of  Donaghmore  ;  the  Lord  of 
the  Manor,  the  Lord  Primate  (by  correspondence)  ; 
and  the  members  of  the  vestry  (attending  on  the  several 
occasions),  viz.  Arthur  Innes,  Joseph  Weir,  Samuel 
Boyd  Marshall,  Danl.  O'Hare,  John  Marshall,  Saml. 
Ferguson,  Joseph  Carswell,  Wm.  Harshaw,  And.Wilson, 
Jas.  McCullagh,  John  McKelvy,  Joseph  Taylor,  Danl. 
Magennis,  John  Graham,  John  Young,  John  Copland, 
Jos.  MaNight,  James  Gammell,  and  James  Parker. 

The  following  is  a  synopsis  of  the  proceedings. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  246 

Vestry,  June  23, 1828. — '  Resolved  that  proceedings 
be  taken  to  make  composition  for  all  the  Tithes  of  the 
Parish — Vicarial  and  Rectorial.' 

It  was  agreed  '  that  the  sum  of  Two  Hundred 
pounds  shall  be  paid  as  the  annual  composition  under 
the  said  Act,  for  the  Vicarial  Tithes  payable  out  of 
said  Parish.'  To  this  the  Vicar  assented.  It  was 
resolved,  and  agreed  on  by  the  lessee  (John  Vaughan), 
'  that  the  sum  of  Two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  shall 
be  paid  as  the  annual  composition  for  the  Rectorial 
Tithes  payable  out  of  said  Parish.' 

Adjourned  Vestry,  July  14,  1828. — The  Primate's 
letter  was  submitted — giving  his  consent  to  the 
agreement — of  which  the  following  is  the  latter  portion  : 
'  Now  we  John  George,  Lord  Archbishop  of  Armagh, 
Primate  and  Metropolitan  of  all  Ireland,  do  hereby 
give  our  consent  that  the  said  Marshall  Joseph  Mee 
should  agree  with  the  said  vestry  to  receive  the  said 
sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds  sterling  as  a  composition 
for  all  the  Tithes  payable  to  him  the  said  Marshall 
Joseph  Mee  within  the  said  Parish,  Provided  that  the 
said  agreement  shall  be  accepted  and  assented  unto  by 
some  vestry  in  adjourned  meeting  to  be  holden  in  said 
Parish  in  pursuance  of  said  Acts.  Given  under  My 
Hand  this  Twenty-sixth  day  of  June,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  Signed,  John  G. 
Armagh.' 

(The  Primate  of  this  date  was  Lord  John  George 
Beresford.) 

This  being  an  '  adjourned  vestry  '  the  agreement 
regarding  the  vicarial  tithes  was  '  accepted  and 
assented  unto  by  the  parties  according  to  the  terms 


246  DONAGHMOEE 

of  the  Primate's  letter.  The  composition,  '  £200  per 
annum,'  is  to  '  continue  unvaried  for  twenty-one  years 
whatever  the  price  of  grain  may  be,'  and  to  be  paid 
half-yearly,  viz.,  on  November  1  and  May  1.  At  an 
adjourned  vestry,  August  2, 1828,  a  letter  was  submitted 
by  the  vicar  from  the  Lord  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  (Dr. 
Saurin),  portion  of  which  is  as  follows  :  '  As  I  presume 
what  has  been  offered,  and  you  have  accepted,  is  a 
fair  value,  I  can  make  no  objection  to  it.  Nothing  then 
remiins  but  that  the  Commissioners  should  assess  it 
on  the  Parish.' 

In  regard  to  the  Rectorial  Tithes,  John  Vaughan 
received  the  following  letter  from  the  Primate's  agent, 
Arthur  J.  Kelly,  dated  July  30,  1828  :  'I  again 
repeat  that  if  the  composition  is  satisfactory  to  you, 
the  Primate  is  contented.' 

The  agreement  in  regard  to  the  composition  was 
duly  ratified.  James  Parker  of  Savelbey  and  James 
Gamm3ll,  Beech  Hill,  were  appointed  to  represent  the 
tithe-owners  of  the  parish. 

Vestry,  July  13,  1829. — Among  the  resolutions 
passed  was  one  to  the  effect  that  £100  be  laid  on  the 
parish,  and  '  levied  off  the  landholders  ' 
Church  foj.  t^g  purpose  of  finishing  the  tower  of 
aad^Bell  ^^^  church,  and  paying  for  the  bell — includ- 
ing the  '  expenses  of  putting  it  up.' 

At  the  vestry,  September  21,  1829,  it  was  resolved 
to  empower  Smithson  Corry  to  apply  to  the  Lord  Bishop 
of  Dcomore  to  procure  a  loan  from  the 
Church  jj^^  ^^^  BoMcl  of  First  Fruits  '  to  put  the 
Church  of  Donaghmore  in  thorough  repair. 
On  December  21,  1829,  the  sum  of  £288  was  levied 
on  '  the  landholders  of  the  Parish  '  by  the  vestry  for 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  247 

church  repairs — according  to  '  estimate  laid  before  the 
Lord  Bishop  of  Dromore  by  the  Architect  of  the  Board 
of  First  Fruits.'  Of  above  amount  the  sums  payable 
by  the  several  townlands  vary  considerably — among 
the  largest  being  :  Corgary,  £21  18s.  lid.  ;  Killysavan, 
£20  14s.  11|^.  ;  Dromantine,  £17  9s.  UJ.  ;  Ballyblaugh, 
£17  5s.  9i^.,  etc. 

The  parishioners  seem  reluctant  to  be  further 
assessed  for  church  repairs,  according  to  the  following 
resolution  passed  by  the  vestry,  April  25,  1831  : 
'  Resolved,  that  the  Parishioners  do  not  think  it 
incumbent  on  them  to  lay  on  any  money  for  the  purpose 
of  repairing  or  finishing  the  repairs  of  the  church  of 
Donaghmore  at  this  vestry.'  The  sum  of  £38  2s.  9^. 
was  still  required  to  finish  the  repairs,  which  the 
vestry,  held  on  May  16  following,  decided  should  be 
raised  '  by  individual  subscriptions  rather  than  bj'- 
Parochial  assessment.'  Trevor  Corry  and  James 
Gammell  were  requested  at  the  vestry  to  '  lay  out ' 
the  money  in  hand,  and  that  to  be  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion, on  the  repairs  of  the  church. 

Signed,  M.  J.  Mee,  Arthur  Innes,  Ralph  Vaughan, 
Thos.  Walsh,  John  Mahood,  and  David  McMaster. 
David  McMaster  (of  Aughantobber),  who 
McMaster  ^^^  ^  prominent  vestryman  and  frequently 
acted  as  deputy  churchwarden  (for  Trevor 
Corry),  was  grandfather  of  Hugh  and  Trevor  McMaster, 
the  present  representatives  of  the  family  so  long  resident 
in  the  parish. 

Vestry,  April  23,  1832.  Among  the  sums  levied 
were  the  items  : 

For  Foundlings  .         .         .         .   £10     0     0 
For  Coffins  for  poor    .         .         .500 


24R  DONAGHMORE 

The  proceedings  of  the  vestry  from  this  date  on- 
wards possess  few  features  of  general  public  interest. 
Among  those  who  signed  the  vestry  minutes  for  a 
number  of  years  at  this  period  w^ere  :  Rev.  M.  J.  Mee 
(vicar),  Rev.  Norman  Johnston,  Isaac  Mathers,  Andrew 
Cuppels,  James  Lockhart,  David  McMaster,  Thos. 
Marshall,  Thos.  Walsh,  Peter  Stewart,  Bernard  Rice, 
John  Harcourt,  William  McConnell,  John  Wilson,  Isaac 
Kidd,  Robt.  Gibson,  John  Porter,  Thomas  Kerr,  James 
Sturgeon,  John  Clark,  etc. 

John  Clark  signed  the  minutes  of  vestry  for  the 
first  time,  Easter  1806.     He  was  an  Englishman,  and 

proprietor  of   the   '  Old   Fourmile  House ' 

(now  Church  View)  in  the  townland  of 
Aughentobber.  He  had  issue  two  sons,  Wilham  and 
Elijah  (whose  names  frequently  appear  as  vestrymen), 
and  a  daughter,  Sarah,  who  married  Joseph  Patterson. 
Mrs.  Patterson  died  October  1,  1899,  and  is  survived 
by  her  husband  and  daughter.  Miss  Fanny  Jane 
Patterson,  of  Church  View  House. 

Select  vestry,  December  28,  1838. — It  was  resolved 
by   this  vestry   that   appeals   be  lodged  against  the 

valuations  put  on  the  townlands  of  Aughen- 
Appeals  tobber  and  Maddydrumbrist,  and  against 
Valuations.    ^^^^   measurements   of   the   same,   together 

with  that  of  the  adjoining  townland  of 
Derrycraw.  It  was  also  decided  to  appeal  against 
the  valuation  put  on  the  houses  of  Bernard  Rice  in 
the  latter  townland. 

At  the  vestry,  January  5,  1839,  John  Harper  of 
Corgrea  (Corgary)  gave  notice  of  appeal  (in  a  some- 
what lengthy  and  legally-worded  document)  against 
the  valuation  put  on  his  dwelhng-house  and  offices, 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  249 

and  of  his  intention  of  *  applying  to  the  Committee 
of  Appeal  to  be  held  in  Rathfriland  on  the  '23rd  inst.' 
for  redress.  A  large  number  of  appeals  were  lodged 
against  the  valuations  put  on  in  various  townlands  in 
the  parish  at  this  time,  following  the  Civil  Survey  of 
1836. 

The  church  cess  for  the  year  1839  was  only 
£14  3s.  Qd.  The  amount  levied  on  the  glebe  lands 
was  25.,  which  the  kind  and  considerate  vestry  (April 
29)  decided  was  *  not  to  be  collected  '  ! 

An  ominous  resolution  was  passed  at  the  vestries 

held  March  28,  1842,  and  April  17,  1843,  viz.  '  That 

we  do  not  deem  it  expedient  to  lay  on  any 

RSdutL.    ^^^  (^^  ^^^^^  °^  money  at  this  vestry.' 

Signed,  M.  J.  Mee  (Vicar),  John  Campbell 

Quinn  (curate),  etc. 

There  seems  no  record  of  church  cess  having  been 
laid  on  the  parish  after  April  12,  1841,  when  the 
amount  levied  was  £8  18s.  6d.  for  the  following  pur- 
poses :  Foundling,  £5  ;  coffins  for  poor,  £8  ;  applotting 
cess,  10s. ;  collecting  same,  85.  Gd. 

For   several   years   from   this   date   the  principal 
business  of  the  vestries  seems  to  have  been  the  appoint- 
ment   of      churchwardens     and     '  passing 
Vestry  accounts.'     Among   the  names   of   vestry- 

1850-80.  ^^^^  ^^^  already  mentioned  were  :  George 
Turner,  Elijah  Clark,  John  Megarry,  William 
Porter,  John  Jordan,  David  Wiley,  William  Harcourt, 
Robert  McCormick,  James  Sergison,  David  Gamble, 
Joseph  Mathers,  David  Greenaway,  etc. 

At  the  Easter  vestry,  April  3,  1877,  among  other 
appointments  was  that  of  the  select  vestry — the  names 
being :     Samuel   Gordon,   Joseph   Patterson,    George 


250  DONAGHMORE 

Gordon,  John  Gordon,  J.  T.  C.  Quinn,  David  Green- 
away,  Wm.  Mathers,  Wm.  Harcourt,  Wm.  McClean 
John  Mehaffy,  James  Heasley,  and  James  Colvin. 
The  allocation  of  £250  to  the  parish  by  the  Repre- 
sentative Church  Body  was  notified  to  the 

o/S°''     ^^^^^^y'  ^P^^^  ^^'  ^^^^'  *^®  interest  of  which 
(£10  per  annum)  is  to  be  credited  towards 
the  parochial  assessment. 

The  above  vestry  resolved  on  the  erection  of  a 
chancel  and  other  extensive  church  improvements, 
„  .  „  including  new  pews  and  east  window.  It 
Chancel  and  was  agreed  by  the  vestry,  April  15,  1879, 
Church  that  '  the  repairs  and  alterations  in  the 
Renovation.  gjjyj,gjj    ^g^-g    (j^jy   executed    and    carried 

into  effect  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner  at 
an  expense  and  outlay  of  £242  19.s.  9f?.'  Of  this 
amount,  the  total  sum  collected  by  subscription  was 
£130  195.  Q>d. 

Space  forbids  us  referring  to  the  remaining  vestry 
minutes  by  way  of  extracts  ;  and  besides,  such  contain 
little  worthy  of  record  save  information  regarding 
church  renovations,  which  will  be  found  in  the  chapter 
on  the  Parish  Church.  The  vestry  minutes  extant 
record  the  names  of  the  churchwardens  of  Donaghmore 
since  1771. 

The  office  of  churchwarden  is  one  that  is  ancient, 
honourable,  and  responsible.     Like  vestries,  however, 

churchwardens  have  been  deprived  of  much 
rh^^^h^^  of  their  ecclesiastical  functions  in  England 
warden.         ^^J  ^^^  Statute  law,  while  in  Ireland  they 

are  no  longer  recognised  in  a  civil  capacity. 
Their    functions    and    status    were    identical    in    the 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  251 

churches  of  England  and  Ireland  up  till  1869,  while 
at  present,  so  far  as  their  strictly  '  ecclesiastical ' 
duties  are  concerned,  there  is  no  material  change. 
x\ccording  to  the  Canons,  two  churchwardens  are  to 
be  chosen  in  each  parish ;  but  their  status  and  duties 
are  identical,  while  the  distinction  commonly  but 
erroneously  drawn  between  the  rector's  and  people's 
was  never  legal,  though  it  is  a  convenient  ecclesiastical 
one.  The  law  which  governed  churchwardens  with 
us,  up  till  1870,  was  in  substance  as  follows. 

Churchwardens  were  chosen  by  the  joint  consent 
of  the  minister  and  parishioners  ;  but,  in  case  of  dis- 
agreement, the  minister  chose  one  and  the  parishioners 
another.  They  were  considered  for  church  purposes 
'  a  kind  of  corporation  at  common  law,'  and  as  such 
were  enabled  to  have  certain  rights  in  goods  and 
chattels,  and  to  bring  actions  for  '  the  use  and  profit 
of  the  Parish.' 

They  had  '  the  care  and  management '  of  church 
furniture,  such  as  the  organ,  bells,  Bible,  and  parish 
books.  But  in  regard  to  the  church  fabric  and  church- 
yard, they  had  no  such  interest  :  the  right  of  action 
in  case  of  damage  thereto  resting  with  the  rector  only, 
or  vicar.  They  had  the  care  of  the  benefice  during 
the  vacancy  or  sequestration  unless  the  ordinary 
otherwise  appointed.  Churchwardens  were  required 
to  '  see  to  the  reparation  of  the  church  and  the  making 
of  the  church  rates.'  Up  till  1834,  churchwardens, 
with  the  '  overseers  '  of  the  parish,  were  obliged  to 
undertake  the  care  and  maintenance  of  the  poor ; 
but  the  effect  of  the  Act  4  and  5  Will.  IV.  cap.  76 
was   to   relieve   them  of  this   duty.     Churchwardens 


252  PONAGHMORE 

had  tlie  right  to  make  such  order  as  the  ordinary 
might  direct  in  regard  to  seats  in  the  church  or  chancel, 
'  not  appropriated  to  particular  persons,'  though  in 
practice  it  seems  they  usually  carried  out  such  arrange- 
ments apart  from  any  special  directions  from  the 
bishop.  It  was  also  incumbent  on  them  to  enforce 
order  and  due  decorum  during  divine  service  in  the 
church,  and  to  that  end  it  was  held  that  churchwardens 
might  '  justify  the  pulling  off  a  man's  hat  irreverently 
worn  there,  or  the  removal  of  the  offender.'  i  In 
former  times  the  duty  was  imposed  upon  them,  by 
the  provision  against  nonconformity  of  1  Ehz.  cap.  2 
(repealed  by  9  and  10  Vict.  cap.  59),  '  of  levying  a 
forfeiture  of  one  shilling  against  all  such  as  did  not 
resort  to  their  parish  church  on  Sundays  and 
holidays.' 

According  to  certain  old  Canons  of  the  Irish  Church 
(no  longer  binding),  churchwardens  were  enjoined  to 
present    to    the    bishop,    to    be    punished, 
undeT  parishioners  guilty  of  notorious  crimes  and 

the  Old  scandals  (Canon  61),  schismatics  (Canon  62), 
Canons  of  ^nd  non-communicants  (Canon  63).  By 
the  Church.  Q^^Q^  9Q  i-i^gy  ^gj,e  obliged  to  warn  all 
'  Innholders,  Travellers,  Victuallers,  and  Alehouse 
Keepers  to  sell  no  meat  or  drink  during  the  hours  of 
Divine  Service,'  while  they  were  '  to  see  that  none  of 
those  light  Wanderers  in  Markets  and  Pelting  Sellers 
which  carry  about  and  sell  Pins,  Points,  and  other 
Small  Trifles,  whom  they  call  Pedlars,  set  out  their 
wares    to    sale.'     According    to    Canon    88,    church- 

'  See  Stephen's  CommenturieSf  vol.  i.  p.  699. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  253 

wardens  were  '  to  earnestly  call  upon  all  those  slack 
and  negligent  in  resorting  to  the  church.' 

It  seems  several  classes  of  persons  were  formeily 
either  ineligible  or  exempted  from  the  office  of  church- 
warden— viz.  Peers  of  the  realm  ;  Members 
^^^^°°u,        of  Parliament ;  Cleroymen  ;  Roman  Catholic 

ineligible.  -r^.  •  ,r     •  -■-. 

Clergy  ;  Dissentmg  Mmisters  ;  Barristers  ; 
Solicitors  ;  Clerks  in  Court  ;  Physicians  ;  Surgeons 
and  Apothecaries  (if  duly  registered)  ;  Aldermen  and 
Dissenting  Teachers  ;  and  all  persons  living  out  of  the 
parish,  unless  they  occupied  a  house  of  trade  therein. 
(Steers,  '  Parish  Law,'  p.  84.) 

According  to  Act  of  Parliament,  churchwardens 
were  formerly  obliged  to  take  the  following  oath 
sworn  before  the  rector  or  vicar  :  '  We  .  .  . 
Church-  j^n(^i  ...  do  swear  that  we  will  truly, 
Oath^"^  ^  impartially  and  faithfully  execute  the  office 
of  churchwardens  within  the  Parish  of  — ■ — 
in  respect  of  the  Parochial  rates  and  assessments,  and 
the  collection  and  management  of  the  same,  and  the 
other  properties  and  monies  of  the  said  Parish,  so  help 
us  God.' 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  succession  is  incomplete 
owing  to  the  loss  of  vestry  minutes. 

1713.— Thomas  Jackson,  Patrick  McMullan. 
Church-        1724.— John  Thompson,  John  Hutchison. 
Dltg'Lle  1725.-John  Thompson,  John  Hutchison. 
1726.— Johann  Wiley,  Johann  Smith. 
1727. — Jacob  Schooles,  Will.  Enghsh. 
1736.— Jacob  O'Here,  David  Black. 
1737. — James  Erwin.  Robtus  Hall. 
1738.— Tkos.  Crance,  Hugh  McKelvey. 


254  DONAGHMORE 

17j39,_John  Gilmore,  Eobert  McComb. 
1740.— Archibald  Lowry,  John  Carson. 
1741.— James  Taylor,  Denis  McAlinden. 
1742.— John  O'Here,  Christ.  Jordan. 
1743, — Joseph  Donnell,  Bryan  O'Here. 
1744.— Jos.  Kidd,  Edw.  Bell. 
1745. — J.  Cunningham,  Thos.  McCartan. 
1746. — John  Gibson,  Philemas  Grimes. 
1747. — Jos.  Robinson,  Charles  Boyd. 
1748. — Michael  McCamly,  James  Martin. 
1749._Winiam  Mathers,  Neal  McCom-t. 
1750 .—Alexander  McClaine,  Hugh  Creeuny. 
1751.— James  McCroory,  John  MacKam. 
1752.— William  Bradford,  Jenkin  Savage. 
1753.— John  Downey,  Alex.  MisKemins. 
1754.— James  Welsh,  John  Douglas. 
1755.— Cavar  (?)  McNally,  John  Shannon, 
1756. — Henry  McBride,  John  Loughlen. 
1757. — John  Caruthers,  Thos.  Ravey. 
1758. — John  McBride,  Bryan  Graham. 
1759,_Wm.  Young,  Robt.  Smyth. 
1760.-  Felix  O'Hanlon,  John  McAtormney. 
1765.— Jas.  Johnston,  John  Bittle  (?) 
1766. — James  Johnston,  John  Cole. 
1768. — Jas.  Johnston,  John  Faris. 
1769. — Jas  Johnston,  Alex.  Walker. 
1770. — Jas.  Johnston,  David  Kernahan. 

(The  above  are  taken  from  the  Episcopal  Visitation 
Reports  for  the  Diocese  of  Dromore  in  the  Public 
Record  Office,  Dublin.) 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  255 

The  following  are  from  the  vestry  books  : 
1771, — James  Johnston,  WilHam  Mathers. 
1772. — James  Johnston,  Henry  McBride. 
1773._"Winiam  Walker,  James  Finlay. 
1774. — Robert  Waterson,  John  Martin. 
1775. — James  Walker,  Henry  Thompson. 
1776. — Isaac  Kidd,  Wilham  Mathers  (the  younger). 
1777.__"William  Glenny,  Thomas  Graham. 
1778._John  Barr,  Thos.  Meckimson. 
1779._Winiam  Donnel,  John  Kelly.     (Hugh  Cope- 
land  acted.) 

1780.— John  Marshall,  Wilham  Parks. 
1781. — James  Wiley,  Jno.  Lockart. 
1782. — John  Lockart,  Adam  Wilson. 
1783.— John  Lockart,  Joseph  Neil. 
1784.— Andrew  McCall,  Archibald  Carr. 
1785.— Thomas  Marshall,  Wilham  Walker. 
1786.— John  Shannon,  '  Small '  Daniel  Walker. 
1787. — John  Harcourt,  John  Bradford. 
1788.— Robert  Cochran,  Barney  Rice. 
1789. — James  McGuffin,  Jnr.,  Henry  Mathers. 
1790.— Joseph  Harcourt,  Joseph  Taylor. 
1791. — John  Walker,  Samuel  Milhgan. 
1792. — George  Mathers,  Jos.  McKnight. 
1793. — James  McKelvey,  George  Mathers. 
1794._George  Mathers,  Robert  Tate. 
1795. — Joseph  Cole,  Sam.  Jordan. 
1796. — William  Mathers,  John  Graham. 
1797._james  Elhot,  John  Graham. 
1798. — George  Greenaway,  John  Waddell. 
1799. — George  Greenaway,  John  Waddell. 
1800.— Wilham  Walker,  John  Neil. 


256  DONAGHMORE 

1801.— William  Walker,  John  Neil. 
1802.— William  Barber,  Isaac  Cole. 
1803.— Hugh  Parks,  John  Neil. 
1804.— John  Neil,  Hugh  Parks. 
1^05.— Alexander  Walker,  John  Neil, 
1806.— John  Walker,  Henry  McGuffin.i 
1807.— John  Walker,  Alex.  McGuffin. 
1808.— Robert  Hamilton,  Alex.  McGuffin. 
1809. — William  Mathers,  James  Thompson. 
1810.— WilUam  Mathers,  '  Long  '  Joseph  Kidd, 
1811.— Wilham  Kidd,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1812.— Wilham  Mathers,  Andrew  Wilson. 
1813.— Wilham  Mathers,  Andrew  Wilson. 
1819.— Andrew  Marshall,  Archibald  Marshall. 
1820.— Samuel  McCulloigh,  David  Weir. 
1821.— Joseph  Parker,  John  Smith,  junr. 
1822.— Thomas  Marshall,  John  Young. 
1823.— Thomas  Marshall,  John  Young. 
1824.— James  Coates,  Andrew  Marshall. 
1825.— Leonard  Alex.  Gunning,  Thomas  Welch  or 
Walsh. 

1826. — Leonard  Alex.  Gunning,  David  McMaster. 
1827. — Trevor  Corry,2  Samuel  Boyd  Marshall. 
1828.— Trevor  Corry,  Samuel  Boyd  Marshall. 
1829.— Smithson  Corry,  Andrew  Marshall. 
1830.— Trevor  Corry,  James  Gammell. 
1831.— Arthur  Innes,  Ralf  Vaughan. 
1832. — John  Marshall,  John  Harcourt. 

1  The  vestry,  December  30,  1806,  appointed  Alex.  McGuffin 
churchwarden  in  the  place  of  Henry  McGuffin  (deceased). 

-  David  McMaster  acted  as  deputy  churchwarden  for  Trevor 
Cony,  1827,  1828,  1830. 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  257 

1833. — Andrew  Cuppels,  Isaac  Mathers. 
1834. — James  Lochart,   '  Little  Barney  '  Rice. 
1835.— John  Clark,  Isaac  Kidd. 
1836. — Bernard  Rice,  Robert  Gibson. 
1837. — John  Porter,  Isaac  Mathers. 
1838. — David  McMaster,  James  Sturgeon. 
1839.— Edward  Curteis,  John  Clark. 
1840. — Isaac  Mathers,  Saml.  Boyd  Marshall. 
1841. — James  Sturgeon,  Thomas  Walsh. 
1842. — John  Mahood,  William  Mathers. 
1843.— Wm.  Clark,  Jas.  Mathers. 
1844. — Francis  Greenaway,  George  Mathers. 
1845.— Elijah  Clark,  John  Whaley  Magavry(?). 
1846.— John  Whaley  Magavry(?),  Elijah  Clark. 
1847.— William  Porter,  William  Lochart. 
1848.— William  Porter,  Bernard  Rice. 
1849. — Wilham  Porter,  Bernard  Rice. 
1850. — William  Porter,  Bernard  Rice. 
1851. — Wilham  Porter,  Alexander  Mahood. 
1852.— Wilham  Porter,  Richard  Wiley. 
1853. — David  Wiley,  John  Harcourt. 
1854.— John  Harcourt,  Wilham  Harcourt. 
1855. — Francis  Greenaway,  James  Mathers. 
1856. — David  Greenaway,  James  Mathers. 
1857. — ^David  Greenaway,  Joseph  Mathers. 
1858. — Wilham  Greenaway,  James  Macconneh. 
I860.— James  Macconnell,  Wilham  Greenaway. 
1861. — James  Macconnell,  Joseph  Mathers. 
1862. — Wilham  Greenaway,  James  Macconnell. 
1863.— Andrew  Marshall,  William  Clark. 
1864.— Andrew  Marshall,  Wilham  Clark. 
1865. — Joseph  Harcourt,  Henry  Hamilton. 


25ft  DONAOmrOBE 

1866.— Joseph  Harcourt,  Henry  Hamilton. 
1867._William  Lochart,  Alexander  Mahood. 
1868.— John  Mathers,  WilHam  Harcourt. 
1869.— Joseph  Patterson,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1875. — David  Greenaway,  Wilham  Harcourt. 
1876. — David  Greenaway,  William  Harcourt. 
1877.— David  Greenaway,  Joseph  Patterson. 
1878.— George  Gordon,  J.  T,  C.  Quinn. 
1879.— George  Gordon,  J.  T.  C.  Quinn. 
1880.— George  Gordon,  J.  T.  C.  Quinn. 
1881.— Joseph  Patterson,  John  Mehaffy. 
1882.— Joseph  Patterson,  John  Mehaffy. 
1896. — Joseph  Patterson,  George  Gordon. 
1897.— Wilham  Clements,  George  Mathers. 
1898.— William  Clements,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1899. — Henry  Clements,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1900.— G.  A.'  Orr,  George  Gordon. 
1901.— G.  A.  Orr,  George  Gordon. 
1902. — G.  A.  Orr,  George  Gordon. 
1903.— Joseph  Patterson,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1904. — ^ Joseph  Patterson,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1905. — Joseph  Patterson,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1906.— Joseph  Patterson,  Wilham  Mathers. 
1907.— Colonel  Carden,  William  McClean. 
1908.— Colonel  Carden,  Wilham  McClean. 
1909.— Colonel  Carden,  H.  M.  Cooke-Cross. 
1910. — Colonel  Carden,  H.  M.  Cooke-Cross. 
1911.— Arthur  C.  W.Innes-Cross, H.M.Cooke-Cross. 
1912. — George  Mathers,  Christy  McClean. 
1913.— George  Mathers,  Christy  McClean. 
Select  Vestry,  1912.— A.  C.  W.  Innes-Cross,  Saml. 
Gordon,  J. P.  (Hon.  Secretary  and  Treasurer).  George 


PARISH  VESTRY  BOOKS  259 

Gordon,    J.    J.    Robinson,    M.B.,    Professor    Ander- 
son, M.A.,  M.D.,    J.P.,    Joseph    Patterson,   William 
Mathers,   WiUiam  McClean,    John   Drake, 
Select  J.  J.  Grattan,  Samuel  Mehaffy,  and  David 

Vestry  and    (.^eenawav. 

Synodsmen.  ^  "        n  , 

Diocesan  Synodsmen. — 1876-8  :  Arthur 
C.  Innes,  Samuel  Gordon,  J.  T.  C.  Quinn  and  Joseph 
Patterson.  (No  appointment  of  synodsmen  appears 
in  the  vestry  books,  1879-82.)  1883-U02  :  Arthur 
C.  Innes  and  George  Gordon.  K03-12  :  George 
Gordon  and  Joseph  Patterson. 


s  2 


CHAPTEE  VI 

DONAGHMORE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH 

The  Presbyterian  Church  is  old  and  historic.  The 
Kirk  of  Scotland  is  the  venerable  mother  of  the  Presby- 
terian Communions  in  the  British  Isles,  and 
J,"^\  .  •  being  the  State  Church  of  that  country,  the 
Communion  Eoyal  Family,  when  resident  at  Balmoral, 
and  Kirk  of  attend  the  Parish  (Crathie)  Church.  Her 
Scotland.  ministers  are  as  proud  and  as  certain  of 
their  divine  commission  as  any  Anghcan.  Dr. 
Marshall  Lang,  Principal  of  Aberdeen  University,  in 
the  Baird  Lecture  for  1901  ('  The  Church  and  its  Social 
Mission  ')  asserts  the  continuity  of  the  present  Church 
of  Scotland  with  the  ancient  Celtic  Church,  and  affirms 
that  the  Scottish  Eeformation  was  fundamentally 
a  Cathohc  movement.  And  a  learned  presbyter  of 
the  Scottish  EstabUshment  has  pubHshed  an  important 
work,  in  several  volumes,  in  which  he  has  traced  the 
succession  of  the  ministers  of  each  parish  back  to  the 
Eeformation  period,  when  the  old  orders  were  trans- 
mitted, thus  showing  the  historical  continuity  of  the 
Church.  The  Irish  Presbyterian  Church  is  the  full- 
grown  daughter  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  Until 
disestabUshment  she  occupied  a  semi-State  position 
in  this  country,  each  of  her  ministers  receiving  the 


PEESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  261 

Begiwn  Donum.     She  has  an  able  and  scholarly  minis- 
try, and  an  intelligent,  generous  and  attached  laity. 

Ihe  Presbyterian  Church  of  Donaghmore  is  one 
of  the  oldest  and  most  important  of  country  congre- 
gations in  connection  with  the  General 
Donaghmore  Assembly.  On  the  north  gable  of  the 
Church  church  there  is  a  moulded  date-panel  with 
the  inscription  :  '  Donoughmore  Presby- 
terian Church,  1705  ;  enlarged  1762  ;  restored  1895.' 
Long  before  the  first  date  (1705),  however,  there  must 
have  been  a  considerable  Presbyterian  community  in 
the  neighbourhood,  when  it  seems  they  worshipped 
with  the  Newry  congregation,  whose  minister  was  the 
Rev.  George  Lang,  and  whose  church  was  close  to  the 
'  Belfast  Road,'  about  a  mile  from  the  town.  In  1705 
the  Presbyterians  in  Donaghmore  became  a  separate 
congregation  by  the  decision  of  the  General  Synod 
of  Ulster. 

The  records  of  this  Synod  are  very  interesting 
reading  as  showing  the  modes  of  spelling,  the  quaint 
customs,  and  the  deliberative  methods 
Records  of  >^hich  prevailed  in  the  supreme  court  of 
Ulster  ^  ^^®  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  seventeenth 
and  eighteenth  centuries.  The  proceedings 
of  the  Synod  are  also  useful  reading,  and  occasionally 
furnish  very  sensible  advice,  particularly  to  ministers  ; 
as,  for  example,  that  given  to  such  in  1697,  when  it 
was  '  recommended,  first,  that  all  Ministers  be  grave 
and  decent  in  their  apparrell ;  secondly  that  Young 
Men  be  not  entered  into  the  Ministry  till  they  be  of 
competent  Age  and  Abilitys  ;  thirdly,  that  Ministers 
&  Preachers  use  a  sound  Form  of  Words  in  Preaching, 


262  DONAGHMORE 

abstaining  from  all  Romantick  Expressions  and  hard 
words,  which  the  vulgar  do  not  understand,  as  also 
from  all  sordid  words  and  Phrases,'  etc.  We  find  the 
following  quaint  overture  was  passed  *  Nem:  Contrad.' 
in  1700,  entitled  an  '  Overture  for  reforming  the 
Levitees '  !  viz.  '  That  there  were  some  Ministers, 
their  Wives  &  Children  are  too  gaudj^  and  vain  in 
their  Apparrel,  and  some  too  sordid,  therefore  that 
it  be  recommended  to  the  severall  Presbytrys  to 
reform  these  faults  in  themselves  &  theirs,  and  study 
Decency  &  Gravity  in  their  Apparrel  and  Wigs, 
avoiding  powderings,  vain  Cravats,  Half  Shirts,  and 
the  like.'  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  timely  overture 
had  the  desired  effect  and  that  the  '  Levitees  '  were 
reformed  !  But  apart  from  their  quaintness  and  so 
forth,  the  records  are  invaluable  as  containing  a 
mine  of  information  for  the  historian,  and  this 
seems  to  me  to  be  their  main  use  ±o  us.  In  our  sketch 
of  the  Donaghmore  congregation  in  its  early  stages 
we  have  to  depend  almost  entirely  on  these  synodical 
records  for  our  information. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  records  of  the 
Synod  furnish  a  full  and  detailed  account  of  the 
formation  and  organisation  of  the  Donagh- 
Formation  jQiore  Presbyterian  Church,  under  the 
TtionT'^'  J^resbytery  of  Armagh. 
Donaghmore  It  would  Seem  that  previous  to  1705 
Congrega-  the  Presbyterians  of  Donaghmore  formed 
tracted"''  ^  portion  of  the  Newr\^  congregation.  At 
Dispute.  the  Synod  of  Ulster,  held  at  Antrim,  June  1 
of  that  year,  we  find  '  Donaghmore  desires 
to    be    a    distinct    congregation.'     The    Donaghmore 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  263 

'  Case  '  is  thus  recorded  :  '  The  Meeting  of  Ardmagh 
brought  by  Refer  into  this  Synod  a  Case  depending  be- 
tween Newry  and  Donaghmore.  Donaghmore  desires 
to  be  a  distinct  Congregation.  That  Presbytry  having 
given  to  us  a  Deduction  of  that  matter,  what  they  have 
done  is  contain'd  in  a  Paper  in  retenUs.  The  Synod 
entereing  upon  the  Bussiness,  call'd  the  Partys. 
Newry  by  their  Commr.  Ja:  Ballentine,  John  Hanen, 
&  several  others,  their  Commission  being  read,  they 
produc'd  a  Supphcation,  wherein  they  crave  that  the 
Congregation  of  Newry  continue  as  it  is.  Donaghmore 
by  their  Commrs.  Archibald  Stuart  &c.  Supphcate 
that  there  be  a  new  erection.'  On  the  same  date,  at 
'  4  a  Clock  a  merid.,'  it  was  '  overtured  '  as  follows  : 
'  The  Committee  deliberately  weighing  the  Refer  from 
Ardmagh  meeting  concerning  Newry  and  Donaghmore, 
do  believe  there  may  be  two  congregations,  one  at 
Newry,  another  at  Donaghmore,  Donaghmore  giving 
security  for  38£  &  twenty  Bolls  of  Oats  yearly  to  a 
Minister ;  &  considering  the  Number  of  Familys 
and  Bounds  of  the  Congregation,  a  Prospect  of  a 
Competent  Maintenance  to  two  ministers,  spreading 
the  Gospel,  planting  the  Country,  &  that  neither 
Congregation  be  a  too  heavy  charge.  All  which  being 
fully  reason'd,  it  was  overtured  to  the  Synod  that 
there  be  two  Congregations  in  that  Country,  the  one  to 
continue  at  Newr}^  the  other  to  be  erected  at  Donagh- 
more— that  Donaghmore,  both  as  to  the  Bounds  of 
their  Congregation  to  be  perambulate  by  Ardmagh 
Presbytry  (if  need  be)  &  seat  of  their  intended  Meeting 
house  be  determined  by  the  Said  Presbytry  :  which 
overture  being  now  read  in  the  Svnod  and  all  concern' d 


264  DONAGHMORE 

having  fully  spoken,  were  remov'd.  After  mature 
consideration  of  the  overture  with  the  aforesaid 
Reasons,  we  came  to  this  Vote,  whether  there  shall  be 
two  Congregations  in  that  Country  or  one  ?  It  was 
carryed,  by  a  Plurality  of  Votes,  there  shall  be  two. 
.  .  .  The  ordering  of  these  two  Congregations  and  Seat 
of  their  new  intended  Meeting-house  to  be  determined 
by  the  Presbytry  of  Ardmagh.  The  partys  being 
called  in,  this  minute  was  read  unto  them.  They 
were  desired  to  carry  Christianly  and  affectionately 
toward  each  other  and  reverence  Providence  in  this 
and  all  determinations.'  i 

On  the  principle  that  the  stronger  should  help  the 
weaker  the  Newry  congregation  had  promised  financial 
support  to  that  of  Donaghmore,  but  for  some  reason 
or  other  the  contract  was  not  fulfilled.  In  the  circum- 
stances, and  receiving  no  '  Redress  '  from  the  Presby- 
tery, the  congregation  appealed  to  the  General  Synod 
of  Ulster,  which  met  at  Antrim  June  1,  1708,  thus  : 

'  Donaghmore  new  Congregation,  neighbouring 
Newry — John  Todd,  &c.,  Commrs.  supplicated  that 
tho'  according  to  the  Contract  with  Newry  Congrega- 
tion, the  weaker  congregation  should  be  assisted  for 
the  support  of  the  Gospel,  Application  was  made  to 
the  Presbytry  of  Ardmagh,  what  was  promist  not 
being  perform'd  ;  and  getting  no  Redress  from  the 
Presby.  they  were  necessitate  to  appeal  to  this  Synod. 
The  Appealants'  Commission  was  read  :  also  defendts.' 
Reasons  by  their  Commr.  James  Ballentine  were 
heard.  The  Appealants  held  forth  that  in  Equity 
Newry  should  perform  thir  Contract,  Donnoghmore 

'  Records,  vol.  i.  pp.  97-8. 


PEESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  265 

Circumstances  much  requiring  it.'  The  Commis- 
sioners having  been  heard  and  also  the  Presbytery  of 
Armagh,  it  was  then  '  voted  whether  annex  Drum- 
banagher  &  the  Glen  to  Donnoghmore  for  its  Assist- 
ance from  Lammas  next.  It  was  earryed,  from  Lammas 
next  annex  Drumbanogher  &  the  Glen  to  Donaghmore, 
Drumbanagher  and  the  Glen  paying  what  Stipend  they 
owe  to  Newry  before  Lammas.  Then  they  are  to 
get  their  Testimonial.'  ^ 

It  seems  that  the  Presbyterians  of  Drumbanagher 
and  Glen  were  strongly  opposed  to  this  union,  for  at 
the  next  General  Synod  (September  8,  1708)  Wilham 
Andrew  and  William  Waterson  '  produc'd  a  Supphca- 
tion  holding  forth  their  Grievances  from  the  Annexation 
of  them  to  that  Congregation  (Donaghmore),  and 
desir'd  Relief  from  this  Synod.'  The  '  whole  Affair  ' 
was  referred  to  the  Synod  of  Monaghan  (of  which  there 
is  no  record). 

At  the  General  Synod  (1709)  '  Complaint  was  made 
that  Drumbanagher  and  Glen  have  not  obey'd  the 
Appointment  '  of  their  annexation  to  Donaghmore. 
Their  Commissioner  (Wilham  Waterson)  appeared 
before  the  Synod,  '  Supplicating  that  this  may  please 
to  reverse  the  former  Act  annexing  them  to  Donagh- 
more, for  the  following  Reasons,  Viz  : — their  great 
Dislike  to  the  Congregation  of  Donaghmore,  and  that 
they  had  no  Choice  of  the  Minrs.  (ministers).  There 
was  also  a  '  Supplication  '  presented  that  they  may  be 
permitted  to  be  a  new  '  Erection.' 

The  Synod  appointed  a  representative  committee 
of  ministers  and  ruling  elders  to  consider  the  '  Affair 

Records,  vol.  i.  p.  152. 


266  DONAGHMORE 

and  overture  thereupon.'  The  Committee  arrived  at 
the  following  Resolution  :  '  That  the  said  Places  of 
Drumbanogher  and  Glen  continue  annext  to  Donnogh- 
more,  as  they  were  order'd  by  the  (said)  Act  of  the 
Genl.  Synod,  till  they  can  sufficiently  satisfy  their 
own  Presb^  that  there  can  be  a  regular  Erection  there 
without  rendering  any  other  Congregation  incapable 
of  maintaining  the  Ghospel  ;  the  Presb^  of  Ardmagh 
be  appointed  to  receive  and  consider  such  Application 
they  may  make  unto  them  for  an  Erection,  and 
encourage  them  as  they  shall  find  Cause,  provided 
still  that  they  be  not  erected  till  they  pay  up  all  Arrears 
they  may  be  due  to  the  Congregation  of  Donnoghmore  ; 
that  Ardmagh  Presb^  do  not  meddle  with  them,  unless 
they  annex  to  Donnoghmore,  after  which  they  are  in 
an  OEDBRLY  WAY  to  apply  to  that  meeting,  who 
will  take  due  Care  of  them  ;  which  overture  being  read 
again  and  again,  was  voted  and  approved  by  this 
Synod.  Drumbanagher  was  admonisht  for  some 
unsuitable  expression  in  their  papers.'  ^ 

At  the  General  Synod  (Belfast,  June  19)  of  1711, 
the  Presbyterians  of  Drumbanagher  and  Glen  appear 
by  their  Commissioners,  William  Waterson,  William 
Andrew,  John  Auterson,  and  James  Conolly,  *  humbly 
petitioning  that  they  may  be  reanext  to  the  Congrega- 
tion of  Newry.'  John  Tod  and  Archibald  Camond, 
Commissioners  from  the  Session  and  congregation  of 
Donaghmore,  appeared  before  the  same  Synod  '  com- 
plaining that  the  people  of  Drumbanogher  and  Glen 
have  not  obey'd  the  Acts  of  this  Synod  anexing  them 
to  the  said  Congregation,  whereby  their  Congregation 

^  liecoidd,  vol.  i.  pp.  171-3. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  267 

is  likely  to  sink,  and  praying  for  remedy  of  their 
Grievances,  and  the  anexation  of  some  other  Town 
Lands  now  belonging  to  the  Congregation  of  Newry. 
Partys  being  remov'd,  a  motion  was  made  that  the 
former  Acts  of  this  Synod  for  anexing  Drumbanagher 
&  Glen  be  so  far  repeal'd  as  to  give  full  power  to  the 
Presbty.  of  Ardmagh  with  Correspondents  to  consider 
the  whole  affair  as  if  noe  such  Acts  had  been  ever 
made.'  The  motion  was  '  Carry'd  in  the  affirmative 
nem.  contradic'  i 

This  protracted  dispute  was  again  brought  before 
the  General  Synod — June  17,  1712 — and  it  would 
seem  for  the  last  time.  The  matter  came  before  the 
Synod  by  way  of  appeal  from  the  '  Sentence  '  of  the 
Armagh  Presbytery  (which  that  body  had  refused  to 
reverse),  viz.  that  the  '  Inhabitants  of  Drumbanagher 
and  Glen  (The  Appellants)  be  members  of  the  Congre- 
gation of  Donohmore.'  After  much  discussion  by  the 
Synod  the  following  question  was  put,  viz.  '  Whether 
the  people  of  Drumbanogher  and  Glen  shall  be  con- 
tinu'd  members  of  the  Congregation  of  Donohmore 
or  not  ?  '  and  the  said  question  being  put  accordingly, 
'  it  was  carry'd  in  the  affirm,  by  a  great  majority.' 

Drumbanagher  and  Glen  were  dissatisfied  with 
this  decision  ;  for  at  the  same  Synod  we  find  that 
certain  '  Brethren  '  who  were  appointed  to  confer  with 
'  that  people  '  for  making  them  '  Easy  in  complying 
with  our  conclusion  that  they  continue  annext  to 
Donohmore,'  '  report  that  they  conferred  with  'em, 
but  had  not  the  desirable  success.' 

A  '  Complaint  '  was  made  (at  this  Synod)  that  Mr. 

'  Records,  vol.  i.  p.  231. 


268  DONAGHMORE 

Johnston  of  Donaghmore  had  refused  the  Presbyterians 
of  Drumbanagher  and  Glen  '  Seahng  Ordinances.' 
Mr.  Johnston  '  reply'd  that  he  sent  one  to  those 
bounds  to  tell  that  people  that  he  would  go  to  the  place 
and  baptize  the  children  of  such  who  would  be  orderly.' 
Drumbanagher  considered  that  by  their  promising 
to  be  '  orderly  '  meant  an  obhgation  to  continue  with 
Donaghmore.  '  After  long  reasoning '  the  Synod 
passed  the  following  resolution  :  '  That  the  people 
of  Drumbanoher  and  Glen  shall  be  admitted  to  Sealing 
Ordinances,  except  they  be  guilty  of  such  things  as 
would  ev'n  deprive  other  members  of  Donohmore.'  i 

Eventually,  after  a  considerable  time,  Drumban- 
agher became  a  separate  congregation,  and,  at  a  still 
later  date,  a  second  was  formed.  At  present,  however, 
they  are  united  under  the  joint  pastorate  of  the 
Rev.  A.  F.  Hamilton,  B.A.  (who  has  retired  from  the 
active  duties  of  the  ministry),  and  the  Rev.  James 
Mulhgan,  B.A.,  who  officiates  alternately  in  the  two 
churches,  which  are  situate  in  the  village  of  Jerrettspass, 
CO.  Armagh.  A  few  of  the  Glen  Presbyterians  who 
reside  in  the  vicinity  are  members  of  the  Drumbanagher 
congregation,  while  the  others  still  adhere  to  that  of 
Donaghmore  and  are  amongst  its  most  loyal  supporters. 

The  present  bounds  of  the  Donaghmore  congrega- 
tion are  still  very  extensive,  including  most  of  the 
parish,  a  section  of  Aghaderg,  and  the 
Bounds  of  south-eastern  portion  of  Newry  parish. 
gregaSn  ^'^®  following  are  the  Presbyterian  churches 
which  at  present  more  immediately  surround 
the    Donaghmore    congregation :     viz.    Newry    (two 

1  Beconh,  vol.  i.  pp.  205-6  and  268. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  2G9 

churches),  Ryans,  Glasker,  Loughbrickland,  Four- 
towns,  Poyntzpass,  and  Drumbanagher. 

1707,  June  23. — James  Johnston  was  ordained  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Armagh  as  the  first  minister  of  the 
congregation.  This  Presbytery  reported  to 
Ministers  of  the  General  Synod  of  1705  that  they  had 
more^James '  Licens'd  Mr.  James  Johson  '  (Johnston) 
Johnston,  to  preach  the  Gospel.  James  Johnston 
built  Traymont  (Tremont)  House,  and  gave 
the  site  for  the  original  church  edifice.  He  purchased 
the  townland  of  Lisserboy,  in  the  parish  of  Newry, 
bordering  that  of  Donaghmore,  where  he  (and  his  son 
James)  gave  the  site  for  the  present  church  in  1702, 
which  was  erected  during  his  pastorate.  The  lease, 
renewable  for  ever,  was  made  to  twelve  trustees  (see 
infra),  and  reserved  the  famil}^  pew  for  the  Johnstons 
and  their  heirs. 

James  Johnston  was  evidently  a  man  of  much 
influence  in  the  community,  a  devoted  Presbyterian, 
and  a  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel.  The  Presby- 
terians of  Donaghmore  will  do  well  to  revere  the 
memory  of  the  good  man  who  did  so  much  for  their 
church  in  this  place.  He  appears  to  have  been  a 
constant  attendant  at  the  General  Synod,  until  by 
age  and  infirmity  he  was  precluded  from  taking  part 
in  the  supreme  court  of  his  church.  He  appeared  at 
Synod  for  the  first  time  in  June  1708,  and  the  last 
record  of  his  presence  was  in  1736. 

'  James  Johnson's  '  name  appears  in  '  a  list  of  the 
Presbyterian  ministers  to  whom  her  Majestie's  Royal 
Bounty  is  to  be  paid  for  Xmass  quarter  1712.'  He 
was    fifty-nine   years    minister    of    the    Donaghmore 


270  DONAGHMORE 

congregation.  He  died  October  21,  1765,  aged 
eighty-seven  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  parish  church- 
yard, where  his  tomb  remains ;  but  the  stone  is  so 
broken  and  defaced  that  it  is  impossible  to  decipher 
the  inscription.  We  are  indebted  to  Colonel  Johnston 
(of  Kilmore,  co.  Armagh),  a  descendant,  for  the 
following  particulars  of  the  family  : 

James  Johnston,  Presbyterian  Minister  of  Donagh- 
more,  of  Tremont,  co.  Down,  and  Carrickbreda, 
CO.  Armagh,  was  son  of  James  Johnston  of  Knappagh, 
Carrickbreda  and  Dress,  co.  Armagh,  by  Sarah  Dobbs, 
his  wife.  He  was  born  about  1678,  married  (before 
1772)  Elizabeth,  sister  of  Francis  Wilson  of  Tully, 
CO.  Longford.  He  left  two  children  :  James,  of 
Tremont,  and  Joseph,  M.D.,  who  was  grandfather 
of  Captain  Robert  Dudgeon  Johnston,  66th,  7th, 
and  68th  Regiments,  who  served  in  the  Peninsular 
War. 

James  Johnston  of  Tremont  (son  of  Rev.  James 
Johnston)  married  his  cousin,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Francis  Wilson  of  Tully,  co.  Longford,  and  had  three 
children,  James  (his  heir),  the  Rev.  Francis  Johnston, 
Vicar  of  Donaghmore  (see  List  of  Vicars),  and  Eleanor 
(married,  1768,  William  Hawkshaw  of  Divernagh, 
CO.  Armagh,  and  had  a  son,  Lieut. -Colonel  Hawkshaw, 
31st  Regt.,  whose  son,  the  Rev.  Edward  Burdett 
Hawkshaw,  Prebendary  of  Hereford,  married,  1845, 
Catherine  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Hungerford 
Hoskyns,  7th  Bart.,  and  was  father  of  Major  Edward 
Crichton  Hawkshaw,  R.A.).  The  elder  son  of  James 
Johnston  of  Tremont  (above  mentioned)  was  James 
Johnston  of  Tremont  and  Carrickbreda,  who  married 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  271 

Anne  Pyne,  and  had  issue,  viz.  James,  Arthur,  John, 
Joseph  and  two  daughters. 

1763,  June  27. — George  Richey,  A.M.,  was  ordained 
as  assistant  and  successor  to  the  Rev.  James  Johnston. 

The     following    extract     bearing    on    his 
Richev  generosity  is  taken  from  the    records    of 

the  Synod  of  Ulster,  1764  : 
'  Mr.  Richey,  in  the  Presbytery  of  Dromore,  tho' 
ordain'd  before  the  General  Synod  in  June,  1763, 
generously  allowed  the  whole  of  his  ordr3^  R:  D:  for 
that  year  instead  of  fourty  shills.'  George  Richey  was 
a  man  of  much  learning  and  piety,  and  was  greatly 
beloved  by  his  congregation  during  the  nine  years  of 
his  successful  pastorate.  He  appeared  at  Synod  for 
the  first  time  in  1763.  He  died  at  an  early  age,  and 
was  buried  in  the  parish  churchyard.  His  tomb 
bears  the  following  inscription :  '  Here  lyeth  the 
body  of  the  Reverend  George  Ritchey  A.M.  Presby- 
terian Minister  of  this  Parish  who  died  the  8th  day 
of  December  1771,  age  38  years.  Justissimiis  Ser- 
vantissimus  cBqui.'  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Barber,  A.M.,  of  Rathfriland, 
and  was  published  at  the  request  of  the  congregation. 
The  following  are  a  few  extracts  :  '  I  see  you  all  greatly 
affected,  and  sensible  of  the  loss  of  so  faithful  an 
instructor  and  guide  to  heaven.  ...  I  well  remember 
he  was  marked  out  at  the  University  as  a  most  promis- 
ing youth  ;  his  acquaintance  was  even  then  sought 
after,  and  himself  highly  esteemed  by  all  ranks  for 
his  piety  and  learning,  which  gave  pleasing  hopes  of 
his  filling  with  dignity  that  station  in  which  by  Divine 
Providence  he  was  afterwards  placed,  and  to  qualify 


272  DONAGHMORE 

himself  for  which  was  the  constant  business  of  his 
life.  ...  Ye  have  in  a  few  years  been  deprived  of  two 
worthy  ministers  (James  Johnston  and  George  Eichey) 
whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches.  Take  heed,  then, 
to  your  ways  :  show  your  gratitude  to  their  memory 
by  a  diligent  observation  of  God's  great  and  eternal 
truths  which  they  inculcated  on  you  ;  be  a  seal  to 
their  ministry.' 

He  married  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Alexander 
M'Comb,  of  Creggan,  co.  Armagh,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children,  viz.  Mary,  who  married  Connell  O'Donnell, 
brother  of  Sir  Neil  O'Donnell,  and  a  son,  who  was 
drowned  in  Newry,  leaving  two  children,  James  and 
Alexander,  the  former  of  whom  became  a  clergyman 
of  the  English  Church,  and  the  latter  an  Irish  barrister, 

It  may  be  noted  that  it  was  immediately  after 
George  Richey's  ordination  that  the  congregation 
severed  its  connection  with  the  Presbytery  of  Armagh, 
and  joined  that  of  Dromore.  At  the  General  Synod 
held  at  Lurgan,  June  28,  1763,  '  a  supplication  was 
presented  from  the  Congregation  of  Donaghmore  by 
John  Martin  and  Thos.  Caddell,  Commrs.  wherein 
they  intreat  (with  the  concurrance  of  the  Revd.  Pby. 
of  Armagh)  that  they  be  joined  to  the  Revd.  Pby.  of 
Dromore.  This  granted.  And  the  Synod  enjoined  the 
Pby.  of  Dromore  to  take  care  that  the  Congn.  of  Don- 
aghmore pay  the  fees  due  the  Pby.  of  Armagh's  Clk.  & 
the  fund  due  Vinecash  &  Narro water.'      ('  Records.') 

We  are  quite  certain  '  the  fund  due  Vinecash  & 
Narrowater  '  did  not  suffer  by  the  transfer,  and  that 
'  the  fees  due  the  Pby.  of  Armagh's  Clk.'  were 
duly  paid  ! 


PEESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  273 

1773,  March  9. — Joseph  Hay  was  ordained  by  the 

Presbytery   of   Dromore   as   the   pastor.     He   was   a 

zealous  minister,  and  a  great  loyahst.    He 

Ha^^  was  present  at  Synod  for  the  first  time  in 

1773.     He  died  May  15,  1808,  having  been 

for  31  years  minister  of  the  congregation. 

The  inscription  on  his  tomb  in  the  parish  chujch- 
yard  is  as  follows  :  '  This  is  the  Bmying  place  of  the 
late  Rev.  Joseph  Hay,  who  departed  this  life  15th 
May  1808.     Aged  56  years.' 

He  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  of  great 
independence  of  character,  who  knew  his  duty  and 
did  it,  allowing  no  dictation.  He  married  the  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Kinkead. 

1804,  September  4. — Moses  Finlay  was  ordained 
minister  of  the  congregation.  He  was  an  earnest 
man,  a  popular  preacher,  and  very  zealous 
Sr  "^  estabhshing  Sunday  Schools  within  the 

bounds  of  the  congregation.  He  was  '  a 
father  to  his  people,  whose  counsel  and  guidance  they 
largely  sought  in  their  multifarious  concerns.'  He 
was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  Ulster  in  1883.  In 
that  year  Donaghmore  was  a  '  1st  class  Congregation  ' 
in  respect  of  the  Royal  Bounty,  with  2894  souls. 

He  first  appears  at  Synod  in  1805.  During  his 
pastorate  (about  1832)  the  spacious  lecture-room  and 
the  commodious  stables  were  built  at  a  cost  of  £20G. 
He  resigned  in  April,  1837,  and  was  subsequently 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  Newmills,  co.  Tyrone. 

He  died  May  5,  1854,  and  was  buried  in  Donagh- 
more parish  churchyard,  where  a  handsome  tomb 
has   been  erected  in  his   memory   and   that  of  Mrs. 


274  DONAGHMORE 

Finlay  {me  Thompson),  which  bears  the  following 
inscription :  '  Erected  in  memory  of  the  Rev.  M. 
Finlay,  for  33  years  Presbyterian  Minister  of  Donagh- 
more,  who  died  5th  May  1854,  aged  74  years,  and  of 
his  wife  Jane  who  died  5th  January  1846,  aged  67 
years.  "  There  remaineth  therefore  a  rest  for  the 
people  of  God."  ' 

The  names  of  Charles  and  William  Laird  Finlay 
(his  sons)  have  had  a  conspicuous  place,  and  are  of 
fragrant  memory  still  in  the  history  of  Belfast,  and, 
indeed,  of  Ulster  Presbyterianism  generally. 

1840,  October  27.— Verner  W.  White  was  ordained 
to  the  pastoral  oversight  of  the  congregation.  He 
was  a  minister  of  great  eloquence  and 
Verner  W.  fej-your,  and  it  seems  immense  congrega- 
tions  flocked  to  hear  him.  He  resigned 
July  5,  1844,  having  been  called  to  Islington  Presby- 
terian Church,  Liverpool.  While  there,  it  is  said, 
his  popularity  as  a  preacher  was  so  great  that  the 
aisles  and  pulpit  stairs  were  constantly  occupied  with 
eager  Usteners.  From  Liverpool  he  was  called  to  a  still 
more  important  congregation  in  London,  where  his  repu- 
tation as  an  eloquent  preacher  became  widely  known. 

He  became  a  Doctor  of  Laws,  and  well  earned  the 
distinction. 

1845,  October  28.— The  Rev.  Samuel  James  Moore 
was  installed  as  minister  of  the  congregation.  He 
was  considered  a  faithful  pastor  and  an 
S.  J.  Moore.  ^^^^  pj-gacher.  A  local  authority  speaks 
of  his  discourses  as  closely  reasoned  and  dehvered 
with  impassioned  eloquence,  and  that,  moreover,  he 
possessed  the  rare  gift  of  so  impressing  his  congrega- 


PRESBYTEETAN  CHURCH  275 

tioii  that  it  was  usual  to  hear  of  many  who  regarded 
the  sermon  as  wholly  directed  to  (or  at)  them  !  There 
were  about  400  communicants  October  14,  1849,  a 
very  good  test  of  his  ministry. 

On  August  6,  1850,  the  congregation  presented  him 
(at  his  residence,  Buskhill)  with  an  address,  which 
was  read  by  James  Harshaw, 

To  the  great  regret  of  the  Donaghmore  people 
Mr.  Moore  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the  congregation, 
August  20,  1850,  having  been  called  to  Third  Bally- 
mena.  The  '  call  '  was  presented  to  him  at  a  Visitation 
of  Presbytery  held  at  Second  Drumbanagher,  August 
17, 1850,  when  James  Martin  opposed  his  translation  on 
the  ground  of  his  usefulness  and  the  high  estimation 
in  which  he  was  held  by  the  Donaghmore  congregation. 
Mr,  Moore  said  '  he  saw  the  finger  of  God  directi]]g 
him  to  Ballymena,  and  he  considered  it  his  duty  to 
accept  the  call.' 

The  congregation,  notwithstanding  Mr.  Moore's 
decision,  entered  a  strong  '  Protest  '  against  the 
decision  of  the  Newry  Presbytery  in 
Congrega-  accepting  his  resignation,  and  appointed 
Protest-  commissioners  (James  Martin,  Robert 
Reasons.  Jel^ery,  Robert  Craig,  and  Robert  MGaw) 
to  present  the  same,  with  a  Memorial 
(by  way  of  appeal)  to  the  Synod  of  Dubhn,  to  meet 
May  2,  1851.     There  were  eleven  '  Reasons  of  Protest.' 

The  congregation  protested  '  1.  Because  the  con- 
gregation of  Donaghmore  contains  as  many  famihes 
as  that  of  Ballymena,  and  some  of  these  in  a  state  of 
the  grossest  ignorance. 

'  2.  Because    the   injury    to    the    congregation   is 

T    2 


27G  DONAGHMOEE 

certain  to  be  great  with  a  Vacancy  on  the  one  side 
and  a  popular  minister  of  the  Established  Church  on 
the  other. 

'  3.  Because  more  money  has  been  collected  for 
Church  purposes  in  our  congregation  during  Mr. 
Moore's  ministry  of  five  years  than  for  the  previous 
thirty  years. 

'  4.  Because  the  influential  members  of  the  con- 
gregation will  subscribe  liberally  towards  the  erection  of 
a  manse  if  Mr.  Moore  be  continued,  but  not  otherwise. 

'  5.  Because  that  error  prevails  extensively  within 
the  bounds  of  this  congregation  and  we  consider  Mr. 
Moore  pre-eminently  qualified  to  combat  it,'  etc. 

The  Memorial  '  Read  in  our  Meeting  house  August 
25,  1850,  was  signed  by  Wm.  M'AlHster,  Minister, 
and  James  Harshaw,  Session  Clerk.'    (Harshaw  Diary.) 

Mr.  Moore  was  son  of  Rev.  David  Moore,  who  in 
1808  was  ordained  minister  of  the  Secession  Con- 
gregation of  Markethill. 

1851,  March  11.— The  Rev.  Patrick  White  was 
installed  as  minister.  As  a  preacher  he  seems  to  have 
been  quite  as  eloquent  as  his  brother 
WhT  Verner.     He   very   heartily  joined   in   the 

Revival  movement  of  1859,  when  many 
new  members  were  added  to  the  congregation.  On 
Sunday,  October  9,  1859,  the  number  of  communicants 
was  almost  400.  The  congregation  presented  him,  at 
his  residence,  Buskhill,  with  an  address  and  purse  of 
sovereigns,  October  11,  1859.  The  deputation  con- 
sisted of  James  Harshaw,  Thos.  Greer,  James  Martin, 
John  M'Allister,  Jas.  Smith,  and  Ralph  Thompson. 

During  his  ministry  '  New  Scotch  Tokens  (were) 


PRESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  277 

distributed  for  the  first  time,  25th  October  1856,' 
and  on  '  February  19,  1860,  Mr.  White  preached  in 
the  first  Gown  that  had  ever  been  in  Donaghmore 
Congregation.'     (Harshaw  Diary.) 

This  Scotch  token  was  of  lead,  and  oval  in  shape. 
That  now  in  use  is  composed  of  the  same  material, 
but  square,  the  size  being  half-inch  square.  It  is  a 
rule  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  that  every  person 
entitled  to  come  to  the  Communion  must  present  a 
token  of  admission  to  the  ordinance. 

Mr.  White  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the  congrega- 
tion February  11,  1862,  having  been  elected  to  succeed 
his  father  at  First  Bailieborough. 

Patrick  and  Verner  White  were  '  sons  of  the 
manse  '  ;  their  father  being  the  Rev.  Patrick  White  of 
Bailieborough — a  Master  of  Arts  of  Glasgow  University. 

He  was  born  on  St.  Patrick's  Day,  1785,  and  on 
the  same  day  the  agent  of  the  property,  Patrick  Smith, 
visited  the  house  and  claimed  the  name  '  Patrick,' 
which  he  received  at  baptism,  while  one  of  his  sons 
and  four  grandsons  were  called  after  him.  '  He  was 
the  first  person  ever  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel 
in  connection  with  the  Synod  of  Ulster  in  the  County 
of  Cavan.'  i 

1862,  December  29.— The  Rev.  John  Elliott  was 

installed  minister  of  the  congregation,  when  the  Rev. 

W^    Todd   Martin   (Newry)    preached     the 

■  sermon,  and  the  Rev.  John  Dodd  (Newry) 

gave  the  '  charge  '  ;  while  the  Clerk  of  the  Presbytery 

(Mr.  Lindsay)  explained  Presbyterianism. 

'  See  sketch  of  the  Rev.  Patrick  White,  A.M.,  by  his  son,  Verner 
White,  LL.D. 


278  DONAGHMOEE 

It  seems  Mr.  Elliott  had  not  been  a  candidate  for 
the  appointment,  but  nevertheless  was  chosen,  and 
under  remarkable  circumstances.  He  was  appointed 
by  the  Presbytery  to  preside  at  a  meeting  of  the  people 
and  take  their  minds  between  two  candidates,  neither 
of  whom,  it  was  found,  had  a  Synodical  majority, 
when  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  choose  the 
chairman,  and  hence  his  election  and  promotion  from 
Clarkesbridge,  where  he  was  pastor  at  the  time. 

He  was  an  able  preacher,  a  diligent  pastor,  a  judi- 
cious organiser,  and  possessed  to  a  very  large  extent 
the  conlidence  of  his  people.  Amongst  his  attached 
friends  were  Mrs.  and  Miss  Johnston  of  Tremont,  who 
attended  his  ministry,  occupying  the  '  Johnston 
Seat.'  During  his  pastorate  a  handsome  manse  and 
offices  (in  the  townland  of  Loughorne)  were  erected 
(1866-7)  at  a  cost  of  £860.  He  was  fond  of  antiquarian 
research,  and  was  well  versed  in  the  history  of  his 
church,  having  written  an  article  on  the  subject  for 
the  Evangelical  Witness,  to  which  the  writer  is  much 
indebted  for  information. 

He  resigned  in  1875,  having  received  a  call  from 
Third  Armagh,  where  he  remained  till  his  death, 
August  17,  1898.  He  preached  his  farewell  sermon 
in  Donaghmore  June  27,  1875.  He  commuted  in 
the  interest  of  the  Church  in  1878. 

H3  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Elliott,  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Smithborough,  co.  Monaghan,  who  married 
Ahce  Henrietta,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Foster  (of 
Athboy,  CO.  Meath,  and  Newbliss,  co.  Monaghan),  a 
cousin  of  the  John  Foster  who  was  the  last  Speaker  of 
the  Irish  House  of  Commons  at  the  time  of  the  Union. 


PEESBYTEEIAN  CHUECH  270 

He  married  (September  18,  1856)  Jane  Stewart, 
daughter  of  John  Trimble,  M.D.,  of  Castlebellingham 
(related  to  the  Crawleys,  Hudsons  and  Breretons  of 
Louth),  by  whom  he  had  issue,  viz.  John  Trimble,  M.D,, 
of  Edron,  Smithborough,  co.  Monaghan  ;  Wilham 
Foster  (deceased)  ;  Hester  Ismay  ;  Brereton  George  ; 
James  Joseph  (deceased)  ;  Alice  Henrietta,  who 
married  W.  M.  Killen,  M.D.,  Doctor  of  the  Ulster  Eye 
and  Ear  Hospital,  Belfast,  and  great-nephew  of  Pro- 
fessor Killen,  the  Presbyterian  historian ;  James 
Stewart  Trimble ;  Eobert  Benjamin ;  and  Charles 
Johnston. 

Mrs.  Elliott  survives  her  husband,  and  resides  at 
Armagh. 

1876,    January    18.— Henry    M'Dowell,    B.A.,    a 
Licentiate    of    the    Presbytery    of    Ballymena,    was 

ordained  minister  of  the  congregation, 
M^d""^  U      having  been  called  on  the  first  of  the  previous 

November.  He  was  a  man  of  amiable 
disposition,  an  earnest  preacher,  and  a  good  pastor. 
He  married  EHzabeth,  daughter  of  James  M'Neilly 
of  Glassdrummond  House,  Annalong,  co.  Down. 

He  was  not  robust  in  health,  and  died  while  still 
young  in  years — December  25,  1882. 

1881,  December  21. — The  Eev.  Lawson  Burnett, 
B.A.,  was  installed  as  minister,  having  been  previously 

pastor  of  Kilkinamurry,  Katesbridge.  He 
Lawson        ^^  ^  ^^^  ^^  much  force  of  character  with 

Burnett.  ,      .  1     11  .      • 

decidedly  strong  convictions,  and  is,  more- 
over, an  uncompromising  Presbyterian,  yet  he  lives 
on  the  most  friendly  terms  wuth  those  who  may  differ 
from  him  religiously  and  otherwise. 


i280  DONAGHMORE 

He  is  an  earnest  minister  of  the  Gospel,  an  able 
preacher,  and  very  zealous  in  the  discharge  of  his 
pastoral  duties.  He  is  amongst  the  distinguished 
ministers  whose  sermons  occasionally  appear  in 
the  Belfast  Witriess.  '  The  Sabbath  Observance 
Society '  (Edinburgh),  some  years  since,  offered  a 
prize  for  the  best  sermon  on  '  The  Sabbath.'  There 
was  very  keen  competition  for  the  prize  on  the  part  of 
many  of  the  ablest  ministers  in  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland.  Mr.  Burnett's  prize  sermon  won  the  trophy. 
The  sermon,  published  in  1892,  is  entitled  '  A  Blessing 
and  a  Curse,'  and  is  based  on  the  text  '  Behold,  I  set 
before  you  this  day  a  blessing  and  a  curse  :  a  blessing 
if  ye  obey  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  your  God, 
which  I  command  you  this  day  '  (Deut.  xi.  26-27). 
On  November  14,  1911,  the  congregation  presented 
Mr.  Burnett  with  an  address  and  handsome  pulpit 
robes,  and  Mrs.  Burnett  with  a  hall  lamp  and  choice 
tea  service. 

The  Rev.  Lawson  Burnett  married  (January  12, 
1884)  Jane  Grieve,  daughter  of  John  M'Dowell,  of 
Warrington,  Lancashire,  by  whom  he  has  issue : 
Harry,  of  the  Provincial  Bank,  Coleraine ;  Jeannie, 
a  graduate  of  the  University  ;  Ella,  a  hospital  nurse  ; 
Dora,  and  Mildred. 

Mr.  Burnett  has  unquestionably  done  more  towards 
church  renovation  than  any  of  his  predecessors  in 
Donaghmore,  especially  considering  his  great  enter- 
prise of  1895-6,  when  the  sacred  edifice 
Renovation.  ^^'^^  literally  transformed.  In  the  laudable 
undertaking  he  was  zealously  and  hberally 
supported    by    members   of   his    congregation,    while 


PRESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  281 

friends  in  the  district,  in  Newry  and  elsewhere, 
contributed  substantially  towards  the  work.  The 
renovation  of  that  date,  with  the  subsequent 
installation  of  the  hot  water  heating  apparatus, 
cost  almost  £900.  The  entire  work  was  carried  out 
according  to  the  plans  of  the  well-known  architect 
Mr.  Henry  Hobart,  of  Lagan  Lodge,  Dromore, 
CO.  Down. 

The  church  edifice  was  not  only  renovated  but 
remodelled  on  the  occasion.  New  windows  were 
opened,  encumbering  galleries  taken  away,  seats  of 
pitch  pine,  arranged  after  the  most  approved  modern 
design,  and  a  handsome  platform  erected.  The  new 
front  with  its  elegant  entablature,  resting  on  tw^o  fine 
granite  pillars,  was  artistically  designed  and  carried 
out,  and  forms  a  striking  example  of  the  transforma- 
tion which  can  be  wrought  upon  a  bald  barn-like 
gable.  The  new  vestibule  (on  either  side  of  which  are 
session  and  cloak-rooms)  gives  easy  and  commodious 
access  to  the  staircase  and  to  the  body  of  the  house, 
which  is  entered  by  two  glass-panelled  sw^ing-doors. 
The  platform,  of  the  octagon  design,  is  a  fine  piece  of 
workmanship,  with  a  rich  front  of  beautifully  grained 
panels  and  mouldings  relieved  by  elegant  pilasters  of 
black  walnut  with  nicely  carved  basings  and  cappings, 
while  behind,  in  the  centre  of  the  alabaster  arch,  is 
placed  an  embossed  wood-work  panel  which  adds 
immensely  to  the  background  effect.  The  church 
is  lighted  by  windows  of  a  pleasing  combination 
character,  having  cathedral-tinted  glass  leadlight 
margins,  with  semi-circular  heads  and  ground-glass 
centre.     There  is  a  very  comfortable  minister's  room 


28'2  DONAGHMORE 

at  the  back  of  the  church,  and  a  boiler-house  under- 
neath for  the  new  heating  apparatus. 

The  church  was  reopened  for  divine  service  on 
the  Sundays  of  May  17  and  24,  1906,  the  preachers 
on  the  occasions  being  the  Rev.  Samuel  Prenter, 
M.A.  (now  D.D.),  of  Dublin,  and  the  Rev.  William 
Park,  D.D.  (Belfast),  while  the  collections  amounted 
to  about  £100. 

It  is  impossible  to  furnish  a  full  and  complete  list 
of  those  who  have  held  the  office  of  ruling  elder  in 
the  Donaghmore  congregation,  as  no  parti- 
^?f^°  cular  record  of  such  seems  to  have  been 

kept  by  the  church  authorities.  The  names 
that  follow  are  taken  from  the  '  Records  '  of  the  Synod 
of  Ulster,  a  Session  Book,  beginning  in  the  year  1845, 
and  information  supphed  by  the  courteous  Clerk  of  the 
Newry  Presbytery — the  Rev.  James  Meeke,  M.A.,  of 
Kingsmills,  co.  Armagh.  The  dates  in  brackets  indi- 
cate the  year  or  years  (when  known)  the  elder  was 
present  at  Synod  as  representing  the  congregation. 


John  Todd  of  Ringclare 

(1708,  1709, 

1711,  1720) 

Daniel  Taylor  of  Killysavin 

(1710, 

1715,  1728) 

Joseph  Allison  of  Granshaw 

.   (1712) 

Joseph  Symington    . 

.   (1713) 

Alexander  Gelson     . 

.   (1714) 

Samuel  Boyd  of  Carnacally 

.   (1716) 

Hugh  M  Gie     . 

.   (1717) 

James  Harshaw  of  Ringbane     . 

.   (1718) 

John  Carnolian  of  Glen     . 

.   (1719) 

PRESBYTEEIAN  CHUECH  28B 


David  Scott     , 

.    (1721) 

Fran.  Moore    . 

.    (1722) 

Richard  Ferguson 

of  Tully 

more 

.   (1723) 

Joseph  Kelly   . 

. 

.   (1724) 

Jon.  Fysher  i   . 

.   (1725) 

Will.  Andrew  . 

. 

.   (1727) 

Hugh  Makibbon 

. 

.   (1729) 

Nath.  Henry  of  Drumbana 

gher. 

.   (1730) 

Joseph  Ferguson 

.   (1735) 

From  this  year  till  1776  the  congregation  was  not 
represented  at  Synod  by  a  ruling  elder,  except  in 
1764,  when  David  Weir  (already  referred  to)  was 
present  :    Ralf  Campbell  (1776). 

The  next  representative  present  at  Synod  is  Andrew 
Murdock  of  Lisnaree  (1805).  In  1834  the  following 
were  ruhng  elders  :  John  M'Cullough,-  Hugh  Todd, 
S.  Boyd  Marshal],  John  Cowan,  James  Harshaw,  and 
Alexander  Murdock. 

In  1845  the  same  names  appear  (in  the  Session 
Book)  with  the  addition  of  that  of  John  Sloane, 

On  January  16,  1849,  the  following  were  ordained 
to  the  office  of  ruling  elders  :  Thomas  Marshall, 
Archibald  Murdock,  and  Thomas  Ward. 

These  elders  had  previously  made  the  following 
declaration  : 

'  We  believe  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith 
as  received  by  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1641  to  be 

^  By  a  mistake  in  the  records  this  name  may  have  been  inter- 
changed with  that  immediately  underneath  it,  viz.  John  Todd. 

