Donaghcloney village

This photo of about 1910 shows the north end of Donaghcloney village. The Post Office is on the left with the Plough pub to its left. The large building near the trees is the Orange Hall which was built in 1880.

The townland was held from the church by the McBredna family in early 17th century then by George Sexton in 1622 then Sir John Magill by 1667.There was a bleach mill & school here in 1836, a Danish fort & parish church here. In 1886 there was a weaving factory & bleach works here.

Newspaper article from Northern Star;
meeting of Volunteers 5 Jan 1793

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
new post office 16 Aug 1845; meeting with Mr Hancock re Tenants' Rights 15 Jan 1876

Donaghcloney Church of Ireland
in Donaghcloney village

The old parish church was formerly in Donaghcloney village but was moved to Waringstown in 1641. The old church was on the site where local tradition says St Patrick traced out the foundations with his pastoral staff. There were no remains of this ancient church found.
The building to the left was erected in 1903 by the widow of W.E. Liddell to service the village of Donaghcloney and surrounding area as a National school . The school closed in 1970s and the building became St Patricks Church of Ireland . See below for a list of those men who served in 1st World War 1914-1918. This memorial is just outside the church. See statute in the photo .

Waringstown

This photo of Waringstown was taken around 1920. Waringstown was originally called Clanconnel and was purchased by William Waring in 1697. It was his son Samuel who, having become interested by the techniques in Holland and Belgium, introduced linen manufacture to the town. The cottages in the main street were all occupied by weavers and their families. Even in 1900, almost every house had its weaving shop attached with two or three looms.

Although many weavers worked from home there were several factories which provided employment in the town. The linen industry was a great source of employment for women. They could work at home or the factory doing fine needlework and finishing the woven material. The napkins and tablecloths were run off in a long strip which was caught and held in the netting at the side of the loom. It was then cut to the appropriate size and finished elsewhere. The designs for the inlaid pattern in the heavy double damask were drawn by designers, either freelance or employed exclusively by the large weaving factories.

In 1834 there were 130 houses in Waringstown which is the major town in this parish. 110 houses of one-storey ,17 of two-storeys & one of 3 storeys. Only 18 were slate roofed the rest were thatched. The people travelled to Lurgan or Dromore to attend the fairs. There were 2 linen merchants, 1 surgeon, 1 grocer & haberdashery, 1 grocer & spirit dealer, 1 butcher, 1 baker, 50 weavers, 1 tailor, I milliner, 1 shoemaker, 1 reedmaker, 1 glazier,2 lodging houses, 1 wheelwright, 1 nailer and 1 smithie also old brewery hereand , a school.

A great many of the thatched cottages in the photo were knocked down in the mid 1950s.

Article from Down Recorder newspaper;
distressed weavers 1 Oct 1842; homicide, Samuel Lackey 9 Nov 1867

Waringstown Church of Ireland - Holy Trinity
west side of Waringstown village, in Magherana townland, Banbridge Road

The church was built here by William Waring in 1641 or 1689 to replace the older church in Donaghcloney village. The north transept was added in 1830. In 1836 it was described as a plain, stone building in the shape of a T,capable holding 250 people. It has a steeple & tower with 2 bells, one of which was donated by Henry Jenny in 1750. Inside is very neat with an antique appearance but the roof is unceiled. It has Gothic windows at the gable. There is a monument to Lieut. Atkinson who died 1830 aged 45. The value of the tithes in 1832 was £243. A south aisle was added in 1858 & new chancel in 1888. The minister in 1866 was Rev. S. Williams. Ven. Rev. Edward Dupre Atkinson was rector & published A History of Donaghcloney in 1898.

parish registers date from 1697 (in local custody); graveyard near the bridge; gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 19 ; oldest gravestone 1709; email me for a gravestone look-up

This photo was kindly sent to me by Brian McCleary

Waringstown Presbyterian Church
in Tullyherron townland on Mill Hill

This Meeting House was built in 1853 on the north-eastern edge of Waringstown village. The minister in 1852 was Rev. Michael McMurray. There was a boys' school built at the back in 1856 & girls' school beside it in 1914.

Records from 1862; graveyard is behind the church, down a lane ; gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 19; oldest stone 1885; email me for a gravestone look-up

This photo was kindly sent to me by James Huey.

Ballynabragget Seceeding Presbyterian Church called Donaghcloney Presbyterian

The old meeting house (top ) was built in 1750 & completed in May 1798 . The earliest minister was Rev. Thomas Maybe who shared with Drumgooland parish.

The minister 1771-1783 was Rev. James Carmichael , then Rev. John Riddel & Rev. George Hay before his death 1829 . In 1836 it was described as a large stone, roughcast, whitewashed building which was capable of seating 400 people. In 1836 the ministers were supported by voluntary contributions of £70 & an allowance from the Crown of £50. The minister at that time was Rev. James Moorehead D.D. then Rev. David Parke MA. The church on the right was rebuilt in 1900.( An inscription over the door).

Records from 1798; www.emeraldancestors.com have baptism 1844-1864 also at Public Records Office (PRONI) under MIC 1P/342; Graveyard surrounds the church; gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 19; burials from 1817; email me for a gravestone look-up