2  '  Died  of  Consumption  (1846)  much  regretted  by  his  acquaint- 
ances as  a  candid  and  genuine  person.'     (Session  Book.) 


284  DONAGHMOKE 

founded  on  and  in  accordance  with  the  Word  of  God, 
and  as  such  we  acknowledge  it  to  be  the  Confession 
of  our  Faith.' 

1876,  May  17,  the  following  were  ordained  ruling 
elders  :  John  Harshaw,  Ealf  Copeland,  Eobert  Young, 
Eobert  Sloane,  and  Hugh  Marshall. 

1902,  Pebraary  25,  the  following  were  ordained  to 
the  eldersliip  :  viz.  James  Donnelly  of  Cloughinramer 
and  Archibald  Murdock  of  Lisnaree. 

The  following  minute  appears  in  the  Session  Book, 
March  1896.  '  Mr.  John  Harshaw,  the  Senior  Elder 
of  Donaghmore  Session  died  on  17th  Feby. 
Harshaw^"  1896.  He  was  a  man  of  sound  judgment 
and  kindly  disposition,  a  faithful  attender 
at  public  worship,  a  man  who  took  a  lively  interest  in 
ministers  and  their  work,  and  in  church  affairs  generally, 
a  lover  of  his  own  Presbyterian  Zion,  and  a  member 
oftentimes  of  the  General  Assembly.  He  came  down 
to  his  death  in  a  good  old  age  in  the  spirit  of  a  child, 
of  humility  and  penitence.  The  Session  regret  very 
much  the  loss  of  his  presence  and  well-balanced  counsels.' 

The  Harshaws  took  a  keen  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  church  and  its  services,  and  their  counsel  was 
sought  in  all  that  concerned  its  welfare.  We  find 
James  Harshaw  (father  of  the  above  John)  conducting 
the  service  in  the  church  on  an  emergency.  The 
following  entry  occurs  in  his  diary  :  '  February  16, 
1851. — The  Sabbath. — No  minister  being  at  the  meet- 
ing house,  I  took  down  the  Bible  off  the  pulpit  to  the 
table  in  the  ally,  and  after  reading  the  121st  Psalm, 
which  was  sung  by  the  clerk,  I  read  the  Sermon  on 
the  Mount  (viz.  5th,  6th,  and  7th  chapters  of  Matthew). 


PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  285 

The  clerk  then  sang  part  of  the  25th  Psahn,  when  the 
congregation  dispersed.'  Elder  Harshaw  did  the 
proper  thing  in  the  circumstances,  and  was  quite 
right  in  not  '  ascending  the  pulpit  '  ! 

The   minute   in   regard   to   Robert   Young   is    as 
follows  :    '  The  session  desires  to  record  their  sincere 

regret  at  the  sudden  and  unexpected  death 
Elder  ^f  Robert  Young,  which  took  place  at  his 

Young.         residence,    Butter    Hill,    on    Sabbath    4th 

August  1877.  Mr.  Young  was  ordained 
an  elder  of  Donaghmore  Presbyterian  church  on 
Wednesday  17th  May  1876,  and  was  much  beloved 
not  only  by  the  Session,  but  by  the  whole  Congregation.' 
Ralph  Copeland  (ordained  on  same  date)  died 
November    29,    1884,    '  after    a    wasting   and   trying 

illness.  He  was  a  man  of  well-formed 
Co  eland  ^    I'^Hgious     convictions     and     unblemished 

character,  as  sternly  firm  to  principle  as 
Puritanism  itself.  He  took  a  warm  interest  in  the 
Donaghmore  congregation,  having  been  for  many 
years,  though  not  the  later  years  of  his  hfe,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sabbath  school.  His  death,  at  httle 
over  the  prime  of  life,  is  a  solemn  call  to  those  behind 
to  use  faithfully  and  earnestly  the  talent  committed 
to  them.'     (Session  Book.) 

Archibald  Murdock,  ordained  in  1849,  died  Sep- 
tember   1888.     '  He  was   an  amiable,    kind-hearted 

man,  with  a  large  amount  of  the  tone  and 
Ei<i<^f  bearing  of  the  Christian  gentleman,  and  was 

Mmxtoct*!^      specially  noted  among  his  colleagues  in  the 

Eldership  for  the  gift  of  prayer.  During 
a  long  and  afflictive  illness  he  showed  the  temper  of  the 


286  DONAGHMORE 

true  Christian,  the  broken  and  contrite  heart,  and  the 
longing  of  a  believing  soul  for  Christ  and  his  everlasting 
consolations.'     (Session  Book.) 

Of  precentors  of  the  Donaghmore  congregation, 
it  will  suffice  to  single  out  the  late  Joseph  Harpur, 

who  for  so  many  years  filled  that  office. 
Precentor  j^n(jj.ew  M'Clelland  having  resigned  the 
Har^fur.        clerkship,  James  Martin  (Loughorne),  the 

treasurer  of  the  congregation,  wrote  Joseph 
Harpur  (June  4, 1849)  to  the  effect  that  he  had  been 
appointed  by  the  Committee  and  Session  to  the  precen- 
torship  (clerk)  at  a  salary  of  £8  per  annum,  and  that, 
should  he  accept  the  post,  he  must  consider  himself, 
in  regard  to  his  official  duties,  as  under  Sessional 
control.  The  reply  of  Precentor  Harpur  is  given  in 
full,  as  it  is  very  characteristic  : 

'  Diomantine,  6th  Jime,  1849. 

'  SiR,_I  received  your  letter  of  the  4  of  June 
which  gave  me  to  know  that  I  was  appointed  to  the 
office  of  precentor  in  Donaghmore  and  I  wish  to  inform 
you  that  I  have  gave  up  my  situation  in  Drumbanagher 
and  I  have  thrown  myself  on  you  with  all  my  abilitys, 
with  all  my  faults  and  with  all  my  failings  and  as  to 
being  under  the  control  of  the  Session  I  am  willing  to 
submit  to  them  as  a  Court  of  Christ  and  as  officers  of 
His  Church.  I  will  be  there  on  first  Sabbath,  God 
willing.  Oh,  that  it  may  be  to  me  as  a  gracious 
antisipation  of  that  happy  era  when  I  shall  yet  chant 
the  praises  of  God  and  of  Christ  in  the  upper  sanctuary 
is  the  sincere  prayer  of  your  most  obedient  servant.' 
(Harshaw  Diary.) 


PEESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  287 

He  resigned  the  position  January  21,  1878,  having 
been  for  almost  thirty  years  precentor  of  the  church. 
He  was  a  man  whom  the  older  members  of  the  congre- 
gation will  not  soon  forget.  He  was  a  '  character  ' 
in  his  way,  but  a  strong  one,  with  much  natural  ability  ; 
a  marvellous  memory  and  a  stentorian  voice.  He 
possessed  a  very  high  idea  of  his  musical  attainments, 
but  it  is  to  be  feared  his  performances  as  a  musician 
were  not  calculated  to  charm  as  those  of  Orpheus, 
who 

'  With  his  lute,  made  trees, 
And  the  mountain-tops  that  freeze, 
Bow  themselves  when  he  did  sing.' 

He  loved  what  he  called  a  '  good  Sarmon  '  and  few 
could  remember  one  so  well.  On  his  retirement  he 
was  presented  with  a  handsome  silver  watch,  which, 
he  was  wont  to  inform  his  friends,  he  had  '  won  with 
the  wind  of  his  mouth ' ! 

We  will  refer  to  but  one  ministerial  election,  viz., 
that  of  the  Rev.  Patrick  White,  who  succeeded  the 

Rev.  S.  J.  Moore,  over  which  there  seems 
^         .       to  have  been  a  '  stiff  fight.' 
Election^  The   latter   resigned    in    August    1850, 

while  the  former  was  not  elected  till  Feb- 
ruary of  the  following  year.  Thus  the  congregation 
was  five  months  without  a  settled  pastor- — it  taking 
that  space  of  time  to  make  a  choice.  There  were 
upwards  of  twelve  candidates,  divided  into  three  hsts, 
all  of  whom  were  heard.  A  Commission  of  Presbytery 
was  appointed  to  attend  '  a  meeting  of  the  people 
(February  3,  1851),  Rev.  John  Moran  presiding,  when 


288  DONAGHMORE 

four  names  were  finally  proposed,  the  largest  number 
of  votes  (43)  being  given  to  the  Rev.  Patrick  White 
of  Scotstown,  who  was  declared  duly  elected.  The 
minority  signed  the  '  Call,'  and  the  Commission  of 
Presbytery  pronounced  it  mianimous.  The  Commis- 
sion '  agreed  that  the  congregation  should  pay  the 
minister  £40  (Royal  Bounty  additional)  and  whatever 
else  the  "  house  "  would  make  up  after  deducting  the 
Salary  of  sexton  and  that  of  Precentor.'  (Harshaw 
Diary.)  Doubtless  the  importance  of  the  pastoral 
charge  of  such  a  large  congregation  accounts  for  so 
many  candidates,  and  the  sturdy  independence  of  the 
Donaghmore  Presbyterians  explains  the  elaborate 
election  programme,  while  probably  the  action  of  the 
Newry  Presbytery  in  accepting  Mr.  Moore's  resignation 
had  much  to  do  with  the  commotion  and  delay  that 
attended  the  election  of  his  successor. 

It  seems  scarcely  the  correct  thing  to  preach  the 
Gospel  as  a  candidate— BoMciting  votes— and  to  be 
subject  to  the  criticism  of  many  (samples  are  in  every 
congregation)  who  would  scarcely  '  know  a  good 
sermon  if  they  heard  it '  ;  but  none  of  our  election 
methods  are  perfect,  and  it  is  difficult  to  say  which  is 
best. 

The  Presbyterians  naturally  desire  to  '  hear  '  the 
man  who  is  to  minister  to  them,  and  we  must  not  blame 
them.  K  good  story  is  told  regarding  a  Scottish 
ministerial  election,  which  is  as  follows.  Sandy 
(discussing  a  candidate's  probation  discourse  with 
Jamie,  a  brother  elder)  gives  judgment  thus  :  '  In 
my  opinion,  he  wasna  justified  in  dividing  folk  into 
the  sheep  and  the  goats.     I  wadna  just  say,  Jamie, 


PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  289 

that  I  was  among  the  unco  guid,  an'  I  wadna  say  that 
you  were  among  the  unco  bad.  So  whar  do  Ave  come 
in  ?  He'll  no  do  for  us,  Jamie.  We'll  no  vote  for 
him.' 

The    Session    Book    contains    much    information 
regarding   disciphne    and    the    moral    and    spiritual 

condition  of  the  congregation  since  1845. 
Diacipline!^"  The  earlier  records  which  are  minutes  of 

the  Session  are  very  incomplete,  being  of  a 
rather  skeleton  character  ;  but,  later,  such  defects  are 
not  so  apparent.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  cases 
of  discipline  which  have  come  before  the  Session  of 
late  years  are  extremely  few  as  compared  with  those 
at  an  earlier  date.  The  improvement  in  this  respect 
speaks  well  for  the  moral  tone  and  character  of  the 
Donaghmore  congregation.  It  requires  much  moral 
courage  on  the  part  of  the  Session  to  adjudicate  in 
such  cases,  and,  indeed,  to  discipline  at  all- — especially 
in  these  days  when  so  many  would  seem  to  be  a  '  law 
unto  themselves.'  It  is  considered  by  competent 
authorities  that  church  disciplme,  so  far  as  the  laity 
are  concerned,  is  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  that  the  only 
persons  at  present  who  can  be  made  amenable  to 
ecclesiastical  laws  are  the  clergy  ! 

The  Presbyterians  were  strong  disciplinarians  in 
past  times,  while  the  '  punishments  '  inflicted  on  the 
guilty  were  severe  in  their  way,  and,  we  would  add, 
somewhat  peculiar. 

Presbyterian  discipline  in  the  past  was  based  on 
the  idea  of  repentance  for  transgressions.  The  so-called 
punishments  were  very  generally  supposed  to  be  the 
outward    signs    of    inward    repentance.    Sometimes, 


290  DONAGHMOKE 

however,  there  was  a  money  payment  huposed,  as  for 
instance  in  Templepatrick  all  persons  standing  in 
the  public  place  of  repentance  (in  presence  of  the 
congregation)  were  obliged  to  pay  one  groat  (four 
pence)  to  the  church. 

The  minutes  of  the  Lagan  Presbytery  give  an 
instance  of  a  person  who,  when  he  had  admitted  his 
crime  lyrivately,  was  ordered  to  *  voluntarily  rise  up 
without  being  called  in  the  congregation  and  acknow- 
ledge his  fault.' 

Certain  culprits  had  often  to  stand  in  uMte  sheets, 
while  others  were  condemned  to  wear  sackcloth. 
In  the  case  of  great  crimes  they  were  compelled  to 
stand  '  high,'  i.e.  in  some  elevated  position  in  the 
presence  of  the  congregation.  Should  the  crime 
be  not  so  great,  they  were  permitted  to  stand  '  low,' 
and  wear  their  ordinary  clothes.  If  they  exhibited 
'  signs  of  repentance,'  their  '  standing  '  in  presence 
of  the  congregation  would  soon  end,  and  they  would 
be  *  absolved  '  from  crime  ;  but  if  they  proved  con- 
tumacious, their  standing  would  be  prolonged.  The 
crimes  which  involved  this  '  standing '  were  generally 
any  breaches  of  the  Ten  Commandments,  drunkenness, 
or  disobedience  of  any  regulation  made  by  a  Church 
Court.  If  a  transgressor  refused  to  submit  to  disci- 
pline, such  was  excluded  from  the  Communion. 

We  wonder  if  the  Session  of  Donaghmore  took  any 
action  in  the  following  nine  cases  of  drunkenness,  at 
a  dinner  party,  at  the  Fourmile  House  (January  3, 
1851),  given  in  honour  of  '  Mr.  Irvine  of  Annaghbane, 
a  learned,  talented,  warm-hearted  gentleman,'  who 
'  educated  the  young  people  of  the   neighbourhood 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  291 

in  the  precepts  of  tbe  Bible,  and  in  classic  literature.' 
The  sad  spectacle  must  have  met  the  keen  eye  of  a 
good  elder  and  '  pillar  of  the  church,'  viz.  James 
Harshaw,  who  presided  on  the  occasion,  and  who  thus 
graphically  relates  the  sad  story  in  his  diary  :  '  Dinner 
very  substantial,  and  good  punch,  and  very  abundant  ! 
27  dined.  All  cheerful,  but  9  drunk  !  '  It  has  just 
occurred  to  us,  that  probably  the  Session  had  no 
jurisdiction  in  the  matter,  as  the  nine  culprits  may 
not  have  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  Communion  ! 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  above  Mr.  Irvine 
kept  a  classical  school— at  Annaghbane  House — of 
which  the  late  Dr.  John  Hall  of  New  York  was  an 
assistant  master. 

There  is  no  record  in  the  Session  minutes  regarding 
the  '  Revival '  of  1859.     The  Harshaw  Diary,  however, 

furnishes  a  detailed  account  of  the  move- 
•The  ^  ment  in  Donaghmore— the  meetings,  the 
1859.    '        speakers,  and  parties  '  impressed  '  in  the 

congregation.  '  Revival  Services '  were 
held  almost  daily  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  in 
schoolhouses,  mills,  and  the  open  air,  which  were 
attended  by  crowds  of  people—many  of  whom  were 
'  impressed  '• — while  not  a  few  of  the  females  became 
hysterical.  The  diarist  uses  the  word  '  impressed,' 
but  a  more  popular  expression  was  applied,  viz.  '  to 
fall  '—from  the  fact  that  those  affected  generally  '  fell 
in  a  swoon.'  We  have  no  information  regarding  the 
ultimate  effects  of  this  wonderful  '  rehgious  phenome- 
non '  in  Donaghmore  (or  indeed  elsewhere).  There 
was  certainly  great  spiritual  excitement,  and  an 
unwonted  seriousness  manifested  on  the  part  of  many 


292  DONACtHMOKE 

in  the  congregation' — at  least  for  the  time  being.  The 
Eev.  Patrick  White  took  a  very  prominent  part  in 
'  The  Eevival,'  with  the  result  that  many  new 
members  were  added  to  the  congregation,  while  at  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  (October  9,  1859)  there 
were  about  400  communicants. 

An  extraordinary  Eevival  occurred  in  the  county 
of  Antrim  about  the  year  1625,  which  bears  a  strong 
resemblance  to  that  of  1859.  The  former 
1Q25^^ '  Revival  is  described  by  the  Eev.  Andrew 
Stewart  (Presbyterian  minister  of  Donagh- 
adee  from  1645  to  1671)  in  a  literary  work  which  he 
did  not  live  to  complete,  a  portion  of  which  ('  The 
Entry  of  the  Scotts  ')  bears  on  the  subject. 

It  seems  the  chief  promoter  of  the  Eevival  of  1625 
was  a  Eev.  William  Glendinning,  who  was  scarcely 
compos  meJitis.  Mr.  Stewart  thus  delineates  him 
(throwing  the  blame  on  the  Bishops  who  permitted 
him  to  preach) :  '  For  while  thus  it  was  and  when 
any  man  would  have  expected  nothing  but  God's 
judgment  to  have  followed  the  crew  of  sinners,  behold 
the  Lord  visited  them  in  admirable  mercy  the  like 
whereof  had  not  been  seen  anywhere  for  many  genera- 
tions. For,  among  them  who  had  been  permitted  to 
preach  by  the  Bishops,  there  was  one  Mr.  Glendinning, 
a  man  who  would  never  have  been  chosen  by  a  wise 
assembly  of  Ministers,  nor  sent  to  begin  a  reformation 
in  the  land  ;  for  he  was  little  better  than  distracted- 
yea,  afterwards  did  actually  distract — yet  this  was 
the  Lord's  choice  to  begin  the  admirable  work  of  God.' 

Mr.  Stewart  goes  on  to  describe  the  Eevival  and  its 
effects  upon  the  people.    He  says  :  '  I  have  seen  them 


PEESBYTERIAN  rHUEr'H  298 

myself  stricken  and  swoon  with  the  Word — yea,  a 
dozen  in  one  day  carried  out  of  doors  as  dead,  so  mar- 
vellous was  the  power  of  God  smiting  their  hearts  for 
sin,  condemning  and  killing  ;  and  some  of  those  were 
none  of  the  weaker  sex  or  spirit,  but  indeed  some  of  the 
boldest  spirits,'  etc. 

It  will  be  of  interest  to  allude  to  a  few  Visitations 

of  the  Presbytery  at   Donaghmore,    the   findings   of 

which  will  enable  us  to  form  a  pretty  fair 

Visitations  of       •    •  •  i     .        -i  •  -i      ^  ■, 

Presbytery,  opmion  m  regard  to  the  spnitual  and 
material  condition  of  the  congregation  in 
past  times— say  for  the  last  half  century.  These 
visitations  much  resemble  an  episcopal  visitation- — 
except  that  they  are  not  held  at  a  centre  but  rotate 
(each  congregation  within  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery 
being  honoured  in  turn)  ;  and  besides,  they  seem  less 
'  authoritive,'  though  we  are  sure,  if  necessary,  the 
Presbytery  would  at  once  transform  itself  into  an 
august  body  and  '  rebuke  with  all  authority,'  and 
possibly  even  St.  Paul's  charge  to  Timothy  would  be 
set  at  naught,  viz.  '  Kebuke  not  an  elder !  ' 

A  Visitation  of  Presbytery  was  held  April  11,  1848 
—the  ruling  elders  present  being  James  Harshaw  and 
Hugh  Todd.  James  Harshaw  kept  a  diary  for  many 
years  of  his  life  (five  volumes — now  bound)  in  which 
he  noted  the  daily  incidents  of  his  life  and  family,  and 
the  occurrences  of  the  parish' — ecclesiastical  and  civil 
—to  which  the  writer  is  indebted  for  much  information, 
and  especially  in  regard  to  the  Presbyterian  church, 
of  which  he  was  a  devoted  member  and  officer.  He 
was  a  ruling  elder  for  many  years,  and  seems  to  have 
been  a  benign  ruling  spirit    as   well,    while   he    was 


294  DONAGHMORE 

evidently  a  good  Biblical  scholar,  and  well  versed  in  the 
laws  of  his  Church.  He  informs  us  in  his  diary  that 
during  the  Visitation  of  Presbytery  he  '  asked  that 
children  should  be  baptized  in  their  private  houses,  to 
which  the  Presbytery  demurred,  but  admitted  that 
the  system  or  rule  or  law  they  wished  to  adopt,  viz. 
Baptism  in  the  Meeting-house — was  not  based  on 
Scripture.  On  the  following  Sabbath,  Eev.  Mr.  West 
preached  on  the  subject,  impressing  on  the  congregation 
that  Baptism  was  not  rightly  administered  unless  done 
in  the  Meeting-house  before  the  assembled  congrega- 
tion, or  where  public  worship  had  been  announced,  and 
where  the  minister  presides,  but  took  special  care  to 
conceal  the  great  scripture  doctrine  of  "a  Church  in 
the  House,"  ' 

A  '  Visitation  of  the  Presbytery  was  held  at  the 
Meeting-House  11th  August  1857.  Archibald  Murdock 
and  James  Harshaw  were  examined  by  Mr.  Moran 
(Moderator)  and  Mr.  Lindsay  (Clerk)  on  behalf  of  the 
Session,  and  Messrs.  Boyd  Marshall  and  Thomas  Greer 
questioned  as  the  representatives  of  the  congregation. 
The  Visitation  passed  off  quietly  and  well,  after  which 
we  had  a  well  laid  out  Lunch  in  the  class-room  of 
Bread,  Beef,  and  Ham,  with  Porter  and  Whiskey  '  ! 
(Harshaw  Diary.) 

It  may  seem  strange  to  us  '  Catch-my-Pal '  folk 
to  read  of  the  last  two  items  on  the  bill  of  fare  at  a 
luncheon  given  in  honour  of  the  Newry  Presbytery, 
but  such  commodities  were  '  nothing  accomited  of ' 
in  those  days.  It  is  just  possible,  however,  that  only 
the  ruling  elders  partook  ! 

A  Visitation  of  the  Presbytery  was  held  at  Donagh- 


PRESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH  205 

more,  July  3, 1861,  when  the  '  Finding  '  was  as  follows  : 
'  The  Presbytery  have  to  express  their  satisfaction  with 
the  zeal,  diligence  and  faithfulness  of  their  esteemed 
Brother,  Mr.  Elliott,  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial 
duties ;  with  the  respectable  attendance  at  Pubhc 
worship,  the  district  meetings  for  prayer,  reading  the 
Scriptures,  and  praise  ;  the  successful  efforts  made  by 
the  congregation  for  the  erection  of  a  Manse,  and  the 
interest  taken  in  the  secular  education  of  the  young.' 
The  Presbytery  '  express  their  regret  at  the  low  stan- 
dard of  Christian  hberality  in  the  Congregation,  as 
evidenced  in  the  support  of  the  Ministry,  the  Missions 
of  the  Church,  and  the  contributions  on  the  Lord's 
Day ;  that  family  worship  is  not  more  generally 
observed,  that  many  parents  do  not  encourage  their 
children  to  attend  the  Sabbath  School ;  and  that  the 
ordinance  of  Baptism  is  not  more  frequently  adminis- 
tered in  the  Church  upon  the  Lord's  Day,'  etc. 

Another  Visitation  of  the  Presbytery  was  held  in 
Donaghmore,  May  7,  1878,  when  the  following  was  the 
finding :  '  The  Presbytery  desire  to  express  their 
satisfaction  with  the  diligence,  faithfulness,  and 
efficiency  of  their  esteemed  young  Brother,  Mr. 
M'Dowell,  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties  ; 
with  the  creditable  attendance  of  the  people  upon  the 
public  ordinances  of  the  Church,  and  their  increasing 
liberality  ;  with  the  zealous  co-operation  of  the  Elder- 
ship with  the  minister  in  the  oversight  of  the  Congrega- 
tion, and  with  the  efficient  manner  in  which  the 
Committee  managed  its  secular  affairs.'  The  Presby- 
tery considered  that  the  number  of  communicants 
at  each  Communion  was  small  in  proportion  to  that 


•29G  DONACIHMORE 

on  the  list  of  communicants,  and  regret  was  expressed 
accordingly.  It  was  '  recommended  '  (a  mild  com- 
mand !)  that  the  Session  hold  stated  meetings  and 
record  the  proceedings  in  the  Session  Book— a  good 
recommendation. 

The  next  Visitation  of  the  Presbytery  was  held 
July  3,  1888,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  of  the 
finding  : 

'  The  Presbytery  are  pleased  to  find  that  Mr. 
Burnett  discharges  with  faithfulness  and  ability  all 
the  duties  of  the  Ministerial  office  ;  that  the  people 
attend  so  generally  upon  the  services  of  the  sanctuary, 
and  that  the  education  of  the  young  is  so  well  provided 
for.'  Regret  is  expressed  that  the  attendance  at  the 
Sabbath  School  is  so  small ;  that  family  worship  is 
not  more  generally  observed,  and  that  there  is  such  a 
large  number' — amountiiig  to  almost  one  half  the  number 
of  families  in  comiection  with  the  congregation- — who 
contribute  nothing  to  the  funds  of  th e  Church !  A  number 
of  recommendations  having  been  made,  the  Presbytery 
'  commend  Minister  and  people  to  the  care  and  blessing 
of  the  King  and  Head  of  the  Church,  and  exhort  them 
to  increased  prayerfulness  for  the  presence  and  blessing 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.' 

A  Visitation  of  the  Presbytery  was  held  shortly 
after  the  late  church  renovation,  September  1,  1906, 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract  of  the  finding  : 
'  The  Presbytery  have  heard  with  satisfaction  the 
answers  given  by  the  Minister,  representatives  of 
Session  and  Committee,  The  Minister  continues  to 
devote  himself  faithfully  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel, to  the  care  of  the  young,  and  to  the  other  duties  of 


PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  297 

his  Office.  They  are  pleased  to  find  that  extensive 
renovation  of  the  Church  building  has  recently  been 
made,  and  they  congratulate  the  Minister  and  members 
of  this  old  and  respectable  congregation  on  the  hand- 
some and  comfortable  Church  which  they  now 
possess.' 

The  Donaghmore  Presbyterian  Church  property  con- 

1^  ^  .•     sists  of  the  church  and  adjoining  premises. 

Church         ^^^  manse    and    lands  attached,  and  the 

Property;     Donaghmore   National  Schoolhouse,     This 

^I'^^t^l        property     is     held     by     Trustees— all     of 

whom  are  members  of  the  congregation. 

The  following  were  the  original  trustees  of  the 
church,  with  their  places  of  residence  so  far  as  known  : 
Archibald  Lowry  (Aughnacavan),  Hugh  Waddell 
(Ouloy  or  Curley),  Thomas  McKee  (Granshaw),  Archi- 
bald Murdock  (Lisnaree),  Robert  Crawford  (Finnards), 
John  Campbell  (Corcreeghy),  John  Martin  (Loughorne), 
David  Ellison  (Granshaw),  James  Cochran  (Ouley), 
John  Morrison  (Ardkeeragh),  Hugh  Marshall  (Tully- 
murry),  and  Isaac  Patterson.  It  is  now  a  century 
and  a  half  since  the  lease  was  made,  and  of  the  original 
trustees  only  two  representatives  remain  in  the 
congregation. 

Archibald  Lowry  (who  died  August  1813)  was 
great-grandfather  of  John  Kidd  Porter  (of  Aughna- 
cavan) a  member  of  the  present  committee 
Lowr^*'"^  of  the  congregation  and  legal  trustee  of 
the  manse  property.  Archibald  Lowry 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  alTairs  of  the  parish. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  parish  vestry,  and  was  fre- 
quently   appointed    applotter    of    the     church     cess 


298  DONAGHMORE 

(see  Vestry  Minutes,  1771).  One  of  his  sons  was  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  another  a  doctor  in  the  Royal 
Navy,  while  the  latter  had  two  sons  w^ho  became 
Members  of  Parliament.  One  of  the  family  was  the 
Rev.  Archibald  Lowry,  the  Home  Missionary  in 
Connaught  and  Mmister,  who  did  such  heroic  work  in 
reheving  the  sick  and  suffering  during  the  dark  days 
of  the  Irish  famine,  and  whose  nephew,  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  S.  Lowry,  is  at  present  the  w^ell-known  Presby- 
terian minister  of  Fitzroy  Harbour,  Ontario,  Canada. 
Archibald  Murdock  was  great-grandfather  of 
Archibald  Murdock  who  is  at  present  a  member  of 
the  Session.  For  upwards  of  one  hundred 
Archibald        ^^^.^  ^.j^^^.^  seems  to  have  been  an  unbroken 

Murdock.        •'  .  „       ,.  ,  ,  •        i       nr      i      i 

succession  of  ralmg  elders  m  the  Murdock 
family. 

Hugh  Marshah  (one  of  the  Buskill  Marshalls)  was 
great-grandfather  of  the  late  Hugh  ]\Iarshall  of  Tully- 

murry,  who  died  November  11,  1911. 
Marshall       "^^  ^^^^  latter)  was  a  member  of  the  Session 

and  evinced  the  keenest  interest  in  all 
that  concerned  the  welfare  of  the  congregation.  He 
was  considered  the  local  Presbyterian  historian,  and 
probably  knew  more  about  the  history  of  the  congrega- 
tion than  any  other  of  his  contemporaries.  He  had 
much  natural  ability  and  a  tenacious  memory.  He 
possessed  but  few  books,  but  what  he  had  were  used. 
His  constant  companions  were  the  '  Records  '  of  the 
Synod  of  Ulster,  the  '  Reports  '  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  the  Belfast  Witness.  He  had  many  peculiar  views 
on  things  in  general  (excepting  rehgion),  mostly  based 
on  what  he  called  his  '  own  theories '  !  and  yet,  not- 


PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  299 

withstanding,  he  was  sometimes  able  to  arrive  at  fairly 
correct  conclusions- — which,  when  once  formed,  nothing 
could  shake.  He  was  a  well-known  character  in 
Donaghmore  and  neighbourhood,  which  he  considered 
'  the  centre  of  creation,'  while  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  his  estimation  was  quite  as  important  as  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral ! 

He  usually  wore  a  singular  costume  • —  portion  of 
which  was  his  '  waterproof '  cape- — composed  of  coarse 
sackcloth.  He  had  strange  views  regarding  diet  and 
modes  of  living,  which  did  not  minister  to  health  ;  but 
he  professed  to  know  more  than  the  doctors  !  Poor 
man,  he  suffered  much  in  his  latter  years,  which  were 
sad  and  lonely,  though  he  had  many  friends  who  would 
have  gladly  come  to  his  help,  if  lyermiUecL  He  was 
a  kind  Christian  man,  with  a  warm  heart,  and  most 
charitable  to  the  sick  poor.  The  writer  is  indebted  to 
him  for  much  local  information,  which  was  gratefully 
accepted  when  such  was  not  based  on  '  theory  ! ' 

John    Martin,  one  of  the   original  trustees,  was 

grandfather  of  the  Jolm  Martin  of  Repeal 

John  Martin  f.^^^^^^  ^^,^-,^1^  another,  John  Morrison,  was 

liLlson.      grandfather    of    the    late    Dr.    Morrison 

of  Newry. 

The  following  are  the  present  trustees  in  whom 
the  church,  manse  and  schoolhouse  are  legally 
vested  : 

Joseph  Gordon  Young,  John  Kidd  Porter,  James 
Smith,  Joseph  McMinn.  Deceased  Trustees :  Robert 
McComb,  Joseph  Malcolmson,  and  Samuel  Murdock. 
(Thomas  Copeland's  trusteeship  lapsed,  he  having 
ceased  to  be  a  member  of  the  congregation.) 


BOO  DONAGHMOEE 

The  erection  of  the  manse    (in  the  townland  of 

Loughorne)  was  completed  in  1867,  at  a  cost  of  £860. 

The  site  was  promised  April  11,  1860,  by 

The  Manse,     j^j^^^  j^j^^.^-^^  ^^^^^  landlord),  who  laid  the 

foundation  stone,  June  8,  1864.  Five  statute  acres 
of  land  are  attached,  which  Avas  purchased  out  under 
the  Land  Act  of  1907,  and  in  consequence  the  annual 
rental  has  been  reduced  by  about  £2  per  annum. 

The  manse  is  a  fairly  handsome  building,  while  the 
grounds  (of  good  extent)  are  well  planted  with  trees 
and  shrubs.  The  building  of  a  manse  had  long  been 
contemplated  by  the  congregation.  On  Sunday, 
February  3,  1850,  James  Martin  '  moved  the  whole 
congregation  into  a  Committee  '  (James  Harshaw  pre- 
siding) in  order  to  take  into  consideration  the  erection 
of  a  manse,  when  £100  was  subscribed.  Again  on 
November  20,  1860,  the  committee  warmly  took  up 
the  matter,  when  £106  was  promised.  (Harshaw 
Diary.) 

The  manse  is  kept  in  proper  repair,  and,  as  it  should 
be,  at  the  expense  of  the  congregation.  Quite  recently 
about  £80  was  expended  on  repairs— the  amount  being 
liquidated  through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Burnett  assisted 
by  members  of  the  congregation. 

A   board  over  the  entrance  to  the  Donaghmore 

National  Schoolhouse  bears  the  following  : 

housc'''''°^'  '  Donaughmore    National    School— Erected 

by  subscription— A.D.  1859.'     ('  Donaugh- 

more  '  is  a  misspelling.) 

The  schoolhouse  was  built  by  subscription.  Apart 
from  subscriptions,  we  find  Dr.  John  Hall,  of  Dublin, 
preaching  on   behalf   of   the   building  fund,   at   the 


PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  301 

Presbyterian  church,  Nov^ember  11,  1860,  when  the 
collections  amounted  to  £17  5s.  id.  The  schoolhouse 
is  situated  in  the  townland  of  Tullymurry.  The  old 
schoolhouse  was  situated  in  the  townland  of  Ringclare. 
In  1820  it  had  mud  walls— the  teacher  being  John 
Kidd — whose  salary  was  the  modest  sum  of  £14  86-. 
per  annum.  The  average  attendance  of  pupils  for 
that  year  (1820)  was  as  follows  :  Presbyterians,  20  ; 
Roman  CathoHcs,  1  ;  and  Established  Church,  0*5. 
The  school  at  Ringclare  was  under  Presbyterian 
management,  and  continued  to  be  so  when  transferred 
to  the  new  building  in  Tullymurry.  The  patron  in  1860 
was  Thomas  Greer  of  Buskill,  who  took  a  very  promi- 
nent part  in  all  that  concerned  the  interest  of  the 
Presbyterian  congregation,  while  in  the  secular  affairs 
of  the  parish  he  was  equally  conspicuous. 

The  Donaghmore  N.S.  was  opened  April  1,  1860, 
the  first  teacher  being  Robert  Sloan  (appointed 
April  16),  who  for  upwards  of  thirty 
orxeachers  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^®  position  with  Credit  to 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned. He  resigned  January  1,  1891.  He  was 
Registrar  of  Births,  Deaths  and  Marriages  for  the 
district  from  1861  till  his  death,  February  3,  1898. 

After  this  date  the  succession  of  teachers  is  as 
follows :  Edward  Simpson,  Robert  Gordon,  James 
McLaughlin,  Miss  K.  Robinson,  and  Miss  E.  Jeannie 
McAhster  (married  Christy  McClean),who  was  succeeded 
by  her  sister, Miss  Molly  McAlister,  the  present  principal 
and  efficient  teacher. 

Miss  Gertrude  McGaffin,  the  competent  assistant 
teacher,  was  appointed  October  1,  1912.    The  school 


302  DONAGHMOEE 

is  under  the  management  of  the  Eev.  Lawson  Burnett, 
with  whom  is  associated  the  following  committee  : 
J.  Gordon  Young,  Wm.  Cummins,  A.  W.  Dillon,  John 
Irwin,  Joseph  Patterson,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Davison 
Cowan,  LL.D. 

The  Presbyterian  church  officers  at  this  date  (1913) 
are  as  follows :  Session' — James  Donnelly  (Sheep- 
bridge  House)  and  Archibald  Murdock 
Officer^s  (Lisnaree).  Committee— James  Smith,  J. 
Gordon  Young,  Joseph  McMinn,  Hugh 
McMaster,  Samuel  Clegg,  Robert  Copeland,  John  K. 
Porter,  Robert  W.  Sharmon,  WilHam  Cammins,  Isaac 
H.  Smyth  (Treasurer),  John  Irwin  (Secretary),  Joseph 
Henning,  Robert  H.Megaw,  James  Malcolmson,  Samuel 
Donaldson,  Alexander  S.  Dillon,  and  Wilham  Fletcher. 
In  this  connection  it  will  be  interesting  to  note  the 
members  of  Committee  of  the  congregation  for  the  year 
1848,  viz.  Joseph  McNeight,  John  Cowan,  jnr.,  Arclii- 
bald  Marshall,  Alexander  Linden,  Thomas  Walsh, 
Joseph  Smith,  James  Walsh,  John  McMaster,  John 
Marshall,  John  Porter,  Thomas  Marshall,  James 
Skillen,  William  Beck,  David  Weir,  James  Todd, 
Edward  Jardine,  John  Harshaw  (Secretary),  Alexander 
Douglas,  William  Heslip  (Curley),  W.  Heslip  (Ardar- 
ragh),  Joseph  Robinson,  William  Dowry,  W^m.  Sloan, 
Thos.  Greer,  Archibald  Murdock,  A.  Crawford,  Thos. 
Ward,  Wm.  Porter  (Croan),  W^m.  Crawford,  Joseph 
Watterson,  W^m.  Spiers,  Robert  McMinn,  Samuel 
Andrews,  Robert  Jeffrey,  Samuel  Clegg,  Robt.  Craig, 
John  Andrews,  John  Higgins  (?),  Robert  McClelland, 
James  Dickey,  James  Morrow,  — -  Parker,  John 
Martin  (Treasurer), Irvine,  and  James  Martin. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  303 

This  large  and  influential  committee  was  un- 
doubtedty  representative  of  the  congregation  at  the 
time,  \Yhich  was  then  extremely  numerous  as  compared 
with  what  it  is  at  present.  Indeed  it  is  scarcely  more 
than  a  fragment  of  what  it  was  in  former  times — 
having  suffered,  hke  most  country  congregations, 
through  emigration  and  the  flocking  of  the  people 
to  the  great  centres  of  industry  in  large  towns. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Donaghmore  is  in  a 
healthy  condition  financially  and  otherwise.  Through- 
out its  long  history  it  has  occupied  an  important  posi- 
tion in  the  annals  of  Ulster  Presbyterianism,  and 
deservedly  so,  as  having  been  true  to  its  traditions  in 
faithfully  bearing  aloft  the  '  Blue  Banner  of  the 
Covenant,'  while  during  all  these  years  its  moral  and 
spiritual  condition  has  been  m  keeping  with  the 
appropriate  motto  of  the  great  Communion  in  which 
it  has  an  honoured  place,  viz.  Ardens  sed  Virens. 


CHAPTEE  VII 

DONAGHMORE    DISPENSARY 

It  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the  first  real  land- 
mark in  the  medical  relief  of  the  sick  poor  was  the 
Act  (5  George  III.  c.  20)  passed  by  the  Irish  Parliament 
(1765),  providing  for  the  establishment  of  County 
Infirmaries.  By  this  Act  the  Grand  Jury  of  each 
County  was  empowered  to  found  a  County  Infirmary, 
and  to  make  yearly  presentments  for  its  up-keep, 
of  a  sum  not  exceeding  £700  per  annum,  while  the 
surgeon  was  to  have  £100  a  year  and  other  advantages. 
These  County  Infirmaries,  however,  not  being  found 
sufficient,  by  reason  of  their  distance  in  most  cases 
from  the  abodes  of  the  sick,  the  Act  of  45  George  III. 
c.  Ill  was  passed,  which  facilitated  the  establishment 
of  Dispensaries  to  '  afford  medical  and 
Provident     ^^^^.^[^^1   ^id    to    the    poor.'     These   insti- 

Dispensaries.         p  i   i  i 

tutions  were  to  be  supported  by  voluntary 
contributions  and  Grand  Jury  presentments,  but 
the  amount  granted  by  the  latter  was  not  to  exceed 
that  of  the  former.  A  large  number  of  these  Dispens- 
aries were  established  in  Ireland,  and  doubtless 
afforded  much  medical  rehef  to  the  sick  poor.  They 
met,  too,  with  a  fair  share  of  financial  support,  their 
funds  from  all  sources  amounting  in  1833  to  £49,654, 


DONAGHMOKE  DJSPENSAEY  305 

but  they  were  doomed  to  failure,  being  largely  voluntary 
institutions,  and  especially  owing  to  their  very  unequal 
distribution  over  the  country.  The  Eoyal  Commission 
of  1833  condemned  them  for  these  two  reasons.  An 
early  effort  was  made  to  establish  one  of  these  Dis- 
pensaries in  Donaghmore.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Vestry,  held  April  5,  1839,  Isaac  Corry  in  the  chair, 
it  was  resolved  that  the  Eev.  M.  J.  Mee,  Vicar  of  the 
Parish,  '  be  entrusted  to  write  to  the  different  land- 
lords and  others  throughout  the  intended  Dispensary 
district  to  request  of  each  of  them  to  state  what  sum 
each  intends  to  subscribe,  and  that  when  their  answers 
shall  have  been  received  he  is  hereby  authorised  to 
convene  another  meeting.'  There  is  no  record  of 
another  meeting  having  been  held. 

It  was  not,  however,  till  the  year  1848  that  one 

of  these  Dispensaries  was  founded  in  Donaghmore. 

It  was  managed   by  a  Committee,  which 

Donaghmore  consisted  of  '  all  Subscribers  of  one  guinea 

Provident  =      .  i  .        o 

Dispensary.  P^^  annum  — three  to  form  a  quorum. 
The  following  constituted  the  first  Dis- 
pensary Committee  : — Isaac  Corry  (Chairman),  James 
Harshaw  (Secretary  and  Treasurer),  Rev.  J.  C.  Quinu, 
Rev.  S.  J.  Moore,  Rev.  Martin  Ryan,  P.P.,  Rev.  A. 
Bryson,  John  Martin,  Richard  Waring,  Thos.  Ledlie, 
David  Woods,  Arthur  Maginnis,  Robert  Gibson, 
John  Carswell,  Dan  Magennis,  Thos.  Greer,  Robert 
Wilson,  etc. 

The  first  medical  officer  of  the  Dispensary  was 
Surgeon  James  Bryson,  who,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Committee,  June  21,  1848,  was  elected  '  to  super- 
intend the  Dispensary  for  the  ensuing  twelve  months.' 


306  DONAGHMORE 

Surgeon   Bryson   was    son    of    the    Rev.    Alexander 

Bryson,  Minister  of  the  Four-towns.    He 

Surgeon        ^,^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^  much  abiHty  and  promise. 

^'^''°"'         He  died  March   17,  1851,  aged   29   years, 

leaving  a  widow  and  two  children. 

On  May  10,  1851,  Dr.  Wilham  Saunderson  (of 
the  Poyntzpass  Dispensary)  was  appointed  medical 
officer  of  the  Donaghmore  Dispensary. 
^^''  William  Saunderson  was  a  highly  qualified 

medical  practirioner,  being  A.B.  (Dublin) 
1838,  M.B.  1840,  A.M.  1860,  L.R.C.S.l.  1841,  L.M. 
Great  Britain  Street  Hospital  1836.  He  was  appointed 
at  a  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  to  be  increased  to  £60 
in  case  '  the  funds  are  forthcoming  for  the  purpose.' 

The  other  candidate  proposed  on  the  occasion  was 
Dr.  Robert  Brown  McClelland,  afterwards  a  physician 
of  much  distinction,  with  a  lucrative  practice  in  Ban- 
bridge. 

At  the  final  meeting  of  the  Dispensary  Committee, 
March  31,  1852,  the  following  resolution  was  passed  : — 
'  It  is  but  justice  to  Dr.  Saunderson  that  they  record 
their  sense  of  the  great  professional  skill,  and  also 
of  the  unremitting  attention,  with  which  he  has  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  medical  officer  since  the  period 
of  his  appointment  to  the  Institution.'  Signed  J.  L, 
Darby,  Clk;,  Rector  of  Acton  (Poyntzpass). 

Our  present  Poor-Law  system  was  introduced 
into  Ireland  in  1838  by  the  Act  1  and  2  Victoria  c.  56  ; 
but  apart  from  the  workhouse  infirmary  in  certain 
towns  it  made  little  or  no  provision  in  the  way  of 
medical  relief  for  the  sick  poor  in  rural  districts.  The 
watchwords  of  the  system,  practically  introduced  in 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSAEY  307 

1841  (the  date  on  our  workhouses),  were  : — '  aboHsh 
out-door  rehef,'  '  all  paupers  into  the  workhouse,' 
and  '  all  sick  poor  to  be  huddled  together  in  the 
workhouse  infirmary.' 

The  modern  dispensary  system  was  established  by 
the  Medical  Charities  Act  (14  and  15  Vict.  c.  68), 
1851.  By  this  Act  the  Poor-Law  Com- 
Dis'^tn'sa  ^issioners,  in  conjunction  with  the  local 
System.  Boards  of  Guardians,  were  authorised  to 
divide  up  the  whole  of  Ireland  into  '  dispen- 
sary districts,'  'with  due  regard  to  the  extent  and 
population  of  the  districts,'  and  to  employ  a  medical 
officer  for  the  care  of  the  poor  in  the  same. 

Incorporated  by  the  Act  was  a  '  Dispensary 
Committee  '  which  governed  the  dispensary  district, 
choosing  the  medical  officer,  and  deciding  on  the 
fitness  of  cases  for  such  relief. 

By  the  Local  Government  Act  of  1898  Dispensary 
Committees  were  unfortunately  abohshed,  when  the 
control  which  they  exercised  became  vested  in  the 
Board  of  Guardians.  The  present  mode 
Method  of  0^  appointment  of  our  Dispensary  medical 
appointing  officers  is  unsatisfactory,  as  being  fatal 
Medical         j^^^  ^^^y  ^q  efficiency,  but  as  calculated  to 

OnbtCGrs  *^ 

destroy  the  trust  and  confidence  which  the 
poor  patient  should  always  repose  in  his  physician. 
Surely  the  poor,  as  much  as  the  rich,  should  have 
the  best  medical  aid  available  ;  but  that  is  impossible 
under  the  present  system,  where  political  and  sec- 
tarian claims  are  paramount,  and  the  shibboleth  of 
party  is  often  the  sole  test  of  fitness.  Such  important 
appointments,  which  so  deeply  affect  our  sick  poor. 


308  DONAGHMORE 

should  bft  entirely  lifted  out  of  the  sphere  of  politics 
or  party,  and  be  made  either  competitive,  or  rest  with 
an  independent  and  impartial  Medical  Committee  in 
connection  with  the  Local  Government  Board. 

The  present  Dispensary  Districts  of  Donaghmore 
and  Poyntzpass  were  originally  united  under  the 
^       ,  denomination    of    the    *  Donaghmore    and 

Donaghmore  i^.       •       , 

and  Poyntzpass  Dispensary  District,   and  were 

Poyntzpass  served  by  the  same  medical  officer.  This 
Dispensary,  ^i^^^.^^^  ^,^8  formed  on  January  16,  1852, 
by  the  Newry  Board  of  Guardians,  and  on  the  9th  of 
the  following  June  the  Poor-Law  Commissioners 
approved  of  their  action.  The  first  medical  officer 
was  Dr.  Wilham  Saunderson  (who  had  served  under 
the  old  provident  dispensary  system),  appointed 
April  27,  1852.  The  first  chairman  of  the  Dispensary 
Committee  was  Isaac  Corry,  while  the  next  chairman 
was  Colonel  Close  of  Drumbanagher. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  May  19,  1852,  it 

was  unanimously  decided  to  accept  David  Woods' 

offer  of  a  Dispensary  house  and  reception- 

Dispensary  ^^  ^j^^  .j     ^^^^  ^j  £q^      rjij^-^  ^^^^^ 

House.  ,  ,       ,  t^  t^- 

is  still  used  as  the  Donaghmore  Dispen- 
sary,' where  the  medical  officer  attends  on  the  Tuesdays 
and  Fridays  of  each  week — though  at  first  the  days 
of  attendance  were  Wednesday  and  Saturday.  The 
house  is  a  small,  handsome  building,  with  ivy-clad 
walls,  close  to  the  main  road,  and  is  pretty  centrally 
situated  in  regard  to  the  electoral  divisions  (Donagh- 
more, Ouley  and  Glen)  which  compose  the  Donaghmore 
Dispensary  District. 

The  union  of  Donaghmore  and  Poyntzpass  into 


DONAGHMORE  DISPENSARY  309 

one  Dispensary  District  did  not  seem  to  give  satis- 
faction on  either  side,  for,  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Committee  on  the  above  date,  it  was  proposed  by 
James  Harshaw  '  and  agreed  upon  unanimously  that 
the  Committee  should  protest  against  the  amalgama- 
tion of  the  two  Dispensaries — that  of  Poyntzpass  and 
Donaghmore — and  that  the  Poor-Law  Guardians  be 
requested  to  use  their  best  exertions  to  have  for 
Donaghmore  district  a  separate  and  distinct  Dis- 
pensary and  Committee  of  Management.' 

At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Dispensary  Committee 
held  in  Poyntzpass,  September  5,  1854,  the  following 
resolution  was  passed  :  '  That  the  Electoral 
be^dissolved  I^ivision  of  Poyntzpass  be  formed  into  a 
Dispensary  District,  and  the  Electoral  Divi- 
sions of  Donaghmore,  Ouley  and  Glen  into  another, 
and  that  the  present  medical  officer  of  the  united 
district  be  continued  by  the  separate  ones.' 

Subsequently,  the  union  of  the  districts  was 
dissolved  by  the  Newry  Board  of  Guardians,  and  their 
action  was  confirmed  October  27,  1854.  In  their 
letter  of  this  date,  the  Commissioners  declare  that 
'  the  Donaghmore  District  shall  comprise  the  Electoral 
Divisions  of  Donaghmore,  Ouley  and  The  Glen  ;  and 
the  Poyntzpass  District  shall  comprise  and  consist  of 
the  Electoral  Division  of  Poyntzpass.'  Each  district 
is  to  have  the  service  of  one  medical  officer.  In 
regard  to  the  Dispensary  Committees — '  of  Donagh- 
more District  the  number  of  persons  shall  be  eleven  ; 
and  of  the  Poyntzpass  District  the  number  of  persons 
shall  be  nine.'  Dr.  Saunderson  remained  medical 
officer  of  Donaghmore. 


310  DONAGHMOEE 

On  December  6  following,  the  new  officers  for 

Donaghmore    Dispensary    were   appointed,    viz. — the 

Eev.     J.    C.    Quinn,     Chairman ;      James 

Officers  for    jjarshaw,  Vice-Chairman  ;   John  Harshaw, 

onag  m  re.  ggpj.g|.^j.y^  ^^^^^   j^j^j^  Crawford,  Assistant 

Secretary. 

Dr.  Saunderson  died  on  Thursday,  July  22,  1880, 
at  his  residence.   Union  Lodge,  and  was  buried  in 

Tandragee  Churchyard  on  the  following 
Death  of  Monday.  The  local  Press,  in  an  obituary 
Saimderson.  notice,  records  that  he  was  '  a  large-hearted, 

generous  man,  and  was  highly  popular  in 
the  district  where  he  resided.  He  was  a  staunch 
Conservative,  and  an  attached  member  of  the  Church 
of  Ireland.'  Dr.  Saunderson  married  Ehzabeth, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  John  Mcllwaine  (Minister  of 
Mourne  Presbyterian  Church). 

A   special   meeting   of   the    Committee   was   held 
on   August  20,  when    Dr.  Samuel  Mills  was  elected 

medical  officer  of  the  district.  Dr.  Mills' 
New  Medical  appointment  gave  much  satisfaction  in 
l)r.  MU^.       t^^^    district,    where   his    great   reputation 

as  a  physician  in  Rathfriland  (where  he 
had  practised  for  thirteen  years)  was  well  known, 
and  it  is  needless  to  state  that  during  his  long  tenure 
of  the  office  that  reputation  has  been  more  than  main- 
tained, and  that  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by 
the  large  and  influential  Committee  who  elected  him 
was  not  misplaced.  Dr.  Mills  was  (and  is)  extremely 
popular  in  the  district,  and  as  a  skilled  medical  prac- 
titioner kept  abreast  of  the  times,  possessing  the  con- 
fidence of  all  classes  both  in  his  extensive  private 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSARY  311 

practice  and  in  that  connected  with  the  Dispensary. 
Dr.  Mills  had  a  distinguished  University  career.  He 
took  his  Bachelor's  degree  in  1862,  in  the  old  Queen's 
University,  after  having  gained  three  valuable  scholar- 
ships in  Arts,  and  a  senior  exhibition  in  Natural 
History.  In  1867  he  became  L.R.C.P.  (Edin.)  and 
L.R.C.S.  (Edin.).  He  subsequently  became  a  member 
of  the  Microscopic  Society. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Committee  was  held, 
April  8,  1881,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  propriety  of  recommending  an  increase  of  salary 
to  Dr.  Mills.  An  increase  of  £20  per  annum  was  voted. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  June  1,  1883,  the 
following  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  : 

Chairman,  the  Eev.  J.  Davison  Cowan, 
issr^T"      i^GCtor  of  Donaghmore  (in  the  room  of  the 

Eev.  J.  C.  Quinn,  deceased)  ;  Vice-Chair- 
mau,  J.  T.  C.  Quinn  ;  Secretary,  John  Harshaw  :  and 
Assistant  Secretary,  Joseph  Patterson. 

The  same  officers  were  continued  till  the  dissolution 
of  the  Committee  in  1899,  except  that  William  Bradford 
was  appointed  Secretary  on  April  6,  1888,  and  Thomas 
Woods  was  elected  to  the  post  May  10, 1895. 

Thomas  Woods  (of  the  Fourmile  House)  was  the 
last  Secretary  of  the  Dispensary  Committee,  and  was 

most   assiduous   and   efficient   in   the   dis- 

age  of  fifty-one  years,  December  18,  1906 — 
his  demise  being  deeply  and  deservedly  regretted  by 
all  who  knew  him.  He  was  an  extensive  farmer, 
mill-owner,  and  general  merchant  (as  was  his  esteemed 
father,  David  Woods). 


312  DONAGHMORE 

David  Woods  married  Agnes,  daughter  of  Robert 
Caven,  and  had  issue,  of  whom  the  present  repre- 
sentatives are  John,  Mary,  Martha,  Sarah,  and 
Jane,  who  married  Joseph  Haslett  (a  Eathfriland 
merchant),  with  issue,  viz.,  Mary,  married  Dr.  James 
May  Elhott  (deceased),  for  many  years  a  well-known 
physician  of  much  repute  at  Rathfriland,  whose  son, 
Joseph  Haslett  Elhott,  M.B.  (T.C.D.),  is  a  skilled 
practitioner  residing  in  England  ;  Alice,  who  married 
the  Rev.  G.  T.  Cowper,  M.A.,  the  erudite  minister  of 
third  Rathfriland  Presbyterian  Church  ;  Annie  and 
Jeannie,  both  of  whom  are  University  graduates ; 
Robert  Haslett,  an  English  physician  of  note  ;  and 
William  Woods  Haslett  (deceased),  a  distinguished 
graduate  of  Cambridge  University,  and  Principal  of 
St.  Andrew's  College,  Dublin. 

On  the  date  of  Thomas  Woods'  appointment  as 
Hon.  Secretary  in  the  room  of  William  Bradford, 
the  chairman  of  the  Committee  proposed  a 
Bradford  sincere  vote  of  thanks  to  the  latter  for  his 
long  and  faithful  services  in  various 
capacities  to  the  Committee  of  Management,  and  also 
for  his  constant  and  watchful  attention  for  so  many 
years  to  the  interests  of  the  District  at  the  Newry 
Board  of  Guardians. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  last  Committee  of 
Management  and  Wardens  of  the  Donaghmore 
Members  Dispensary : — Committee :  The  Rev.  J. 
of  Last  Davison  Cowan,  LL.D.  (Chairman),  Donagh- 
Dispeasary  more  Rectory  ;  Arthur  Charles  Innes,  D.L., 
Committee.  jp_^  Dromantine  ;  J.  T.  C.  Quinn,  J.P. 
(Vice- Chairman),    Tower    Hill ;     Professor    Richard 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSARY  813 

John  Anderson,  M.A.,  M.D.,  J.P.,  Beech  Hill ;  Thomas 
Woods  (Hon.  Secretary),  Fourmile  House ;  George 
Gordon,  Maryvale  ;  Joseph  Patterson,  Aughentobber  ; 
WilHam  Bradford,  RingoHsh ;  J.  Gordon  Young, 
Cargabane  ;  Alexander  Bradford,  Ringolish  ;  Robert 
Bryson,  Ballymacaratty  ;  Lawrence  McCourt,  Corgary; 
A.  Sloan,  Ardarragh ;  Thomas  Waddell,  Curley  ; 
William  Savage,  Lurganare ;  J.  O'Hare,  Knocka- 
narney  ;  Thomas  Malcomson,  Curley  ;  John  McEvoy, 
Drumiller  ;   and  Samuel  Lawson,  Ardarragh. 

Dr.  Mills,  for  close   on   thirty-one  years  medical 
officer  of  the  Donaghmore  Dispensary  District,  owing 

to  serious  illness,  tendered  his  resignation 
Retirement    ^^  *^^^  position  to  the  Newry  Board  of 

Guardians,  May  13,  1911.  The  Board  of 
Guardians  on  that  date  accepted  his  resignation  with 
profound  regret — the  several  members  expressing 
themselves  in  the  most  eulogistic  terms  of  Dr.  Mills, 
both  personally  and  as  medical  officer  of  the 
Dispensary. 

Dr.  Mills  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  the  late 
John    McEnearney    of    Curley,    and    has    issue    two 

sons,  John  Arthur  and  William  Sloan, 
Sons^^  ^       ^^^   have   distinguished   themselves   both 

at  the  University  and  in  their  respective 
professions. 

John    Arthur    Mills    matriculated    in    the    Royal 
University    1892,    and    afterwards    entered    Queen's 

College,  Galway.     He  gained  first  scholar- 

\rthur  Mills  ^^^^P  ^^  ^^^^'  Li^^^'^^J   Division,   and   for 
highly  distinguished  answering  the  mone- 
tary   value    of    the    scholarship    was    substantially 


814  DONAGHMORE 

increased.  He  also  held  Literary  Scholarships  in  the 
years  1893  and  1894.  During  the  session  1895-96  he 
was  Senior  Scholar  in  Ancient  Classics,  and  in  that 
of  1896-97  Senior  Scholar  and  Demonstrator  in 
Natural  History.  In  1897-98  he  held  a  third-year 
exhibition  in  medicine,  and  in  the  following  session 
became  Medical  Scholar  and  Demonstrator  in  Phar- 
macy. He  was  Proxime  accessit  for  the  Bkiney  Exhi- 
bition, and  gained  several  class  prizes  in  the  Queen's 
Colleges  of  Galway  and  Belfast,  completing  his  medical 
studies  in  the  latter— B. A.  1897,  and  M.B.,  B.Ch., 
B.A.O.,  1900.  After  experience  of  general  practice 
in  London  and  various  parts  of  England,  he  was 
appointed  on  the  staff  of  the  Durham  County  Asylum 
as  Assistant  Medical  Officer  and  Pathologist. 

William  Sloan  Mills  matriculated  (R.U.I.)  in  1894, 

and  entered  Queen's  College,  Galway,  where,  having 

gained  Science  Scholarships  for  three  years 

Dr.  WiUiam  ^^^^  ^j^^  g^^-^^.  c-ghoiarship  in  Chemistry,  he 

Sloau  Mills.  .         ,   ^  -^^  p  ni         •   i 

was  appomted  Demonstrator  ol  Chemistry 
in  1897.  He  took  the  B.A.  degree  in  Experimental 
Science  in  the  Eoyal  University  with  honours  and  an 
Exhibition  in  1898,  and  the  M.A.  with  honours  in 
1900.  He  also  took  the  B.E.  degree  in  the  Royal 
University. 

He  was  trained  in  methods  of  research  by  Professor 
Senier,  Queen's  College,  Galway,  and  had  a  paper 
accepted  by  the  Chemical  Society  of  London  in  1899, 
after  which  he  was  elected  to  a  Science  Research 
Scholarship  (value  £150  per  annum)  by  H.M.  1851 
Exhibition  Commissioners.  He  proceeded  to  the 
University  of  Berlin,  where  he  worked  with  Professor 


DONAGHMOBE  DISPENSAKY  315 

Emil  Fischer  and  Professor  Harries,  and  on  account  of 
the  success  with  which  he  pursued  his  researches  his 
Science  Eesearch  Scholarship  was  specially  renewed 
for  a  third  year. 

On  his  return  from  Germany  he  was  appointed 
Kodak  Eesearch  Assistant  to  Professor  Senier,  with 
whom  he  worked  for  two  years.  In  1906  he  was 
awarded  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Science  by  the  Koyal 
University. 

Dr.  Sloan  Mills  is  Lecturer  in  Chemistry  in  the 
Woolwich  Polytechnic  Institute,  and  is  recognised 
by  the  Senate  of  London  University  as  a  University 
Teacher  of  Chemistry. 

On  May  27,  1911,  the  Newry  Board  of  Guardians 

appointed    Dr.    John    Patrick    McGivern 

^J^',.  medical   officer   of   the   Donaghmore   Dis- 

McGivern.  i^-       ■    , 

pensary  District. 
Dr.  McGivern  graduated  in  the  Queen's  University, 
Belfast,  1911,  when  he  received  the  degrees  of  M.B., 
B.Ch.,  B.A.O.    He  resigned  November  9,  1912. 

Dr.  Francis  P.  McDermott  was  appointed  medical 

officer   of  the   Donaghmore   Dispensary   District   by 

the  Newry  Board  of  Guardians  December 

?/•         ,,    14,  1912.    He  is  a  licentiate  of  the  Eoyal 

McDermott.    ^  '  ^     ^^       ■   ■  i     o 

College    of    Physicians    and    Surgeons    m 

Ireland.  He  is  a  very  efficient  and  popular  medical 
officer,  and  his  appointment  has  given  much  satis- 
faction in  the  district. 

Amongst  those  who  evinced  the  deepest  interest  in 
the  Donaghmore  Dispensary,  and  spared  no  pains  to 
further  the  good  cause  of  medical  relief  for  the  sick 
poor  of  the  district,  two  names  stand  out  prominently 


316  DONAGHMOEE 

— viz.  Isaac  Corry,the  first  chairman  of  the  Committee, 
and  James  Harshaw,  the  first  secretary  and  hon. 
treasurer. 

So  early  as  1839  we  find  Isaac  Corry  presiding 
at  a  Vestry  meeting,  called  for  the  express  purpose 
of  founding  a  dispensary  in  Donaghmore. 
orry.  ^^  ^^^  instrumental  not  only  in  estab- 
Hshing  the  institution,  but  took  a  leading  part  in 
working  it  successfully  when  formed.  He  and  his 
forbears  were  ever  mindful  of  the  sick  poor  and  desti- 
tute. His  ancestor.  Sir  Trevor  Corry,  made  a  charge 
on  portion  of  his  lands  in  the  townland  of  Corcreechy, 
in  the  lordship  of  Newry,  for  certain  indigent  persons, 
and  which  is  known  as  the  *  Corry  Charity.' 

James  Harshaw  was  one  of  the  prime  moving 
spirits  in  all  that  concerned  the  interests  of  the  Dis- 
pensary, and  in  the  leading  part  he  played 
HaSiaw  "^  *^"^  respect  he  was  sympathetically 
assisted  by  others  of  his  family,  as  he  was, 
too,  by  his  connections,  the  Martins  of  Lougherne. 
In  his  diary  there  is  a  constant  reference  to  the  Dis- 
pensary. As  an  officer  he  was  ever  at  the  post  of  duty, 
and  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  between  the  years 
1852-62  he  presided  at  the  meetings  of  Committee 
on  upwards  of  sixty  occasions. 

No  sketch  of  Donaghmore  Parish  would  be  complete 
which  failed  to  refer  in  special  terms  to  the  old  and 
highly  respected  family  of  the  Harshaws, 
The  — many    of    whom    played    an    important 

Clan.  P^^*  i^  t'h®  affairs  of  this  and  the  neigh- 

bouring parishes  in  past  times,  and  whose 
descendants    are    still    prominent    in    other    portions 


DONAGHMORE  DISPENSARY  317 

of  the  world— particularly  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  where  Ulstermen  generally  distinguish 
themselves  in  the  several  walks  of  life. 

Besides,  a  sketch  of  this  particular  family,  owing 
to  its  intimate  connection  with  so  many  in  the  parish 
and  the  neighbourhood,  affords  us  an  opportunity 
of  including  others  well  worthy  of  mention,  and  who 
otherwise  would  have  claimed  our  special  attention. 

Although  the  Harshaws  of  Donaghmore  were 
long  and  honourably  connected  with  the  parish,  it 
does  not  seem  that  this  was  the  original  home  of  the 
family.  The  first  settlers  in  Ireland  were,  doubtless, 
Joseph  Harshaw  and  his  brother,  Andrew,  of  Bally- 
nafoy,  in  the  parish  of  Annaclone,  who  settled  there 
towards  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Joseph 
Harshaw's  will  was  proved  in  1735,  he  having  died 
when  doubtless  he  was  an  old  man.  There  is,  besides, 
a  Harshaw  tradition  to  the  effect  that  the  family 
came  over  to  Ireland  with  King  William  III,  Prince 
of  Orange,  in  1690,  and  hence  it  was  long  customary 
for  the  several  members  of  the  clan  to  wear  sprays 
of  the  orange  lily  each  succeeding  1st  of  July.  In  all 
probability  this  tradition  is  founded  on  fact,  and 
hence  we  may  conclude  that  the  brothers,  Joseph 
and  Andrew,  settled  at  Ballynafoy  about  1690. 

The  writer  found  some  difficulty  in  tracing  the 
original  home  of  these  brothers,  but  he  appealed  to 
Mr.  Baring-Gould — the  well-known  author,  and  our 
highest  authority  on  the  origin  and  signiiication  of 
surnames — who  (in  a  letter  to  the  writer)  informs  us 
that  the  name  (Harshaw)  is  '  North  Country  '  (York- 
shire or  Northumberland).     'Shaw  '  is  a  small  wood, 


318  DONAGHMOEE 

and  "  Harshaw  "  is  the  high  wood,  and  is  the  exact 
equivalent  to  the  southern  EngHsh  Heywood  (High- 
wood).  Of  this  there  can  be  no  doubt.'  He  further 
states  it  (the  family)  is  '  from  old  Northumbria,  where 
"  shaw  "  is  still  used  as  a  clump  of  trees  or  small  wood. 
The  Norse  word  is  "  skoss,"  that  has  become  softened 
to  "shaw,"  and  "  har  "  is  Norse  for  high.  All  Northum- 
bria was  largely  peopled  from  Norway  and  Denmark.' 
Hence  we  may  conclude  that  the  brothers  Harshaw, 
who  settled  at  Ballynafoy,  w^re  '  North  Country  '  men 
— from  Yorkshire  or  Northumberland.  From  Bally- 
nafoy branches  of  the  Harshaws  quickly  spread  into 
the  neighbouring  parishes  of  Newry,  Donaghmore, 
and  Loughgilly.  In  the  period  from  1750  to  1757 
we  find  branches  in  these  several  places,  viz.  Michael 
in  Newry  (and  Donaghmore),  James  and  Hugh  at 
Donaghmore,  and  William  and  Andrew  at  Ijoughgilly, 
while  the  original  stock  at  Ballynafoy  consisted 
of  William,  John  and  Robert,  and  their  respective 
families.  No  records — family,  ecclesiastical,  or  other 
— are  now  available  by  which  it  is  possible  to  trace 
the  descent  of  all  the  members  of  the  vast  Harshaw 
Clan,  at  present  scattered  over  so  many  portions 
of  the  world,  particularly  in  the  United  States  of 
America  ;  but  that  the  several  branches,  whether  here 
or  elsewhere,  are  all  descended  from  the  one  common 
stock,  there  can  be  no  manner  of  doubt. 

In  regard  to  the  original  Harshaws  (Ballynafoy), 
the  family  wills  are,  for  the  most  part,  our  only 
sources  of  information  in  tracing  descent,  otherwise 
the  sequence  might  have  been  more  perfect. 


DONAGHMORE  DISPENSABY  319 


(1)  The  Harshaws  of  Ballynafoy 
(Original  Group) 

I.  Joseph  Harshaw  of  Ballynafoy  (will  proved 
1735)  had  a  brother,  Andrew,  and  by  his  wife,  Agnes, 
had  four  sons  and  two  daughters  : 

John  (who  had  an  only  daughter,  Janet),  whose 
will  was  proved  in  1763. 

Michael,  who  may  be  identified  as  the  Newry 
merchant  and  owner  of  the  Fourmile  House, 
Donaghmore  (see  below). 

Andrew,  from  whom  it  is  presumed  are  descended 
the  Donaghmore  and  Loughgilly  Harshaws,  and  who, 
with  John  Potts,  supplicated  the  General  Assembly, 
June  16,  1747,  to  allow  Hugh  Young  to  preach  to 
the  congregation  of  Lough brickland.^ 

Joseph,  Jane,  Anne. 

II.  WiUiam  of  Ballynafoy  (will  proved  1760) 
had  sons  :  Josias,  John,  WiUiam.  The  executor 
of  the  will  was  John  Harshaw  of  Ballynafoy. 

in.  Robert  Harshaw  of  Ballynafoy  (will  proved 
1799)  had  the  following  children  :  Wilham,  Elizabeth, 
Mary  (alias  Spiers),  Sarah,  Arabella  (alias  Correy), 
Margaret. 

IV.  James  Harshaw,  of  the  parish  of  Annaclone 
(will  proved  1811),  had  the  following  children  by  his 
wife,  whom  he  names  '  Jane  Harshaw,  alias  McAll  '  : 
Jane,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Robert,  Andrew,  James,  to 
whom,  the  testator  says,  '  upon  account  of  his 
extravagancy,  I  leave  the  sum  of  five  shillings.' 

1 '  Records  of  the  S}Tiods  of  Ulster,'  vol.  ii.,  p.  .'529. 


320  DONAGmiORE 

V.  In  1811  the  will  of  Andrew  Harshaw  of  Bally- 
nafoy  was  proved,  in  which  the  testator  mentions 
his  brothers,  Robert  and  John,  and  his  children  : 
James,  John,  Andrew,  Janet  (who  married  Chiistopher 
Jardine). 

VI.  Eev.  Andrew  Harshaw,  of  '  The  Crow's  Nest,' 
Ballynafoy,  where  he  taught  a  classical  school,  and 
had  as  a  pupil  Patrick  Bronte,  father  of  the  novelist, 
and  who  died  about  1834.  He  had  brothers,  Joseph 
(medical  doctor)  and  John,  and  a  sister  who  married 
Rev.  Robert  McAllister.  The  brother  (Dr.  Joseph 
Harshaw)  had  four  sons  and  one  daughter  :  John 
(died  unmarried),  Andrew  (died  unmarried),  David, 
married  and  went  to  Philadelphia.  He  had  five 
sons  (now  supposed  to  be  living  in  or  close  to  that 
city),  viz.  Joseph,  Andrew,  James,  John  and  David, 
and  two  daughters,  Anna,  wife  of  Samuel  Matthews 
(Philadelphia),  and  Mary  (Belfast),  widow  of  Joseph 
Gillespie.  Rev.  James  Harshaw,  who  went  to  Balti- 
more, became  principal  of  a  classical  school  in  that 
city.  He  died  in  Ireland.  The  daughter  married 
Andrew  Harshaw  of  Ballynafern  (see  next  group). 

With  this  group  we  associate  Thomas  Harshaw 
of  Lisnacreevy  (close  to  Ballynafoy),  who  died  May  22, 
1851,  aged  forty-seven.  He  had  a  'cousin,  Robert 
Swann  Corbett,'  to  whom  he  left  '  all  his  property  ' 
(will  proved  1851),  giving  us  the  reason  in  his  will, 
viz. '  the  love  and  respect  I  hold  for  my  cousin,  Robert 
Swann  Corbett.'  Elizabeth  Anne,  wife  of  John 
Corbett  of  Lisnacreevy  (mother  of  Robert  Swann 
Corbett),  was  a  widow  in  1846,  when  she  had  dealings 
with  John  McAllister  of  Buskhill  (eldest  son  o^  the 


DONAGHMOBE  DISPENSARY  321 

Rev.  Robert  McAllister  of  Buskhill,  who  died  about 
1836,  and  grandson  of  the  Robert  McAllister  who 
got  the  care  of  Buskhill,  in  this  parish,  in  1776). 

In  connection  with  the  Ballynafoy  group  must  be 
noticed  the  Harshaws  of  Ballynafern — the  adjoining 
townland — all  the  same  stock,  and  intermarried. 
Andrew  Harshaw  of  Ballynafern  died  about  1838  (his 
widow  died  November  26,  1854).  He  had  six  children. 
The  sons  were :  Andrew  of  Ballynafern,  who  married  his 
cousin,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Harshaw  of  Ballynafoy 
(see  above),  and  had  issue— Eleanor,  who  married 
Lyons,  son  of  Rev.  Hugh  Waddell  of  Glenarm  (a 
member  the  Ouley  family  of  Waddells)  and  brother  of 
Mrs.  John  McMaster  of  Aughentobber,  Andrew  (Bally- 
nafern), deceased  1911,  James,  now  living  at  2036, 
Webster  Avenue,  New  York  city,  Joseph  and  Mary, 
both  deceased  :  Francis,  deceased,  resided  in  Banbridge  : 
James,  died,  aged  thirty-eight.  His  widow  (and 
family)  emigrated  and  settled  at  Pontiac,  Michigan, 
where  she  died,  aged  eighty  years,  leaving  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  of  whom  are  :  James  of  Pontiac, 
recently  deceased  ;  Andrew  (now  of  Detroit),  who 
settled  at  Alpena  (Michigan)  and  was  Mayor  of  that 
town,  and  Francis,  of  Indianapolis. 


(2)  The  Harshaws   of   Newry   and   Donaghmokb 

I.  Michael  Harshaw  of  Newry  and  Donaghniore 
appears  as  a  prominent  merchant  in  the  former  place 
from  1758  to  1770,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  seems 
to  have  been  a  man  of  property  and  importance  in 


322  DONAGHMORE 

this  parish.  In  February  1766  and  September  1767 
he  advertises,  to  let,  the  Four  Mile  House,  and  on 
June  14  of  the  following  year  he  informs  the  public, 
through  the  Belfast  News-letter,  'that  pursuant  to 
an  ancient  patent  for  holding  two  Fairs  in  the  year 
at  the  Four  Mile  House  in  the  parish  of  Donaghmore 
in  the  County  of  Down,'  these  having  been  '  for  a 
long  time  neglected,'  he,  '  Michael  Harshaw,  the 
present  proprietor  of  the  aforesaid  place,'  has  acquired 
the  right  of  reviving  the  same,  the  Fairs  to  be  holden 
'  every  22nd  day  of  June  and  22nd  day  of  October 
yearly.'  The  renewal  of  these  fairs  doubtless  led  to 
the  formation  of  the  Donaghmore  Farming  Society 
and  the  institution  of  the  annual  cattle  show,  which 
subsequently  flourished  at  the  Four  Mile  House,  and 
in  connection  Math  which  the  Harshaws  took  a 
prominent  part.  Michael  Harshaw  died  in  1771. 
Mrs.  Harshaw  must  have  been  a  very  pleasing  and 
amiable  woman,  and  hence  did  not  long  remain  a 
widow,  for  in  September  1778  we  find  it  recorded 
that  Edward  Best,  of  Blackbank,  County  of  Armagh, 
married  '  the  agreeable  widow  Harshaw.' 

A  son  of  Michael's  may  have  become  a  partner  in 
the  Newry  business,  for  we  find  the  firm  of  Hogg  and 
Harshaw,  of  North  Street,  flourishing  on  June  29, 1795. 
The  following  are  supposed  to  be  sons  of  Michael : 
Surgeon  John  Harshaw,  of  the  Royal  Navy,  who,  on 
his  retirement,  took  up  his  residence  in  William  Street, 
Newry.  He  married  twice  :  firstly,  January  8,  1811, 
Sarah  (who  died  February  28,  1817),  daughter  of 
Surgeon  Bell  of  Newry,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter, 
Mary,  born  August  9,  1814 ;    and  secondly,  June  8, 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSARY  328 

1818,  Anne,  third  daughter  of  Robert  Kerr  of  Kates- 
bridge,  by  whom  he  had  a  second  daughter,  Isabella, 
born  April  6,  1819.    He  died  at  Bristol  September  20, 

1819,  aged  thirty-six.  His  will,  dated  September  20, 
1819,  consists  of  a  few  lines  written  in  a  trembling 
hand,  in  which  he  bequeaths  all  his  real  and  personal 
property  to  his  '  beloved  wife  and  dear  child.'  He 
states  that  he  is  living  at  Bristol  for  his  health,  and 
describes  himself  as  '  John  Harshaw,  of  Newry, 
Surgeon.'  Probate  of  the  will  was  granted  October  20, 
1819,  to  Anne  his  wife,  Thomas  Carr  and  John  Quinn 
of  Kildare  Street,  Newry,  father  of  the  late  Rev. 
John  Campbell  Quinn,  Rector  of  Donaghmore. 
Michael,  of  whom  nothing  is  known  with  certainty, 
save  that  he  resided  at  Drumbanagher  Parish  (which 
borders  that  of  Loughgilly)  and  was  married  in  St. 
Mary's  Church,  Newry,  January  21,  1803,  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  White  of  Killeavy.  Subsequently, 
he  may  have  crossed  the  border  and  lived  in  Lough- 
gilly, for  we  find  the  last  Harshaw  of  that  place  was 
Michael,  who  died  in  or  about  1836.  His  widow  and 
three  children  (one  of  whom  was  Joseph)  left  Lough- 
gilly, and,  it  is  said,  went  to  America. 

II.  James  Harshaw  of  Ringbane,  Donaghmore, 
supposed  to  be  a  son  of  the  Andrew  Harshaw  of 
Ballynafoy,  who  '  suppHcates  the  General  Assembly  ' 
(see  above),  was  born  1744,  and  died  June  20,  1822, 
aged  seventy-eight  years.  He  was  married  to  Marj^ 
Bradford,  who  died  May  1,  1830.  His  son,  James, 
kept  a  diary  ^  for  many  years,  in  which  he  recorded  the 


See  •  Piesbyterian  Church,'  chapter  vi. 

Y  2 


324  DONAGHMOEE 

daily  events  of  his  life,  even  the  most  trivial  being 
noted.  On  the  first  and  second  pages  of  the  fourth  MS. 
volume  occur  the  following  references  to  his  father  : 
'  Died  on  the  20th  June,  1822,  Mr.  James  Harshaw  of 
Danaghmore.  In  the  disposition  of  this  truly  honest 
man  were  united  all  the  placid  elements  that  are 
calculated  to  adorn  the  character  of  the  meek  and 
humble  Christian.  Sincere  piety  towards  his  God  and 
goodwill  to  his  fellow-creatures  were  the  leading 
features  of  his  life.  In  all  the  dispensations  of  his 
Creator  towards  him  he  manifested  an  uncommon 
degree  of  resignation  to  the  Divine  will ;  so  that  the 
language  of  his  heart  was — in  the  words  of  the  good 
King  Hezekiah — "  good  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  let 
Him  do  whatsoever  seemeth  good  unto  Him."  He  was 
a  sincere  behever  in  the  merits  and  atonement  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  his  life  and  con- 
versation that  belief  was  fully  manifested  ;  but  he  was 
too  humble  to  speak  with  confidence  of  that  firm  con- 
fidence which  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  he  really 
had  in  the  Almighty  Eedeemer  of  Sinners.  He  lived 
to  a  good  old  age  (seventy-eight  years)  and  seemed 
ready  to  resign  his  soul  whenever  his  Creator  would 
please  to  demand  it.' 

The  following  lines  on  his  death  (as  the  diary 
informs  us)  were  composed  by  his  '  affectionate 
daughter,  Jane  Martin  '  (mother  of  the  famous  John 
Martin)  : 

'  Oh  !  happy  soul,  no  more  to  earth  confined, 
But  to  thy  Saviour  gloriously  resigned, 
And  now  a  happy  disembodied  ghost 
Arriv'd  in  safety  at  the  blissful  coast. 


DONAGHMOKE  DISPENSAEY  825 

There,  ever  near  thy  lov'd  Ahnighty  Friend, 
Thou  still  shalt  be  :  and  in  sweet  converse  speed 
Thy  happy  hours,  with  those  who,  like  to  thee, 
Have  fought  the  glorious  fight  and  gained  the  victory. 

'  Dear  humble  shade  !  oh,  whither  art  thou  gone, 
To  what  bright  world  with  wings  expanded  flown  ? 
And  who  to  waft  thy  gentle  spirit  stood 
When  thou  hadst  passed  Death's  dark  and  slippery  flood  ? 
Did  bright  and  shining  ones  thy  path  illume. 
When  thou  wert  passing  through  "  the  rivers  of  gloom," 
Or  didst  thou  "  by  the  eye  of  Faith  "  survey 
The  Lord  of  Life  Who  easy  made  thy  way  ?  ' 


He  had  issue  at  least  three  sous  and  one  daughter, 
viz.  : 

Wilhani  of  Eingbane,  who  died  (a  young  man 
unmarried)  May  17, 1830. 

Hugh,  died  April  9,  1810. 

Jane  (who  wrote  the  above  lines),  died  July  16, 
1847  ;  married  Samuel  Martin  (who  died  July  8, 1831). 

James  (who  kept  the  diary),  formerly  of  Eingohsh, 
but  appears  to  have  got  Eingbane  on  his  brother 
William's  death,  born  1799  ;  married  1816,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Wilham  Kidd  of  Kiddstown ;  died 
January  30,  1867.  His  widow  died  April  7,  1877. 
Had  issue  twelve  children,  viz.  : 

1.  Hugh,  born  January  2,  1817,  and  died 
(unmarried)  November  13,  1845,  aged  28. 

2.  Mary,  born  January  17,  1818  (or  1819)  ; 
married  Alexander  Douglas  of  Ardkceragh  in  1HS, 
and  died  March  28,  1859.  Alexander  Douglas  died 
July  13,  1869,  leaving  issue  a  son,  James  Alexander 
Harshaw  Douglas  (born  March  25,  1859),  Doctor  of 


326  DONAGHMORE 

Medicine,   at   Great  Bridge,   Staffordshire,  where  he 
died  November  10,  1897. 

3.  John  of  Loughorne,  and  later  of  Eingclare, 
born  July  18,  1820 ;  married,  January  25,  1855, 
Ellen,  only  child  of  Hugh  Todd  of  Ringclare.  He 
died  February  7,  189G,  aged  75,  having  had,  by  his 
wife  (who  died  July  24,  1892),  issue,  viz.  Jane,  born 
January  23,  1856,  and  died  unmarried),  Elizabeth 
(born  December  8,  1857,  and  died  unmarried,  June  16, 
1892),  Mary  (born  September  7,  1862,  and  died  un- 
married), and  Hugh,  who  married  Jane  Jardine. 

4.  Jane,  born  May  3,  1822  ;  married  Archibald 
Marshall  in  1846,  and  died  October  28,  1901,  leaving 
by  him  (who  died  October  22,  1907,  aged  89)  issue  : 
Samuel  James  (died  in  Australia),  who  married  Mary 
Small,  widow  of  John  Marshall  of  Lake  View,  and 
Mary,  who  married  John  A.  Copeland  of  the  Fourtowns. 

5.  James  of  Ringbane,  born  May  18,  1826,  and 
died  unmarried  April  28,  1903,  aged  76. 

6.  Wilham  Kidd,  of  New  York,  born  March  30, 
1828  ;  married  September  12,  1853,  Mary  E.  Merrill, 
and  died  at  Patterson,  New  Jersey,  October  18,  1902, 
aged  74,  leaving  his  widow  (who  died  at  Brooklyn, 
July  21,  1907,  aged  82  years)  and  issue,  viz. 
William  Andrew  (late  office  clerk  in  the  American 
War  Office),  Emma  B.,  born  1856  (married  Henry  D. 
Smith  of  Brooklyn),  and  Gimel,  born  1859. 

7.  Andrew,  born  April  9,  1829,  and  died  unmarried 
May  19,  1906,  aged  77. 

8.  Robert  Hugh,  hcensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by 
the  Newry  Presbytery,  September  5,  1854  ;  ordained 
for  Mullingar  Presbyterian  Church  September  7,  1858, 


DONAGHMOBE  DISPENSARY  327 

and  called  to  Mountmellick  in  March,  1859.  He 
married  Jane  KcKee  of  Belfast,  and  died  July  15, 
1896,  leaving  issue,  viz.  :  Mary  Douglas  (married 
James  Cummins  of  Eoscrea),  James  (died  March  16, 
1864),  Jessie,  Robert.  Hugh,  Edith  Sarah,  Helen 
Margaret  (died  July  9,  1900),  James  Gibson  and 
EHzabeth  (both  deceased). 

9.  Samuel  Alexander,  born  January  14,  1885, 
and  died  March  21,  1835. 

10.  Samuel  Alexander,  New  York,  born  September 
10,  1837,  died  (unmarried)  at  Patterson,  New  Jersey, 
May  8,  1880,  aged  42  years. 

11.  Sarah  Anne  (now  sole  survivor  of  family), 
born  February  21,  1840  ;  married  (October  2,  1862) 
Andrew  Hopkins  Megaw  of  Shinn,  and  has  issue,  viz.  : 
Robert  Hopkins,  Jane  Kidd  (married  James  Shanks, 
Poyntzpass),  and  Anna  Hopkins,  married  Edward 
Maxwell  of  Banbridge. 

12.  EHzabeth  Martin,  born  July,  12,  1821,  and  died 
May  IB,  1842. 

III.  Hugh  Harshaw,  of  whom  there  is  no  rehable 
record. 

(3)  The  Harshaws  of  Loughgilly 

The  '  Harshaw  Diary  '  has  the  following  entry, 
May  14,  1846  :  '  On  this  day,  1490,  my  ancestors 
settled  in  the  north  of  Armagh  for  a  few  years.  William 
came  and  settled  down  in  Donaghmore  and  Andmc 
settled  in  Armagh.'  '  1490  '  is  evidently  a  clerical 
error  for  1790,  as  there  were  no  Enghsh  in  '  North 
Armagh  '  at  the  time,  or  indeed  for  long  afterwards. 
Undoubtedly,    the     diarist     meant     that     his     two 


828  DONAGHMORE 

*  ancestors  '  (Ballynafoy  Harshaws)  settled  in  '  North 
Armagh  '  (LoughgiJly)  in  1790,  and,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  we  actually  find  Wilham  and  Andrew  Harsbaw 
there  about  that  date.  Wilham  and  Andrew  are 
supposed  to  be  brothers,  and,  so  far  as  can  be  known, 
were  sons  of  Andrew  Harshaw  of  Ballynafoy,  the  father 
of  James  Harshaw  of  Donaghmore  (see  above). 

I.  Wilham  Harshaw  had  issue  three  sons  and  four 
daughters,  viz.  Ehzabeth  (dates  baptismal),  Decem- 
ber 3,  1797;  Andrew,  December  29,  1799  ;  Margaret, 
March  30,  1806 ;  Wilham,  May  15,  1808  ;  Robert, 
September  2,  1810 ;  Jean,  March  5,  1815 ;  Mary, 
August  3, 1817. 

II.  Andrew  Harshaw  died  April  17,  1813  ('?  1818), 
leaving  a  widow  and  large  family,  viz.  Michael 
(baptized  June  21,  1807),  John,  David,  Andrew, 
Joseph,  Henry,  Sarah,  and  WiHiam.  Of  the  above, 
Joseph  became  a  soldier,  and  bad  a  son  an  officer  in 
the  array,  while  David  was  also  in  the  service.  (Either 
Joseph  or  David  was  in  the  Life  Guards.) 

About  1820  Mrs.  Harshaw  {nie  Henry),  with  her 
sons  Andrew,  David,  Michael,  and  William,  and  her 
daughter  Sarah,  went  to  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  settled  at  Adamsville,  Pennsylvania.     Of  these — 

1.  Andrew  (eldest  son)  became  a  prosperous 
merchant.  He  left  several  sons  and  one  daughter, 
among  whom,  now  living,  are  :  The  Hon.  W.  J.  Har- 
shaw of  Grove  City,  Pennsylvania,  Hugh,  and  Michael. 

2.  Michael  became  a  Presbyterian  minister.  He 
graduated  in  1838  at  the  Western  University  (Pitts- 
burg), and  subsequently  studied  Theology  under  the 
Rev.  Dr.   Black,  a  distinguished  divine.     He  was   in 


DONAGHMOBE  DISPENSARY  829 

clue  time  ordained  to  the  Ministry,  and  held  varicus 
important  charges  till  his  death  in  1574.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  mental  force  and  strength  of  character, 
but  extremely  diffident  and  modest,  otherwise  he  might 
have  attained  to  a  position  of  greater  promintr.ce 
than  that  which  fell  to  his  lot.  He  left  issue,  viz. 
two  sons  and  two  daughters.     The  sons  were  : 

The  Eev.  W.  R.  Harshiiw,  D.D.,  Minister  of  Grace 
Presbyterian  Church,  Minneapohs,  Minnesota,  and 
the  Rev.  Andrew  R.  Harshaw,  D.D.,  Pastor  Emeritus 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Junction  City, 
Kansas.  Dr.  Harshaw  (the  latter)  was  ordained  in 
1878,  and,  previous  to  his  present  important  charge, 
had  exercised  his  ministry  in  New  York  City  and 
Pittsburg.  He  is  now  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of 
his  age. 

3.  William  (youngest  son),  born  1811,  became  a 
farmer,  and  died  in  1886,  leaving  tw^o  sons,  one  of 
whom  survives,  viz.  William  Andrew  Harsh aw% 
President  of  the  Harshaw,  Fuller  5z  Goodwin  Company 
(chemical  manufacturers)  of  Cleveland  and  New 
York. 

It  ^^•ill  be  noticed  that  large  numbers  of  this 
numerous  clan  reside  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned  are  the 
Harsh  a  ws  of  North  Carolina ;  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin 
(one  of  whom  was  recently  State  Treasurer) ;  Flint, 
Michigan ;  and  Toronto,  Canada ;  and  indeed  of 
many  other  places  in  both  countries. 

It  may  be  noted  that  some  of  the  family,  resident 
in  the  States,  have  adopted  a  comparatively  modern 
spelling    of    the    name,    viz.    '  Harsha  '—instead    of 


330  DONAGHMOEE 

Harshaw,  the  original  orthography.  But  this  is  easily 
accounted  for,  owing  to  the  fact  that  frequently 
surnames  come  to  be  spelt — even  in  baptismal  registers 
and  official  document  s — as  they  are  locally  pronounced. 
In  Donaghmore  the  people  generally  pronounce  the  name 
as  though  it  were  '  Harsha,'  and  not  Harshaw. 

Our  sketch  of  the  Harshaws  would  be  incomplete 
if  we  failed  to  specially  refer  to  the  interesting  Bronte 
Hugh  Bronte  ^pisode,  and  the  important  connection  of  the 
and  the  family  with  that  of  the  Martins  of  Loughorne. 
Harshaws.  jjjjgj^  Bronte,  grandfather  of  the  famous 
novelist,  Charlotte  Bronte,  it  seems,  resided  for  a 
time  at  the  home  of  James  Harshaw  (born  1744). 
Dr.  Wright,  in  his  '  Brontes  in  Ireland,'  gives  us  a 
harrowing  account  of  Hugh's  early  privations,  and  of 
his  eventual  escape  from  the  cruel  home  of  his  adoption 
to  the  lime-kilns  of  Mountpleasant,  and  from  thence 
to  the  hospitable  home  of  James  Harshaw  of  Donagh- 
more. Dr.  Wright  is  far  from  being  a  reliable 
authority  when  his  political  or  rehgious  views  are 
allowed  to  have  the  mastery,  as  they  so  frequently  do, 
in  his  narrative,  and  when  he  poses  as  the  novelist, 
incorporating  '  old  wives'  fables '  and  the  merest 
'  hearsays,'  especially  if  they  contain  anything 
bordering  on  the  romantic.  How  much  of  his  narra- 
tive is  founded  on  fact,  and  how  much  on  fiction,  we 
need  not  stop  to  inquire  in  this  connection.  At  any 
rate,  we  have  it  on  the  reliable  authority  of  John 
Harshaw  that  probably  Hugh  Bronte  lived  with  his 
grandfather — which  is,  undoubtedly,  a  fact,  notwith- 
standing the  use  of  the  cautious  man's  '  probabihty.' 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSAEY  331 

He  states  '  the  probability  is  that  Hugh  Bronte  hired 
with  my  grandfather,  whose  land  touched  the  Lough, 
but  I  fear  it  is  too  true  that  he  passed  through  my 
grandfather's  service  leaving  no  permanent  record 
behind  hhn.'  We  are  told,  and  believe  it,  that  '  under 
Harshaw's  roof  he  (Hugh)  found  not  only  work  and 
shelter,  but  a  home  and  comfort,'  and  that  '  as  long 
as  he  lived  he  spoke  of  the  Harshaws  with  gratitude 
and  affection.'  Subsequently  (and  not  before),  we 
find  *  Hugh '  in  use  as  a  Christian  name  in  the  Harshaw 
family,  and  it  has  occurred  to  us  that  in  all  probability 
its  adoption  was  in  honour  of  Hugh  Bronte,  who,  it 
would  seem,  was  treated  in  the  household  of  his  kind 
patrons  as  a  friend  and  companion. 

As  we  have  already  seen,  John  j\rartin's  father 
(Samuel  Martin)  married  Jane,  daughter  of  James 
Harshaw.  The  two  famihes  were  not 
Martins  of  ^nly  thus  connected,  but  were  also  on  the 
Loughorne  closest  terms  of  inthnacy.  Mrs.  Martin 
and  the  ^^g^g  q^  woman  of  refined  taste  and  of  great 
intellect,  while  at  the  same  tune  she  was 
a  poetess  of  no  mean  order.  (See  above.)  She  was 
much  given  to  good  works,  and,  we  are  told,  '  died  of 
a  fever  caught  while  ministering  to  the  dying,  in 
accordance  with  her  high  sense  of  Christian  duty. 
Her  hfe  was  given  for  others,  and  at  her  funeral  the 
Eev.  S.  J.  Moore  summed  up  her  character  as  *'  a 
woman  who  knew  her  duty  and  did  it."  ' 

The  Martins  of  Loughorne  were  long  and  intimately 
connected  with  the  social,  civil,  and  religious  Hfe  of 
Donaghmore,  and  took  an  especially  active  pai  t  in  the 


332  DONAGHMORE 

affairs  of  the  Presb3^terian  Church  and  in  the  workirg 
of  the  Dispensary. 

John  Martin  (born  at  Loughorne,  SeiDtember  8, 
181 2)  was  eldest  son  of  a  famil}^  of  nine.  He  was 
a  man  of  undoubted  ability — with  a  strong 
Martin  sense  of  duty.     With  his  political  views  we 

are  wholly  in  disagreement,  but  recognise, 
nevertheless,  that  he  was  honest  (though  mistaken) 
in  his  convictions,  as  all  who  knew  him  acknowledged, 
and  hence  he  was  called  '  Honest  John  Martin.'  He  be- 
came a  graduate  in  Arts  of  Dublin  University  in  1882, 
where  he  also  studied  medicine  for  a  time,  which  he 
subsequently  found  useful  in  treating  (gratuitously) 
the  sick  poor  of  Donaghmore.  His  medical  studies 
terminated  on  the  death  of  his  uncle,  John,  whose 
landed  property  he  inherited,  the  income  amounting 
to  about  £400  per  annum. 

In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Home  Euler — 
advocating  the  legislative  independence  of  Ireland 
and  repeal  of  the  Union  with  Great  Britain,  and 
hence  he  became  known  as  '  John  ]\Iartin — the 
Repealer.' 

For  some  years  previoush'  to  his  appearance  in 
the  poHtical  arena  he  seems  to  have  settled  down  on 
his  property  at  Loughorne,  discharging  the  duties 
devolving  on  him  as  a  small  landlord,  and  farming 
a  portion  of  his  lands. 

In  1839  he  made  a  tour  of  the  United  States 
and  visited  Canada,  where  he  stayed  with  his  sister, 
Mrs.  Frazer,  and  her  husband  (Donald),  of  London, 
Ontario. 

He  returned  to  Loughorne  in  1841,  and   in  1848 


DONAGHMOEE  DISPENSAEY  883 

joined  the  Eepeal  Association,  when  his  poHtical 
career  may  be  said  to  have  commenced. 

Space  forbids  us  to  enter  into  detail?!,  but  we  find 
him  writing  for  the  Nation  and  the  United  IrisJiman— 
the  official  organs  of  his  party — Mitchel  (his  brother-in- 
law)  being  editor  of  the  former  till  1847,  when  in  the 
following  year  he  started  the  latter.  The  suppression 
of  the  United  Irishman,  and  the  transportation  of 
Mitchel  (for  fourteen  years)  owing  to  his  seditious 
articles  in  that  journal,  seemed  to  grieve  and  exasperate 
Martin  to  an  unwonted  degree,  while  doubtless  the 
wretched  condition  of  the  Irish  people  on  account  of 
the  famine  was  not  without  its  effect.  He  resolved 
to  start  the  Irish  Felo7i  (which  was  doomed  to  an 
untimely  end,  expiring  in  five  short  weeks)  and  the 
Felon  Club — a  semi-military  organisation.  Martin's 
articles  in  the  FeJoJi  were  of  the  usual  extreme  type — 
advocating  the  utter  destruction  of  Enghsh  dominion 
in  Ireland,  the  spurning  of  British  (which  he  calls 
'  brutish  ')  Acts  of  Parliament,  tramphng  upon  the 
lying  proclamations  of  the  foreign  (English)  tyrants, 
counselling  armed  resistance  to  the  law,  and  so  on. 
Needless  to  say,  the  Felon  was  suppressed,  and 
immediate  proceedings  were  instituted  against  Martin 
by  the  Government. 

He  was  arrested  and  indicted  for  treason  felony. 
The  informations  sworn  against  him  were  to  the  effect 
that  it  was  his  intention  to  '  depose  Her  Most  Gracious 
Majesty  the  Queen  from  her  style,  honour,  and  royal 
name,  and  to  levy  war  against  her.'  Martin  was 
convicted  (August  18,  1848),  and  sentenced  to  be 
transported  beyond   the   seas   (Van   Diemen's  Land) 


884  DONAGHMOBE 

for  the  term  of  ten  years.  He  subsequently  availed 
himself  of  a  '  conditional  pardon  ' — the  condition  being 
that  he  should  not  visit  any  portion  of  the  United 
Kingdom.  Later,  in  1856,  the  pardon  was  made 
'  unconditional,'  when  he  returned  to  Ireland. 

In  1869  Martin,  accompanied  by  his  wife  {nee 
Mitchel),  visited  the  United  States,  where  he  was 
warmly  received  and  hospitably  entertained— banquets 
in  his  honour  being  given  in  New  York  (Horace  Greely 
presiding)  and  Philadelphia.  Shortly  after  his  return 
to  Ireland  he  became  a  parliamentary  candidate 
for  the  county  of  Longford,  but  was  defeated.  He 
was  subsequently  (1871)  elected  for  Meath,  his  con- 
stituents paying  the  expenses  of  his  election.  He 
frequently  spoke  in  Parhament,  but  it  would  seem 
Parliamentary  life  was  distasteful  to  him,  as  we  gather 
from  one  of  his  letters  (written  from  Warrenpoint) 
to  Mitchel,  April  18,  1871,  in  which  he  states  : 
'  The  Parliament  was  such  a  bore  to  me,  and  the  idea 
that  I  ought,  that  I  must,  sometimes  "speak  in  it  and 
say  and  keep  saying  things  to  make  the  men  in  it 
hate  me  worse  than  hell,  was  such  an  irritation  and 
fever  to  my  nerves.' 

John  Martin's  career,  though  comparatively  short, 
was  very  eventful.  He  died  on  Easter  Monday, 
March  29,  1875,  at  the  age  of  62,  leaving  a  widow, 
who  died  July  11, 1913,  and  a  sister — Mrs.  Eoss  Todd — 
who  resides  in  Dublin.  His  funeral  was  probably 
the  largest  ever  seen  in  this  parish — all  shades  of 
opinion,  both  religious  and  political,  being  repre- 
sented to  testify  their  sorrow,  as  all  that  was  mortal 
of  John  Martin  was  laid  to  rest  with  his  fathers  in 


DONAGHMOEE    DISPENSARY  835 

Donaghmore  churchyard.  On  his  tomb  are  mscribed 
the  words  : — '  John  Martin,  born  8th  September,  1812  ; 
died29th  March,  1875.  He  Hved  for  his  country,  suffered 
in  her  cause,  pleaded  for  her  wrongs,  and  died  beloved 
and  lamented  by  every  true-hearted  Irishman.' 


CHAPTER  VIII 

GLEN    AND    FOURTOWNS 

It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  origin  of  certain 
'  Districts  '  which  are  so  often  found  within  parochial 

boundaries,    and    which    seem    from    time 
D^f^^t        immemorial    to   have    possessed   limits    as 

well  defined  as  those  of  the  parishes  them- 
selves in  which  they  are  situated. 

Glen  is  one  of  these  old  districts,  and  as  such  has 
largely  maintained  its  identity,  though  not  its  actual 
boundaries,  during  all  the  years.  In  regard  to  its 
origin  in  this  respect  we  can  only  guess,  but  those 
who  are  competent  to  form  an  opinion  consider  that 
in  all  probability  we  are  correct  in  our  conjecture. 
Clanagan  {Gleannagan),  signifying  '  The  Little  Glen,' 
was  the  ancient  name  of  the  district,  and  probably 
embraced  both  modern  Glen  (containing  nine  town- 
lands)  and  the  Fourtowns,  which  were  originally 
combined  in  the  two  '  towns  '  of  Bally tullaghmore 
and  BallyMcEnratty — the  present  designation,  in 
all  likelihood,  having  been  apphcd  after  the  sub- 
division into  '  Four  towns.'  There  can  be  no  doubt, 
however,  but  that  Bally  tullaghmore  (Tullymore  and 
Killysavin)  was  included  in  Clanagan,  for  the  King's 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  837 

order,  dated  August  2,  1617  (Patent  Rolls,  James  I.), 
giving  a  survey  of  the  Magenis  lands  in  Iveagh,  states 
that  Sir  Arthur  Magennis  (the  first  Viscount)  was 
seised  of  '  Ballytullaghmore  in  Clanagan.'  The  '  Four 
towns  '  seem  to  have  been  always  closely  associated, 
and  there  must  be  some  vahd  reason  for  this  ancient 
tie  that  still  binds  them  together.  In  our  opinion 
they  each  are  children  of  a  common  parentage,  cut 
off  in  bygone  times  from  the  parent  stem,  but  though 
ruthlessly  torn  away  they  still  chng  to  each  other — 
under  a  new  name,  and  having  lost  their  old  identity 
— as  portion  of  a  larger  family.  We  consider  that 
ancient  Clanagan  comprised  (at  least)  the  thirteen 
townlands  which  are,  at  present,  contained  in  Glen 
and  Fourtowns,  and  embraced  the  whole  of  the  glen 
extending  from  Poyntzpass  to  the  '  Mount  '  in 
Drumiller — south  of  Jerrettspass. 

We  believe  that  Clanagan  was  one  of  the  old  divisions 
of  land — viz.  a  '  ballybetagh  ' — which  existed  previous 
to  our  present  distribution.  Bishop  Eeeves 
betagh^'  ^'  Townland  Distribution  '),  writing  on  the 
present  distribution  of  land,  informs  us  that 
we  have  '  no  modern  equivalent  to  the  ballybetagh, 
except  in  some  few  instances  where  groups  of  twelve 
townlands  under  a  generic  name  constitute  distinct 
properties.'  True,  a  ballybetagh  varied  considerably 
in  size,  as,  for  example,  in  the  counties  of  Monaghan 
and  Tyrone,  where  three  or  four  townlands  often  con- 
stituted a  ballybetagh ;  but,  generally  speaking,  this 
division  of  land  contained  twelve  '  towns.' 

A  ballybetagh  was  a  '  true  pohtical   sub-division 
of   the    Tuath— corresponding    to    the   Latin   Pagus. 


838  DONAGHMOEE 

It  had  some  kind  of  Judicial  Court  and  popular 
assembly,  and  was  probably  bound  to  furnish  its 
fixed  proportion  of  armed  men  and  provisions  to  the 
battalion  of  the  Tuatfi.'  ^ 

The  Betayh  was   a   kind  of   '  Pubhc   Victualler,' 

being    bound    to    dispense    hospitahty    to    travellers 

and  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Chief,  if  they 

^  '  came  in  his  direction,  and  for  that  purpose 
he  held  his  ballybetagh  free  of  rent.  A  Public 
Victualler,  who  was  compelled  to  dispense  hospitality, 
was  certainly  a  good  and  benign  institution,  and  one 
we  should  think  absolutely  necessary,  considering  the 
circumstances  of  the  time. 

We  have  no  idea  as  regards  the  whereabouts  of 
this  good  man's  residence  in  Clauagan,  but,  if  asked 
our  opinion,  we  would  say,  most  Ukely  on  the  '  Mount  ' 
in  Drumiller.  We  are  quite  certain,  however,  that 
if  this  pubhc  dispenser  of  unbounded  hospitahty 
resided  there  now-a-days,  we  would  frequently  honour 
ourselves  by  calling  on  him,  and  we  could  assure  him 
of  hosts  of  visitors  besides,  namely,  the  shoals  of 
'  tramp  gentry,'  who  ever  pass  and  repass  by  the  great 
highway  convenient  to  his  hospitable  mansion. 

Clanagan  was  undoubtedly  the  scene  of  numerous 
warlike  exploits,  lying,  as  it  did,  contiguous  to  the 
two  Passes  from  Armagh  to  Down  and  the  Castles 
thereat.  Indeed,  the  very  name  of  the  townland 
of  Lurganare  (within  Clanagan),  signifying  '  the 
field  of  slaughter,'  is  ominous  of  battle  ! 

Glen  is  rich  in  old  Irish  surnames,  of  which  the 
following  are  a  few  : 

^  0' Curry,  Introd.,  Manners  and  Customs,  p.  xci. 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  339 

Mageiinis — Ma  cA  onghu  sa  . 

Aongus  was  a  favourite  Irish  name,  which  was 
Latinised  Eneas,  but  has  ceased  to  be  used.  As 
we  have  seen,  the  Magennises  were  the 
Surnames.  ^"^^^"^S"  ^"^^^^7  "^  ancient  Iveagh.  This 
name,  both  at  present  and  in  old  docu- 
ments, is  spelt  more  variously  than  that  of  any 
other  Irish  family.  In  the  Birth  Indexes  for  1890 
there  are  no  less  than  sixteen  varieties  of  the 
name.  The  principal  representative  of  the  Magennises 
of  Glen  is  Heber  Magenis  of  Iveagh  Lodge,  who  is 
a  Hneal  descendant  of  Murtagh  McEnaspicke  Magenis, 
who  owned  the  Manor  in  1611. 

Cranny — Maggbanna.  This  family  belonged  to 
Meath,  where  the  name  is  written  '  MacGrane.'  It 
has  in  most  cases  (in  Ireland)  been  exchanged  for 
the  Scotch  name  Grant,  and  in  a  few  others  for  the 
English  surname  Green.  Principal  representative : 
Luke  Cranny,  J.P.,  of  Eingclare  House. 

Larkin — O'Larcain. 

Larcon  or  Lorcan  was  an  old  Irish  Christian 
name,  which  is  now  rendered  Laurence,  simply 
because  both  names  commence  somewhat  ahke. 
The  O'Larcains  were  located  in  Armagh,  Galway, 
and  Wexford.  Patrick  Larkin  of  Ballylough  is  the 
present  representative. 

Murtagh — O'Muircheartaigh. 

The  O'Murtaghs  were  a  Meath  family.  There  are 
several  of  the  name  residing  in  Glen — Denis,  James, 
John,  and  Patrick  Murtagh. 

MacAvoy — Macgiollabuidtie. 

The  j\IacEvoys  were  formerly  located  in  Armagh, 

z2 


340  DONAGHMORE 

Westmeath,  and  Queen's  County.  The  family  is 
represented  by  Arthur  McEvoy,  J.P.,  of  Drumiller, 
who  takes  a  keen  interest  in  farming  pursuits,  and 
in  the  Newry  Agricultural  Society. 

Mcllroy — Macgiollaruaidh. 

The  MacGilroys  are  a  Monaghan  family.  There 
are  at  least  two  families  of  the  name  in  Glen — James 
of  Dromantine  and  Hugh  Mcllroy  of  Derrycraw. 

McCourt — MacCuarta. 

The  MacCourts  belonged  to  County  Tyrone,  while 
another  branch  resided  in  Leitrim,  where  the  name 
was  known  as  '  MacGourty.'  The  present  repre- 
sentative is  Lawrence  McCourt,  of  Corgary  Lodge, 
one  of  our  oldest  and  most  respected  inhabitants, 
and  who  for  eighteen  years  fathfuUy  represented 
Glen  as  a  Poor  Law  Guardian.  He  is  a  son  of  Hugh 
McCourt,  who  married  Miss  Savage,  a  sister  of  Dr. 
Mark  Savage. 

McConville — MacConmhaoil. 

The  MacConvilles  are  a  Lower  Iveagh  family. 
The  only  person  bearing  the  name  in  Glen  at  present 
is  the  parish  priest,  the  Eev,  Patrick  McConville,  not 
a  native  of  the  district. 

McGrory — MacPiuadhrigh. 

The  MacRorys  were  formerly  located  in  Tyrone 
and  Down.  MacRory  has  been  exchanged  for  the 
English  surname  Rodgers,  and  the  Christian  name 
Rory  for  Rodger.  Ruadhri,  or  Rory,  which  signifies 
*  the  red-haired  King,'  was  a  favourite  Irish  name. 
Patrick  McGrory,  the  present  representative,  resides 
in  Ballylough. 

O'Hare — O'H-eadhra. 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  811 

This  name  is  spelfc  in  a  variety  of  ways  both  in 
Irish  and  EngHsh.  All,  however,  are  derived  from 
the  one  we  have  given,  which  is  the  most  ancient 
form  of  the  name  O'Hara,  of  which  O'Harc  is  a 
variant.  Eadhra,  owing  to  its  similarity  in  sound  to 
Harry,  was  translated  Henry,  and  in  this  form  remains 
a  favourite  Christian  name  in  the  several  branches 
of  the  family.  The  O'Haras  were  located  in  Antrim, 
Londonderry,  Mayo,  and  Sligo,  while  there  were 
O'Heirs  in  Armagh  and  O'Hehirs  in  Clare.  The 
name  is  spelt  '  O'Hir '  in  the  Topographical  Poems 
of  John  O'Dugan,  who  mentions  the  family  in  this 
district  in  the  earher  part  of  the  fourteenth  century. 
The  name  is  still  well  represented  in  Glen,  there  being 
about  twenty  rated  occupiers  or  inhabitant  house- 
holders bearing  it.  The  principal  representatives 
are  :  James,  '  The  Eock '  (Knockanarney)  ;  John 
and  Patrick  (Corgary)  ;  and  James  and  Patrick 
(Derrycraw). 

Rice — O'Maolceaoibhe. 

The  Rices  are  a  Lower  Castlereagh  family.  The 
learned  historian  of  Down  and  Connor  (Monsignor 
O'Laverty,  P.P.)  says :  '  The  O'Mulcreevys,  who 
have  strangely  contrived  to  translate  their  name  into 
Rice,  were  located  along  the  County  Down  side  of 
the  Lagan.'  The  original  name  is  better  preserved 
as  '  Mulgrew.'  Amongst  the  Rices  of  Glen  are : 
John  (Dromantine)  and  Patrick  (Derrycraw). 

Rooney — O'Ruanadha. 

The  Rooneys  are  an  old  family  of  the  County  of 
Down,  and  in  past  times  have  frequently  figured  in 
its  history.     The  family  is  represented  in  Glen  by 


342  DONAGHMORE 

Patrick  and  James  Eooney,  J.P.,  of  The  Mount  Mills 
(Drumiller). 

Savage.  This  family  takes  its  name  from  the 
French  Sauvage, 

The  Savages  were  among  the  earliest  Anglo- 
Norman  settlers  in  Ireland.  They  were  for  many 
centuries  Lords  of  the  Ardes,  where  they  settled 
(in  the  twelfth  century)  under  John  de  Courcy.  They 
also  owned  a  large  portion  of  Lecale,  for  we  find  it 
recorded  ('  Pubhc  Records  ')  '  that  Raymond  (Savage) 
should  have  the  Chieftainship  and  Superiority  of  his 
Sept  in  the  Territory  of  the  Savages,  otherwise  called 
Lecale,  as  principal  Chieftain  thereto,  and  that  Ray- 
mond should  give  to  the  (Lord)  Deputy,  for  acquiring 
his  favour  and  friendship,  100  fat  able  Cows,  and  a 
Horse,  or  15  Marks  Lish  money  in  lieu  thereof  at 
the  pleasure  of  the  Deputy.'  (Dated  31st  May, 
28  Hen.  VIII.)  The  principal  seat  of  the  Savages  was 
Portaferry  Castle,  completed  in  1686.  The  resident 
in  1744  was  Andrew  Savage. 

A  member  of  this  ancient  family  settled  in  Glen 
about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  a  few 
of  whose  descendants  still  reside  in  the  district  and 
neighbourhood,  of  whom  the  following  are  the  principal 
representatives  :  viz.  James  Savage  of  Glen  House, 
and  Mrs.  Savage  (widow  of  Patrick  Savage)  and  Miss 
Anne  Savage  (late  of  Lurganare  House),  Newry, 
daughters  of  Dr.  Mark  Savage  (of  Newry)  by  his 
wife,  Mary,  daughter  of  Bernard  Rice. 

Dr.  Mark  Savage  (whose  mother  was  Mary, 
daughter  of  Arthur  Magennis)  was  brother  of  Dr. 
John  Savage,  who  for  about  fifty  years  was  a  well- 


GLEN  AND  FOUKTOWNS  343 

known  physician  in  Newry,  and  whose  son,  the  late 
Dr.  Matt  Burke  Savage,  was  an  eminent  member  of 
the  medical  profession,  residing  in  Rutland  Square, 
Dublin.  He  died  September  19,  1912.  The  Savages 
owned  the  half  townland  of  Carrickrovaddy  (recently 
sold  to  the  tenants)  and  a  small  property  in  the  County 
Armagh,  viz.  the  townland  of  Enagh. 

Irish  surnames  date  from  about  the  beginning  of 
the  eleventh  century — when  Brian  Boru  (who  com- 
menced to  reign  1001)  made  an  ordinance 

5,"^^  that    every    family    and    clan    in    Ireland 

Surnames.  •;  -^  ,        _     .       .       .. 

should  adopt  such.  Each  family  was 
permitted  to  choose  a  particular  surname,  and  that 
generally  taken  was  the  name  of  some  distinguished 
ancestor  or  Chief  of  their  tribe,  to  which  they  prefixed 
'  Mac,'  which  signifies  son  ;  or  '  Hy,' '  Ua,' '  Ui,' '  0  '— 
each  of  which  means  grandson,  or  a  descendant  of. 

It  may  be  noted,  however,  that  our  surnames  do 
not  always  indicate  the  nationality  of  the  original 
bearers,  as  many  of  the  Danish  settlers  and  the  Anglo- 
Normans  took  Irish  surnames,  while  on  the  other  hand 
not  a  few  Irish  famihes  adopted  English  surnames. 

There  are  two  Roman  Cathohc  churches  in  Glen, 
one   in    the    townland    of    Carrickrovaddy,    and    the 

other  in  that  of  Bally blaugh.  The  former 
St.  Mary's     j^  situated  on  Barr  hill,  and  is  generally 

known  as  Barr  Chapel.  It  is  dedicated  to 
St.  Mary— the  Blessed  \'irgin.  The  present  church 
edifice  was  built  in  1885,  and  renovated  in  19C8,  at 
considerable  cost.  Mrs.  William  Walmsley  (Rachel- 
sister  of  James  Savage),  of  the  Mount  Mills,  bequeathed 
the  handsome  sum  of  £1000   towards  the  work  of 


344  DONAGHMORE 

restoration.  (Hhe  died  February  8,  1910.)  The  church 
is  a  fairly  handsome  and  substantial  structure. 
A  graceful  spire  would  add  much  to  its  comely  propor- 
tions. The  interior  possesses  a  finer  ecclesiastical 
aspect  than  the  exterior,  while  the  beautiful  window- 
erected  by  James  Savage,  in  memory  of  his  parents, 
adds  considerably  to  the  effect. 

The  Parochial  House  stands  close  to  St.  Mary's. 
It    was    erected    when    Father    Felix    Magennis    was 

Parish  Priest  (1900-5),  and  owes  much  to 
Houle  ^^       ^^^  tireless  energy  and  perseverance.     It  is 

impossible  to  compute  the  cost  of  erection 
(which  must  have  been  very  considerable),  as  the 
parishioners,  apart  from  their  generous  contributions, 
did  much  in  the  way  of  carting  material,  and  so  forth. 
The  House  is  a  fine  and  fairly  commodious  structure, 
and  commands  a  magnificent  view  of  the  Mourne 
Mountains  and  other  beautiful  scenery — being  situated 
on  one  of  the  highest  elevations  in  the  parish — viz. 
'  Barr  '  hill — ('  Barr  '  signifies  in  Irish  '  the  hill-top,' 
and  is  equivalent  to  the  English,  '  hill-head  ').  The 
following  item  occurs  in  Griffith's  or  the  Government 
valuation  of  1889,  under  the  head  of  exemptions  : — 
'  Carrickrovaddy — Roman  Catholic  chapel  yard, 
£12  16s.  M: 

The  church  in  Ballyblaugh  is  known    locally  as 
'Glen   Chapel.'     The  present   church  edifice,   which 

was  erected  in  1868,  is  a  neat  and  solidly 
Church  of      |-,^jj^  structure— without  any  ecclesiastical 

St.  John  the  ^        .  •        , ,  i  ,  . 

Evangelist,    pi'^tensions    m    the    way    of    architecture. 

The  panel  on  the  front  gable  (sm-mounted 

by  a  Celtic  cross)  bears  the  following  inscription  : — 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  3-45 

'  Church  of  St.  John  the  EvangeKst,  erected  and 
dedicated  a.d.  1863.' 

The  old  stone  cross  which  was  erected  on  the 
former  bailding  is  still  preserved,  and  stands  on  a 
granite  pedestal  in  the  churchyard. 

Two  handsome  mural  tablets  adorn  the  walls  of 
the  interior,  erected  to  the  memory  of  two  faithful 
and  devoted  priests.  These  bear,  respectively,  the 
inscriptions  : — 

(1)  Sacerdos  in  Aeternum. 

Sacred 
to  the  memory  of 

Rev,  .Tohn  McDonnel,  P.P., 
donaghmore, 

who  departed  this  life  the  21  st  day  of 

April  1870, 

aged  65  years, 

having  faithfully  discharged 

the  sacred  duties  of  the  priesthood 

for  the  period  of  30  years 

AND  AS  P.  Priest  of  this  Parish 

FOR  19  YEARS. 

Requiescat  IN  Pace. 

This  tablet,  of  marble,  is  placed  inside  the  altar 
rails  (north  side),  and  surmounted  by  a  Roman  cross 
of  the  same  material,  bearing  the  monogram  I.H.S. 
in  the  centre. 


346  •       DONAGHMOEE 

(2)  In 

memory  op 

The  Eev. 

Felix  McLaughlin, 

P.P.  Glenn, 

BORN  IN  1827, 

ORDAINED  August  15th,  1850, 

APPOINTED  p.p.  Glenn  in  1870, 

DIED  30th  January  1901. 

Eequiescat  in  Pace. 

Amen. 

Tliis  marble  tablet,  which  is  placed  outside  the 
altar  rails  (south  side),  is  surmounted  by  a  Celtic 
cross,  and  projects  about  six  inches  from  the  wall. 

We    have   no    official    list   of   the    succession    of 
parish  priests,  but  the  following  are  among  those  who 
held  the   position  on  or  about   the   dates 
Pdel.         mentioned  : 

1704,  Juhj  11.— The  Eev.  Cormack 
O'Huyre.  Father  O'Huyre  received  Orders  in  the 
year  1672  from  Archbishop  Oliver  Plunkett  (Armagh). 
He  was  aged  fifty-five  years  in  1704.  This  priest 
belonged  to  the  family  of  O'Hare — a  name,  as  we  have 
seen,  which  still  figures  prominently  in  Glen.  Cormack, 
which  has  been  Anghcised  '  Charles,'  is  a  favourite 
Christian  name  among  the  0 'Hares. 
1704.— The  Eev.  James  MacDonnell. 
At  this  date  Father  MacDonnell  was  parish  priest  of 
Aghaderg  and  'part  of  Donaghmore.  He  was  then 
aged    thirty-six   years,    and   resided   in    Dromentian 


GLEN  AND  FOUBTOWNS  347 

(Dromantine)  townland.  He  received  Orders  in  the 
year  1692  from  Bishop  Patrick  Eussell  (Dublin). 

1790.— The  Kev.  John  O'Hagan. 

Father  O'Hagan  was  half-brother  of  James  O'Hagan 
(of  Clonduft),who  was  the  father  of  Fehx  O'Hagan,  J. P., 
an  old  and  much  respected  merchant  of  Newry,  who 
still  survives. 

He  was  educated  in  France,  but  at  the  period 
of  the  French  Kevolution  (when  Christianity  was 
declared  abolished)  he  and  other  Seminarists  fled  to 
Ireland  and  landed  in  Cork.  John  O'Hagan,  though 
once  more  in  his  native  land,  was  '  stranded  '  in  the  city 
of  Cork,  still  wearing  his  French  costume.  The  good 
citizens  of  Cork,  however,  came  to  his  help  with  money 
and  a  '  new  suit,'  when  he  embarked  for  Kilkeel,  and 
from  thence  made  his  way  (probably  on  foot)  through 
the  Mourne  Mountains  {vid  the  Deer's  Meadow)  to  his 
native  parish  of  Clonduff.  He  was  subsequently 
admitted  to  Orders  by  the  Bishop  of  Dromore,  and 
shortly  afterwards  became  parish  priest  in  Glen. 
He  died  about  1810,  aged  (about)  seventy  years. 

1824.— The  Eev.  John  Carter.    He  died  in  1844. 

1844.— The  Eev.  Martin  Eyan. 

Father  Eyan  was  a  member  of  the  first  Dispensary 
Committee  (1848),.  and  took  a  keen  interest  in  the 
medical  rehef  of  the  sick  poor. 

1855.— The  Eev.  John  McDonnell. 

Father  McDonnell  was  a  very  popular  parish  priest, 
and  took  a  warm  interest  in  all  that  concerned  the 
welfare  of  his  own  and  the  other  parishioners.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Dispensary  Committee  in  1858. 

1869.— The  Eev.  Fehx  McLaughlin,  appointed  by 


34R  DONAGHMORE 

the  Most  Eeverend  Dr.  Leahy.  Father  McLaughhn 
(the  family  spell  the  name  McLoughlin,  but  we  adopt 
that  on  his  tablet)  was  educated  at  St.  Colman's 
Seminary  (Newry)  and  at  Maynooth.  He  was  ordained 
priest  by  the  Most  Eeverend  Dr.  Blake,  Bishop  of 
Dromore  in  1850,  and  was  subsequently  curate  (at 
least)  in  Dromore,  Tullylish,  and  Gargory.  Father 
McLaughlin  was  a  most  kind,  good-natured  priest  of 
the  old  school,  from  whom  the  writer  received  many 
tokens  of  friendship. 

1901.— The  Rev.  Felix  Magennis. 

His  work  in  Glen  is  well  worthy  of  record,  for  during 
the  few  years  he  was  parish  priest,  not  only  was  the 
Parochial  House  erected  (as  we  have  seen),  but  the 
restoration  of  St.  Mary's  Church  was  successfully 
accomplished. 

1906.— The  Rev.  Patrick  McConville  is  the  present 
respected  parish  priest,  and  is  assisted  by  his  nephew, 
as  curate,  the  Rev.  Edward  McConville. 

There  are  145  families  in  connection  with  the  two 
churches. 

Glen  has  given  the  Church  some  well-known  and 
distinguished  priests. 

Monsignor  O'Hare,  LL.D.,  Rector  of  St.  Anthony's, 
Manhattan  Avenue,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  was  born  on 
Ban*  Hill  about  sixty-three  years  ago.  St.  Anthony's 
is  one  of  the  finest  churches  in  Brooklyn,  and  Glen  may 
well  feel  proud  of  the  distinguished  Monsignor  who  is  its 
rector. 

Another  Glen  man  is  the  Rev.  John  O'Hare,  son  of 
the  late  James  O'Hare,  of  The  Rock,  Knockanarney. 
Father  O'Hare  was  born  in  1854,  and  is  still  in  the  prime 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  349 

of  life.  He  had  a  successful  college  career,  and  having 
been  admitted  to  Orders  by  the  Bishop  of  Dromore, 
he  held  in  succession  the  following  important 
Priests,  curacies,  viz.  Loughbiickland,  Barnmeen, 
Qlen    '  and    (in    1891)  the  Newry  Cathedral.     In 

1903  he  was  appointed  parish  priest  of 
Dromara,  and  in  1907  he  was  promoted  to  the  im- 
portant position  of  parish  priest  of  Dromore,  co.  Down, 
succeeding  Monsignor  McCartan,  a  most  excellent 
priest,  and  a  warm  friend  of  the  writer,  when  he  was 
curate  of  the  Dromore  Cathedral. 

Another  deservedly  popular  and  successful  priest 
(a  native  of  Glen)  is  the  Eev.  Hugh  McEvoy,  a  brother 
of  Arthur  McEvoy,  J.P.,  of  Drumiller.  Father  McEvoy 
held  in  succession  the  curacies  of  Loughbrickland, 
Warrenpoint,  and  Lurgan,  and,  quite  recently,  has  been 
appointed  parish  priest  of  Maralin,  where  his  superior 
talents  and  good  quahties  will  be  much  appreciated. 

There  are  two  flourishing  National  schools  in  Glen, 
viz.  Derrycraw  and  Barr,  both  of  which  are  under  the 

management  of  the  parish  priest. 

Schools:  The  Derrycraw  School-house  was  erected 

errycraw,   ^^^^^  ^gjg  j^^  ^^ie  Corrys,  who  owned  the 

adjoining  property. 

The  first  teacher  was  D.  0' Gorman,  whose  salary 
amounted  to  the  magnificent  sum  of  £8  per  annum 
and  fees  of  the  pupils,  viz.  twopence  per  week  from 
each  !  In  1820  he  had,  as  pupils  on  his  roll,  21 
Roman  Catholics,  six  Estabhshed  Church  children,  and 
three  Presbyterians.  He  was  succeeded  (so  far  as  can  be 
known)  by  teachers  named  Cunningham  and  Madden. 

The  school  was  taken  into  connection  with  the 


350  DONAGHMOBE 

National  Board  in  1848,  as  a  male  and  female  school, 
which  were  amalgamated  in  1889. 

The  following  is  the  succession  of  teachers,  so 
far  as  can  be  known  from  existing  records  : 

Girls'  School.— Mrs.  Isabella  Rooney  (1848-1885)  ; 
Miss  Hannah  Lawlor  (1885-1886)  ;  Miss  Sarah  Quinn 
(April  1886-Jmie  1887)  ;  Miss  Sarah  O'Neill  (July 
1887-Jmie  1889). 

Boys'  School.— Wilham  Rooney  (1857-1869  and 
1879-1888)  ;  Patrick  Mm-ray  (1869-1878)  ;  Daniel 
Byrne  (portion,  1889)  ;  James  Byrne  (portion,  1889- 
1900). 

Amalgamated  School.— Patrick  McGennis  (1891- 
1913)  and  Mrs.  Ellen  McGennis  (1900-1913).  The 
present  competent  teachers  (appointed  January  1, 
1913)  are  Owen  Finegan  (Principal)  and  Miss 
McNulty  (assistant). 

There  was  a  school  at  Barv  in  1820  with  80  pupils, 
fees  lid.  per  w^eek,  the  teacher  being  Jane 
^^"-  Madool. 

The  present  Barr  School  was  founded  and  the 
building  erected  in  1839.  The  succession  of  teachers 
is  as  follows  :  Fegan,  Michael  Boyle,  Peter  Murphy, 
Patrick  Carroll,  Mrs.  Mary  Bell,  Charles  Grant,  John 
Malone,  Peter  Thompson,  Miss  Catherine  McAuliffe, 
Miss  Mary  Anne  Timoney,  and  Mrs.  Catherine  Logan, 
the  present  capable  principal  teacher. 

There  was  formerly  a  good  school  in  Corgary 
townland,  known  as  Dromantine  School.  The  school- 
house,    a    fine    building,    was    erected    in 

Dromantine.  ^^^^   ^^   ^  ^^^^   ^^  ^^r^^^       j^  ^.^^  ^p^^^^^ 

as  a  National  school   in  1848.     There  were   a  girls' 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  351 

and  a  boys'  school.  The  first  teachers  were  Mrs. 
Ciithbert  and  her  husband,  who  were  succeeded  by- 
Mrs.  Francis  and  her  husband. 

Tombstone    inscriptions    in    Barr    (St.    Mary's) 
churchyard,  &c.  : 
Church  ard         ^^^  Headstone — Figure  of  Lamb  under- 
neath cross. 
'  Erected  to    the    memory   of    Matthew   lleavey, 
Lurganare,  who  died  21st  July,  1850,  aged  42  years ; 
also  his  beloved  wife,  Ehza  Eeavey,  who  died  28th 
November,  1889,  aged  82  years,  his  son  Patrick  Eeavey, 
who  died  6th  December,  1894,  aged  55  years.' 

(2)  Headstone,  with  monogram  LH.S. 

'  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Bernard  Hennings, 
Derrycraw,  who  departed  this  hfe  21st  March,  1865, 
aged  40  years  :  also  his  beloved  father,  Peter,  who 
died  9th  February,  1866,  aged  70  years.' 

(3)  Headstone,  with  monogram  LH.S. 

'  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo, 
And  a  spotless  life  as  old  age.' 

'Erected  by  Anthony  Creney,  Ballyblough,  in 
memory  of  his  daughter  Sarah,  who  departed  this  life 
lOth  October,  1862,  aged  25  years ;  also  his  daughter 
Catherine,  who  died  14th  May,  1863,  aged  21  years  ; 
also  his  son  Anthony,  who  died  22nd  February,  1864, 
aged  16  years.' 

(4)  Headstone— LH.S. 

'  Erected  by  Mary  Quinn,  Derrycraw,  in  memory 
of  her  beloved  son  Luke,  who  departed  this  life  28th 
January,  1841,  aged  36  years.' 


352  DONAGHMORE 

(5)  Headstone. 

'  The  pathway  to  our  home  above  is  shadowed  by 
the  X  (cross).'  '  It  is  a  holy  and  wholesome  thought 
to  pray  for  the  dead,  that  they  may  be  loosed  from 
their  sins.' 

'  Erected  by  Owen  O'Hare,  Corgary,  in  memory  of 
his  beloved  wife,  Bridget,  who  died  3rd  December, 
1865,  aged  75  years.' 

(6)  Headstone — Figure  of  Lamb. 

'  Erected  by  Ann  O'Hare,  in  memory  of  her  beloved 
husband  Daniel,  who  departed  this  life  22nd  October, 
1852,  aged  62  years.' 

(7)  Headstone— I.H.S. 

'  Erected  by  Margaret  Verden  in  memory  of  her 
father,  Thomas  Verden,  who  died  19th  April,  1887, 
aged  61  years,  and  her  mother  Elizabeth,  who  died 
1st  January,  1886,  aged  62  years.' 

(8)  Headstone— I.H.S. 

'  Erected  in  memory  of  Henry  Larkin,  Drumiller, 
who  died  9th  January  1834,  aged  63  years,  and  his 
son  Charles,  aged  12  years  ;  also  his  wife  Sarah,  who 
died  25th  November,  1859,  aged  68  years.' 

(9)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 
'Erected    by    John    O'Hare,    Knockenarney,    in 

memory  of  his  father  Roger  O'Hare,  who  died  17th 
January,  1850,  aged  84  years  ;  his  mother  Elizabeth, 
who  died  2nd  February,  1850,  aged  76  years  ;  also 
the  above-named  John  O'Hare,  who  died  6th  August, 
1901,  aged  81  years,  and  his  wife  Bridget,  who  died 
1st  May  1909,  aged  76  years.' 

'.  May  they  rest  in  peace.' 


GLEN  AND  FOUBTOWNS  353 

(10)  Headstone — Figure  of  Crucifixion. 

'  Erected  by  J.  and  P.  Eeavey  in  memory  of  their 
father  Daniel,  who  departed  tliis  life  7th  February, 
1841,  aged  75  years,  and  their  mother  Susan,  who 
died  9th  July,  1865,  aged  74  years.' 

(11)  Headstone — Figures  of  Crucifixion,  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  Mary  Magdalen. 

'  Erected  by  Sarah  Loughlin,  Knockenarney,  in 
memory  of  her  husband  Patrick,  who  died  29th 
J\Iarch,  1857,  aged  56  years.' 

'  Requiescat  in  pace.     Amen.' 

(12)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 

'  Erected  by  Patrick  Wallace,  Drumiller,  in  memory 
of  his  daughter  Ann,  who  died  4th  March,  1851,  aged 
23  years ;  also  his  daughter  Catherine,  who  died  11th 
May,  1852,  aged  22  years,  and  his  son  Patrick,  who 
died  19th  May,  1854,  aged  22  years.' 

(13)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo,'  sur- 
mounting figures  of  Crucifixion,  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary  and  Mary  Magdalen. 

'Erected  by  Margaret  Kerr,  Carrickrovaddy,  in 
memory  of  her  husband  James,  who  died  31st  January, 
1848,  aged  55  years  ;  also  her  daughter  Sarah,  who  died 
March  31st,  1861,  aged  16  years.' 

(14)  Headstone—'  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo '  over 
figure  of  Lamb. 

'  Erected  by  Mary  A.  Cuimingham,  Knockenarney, 
in  memory  of  her  beloved  husband  Matthew,  who 
departed  this  life  11th  July,  1859,  aged  46  years.' 

2  a 


354  DONAGHMORE 

(15)  Headstone — (similar  to  No.  5). 

'  Erected  by  Ann  McEvoy  in  memory  of  her  beioved 
husband  Hugh,  who  died  15th  November,  1831,  aged 
50  years  ;  also  her  son  Henry,  who  died  15th  November, 
1862,  aged  40  years.' 

(16)  Headstone — Figures  of  Cross  and  Lamb. 

'  Erected  by  Hugh  McLoughlin,  Newrj^  in  memory 
of  his  beloved  wife  Eliza,  who  died  14th  November, 
1867,  aged  30  years.' 

'  May  her  soul  rest  in  peace.     Amen.' 

(17)  Headstone— I.H.S. 

'  Erected  by  John  Dooley,  Carrickrovaddy,  in 
memory  of  his  daughter  Margaret,  who  died  30th 
October,  1852,  aged  17  years.' 

(18)  Headstone—'  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 

'  Erected  by  EHzabeth  Dooley,  Drumiller,  in  memory 
of  her  beloved  husband  Bernard,  who  departed  this 
life  6th  September,  1839,  aged  72  years.' 
'  May  his  soul  rest  in  peace.' 

(19)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 
'Erected    by    Arthur    Magemiis,    Ballylough,    in 

memory  of  his  wife  Bridget,  who  died  13th  February, 
1859,  aged  74  years ;  his  son  Matthew,  who  died 
March  7th,  1849,  aged  20  years;  his  infant  sons, 
Patrick  and  Michael,  who  died  at  an  early  age ;  also  his 
son  Fehx,  who  died  11th  November,  1863,  aged  53 
years,  and  the  above-named  Arthur  Magennis,  who 
died  13th  June.  1876,  aged  103  years.' 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  355 

(20)  Headstone — Figure  of  Lamb. 

'  Erected  in  memory  of  Patrick  O'Hare,  Treamount, 
who  died  31st  July,  1889,  aged  62  years  ;  also  his 
beloved  wife  Margaret,  who  died  18th  February,  1900.' 

(21)  Headstone — Cross. 

'  Erected  by  Peter  O'Hare,  Lurganare,  in  memory 
of  his  father  and  mother,  brothers  and  sister.' 
'R.LP.' 

(22)  Headstone — Cross  and  Lamb. 

'Erected  by  James  O'Hare,  Knockenarney,  in 
memory  of  his  father  James  O'Hare,  who  died  5th 
February,  1819,  his  mother  Anna,  who  died  November 
7th,  1832;  and  his  son  Thomas  O'Hare,  M.D.,  who 
died  October  13th,  1867,  aged  24  years.' 

(23)  Headstone — Words  '  Ecce  Agnus  Dei,'  with 
figure  of  Lamb. 

'  Erected  to  memory  of  Bernard  Brooks,  Knocken- 
arney, who  died  28th  December,  1855,  aged  68  years, 
and  his  son,  Hugh,  who  died  5th  December,  1862, 
aged  30  years.' 

(24)  Very  large  Celtic  cross,  erected  upon  granite 
pedestal. 

'  Of  your  charity  pray  for  the  soul  of  Patiick 
Cranney,  Lisnatierney,  who  died  10th  April,  1893,  aged 
74  years  ;  also  his  beloved  wife  Eose,  who  died  15th 
August,  1898,  aged  74  years.' 

'  Requiescant  in  pace.     Amen.' 


35r>  DONAGHMORE 

(25)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 

*  Erected  in  memory  of  Catherine  Sands,  Knock- 
enarney,  who  died  29th  September,  1839  aged  52 
years ;  also  her  beloved  husband  James,  who  died 
6th  July,  1859,  aged  68  years.' 

(26)  Headstone— I.H.S. 

'  Erected  in  memory  of  John  McEvoy  who  died 
1st  April,  1820,  aged  82  years ;  also  his  wife  Catherine, 
who  died  25th  January,  1838,  aged  85  years,  and 
their  son  Daniel,  who  departed  this  life  on  12th, 
February,  1845,  aged  55  years.' 

(27)  Headstone — '  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 
'Erected   by  Peter  McKenney  in  memory  of  his 

only  son  Joseph,   who   died   November  24th,   1819, 
aged  18  years.' 

(28)  Headstone — Figures  of  Cross  and  Lamb. 

'  Erected  by  Felix  O'Hare,  Maddydrumbrist,  in 
memory  of  his  father  John,  who  died  1st  December, 
1868,  aged  68  years,  and  his  mother,  Ann  O'Hare,  who 
died  11th  December,  1871,  aged  78  years.' 

(29)  Headstone — Gi'oss  and  Lamb. 

'Erected  by  Patrick  O'Hare,  Drumentine,  in 
memory  of  his  mother  Catherine,  who  died  16th 
January,  1879,  aged  84  years,  and  his  wife  Sarah,  who 
died  27th  February,  1885,  aged  34  years.' 

(30)  '  Erected  to  memory  of  Eichard  Savage, 
Lurganare,  who  died  11th  March,  1886,  aged  78  years  ; 
also  his  daughter  Mary,  who  died  26th  February  aged 
20  vears.' 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  357 

(31)  '  Erected  by  Margaret  Magennis,  Dromantine, 
in  memory  of  her  husband  Patrick,  who  died  2nd 
July,  1890/ 

(32)  Cross  and  Lamb. 

'  Erected  by  Francis  O'Hare,  Derrycraw,  in  memory 
of  his  wife  Mary  Catherine,  who  departed  this  hfe 
4th  January,  1885,  aged  55  years,  also  the  above- 
named  Francis  O'Hare,  died  6th  November  1892, 
aged  69  years.' 

(33)  '  Erected  by  Hugh  and  Bernard  McElroy, 
Derrj^craw,  in  memory  of  their  beloved  mother  Ellen, 
w4io  died  20th  January,  1890,  aged  70  years,  and  their 
father  Hugh,  who  died  15th  September,  1893,  aged 
74  years.' 

(34)  Large  granite  cross. 

'  Erected  by  John  Hughes  in  memory  of  his  father, 
Peter  Hughes,  Drumiller,  who  died  18th  March,  1893, 
aged  83  years.' 

(35)  Granite   headstone. 

'  Erected  by  Margaret  Jane  O'Hare  in  memory 
of  her  father  John  O'Hare,  Tullymore,  who  died 
June  25th,  1905,  aged  62  years.' 

(36)  Very  large  Celtic  granite  cross. 

'Erected  in  memory  of  Wilham  Walmsley,  J.P., 
Mount  Mill,  who  died  30th  May,  1894,  aged  56  years ; 
also  his  beloved  wife  Eachel,  who  died  8th  February, 
1901.' 

(This  grave-space  railed  in.) 


358  DONAGHMORE 

(37)  Granite  headstone. 

'  In  memory  of  Arthur  Treanor,  Newry,  who  died 
23rd  January  1907,  aged  51  years.' 


Flat  Stones 

(1)  '  The  burial-place  of  James  and  John  Savage, 
Lurganare,  and  their  famihes  and  posterity.' 

(This  grave-space  railed  in.) 

(2)  '  In  memory  of  John  Savage,  Lurganare,  who 
died  5th  June,  1856,  aged  73  years,  and  of  his  wife 
Mary,  who  died  27th  July,  1860,  aged  73  years.' 

In  an  Ordnance  Survey  MS.  in  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy  (1834)  referring  to  the  parish  of  Donaghmore, 
it  is  stated  :  '  A  Seceding  Meeting  House,  called  the 
Rock  Meeting  House,  is  situated  in  the  extreme 
north  of  the  parish  in  the  townland  of  Ballymacratty- 

more.'  Hence  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
Fourtowns  j^Qurtowns  Presbyterian  Church  or  Con- 
Chm-ch.'^"^"  gregation    was    formerly    connected    with 

the  Secession  Body.  Unfortunately  the 
Secession  Synodical  Minutes  from  1778  till  1814 
inclusive  are  lost,  and  nothing  can  be  ascertained 
during  that  period  with  any  certainty  in  regard  to 
this  body,  except  in  cases  where  the  Minutes  of 
Presbytery  have  been  preserved. 

The  Fourtowns  Congregation  was  founded  in 
1810,  in  connection  with  the  Secession  Presbytery 
of  Down,  the  Minutes  of  which  are  missing  for  the 
period  to  which  we  have  referred. 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNfS  359 

The  Synod  of  Ulster  and  that  of  the  Secession 
Body  united  in  1840. 

The  congregation  was  at  first  in  charge  of  a  Licen- 
tiate, named  David  Norwood,  who  subsequently  went 

to  America,  where  he  was  ordained  in  182G, 
Nomood.      '^^  pastor    of    Mahoning.  Mount   Jackson, 

and  Slippery  Rock. 
The   first   ordained   minister   of   the   church   was 
Thomas  Heron.     An  old  Session  book  of  the  Secession 

congregation  at  Eathfriland  records  that 
HerwL^        ail    Elder    was    appointed    to    attend    an 

ordination  at  the  Fourtowns  on  September 
21,  1813,  which  was  most  probably  that  of  Thomas 
Heron,  for  on  June  17,  1814,  it  is  recorded  that  he 
received  the  Royal  Bounty  grant,  which  amounted  to 
£40  (Irish  money)  or  £36  18s.  6f?.  (British),  being 
the  sum  to  which  a  minister  of  a  '  Third  Class  '  con- 
gregation in  respect  of  the  Bounty  was  entitled.  He 
died  October  25,  1816,  having  been  killed  by  a  fall 
from  his  horse. 

Alexander  Bryson,  M.A.,  was  ordained  minister 
of  the  congregation,  December  23,  1817.     He  chose 

as  the  text  of  his  first  sermon  after  ordina- 
Alexander     ^-^^  ^j^^  ^^^^.^^^  .     <  therefore  came  I  unto 

J3ryson.  .... 

you  Without  gamsaymg,  as  soon  as  I  was 
sent  for  :  I  ask  therefore  for  what  intent  ye  have 
sent  for  me  ?  '  (Acts  x.  29.) 

During  his  pastorate  in  1832,  there  were  in 
connection  with  the  congregation  546  souls,  while  in 
1833  the  congregation  became  a  '  second-class  congre- 
gation,' which  enabled  its  minister  to  I'cceive  a  Bounty 
of  £50  (Irish)  or  £46  3s.  Id.  (British).     It  was  during 


360  DONAGHMOEE 

his  ministry,  in  1840,  that  the  church  became  comiected 
with  the  '  General  Assembly,'  which  was  formed  by  the 
Union  of  the  Synod  of  Ulster  with  the  Secession  Synod. 

In  1847  there  were  110  families  connected  with  the 
congregation.  The  stipend  paid  Mr.  Bryson  for  that 
year  was  £25  10s.  He  was  a  fine  classical  scholar, 
and  in  addition  to  his  ministerial  duties  prepared 
young  men  for  the  University.  He  was  minister  of 
the  congregation  almost  forty  years.  He  died 
April  25,  1855,  and  was  buried  in  the  graveyard 
adjoining  the  church.  On  his  tomb  are  engraven 
the  words  : 

'  Kesurgent.' 

'  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Eev.  Alexander 
Bryson,  A.M.,  who  died  25th  of  April,  1855,  in  the 
69th  year  of  his  age,  and  39th  of  his  ministry,' 

'  This  kind  husband  and  affectionate  father,  and 
very  worthy  pastor,  was  greatly  esteemed  by  his 
brethren,  who  regarded  him  as  a  man  of  high  principle, 
sterling  integrity,  unostentatious  piety,  and  generous 
friendship.  For  more  than  38  years  he  faithfully 
preached  the  Gospel  of  the  Grace  of  God  '  (extract 
from  Minute  of  Property). 

On  his  son's  tomb,  within  the  same  walled-in 
space,  are  the  following  words  : 

'March  17th,  1851,  James  Bryson,  M.R.C.S., 
aged  29  years ;  also  his  infant  daughter,  Mary  Jane.' 

Alexander  Bryson  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  the 
Rev.  John  Bryson,  LL.D.  Dr.  Bryson  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  Gospel  on  June  13,  1843,  by  the  Ban- 
bridge    Presbytery,    being    then    in  his    21st    year. 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  361 

Shortly  afterwards  he  became  a  Licentiate  assistant 
to  the  Eev.  Dr.  Hetherington,  the  parish  minister 
of  St.  Andrews,  N.B.,  where  he  remained 
LL.D.  '^^^°"'  ^'^out  two  years.  During  his  residence  in 
St.  Andrews  he  was  offered  two  '  calls  ' 
— one  from  an  important  parish  church  (Church  of 
Scotland),  and  the  other  from  a  Free  Church  in  the 
immediate  neighbourhood.  It  seems  he  was  disposed 
to  accept  the  former  appointment,  but  his  father,  whom 
he  consulted,  advised  that  he  was  too  young  and 
inexperienced  to  undertake  the  pastoral  charge  of 
such  a  large  and  influential  congregation.  Li  1846 
he  received  a  '  call '  to  Trinity  Presbyterian  Church, 
Wolverhampton.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery 
of  London  in  1846  as  minister  of  the  congregation,  and 
remained  as  such  for  about  nine  years. 

He  became  minister  of  the  Fourtowns  in  June 
1855,  when  he  was  installed  by  the  Banbridge  Pres- 
bytery, among  those  present  on  the  occasion  being 
his  good  friend.  Dr.  Cooke,  who  frequently  invited 
him  to  preach  in  May  Street,  Belfast,  where  a  few 
members  of  the  congregation,  still  surviving,  remember 
his  eloquence.  The  text  of  his  first  sermon  after 
induction  was  that  which  his  father  chose  on  a  similar 
occasion. 

He  remained  pastor  of  the  Fourtowns  congre- 
gation till  his  retirement  from  the  active  duties  of 
the  ministry  in  1898.  He  died  September  22,  1902, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Fourtowns  churchyard.  On 
the  handsome  granite  monument  which  marks  his 
grave  and  that  of  his  wife  are  engra^-cn  the  words  : 

'  Here  lieth  the  remains  of  the  Eev.  John  Bryson, 


362  DONAGHMORE 

LL.D.,  for  47  years  the  faithful  minister  of  Four- 
town  Presbyterian  Congregation,  Avho  died  on  22nd 
September,  1902,  aged  80  years.  Also  his  beloved 
wife  Mary  Smith  Harwick,  who  died  on  25th  January, 
1890,  aged  55  years.' 

The  writer  had  the  pleasure  of  a  long  and  intimate 
acquaintance  with  Dr.  Bryson,  for  whom  he  enter- 
tained the  highest  feehngs  of  respect  and  esteem. 

Dr.  Bryson  was  the  author  of  several  import- 
ant works,  viz.  '  The  Presbyter,  the  Prelate,  and 
the  People  '  ;  '  The  Three  Marys  ' ;  and  '  The  Pulpit 
Orator  ' — a  work  which  was  favourably  noticed  by  the 
Bishop  of  Derry  (Dr.  Alexander)  at  the  time,  and  by 
the  late  Professor  Smith,  M.P.  Dr.  Bryson  received 
the  coveted  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  by  examina- 
tion, from  the  ancient  University  of  St.  Andrews, 
Scotland. 

He  married  Mary  Smith,  only  daughter  of  Joseph 
Harwick,  of  Oaken  Manor,  Wolverhampton,  by  whom 
he  had  issue,  of  whom  the  following  survive  :  Harwick, 
Eveline,  Alexandra,  Gertrude  Harwick,  and  Edith 
(married  John  Vincent  Chambers). 

Of  Dr.  Bryson's  brothers  were  the  surgeon  (already 
mentioned)  and  George,  whose  sons  John  and  James 
are  members  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Spence,  Brj'son 
and  Company  (Portadown  and  Belfast),  and  Thomas  of 
Corcullentra,  near  Portadown. 

The  Brysons  are  an  old  family  of  Scottish  descent 
which  settled  in  County  Antrim  at  an  early  date. 
They  are  of  a  good  stock,  and  are  still  represented  in 
the  parish  by  Robert  and  James  Bryson  of  the 
Fourtowns. 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  363 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Banbridge  Presbytery, 

held    in    the    Fourtowns    Presbyterian    Church    on 

January  24,  1899,  Wilham  Henry  Sloane, 

Rev.  Wm.     -q ^     (^   Licentiate   of   the    Belfast   Pres- 

Henry  ^ 

Sloane.  bytery),    was    ordained    as    assistant    and 

successor  to  Dr.  Bryson. 

The  Kev.  W.  H.  Sloane  married  Rosina,  daughter 
of  the  Eev.  James  Scott,  B.A.,  Presbyterian  minister, 
Banside,  Banbridge,  and  resigned  the  charge  of  the 
congregation  May  11,  1907,  going  to  Harryville, 
Balleymena. 

During  the  next  three  years  the  church  had  no 
stated  pastor,  the  neighbouring  ministers  and  others 
officiating  at  the  services.  At  this  period  the  congre- 
gation and  the  Banbridge  Presbytery  seemed  to 
disagree  over  the  vesting  of  the  Manse  property,  with 
the  result  that  the  former  prayed  the  General  Assembly 
(Belfast),  1909,  to  be  transferred  to  the 
Change  of  presbytery  of  Newry.  The  Assembly 
etc!'^  y  eiy,  j..ggpjyg(j  '  ijj-^r^f.  j-Y^Q  memorial  be  received, 
its  prayer  granted,  and  that  the  congrega- 
tion of  Fourtowns  be,  and  it  is  hereby,  transferred  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Banbridge  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Newry.' 

An  earnest  endeavour  was  made  at  this  time  to 
unite  the  congregation  with  a  neighbouring  one,  but 
without  success.  The  Committee  on  the  Union  of 
Congregations  (which  is  vested  with  Assembly  powers) 
thus  reported  (1910)  :  '  We  regret  that  our  prolonged 
negotiations  to  unite  Fourtowns  with  some  neigh- 
bouring church  were  of  no  avail.  The  congregation 
having  made  arrangements  regarding  the  tenure  of 


364  DONAGHMORE 

their  church  property  which  were  deemed  to  be  satis- 
factory by  the  Committee,  leave  was  given  to  the 
Newry  Presbytery  to  proceed  to  the  settlement  of  a 
minister.' 

Accordingly,  in  April  1910,  Wilham  Pearse  Young, 
B.A.,  was  chosen  by  the  congregation,  and  ordained 

as  the  minister  of  the  Four  towns  on  the 
plarsT  ^^^*  °^  ^^®  following  May.  The  Rev.  W.  P. 
Youn<^.  Young,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Young  of 

Milford,  county  Donegal,  was  educated  at 
the  Campbell,  Queen's,  and  Assembly's  Colleges, 
Belfast.  He  had  a  distinguished  University  career,  and 
held  a  scholarship  each  year  of  his  Divinity  Course. 
He  was  licensed  in  1908  by  the  Letterkennj^  Presbytery, 
and  served  as  assistant  to  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Macaulay, 
D.D.,  Portadown,  the  Rev.  D,  Hadden,  Annalong,  and 
to  the  Rev.  D.  K.  Mitchell  (Crumlin  Road),  Belfast. 
He  filled  these  positions  with  marked  ability  and 
acceptance,  and  was  made  the  recipient  of  presenta- 
tions at  the  close  of  each  engagement.  He  married 
Marion,  eldest  daughter  of  Alexander  Cromie,  of 
Millvale,  Rathfriland,  by  whom  he  has  issue. 

The  following  were  Ruling  Elders  in  the  Four- 
towns     Congregation  :    Samuel   Thompson,    Carrick  ; 

William  Campbell,  Edenderry ;  David  Mc- 
Elderf  Knight,    Killj^savan ;    Ringham  Bingham, 

Lisnabrague ;  and  James  Shanks,  Ijisna- 
brague. 

The  present  Elders  : — George  Bingham,  Lisna- 
brague ;  Robert  W.  Shannon,  Rose  Cottage ;  and 
Falkiner  B.  Small,  Island  House. 

George    Bingham    is    son    of    the    late    Ringham 


GLEN  AND  FOUETOWNS  365 

Bingham,  who  was  a  EuUng  Elder  in  the  Fourtowns 
for  fifty  years,  while  his  mother  was  a  sister  of  the  late 
Kev.  Thomas  Cromie  of  Bessbrook,  a  distinguished 
member  of  the  Newry  Presbytery. 

Eobert  W.  Shannon  is  the  author  of  the  able 
articles  on  agriculture  which  appear  weekly  in  the 
Newry  Telegra-ph  and  Belfast  Witness.  He  is  a  son 
of  the  late  James  Shannon  of  Tullymore  House,  by 
his  wife,  nee  Barber. 

Falkiner  B.  Small  is  son  of  the  late  Eobert  Small 
of  Island  Cottage,  by  his  wife  Annabella,  daughter  of 
the  late  Thomas  Ledlie  of  Frankfort. 

The  present  church  edifice  is  a  small,  fairly  hand- 
some structure,  without  spire  or  tower,  and  with  a 
seating  capacity  accommodating  about  250 
Fd"fi  persons.     It  is  shortly  to  be  renovated  at 

considerable  cost. 
There  was  no  manse  in  connection  with  the  Four- 
towns    Congregation    till    1901.     On    March    15    of 
that  year  the  manse  (known  as  The  Eock 
Manse)  was  purchased,  with  eighteen  acres 
(Irish)  of  land,  for  the  sum  of  £600.     Subsequently 
the    congregation    spent    £250    in    adding    to    and 
renovating   the   house,    which   is    a    handsome    and 
commodious  dwelling. 

In  the  adjoining  churchyard  many  of  the  graves 

are  without  tombstones  or  other  marks  of  identity 

to  the  public.     In  addition  to  those  already 

urc  yar  .  j-^pj^^^(^j^^,(j^  ^rp  notice  the  following  tomb 

inscriptions  : 

'  Patton ' — engraved  on  headstone,  with  iron 
railing,  fixed  in  granite  uprights. 


366  DONAGHMORE 

'  Mc Knight ' — (same  as  above). 

Large,  handsome,  marble  obehsk,  with  walled-in 
space,  bearing  the  inscriptions  : 

(East  side) — '  Erected  by  WilHam  Dinsmore,  Lough- 
adian.     Died  13th  February,  1894,  aged  78  years. 

'  And  of  his  mother,  Margaret  Fisher.  Died  13th 
February,  1906,  aged  83  years.'  On  the  panel  under- 
neath are  the  words  :  '  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 
and  I  will  give  you  a  crown  of  Hfe.' 

(South  side) — '  Also  his  sister,  Selina.  Died  17th 
September,  1890,  aged  28  years.' 

(North  side)— 'Also  his  sister  Isabella  Margaret, 
wife  of  Adam  Blakley,  Ballybrick.  Died  17th  April, 
1885,  aged  28  years.     Interred  in  Ballyroney.' 

'Moses  Waddell  of  Carrick.  Died  March  29, 
1872,  aged  47  years.' — '  Be  ye  ready  also.' — Luke 
xii.  40. 

Headstone — large  walled-in  space  :  '  Here  lie  the 
mortal  remains  of  James  Shanks  of  Lisnabrague,  who 
departed  this  life  May  23rd,  1871,  aged  84  years. 
Also  the  remains  of  his  beloved  wife,  Margaret  Shanks, 
who  died  January  28th,  1870,  aged  87  years.'  In 
the  same  space  is  a  small  headstone  bearing  the 
inscription  : 

'  To  the  memory  of  Robert  James  McClelland, 
who  departed  this  life  14th  July,  1858,  aged  6  years. 
Jesus  said  '  Suffer  little  children  and  forbid  them  not 
to  come  unto  Me,  for  of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven.' 

Large  metal  railing — set  in  granite.     Headstone  : 

'  In  memoriam  John  Taylor.  Died  20th  November, 
1866,  aged  59  years.     His  wife  Mary  died  4th  February, 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  367 

1860,   aged  48  years.'     '  The  sweet  remembrance  of 
the  just  shall  flourish  when  they  sleep  in  dust.' 

A  burial-place  is  thus  marked :  '  The  Family 
Burying  Ground  of  James  Dinsmore,  Tandragee,' 
while  another  has  an  iron  railing,  but  no  head  or 
tombstone  of  any  kind. 

The  Fourtowns  National  School  is  situated  in 
the  to^vnland  of  Killysavan.  The  present  manager  is 
Falkiner  B.  Small,  while  his  predecessors 
Sdiool^^"'^  in  that  capacity  seem  to  have  been  the 
respective  ministers  of  the  Fom-towns 
Church.  The  present  school-house  was  built  in  1836, 
by  subscription,  and  opened  as  a  National  school  in 
1837. 

The  following  is  the  succession  of  teachers  : 
—  Bell,  1837  ;  Alexander  Cummins,  1846  ;  Miss 
Annie  Henderson,  1872  (married  James  Jenkins,  and 
continued  to  teach  as  Mrs.  Jenkins)  ;  Miss  M.  Helena 
Cuyler,  1890  ;  Miss  Mary  E.  Malcomson,  1894  (she 
married,  in  1898,  Joseph  Wyhe  of  Killysavan,  and 
continued  to  teach  after  her  marriage)  ;  Miss  Susan 
Cunningham,  1898  (she  married,  1905,  James  Wylie 
of  Elm  Hill,  and  continued  as  teacher  till  1908)  ; 
Mrs.  Joseph  Wylie  (re-appointed),  1908.  Miss  Minnie 
Young,  the  present  efficient  principal  teacher,  was 
appointed  October  1910. 

An  attempt  had  been  made  to  establish  a  school 
in  Killysavan  so  far  back  as  1819 — when  the  Vestry 
of  the  parish  church  thus  resolved  :  '  We  present 
the  sum  of  twenty  pounds  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  school-house  in  the  townland  of  Killysavan,  provided 
the  proprietor  of  the  estate  or   his  accredited  agent 


368  DONAGHMORE 

gives  from  under  his  band  that  he  will  give  over  his 
right  to  said  parish  of  the  site  of  said  school-house, 
together  with  the  occupier  of  the  farm  at  present — 
which  documents  are  to  be  produced  at  the  next 
Vestry,  and  entered  on  said  Vestry  Book — otherwise 
this  grant  to  be  void.'  The  following  note  is  appended 
to  the  resolution  :  '  The  condition  of  the  above  Act 
not  complied  with,  1st  May,  1820.' 

About  the  same  date  (1S19)  a  school  was  estab- 
lished in  the  townland  of  Tullymore,  where  the  school- 
house  still  remains.  There  is  no  record 
Schools  ^^  *^^  Vestry  Minutes  of  any  moneys 
having  been  levied  off  the  parish  towards 
the  erection  of  the  school-house  (which  w^as  at  first 
thatched).  We  find,  however,  a  small  grant  for 
repairs,  April  24,  1821,  when  the  Vestry  '  Resolved 
that  the  sum  of  two  guineas  be  levied  off  this  parish 
for  the  repairs  of  the  school-house  at  Mr.  John  Young's.' 
The  Committee  for  1861  consisted  of  Hugh  Copeland, 
Robert  Small,  James  Shannon,  Joseph  McKnight, 
William  Waddell,  Samuel  B.  Marshall,  Joseph  Copeland, 
Joseph  Neill,  Arthur  Graham,  James  Young,  Archibald 
Marshall,  Joseph  Clegg,  and  Samuel  Gibson. 

The  first  teacher  of  the  school  was  John  MclMullen 
(Roman  Catholic),  who  had  as  pupils  in  1820  14 
Roman  Catholics,  5  Presbyterians,  and  1  Irish  Church 
child. 

Subsequent  teachers  (so  far  as  known)  :  Mrs. 
Nesbit,  Wm.  Gordon,  —  Hamilton,  —  McElroy, 
George  Hare,  George  Gillespie,  Wm.  Donaldson, 
Miss  Agnes  Sloan,  Miss  Miimie  Sloan,  and  Miss 
Hudson. 


GLEN  AND  FOURTOWNS  3ti9 

In  1820  there  was  a  good  school  in  the  townland 
of  Bally macratty beg,  the  teacher  of  which  was  Robert 
Bell  (a  Seceder).  His  salary  was  £20  per  annum.  He 
had  as  pupils  (1820)  18  Irish  Church  children,  12 
Presbyterians,  and  8  Roman  Catholics. 


CHAPTER  IX 

DONAGHMORB   CHURCHYARD 

The  ancient  Irish  had  several  modes  of  burial,  one 
of   these    being   cremation,    which   was   undoubtedly 

practised  at  a  remote  period,  as  numerous 
Ancient  ^j.^^  containing  burnt  bones  have  been 
of^Burial/^  found  in  tumuh.     It  is  extremely  doubtful, 

however,  whether  the  custom  was  ever  prac- 
tised in  Ireland  after  the  introduction  of  Christianity. 
It  seems  there  is  no  record  of  any  individual  instance  of 
burial  by  cremation  after  pagan  times,  though  there 
is  extant  an  ancient  ecclesiastical  canon,  attributed 
to  the  fifth  century,  which  refers  to  this  mode,  but 
probably  only  as  one  which  had  been  practised  in  past 
(pagan)  times.  The  reference  is  to  kings,  as  having 
been  buried  in  churches  in  the  earliest  ages,  '  whereas 
other  people  were  often  buried  either  by  fire  or  by 
heaping  up  (over  the  body)  a  cam  of  stones.'  Burnt 
bones  (unless  in  an  urn)  found  in  a  grave  would  not 
in  themselves  be  sufficient  evidence  of  cremation  in 
Christian  times,  because  burning  alive  was  one  of  the 
modes  of  punishing  persons  guilty  of  serious  crimes, 
as,  for  example,  in  the  case  of  a  person  guilty  of 
the  abduction  or  seduction  of  a  maiden. 


DONAGHMOEE  CHUECHYAED    371 

Another  mode  of  burial  was  to  put  the  body  in  a 
sitting  posture  in  the  grave,  but  occasionally,  in  the 
case  of  a  king  or  warrior,  the  body  was  placed  stand- 
ing up,  fully  '  accoutred  and  armed.' 

Doubtless,  too,  in  accordance  with  the  custom  of 
all  Aryan  peoples,  not  only  did  the  warrior  receive 
a  '  full  battle  costume,'  but  was  most  kindly  provided 
with  a  choice  retinue,  and  so  forth,  by  his  admirers, 
who,  at  the  funeral  rites,  burnt  some  of  the  clients, 
slaves,  and  favourite  animals  of  the  dead  chief.  '  In 
no  way  could  respect  for  the  rank  and  quahties  of  the 
deceased  chief  be  better  shown  than  by  providing 
him,  on  his  entrance  into  the  next  world,  with  a 
retinue  of  his  favourite  servants  befitting  his  rank  and 
warlike  exploits,  and  with  horses  and  dogs  for  the 
chase.' 

The  next  mode  of  burial  in  ancient  times  was  that 
which  we  have  adopted  ourselves,  being  the  only  one 
sanctioned  by  Christianity. 

Donaghmore    Churchyard    is    one    of    our    oldest 

places  of  sepulture,  having  been  used,  it  seems,  for 

that  purpose  since  early  Christian  times. 

JhriyarT  Probably  even  in  its  rath  days  many  an 

old  chieftain  and  leading  clansman  were 

laid  to  rest  within  its  precincts. 

Though  fairly  large  in  extent,  measuring  an  acre 
and  a  half  (statute),  there  is  not  a  space  in  this  '  sacred 
spot '  which  has  not  been  used  as  a  burial-place  for 
the  dead.  There  are  many  memorials  of  those  whose 
bodies  lie  in  this  *  silent  land  '  ;  a  few  families  have 
constructed  enclosures  only,  but  numerous  graves 
are  altogether  unmarked,  oi'  only  by  a  rude  stone. 


37^  DONAGHMORE 

without  even  an  inscription  to  tell  us  of  the  name  of 
the  departed,  or  sing  their  praise.  '  Memory  o'er  their 
tomb  no  trophies  raised,'  but  doubtless  for  these  poor 
sons  of  faithful  toil  and  simple  faith  the  Book  of  Life 
records  a  grander  monument. 

There,  in  '  God's  Acre,'  lie  side  by  side  the  Eoman 
Cathohc,  the  Presbyterian,  the  Methodist  and  the 
Churchman — their  former  feuds  and  differences 
forgotten,  their  Christian  virtues  only  remembered  ; 
and  thus,  for  each,  our  common 

'  Father,  in  Thy  gracious  keeping 
Leave  we  now  Thy  servant  sleeping.' 

The  churchyard  is  vested  in  the  Representative  Body 
of  the  Church  of  Ireland  ;  the  rector  and  church- 
wardens are  the  custodians,  a.nd  it  is  their  duty  to 
see  that  the  burial  rights  of  parishioners  are  preserved 
inviolate  ;  to  guard  and  protect  from  destruction  the 
memorials  of  the  dead,  to  shield  from  profanation 
the  graves  in  which  are  deposited  the  sacred  dust 
of  the  departed,  and  to  have  the  consecrated  place 
properly  enclosed  and  kept. 

In  August,  1838  (as  recorded  in  the  local  Press), 
some  antique  remains  were  found  in  the  churchyard 

by  workmen  who  were  engaged  in  building 
Remain^.       a  fence  at  the  outskirts.     It  seems  they 

happened  on  a  place  which  appeared  to 
have  been  the  depository  of  the  remains  of  some  person 
of  distinction,  buried  at  a  remote  period,  and  which 
had  been  reduced  to  ashes.  From  the  extent  of  the 
enclosure,  nearly  six  feet  by  four,  it  was  probable 
that    more  than  one  body  had  been  interred  in  it. 


DONAGmrOEE  CHUECHYARD  373 

The  tomb  was  not  more  than  fom-  or  five  feet  below 
the  sm-face,  while  the  bottom  and  sides  were  neatly 
flagged.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  persons 
who  discovered  and  opened  it  displaced  the  sides 
and  removed  some  of  the  ashes;  A  number  of  small 
bars,  resembling  silver,  had  been  found  near  it  a 
few  days  previously  by  the  workmen,  and  it  was 
supposed  by  them  that  some  valuable  treasure  was 
deposited  in  the  tomb. 

There   are   a    number    of    handsome    tombstones 

erected  in  the  churchyard — of  stone,  marble,  and  slate 

— while  the  epitaphs  are  simple,  and  never 

Tombsand    ^^^^^^q   ^^   praise   of   the    departed.    We 

Inscriptions.  -^     ,  ,  ,    ,  »        -,1 

have  none  of  that  absurd  type  of  epitaph 
so  often  to  be  found  in  some  of  the  old  churchyards 
of  England  and  other  places— many  of  which  are  so 
ludicrous  that  they  only  excite  our  laughter  at  the 
expense  of  the  due  solemnity  which  is  in  keeping 
with  the  subject.  An  example  of  such  is  to  be  seen 
in  Pewsey,  Wilts.,  where  the  relations  of  the  deceased 
used  the  tombstone  as  an  effective  means  of  advertise- 
ment !     The  epitaph  runs  as  follows  : 

'  Beneath  ibis  stone,  in  hopes  of  Zion, 
Is  laid  the  landlord  of  "  The  Lion  "  ; 
Resigned  unto  the  Heavenly  Will, 
His  son  keeps  on  the  business  still.' 

The   following,    however,    are    fairly    respectable 
epitaphs,  and  may  interest  our  married  folks  : 

'  Here  lies  a  Noble  Pair,  who  were  in  Name, 
In  Heart ,  and  Mind,  and  Sentiments  the  same. 
The  Arithmetick  Rule  then  can't  be  true, 
For  One  and  One  did  never  here  make  Two.' 


374  DONAGHMOBE 

(Dunster,  Norfolk,  ob.  1709  and  1720 :  Israel  and 
Sarah  Long). 

*  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Major-General  Hamilton,  who 
was  married  47  years,  and  never  did  One  thing  to 
disoblige  her  husband.'    (Streatham  Church,  ob.  1746.) 

The  following  are  the  epitaphs  inscribed  on  the 
tombstones  in  the  churchyard  of  Donaghmore,  except- 
ing those  already  mentioned.  Flat  stones  are  marked 
by  an  asterisk,  while  the  points  of  the  compass  sig- 
nify the  direction  from  the  church  (which  is  almost 
in  the  centre  of  the  graveyard)  in  which  the  tombs 
are  situated.  '  Enclosure  '  implies  that  the  particular 
burial-place  is  surrounded  by  a  wall  or  metal  railing, 
or  both. 


(West.) 

Innes. — The  Innes  family  vault  consists  of  a  small, 
strongly- built  house  with  a  massive  metal  door,  facing 
the  west,  while  over  the  front  gable  are  the  words  : 
'  This  tomb  was  erected  a.d.  1819,  by  Arthur  Innes, 
Esq.,  of  Dromantine,  in  this  parish.' 

The  front  space  is  enclosed  by  a  wall  and  iron 
railing.  Here  (outside  the  vault)  Mrs.  Innes  {n^e 
Brabazon)  chose  to  be  buried.  At  the  head  of  her 
grave,  built  in  the  gable  of  the  vault,  is  a  handsome 
marble  tablet,  on  which  is  engraven  the  following 
inscription  :  '  In  memory  of  Louisa  Letitia  Henrietta 
Innes,  the  beloved  wife  of  Arthur  Charles  Innes,  of 
Dromantine,  Co.  Down,  died  January  27th,  1886.' 
'  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee  '  (Hebrews  xiii. 
5).     '  The  Lord  Thy  God  is  with  thee  whithersoever 


DONAGHMORE  CHURCHYARD  375 

thou    goest  '    (Joshua    i.    9).     The    coffins    of    other 
deceased  members  of  the  family  rest  on  ledges  in  the 
vault,  close  to  each  being  a  small  tablet  with  epitaph. 
The  following  are  the  inscriptions  : 

(1)  Behind  this  stone  lies  the  body  of  Arthur 
Innes,  Esq.,  of  Dromantine,  who  died  November 
15th,  1820,  aged  65  years. 

(2)  Behind  this  stone  lies  the  body  of  his  wife, 
Anne  Innes,  who  died  January  9th,  1843,  aged  72 
years. 

(3)  Behind  this  stone  hes  the  body  of  William 
George  Innes,  Esq.,  who  died  23rd  May,  1829,  in  his 
19  th  year. 

(4)  Here  hes  the  body  of  Arthur  Innes,  Esq.,  of 
Dromantine,  who  died  27th  June,  1835,  in  his  30th 
year. 

(5)  Mary  Jervis  Innes,  wife  of  Arthur  Innes,  Esq., 
died  24th  January,  1886,  aged  84  years. 

(6)  Emma  Jane  Innes,  born  16th  March,  1833,  died 
23rd  October,  1868. 

(7)  Behind  this  stone  lies  the  body  of  Arthur 
Charles  Innes-Cross,  Esq.,  of  Dromantine.  Born 
25th  November,  1834  ;  died  14th  April,  1902. 

(8)  To  the  memory  of  Edith  Clara  Brabazon  Innes. 
Born  March  24th,  1860  ;  died  March  11th,  1866. 

(9)  Behind  this  stone  he  the  remains  of  Sarah  Jane 
Beauchamp,  wife  firstly  of  the  adjacent  A.  C.  Innes- 
Cross,  and  secondly  of  H.  M.  Cooke-Cross.  Died 
16th  November,  1911. 

jVfee.—Sacred  to  the  memory  of  ^Marchall  Joseph 
Mee,  Esq.,  who  after  a  short  illness  departed  this  life 
at  the  Glebe  House  of  Donaghmore  the  25th  day  of 


aif;  DONAGHMOBE 

January,  18-14,  in  the  22nd  year  of  his  age.  '  He  was 
esteemed  and  vahied  for  his  many  virtues  and  amicable 
qualities  and  his  kind  consideration  foi'  the  feelings 
of  others  endeared  him  to  all  who  enjoyed  his 
acquaintance.  He  was  the  cherished  and  beloved 
son  of  the  Eevd.  M.  J.  Mee,  many  years  Vicar  of 
this  parish.'     (Enclosure.) 

Finlay. — (Monument.)  Erected  by  the  Eevd.  M. 
Finlay  in  memory  of  his  beloved  son,  John  Thomson 
Finlay,  student  of  Theology,  who  died,  after  several 
3'ears  of  patient  suffering,  on  the  7th  November,  1838, 
aged  25  years.  '  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord.'     (Enclosure.) 

Porter. — In  loving  memory  of  John  Porter,  Donagh- 
more,  who  departed  this  life  17th  May,  1870,  aged 
72  years.  Also  his  wife  Anne  (Kydd)  Porter,  who 
departed  this  life  5th  January,  1901,  aged  78  years. 
(Enclosure.) 

Parks. — Underneath  this  stone  lie  the  remains  of 
Robert  Parks,  of  Butter  Hill,  who  departed  this  life  on 
the  25th  February,  1842,  aged  60  years.  Also  Robert 
Parks  McClelland,  nephew  to  Mrs.  Parks,  who  departed 
this  life  on  the  11th  April,  1857,  aged  33  years.  Also 
Anna  Parks,  of  Butter  Hill,  aged  79  years,  wife  of  the 
above  Robert  Parks.  She  departed  this  Hfe  on  the 
3rd  December,  1864.  Also  Martha  McClelland,  sister 
to  Mrs.  Parks,  aged  84  years.  Died  May  20th,  1871. 
Also  WilHam  Reid  McClelland,  late  of  Butter  Hill. 
Died  August  8th,  1882.     (Enclosure.) 

Young. — Erected  by  William  in  memory  of  his 
father  John  Young,  who  departed  this  hfe  December, 
1844.    Aged  72  years.    Here  also  lie  the  remains  of 


DONAGHMOEE  CHURCHYARD    877 

the  above-named  William  Yomig,  who  died  Jmie  6th, 
1866,  aged  53  years.     (Enclosure.) 

Little. — Erected  by  James  Lyttle,  of  Dublin.  In 
memory  of  his  mother  Margaret  Little,  who  died 
Dec.  9th,  1877,  aged  67.  Also  his  father  John,  who 
died  February  23rd,  1888,  aged  80.  And  his  brother 
Samuel,  who  died  May  17th,  1907,  aged  67.  All  of 
Buskhill.     '  Rest  in  the  Lord.' 

Hmmon. — Erected  by  Catherine  Hannon,  of  TuUy- 
raore,  in  memory  of  her  beloved  husband  John,  who 
died  17th  June,  1844,  aged  51  years.  Also  his  wife 
Catherine,  who  died  12th  February,  1863,  aged  78 
years.  Also  James  Patterson,  who  died  8th  February, 
1857,  aged  26  years.    From  America. 

Graham. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  Jane  Graham, 
wife  of  James  Graham,  of  Loughadian,  who  died  7th 
January,  1856,  aged  67  years. 

Fmegan. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  James 
Finegan,  late  of  Ardaragh,  who  departed  this  life 
19th  July,  1846,  aged  58  years. 

Doherty.—ln  memory  of  Wilham  Doherty,  who 
died  1st  March,  1907,  aged  63  years.  Also  his  wife 
Lucy.  Died  14th  November,  1911,  aged  62  years. 
And  their  child  Henry.  Died  2nd  Octobei-,  1874. 
(Enclosure.) 

McC'omI;.— Erected  by  Robert  McComb  in  memory 
of  his  wife,  Margaret  E.  McComb,  who  died  3rd  May, 
1905,  aged  65  years.  Also  her  father,  Alexander 
Linden,  who  died  28th  April,  1878,  aged  80  years. 
(Enclosure.) 

Harpwr.— This  stone  was  erected  by  John  Harpur, 
of  Corgary,  to  the  memory  of  his  wife,  Margaret  Ann 


378  DONAGHMOEE 

Harpur,  who  departed  this  hfe  the  15th  day  of  April, 
1840,  aged  44  years. 

Browne. — Erected  by  Adam  Browne,  of  Newry, 
to  the  memory  of  his  beloved  wife  Anne  Browne 
{alias  Moffit),  of  Annabawn,  who  departed  this  life  8th 
August,  1864.    Aetatis  50  years. 

Scott. — In  memory  of  George  Scott,  Junior,  who 
died  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  4th  January,  1849,  in  the 
19th  year  of  his  age,  and  whose  remains  were  deposited 
in  Spring  Grove  Cemetery,  near  that  city.  And  here 
are  interred  the  mortal  remains  of  George  Scott 
Esq.,  of  Newry,  who  died  23rd  January,  1864,  aged 
78  years.  And  here  also  are  interred  the  mortal 
remains  of  Mary  Scott,  the  beloved  wife  of  George 
Scott,  who  died  19th  August,  1879,  aged  71  years. 
Also  of  his  grandson  William  Alex.  Davis  Scott, 
who  died  3rd  July,  1877,  aged  2|  years.  Also  his 
grandchildren,  Jemima  Marion  Scott  and  Eichard 
Davis  Scott.  Also  Walter  Scott,  son  of  George 
Scott,  died  9th  October,  1906.  Aged  67  years.  And 
his  wife,  Ahce  Jane  Scott,  died  2nd  May,  1906,  aged 
68  years.*     (Enclosure.) 

Greer. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Greer, 
of  Buskhill,  who  died  on  the  18th  June,  1868,  aged 
75  years.  '  He  was  a  much  esteemed  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  parish,  of  which  he 
was  treasurer  for  many  years.  During  his  life  he 
did  much  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Church,  and  at 
his  death  bequeathed  large  sums  of  money  for  various 
rehgious  and  benevolent  objects.'     (Enclosure.) 

Clark-Patterson. — Tablet  (built  in  wall).  'The  Family 
Burial  Place  of  John  Clark,  of  Aughintobber,  1868.' 


DONAGHMOEE  CH(:i^CHYARD  379 

Headstone. — '  In  loving  memory  of  Sarah,  wife  of 
Joseph  Patterson,  of  Aiighintobber,  and  daughter  of 
the  late  John  Clark,  who  died  1st  October,  1899.' 
(Enclosm-e.) 

Marshall-Morrison.— (Double  enclosure,  with  parti- 
tion wall  and  railing)  : 

(1)  (Tablet.)     '  The  Family  Burying  ground  of  John 
Marshall,  Tyllymurry  House,  a.d.  1842.' 

(2)  Here  lie  the  remains  of  Jane  Martin  Morrison, 
second  daughter  of  John  Morrison,  M.D.  She  departed 
this  life  28th  March,  1863.  Also  of  Kobert  0.  Hayes, 
M.D.,  Bandon,  and  his  wife  Marion,  eldest  daughter 
of  John  Morrison,  M.D.,  who  departed  this  hfe  27th 
July,  1870.  Here  lie  also  the  remains  of  John  Morrison, 
M.D.,  of  Newry  ;  he  departed  this  hfe  23rd  July,  1880, 
aged  76  years.  Also  his  wife  Anna  Morrison,  w^ho 
departed  this  Hfe  March  19th,  1894.  Also  John 
Morrison  Hayes,  who  departed  this  life  May  27th,  1893, 

Here  also  lie  the  remains  of  Marion  Lucas,  only 
child  of  Eev.  F.  Lucas,  and  grand-daughter  of  Dr. 
Morrison,  Newry,  who  departed  this  hfe  January  1st, 
1896.  And  here  also  are  interred  the  remains  of 
Anna  M.  Lucas,  who  died  J  4th  February,  1903, 
youngest  daughter  of  the  above  Dr.  Morrison,  and 
wife  of  Eev.  F.  Lucas,  D.D.,  of  Dalkey,  Co.  Dublin.* 

Weir.— {Uonument.)  July,  1862.  Sacred  to  the 
memory  of  a  beloved  father  and  mother,  Nathaniel 
Weir  and  Anna  his  wife,  by  their  children,  Joseph  Weir 
and  Atma  McNeilly.  Also  Nathaniel  David  Weir. 
Died  5th  March,  1847,  aged  5  years.     (Enclosure.) 

Marshall— {In  this  burial-place  the  several  tomb- 
stones   (flat)    are    within    one    enclosure.     The    first 


880  DONAGmiORE 

has  a  special  railing,  while  the  remains  are  deposited 
in  a  granite  receptacle.) 

(1)  Here  He  the  remains  of  Hugh  Marshall,  late  of 
Warrenpoint,  who  died  on  the  23rd  of  November, 
1832.  Aged  61  years.  Also  his  beloved  wife  Marianne 
Marshall,  who  died  on  the  16th  November,  1845,  aged 
63  years.  Also  in  memory  of  their  son  Hugh  Marshall, 
who  died  at  sea  on  his  passage  from  Hong  Kong  in 
China  on  the  12th  of  December,  1845,  aged  27  years. 
And  of  their  youngest  son  George,  who  died  on  the 
22nd  September,  1865,  at  New  Orleans,  United  States, 
America,  aged  38  years,    '  In  life  beloved.' 

(2)  Here  lies  the  body  of  Hugh  Marshall,  who  died 
3rd  March  — ,  aged  65  years,  and  Margaret  Marshall, 
his  wife,  who  died  the  9th  June.     Aged  40  years. 

(3)  Here  lieth  the  remains  of  John  Marshall,  who 
died  the  17th  Feby.  1805,  aged  76  years.  Also  Agnes 
Marshall,  his  wife,  died  15th  Jan.  1814.  Aged  84  years. 
Here  lieth  Isabel  Marshall,  aged  20  years,  and  Thos. 
Marshall,  aged  18  years,  both  died  the  last  week  of 
May  1790,  and  Eliza  Marshall,  wife  of  Doctor  Hugh 
Marshall,  died  1st  June,  1800,  aged  70  years.  Also 
here  rest  the  remains  of  above  named  Doctor  Hugh 
Marshall,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  21st  day  of 
September,  1826,  aged  64  years. 

(4)  Here  lieth  the  remains  of  Thomas  Marshall 
who  died  on  the  1st  December  1791,  aged  65  years. 
Also  Mary  Marshall,  his  daughter,  who  died  the  24th 
of  May,  1796,  aged  20  years.  And  Mary  Marshall,  wife 
of  the  above  Thomas  Marshall,  who  died  21st  of  Feb., 
1810,  aged  78  years.  Also  Margaret  Marshall,  their 
daughter,  who  died  June  8th,  1818,  aged  59  (?)  years. 


DONAGHMOEE  CHUECHYAED    381 

Also  the  remains  of  Andrew  Marshall,  Aughuacavin, 
who  died  on  the  6th  day  of  August,  1847,  aged  71 
years.  Also  the  remains  of  John  IMarshall,  of  Lake 
View,  who  died  on  the  16th  February,  1878,  aged  65 
years. 

(5)  Here  lie  the  remains  of  Capt".  George  Scott, 
of  Newry,  mercht.,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  24th 
May,  1805.  Here  also  were  deposited  the  remains 
of  Marianne,  his  daughter,  who  died  on  the  17th 
February,  1823,  in  the  24th  year  of  her  age. 

And  here  were  deposited  the  remains  of  Anne  his 
wife,  who  died  on  the  11th  January,  1831,  in  the  72nd 
year  of  her  age.  Also  those  of  Marianne,  his  grand- 
daughter, one  year  old. 

Crow;.— Beneath  this  Tomb  lie  the  remains  of 
Wilham  Crow,  Esq.,  of  the  King's  County,  who 
departed  this  hfe  at  Maryvale,  Co.  Down,  on  the 
30th  day  of  June,  1820,  aged  46  years.* 

Irwin.— In  loving  memory  of  Mary  Jane,  dearly 
beloved  wife  of  John  Irwin,  who  fell  asleep  July  28tb, 
1902.    Aged  71  years. 

'  Her  children  arise  and  call  her  blessed  !  '  J  ohn  ni. 
16.     (Enclosure.) 

McKeage.—B.ei-e  lieth  the  remains  of  Sarah,  wife 
to  William  McKeage,  who  departed  this  life  27th 
November,  1828.    Aged  55  years. 

Fe(/a?i.— (Two    Headstones.) 

(1)  Here  heth  the  remains  of  Patrick  Fegan  of 
Coraary,  who  died  March  1805,  aged  76  years.  Mar- 
garet his  wife,  who  died  15th  July,  1815,  aged  86  years. 
George,  their  son,  who  died  14th  March,  1829,  aged  54 
years!  '  Marv,  his  wife,  who  died  28rd  October,  1827, 


382  DONAGHMORE 

aged  63  years.  George,  their  son,  who  died  1st 
November,  1830,  aged  27  years.  Also  that  of  John 
Fegan,  of  Drumalane,  Newry,  who  died  the  27th  April, 
1865.  Also  John  Fegan,  Drumalane,  Newry,  born  9th 
June,  1798.  Died  at  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law, 
Rosebank,  Castlereagh,  Belfast,  28th  February,  1881. 
'  His  end  was  peace.' 

(2)  Here  lieth  the  remains  of  Jane  wife  of  James 
Fegan,  of  Clanrye  Cottage,  Newry,  who  died  13th  April, 
1845.  Also  two  of  their  children,  James,  who  died 
4th  July,  1857,  aged  15  years,  Francis,  who  died  15th 
January,  1861,  aged  17  years.  In  loving  memory  of 
James  Fegan,  Clanrye  Cottage,  Newry,  died  1st  April, 
1890,  aged  84  years.  Also  his  youngest  daughter, 
EHzabeth,  who  died  12th  May,  1910.  Aged  72  years. 
(Enclosure.) 

Clark. — (Compass  and  square — Lodge  No.  269.) 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Francis  Clark,  of  Bally- 
macrattymore,  who  departed  this  life  16th  Jan.  1826. 

Neil. — Here  lieth  the  body  of  Agnes  Neil,  wife  of 
Samuel  Neil,  who  departed  this  life  April  4,  1800, 
aged  22  years. 

—  (Slate.)— J.  L.  Ys. 

Kidd. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  Joseph  Kidd, 
of  Ringohsh,  who  departed  this  hfe  June  1st,  1828. 
Aged  66  years.  Also  Agnes,  his  daughter,  who  died 
April  15th,  1826,  aged  30  years.  And  also  his  wife, 
Ehzabeth,  who  died  December  14th,  1838,  aged  82 
years.* 

Robinson. — To  the  memory  of  William  Eobinson, 
of  Granshaw,  and  Jane,  his  wife.  Also  their  son, 
John,  who  departed  this  life  5th  May.   1857.     Also 


DONAGHMOEE  CHUECHYAED    388 

their  son,  Joseph,  who  died  7th  January,  1881.  Aged 
74  years. 

McKee.—R.  McKee. 

Clements. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  the  late 
Thos.  Clements,  of  Loughorne,  who  died  on  the  11th 
of  September,  1827,  aged  72  years.  Also  his  rehct, 
Sarah  Clements,  who  died  June  18th,  1833.  Aged 
77  years.*     (Enclosure.) 

Ross.—'  Life  so  short,  Eternity  so  long.' 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Siseu  Eoss,  who  departed 
this  hfe  in  the  year  1773.  Aged  33  years.  Also 
Jean,  his  wife,  who  departed  this  life  in  the  year  1799, 
aged  57  years.  Also  two  of  the  children  of  Christopher 
Eoss,  Wm.  and  Jn. 

Co f eland.— -{Sla^te.)     S.  Copeland. 

Milder.— (Defaced)  —  and  Jane  Kelly,  his  grand- 
child. —  John  Millar  —  departed  this  life  October  ye 
3,  1783.     Aged  24  years. 

—  (name  effaced).     August  the  5th,  1761,  Aged  3. 

^Tg^^._john  Neil :   d.p.  this  life  March  25,  1815. 

r^,^lor— Underneath  are  deposited  the  remains 
of  Archibald  Taylor,  Esq.,  who  departed  this  life 
the  12th  March,  1812,  Aged  62  years.* 

(North.) 

Clegg.— 'Erected  by  Samuel  Clegg,  Loughorne,  in 
memory  of  his  wife,  Ehzabeth  Ann,  who  died  19th 
Jan.  1875.  Aged  66  years.  The  above  Samuel 
Clegg  died  11th  Sept.  1882.    Aged  88  years. 

McKelveij. —ErecieQl  to  the  memory  of  the  late 
James  McKelvey,  of  Eingbane,  who  died  the  29th 
October,  1834.     Aged  84  years.* 


384  DONAGHMOEE 

TJiompson. — Erected  by  Elizabeth  Thompson,  of 
America,  third  daughter  of  Eobert  Thompson  of 
Ballymacrattybeg,  in  memory  of  her  Parents.  Eobert 
Thompson  died  5th  Jany.,  1845.  Aged  68  years,  and 
EHzabeth  Thompson  died  1st  Jany.  1818.  Aged  40 
years. 

Colvin. — In  loving  memory  of  John  Colvin  who 
died  May  27th,  1899.     Aged  65  years. 

Co'peland. — (1)  Erected  by  Sarah  Copeland  in 
loving  memory  of  her  mother,  Sarah  Copeland,  of 
Derrybeg,  who  died  3rd  March,  1854. 

(2)  Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Thomas  Copeland, 
who  departed  this  hfe  the  7th  of  May,  1791.  Aged 
33  years. 

(3)  In  loving  memory  of  Margaret  (Maggie),  the 
beloved  wife  of  Frank  Copeland,  who  died  15th  Nov. 
1^1^-  '  Trusting  in  Jesus.' 

Gumm. — Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Alfred  Gumm, 
of  Newry,  who  departed  this  hfe  10th  February,  1864. 
Aged  52  years.  '  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the 
Lord.'     (Eev.  chap.  xiv.  ver.  13.) 

Martin. — Samuel  Martin,  son  of  Jolm  Martin  and 
Mary  Boyd,  his  wife,  died  at  Loughorne  July  viii, 
A.D.  MDCccxxxi,  aged  lxxx. 

Jane  Martin,  daughter  of  James  Harshaw  and 
Mary  Bradford,  his  wife,  married  to  Samuel  Martin 
A.D.  MDcccx.  Died  at  Loughorne  July  xvi. 
A.D.  MDcccxLVii.  Aged  Lx  years.  Samuel 
Martin,  son  of  Samuel  Martin  and  Jane  Harshaw  his 
wife.  Born  at  Loughorne,  Nov.  xv  a.d.  mdcccxvii. 
Died    at    Loughorne    Aug.    xxiv.    a.d.    mdcccxxvi. 


DONAGHMOKE  CHURCHYARD    885 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Robert  Martin,  Esq., of  Kilbrony, 
who  departed  this  hfe  the  13th  day  of  October,  1831. 
Aged  76  years.  Also  John  Martin,  Esq.,  of  Loughorne, 
who  departed  this  hfe  the  16th  of  November,  1835. 
Aged  76  years.  Mary  Martin  died  at  Loughorne 
December  17th  a.d.  1827.  Jane  Martin  died  at 
Kilbrony  July  27th  a.d.  1840,  Aged  75  years.* 
(Enclosure.)     (John  Martin,  M.P.,  see  p.  385.) 

Neil. — In  memory  of  Hugh  Neil,  who  departed  this 
hfe  on  the  19th  of  March,  1861,  in  the  89th  year 
of  his  age.  Also  Eleanor,  his  wife,  on  the  8th  of 
February  1815,  aged  36  years.  Also  their  son  Hugh 
on  the  16th  February,  1816,  aged  9  years,  and  their 
son  David  Neil  of  Cargabane  who  died  22nd  July, 
1870,  aged  75  years. 

Hamilton.— Sacred  to  the  memory  of  John  Hamil- 
ton, who  departed  this  hfe  Novr.  28th,  1813,  aged  69 
years.  Also  Margaret  his  wife;  who  departed  Feb. 
1st,  1819.    Aged  73  years. 

Kidd.— Erected  to  the  memory  of  Wihiam  Kidd, 
of  Buskhill,  who  departed  this  hfe  8th  December, 
1885,  aged  79  years.  Also  his  wife  Ehzabeth  Kidd, 
who  died  2nd  March,  1886,  aged  76  years. 

In   loving   memory    of   Ehzabeth   Kidd,    beloved 
wife   of  Wm.   J.   Kidd,   Gilford,   who   departed   this 
life  February  14th,  1912,  aged  60  years. 
'  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life.'  John  xi.  25.* 


(South.) 

Johnston.— This  tomb  is  a  large  sarcophagus  with 
flat  stone,  partly  broken  and  the  letters  defaced,  but 

2  c 


386  DONAGHMOEE 

the  following  can  be  made  out  :  '  Maria  Anabella 
Johnston,  wife  of  James  Johnston,  of  Tremont. 
Died  XXII  December,  mdccxxxii,  Aged  lxxi  years. 
Here  lieth  the  Body  of  Mrs.  Ehzabeth  Johnston, 
also  of  James  Johnston,  of  Tremont  Esq.,  who  died 
December  xxii,  mdcclxxxii.  Aged  lxiv  years. 

'  She  stretched  out  her  Hand  to  the  Poor. 

'  She  reached  forth  her  Hand  to  the  Needy.' 

Douglas. — Erected  by  Sarah  Douglas,  of  Shankhill, 
who  departed  this  life  14th  March,  1905.  Also 
Alexander  Douglas,  who  died  21st  June,  1898. 

Graharn. — Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Margaret  B. 
Graham,  who  departed  this  Hfe  on  the  16th  of  May, 
1865,  Aged  24  years.  Also  John  Graham,  who 
departed  this  life  on  the  6th  Oct.  1866,  Aged  29 
years. 

Bnjson. — Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mary  Ann 
Bryson,  who  died  the  14th  Sept.  1871,  Aged  33  years. 

Beatty. — Erected  by  Jane  Beatty  in  memory  of 
her  beloved  husband  Andrew  Beatty,  who  departed 
this  life  the  29th  August,  1859,  Aged  62  years. 

Andrew. — This  is  the  Burying  ground  of  Eobert 
Andrew,  of  Loughorne. 

Andrews. — Erected  by  Robert  Andrews  of  Port 
Hope,  Canada,  to  the  memory  of  his  father,  Eobert 
Andrews,  of  Loughorne,  who  died  6th  February,  1878, 
Aged  63.  Also  Eobert  Andrews,  who  died  1st  May, 
1851,  Aged  1  year.  Also  Jeffrey  Andrews,  who  died 
26th  March,  1858,  Aged  11  years. 

Grier. — Erected  by  his  Parents,  William  and 
Maggie  Grier,  in  loving  memory  of  their  dearly 
beloved   son  Wilham  Eobert    Grier,  who  fell  asleep 


DONAGHMOKE  CHUECHYAED    387 

in  Jesus  21st   December,   1889,  Aged  10  years  and 
4  months. 

'  What  though  in  lonely  grief  we  sigh 
For  friends  beloved,  no  longer  nigh  ? 
Submissive  still  would  I  reply, 
Thy  will  be  done. 

If  Thou  shouldst  call  me  to  resign 
What  most  I  prize,  it  ne'er  was  mine ; 
I  only  yield  Thee  what  was  Thine ; 
Thy  will  be  done.' 

Also  his  favourite  Aunt,  Bessie  Shannon,  who  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus  9th  October,  1889,  Aged  29  years. 

Dec.  16,  1874. 

Harpur.— Charles  Harpur,  aged  74  years,  a.d. 
1811. 

Lang.— The  Burial  Place  of  James  and  Hugh 
Lang  of  Cairnmeen,  and  their  Families.* 

0'H(mlo7i.—Reve  heth  the  body  of  Pat.  O'Hanlon, 
who  departed  this  Ufe  the  2oth  April,  1799,  Aged 
56  years. 

Buddick.—Heie  lie  the  remains  of  James  Euddick,of 
Eingclare,  who  departed  this  hfe  the  22nd  Jany.  1834, 
Aged  75  years.  Also  his  wife  Margaret,  who  departed 
this  hfe  the  7th  Feby.  1848,  Aged  90  years.  Also 
their  son  James  Euddick,  who  died  19th  August,  1872, 
Aged  77  years.  Also  Mary,  the  beloved  wife  of  the 
above  named  James  Euddick  who  died  July  5,  1885, 
Aged  62  years. 

Wallace— McCullough.—il)  (Flat  stone).  Here  lyeth 
ye  Body  of  Eobert  Wallace  in  Crive  T.,  who  departed 
this  life  Jany.  ye  2,  1710,  in  ye  69  year  of  his  age. 

2  0  2 


388  DONAGHMOEE 

And  here  lyeth  the  body  of  Eobert  Wallace,  who 
departed  this  hfe  the  3rd  April  (?)  1734  in  the  53rd 
year  of  his  age. 

(2)  (Headstone).— Erected  in  memory  of  Robert 
McCullough,  Creevy  House,  who  departed  this  hfe 
Oct.  24th,  1864.  Also  his  wife,  Mary  Moore 
McCullough,  died  March  6th,  1831,  and  second  wife, 
Margaret  Bowden  McCullough,  died  July  24th,  1857. 
Also  Margaret  Ewing  McCullough,  died  March  17th, 
1899.     (Enclosure.) 

Strain. — (Surmounted  by  Celtic  cross  and  mono- 
gram J.H.S.)  In  memory  of  Peter  Strain  of  Glasker 
and  Family.  R.LP.  Erected  by  his  daughter,  Mary 
Ann  Strain.     R.LP. 

Fitzpatrick.—V-dtnck  Fitzpatrick.  Anno  Domini 
1712.     (Portion  effaced.) 

McGrath. — (Surmounted  by  Roman  cross  and 
monogram  I.H.S.)  Of  your  charity  pray  for  the 
soul  of  Francis  McGrath,  of  Beech  Hill,  who  died  14th 
January,  1868.  Aged  72  years  ;  also  Jane,  his  beloved 
wife,  who  died  28th  March,  1844,  Aged  58  years. 

McCormic. — Erected  by  Ann  Jane  Cooke  in  memory 
of  her  father,  William  John  McCormic,  of  Lisnatier- 
ney,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  27th  April,  1849. 
Aged  63  years.  Also  her  mother,  Mary  Ann  McCormic 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  28th  July,  1867.  Aged 
70  years. 

Crawford.— Here  heth  the  body  of  WilHam  Craw- 
ford, who  departed  this  hfe  on  1st  day  of  December, 
1734,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age. 

McMmn.— Here  lieth  the  body  of  Robert  McMinn, 
late  of  Castle  Lanigan,  who  departed  this  hfe  the 


DONAGHMORE  CHURCHYABD  889 

12th  day  of  Nov.  1798,  Aged  78  years.  Here  lieth  the 
remains  of  Gilbert  McMinn,  son  of  John— (Remainder 
effaced.) 

McMinn.— (1)  Here  he  the  remains  of  Susanna, 
wife  of  Joseph  McMinn,  of  Newry,  who  departed  this 
life  the  10th  of  February,  1823,  Aged  70  years. 
Also  the  remains  of  the  above  Joseph  McMinn,  who 
died  the  11th  of  July  1829,  Aged  79  years. 

(2)  Here  lie  the  remains  of  Robert  McMinn,  of 
Tormore,  who  departed  this  life  the  12th  October, 
1808,  aged  70  years.  Also  the  remains  of  his  brother 
Gilbert  McMinn  of  Tormore,  who  departed  this  hfe 
on  the  12th  of  April,  1823,  aged  77  years.  Also  the 
remains  of  their  niece  Mary  Rutherdale,  of  Tormore, 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  3rd  of  Januaiy,  1849, 
Aged  84  years.  Robert  McMinn,  of  Castle  Ennigan, 
died  15th  December,  1879,  Aged  80  years.  (Enclosure.)* 

McKeoivn. — Here  lie  the  body  of  James  McKeown, 
who  departed  this  hfe  30th  of  March,  1830,  aged  69. 
Also  his  wife  Easter  McKeown,  who  departed  this 
hfe  11th  August,  1834,  aged  74.  Here  lie  the  body 
of  their  son,  Joseph  McKeown,  who  died  the  10th 
February,  1836,  Aged  45  years. 

McCamley. — Here  lieth  the  remains  of  Michael 
McCamley,  late  of  Newry,  who  departed  this  life 
the  1st  day  of  June,  1700.    Aged  — . 

McCZor?/.— (Surmounted  by  Roman  cross  and 
monogram  J.H.S.).  Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Felix 
McClory,  who  dept.  this  hfe  May  22nd,  1786,  Aged 
61  years.  Also  Eals  McClory,  June  22nd,  1781, 
Aged  6  years,  and  —  Mary  McClory,  June  22nd, 
1786. 


890  DONAGHMOEE 

Salvetrer  (or  Salvestrer)  McClory's  Burying 
Place. 

Black. — '  Eeader  !    remember  Thou  must  die.' 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  David  Black,  who  died 
on  the  viith  day  of  April  mdcclxxi,  Aged  lxxxvi 
years.* 

Magfe?iis.— (Surmounted  by  Eoman  cross.)     Here 

lyeth  the  body  of  Arthur  Magenis,  who  died  April  11th, 

1814,  Aged  73  years. 

M   C 
No  Name. — (Roman  cross.)    td*  ^' 

Scott. — Sacred  to  the  memory  of  David  'cott 
of  Desart,  who  departed  this  life  February  1807, 
aged  64  years.  Also  in  memory  of  Elizabeth  Scott, 
his  wife,  who  departed  this  life  January  1883,  Aged 
98  years. 

Scott. — (Slate.)  John  Scott. 

Harcourt. — (Headstone.)  Sacred  to  the  memory 
of  John  Harcourt,  who  departed  this  life  April  the 
first  1818,  aged  72  years.  Also  Mary  his  wife,  who 
departed  this  life  January  the  21st  1833,  Aged  82 
years.  Also  his  grandson,  John  Thomas  Harcourt, 
who  departed  this  Hfe  on  the  15th  of  May,  1847, 
aged  19  yrs. 

(Flat  stone.)  Erected  in  memory  of  John  Harcourt , 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  first  day  of  July  1877, 
aged  88  years.  And  of  Jane  Harcourt  his  wife, 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  sixth  day  of  July,  1881, 
aged  72  years,  also  of  their  youngest  son,  Joseph, 
who  died  at  Liverpool  on  the  11th  October,  1893. 
Aged  52  years.  Also  their  daughter,  Mary  Harcourt, 
aged  17  years,  who  died  in  1852.    Also  their  daughter 


DONAGHMORE  CHURCHYAED   891 

Jane  Eliza  Stewart,  who  died  May  5th,  1909,  aged 
76  years.     (Enclosure.) 

Smyth.— Here  lieth  the  body  of  Robert  Smyth, 
of  Donaghmore,  who  departed  this  Hfe  the  15th  day 
of  February,  1804.     Aged  72  years. 

ffaZe.— (Roman  cross  and  J.H.S.)  Erected  to  the 
memory  of  Ellen  Hale,  of  Drumsallagh,  who  died 
28th  December,  1826,  aged  56  years.  Also  Hugh,  her 
son,  who  died  16th  March,  1884,  aged  19.  And  also 
Thomas,  her  son,  who  died  18th  May,  1848,  Aged  38. 
'  Bequiescant  in  face.  Amen.' 
O'iJaro.— (Roman  cross  and  J.H.S.)  Here  Heth 
the  remains  of  Elizabeth  O'Hara,  daughter  of 
Patk.  O'Hara,  of  Frankford,  who  departed  this  Hfe 
March  25th,  1832,  Aged  20  years. 

McElroy. — (Three  headstones.)  (1)  Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  Margaret,  wife  of  John  McElroy,  of 
Dromantine,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1806,  in  the  81st  year  of  her  age.  This  stone 
was  erected  by  her  son,  Wilham,  now  a  resident  of 
Albany,  North  America,  during  a  visit  to  his  native 
land  in  December,  1840.  The  above  John  McElroy 
departed  this  life  the  11th  September,  1848,  aged 
81  years. 

(2)  Erected  by  James  McElroy,  of  Albany,  America, 
in  memory  of  his  beloved  mother,  Elizabeth  McElroy, 
who  departed  this  hfe  18th  May,  1859.    Aged  85  years. 

(3)  Samuel  McElroy,  1811-1899.  Ann  McCullough, 
his  wife,  1825-1902.  Their  children,  Ehzal)eth,  1854- 
1906,  Susannah,  1868-93. 

McKelvey.— Here  lieth  the  remains  of  ^lary 
McKelvey,  who  departed  this  life  September  1812, 


392  DONAGHMORE 

and  also  her  husband,  James  McKelvey,  who  departed 
this  Hfe  November  1832. 

McCourt — (Roman  cross  and  J.H.S.) 
'  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo.' 

Erected  to  the  memory  of  Laurance  McCourt,  of 
Ballylough,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  12th  of 
April,  1827.  Aged  60  years.  Also  his  daughter, 
Catherine,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the  3rd  of  June, 
1822,  Aged  18  years.     '  May  they  rest  in  peace.' 

Donnell. — (Roman  cross.)  In  memory  of  James 
Donnell,  of  Newry,.who  departed  this  hfe  18th  January, 
1822.  Aged  48  years.  And  Mary  Donnell,  rehet  of 
the  above,  died  January  18th,  1847,  Aged  77  years. 
Also  Jane  Donnell,  their  daughter,  died  24th  January, 
1829,  Aged  22  years.* 

Neil — Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Elizabeth  Neil,  of 
Cargoban,  who  departed  this  hfe  the  9th  of  April,  1812. 
Aged  30  years.  Also  her  husband,  Samuel  Neil,  who 
departed  this  life  the  5th  of  October  1825,  in  the  69th 
year  of  his  age.  This  stone  was  erected  by  their  son, 
Samuel  Neil,  now  a  resident  of  West  Continent 
territory.  West  America,  during  a  visit  to  his  native 
land  in  March  1842. 

Marshall. — Erected  by  J.  H.  Marshall  in  memory 
of  his  uncle,  Joseph  Marshall,  died  11th  Oct.  1885. 
Also  his  grandfather,  Andrew  Marshall,  died  16th 
March,  1853. 

Wright. — In  memory  of  Mary,  daughter  of  the 
late  Joseph  Marshall,  Tullymurry,  and  beloved  wife  of 
Thomas  Wright,  Dromantine,  who  departed  this  life 
15th  March,  1905,  aged  53  years. 

'  Erected  by  her  husband  and  children.' 


DONAGHMOEE  CHURCHYAED    393 

Parser.— Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mary,  the 
beloved  wife  of  Hem:y  Parker,  of  Bryansford,  who  died 
the  29th  day  of  April,  1860,  Aged  65  years.  Also 
of  Ann  Parker,  maternal  Aunt  of  the  said  Henry 
Parker,  who  died  the  3rd  day  of  May,  1860,  at  Bryans- 
ford, Aged  90  years.  Also  Joseph,  father  of  the  said 
Henry  Parker,  who  died  at  Bryansford,  March  8th. 
1861.  Aged  82  years.  Also  Ehzabeth,  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Parker,  and  mother  of  the  said  Henry  Parker, 
who  died  at  Bryansford  on  the  9th  of  July,  1864, 
Aged  87  years.  Also  John  Moody  Parker,  grandson 
to  the  above  named  Henry  Parker,  who  died  on  the 
5th  day  of  May  1867,  Aged  8  years.  And  also  Henry 
Parker,  Carleton  House,  Blaris,  Lisburn,  who  departed 
this  life  21st  November,  1869.  Aged  61  years. 
'  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  His 
saints.'     Psalm  116,  v.  15.* 

Turlcy. — This  is  the  Burying  Place  of  Patrick 
Turley,  Carnacally,  1781.     (Remainder  effaced.) 

Murdoch.— {Two  stones.)  (1)  Here  lieth  the  body 
of  Andrew  Murdoch,  who  departed  this  life  je  27th  of 
May,  in  ye  year  of  our  Lord  1717,  Aged  69  years. 
Also  his  wife,  Isobell  Hunter,  who  departed  this  hfe 
ye  29th  of  May,  1732,  Aged  82  years. 

(2)  Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Sam  Boyd,  who 
departed  this  hfe  Sept.  2.  Aged  63  years,  1741.  Also 
lyes  the  body  of  Jane  Murdoch,  who  departed  this  life 
March  24th,  1765,  Aged  85  years.  Here  lyeth  the 
body  of  Robert  Boyd  —  ye  31st  February,  1703  — 
body  of  Isobell  Boyd,  who  departed  ye  7th  of  July, 
1731,  Aged  14  years,  both  children  of  Sam 
Boyd. 


894  DONAGHMOEE 

Thompson. — A.  Thompson,  who  depd.  this  Hfe 
4th  Aug.  1817,   Aged  59. 

(Slate.)    S.M. 

O'Hara. — Erected  by  David  O'Hara,  of  Crowreagh, 
in  memory  of  his  beloved  son,  James,  who  departed 
this  hfe  7th  May,  1888,  Aged  23  years.  Also  his  son 
Edward,  who  died  25th  August,  1882,    Aged  16  years. 

Magenis.  (Eoman  cross.) — This  is  the  Burying 
Place  of  Phele  Magenis,  of  Carygarovady,  1769, 
Aged  69.     (Eemainder  effaced.) 

Johnston. — Here  lyeth  ye  body  of  John  Johnston, 
who  departed  this  life  ye  10th  day  of  N —  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1716,  as  also  ye  body  of  Agnes  John- 
ston, wife  to  ye  above  John  Johnston,  who  departed 
this  hfe  March  13th,  1728  (?),  Aged  66  years. 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Robert  Johnston,  late  of 
Cloughan, — er,  who  departed  this  hfe  April  9  (?)  1709. 
Aged  59  years.  Here  lieth  the  body  of  Thomas 
Johnston,  who  departed  this  life  the  15th  day  of  June, 
1762,     Aged  69  years  and  nine  weeks.* 

(East.) 

Mathers. — This  is  the  Burying  Place  of  Wm. 
Mathers.  Here  lye  the  body  of  his  wife,  Mary  Mathers, 
who  departed  this  hfe  the  15th  of  March,  1799,  Aged 
54  yrs.     Also  of  their  children. 

Ham'pton. — Erected  to  the  memory  of  William 
Hampton,  of  Corgary,  who  departed  this  life  on  the 
11th  day  of  May,  1828,  Aged  80  years.  And  also  his 
wife,  Hannah  Hampton,  who  departed  this  hfe  on  the 
7th  day  of  October,  1810,    Aged  58  years.    Likewise 


DONAGHMOEE  CHURCHYARD    895 

their  son,  John  Hampton,  who  departed  this  Hfe  on  the 
23rd  day  of  April,  1840,    Aged  53  years. 

Donnell. — In  memory  of  Joseph  Donnell  of  Bally- 
lough,  who  died  1st  Nov.  1893,  Aged  84  years.  Also 
his  son,  Joseph  Donnell,  who  died  20th  Feb.  1904. 
Aged  55  years. 

Barr. — Erected  by  request  of  the  late  Miss  Martha 
Barr,  Corcreechy,  in  affectionate  remembrance  of  her 
father  and  mother  and  other  relations  whose  remains 
lie  within  this  enclosure.  Martha  Barr  died  June  11, 
1897.  '  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,' 
(Rev.  14  and  13.)     (Enclosure.) 

Baicliff — Erected  by  Samuel  Eatcliff  in  beloved 
memory  of  his  son,  James  Eatcliff,  who  departed  this 
hfe  16th  December,  1872,  Aged  26  years. 

Jardine. — Erected  by  Martha  Jardine,  widow  of  the 
late  Hamilton  Jardine,  of  Shankhill,  to  the  memory  of 
Samuel  Jardine,  of  Ringban,  who  departed  this  life 
21st  June,  1836,  Aged  75  years.  Also  to  the  memory 
of  his  son  Hamilton  Jardine,  her  beloved  husband, 
who  departed  this  life  29th  May,  1845,  Aged  55 
years.* 

Morrison. — Here  lieth  the  body  of  Joseph  Morrison, 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  10th  day  of  August,  1817, 
Aged  79  years,  and  Jane,  his  wife,  who  died  on  the 
21st  of  July,  1803,  Aged  60  years.  Also  the  remains 
of  John  Morrison,  M.D.,  who  died  the  18th  Jany.  1828, 
Aged  43  years.* 

Wilson.— Reve  lieth  the  body  of  Adam  Wilson,  who 
departed  this  Hfe  June  the  1st,  1783,  Aged  66 
year3.* 

McKittrick— To  the  memory  of  John  :McKittrick, 


396  DONAGHMORE 

of  Shinn,  who  departed  this  Hfe  on  the  14th  April,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1865,  in  the  69th  year  of  his 
age.  Also  his  wife,  Margaret  McKittrick,  who  departed 
this  life  in  the  same  year,  in  the  63rd  year  of  her 
age.     Erected  by  S.  and  J.  McKittrick. 

Cohnn. — Erected  by  James  Colvin,  Fom-mile- 
House,  in  memory  of  his  father  and  mother. 

—  (Slate.)  H.  L 

Bradford. — Here  lies  Wilham  Bradford,  who  dept. 
this  life  June  9th,  1785,  Aged  72  years.  Also 
Agnes  his  wife,  Jany.  7th,  1781,  Aged  63  years, 
and  3  of  their  children. 

'  Weep  not  for  us,  your  children  dear, 
We  are  not  dead,  but  sleeping  here ; 
We  rest  in  Peace,  in  hope  to  rise 
To  live  with  Christ  in  Paradise.' 

Nugent.— To  S'.  Nugent,  Dpd.  7th  Mrh.,  1826. 

Mathers. — In  affectionate  remembrance  of  Thomas 
Mathers,  of  Edenderry,  who  departed  this  hfe  17th 
March,  1893,     Aged  75  years.     (Enclosure.) 

Jackson. — In  memory  of  John  Jackson,  of  Ringclare, 
who  departed  this  life  1st  Sept.  1847,     Aged  63  years. 

J5rume.— (Slate.)  J.  Ervine. 

Megaw. — Here  lieth  the  remains  of  John  Megaw,  of 
Menin,  who  depd.  this  life  April  1st,  1819,  Aged 
74  years.  Also  his  son,  Thomas  Megaw,  who  departed 
this  life  December  28th,  1850,  Aged  72  years.  Also 
his  beloved  wife  Sarah  Megaw,  who  departed  this  life 
29th  Oct.  1876,     Aged  80  years. 

Kingon. — (Masonic  emblems.)  Erected  by  William 
Kingon,  of  Loughorne,  in  memory   of  his   daughter 


DONAGHMOEE  CHUECHYAED    397 

Nancy,  who  died  the  21st  Jany.  1851,  Aged  15 
years.  Also  his  granddaughter  Mary  J.  Briars,  who 
died  17th  Nov^  1856,  Aged  3  weeks,  And  his  Son 
John,  who  died  at  Cape  Coast  Castle,  West  of  Africa, 
19th  July,  1863,     Aged  24  years. 

Dickie — (Slate.)  Dickie. 

Sands. — (Eoman  cross  and  J.H.S.)  This  Burying 
Ground  belongs  to  the  Sands. 

Forde. — (Eoman  cross  and  J.H.S.)  This  is  the 
burying  Place  of  James  Forde  —  17  —  (effaced). 

Kearney.  T.K.  :  A.G.  50,  1782.  J.  Kearney  A.  G. 
76,  18  LI. 

Here  Hes  the  body  of  Adam  —  who  departed 

this  life  October  ye  4th  1754,  aged  79  years,  and  the 
body  of  —  (effaced). 

Kerr. — The  remains  of  Jane  Kerr  hes  here.  Her 
happy  spirit  fled  to  joy  above,  June  6th,  1793,  Aged 
32  (?)  years.     '  Eeader,  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God.' 


INDEX  OF  PKINCIPAL  CONTENTS 


Amusements,  ancient  Irish,  30 
Anderson,  Rev.  J.,  207 
Anderson,  Professor,  53 
Architecture,  early  Irish,  176-9 
Aristocracy,   ancient   marks  of, 

13 
Armagh  Cathedral,  178 
Askins,  Rev.  W.  J.,  208 

Ballybetagh,  a,  337 

Barton,  Rev.  T.,  207 

Beggars,  strolling,  219 

Bells,  church,  181,  182,  243,  246 

Benefactions,  193 

Betagh,  a,  338 

Bingham,  G.,  364 

Book  of  Rights,  6 

Bradford  W.,  312,  313 

Brehon  law,  18,  21 

Brereton's  torn-,  35 

Bricren,  134 

Bronte,    Hugh,    and    the    Har- 

shaws,  330 
Bryson,  Rev.  A.,  359,  360 
Bryson,  Rev.  J.,  360,  362 
Bryson,  Surgeon,  306 
Burgess,  Rev.  S.,  207 
Burglary,  221 

Burial,  ancient  modes  of,  370 
Burnett,  Rev.  L.,  279,  280 

Garden,  Colonel,  211 
Carswell  family,  94 
Carter,  Rev.  J.,  347 
Cauls,  236 


Celtic  types  and  characteristics, 

14 
Census,  47-51 
Chancel,  erection  of,  250 
Characteristics    of    inhabitants, 

100 
Church    of    Ireland,     historical 
'"  continuity  of,  164 
Church,  Donaghmore  parish,  180 
Churchwarden,  office  of,  250-3 
Churchwardens,  253-8 
Churchyard,  Donaghmore,    120, 

370-97 
Civilisation,  ancient  Irish,  28 
Clan  of  Celtchair  MacUthair,  24 

Clan  of  Ercc,  25 

Clan  system,  14,  22 

Clans,  Ulster,  22 

Clanagan,  Manor  of,  66-8,  337 

Clanwiliiam,  Earl  of,  78 

Clark,  J.,  248 

Clerks,  parish,  225-7 

Coffin,  Rev.  J.,  199 

Colour,  rank  denoted  by,  20 

Congregation,  193 

Copeland,  R.,  285 

Corry  family,  62 

Corry,  I.,  63,  316 

Costume,  ancient  Irish,  19-2b 

Cowan,  Rev.  J.  D.,  200 

Craig  family,  65 

Cross  of  Donaghmore  (Celtic),  150 

Crosses,  ancient  Irish,  158 
Culdees,  170-3 
Cunnmgham,  Mrs.,  65 
Curates  of  Donaghmore,  207,  208 


400 


INDEX 


Dancing,  30 
Dane's  Cast,  150-6 
Dedications,  Celtic,  175 
Derry,  Bishop  of  (Earl  of  Bristol), 

96 
Dickson,  Rev.  J.,  207 
Dinner,  agricultural,  99 
Dinner  to  H.  Irvine,  64 
Dispensary,  304-33 
Districts,  origin  of,  336 
Dixon,  Rev.  J.,  207 
Domnach-Mor,  Bishop  of,  169 
Domnach-Mor,    derivation    and 

meaning,  1 
Donaghinore,  physical  aspect  of, 

36,^44 
Donaghinore,  topography,  44 
Donaghinore  of  Magh  Cobha,  2 
Donaghraore  Manor,  55-65 
Donnybrook  Fair,  32 
Downe  survey,  68,  70 
Dromantine,  81 
Dun — residence  of  a  king,  133 
Dunkin,  Rev.  P.,  199 

Education,  ancient,  29 
Elders,  ruling,  282-6,  364,  365 
Election,  Ministerial,  287 
Electoral  divisions,  52 
Elliott,  Rev.  J.,  277-9 
Excommunications,  193 
Expressions,  local,  104-8 


Gaedner,  Rev.  0.,  200 

Ghosts.  114-19 

Glass,  Rev.  J.,  207 

Glebe,  Donaghmore,  189,  191 

Glen  and  Fourto\^ns,  337-69 

Glen  Manor,  66 

Glen  of  the  Black  Pig,  152 

Glenny  family,  162,  210 

Glynwood  Massacre,  88-92 

Gordon  family,  94 

Gordon,  G.,  210 

Gordon,  S.,  209 


Hackkt,  Rev.  — ,  207 
Hamilton,  Hans,  75 
Hamilton,  Rev.  M.,  207 
Harcourt  family,  215 
Harpur,  J.,  286 
Harrison,  Rev.  H.,  199 
Harshaw  diary,  293 
Harshaw  family,  284,  316-31 
Harshaw,  James.  316 
Harshaw,  John,  284 
Haskett,  Rev.  — ,  207 
Hawkins  family,  75,  77 
Hay,  Rev.  J.,  273 
Henderson,  Rev.  W.,  207 
Herenachs,  185,  197-9 
Heron,  Rev.  T.,  359 
Houses,  ancient,  34 
Howse,  Rev.  G.,  207 


Fairies,  144-50 

Fairs,  ancient.  30-32 

Fairs.  Irish,  origin  of,  32 

Fairy  superstitions,  origin  of,  144 

Farming  Society,  99 

Finlay,  Rev.  M.,  273 

Fortescue  family,  60 

Forts,  128-31 

Forts,  age  of,  140 

Forts,  builders  of,  142 

Forts,  names  of,  132 

Forts,  types  of,  131 

Forts,  uses  of,  132 

Foundlings,  218 


Innes  family,  78-81 
Innes-Cross,  A.  C,  80 
Irish,  ancient,  two  types  of,  12 
Irvine,  H.,  64 
Iveagh,  Viscount,  75 


Johnston,  Rev.  F.,  202 
Johnston,  Rev.  J.,  270 
Johnston.  Rev.  N.,  207 


Kane,  W.  F.  de  V.,  154 

Kings,  ancient  Irish,  14,  24 


INDEX 


401 


Land  tenures,  17 
Leslie,  Rev.  W.,  207 
Lett,  Canon,  63,  153 
Lowry,  A.,  297 
Lucas,  W.,  81,  82 

MacCon villi:,  Rev.  F.,  340 
McCiacken,  Rev.  R.,  208 
McCullough,  Rev.  H.,  207 
McDermott,  Dr.,  315 
McDonnell,  Rev.  James,  346 
McDonnell,  Rev.  John,  345,  347 
M'Dowell,  Rev.  H.,  279 
McElroy,  J..  217 
McGivern,  Dr.,  315 
McLaughlin,  Rev.  F.,  346,  347 
McMaster,  D.,  247 
Magenis,  Murtagh  McEnaspicke, 

67 
Magenis  family,  3,  5,  66-75,  337 
Magennis,  Rev.  F.,  348 
Magh  Cobha,  castles  of,  7 

Magh  Cobha,  exploits  in,  7 

Magh  Cobha,  King  of  Norway 
slain  in,  9 

Magh  Cobha,  Kings  of,  5 

Magh  Cobha,  signification    and 
location  of,  3 

Magill  family,  77 

Magistrates,  53 

Mahaify,  Professor,  87 

Manners,  108 

Manor  Courts,  57 

Manses,  299,  365 

Marshall  family,  214 

MarshaU,  H.,  298 

Martin  fauaily,  331 

Martin,  John,  47,  332-5 

Martin,  Rev.  J.,  207 

Mathers,  W.,  212 

Matthews,  Rev.  M.,  199 

Medical  officers,  305-15 

Mee,  Rev.  M.  J.,  204 

Militia,  98,  229-32 

Mills,  Dr.  J.  A.,  313 

Mills,  Dr.  S.,  310,  313 

Mills,  Dr.  W.  S.,  314 


Monasticism,  Irish,  166 
Moore,  Rev.  S.  J.,  274-6 
Morrison,  J.,  217 
Mountgarrett,  Rev.  J.,  203,  207 
Moycovians,  the,  10 
Murdock,  A.,  298 
Murray,  R.  H.,  87 

Naismith,  Rev.  A.,  200 
National  colour,  27 
Nationality,  Irish,  16 
Norwood,  Rev.  D.,  359 

O'DONOVAN,  J.,  visit  to  Donagh- 

more,  161 
O'Hagan,  Rsv.  J.,  347 
O'Hanlon,  Redmond,  81,  84 
O'Hanlon  family,  86 
O'Hare,  Rev.  C,  346 
O'MakreU,  184,  196,  197 

Parish  priests,  346-9 

Parochial  House,  344 

Parochial  system,  37 

Patterson,  J.,  210 

Penances,  193 

Petty' s  census,  47,  48 

Pews,  222 

Place-names,  sources  of,  39 

Plate,  church,  196 

Politics,  104 

Poor  Law  Guardians,  53 

Piesbyterian    Church,    Donagh- 

more,  260-303 
Presbyterian  Church,  Fourtowns, 

358-65 
Presbyterian  Church  officers,  302 
Presbyterian     clergy,      269-80, 

359-64 
Presbyterian  discipline,  289 
Presentments,  stringent,  224 
Price,  Rev.  J.,  207 
Pudsey,  Rev.  R.,  199 

QuiNN  family,  205-6 
Quinn,  R«v.  J.  C,  205,  208 
2d 


402 


INDEX 


Radham,  Rev.  J.,  199 
Rath  of  the  Kings,  141 
Rectors    of    Donaghmore,    205, 

206 
Religion,  102 
Rent-payers,  first,  19 
Return,  Parliamentary.  185 
Revival,  291 
Revolution,  92 
Richey,  Rev.  G.,  271 
Rigg,"Rev.  J.,  207 
Roads,  repairs  of,  21 H 
Robinson,  J.  J.,  212 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  343-6 
Ryan,  Rev.  M.,  347 

Sacheverell,  Rev.  T.,  201 

St.  Conall,  rule  of,  29 

St.  Donard.  173 

St.  MacErc,  165-70 

St.  MacErc  of  Slane,  166,  174 

Salutation,  forms  of,  109 

Savage  family,  342 

Saunderson,  Dr.,  306-10 

Sayors,  Rev.  G.  B.,  208 

School    houses.    227,   239,   240, 

300,  349,  350.  367,  368,  369 
School  teachers,  239,  240,  301, 

349,  351,  367,  368,  369 
Service  books,  194-6 
Shannon,  R.  W.,  365 
Sloane,  Rev.  W.  H.,  363 
Small,  F.  B.,  365 
Smith.  Rev.  B.,  203 
Souterrains,  120-7 
Souterrains,  builders  of,  127 
Souterrains,  description  of,  124 
Souterrains,  uses  of,  125 
Superstitions,  111,  144 
Surnames,  Glen,  339 
Surnames,  Irish,  343 
Synod  of  Ulster,  261 
Synodsmen,  diocesan.  259 

Tenures,  curious,  58 
Tithe  war,  188 


Tithes,  185-9,  19 

Tithes,  agitation 

Tithes,  composition  of,  244 

Todd,  Rev.  H.,  182 

Tombstones  in  Barr  Churchyard, 
351-8 

Tombstones  in  Donaghmore 
Churchyard,  370-97 

Tombstones  in  Fourtowns 
Churchyard.  365-7 

Tories,  84 

Towers,  round,  179 

Townland  distribution,  37 

Townland  names — Irish  deriva- 
tion and  signification,  40 

Trevor,  Sir  E.,  59 

Tribal  government,  15 

Twigg,  Rev.  P.,  200 

Ulster,  King  of,  23 

Value  of  living,  183,  184,  192 
Vaughan,  Rev.  G.,  200 
Vaughan,  J.,  64 
Vestry  books.  213-59 
Vestry  dispute,  227,  235-9 
Vestry,  select,  258 
Vicars  of  Donaghmore,  196-206 
Visitation,  Royal,  185 
Visitations  of  Presbytery,  293-7 
Volunteer  Convention,  96 
Volunteers,  93 


Wall  of  Ulidia,  Great,  153 
Wetherbv,  Dean,  200 
White,  Rev.  P.,  276 
White,  Rev.  V.  W.,  274 
Whitechurch,  Sir  M.,  60 
Witchcraft,  113 
Woods  family,  312 
Woods.  T.,  311 


Young,  R.,  285 
Young,  Rev.  W.  P.,  364 


Spottiaii'oode  d-  Co.  Ltd.,  Printers,  Colchester,  London  ami  Eton.